801From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 6 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate James H. McCulloch of Maryland to be Collector for the port of Baltimore. Benedict Van Pradelles now a Commissioner for settling land titles in the Eastern part of the territory of Orleans, to be Register of the land office in the same part of the territory. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
802From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Willis Daingerfield, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day remitted to the bank of Fredericksburg for the hire of your negroes & those of miss Sarah Dangerfield the last year the sum of five hundred & ninety Dollars, of which 239. D. are placed there in your name & subject to your order, and 351./590. D. in the name of miss Dangerfield & subject to her order, which will be paid accordingly without any special or further order from me....
803From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now remit you the sum of 273. D. in an order from the bank of the US. at this place on that at Philadelphia, for nailrod furnished heretofore. I take this occasion of praying you to send to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson for me, a further supply of two tons of nailrod, assorted as usual. I will thank you if at the same time you can procure and forward for me one of the large steel hand–mills for...
804From Thomas Jefferson to David C. Ker, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to make use of your cover to deposit in the bank of Fredericksburg the sum of 590. D. now inclosed, of which 239. D. are to be placed to the credit of mrs Mary Dangerfield of Coventry & 351. D. to be placed to the credit of miss Sarah Dangerfield of the same place, and to be paid to their respective orders. Permit me to avail myself of this occasion of renewing to you the...
805Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Apr. 5. 08. present the 4. Secretaries. having now 100. gunboats building and about 70. in service, we agreed that 20. should be stationed at N. Orleans with 20. men in each, about half a dozen be kept in different places for enforcing the embargo with 8 or 10. men each, of the residue, keep on the stocks as many as we can by agreement, for preservn, and to all the rest allow 2. men each. let...
806From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Allyne Otis, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Otis and presuming the inclosed to be incompleatly copied (inasmuch as it does not say what the Senate determined on resuming the consideration) he returns it for correction DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
807From Thomas Jefferson to John Shee, 5 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you an order of the bank of this place on that of Philadelphia for 52.68 the amount of former disbursements you have been so kind as to make for me with my thanks & the assurances of my great esteem & respect. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
808From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lomax, 4 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 9. was recieved in due time, as had been that also proposing your son E. L. Lomax for a commission in the regular troops to be raised. that he is your son would be sufficient to interest me in his success had these nominations rested with me. but we find ourselves so entirely incompetent to select the best characters in all the different states, that we have concluded that...
809From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Ball, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Ball, and his thanks for the little book he has been so kind as to send him. he has gone over it with real pleasure, and found as much material information on the animal economy as could be brought into so small a compass. he with satisfaction offers himself as a subscriber for a second edition & salutes mr Ball with respect. DLC : Papers of Thomas...
810From Thomas Jefferson to Irenée Amelot De Lacroix, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to M. de la Croix and his thanks for the book he was so kind as to send him. he considers the effective organisation of the militia as so important that he sees with pleasure M. de la Croix’s effort to induce a just attention to it. that it may be made adequate to meet in the field such armies as have heretofore invaded us there is no doubt; but if such...
811From Thomas Jefferson to Cornelia Jefferson Randolph, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have owed you a letter two months, but have had nothing to write about, till last night I found in a newspaper the four lines which I now inclose you: and as you are learning to write, they will be a good lesson to convince you of the importance of minding your stops in writing. I allow you a day to find out yourself how to read these lines, so as to make them true. if you cannot do it in...
812From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Russell, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To Capt. Russell, Lt. Kirk, Ens. Dearmond, and the privates of the Warrior run volunteers attached to the 2d. brigade, 9th. division of the Pensylvania militia. The offer of your service, fellow citizens, in support of the rights of your country merits and meets the highest praise; and I tender you for your country the thanks you so justly deserve. Having desired the Governor of the State to...
813From Thomas Jefferson to John Strode, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the misfortune to lose my dam again, and by a very moderate fresh, which proves a very defective construction. it is 400. f. long, 15. f. broad, 4 f. high on the upper side & 5. f. on the lower, resting from one end to the other on a ridge of solid rock, and made tight by a 10. f. dam of earth on the upper side. the construction is of timber pens filled with loose irregular stone in...
814From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Strode, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors on the subject of military appointment have been duly recieved, and were the appointment to rest with myself no person not having the advantage of more experience would stand on better ground than yourself. but the utter incompetence in the members of the Executive to select the best men in all the different states will induce us to leave the selection entirely to the Senators &...
815From Thomas Jefferson to John Warkson, 3 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 21. was duly recieved, proposing yourself for my employ as a carpenter, mill-wright or miller. at present I have no occasion for service in either of these lines, but about this time twelvemonth I probably shall—but I imagine that in the neighborhood of so considerable a place as Fredericktown, these services are so much higher than where I live that a change would hardly...
