11To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1801 (Madison Papers)
A person of the name of Thompson, of Amherst county in Virginia has asked my interference for the recovery of his son John Thompson understood to be impressed on board the Squirrel a British vessel of war. The inclosed letter gave him the first information he has recieved from him for some time past, for so long a time indeed that he had apprehended he was dead. He thinks the letter not...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A person of the name of Thompson, of Amherst county in Virginia has asked my interference for the recovery of his son John Thompson understood to be impressed on board the Squirrel a British vessel of war. the inclosed letter gave him the first information he has recieved from him for some time past, for so long a time indeed that he had apprehended he was dead. he thinks the letter not...
13From Thomas Jefferson to James and Dolley Madison and Anna Payne, 27 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson was much disappointed at breakfast this morning not having till then known of the departure of mr & mrs Madison & miss Payne . he hopes they will come and dine to-day with the miss Butlers who were assured they would meet them here, and tomorrow with mrs Gallatin & mrs Mason . affectionate salutations. RC ( ICHi ). Departure of Mr & Mrs Madison & Miss Payne : the Madisons, along...
14To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I observe a great number of contracts for carrying the mails are advertised to be made within a short time hence, & for 4. years. I suppose the principal reason for making such long contracts is the trouble which would be so often recurring to the post office, if they were shorter. This should have it’s just weight: but it may be doubted whether contracts for so long a time as 4. years do not...
15To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The application of William Greetham for a Mediterranean pass for a vessel owned here, tho built abroad, being unauthorised by practice, tho’ perhaps not by law, and concerning the departments of both the State & Treasury, I ask the favor of mr. Madison and mr. Gallatin to give me their opinions thereon: at the same time I communicate to them what passed on the subject of passports under...
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe a great number of contracts for carrying the mails are advertised to be made within a short time hence, & for 4. years. I suppose the principal reason for making such long contracts is the trouble which would be so often recurring to the post office, if they were shorter. this should have it’s just weight: but it may be doubted whether contracts for so long a time as 4. years do not...
17From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison and Albert Gallatin, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The application of William Greetham for a Mediterranean pass for a vessel owned here, tho built abroad, being unauthorised by practice; tho’ perhaps not by law, and concerning the departments of both the State & Treasury, I ask the favor of mr Madison and mr Gallatin to give me their opinions thereon: at the same time I communicate to them what passed on the subject of passports under General...
18Enclosure: Note on Passports, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
When the war broke out which is now raging in Europe, our treaties with France, and Holland required that we should furnish to the vessels ‘belonging to the citizens of the US.’ passports in the forms prescribed by the treaties. it was very early made a question whether they should be granted to all vessels belonging to citizens of the US. or only to those built as well as belonging here. the...
19To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to mr. Madison Erving’s letter to Genl. Dearborne, & approves of a commission to him as Consul at London. Where to find a competent successor for Lisbon he knows not, unless Gilman, who refused St. Domingo, will accept this. Perhaps Genl. Dearborne can judge. The place must be reserved for a man of real diplomatic abilities. Marchant’s case will be the subject of further...
20From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to mr Madison Erving’s letter to Genl. Dear-borne, & approves of a commission to him as Consul at London . where to find a competent successor for Lisbon he knows not, unless Gilman, who refused St. Domingo, will accept this. perhaps Genl. Dearborne can judge. the place must be reserved for a man of real diplomatic abilities.—Marchant’s case will be the subject of further...
21Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Whether prizes & the proceeds of them taken after the date of the treaty with France can be restored by the Executive, or need an act of the legislature? The constitution has authorised the ordinary legislature alone to declare war against any foreign nation. If they may enact a perfect, they may a qualified war, as was done against France. In this state of things they may modify the acts of...
22To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
With respect to the prosecutions against Thomas & others for a misdemeanor at Common law we ought to presume the judges will do right, and to give them an opportunity of doing so. The Executive ought not to sit in previous judgment on every case & to say whether it shall or shall not go before the judges. I think therefore this case ought to go on to trial, without interference of the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
With respect to the prosecutions against Thomas & others for a misdemeanor at Common law we ought to presume the judges will do right, and to give them an opportunity of doing so. the Executive ought not to sit in previous judgment on every case & to say whether it shall or shall not go before the judges. I think therefore this case ought to go on to trial, without interference of the...
