In your letter, inclosing the Morocco signals, you desire them to be delivered to American masters of vessels. The council have interpreted this expression to mean masters of American vessels; that is, of vessels belonging to American citizens. They seem justified in this construction, by the Morocco treaty itself. One instance only of granting these signals has occurred; and the captain was...
122To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 29 March 1792, enclosing Act of the Board of Trustees of the Sinking Fund, [26 March] … (Jay Papers)
I have the honor to inclose to you an act of the board of trustees; and am, sir, with very great esteem and respect, y r . mo[st]. ob[edient] ser v . At a meeting of the trustees of the sinking fund on the 26 th . day of march 1792— Present the Vice President, secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, and attorney-general of the United States. This board, having been equally divided at...
123To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1794 (Jay Papers)
In my public Letter of this date, you will find every thing of an official Nature, which we are able to communicate at present. Your private favor of the 13 th . of September last brings with it the satisfactory conviction, that I have not misplaced my confidence in your candor. You may be assured, that, as in the whole of our diplomatic connection hitherto, I have arrived at every...
124To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 8 March 1795 (Jay Papers)
At 7 o’clock yesterday evening, M r . Blaney delivered to me the very important dispatches, which you had consigned to his care. He arrived at Norfolk eight days ago, after having been beaten off from the capes of Virginia for some weeks by strong winds. His charge was in good order, and the seals and Envelope were unviolated. The Amiable for Liverpool having dropped down the Delaware, there...
125To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 19 April 1794 (Jay Papers)
I do myself the honor of informing you, that I have this moment received an official notification, that the senate have advised and consented to your appointment as Envoy Extraordinary of the United States, to his Britannic Majesty. A commission is passing thro’ the ordinary course; and will be forwarded to you, immediately on its completion. I write at present, merely to give you the earliest...
126Enclosure: Edmund Randolph to John Jay: Private, 16 August 1795 (Hamilton Papers)
I have forwarded, agreeably to your Excellency’s request, the letter, which you inclosed to me for General Lee. It was always my intention to inform you of the President’s final act on the treaty. This being now taken by an assurance in writing to Mr. Hammond that it would be immediately ratified; and the necessary forms being on the point of completion, little need be added on that head. But...
127To John Jay from Edmund Randolph, 6 May 1794 (Jay Papers)
The mission upon which you are about to enter as Envoy Extraordinary to the court of London, has been dictated by considerations of an interesting and pressing nature. You will doubtless avail yourself of these to impress convince M r . Pinckney, our minister in Ordinary there, of the necessity of this measure, and will thus prevent any wound to his sensibility. He may be assured, that it is...
128To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 11 April 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing, that the President intended to answer your letter , relative to the shares in the two rivers, I did [not] think it necessary to trouble you with an assurance, that I would remind him of it. He tells me, that he has stated to you fully the arrangements, which he meditates. Mr. Short mentioned to me in his last dispatches, that he had proposed to you some time before your resignation a...
129Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Case of Gideon Henfield, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Attorney general of the United States has the honor of submitting to the Secretary of State the following Opinion on the Case of Gideon Henfield, as represented by the Minister of France . 1. It may well be doubted, how far the Minister of France has a right to interfere. Henfield is a citizen of the United States; and it is unusual at least, that a foreign Power should interfere in a...
130To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
No new Occurrence at Cambridge can justify an Intrusion on the well-employ’d Moments of a Delegate. I must, however, urge you, to assign a Reason for the Supineness of Virginia, amidst the Robberies, and other Violations of private Property, said to have been committed by Lord Dunmore. He plunders Custom-Houses, and reviews his Body-Guard at Gosport, unarrested. What is the Conclusion from...
131To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 20 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
E. Randolph, with respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson, takes the earliest opportunity, since the receipt of the decree against Johnson , of inclosing it. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure not found. Randolph had represented TJ in a dispute with Richard Johnson over part of TJ’s Pouncey’s tract land ( Randolph to TJ, 16 Sep. ). On 23 Dec.,...
132To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 3 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Ammonett, who will deliver this letter into your hands, is a descendant from one of the French refugees, patronized and fixed here by King William. He has persuaded himself, upon seeing some publication or other, that restitution is to be made of all the property, which was abandoned by his ancestor. I know not, what testimonies he possesses of his right to inherit, but presume that...
