1To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 3 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I Contemplate with great pleasure the Change which is to take place in the penal Laws of the Commonwealth; and feel Much Anxiety that No time Shou’d be lost in bringing it into Complete Operation. The Law having Confided to the Executive, the purchase of a Sufficient Quantity of Land, and the direction of erecting the Necessary buildings for the Confinement and Accomodation of the Convicts; we...
2Notes on a Paragraph by John Henry, [after 1 March 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
A paragraph written by Mr. Henry a Senator of the US. from Maryland, and inserted in Bache’s paper about the 1st. of March 97. It is in his handwriting. It was given by him to Mr. Hurt to copy and insert in the public papers. Mr. Hurt gave it to me. MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated and unsigned. The paragraph in question from the Aurora has not been identified, nor is it known how...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have got so far, my dear Martha, on my way to Philadelphia which place I shall not reach till the day after tomorrow. I have lost one day at Georgetown by the failure of the stages, and three days by having suffered myself to be persuaded at Baltimore to cross the bay and come by this route as quicker and pleasanter. After being forced back on the bay by bad weather in a first attempt to...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson, 27 February 179[7] (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here, Dear Papa, last thursday without any accident and found my sister and her children in perfect health; she enjoying the satisfaction arising from the consciousness of fulfilling her duty to the utmost extent. But it is one she has always had. It would please you, I am sure, to see what an economist, what a manager she is become. The more I see of her the more I am sensible how...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 16 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 11th. instant I delivered the inclosed packet to Mr. Bloodworth, son of the Senator from North-Carolina, to deliver to you with his own hand. To-day it was returned to me by the father with the inclosed note. I also wrote you by the mail which left Philadelphia last monday, to communicate the copy of the certificate of your election to the office of vice-President of the United States,...
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 12 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 25 came to hand in due time. Your [manner] of charging interest on my bonds is I believe the usual one. Being prepared for my departure to Philadelphia, I am not able to examine the particulars of the paiments. As far as my memory serves me I thought the overpaiment of the first bond by Mr. Donald’s bill was a few pounds more than you make it. But I may misremember, or there...
7From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 11 February 1797 (Madison Papers)
After several little turns in the mode of conveying you notice of your election, recurrence was had to the precedent of leaving the matter to the Senate, where on the casting vote of Mr. Adams, the notification was referred to the President of the U. States, in preference of the President of the Senate. You will see in the papers the state of the votes, and the manner of counting & proclaiming...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 11 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
After several little turns in the mode of conveying you notice of your election, recurrence was had to the precedent of leaving the matter to the Senate, where on the casting vote of Mr. Adams, the notification was referred to the President of the U. States, in preference of the President of the Senate. You will see in the papers the state of the votes, and the manner of counting and...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 11 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you, that pursuant to the request of the Senate communicated to him yesterday, the President of the United States has directed me to transmit to you the inclosed certificate, under the hand and seal of the present Vice-President, of your being elected, agreeably to the Constitution, Vice-President of the United States of America. The bearer, Mr. Bloodworth, son of...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 11 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day committed to Mr. Samuel Bloodworth, son of the Senator from North-Carolina, the original certificate of the President of the Senate, of your being elected Vice-President of the United States, which he is specially charged to deliver to you in person. But for the greater certainty of your receiving this notice, I have thought it expedient to convey to you a copy of the...
11Memoir on the Megalonyx, [10 February 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
To the American Philosophical society. In a letter of July 3. I informed our late most worthy President that some bones of a very large animal of the clawed-kind A Memoire On the Discovery of certain bones of an Animal of the clawed kind in the Western parts of Virginia. had been recently discovered within this state, and promised a communication on the subject as soon as we could recover what...
