651From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 15 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been struck with the conduct of the boy (Billy) who attends at Mr. Shuter’s, I mentioned it to Mr. Madison who added to mine his own opinion and knolege of him, and as I wanted a house servant, he said he thought it possible that it might be worth my while to give what it would be worth Mr. Shuter’s while to take for him. Having turned the subject in my mind since, I have concluded to...
652From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 21 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It is excessively desireable that an extensive sale of lots in Washington should take place as soon as possible. It has been recommended to the Commissioners to have all the squares adjacent to the avenue from the President’s house to the Capitol, on both sides, and from thence to the river, through the whole breadth of the ground between Rock creek and the Eastern branch, first laid off. The...
653XI. The Secretary of State to Andrew Ellicott, 2 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You are desired to proceed by the first stage to the Federal territory on the Potomac, for the purpose of making a survey of it. The first object will be to run the two first lines mentioned in the enclosed proclamation to wit:—the S.W. line 160 poles and the S.E. line to Hunting creek or should it not strike Hunting creek as has been suggested then to the river. These two lines must be run...
654From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 3 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose a letter for Dr. Stewart, open to you, because I think, besides taking care that he receives it, you will have the goodness to make the same inquiries which I press on him, and that this will double my chance of finding out a level road which I am pretty sure exists, and would be an immense convenience to me. Be so kind as to stick a wafer in the Dr.’s letter. I am with great esteem...
655From Thomas Jefferson to Hartman Elliot, 15 February 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I received three days ago your favor of January 18. and am sorry to find by it that your driver has defrauded you of ten dollars. I was to pay you for your stage 5. dollars a day for seven days, and ferriages. I paid the ferriages and toll to Fredericksburg myself, exactly 2. dollars, and at Fredericksburg I paid your driver thirty five dollars for the stage, two dollars for his ferriages and...
656From Thomas Jefferson to Madame d’Enville, 2 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had hoped, Madame la Duchesse, to have again had the honor of paying my respects to you in Paris, but the wish of our government that I should take a share in it’s administration, has become a law to me. Could I have persuaded myself that public offices were made for private convenience, I should undoubtedly have preferred a continuance in that which placed me nearer to you: but believing on...
657From Thomas Jefferson to La Rochefoucauld d’Enville, 3 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A call to take a part in the domestic administration of our government, obliges me to abandon the expectation of paying my respects to you in person in Paris. Tho’ removed to a greater distance in future, and deprived of the pleasure and advantages of your conversation and society which contributed so much to render my residence in Paris agreeable, I shall not be the less anxious for your...
658From Thomas Jefferson to La Rochefoucauld d’Enville, 24 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to introduce to you the bearer hereof Mr. Horrÿ, a young gentleman of South Carolina who proposes to visit Paris in the course of a tour he is about to make. His connections and circumstances are among the most distinguished in that state, and, tho I have not the honor of a personal acquaintance with him, yet I am authorised from as good authority, to assure you that his talents and...
659From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 31 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Being to set out for Philadelphia this week, I cannot take my departure without bidding you Adieu by letter. I had much wished it could have been in person, but my occupations here during my stay did not permit it. I had hoped that a contract I had procured between Colo. T.M.R. and his son had secured to the latter Edgehill for a settlement. But some subsequent motives have rendered the former...
660From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 15 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of Apr. 6. by Jack, and my letter of this date to Mr. Eppes will inform you that he is well under way. If we can keep him out of love, he will be able to go strait forward, and to make good way. I receive with real pleasure your congratulations on my advancement to the venerable corps of grandfathers, and can assure you with truth that I expect from it more felicity than...
661From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of May 23. and with great pleasure, as I do every thing which comes from you. I have had a long attack of my periodical head-ach, which was severe also for a few days, and since that has been very moderate. Still however it hangs upon me a little, tho for about 10. days past I have been able to resume business. I am sensible of your goodness and attention to my dear...
662From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 7 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had much wished to have had the pleasure of visiting you at Eppington before my departure, but the letters I receive from New York do not permit me to protract my stay a moment. Yesterday we finished our great business and tomorrow I set out. Our family, the new part as well as the old, will pay their respects to you at Eppington as shortly as they can. I shall avail myself of that occasion...