24To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr. Madison & sends him the inclosed which will explain itself. He hopes to see him & family at Monticello when most convenient to themselves; and observes for his information that the road through Shadwell is put into fine order, the right hand at issuing from the ford on this side to be greatly preferred to the left. The road by Milton...
25From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr Madison & sends him the inclosed which will explain itself. he hopes to see him & family at Monticello when most convenient to themselves; and observes for his information that the road through Shadwell is put into fine order, the right hand at issuing from the ford on this side to be greatly preferred to the left. the road by Milton is...
26To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Doctr. Rose delivered me last night the letter with which you charged him, and I have thought it better to attend to it’s contents at once before the arrival of the load of other business which this morning’s post will bring. Pinckney’s, Orr’s, Livermore’s, Howell’s, Webster’s, Murray’s, Otis’s, Graham’s & Thornton’s letters, with Wagner’s sketch of an answer to the latter are all returned...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Rose delivered me last night the letter with which you charged him , and I have thought it better to attend to it’s contents at once before the arrival of the load of other business which this morning’s post will bring. Pinckney’s, Orr’s, Livermore’s, Howell’s, Webster’s, Murray’s, Otis’s, Graham’s & Thornton’s letters, with Wagner’s sketch of an answer to the latter are all returned...
28To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
I wrote yesterday to you, before the arrival of the post. That brought some blank commissions which I have signed & now forward. Mr. Wagner’s note will explain them. The abuses & waste of public money in the military & naval departments have been so gross, that I do not think we can avoid laying some of them before Congress. I inclose you information of one which is not to be neglected. I have...
29From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote yesterday to you, before the arrival of the post. that brought some blank commissions which I have signed & now forward. mr Wagner’s note will explain them. The abuses & waste of public money in the military & naval departments have been so gross, that I do not think we can avoid laying some of them before Congress. I inclose you information of one which is not to be neglected. I have...
30To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 18th. is recieved, and I now return all the papers which accompanied it, (except those in Bingham’s case) and also the papers inclosed in that of the 16th. The case of the British Snow Windsor taken by the prisoners she was carrying & brought into Boston is new in some circumstances. Yet I think she must fairly be considered as a prize made on Great Britain, to which no shelter...
31From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 18th. is recieved, and I now return all the papers which accompanied it, (except those in Bingham’s case ) and also the papers inclosed in that of the 16th.—The case of the British Snow Windsor taken by the prisoners she was carrying & brought into Boston is new in some circumstances. yet I think she must fairly be considered as a prize made on Great Britain, to which no shelter...
32To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 26th. by Doctr. Bache came duly to hand: and I now return you all the papers you inclosed except the commission for the Marshal of New Jersey, which I retain till I see you, which Dr. Bache gives me hopes will be the ensuing week, & I suppose will of course be the day after tomorrow, as you will then be free from the pressure of the post. I inclose with those papers, for perusal,...
33From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 26th. by Doctr. Bache came duly to hand: and I now return you all the papers you inclosed except the commission for the Marshal of New Jersey, which I retain till I see you, which Dr. Bache gives me hopes will be the ensuing week, & I suppose will of course be the day after tomorrow, as you will then be free from the pressure of the post. I inclose with those papers, for perusal,...
34To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
I have no letter from you by the mail, whence I conclude I may possibly recieve something by private conveyance. A letter from miss Paine to Virginia Randolph saying nothing of your health makes me hope it is reestablished. I inclose you a letter from Genl. Saml. Smith with Barney’s letter to him. It contains matters worthy of some attention. I do not believe that Murray would endeavor to...
35From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have no letter from you by the mail, whence I conclude I may possibly recieve something by private conveyance. a letter from miss Paine to Virginia Randolph saying nothing of your health makes me hope it is reestablished. I inclose you a letter from Genl. Saml. Smith with Barney’s letter to him. it contains matters worthy of some attention. I do not believe that Murray would endeavor to...
