51From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the petition of Samuel Miller with the pardon signed. mr Kelty had spoke to me on this subject and told me that he and mr Craunch should join in a recommendation . I wish mr Wagner would obtain this before he delivers the pardon. I return also mr King’s letter which has really important matter, especially what respects the Mare clausum , the abandonment of the colonial system , &...
52To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
We did not collect the sense of our brethren the other day by regular questions, but as far as I could understand from what was said it appeared to be 1. that an acknolegement of our right to the Perdido is a sine quo non, and no price to be given for it. 2. no absolute & perpetual relinquishment of right is to be made of the country East of the Rio bravo del Norte, even in exchange for...
53Memorandum to James Madison, 12 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissions to be made out: Thomas Rodney of Delaware to be judge of Missipi. vice S. Lewis Thomas Rodney of Delaware } to be Commnrs. &c West of Pearl river. Robert Williams of N. Carolina Ephraim Kerby of Connecticut } to be Commnrs. &c East of Pearl river. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky a blank commission for the Register East of Pearl river. Tenche Coxe of Pensylvania to be Purveyor....
54To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 October 1805 (Madison 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...
55To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
I think with you we had better send to Algiers some of the losing articles in order to secure peace there while it is uncertain elsewhere. While war with England is probable every thing leading to it with any other nation should be avoided, except with Spain. As to her, I think it the precise moment when we should declare to the French government that we will instantly seise on the Floridas as...
56To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
I suppose we must dispatch another packet, by the 1st. of Apr. at farthest. I take it to be an universal opinion that war will become preferable to a continuance of the embargo after a certain time. Should we not then avail ourselves of the intervening period to procure a retraction of the obnoxious decrees peaceably if possible? An opening is given us by both parties sufficient to form a...
57To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 August 1807 (Madison 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 the 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...
58To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Of the papers I recieved from you yesterday I have sent Mr. Graham’s letter (in favor of R. Brent as paymaster) to Genl. Dearborne, and that of the Lowries to Mr. Gallatin for information. All the rest are now returned. On some of them I will make short observations merely for your consideration and determination. Rademaker & Hills: I really think the good which may result from permitting...
59From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Clarke’s memoranda. the following articles seem proper for Executive attention. an instrument vesting in the Collector of Natchez the powers of the administrator, Treasurer & Contador. Instructions to Claiborne to suppress useless offices to remove any existing officers. to appoint others it would be well these could go by next post. would it not be well to send in what documents...
60To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 May 1806 (Madison Papers)
My letter to mr. Smith takes up the whole of the subject of his & your letters by the last post, and as he informs me he has a vessel on demurrage till he recieves my answer, I hire an express which will deliver it 5. days sooner than the post would. Not to detain him I must refer you to my letter to mr. Smith for answer to yours. I return you mr. Barlow’s letter. His anxiety makes me more...
61From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Story’s oration that you may be enabled to take his measure. be so good as to return it. I retain the letter of E. Livingston urging the validity of Baron Bastrop’s monopoly of the Indian commerce for 10. years, because I presume it may be proper to lay it before Congress. the postmaster at Washington writes me that during our recess the post will come 3. times a week, the 3d....
62From 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...
63From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 11 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
As the letter proposed to the Emperor of Russia may lead to something of importance, I wish to communicate it to the other gentlemen of the admn. will you therefore be so good as to correct it severely , and return it to me as you would approve it? DLC : Papers of James Madison, Rives Collection.
64From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 May 1807 (Jefferson 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 never shall be safe until we have a selected corps for a year’s...
65From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Nathaniel Ewing of Pensylvania to be Reciever of public monies at Vincennes. RC ( ViU ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; written on verso of an address sheet in John Barnes’s hand: “The President, of the United States.” PoC ( DLC ). Notation in SJL : “Ewing.” Nathaniel Ewing had been recommended to Gallatin by John Badollet, the recently appointed register of the land office at Vincennes...
66To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 31 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I return you the petition of Samuel Miller with the pardon signed. Mr. Kelty had spoke to me on this subject and told me that he and mr. Craunch should join in a recommendation. I wish mr. Wagner would obtain this before he delivers the pardon. I return also mr. King’s letter which has really important matter, especially what respects the Mare clausum, the abandonment of the colonial system, &...
67To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
With respect to the prosecutions against Thomas & others for a misdemeanor at Common law we ought to presume the judges will do right, and to give them an opportunity of doing so. The Executive ought not to sit in previous judgment on every case & to say whether it shall or shall not go before the judges. I think therefore this case ought to go on to trial, without interference of the...
68From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the letter of DeWitt Clinton & your answer. I think that if he can deliver or send to Mellimelli the refractory members of his family under the ordinary laws of N:Y. it will be better; but that force should be employed if other resources fail. Airth’s letter & the anonymous one from Havanna are also returned. I send you a letter from the new King of Wirtemburg, one from some...
