1661From Thomas Jefferson to James Steptoe, 7 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under the protection of your cover a letter to mr Griffin because it contains a small remittance. Our countrymen are doubtless much interested in the enquiry how long the embargo will continue. this does not depend on us. the decree of France is to take all our vessels passing to or from England, and that of England of Nov. 11. is to take all passing to or from...
1662From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Anderson, 4 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved your favor of this morning, but as I suppose from it that you were then on the point of departure, this can only follow you. the appointment which is the subject of it will not take place till autumn, and in the mean time we shall no doubt be recieving applications. you are sensible that it will be our duty to select from the whole number of candidates, & not...
1663From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 1 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I shall be bankrupt in my epistolary account with Anne & yourself. however the tide of business, like that of the ocean, will wait for nobody. I send for Cornelia a little poem, the grasshopper’s ball, to begin her collection. the yankee story is for yourself. thank Mary for her letters, but tell her it is written in a cypher of which I have not the key. she must therefore tell it...
1664From Thomas Jefferson to William H. Cabell, 8 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
You will have recieved from the Secretary at War a letter requesting that the quota of the state of Virginia of 100,000. militia be immediately organised and put in readiness for service at the shortest warning; but that they be not actually called out until further requisition. the menacing attitude which the British ships of war have taken in Hampton road, the actual blockade of Norfolk, and...
1665From 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...
1666To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed reclamations of Girod & Chote against the claims of Bapstropp to a monopoly of the Indian commerce supposed to be under the protection of the 3d article of the Louisiana convention, as well as some other claims to abusive grants, will probably force us to meet that question. The article has been worded with remarkeable caution on the part of our negociators. It is that the...
1667From Thomas Jefferson to James Walter, 19 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. inst. was recieved on the 12th. I am duly sensible of the mark of respect to me which you are pleased to testify by the name you propose to give to the town you are about to establish. it is the more grateful to me as it comes from a person, uninfluenced by personal acquaintance, and who has been able to judge me by my actions, unblinded by the mists of unprincipled...
1668From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 28 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter and other papers which I recieved from Captain Truxton by the last post. the malice and falsehood so habitual in Federal zealots had prepared me against surprize at the insinuations of this officer against you and myself. but what was his view in inclosing the letter to me? was it to give greater point to his disrespect? or did he imagine I should make him overtures to...
1669From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Kerr, 6 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been represented to me on behalf of the inhabitants of the town of Washington in Pensylva, that by a survey made at their expence, it is found that the Western road, if carried through their town, to Wheeling, would be but a mile longer, would pass through better ground, & be made at less expence; and if carried to Short creek, instead of Wheeling, the difference of distance would still...
1670From Thomas Jefferson to James Taylor, Jr., 29 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your favor of Dec. 29. I desired mr Barnes to remit you 94.68 D the balance due to you which I presume he has done. I used formerly to be supplied from Norfolk with moulded candles of Myrtle wax, sometimes indeed so adulterated as to be unfit for use, but sometimes pure & good. when such, I prefer them for my own use to any candle on account of their cleanness &...