3151To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
According to the desire you expressed the other day when speaking of the application of France for 3. millions of livres, I have the honour to inclose a statement of the Questions which appear to me to enter into the consideration of that application. after putting them on paper, I saw that some developements & observations would be necessary to explain their propriety & connection. these...
3152From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Donath, 11 September 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I know not how it happened that your favor of Aug. 8. did not reach me till our last post. A letter by post generally comes in 9. days. I am extremely glad to hear of the arrival of my glass, and that it is of the size of 12. by 18. according to my second order. If you will be pleased to forward me the bill of cost, I will immediately replenish my funds with Mr. Barnes, and desire him to pay...
3153From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of Feb. 17. as I had been before with that of Nov. 26. both of which have been laid before the President. Within a few days the printing the laws of the 3d. session of Congress will be compleated, and they shall be forwarded to you the moment they are so. As the census of all the rest of the union will be taken in the course of this summer, and will not be taken...
3154From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 26 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Hammond and would be glad to be informed if there is any other testimony than that he sent him relative to the place of capture of the Ship William? He has heard that some one saw it from the shore whose testimony might be had. It is desireable that all the evidence possible should be produced. PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( DLC ); 19th-century copy. Enclosed...
3155From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 23 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this Place the latter end of March, and undertook the Office, to which the President had been pleased to appoint me, of Secretary of State, which comprehends that of the foreign Affairs. Before I had got through the most pressing Matters which had been accumulating, a long Illness came upon me, and put it out of my Power for many Weeks to acknowledge the Receipt of your Letters. I...
3156From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 29 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your No. 67. June 6. 68. June 10. 69. June 22. 70. June 26. 71. June 29. the three last by the British packet. My last to you was of July 28. by a vessel bound to Havre. This goes to the same port, because accompanied by newspapers. It will be the last I shall write you these two months, as I am to set out for Virginia the next week. I now inclose you a copy of...
3157From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 28 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine having desired me to invest some money for him in canal shares, I am desirous of getting information relative to the Patowmac canal as to the following particulars. What proportion of the work is done? What proportion remains to do? When will it probably be completed? What per cent profit will it probably yield, in the present state of population and produce? Can shares be...
3158Notes on Treaties and Neutrality, [29–30 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
17.F. Enemy vessels having made prizes shall have no shelter. If forced by weather, to retire as soon as possible. 18.F. 16.D. 9.P. shipwrecked vessels shall have all friendly assistance.—P. expressly to repair . 19.F. 17.D. 18.P. ships public and of war or private and of merchants forced through stress of weather, pursuit of pirates, or enemies or any other urgent necessity permitted to...
3159From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 13 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the last week, since which I have received yours of Oct. 2. and Nov. 3d. informing me that mine of the 5th. of Oct. was come to hand. I thank you for the purchase of the Jenny, and I will furnish the price here to Jack; as it seems useless for you to be sending £20. here, and me sending £20. to you. My extreme wish is to put immediately the Jenny to a Jack of as pure a breed as...
3160From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 26 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now favored with your note of to-day. The wine you enquire after is called Sauterne, and costs about 1/ sterling the bottle, (included) at 3. years old, earlier than which it should not be tasted, and still much better not to drink it till 4. years old, one year then makes great odds in the flavor. The best crop is that of the Countess de Luz-Saluce. But you had better address...
3161To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 July 1795 (Madison Papers)
I send you the inclosed as you may perhaps not have seen it. Return it if you please. I have not yet seen the treaty, but suppose tomorrow’s post may perhaps bring it. Mr. and mrs. Randolph set out the day after tomorrow for the springs, to see if any of them can restore the nearly hopeless state of his health. Nil mihi rescribas. Attamen ipse veni. Vale. RC ( DLC ); FC ( DLC : Jefferson...
3162To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respect to the President incloses him the draught of a letter to mister Pinckney: also some Canada gazettes, with the letter from Colo. Fay accompanying them. he perceives from this letter that Colo. Fay had not awaited his approbation to make use of the name of Th: J. in the land-job. he thinks it possible the government of Canada may get hold of this, & perhaps make...