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Sullivan, 9 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have many acknolegements to make for the friendly [anxiety you are pleased] to express in your letter of Jan. 12. for my undertaking the office to which I have been elected. The idea that I would accept the office of President, but not that of Vice President of the US. had not it’s origin with me. I never thought of questioning the free exercise of the right of my fellow citizens to marshall...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Pleasants, 8 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope thou wilt excuse my not acknowledging before now thy acceptable favor of the 27th. Augt. last, on the subject of free schools. I am not insensible of the superior advantages which might reasonably be expected from Institutions of that sort, Established by law, and conducted in a proper Manner, but as I had no expectation at the time I wrote to thee, that such a law was likely to be...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Willson Peale, 6 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Last June I received a Letter from you, respecting an exchange of the Subjects of Natural History, that the Hereditary Prince of Parma was desireous of making. I answered your Letter in the same month (which I hope was received) and although I have had other avocations, such as Bridge building &c., yet I have made a beginning in this work and I have preserved such subjects as have occasionly...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 6 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
All well here and in expectation of seeing you on Sunday next. Dr. Taylor has enjoined my judgments against him for delay. The pretext is that I have refused to execute a deed to him for Elkhill . But I never was so mistaken if I did not by his direction reacknolege the former deed before the clerks of the General court in Richmond on the 4th. of June 1794. or within a very few days after...
16From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 February 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of giving notice that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here soon, but that letters written before the 7th. would arrive before you leave home. Nothing occurs to alleviate the crisis in our external affairs. The French continue to prey on our trade. The British too have not desisted. There are accounts that both of them are taking our East-India-men. This is an...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of giving notice that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here soon, but that letters written before the 7th. would arrive before you leave home. Nothing occurs to alleviate the crisis in our external affairs. The French continue to prey on our trade. The British too have not desisted. There are accounts that both of them are taking our East-India-men. This is an...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Communication upon the Subject of the large Claws, and bones of the Lyon kind Animal , will arrive time en’o to have a place in the Volume of the transactions of the philosophical Society which is now in the press. I have Often been struck with the Analogy of things in the natural, moral and political world. The Animals whose stupendous remains we now and then pick up in our Country, were...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Tazewell, 1 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 16th. January was lately delivered to me by Mr. Madison. On examination, I found the proceedings on the two former Elections for President and V. President, had been as you stated them. When a proper occasion presented itself I intended to make the most adviseable use of your communication, as to the mode of notifying you of the appointment which should fall to your lot. But...
20To Thomas Jefferson from George Wythe, 1 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I extracted, thirty years ago, from the journals of the british house of commons, the parliamentary rules of procedure, but left the copy of them among the papers belonging to the house of burgesses, among which a search for it at this day would be vain. Since 1775, I have thought so little of those rules that my memory doth not enable me to supply such of them as may deserve your attention....
21To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 15th. came to hand yesterday. I am very thankful for the discretion you have exercised over the letter. That has happened to be the case which I knew to be possible, that the honest expressions of my feelings towards mr. A. might be rendered mal-a-propos from circumstances existing & known at the seat of government, but not seen by me in my retired situation. Mr. A. & myself were...
22From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 15th. came to hand yesterday. I am very thankful for the discretion you have exercised over the letter . That has happened to be the case which I knew to be possible, that the honest expressions of my feelings towards Mr. A. might be rendered mal-a-propos from circumstances existing and known at the seat of government, but not seen by me in my retired situation. Mr. A. and myself...
23From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours covering an unsealed letter to Mr. Tazewell came duly to hand, and will be turned to the use you wish. As you take the Philada. Gazette in which the Belligerent answer to Adêts note has been printed in toto, I refer to that for the posture & prospect of things with France. The British party since this overt patronage of their cause, no longer wear the mask. A war with France & an...
24To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 29 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours covering an unsealed letter to Mr. Tazewell came duly to hand, and will be turned to the use you wish. As you take the Philada. Gazette in which the Belligerent answer to Adêts note has been printed in toto, I refer to that for the posture and prospect of things with France. The British party since this overt patronage of their cause, no longer wear the mask. A war with France and an...
25From Thomas Jefferson to the American Philosophical Society, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 7th. inst. informing me that the American Philosophical society have been pleased to name me their President. The suffrage of a body which comprehends whatever the American world has of distinction in philosophy and science in general is the most flattering incident of my life, and that to which I am the most sensible. My satisfaction would be complete...
