651From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s from Richmond is recieved. as soon as Colo. Cabell comes, within whose district Goochld. C.H. is, that matter shall be attended to. the French convention is recieved. it will meet objections from both sides of the house; but I am not at liberty to mention it’s contents. the event of the election is now pretty well known. the two republican candidates have 73. each, mr A. 65. & P. 64....
652To John Adams from Elijah Brainerd, 18 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
My resolution beginning to fail under so long a series of distress and extreme indigence, as have fallen to my share for six years past, in consequence of being wounded in the defence of my Country AD 1776, does now prompt me to make this last, desperate effort—Before Congress I humbly pray the enclosed may fall – From your goodness and humanity hope to be pardoned in presuming to address you...
653To John Adams from Elbridge Gerry, 18 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I received yesterday from Mr Lee, the letter enclosed, & being fully convinced, that he is an object of persecution, as well on account of his open & manly disapprobation of the measures of a certain party, as well as of his uniform and warm attachment to your administration, an indispensable requisite in my opinion for every candidate of office, I feel myself under an obligation of justice to...
654From John Adams to United States Senate, 18 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I nominate John Jay Esqr. Govenor of the State of New York to be Chief Justice of the United States in the place of Oliver Elsworth who has resigned that office DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
655To Alexander Hamilton from James Gunn, [18 December 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
I presume some of your friends will present you with a copy of the French Convention. The thing is detestable—The Independance of our country humbled to the dust. The President this day nominated Mr. Jay Chief Justice —Mr. Elsworth resigned. Mr. Jay having once declined the office of Chief Judge it is no compliment to re-appoint him to that office, nor was it decent to wound the feelings of...
656From Alexander Hamilton to James Ross, 18 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
I have heared with much regret that the Senate have hesitated to confirm the appointment of Col Smith as Surveyor of this Port on the suggestion of some malconduct in his pecuniary affairs. The suggestion has come to me in various shapes. The truth is Col Smith has been engaged in large and various pecuniary transactions and the consequence was that his affairs became extremely embarrassed. In...
657From John Jay to Peter Augustus Jay, 18 December 1800 (Jay Papers)
I was this Morning fav[ore] d . with yours of the 12 th . Instant. From your mentioning the Rec t . of mine to you of the 8 th , it may be inferred that no other Letters from me had reached you since the 27 Nov r . which is the Date of your last. Inform me whether any and what Letters of mine have come to your hands since the 27 nov r , that I may know whether any and which of them have...
658To James Madison from John Dawson, 18 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
The votes of all the states are now assertaind except Kentucky and Tennessee, of which a doubt does not exist—there will be 73 for Jefferson, and the same number for Burr. It then becomes our duty to select—the feds have it in contemplation to support the latter, not from a wish to elect him, but to prevent a choice by withholding a majority of the states , as Vermont will be divided and...
659To James Madison from George Steptoe Washington, 18 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
Since I had the pleasure of addressing you upon the subject of the Hessian fly I have met with a letter from a Gentleman of Deleware State to the president of the Philadelphia society for the promotion of agriculture. The facts mad⟨e⟩ known by this Gentle[m]an seem so to tally with the observations of my Neighbours & ’self that I refer you to his letter. In page 206 of Morses Geography of the...
660From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen B. Balch, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I took a little time the other day to consider of the application of mr Cathcart, his proposition being new, himself an entire stranger, & no paper communicated which could explain the intentions of the respectable authority under which he stated himself as acting. your presence however, as well as his statement, satisfies me on these points. but having omitted to ask his lodgings, & unable to...
661From 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...
662To Thomas Jefferson from Mathew Carey, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
With this letter you will receive a copy of a new work intended for Schools , which, if your avocations permit, I request you will be so kind to examine. I have compiled it with a view to familiarize to the minds of youth, the grand truths of morals and politics, the latter of which particularly has never had sufficient attention paid to it in School Books. Unless I deceive myself egregiously,...
663From 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...
664From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ellicott, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a little before I left home your favor of Oct. 17. as I had in due time the preceding one. the attractive nature of country employments are my apology to my friends for being a very unpunctual correspondent while at home. having no refuge here from my room and writing table, it is here that I fetch up the lee-way of my correspondence. I am glad to hear you are ready for printing...
