1To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27 and Feb. 13 both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4 and 5. the details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern &...
2From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27. and Feb. 13. both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4. and 5. The details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern...
3To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30 and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties & my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. but when I...
4From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30. and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties and my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. But when I...
5To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. still it will be the close of the ensuing week before I...
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st. of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. Your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. Still it will be the close of the ensuing week before...
7I. Plans presented to Washington, [26 March 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Establishment for Dollars A Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 11,250 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, suppose it to happen once in 7. years will be equal to an annual sum of 1,607 14,607 A Chargé des affaires. His salary 4,500 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, as above
8To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that mr Madison has just delivered to him the result of his reflections on the question How shall communications from the several states to Congress through the channel of the President be made ? “he thinks that in no case would it be proper to go by way of letter from the Secretary of state: that they should be delivered to the houses either...
9From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [1 April 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that Mr. Madison has just delivered to him the result of his reflections on the question How shall communications from the several states to Congress through the channel of the President be made ? ‘He thinks that in no case would it be proper to go by way of letter from the Secretary of state : that they should be delivered to the houses...
10To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson has the honor of inclosing for the perusal of the President rough draughts of the letters he supposes it proper to send to the court of France on the present occasion. he will have that of waiting on him in person immediately to make any changes in them the President will be so good as to direct, and to communicate to him two letters just received from mr Short. AL , DNA : RG 59,...
11From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor of inclosing for the perusal of the President rough draughts of the letters he supposes it proper to send to the court of France on the present occasion. He will have that of waiting on him in person immediately to make any changes in them the President will be so good as to direct, and to communicate to him two letters just received from Mr. Short. RC ( DNA : RG...
12To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 24 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Constitution having declared that the President “shall nominate, & by & with the advice & consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors other public ministers & consuls” the President desires my opinion whether the Senate has a right to negative the grade he may think it expedient to use in a foreign mission, as well as the person to be appointed? I think the Senate has no right to...
13To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 April 1790 (Washington Papers)
Mr Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President draughts of letters to mr Short and the Marquis de la Luzerne. as to the former he asks his attention to the paragraph respecting the devices for the Medal. he hopes he will change and accomodate the letter to M. de la Luzerne to his own ideas of the part that gentleman acted, & of the length proper to go in expressing our sense of it. the...
14From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 29 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President draughts of letters to Mr. Short and the Marquis de la Luzerne. As to the former he asks his attention to the paragraph respecting the devices for the Medal.—He hopes he will change and accomodate the letter to M. de la Luzerne to his own ideas of the part that gentleman acted, and of the length proper to go in expressing our sense of it....
15To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
The state of Georgia having granted to certain companies of individuals a tract of country within their chartered limits, whereof the Indian right has never yet been acquired, with a proviso in the grant which implies that those individuals may take measures for extinguishing the Indian right under the authority of that government, it becomes a question How far this grant is good? A society...
16To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 May 1790 (Washington Papers)
a letter is received from Mr Dumas, begun Dec. 4 & ending Jan. 26. the only interesting passage is the following “I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100.¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
17From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [3 May 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter is received from Mr. Dumas, begun Dec. 4 and ending Jan. 26. The only interesting passage is the following: ‘I have the satisfaction to be able to testify that the American funds are in great favor with the monied men of this country. I have seen them sell from one to another the obligations of the Congress of the first loan at 100. ¾ per cent; those of the last of 1788. at 99 to 100....
18II. The Opinion of Thomas Jefferson, 3 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the souldiers of Virginia and North Carolina having been examined by the proper officer of government, the balances due to each individual ascertained, and a list of these balances made out, this list became known to certain persons before the souldiers themselves had information of it, and those persons, by unfair means, as is said, and for very inadequate considerations...
19Memorandum of Thomas Jefferson, 7 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
North Carolina. District judge. Colo. Davie is recommended by Steele. Hawkins sais he is their first law character. Brown sais the same. Samuel Spencer. Steele sais he is a good man, one of the present judges, not remarkeable for his abilities, but deserves well of his country. Bloodworth sais Spencer desires the appointment. but sais nothing of him. John Stokes. Steele names him at his own...