26From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. came to hand only last night, having been delayed by the failure of the post two weeks successively, to come, perhaps on account of ice and bad weather. I am sorry a want of form in the power inclosed prevented your drawing Mr. Short’s interest on the 1st. inst. and very thankful for your not suffering my bill to come back. The purpose as to Mr. Short was a very...
27From Thomas Jefferson to John Marshall, 28 January [1797] (Jefferson Papers)
[In a letter of the 14th. inst. I] recieved [from the governor a resolution of the general assembly appointing a body of which I am named one, to correspond with certain Maryland Commissioners] on the dividing bounda[ries of the] two states. The periodical and long absences from the state which I must [incur, with the habitual state of my health] obliging me to avoid journies as much as...
28From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknolege the receipt of your favor of the 14th. inst. covering a resolution of the General assembly authorising myself and others to correspond with the commissioners of Maryland on the subject of the boundaries dividing the two states. The long and periodical absences from this state which I shall be obliged to incur, together with the habitual state of my health...
29From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. yours of Jany. 8th. You will find by the papers that the communication on French affairs, has been at length made. Being ordered to be printed without being read, I have no direct knowledge of its character. Some of the Senate where it has been read in part, represent it as well fitted to convert into an incurable gangrine, the wound which the friendship between the two Republics...
30To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 8th. came to hand yesterday. I was not aware of any necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined to do it, as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts which have spread that I should consider the second office as beneath my acceptance. The journey indeed for the month of February is a tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I was yesterday gratified with the reciept of your favor of [Dec.] 27. which gave me the first information of your return from Europe. On the 28th. of Oct. I recieved a letter of July 30. from Colo. Monroe but did not know thro what channel it came. I should be glad to see the Defence of his conduct which you possess, tho no paper of that title is necessary for me. He was appointed to an...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly letter of the 2d. inst. never came to hand till yesterday, and I feel myself indebted for the sollicitude you therein express for my undertaking the office to which you inform me I am called. I know not from what source an idea has spread itself, which I have found to be generally spread, that I would accept the office of President of the US. but not of Vice President. When I...
33From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 8th. came to hand yesterday. I was not aware of any necessity of going on to Philadelphia immediately, yet I had determined to do it, as a mark of respect to the public, and to do away the doubts which have spread that I should consider the second office as beneath my acceptance. The journey indeed for the month of February is a tremendous undertaking for me, who have not been...
34To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received yours of Jany. 8th. You will find by the papers that the communication on French affairs , has been at length made. Being ordered to be printed without being read, I have no direct knowledge of its character. Some of the Senate where it has been read in part, represent it as well fitted to convert into an incurable gangrine, the wound which the friendship between the two...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11th. came to hand yesterday. We are all well here. Anne’s cold still continues, tho it gives no fever nor other inconvenience. Maria is also well notwithstanding a tumble thro’ the floor into the cellar, from which she escaped miraculously without hurt. You ask for news, yet I think it impossible but you must get it from Richmond before you could from hence. The last Northern...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your kind favor of the 4th. inst. and the eulogium it covered on the subject of our late invaluable friend Rittenhouse, and I perused it with the avidity and approbation which the matter and manner of every thing from your pen has long taught me to feel. I thank you too for your congratulations on the public call on me to undertake the 2d. office in the US. but still more...
37From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 22 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems probable that I shall be called on to preside in a legislative chamber. It is now so long since I have acted in the legislative line that I am entirely rusty in the Parliamentary rules of procedure. I know they have been more studied and are better known by you than by any man in America perhaps by any man living. I am in hopes that while enquiring into the subject you made notes on...
38From Thomas Jefferson to John Wickham, 20 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
You had a right to expect an earlier answer to your favor on the subject of my proportion of Mr. Wayles’s debt to Mr. Welch. Yet I have not been wrong in delaying it; because it was not till now that I could take so certain a view of my resources as would enable me to settle times and sums to your satisfaction as well as my own. The alternative you proposed was the same instalments allowed the...
