151From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your two letters without date on the subjects now to be answered. I do not see any objection to the appointment of mr Cocke as Agent at Martinique. that of a Consul at Mogadore is on more difficult ground. a Consul in Barbary is a diplomatic character, altho’ the title does not imply that. he recieves a salary fixed by the legislature; being independant of Simpson we...
152To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the papers on Clarke’s claim, which indeed I have not considered with all the attention which should be done were this an ultimate decision, but my first impression is that the claim ought to be rejected. It is clearly a claim for money, not for land. The Commrs. of N. Y. were constituted a special court of justice to distribute the 30,000 D. of Vermont according to right, & they...
153To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
The last post brought me the counteraddresses now inclosed. That from Ipswich is signed by 40. Persons, the town meeting which voted the petition consisted of 30. There are 500. voters in the place. The Counter address of Boston has 700. signatures. The town meeting voting the petition is said to have consisted of 500. In the draught of an answer inclosed, I have taken the occasion of making...
154From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. is recieved and I now inclose a letter to the Secretary of the navy, which be pleased to seal & deliver after perusal. I think not a moment should be lost in forwarding the stores to Algiers, as it is of importance to keep those powers quiet. might it not be useful to propose to the Dey with a year’s annuity in stores, to recieve another year’s in money? the answer from...
155From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you a letter from the Ex-basha of Tripoli. had we not better be done with this man by giving him a plain answer stating the truth & sending him the extracts from our instructions, by which he will see that if our agent engaged any thing beyond that he went beyond his powers, and could not bind us. nothing short of this can clear us of his sollicitations. we might go further and promise...
156From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last post I recieved & forwarded your letter to Duane, in which there was nothing but what was safe and proper. Duane is honest, & well intentioned, but over zealous. these qualities harmonise with him a great portion of the republican body. he deserves therefore all the just & favorable attentions which can properly be shewn him. by the same post I recieve from the collector of Norfolk...
157To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 3d. is recieved. I also have recieved a letter from B. R. Randolph. Who he is I know not. He may be of a family of Randalls of the neighborhood of Petersburg, who have lately begun to spell their names Randolph, tho’ totally unconnected with those of that name. One of them was not long since convicted of the murder of his father, and the family is generally in very ill estimation....
158To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 20. & 21. were recieved yesterday. I have sent on the letter to Turreau without alteration. It was as little as either the stile or matter of his letter deserved. I shall be with you probably on Wednesday. Mr. Barlow stays with us till then, & returns at the same time. The bearer is Mr. Chisolm the bricklayer who wished to see you before your departure. Dinsmore has suggested a...
159To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1803 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the several papers recieved by the last post, except those solliciting office, which as usual, are put into my bundle of like papers. I think it possible that Spain, recollecting our former eagerness for the island of N. Orleans, may imagine she can, by a free delivery of that, redeem the residue of Louisiana: and that she may withold the peaceable cession of it. In that case...
160To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I suppose Mr. Gamble should be told that his opinion in favor of the appointment of a Consul General for the Danish islands being founded on the supposition of a war with England, the Executive cannot at present act on that ground. It would seem indeed that in the event of war, our agent or agents in those islands would be very important persons, & should therefore be chosen with care. I...
161To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1805 (Madison Papers)
How will it do to amend the passage respecting England to read as follows? ‘New principles too have been interpolated into the Law of Nations, founded neither in justice, nor the usage or acknolegement of nations. According to these a belligerent takes to itself a commerce with it’s own enemy, which it denies to a Neutral on the ground of it’s aiding that enemy. But reason revolts at such an...
162From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have no letter from you by the mail, whence I conclude I may possibly recieve something by private conveyance. a letter from miss Paine to Virginia Randolph saying nothing of your health makes me hope it is reestablished. I inclose you a letter from Genl. Saml. Smith with Barney’s letter to him. it contains matters worthy of some attention. I do not believe that Murray would endeavor to...
163To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I received yesterday your’s of the 22d. & learn with regret that you have been so unwell. This & the state of the ⟨country, the river &⟩ roads should delay your departure, at least till the weather is better. I should have set out this morning, but it is still raining, and the river all but ⟨swimm⟩ing at the last ford. If these circumstances are more favorable tomorrow I shall then set out, or...