663From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June the 4th. with Mr. Eppes’ of May 30. came to my hands only the 8th of July. Consequently they must have been all the month of June getting from Eppington to Richmond, from which last place they would be but 8. or 9. days coming. I mention this as an apology for being so late in acknowleging their reciept. Patsy has written me on the subject of a maid also, but adds that it...
664From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 5 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in hopes to have seen you here till Mr. Randolph arriving last night from Richmond, informed me Mrs. Eppes was unwell. I hope it has not been serious and that this will find her in that good health I wish her ever to enjoy. I set out four days hence with Polly for Philadelphia. I am following your example in taking measures to clear myself of Hanson at once as far as bonds will do it....
665From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 10 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In my other letter I forgot to ask information of you on the following subject. Mr. Ross sent me, thro’ you, an account, partly in money, partly in tobacco. In this he has departed altogether from a former settlement, whereon I had given him a money and a tobacco bond for balances which I acknoleged. In this too he has undertaken to depart from an agreement with Key to allow 36/ for tobaccos...
666From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 August 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with great satisfaction your information that we are likely to get Cary’s claim against us settled on proper terms, and hasten to give my consent to any settlement you shall make, that it may recieve no delay from me. I had hoped indeed that a greater number of instalments would have been allowed us. Even Hanson gave us seven; a number which I would not ask from Mr. Welsh; but from...
667From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The greatest council of Indians which has been or will be held in our day, is to be at the river Au glaise, about the South-West corner of L. Erie early in the spring. Three Commissioners will be appointed to go there on our part. Jack is desirous of accompanying them, and, tho’ I do not know who they will be, I presume I can get him under their wing. The route I expect will be through...
668From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of May 30. inclosing Mr. Ross’s accounts &c. I observe that almost the whole of the balance he makes, results from turning money into tobacco at 20/ and then turning it back again into money at 36/. If there was ever any agreement between Mr. Ross and me to pay him any part of the account in tobacco, it must be paid him in tobacco. But neither justice nor...
669From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 7 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter from Mazzei on the subject of Capt. Hylton’s debt to him obliges me to ask from you what I am to say to him on that subject. You told me formerly you hoped to get some money into your hands, and that you would secure it. I wrote this to him, and he sollicits your patronage. Is there an insolvency in Captn. Hylton’s affairs? If there is not, in whose hands is his property, and why...
670From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 16 January [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is duly recieved, and in answer to your enquiries about the prospect of foreign demand for wheat I answer that it will be undoubtedly great. Something like a famine may be apprehended thro’ the greater part of France. Spain is buying largely. And I am assured from good authority that England will want a good deal. Her ports were opened to the reception of it for...
671From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 11 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 29. came to hand yesterday. That of Feb. 24. a week ago. I inclose you a statement of my demand against Mr. Bannister, the vouchers for which I believe I left in your hands, and sufficiently establish the account. However I have sworn to the statement to get rid of all objections. I received yesterday the account of my sale, miserable enough, the negroes having averaged only...
672From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 17 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Besides the difficulty you mentioned with respect to Jack’s trip to the Indian treaty, one has occurred here from a necessity, not expected, of circumscribing the number of persons who are to go, within as narrow limits as possible. Under these circumstances it becomes necessary to consider what would be his best plan for the summer. Tho’ I have promised to remain here longer than I had...
673From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the information contained in my letter of Mar. 17. Jack now sets out for Virginia. The circumstances which have determined the moment of his departure have been, the commencement of a term at Wm. and Mary should you accede to the proposition of his going there, and my relinquishing my house here and retiring to a small one in the country with only three rooms, and from whence I...
674From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 20 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in hopes that before this I could have invited Jack to come on, and had a lodging ready for him. But the house I agreed for, to be delivered to me completely finished on the 1st. day of October, is still full of workmen. I have got one room in it, in which I am obliged to sleep, to eat, and to do business with all the world, and the workmen say it will still be six weeks before they can...
