1From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 7 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved late last night your favor of the day before & now re-inclose you the Subpoena. as I do not believe that the district courts have a power of commanding the Executive government to abandon superior duties & attend on them, at whatever distance, I am unwilling by any notice of the Subpoena to set a precedent which might sanction a proceeding so preposterous. I inclose you therefore a...
2From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 24 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers respecting Thomas Logwood will sufficiently explain themselves. the law having clearly manifested it’s intention that his punishment should not be death, I consider myself as executing that intention in relieving him from a confinement which would induce death. and I would wish him to be informed that it is not our intention to have him remanded to jail so long as he...
3From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 14 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
My absence from Virginia for many years back, with small intervals of residence only in it, has rendered me very much unpossessed of the state of things there. I did not recollect that you were a practitioner in Richmond until an answer from mr Wickham to the inclosed letter set me to looking about to whom I should address myself on his declining the business therein proposed. nor am I now...
4From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 4 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved but lately a letter dated so long ago as Oct. 9. from mr Craven Peyton, your client in the suit against Henderson, then ill near Lancaster, in which he says that having been in expectation of returning home before that time, he had omitted to write to mr Wirt to join you in his suit, which had been his intention. I have not heard a word from mr Peyton since, whether he has recovered...
5From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 5 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. has been recieved, and I think it will be fortunate if any circumstance should produce a discharge of the present scanty grand jury, and a future summons of a fuller: tho’ the same views of protecting the offender may again reduce the number to 16. in order to lessen the chance of getting 12. to concur. It is understood that wherever Burr met with subjects who did not...
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 24 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 19th. and am sorry you cannot undertake mr Short’s defence against mr Randolph. but I am sensible it is a case of feeling, which no body can estimate but the party himself. I will trouble you therefore to return me the papers and I will write a line to one of the gentlemen of Fredericksburg with whom my communication by post will be so much readier than...
7From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 17 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In answering your letter of the 9th. which desired a communication of one to me from Genl. Wilkinson specified by it’s date, I informed you in mine of the 12th. that I had delivered it, with all other papers respecting the charges against Aaron Burr, to the Attorney Genl. when he went to Richmond, that I had supposed he had left them in your possession, but would immediately write to him, if...
8From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 7 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter recieved yesterday on the subject of Genl. Presley Nevil, with respect to both him & his son I believe there is no doubt of a participation in Burr’s designs but I suppose that after the issue of the principal trial will be the proper time to decide what subordinate offenders may be laid hold of. I learn by the newspapers that I am to have another subpoena duces tecum...
9From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 20 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 11th. an error of the post office had occasioned the delay. before an impartial jury Burr’s conduct would convict himself were not one word of testimony to be offered against him. but to what a state will our law be reduced by party feelings in those who administer it? why do not Blannerhasset, Dayton &c demand private & comfortable lodgings? in a country...
10From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 26 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
We are this moment informed by a person who left Richmond since the 22d. that the prosecution of Burr had begun under very inauspicious symptoms by the challenging & rejecting two members of the grandjury as far above all exception as any two persons in the US. I suppose our informant is inaccurate in his terms, & has mistaken an objection by the criminal & voluntary retirement of the...