164To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1802 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a letter from W. Hampton & Fontaine Maury on the subject of apprehensions that the negroes taken from Guadaloupe will be pushed in on us. It came to me under the superscription of mr. Brent, so may not have been seen by you. Would it not be proper to make it the subject of a friendly letter to M. Pichon. Perhaps Govr. Clinton should also recieve some mark of our attention to the...
165From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I had before heard this matter spoken of, but did not suppose it seriously intended. if there be any danger of it, the Secretary at war will be desired to give orders at Massac & Fort Adams to stop them by force. but would it not be well to write to the Govr . of Kentucky to have the persons arrested & bound to their good behavior or the peace? RC ( DNA : RG 59, NL ); addressed “The Secretary...
166From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison and Albert Gallatin, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The application of William Greetham for a Mediterranean pass for a vessel owned here, tho built abroad, being unauthorised by practice; tho’ perhaps not by law, and concerning the departments of both the State & Treasury, I ask the favor of mr Madison and mr Gallatin to give me their opinions thereon: at the same time I communicate to them what passed on the subject of passports under General...
167To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
The Virginia resolution inclosed was, I am sure, in full confidence that you would contribute your counsel as well as myself. I have only relieved you from the labour of the premier ebauche. I must you to consider the subject thoroughly, and either make the inclosed what it should be, or a new draught. It should go on without delay, because I shall desire Monroe, if there is any thing in it he...
168From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your letter of the 12th. and now return the letters it covered. I recieved also thro’ mr Gallatin, Govr. Claiborne’s information to you that he had chartered a state bank at N. Orleans. as the act of Congress for a bank there, & the Charter of the Bank of the US. renders Claiborne’s charter a nullity, he should revoke it on that ground, as given before information was...
169From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Monroe’s, Armstrong’s, Harris’s & Anderson’s letters, & add a letter & act from Govr. Mc.Kean to be filed in your office. the proposition for separating the Western country mentioned by Armstrong to have been made at Paris is important. but what is the declaration he speaks of? for none accompanies his letter, unless he means Harry Grant’s proposition. I wish our ministers at...
170From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 3d. is recieved. I also have recieved a letter from B. R. Randolph. who he is I know not. he may be of a family of Randalls of the neighborhood of Petersburg, who have lately begun to spell their names Randolph , tho’ totally unconnected with those of that name. one of them was not long since convicted of the murder of his father, and the family is generally in very ill...
171To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas Jefferson. 17 April 1806. “I presume the corresponce. between the Ambassador of Tunis & Secretary of State, must be considd. as exhibiting the only causes of difference, & that that correspondence alone need be sent to the Senate. Want of time for copies must authorize sending the originals, to be returned.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML ). 1 p. Below this note in an unidentified hand:...
172To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
On a view of our affairs with Spain, presented me in a letter from C. Pinckney, I wrote you on the 23d. of July that I thought we should offer them the status quo, but immediately propose a provisional alliance with England. I have not yet recieved the whole correspondence, but the portion of the papers now inclosed to you, confirm me in the opinion of the expediency of a treaty with England,...
173From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be with you on the 25th. unless health or weather prevent. but if you propose leaving home sooner for Washington, do not let my coming prevent you. only, in that case, if convenient, lodge word at Gordon’s, or write me by next post, that you will be gone; as I should then wish to lengthen my day’s journey. I have not been able to look yet into my newspapers, but I presume yours contain...
174To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 June 1807 (Madison Papers)
Commissions are desired for the following persons. Alexander Moore of Columbia as Register of wills for the county of Alexandria. Thomas H. Williams of Misipi. territory as Secretary of the sd. territory. Jacob Descamps of Virginia as Surveyor of the port of Charlestown in the district of Misipi. Joseph Buell of Ohio as Surveyor of the port of Marietta in the district of Misipi. James W. Moss...
175From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissions are desired for the following persons. Alexander Moore of Columbia as Register of wills for the county of Alexandria. Thomas H. Williams of Misipi Territory as Secretary of the sd territory. Jacob Descamps of Virginia as Surveyor of the port of Charlestown in the district of Misipi Joseph Buell of Ohio as Surveyor of the port of Marietta in the district of Misipi James W. Moss of...