69II. Notes on Eaton’s Accounts, on or after 2 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on mr Eaton’s accounts, additional to those of the Secretary of state. When we consider that this is the first of the Barbary accounts which comes to us for settlement, and that every article now allowed will be a precedent for futurity, we ought to reduce it to what is rigorously right. the rules of settlement of the accounts of our foreign ministers are generally applicable to those...
70To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have finished my letter alluded to in the cover of Govr. Cabell’s papers, and no post is yet arrived. It therefore goes with those papers. Be so good as to examine it deliberately, and make in it any corrections it may need, noting them to be that I may make correspondent changes in the copy retained. If the corrections do not deface the letter, seal and send it on, returning me the Gov’s...
71From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 27th. is recieved. I put Lattimore’s letter into my bundle of Agenda to be acted on in due time. Monroe’s, Pinckney’s & Jarvis’s are now returned. I suspect that Pinckney gives us the true design of Gr. Br. to be to oust the French & Dutch from our quarter & leave the Spaniards & Portuguese. it is possible she would rather see these two last in possession of the Southern continent...
72To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 11 April 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Thomas Jefferson. 11 April 1806. “As the letter proposed to the Emperor of Russia may lead to something of importance, I wish to communicate it to the other gentlemen of the admn. Will you therefore be so good as to correct it severely , and return it to me as you would approve it?” RC ( DLC : Rives Collection, Madison Papers). 1 p. For Jefferson’s 19 Apr. 1806 letter to Alexander I...
73II. Revised Amendment, ca. 9 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Amendment to the Constitution to be added to Art. IV. section III. The Province of Louisiana is incorporated with the US. and made part thereof. the rights of occupancy in the soil, & of self-government, are confirmed to the Indian inhabitants, as they now exist. Preemption only of the portions rightfully occupied by them, and a succession to the occupancy of such as they may abandon, with the...
74To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson submits to the heads of departments the papers in the case of the Louisiana Commrs. with the Attorney General’s opinion. He prays them to give him their separate opinions on the subject, & to hand on the papers with this note, from the one to the other, to be finally returned to Th:J. RC ( DLC : Jefferson Papers). On 16 Mar. 1806 JM replied: “The reasons given by the Attorney...
75From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th is recieved. I concur in your ideas that the request from the Bey of Tunis of a frigate of 36. guns should be complaisantly refused. I think the greatest dispatch should be used in sending either the guncarriages or money to Simpson for the emperor of Marocco, and the stores to Algiers; &, if you approve it, the powder on account : or perhaps it would be better to authorise...
76To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 9 April 1804 (Madison Papers)
Will you be so good as to consult with the other members of the administration on the allowance to be made to Govr. Claiborne? There are several elements of consideration to be attended to, towit, as to his character 1. as Governor of Missisipi. 2. Commissioner for the receipt of Louisiana. 3. as Governor of Louisiana: as to the funds from which his compensation is to be taken, to wit 1. the...
77To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 29 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
The President of the United States of America, To James Madison Esqr. of Orange County, in the State of Virginia, Greeting. You are hereby commanded to appear before the Judges of the Court of the United States for the 2nd. Circuit at the City of Hartford in the District of Connecticut, within Said circuit on the Seventeenth day of September, next to testify, and the truth, to Say on behalf of...
78To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1806 (Madison Papers)
I left at Washington a great coat of which I shall have great need. Should this reach you before your departure I will thank you to bring it; and it will be in time if I recieve it when you come to Monticello yourself, as it will be on my return only that it will be wanting. I have written to mr. Lemaire to deliver it to you. The drought in this quarter is excessive. It begins about the...
79Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
Commissions to be made out. Thomas Rodney of Delaware to be judge of Missipi. vice S. Lewis Thomas Rodney of Delaware. } to be Commrs. &c West of Pearl river. Robert Williams of N. Carolina Ephraim Kerby of Connecticut } to be Commrs. &c East of Pearl river. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky A blank commission for the Register East of Pearl river. Tenche Coxe of Pensylvania to be Purveyor....
80To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 September 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
25 September 1804, Monticello. “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...
81To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Doctr. Rose delivered me last night the letter with which you charged him, and I have thought it better to attend to it’s contents at once before the arrival of the load of other business which this morning’s post will bring. Pinckney’s, Orr’s, Livermore’s, Howell’s, Webster’s, Murray’s, Otis’s, Graham’s & Thornton’s letters, with Wagner’s sketch of an answer to the latter are all returned...
82From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1804 (Jefferson 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...
