1From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 25 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not seen the publication by the National institute of the documents proving the falling of stones from the Atmosphere; but I have read Izam’s lithologie Atmospherique, an 8vo. vol. which is an industrious collection of all preceding facts of the same nature, and, of all the testimony in favor of the recent fact, & I doubt not it contained the documents you allude to, tho not having the...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 23 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of Dec. 17. as I had before done that of Dec. 5. I find nothing surprising in the raining of stones in France, nor yet had they been mill-stones. there are in France more real philosophers than in any country on earth: but there are also a greater proportion of pseudo-philosophers there. the reason is that the exuberant imagination of a Frenchman gives him a...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 15 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 9th. The President thinking it would be better that the outlines at least of the city, and perhaps of George-town should be laid down in the plat of the territory, I have sent it back to the Commissioners from whom it came, that you may do this. Suppose you were to consult them on the propriety of adding to the Eastern branch , the words ‘ or [ Anna ]...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 24 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On reciept of your favor of Feb. 14. 1802. I immediately referred it to the Secretary of the treasury to know whether the conditions you proposed were practicable? I now inclose you his answer, stating that all are, except that of residence at the seat of the national government. you will see that his reasons are derived from the express injunctions of the law, with which we have not authority...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 1 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Western boundary of Louisiana, after getting a certain distance from the sea, being the high lands inclosing all the waters running into the Missisipi or Missouri, I think it probable Congress will enable me to send two or more parties the next summer to ascertain some of the most important points in that contour. one will probably ascend the Red river from it’s mouth to it’s source, pass...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 22 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 16th. to the President has been duly recieved, wherein you require an examination into the execution of the general plan of the city by men of known professional abilities. If this be addressed to the President under an expectation that he should order such an examination, I have to observe to you that it would be out of the line of his interference to originate orders...
7Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 24 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 3 d & thank you in advance for that of a copy of your observations when they shall be published. there always existed a doubt whether the source of the Savanna was not North of the 35 th degree, which your labors have now removed. a great deal is yet wanting to ascertain the true geography of our country; more indeed as to it’s longitudes than latitudes....
8From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 1 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 18. with the account of the eclipse you were so kind as to inclose, found me at Monticello, & I meant to have acknoleged it immediately on my arrival here: but I found on my return such an accumulation of business, that altho your letter has continued on my file of those to be answered , I have not been able to get to it till now. I thank you for the communication of your...
9From 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...
10From 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...