931From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 24 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received my dear Maria, your letter of Mar. 26. I find I have counted too much on you as a Botanical and zoological correspondent: for I undertook to affirm here that the fruit was not killed in Virginia, because I had a young daughter there who was in that kind of correspondence with me, and who I was sure would have mentioned it if it had been so. However I shall go on communicating...
932Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 8 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not so soon have troubled you with a reply to your friendly favor of Mar. 15. but for your saying that ‘if I wish to look into your work on the diseases of the mind you will send me a copy.’ I read with delight every thing which comes from your pen, and the subject of this work is peculiarly interesting. the book by Bishop Porteous which you were so kind as to inclose me, was safely...
933From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick Beasley, 25 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to the rev d mr Beasley for the copy he has been so kind as to send him of his ‘search of truth in the science of the human mind.’ at the age of 80. the mind shrinks from all laborious speculations, and wants really the acuteness required by those of a Metaphysical character. yet in the table of contents are observed some chapters so interesting as to invite...
934From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Burney, 10 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty, through Mr. Paradise, of asking your advice in the purchase of a harpsichord. He has transmitted me a letter you were pleased to write him on that subject. The readiness with which you have been so good as to act in this matter excites my warmest gratitude, and I beg you to accept of my thanks for it. The objection made by Kirkman to the resin of Walker’s bowstring has some...
935Enclosure: Bond to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in the county of Albemarle in Virginia am bound unto Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorsts and Nicholas Hubbard of Amsterdam in the United Netherlands in the sum of two thousand Dollars of the United States of America, to the paiment whereof to themselves, their executors administrators or assigns, I bind myself, my heirs,...
936Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 7 October 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
It is very long, my dear friend, since I have written to you. the fact is that I have was scarcely at home at all from May to September, and from that time I have been severely indisposed and not yet recovered so far as to sit up to write, but in pain. having been subject to troublesome attacks of rheumatism for some winters past, and being called by other business into the neighborhood of our...
937From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomas, 16 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed you have a much larger supply of oil than will shortly be necessary for your works and the Continent being distressed at their tannery here for that article, be so good as to lend Majr. Claiborne so much as he may want and you can spare, which he will replace. I am Sir Your very humble servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed by TJ: “Captn. Thomas Warwick”; endorsed. This letter was...
938Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 25 January 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought perhaps sooner to have informed you that mr Crav. Peyton had assigned to me your note for 201.49 D to which is to be added the rent of the last year . the present is merely to give this information, as I shall set off tomorrow for Bedford & be absent some weeks. having some heavy paiments to make at our March & April courts any aid towards these would be acceptable, without meaning...
939From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 17 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 8th. instant and have laid the same before the President of the US. The case of the refugees from St. Domingo is really deplorable, and calls with a loud voice for charitable succours: but it is a case wherein the general government has not been authorised to furnish them. It is therefore hoped that the particular states will come in with liberality to the...
940Thomas Jefferson to James P. Preston, 11 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday recieved your favor of Feb. 27. covering the appointment of the 13 th of the same month with which you have been pleased to honor me as a Visitor of the University of Virginia . impressed with the important effect which well conducted education will produce on the character and happiness of my native state, and ambitious for it’s reputa tion and pro s perity, I accept the charge...
941Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 25 December 1816 (first letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My general aversion from the presumption of intruding on the public an opinion of works offered to their notice has yielded in the present instance to the merit of your undertaking, and to your belief, well or ill founded, that my testimony in it’s favor may be of advantage to it. I have written therefore, in a separate letter , which you are free to publish, what I can conscientiously say on...
942From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Forsyth, 9 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It being once settled that you are the person to receive the provisions from the commissioners of the provision law, I am perfectly satisfied on that head. I inclose you a List of the posts at which these provisions have been directed to be stored, and the counties which are at liberty to send to each post, as also twenty copies of orders on the several commissioners to make the delivery to...
943From Thomas Jefferson to James Taylor, Jr., 25 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The pipe of Madeira and box of Champagne have been duly recieved. the latter has been tried and is approved and I shall be glad to take eight cases more, say 480. bottles of it, to be forwarded to this place at any time before the 1st. of May till which time I shall not be returned from Monticello. only be so good as, on reciept of this, to inform me by post if I may rely on that quantity,...
944Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Robertson, 29 September 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Being now within a day or two of my departure from this place, I inclose you a draught on Mess rs Gibson & Jefferson to reimburse the advances of cash you have been so good as to make for me while here. they stand I believe as follows to Richard Chilton for corn on mr Yancey application 100. D to D r William Steptoe on my ord of Sep. 22 35. 89
945From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 16 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th: is this moment recieved, & I hasten to answer it by return of post, that no time may be lost. the copy of instructions sent you are only a rough draught for consideration. they will not be signed or dated till your departure. presuming you would procure all the necessary instruments at Philadelphia, which is a principal object of your journey there, the instructions say...
946Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 6 October 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr John Wayles Baker son of the Treasurer of this state, and a connection of mine whom, in a former letter , I mentioned to you with my grandson Francis Eppes , presuming they would go together to the College of Columbia . you will find him a youth of excellent dispositions and orderly conduct, and well worthy of any patronage and good offices you may be so kind as...
947Thomas Jefferson to Randolph Jefferson, 12 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s is recieved by Squire , and the girl begins this morning the first necessary branch, which is roving, or spinning into candlewick to prepare it for the spinning Jenny . this will take her some days, more or less, according to her aptness, and then she will commence on the Jenny. as she appears rather young, it will probably taker take her a month or 6. weeks to learn well enough to be...
948From Thomas Jefferson to James Walker, 16 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. did not come to hand till yesterday. had it come by the post of the 10th. & arrived on the 12th. as it ought to have done, I could have complied with the request of the hundred dollars, as on that day I settled & paid the demands of the month which I regularly do the 2d. week of every month, after which it is rarely in my power to answer a demand of any size till the...
949From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Joseph de Beaulieu, 9 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My absence in England for two months past has prevented your letter of Mar. 17. from being sooner answered. Your personal appearance either before a Notary or myself, whichever is most convenient, seems necessary for such a certificate of your life as the War office will probably require. By my last accounts from America, I think the lands promised by Congress to their officers must now be...
950Thomas Jefferson to Francis Preston, 21 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I send with pleasure an introductory letter for your son to mr Stewart . with mr Leslie I have not a personal acquaintance, and must have expressed myself carelessly if you to have been otherwise understood. me otherwise indirect circumstances would give me a right to apply to him with confidence on behalf of our College , but no claim on his personal attentions.
951From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to communicate to the General Assembly an Ordinance of Congress of the 5th. Day of April last for establishing Courts for the Trial of Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas; also certain Resolutions of Congress of the 16th. and 23d. of March on the mode of paying Debts and [furnishing] Supplies of Money and of the 20th. of April relative to that Part of Colo....
952Thomas Jefferson to Théodore Pahlen, 15 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4 th did not arrive here till yesterday, owing to the late rains which have rendered the waters and roads nearly impassable for the mail. I hasten to acknolege it’s reciept, and to express a due sense of the honor of the visit you give me the hope of recieving here, and the value I set on the double gratification it will afford of manifesting to the representative of the...
953From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by Mr. Hammond’s letter, now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th:J’s report on commerce. Th:J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President should...
954Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 11 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 3. is recieved. of the funds of mine now in your hands the balance due to yourself is first to be paid. on the 7 th I drew on you in favor of Archib. Robertson for 66.D. and yesterday in favor of Wolfe & Raphael for 400.D. I must request you to remit to mess rs Leroy & Bayard for me 125.D. with as little delay as may be. The sum of 1305.D. clear of exchange is to be remitted...
955Enclosure: Draft Message on Western Defense, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate The pacific measures which were adopted for establishing peace between the U.S. and the North Western Indians, having proved ineffectual, and the military operations which thereon became necessary, tho’ successful in the first instances, being otherwise in the last as was stated to you in my communication of instant, it behoves us to look forward in time to the further...
956Thomas Jefferson to George P. Stevenson, 9 May 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the information contained in your lette r of Apr. 28. and in the paper accompanying it. that the whole army would join Bonaparte whenever he c ould safely enter France , I never doubted; but I had not expected the people would have done so. the cause of this however is to be found in the return of the antient nobility to their former possessions, and reclamation of them and...
