181From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Armand Tronchin, 20 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
You will have been justly surprised that your letter to me, dated so long ago as Nov. 17. 1796. should not yet have been answered. I know not through what channel it came, but it never got to my hands till Dec. 27. 1797. at that time I found it on my arrival at this place. our rivers being then and still frozen up, no vessels are sailing for Europe, and it will probably lie still some time...
182From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 21 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly your welcome favor of the 15th. and had an opportunity of immediately delivering the one it inclosed to General Kosciusko. I see him often, and with great pleasure mixed with commiseration. he is as pure a son of liberty, as I have ever known, and of that liberty which is to go to all, and not to the few or the rich alone. we are here under great anxiety to hear from our...
183Notes on Newspaper Articles, 21 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
1797. Nov. 30. good cautions to prevent fire . Adams & Larkin’s paper of this date. Dec. 1. Pleasant’s paper . an excellent piece on the bank of the US. shewing they draw 960,000 D. profits on 2. millions actual cash which is 48. per cent. Bache’s. Mc.kain’s charge on the subject of libels . 1798. Feb. 3. & 5 16. Brown’s paper, 3 excellent pieces (by Tenche Coxe ) the 1st. fixg. the dates of...
184To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1798 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 12th. is recieved. I wrote you last on the 15th. but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post. We still hear nothing from our Envoys. Whether the Executive hear we know not. But if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the Executive should hold back their information. No news therefore is...
185From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 February [1798] (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 12th. is recieved. I wrote you last on the 15th. but the letter getting misplaced, will only go by this post. we still hear nothing from our Envoys. whether the Executive hear we know not. but if war were to be apprehended, it is impossible our envoys should not find means of putting us on our guard, or that the Executive should hold back their information. no news therefore is...
186From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. since that we are quieted by an entire confidence in the account from the Natchez that the Spaniards will immediately deliver up the posts. the conduct of our agents there was so waspish as to have induced a suspicion that, if war was to take place against France, we meant to drive Spain into it also, that our Southern states might have something to conquer and...
187From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this morning yours of the 12th. inst. is come to hand. I very much doubt Bates’s not having recieved my bill. however it happens luckily that I have a copy of it with me, & therefore write him the inclosed letter subjoining the bill. he has still time to get it before the rise of the sap, & I will pray you to send Jupiter off immediately with the letter with orders...
188Certificate for George Taylor, Jr., 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia. I hereby certify that mr George Taylor acted as translating clerk for the French language to the Secretary of state’s office, during the latter part of the time that I was in that department: that his translations were faithful and well done, and bespoke a full degree of knowlege of that language: and that he was very diligent and assiduous in this as in all his other duties....
189From Thomas Jefferson to Peregrine Fitzhugh, 23 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have yet to acknolege your last favor which I recieved at Monticello, and therefore cannot now recur to the date. the perversion of the expressions of a former letter to you, which you mention to have been made in the newspapers, I had not till then heard of. yet the spirit of it was not new. I have been for some time used as the property of the newspapers, a fair mark for every man’s dirt....
190From Thomas Jefferson to James Martin, 23 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved after my return home in July last your obliging letter inclosing an oration pronounced at Jamaica in Long island on the 4th. of July 1796. a singular concurrence of name with one or two other circumstances occasioned me to ascribe it to another gentleman from whom I had parted a few days before only; and to write to him a letter of acknolegement . it was not till I had the pleasure...
191From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Willing, 23 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to mr Willing, and other gentlemen managers of the ball of this evening. he hopes his non-attendance will not be misconstrued. he has not been at a ball these twenty years, nor for a long time permitted himself to go to any entertainments of the evening, from motives of attention to health. on these grounds he excused to Genl. Washington when living in the...
192Notes on a Conversation with Henry Tazewell, 1 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 1. mr Tazewell tells me that when the appropriations for the British treaty were on the carpet and very uncertain, in the lower house, there being at that time a number of bills in the hands of Commees of the Senate, none reported, & the Senate idle for want of them, he, in his place, called on the commees to report, and particularly on mr King, who was of most of them. King said that...
193To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 2 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. since which I have received yours without date, but probably of about the 18th. or 19th. An arrival to the Eastward brings us some news which you will see detailed in the papers. The new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic we know not. It has some probability in it’s form. The French appear busy in their preparations for the invasion of England:...
194From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 2 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. since which I have received yours without date, but probably of about the 18th. or 19th. an arrival to the Eastward brings us some news which you will see detailed in the papers. the new partition of Europe is sketched, but how far authentic we know not. it has some probability in it’s form. the French appear busy in their preparations for the invasion of England:...
195From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 2 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
All well. no news from our commissioners at Paris. no talk yet of the time of adjournment, though probably it will be very soon after we hear from Paris. I wrote you 2. letters on the 22d. of Feb. no change in the price of wheat or flour. old tobacco at 13.50. I write in the moment of the departure of the post so can only add kisses to my dear Martha & the little ones and an affectionate Adieu...