20Recommendations for Federal Offices in North Carolina and the Southwestern Government, [before 7 June 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
District Judge District attorney. South-Western government Governor. Secretary. Judges. Attorney. MS ( DLC : Applications for Office under Washington); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated but docketed in Lear’s hand: “From the Secretary of State June 7th. 1790.” Dft ( DLC : TJ Papers, 59: 10192); also in TJ’s hand and undated, varying in phraseology but not in substance except in the instances...
21To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s perusal a letter from Mr Gouverneur Morris on the subject of our affairs in Amsterdam; the observations are worthy being known to the President. Mr Howell of Rhode island has imposed on him the duty also of putting into his hands the letter & papers from him. the printed papers are merely to prove his dispositions enounced in the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s perusal a letter from Mr. Gouverneur Morris on the subject of our affairs in Amsterdam; the observations are worthy being known to the President. Mr. Howell of Rhode island has imposed on him the duty also of putting into his hands the letter and papers from him. The printed papers are merely to prove his dispositions enounced in the...
23To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
(Translation.) Means which the Congress may make use of in order to force the Regencies of Barbary to make Peace with them. The Flag of the United States cannot be displayed ’till after the Congress shall have made peace with the Regencies of Barbary. The consideration of the advantages which the anglo-americans would derive from this navigation, have already induced the Congress to attempt...
24To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson had a conference yesterday with mister Madison on the subject recommended by the President. he has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mister Madison concurred. he has sketched the heads only, as the President’s mind will readily furnish the developement of each. he will wait on the president at one aclock on some other business,...
25Enclosure: Jefferson’s Opinion of American Conduct in an Anglo-Spanish War, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Heads of consideration on the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain & Gr. Britain and particularly should the latter attempt the conquest of Louisiana & the Floridas. The dangers to us, should Great Britain possess herself of those countries. she will possess a territory equal to half ours, beyond the Missisipi she will seduce that half of ours which is on this side the Missisipi...
26Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 July 1790 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
Abstract. 12 July 1790, New York. Secretary Jefferson reports to Washington that he “had a conference yesterday with mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mr. Madison concurred.” The enclosure, in Jefferson’s hand, delineates “the conduct we are to observe in the war between Spain and...
27I. Secretary of State to the President, enclosing Opinion, 12 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson had a conference yesterday with Mr. Madison on the subject recommended by the President. He has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes Mr. Madison concurred. He has sketched the heads only, as the President’s mind will readily furnish the developement of each. He will wait on the president at one aclock on some other business, and then...
28Enclosure: Jefferson’s Outline of Policy Contingent on War between England and Spain, 12 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); in TJ’s hand; endorsed by Washington: “The Secretary of State 12th July 1790”; brackets in MS . Dft ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand; text varies from that above, principally in phraseology, but some of more important differences are noted below (full text printed, though not with complete accuracy, in Ford, Paul Leicester Ford, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Letterpress...
29To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject & will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock. the address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill on...
30III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject and will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock.—The address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill...
31IV. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson begs pardon of the President for being later in sending the inclosed than he had given him reason to expect. The sole cause has been that the act of copying took him longer than he had calculated. He will have the honor of waiting on the President to answer any thing which he may have omitted materially in these papers. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of [the...
32V. Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Residence Bill, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill having passed the two houses of Congress, and being now before the President, declaring that the seat of the federal government shall be transferred to the Patowmac in the year 1790 [i.e. 1800], that the session of Congress next ensuing the present shall be held at Philadelphia, to which place the offices shall be transferred before the 1st. of December next, a writer in a public paper...
33To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The bill on the intercourse with foreign nations restrains the President from allowing to Ministers plenipotentiary or to Chargés more than 9000. and 4500. Dollars for their “personal services & other expences.” this definition of the objects for which the allowance is provided, appearing vague, the Secretary of state thought it his duty to confer with the gentlemen heretofore employed as...
34III. Observations on the Diplomatic Establishment as provided for by Congress, [17 July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The bill on the intercourse with foreign nations restrains the President from allowing to Ministers plenipotentiary or to Chargés more than 9000. and 4500. Dollars for their ‘personal services and other expences.’ This definition of the objects for which the allowance is provided, appearing vague, the Secretary of state thought it his duty to confer with the gentlemen heretofore employed as...
35IV. Estimates of Funds Required for the Diplomatic Establishment, 1790–1791, [19 July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Dollars Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 9000. His Outfit. Suppose it to happen once in 7. years, will average 1285. His Return at a Quarter’s salary, will average 321. Extras. viz. Gazettes, translating, printing, aids to poor American sailors, couriers and postage about 350. His Secretary 1350. 12,306. Estimate for a Chargé des affaires. Chargé des affaires. His salary 4500 His...
