1Petition 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...
2Advice 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...
3To 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...
4Henry 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...
5[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...
6III. 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...
7I. Petition of Thomas Johnson, [before 11 November 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To the Honl. The Speaker and Delegates of the Common Wealth of Virginia. The Petition of Thomas Johnson Jun. humbly shewith that your petitioner was appointed a Captain in the County of Louisa and raised his quota of men and when he was about to march to Join his Ridgment, was obliged to hire a Cart and two Stears of Charles Yancey to carry his mens baggage &c. as far as Carrs bridge and after...
8From 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....
9[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...
10V. Communication from House of Delegates to Senate concerning Money Bills, [9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Reasons to be offered at the conference to be desired of the Senate in answer to their reasons delivered at the last conference. The house of delegates not being satisfied with the reasons urged by the Senate in support of their amendments to the resolution for allowing to Thomas Johnson the sum of £15-5-6 have desired this second conference to shew the insufficiency of the said reasons and to...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From 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...
14From 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...
15II. Additional Instructions from the Inhabitants of Albemarle, [ca. September–October 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
The Instructions of the Inhabitants and freemen of Albemarle County to their Representatives in General Assembly. We are sorry, that we did not think of the following Instructions sooner, so that they might have been joined with the Instructions drawn up in another paper, and sent under one together. We hope that every attempt of this nature, will meet with a kind reception from our worthy...
16From 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:...
17From 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...
18[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.]
19[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...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From 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...
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, 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.]
25From 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...
26From 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...
27From 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).
28From 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...
29From 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...
30VI. Reply of Senate to House of Delegates concerning Money Bills, [15 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate conceive that, in the present Question, it is of no consequence whether the constituent Parts of our Legislature resemble the Lords and Commons of Great Britain , or whether the Senate is made to resemble the House of Lords in this or that Particular. Clearly pointed out as they have supposed the Office of the two Houses to be in the matter on which a Difference of Opinion has...