957From Thomas Jefferson to R. & A. Garvey, 21 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure yesterday to receive my harpsichord in good order, and to withdraw from the Douane your acquit á caution No. 143. which I now inclose you with many thanks for your attentions. I have the honour to be with much esteem and regard Gentlemen Your most obedient & most humble servant, PrC ( MHi ). Enclosure missing.
958From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 19 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Is it worth while to contradict the barefaced falsehoods of Coleman in the 2d. page 5th. column of the inclosed paper. It is false that I ever drew such a paper as is there ascribed to me. It is false that I ever signed such a paper drawn by another. the appeal to the records of any state for a paper so signed is without foundation. I believe that such a paper was drawn by a very timid, honest...
959From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your’s of the 17th. and tomorrow I set out for Monticello, so must be brief. Commissions were yesterday directed to be made out with blank dates as follows. Lee Collector Salem Lyman do. Newbury port Warren do. Marblehead. Muhlenberg do. Philadelphia. Page do. Petersburg. Coxe Supervisor Pensva on desiring mr Madison this morning to have them dated Aug. 1. and kept here...
960From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Bacon delivered your letter & every thing else safely. I had ordered a gross of bottles to be bought: but I will now countermand them. I send on corks by the stage, for I think that water casks should be trusted no longer than necessary. the letter & bundle for Jefferson shall be forwarded. certainly the residue of Buffon ought to be sent on to him to the care of mr Jefferson. when he went...
961From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you more militia resignations, as also a petition of Benjamin Dame of Newington praying the discharge of his son under age enlisted in the army. this being a matter of right, and not of discretion in us, which he might effect by a Habeas Corpus, I hold it a duty that he be discharged. if I recollect rightly we did the same in a similar case on some former occasion. Accept assurances...
962From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Your chariot was ready to have set off the day after Zachary arrived here; but an unlucky use of the permission you had given me respecting your waggon, has prevented it’s departure. The post after you left us, I received information from Philadelphia that my nailrod had been lodged in Richmond before the last week in November, and could not be forwarded here for want of a conveyance. I...
963To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 December 1784 (Madison Papers)
In mine of Nov. 11. I acknoleged the receipt of yours of Aug. 20. Sep. 7. & 15. Since that, the one of Oct. 11. by the packet has come to hand as also that of July 3. by mr Short who came in the packet, was actually in N. York when you passed through it & had waited there several days in hopes of seeing you. I thank you very much for the relation of the proceedings of assembly. It is the most...
964To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President submits to him another letter to mister Morris, on a subject just now put into his hands. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. Jefferson’s second letter to Gouverneur Morris of 13 June asked Morris to inquire into an “unaccounted for” one million livres...
965From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Harrison, 8 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the explanations you desired on the subject of my accounts. As your letter of Sep. 28. 95. reduced to 4. heads the matters on which you wished explanations, I have accordingly brought into one view whatever had been said in other papers on those heads, with what was further necessary to be said; so that the papers now inclosed, together with my account of Oct. 12. 92. and the...
966From Thomas Jefferson to William Loughton Smith, 18 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Smith. Supposing his enquiries to go to the ordinary foreign establishment (not to the extraordinary respecting the Barbary powers) he has the honor to inform him that the salary of our Min. Plenipo. is 9000. D. per ann. and their secretaries 1350. D. That of a Minister Resident is 4500. D. and no secretary allowed, because the fund not sufficient....
967From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 14 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was written to you on the day of it’s date. I wrote to Dr. Currie of Richmond on the same day. by mistake I put your letter under his address, and probably I put the one for him under cover to you. he has returned the one addressed to you, which discovers to me my mistake. I forward it now to you for the purpose of rectifying it with you. Accept my respects and best wishes...
968From Thomas Jefferson to De Grasse, 18 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eté sensiblement touché, Monsieur, de la perte que vous venez de faire de Monsieur le comte de Grasse votre pere. C’est un nom cher et respecté à tous mes compatriotes, et dont la memoire leur sera toujours precieuse. L’evenement glorieux de la prise de York-town, où il a eu tant de part, lui conservera dans l’histoire une place à toujours distinguée. Agreez, Monsieur, je vous en prie,...
