81To Thomas Jefferson from George Taylor, 9 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Citizens of Alexandria anxious for an opportunity of testifying collectively their high respect, for the chief Magistrate of the United States, have with an unanimous voice at a late meeting held for the purpose; expressed their desire that you will partake of a public Dinner , at as early a day as will be most convenient to yourself;—Less favoured than their brethren of the Eastern side...
82To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your knowledge the bearer of this, Mr. Benjamin Rittenhouse. Mr. Rittenhouse is the brother of our late illustrious astronomer. He is a man of the most amiable character, and of pure, unsoiled republican principles. Permit me, Sir, to congratulate your country upon the great event which has just taken place. To you, I am persuaded, the event is of much less...
83To Thomas Jefferson from George Caines, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to solicit permission to dedicate to You, the work, the proposals for which I take the liberty to transmit. It is intended to be of general utility to the people over whom You preside, & I know not, Sir, to what patronage it can be so properly directed, as to that of the Man who has so long, and so truly had at heart the interests of his Country. Suffer me then, Sir, to ask for the Lex...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honor to write you upon the subject of an appointment, I did it with great reluctance from the numerous suggestions of names & applications that must necessarily embarrass and distress you. I will not suppress the expression of a consciousness, that I have undergone the most injurious and severe trials in the public service as a citizen lately, and before as an officer. My...
85To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Hanson, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing that my Friend, John T. Mason , would be out of Town all this week, I repaired to him immediately, for the purpose of communicating your commands on the Subject mentioned to me a few days ago. His Kinsman had set out for Philadelphia that morning. The result of our conference shall be laid before you at any moment that you shall appoint for me to wait on you—except the Hours between 10...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Not untill two late on friday last to answer by that days mail, did I receive your much esteemed favour of the 23rd. Ult, in it you have thought proper so far to honour me with your confidence, as to express a wish that I should accept the place of your private Secretary; I most cordially acquiesce, and with pleasure accept the office, nor were further motives necessary to induce my...
87To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Whetcroft, 10 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg permission respectfully to represent, that I have for some time past acted in the capacities of Justice of the Peace , and Notary Public of this City, under appointments by the Executive of Maryland, but discontinued in both those capacities by the late President, in his appointments under the late Acts of Congress, respecting the Jurisdiction of the District of Columbia. In respect to...
88Enclosure: Suspension of Certain Building Regulations, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the United States Whereas by the first Article of the Terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the 17th. day of October 1791, for regulating the Materials and manner of Buildings and Improvements on the Lots in the City of Washington it is provided, “that the outer and party Walls of all Houses in the said City, shall be built of Brick or Stone...
89To Thomas Jefferson from William Bache, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you much for yours of the 12th. Feby. and the inclosed pamphlet. No one can doubt the justice of a general maritime law, calculated to support neutral trade; but has not the author of common sense been rather fanciful in his detail. In the proposition of a law, which must necessarily be forced down the throat of the greatest maritime power extant, might not trivial aberrations from...
90To Thomas Jefferson from William Brent, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend and Relation, Mr. Richard Brent informed me some time ago , that he had signified my wish to you of becoming your private Secretary; and I make no doubt that his partiality for me induced him to give the highest colouring to my Pretensions to that Office. My Object in troubling you now, is respectfully to renew this Subject, though I do it with the utmost diffidence, and under the...
91To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Glenholmes, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Great Monark—please to pardon my Boldness in troubling your Honour with those lines. I single Surcomstance hapened with in the Surcomferance of my acquaintance which I think worthy of notice—But Shold your wisdom—and prudiance think it not worthey of the Slightest Glance—I humbley submit to your Superior judgement in this Case—Being moved By this Surcomstance in pity to this famely about whom...
92To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Hanson, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just conversed with a Gentleman well acquainted with Mr. Duvall’s situation in Annapolis. He says that Mr. D. has little or no property in that place to attach him to it, on that account—that his present Salary, as a Judge, is no more than $1600—and that he has no doubt that Mr. D. would accept the office of chief Justice of this District. I take the liberty of communicating this...
