1From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Have you obtained the name & character of the son of Made. Bonneville? I believe there remains a single vacancy of a Cadet. it seems extremely difficult to say what had best be done as to militia at N. London. I am assured that if I designate a militia officer there, the legislature now meeting, will immediately remove him. perhaps the proper way to ensure an effectual enforcement would be...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
These recommenders are such good men that I think it will be best to make the nomination at once if the Senators & delegates know nothing to the contrary. will you be so good as to consult them? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
3From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Walden’s petition to carry 30. new negroes from Charleston to N. Orleans, may I think be granted; and if their real destination be a foreign port, so much the better. What do you think of Gelston’s proposition to consider all shipments from the town of Jersey as suspicious, for a while? If the French privateer La Fortune should be found to have the money on board, she will be detained &...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The removal of Williams is approved. has not Gelston been deficient in not giving notice of transactions under his eye, altho’ not within his district? I send you a projet of T. Coxe. I really believe that such an office would at this time be useful, & that he would execute the duties well, to collect even the existing state of manufactures in every state, would enable the legislatures of the...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
will you examine the inclosed and make any alterations you think adviseable? it is written, as in my own name, but will be changed into the 3d. person & go from the department. I think it need go only to the Governors there mentioned. not a symptom of force has appeared any where else as far as I have heard. Affectte. salutns. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
6From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not recollect the instructions to Govr. Lewis respecting squatters. but if he had any they were unquestionably to prohibit them rigorously. I have no doubt, if he had not written instructions, that he was verbally so instructed. Carr’s story has very much the air of an idle rumor, willingly listened to. it shews some germ of discontent existing. I think Cochran should immediately dismiss...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the petition of Jacob Smith of Newport in the case of the ship Triumph, which is a new case to me. perhaps the practice as to foreign ships arriving since the embargo laws, with which I am unacquainted, may facilitate the solution. what should be done? The Atalanta. is not the Collector the person who is to search into the fact charged? I do not know who it is that does this in...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed petition from Deville was handed me by Genl. Turreau. I told him at once it was inadmissible, that days had been long ago announced after which no vessels would be permitted to depart; that in favor of emigrants we had continued indulgences till very lately; but that as there must be an end to it, that time had come and we had determined to give no more permissions. they had had a...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The cargo, ostensible destination, ownership & other circumstances respecting the ship Lorenzo of New York, leave not a doubt but that fraud is intended. let her therefore be detained. As the law for laying permanent protecting duties will pass through your hands, I take the liberty of depositing with you the inclosed letter from mr Strong of Philadelphia, giving an account, & a specimen of...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer to the petition of Percival & others praying that they may be permitted to send a vessel or vessels to take up their men from the desolate islands of the Indian ocean & thence to proceed on a trading voyage to Canton &c cannot but be a thing of course, that days having been publicly announced after which no permissions to send vessels to bring home property would be granted, which...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of the schooner Concord, sold by J. Bell of Petersburg, to M. W. Hancock of Richmond. I think it may be concluded from the letters of Hancock & of the Collector, that the purchase of the schooner has been a bona fide one; but it is not even alledged that he has purchased the cargo, but it appears on the contrary that Bell has the same concern in that as before. as, where a person has...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers in the case of the schooners Natalie & Atalante, and think there should not be a moment lost in giving permission to the latter to depart. I think 2 ½ tons to every person not too much, nor would I object to the additional 5 barrels of flour & meat above the usual allowance, as some satisfaction for the injurious suspicions & search to which they have been subjected and...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns the inclosed report to mr Gallatin with his entire approbation & affectionate salutations. P.S. on reconsideration. the use of the words ‘temporary’ & ‘permanent’ in the 6th. page applied to the embargo, may give countenance to the federal charge & clamour, as if we had really contemplated it as a permanent measure: and altho’ the idea as here explained, is just, yet they...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the correspondence on the subject of Tureau’s Permits was between mr Madison & myself, my letter of Aug. 19. to you being the only one in which it is mentioned. in those of Aug. 12. 16. 19. & Sep. 13. to mr Madison, I find the idea of his purchasing a vessel & filling her with French seamen, constantly rejected, as inconsistent with neutrality, and that the vessels to be allowed...