1From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, with their Replies, 25 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the correction and approbation of the Secretaries of the Treasury and War, the inclosed draughts of letters to the French minister on the subject of the ship William and others in her situation, and to Mr. Hammond and Mr. Pinckney on the subject of the Snow Suckey. [ Replies by Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox :] The letters to Mr. Hammond and Mr....
2Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, [25 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th. Jefferson has the honor to submit to the correction & approbation of the Secretaries of the Treasury & War, the inclosed draughts of letters to the French minister on the subject of the ship William & others in her situation, & to Mr. Hammond & mr. Pinckney on the subject of the Snow Suckey. AL , letterpress copy, Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. The William , a British...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, with their Approvals, 19 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the Secretaries of the Treasury and war, draughts of two letters of this day’s date to the Ministers of France and England. He confesses himself not satisfied with the latter altogether, as it has somewhat of the appearance of evasion. The gentlemen will be pleased to propose any alterations either may desire, handing the letters round to him to be...
4Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th. Jefferson submits to the Secretaries of the treasury & War & the Atty Genl. some sketches of Notes to be signed for the President. As they are done from memory only, they will be pleased to insert whatever more their memories suggest as material. Particularly, the final conclusion as to the express-vessel will be to be inserted, which is most accurately know to the Secy. of the Treasury....
5Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton and Henry Knox, [19 June 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the Secretaries of the Treasury & war, draughts of two letters of this day’s date to the Ministers of France & England. He confesses himself not satisfied with the latter altogether, as it has somewhat of the appearance of evasion. The gentlemen will be pleased to propose any alteration either may desire, handing the letters round to him to be finally...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 1 June 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I recollect you were so kind as to undertake to give me an account of the success of an experiment made at Boston with a mill on the construction which was invented and contested by three different persons . Clarke of this state was one. A Physician of one of the Eastern states, whose name I do not recollect, was another. He had brought forward some other inventions. The third claimant was of...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 24 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Genl. Knox and incloses him a copy of a memoire sent him by Blanc the gunsmith who made the 6. fusils sent to Genl. Knox. It will explain to him more fully the extent of Blanc’s improvements. He incloses him also some certificates in favor of a Mr. Hastings Marks junr. of Virginia who would be glad of some commission in the federal troops to...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 2 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to Genl. Knox, and begs leave to submit to him the following paragraph of a letter from Mr. Hugh Rose a very respectable gentleman of Amherst county Virginia. ‘I must request you to make interest with General Knox to transfer John Newman from the Georgia to the Virginia pension list. He lost his arm at the siege of Savannah, and is allowed £15....
9From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers, stating the claims of John Jackson, an English pilot, on the justice and liberality of the United states, have been addressed to me. I can do nothing better than to forward them to you, as I suppose the claim to belong properly to your department. I formerly forwarded to the President of Congress an application from the same person, but never learnt whether any thing was...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 26 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having desired a meeting at the War-office yesterday, as you were apprised by his letter of the 21st. the Secy. of the Treasury, Attorney general and myself met, but knowing you were too unwell to attend, we agreed not to enter on the business submitted, till you should be well enough to assist us. I will beg the favor of you therefore whenever you shall be well enough, to be so...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, with Jefferson’s Note, 15 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to Genl. Knox, has the honor to inclose for his examination and amendment a letter to Mr. Hammond on the subject of the Roehampton, which has already been examined and approved by the Secy. of the Treasury and Atty. genl. Should Genl. Knox propose no amendment, Th:J. will be obliged to him to stick a wafer in the cover, and send it on to the post office. Should...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 19 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
When the hour of dinner is approaching, sometimes it rains, sometimes it is too hot for a long walk, sometimes your business would make you wish to remain longer at your office or return there after dinner, and make it more eligible to take any sort of a dinner in town. Any day and every day that this would be the case you would make me supremely happy by messing with me, without ceremony or...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 6 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