969From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of Jan. 15. and Feb. 24. came safely to hand and I thank you for the history of a transaction which will ever be interesting in our affairs. it has been very precisely as I had imagined. I thought, on your return, that if you had come forward boldly and appealed to the public by a full statement, it would have had a great effect in your favor personally, & that of the...
970From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 24 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received some days ago from Mr. Hylton, the gentleman who forwarded my tobacco to me, the statement below. By this it appears that there were two hhds. of which I had not notice. I presume they came during my absence, and were the two for which there was no bill of lading, and are to be added to the 39. of which I gave you a statement before. The two which he mentions last are now arrived...
971Thomas Jefferson to John S. Cogdell, 29 September 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Cogdell , and his thanks for the copy of mr Cheves’s oration which he was so kind as to send him, and which he has read with pleasure. it is a very satisfactory specimen of sentiments & of talents worthy of being employed on the national theatre, and promising there a more general usefulness. he prays mr Cogdell’s acceptance of his acknolegements,...
972From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 15 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted to the rainy morning at Newport for your acceptable letter of Sep. 14. it gives me information of the state of religion in Boston and Cambridge of which I had not a just idea. I could not have concieved that a Congregationalist, after the pollution of his pulpit by the prayers of an Unitarian, would have again officiated in it, without lustrations, purifications & exorcisms...
973To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
According to the intimation the other day, and indeed according to my own wish in a question, if not difficult, yet very important, I have the honor to inclose you a written opinion on the question Whether the U.S. ought to declare their treaties with France void, or suspended? This contains my answer to the 2d 3d 4th 5th & 6th of the written queries. The 1st had been before answered & acted...
974From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, Sr., 19 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Genl. Sumpter and informs him it has become an indispensible duty to remove mr Symonds the Collector of Charleston. would Genl. Sumpter be so good as to converse on the subject of a proper successor with Messrs. Marion Williams & Gaillard, who are supposed to be from that quarter, and to communicate to Th:J. his & their opinions on the...
975From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 24 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Robert Leslie, a watchmaker of this city, goes to establish himself in London. His great eminence will unquestionably ensure his success, if he can but be known. I have considered him and the deceased Mr. Rumsey (both born in the same neighborhood) as the two greatest mechanics I have ever met with in any country. Not to mention many other useful inventions, we are...
976From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel L. Mitchill, before 27 January 1802 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to The Hon’ble Doct’r Mitchell and requests the favour of his company to dinner on wednesday 27th inst: at half after three o’clock. or at whatever later hour the House may rise The favour of an answer is requested. RC ( TxFTC : Mary Couts Burnett Library); partially dated; printed form, with blanks filled by Meriwether Lewis reproduced in italics. the...
977From Thomas Jefferson to James Martin, 23 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved after my return home in July last your obliging letter inclosing an oration pronounced at Jamaica in Long island on the 4th. of July 1796. a singular concurrence of name with one or two other circumstances occasioned me to ascribe it to another gentleman from whom I had parted a few days before only; and to write to him a letter of acknolegement . it was not till I had the pleasure...
978From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire expressed in your letter by Capt. Yeaton I have enquired into the practicability of getting him naturalised here, and authorised to command his vessels, but the information given us, rendering it probable that more time would be consumed, in attending here till the objects could be obtained, than he chuses to spare, he declines pursuing it. I will beg permission to...
979Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lehré, 10 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Mar. 9. and 23. are both safely recieved and I shall with pleasure write to the President on the subject of the last. this I do merely because it is your wish, being satisfied the President can need no excitement in your favor beyond his own knolege & approbation of the uniform line of your conduct. We are here in a state of close blockade, tantalized indeed with propositions of...
980[From Thomas Jefferson to John Ledyard, 10 July 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 10 July 1786 . An entry in SJL under this date reads: “Ledyard. Sun the cause of magnetic attraction.” Not found. See Ledyard to TJ, 7 July 1786 .]