93To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Kennedy, [11 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The artist & subscriber presumes to lay before you a Print to the Immortality of George Washington, for your Patronage; representing this Citizen ascending on light clouds from Mt. Vernon; on his Dexter hand are Portraits of the Heroes Warren, & Montgomery, taken from Trumbulls Paintings ;— In submitting this Print to your Protection, I must avail myself of this opportunity of wishing every...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel A. Otis, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreably to your directions I send a copy of the record of the last session. The preceeding copy is in books deposited in the office of the late Secy to the President US or probably may be found in the office of the late Secretary for the department of State. I send you also a copy of everything printed during the Session as complete as is in my power. Should however any particular report be...
95To Thomas Jefferson from John Smith, 11 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
So far as the enclosed Certificates may justify I presume to place myself before you as a Candidate for office, whenever it may be your pleasure, or occation may occur, to turn your attention to our state. In the Middle age of life, heretofore used to commercial pursuits, with a wife and family now distressed by the effect of political persecution, a Mind unambitious and Moderate Views, I...
96To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, [11 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Ship Ganges Captain Mullowny, of 24 Guns, sailed the 26th Jany. 1801 for Batavia , to cruise a few months in the Straits of Sunda for the protection of our East India trade the principal danger being from Privateers from the Isle of France, and to return with as many vessels under Convoy as could be collected. It was always intended to send after her, the Ship Connecticut , of the same...
97To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 12 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss, which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. Mr. Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War Department. Mr. Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...
98To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, [before 12 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Capt. William Buchanan has resided at the Isle of France for the last four or five years, [his] friends request me to solicit the Consulate of the Isles of France & Bourbon for him—An application for his appointment was presented by me lately to Mr. Marshall signed by the most [respec]table Merchants of both parties in this City—It was rejected because (as I understood) he was known to be my...
99From Thomas Jefferson to John James Barralet, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely the portrait of mr Volney , which I find to be a perfect resemblance, & I pray you to accept my thanks for it. I am to ask the further favor of you to be so good as to take the trouble of calling on mr Richards, whose address will be noted below, and of recieving five guineas from him for the same. uninformed and unacquainted as I am of the proper compensation, if I make any...
100Pardon for David Brown, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To all who shall see these Presents,—Greeting: Whereas David Brown, late of the District of Massachusetts, labourer, in the Circuit Court of the United States held at Boston for the said District on the first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine, was convicted of certain misdemeanors, in...
101From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Burrowes, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of Mar. 2. and the saddle also is come safely to hand. I am well pleased with it, and take it willingly, but on the express condition that you permit me to pay for it. I have ever laid it down as an unalterable law to myself to accept of no present while I am in a public office. I assume that your own reflections on the tendency of the contrary practice will...
102From Thomas Jefferson to John Dawson, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
We shall be ready for you by the time you can arrive here. I would therefore wish you to come on without delay. mr Madison will not be here for some time; so that we cannot wait for him. health & friendly salutations. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “John Dawson esq.”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. John Dawson (1762–1814), a Harvard-trained Virginia congressman and lawyer from Caroline County,...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely the books you were so kind as to forward me, and if you will have the goodness to call on mr Richards, whose address shall be stated below, he will pay you 5. D 80 c the amount of them. the one you propose being by it’s bulk far beyond any time I can flatter myself with having to spare for looking into it, I must forbid myself the acquisition. accept my salutations & good...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Cyrus Griffin, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you my thanks for your friendly congratulations on my election to the chair of the Union. if it shall be in my power to effect a reconciliation of parties, I shall think I have not lived in vain. to effect this something must be yielded on both sides, and I hope there is a spirit of accomodation rising among us. I know the task is difficult, and cannot possibly be so executed as to...
105To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Hanson, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so obliging as to say that my Commission, as Notary-Publick of Washington County, should be made out. I beg leave to state that sundry instruments of writing have been put into my hands requiring Notareal Acts—and, among these, several promissory Notes for Protest. unfortunately for the present suspension of the Office, this last kind is supposed to admit of no delay, from an Opinion,...
