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...
2To 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...
3To 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,...
4From 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...
5To 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...
6To 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...
7To 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...
8To 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...
9To 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...
10From 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...
11To 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...
12To 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...
13To 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...
14To 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....
15From 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...
16To 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...
17From 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...
18To 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...
19To 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,...
20From 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...
21To 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...
22To 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...
23To 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...
24From 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...
25To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 8 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received 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. and you 68. Pinkney being in the rear of both. It is to be hoped that the nicety and in truth the unpropitious casualty, of the choice of Mr. A. will...
26To Thomas Jefferson from the American Philosophical Society, 7 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the Pleasure of informing You, that, at the annual Election of Officers of the American Philosophical Society for promoting useful Knowledge, held at Philadelphia, on the 6th. Instant, You were chosen President of that respectable Institution. The Society, Sir, cannot soon forget the Loss they sustained by the Death of the late worthy and ingenious D. Rittenhouse; but, after expressing...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 4 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you a humble tribute to the memory of our great republican and philosophical friend Mr. Rittenhouse. It is a feeble expression of respect for his Character compared with yours, in your defence of the genius of the Americans. Few such men have ever lived, or died in any Country. Accept of my Congratulations upon your election to the Vice President’s Chair of the United States, and...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Stuart, 31 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering the attempts which will probably be made by some of the friends of Great Britain to widen our breach with France I feel an Inclination to forward a memorial to Congress from this quarter declaring our friendly disposition towards that Nation and that If we should be compelled to take part in the European War we prefer a union with France to that of Any Other power. Lest however...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 29 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Votre lettre du 17 courant Me fut rendue hier Soir, et par un cas plaisant je Me trouve pour la troisieme fois atteint et convaincu de la precipitation française. Chez Vous, certain dimanche de juin deux heures d’attente M’eussent Sauvé 40 Miles de course après Ma Valise. Ici, cinq jours plus tard, je Ne Vous eûsse point inquiété par la demande que je Vous en faisais dans une premiere lettre....
30To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Edwards, 27 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
When I arrived in Octr: last at N. York from France I forwarded on a letter or two from Mr: Monroe to you—and I should have written to you then as I promised him—but I really intended before I setled myself, to have taken a Trip into your State, and to have had the Pleasure of seeing you at your own House. I left Paris the 7th. of August in the Midst of their Success and Glory as likewise the...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 26 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Dans une lettre que j’eûs L’honneur de Vous ecrire il y a environ dix jours, je Vous faisais part de Mon arrivée en cette Ville, et Vous priais de Me faire passer le portemanteau que javais laissé chez Vous. Votre obligeante prévoyance Vient de rendre inutile ce paragraphe de Ma longue Epître; après deux ou trois jours de recherche Mutuelle, Nous Nous sommes enfin rencontrés Mr. Emanuel Walker...
32From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 25 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
I can not yet entirely remove the uncertainty in which my last left the election. Unless the Vermont election of which little has of late been said, should contain some fatal vice, in it, Mr. Adams may be considered as the President elect. Nothing can deprive him of it but a general run of the votes in Georgia, Tenissee & Kentucky in favor of Mr. Pinkney, which is altogether contrary to the...
33To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 25 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I can not yet entirely remove the uncertainty in which my last left the election. Unless the Vermont election of which little has of late been said, should contain some fatal vice in it, Mr. Adams may be considered as the President elect. Nothing can deprive him of it but a general run of the votes in Georgia, Tenissee and Kentucky in favor of Mr. Pinkney, which is altogether contrary to the...
34From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 19 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
The returns from N. Hampshire, Vermont, S. C. & Georga. are still to come in, & leave the event of the Election in some remaining uncertainty. It is but barely possible that Adams may fail of the highest number. It is highly probable, tho’ not absolutely certain, that Pinkney will be third only on the list. You must prepare yourself therefore to be summoned to the place Mr. Adams now fills. I...
35To Thomas Jefferson from John Wayles Eppes, 19 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I have it now in my power to inform you that all obstacles to my happiness are removed, and that in every arrangement as to future residence, I shall be guided by yourself and Maria. I am with sincere regard yours RC ( MHi ); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. 1796 and so recorded in SJL .
36To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 19 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The returns from N. Hampshire, Vermont, S.C. and Georga. are still to come in, and leave the event of the Election in some remaining uncertainty. It is but barely possible that Adams may fail of the highest number. It is highly probable, tho’ not absolutely certain, that Pinkney will be third only on the list. You must prepare yourself therefore to be summoned to the place Mr. Adams now fills....
37To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 12 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Je commence à me persuader que Vous N’avez point reçu une de mes Lettres, celle que j’eûs l’honneur de Vous adresser de lexington le 20 7bre . En vous y rendant compte de Mon Voyage Vers L’ouabache, au poste Canadien de Vincennes, et en Vous exposant les raisons qui M’empêchaient Malgré Mon desir, d’effectuer Mon retour par Monticello, je Vous priais de Vouloir bien Me faire passer Ma Valise...
