1To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your excellency and the council probably have not access to Vattel, on whose doctrines this hasty answer is founded, I shall inclose the paragraph from his work, which treats of the right of soldiery to booty. They seem to amount to this: that booty does in strictness belong to the commonwealth; but that late usage has divided it among the captors, military stores excepted. Now I believe,...
2From Christopher Calvert, with a Note by Jefferson to the Attorney General, 25 February–21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
South Quay, 25 Feb. 1781 . “Agreeable to the within information,” Calvert has seized the trunk and has found no letters in it, but rather a quantity of “valuable dry Goods”; wishes to know what is to be done with them. By law the Naval Office is open from ten to three; this prevents Calvert from attending muster; and, on account of his feet, he believes himself entitled to exemption from...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 7th. inst. That mentioned to have been sent by the preceding post has not come to hand nor two others which Mrs. Randolph informs me you wrote before you left Virginia, nor indeed any other should you have been so kind as to have written any other. When I received the first letter fr[om the President of C]ongress inclosing their resolution, and mentioning...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 15 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be surprised to hear I am still in America. The vessel, in which Ct. Rochambeau and Chastlux went, having been destined for Cadix it was thought more adviseable for me to take my passage in the Romulus which was to sail within a few days. This was concluded the rather as at the sailing of the Emeraude I had not got half through the necessary communications. The French fleet having...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry you have been at the trouble of sending an express to me for information as to the transactions between the Executive and Nathan as I am satisfied I do not recollect a single fact that you are not already possessed of. In the winter of 1779. 1780. Mr. Nathen presented us some bills drawn by Genl. Clarke, Colo. Todd and perhaps others, which he said he had taken up at New Orleans or...
6[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 30 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 30 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. European news. Dutch commotions—but 7. states—not fault of delegates but want of money.” Not found.]
7[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 5 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “[Mar.] 5. E. Rand. Hancock’s case—journal of 82. I will send but 83. not printed—information by Barney from Dr. F. Dec. 25. that Ad[ams] was gone to Hague, Jay to Bath, Laur. setting out for Amer.—Engld. not reconciled—Marq. Fayette’s letter of Dec. 26. Fox and N. out by maneuvre of king—Pitt and Temple to come in—parliament to be called—Marq....
8[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Deane’s pamphlet. Western report. land office ordinance—requisitions—business before Congr.—Luzerne, Marb[ois].—London news to Mar. 25. viz. Pitt in—illumination of London. addresses in support—majority in H.C. reduced to 12.—parliament will be dissolved—a M.S. copy of his defence of Western right if it is not to be published.” Not found.]
9[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Send his defence of Western territory to care Dr. Franklin-Norfolk-canal thro Dismal-Patowm. and Ohio.” Not found.]
10From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in your debt for ten volumes of Buffon, I have endeavored to find something that would be agreeable to you to receive in return. I therefore send you by way of Havre a dictionary of law Natural and municipal in 13. vols. 4to. called le Code de l’humanite. It is published by Felice, but written by him and several other authors of established reputation. It is an excellent work. I do not...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your private favors of July 12. 1786. and Jan. 28. and May 3. 1787.—I am anxious to hear what you have done in your federal convention. I am in hopes at least you will persuade the states to commit their commercial arrangements to Congress, and to enable them to pay their debts,...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, the Chevalier de Saint Trys, passing hence to America, and meaning to visit Virginia, I take the liberty of recommending him to the notice and civilities of your Excellency, and of praying you to introduce him to such a line of acquaintance as may be agreeable and useful to him. Tho’ not particularly honoured by a previous acquaintance with him, I have sufficient assurances...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei desires me to inclose his letter to you and to add my testimony to his of the necessities he is under. This I can do with truth, observing further that had I known of the sufferings he has gone through, they certainly should have been prevented. His situation really requires that his friends should strain his resources to the utmost and give him the benefit of them for his relief....