3163From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 12 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having at length received my leave of absence, I have sent off my baggage, and shall follow it myself within a week or ten days. I am as yet incertain whether I shall sail from Havre or Lorient. My last information from America is of the 25th. of July. Our new government was then going on with great harmony, and all opposition to it expired, except in the state of Rhode island. I do not know...
3164To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President draughts of letters to mr Short and the Marquis de la Luzerne. as to the former he asks his attention to the paragraph respecting the devices for the Medal. he hopes he will change and accomodate the letter to M. de la Luzerne to his own ideas of the part that gentleman acted, & of the length proper to go in expressing our sense of it. the...
3165From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 30 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your two favors of July 30. and Aug. 16. and to thank you for the information they contained. We have now assembled a new Congress, being a fuller and more equal representation of the people, and likely I think to approach nearer to the sentiments of the people in the demonstration of their own. They have the advantage of a very full communication from the...
3166From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 12 November 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of the 3 inst. My memory (as far as it can be trusted) assures me I never had a transaction of any kind with any body of the name of Coleman in my life. I have moreover searched my memorandum books which have been kept with exactness and are alphabeted. I do not find such a name on them for 22. years back, which is as far as I have examined them. I suspect...
3167From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honour to inclose him the following papers. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. PrC ( DLC ). Tr ( Lb in DNA : RG
3168From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 30 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Being to set out for Monticello in two or three days, I have only to acknolege the receipt of your favor of July 25. and to inform you that a judgment will be very soon obtained in your case. In a conversation I had with Mr. Morris, to engage him to favor your interests as far as he could with justice, he assured me he had settled with Dr. Griffin, and that the balance due was about £4500. for...
3169From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 11 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to make provision for the payment of my debts to yourself and Farrell & Jones, I sold a tract of land to Mr. Ronald for £1076. pounds sterling, one half payable Jan. 1. 1796. the other half Jan. 1. 1797. with interest on the whole from Oct. 5. 1790. For the one half, I retain a mortgage on the lands sold; for the other half he mortgaged a moiety of his Beaverdam lands valued at the...
3170Notes on John Adams and the French Revolution, [15 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 16. At a meeting of the board for the sinking fund, in a conversation after business was over, Mr. Adams declared that ‘men could never be governed but by force ’ that neither virtue prudence, wisdom nor any thing else sufficed to restrain their passions. That the first National convention of France had established a constitution, had excluded themselves from it’s administration for...
3171Report on Petition of William How, 14 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred, by the House of Representatives, the Petition of William How, praying Satisfaction from the United States, for a Debt due to him in Nova Scotia, and whereon Judgment has been rendered against him, contrary to existing Treaties, as he supposes, with Instruction to examine the same, and report his Opinion thereupon to the House, has had the same...
3172From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 24 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Mr. Madison on the 3d. inst. Since that I have received his of Mar. 24. 26. 31. and Apr. 14. and yours of Mar. 26. 31. and Apr. 2. which had been accumulating in the post office of Richmond. The spirit of war has grown much stronger, in this part of the country, as I can judge of myself, and in other parts along the mountains from N.E. to S.W. as I have had opportunities of learning...
3173From Thomas Jefferson to John Pendleton, Jr., 26 February [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the [13th. inst. and am?] sorry I cannot furnish you from hence with [what?] you desire, as it is lodged at Monticello, [where no other?] person can turn to it but myself. I will [keep it?] in mind, and on my first return [there endeavor?] to send it to you. I am with great esteem Sir your most obedt. servt. PrC ( MHi ); badly faded in part; at foot of text:...
3174Memorandum to George Taylor, Jr., 22 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The following commissions wanting − + William Barker 2d. Mate } Collector Charleston and capt. of Cutter. } This memorandum for Barker and Cozens is exactly copied from one from the Secy. of the Treasury . If it is not understood, explanations must be asked at his office. − + Matthew Cozens 3d. Mate Note dates of Com. Th: J. returns the blanks, as we are now near enough to obtain...