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The usual accidents of the winter, ice, floods, rains, have prevented the Orange post from coming to Charlottesville the last postday, so that we have nothing from Philadelphia the last week. I see however by the Richmond papers a probability that the choice of V. P. has fallen on me. I have written the inclosed letter therefore to mr. Tazewell as a private friend, and have left it open for...
40From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The usual accidents of the winter, ice, floods, rains, have prevented the Orange post from coming to Charlottesville the last post-day, so that we have nothing from Philadelphia the last week. I see however by the Richmond papers a probability that the choice of V.P. has fallen on me. I have written the inclosed letter therefore to Mr. Tazewell as a private friend, and have left it open for...
41To Thomas Jefferson from John Stuart, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. Novembr. I received by the post. I defered the answer in hopes of being able to gratify you with a part of the Thigh of the Animal you wished. Such was actually in the possession of the people at the Cave, but by some unaccountable neglect it is mislayed that it cannot be found again. This bone was about one foot in Length, one inch and a half thick to the Hollow,...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Tazewell, 16 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
As far as the public papers are to be credited, I may suppose that the choice of Vice president has fallen on me. On this hypothesis I trouble you, and only pray, if it be wrong, that you will consider this letter as not written. I believe it belongs to the Senate to notify the V.P. of his election. I recollect to have heard that on the first election of President and Vice President gentlemen...
43From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 15 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of Jany. 1. inclosing an unsealed one for Mr. A. & submitting to my discretion the eligibility of delivering it. In exercising this delicate trust I have felt no small anxiety, arising by no means however from an apprehension that a free exercise of it could be in collision with your real purpose, but from a want of confidence in myself, & the importance of...
44To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 15 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The last mail brought me your favor of Jany. 1. inclosing an unsealed one for Mr. A. and submitting to my discretion the eligibility of delivering it. In exercising this delicate trust I have felt no small anxiety, arising by no means however from an apprehension that a free exercise of it could be in collision with your real purpose, but from a want of confidence in myself, and the importance...
45To Thomas Jefferson from James Wood, 14 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you an Authenticated Copy of a Resolution which passed the General Assembly at their late Session, respecting the boundary line between this Commonwealth and the State of Maryland; together with a Copy of the Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland On the same Subject. I pray you Sir, to have the goodness to Acknowledge the receipt of this dispatch as soon as...
46To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 12 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
This intrusion can do no hurt, if it can do no good. I ask leave to tell you, that your Friends in the New England States, who are many will be much disappointed if you should decline being Vice President. It is true that you have been abused. But this abuse came from a party, who are determined to abuse every one, who will not with them, bow, in adoration to the british monarchy. If the...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 4th. inst. is duly recieved, and I rejoice that you got down without any accident from the cold, of which I had great apprehensions. The following is extracted from my diary to satisfy the wish you express to know what has been the degree of cold here. sunrise 3. P.M. sunrise Dec. 19. 50°. 48. Jan. 1. 30. 43 20. 19. 2. 28. 33 21.
48From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 8 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
I have recd. your favor of the 17 Ult. The election is not likely to terminate in the equilibrium of votes for which the Constitution has not provided. If the Vermont votes should be valid as is now generally supposed, Mr. Adams will have 71. & you 68. Pinkney being in the rear of both. It is to be hoped that the nicety & in truth the unpropitious casualty, of the choice of Mr. A. will lessen...
49To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Dec. 25. is safely recieved. I much fear the issue of the present dispositions of France & Spain. Whether it be in war or in the suppression of our commerce it will be very distressing and our commerce seems to be already sufficiently distressed through the wrongs of the belligerent nations and our own follies. It was impossible the bank & paper-manie should not produce great &...
50From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 25. is safely recieved. I much fear the issue of the present dispositions of France and Spain. Whether it be in war or in the suppression of our commerce it will be very distressing and our commerce seems to be already sufficiently distressed through the wrongs of the belligerent nations and our own follies. It was impossible the bank and paper-mania should not produce great and...