816From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the amendments to the embargo law, I am perfectly satisfied with whatever you have concluded on after consideration of the subject. my view was only to suggest for your consideration having not at all made myself acquainted with the details of that law. I therefore return you your bill and wish it to be proposed. I will this day nominate Elmer. the delegates of N.C. expect daily to recieve...
817From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 2 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Ebenezer Elmer of New Jersey to be Collector of the port of Bridgetown in New Jersey DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
818From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 2 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Believing that the confidence & union of our fellow citizens at the present crisis will be still further confirmed by the publication of the letter of mr Champagny to Genl. Armstrong and that of mr Erskine to the Secretary of State, communicated with my message of the 30th. Ult. and therefore that it may be useful to except them from the confidential character of the other documents...
819From Thomas Jefferson to United States House of Representatives, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to the enquiries of the Resolution of the House of Representatives of the 30th. of March relative to certain dates, I transmit a report of the Secretary of State made to me on that subject— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
820From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate George Hodges of Massachusets, now Surveyor of the port of Salem, to be also Inspector of revenue for the same port. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
821From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I approve of your letter to Commodore Murray entirely, and in order to settle what shall be our course for the summer (now that we see tolerably clearly that no rupture with England is likely to take place during the summer) I propose, the first day that I can be well enough for a couple of hours, to ask a meeting of our colleagues to determine these questions Shall the Proclamation, be...
822From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose it will be proper to institute an enquiry against Briggs the reciever at Cincinti. on the within. where the information is reasonably respectable, and names of witnesses given, it seems to become a duty. Affectte. salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
823From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
If, on considering the doubts I shall suggest, you shall still think your draught of a supplementary embargo law sufficient, in it’s present form, I shall be satisfied it is so, for I have but one hour in the morning in which I am capable of thinking and that is too much crowded with business to give me time to think. 1. is not the 1st paragraph against the constitution which says no...
824From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 31 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The confidential papers desired by the resolution of yesterday, are now again sent to the Senate. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
825From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill supplementary to the several acts for laying an embargo on vessels Etc. for vessels coming down rivers Etc. Be it enacted Etc that it shall not be lawful for any vessel laden with provisions or lumber to pass by or depart from any port of entry of the US. without examination and a special license from the Collector of the customs of such port, nor shall any vessel be so laden on any...
826From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Pinckney, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. was recieved on the 25th. and I proceed to state to you my views of the present state and prospect of foreign affairs under the confidence that you will use them for your own government and opinions only, and by no means let them get out as from me. with France we are in no immediate danger of war. her future views it is impossible to estimate. the immediate danger we...
827From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now transmit to the Senate the information requested in their resolutions of the 28th. instant from the Secretaries of the Treasury and War. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
828From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my messages of the 22d. instant letters have been recieved from our Ministers at Paris & London, extracts from which, with a letter to Genl. Armstrong from the french minister of foreign relations, & a letter from the British Envoy residing here, to the Secretary of State, I now communicate to Congress. They add to the materials for estimating the dispositions of those Governments...
829From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I send by post some Beny seeds which I must pray you to plant. take any open space in the South orchard, and prepare it as you would do for wheat, smoothing it with a harrow after it is ploughed. Then at about every 12.I. in a row drop a few seeds by hand, and just cover them—the rows are to be 3. f. apart. about half an acre will suffice altho the seed now sent would plant a great deal more....
830From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Can mr Gallatin enable Th:J. yet to give to the Senate the information they asked respecting the paiment of the Detroit militia in Detroit bills? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
831From Thomas Jefferson to John Perry, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The floor at Poplar forest being intended for an under floor must be laid with oak. poplar would not hold the nails, and pine is too distant & dear. all the floors in Europe are of oak. so are the decks of ships. good nailing will secure it against warping. perhaps it may be easier done in herring bone, as the hall floor at Monticello was. in that case your sleepers should be but 14. I. from...
832From Thomas Jefferson to Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 25th. and have also to acknolege that of the 18th. you ask whether the pen which is not to wear out is made of glass? No.—guess again. I am glad to hear you expect a family of Bantams. take good care of them. is it not best to put the hen into a tobacco stick coop, in & round which the chickens will always stay. the properest way to make an et-caetera is thus...
833From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter to Ellen will explain why I must be brief. a negociation between France & England is I believe certainly begun under the mediation of Austria. the Moniteur (a government paper) says France will not require from England to renounce her maritime principles. nothing need be said about them in the treaty, and each will retain their own. this stumbling block being removed, I suspect they...
