91From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your friendly favor of the 12th and the pleasing sensations produced in my mind by it’s affectionate contents. I am made very happy by learning that the sentiments expressed in my inaugural address give general satisfaction, and hold out a ground on which our fellow citizens can once more unite. I am the more pleased, because these sentiments have been long &...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the reciept of your favor of the 20th. the appointment of Secy. of the navy, was immediately on receipt of your letter declining it, proposed to mr Jones of Philadelphia. I cannot have an answer from him till the night of the 26th. but I have great reason to expect a negative. in that case I will gladly for the public accept your offer to undertake it for a time. besides...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Chancellor Livingston has accepted his mission to France, but will not proceed till mr Dawson returns with the ratification of the Convention. I have thought it useful to the public, instead of permitting ministers to take a private Secretary of their own choice, to name a Secretary of legation, who will do the duties of the private Secretary, and on the same salary (of 1350. Dollars) but on...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In your favor of the 18th. you mention having for disposal two casks of white & red Sherry, and one of Malaga. if the Sherry be dry, I will gladly take them , as also the Malaga. if you could order for me a pipe of dry Pacharetti , and one of dry Sherry of the first qualities, to be forwarded from Spain by the first safe occasion I should be obliged to you. I presume you have persons there on...
95From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 25 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your kind favor of the 16th. yesterday only. I certainly always meant to claim the antient hospitality of you as I pass along. but when it became necessary to have horses & a servant posted on the road, where they might have to wait for me a week or weeks, my departure being so liable to be controuled by unexpected events, I could not possibly think of quartering them on you. for...
96To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 March 1801 (Madison Papers)
I am still here. Three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been re[c]ieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr. Jones of Phila. In that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Tobias Lear, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to appoint a Consul to reside near Toussaint in St. Domingo, an office of great importance to us at present, and requiring great prudence. no salary is annexed to it: but it is understood to be in the power of the Consul, by means entirely honorable, to amass a profit in a very short time. Dr. Stevens is said to have done so, but perhaps [by] additional means not so justifiable. it...
98From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still here. three refusals of the Naval Secretaryship have been recieved, and I am afraid of recieving a 4th. this evening from mr Jones of Phila. in that case Genl. Smith has agreed to take it pro tempore, so as to give me time; and I hope the moment it is in either his or Jones’s hands, to get away; but this may be yet three four or five days. Lincoln is doing the duties of your office....
99From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 21st. and thank you for the communication it contained. I value it as a historical fact, as well as a strong evidence of the obligations I am under for the partiality of my country men to me: but rejoice with you that the views of the constitution were otherwise fulfilled. satisfied that the departure of the Chevr. d’Yrujo & his family must be a...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Sarah Mease, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 20th. inst. on the subject of mr Hall, and I readily ascribe honor to the motives from which it proceeds. the probable sufferings of a wife & numerous family are considerations which may lawfully weigh in the minds of the good, and ought to prevail when unopposed by others more weighty. it has not been the custom, nor would it be expedient for the executive...
101From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still here, & not yet absolutely certain of the moment I can get off. I fear I shall this evening recieve a 4th. refusal of the Secretaryship of the Navy. should it take place, I have fixed on a temporary arrangement, & in any event expect to get away in the course of 3. or 4. days, so as to be with you by the time you recieve this or very soon after. it is the getting the Naval...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
According to what I had augured, I have this moment recieved mr Jones’s refusal of the Secretaryship of the navy. in mine of two days ago, I mentioned to you this fear, & that in that event I must avail the public of your kind offer to accept the office for a while. I now take the liberty of repeating my request that you will be so good as to come on on Saturday, that we may have a...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state is proceeding in the consideration of the several matters which have been proposed to us by you, & will prepare answers to them, and particularly as to our vessels taken by French cruisers & carried into the ports of Spain, contrary as we suppose to the tenor of the convention with France. tho’ ordinary business will be regularly transacted with you by the Secretary of...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Catherine Church, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I owe you a letter, my dear young friend. it is a debt I pay with pleasure, & therefore should not have so long delayed but for the importunity of others more urging & less indulgent. I thank you for your kind congratulations on the proof of public esteem lately bestowed on me. that you write in these sentiments renders them more dear to me. the post is not enviable, as it affords little...