106To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment only received your favor the 24 Feby. It lay some days in the post Office at New York, from whence it was sent to Clermont & at last followed me to Albany. I hasten to express my gratitude for your frequent attentions to me. I had determined to take upon me no new Office, but to endeavour to promote your interest, which I believed to be intimatly connected with that of my...
107From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. mr Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War department. mr Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...
108To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I had yours of the 7th. by yesterday’s mail. The danger of reaction is the evil to be fear’d from an energetic course, of disgusting and disuniting the republican party by an opposit one. These are the rocks, (to use a worn out metaphor) which you have to shun and which it is not easy to shun, but which may be done. On which side is the greater danger? In my judgement the latter. On which side...
109To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just arived a consignment of old Madeira wines; Brasil Quality & London Particular, from a Portugeze house; who ships my wine for drinking. the Brasil kind is superior to any other sent here & such as is seldom imported; if you should want a supply, I will direct it to be saved for you by mr. Js Taylor Jr. to whom I have given up my business. be pleased to accept my best wishes for yr....
110From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Peyton, 12 March 1801 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
General Wilkinson, the commander of our army, & [his aid] Capt. Huger, brother of the member of Congress, are here. not knowing (as [they] happened to dine out the day you were here) whether you [know of it], or whether you have invited them, or that it is not within the plan [supposed?], I mention it [merely] for your own (personal) information do not mention me on the subject. I will also...
111To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Pinckney, [12 March 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the offer You have been so good as to make me to go to the Court of Spain I have determined to accept it as I can at all times return whenever my friends in Carolina shall advise me that my presence may be useful or required there in support of the republican interest—L As it will be necessary for me to return to my family for a short time before I embark for Europe I will thank...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned to you in my letter by mr Nicholas that I should be able by this post to fix a day for the departure of Davy Bowles with my chair & horses, & that he should be in readiness. though it is impossible for me to say to a day when I can set out from hence, yet I expect it may be by the time you recieve this. I would therefore have him set off from Monticello on Saturday the 21st. inst....
113To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Character as a Philosopher & friend of mankind predominates so much more in my mind over that of your new station, that I cannot resist the habit of addressing you as I have done in my former letters. Your new official title has added nothing to my respect for your person. It could not add to my friendship for you. You have opened a new Œra by your Speech on the 4th: of March in the...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Stoddert, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I fear you will think me too great an intruder on your attention—at a time too, when your mind must have full occupation. In order to reduce the cost of the frames of ships, I introduced a method of getting the frames which had often been recommended, but never practised in England. There the method is to transport the logs to the ship yards, & at the ship yards to cut out of the logs, pieces...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Trump, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I would have Answered your Letter Sooner but finding it Difficult to Procure a young man for you to Replace Mr Holms whose unfortunate Death I have Very much Regretted, but this Transitory Life is Very precarious and Death is the fate of Mortal man in Different forms I was almost Dispairing of getting one that would Answer you, but fortunately this Day I Received a Letter from Washington with...
116From Thomas Jefferson to John Wright, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought sooner to have acknowledged the receipt of your favr. of Feb. 20. which has been at hand a fortnight, but that the press of business in the intervening time has rendered it impracticable. I thank you for the offer of forwarding to me one of your cutting knives, as sincerely as if I were in a situation which would permit my acceptance of it. but I have laid it down as a rule to myself...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Anderson, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I do most Sincerely Congratilate you on your Honorable Election to Preside over these United States, and it is with great pleasure I can inform you that your Conduct on the happy Occation, appears to give general satisfaction to all parties:—I beg leave to put you in mind of two young men, whose Interest I have a desire to promote, as I flatter myself, they are both Worthy: and are nearly...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Gabriel Duvall, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The office of Chief judge for the district of Columbia being become vacant by the resignation of mr Johnson, my desire to procure for offices of so much confidence, & permanence, persons whose talents & integrity may ensure to the public the honest benefits expected from them, and strengthen the mass of confidence which from the people at large […] so necessary for their own service, has...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson having referred mr Ellicott’s letter to the Secretary of the Treasury (mr Dexter) received from him the inclosed note. he leaves this place on the 21st. inst. to be absent one month, when mr Madison will also enter on his office. in the mean time mr Lincoln will have charge of the Secretary of state’s office & will recieve any application from mr Ellicot, & do justice on it. he...
