181From Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 23 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Novemb.—did not come to my hands till Dec. 13. It had awaited my arrival here: and the ordinary affairs of business and ceremony prevented my applying to the patent office till Dec. 21. I then paid at the treasury the 20. Doll. bill you inclosed adding 10. Dollars, the price of the drill, as you had mentioned. The petition and description are lodged in the patent office. But a...
182Notes on Comments by John Adams and Robert Goodloe Harper, 26 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
1797. Dec. 26. Langdon tells me that at the 2d. election of Pr. and V.P. of US. when there was a considerable vote given to Clinton in opposition to Mr. Adams, he took occasion to remark it in conversation in the Senate chamber with Mr. A. who gritting his teeth said ‘Damn ’em’ ‘Damn ’em’ ‘Damn ’em’ you see that an elective government will not do.’—He also tells me that Mr. A. in a late...
183From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 27 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicated to Mr. M. the evening I was with him the papers you sent by me for Mr. D. He was clearly of opinion nothing further ought to be done. D. was decisively of the same opinion. This being the case then there was no ground for consulting L. or B. and accordingly nothing has been said to them. Your book was later coming out than was to have been wished: however it works irresistably....
184Notes on a Conversation with Tench Coxe, [27 December 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
27. Tenche Coxe tells me that a little before Hamilton went out of office, or just as he was going out, taking with him his last conversation, and among other things, on the subject of their differences, ‘for my part, says he, I avow myself a Monarchist; I have no objection to a trial being made of this thing of a republic, but’ &c. MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 102: 17524); entirely in TJ’s hand;...
185From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at length got well of a terrible cold, which I think must have proceeded from the intense cold of the day I left Belmont. It became very bad by the time I got to Baltimore, and has been worse here. However it is now entirely passed off. We are here lounging our time away, doing nothing, and having nothing to do. It gives me great regret to be passing my time so uselessly when it could...
186From Thomas Jefferson to John Gibson, 31 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty the last summer of writing to you from hence making some enquiries on the subject of Logan’s speech and the murder of his family, and you were kind enough in your answer , among other things, to correct the title of Cresap, who is said to have headed the party by observing that he was a Captain and not a Colonel. I troubled you with a second letter asking if you could...
187From Thomas Jefferson to John Henry, 31 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Tazewell has communicated to me the enquiries you have been so kind as to make relative to a passage in the Notes on Virginia, which has lately excited some newspaper publications. I feel with great sensibility the interest you take in this business and with pleasure go into explanations with one whose objects I know to be truth and justice alone. Had Mr. Martin thought proper to suggest...
188From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Tazewell, 31 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I found that my statement would be too long to give you the trouble of copying in the form of a narrative from yourself as had been at first proposed. I therefore wrote it in a letter directly to Mr. Henry himself. Indeed I thought it a proper respect for the candid views with which he seemed to ask explanations. While it is in your hands make what use of it you judge expedient by permitting...
189From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, [1] January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
You have probably seen or heard of some very abusive letters addressed to me in the publick papers by a mr Martin of Baltimore, on the subject of Logan’s speech, cited in the Notes on Virginia. I do not mean to notice mr Martin, or go into the newspapers on the subject. but I am still anxious to enquire into the foundation of that story, & if I find any thing wrong in it it shall be corrected,...
190From Thomas Jefferson to Mann Page, 2 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not know whether you have seen some very furious abuse of me in the Baltimore papers by a mr Luther Martin, on account of Logan’s speech published in the Notes on Virginia. he supposes both the speech & story made by me to support an argument against Buffon. I mean not to enter into a newspaper contest with mr Martin. but I wish to collect, as well as the lapse of time will permit the...
191From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 3 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Dec. 25. came to hand yesterday. I shall observe your directions with respect to the post day. I have spoken with the Depy. Post. M. Genl. on the subject of our Fredericksburg post. he never knew before that the Fredsbg printer had taken the contract of the rider. he will be glad if either in your neighborhood or ours some good person will undertake to ride from April next. the price...