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The idea of regulating the coasting trade (to N. Orleans for instance) by the quantity of tonnage sufficient for each port, is new to me, & presents difficulties through which I cannot see my way. to determine how much tonnage will suffice for the coasting trade of Boston, N. York, Philadelphia & the other ports great & small, and to divide this tonnage impartially among the competitors of...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Harrison will continue in office till the 3d. of March. I send you tit for tat, one lady application for another. however our feelings are to be perpetually harrowed by these sollicitations, our course is plain, & inflexible to right or left. but for god’s sake get us relieved from this horrible drudgery of refusal. Affectionate salutations. to be returned NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
17From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. D.W. Coxe & the ship Comet. the application to send another vessel to the Havanna to bring home the proceeds of the cargo of the Comet, charged with a breach of embargo must be rejected for 3. reasons each insuperable. 1. the property was not shipped from the US. prior to Dec. 22. 1807. and therefore is not within the description of cases in which a permission by the Executive is authorised...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Schooner Concord in which John Bell has an agency. the detention is confirmed for that cause 2. Sloop Rising Sun; unless she has a Governor’s certificate, or can bring herself within the rule of ⅛ th. she should be detained. 3. Brig Ann-Maria and passengers, who pray to change their destination from the islands now blockaded to St. Lucia or Dominica in possession of the English. this being...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. the Comet & D.W. Coxe. I see in those papers no evidence but the letters of James Dixey & the protest of James Dixey; to which may be added the survey of a man chosen by himself to examine and report the state of the vessel. with such a surveyor no doubt every port in the W. Indies is prepared to assist the smugglers. Dixey himself being the principal Culprit, his evidence is null. on the...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am quite at a loss what to propose in the case of Astor, and also of Nantucket. the difficulty in the last case is that of getting ourselves entangled with selectmen. I would be glad to confer with you on these subjects when it may be convenient to yourself having been confined myself for some days by a swelled face & indisposition connected with it Affectte. salutns NHi : Papers of Albert...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really at a loss what to do in the inclosed case. the President as trustee for the city by it’s constitution, is nominally the plaintiff. but the US. as creditors to more than the whole amount of the proceeds of the sale, being really the Castui que trust, I believe it will be more correct for the trustee to abandon the management of the case to the creditor. if so, it will fall under...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Can we do better as to Nantucket than to send Coffin’s letter to Govr. Lincoln? he is better qualified than we are to judge of their wants & their real views. their proposition to give a carte blanche to all their coasters, besides being suspicious, might be an invidious distinction to which I do not know whether their general character entitles them. if you can suggest any thing better I...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. the ship Aurora, Capt. Rand. provisions, lumber, & naval stores being the articles on which we rely most for effect during our embargo, Rand’s loading, as to the great mass of it’s articles, seems not to render his case suspicious. keeping therefore the articles of provisions lumber & naval stores within their regular limits, I see no objection to a permit in the character of his cargo: and...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A press of business has prevented my sooner taking up the 3. bundles of papers now returned, and even now, I judge of them from the Brief you have been so good as to make so fully. this is an immense relief to me. 1. the Wabash Saline. I think the applications from Nashville Etc. for a share of the salt had better not be complied with. I suspect we did wrong in yielding a similar privilege to...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the reciepts and expenditures during the year ending on the 30th. day of Sep. last, being not yet made up, a correct statement will here after be transmitted from the treasury. in the mean time it is ascertained that the reciepts have amounted to 17,950,000 near 18. millions of Dollars, which with the eight millions & an half in the treasury at the beginning of the year, have...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the financial paragraph with your amendments. I shall insert one on the militia, but doubt whether I can say any thing about the deficiency of the revenue if the embargo is continued, having declined expressing any opinion on it’s continuance. the whole of the paragraphs respecting our foreign affairs will be to be remodelled in consequence of the return of the Hope. the...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have sent the former papers respecting Gibbs, Chingoteague & the Folly landing to mr Smith for perusal; but without thought at the moment I returned them to you. if you will let me have them again I will get him to peruse them & confer about them. if the embargo is to be continued I am persuaded we must enlarge his number of seamen & employ more gunboats. NHi : Papers of Albert...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the Schooner Anne carried off forcibly by a British crew, I think the removal of the Inspector should be permitted to take place. the Collector should be instructed to communicate from time to time all circumstances which may enable us to trace the vessel, and copies of these papers should be furnished to mr Madison to furnish him the grounds of an answer to the British...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of the Martinique petitioners. I think it wrong to detain foreigners caught here by the embargo. but in permitting them to take our vessels to return in, we do what is a matter of favor, not of right. of course we can restrict them to a tonnage proportioned to their numbers. in the transport service I believe the allowance is 2. tons to every person. we may allow a little more room....