3175From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 14 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately received two letters from the Governor of North Carolina, copies of which I now inclose, they have been submitted to the Attorney General of the U.S. for advice as to the measures which might be legally pursued for vindicating the right of the U.S. His opinion I also inclose. In order to avoid the appearance of wishing to harrass the people, it might suffice, where the grantee is...
3176From Thomas Jefferson to Madame d’Houdetot, 13 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Une indisposition, Madame la Comtesse, qui m’a obligé de garder la chambre plusieurs jours, m’a empeché de me profiter de l’invitation que vous avez eu la bonté de me donner pendant que vous etiez à Eau bonne et sa voisinage. Actuellement je suis tout occupé de mon départ, qui aura lieu à 10 jours d’ici. Monsieur Short vient d’etre nommé chargé des affaires pendant mon absence. J’espere que je...
3177VII. Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 13 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you copies of the printed papers you desired: also a letter I recieved last night. This paper I will thank you to return by the bearer when you shall have perused it, as it is yet to be translated and communicated to the President. It is evident that this matter will become serious, and tho’ I am pointedly against admitting the French construction of the treaty, yet I think it...
3178From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Certain proceedings of the Ministers of the United States abroad, on behalf of M. de la Fayette rendering it necessary that I should do myself the honor of addressing you on that subject in order that the proper sanction may be obtained for what is done, I shall be justified by the interest which yourself and our fellow citizens generally feel in the fortunes and sufferings of that Gentleman...
3179From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 3 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a letter to our bankers in Amsterdam covering a bill of exchange drawn on them by the treasurer for one hundred and twenty three thousand seven hundred and fifty current guilders which I have endorsed thus ‘Philadelphia July 3. 1792. Enter this to the credits of the Secretary of state for the United states of America. Th: Jefferson.’ to prevent the danger of interception. My letter...
3180From Thomas Jefferson to Basil Wood, 10 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. Ult. was delivered to me yesterday. I do not know that there is likely to be any vacancy in the clerkships of my office. That of Mr. Lambert was an extra employment for recording the laws of Congress, on the particular account of the superior elegance of his hand; so that if he retires (as he has proposed) the business will devolve again on the ordinary clerks of the...
3181To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 November 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have duly considered the letter you were pleased to refer to me, of the 18th of August from his Excellency Governor [Charles] Pinckney to yourself, together with the draught of one proposed to be written by him to the Governor of Florida claiming the redelivery of certain fugitives from justice who have been received in that Country. The inconveniencies of such a receptacle for debtors and...
3182To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that the Spanish papers are now all ready. he sends him a set for his examination & will send two others Monday morning. he also sends the draught of the message he would propose, with the blank filled up which had been left in it whenever the President is satisfied about it, either with or without amendments, Th: J. will have copies made...
3183From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr. Hollingsworth attorney of the district of Maryland with information that the Sans Culottes, fitted out at Charleston had taken and sent into Baltimore the Brigantine Maxwell of Kirkcudbright, commanded by Thomas Milrae. As the date of the information renders it probable that the case comes within the rule of restitution, I take the liberty of inclosing to...
3184XI. Secretary of State to Louis Guillaume Otto, 19 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It was not in my Power to proceed on the Subject of your Representation of December 13th. till your Favor of January 6th. ascertained a Fact, which I thought material to be known. I have laid the whole before the President of the United States, who, this Day, submits it to the Consideration of the Legislature. Their Forms, their Deliberations, will occasion necessary Delay; and this may,...
3185To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 May 1792 (Washington Papers)
I have determined to make the subject of a letter, what, for some time past, has been a subject of inquietude to my mind without having found a good occasion of disburthening itself to you in conversation, during the busy scenes which occupied you here. perhaps too you may be able, in your present situation, or on the road, to give it more time & reflection than you could do here at any...
3186From Thomas Jefferson to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 3 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have laid before the President your letter of June 26. with the papers accompanying it on the subject of the robbery supposed to have been committed within the territory of Florida by three citizens of the state of Georgia: and I have it in charge to assure you that due enquiry shall be immediately made into the transaction, and that every thing shall be done on the part of this government...
