351From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your three letters of Aug. 19. 19. & 20. are recieved. I now return you the Missisipi regulations signed. I should think the modification you propose of inserting ‘Vice-consul or other authorised agent ’ a necessary one. it appears proper to remove Head of Waldoborough, as his failure after such warning to render his accounts is a sure symptom that he is using the public money: and I shall be...
352Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
A book confided to me by a friend, for translation & publication has, for a twelvemonth past, kept me in correspondence with Col o Duane . he undertook to have it translated & published. the last sheets had been revised, & in a late letter to him, I pressed the printing. I soon afterwards recieved one from him informing me that it would be much retarded by embarrasments recently brought on him...
353From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your papers of to-day came, I had read the report & inclosed it with a word of answer . I have gone through those last sent , rapidly as the time required. your former explanations had already prepared me for them. they are entirely satisfactory. I believe I should have taken ranker ground, by assuming a higher amount of impost to proceed on. but your’s is safest and answers all our...
354From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Bell being the lowest bidder for the saltsprings has on that ground the first claim for preference. his character moreover, & the moderation of his views recommend him: but there seems just reason to apprehend he is too moderate, and that he has erred against himself in his calculations, being perhaps too sanguine. it is never the interest of a landlord to break his tenant. in this case it...
355From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Those who are compelled by law to come to a public office have a right to be treated there with temper, attention & complaisance. interest teaches this to the private shopkeeper; reason & duty should do it to the public officer; and a continued course of harsh & rude conduct to those who come on business, will be good cause of removal. in the construction of a law, he should understand that...
356Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
In the action brought against me by E. Livingston on the subject of the Batture , the counsel employed desire me, without delay, to furnish them with the grounds of defence, that they may know what pleas to put in. a free communication of the papers relating to it in the public offices is necessary to aid me. I do not know whether there are any, & what papers, in your office which may be...
357From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from Delaware another application on the subject of the piers &c to be erected in their river. it is on behalf of Wilmington which prays to have it’s claim for these things taken into consideration with others, and for this purpose that the corporation be authorised to have a report made of their harbour, creek &c. the style of the corporation is ‘the Burgesses & assistants of...
358From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I must ask the favor of you to meet the heads of departments here tomorrow at 12. aclock & afterwards to dine with us. the object is to decide definitively on the arrangements which are to be dispatched Westwardly the next day. Genl. Dearborne & myself had concluded to submit to the meeting a plan little different from that suggested in your letter of yesterday. towit. to send orders to...
359From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter I recieved yesterday from mr Stone on the subject of the Wilmington collectorship. you will percieve he is in favor of Bloodworth, and counting on a personal opposition from mr Steele, confides another in the judgment you will form on your own knolege of mr Bloodworth . his letter of course must not be seen by mr Steele. if you have an opportunity of seeing mr Franklin ,...
360From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a revised edition of the Spanish resolutions, in which you will find most of your ideas conformed to. That respecting money is omitted; that it may be provided in the way you suggest. in the Message also I have adopted all your amendments, except the last which respected merely the arrangement of the phrases, & could not be satisfactorily altered. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin....
361From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A very little experience will probably shew us what description of letters &c. are worth perusal for the sake of information. among yesterday’s communications the bundle of what you called public papers would hardly be worth sending me, because they contain nothing interesting but the balances in the hands of the collectors, which could be obtained by having barely a sight of the weekly sheet...
362From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the recommendations recieved when the Collectorship of Nanjemoy was formerly vacant. Brent’s connections place him on good ground but his politics & character merit enquiry. Jackson’s recommendations make him also worthy of enquiry. I wish Mason, D. C. Brent, Hanson & Kelty could give us his character instead of Genl. Mitchell’s who is only his recommender. will you avail...
363From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by the inclosed letter from Henry Sheaff, that after having been once an immense sufferer as security for Robert Morris, he is now likely to be so again as security for Peter Kuhn. a man in distress may be pardoned the error of supposing that in a public transaction he can have a resource in the private regard of a public officer. but considering him as an innocent security, for a very...