105From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the plan I had proposed of each of us answering immediately on reciept of a letter from the other, by which means we should keep up a continued correspondence, & hear mutually about once a fortnight, I was waiting a letter from you, and began to be very uneasy, when yesterday yours of the 18th. came to hand. I set out the last day of this month for Monticello, where I shall remain...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Gibson & Jefferson, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In the last letter recieved from mr Lieper (Mar. 8.) are these words. ‘from what I have heard & seen respecting your tobo. in the hands of Jackson & Wharton, you in conscience ought to make no discount on it, & I believe they think [so also for] they have refused 7. D. which I offered them, & inform me they have ordered their agent to pay the money.’ and again ‘I would now beg for myself your...
107From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the receipt of yours of Mar. 4. and to express to you the delight with which I found the just, disinterested & honorable point of view in which you saw the proposition it covered. the resolution you so properly approve had long been formed in my mind. the public will never be made to believe that an appointment of a relative is made on the ground of merit alone,...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with great pleasure your favor of the 16. and it is with the greatest satisfaction I learn from all quarters that my inaugural Address is considered as holding out a ground for conciliation & union. I am the more pleased with this, because the opinion therein stated as to the real ground of difference among us (to wit, the measures rendered most expedient by French enormities) is...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Providence Citizens, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations on my elevation to the first magistracy of the United States. I see with pleasure every evidence of the attachment of my fellow citizens to elective government, calculated to promote their happiness, peculiarly adapted to their genius, habits & situation, and the best peaceable corrective of the errors or abuses of those entrusted with...
110From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 28 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you the day before yesterday, since that I have taken a more correct view of my [probable] receipts & expenditures and find that I may venture to take Haxall’s horse immediately at 500. doll. paiable at 90. days. it would be a great inconvenience to have to send from Washington for directions; & on the [other hand] a convenience to have […] brought to Monticello by the messenger who...
111From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Adams, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I addressed a letter to you, my very dear & antient friend, on the 4th. of March: not indeed to you by name, but through the medium of some of my fellow citizens, whom occasion called on me to address. in meditating the matter of that address, I often asked myself, is this exactly in the spirit of the patriarch of liberty, Samuel Adams? is it as he would express it? will he approve of it? I...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Pierpont Edwards, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You will doubtless have long ago learned that the office which was the subject of your two favors to me was filled by mr Adams some days before he went out of office. I have not considered as candid, or even decorous, the crouding of appointments by mr A. after he knew he was making them for his successor & not for himself, even to 9. aclock of the night, at twelve of which he was to go out of...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of Jan. 15. and Feb. 24. came safely to hand and I thank you for the history of a transaction which will ever be interesting in our affairs. it has been very precisely as I had imagined. I thought, on your return, that if you had come forward boldly and appealed to the public by a full statement, it would have had a great effect in your favor personally, & that of the...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long been indebted to you a letter; but it has been because you desired me to write by mr Ervin the bearer of yours who is not yet gone back. but in the mean time I trust that the post is become a safe channel to and from [me]. I have heard indeed of some extraordinary licenses practised in the post offices of your state, & there is nothing I desire so much as information of facts on...
115From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I propose in two or three days to make a short excursion home to make some arrangements previously neecessary to my final settlement here. I cannot go till I have thanked you for the trouble you took in the late case of my tobo. which as to the complaints I suppose had it’s origin in feelings no way derived from the quality of the tobo. my crop of the last year, about [40,000] is lying at...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have a commission to be executed in Philadelphia which would be the better at least of being done with taste and convenience, and to whom […] I apply in a question of taste & convenience so justly as to yourself, who are full of taste, and aided by that of mrs Edwards? the only scruple is on what ground I can claim a right to lay your taste under [contribution?] for my benefit? to this I...
