201From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. came to hand yesterday. I now return Paine’s Duane’s, Lear’s, Simpson’s & Toulman’s letters, and the two protests on impressment by a British and a French armed vessel. I am glad of the latter, as it will serve as a set-off against French complaints on the British trespasses on us. but the former is an afflicting subject. with every disposition to render them all...
202From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
James Wilkinson of Maryland Governor of the territory of Louisiana from & after the 3d. of July next for the term of 3. years then next ensuing, unless sooner Etc. Joseph Browne of N. York, Secretary of do. from and after Etc. * Return Jonathan Meigs of Lousiana } to be judges of the court of the territory of Louisiana from & after Etc. * John B. C. Lucas of Pensylvania Rufus Easton of New...
203From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of St. Julien ought certainly to be put on trial. the local judge must decide 1. whether crimes committed against the nation of Louisiana under it’s former organisation, can be punished under it’s present one? and 2. whether St. Julien is guilty? the 1st. question will be forced on them by other cases & may therefore as well be met at once. but we should leave the party at liberty but...
204To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
I recieved yesterday your’s of the 15th. In the hope of seeing you here tomorrow I return no papers. I will pray you not to fail in your visit. I have recd a letter from mr. R. Smith disapproving of the countermand of the John Adams for reasons detailed; & one from mr. Gallatin disapproving of the original order for her sailing. (He had not then, Sep. 9. heard of the countermand.) The vessel...
205From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 August 1803 (Jefferson 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...
206From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on such parts of Foronda’s letter of Apr. 26. 08. as are worth answering. I. I know of no recent orders to Governor Claiborne as to the navigation of the Misipi, Yberville & Pontchartrain. he should specify them. but he may be told that no order has ever been given contrary to the rights of Spain. these rights are 1. a treaty right that ‘the ships of Spain coming directly from Spain or...
207From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still here. three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been recieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr Jones of Phila. in that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your office....
208From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I intended to have been with you tomorrow evening, but it is rendered now improbable, partly by the weather, but more by the arrival of M. & Made. Yrujo last night. they are now here, and go back from hence to Washington. if they leave us tomorrow I shall be with you the next day. he has opened his budget which we have smoothed off. it must be the subject of verbal communication to you....
209From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours by yesterday’s post has been recieved, & I now return you the letters of Yznardi, Wilkinson, Cathcart, Clinton, Toulman & Turreau. in the answer to the latter I think it would be better to lay more stress on the constitutional bar to our furnishing the money, because it would apply in an occasion of peace as well as war. I submit to you therefore the striking out the words ‘It is not &c...
210To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you Monroe’s letter of Mar. 5. As the explosion in the British ministry took place about the 15th. I hope we shall be spared the additional embarrasment of his convention. I inclose you a letter of Michl. Jones for circulation & to rest with the Atty. Genl. It contains new instances of Burr’s enlistments. I recieved this from Mr. Gallatin, so you can hand it to Genl. Dearborn direct....
211To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 March 1803 (Madison 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 im⟨po⟩rtance 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...
212From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. since which yours of the 14th. is recieved, and I now return the letters of Mr. Livingston & O’Brien. I hope the game mr Livingston says he is playing is a candid & honourable one. besides an unwillingness to accept any advantage which should have been obtained by other means, no other means can probably succeed there. an American contending by stratagem against those...
213From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Spain shall cede & confirm to the US. of A. East & West Florida, with the islands & waters thereon depending, & shall deliver possession thereof on the ratification by her of this treaty. 2. The US. shall pay to Spain in the city of within after this treaty shall have been ratified on her part five millions of dollars. 3. Spain & France shall have the same privileges respecting trade &...
214To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 September 1801 (Madison 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...
215From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours by yesterday’s mail is recieved & I now return Pinckney’s & Graham’s letters. I thought it best to forward the passport for Hill’s vessel to mr Graham direct lest it should lose a post by going in to Montpelier. with mr Grymes’s request of a vessel I can do nothing till further advised. the application is new, and I think unnecessary, as I presume the trade to N.O. is sufficiently open...
216From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
There can be no doubt that Foronda’s claim for the money advanced to Lt. Pike should be repaid; & while his application to yourself is the proper one, we must attend to the money’s being drawn from the proper fund, which is that of the war department. I presume therefore it will be necessary for you to apply to Genl. Dearborne to furnish the money. will it not be proper to rebut Foronda’s...
217To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 March 1806 (Madison 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...
218From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. by post & 17th. by mr Davis have been duly recieved. he has not yet opened himself to me; but I shall assure him that nothing can [be] said here on the subject, nor determined on but when we shall be together at Washington. I have a letter from mr Gallatin whose only doubt is whether Rogers should be removed. if he is, he seems clear Davis had better have the...
