31From 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...
32From 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...
33From 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...
34[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 .]
35From 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...
36[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...
37From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, 17 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to the General Assembly the within Proposition from Mr. Ross the Commercial Agent for the State as the Legislature alone can carry it into Effect, should it meet with approbation. I have the Honor to be with very great respect Sir Your, &c., FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “To the Speaker of the House of Delegates.” Enclosure: David Ross to TJ , same date, q.v. TJ’s...
38[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.]
39I. 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...
40From 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...
41Steuben 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...
42Resolution 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...
43III. 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...
44Appointment 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...
45To 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...
46V. 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...
47Bill 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...
48Bill 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...
49Bill 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...
50Enclosure 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...
51Bill 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,...
52Bill 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...
53Bill 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....
54Bill for Sequestering British Property, [13 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons, subjects of Great Britain, had, during our connection with that Kingdom, acquired estates real and personal within this Commonwealth and had also become entitled to debts to a considerable amount, and some of them had commenced suits for the recovery of such debts before the present troubles had interrupted the administration of Justice, which suits were at that time...
55Bill 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...
56I. Bill for Establishing a Land Office and Ascertaining the Terms and Manner of Granting Waste and Unappropriated Lands … (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas there are large Quantities of waste and unappropriated Lands within the territorial Limits of this Commonwealth, the granting of which will encourage the Migration of Foreigners hither, promote Population, increase the annual Revenue, and create a Fund for discharging the Public Debt, Be it enacted by the General Assembly that an Office shall be and is hereby constituted for the...
57Bill Appointing the Place for Holding the High Court of Chancery and the General Court, [20 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas by the acts constituting the High court of Chancery and General court, the said courts are to be holden at such place as the legislature shall direct, and no place hath as yet been appointed for that purpose: Be it therefore enacted by the General assembly that for the term of one year after the end of this present session of assembly, and from thence to the end of the session then...
58Bill 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...
59Bill for Regulating the Appointment of Delegates to the Continental Congress, [12 May 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the General assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia that there shall be annually chosen five delegates to act on the part of this Commonwealth in General Congress any three of whom shall have power to sit and vote. The delegates to be chosen in this present session of Assembly shall continue in office till the day of and those hereafter to be chosen at the said annual...
60Order 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...
61Bill Providing a Supply for the Public Exigencies, [20 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas in order to carry into effect the several acts passed at this present session of General assembly for raising a regiment of horse, for raising a battalion of infantry for garrison duty, for raising volunteers to join the grand army [for recruiting the continental army] and [other purposes therein mentioned, and the resolutions of the twenty ninth of May one thousand seven hundred and...
62Bill to Prevent the Importation of Slaves, &c., [16 June 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
To prevent more effectually the practice of holding persons in Slavery and importing them into this State Be it enacted by the General Assembly that all persons who shall be hereafter imported into this Commonwealth by Sea or by Land whether they were bond or free in their native Country upon their taking the Oath of Fidelity to this Commonwealth shall from thenceforth become free and...
63Bill 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...
64Bill Providing Speedy Remedy against Defaulters to the United States, [18 May 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas divers persons receiving money of the United states of America for publick uses, apply it to different purposes, and when called on refuse or neglect to repay the same; others enter into contracts for supplying the army and navy of the United states with provisions and other necessaries, and fail or refuse to comply therewith; and whereas in like cases respecting this commonwealth in...
65Bill 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...
66Resolution 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...
67Bill 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...
68Advice 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...
69II. Report of Committee of House of Delegates on Right of Senate to Alter Money Bills, [4 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed have according to order prepared what they think may be proper to be offered at the conference which is to be desired with the Senate on the subject matter of their amendments to a resolution of the house of delegates for paying to Thomas Johnson the sum of £15-5-6. The house of delegates has desired this conference in order to preserve that harmony and friendly...
70[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...
71Bill for Dissolving the Vestries of the Parishes of Meherrin and St. Anne, [16 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas it hath been represented to this present general assembly, that by the death and resignation of sundry members of the vestries of Meherrin parish, in the county of Brunswick, and of the parish of St. Anne, in the county of Albemarle , there is not a sufficient number of members to hold a vestry in either of the said parishes , by which means the business of the same hath been for a...
72Bill 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...
73Enclosure 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...
74VI. 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...
75Bill Indemnifying the Executive for Removing and Confining Suspected Persons, [16–26 December 1777] (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas on the late appearance of a hostile Fleet in the Bay of Chesapeake, a large Body of Militia were collected and arrayed, and to prevent the dangerous Consequences which might have been produced by a Communication of Intelligence, to the Enemy, it became necessary for the Governor and Council, for the public safety, to remove and restrain, during the Imminence of the Danger, at a...
76Bill 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...
77Enclosure 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...
78VIII. Resolution of the House of Delegates respecting the Claims of Thomas Johnson and Others, [24 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved, That the Consideration of the different propositions of the Senate and this House for defining the precise meaning of the term money Bill in the Act of Government, ought to be refer’d to the next Session of Assembly: and that in the mean time the several persons interested in the claims suspended in consequence of amendments by the senate shall receive on account thereof the sums...
79Act to Empower the Justices of Cumberland and Fluvanna Counties to Appoint New Places for Holding Their Courts, 24 … (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg, 24 Dec. 1777 .] Act repeals Act of preceding session directing justices of Cumberland to lay off a town called Effingham where the courthouse was to be located; petitions both from Cumberland and Fluvanna request that Assembly authorize justices to “re-consider their said appointments” of places for the respective courthouses. The Act also repeals that part of the Act of the...
80II. Depositions concerning Claims to Lands under Purchases from the Indians, [April 1777–October 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of a Resolution of the last General Convention of Virginia appointing us Paul Carrington, Bennet Goode and Joseph Speed Commissioners for taking depositions touching Claims to Lands within the Territory of Virginia under Deeds and purchases from the Indians, We have this day met at the Court House of Mecklenburg County after twenty days notice being given to Richard Henderson and...