117Enclosure: Instructions for a Carriage, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
PrC ( DLC ); blurred; letterpressed to second page of enclosing letter. Word interlined. Preceding two words interlined.
118From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of Feb. 18. you were so kind as to tender your continuance in office till I could provide a successor, expressing a [wish at] the same time to be relieved as early in this month as should be p[ossible to do.] it has not been in my power to do this as early as you wished. Genl. Smith is now arrived to take charge of the department, at such particular moment as you may think...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Stoddart, Secretary of the Navy having early in this month informed me by letter of his desire to resign that office, and having continued in it ever since, on my request only, I hereby authorize & appoint you to recieve the charge of the department from him, and to perform the duties of it until a Secretary of the Navy shall be formally appointed. Accept assurances of my high...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Dexter, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of yesterday’s date expressing your wish that your resignation might be accepted to take place on the 20th. of the ensuing month. after continuing so long as an accomodation to myself as well as the public, I can not urge your convenience further, tho’ it would have been materially advantageous if you could have continued a fortnight longer than the time you...
121From Thomas Jefferson to William Evans, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in the moment of departure for Monticello where it is necessary for me to be two or three weeks previous to my final settlement here, I cannot go without thanking you for the trouble you were so good as to take as to James & Francis. I supposed I saw in the difficulties raised by James an unwillingness to come here, arising wholly from some attachment he had formed at Baltimore; for I...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Walter Jones, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was already almost in the act of mounting my horse for a short excursion home, when your favor of the 14th. was put into my hands. I stop barely to acknolege it, and to thank you for your kind congratulations, and still more for your interesting observations on the course of things. I am sensible how far I should fall short of effecting all the reformation which reason would suggest and...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Philippe de Létombe, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve your favor of the 26th. just in the moment of my departure for Monticello, from which I shall not return till the last week of April. I have therefore but barely time to acknolege the receipt of your letter, to thank you for the trouble you have taken to aid me in my domestic administration, and to rejoice in the success which has attended your endeavors. it is a great matter to get...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been in hopes you would arrive here in time, with me, to make a little excursion to Albemarle, where I supposed it would be as agreeable to you to see your friends, as necessary to me to make some arrangements for my final removal hither. I shall stay there till the 29th. & then return. the time of your arrival here therefore, & your own inclinations will decide whether you follow me...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Little, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. White, one of the Commissioners of this city, informs me that he has heretofore had conversations with you on the subject of a road we have been wishing to get from this place to Slaterun church as direct as can be had tolerably level; for levelness is a still more important consideration than distance. it is become more interesting now to me to find such a course. as I am setting out...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Vaughan, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. is put into my hand, just as I am mounting my horse for Monticello, where I shall be about three weeks making some domestic arrangements for my final settlement here. I stop to thank you for your kind congratulations & still more for your judicious observations on the circumstances of my position. one counsel will be very difficult, to draw the veil of confidence over a...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By the preceding post you will have recieved some Observations transmitted [here] by Mr. Legaux, [& also] two precious volumes of Comparative anatomy presented to the Society by mr Cuvier , the author. I now inclose you a letter from Chancellor Livingston on the subject of the large [bones] lately found [in New York] with a drawing, & also a paper enclosed me in a former [private] letter, but...
128From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 4th. inst. and found the family at Edgehill all well. we are now all together at this place, and only want the addition of your’s and my dear Maria’s company to be entirely happy. I shall leave it pointedly on the 25th. if not some days before. mr Overton is married & settled adjoining us. Nancy Jefferson is said to be about marrying Charles Lewis. this is our only small...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 4th. and expect to stay a fortnight in order to make some arrangements preparatory to my final removal to Washington.—you know that the last Congress established a Western judiciary district in Virginia , comprehending chiefly the Western counties. mr Adams, who continued filling all the offices till 9. aclock of the night, at 12. of which he was to go out of office...