38From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
Exitus in dubio is still the Motto to the election. You must reconcile yourself to the secondary as well as the primary station, if that should be your lot. The prevailing idea is that Pinkney will have the greatest number of votes: & I think that Adams will be most likely to stand next. There are other calculations however less favaroble [ sic ] to both. The answer to the Presidents Speech is...
39To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Exitus in dubio is still the Motto to the election. You must reconcile yourself to the secondary as well as the primary station, if that should be your lot. The prevailing idea is that Pinkney will have the greatest number of votes: and I think that Adams will be most likely to stand next. There are other calculations however less favaroble to both. The answer to the President’s speech is in...
40To Thomas Jefferson from John Wickham, 8 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I write to you at the Request of Mr. Eppes to inform You of a Settlement which he and Mr. Skipwith made with me of the Debt due from the Estate of Mr. Wayles to Mr. Welch. This Adjustment took place on the 24th. Ulto. The principal Debt amounted to £1321—11—11. Stg. on the 30th. June 1775, on this Interest was calculated up to the Date of the Settlement, deducting 8 Years for the War, the...
41From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1796 (Madison Papers)
It is not possible yet to calculate with any degree of certainty whether you are to be left by the Electors to enjoy the repose to which you are so much attached, or are to be summoned to the arduous trust which depends on their allotment. It is not improbable that Pinkney will step in between the two who have been treated as the principals in the question. It is even suspected that this turn...
42To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 5 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
It is not possible yet to calculate with any degree of certainty whether you are to be left by the Electors to enjoy the repose to which you are so much attached, or are to be summoned to the arduous trust which depends on their allotment. It is not improbable that Pinkney will step in between the two who have been treated as the principals in the question. It is even suspected that this turn...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Booker, 17 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a drawing of the threshing Machine I promised you by Mr. Buck. I hope your Liberallity will Excuse me, for the delay. My Situation has been Such as rendered it almost Impossible with any Tolarable Convenience to have done it Sooner. I have been but Little used to drawing. What blunders you See I trust you will Excuse. I hope however with it and the Information you got by Mr. Buck...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Armand Tronchin, 17 November 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Le vif intérêt que je prens à un ami, victime des événemens qui ont entrainés la ruine de ma malheureuse Patrie, me fait prendre la liberté, Monsieur, de recourrir aux sentimens d’amitié dont vous m’hon[oriez] pendant nôtre séjour à Paris, pour tacher, au [moyen?] des lumières que je vous demande dans le M[émoire] cy joint, de sauver à cet ami le reste de sa fo[rtune qu’un] Débiteur de...
45To Thomas Jefferson from William Fleming, 30 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I herewith send you a geographical sketch of the several counties in the state of Kentucky, in which, I doubt not, there are many inaccuracies, as I had but little leisure to attend to the subject, and my means of information was often defective; especially with respect to the bearings of the different places attempted to be described. I was at eleven of their county courthouses, and at...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Smith Barton, 25 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter has come safe to hand. I am extremely glad to learn, that a number of the bones of the newly-discovered animal have been already discovered. I wish greatly to see your account of them. I find, by late inquiry, that the 4th vol. of the Transactions will not be published in less than two months. As you request it, I shall retain the money (sixty dollars) lent to me, for the purpose...
47To Thomas Jefferson from James Lyle, 25 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I imagine you will be anxious to know how matters stand between you and our Company , and may not know what sums I have received from Mr. Christopher Clark your Attorney in Bedford &c., therefore I have sent this state, which contains all the payments enterd on our books, by it you will see your first and second bonds only are fully paid up. When you examine, our method of charging the Intrest...
48Enclosure: Statement of Interest and Payments on Bonds to Henderson, McCaul & Company, 25 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
1790 Sterling Sterling March 4 To 1st. Bond of this date ⅌ble 19th. July 1790 on Interest from 19th. April 1783 } 461 8 8 To Interest on this sum from 19th. April 1783 till 15th. Augt. 1789, 6 ys. 3 mos. 27 days } 145 18 — 607 6 8 By a payment made to Mr. McCaul on 15th. August 1789 } 300
49To Thomas Jefferson from Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 21 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
We had the pleasure the 21 May to address you on your particular affairs, in a manner that We flatter ourselves will have afforded you pleasure: since when We have received your very esteemed favor of 24 April, with the agreeable intelligence of Mr. Dohrman having settled his Account with Mr. Philip Mazzei for $3,087. 60/100 the value of which has been remitted to us by Mr. James Yard of...
50Enclosure: Tronchin’s Memorandum on Recovering Foreign Debts in America, [17 October 1796] (Jefferson Papers)
Mémoire Quelques personnes, sans doute mal instruites, affectent de croire qu’un Débiteur qui a fui d’Europe en emportant avec lui les biens de ses créanciers, s’il a choisi son azile dans les Etats Unis d’Amérique, ne sauroit y être poursuivi, ni obligé à restitution: Ou ce qui revient au même, que les Tribunaux d’Amérique se refuseroient à mettre à exécution des Jugemens rendus en Europe...