36To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of yesterday was delivered by your express about 5. aclock in the evening. My occupations for the departing post have prevented my answering instantly. No commission, nor letter of credence was signed for mr. Livingston before we left Washington. I think the Boston has not yet left Boston for New York. I presume therefore that we can sign those papers in time after our return to...
37From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of yesterday was delivered by your express about 5. aclock in the evening. my occupations for the departing post have prevented my answering instantly. No commission, nor letter of credence was signed for mr Livingston before we left Washington. I think the Boston has not yet left Boston for New York. I presume therefore that we can sign those papers in time after our return to...
38To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 September 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 16th by post & 17th by mr. Davis have been duly rec⟨eived.⟩ He has not yet opened himself to me; but I shall assure him that nothing can ⟨be⟩ said here on the subject, nor determined on but when we shall be together at Washington. I have a letter from mr. Gallatin whose only doubt is whether Rogers should be removed. If he is, he seems clear Davis had better have the...
39From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. by post & 17th. by mr Davis have been duly recieved. he has not yet opened himself to me; but I shall assure him that nothing can [be] said here on the subject, nor determined on but when we shall be together at Washington. I have a letter from mr Gallatin whose only doubt is whether Rogers should be removed. if he is, he seems clear Davis had better have the...
40To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Will you consider whether a copy of the inclosed sent to each head of department would be best, or to avail myself of your kind offer to speak to them. My only fear as to the latter is that ⟨t⟩hey might infer a want of confidence on my part. But you can ⟨de⟩cide on sounder views of the subject than my position may admit. ⟨If⟩ you prefer the letter, modify any expressions which you ⟨m⟩ay think...
41From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you consider whether a copy of the inclosed sent to each head of department would be best, or to avail myself of your kind offer to speak to them. my only fear as to the latter is that they might infer a want of confidence on my part. but you can decide on sounder views of the subject than my position may admit. [if] you prefer the letter, modify any expressions which you may think need...
42Circular Letter from Thomas Jefferson, 6 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Coming all of us into Executive office new, and unfamiliar with the course of business previously practised, it was not to be expected we should in the first outset adopt, in every part a line of proceeding so perfect as to admit no amendment. The mode & degrees of communication particularly between the President & heads of departments have not been practised exactly on the same scale in all...
43To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
Will you give the inclosed a serious revisal, not only as to matter, but diction? Where strictness of grammar does not weaken expression, it should be attended to in complaisance to the purists of New England. But where by small grammatical negligences, the energy of an idea is condensed, or a word stands for a sentence, I hold grammatical rigor in contempt. I will thank you to expedite it,...
44IV. To James Madison, 12 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you give this inclosed a serious revisal, not only as to matter, but diction? where strictness of grammar does not weaken expression, it should be attended to in complaisance to the purists of New England. but where by small grammatical negligences, the energy of an idea is condensed, or a word stand for a sentence, I hold grammatical rigor in contempt. I will thank you to expedite it,...
45XI. To James Madison, [16 November 1801 or after?] (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as once more to revise this? altho’ I have not entirely obliterated all the passages which have been thought objectionable, yet I have very much reduced & smoothed them. still verbal & minor corrections of style or sentiment will be thankfully recieved & made. RC ( ViU ); undated, but perhaps written after TJ saw Gallatin’s remarks and made changes to the early draft....
46To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Virginia resolution inclosed was, I am sure, in full confidence that you would contribute your counsel as well as myself. I have only relieved you from the labour of the premier ebauche. I must you to consider the subject thoroughly, and either make the inclosed what it should be, or a new draught. It should go on without delay, because I shall desire Monroe, if there is any thing in it he...
47From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Virginia resolution inclosed was, I am sure, in full confidence that you would contribute your counsel as well as myself. I have only relieved you from the labour of the premier ebauche . I must you to consider the subject thoroughly, and either make the inclosed what it should be, or a new draught. it should go on without delay, because I shall desire Monroe, if there is any thing in it...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, [ca. 3 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
This claim is totally without foundation. M. de Rayneval wrote to me on the subject last spring and I wrote him an answer which I can communicate to mr Madison. MS ( DNA : RG 59 , NL ); in TJ’s hand; undated; written on a slip of paper attached to Louis André Pichon to James Madison, 3 Dec. 1801 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser. , 2:293). Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval had written to TJ...