364From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting that mr Madison & yourself would be able with a little discussion to make up an opinion on Dr. Stevens’s case , I had not given it any serious consideration. I have now however done so and I send you the result, asking the favor of you to make any observations to which you may think it open in matters of fact, inference, or omission. on receipt of these I will give it a final...
365From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the death of Imlay, loan officer of Connecticut, Jonathan Bull (judge Bull) is well recommended as his successor by a number of republicans, and by mr Wolcott in a special letter. a Ralph Pomeroy of Hartford sollicits it for himself but sends no recommendations. those of Bull would leave me with little doubt of the propriety of his nomination; but as you can so conveniently make enquiry...
366From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment been called on by mr Hoffman & mr Rapp on the subject which will be explained to you in the memorial now inclosed. they became sensible that the matter rested with Congress only; but 200. of the people being arrived at Baltimore and two ships hourly expected with as many more each, they cannot remain here till the meeting of Congress for want of funds. they will therefore...
367From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns the inclosed report to mr Gallatin with his entire approbation & affectionate salutations. P.S. on reconsideration. the use of the words ‘temporary’ & ‘permanent’ in the 6th. page applied to the embargo, may give countenance to the federal charge & clamour, as if we had really contemplated it as a permanent measure: and altho’ the idea as here explained, is just, yet they...
368From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed was communicated to me by DeWitt Clinton. he did not say, tho’ doubtless he meant it in confidence. but unless restrained specially to personal confidence, I always think myself at liberty to communicate things to the head of the department to which the subject belongs. I shall be glad to recieve the letter back to-day to be returned RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); written on same...
369From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your queries I would say 1. the square for the lighthouse on the Missisipi is preferable to the Octagon. in brick or stone the Octagon is strongest, but not so in wood. it is all but impossible to make an Octagon of wood, that will stand at all. 2. the building should be weather boarded; because, as mr Latrobe observes, the lift of the wind is as dangerous as it’s direct impulse,...
370From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return your letter to Genl. Muhlenburg which is entirely proper, and the more I have reflected on the subject the more I am convinced the judge has the power to hold the parties to security for the good behavior & ought to do it. I send you also the recommendation of Tupper by judge Meigs and mr Mansfield. I think it much more probable that Walter Burling should have affirmed the identity...
371From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter & a pamphlet from the court of Chatham county in Georgia against Edward White Inspector of the port of Savanna. he happens to be also a clerk of that court. he & his court have differed in opinion about their rights & duties. the lawyers, as they always do, have given contrary opinions; the Governor has taken side with the clerk, & the court want us to take side with...
372From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you mr Dallas’s opinion on the question whether the goods of a citizen taken by one belligerent in the bottom of another may be recieved here, with the consent of the Captor, by the owner. his idea that, by the principle established with France, that enemy bottoms make enemy goods, these goods are assimilated to the real enemy goods which were on board, is imposing at first view; but...
373From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the papers which James Brown sent us, containing a statement of the parcels of property in & adjacent to New Orleans to which the US. had claims, we thought it safest to await the report of the Commissioners, with their list of the property. the papers recieved yesterday by express from N.O. & now inclosed to you, give us a list of the property & the grounds of claim from the...
374From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The giving Sea letters to vessels is very troublesome, and extremely burthensome to the Post office: at the same time it is totally destitute of utility and contrary to usage. can the merchants shew us a sea letter given by the English government now when they, like us, are at peace with all the world? there is no reason for departing from universal practice, and therefore they may be informed...
375From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I know of nothing which ought to detain you in the city longer than the time you mention. I propose to-day to take an ultimate view of our instructions to our negociators in Spain, and chiefly to decide whether any later views, and particularly those from Baron Humboldt should occasion alterations of opinion in any point. within the course of the week we can agree as to the filling all...