130From Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King, 10 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Louis Buchanan Smith, son of Genl. Smith now acting as Secretary of the navy, proposing to visit Europe, I take the liberty of introducing him to your civilities & services. his personal merit will do justice to any attentions you shall be pleased to shew him, & his station & prospects in life render it interesting that he should derive from his travels all the advantages...
131From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 10 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached this place on the 4th. having passed an evening with mr Madison who is in as good health as for some time past, but that is very indifferent. he will set out for the seat of government about the time I shall. I did not percieve till I got here, that I had brought away the inclosed commissions before they were sealed. I therefore return them. if sealed and returned to me in Thursday...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 11 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Eppes on the 8th. instant by post, to inform him I should on the 12th. send off a messenger to the Hundred for the horses he may have bought for me. Davy Bowles will accordingly set out tomorrow, & will be the bearer of this. he leaves us all well, and wanting nothing but your’s & mr Eppes’s company to make us compleatly happy. let me know by his return when you expect to be...
133To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1801 (Madison Papers)
I shall be with you on the 25th. unless health or weather prevent. But if you propose leaving home sooner for Washington, do not let my coming prevent you. Only, in that case, if convenient, lodge word at Gordon’s, or write me by next post, that you will be gone; as I should then wish to lengthen my day’s journey. I have not been able to look yet into my newspapers, but I presume yours contain...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is just now recieved. your former one had also come duly to hand, and was properly disposed of to produce it’s effect at it’s just season. it was not therefore from inattention that I had not acknoleged it, but from the absolute impossibility of doing this in the immense number of those I daily recieve. it reduces me to the painful necessity of leaving those who are...
135From Thomas Jefferson to John Hoomes, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I came here on the 4th. & shall leave it on the 25th. inst. for Washington after compleating some arrangements previous to my final removal there. but for fear any accident of health or weather should detain me here longer, I forward you the inclosed order for paiment for the horse , which mr Barnes will pay to your order in Washington, Philadelphia, or Richmond, or remit to your own house in...
136From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Apr. 6 is recieved; so is the syrop of punch forwarded by you. I must ask the favor of you to call on Colo. Carrington & pay him 30. Dollars on account of Matthew Rhodes collector of the direct tax of this county. also to pay mr Jones & mr Pleasants, a year’s subscription for their papers , and notify them that they may annually apply to you for the paiment without awaiting the...
137From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve your favor on the subject of my bonds , [the] possession of mr Hanson, and now inclose you an authority to recieve them, of which I notify him by this post . I am Dear Sir Your’s affectionately PrC ( MHi ); faint; letterpressed at head of same sheet as TJ to Richard Hanson, 17 Apr.; at foot of sheet below Hanson letter: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on...
138From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I recieved your favors of the 8th. & 9th. and as the delay of the post here is short, I can only acknolege their reciepts. before the next post (a week hence) reaches you I shall be with you myself; that is to say on the 28th. health & weather permitting. till then I can say nothing on Priestman’s case: & the rather, as having been already the subject of a deliberate decision, it...
139From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be with you on the 25th. unless health or weather prevent. but if you propose leaving home sooner for Washington, do not let my coming prevent you. only, in that case, if convenient, lodge word at Gordon’s, or write me by next post, that you will be gone; as I should then wish to lengthen my day’s journey. I have not been able to look yet into my newspapers, but I presume yours contain...
140From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Rapin, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your letter under cover of Capt. Lewis’s. what you propose as to the arranging the apartments is very right. of Edward I know very little, as he has been but a short time in my service. it is yet to be seen therefore how far he may be fit for his present station. the negro whom he thinks so little of, is a most valuable servant. I propose to leave this place on the 25th....