83From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume the correspondence 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 DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
84From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Unexpected delays in getting my carriage ready will render it impossible for me to leave this till Thursday or Friday, probably Friday: and as you will be gone or going by that time, and we shall meet so soon at Washington, I shall not have the pleasure of seeing you at your own house, but get on as far as the day will let me. mr Gallatin left N. York on the 21st. and expected to be at...
85From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I presume the two commissions of militia officers in the District of Columbia which you inclosed yesterday, were meant as resignations. I have sent them as such to the War office. I was misinformed as to the name of the person appointed Secretary of Orleans. altho always called Bolling Robertson it seems his name is Thomas Bolling Robertson. will you be so good as to order a new commission, &...
86From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of July 22. came to hand on the 25th. the day of my arrival here. I think the proposition to tender another 30,000. D. to Algiers a very judicious one, and have therefore written to mr Gallatin to take measures in conjunction with yourself to make the remittance by the General Greene. I have not yet written to the emperor of Marocco; because when one has nothing to write about it is...
87From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 3d. came to hand yesterday. I am content that the questions relative to Commissioners of bankruptcy and dockets should remain until we meet: altho’ I think there are reasons of weight for not leaving the latter for Congress to do, for that would be abandoning it. the repeal of that law has been unquestionably pleasing to the people generally; and having led Congress to it, we owe...
88From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote yesterday to Genl. Dearborne on the subject of intruders on the public lands in Louisiana, inclosing a note to each of the heads of department asking them to give me their opinions thereon separately. I did this by way of beginning the practice of separate consultation, which a host of considerations satisfy me is a very salutary & useful one to be resorted to occasionally. the...
89To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I return you all your papers except Irvine’s which I have not yet entirely read. As far as I have gone they abate much of the hopes which Montgomery’s letter might have excited. It is true that Irvine’s Erving’s opinions must be influenced by the French versions at Madrid, & Montgomery’s by the popular rumors always afloat in such scenes. No answer surely shd. be given to Bollman, nor should...
90From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 4th. is recieved. I think the course which has been taken for sending MelliMeni home is the best: & I concur with you in the expediency of giving no answer to Turreau. indeed his letter does not seem to call for one. in the present state of our affairs it will certainly be better not to appoint a Consul at St. Thomas’s. we must not risk great things for small. a Consul merely to...
91From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 July 1805 (Jefferson 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...
92To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 April 1801 (Madison 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...
93To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1802 (Madison 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....
94From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 4 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After writing to mr Smith my letter of yesterday by the post of the day, I recieved one from him now inclosed, and covering a letter from mr Crownenshield on the subject of notifying our E. India trade. to this I have written the answer herein, which I have left open for your perusal with Crownenshield’s letter, praying you will seal & forward them immediately with any considerations of your...
95To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
Health & weather permitting I shall set out on Wednesday without fail. If I can get off early enough I will be with you by half after three, supposed your dining hour, but knowing how difficult it is to clear out from home at any given hour, if I find I cannot be with you at half past three I shall dine at Gordons’, & beg not to be waited for. Receive for yourself & Mrs. Madison my...
96From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers which came in your letter of the 11th. I am not satisfied that the ground taken by Chancellor Livingston is advantageous. for the French government & the Spanish have only to grant him all he asks (and they will in justice & policy do that at once) and his mouth must be shut: because after-sought objections would come from him to great disadvantage. whereas the true...
97Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 4 October 1804 (Madison Papers)
A pardon to be issued to George Mc.Farland according to the papers inclosed Commissions to David Broadie of Virginia to be Collector of Hampton vice Mount Edward Chisman decd. Edmund Key of Maryland to be Surveyor of the port of Llewellensburg in the district of Nanjemoy and Inspector of the revenue for the same vice Richard Jordan decd. Edward Hall of Maryland to be Commissioner of loans for...
98From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 6 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Pinckney’s letter the complection of which I like. If they repeal their orders we must repeal our embargo. if they make satisfaction for the Chesapeake, we must revoke our proclamation, and generalize it’s operation by a law. if they keep up impressments, we must adhere to non intercourse, manufactures & a navigation act. I inclose for your perusal a letter of mr Short’s. I inform...
99From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison and Family, 6 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Madison & family to dine with him ——— at half after three. Wednesday July [ 6 ] 1803 . Many thanks to mrs Madison for the trouble she has been so good as to take . The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Charles M. Storey, Boston, Massachusetts, 1958); printed form, with blanks filled by TJ reproduced in italics; damaged. Date illegible on RC but TJ left...
100To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 January 1809 (Madison Papers)
In the wild range which Tatham’s head takes, he often hits on good ideas. Those explained in the within letter merit real attention. He knows the localities of that quarter; & should the idea of an artificial bason on the Middle grounds be found impracticable (for want of foundation) Lynhaven bay, deepened at it’s entrance becomes the sole resource for defending the Chesapeake; & the...