51From Thomas Jefferson to Auguste Belin, 27 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M. Belin and his thanks for the funeral oration of M. Chaudron on General Washington. he has read this very eloquent production with great satisfaction. it is in truth a very pleasing thing to Americans to see foreigners so liberally participate in their grief on the loss of their great countryman. it is but justice to acknolege that the citizens of...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Carlo Bellini, 24 April 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear friend, with great sensibility your favor of the 1st. instant. [it] recalled to my mind many very dear scenes which passed while we had the happiness of possessing you here. events have separated the actors & called them to other stages; but neither time, distance, nor events have weakened my affections for them. the portrait of one of them which you propose to gratify me...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Bell, 18 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of the President’s speech at the opening of Congress , from which you will see what were the objects in calling us together. When we first met our information from the members from all the parts of the union was that peace was the universal wish. Whether they will now raise their tone to that of the executive and embark in all the measures indicative of war and by taking a...
54From Thomas Jefferson to John Beale Bordley, 30 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Randolph, your friend in England, & I believe your relation is entitled to large arrearages of an annuity settled on her by marriage contract, for the paiment of which Peter Randolph, Peyton Randolph & Philip Grymes were jointly & severally bound. Peter R’s estate is no longer solvent, & . Peyton R’s part devolves on Edmund Randolph, so that he and mr Grymes the son, are liable for the...
55From Thomas Jefferson to John Beale Bordley, 21 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Boardeley and thanks him for the volume he was so kind as to send him. mr Boardely having lost the model of a mould board formerly sent him Th:J. asks his acceptance of another, and offers many wishes for his better health. RC (Henry C. Davis, Columbia, South Carolina, 1947). Not recorded in SJL . John Beale Bordley (1727–1804), a native of...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Boudinot, 1 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine at Hanau in Germany, Baron Geismar , owning some shares (I believe three) in a copper mine in your neighborhood, has desired and authorised me to have them sold. having applied to the honourable mr Stockdon to recommend me to some person whom I might address for this purpose he was kind enough to permit me to use his name in addressing you. under that sanction I presume to...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Boudinot, 25 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 19th. and am very sensible of your kind attention to the subject on which I had taken the liberty of troubling you. as soon as you recieve mr Roosevelt ’s answer I shall be further thankful for the communication of it. I should with great pleasure have made a visit to Newark in order to see these mines, & have accepted the polite offer of your company to...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Boudinot, 2 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I took the liberty of troubling you on a former occasion with a letter on the interests of my friend the Baron de Geismar , I have recieved a letter from him informing me he has purchased another share in the mines of Schuyler in Jersey from the Chevalr. Ferdinand Malsburg chamberlain to the Prince of Baden. it is No. 36. but he expresses at the same time a great desire to sell the...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Henry Brackenridge, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I received while at home the letter you were so kind as to write me. the employments of the country have such irresistable attractions for me, that while I am at home, I am very unpunctual in acknoleging the letters of my friends. having no refuge here from my room & writing table, it is my regular season for fetching up the lee way of my correspondence. Before you receive this you will have...
60From Thomas Jefferson to William Bradford, 6 November 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
To be present at the meeting of Congress would have required me to set out on this day. But circumstances of necessity oblige me to ask of the Senate the indulgence of some time, probably of about a fortnight. Whether it be more or less I shall repair to my station the first moment it is possible for me to do so. A knolege that in the mean time it is so worthily filled, leaves me nothing to...
61From Thomas Jefferson to John Breckinridge, 29 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th . has been duly recieved, as had been that covering the resolutions of your legislature on the subject of the former resolutions. I was glad to see the subject taken up, and done with so much temper, firmness and propriety. from the reason of the thing I cannot but hope that the Western country will be laid off into a separate Judiciary district. from what I recollect of...
