1To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of transmitting you a duplicate of an Act of Congress passed the 16th of March 1779, the Utility of which is apparent: And as it may be proper and necessary that you should be informed of the several acts and proceedings of Congress I have herewith sent you a copy of their Journal from the 1st of January last and shall continue to send you from time to time their weekly...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 31 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Nov. 20. 1779. came safe, tho lately, to hand. The future acts of our assembly I shall take care regularly to transmit, as also such of those past since the institution of the commonwealth as can be procured: for they are become scarce. I have in my own collection of pamphlets some few duplicates which I will also forward to you as soon as I shall be able to examine them, for...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office, 1 Feb. 1780 . Encloses the journals of Congress to complete the state’s set to 1 Jan. 1780, hereafter to be printed in monthly pamphlets regularly sent, and requests a reply to his letter of 20 Nov. 1779, the request therein not being made “by idle curiosity but a desire of promoting public Utility and the cause of America.” RC ( MdAA : Red Books); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand,...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 20 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 20 June 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives quoting Congress’ resolutions of 2 May 1780 respecting the issuance of commissions to private vessels of war. Such commissions are hereafter to be obtained by application to the Board of Admiralty. FC ( DLC : PCC , No. 18A); 2 p. For text of resolutions of 2 May, see JCC Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774–1789 ,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 28 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ] 28 July 1780 . Circular letter to the state executives enclosing a resolve of Congress of 27 July declaring that commissions for private armed vessels are hereafter to issue from the office of the secretary of Congress. Also enclosed are blank commissions to be filled out and substituted for those now in effect; bonds for them, as soon as executed, are to be transmitted to the...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Secretary’s Office [ Philadelphia ], 19 Feb. 1781 . Encloses twenty-four blank commissions, with blank bonds and instructions, for private armed vessels. “You will please to give orders that the bonds when Executed be returned into this Office.” Others may be obtained upon application. RC ( Vi ); 1 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Thomson; addressed and endorsed; printed in CVSP Calendar of...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Adopting the Articles of Confederation, 2 … (Jefferson Papers)
By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed, that the Articles of Confederation and perpetual Union between the thirteen United States are formally and finally ratified by all the States. We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies. I have the Honor to be with every Sentiment of Esteem &...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Huntington, enclosing a Resolution of Congress Appointing Peace Commissioners, 15 June … (Jefferson Papers)
Before this comes to Hand your Excellency will have received my Letter of the 2d Instant with it’s Enclosures, by which you will be informed that a Negotiation for Peace between the Belligerent Powers may probably take Place through the Mediation of the Empress of Russia and Emperor of Germany. In Consequence of which Congress have thought proper to add four other Plenipotentiaries to the...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received notice from the secretary of the American Philosophical society some time ago that they had done me the honour of appointing me a counsellor of that body. The particular duties of that office I am quite a stranger to, and indeed know too little of the nature of their institution to judge what objects it comprehends. In framing answers to some queries which Monsr. de Marbois sent me,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 9 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the letter which you did me the honor to write on the 20 of December last, and immediately waited on Mr. Marbois who informs me that he has not received the Answers you refer to. I am ashamed to acknowledge that I am as ignorant as you declare yourself to be of the particular duties of a counsellor of the American philosophical society, although I have been honored with that...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, enclosing Jefferson’s Appointment as a Peace Commissioner, 13 November … (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit a resolution of Congress, appointing you one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negociating a peace. I rejoice in this fresh proof of their confidence in your Virtue and abilities. The sacrifices you have heretofore made to the interests of your Country, induce me to hope that you will suffer no personal consideration to prevent their being employed in its...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston, Enclosing a Resolution of Congress, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your favor of the 7th Instant until I could obtain the sense of Congress on the matter it contains. I conceive it hardly possible while the british Cruizers retain their present Station for you to elude their vigilance in either of the Ships offered to your choice. This concurring with the late advices from England, has induced Congress to pass the enclosed Resolution....
