251From Thomas Jefferson to William Davies, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It was our intention that the tools should go with the workmen and hope they have accordingly gone. I have enquired of Mr. Armistead as to the giving a yard of linen for making shirts at Petersburg. He says it was never done by him; but that Colo. Elliot the Continental Q.M. had given the price of a yard of linen. Mr. Armistead’s allowance for the white linen shirts is 30 dollars. There is no...
252From Thomas Jefferson to William Call, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
You are not unacquainted with the Desire which Government has long had of erecting some defensive works at Hoods in your County which might protect so much of the river as lies above that place. The late Incursion of the Enemy up the river, their Acknowledgements of the Obstructions which that Post, well prepared, might have been to their Enterprize, their taking permanent post at Portsmouth,...
253From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is a Copy of a Letter which was intended to have awaited you in Virginia. But as there seems to be a probability that you will be detained at the Head of Elk longer than you could have expected, I have thought it best to send a Copy there also. An Idea having unfortunately got abroad that the militia now called on are intended to storm the Enemy’s works at Portsmouth, the numbers...
254From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of War, 15 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The board advise the approbation of the proposition from the board of War for building a small magazine at Staunton; but that it be paid for in money, and not by a sale of any of the rifles, these being already ordered to be delivered to the two Western Battalions now raising. They approve also of what is proposed as to the cattle. They advise that no particular supply of Clothing be sent for...
255From Thomas Jefferson to James Hunter, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Loss of many of our papers we find ourselves unable to say how stand our orders with you for camp-kettles. We shall be glad however, whatever they be, that you now furnish us with one thousand for the separate use of the State and to be called for by my order only. I am Sr. &c., P.S. We will send 2 waggons a week hence for camp-kettles and continue them going backward and forward on the...
256From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of King William and Certain Other Counties, 12 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your Militia is now returned or on their return home we have thought it necessary to take off the Suspension of the Act of October 1781 for recruiting this States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental Army and to desire you to proceed to the raising the New Levies required from your County by that Law, and sending them to the Rendezvous as directed in my Letter of January 19th. 1781....
257From Thomas Jefferson to George Elliott, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The establishment of a Line of riders between Genl. Gregory’s Camp and Suffolk is very necessary. I would advise you to purchase horses for that purpose at any rate almost, rather than to impress. But if you cannot purchase they should be impressed. I think it would be better, whether you purchase or impress, that it be done in the neighbourhood of the enemy as much as possible, because horses...
258From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night from General Washington a letter on your subject in which he has complied with my request. As every movement will depend so much on yourself in the Western quarter I leave to yourself to determine whether you should not as soon as possible repair hither and take the ultimate measures which are necessary. I am Sir your most obedt. servt., RC ( WHi ); addressed, in TJ’s...
259From Thomas Jefferson to James Barron, September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed deposition will inform you of the reason we have [to] believe that the inhabitants of the Tangier islands supply the enemy’s cruizers in the bay with provisions. We have therefore adopted the only legal method we have of drawing from them their surplus of provisions. We think it will be prudent to leave them no more than what is absolutely requisite for their own subsistance. You...
260From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 1 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your Excellency’s favour of Janury. 5th. Joseph Shoemaker is a citizen of this State and has been an active mischeivous traitor. The dangers of escape on the road from Baltimore to this place, and from this place, where since our removal from Wmsburg no public jail has been yet erected, are so great as to induce me to suggest to your Excellency the trial and punishment of...
261From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 23 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Certain information being received of the arrival of an enemy’s fleet in the bay, it is thought expedient to decline for a time at least the sending Colo. Crocketts battalion to the Westward, as it is possible their services may be wanting elsewhere. Be pleas’d therefore to forward the inclosed to Mr. Madison requiring him to bring the beaves he had collected for that battalion to the...
262[From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 14 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 14 Dec. 1780. Epistolary Record: “Th: J. to Gl. Gates. merely friendly & private.” Not located. Probably this letter expressed TJ’s cordial feelings toward Gates at the time of the latter’s quitting his command in the South.]