376From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you mr Nicholson’s letter because it is chiefly on private topics . the two charges against Banning, that he refused to let duties be bonded unless a bond not due were paid, and the neglecting to give such a certificate on cotton as might authorise a drawback, (when too a re-exportation was not, at the time, thought of) appear to be founded on single acts, not habitual practices. they...
377From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave you some time ago a project of a more equal tariff on wines than that which now exists. but in that I yielded considerably to the faulty classification of them in our law. I have now formed one with attention, and according to the best information I possess, classing them more rigorously. I am persuaded that were the duty on cheap wines put on the same ratio with the dear, it would...
378From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The character given us of the person who leased the Salines was so favorable, that this being the first complaint we have had of him, I should think it best not to act on it directly ourselves. but as the distance is so great, and our means of knowing what is going on very imperfect, so that abuses might be great before we should hear of & could remedy what would you think of communicating the...
379From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of my message to the offices yesterday, was in general for such documents as were to accompany the message. those mentioned in your letter of yesterday I knew were to go afterwards, & had made the expressions future. but I did not know whether the list of offices of every kind might not be ready. however I shall express that in the future also. Your’s affectionately RC ( NHi :...
380From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Rob. C. Nicholas ought certainly to be required to go to Fort Stoddart and sign the certificates. the Collectorship of Yeocomico seems to lie between Plummer & Tapscott in my judgment. in yours it is Tapscott & Mc.kinney. let Mc.kinney be the man therefore. I should have thought of Plummer as giving more respectability to the office, & an old public servt. but only on the condition of his...
381From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
We agreed that the address of the Ward committees ought not to be formally answered. but on further reflection I think it would be better to write a private letter to one of the members, in order that he may understand the true grounds on which the subject rests, & may state them informally to his colleagues. I think these grounds so solid that they cannot fail to remove this cause of division...
382From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Satisfied that N. Orleans must fall a prey to any power which shall attack it, in spight of any means we now possess, I see no security for it, but in planting on the spot the force wch is to defend it. I therefore suggest to some members of the Senate to add to the Volunteer bill now before them, as an amendment, some such section as that inclosed, which is on the principles of what we agreed...
383From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is but a fortnight before we shall separate, and there will be but a month between our return & the meeting of Congress, & that crowded by the business which will accumulate during our absence. it is well therefore to make up our minds on such subjects as we can before we separate. Louisiana is an important one. it is our duty in the first place to obtain the information supporting it which...
384From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The bills of exchange for mr Short and mr Erving not being come to hand, I take the liberty of leaving under your cover the letters I have written to them, in which I must request you to insert the bills seal the letters & forward them, without losing the time which would be requisite for returning them to me. the season is already so far advanced as to render it doubtful whether they can be...
385From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed are furnished by the Director of the mint to be laid before Congress. the law requires they should be accompanied with the settlements which have been made relative thereto, duly certified by the Comptroller of the Treasury. duplicates of such a paper are desired with the return of these to be sent to each house by RC ( DLC ); undated; written on address sheet of an unidentified...
386From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrangement you propose as to supervisors is approved. to wit Vermont. the marshal to do the duties New York. the Naval officer . Rhode isld. either Nichols the Navl. officer of Newport, or Slocum the Surveyor. Newport has complained with reason that all general offices have been given to Providence, & none to Newport. New Jersey. not to the loan officer . the Marshal or any other officer...
387From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ I know that it is best generally to assign no reason for a removal from office, yet there are also times when the declaration of a principle is advantageous. such was the moment at which the New Haven letter appeared. it explained our principles to our friends, and they rallied to them. the public sentiment has taken a considerable stride since that, and seems to require that they...
388From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I think Gibson might be joined to Govr. Harrison in the investigation respecting Ewen & Taylor. it does not require much genius. I do not know what Sprigg intends to do. I believe he means to pay a visit here. but in any case Maury is totally incompetent. I know him personally, and Thompson’s recommendation is one of the strongest proofs of the errors in appointment to which we are exposed....
389Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself as usual of the protection of your cover for my letters. that to Cathalan need only be put into the post office; but for that for Appleton I must ask the favor of you to adopt the safest court course which circumstances offer. You will have seen by the newspapers that there is a decided ascendancy of the republican party in nearly all the states. Connecticut decidedly so: it...
390Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you three letters from mr Fitz , improperly sent to me, but as they may contain something worthy your notice, I forward them to you. I believe I have before informed you that he is as purely honest & inoffensive a man as lives, and well qualified as a Surveyor. he lived with me a year or two. his letter of latest date must have been extorted from his good nature. M rs Jones has...
391From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have considered the claim of General Dearborne for further compensation for the erection of the light house at Cape Hatteras; & of the beacon at Shell-castle island, as stated in your letter of Dec. 13. & the documents accompanying it: and I am of opinion that the situation of the ground on which the erection was made was so materially & disadvantageously different from what both parties...
392From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Aug. 13. and 15. were recieved yesterday. the appointment of a successor to Samuel Bishop must await our re-assembling at Washington. I inclose you the late letters of Livingston & Monroe, for consideration, & to be returned to me when perused. you will find that the French government, dissatisfied perhaps with their late bargain with us, will be glad of a pretext to declare...
393From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been too long in answering several matters recieved from you: but I have not had an earlier moment in which it could be done. The appointment of a Surveyor General of Louisiana by the Governor can have no effect respecting the public lands. it is possible that the former laws, still subsisting, may have authorized the appointment of such an officer by the Governor, to execute surveys by...
394From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not recollect the instructions to Govr. Lewis respecting squatters. but if he had any they were unquestionably to prohibit them rigorously. I have no doubt, if he had not written instructions, that he was verbally so instructed. Carr’s story has very much the air of an idle rumor, willingly listened to. it shews some germ of discontent existing. I think Cochran should immediately dismiss...
395From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the correspondence on the subject of Tureau’s Permits was between mr Madison & myself, my letter of Aug. 19. to you being the only one in which it is mentioned. in those of Aug. 12. 16. 19. & Sep. 13. to mr Madison, I find the idea of his purchasing a vessel & filling her with French seamen, constantly rejected, as inconsistent with neutrality, and that the vessels to be allowed...
396From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the message to ask a scrupulous revisal, and as early an one as you can, because there does not remain more than time enough to submit it successively to the other gentlemen for their corrections, to make copies &c. on reviewing what had been prepared as to Gr. Britain & Spain, I found it too soft towards the former, compared with the latter, & that so temporate a notice of the...
397From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 12th. and have this day recommended to mr Madison to apprise Govr. Claiborne of the nullity of the charter for a bank granted by him, on the ground of it’s being opposed by a law of Congress, and that it should be revoked. I happened to be writing to Govr. Claiborne on another subject, & informally stated to him this also, in order to induce him to...
398From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you 1. Dalton’s letter praying permission to send a vessel for property, on which you will be pleased to do for him what is done for others. 2. Trenchard’s from Passamaquoddy, & Williamson’s and Leonard’s from Barataria, merely for information of the state of things in those quarters. these letters belonging to the Navy department be so good as to return them to Mr. Smith direct. 3....
399From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 20th. & 22d. came to hand yesterday, and this will go by return of post tomorrow. I now return the letters of Symonds & others on the smugling of negroes into Georgia. his letter to Payne of the revenue cutter will bring to issue the resistance apprehended, and if it be found too great, we must strengthen her. should the Enterprize return here to be refitted, which she...
400From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, [ca. 9 July 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The committee appointed to carry into execution the act concerning the library of Congress having desired me to act for them in the purchase and paiment of the books, I am to request you to furnish me with a bill on London for 1000. D. payable to George W. Erving or order and another on Amsterdam for 1000. D. payable to William Short esq. or order, to enable them to pay for the books which are...