176To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
Can mr. King’s report in his dispatch No. 57. Dec. 10. 97. be seen? The question is whether it was worth £50. sterl. Every person who undertakes to expend money for secret service, must take on themselves the risk of being approved or not by the government, on view of the nature of the service, which can only be judged by a knolege of what it was. This kind of expenditure is susceptible of...
177From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the S. Carolina ratification of the amendment to the constitution, & presume it possible that in a week more you may recieve that of Tennisee, after which I suppose no time should be lost in publishing officially the final ratification. Prevost accepts the office of judge of the Orleans territory, & Dickerson that of Attorney. but as J.T.M. declines the place of A.G. US. can we...
178To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 March 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas Jefferson. 20 March 1806. “My list tells me I signed commissions for the following persons, which being omitted in the list now recieved from the office, renders it desirable that the office be again examined to ascertain whether the error is in their list or mine. “Mar. 9. Julien Poydrass of Orleans a member of the legislative council of Orleans. “20. Lemuel Trescott of Massach....
179To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
I now return you the papers reserved from the last post. Our regular answer to Mr. Livingston may well be that the Attorney General having given an official opinion that the right to the batture is in the US. and the matter being now referred to Congress, it is our duty to keep the grounds clear of any adversary possession until the legislature shall decide on it. I have carefully read Mr....
180From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any...
181To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, [ca. 25 November] 1805 (Madison Papers)
Additions proposed on some subjects suggested by mr. Gallatin submitted to mr. Madison by The object of the 1st. addition is to give a practical or ostensible object to the observations on Yellow fever: The true one however being to present facts to the governments of Europe, which in the ordinary course of things, would not otherwise reach them in half a century. RC ( DLC ). Undated;...
182To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
It was agreed yesterday 1. that a copy of the proclamation should be inclosed to each member in a letter from the Secy. of state, mentioning that the meeting of Congress had been necessarily anticipated three weeks, because the ratificns. of the treaty & conventions for the cession of Louisiana were to be exchanged on the 30th. day of October, & suggesting the importance of a punctual...
183From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On further enquiry and examination, I find it necessary to correct the list of justices before given in for Alexandria county. Commissions are therefore desired for Washington & Alexandria counties according to the subjoined lists, giving to all those who were in the former commissions the order in which they were therein placed, and adding the new names to the end. Justices for Washington...
184From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
how will it do to amend the passage—respecting England to read as follows? ‘New principles too have been interpolated into the law of Nations, founded neither in justice, nor the usage or acknolegement of nations. according to these a belligerent takes to itself a commerce with it’s own enemy, which it denies to a Neutral on the ground of it’s aiding that enemy. but reason revolts at such an...
185To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the pamphlet of the author of War in disguise Of it’s first half the topics & the treatment of them are very common place. But from page 118. to 130. it is most interesting to all nations, and especially to us. Convinced that a militia of all ages promiscuously are entirely useless for distant service, and that we shall never be safe until we have a selected corpse for a year’s...
186From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, [ca. 3 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
This claim is totally without foundation. M. de Rayneval wrote to me on the subject last spring and I wrote him an answer which I can communicate to mr Madison. MS ( DNA : RG 59 , NL ); in TJ’s hand; undated; written on a slip of paper attached to Louis André Pichon to James Madison, 3 Dec. 1801 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser. , 2:293). Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval had written to TJ...
187To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1808 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 14th. is recieved and I now return the papers which accompanied it. I must cry peccavi I have sinned as to the answer to Sullivan’s letter. I found it in the letter itself. I now enclose you two letters from Mr. Short. I fancy he is right in supposing that by the time he could arrive at the Baltic, it’s navigation would be uncertain, if not impracticable; but certainly it would be...
188From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the several modifications in mr Gallatin’s paper may be reduced to simple instructions in some such form as follows. The sum to be paid will consist I. of 2. millions ready money. II. of a residuary sum, not exceeding 3. millions, to be paid afterwards as shall be agreed. I. the ready money (as a 1st. proposition) not to be paid till possession of the whole country ceded is delivered &...