3187From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Freneau, 28 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The clerkship for foreign languages in my office is vacant. The salary indeed is very low, being but two hundred and fifty dollars a year: but also it gives so little to do as not to interfere with any other calling the person may chuse, which would not absent him from the seat of government. I was told a few days ago that it might perhaps be convenient to you to accept it. If so it is at your...
3188From Thomas Jefferson to George Buchanan, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to return you thanks for your kind favor of May 28. which found me so far recovered as to have no further occasion for medecine. It was the first time the bark had ever failed to remove my complaint very speedily. Some future attack may perhaps oblige me to profit of your kind counsel. In the mean time my gratitude is equally engaged to you as if I had been still under the necessity of...
3189Jefferson’s Opinion on Fiscal Policy, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him, I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
3190Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In conversations with mister Carrol, mister Stoddard and mister Dickens they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Patowmack should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would be dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the assemblies of Virginia or Maryland, & that therefore measures should be adopted to carry...
3191From Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Kennan, 13 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Sep. 19. with the copy of your account shewing the amount of stock which you hold for Mr. Short, as also a balance of 50.17 D. cash and a further sum of 109.83 D. the quarter’s interest then due. Finding that Mr. Short possesses stock in Richmond also, and concluding it best to bring the whole to Philadelphia, I have lodged in the Treasury office there the...
3192From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 3 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 14th. of last Month, since which, some other incidents and documents have occurred, bearing relation to the subject of that letter. I, therefore, now inclose you a duplicate of that letter. From these papers you will find that we have been constantly endeavoring by every possible means to keep peace with the Creeks; that, in order to do this, we have even suspended and still...
3193From Thomas Jefferson to Jeremiah Van Rensselaer, 10 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a statement of a claim to some lands in the Oneida country given by the Indians to one Le Tonnelier, and by him sold to a Mr. Osmont. This latter gentleman is arrived from France and has fixed himself here. Being a stranger, without the means of informing himself what chance there is, and what should be his proceedings to recover the lands, and having been very particularly...
3194From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his compliments to Mr. Pinckney asks the favor of him to have the inclosed delivered to Mr. Donald himself. —Several circumstances have postponed Th: J’s departure to the end of the present year, when he will leave this place. He is anxious to hear of his threshing machine from Mr. Pinckney.—He does not write to him on public matters till he can meet with a confidential...
3195From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 9 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Lieper and, according to the conditions of his lease , informs him he shall relinquish it at the end of three months from this date. He thinks it probable he can find a good tenant for Mr. Lieper, and shall do it with pleasure. Nothwithstanding what was done by the plaisterer the passage leaked excessively with the last rain.—Th:J. will be obliged...
3196III. Report on American Trade in the Mediterranean, 28 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred, by the House of Representatives, so much of the Speech of the President of the United States, to both Houses of Congress, as relates to the Trade of the United States in the Mediterranean, with Instructions to report thereupon to the House, has had the same under Consideration, and thereupon makes the following Report. The Loss of the Records of...
3197From Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 17 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Dr. Witherspoon came to hand soon after I had written mine of the 12th. to you on the subject. I have only therefore as an appendix to that letter to inclose it to you and ask an explanation on the subject of board as early as you can send it, that it may be forwarded in time to the Doctor. I am to add that the same doubt had arisen here with Mr. Patterson, and was one...
3198To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the minutes of the 17th inst. the letters then agreed on are sent to the Secretaries of the Treasury & war for their corrections, & will then be handed to the President. he sends him also a letter from the Attorney of Kentuckey for his information, & because the subject of it belongs to another department. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous...
3199From Thomas Jefferson to Uriah Forrest, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 13. found me under a severe indisposition, and I embrace the first moment I am able to answer it. Mr. Boyd’s brother in Paris desired me to inform myself of his situation, and communicate it to him, and expressed a desire to assist him if he could find out how to do it so as to be guarded against his intentions being defeated. I thought from his manner of speaking with me...
3200From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Tazewell, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
As far as the public papers are to be credited, I may suppose that the choice of Vice president has fallen on me. On this hypothesis I trouble you, and only pray, if it be wrong, that you will consider this letter as not written. I believe it belongs to the Senate to notify the V.P. of his election. I recollect to have heard that on the first election of President and Vice President gentlemen...