192Notes on the Formation of the Federal Government, 5 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
1798. Jan. 5. I recieve a very remarkeable fact indeed in our history from Baldwin & Skinner . before the establishment of our present government a very extensive combination had taken place in N. York & the Eastern states among that description of people who were partly monarchical in principle or frightened with Shays’s rebellion & the impotence of the old Congress. delegates in different...
193From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 7 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I acknowleged, my dear Maria, the reciept of yours in a letter I wrote to mr Eppes. it gave me the welcome news that your sprain was well. but you are not to suppose it entirely so. the joint will remain weak for a considerable time, & give you occasional pains much longer. the state of things at Chesnut grove is truly distressing. mr B.’s habitual intoxication will destroy himself, his...
194From Thomas Jefferson to Angelica Church, 11 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 6. was to have found me here: but I had departed before it reached this. it followed me home, & of necessity the enquiries after our friend Madame de Corny were obliged to await mrs Monroe’s arrival at her own house. this was delayed longer than was expected; so that by the time I could make the enquiries, I was looking again to my return to Philadelphia. this must apologize...
195From Thomas Jefferson to Catherine Church, 11 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear Catharine, from the hands of your brother, the letter you have done me the favor to write me. I see in that the excellent dispositions which I knew in you in an earlier period of life. these have led you to mistake, to your own prejudice, the character of our attentions to you. they were not favors, but gratifications of our own affections to an object which had every...
196From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes you are by this time in the regular reciept of Bache’s papers; and in a few days you may expect the Chronicle from Boston, both are to begin Jan. 1. so that your year may end always at a marked period. tho we hear nothing official from our envoys at Paris, yet the rumors are very unfavorable. I begin to fear, not war from them, but that they will refuse to have any settlement...
197From 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 &...
198From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 14 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose you mr Barnes’s note for 500. Dollars to mr Hopkins to be taken up at ten days sight, as also letters of advice to mr Hopkin’s & mr Boyce both of whom will attend to the note. as I have some paiments to make in Richmond which are already some days in arrear, I can only admit the interval of one post before I must send on draughts on you, as follows. D Colo. John Harvie 49.28 } at...
199From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 14 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved some time ago from mr Edmund Randolph a note signed by mr Lyons & yourself undertaking to pay the amount of a decree of Royle’s admrs v. yourselves as admrs of Robinson, to mr Short or myself as his attorney. this undertaking is perfectly satisfactory, and I only wait your pleasure to be signified as to the time when, and place where it may suit you to make the paiment. as it was to...
200From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 14 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. inst. came to hand yesterday. those of Nov. 15. 21. & 28. had been recieved in due time. that of the 21st. covered the assumpsit of Messrs. Pendleton and Lyons to pay the amount of the decree of Royle’s admrs v. Robinson’s admrs, to the use of mr Short. I should sooner have acknoleged these but that in that of the 21st. you mentioned that you had arranged the balance...
201Notes on a Conversation with Uriah Springer, 20 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 20. 1798. Cap Uriah Springer of Fayette county Pensva calls on me (with Judge Turner ) and informs me he was on the Monongehela in 1774. he lived there. that Logan’s family was killed by one Greathouse & others. that they had been over yellow creek a water of the Ohio 60. miles below Pittsbg & 130. above Kanhaway to the Shawanee encampment in a friendly way. that the Indians came over in...
202From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Legaux, 22 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the favor of your’s of the 8th. inst. I took the first occasion in my power of calling at No. 71. Chesnut street in hopes of finding you there & discussing more fully than can be done by letter, the subject of yours to me, and the way in which I might be useful. not finding you there, I still deferred answering in hopes of meeting you at the Philosophical society on Friday...
203From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 24 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 2d. inst. on which day I recieved yours of Dec. 25. I have not resumed my pen because there has really been nothing worth writing about but what you would see in the newspapers. there is as yet no certainty what will be the aspect of our affairs with France. either the Envoys have not written to the government, or their communications are hushed up. this last is...