30From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Is the case proposed by mr Wolcott left by the law at the discretion of anybody? the law makes it the duty of the Collector to detain if he suspects an intention to export to a foreign market, à fortiori if that intention be avowed . it is true that the first step proposed is only to go to another district, but declared to be preparatory to an exportation to the West Indies. it is true also...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think that none of the circumstances preceding the passage of the Embargo law stated by M. Lorent, make any part of his case. the misfortunes entering into the preceding history of that property, not flowing from any act of this government, authorize no claims on it. the embargo law excepted from it’s own operation articles then laden on board a foreign ship, without distinguishing between...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Collector of Detroit. I think the liberal construction of the letter of May 2. as explained in the Collector’s letter, had better be permitted to go on, sub silentio, as the contrary would be vexatious & unprofitable, and might excite a spirit of counter-vexation in the English. McKim’s application is inadmissible, and Genl. Smith would be far from himself approving such a departure from rule,...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As we know that Sullivan’s licences have overstocked the wants of the Eastern states, with flour; the proposal to carry more there is of itself suspicious, and therefore even regular traders ought not to be allowed. their regular trade was to supply flour for exportation as well as consumption. if the rule of the sixth (or eighth I believe) is extended to them the supply will be kept up...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I really think Cross ought to be immediately removed: the clearance in our possession is evidence enough of the fact. but are we provided with a successor. Hook & Reed should I think be called on to shew cause why they should not be removed. can there not be appeals from the decision of that judge? I propose to appoint Benjamin Harrison Comr. of loans for Virginia if you approve of it, &...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the brig Hieram, I think with you that no permission can be given to renew the voyage. the party has not lost his voyage by any inevitable accident, but by the fraud of those he employed & over whose conduct it was his duty to watch, & has been his negligence not to have done so. if once we give up the responsibility of the employer for those he employs, the door to fraud can...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the papers in the cases of two vessels at Bermuda Hundred under a suggestion of an intended evasion of the embargo. they will explain the whole case on which you will be pleased to decide and direct in conformity with the established course. also a petn from the starving inhabitants of Passamaquoddy, who I had supposed could not want flour for 7. years to come. the former case...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Sep. 10. & 14. were recieved yesterday, and my time being brief, my answer must be so. Brig Betsy, & the Aurora. the first having put back by stress of weather & inevitable necessity, ought, I think, to be permitted to sail again; but not so the Aurora which put back merely because the Captain was a fool. they have lost their chance by their own folly, and have no claim to be...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d. & 8th. were recieved yesterday, & I return you all the papers they covered, excepting the recommendations from Cincinnati, which the short delay of the post does not permit me to look into but in time for the next post. the successor to Alger of Georgia, recommended by was appointed after 3. or 4. weeks delay & no other application being recieved. I suspect that Soderstrom’s...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of my letter to Theus, which goes on by this day’s post. also a letter from Wm. Gamble of the neighborhood of the falls of Niagara, for information. considering that I shall leave this for Washington on the 27th. or 28th. and that no communication made to you after this date could be answered to this place, I shall reserve the future for our meeting at Washington. I salute...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of the 2d inst. were recd. yesterday afternoon, and I now return you Penniman’s & Gray’s papers & the N.O. petition. Penniman’s conduct deserves marked approbation, and there should be no hesitation about the expences reasonably incurred. if all these people are convicted, there will be too many to be punished with death. my hope is that they will send me full statements of...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you an application from Josiah Deane and others suggesting connivance in the collector of Dighton at the evasion of the embargo laws. altho suspicion attaches itself to the motives of the suggestion, so does it also to every federal collector and wherever they permit their party passions to slacken their vigilance in the execution of the laws, I will not hesitate to remove them....
