31Bill to Enforce Attendance of Members of Assembly, [26 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 26 May 1778 ] Preamble of Bill asserts that public business has been delayed and heavy and unnecessary expenses incurred “thro’ want of a sufficient number of members to proceed to business.” Provides that any delegate or senator not attending on opening shall pay “the sum of for every day that he shall continue absent” when the house of which he is a member is unable to do...
32Bill to Enable Judges of the General Court to Hold Two Additional Sessions, [27 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[ 27 May 1778 ] Since there are only two sessions of the General Court (March and October), persons committed for criminal offenses “are obliged to undergo a long and painful confinement before they can be brought to trial, which is contrary to justice, and the principles of the constitution.” Henceforth there shall be two other sessions (June and December) to hear only “treasons, felonies,...
33Bill to Attaint Josiah Philips and Others, [28 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas a certain Josiah Philips labourer of the parish of Lynhaven and county of Princess Anne together with divers others inhabitants of the counties of Princess Anne and Norfolk and citizens of this commonwealth contrary to their fidelity associating and confederating together have levied war against this Commonwealth, within the same, committing murders, burning houses, wasting farms and...
34Bill to Amend an Act for Raising a Supply of Money, [14 October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the Taxes Collected by virtue of the Act intituled “an Act for raising a supply of money for Public Exigencies” are not sufficient to answer the purposes of the said Act and Whereas great inequality and injustice have arisen from the various opinions of Assessors in their valuation of Taxable property, and greater evils are still likely to arise if the same mode of Taxation is pursued....
35Bill to Amend the Act Establishing a General Court, [27 October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Be it enacted by the general Assembly] That instead of the Days heretofore set apart for the Trial of Criminal Causes in the General Court held in the months of March and October the said Court shall at the Commencement of the said Terms enter upon the Trial thereof as null those for capitol offences as others setting apart the four first Days, for that Purpose, but the Judges may direct the...
36Bill for Giving the Members of the General Assembly an Adequate Allowance, [12 December 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it is just that the members of General assembly, delegated by the people to transact for them the legislative business, should, while attending that business, have their reasonable sustenance defrayed, dedicating to the public service their time and labors freely and without account: and it is also expedient that the public councils should not be deprived of the aid of good and able...
37Bill for the Removal of the Seat of Government of Virginia, [29 May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 29 May 1779 .] This Bill is substantially the same as that drawn by TJ in 1776 and summarily rejected on its first reading (q.v., under date of 11 Nov. 1776). TJ had made the proposal in 1776 because of the exposure of Williamsburg to an invading enemy and also because of its inconvenient distance from the western inhabitants; by 1779 danger of invasion was great and the power...
38Bill Amending Act for Fixing the Allowance of Members of the General Assembly, [31 May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by an act intituled ‘an act for fixing the allowance of the members of general assembly’ passed at this present session by authority from the body of the people it was provided that the said allowances should be of 50. pounds of neat tobacco by the day for attendance on assembly, two pounds of the like tobacco for every mile they must necessarily travel going to or from the same,...
39Bill for Allowing Salaries to Certain Officers of Government, [May 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General assembly that from the 1st day of Jan. which shall be in the year of our lord 17—there shall be paid the following salaries to the officers of government herein after named, viz. to the Governor 153,000 ℔ of nett tobo. by the year to each of the judges of the High Court of Chancery, General court and court of Admiralty 60,000 ℔ of like tobo. by the year to the...
40Bill for Lessening the Evils of Securityship, [before June 1779?] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the laws permitting one person to become bound for another have been found in experience to be of more harm than help to the citizens of this commonwealth, by encouraging merchants and others to extend credits beyond the abilities of their debtors to pay, by giving fatal facilities to thoughtless and unprincipled spendthrifts to continue their extravagant courses till they have not...
41Message Accepting Election as Governor, [2 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
The honour which the General Assembly have been pleased to confer on me, by calling me to the high office of Governour of this commonwealth, demands my most grateful acknowledgments, which I desire through you Gentlemen, to tender to them with the utmost respect. In a virtuous and free state, no rewards can be so pleasing to sensible minds, as those which include the approbation of our fellow...
42Bill concerning Escheats and Forfeitures from British Subjects, [4 June 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas during the connection which subsisted between the now United states of America and the other parts of the British empire, and their subjection to one common prince the inhabitants of either part had all the rights of natural born subjects in the other and so might lawfully take and hold real property, and transmit the same by descent to their heirs in fee simple, which could not be...
43Order of Virginia Council Placing Henry Hamilton and Others in Irons, 16 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In COUNCIL, June 16, 1779. The Board proceeded to the consideration of the letters of Colonel Clarke , and other papers relating to Henry Hamilton, Esq; who has acted some years past as Lieutenant Governour of the settlement at and about Detroit, and commandant of the British garrison there, under Sir Guy Carleton as Governour in Chief; Philip Dejean , Justice of the Peace for Detroit, and...
44Henry Hamilton to the Lieutenant Governor and Council of Virginia, 30 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pelham having very obligingly procured me the means of addressing you, I take this first opportunity of representing to you the Circumstances and situation of the two Gentlemen at present in confinement along with me. I am to suppose they have been put in Prison for having acted under my orders. If there be any criminality in those orders Justice demands that I alone should be the...