62From Thomas Jefferson to John Breckinridge, 4 July 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by mr Monroe , a relation of our governour who proposes to pay a visit to Kentuckey to look out for a settlement. he is a lawyer of reputation, a very honest man and good republican . having no acquaintance in your state I take the liberty of recommending him to your attentions and counsel, which the worth of his character will entirely justify. we have no particular...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 8 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Jan. 24. on the subject of the establishment of Agricultural societies, a subject which had formerly occupied my attention to a certain degree, and had been recently called up again by a proposition from the President of the board of agriculture in England. the difficulty in this country is to call into activity some principle which will command...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Brockden Brown, 15 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on my arrival here some days ago the copy of the book you were so kind as to send me together with your letter , for which be pleased to accept my thanks. as soon as I am in a situation to admit it (which is hardly the case here) I shall read it, & I doubt not with great pleasure. some of the most agreeable moments of my life have been spent in reading works of imagination which...
65From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 16 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately recieved a letter from mr Short in France, in which he expresses a great anxiety to have all his affairs here settled that he may be precisely informed of their situation. he particularly mentions that there is an account between you & him which he would be glad to have rendered, & the rather as the articles of it are connected with the accounts between him & Colo. Skipwith, and...
66From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 14 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having to remit to mr Higginbottom on account of Rives & co. at Milton 217.64 D I have his advice that I cannot do it more properly (as paiment is to be made in Richmond) than by placing it in your hands. I therefore take the liberty of inclosing you an order on George Jefferson & co. of Richmond for 217.64 D as abovementioned, which be pleased to recieve on account of the concern of Rives &...
67From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 5 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ you thought you had made such progress in your plan that it could not be altered, yet I send you the one I mentioned, as you may perhaps draw some hints from it for the improvement of yours. The method of building houses 2, 3, or 4 stories high, first adopted in cities [where] ground is scarce, and thence without reason copied in the country where ground abounds, has for these 20. or 30....
68From Thomas Jefferson to Morgan Brown, 16 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Octob. 1. has been duly recieved, and I have to make you my acknowlegements for the offer of the two Indian busts found on the Cumberland & in your possession. such monuments of the state of the arts among the Indians are too singular not to be highly esteemed, and I shall preserve them as such with great care. they will furnish new and strong proofs how far the patience &...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Brown, 10 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much indebted to you for your aid in procuring evidence on the subject of the murder of Logan’s family. your brother has explained to you what was thought best as to Genl. Clarke’s deposition . I received Sappington’s declaration yesterday. I had already published & sent out the pamphlet which I inclose you. but I am now endeavoring to get this declaration printed to annex it to the...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Brown, 25 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
You were a witness, before you left our side of the continent, to the endeavors of the tory party among us, to write me down as far as they could find or make materials. ‘Oh! that mine enemy would write a book!’ has been a well known prayer against an enemy. I had written a book, and it has furnished matter of abuse for want of something better. mr Martin’s polite attack on the subject of...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Ebenezer Burling, 11 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should with great delight deliver myself up to the investigation of the subject proposed in your letter of Dec. 28. had I a right to my own time. but that belongs to the public and is fully engaged in objects far less agreeable to me than those I am obliged to abandon. you seem however so well acquainted with the object on which you are engaged that I dare say you will attain it without...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 1 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It was to be expected that the enemy would endeavor to sow tares between us, that they might divide us and our friends. every consideration satisfies me you will be on your guard against this, as I assure you I am strongly. I hear of one stratagem so imposing & so base that it is proper I should notice it to you. mr Munford , who is here, says he saw at N. York before he left it, an original...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 17 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The newspapers give so minutely what is passing in Congress that nothing of detail can be wanting for your information. Perhaps however some general view of our situation and prospects since you left us may not be unacceptable. At any rate it will give me an opportunity of recalling myself to your memory, and of evidencing my esteem for you. You well know how strong a character of division had...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 7 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you some time before I left home on the subject of my friend Currie’s affair but lest that letter should not have [come to hand] I trouble you with this merely to enquire in what state his suit against Morris [is]. and I should not have done it but that you had supposed that, if terminated favorably at all, it would be before this time. a line of information will be acceptable. A want...