51II. Jefferson’s Report to Washington on Meeting Held at Georgetown, [14 September 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
In conversations with Mr. Carrol, Mr. Stoddard and Mr. Deakins they were properly impressed with the idea that if the present occasion of securing the Federal seat on the Patowmack should be lost, it could never more be regained, that it would be dangerous to rely on any aids from Congress, or the assemblies of Virginia or Maryland, and that therefore measures should be adopted to carry the...
52To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In the course of the visit we made the day we left Mount Vernon, we drew our host into conversation on the subject of the federal seat. he came into it with a shyness not usual in him. whether this proceeded from his delicacy as having property adjoining George town, or from what other motive I cannot say. he quitted the subject always as soon as he could. he said enough however to shew his...
53IV. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In the course of the visit we made the day we left Mount Vernon, we drew our host into conversation on the subject of the federal seat. He came into it with a shyness not usual in him. Whether this proceeded from his delicacy as having property adjoining Georgetown, or from what other motive I cannot say. He quitted the subject always as soon as he could. He said enough however to shew his...
54To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 October 1790 (Washington Papers)
I had intended to have set out about this time for Philadelphia, but the desire of having mister Madison’s company, who cannot return for some days yet, and a belief that nothing important requires my presence at Philadelphia as yet, induce me to postpone my departure to the 8th of the ensuing month, so that it will be about the 12th before I can have the honor of waiting on you at Mount...
55From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had intended to have set out about this time for Philadelphia, but the desire of having Mr. Madison’s company, who cannot return for some days yet, and a belief that nothing important requires my presence at Philadelphia as yet, induce me to postpone my departure to the 8th. of the ensuing month, so that it will be about the 12th. before I can have the honor of waiting on you at Mount Vernon...
56To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 November 1790 (Washington Papers)
Note of letters recieved. Mr Short. July 16. a private letter in which he says it is true that the Queen of Portugal has appointed mr Freire her Minister resident for the U.S. Ignatius Palyart. Philadelphia. Oct. 5. announcing his commission as Consul general for the Queen of Portugal in the U.S. Dumas. Hague. May 26.—July 10.—July 26. nothing new. Nathaniel Gilman. Exeter Sep. 10. } accepting...
57Jefferson’s Memoranda for Washington, [29 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Note of letters recieved. Mr. Short. July 16. A private letter in which he says it is true that the Queen of Portugal has appointed Mr. Freire her Minister resident for the U.S. Ignatius Polyart. Phila. Oct. 5. Announcing his commission as Consul general for the Queen of Portugal in the U.S. Dumas. Hague. May 26.—July 10.—July 14. Nothing new. Nathaniel Gilman. Exeter Sep. 10. } accepting...
58Memorandum to George Washington, [29 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
A note of subjects, some of which the President may think proper to be mentioned to Congress. The extreme want of a coin: and necessity of pursuing the establishment of a Coinage, and of uniformity in measures, weights and coins. PrC ( DLC : TJ Papers, 59: 10131); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated; brackets in original. Recorded in SJPL under 29 Nov. 1790: “Subjects of speech to Congress.” In his...
59Jefferson’s Draft of Items for the President’s Message to Congress, [3 December 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The laws you have already passed for the establishment of a judiciary system have opened the doors of justice to all descriptions of persons. You will consider in your wisdom whether improvements in that system may yet be made; and particularly whether an uniform process of execution, on sentences issuing from the federal courts, be not desireable thro’ all the states. The patronage of our...
60Jefferson’s Opinion on Proposal for Manufacture of Woolen Textiles in Virginia, [3 December 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The house of delegates of Virginia seem disposed to adventure 2500.£ for the encouragement of this undertaking: but the Senate did not concur. By their returning to the subject however at a subsequent session, and wishing more specific propositions, it is probable they might be induced to concur if they saw a certain provision that their money would not be paid for nothing. Some unsuccessful...