675From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 8 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I was the other day as far as Richmond, but so circumscribed in time that it was impossible for me to turn either to right or left. I had but four days to go and return and do a good deal of business. The principal was to effect a purchase for my son in law of Edgehill from his father, which I did. He pays £2000 for the lands, stocks, 200 barrels of corn &c. They will now remain here. Another...
676From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand two days ago. I heartily congratulate you on the success of your sale. It will determine me to make a decisive stroke in the same way next winter. I will banish the idea of making two bites at a cherry . I had desired Mr. Lewis to give Dobson an order on Wilson for about £160 of the money in his hands, which with Bannister’s debt I supposed would pay off...
677From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 6 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night yours of Oct. 31. complaining that you had written three letters before that, to me, which remained unanswered. Be assured my dear Sir that in the last seven months, I had received but your letter of Sep. 2 . This I answered from Monticello Octob. 6. and I hope is come to hand before this. I therein asked the favor of you to inform me of the nature and amount of the...
678From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 19 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 7th. I have been so many years without being able to think of my own affairs, or those of Mr. Wayles’s estate, or any thing but the drudgery of the day, that I am unable to give any direction about my part of the money which may be paid by Cary’s executor; except to put it into the hands of Mr. James Brown, merchant, Richmond, where it will be ready for those...
679From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 28 August 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your favor of Aug. 17. as I had before done that of July 15. This would have been sooner answered, but that Mr. Jones was expected here, to whom the custody of Monroe’s papers had been confided. He has been here, and I got him to make a rigorous search for those we had delivered Monroe relative to R. Randolph’s representatives ; but they are not to be found. This however...
680From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 14 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
In a former letter I asked your permission to let the bonds taken at my sale be sent to you, in hopes you would deliver them to Hanson for me, and take a proper receipt. Since that I have written to Mr. Lewis to desire he will send them to you immediately, lest Hanson should make any assignment again, or lest the time of paying the first approaching, he should be disposed to insist on the...
681From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 29 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The delay of receiving the leave of absence I had asked from our government, has prevented my visit to Virginia as early in the year as I had intended. I have just now received that and am making up my baggage. I expect to leave this place in about a fortnight and to sail about the last of September or first of October. Consequently I may arrive in Virginia in the course of the month of...
682From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 31 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I set out for Philadelphia this week, and shall hope to recieve Jack there ere long. I shall not be housekeeping till I recieve my furniture from France. But that may be hourly expected, as it was to leave Paris the middle of July. I will write to you on my arrival at Philadelphia, or as so[on] after as I get my house ready, that Jack may come for[ward.] I hope you will let me know what course...
683From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 8 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding a moment of leisure to take up my private correspondencies, I am to answer your letter of Oct. 24. recd. Nov. 27. and not fully answered in mine written since that. On consultation with Jack, he is of opinion that 300 Dollars a year will do for him here. I rely the more on his judgment because I have seen no disposition to useless expence in him. I have always put his money in the bank...
684From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 15 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Jack’s letters will have informed you of his arrival here safe and in good health. Capt. Stratton is also arrived, whom we considered as lost. Your favors of April 5. and 27. are recieved. I had just answered a letter of Mr. Skipwith’s on the subject of the guineaman, and therefore send you a copy of that by way of answer to your last. I shall be in Virginia in October, but cannot yet say...
685From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 17 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you the letter to Mr. Wythe. We arrived here safely last night in eight hours and a half from your house, having been obliged by the lateness of our departure to come rather brisker than we would have chosen. However the horses were perfectly well after it. We had got everything over the river before day light shut in. The girls are well except as to their colds which are much the...
686From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The business of Congress has proceeded very slowly lately. Two interesting questions have so chafed the members that they can scarcely go on with one another. One of these is happily getting over. The Senate has passed the bill for transferring the temporary residence of Congress to Philadelphia for 10. years and the permanent one to Georgetown thenceforward. The other question relative to the...
687From 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...
688From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 27 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners to the Indian treaty will not leave this place till the 1st. of April, which gives more time to provide for Jack. I shall not return home as soon as I expected, tho’ I shall not extend the term of my service long. I shall ship off my furniture about the beginning of April; and find in fact that my provision for winding up my affairs here, removing bag and baggage will fall...