219To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
I think the District atty of N. Y. should be immediately instructed to investigate the expedition of the Leander, & of every person concerned in it; and to learn how it has happened that the officers of the government at that place should have paid no attention & given no information of it while going on. On the report of the Atty to us we may decide what shall be done. RC ( DNA : RG 59, ML )....
220To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Notes on the British claims in the Missipi. territory. 1803. Mar. 3. Act of Congress gave to Mar. 31. 1804. to exhibit their claims or grants 1804. Mar. 27. do. gave to Nov. 30. 1804. & allowed transcripts instead of originals Etc. 1805. Mar. 2. do. gave to Dec. 1. 1805. to file their grants. & in fact to Jan. 1. 1807. time when the sale might begin. 1807. Dec. 15. The British claimants...
221From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 April 1807 (Jefferson 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 &...
222From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 1st. was received yesterday. I now return the letters of Higginson, Davis &c. praying that a public vessel may be sent to demand their vessels of the Viceroy of La Plata, indemnity for the detention, & a full performance of existing contracts with the Spanish merchants of La Plata. it would certainly be the first instance of such a demand made by any government from a subordinate....
223From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In a conversation with mr Granger not long before we left Washington he mentioned that he was about to establish a post line from Natchez to New Orleans, and must place an office at Baton rouge. I told him that that should have good previous consideration in the present jealous state of the Spanish officers; that perhaps they might even stop our mail carrier. I heard no more of it till last...
224To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
The case of St. Julien ought certainly to be put on trial. The local judge must decide 1. whether crimes committed against the nation of Louisiana under it’s former organisation, can be punished under it’s present one? and 2. whether St. Julien is guilty? The 1st. question will be forced on them by other cases, & may therefore as well be met at once. But we should leave the party at liberty...
225From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl. Armstrong furnishes matter for consideration. you know the French considered themselves entitled to the Rio Bravo, & that Laussat declared his orders to be to recieve possession to that limit, but not to the Perdido: & that France has to us been always silent as to the Western boundary, while she spoke decisively as to the Eastern. you know Turreau agreed with us...
226To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1805 (Madison Papers)
The inclosed letter from Genl. Armstrong furnishes matter for consideration. You know the French considered themselves entitled to the Rio Bravo, & that Laussat declared his orders to be to recieve possession to that limit, but not to the Perdido: & that France has to us been always silent as to the Western boundary, while she spoke decisively as to the Eastern. You know Turreau agreed with us...
227From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
As we omit in the 2d. message to enumerate the aggressions of Spain, and refer for them to the documents, we must furnish the documents for every act, particularly - 1. the capture of the Huntress - 2. the carrying our gunboats into Algesiras. - 3. the late depredations on our commerce in Europe. Extracts from Pinckney’s letters. - 4. oppressions on our commerce on Mobille - 5. the delays of...
228From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 20th. has been recieved, & in that a letter from Casenove and another from mrs Ciracchi: but those from Turreau & to Yrujo were not inclosed. probably the former was what came to me by the preceding post respecting Moreau: if so, you have my opinion on it in my last. considering the character of Bonaparte, I think it material at once to let him see that we are not one of the...
229From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of yesterday was recieved in the course of the day. our post-rider has not yet got to be punctual, arriving here from 2. to 4. hours later than he should do, that is to say from 3. to 5. aclock instead of 1. I mean to propose to him that being rigorously punctual in his arrival, I will always discharge him the moment he arrives instead of keeping him till 7. aclock as the Postmaster...
230From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Should we not write to the Governors of S. Carolina & Georgia to furnish us without delay with authentic statements of the illegalities said to have been committed in their harbours by one or more French privateers ? as the proceedings of the British vessels at N. York must be laid before Congress to found measures of coercion, peaceable & of force, by giving in the facts relative to the...
231To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 August 1806 (Madison Papers)
The death of Meriwether Jones having taken place, I have written to mr. Wagner directly to forward to mr. Page a Commission for the loan office, in order to save a post and shorten the term of sollicitations. I shall set out this morning for Bedford & be back about the 25th. Affectionate salutations. RC ( DLC ); FC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). RC cover addressed and franked by Jefferson;...
232To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 December 1801 (Madison Papers)
Having no confidence that the office of the private secretary of the President of the US. will ever be a regular & safe deposit for public paper⟨s⟩ or that due attention will ever be paid on their transmission from one Secretary or President to another, I have, since I have been in office, sent every paper, which I deem meerly public, & coming to my hands, to be deposited in one of the offices...
233From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter & sundry papers recieved from mr Gallatin of which I will ask the return. 1. as to the refractory Tunisians I think we should pay their passage & get rid of them. if they would stipulate to deliver themselves to any Tunisian or other Barbary Agent in England, it would excuse us to the Bey of Tunis. The case of an American citizen impressed on board the Chichester, &...