61To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have now the honour to return you the letter from the President of the Assembly of representatives for the community of Paris to the President and members of Congress, which you had recieved from the President of the Senate with the opinion of that house that it should be opened by you, and their request that you would communicate to Congress such parts of it as in your opinion might be...
62I. The Secretary of State to the President, 9 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honour to return you the letter from the President of the Assembly of representatives for the community of Paris to the President and members of Congress, which you had recieved from the President of the Senate with the opinion of that house that it should be opened by you, and their request that you would communicate to Congress such parts of it as in your opinion might be...
63To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under his consideration the journal of the proceedings of the Executive in the Northwestern territory, thinks it his duty to extract therefrom, for the notice of the President of the U.S. the articles of Apr. 25. June 6. 28. & 29. some of which are hereto annexed. Concieving that the regulations, purported in these articles, are beyond the competence of the...
64IV. Secretary of State to the President, 14 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you the copy of a paragraph from the report of the proceedings of the Executive of the North-Western government, which may perhaps need the attention of the Secretary at war.—I am, with the most profound respect & attachment Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant, PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “the President of the U.S.”; entry in SJPL reads: “Winthrop Serjt....
65To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the two letters of Oct. 13. 1789. from the President of the U.S. to mr Gouverneur Morris, & those from mr Morris to the President of Jan. 22. Jan. 22. Apr. 7. 13. May. 1. 29. July 3. Aug. 16. & Sep. 18. referred to him by the President, makes the following Report thereon. The President’s letters of Jan. 22. authorized mr Morris to enter...
66To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that his letter to Gouverneur Morris is dated December 17th. he incloses him a letter from Mr James Brown just now received. LB , DLC:GW . GW had apparently asked Jefferson for the date of his letter, perhaps to give his own letter to Morris of the same date (see GW to Morris, 17 Dec. 1790 ). According to his Summary Journal of Public and...
67From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that his letter to Gouverneur Morris is dated December 17th.—He encloses him a letter from Mr. James Brown just now received. Tr ( DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Washington’s inquiry, if in writing, has not been found and neither it nor the above is recorded in SJL . Evidently Washington made the inquiry in order to give his own letter to Morris the...
68To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to inform the President that a gentleman leaves town early tomorrow morning for New-York from whence a vessel sails on Monday for Liverpool, on board which will go a passenger who may be trusted with any letters for London. Th: J. proposes to make up his packet to-night, can the President give him previously a half hour, for the communication of the letter to...
69IV. Secretary of State to the President, 23 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to inform the President that a gentleman leaves town early tomorrow morning for New-York from whence a vessel sails on Monday for Liverpool, on board which will go a passenger who may be trusted with any letters for London. Th:J. proposes to make up his packet to-night. Can the President give him previously a half hour, for the communication of the letter to...
70To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of presenting to the President a copy of the Report he read to him on the Mediterranean trade, the original of which he has made up for the Speaker of the house of representatives. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters. The enclosure was a copy of Jefferson’s report on American trade in the Mediterranean, which he had prepared in response to a request...
71To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1790 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State, having had under Consideration the Situation of the Citizens of the United States in Captivity at Algiers, makes the following Report thereupon to the President of the United States. When the House of Representatives, at their late Session, were pleased to refer to the Secretary of State, the Petition of our Citizens in Captivity at Algiers, there still existed some...
72II. Secretary of State to the President, 28 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State has the honor of presenting to the President a copy of the Report he read to him on the Mediterranean trade, the original of which he has made up for the Speaker of the house of representatives. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); docketed in Lear’s hand. Not recorded in SJL or SJPL . Enclosure: Document iii , following.
73To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 January 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Chargé des affaires of France a note on the Tonnage payable by french vessels in the ports of the United States has had the same under his consideration, and thereupon makes the following Report to the President of the United States. The Chargé des Affaires of France, by a note of the 13th of December represents, by order of his Court, that they...
