1From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read and considered your report on the operations of the Sinking fund and entirely approve of it, as the best plan on which we can set out. I think it an object of great importance, to be kept in view, and to be undertaken at a fit season, to simplify our system of finance, and bring it within the comprehension of every member of Congress. Hamilton set out on a different plan. in order...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Nicholas Reib is upon me again . I presume the report of the committee of Feb. 11. 96. herein inclosed, & the resolution of Congress therein referred to of Dec. 19. 1782. shew the true ground of his claim, and the rule of settlement, and that his account shews what he has recieved. will mr Gallatin be so good as to have these papers looked at by the proper officer, and the objection or...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed was communicated to me by DeWitt Clinton. he did not say, tho’ doubtless he meant it in confidence. but unless restrained specially to personal confidence, I always think myself at liberty to communicate things to the head of the department to which the subject belongs. I shall be glad to recieve the letter back to-day to be returned RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); written on same...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Decide according to your own & mrs Gallatin’s inclinations on the time and extent of your absence from hence. I sincerely sympathize with you on the circumstances which produce the necessity. I leave this myself on Thursday, and shall stay at home one fortnight. mr Madison goes about the 11th. as I learn and will return a little after me. I wish to write finally to mr Page on the subject of...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary at War & Secretary of the Navy to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the H. of representatives of May 3. 1802. desiring a statement of expenditures from Jan. 1. 1797. by the Quarter Master Genl. the Navy agents, for the Contingencies of the Naval & Military establishments and the Navy contracts for timber &...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. incloses to mr Gallatin a letter from the keeper of Cape Henlopen lighthouse which seems to call for attention: also another attack on Mc.lane. J. Page accepts the offer of the place at Petersburg, but cannot conveniently go till some weeks hence. his letter is also inclosed. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers). Enclosures: (1) Abraham Hargis to TJ, 26 May. (2) Delaware Democratic Republicans to...
7Memorandums to Albert Gallatin, 10 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Nicholas Gilman Henry S. Langdon John Goddard John Mc.Clintock } to be Commissioners of bankruptcy for New Hampshire. N.York Albany
8From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
With respect to the bank of Pensva, their difficulties proceed from excessive discounts. the 3,000,000 D. due to them comprehend doubtless all the desperate debts accumulated since their institution. their buildings should only be counted at the value of the naked ground belonging to them; because if brought to market they are worth to private bidders no more than their materials, which are...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am ready to appoint any persons whom mr Gallatin shall approve in place of the delinquent Collectors . RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); on verso of address sheet previously directed by Gallatin to the president; addressed by TJ: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Not recorded in SJL . DELINQUENT COLLECTORS : see Memorandum from the Treasury Department, 20 June .
10Memorandum to Albert Gallatin [on or before 21 June 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
A Premium of 50. D. is offered for The most approved plan of an Hospital of 4000. square feet area, two stories of 10 & 8. f. high with cellars below; the rooms for the sick to be well aired, & of varied sizes from 10. to 20. f. square. the appearance of the building , convenient distribution of the rooms, and economy of space & construction will be principally regarded in the decision. a...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Gallatin will be pleased to have this Maryland business finished in any form he pleases. I will desire mr Monroe to attend him for that purpose. it should be done without delay, as the Governor’s letter has already been long unanswered. if an account is to be called for from Annapolis, it will have the appearance of an affected delay: for the guarantee having been a simple transaction...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Bache’s Address is ‘William Bache at Franklin near Charlottesville’ the letter should be put into the Post office before 5. P.M. to-day William White to be Surveyor for the district of East river. approved. Griffin Greene to be collector of the port of Marietta. approved. James Clarke to be Surveyor of customs at Tombstone, district of Edenton N.C. recommended by mr Stone. Selden Jasper...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On recieving yesterday your favor , left here, I consulted with the Secretaries of State & War. we are all of opinion decidedly that mr Latimer’s letter ought not to be left unanswered: but that he should be told that it not being intended that he should continue in office an application had been made on his behalf for permission to resign, that to this the Executive had no objection; that his...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, [ca. 9 July 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The committee appointed to carry into execution the act concerning the library of Congress having desired me to act for them in the purchase and paiment of the books, I am to request you to furnish me with a bill on London for 1000. D. payable to George W. Erving or order and another on Amsterdam for 1000. D. payable to William Short esq. or order, to enable them to pay for the books which are...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Govr. Hall & mr Rodney, whom you met at Baltimore , passed a day or two here. they are satisfied as to Mc.lane if he does not take an active part in elections. it would be well he should be particularly prudent, & bona fide neutral, except to vote himself as he pleases.—they remonstrated on our having appointed all Philadelphians to report on the works in the Delaware . I told them I thought...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The bills of exchange for mr Short and mr Erving not being come to hand, I take the liberty of leaving under your cover the letters I have written to them, in which I must request you to insert the bills seal the letters & forward them, without losing the time which would be requisite for returning them to me. the season is already so far advanced as to render it doubtful whether they can be...