689From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 14 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your departure hence is so recent that nothing has occurred worth communicating to you. The object of the present letter is merely to inclose to you an account presented me by Peter Gordon the shoemaker, who supposed you had forgotten him. As I know that there is sometimes a forgetfulness on the side of the Creditor, I told him I would pay the account if you should admit it to be just. You...
690From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 12 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received from Donald & Burton the invoice of your books . Thinking you would be impatient to hear something of them, I inclose you the invoice . They have been shipped from Dublin on board the Young eagle, Elias Lord. The four last in the invoice came here under the care of Mr. Marshal, who told me he would have them delivered to me as soon as they could be come at in the ship....
691From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 3 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I find on recurring to the papers that the name of the person for whose tobacco I am charged was Thomas Cobbs . The year does not appear: but it must have been 1785. or 1786. Nor does the warehouse appear.—Mr. Giles joined us, the day after you left us, and after a stay of a week or 10 days he went on to the springs, from whence he will return with Mr. Randolph. A letter from Mr. Randolph 2...
692From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Harison and other District Attorneys, 12 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
It is desirable that Government should be informed what proceedings have taken place in the several States since the Treaty with Great Britain, which may be considered by that Nation as infractions of the Treaty, and consequently that we should be furnished with copies of all acts, orders, proclamations, and decisions, legislative, executive, or judiciary, which may have affected the debts or...
693From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 14 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Adieus are painful; therefore I left Paris without sending one to you. After being detained in Havre ten days by contrary wind, we took advantage of a slight change of wind to get over to this place; tho it was blowing almost a tempest. 26. hours of boisterous navigation and mortal sickness landed us at this little village, where we have now been five days waiting for our ship, which has been...
694From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 2 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the happiness, my dear friend, to arrive in Virginia after a voiage of 26. days only, of the finest autumn weather it was possible to have the wind having never blown harder than we would have desired it. On my arrival I found my name in the newspapers announced as Secretary of state. I made light of it, supposing I had only to say “no” and there would be an end of it. It turned out...
695From Thomas Jefferson to Maxcey Ewell, 16 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have communicated to Mr. Madison the subject of your letter. We are unable to say here exactly what is to be done. But Philadelphia is, as he supposes, the place where alone your business can be done. He therefore desires you will instruct Mr. Hopkins to forward your papers to him and he will put them into the necessary train. Perhaps you will be more secure if you obtain your papers from...
696From Thomas Jefferson to Maxcey Ewell, 8 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters to Mr. Madison and myself have been duly recieved. We went together to the Auditor’s office, and enquired into the state of your claim. The Auditor turned to your certificate which had come on from Mr. Hopkins, and was properly certified: but the whole of the certificates which stand in Majr. Claiborne’s accounts as yours does, are obliged to wait till his accounts come on from...
697From Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Fabbroni, 24 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Mar. 25. and to thank you for your attentions and services to my friends Mr. Short and Mr. Rutledge. Those gentlemen have spoke to me of yourself and Madame Fabbroni in terms which shew they have been very sensible of your civilities and are very grateful for them. Be so good also as to convey to your brother my acknoledgements for the present...
698From Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Fabbroni, 26 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of presenting to your notice the Bearer hereof Mr. Benjamin Huger, a young gentleman of South Carolina, and of one of the most distinguished families there. Travelling for his improvement, he will take your city in the course of his tour, and will certainly find that it merits to occupy him some days. I will ask for him those attentions and informations so useful to a...
699From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinando Fairfax, 25 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
The interruption of the communication by post between Charlottesville and Richmond, by the prevalence of the small pox in the latter place has been the cause of this late acknolegement of your polite and friendly letter of Jan. 31. It is to the partial and indulgent views of yourself and others of my fellow-citizens that I am indebted for such acknolegements as you express, and not to any real...
700From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Fay, 27 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not for a long time been so much mortified as on calling at your lodgings to-day, for the third time, to be told you had left town. The first and second time of my calling, you were gone out, as I unfortunately happened to be when you were so good as to call on me. The constant confinement to which my office holds me prevented my repeating my early efforts to have the pleasure of seeing...