263From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 28 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In Council July 28 1780 The board are of opinion that the hospital at Wmsbg. be discontinued. Mr. Ferguson may have the use of the house and garden for the care of them till further orders. Hospitals are to be kept up at York, Hampton and Portsmouth on the smallest Scale practicable. The Surgeon of the Artillery regiment may attend York and Hampton and that of the State garrison regiment...
264To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your letter of August 6th during my absence the Council had the irons taken off the prisoners of war. When your advice was asked we meant it should decide with us: and upon my return to Williamsburg the matter was taken up and the enclosed advice given. A parole was formed of which the enclosed is a copy and tendered to the prisoners. They objected to that part of it which...
265IV. List of Acts of Parliament and of Virginia Assembly, 1661–1759, concerning Religion, 19 November 1776 (Jefferson Papers)
1661. c.1. Church to be built or [chap]el of ease. c.2. Vestries appointed. c.3. Ministers to be inducted. c.4. Ministers to provide [reade]rs c.5. Liturgy to be read. c.6. Church Catechism c.7. Ministers to preach weekly c.8. the 30th. of January to be kept a fast. c.9. the 29th. of May to be kept holy. c.10.
266[From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 15 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 15 June 1780 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1780, 1827 edn., p. 48: “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, respecting the removal of the Convention troops in case of danger, and enclosing one from Col. Wood on the same subject.” TJ’s letter has not been found; James...
267From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 18. instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. They landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg and near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. This latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia Stationed on that Side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
268Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Madison Papers)
Translation (Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation). Jefferson’s original letter is probably not extant. This French version, translated and copied by a person or persons unknown, was in all likelihood sent from Philadelphia on 2 January 1781 by the Chevalier de La Luzerne in his letter to Chevalier Charles René D. S. Destouches, who commanded the French fleet at Newport, Rhode Island, after...
269From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The State commissary having come to me yesterday I sent him on to your Headquarters to provide subsistence for the troops and observe your orders in every thing. A waggon load of fixed ammunition and two feild peices have past this place for General Nelson. The residue (I beleive about two waggon loads) was ordered on to you yesterday. I am very happy to hear you have General Smallwood’s...
270From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not doubting but the General Assembly will be glad to be informed of the Occurrences in the Carolina’s, I take the liberty of transmitting to them a Letter I have received from General Greene and some extracts from Letters received from Major McGill who is with the Southern Army. I have the Honor to be, &c., P.S. I must take the liberty of begging a return of Genl. Greene’s Letter when...
271From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The habitual drunkenness of Colo. Warneck renders him in the opinion of the board unfit to be longer trusted with the execution of the duties of an engineer. Should he chuse (on your intimating this to him) to resign, the board are disposed to give him what assistance they may justifiably: otherwise it becomes necessary that you take proper measures for trying him by a proper court in order to...
272From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Provision Law for Hanover and Certain Other Counties, 29 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The garrison at being likely to want provisions, we hereby extend your powers as commissioners of the provision Law to live Cattle, and desire that you will by virtue of your commission furnish such number of beeves as the state commissary shall apply to you for, taking proper vouchers for their delivery and transmitting them to me. I inclose you for information as to the manner in which you...
273From Thomas Jefferson to the Manager of the Lead Mines, 19 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Invasion of this State calling for an immediate and large Supply of Lead, be pleased to send us immediately all the Lead you have on Hand, notwithstanding my former Direction to let one half go to the Southward Army with which on the present Occasion we must dispense. The Bearer Mr. Tate is sent to see this Service performed. The Money for paying the Waggonage not being ready at this...
274To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 May 1783 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Unsigned but in Jefferson’s hand. Docketed by JM, “From Ths. J. to J.M. May 7, 1783.” On the docket page someone unknown wrote, “Ths. Jefferson May 7. 1783.” Using the JM-Jefferson Code No. 2, Jefferson enciphered the words which are here italicized. Interlineated on the manuscript is JM’s decoding of these ciphers. Filed with the manuscript are two pages entitled by...
275Memoranda concerning Western Defense, [ca. 8 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
detamt. Crockett } Sandy 22. Botetourt 100 18. Rockbridge 16. Gr. Brier } Fort Randolph 43. Augusta 15. Rockingham 30. Frederick 150 30.