120To Thomas Jefferson from Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived the day before yesterday to this City through muddy roads, & indiferent weather; but those litle inconveniences were smooth’d by the satisfaction of finding the smile of joi on every face, on account of your election—In my way I have convers’d with Tirians , & Troyans , high & low; & all to a man considers your exaltation as the triumph of merit & vertu; your Speech, which could not...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a letter from you the last year, and it has been several since I wrote one to you. during the earlier part of the period it could never have got to your hands; & during the latter, such has been the state of politics on both sides of the water, that no communications were safe. nevertheless I have never ceased to nourish a sincere friendship for you, & to take a lively interest in...
122To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Peyton, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
An invitation to Genl. Wilkinson was forwarded by express this morning, and I have this moment sent off a card for his aid Capt Huger, I expect a delay of the dinner for even two or three days would be attended with serious inconveniences to Mr. Gadsby , I therefore hope if the day should be bad, it will comport with your convenience to come down in a carriage. I find upon inquiry that Thomas...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor on the subject of capt Wm. Buchanan. mr Madison not being to join us for some time & mr Gallatin gone, I have concluded only to dispatch such subjects as are of absolute necessity & to go home to make some necessary arrangements there preparatory to a final removal to this place. I count on leaving this on the 21st. and of our being all assembled here within 4....
124From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your claims on my time need no apology certainly when the subject relates to the affairs of the government. to direct the conduct of these with the aid of the heads of departments constitutes the duties precisely for which I am placed here, & to which I cheerfully devote my whole time and faculties. The subject of your letter received yesterday, respecting the contracts for ship timber would...
125To Thomas Jefferson from Elizabeth House Trist, 13 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor received yesterday was quite Unexpected. It was not my intention by obtruding my admonitions upon you to draw you into a corrispondence, knowing how fully (particularly at this period) you must be occupied. altho to you business of every kind wou’d be as little irksome as to any one, yet every moment of leisure you shou’d embrace to promote your health and spirits—to hear that you...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having my papers here, it is not in my power to acknolege the receipt of your letters by their dates, but I am pretty certain I have received two in the course of the last twelve months, one of them covering your excellent 2d. letter . nothing can be sounder than the principles it inculcates, and I am not without hopes they will make their way. you have understood that the revolutionary...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The weather having detained me here to day, I have employed it in making some rough sketches relative to our financial situation, which I have the honor to enclose. Independent of the uncertainty arising from the fluctuation in the amount of duties on imports, which vary so much, as to have been two millions of dollars more in 1800 than the preceding year, I had neither time nor documents...
128Enclosure I: Estimate of Receipts and Expenditures for 1801, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Sketch &c. Expenses & Receipts of 1801 1. Interest & charges on public debt including repayt. on six p% & def stock 5,325,000. 2. Civil list, mint, military pensions, light houses, foreign intercourse, 900,000. 3. Expenses attending land tax & census 100,000. 4. Extraordy. expenses attending for. intercouse vizt. Protection of seamen 30,000 } 529,500 appropd. Prize causes in England...
129Enclosure II: Estimate for Receipts and Expenditures after 1801, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Revenues exclusively of internal duties after 1801 Impost permanent may be estimated at 8,000,000 Postage, dividends &c 200,000 Sales of lands 300,000 8,500,000 Expenses after 1801 1. Interest & charges on public debt will diminish about 40,000 dollars a year about 5,200,000 2. Civil list &c. after probable reductions 800,000 3. } contingencies at home & abroad
130Enclosure III: Estimate of Military Expenditures, 14 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Army amounts now (exclusively of marines who are 1,100) to about 5400 men The present expence is 1. Ordnance department including fabrication of muskets 100,000 2. Indian department & defensive protection of frontiers 100,000 3. Pay, subsistence, clothing &c. of army 1,000,000 4. Quarter master departt. & contingencies 200,000 1,400,000 Congress had reduced the Army in 1797 to 3200 men On...