1Notes 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...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4Memoir 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7To 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...
8From 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...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13To 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...
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17From 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...
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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...
21To 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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24From 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.
25To 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 &...
26From 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...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your two favors of Dec. 26. and 29. Your impatience to recieve your valise and it’s key was natural. And it is we who have been to blame; Mr. Randolph for not taking information of the vessel and address to which your valise was committed, and myself for having waited till I heard of your being again immerged into the land of newspapers before I forwarded your key. However...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of Dec. 31. and to the question whether adviseable to address the President on the subject of war against France, I shall speak explicitly, because I know I may do it safely to you. Such is the popularity of the President that the people will support him in whatever he will do, or will not do, without appealing to their own reason or to any thing but their feelings...
29To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1797 (Madison Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free & moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
30I. To James Madison, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. has come safely. The event of the election has never been a matter of doubt in my mind. I knew that the Eastern states were disciplined in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice differences of opinion to the great object of operating in phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency practised in the other states would always make up the supplement of their weight....
31II. Copy from Memory, 1 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Dec. 19. is safely recieved. I never entertained a doubt of the event of the election. I knew that the Eastern troops were trained in the schools of their town meetings to sacrifice little differences of opinion to the solid advantages of operating in Phalanx, and that the more free and moral agency of the other states would fully supply their deficiency. I had no expectation indeed...
32Memorandum on Farming Operations, [1796 or later] (Jefferson Papers)
Preliminary observation. My farms are divided into 7 fields of 40. acres [each?]. In the center of each field is a granary of 2. rooms of 12 1/2 f. sq. each [1000. […] contents] and an open passage between them of 12 sf. When there is wheat in the field, it is brought as fast as it is cut to this granary and stacked round it. The threshing machine is fixed in the passage, and as the wheat is...
33Notes on a Copying Process, [1796] (Jefferson Papers)
Un particulier de Hambourg dit avoir trouvé un procedé, pour prendre sur-le-champ à peu de frais, et en quelque endroit qu’on se trouve, copie de toute espece de manuscrit. Mais desirant tirer quelque profit de sa decouverte, il ne la communiquera qu’aux personnes qui voudront payer cette communication 24. francs. On peut dès à present deposer ou faire parvenir cette somme, franc de port, chez...
34Memorandum Books, 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave my bond to Lucy Wood for £16. payable this day twelve month for the hire of James. Gave do. to Mrs. Wood guardian of Jane Wood for £15. for the hire of Dick. 4. Gave do. to Wm. Wood for 45.£ for Reuben, Bob & Patrick. Note these 3. bonds are to bear int. from the date if not paid at the day. 5. Mr. Buck begins to work. 11. Paid small exp. 2.8.
35To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1796 (Adams Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately, in placing us in point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never: papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
36I. To John Adams, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never; papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
37II. Copy from Memory, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I confidently trust we have felt less of it ourselves. In the retired canton where I live we know little of what is passing. Pamphlets I see none: papers very few, and the fewer the happier. Our last information from Philada. is of the 16th. inst. At that date the issue of the...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, 27 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid of being a troublesome correspondent to you. I wish to obtain about 20. bushels of the Cowpea, a red field pea commonly cultivated with you, and a principal article for the subsistence of your farms, which we have not yet introduced. I understand it is always to be had at Charleston, ready barreled for exportation: and the favor I ask of you is to engage some merchant of Charleston...
39To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand last night. The first wish of my heart was that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government. On your declining it I wish any body rather than myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope as that my name may come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, &...
40From Thomas Jefferson to John Garland Jefferson, 17 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time your favor of Nov. 11 . came to hand I had not yet recieved an answer from Genl. Smith. It came some time after and I now inclose it to you. You will percieve that from a different construction of the same clause in the constitution in the superior and inferior courts, you would be refused in the former and admitted in the latter the first year. You would therefore not be merely...
41From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. came to hand last night. The first wish of my heart was that you should have been proposed for the administration of the government. On your declining it I wish any body rather than myself: and there is nothing I so anxiously hope as that my name may come out either second or third. These would be indifferent to me; as the last would leave me at home the whole year, and...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, [17 December] 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of [July 12th.] from Gallipolis and of Aug. […] from Lexington were duly received, and [as I have seen?] by [the news]papers you have got no farther [than] […], and [must] go to Boston according to the plan announced in your last, I presume this letter with the key of your valise will be in Philadelphia before you. By Mr. Randolph (my son in law) who was going to Richmond early in...
43From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 11 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a power of Attorney to recieve a quarter’s interest due on Mr. Short’s stock. Be pleased to place one hundred dollars of this to the credit of Mr. Peter Lott with you, and to hold the residue subject to my draughts which will be made shortly. I am Dear Sir Your most obedt. servt PrC ( CSmH ); at foot of text: “Mr. John Barnes”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.
44From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas A. Taylor, 11 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your last favor requesting that Mr. Banks’s patents may be lodged with some friend in Richmond to facilitate his disposing of the lands. Mr. T. M. Randolph will leave this in about a week for Richmond. I will deliver them to him to be lodged with Mr. Hanson or otherwise disposed of as he shall direct. I wrote to Mr. Banks on this subject by the last post, but I did not then...
45Enclosure: Power of Attorney to John Barnes for William Short, 10 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Jefferson named in a certain letter of attorney from William Short of the state of Virginia, late one of the ministers of the US. abroad, to me, bearing date the 2d. day of April 1793. and now lodged in the bank of the US. by virtue of the power and authority thereby given me, do substitute and appoint John Barnes of Philadelphia as well my own as...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Banks, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 20. has come to hand. I should be perfectly willing to do any thing which would accomodate you as to the land mortgaged to me, if the matter depended on myself alone. But it is extremely delicate for me to take any step without the consent of Mr. Hanson . He is in your neighborhood, and if you will be pleased to consult him, I will forward the patents to him or to any other...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
About the latter end of the last assembly I wrote to sollicit your endeavors to procure an act giving the character of citizens to Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and Nicholas Hubbard merchants and bankers of Amsterdam. My letter got too late to your hands, and as you may not now have it with you I will state the subject again from the beginning. On the failure of the revolution attempted in...
48From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 4 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The advance of the cold season has now determined that my walls are not to be finished this year, and consequently not to be covered in. I shall have no occasion therefore to order any more sashes till the next spring. Those already made, to wit, 12. sets of trebles and 6. pair of doubles I shall be obliged to you to forward to Richmond to the care of Mr. Johnston, retaining the boxes of glass...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Donath, 4 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of Oct. 19. and become sensible of the error in calculating the 180. panes as so many feet. It makes a difference, as I state it, of 20.D. 25c. which sum or whatever it may be Mr. Barnes will pay you on application in consequence of a letter I write him this day. With respect to the glass 14. by 12. instead of 12 I. square, I believe I must decline taking it, on...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 28 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely congratulate you on the change which you expect shortly to make in your state of life. You may be assured in advance that the greatest source of human happiness is in the tender connubial connection of the two sexes. You have the better reason too to count on it from the character of the lady who unites her destiny with yours, and of whom fame has brought us so many good reports....