834From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 29 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When the Convention of the 7th. of January 1806. was entered into with the Cherokees, for the purchase of certain lands, it was believed by both parties that the eastern limit, when run in the direction therein prescribed, would have included all the waters of Elk river. on proceeding to run that line however, it was found to omit a considerable extent of those waters, on which were already...
835From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Would it not be better to direct the application to be made to the present judge, in order to have the practice in Maryland brought to an uniformity with that of the other states. probably if the present judge were informed what has been the opinion and practice of every other district judge in the Union except his predecessor, he would be disposed to respect more the former than the latter...
836From Thomas Jefferson to Margaret Bayard Smith, 27 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns mrs Smith many thanks for the plants she was so kind as to send him yesterday, and which are very acceptable. he will not give mrs Smith the additional trouble of taking care of them through the season, but sends them up to mr Maine who has some others in charge for him. he does not recollect whether he gave mrs Smith some plants of the Aspen, of a parcel he formerly...
837From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to furnish me with the documents or information for the Senate desired in the enclosed resolution NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
838From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison happening to call on me just now, I consulted him on the subject of Hoffman’s letter. we both think it would be neither just nor expedient that supplies necessary to the existence of the Indians should be cut off from them; and that if no construction of the embargo law will permit the passage of their commerce, and if that law could, & did intend to controul the treaty (the last...
839From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before Congress a statement of the militia of the United States according to the latest returns, recieved by the department of War. from the State of Delaware alone no return has been ever made. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
840From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In proceeding to carry into exn the act &c. it is found that the sites most advantageous for the defence of our harbours & rivers, and sometimes the only sites competent to that defence, are in some cases the property of minors (incapable of giving a valid consent to their alienation), in others belong to persons who on no terms will alienate, and in others the proprietors demand such...
841From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In proceeding to carry into execution the act for fortifying our ports and harbours, it is found that the sites most advantageous for their defence, and sometimes the only sites competent to that defence are, in some cases the property of minors incapable of giving a valid consent to their alienation, in others belong to persons who may refuse altogether to alienate, or demand a compensation...
842From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 25 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit to both houses of Congress a report from the Surveyor of the public buildings of the progress made on them during the past season, of their present state, and of that of the funds appropriated to them. these have been much exceeded by the cost of the work done, a fact not known to me till the close of the season. the circumstances from which it arose are stated in the report of the...
843From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It is a maxim of our municipal law and I believe of universal law that he who permits the end , permits of course the means without which the end cannot be effected. the law permitting rum, molasses & sugar to be imported from countries which have not packages for them, would be construed in the most rigorous courts to permit them to be carried. they would consider the restriction to ballast &...
844From Thomas Jefferson to Le Vavasseur, 23 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sensible of the extraordinary ingenuity & merit of the work which you offer to the acquisition of our government. it would certainly be an ornament to any country. but with such an immense extent of country before us, wanting common improvement to render it productive, the United States have not thought the moment as yet arrived when it would be wise in them to begin to divert their funds...
845From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 23 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter on the subject of mr Lee came safely to hand. you know our principles render federalists in office safe if they do not employ their influence in opposing the government, giving their own vote according to their conscience. if this be so as to those put in office by others, a portion as to those put in by ourselves. We have recieved from your presses a very malevolent & incendiary...
846From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The plants of Privet which you have recieved are from mr Gordon and I intend them for a hedge in the garden which not being yet ready, they must be set out in a nursery where you can find a convenient open spot. the waggon must not go to Bedford before mr Chisolm goes. it will not be wanting there till they are proceeding to burn the brick kiln which must not be till mr Chisolm is there...
847From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Cary Randolph, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My reason for desiring Ellen & your-self to write alternately was not that I did not wish to hear from you both oftener, but that I could not probably find time to answer more than one letter a week. I am sorry our strawberries are unpromising; however I trust they will put out soon. if some sand and stable manure were put on the earth, the waterings would carry both down into the clay &...
848From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose two messages, the one public, the other confidential, with their respective documents under separate covers. those of the Confidential message consist only of such passages or articles as, being improper for publication, have been stricken out of the papers of the other. it is probable therefore that both may be better understood by being read alternately, taking up each separate...
849From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
At the opening of the present session I informed the legislature that the measures which had been taken with the government of Great Britain for the settlement of our Neutral and National rights and of the conditions of commercial intercourse with that nation, had resulted in articles of a treaty which could not be acceded to on our part; that instructions had been consequently sent to our...
850From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In a separate message of this date I have communicated to Congress so much as may be made public of papers which give a full view of the present state of our relations with the two contending powers of France & England. every one must be sensible that in the details of instructions for negociating a treaty, and in the correspondence & conferences respecting it, matters will occur which...