13To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Instructions and Commissions, 16 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect you will receive by this Conveyance all the necessary papers with the twenty Commissions. You will find by these that my simple draught did not suit the taste of our sovereign body. With much ado the additions were confined to two, and so far did the Gerrian taste prevail that contrary to the practice of every other nation the prefix of Honble. was inserted. Should you or any of your...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 19 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers are found about which I wrote you in my last. I wish there had been found at the same time a concillating temper and a disposition to do the business of the continent and promote the general interests of the U.S. Unless a different spirit prevail from what has of late appeared there is reason to apprehend a dissolution of the Confederacy. The claim of the Massachusetts on the state...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 16th. last night. I was out when it was delivered, so know not how it came; a circumstance no otherwise important than as I am at a loss how or where to enquire for the packet which should have accompanied it containing the commissions, instructions &c. I shall immediately however make the enquiry. I am obliged to you for the order for the journals. I shall make...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 18 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I flattered myself with the hopes of seeing you on my return to Philadelphia, but found you had set out for Boston with a view to embark at that place. I have therefore sent by a conveyance directly for France three Commissions for negotiating, if necessary, additional treaties of Commerce with France, the United Netherlands and Sweden, and a duplicate of the Instructions. The affair of...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 1 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have nothing agreeable to write, yet I cannot suffer Mr. Short to go without a line to give you some information of the present situation of Affairs. Agreeably to your advice, when Congress adjourned, I met the Committee of the States and having opened a book for their journals and made the necessary arrangements, I applied for leave of absence which was readily and unanimously...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of 18 June last I recommended Mr. Isaiah Norris to your friendly notice. I now take the liberty of doing the same for his brother Joseph, first because I know the benevolence of your disposition and next because he is so desirous of being introduced to your acquaintance that I am persuaded the notice you will take of him will excite his utmost endeavour by a proper deportment to...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, with Letter from Joseph Wharton, 26 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall not trouble you at this time with any thoughts on our southern boundary or the views and disposition of our southern Neighbours, as I imagine Mr. Madison whose letter I enclose has written fully on that subject; but it is possible he may not have known what I am told is a fact that the Sp: are strongly fortifying at the Natches. I am informed by some of our merchants trading to Lisbon,...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege the receipt of your favour of June 18. You will learn by the letters &c. which go in this packet that this world is all going to war. Thank god our’s is out of their vortex. Holland and the emperor are the only powers which appear as yet: but I have no doubt that the spring will lead France, Prussia and the Porte into the feild on one side and Russia on the other. England...
21[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Chas. Thomson. Receipt his of Oct. 26.—send letters by Fr. packet. If secret, and not cyphered desire N. J[amieson] to confide to passenger. Span. incroachment not probable—peace and war doubtful—Bav. & Austr. neth.—consequence of repeated lies of Eng. papers towards lowering respect to us. Important to recover their respect—paiment of debts,...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favour of Novr. 11, with the pamphlets, for which I return you my hearty thanks. The report on animal magnetism gave me great satisfaction. Before I had heard of these experiments and of this report, I was greatly at a loss what to think of the matter. The Marqs. de la Fayette had come over quite an enthusiast in favour of it. He had got a special meeting called of the...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Mar. 6. is come duly to hand. You therein acknowlege the receipt of mine of Nov. 11. At that time you could not have received my last of Feb. 8. At present there is so little new in politicks, literature, or the arts that I write rather to prove to you my desire of nourishing your correspondence, than of being able to give you any thing interesting at this time. The political...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 14 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Houdon I send you a copy of my notes. I also send 100 copies of the paper I left with you on our coinage. Printing is so cheap here (they cost me but a guinea) that I thought it worth while to print as many copies as would enable you to put one into the hands of every member of Congress when they should enter on the subject, and to do the same at any succeeding session when they should...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter received from you was of Mar. 6. Since that I have written one to you of June 21. by Mr. Otto, and another of July 14. by Mr. Houdon. In yours of Mar. you express a wish of an opportunity of getting the Cylinder lamp. Colo. Senf going to America furnishes me an opportunity of sending you one, which you must do me the favor to accept. There is but one critical circumstance in...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 2 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your several favours of Feby 8 June 21 and July 14 and also a copy of your Notes by Mr. Houdon, for which I am much obliged. It grieves me to the soul that there should be such just grounds for your apprehensions respecting the irritation that will be produced in the southern states by what you have said of slavery. However I would not have you discouraged. This is a cancer...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 6 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 8th October as well as those of 21 June by Mr. Otto and the 14 July by Mr. Houdon. I read your notes with much pleasure and intended to have troubled you with some observations on them; but they have been so much out of my hands, though entrusted to such as you would approve, that I have not had an opportunity to revise them with that attention I wished and...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In one of your former letters you expressed a wish to have one of the newly invented lamps. I find them made here much better than at Paris, and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one which will accompany this letter. It is now found that any tolerable oil may be used in them. The Spermaceti oil is best of the cheap kinds. I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having written to you on the 22nd. Ult. from London, I should not so soon have troubled you again but for a special case. A particular Botanical friend of mine at this place has written to Charlestown, to one Watson (the Bartram of that place) for a number of plants and seeds. The former will be sent next fall, the latter perhaps earlier. There being no direct conveiance between Charlestown...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Thomson, 8 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received by the way of Baltimore your letter of the 22 April with the new invented lamp, for which I return you my most hearty thanks. I conclude you were disappointed in sending the one you mentioned in a former letter by Col. Senf, as he never called on me. The one you have now sent is an elegant piece of furniture, if it were not otherwise valuable on account of its usefulness....