665John Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 17 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I have rec d this Evening yours of the 14 th. — My little bark has been oversett in a Stor Squal of Thunder and Lightening and hail attended with a Strong Smell of Sulphur. Nothing remains for me, but to indulge that Vanity which I have found out lately is considered as the predominant feature in my Character, by Singing the Song of Horace The Soothing considerations Suggested by you, my dear...
666To John Adams from Rembrandt Peale, 17 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I take the liberty of addressing a few lines to your Attention; when it must otherwise be much engaged—I shall therefore be explicit. My fondness to my Professional Art is in some degree known to you; perhaps it may be more so, when I declare, that it is my Utmost Ambition to be eminent in it. My Youth and fondness have supported me as yet in an unfavorable Soil; but I am prompted to hope that...
667To Alexander Hamilton from Harrison Gray Otis, 17 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
There exists the strongest probability that the electoral votes are equally divided between Messrs Jefferson and Burr. We have certain advices from So Carolina and Georgia, and wait only for intelligence from Kentucky and Tennessee to ascertain the fact. The gentlemen of the opposition are of opinion that this will be the case. The question now is, in what mode shall the friends of the federal...
668To Alexander Hamilton from Theodore Sedgwick, 17 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
The substance of the convention with France will I presume be known, publickly, in a few days. In the mean time I communicate, in confidence, some part of its character. It contains no stipulation for satisfaction of the injuries we have received. It makes the treaty of 78 a subject of future negotiation. It engages that we shall return, in the condition they now are, all ⟨ou⟩r captures. It...
669From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 17 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
[ New York, December 17, 1800. On December 25, 1800, Wolcott wrote to Hamilton : “I have recd. your favours of the 16th. & 17th.” Letter of December 17 not found. ]
670To James Madison from John Dawson, 17 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
Before this you have returnd to Orange, & I trust in good health. We are placd in a very unpleasant situation—the accounts which have been recievd from different states place Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Burr on an equall footing. Kentucky and Tennessee are not in, but we have good grounds to conclude that the votes will be equall. Shoud this be the case an effort will be made to prevent an election...
671To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 17 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Vous voila donc à la tête de votre sage Nation. Elle a mis librement son plus Grand-Homme à sa plus grande Place. Vous n’avez conquis que les cœurs. Je demande à Dieu de bénir votre Gouvernement. Et j’assure qu’il le bénira. Car il vous a éminemment donné la Raison, cette lumiere qui éclaire tout homme venant en ce monde , mais qui ne les éclaire pas tous également. Vous aurez auprés de Vous...
672To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 17 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to Address this to You by my Friend, and long Companion in the late War, General Armstrong . He is sent to the Senate in Congress, by what I call an Unanimous Vote of this Legislature; (100, against 2;) He will most readily acquaint you with the Struggles of the Whiggs here, to bring about the Total Defeat of their Opponents; I heartily rejoice at the Glorious Event; for I...
673To Thomas Jefferson from Rembrandt Peale, 17 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
My Knowledge of your fondness for the fine Arts, is my only excuse for troubling you with this Letter; prepossessed at the same time with the idea that you are particularly interested in the perfection of American Genius, and must feel Satisfaction in being the Instrument of forwarding it. Devoted to the practice of my Art, with but poor encouragement & without scarcely having any Models but...
674Susanna Lee to Abigail Adams, 16 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
With the most timid respect do I address M rs: Adams on a subject so interesting to me that I tremble while I write from a doubt of the propriety of the step, however solicitude for an affectionate Husband and our young family outweighs my scuples and prompts me to the measure. I must therefore rely upon the noble generosity of a character I have known and revered from my infancy, to pardon...
675To Alexander Hamilton from Jean Xavier Bureaux de Pusy, 16 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
New York, December 16, 1800. “ Le General me Permet—I de lui rappeller qu’il a bien voulu me promettre une petite portion de l’une de ses Soires, pour lui rendre compte de mes idees Sur la defense Sont la Rade Et le port de New York Sont Susceptibles? … quelle Serait l’heure la moins incommode pour lui? ” ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see James...
676From Alexander Hamilton to Oliver Wolcott, Junior, 16 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
It is now, my Dear Sir, ascertained that Jefferson or Burr will be President and it seems probable that they will come with equal votes to the House of Representatives. It is also circulated here that in this event the Fœderalists in Congress or some of them talk of preferring Burr. I trust New England at least will not so far lose its head as to fall into this snare. There is no doubt but...