196From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 4 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
A person here imagines he has discovered a new property […] [magne]tic needle, which however, for want of a well-made dipping needle, he can[…] at least to my satisfaction. there is no such instrument at this plac[e. I] think I recollect to have [seen a] very fine one at your college. I must the[refore] take the liberty of solliciting you to make an experiment for us, which […] the less...
197From Thomas Jefferson to Mann Page, 6 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your f[avor] of [Feb.] 13. and […] thank you for the papers it contain[ed.] that of mr Anderson [is so much] […] that I take the liberty of reques[ting you] […] his signature, for which purpose I now inclose it to you. [it is possible] that whenever I shall have collected full evidence on the subject, I [shall] […] from the whole […] statement of the...
198From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 7 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved yours, my dear Maria, of Feb. 1. and with that extreme gratification with which I recieve all the marks of your affection. my impatience to get from hence is urged by the double motives of escaping from irksome scenes here, and meeting yourself and others dear to us both. no time is yet spoken of for our adjournment; yet as there is likely to arise nothing which might keep...
199From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 8 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve your favor of the 1st. inst. & am alarmed at the account of my nailery being out of nailrod. I left them with a provision to last till late in April, but whether it had all got home, or was still at Richmond my memory does not tell me. a person happening to be with me when I opened your letter who tells me he was in mr Johnston’s warehouse the 1st. of Feb. & saw a...
200From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 8 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of yours of Feb. 12. 19. & 25. at length the charm is broke, and letters have been recieved from our envoys at Paris. one only of them has been communicated, of which I inclose you a copy with the documents accompanying it. the decree therein proposed to be passed has struck the greatest alarm through the merchants I have ever yet witnessed. as it has not been...
201From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 8 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. of Feb. and then acknoleged the receipt of yours of the 12th. Feb. which is the last come to hand. I am now sending off a hogshead of molasses and 4. bushels of clover seed. I write to mr Jefferson to forward the latter immediately by some waggon, as the season for sowing it will be far advanced. mr Page & George have written directions where to sow it; to wit the...
202Notes on Conversations with Abraham Baldwin, John Brown, and John Hunter, 11 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 11. in conversn with Baldwin & Brown of Kentucky, Brown says that in a private company once consisting of Hamilton, King, Madison, himself & some one else making a fifth, speaking of the ‘ federal government ’ ‘Oh,’ says Hamilton ‘say the federal monarchy let us call things by their right names, for a monarchy it is’ Baldwin mentions at table the following fact. when the bank bill was...
203Notes on Senators’ Comments about House Impeachment Committee, 12 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 12. when the bill for appropriations was before the Senate , Anderson moved to strike out a clause recognising (by way of appropriation) the appmt of a commee by the H. of R. to sit during their recess to collect evidence on Blount’s case , denying they had power, but by a law, to authorize a commee to sit during recess. Tracy advocated the motion & said ‘we may as well speak out. the...
204From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 14 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday recieved a letter from mr Jordan Harris informing me that an irregularity in the assignment of Lucy Wood’s bond to him occasions a demurrer to it’s payment under the caution expressed in my letter to you that it should be legally assigned. the caution was a reasonable one, as we should naturally expect an assignee to take care that his title be legal . however not wishing to be...
205To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. Your’s of the 4th. is now at hand. The public papers will give you the news of Europe. The French decree making the vessel friendly or enemy according to the hands by which the cargo was manufactured has produced a great sensation among the merchants here. It’s operation is not yet perhaps well understood; but probably it will put our shipping out of...
206From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. your’s of the 4th. is now at hand. the public papers will give you the news of Europe. the French decree making the vessel friendly or enemy according to the hands by which the cargo was manufactured has produced a great sensation among the merchants here. it’s operation is not yet perhaps well understood; but probably it will put our shipping out of...
207From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Feb. 26. came to hand on the 8th. inst. but after mine to you of that date was sealed. I at the same time recieved one from G. Jefferson informing me I had no nail rod in his possession. Richardson however, who happened to be present told me that on the 1st. of Feb. he saw in mr Johnston’s warehouse a considerable parcel of nail rod which they told him was mine. I therefore wrote...
208To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 March 1798 (Madison Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. Since that, yours of the 12th. is recieved. Since that too a great change has taken place in the appearance of our political atmosphere. The merchants, as before, continue, a respectable part of them, to wish to avoid arming. The French decree operated on them as a sedative, producing more alarm than resentment. On the Representatives differently. It excited...
209From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 21 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. since that yours of the 12th. is recieved. since that too a great change has taken place in the appearance of our political atmosphere. the merchants, as before, continue, a respectable part of them, to wish to avoid arming. the French decree operated on them as a sedative, producing more alarm than resentment. on the Representatives differently. it excited...
210From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
The public papers will present to you the almost insane message sent to both houses of Congress 2. or 3. days ago. this has added to the alarm of the sounder and most respectable part of our merchants, I mean those who are natives & are solid in their circumstances & do not need the lottery of war to get themselves to rights. the effect of the French decree on the representatives had been to...