189To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1803 (Madison Papers)
If M. Dalbarton be really Jerome Bonaparte, he will have satisfied thereof the minister of his nation, thro’ whom we shall be apprised of the fact, and relieved from all trouble in deciding on it. This may yet be done, perhaps just as a frigate is ready to sail, and accompanied with a request of a passage in her; when no time will be left for consultation. Our duty to our constituents would...
190From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers forwarded by the merchants of Philadelphia and Boston on the subject of the wrongs they complain of at Buenos Ayres. I observe that they have not gone into a developement of the subject. two or three cases are opened with some degree of detail; as to the rest we have only a list of the ships for which our interference is claimed. but in cases where a hair’s breadth...
191From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote yesterday to you, before the arrival of the post. that brought some blank commissions which I have signed & now forward. mr Wagner’s note will explain them. The abuses & waste of public money in the military & naval departments have been so gross, that I do not think we can avoid laying some of them before Congress. I inclose you information of one which is not to be neglected. I have...
192From Thomas Jefferson to James and Dolley Madison and Anna Payne, 27 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson was much disappointed at breakfast this morning not having till then known of the departure of mr & mrs Madison & miss Payne . he hopes they will come and dine to-day with the miss Butlers who were assured they would meet them here, and tomorrow with mrs Gallatin & mrs Mason . affectionate salutations. RC ( ICHi ). Departure of Mr & Mrs Madison & Miss Payne : the Madisons, along...
193To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1807 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 20th. came to hand on the 23d. and I now return all the papers it covered, to wit Harris’s, Maurice’s & Genl. Smith’s letters, as also some papers respecting Burr’s case for circulation. Under another cover is a letter from Govr. Williams, confidential & for yourself alone as yet. I expect we shall have to remove Meade. Under still a different cover you will recieve Monroe’s &...
194From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 13th. 14th. and 16th. were recieved in the evening of the 16th. I now return you the papers which accompanied them, to wit, the letters of Armstrong, Merry, Monroe, Claiborne, Sevier, Rhea, Clinton, Jones, Vail, Airth Skipwith, the Paris Commissioners, Livingston, Gavino, Wickelhousen, Swan, and Bp. Madison. A more disgusting correspondence between men of sense, than that of...
195From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 29 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The passport for the Leonidas goes by this post to the Collector of Norfolk. I return you Jarvis’s, Hackley’s & Montgomery’s letters, and send you Hull’s, Hunt’s, Clarke’s & Mr Short’s for perusal & to be returned. on this last the following questions arise. When exactly shall the next vessel go? whence? is not the secrecy of the mission essential? is it not the very ground of sending it while...
196From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose the object of the inclosed information was to obtain a pardon; but as Judge Potter’s means of information respecting the opinion of the Supreme court in a like case may be imperfect, I think it would be best that the Attorney General should enquire into the case, and say whether a pardon ought to go on the ground of the illegality of the judgment.—I propose to leave this for...
197From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A person of the name of Thompson, of Amherst county in Virginia has asked my interference for the recovery of his son John Thompson understood to be impressed on board the Squirrel a British vessel of war. the inclosed letter gave him the first information he has recieved from him for some time past, for so long a time indeed that he had apprehended he was dead. he thinks the letter not...
198From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I hasten the return of the bearer that he may meet you at Brown’s and convey you information as to the road. from Songster’s I tried the road by Ravensworth, which comes into the turnpike road 4½ miles below Fairfax courthouse. there are about 2 miles of it which I think cannot be passed by your carriage without oversetting; and consulting with Colo. Wren who knows both roads, he says there is...
199To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 4th. came to hand last night & I now return you the letters of Livingston, Bourne, Lee, Lynch, Villandry & mr. King. Stewart’s is retained for communication with the P. M. Genl. I send also for your perusal the letter of a mr. Farquhar of Malta. Mr. Livingston’s letters (two short ones excepted) being all press-copies & very bad ones, I can make nothing distinct of them. When...
200To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1805 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr. Madison and incloses him the extract of a letter from mr. Granger, giving information of constant trespasses committing on a certain species of timber growing on the public lands on lake Erie, of great value, and which he presumes should be the subject of a charge from the Secretary of state to Governor Hull. He presumes the Governor...