677To James Madison from James Monroe, 16 December 1800 (Madison Papers)
I shod. have written you on friday but had nothing to communicate, nor indeed have I at present, unless the equal & unanimous vote of So. Carolina for Mr. Jefferson & Burr be so. It is understood that No. C. voted as we always heard she wod. that is 8. for J. & B. 4. for A. & P.; of Georgia, Tenessee & Kentuckey we know nothing, nor do we of the Eastern States. I think it probable the vote for...
678To Thomas Jefferson from Pierpont Edwards, 16 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of the bearer, Major Wm. Munson , I take the liberty to inform you, that he is a very worthy meritorious officer, who served, thro the revolution, in our late army—He always has been a firm, but oppressed republican, of a very fair unblemished character. The character in which he will appear before you, delivering the votes of Connecticutt, might present to your apprehension a...
679To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 16 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
We are yet ignorant of the issue of the election that is, whether you are a head of the secondary object. It is believed that every other point is settled. On this however it is best to say but little by post. I shod. not perhaps write you by it, were it not to inquire whether you have seen Craven or heard of him, and what dependance you think I may put in Darrelle as a purchaser of my land...
680From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 16 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately recieved from Count Rumford , one of the managers of the Royal institution of Great Britain a prospectus of that institution, with a letter expressing their desire to cultivate a friendly correspondence with the American Philosophical society, I have now the honor of forwarding them for the society. the application of science to objects immediately useful in life, which seems to...
681From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 16 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written you a letter of this date to be laid before the society. this is for yourself only. I have proposed so many members at different times that I am afraid to add to the number. yet Dunbar ought to be associated to us. I inclose you a letter with some communications of his to a mr Smith of London, which he sent to me open for perusal, desiring me when read to forward them as...
682Abigail Adams to Cotton Tufts, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you not long since, and inclosed a Bill of a hundred dollors which I hope you received. I inclose in this a Bill of ten Dollors—out of which You will please to pay two pounds 12 shillings to Zube Harman which will be due to her in Jan’ ry for a quarters wages— I could wish my dear sir that every Bill due might be discharged as You have the Means; We shall then know What our income...
683Elizabeth Smith Shaw Peabody to Abigail Adams, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Not one word have I heard from my Dear Sister, since I left Boston, nor have I had any intelligence from Washington excepting what we have gathered by the News Papers, & those we have read with a peculiar degree of anxiety. My mind as well as the publicks, has been long held in painful suspense, nor do we yet know but that he , who has been the stability of Our Times, may again preside, &...
684From John Adams to United States Senate, 15 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
I transmit to the Senate for their consideration & decision, a convention both in English and French, between the United States of America, & the French Republic, signed at Paris on the thirtieth day of September last, by the respective plenipotentiaries of the two powers. I also transmit to the Senate, three manuscript volumes containing the journal of our envoys. DNA : RG 46—Records of the...
685To Alexander Hamilton from Aaron Ogden, 15 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
Elizabethtown [ New Jersey ] December 15, 1800 . Complains that he cannot collect from the Government the money he spent for the public service while he was in the Army. Asks Hamilton to certify that the vouchers for Ogden’s expenditures be allowed. ALS , Hamilton Papers, Library of Congress. For payments to Ogden, see William Simmons to Henry Dearborn, March 5, 18, 31, April 26, 1802 (RG 217,...
686From 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...
687To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas McKean, 15 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Long ere this you must have learned, that at the election in behalf of this State of President & Vice-President of the United States, you & Mr; Burr had but eight votes, and Messrs. Adams & Pinckney seven votes each. Three fifths of the citizens of this State, had an opportunity afforded, would unquestionably have voted for the former; and tho’ this was a fact known & admitted, yet thirteen...
688Thomas Boylston Adams to John Adams, 14 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The letter from Gen l: Pinckney to Gen l: Marshall apprising him of the probable result of the South Carolina election, seems to be considered here as deciding the great political contest, which has excited so much interest, throughout the Continent, for some months past. The issue is like to be different from that which the federalists have, of late allowed themselves to anticipate, and their...
