1From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The House of Representatives having yesterday concluded their choice of a person for the chair of the US. and called me to that office, it now becomes necessary to provide an administration composed of persons whose qualifications and standing have possessed them of the public confidence, and whose wisdom may ensure to our fellow citizens the advantages they sanguinely expect. on a review of...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Stoddart, Secretary of the Navy having early in this month informed me by letter of his desire to resign that office, and having continued in it ever since, on my request only, I hereby authorize & appoint you to recieve the charge of the department from him, and to perform the duties of it until a Secretary of the Navy shall be formally appointed. Accept assurances of my high...
3Henry Dearborn’s Report on the War Department, [12 May 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Fortifications . The Works at Newport Rhode Island have been suspended. The proposed Plan for a Fortification on Castle Island in the Harbor of Boston has been submitted to the opinions of Major Generals Heath, Lincoln, Brooks and Hull, who having visited the Island, and conversed with Mr. Foncin, the Engineer, unanimously approve of it, and have adopted a favorable opinion of the talents...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 17 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Not being able to contemplate any usefull service to the public for any greater number of the present Marine corps than may be necessary for the six ships retained in Actual service, which number cannot exceed four hundred rank & file, I take the liberty of suggesting the propriety of retaining only four hundred rank & file of said Corps, with a due proportion of noncommissioned officers, and...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 18 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honour of receiving your note of this day accompanied with the proceedings of two Courts Marshall held for the trial of Doctr. Charles Webb, Lieut. John Latimore & Edward Atwood a Midshipman, and five seamen , I have examined the aforesaid proceedings, and take the liberty of reporting as my oppinnion that there does not appear any sufficient reason for disapproving of any one...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a sheet from an anonymous letter of many sheets which I have just recieved. the letter is chiefly of the sneering kind, but among a number of gigantic measures he recommends to procure fame for myself, there is one which as it may procure public good a more legitimate object appears worthy consideration at this moment while we are about to negociate for roads through the Indian...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Smith the writer of one of the inclosed letters is the republican […] in the place of Page lately elected to Congress in Virginia. a man of very great respectability. setting that aside, our service is not so urgent as to render it necessary to drag sons from their fathers. the affection of citizens to their government is worth cultivating as it’s best support. these considerations would...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just making the last arrangements for my departure. the inclosed proposition of Monsr. Dupont for the purification of our Saltpetre being of some magnitude I have thought it best to forward his letter to you, that you may decide on it yourself, and give him an answer. we have nothing material from Europe except the communication from his Britannic Majesty that understanding we were...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your note of the twenty eighth ulto. enclosing a letter from Mr. Dupont, I have it in contemplation to authorise Mr. Dupont’s Son, to make an experiment on a small quantity, say one hundred weight, of the impure salt petre, by which he will be enabled to set his price for clarifying, pr. hundred, and we shall be better able to decide on the propriety of incuring the...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from a mr Quarrier of this state asking a military commission. I know little of him, but that he is young, and ought to expect to be merely a commissioned officer. those who recommend him are persons of the first respectability. the abuses in the military & naval departments seem to have been so great, that it will doubtless be indispensable that we bring them in some...