42From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the cases of Thorndike of Mass. & Barney of R.I. recieved by yesterday’s post, which appearing to have nothing taking them out of the common rule, you will be pleased to dispose of them according to that. Thorndike’s ground is that he was out of the state of Mass. during the whole time permits were allowed. if he had been out of the US. the case would have merited consideration:...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. was recieved yesterday. your letter in which Coquerel’s case was mentioned was recieved by me on the 15th. it was not noticed in my answer to you of that day, because I wished to give it particular consideration. it was answered by the next post in my letter of the 19th. which I presume you recieved on the 24th. I inclose you the applications from Callahan & Bagneris which...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was recieved only yesterday. it ought to have come by the preceding post. I mention the delay of your letters, as you may perhaps know how it happens. Smissaert’s case. the exportation of these doits was refused before, & I see no reason for a change of opinion. they are understood to be private property. if they were public, we might on a principle of comity permit their...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the letter of a mr Shuter asking permission to send a vessel to Lima. in this you will be pleased to do according to rule, the case presenting no circumstance to entitle itself to an exemption. Also the letter of Stephen Cross of Newbury port suggesting laxity in his brother the Collector, and a spirit of resistance to the laws in the place. Lastly an anonymous letter from N.Y....
46From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Aug. 3. which ought to have been here on the 8th. was not recieved till yesterday. it has loitered somewhere therefore 10. days, during which 3 mails have been recieved. I proceed to it’s contents. Somes’s case. The rule agreed to at our meeting of June 30. was general that no permissions should be granted for Europe, Asia or Africa: and there is nothing in Somes’s case to entitle it...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 6th. & 9th. are just now recieved, as well as a letter from Govr. Tompkins on the subject of aiding the revenue officers on the Canada line with militia. I refer you on this subject to my answer to him, & pray you to encourage strongly his going to the spot himself & acting according to the urgencies which will present themselves there. should you have satisfactory evidence of...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of July 29. & Aug. 5. came to hand yesterday and I now return you those of Wynne, Wolsey, Quincey, Otis, Lincoln, & Dearborne. This embargo law is certainly the most embarrassing one we have ever had to execute. I did not expect a crop of so sudden & rank growth of fraud & open opposition by force could have grown up in the US. I am satisfied with you that if orders & decrees are...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your information letters from General Dearborne, P. D. Sargeant & Elisha Tracy on the infractions of the embargo, and their ideas on the means of remedy. I pass them through the hands of the Secretary of the Navy with a request that he will in concert with you give all the aid for the enforcement of the law which his department can afford. I think the conduct of Jordan at...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the subject of the Western road, our first error was the admitting a deviation to Brownsville, and thus suffering a first encroachment on it’s principle. this is made a point d’appui to force a second, and I am told a third holds itself in reserve. so that a few towns in that quarter seem to consider all this expence as undertaken merely for their benefit. I should have listened to these...