As it is possible that the measures complained of by the representatives of Spain as meditated to be pursued by La Chaise and others for attempting hostilities from Kentuckey against the Spanish settlements, may require the employment of military force by the Governor of Kentucky, I have the honor to inclose you my letter to the Governor, stating the facts handed me by the Spanish gentlemen,...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with great pleasure your favor of the 16. and it is with the greatest satisfaction I learn from all quarters that my inaugural Address is considered as holding out a ground for conciliation & union. I am the more pleased with this, because the opinion therein stated as to the real ground of difference among us (to wit, the measures rendered most expedient by French enormities) is...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received information that the ship Ann and Susan belonging to William Nelson & Co. citizens of New York with about 400 passengers on board, bound from Ireland to Philadelphia has been taken by the French armed vessel the Little Democrat and is brought into Newcastle in the state of Delaware. This capture was made on the 19th. inst. and consequently is within the rule which provided...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 2 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Knox and incloses him a letter from a Mr. Thorn solliciting a military appointment. He knows no more of the writer than his letter expresses, and can not conjecture from that, of what state he is. He incloses also two letters from a Mr. Bowyer and Mr. Matthews (brother of the General) solliciting an appointment for a Mr. Gibson. The writers are...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the hasty view which the shortness of time permits me to take of the treaty of Hopewell, the act of cession of N. Carolina and the act of acceptance by Congress, I hazard the following sentiments. Were the treaty of Hopewell, and the act of acceptance of Congress to stand in any point in direct opposition to each other, I should consider the act of acceptance as void in that point: because...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to General Knox, and being entirely uninformed where Judge Symes should be directed to in Jersey he asks the favor of General Knox to put his direction on the inclosed, and his advice how it may be conveyed.—He has reflected on the proposition for publishing the rules of Aug. 3. and thinks the inserting them in the newspapers with some such preface as the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 8 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with great satisfaction your favor of Mar. 9. which mr Pope forwarded by post, and proposed to follow it but he is not yet arrived here. I communicated to Genl. Gunn your friendly expressions respecting him. of the transaction to which they related I can say little, having, you know, neither ears to hear, eyes to see, or tongue to speak, but as the Senate direct me. I may say...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment received a letter from Mr. Hammond informing me that the court of Admiralty having determined against it’s own jurisdiction in the case of the ship William, he applies to the Executive to detain her, as having been taken within the limits of our protection. As this detention can only be by the Military, I take the liberty of submitting to you whether the Governor should not...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, with Proposed Circular to the Governors of the States, 21 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Sketch of a letter proposed to be written by the Secretary of war to the governors of the states, according to the ideas understood to have been expressed on the subject. Sir A case which has lately presented itself here, and may do the same in other parts of the union, renders it necessary for the General government to provide a remedy which may be prompt, adequate and always within reach. An...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful compliments to the Secretary at War, and to the testimonies inclosed, can add his own that Thomas Divers therein is a man of worth, activity, and skill in accounts, and likely to be of service in the staff if there be any occasion for services in that department, more than already engaged. RC ( MHi : Knox Papers); addressed: “The Secretary at war.” Not...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 10 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to General Knox, and sends him some papers received last night by the President from the Govr. of North-Carolina, respecting the money and vessel taken from the Spaniards by the sloop l’Amée Marguerite (formerly the British sloop Providence prize to the Vainqueur de la Bastille, armed in the US.). It would seem from this as if both vessels should be given...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, [6] November [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from the representatives of Spain here information that the French privateer the Vainqueur de la Bastille one of those unlawfully constituted in these states, and therefore ordered to depart, has taken and brought into a port of North Carolina a Spanish brigantine bound from Carthagena to Cadiz, richly laden with money and merchandize, that Hervieux the commander proceeding to...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 15 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to Genl. Knox press copies of his letters to the Attornies of Pensylva. and Delaware. Also the original of Mr. Kilty’s report. RC (Gilder Lehrman Collection: Knox Papers, on deposit NNP ); addressed: “The Secretary at War.” Not recorded in SJL . Enclosures: (1) Enclosure to TJ to George Hammond, 14 Nov. 1793 . (2) Texts of TJ to the District Attorneys, 10...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 12 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which I had the honour of writing to the Secretary for foreign affairs some three or four years ago, I informed him that a workman here had undertaken, by the help of moulds and other means to make all the parts of the musket so exactly alike as that, mixed together promiscuously, any one part should serve equally for every musket. He had then succeeded as to the lock both of the...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received a letter from Mr. Hollingsworth attorney of the district of Maryland with information that the Sans Culottes, fitted out at Charleston had taken and sent into Baltimore the Brigantine Maxwell of Kirkcudbright, commanded by Thomas Milrae. As the date of the information renders it probable that the case comes within the rule of restitution, I take the liberty of inclosing to...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 28 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Knox and asks the favor of him to peruse the letter he has prepared in answer to Mr. Hammond’s and to be so good as to suggest any alterations either of matter or manner which he thinks might be made to advantage. He begs his pardon for this trouble; but the importance of this first move in the business renders him anxious that it should be well...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 22 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been agreed among us at a former session of the board of arts that the descriptions to be inserted in patents should be handed to us separately at our lodgings to be examined at leisure and approved with or without amendments, I now hand on to you the inclosed which came to me from the Attorney General who had proposed some amendments to them; I have also proposed some of a trifling...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 10 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to return you the Petition of Mr. Moultrie on behalf of the South Carolina Yazoo Company. Without noticing that some of the highest functions of sovereignty are assumed in the very papers which he annexes as his justification, I am of opinion that Government should firmly maintain this ground, that the Indians have a right to the occupation of their Lands independent of...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, [12 August 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