49To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having no confidence that the office of the private secretary of the President of the US. will ever be a regular & safe deposit for public paper⟨s⟩ or that due attention will ever be paid on their transmission from one Secretary or President to another, I have, since I have been in office, sent every paper, which I deem meerly public, & coming to my hands, to be deposited in one of the offices...
50To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [29 December] 1801 (Madison Papers)
To compleat the roll of governmental officers on the plan inclosed will give the departments some serious trouble: however it is so importan⟨t⟩ to present to the eye of all the constituted authorities, as well as of their constituents, & to keep under their eye, the true extent of the machine of government, that I cannot but recommend to the heads of departments to endeavor to fill up, each,...
51From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To compleat the roll of governmental officers on the plan inclosed will give the departments some serious trouble: however it is so important to present to the eye of all the constituted authorities, as well as of their constituents, & to keep under their eye, the true extent of the machine of government, that I cannot but recommend to the heads of departments to endeavor to fill up each,...
52From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Having no confidence that the office of the private secretary of the President of the US. will ever be a regular & safe deposit for public papers or that due attention will ever be paid on their transmission from one Secretary or President to another, I have, since I have been in office, sent every paper, which I deem meerly public, & coming to my hands, to be deposited in one of the offices...
53From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison and Family, 26 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favor of Mr. Mrs. Madison’s & family’s company to dinner the day after tomorrow at half after three oclock.— RC ( NN : Emmet Collection); in Meriwether Lewis’s hand.
54To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 February 1802 (Madison Papers)
Will you see if the inclosed is right, and make any alterations in it you think for the better? Particularly is the expression lately recieved true? or should the word lately be left out? RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). Beneath the note JM wrote: “The word lately is true as it refers to the returns of Maryland & Kentucky—that from the former being an original statement—that from the latter a...
55From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Madison’s Reply, 26 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you see if the inclosed is right, and make any alterations in it you think for the better? particularly is the expression lately recieved true? or should the word lately be left out? Feb. 26. 1802. [ Reply by Madison: ] The word lately is true as it refers to the returns of Maryland & Kentucky—that from the former being an original statement—that from the latter a corrective one. The...
56Circular Letter from Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1802 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the heads of the departments to examine and consider the charges of Colo. Worthington against Govr. St. Clair with the answer of the latter and the documents in support or invalidation of the charges; & to favor him with their opinion in writing on each charge distinctly, whether ‘established’ or ‘not established,’ and whether those ‘established’ are...
57From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it is dean Swift who says that a present should consist of something of little value, & which yet cannot be bought for money. I send you one strictly under both conditions. the drawing was made by Kosciusko for his own use, and the engraving also I believe. he sent me four copies, the only ones which have come to America. the others I give to my family, and ask yourself & mrs Madison...
58To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
I think it is dean Swift who says that a present should consist of something of little value, & which yet cannot be bought for money. I send you one strictly under both conditions. The drawing was made by Kosciusko for his own use, and the engraving also I believe. He sent me four copies, the only ones which have come to America. The others I give to my family, and ask yourself & mrs. Madison...
59To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The road through Ravensworth is renderd absolutely impassable for a four wheeled carriage by a single change made lately by one of the mr. Fitzhughs in his plantation. You must not therefore attempt it, but go on to Fairfax C. H. & there turn off to Songster’s. Bull run is now passed at an excellent ford, and the hills by a great deal of work have been made quite good. The road between Elkrun...
60From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The road through Ravensworth is rendered absolutely impassable for a four wheeled carriage by a single change made lately by one of the mr Fitzhughs in his plantation. you must not therefore attempt it, but go on to Fairfax C.H. & there turn off to Songster’s. Bull run is now passed at an excellent ford, and the hills by a great deal of work have been made quite good. the road between Elkrun...