17From 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...
18Authorization for Tench Coxe, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the Secretary of the Treasury find it adviseable The Supervisor of the district of Pensylvania is hereby authorised to act as Collector of the internal revenues for the city and county of Pensylvania . Given under my hand at Washington this 20th. day of July 1802. MS ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand; with Gallatin’s instructions to the commissioner of the revenue written below TJ’s signature and...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, in a letter of the 22d. instant proposes to me, that as the General Greene will sail about the 10th. of next month with some articles for the Emperor of Marocco, and provisions for our vessels in the Mediterranean, and the period for another annual remittance to Algiers is approaching, we should send another 30,000. D. as an experimental measure for avoiding the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of July 24. from New York was recieved on the 31st. this will probably find you at Washington. I immediately wrote to the Secretary of state’s office for a commission for Selman vice Goforth in Symmes’s case, and shall be ready to sign those for Massac, Marblehead & Pensylvania, as also for a successor to Foster, when presented. I suppose, all circumstances considered, that Wheelan’s...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
We have recieved information that the emperor of Marocco having asked, & been refused, passports for two vessels loaded with wheat to go to Tripoli, while blockaded by us, has ordered away our Consul. this demand of his is so palpably against reason & the usage of nations, as to bespeak a settled design of war against us, or a general determination to make common cause with any of the Barbary...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Gallatin and returns him the papers relative to the lighthouse at Faulkner’s island with his [approbation] of Joseph Griffin as keeper of it. the extraordinary voluminousness & late arrival of his last night’s mail puts it out of his power to answer mr Gallatin’s other letter of the 9th. and that of the 7th. till the next post. PrC ( DLC );...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly considered the regulations concerning the Missisipi trade inclosed in your letter of the 7th. and should have signed them, but that a single fact, perhaps unknown to you, renders them impracticable without some alteration. neither Spain nor France allows any foreign nation to keep a consul in their colonies in time of peace. in consequence of this our Consul at N. Orleans has had...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of the 9th. inst. you propose the following arrangement, Wilson vice Tyng Newbury port } which I imagine should be thus { Cross vice Tyng Newbury port. Cross vice Gerry Marblehead Wilson vice Gerry Marblehead Gibault vice Tuck. Gloucester Gibault vice Tuck. Gloucester. I suppose this because it is consonant with Lee’s letter inclosed by you , with Genl. Dearborne’s letter , and...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 16th. & 17th. were recieved the last night. the contents of the latter shall now be distinctly noted. Commrs. of bankruptcy at Poughkeepsie. I have proposed a general arrangement to the Secretary of state which may save the necessity of appointments over the whole face of every state, 99. out of 100. of which would be never called on to act, and would yet give opportunities...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your three letters of Aug. 19. 19. & 20. are recieved. I now return you the Missisipi regulations signed. I should think the modification you propose of inserting ‘Vice-consul or other authorised agent ’ a necessary one. it appears proper to remove Head of Waldoborough, as his failure after such warning to render his accounts is a sure symptom that he is using the public money: and I shall be...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 24th. came to hand last night. the rapidity with which the post moves between Washington & New York will render our communications probably quicker while you are there than if you had retired into the country. Mine of the 23d. gave you the Christian name of Doctr. Shore, to wit John . a further conversation with the Governor leaves no doubt of the propriety of the appointment....