204From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 25 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 13th. came to hand yesterday, and relieves my anxiety as to the health of the family. I thank you for your interference at Monticello & Shadwell. I had directed the managers at both to apply to you for your counsel when at a loss, and have only been prevented by the state of your health from asking a more onerous attention. George needs to be supported & Page to be moderated. Davy...
205From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Tazewell, 27 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
As you mentioned that some of your commee admitted that the introduction of juries into trials by impeachment under the VIIIth. amendment depended on the question Whether an impeachment for a misdemeanor be a criminal prosecution? I devoted yesterday evening to the extracting passages from Law authors shewing that in Law-language the term crimes is in common use applied to misdemeanors , and...
206Enclosure: Notes on Criminal Procecutions and Impeachment, [26 January 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
4. Blackstone. 5. ‘a crime or misdemeanor is an act &c ‘crimes & misdemeanors, properly speaking, are mere synonimous terms: tho’ in common usage ‘crimes’ denote offences of a deeper & more atrocious dye, while smaller faults are comprised under the gentler name of ‘misdemeanors’ only. ‘the distinction of crimes & misdemeanors from civil injuries &c. battery [nuisance] 6. ‘there are crimes of...
207From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Livermore, 28 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having found it necessary, for my own government, to [consult?] the writers on Parliamentary law, a Summary of their proceeding in […] I have thought it might not be unuseful to put it into the hands of one of the Committee to which the bill on impeachment is referred. I take [the] liberty therefore of inclosing it to you. it may serve to refresh your me[mory] on a subject in which you...
208From Thomas Jefferson to William Linn, 5 February 179[8] (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor before of acknoleging the receipt of [your] favor of [May] […] and of stating that on my return home I would see whether [the papers?] […] there would [enable] me to contribute any thing to the general subj[ect of the in]quiry contained in the printed paper you enclosed [me. on examination] of my papers I found that I could not with certainty establish from [them] any thing...
209From Thomas Jefferson to David Longworth, 5 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I received while in Virginia your obliging letter with the 1st number of your new edition of Telemachus , and deferred answering it till I should come to this place. I came here later than should have been and have been prevented by other business from acknowleging your letter till now. I shall be glad to become a subscriber for a couple of copies, to be delivered bound when the whole work is...
210Notes on Anti-French Sentiment in the Washington Administration, [before 6 February 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
[…] one of the Secretaries that a resolution was formed to give no office to any person who did not approve of the proceedings of the Executive, and that it was determined to recall Monroe whose conduct was not consonant with the views of the Executive. Davy said they expressed very hostile dispositions towards France, and he wished Logan to apprise Adet of it, who he observed was a good kind...
211Notes on a Conversation with Abraham Baldwin, 6 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 6. mr Baldwin tells me that in a conversn yesterday with Goodhue, on the state of our affairs, Goodhue said ‘I’ll tell you what, I have made up my mind on this subject; I would rather the old ship should go down than not.’ (meaning the union of the states.) mr Hillhouse coming up, ‘well says mr Baldwin I’ll tell my old friend Hillhouse what you say,’ & he told him ‘well says Goodhue I...
212From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 25th. Ult. since which yours of the 21st. has been recieved. Bache had put 500. copies of Monroe’s book on board a vessel, which was stopped by the early & unexpected freezing of the river. he then tried in vain to get them sent on by fifties at a time by the stage. the river is now open here, the vessels have fallen down and if they can get through the ice below, the...
213From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, [8 February 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday by mr Giles yours of Jan. 27. and am well pleased with the indications of republicanism in our assembly. their law respecting the printer is a good one. I only wish they would give the printing of the laws to one & journals to another. this would secure two, as each portion of the business would be object enough to a printer, and two places in their gift would keep within...
214Notes on the Framing of Oaths, [ca. 8–9 February 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
In an oath are to be distinguished 1. the formal or ceremonial parts & 2. the substance. the 1st. dependg. on the religious opns of the party, & is to be accomodated thereto by the discretion of the judge. 2. the substance must have been prescribed either by the Common law, or a legislative act . a principle the substance of the oath now under considn has not been prescribed by the...