133To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 28 August 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Notwithstanding you have fenced out from the purlieus of Monticello every thing, which assumes a political Shape, you must permit me to bring before you a subject, once extremely near to your heart, often the employement of your pen, and always a deep interest to the United States. The delays, and evasions which you know to have been practised towards our Commissioners at Madrid , have at...
134To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 2 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
There is, without doubt, a protection due to foreign built vessels, owned by American citizens ; altho’ they cannot claim the privileges, belonging to Vessels of the U.S. For the former are no less neutral property, than the latter. The usual evidence of the neutral ownership of vessels is a certificate from the officers of the customs; who may and in the papers, granted on clearing out,...
135To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 27 July 1779 . Detailed account of Wayne’s capture of Stony Point on the Hudson, 15 July. Postscript reads: “You will oblige me much, by suggesting to me such reflections, as occur to you on the subject of peace: not on the propriety of making it, if possible, but on terms, necessary for America to insist on.” RC ( DLC ); 1 p. Printed in part: Conway, Edmund Randolph , p. 39–40.
136Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on George Turner, [ca. 17 April 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
To instruct Governor St. Clair 1. To transmit to Judge Turner any authentic intelligence, which he may have received, concerning the complaints of the people against his absence: 2. Or, if no such intelligence be possessed, to represent to Judge Turner, without undertaking to order in any manner, the inconvenience in a judicial view, which the Territory sustains by his absence: and 3. To...
137To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 22 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the departure of the attorney of this district for Norfolk, I wrote to him, with his permission, a letter intended to be conveyed to the President of the United States, upon the subject of John Moss, who has lately received a sentence of ten stripes, and of imprisonment for four years, for robbing the mail at Petersburg. I know not, whether, in his hurry, he may not have forgotten to...
138To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 25 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We have been at cross purposes about the inclosed letter of July 24. 1793. in answer to Mr. Genets of the 9th. I am much mistaken, if my note intimated a doubt of its propriety. I certainly always approved it. My remarks as to delay were applicable to the answer to the inflammatory memorial ; to which General Knox suggested an addition. Is that some word omitted in the first sentence of the...
139To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last post I suggested to you that our European affairs would probably bear greater delay than you apprehended. What you call your temporary disability will be removed early enough, to allow you to reach France by January. From Colo. Laurens’s account I am induced to believe, that Great Britain will never admit an American plenipotentiary into the congress, before which a general...
140To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 12 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter and proclamation of the governor of North Carolina seem to afford a proper ground for the belief, that future intrusions on the lands of the U.S. need not be apprehended. Concerning these therefore nothing is necessary on my part. I do not find any difficulty in saying, that as to those, which have already taken place, the right of the U.S. is complete, to institute prosecutions....
141To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 26 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The 14th. article of our treaty with France has shut out all general reasoning from the law of nations, on the memorial of Benjamin Holland and Peter Mackie. The flour and meal were actually shipped after the declaration of war, made by France on the 1st. of february 1793. If the inquiry was to depend on their knowledge of the declaration, their relief would be very doubtful at least. But as...
142To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 28 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The new arrangement, to which my aversion to the law has lately given birth, throws me into a new scene, which leaves me at leisure to testify my respect for you, by transmitting any intelligence, occurring here, worthy of your notice. At present, however, political action has ceased, and this state is in perfect tranquillity; the assembly having risen about a fortnight ago, and the public...
143To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 22 February 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
The council board has been so much crouded with business of late, that I could not procure an order for the removal of Goodrich to Albemarle, ‘till this morning. I should not have delayed to comply with the resolution of Assembly so long, had it not been necessary to examine him in the county, in which it is supposed he committed the crime. The order for his removal went by express to day to...
144Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Theft of Slaves from Martinique, 1 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney-general of the United States has the honor of replying to the communication of the Secretary of State, on the 28th. Ultimo, concerning the proceedings of Captain Hickman, in bringing away from Martinique certain slaves, the property of residents there. Judging from the documents, which have been forwarded to him, the Attorney-general would not hesitate to pronounce, that a theft...
145Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on Sureties for Mint Officers, 6 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney-general of the U. S. to the secretary of state The fifth section of the act , establishing a mint , directs, that the assayer, chief coiner, and treasurer, previously to entering upon the execution of their respective offices, shall each become bound to the U. S. with one or more sureties, in the sum of 10,000 dollars, with condition for the faithful and diligent performance of...
146To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 9 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot suffer my engagements in business, to interfere with a reply to the observations, with which you favored me, on the proposed letter to the collectors. For while I shall support, within my limited sphere, every just energy of government; I am solicitous, that my friends should ever believe, that I do support it, because it contributes to the essence of republicanism, and our fœderal...
147To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My communications to you in the case of Pagan against Hooper, combined with the facts, which have since occurred, will support me in saying, that as the law-officer of the United States, I have contributed every thing in my power to the relief of Pagan. You will recollect, that counsel was employed by him to move for a writ of error: that the first application was refused: that upon...
148To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
149To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 15 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your mission to Europe reached us the day before yesterday, and made me doubt whether you will not have sailed before my answer to your friendly letter by the last post shall get to hand. I had begun to transcribe for you the manuscript defence of our claim to western territory. I shall pursue the task, and forward it by some opportunity across the Atlantic. It is probable, that you will have...
150To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 21 November 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
While I supposed, that every thing was completed by Mr. Morris relative to Mr. Short’s money, for which he (Mr. M.) gave me his note for stock in 1794, I have been deceived. Immediately I obtained from Mr. Lyons and Mr: Pendleton, who hold six per cent stock the inclosed assumpsit for £2,000 within thirty pounds; which you will find satisfactory; as it is certain. I am the absolute owner of...
151To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 8 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge your favor, of the 28th. of December, on the subject of John Moss. Some of the difficulties which you were pleased to suggest, had occurred to my self; but that which I now remove by the inclosed copy of the judgment, was supposed by me to have been obviated by a communication from the attorney of the District. With the application for mercy, you would never,...
152To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 27 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The abstract, which I had the honor of putting into your hands this morning, was formed by a minute examination of the papers, relative to the case of Mr. Thomas Pagan. I am, as yet, unable to give a mature opinion. But it is easily discovered, that the refusal of an appeal to the supreme court of the United States constitutes a capital article of his complaints. If this course were ever open...
153To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 5 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The interruption, which the contagious disorder now prevailing in Philadelphia, has given to my residence there, is the cause of the delay, which has occurred in my examination of Mr. Hammonds last memorial on Pagan’s case. I beg leave to refer you to my former communications on this head; that I may not repeat them here unnecessarily. It is true, that I considered an application to the...
154Memorandum from Edmund Randolph, [ca. 28–30 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Minutes of reasons, which operated with E. R. in advising the expulsion of the Genet privateer. 1. That it is the prerogative of every nation to prohibit acts of sovereignty to be done within its limits by another nation, except where treaties otherwise provide, or those acts relate to the privileges of ministers. 2. That it is the peculiar prerogative of every neutral nation, to prohibit such...
155To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [5] December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused the abstract of the case of Thomas Pagan, which I received from you this morning. Altho’ I cannot entertain a momentary doubt of the facts, therein asserted; yet am I compelled by the rules of official responsibility, to request a copy of the record, from which those facts are derived, before I give an opinion on the subject. In procuring this record no time ought to be lost....
156To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 2 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty of mentioning to you the other day the application, which Mr. Telles’s friends had made, for his appointment to the office of consul in Lisbon, and which they wished me to assist. On recollecting, what passed between us, I suspect that I was not clearly understood in my statement of Mr. Telles’s situation. He can never sue the court or any individual of Lisbon. His suit is...
157To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 29 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday received a letter from my mother, painting an embarrassment in one of my father’s pecuniary affairs. The seriousness of its aspect has led me to asert myself for her relief. But until the first of July, I absolutely shall be unable; and her situation admits no delay. Excuse me then for begging your aid, until that day, as far as seven hundred dollars. I am to remit three hundred...
158To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [13 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is from Charlton. If you approve it, let the sum be settled in what I owe you for the Encyclopedia; and I will send a receipt. Will the president be obliged to publish a proclamation in consequence of the Indian treaty? He desired me to inquire into this matter from you, as he wishes me to draw it, if to be issued. I am glad to hear, that you have shaken off your late...
159Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on the Grange, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The attorney general of the U.S. has the honor of submitting to the secretary of state his opinion concerning the seizure of the ship Grange. The essential facts are, that the river Delaware takes its rise within the limits of the U.S: that in the whole of its descent to the Atlantic ocean, it is covered on each side by the territory of the U.S: that from tide water to the distance of about...
160To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 10 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall make a statement of my account with Mr. Mazzei, as soon as I return home; and will forward it to you. The encyclopedie I think a bargain, and shall retain it with pleasure. When we meet in N. York, I will pay you the price; stated in your late favor. I thank you for the map; and shall send the other maps, with two catgut battledores, to Mr. Donald. The senate have disagreed to the 3d....
161To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 6 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
As the terms for an arrangement, including Mr. Short’s claim on me, will soon be perfected with the comptroller, permit me to obtain the favor of you, to forward to me the order, which I formerly gave in Mr. Short’s favor, on Messrs. Pendleton & Lyons, as administrators of Mr. Robinson. I would not trouble you, had I not been enformed by the comptroller and Mr. Geo. Jefferson, that it is not...
162To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to remind your excellency of the situation of John Dean, a supposed fugitive from the lead mines, in defiance of the condition of his pardon. It is probable, that the actual abandonment of the place of labour will not be fixed upon him: ‘tho’ nothing can be more satisfactory, than that he had made preparations for flight. I say this upon the information of Colo. Lynch. Now I refer...
163To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The return of Warder’s bills under protest has embarrassed me so much, as to make me request the favor of your name to the inclosed. You shall hear no more of it. [ Note by TJ: ] In consequence of the above I endorsed E.R’s note for 1000 D. payable at 60. days sight. RC ( MHi ); with TJ’s note subjoined; addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 May 1793. Enclosure not found.
164To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting upon what I wrote this morning respecting the capture, made by the unarmed countrymen, I am inclined to think, that I was inaccurate. As well as I recollect, Vattel was said to be against their claim; but that daily usage was in favor of it. So far perhaps he is right. But if they have title to what they take; it is certainly wrong to affirm, that military stores are to be excepted....
165Alexander Hamilton and Edmund Randolph to Thomas Jefferson, [13–15 May 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
A Perhaps the Secretary of State, revising the expression of this member of the sentence, will find terms to express his idea still more clearly and may avoid the use of a word of doubtful propriety “Contraventions.” B “but be attentive” C “mere” to be omitted D Considering that this Letter will probably become a matter of publicity to the world is it necessary to be so strong? Would not the...
166To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [18 December 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
1. I cannot discover any existing authority, to make the deed to Pennsylvania . Congress must be resorted to . It is probable, that the landoffice is the true channel. 2. Metcalfe has undoubtedly committed murder on the high seas: and altho’ other nations might lay hold of him, and perhaps punish him; it seems to be the peculiar duty of the U.S., whose citizen he is, to disclaim the act, and...
167Edmund Randolph’s Opinion on Recess Appointments, 7 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer of the attorney general of the United States to the question propounded to him by the Secretary of State on the following case. By the constitution, the President shall nominate and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate shall appoint Ambassadors, &c, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not therein otherwise provided, and which shall be...
168To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, [ca. 24 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. J. rightly supposed, that the approbation of E.R. was by mistake written upon the answer to the letter of the 22d. of June , instead of that of July . The latter is the only one, which attracted my particular attention; as the other seemed to be a subject of future deliberation. The propriety of the addition intended to accommodate Genl. K. depends upon the measures to be pursued in regard...
169To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The requisition of departure is, in my judgment, expressed in the most accurate and satisfactory manner possible. It gives me real pleasure to find the strong measure capable of such a softening of feature, while it retains full nerve. Were I to speak for myself, as an individual, I should assent with equal cordiality to the last clause. But I can’t help believing, that it would accord better...
170To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 30 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Judge Wilson, to whom application was made for a citation in the writ of error, desired in Pagan’s case , has taken the subject into consideration again, at my instance. Not more than one half of the record was laid before him; and the portion, which he did not see, was the most important; as alone containing the matter, upon which a writ of error could be pressed. I cannot say, what may be...