28From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 27th. was recieved yesterday. mine of the 20th. had informed you that I approved of mr Wentworth on the recommendations of Messrs. Langdon & Whipple, & that of the 24th. gave you the name of John Shore as successor to Heath; but I write by this post to mr Madison to order his commission to be filled up & forwarded. I must take time to enquire of a good successor for Reynolds. the...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from Delaware another application on the subject of the piers &c to be erected in their river. it is on behalf of Wilmington which prays to have it’s claim for these things taken into consideration with others, and for this purpose that the corporation be authorised to have a report made of their harbour, creek &c. the style of the corporation is ‘the Burgesses & assistants of...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On learning the death of Wm. Reynolds Collector of York, and that mr Griffin his deputy would not act at all, I made immediate enquiries for a proper successor, and learn that William Carey of the same place is the best person we can appoint. I this day desire mr Madison to order a commission. I have done this because of the urgency of the case, of your distance, & my presence on the spot. I...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 9th. came to hand yesterday only so that it has missed a post somewhere. I thought that in my letter of Aug. 20. answering your’s of Aug. 17. that I had answered every point distinctly; but I find on recurring to it that the recommendations of messrs. Langdon & Whipple for Hopley Yeaton to be master and Benjamin Gunnison 1st. mate of the revenue cutter in Newhampshire, tho’...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last I informed you I should have an opportunity of getting mr Madison’s opinion on the expediency of the sailing of the John Adams. I have done so, communicating to him your’s & mr Smith’s letters on the subject. the latter having informed us that two months pay were already advanced to the men, & her stores provided, the consideration of a defective appropriation was already got over,...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 21st. came to hand yesterday. the matter of it shall be the subject of conversation when we meet at Washington; to which place I had intended to set out this day, so as to have arrived there on the last day of the month. but unexpected delays in getting my carriage ready will detain me here till the last day of the month, if not the 1st. of the ensuing. I shall be with you of a...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is entirely approved . I recollect one other pardon ; to Brown, who was in jail in Boston for a seditious writing under the sedition law. he had long since suffered the term of imprisonment sentenced, and had remained many months over from inability to pay his fine, petitioning mr Adams repeatedly for a discharge, on the ground that he had nothing, & must suffer perpetual...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The application of the bank of Baltimore is of great importance. the consideration is very weighty that it is held by citizens while the stock of the US. bank is held in so great a proportion by foreigners . were the bank of the US. to swallow up the others & monopolize the whole banking business of the US., which the demands we furnish them with tend strongly to favor, we might, on a...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, [on or after 7 October 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ the plan of the hospital has but moderate merit, yet having no other I suppose we must use it, and, using it, pay for it. I presume therefore we may at once adopt it and call for estimates or undertakers. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); undated, but see Gallatin to TJ, immediately above; written on verso of an address sheet; addressed by TJ: “The Secretary of the Treasury” in place of “The...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
E. Randolph has offered to mr Short to give him personal security, such as he will be satisfied with, for the whole sum & interest due to mr Short. mr Short will not accept it, viewing the public as his debtor, but is willing to endeavor to obtain the security, on condition it shall not prejudice his right against the public, considering it as so much saved to the public which may otherwise be...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
You know my doubts or rather convictions about the unconstitutionality of the act for building piers in the Delaware, and the fears that it will lead to a bottomless expence, & to the greatest abuses. there is however one intention of which the act is susceptible & which will bring it within the constitution; and we ought always to presume that the real intention which is alone consistent with...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to peruse & return the inclosed? what Dupont says of N. Orleans will require a verbal explanation. he will probably be a very efficient instrument for us in that business, and I should very much wish to render him the personal service he asks as to paiments in Paris, if you find such an arrangement can be made agreeably to what is right & useful for us. it would lessen...