45Advice of Council respecting Henry Hamilton and Others, 29 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In COUNCIL , September 29. 1779. The Board having been at no time unmindful of the circumstances attending the confinement of Lieutenant Governour Hamilton , Captain La Mothe , and Philip Dejean , which the personal cruelties of these men, as well as the general conduct of the enemy had constrained them to advise, wishing, and willing to expect that their sufferings may lead them to the...
46Advice of Council concerning Prisoners, 8 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The Governor is advised to take proper and effectual measures for knowing from time to time the situation and treatment of our prisoners with the enemy and to extend to theirs with us a like treatment in every circumstance. And also to order to a proper station the prison ship fitted up on recommendation from Congress for the reception and confinement of such prisoners of war as shall be sent...
47Bill for Establishing a Manufactory of Arms and Extending Navigation through the Falls of James River, [30 October 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas in consequence of certain resolutions of General assembly the Governor with the advice of the council of state on behalf of this commonwealth hath entered into articles of agreement with Messrs. Peter Penet Windel and company of the kingdom of France, which articles are in these words following to wit. Articles of agreement entered into and concluded on the twenty second day of July in...
48Petition of Alexander Dick to the Governor and Council, 2 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 2 Nov. 1779 . The petitioner embarked on an armed brig in February 1777 as a part of the state regiment and was taken to England as a prisoner; having contracted a debt of 160 guineas while a prisoner and during escape, he requests that his pay as captain be made equal to hard money; he requests also a commission as major of marines. RC ( Vi ); 2 p. Dick’s petition was...
49Resolution of the General Assembly Appointing Jefferson Governor, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that Thomas Jefferson Esquire, be appointed Governor or Chief Magistrate of the Commonwealth, for one Year, he having been elected to that Office by joint ballot of both Houses of Assembly. MS ( PHi ); engrossed copy on parchment, signed by the speakers of the two houses and endorsed: “resoln: of Ass: appt. of Govr.” Another MS ( Vi ), headed “Virginia to wit. In the House of...
50From Thomas Jefferson to the General Assembly, [4 June 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
I receive with great satisfaction this testimony of the public approbation, and beg leave through you gentlemen, to return my sincere thanks to the General Assembly. I shall cheerfully again encounter the anxieties and assiduities inseparable from the important office to which you are pleased a second time to call me, and only wish to be able to call forth those effectual exertions of my...
51Circular Letter to Members of the Assembly, 23 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I AM sorry, after so long and laborious a session of Assembly, the publick exigencies should be such as to call for an earlier meeting of the members than was intended. A proclamation has been this day issued for convening you on the first day of March; and though that alone was necessary in point of formality, I could not deny myself the apprizing you by letter of those circumstances which...
52From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 1 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great reluctance that after so long and laborious a Session as the last I have been again obliged to give you the trouble of convening in General Assembly within so short a time and in so inclement a season. But such was the situation of Public Affairs as to render it indispensable. The six millions of pounds ordered to be emitted at the last Session of assembly, the four millions...
53From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 3 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It is thought that the present Situation of the Enemy in this State affords an opportunity of undertaking Some military operations of Importance. To enable the Commanding Officer to carry them on, an additional Force on the Water is necessary. There are in James and Appamattox Rivers vessels of private Property suited and sufficient for the Purpose as is believed. I shall be glad to have the...
54From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 5 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Baron Steuben has sent to this Place a number of the Levies raised under the act of assembly passed at the Session of May 1780, whom he declines retaining as unfit for Service. It was his Desire that it should be made known to the assembly. I therefore take the Liberty of inclosing to you his Letter. The Discharge of these men will on the one Hand lose the Bounty the public: on the other the...
55From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 6 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to lay before the General assembly the inclosed letter from the honble. Majr. Genl. Baron Steuben containing some propositions for the internal defence of our state. I have the honour to be with very great respect Sir your most obedt & most humble servt, RC ( Vi ); addressed; docketed: “Governors Letter enclosing Baron Steubens plan for the internal defence of the State. March 6th:...
56From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 8 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 8 Mch. 1781 . This letter is identical with the first part of the letter sent to George Washington, same date, q.v. FC ( Vi ); 2 p. TJ’s letter was presented to the House the same day and was “ordered to lie on the table” ( JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , Mch. 1781, Va. State Libr., Bull. , 1928, p. 16).
57From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it my duty to communicate to the General assembly the inclosed papers giving information of the refusal of considerable numbers of militia within certain counties to come into the feild, and the departure of some others in defiance with their arms. The crisis at which these instances of disobedience to the laws have appeared, may bring on peculiar ill consequences. I have taken the...
58From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 9 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive were informed during the last summer or Fall that the Accomack and Diligence gallies were deserted by officers and men, and left open to be plundered of their guns and furniture. Orders were immediately given to Commodore Baron to arrest the officers, to have the men sought for and taken, one of the gallies brought round to the Bayside of the Eastern shore and manned with the...
59From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 10 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Major General Baron Steuben expressed in the inclosed letter, I take the liberty of laying it before you. The number of Militia necessary to be called into the field, and time of their being there, we begged the Baron to advise. He did so. Apprehending deficiencies, we ordered a considerably larger number. As soon as we received the Letters informing us of the deficiencies...
60From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 16 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marquis Fayette desired me among the articles most essential for an enterprize at the Head of which he is, to procure 130 Draught Horses for Artillery and 50 Saddle Horses for Officers to act on. I gave Power and Instructions to have them procured by Purchase if possible and if not by Impress. One of the Quartermasters employed in this Business informs me that he has purchased some and...