234From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers recieved yesterday. mr Erskine complains of a want of communication between the British armed vessels in the Chesapeake or off the coast. if by off the coast he means those which being generally in our waters, go occasionally out of them to cruise or to acquire a title to communicate with their Consul it is too poor an evasion for him to expect us to be the dupes of. if...
235To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 June 1801 (Madison 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...
236From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by last post mr Gallatin’s observations on Dr. Stevens’s case. his outworks are stronger than his main citadel: that is to say, on the 1st. and great question which involves important principle, he yields a good deal, and presents no views of the residue which are new and difficult. but on his 2d. & 3d questions relative to evidence he is truly strong, and his preliminary...
237From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14th. is recieved and I now return the papers which accompanied it. I must cry peccavi as to the answer to Sullivan’s letter. I found it in the letter itself. I now inclose 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 closed before...
238To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 February 1803 (Madison 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 shall be desired to give orders at Màssac̀ & Fort Adams to stop them by force. But would it not be well to write to the Govr. of Kentucky to have the perso⟨ns⟩ arrested & bound to their good behavior or the peace? RC ( DNA : RG 59, NFL , Spain, vol. 2). Filed...
239From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to mr Madison Erving’s letter to Genl. Dear-borne, & approves of a commission to him as Consul at London . where to find a competent successor for Lisbon he knows not, unless Gilman, who refused St. Domingo, will accept this. perhaps Genl. Dearborne can judge. the place must be reserved for a man of real diplomatic abilities.—Marchant’s case will be the subject of further...
240To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
These papers from Governor Cabell are inclosed for your perusal; I am about to answer the Governor’s letter but whether I shall be able in time for this day’s post, I do not know. If not, I will send you his letter & my answer by tomorrow’s post, with which answer I will pray you to send him the papers now inclosed, returning to me his letter Will you be so good as to direct a commission to be...
241To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1802 (Madison Papers)
Yours by yesterday’s post is recieved. The letter to Higginson & others is entirely approved, and is sealed & forwarded to mr. Brent. The Consulate at Nantes must be disposed of according to our former arrangement. I do not know whether the mr. Lynch recommended is the one who was living at Nantes when I was in France, or his son. Of that one there is something not favourable resting in my...
242To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
On my return from Bedford two days ago I recieved your favor of July 24 and learnt with sincere regret that mrs Madison’s situation required her going to Philadelphia. I suppose the choice between Physic & Baynham was well weighed. I hope the result will be speedy & salutary, and that we shall see you in this quarter before the season passes over. A letter from Charles Pinckney of May 22....
243To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1806 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a letter & sundry papers recieved from mr. Gallatin of which I will ask the return. 1. as to the refractory Tunisians I think we should pay their passage & get rid of them. If they would stipulate to deliver themselves to any Tunisian or other Barbary Agent in England, it would excuse us to the Bey of Tunis. The case of an American citizen impressed on board the Chichester, &...
244From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 20 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe a great number of contracts for carrying the mails are advertised to be made within a short time hence, & for 4. years. I suppose the principal reason for making such long contracts is the trouble which would be so often recurring to the post office, if they were shorter. this should have it’s just weight: but it may be doubted whether contracts for so long a time as 4. years do not...
245To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
Your packet came to hand yesterday with the letters of Monroe, Armstrong Coburn, Zeigler & Baldwin. Altho’ I presume the appointment of Baldwin would be proper, yet as Zeigler continues to act, it may lie awhile. I inclose you a letter from a mr. Thomas of Indiana inclosing a proclamation of Govr. Harrison and the names of 10. persons out of whom 5 are to be named as Counsellors. Who he is I...
246To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
The road through Ravensworth is renderd absolutely impassable for a four wheeled carriage by a single change made lately by one of the mr. Fitzhughs in his plantation. You must not therefore attempt it, but go on to Fairfax C. H. & there turn off to Songster’s. Bull run is now passed at an excellent ford, and the hills by a great deal of work have been made quite good. The road between Elkrun...
247From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The only questions which press on the Executive for decision are Whether we shall enter into a provisional alliance with England to come into force only in the event that during the present war we become engaged in war with France ? leaving the declaration of the casus federis ultimately to us. Whether we shall send away Yrujo, Casacalvo, Morales? Whether we shall instruct Bowdoin not to go to...
248From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1805 (Jefferson 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,...
249From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday only yours of Apr. 27. with the letters of Armstrong, Turreau, Hull, Depeyster, Lee and the resolutions of Nelson county, all of which are now returned, with the pamphlet of the author of War in disguise, and a letter of Genl. Wilkinson’s for circulation & to remain with the Attorney Genl. I recieved no letter from mr Gallatin on the subject of Turreau’s application for...
250From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me the counter addresses 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...