14From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur L’Olive, proposing [to] pass thro’ Virginia, I take the liberty of presenting him to your Excellency’s acquaintance, and notice. He is a very wealthy and worthy citizen of this country, and will justify by his merit the attentions you will be so good as to shew him. He has the disadvantage of not speaking our language, and I do not know whether your Excellency may...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [6? March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers will shew you that cessions are to be made by landholders near George town, to the President for carrying into effect the establishment of the federal government there. In all cases where it is permitted, the lands are to be paid for, and the private title cleared off. I am not certain whether some of the cessions are not with a reservation of a portion of the land, without...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the British minister on the case of Thomas Pagan, containing a complaint of injustice in the dispensations of law by the courts of Massachusets to a British subject, the President approves of my referring it to you to report thereon your opinion of the proceedings, and whether any thing, and what, can or ought to be done by the government in consequence thereof.—I am...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Van Berckel, the resident for the United Netherlands with this government, having, as you will perceive by the copies of his letters inclosed, complained of an infraction of the law of nations by an officer of this state, entering his house and therein serving a process, I take the liberty of putting into your hands the inclosed copies with a desire that you will proceed in such due course...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 26th of August; but it brought me at the same time so much business to be answered by return of post, and which did not admit of delay, that I was obliged to postpone the acknowledgment of yours. I thank you sincerely for what respects myself. Though I see the pen of the Secretary of the Treasury plainly in the attack on me, yet, since he has not...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a letter from the Minister of France with sundry papers which accompanied it respecting the unlawful proceedings of a Capt. Hickman of the schooner Dolphin, in bringing away from Martinique sundry slaves the property of persons residing there, and making sale of them in the U.S. and to ask the favor of you to advise what may be proper for punishing all offenders...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of submitting to your consideration sundry letters which have passed between Governor Martin, Governor Blount and myself relative to intrusions on the lands of the U.S. in the South-Western territory, and of asking your advice Whether any and what proceedings should be instituted for asserting the rights of the U.S. against the intruders? I have the honor to be with great...
21George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 24 February 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The President of the United States requests the attendance of the at Nine o’Clock tomorrow morning ; at the President’s house, on the subject of the note sent to the on the 17~. inst: and that the will bring with him such remarks as he may have committed to writing in pursuance of said note. At the same time the President will lay before the Heads of the Departments & the Attorney General some...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Randolph’s Reply, 12 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to tell me what answer to give to the interrogatory in the last sentence of this letter? [ Reply by Randolph: ] I do not see any absolute, or indeed probably necessity for the ancient treaties. But I am not certain, that it may not be satisfactory to have those, made with the state governments; since some of the commissioners are new in this kind of business; and might...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 13 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the inclosed letter from Mr. Hammond Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain on the case of Hooper and Pagan whereon you have been before consulted. I take the liberty of resorting again to you for the information which your presence in the supreme court will have enabled you to give, or which you may have otherwise obtained, and for your opinion on the case in it’s...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses for the examination of the Atty. Genl. the abstract form of a patent proposed under the new law , wherein will be inserted the title only of the discovery, within the body of the instrument; and the description required by law, to be in a schedule annexed to and making part of the letters patent. This will admit the very words of the petitioner to be used, without the...
25George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, March 21st [–22] 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
To The Secretary of State—The Secretary of the Treasury—The Secretary of War and The Attorney General of the United States. Gentlemen, The Treaty which is agreed to be held on or about the first of June next at the Lower Sandusky of Lake Erie, being of great moment to the interests and peace of this Country; and likely to be attended with difficulties arising from circumstances (not unknown to...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On the information received from Crosby , and which I directed him to communicate to you, I have prepared the inclosed letter to him according to the President’s instructions . If you approve of it, be so good as to send it on to him. But if you are not satisfied that you can set some effectual process on foot, it would be better to hold it up till the President’s return, that he may not be...
27George Washington to Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, 18 April 1793 (Hamilton Papers)
The posture of affairs in Europe, particularly between France and Great Britain, places the United States in a delicate situation; and requires much consideration of the measures which will be proper for them to observe in the War betwn. those Powers. With a view to forming a general plan of conduct for the Executive, I have stated and enclosed sundry questions to be considered preparatory to...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having this moment received and communicated the inclosed Memorial from the British Minister to the President, relative to the Capture of the British vessel the Grange, by a French Frigate, I must ask the favor of you to consider the Case, and to give your opinion of the law arising thereon. These questions seem particularly material—By whom is the validity of the Capture to be decided? By...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [8 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I understood Colo. H. yesterday that he should confer again with the President on the subject of our deliberation . As that is not exactly the channel thro’ which I would wish my objections to be represented, should the President mention the subject to you, I will thank you to communicate to him this note, or it’s substance. PrC ( DLC ); undated; unsigned; letter-pressed upside down at foot of...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been still reflecting on the draught of the letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Custom house officers, instructing them to be on the watch as to all infractions or tendencies to infraction of the laws of neutrality by our citizens and to communicate the same to him. When this paper was first communicated to me, tho’ the whole of it struck me disagreeably, I did not in the...