74IX. Report of the Secretary of State to the President, 18 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having received from the Chargé des Affaires of France a note on the Tonnage payable by French vessels in the ports of the United States has had the same under his consideration, and thereupon makes the following Report to the President of the United States. The Chargé des Affaires of France, by a Note of the 13th. of December represents, by order of his Court, that they...
75To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 14 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The opinion is, 1. that the attorney for the district of Kentucky do forthwith take the most effectual measures for prosecuting according to law O’Fallon; and that he be informed, that unless the testimony within his reach will clearly subject him to the charge of treason, the prosecution be for a riot. 2. that a proclamation issue, reciting the treaties, law and further proclamation on this...
76To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The bill for establishing a National Bank undertakes, among other things 1. to form the subscribers into a Corporation. 2. to enable them, in their corporate capacities to receive grants of land; and so far is against the laws of Mortmain. though the constitution controuls the laws of Mortmain so far as to permit Congress itself to hold lands for certain purposes, yet not so far as to permit...
77Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Bill for Establishing a National Bank, 15 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bill for establishing a National Bank undertakes, among other things I consider the foundation of the Constitution as laid on this ground that ‘all powers not delegated to the U.S. by the Constitution, not prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states or to the people’ [XIIth. Amendmt.]. To take a single step beyond the boundaries thus specially drawn around the powers of...
78To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State, having received from Arthur St Clair, Esquire, Governor of the North Western Territory, a Report of his Proceedings for carrying into Effect the Resolve of Congress of August 29th 1788, respecting the Lands of the Inhabitants of Kaskaskia, La Prairie du Rochers, and Kahokia, which Report was enclosed to him in a Letter bearing Date the 10th Instant, and observing...
79X. Secretary of State to the President, 17 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor to send to the President three copies of a report and message relative to Kaskaskia, Kahokia and Prairie, to wit, one for each house, and one to be retained by the President. He sends also the original report which contains some things worthy the President’s reading, tho not mentioned in the report. The passages reported on are marked with a pencil. RC...
80To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having recieved from the Commissioners for the State of Vermont a letter proposing these Questions 1. Whether, as that state will not be a distinct member of the union till the 4th day of March next, the President can, before that day, nominate officers for it? and 2. if he cannot, whether he can nominate them after the recess of the Senate? makes thereon to the...
81I. Report on the Power of the President in Nominating Officers for Vermont, 19 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State having recieved from the Commissioners for the State of Vermont a letter proposing these Questions 1. Whether, as that state will not be a distinct member of the union till the 4th. day of March next, the President can, before that day, nominate officers for it? and 2. if he cannot, whether he can nominate them after the recess of the Senate? makes thereon to the...
82To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of state having recieved information from Thomas Auldjo, who was appointed Vice consul of the United States at Cowes in Great Britain, that his commission has not been recognised by that government, because it is a port at which no foreign Consul has been yet recieved, and that it has been intimated to him, that his appointment to the port of Poole and parts nearer to that than...
83II. Report of Secretary of State on the Case of Thomas Auldjo, 22 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state having recieved information from Thomas Auldjo, who was appointed Vice consul of the United States at Cowes in Great Britain, that his commission has not been recognised by that government, because it is a port at which no foreign Consul has been yet recieved, and that it has been intimated to him, that his appointment to the port of Poole and parts nearer to that than...
84To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
Reasons for not Reporting to the President, at this time, consular nominations for the following ports. Gottenburg. } no candidate Amsterdam Greenleaf. Cadiz P. R. Randolph, (he has not applied lately) Richd Codman of Massachusets. and Thomas Thompson. Lorient Vale. It is desireable there should be a greater choice of candidates; and appointments at those ports are not very pressing. The...
85III. Report of Secretary of State on Consular Vacancies, 23 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Reasons for not Reporting to the President, at this time, consular nominations for the following ports. Gottenburg. } No candidate Amsterdam Greenleaf Cadiz P. R. Randolph [Randall] (he has not applied lately), Richd. Codman of Massachusets, and Thomas Thompson. Lorient Vale [Vail] It is desireable there should be a greater choice of candidates; and appointments at those ports are not very...