40Memorandum to Albert Gallatin, 28 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Candidates for the office of Surveyor of Smithfield Doctr. Purdie. his father I know. he is a good man. but they are tories. Wilson Davies . he was collector of the direct tax, which is sufficient evidence he is a tory. he is recommended too by John Parker appd by our predecessors, ergo a tory. Dr. Southall . his father was an excellent man & whig. his brother is said to be a very bad man. of...
41II. Referral of the Draft to Albert Gallatin, 19 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. sends to mr Gallatin the draught of his message to Congress which he prays him to revise both as to substance & form, and to favor him with his amendments or strictures freely adhibited, & with as little delay as he can, because it is proposed to be submitted to each gentleman singly in the first instance, and then to a meeting, which will involve time. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers);...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The short answer to the Collectors is that Sea letters are never given out but in time of war. then they are given in consequence of the stipulations in treaties to ascertain our flag to the other party when belligerent. no Sea letter was ever issued by this government till the commencement of the war between France & Great Britain.—I should except from these observations the case of vessels...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Benjamin Cheney was approved by the Senate both as Surveyor & Inspector James L. Shannonhouse was approved by them also both as Surveyor & Inspector. therefore their commissions as Inspectors might have issued & may now. Thomas Worthington was nominated to the Senate at the last session as Supervisor of the Northwestern district, & so approved by them. on recurring to mr Gallatin’s note of...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Duval’s nomination waits only for a Senate. it may be sent in tomorrow & confirmed the next day. I inclose you a copy of a letter from our agent at the Havanna stating reasons to believe a great number of slaves are smuggling and about to be smuggled into Georgia and S. Carolina. would it not be well to inclose a copy of it to the Collectors of those states, and to direct their revenue...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
If there be any doubt about the position of the Marine hospital at Boston, we are hardly competent here to decide it. I should have supposed it might be decided by Genl. Lincoln as a military man as well as a citizen. would Doctr. Eustis think it better to join the Govr. or any other person or persons with the Genl. to fix on the best position? I suggest this for your consideration. With...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recollect but slightly the within case: in general that the party appeared guilty: but I presume there can be no objection to the permitting his decision to be expedited, and our suggesting that to mr Hollingsworth. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury”; endorsed. Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found, but see Gallatin to TJ, 3 Jan. 1803 , for...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The giving Sea letters to vessels is very troublesome, and extremely burthensome to the Post office: at the same time it is totally destitute of utility and contrary to usage. can the merchants shew us a sea letter given by the English government now when they, like us, are at peace with all the world? there is no reason for departing from universal practice, and therefore they may be informed...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Heads of Departments (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks a consultation with the heads of departments tomorrow at 11. aclock, on the subject of N. Orleans & the Floridas. should we meet later, we may be prevented by the visits usual on the day. will mr Smith be so good as to send the inclosed over the way to mr Lincoln? RC ( MHi : Levi Lincoln Papers); undated or date clipped; endorsed by Levi Lincoln as 31 Dec. 1802; with...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I happened to be extraordinarily pressed by business which prevented my answering on the subject of Worthington’s resignation. but I observed to him yesterday that as he had a right to resign, his act of resignation was final, and did not need an acceptance to validate it. if he apprehends any question, he might be furnished with an acceptance of the same date with his resignation. Spencer...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
If we can do any thing ourselves in the case of the from the Missisipi, let us do it. but if any thing has to be done by Congress I think the merchants had better be left to get it brought forward in their own way, and leave us free to modify. it is a question of some nicety whether in the seasons when exportations are strong, we might moor a in the river opposite or near N. Orleans, and keep...