276Notes and Plans for Western Defense, [23 July 1779 and after] (Jefferson Papers)
Plan for regimenting & stationing the two Western battalions. Joseph Crocket & James Knox Lt. Colonels commandants } appointed by the Council George Walls, Robert Powell. Majors. William Cherry, Samuel Gill. Captains. Thomas Walls, Peter Moore. Ensigns. no. of men supposed they will raise Officers to be recommended by the feild officers of the respective countries Destination . Yohogania. a...
277From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Reed, 3 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your acceptable present came duly to hand. Tho I had not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with your excellency, I never needed evidence of the propriety of your conduct on any occasion. A circumstantial development however of Governor Johnstone’s essay cannot but have good effects in satisfying the world at large, that the same pure spirit of patriotism which produced this revolution,...
278From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to give you so much Trouble with the Horses lately impressed for operating against Portsmouth. That plan being now discontinued we have thought that (Economy and Respect to the rights of our Citizens required a restitution of all the Horses to their Owners. But as they may have fallen off or been injured we wish that the whole should be valued by you as they were when...
279From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I write by this post to the Minister of foreign affairs, but will repeat to you the facts mentioned to him and some others improper for a public letter, and some reflections on them which can only be hazarded to the ear of friendship. The cold weather having set in the evening of the 30th. Ult. (being the same in which I arrived here) the Chevalr. de Ville-brun was obliged to fall down with...
280From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of May 5th] I am &c. FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of Culpeper.” Brackets supplied. The “preceding letter” refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, “Culpeper 351,” the number of militia to be called.
281From Thomas Jefferson to John Skinker and William Garrard, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to learn that the Enemy are committing such cruel depredations in your part of the Country: however it may tend to produce irremoveable hatred against so detestable a nation and thereby strengthen our Union. Yet in the mean time it brings afflicting distress on Individuals and by diverting so great a Proportion of our force from their principal object leaves...
282From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Hampshire and Berkeley, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army forming by our enemies in the south and an extensive combination of savages in the west will probably render the ensuing campaign exceedingly active, and particularly call forth the exertions of this state. It is our duty to look forward in time and to make a proper division of our force between these two objects. There seems but one method of preventing the savages from...
283From Thomas Jefferson to Abner Nash, 24 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Situation of affairs in our Eastern and Southern quarters rendering peace on our Western frontier extremely desirable, the General Assembly of this State, by a resolution which I do myself the Honor of inclosing to your Excellency, have recommended a Conciliation with the Cherokees in a particular manner. Not knowing what is the present Situation of the war with that Nation I have given...
284From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Shenandoah, 18 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners taken at the Battle of the Cowpens being to pass under the conduct of Mr. Hyrne or Mr. Boush Commissaries of Prisoners, they will be attended by the guard at present with them as far as Shenandoah Court House. There you will be pleased to have assembled such guard and at such time as either of these Gentlemen shall fix on, which guard must see them safely over the Potowmack. I am...
285From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Monongalia and Ohio, 24 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
A powerful army &c. [as in letter to county lieutenants Hampshire and Berkeley to ‘proper officers’ and leave out from thence and insert] to be rendezvouzed at Pittsburg precisely by the first of march to proceed by the way of the falls of Ohio for an expedition under Colo. Clarke into the country beyond that river and to continue in service during the expedition; as to which Colo. Clarke is...
286From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers so fully explain themselves, that I need say nothing more to apprize you of the Subject. Should the Governor of Maryland and President of Maryland not close with my third proposition, you are hereby authorized to treat with the Delegates of those two States or any other Person appointed by the States and to settle the best method of availing the Southern Army of their...
287From Thomas Jefferson to Abner Nash, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your Excellency’s favor of the 3d inst, and am to thank you for your permission and countenance to our Pork purchases. The late invasion of this State by the Enemy should not have been so long uncommunicated to you by me, but that the very extraordinary movement they made was such in its nature as to allow little time to those concerned in Goverment to think of any thing but...
288From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, 5 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to issue to Colonel John Syme a Warrant for one thousand five hundred pounds on account for removing public Stores. By Advice of Council. RC ( Vi : Contingent Fund Vouchers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed.