86III. Report on Candidates for Office in Vermont, [23 February 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); entirely in TJ’s hand; at head of text: “Substance of Conversations”; endorsed by Lear: “From the Secy of State relative to Appointments in Vermont. No.3.” PrC ( DLC ). Date established from entry in SJPL under 23 Feb. 1791, reading: “Vermont characters. Chipman. Bradley. Morris. Smith. Ti[chenor].”
87To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
On view and consideration of the testimonies in favour of mr Anderson’s character, they appear to me to place it on high ground. against this there is no testimony but that of mr Jaquet, which being contradicted by his own former testimony and by the person who committed it to writing, and who seems to have been made acquainted with the subject of it, I should estimate it at nothing, and...
88VI. Draft of a Message from the President to the Senate, [4 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The ‘Act for the admission of the state of Vermont into this union’ having fixed on this, as the day of it’s admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that state. I therefore required your attendance to recieve nominations of the several officers necessary to put the federal...
89VI. Opinion of the Secretary of State, 4 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On view and consideration of the testimonies in favour of Mr. Anderson’s character, they appear to me to place it on high ground. Against this there is no testimony but that of Mr. Jaquet, which being contradicted by his own former testimony and by the person who committed it to writing, and who seems to have been made acquainted by the subject of it, I should estimate it at nothing, and...
90Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 11 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Objects which may merit the attention of the President at George T. The Commissioners to be called into action. deeds of cession to be taken from the land holders. site of the Capitol & President’s house to be determined on. Proclamation completing the location of the territory, & fixing the site of the Capitol. town to be laid off. squares of reserve to be decided on for the Capitol,...
91II. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Objects which may merit the attention of the President at George T. The Commissioners to be called into action. Deeds of cession to be taken from the landholders. Site of the Capitol and President’s house to be determined on. Proclamation completing the location of the territory and fixing the site of the Capitol. Town to be laid off. Squares of reserve to be decided on for the Capitol,...
92To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President. the circumstances presented to view in the 2d page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to mister Short & the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
93VIII. Secretary of State to the President, 18 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President.—The circumstances presented to view in the 2d. page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to Mr. Short and the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
94To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been again to see mister Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions, and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. you know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character in order to save expence. he observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
95From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been again to see Mr. Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. You know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character, in order to save expence. He observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
96To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 27th Ult. since which letters are received of Jan. 26. from mister Carmichael, and of Jan. 3. & 15. Madrid, and Feb. 6. and 12. Lisbon from Colo. Humphreys. as these are interesting and may tend to settle suspense of mind to a certain degree I shall trouble you with quotations from some parts & the substance of others. Colo. H. says “I learn from other...
97From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 27th. Ult. since which letters are received of Jan. 24. from Mr. Carmichael, and of Jan. 3. and 15. Madrid, and Feb. 6. and 12. Lisbon, from Colo. Humphreys. As these are interesting and may tend to settle suspense of mind to a certain degree I shall trouble you with quotations from some parts and the substance of others. Colo. H . says ‘I learn from...
98To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 2d inst. which I presume would overtake you at Richmond. the present I imagine will not overtake you till you get to Wilmington. since my last I have been honoured with your two letters of March 31. and two others of Apr. 4. one of which was circular. a copy of this I sent to the Vice president, and as Colo. Hamilton has asked a consultation on a letter...
99XIII. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 2d. inst. which I presume would overtake you at Richmond. The present I imagine will not overtake you till you get to Wilmington. Since my last I have been honoured with your two letters of March 31. and two others of Apr. 4. one of which was circular. A copy of this I sent to the Vice president, and as Colo. Hamilton has asked a consultation on a...
100To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 2d which I supposed would find you at Richmond, and again on the 10th which I thought would overtake you at Wilmington. the present will probably find you at Charleston. According to what I mentioned in my letter of the 10th the Vice-president, Secretaries of the Treasury & war & myself met on the 11th. Colo. Hamilton presented a letter from mister...