1From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long, my very dear friend, since I have heard from you, but longer since I have written to you. the constant pressure of matters, which would not admit of delay, has, during my continuance in office, suspended almost entirely all my private correspondence. I am obliged to ask from the candor of my friends their attention to the imperiousness of the circumstances under which I have been...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
my last to you was of May 2. since which I have recieved yours of May 25. June 1. July 23. 24. & Sep. 5. and distributed the two pamplets according to your desire. they are read with the delight which every thing from your pen gives. After using every effort which could prevent or delay our being entangled in the war of Europe, that seems now our only recourse. the edicts of the two...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Gregg, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received the inclosed with a request that I would lay it before both Houses of Congress. but I have never presumed to place my self between the Legislative Houses & those who have a constitutional right to address them directly. I take the liberty therefore of inclosing the paper to you, that you may do therein what in your judgment shall best comport with expediency and propriety—...
4From Thomas Jefferson to John Mullowny, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Feb. 15. has been recieved, as had been also in due time that of June 29. 07. offering your services in the naval line on the occasion of the insult on the Chesapeake. no occasion existing at that time, your letter was filed in the Navy office to be turned to whenever the occasion might arise for calling attention to offers of that kind. this acknolegement of it’s reciept is now...
5From Thomas Jefferson to William Sampson, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Sampson and his thanks for the Statistical account of Londonderry which he has been so kind as to transmit him. he will still increase the obligation if he will be so kind as to express Th:J’s acknolegements to the author for this mark of attention. he shall read it with pleasure in his approaching retirement from the less pleasant occupations which...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Washington City Tammany Society, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The observations are but too just which are made in your friendly address on the origin & progress of those abuses of public confidence & power which have so often terminated in a suppression of the rights of the people, & the mere aggrandizement & emolument of their oppressors. taught by these truths and aware of the tendency of power to degenerate into abuse, the worthies of our own Country...
7From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate, Nicholas Harwood Robert D. Thorn and John Brown now Surgeons Mates and Saml. R Trevett Jr. of Massachusetts Stephen C Blyden of Massachusetts Samuel Shaw of Vermont to be Surgeons in the navy of the United States, Gustavus R Brown of Maryland Grafton D. Hanson of Maryland Thomas Lawson Jr. of Virginia Henry Fackler of Pensylvania Jesse Hand of Pensylvania John Reynolds of...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In writing to you yesterday I forgot to send you the inclosed letter to Doctr. Wallace at Fauqr. C.H. he has promised me a pair of wild geese, a pair of Summer ducks & some other things, which are at some little distances from there. by delivering him this letter as you come by Fauqr. C.H. he will have them all ready in place by the time you get back there again, so as not to detain your...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Eleuthère Irenée Du Pont, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of the 11th. inst. mr Gallatin undertook to write to mr Gelston Collector of N.Y. that we consented to the Mentor’s recieving and bringing for you the Merino Sheep which were the subject of that letter. it followed that you would have to make your arrangements with the Captain as; by his contract, the benefit would be his. I am sorry the pressure of business did...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Mentor Johnson, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Johnson and returns him the statement of the case of Richard Berry as one which must await the pleasure of his successor. he observes at the same time that his practice has been never to pardon till he recieved the opinion of the judges who sat on the trial of the offender an authentic copy of the judgment is also indispensable, as it is recited in...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By yesterday’s mail I learn that it would be the desire of many of the good citizens of our county to meet me on the road on my return home, as a manifestation of their good will. but it is quite impossible for me to ascertain the day on which I shall leave this. the accumulated business at the close of a session will prevent my making any preparation for my departure till after the 4th. of...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Westwood Wallace, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind as to procure for me a pair of wild geese & a pair of Summer ducks, & to say you could give me some plants, towit Balsam Capivitrae, Sun briar, Mammoth apple &c. this will be delivered you by the person who comes on with my waggon to remove my effects from this place. he will pass Fauquier C.H. again on his way back about the 10th. or 11th. of March, and as his caravan will be...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
As the two cooks which are here, will take the place of Peter Hemings in the kitchen, it will be necessary that one of them should have his room next the kitchen, and that it should be vacant on their arrival. I would wish you therefore before your departure to let him make choice of any one of the log-houses vacant, on the Mulberry row, and to direct your people to proceed immediately to fix...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Lewis Bankhead, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed will, I presume, inform you that all are well at Edgehill. the family will remove to Monticello on the 9th. or 10th. of March. I am in hopes to join them, about the 15th. or 16th. I imagine you will be in motion by that time, the roads permitting. Would it not be better for you, instead of going by Fredericksburg, to find the best road to Anderson’s bridge on the North Anna, which...
