1Resolution 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...
2Appointment 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...
3Enclosure 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...
4Bill 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,...
5Bill 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...
6Bill 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...
7From 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...
8Enclosure 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...
9Enclosure 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12To 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...
13Resolution 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...
14Circular 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...
15[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...
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...
17I. 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...
18From 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....
19[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...
20III. Reply of Senate to House of Delegates concerning Money Bills, [9 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate wish to have their institution clearly understood, and the bounds of their authority marked, satisfied that a wide door must stand open to contest, were this not to be the case. They prize very highly the harmony so justly valued by the House of Delegates; whilst that reigns, the public happiness will probably be most effectually sustained. This principle, so useful in the conduct...
21V. 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...
22Bill for Dividing the Counties of Augusta and Botetourt, [16 December 1777–12 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
[Whereas] it is represented to this present Session of Assembly by the Inhabitants of Augusta and Botetourt Counties that they labour under great Inconveniencies by Reason of the great Extent of the said Counties and Parishes Be it therefore enacted by the General Assembly that from and after the first Day of February next the said County and Parish of Augusta shall be divided by a Line...
23Bill concerning Inoculation for Smallpox, [27 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the Small-pox, at this time in many parts of the Commonwealth is likely to spread and become general, and it hath been proved by incontestible experience that the late discovery’s and Improvements therein have produced great Benefits to Mankind, by rendering a Distemper, which taken in the common way is always dangerous and often fatal, comparatively mild and safe by Inoculation, and...
24From 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...
25Bill 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...
26From 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...
27From 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...
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...
29Bill 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...
30Bill 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....