1From James Madison to the Virginia General Assembly, [ca. 1 March 1817] (Madison Papers)
I have recd, fellow Citizens from Governor Preston, your address of the 22d. Ulto: The sentiments which it conveys are particularly endeared to me, as those of a State, with which I am connected by the ties of my birth & of my home; and by the recollections of its confidence & partiality, commencing at an early stage of my life, and continued under different public manifestations, to the...
2To James Madison from the Virginia General Assembly, 22 February 1817 (Madison Papers)
At the moment when you are about to lay down the power with which the voluntary suffrages of an enlightened country have invested you, and to retire to that peaceful calm which your devotion to the public service has hitherto denied you, the General Assembly of Virginia cannot forbear to tender you, on behalf of the good people of your native state, a brief expression of their esteem, their...
3Enclosure: In the House of Delegates, 14 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas, the relative situation of the United States, has been found on trial, to require uniformity in their commercial regulations, as the only effectual policy for obtaining in the ports of foreign nations a stipulation of privileges reciprocal to those enjoyed by the subjects of such nations in the ports of the United States, for preventing animosities, which cannot fail to arise among the...
4Enclosure II: Resolution of the Virginia Assembly, 1 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Resolved that Thomas Massey Esqr., or in case of his death or failing to act through other cause, such other person as shall be appointed by the Executive in his stead, be authorized in conjunction with the person appointed or to be appointed on the part of Maryland, to open and keep in repair a convenient Road from such part of the Waters of the Potowmack, to such part of the River Cheat or...
5Enclosure III: Resolution of the Virginia Assembly, 1 January 1785 (Washington Papers)
Resolved that the Executive be authorized to appoint three Persons, who or any two of whom shall make an accurate examination and survey of James River from Lynch’s Ferry in Campbell County upwards, of the most convenient course for a Road from the highest navigable part of the said River to the nearest navigable part of the Waters running into the Ohio, and of the said Waters running into the...
6Enclosure I: Resolution of the Virginia Assembly, 28 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Resolved that the Commissioners or any two of them appointed on the 28th day of June last to concert with Commissioners on the part of Maryland regulations touching the navigation and jurisdiction of the Potowmack, be further authorized to unite with the said Commissioners in representing to the State of Pensylvania that it is in contemplation of the said two states to promote the clearing and...
7From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, [11 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having thought proper to require my services in the negotiation of their Foreign treaties, my seat as one of your delegates in Congress is become vacant. I feel myself on this occasion bound to express my gratitude for the confidence which the General assembly were pleased to repose in me by this appointment and to assure them that during my continuance therein I have made the just...
8[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 11 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 11 May 1784 . Entry in SJL , written immediately below that for the letter to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, reads: “Speaker Senate. Do.” Not found.]
9[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 7 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 7 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Sp. H.D. [John Tyler]. Inclosed requisitions and report Western territory—business before Congr.—adjournment—parliament will be dissolved.” Letter and enclosures not found.]
10[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 18 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Speakr. H. Del. Fox. North. Extract Franklin’s letter—Fayette, Laur. Ad. Jay.—state of Congr.—penurious keeping 2 delegates—hope of adjournment—paiments and arrears of states—Virga. will be called on for between 8. and 900,000 D.—proceedings on deed of cession—Indiana—Kentucky—draw boundary by meridian mouth Kanhaway—make act of people.” Neither...
11[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 17 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 17 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “A. Cary. Dr. F’s letter extract. Marq. Fay. Ad. Jay. Laurence.—Turks and Russns—state of Congr.” Neither the letter nor the enclosed extract of Franklin’s letter of 25 Dec. 1783 has been found; but see TJ to Harrison, 18 Mch. 1784 .]
12[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 4 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “A. Cary. Proceedings of Congr. on Western cession—execution of deed—refused commit Indiana—Kentucky petition—further cession to meridian mouth Kanhaw.—paiments and arrears of states on requisition of Oct. 30. 1781. for 8. million—ratification sailed Feb. 17—Turks and Russians—Fox and North resigned—Pr. Wales against E. Ind. bill—Pitt-Adams and...
13[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 28 February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Annapolis, 28 Feb. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Speakr. H. Del. Accomodation Turks and Russ.—detention of ratification—8. statesimportance of Norfolk—propose tax to open Ohio and Patowm.—direction to Gl. Wash.” Not found.]
14[From Thomas Jefferson to Speaker of the Senate, 19 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 19 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Sp. Sen. European intelligence—extract from letter of Ministers—proposition on G. town to Del. of Maryld.” Letter and enclosure not found, but see TJ’s letter to Benjamin Harrison, 17 Dec. 1783 , and note. The phrase “proposition on G. town” (i.e., Georgetown) clearly refers to a proposal TJ, presumably with other members of the Virginia...
15[From Thomas Jefferson to Speaker of the House of Delegates, 18 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Sp. H. Del. European intelligence.—extract from letter of Ministers.” Letter and enclosure not found, but see preceding document and note.]
16III. Petition of Mace Freeland to the House of Delegates, 7 June 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
To the honourable the Speaker and the House of Delegates the petition of Mace Freeland of the county of Buckingham humbly sheweth That James Freeland, your petitioner’s father being seised and possessed of a considerable estate in lands slaves and personalties, and having issue James Freeland your petitioner’s elder brother by one venter, and your petitioner by another, devised to the said...