15From Thomas Jefferson to James Dinsmore, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 24th. is recieved, and I will send a bunch of good bell wire by the waggon. I would wish the Piazza to be plaistered as soon as the weather will permit. it is not to be white washed. I have given directions through mr Bacon to mr Watkins as to the manner of finishing the stone house now building, to wit, with a roof hipped every way, so that there will be no pediment. he was not...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Latham Mitchill, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to Doctr. Mitchell, & on behalf of mr Thomas M: Randolph, asks the favor of him to take charge of the inclosed letter. presuming that mr Barker will forward it by the Mentor, I suppose it will be early enough when Doctr. Mitchell returns himself. Privately owned.
17From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 17th. and 24th. are both recieved. Beverly T. Randolph called at the hour at which I had rode out, & left your letter of the 17th. Taking for granted he was to stay a day as you mentioned, I wrote an invitation to him the next morning to come and dine with me. but he had already gone on. he called in like manner on his namesake Beverley here, who being out did not see him....
18From Thomas Jefferson to Collins & Perkins, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of Messrs. Collins & Perkins to send him a copy of Smith’s abridgment of John Bell’s Principles of Surgery. if sent by the mail it will reach this place before Th:J. leaves it. he incloses the price announced in a bank bill of this place, the only means of making so small a remittance MHi : Coolidge Collection.
19From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Douette-Richardot, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 14. May 1808. & with it the favor of two Copies of your valuable treatise on the practise of Agriculture. One of them has according to your request been deposited in the library of Congress, where it’s members will have opportunities of being benefited by your experience; the other, by your permission, will be carried with me into that state of retirement to...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Henri Grégoire, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the favor of your letter of Aug: 17. and with it the Volume you were so kind as to send me on the literature of negroes. be assured that no person living wishes more sincerely than I do, to see a complete refutation of the doubts I have myself entertained and expressed on the grade of understanding allotted to them by nature, and to find that in this respect they are on a par...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Mr. Coles the bearer of Public dispatches by an Aviso, who has lived with me as my Secretary, being one of my wealthy neighbors. I will say nothing to you on the Situation of our country, because his intimate knowledge of our Affairs, & the unreserved confidence you may repose in him, will enable you to learn from him whatever you desire. he is worthy your friendly...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L’Escallier, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I received duly your letter of Sep: 11. and with it a copy of your valuable Vocabulaire de marine for which I pray you to receive my particular thanks. I recall with pleasure the transient gratification I had in your company here, and am happy that the short stay you made among us has impressed you favorably for our country. we are a peaceable people, and have sacrificed much to remain at...
23Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 25. prest. Secy. State, Treasy. Navy, Atty Genl. What orders shall be given as to English & Spanish ships attempting to pass N. Orleans for Baton rouge? Ans. English ships have been hitherto prohibited, that being the highest port of entry. Spanish ships have been permitted to go up, except when having slaves on board. let things continue so till Congress rises, when their proceedings...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Claude Alexandre Ruelle, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of May 29. & July 11. & with this last a copy of your constitution with the new augmentations. Our usages not permitting me to present it formally to the Legislature of the Nation, I have deposited it in their library where all it’s Members will have an opportunity of profiting of it’s truths, and it will be, as you desire, in a depot beyond the reach of...
25From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States, according to the latest returns recieved by the Department of War DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
26From Thomas Jefferson to David Bailie Warden, 25 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of July 16. since which I have received your several favors of May 25. Jun. 12. July 22. 24. & Sep. 2. & as in the last you mention that you had never received mine of May 1. 1808. I inclose you a copy with the expression of my sincere regrets that the Acknolegements of your favors contained in it should have been so long unreceived. Mr. Humboldt’s work is also received & in...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Marie-Joseph-Paul-Yves-Roch-Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In the hurry of the approaching close of a session of Congress and of the preparations for my own departure from this place, I must drop you a line by a public vessel going to France, altho’ it can be but a short one. on politics I will say nothing; that being safest for you as well as myself. for those of our own country I will refer you to mr Coles, the bearer of this, my Secretary, who is...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Armistead T. Mason, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted fellow Citizens for your very friendly address, and read with great satisfaction the patriotic sentiments it expresses. The measures lately pursued in preference either to War or an ignominious surrender of our rights as an independent people have undoubtedly produced the beneficial effects of saving our property & Seamen, of lengthening the term of our peace & of giving...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Quin Morton, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor tendering the service of fifty citizens of Tenissee as a company of volunteer riflemen. there are two acts of Congress which regulate the acceptance of these tenders: that of the last year (1808) is for a service of six months, & authorises the Governor to accept; and that of 1807. for a service of twelve months authorising the President to accept, who has...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Hempstead, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The approbation which you are pleased to express of my past administration is highly gratifying to me. that in a free Government there should be differences of Opinion as to public measures & the conduct of those who direct them is to be expected: it is much however to be lamented that these differences should be indulged at a crisis which calls for the undivided councils & energies of our...