689To John Adams from William Tudor, Sr., 14 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
There are two sets of Persons here who appear particularly anxious to learn the Result of the Presidential Election. The Hamilton Faction shew much Exultation at the Appearance of Mr. Pinckney keeping an equal Pace with the Man they hate, on the Road they constructed for the New England Electors to pursue. Those Electors, at least those of Massachusetts, are desirous to know whether their...
690To Alexander Hamilton from Timothy Pickering, 14 December 1800 (Hamilton Papers)
After an absence of four months in the Woods I returned hither on the evening of the 10th instant; and this is the first opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of the 13th ult. A few days before I left the Woods , I received from a friend in Philadelphia, your pamphlet concerning the conduct and character of President Adams. You say the press teams with replies. I have yet...
691From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your favor covering mr Ross’s last observations, some time before I left home. a great deal of business pressing on me at that time, as preparatory to my departure for this place, I was unable to attend to this at all. I have taken the first leisure moment I had here, to consider these last observations. we differ in a fact, no further material than as explanatory of the state of...
692From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Oct. 9. & 16. came to hand in due time, as has done that also of Nov. 26. in the country we put off writing letters to a rainy day, and are apt then to take up what is most pressing. your first letter being an answer to mine, and the terms for my tobo inferior to what I was offered in Richmond, the replying to it yielded to some others more immediately urgent. I had been assured...
693From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your former communications on the subject of the steam engine , I took the liberty of laying before the American Philosophical society, by whom they will be printed in their volume of the present year. I have heard of the discovery of some large bones, supposed to be of the Mammoth, at about 30. or 40 miles distance from you: and among the ones found are said to be some which we have never yet...
694To Thomas Jefferson from James Lyon, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
After my most sincere congratulations on the event of the election,—I am compelled to open a less pleasing subject.—that of my embarrassments. The manner in which I have come by them emboldens me to speak with more confidence to republicans, than I should, if they had been the result of common speculations. My poverty has arisen from my zeal, and perhaps imprudent zeal, in the republican...
695From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 2d. inst. and the melon seeds accompanying it. I shall certainly cherish them, and try whether the climate of Monticello can preserve them without degeneracy. the arrival of Genl. Davie here with the treaty is our only news. mr Elsworth is gone to England, and returns again to France to pass the winter in it’s Southern parts for his health....
696Abigail Adams to Thomas Boylston Adams, 13 [December] 1800 (Adams Papers)
Well My dear son S Carolin has behaved as Your Father always Said She would. the concequence to us personally, is that We retire from public Life: for myself and family I have few regreets; at My age and with my bodily infirmities I shall be happier at Quincy. neither my habits, or My Education or inclinations, have led Me to an expensive stile of living; So on that score I have little to...
697From John Adams to William Tudor, Sr., 13 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
Thank you for your favour of 30 Nov. No reply will be made while I am a public Man—Perhaps none will ever be made. But I make no Promises. Before this Letter reaches you, the duration of my Station, to which you apply Such Sublime Epithets that I dare not repeat them, will be ascertained to your Satisfaction as it is now to mine. If nothing flew on Eagles Wings as Said or done by me, but what...
698To Alexander Hamilton from James Gunn, [13 December 1800] (Hamilton Papers)
The Issue of the Election of President, and vice-President, so far as it depended upon the Individual States, is at length Settled. Jefferson, and Burr have the Major vote, and it may with Truth be Said, that, John Adams has Dam’d our Cause, for the double Chance was lost, in So. Carolina, owing to Genl. Pinckney Refusing to give up Mr. Adams. The Federalist appear to have no plan, common...
699To John Adams from Harrison Gray Otis, 12 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed letter has been submitted to my perusal by my friend Mr Rutledge. Presuming it may be satisfactory to you to know that Genl Pinkney and the Federalists in So: Carolina adhered with honor to your interest, an I have taken the liberty to borrow it from him and send it to you, with a request that it maybe returned to my lodgings this afternoon as Mr R will have occasion to reply to...
700To John Adams from François Adriaan Van der Kemp, 12 December 1800 (Adams Papers)
With reluctance I Should interrupt your Excellency’s occupations, in the persuasion, that my correspondence can not atone for your devoting to it one Single moment of your pretious time, did duty not oblige me, to consider you now as a Father, whose inestimable loss maÿ be only by them be appreciated, whose heart and hopes can be compared with yours. What can I Saÿ, afflicted Father! to...