17Appointment by the General Assembly of a Committee to Investigate and Publish Findings concerning Virginia’s Western … (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that a Committee of five to wit George Mason, Thomas Jefferson, Arthur Lee, Edmund Randolph and Thomas Walker Esquires be appointed and vested with full Powers to collect all Documents and Proofs necessary for establishing the Right of this State to it’s Western Territory as stated by the Act of Government in 1776. To state such Right and apply the Proofs in Support thereof. That the...
18[Resolutions concerning Peace with England, 25 May 1782] (Jefferson Papers)
[Ford, ii , 160, prints a series of resolutions under the date “[June? 1778]” to the effect that “a Proposition from the Enemy to all or any of these United States for Peace or truce separate from their Allies is insidious and inadmissable.” A copy of these resolutions in the hand of John Beckley is in DLC: TJ Papers, 3:448, bearing an endorsement in the hand of Edmund Pendleton which reads in...
19From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 6 May 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Purposing to decline the office of delegate for this county to which I have been lately elected, I take the liberty of declaring to you that I do not accept of the appointment, and of begging that this my act of renunciation may through your favor be communicated to the honourable the House of Delegates with every assurance to them and yourself of the very great respect with which I have the...
20Resolution of Thanks to Jefferson by the Virginia General Assembly, 12–19 December 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A Motion was made that the House do come to the following Resolution Resolved , that the sincere Thanks of the General Assembly be given to our former Governor Thomas Jefferson Esquire for his impartial, upright, and attentive administration of the powers of the Executive , whilst in office; popular rumours, gaining some degree of credence, by more pointed Accusations, rendered it necessary to...
21Steuben to the Speaker of the Senate, [3 June 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Quelques jours passé J’ai eu L’honneur de vous informer de L’Etat de La Ligne de Virginie en General. J’espere que Vous avez fait connaitre a L’honorable Assemble le contenue de cette Lettre. Croyant necessaire que Les Legislative soient au fait du nombre des trouppes que cet Etat tiens en Campagne. A present je prens la Liberté de vous depeindre La situation des trouppes presentement...
22From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 2 June 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to refer to the consideration of the General assembly the inclosed letters from the County Lieutenants of Augusta, Rockbridge and Rockingham, and have the honour to be with great respect Sir your most obedt. humble servt., RC ( Vi ); addressed by TJ: “The honble Benjamin Harrison esq. Speaker of the House of Delegates.” Enclosures (missing): These were probably George Moffett to...
23Petition of Robert Poage and Others, May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Memorial of a Number of faithful Citizens humbly represents, That your Memorialists have from Sentiment, as well as a regard to the Authority of our Country, cordially espoused the common Cause of America. We have invariably endeavoured to cultivate unanimity, Fortitude and Perseverance amongst our fellow Subjects, and joined our most fervent prayers with our Endeavours that the Measures...
24[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 31? May 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Charlottesville, 31? May 1781 . JHD Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (cited by session and date of publication) , May 1781, 1828 edn., p. 7 (31 May): “The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing one from Baron Steuben, with a representation of the present state of the Virginia line; which was read and ordered to be referred to the...
25From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honour of addressing the General Assembly by Letter of the 14th instant I have received a second Letter from the Honble. Major General Greene on the subject of cavalry and another in answer to one I had written communicating to him information I had recived as to the conduct of a particular officer employed by him in impressing, which I transmit herewith. I also inclose a...
26From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honour to communicate to the General Assembly an Ordinance of Congress of the 5th. Day of April last for establishing Courts for the Trial of Piracies and Felonies committed on the high Seas; also certain Resolutions of Congress of the 16th. and 23d. of March on the mode of paying Debts and [furnishing] Supplies of Money and of the 20th. of April relative to that Part of Colo....
27From Thomas Jefferson to the Members of Assembly for Fluvanna and Certain Other Counties, 1 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
We deferred changing the place of calling the Assembly, in hopes that every Day would give us a prospect of getting rid of the enemy in the neighbourhood of Richmond. The Arrival of the Marquis Fayette with a detachment of Continental Troops, and the junction of our whole force together with his, has put these cowardly plunderers under way down the River, and renders this Place perfectly...
28From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 22 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of inclosing you a letter I received yesterday evening informing me of the arrival of a British fleet of force in Chesapeake bay. Should this be confirmed beyond all doubt I shall think it proper to discharge the armed vessels of private property which had been impressed into public service. In the mean time they are coming up to a safer part of the river, and a valuation...
29From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 19 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not doubting but the General Assembly will be glad to be informed of the Occurrences in the Carolina’s, I take the liberty of transmitting to them a Letter I have received from General Greene and some extracts from Letters received from Major McGill who is with the Southern Army. I have the Honor to be, &c., P.S. I must take the liberty of begging a return of Genl. Greene’s Letter when...
30From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 17 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed act of Congress will inform you of the final ratification of the Confederation of the thirteen United states of America. I beg leave to congratulate the General assembly on this very important event, by which a firm bond of Union is drawn on these states, our friends enabled to repose confidence in our engagements, and our enemies deprived of their only remaining hope. I have the...