215From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought oftener, my dear Martha, to recieve your letters, for the very great pleasure they give me, & especially when they express your affections for me. for though I cannot doubt them, yet they are among those truths which tho’ not doubted we love to hear repeated. here too they serve like gleams of light, to chear a dreary scene, where envy, hatred, malice, revenge, & all the worst passions...
216Notes for a Letter to Hugh Williamson, [11 February 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
‘Have they not Moses & the prophets? verily verily I say unto thee that if they will not hear them, neither will they be persuaded though one should rise from the dead.’ this was the answer of a Southern member to whom I shewed your lre of the 2d Inst. and who had formerly been in favor of Madisons proposns which he quoted to me as going precisely to the object of the Brit. navign act as...
217From Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Williamson, 11 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 2d. inst. I [will] with great pleasure sound opinions on the subject you mention, & [see] whether [it] can be brought forward with any degree of strength. I doubt it however, & for [this] reason. you may recollect that a report which I gave in to Congress in […] [93. and] mr Madison’s propositions of Jan. 94 went directly to establish a...
218From Thomas Jefferson to John Wise, 12 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved yours of the 28 Ult. mentioning that it had been communicated to you that in a Conversation in Francis’s hotel (where I lodge) I had Spoken of you as of tory politics: & you make enquiry as to the fact, & the Idea intended to be Conveyed I Shall answer you with frankness. It is now well understood that two political sects have arisen within the US . the one believeing that...
219From Thomas Jefferson to John Gibson, 13 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is recieved. should our session be continued to a greater length than I expect, it would be a circumstance of great pleasure to me to see you here. but I do not think we can continue here much longer than the present month as there is really nothing to do but to recieve information from our envoys at Paris. if that bear a peaceable aspect, as I hope it will we ought...
220From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 14 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Jan. 28th. is duly recieved. in mine of Jan. 14. I mentioned that Colo. Thos. Bell would be authorized to draw on you for 165.D. this was intended to answer two notes I had given Feb. 12. 1797. the one to Lucy Wood senr. for £33. the other to Lucy Wood junr. for £16.10 for the hire of negroes. I did not know into what hands these notes had got and desired Colo. Bell to seek them out &...
221From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 15 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 8th. we have still not a word from our envoys. this long silence (if they have been silent) proves things are not going on very roughly. if they have not been silent, it proves their information if made public would check the disposition to arm. I had flattered myself, from the progress of the public sentiment against arming, that the same progress had taken place in...
222Notes on a Conversation with John Adams, 15 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 15. 98. I dined this day with mr Adams (the Presidt.) the company was large. after dinner I was sitting next to him, & our conversn was first on the enormous price of labour, house rent, & other things. we both concurred in ascribing it chiefly to the floods of bank paper now afloat, and in condemning those institns. we then got on the constitn & in the course of our conversn he said,...
223From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of yours of Jan. 28. & 30. & Feb. 3. that of the 30th. came by Richardson. mine to you have been of Jan. 11. & 25. & to Martha Feb. 8. I imagine yours of Feb. 3. was sent when you sent to Charlottesville for your letters and that you received by the return of your messenger mine of Jan. 25. and I hope too that of Jan. 11. tho’ it was then a fortnight in arrear....
224From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 18 February 179[8] (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 1st. inst. and three days ago recieved Maria’s of the same date. we have intelligence which seems to be authentic that the Spaniards have delivered up the posts on the Missisipi. this is the more welcome, as the commencement of war in that quarter seemed more imminent than it is with France. we are certainly more indebted for avoiding it to the good sense & moderation...
225Emendations to the Senate Journal, [20 February 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
The house having agreed to so much of the amendment reported by the commee as proposed to strike out the 4th. section of the bill and proceeding to the question for inserting agreeably to the residue of the said amendment the following words to wit MS ( DNA : RG 46, Senate Records, 5th Cong. 2d sess.); in TJ’s hand except for one emendation (see note 1 below); with date supplied from...
226From 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...
227From 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...
228Notes 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...
229From 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...
230From 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...