151V. Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Residence Bill, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill having passed the two houses of Congress, and being now before the President, declaring that the seat of the federal government shall be transferred to the Patowmac in the year 1790 [i.e. 1800], that the session of Congress next ensuing the present shall be held at Philadelphia, to which place the offices shall be transferred before the 1st. of December next, a writer in a public paper...
152To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
The bill on the intercourse with foreign nations restrains the President from allowing to Ministers plenipotentiary or to Chargés more than 9000. and 4500. Dollars for their “personal services & other expences.” this definition of the objects for which the allowance is provided, appearing vague, the Secretary of state thought it his duty to confer with the gentlemen heretofore employed as...
153III. Observations on the Diplomatic Establishment as provided for by Congress, [17 July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The bill on the intercourse with foreign nations restrains the President from allowing to Ministers plenipotentiary or to Chargés more than 9000. and 4500. Dollars for their ‘personal services and other expences.’ This definition of the objects for which the allowance is provided, appearing vague, the Secretary of state thought it his duty to confer with the gentlemen heretofore employed as...
154IV. Estimates of Funds Required for the Diplomatic Establishment, 1790–1791, [19 July 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Dollars Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 9000. His Outfit. Suppose it to happen once in 7. years, will average 1285. His Return at a Quarter’s salary, will average 321. Extras. viz. Gazettes, translating, printing, aids to poor American sailors, couriers and postage about 350. His Secretary 1350. 12,306. Estimate for a Chargé des affaires. Chargé des affaires. His salary 4500 His...
155To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the extract he desired from his letter of May 4. 1787. He finds by a note, which he does not know however where he got, that the city of Mexico is about 200. miles from the sea. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DLC:GW . Ever since Alexander Hamilton’s July conversations with Major Beckwith about the Anglo-Spanish war crisis,...
156From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the extracts he desired from his letter of May 4. 1787. He finds by a note, which he does not know however where he got, that the city of Mexico is about 200. miles from the sea. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by Washington: “22d. July. 1790 State of the Portuguese in So. America.” Not...
157Opinion on McGillivray’s Monopoly of Commerce with Creek Indians, 29 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Mc.Gillivray, with a company of British merchants, having hitherto enjoyed a monopoly of the commerce of the Creek nation, with a right of importing their goods, duty-free, and considering these privileges as the principal sources of his power over that nation, is unwilling to enter into treaty with us, unless they can be continued to him. And the question is how this may be done...
158From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that in a conversation with Mr. Hawkins yesterday evening, it came out that he had seen Mcgillivray’s letter to Govr. Houston, and Houston’s answer: he thinks they were dated the latter end of 1784. but is sure they were some time in the year preceding the treaty of Galphinton to which he was sent. He recites the substance and purport of...
159To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the following papers. 1. the secret letter & paper of Aug. 2. for mister Carmichael. 2. the secret letter for the Chevalr de Pinto. 3. a letter for mister Joshua Johnson. on supposition that, delivering them himself to Colo. Humphreys, he might wish to comment to him on their contents, and particularly as to the 1st to qualify such of the...
160V. Secretary of State to the President, 8 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
on supposition that, delivering them himself to Colo. Humphreys, he might wish to comment to him on their contents, and particularly as to the 1st. to qualify such of the considerations as he may think need qualification, and to enlarge such as are too restrained. He will observe two or three small differences between the considerations of Aug. 2. now inclosed, and the first copy left with the...
161To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him. I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
162Jefferson’s Opinion on Fiscal Policy, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him, I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
163To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Opinion on the Questions stated in the President’s note of August 27. 1790. I am so deeply impressed with the magnitude of the dangers which will attend our government if Louisiana & the Floridas be added to the British empire, that in my opinion we ought to make ourselves parties in the general war expected to take place, should this be the only means of preventing the calamity. But I think...
164X. First Opinion of the Secretary of State, 28 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so deeply impressed with the magnitude of the dangers which will attend our government if Louisiana and the Floridas be added to the British empire, that in my opinion we ought to make ourselves parties in the general war expected to take place, should this be the only means of preventing the calamity. But I think we should defer this step as long as possible; because war is full of...
165To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On considering more fully the question Whether it will be expedient to Notify to Ld Dorchester the real object of the expedition preparing by Governor St. Clair, I still think it will not be expedient. for If the Notification be early, he will get the Indians out of the way, & defeat our object. If it be so late, as not to leave him time to withdraw them before our stroke be struck, it will...
166Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 29 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
Proceedings to be had under the Residence act. a territory not exceeding 10. miles square (or, I presume, 100 square miles in any form) to be located, by metes and bounds. 3. commissioners to be appointed. I suppose them not entitled to any salary. [If they live near the place they may, in some instances, be influenced by self interest, & partialities: but they will push the work with zeal. if...
167XI. Second Opinion of the Secretary of State, 29 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering more fully the question Whether it will be expedien[t] to Notify to Ld. Dorchester the real object of the expedition preparing by Governor St. Clair, I still think it will not be expedient. For If the Notification be early, he will get the Indians out of the way, and defeat our object. If it be so late, as not to leave him time to withdraw them before our stroke be struck, it...
168I. Jefferson’s Draft of Agenda for the Seat of Government, [29 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Proceedings to be had under the Residence act. A territory not exceeding 10. miles square (or, I presume, 100 square miles in any form) to be located by metes and bounds. 3. commissioners to be appointed. I suppose them not entitled to any salary. [If they live near the place they may, in some instances, be influenced by self interest, and partialities: but they will push the work with zeal....
169Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 14 September 1790 (Washington Papers)
In conversations with mister Carrol, mister Stoddard and mister Dickens 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, & that therefore measures should be adopted to carry...
170II. 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...
171To 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...
172IV. 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...
173To 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...
174From 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...
175To 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...
176Jefferson’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...
177Memorandum 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...
178Jefferson’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...
179Jefferson’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...
180To 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...
181I. 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...
182To 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...
183IV. 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....
184To 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...
185To 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...
186From 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...
187To 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...
188IV. 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...
189To 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...
190To 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...
191II. 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.
192To 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...
193IX. 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...
194To 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...
195To 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...
196Opinion 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...
197To 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...
198X. 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...
199To 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...
200I. 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...