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 12 November 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Currie, on whose behalf I troubled you last summer, being anxious to learn something of the prospect he may have of recovery from Robert Morris, I take the liberty of asking a line directed to me at this place where I shall still be long enough to recieve it. I should not have troubled you but that you expected early in the summer to be able to judge what could be done. I am aware at the...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 15 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Although we have not official information of the votes for President & Vice President and cannot have until the first week in Feb. yet the state of the votes is given on such evidence as satisfies both parties that the two Republican candidates stand highest. from S. Carolina we have not even heard of the actual vote; but we have learnt who were appointed electors, and with sufficient...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 11 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 3. came to hand two days ago. I am sorry to observe my friend Currie’s claim to be so unpromising, however I shall still hope for something under the wing of your judgment, which you say will be decided Mar. 14. and if that shall fail, that he may come in for his share under the general attachment. I have no conception how Morris’s immense conveyances to his [four] sons &...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 12 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicated to Dr. Currie your idea that the creditors of mr Morris should buy in the mortgage which stands before them. he answers me in these words. ‘I should wish to be informed by you to what amount I should be obliged to advance, if I became a purchaser with others of the mortgaged lands, to secure my whole debt. tho’ I am almost moneyless, if the thing was practicable, & could come...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 16 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of May 26. I mentioned to you that Dr. Currie had another demand by judgment against John Tayloe Griffin as principal, and Robert Morris garnishee, which should be the subject of a future letter to you. I now inclose you a transcript of the record of the supreme court of this state. It seems by this (I have not examined the record with minute attention) that the court have...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 20 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the pleasure of seeing you here, I spoke to you on the case of a friend of mine, Dr. James Currie of Richmond [in Virginia] and asked the favor of you to proceed, in the way then spoken of, [to] recover against Robert Morris , Dr Currie’s demand, the paper establishing which you had recieved. I have just recieved a letter from him wishing this matter to be pressed. I take the...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 26 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 24th. the notes [delivered by] mr Burwell to mr Ludlow belonged three of them to Dr. Currie, & the [rest to] himself. to wit Doll. Dr. Currie’s. { John Nicholson’s note to Rob. Morris dated Nov. 18. 94 for
82From Thomas Jefferson to Pierce Butler, 11 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 28 . is safely recieved, and recieved with great pleasure, it having been long since we have been without communication . you will have percieved, on your return to Philadelphia, a great change in the spirit of this place. ‘the arrogancy of the proud hath ceased, and the patient & meek look up.’ I do not know how matters are in the quarter you have been in, but all North of...
83A Course of Reading for Joseph C. Cabell, September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
A course of English History—recommended by Mr. Jefferson. Rapin to the end of Stephen. Ld. Lyttleton’s Henry II. Rapin’s R. 1. John. H. 3. E. 1. Edward 2. by E.F. by Sr. Thos. More. E. 3. R. 2. H. 4. 5. 6. Rapin. E. 4. Habington. E. 5. R. 3. Sr. Thos. Moor. R. 3. Rapin. Henry VII. Ld. Bacon. Henry 8. Ld. Herbert of Cherbury. E. 6. his own journal. E. 6. Mary Bp. of Hereford. Eliz. Cambden....
84From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Call, 15 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that mr Washington has left under your care a suit of mine in Chancery against Henderson & al. I take the liberty of troubling you on it. it’s object is to oblige the defs to lower their mill dam so much as to restore their water to it’s antient level, as it was when a mill of mine above theirs was standing. the bill & a deposition taken de bene esse state all the facts with...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Call, 23 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor inclosing the decree against the Hendersons & thank you for your advice on the mode of executing it. I shall use the cautions you recommend. the decree is upon the whole quite satisfactory. it is true I had thought that he who erected a nuisance ought to be made to abate it, & that in the present case the abatement will be considerably expensive. yet that once...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Call, 28 September 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 23d. the Sheriff of this county had informed me that he had served the process on the guardians of all Henderson’s children under age of which description are the two in Kentucky ; their guardian however is here and I had hoped the service was compleat. should I be mistaken in this, I would still prefer taking the decree finally against the others. as I...
87From Thomas Jefferson to James Thomson Callender, 6 September 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
By a want of arrangement in a neighboring post office during the [absence] of the postmaster, my letters & papers for two posts back were detained. [I] suppose it was owing to this that your letter tho’ dated Aug. 10 did not get to my hand till the last day of the month, since which this is the first day I can through the post office acknolege the receipt of it. mr Jefferson happens to be here...
88From Thomas Jefferson to James Thomson Callender, 11 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 22. came to hand only by our last post. I had before been informed through the channel of the newspapers of the insult committed on you. outrages against the laws may take place in every country, because in every country there are people of every character. but I hope it will appear in the issue that such a breach of the laws & hospitality of the state cannot be committed...