289From Thomas Jefferson to David Shepherd, 13 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to ask the favour of you to give notice to the Officer recommended by you for the Western Battalions that as soon as one half his [quota] of men is raised and delivered by you, he shall be entitled to his commission and must march the men on to Fort Pitt, the remaining half you must send on under a Serjeant to the same rendezvous. Lieutenant Colo. Knox is appointed to take command of the...
290From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 12 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Baker was to give notice to Colo. Crockett when he should have ready subsistence and pack horses for him. Colo. Matthew’s Suggestions as to the Militia shall be submitted to the Council, and the result communicated to Colo Crockett. I am sorry to hear that your Supplies of Provision are still precarious. Mr Divers has made a Proposition to victual the troops on contract, which we think to...
291Memoranda on the Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Maryland Boundaries, [5 November 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
If the Monongahela is the line it will throw 300. Virginia families into Pennsylva. Most of these live between the Yohiogany and Monongahela. Not one third of that number of Pennsylvanians would be thrown on the Virginia side. If the Laurel hill is the boundary it will place on the Virginia side all the Virginia settlers, and about 200. families of Pennsylvania settlers. A middle line is...
292From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 3 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The measures you have taken for the preservation of the Leadmines by calling in the militia of Montgomery Washington and Botetourt are as wise as could have been advised, and as effectual as, in the present State of things, can be administered. The distress of the Western Frontier is much too general to confine Crocket’s battalion to a single part. It is indispensably necessary that he proceed...
293From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 14 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
According to Genl. Gates’s request I transmit to your Excellency the inclosed copy of a letter I received from him this morning. That the enemy should meditate taking possession of Portsmouth in the manner they give out does not seem probable, as Sr. Henry Clinton under the present appearances would scarcely consent to spare men from New York; and that they should think of taking possession of...
294From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 15 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. covering a draught of Mr. Clay’s for 106,775 D. came safely to hand last night. I am sorry that Mr. Clay adopts this method of negotiating money claims on our treasury which is not and I fear will not again be in a condition to answer his draughts with any kind of punctuality which might justify his drawing and negotiating in the mercantile way. In my letter to you of...
295Notes concerning the Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government of Virginia, [11 November 1776?] (Jefferson Papers)
N ( DLC ). These memoranda are written on the last page of the draft Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government, introduced 11 Nov. 1776, q.v. It is not possible to say whether these notes, which obviously pertain to the Removal Bill, were made in 1776 or 1779; the cost figures would indicate the latter, but in that year the arguments in favor of removal (as indicated by the speedy...
296[From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Carr, 18 January 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Jan. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Carr. Not send P. C. [Peter Carr] to Maury. Where is A. S. J. [Anna Scott Jefferson]. My health better.” Not found.]
297From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As I am certainly informed by Commodore Barron that the fleet arrived is British, I become anxious lest the expected French fleet not knowing of this incident may come into the Bay. Should the Marquis Fayette be returned to the North side of the River, I make no doubt but he will have taken what cautionary measures are in his power and necessary. Should he not be returned I must beg the favour...
298To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1783 (second) (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). At the bottom of the first of four pages Jefferson wrote “Honble James Madison.” Docketed by JM, “Ths. Jefferson. 14 Feb. 1783.” Also on the docket appears, in an unknown hand, “See passage relating to Mr. Adams.” The words italicized are those written by Jefferson in the cipher described in Jefferson to JM, 31 Jan. 1783 , ed. n. Unless otherwise noted, the decoding...
299From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 4 August 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of June the 15th . with which your Excellency was pleased to honor me came unfortunately when I was absent on a journey to the county of Bedford an hundred miles Southward of this. I there received it on the 9th. of July, and a return to this place was necessary to furnish me certain informations on which depended materially my powers to obey the wishes of Congress. This return was...
300VII. Draft of a Resolution concerning Money Bills, [before 13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
That bills relating solely to the raising or disposing of public money in any way whatever are not amendable by the Senate. That in other bills if some clauses or sentences relate to the raising or disposing of public money, and others relate to other subjects, the said clauses or sentences so relating to the raising or disposing of public money are not amendable by the Senate; but such other...