36To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the extract he desired from his letter of May 4. 1787. He finds by a note, which he does not know however where he got, that the city of Mexico is about 200. miles from the sea. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Ever since Alexander Hamilton’s July conversations with Major Beckwith about the Anglo-Spanish war crisis,...
37From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the extracts he desired from his letter of May 4. 1787. He finds by a note, which he does not know however where he got, that the city of Mexico is about 200. miles from the sea. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by Washington: “22d. July. 1790 State of the Portuguese in So. America.” Not...
38Opinion on McGillivray’s Monopoly of Commerce with Creek Indians, 29 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Mc.Gillivray, with a company of British merchants, having hitherto enjoyed a monopoly of the commerce of the Creek nation, with a right of importing their goods, duty-free, and considering these privileges as the principal sources of his power over that nation, is unwilling to enter into treaty with us, unless they can be continued to him. And the question is how this may be done...
39From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that in a conversation with Mr. Hawkins yesterday evening, it came out that he had seen Mcgillivray’s letter to Govr. Houston, and Houston’s answer: he thinks they were dated the latter end of 1784. but is sure they were some time in the year preceding the treaty of Galphinton to which he was sent. He recites the substance and purport of...
40To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the following papers. 1. the secret letter & paper of Aug. 2. for mister Carmichael. 2. the secret letter for the Chevalr de Pinto. 3. a letter for mister Joshua Johnson. on supposition that, delivering them himself to Colo. Humphreys, he might wish to comment to him on their contents, and particularly as to the 1st to qualify such of the...
41V. Secretary of State to the President, 8 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
on supposition that, delivering them himself to Colo. Humphreys, he might wish to comment to him on their contents, and particularly as to the 1st. to qualify such of the considerations as he may think need qualification, and to enlarge such as are too restrained. He will observe two or three small differences between the considerations of Aug. 2. now inclosed, and the first copy left with the...
42To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him. I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
43Jefferson’s Opinion on Fiscal Policy, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him, I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
44To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Opinion on the Questions stated in the President’s note of August 27. 1790. I am so deeply impressed with the magnitude of the dangers which will attend our government if Louisiana & the Floridas be added to the British empire, that in my opinion we ought to make ourselves parties in the general war expected to take place, should this be the only means of preventing the calamity. But I think...
45X. First Opinion of the Secretary of State, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so deeply impressed with the magnitude of the dangers which will attend our government if Louisiana and the Floridas be added to the British empire, that in my opinion we ought to make ourselves parties in the general war expected to take place, should this be the only means of preventing the calamity. But I think we should defer this step as long as possible; because war is full of...
46To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On considering more fully the question Whether it will be expedient to Notify to Ld Dorchester the real object of the expedition preparing by Governor St. Clair, I still think it will not be expedient. for If the Notification be early, he will get the Indians out of the way, & defeat our object. If it be so late, as not to leave him time to withdraw them before our stroke be struck, it will...
47Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Proceedings to be had under the Residence act. a territory not exceeding 10. miles square (or, I presume, 100 square miles in any form) to be located, by metes and bounds. 3. commissioners to be appointed. I suppose them not entitled to any salary. [If they live near the place they may, in some instances, be influenced by self interest, & partialities: but they will push the work with zeal. if...
48XI. Second Opinion of the Secretary of State, 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering more fully the question Whether it will be expedien[t] to Notify to Ld. Dorchester the real object of the expedition preparing by Governor St. Clair, I still think it will not be expedient. For If the Notification be early, he will get the Indians out of the way, and defeat our object. If it be so late, as not to leave him time to withdraw them before our stroke be struck, it...
49I. Jefferson’s Draft of Agenda for the Seat of Government, [29 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Proceedings to be had under the Residence act. A territory not exceeding 10. miles square (or, I presume, 100 square miles in any form) to be located by metes and bounds. 3. commissioners to be appointed. I suppose them not entitled to any salary. [If they live near the place they may, in some instances, be influenced by self interest, and partialities: but they will push the work with zeal....
50Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In conversations with mister Carrol, mister Stoddard and mister Dickens they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Patowmack should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would be dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the assemblies of Virginia or Maryland, & that therefore measures should be adopted to carry...