89From Thomas Jefferson to James Thomson Callender, 6 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
On recieving your favor of Sep. 29. I did believe it would be in my power to answer you satisfactorily on both the points on which you asked information. I knew indeed that I had not made any particular memorandum of the sum which the Ct. de Vergennes supposed a treaty with the Porte would cost; but I expected that I had mentioned it either in my letter on the subject to mr Jay, or in that to...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur Campbell, 1 September 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of July 4. and to recognise in it the sentiments you have ever held, and worthy of the day on which it is dated. It is true that a party has risen up among us, or rather has come among us, which is endeavoring to separate us from all friendly connection with France, to unite our destinies with those of Great Britain, and to assimilate our...
91From Thomas Jefferson to David Campbell, 14 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long been of opinion that the only means we can have of coming at the descent and relations among the Indians, is by a collection & comparative view of their languages. for this purpose I have never failed to avail myself of any opportunity to get their vocabularies . I have now a large collection, & for fear that in case of any accident they should be lost, I am about to print them. I...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 2 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Matthew Cary, & will be obliged to him if he can inform him how to address a letter to his brother John Carey in London, as he does not know the street, number &c where he would be found. RC ( NN ); addressed: “Mr. Matthew Carey 118. Market street.” Not recorded in SJL . According to SJL on 2 Apr. 1798 TJ wrote a letter to John Carey “at mr....
93From Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 12 January 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved some time ago your favor by Doctr. Carey together with the American Monitor , for which be pleased to accept my thanks. I have no doubt of it’s utility as a school-book as soon as the pupil is so far advanced as to reflect on what he reads, and that I believe is in an earlier stage than is generally imagined. I concur with you in the importance of inculcating into the minds of young...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Antonia Reynon Carmichael, 30 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to return you my thanks for the copy of the memoire you have been so good as to send me. It contains just and interesting observations on the importance of a navigation through the isthmus of Darien . The late Mr. Carmichael had hoped he could procure for us the copy of a survey of that isthmus said to exist in the archives of the Spanish government. But I imagine it is too carefully...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Carr, 21 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Mar. 23. came duly to hand, and by the same post a letter of the 24th. from mr Eppes informing me that Maria was so much better that in a few days she would be able to go to Montblanco. I since learn that Patsy is got home, whence I conclude that all is at length well. it has been indeed a most painful and tedious case; and my anxieties have been extreme. mr Eppes proposed to me to go...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, [2]2 June [1798] (Jefferson Papers)
It is my expectation to leave this on the 25th. and to be at our July court. but something may very possibly arise which may keep me a few days longer. I must ask the favor of you therefore to press Kinsolving at court to pay up his balance, as I have considerable paiments to make immediately on my arrival at home. he may lodge the money with Colo. Bell. this being the last moment of the post...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 12 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
As the instructions to our envoys & their communications have excited a great deal of curiosity, I inclose you a copy. you will percieve that they have been assailed by swindlers whether with or without the participation of Taleyrand is not very apparent. the known corruption of his character renders it very possible he may have intended to share largely in the 50,000 £. demanded. but that the...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 4 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Ross’s Kitt setting out for Charlottesville where he has a cause to be tried with James Ross, and apprehending personal danger from him, has asked me to interest some person to ensure him the protection of the laws. I assured him every one would see that protection extended to him, however as he intreated it, I promised to write to yourself, mr Randolph & Colo. Bell to have an eye to him....
99From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs, 9 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Richard Richardson, is a bricklayer who has worked a great deal for me in Virginia. being industrious & desirous of improving in his art, he is come here by my advice to learn what is to be learnt here. he wishes now to work a while with a plaisterer, and understands that a mr Johnston of your acquaintance is engaged in that line of business: I take the liberty therefore of...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Chaudron, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed by a gentleman who called on you in Philadelphia that the watch is arrived, which you were so kind as to undertake to import for me. the question is how to procure a safe conveyance of it to this place, which can only be in a gentleman’s pocket; as experience has proved to me that no precautions of package can secure a watch brought in a trunk, on the wheels of a carriage, from...