May I invite the three Chargés des affaires to attend the ceremony ? May they be permitted to bring respectable strangers of their nation with or without limitation of numbers? Do ladies go? If they do, Mrs. Otto must be named in the invitation to Mr. Otto. I will beg the favor of your answer to these queries and govern myself accordingly. Only be so good as have reserved for them a seat in a...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 10 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed memorial of Alexandr. S. Glass praying the exertion of the publick force to deliver to him his sloop the Betsey, prize to the Citoyen Genet, belonging to your department, I have the honor of inclosing it to you, & of being with great respect, Sir, Your most obedt. servt P.S. I inclose the letter of Mr. Soderstrom, who communicated the papers to me. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text:...
33Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
34Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
That The Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the U. States as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of...
35Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
36Cabinet Opinion on Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
July 12. 1793. At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France and Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming and arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the US.,...
37Cabinet Opinions on the Debt to France, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 25. 1793. The President desires the opinions of the heads of the three departments and of the Attorney General on the following question, to wit. Mr. Ternant having applied for money equivalent to three millions of livres to be furnished on account of our debt to France at the request of the Executive of that country, which sum is to be laid out in provisions within the US. to be sent to...
38Cabinet Opinion on Prizes and Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That the Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the UStates as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of their...
39Rules on Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties, for military service offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States, purely for the accommodation of them as such, is deemed lawful. 3. Equipments in the ports of the United...
40Cabinet Opinion on Foreign Vessels and Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France & Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming & arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the U.S., desirous of...
41Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 20. 1793. At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes dated June 18. and addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the US. with respect to the Southern Indians, and the Spaniards be prepared, and a justification as to the...
42Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creek Indians, 31 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments & Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st day of Aug. 1793. A letter from mister Gore to mister Lear, dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston & furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by...
43Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs Viar & Jaudenes dated June 18. & addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the U.S. with respect to the Southern Indians, & the Spaniards be prepared, and a notification as to the particular matters charged in...
44Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 17. 1793 At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from Mr. Genet of the 15th. inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped and manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was read, as also the draught of an...
45Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet, 23 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments and the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. and 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of Mr. Genet’s correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. and...
46Henry Knox’s Report on Defense, with Opinion by Jefferson and Edmund Randolph, 6 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of War humbly reports to the President of the United States That the following measures appear necessary to be taken in order in some degree to place the United States in a situation to guard themselves from injury by any of the belligerent powers of Europe. 1st. To have all the small arms of the United States put in order for immediate use. 2dly. To have all the cannon in...
47Cabinet Opinion on the Rules of Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
August 3. 1793 The foregoing rules having been considered by us at several meetings, and being now unanimously approved, they are submitted to the President of the United States. DS , in George Taylor, Jr.’s writing, DLC:GW ; copy (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DLC:GW ; Df , in Alexander Hamilton’s writing, DLC : Jefferson Papers; copy, DNA : RG 46, Third Congress, 1793–1795,...
48Cabinet Opinion on Military Rations, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having considered the note of the President of the U.S. to General Knox, on the subject of increased rations; we are of opinion, that a proposition to congress at this time concerning such increase would be inexpedient, even if the question were more free from difficulty, than it is. But liable as it is to objections , the inexpediency of such a proposition now , acquires double force. MS (...
49Cabinet Opinions on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, and all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France,...
50Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...