1From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 5 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
in pursuance of the act of Congress providing that in case of vacancy in the office of Secretary of state the President of the US. may authorize a person to perform the duties of the same, I am to ask the favor of you & hereby authorize you to perform the duties of the Secretary of state until a successor to the office shall be appointed. I have the honor to be Sir your most obedt. servt PrC (...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have set out for Washington this morning, but that it has now been raining upwards of a week, with some intermissions, is still raining & the wind at North East. of eight rivers between this & Washington, 5 have neither bridges nor boats. as soon as the one on which I live is fordable, it will be a signal that the others are so. this may be tomorrow; and in that case, if it has ceased...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 12 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you for your consideration the case of the Betsy Cathcart, a prize brought into the US. some years ago, sold, & the money deposited in the treasury for safety. had the only question been between us and the captors, we should have delivered up the money without troubling you. but a doubt has been suggested whether, as the prize was never condemned, the original proprietor may not...
6From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 13 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
I recollect that on your leaving us you took with you certain papers relating to a case in which Mr. Bingham was concerned, and the U. S. alledged to be involved, with a view of examining them in your domestic leisure. I have just recd. the inclosed letter from Mr. Otis on the same subject, and beg leave to trouble you with it for the same purpose. Notwithstanding the budgets from abroad which...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 11 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. came to hand on the 25th. of June, and conveyed a great deal of that information which I am anxious to recieve. the consolidation of our fellow citizens in general is the great object we ought to keep in view, and that being once obtained, while we associate with us in affairs to a certain degree the federal sect of republicans, we must strip of all the means of...
8From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 25 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Tho’ much hurried in preparing for my journey home I can not leave this place without thanking you for your last very kind letter, and wishing you all the happiness in your domestic situation which will be added by the perfect reestablishment of Mrs. Lincoln’s health, and that of her mother. Mine in which you are so good as to take an interest, ⟨h⟩as with a slight bilious interruption...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 26 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 28. was recieved here on the 20th. instant. the superscription of my letter of July 11. by another hand was to prevent danger to it from the curious. your statement respecting the Berceau, coincides with my own recollections in the circumstances recollected by me, and I concur with you in supposing it may not now be necessary to give any explanations on the subject in the...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. came to hand yesterday. having written to you two days ago only, I have but to acknolege the reciept of the letter before mentioned and to refer to you a case in which the US. seem threatened with the danger of having a considerable sum to pay, contrary to law & justice, and if the inclosed statements are right, merely by the negligence of their district-attorney . the...
11XIV. To Levi Lincoln, 27 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the message on the state of the nation to be sent to Congress on their meeting. I will ask the favor of you to give it serious perusal & to favor me with such observations, corrections & queries as you may think expedient: to observe also on any negligences of style, which may be corrected without weakening expression: for wherever by a small sacrifice of the rigorous rules of...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 20 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Attorney general to prepare a proclamation agreeable to the inclosed advice of Senate . he understands the Judges have some cases awaiting this determination . it would be well therefore if they could be certified of the ultimate sanction of the treaty either by the proclamation itself, or by a communication of the advice of Senate on Monday. RC (Privately...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 21 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Observing that the usage has been to insert the treaty at full length in the proclamation , on a conference with the Secretary of state, we have concluded it safest to follow the usage, and further to insert Buonaparte’s ratification & the subsequent advice of Senate verbatim. this being merely mechanical will be done by the clerks in the office of state; but in the mean time I must ask of you...
14III. To Levi Lincoln, 1 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Averse to recieve addresses, yet unable to prevent them, I have generally endeavored to turn them to some account, by making them the occasion by way of answer, of sowing useful truths & principles among the people, which might germinate and become rooted among their political tenets. the Baptist address now inclosed admits of a condemnation of the alliance between church and state, under the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 28 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses the Executive proceedings of Govr Sinclair for the consideration of the Attorney General, with a view to the power exercised by the Governor of laying off counties , establishing courts therein fixing the time and place of holding them, and, as would seem from the proceedings of Oct. 30th. of determining their legislative representation. the Attorney General is desired...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 24 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had no conception there were persons enough to support a paper whose stomachs could bear such aliment as the inclosed papers contain. they are far beyond even the Washington Federalist. to punish however is impracticable until the body of the people, from whom juries are to be taken, get their minds to rights; and even then I doubt it’s expediency. while a full range is proper for actions by...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln and John Thomas Mason, 11 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Sentence of death having been passed by the Circuit court of Columbia , against a citizen of Washington county, guilty of an aggravated murder, a question arises Who is to sign the warrant for execution? By the act of Congress 1801. c. 86. the laws of Maryland , as they existed at that date, are in force in Washington county: and by the law of Maryland 1795. c. 82. the Governor of Maryland is...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 17 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I hasten to call your attention to the resolution of the Senate of the 15th. instant now inclosed, on the subject of the lands of the US. in the state of Tennissee, at this time, because while the members of Congress are here you may be able to collect such information on the subject as to enable you to shape your course in the execution of it with more facility as well as correctness. Accept...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, [on or after 30 April 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
The Attorney general will be pleased to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the Senate of Apr. 30. respecting the claims of John Cleves Symmes . PrC ( DLC ); undated. Enclosure not found, but see below. A 30 Apr. RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE requested that the president direct the attorney general to examine the 1788 contract between the United States and JOHN CLEVES SYMMES for a grant...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 4 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper signed Claudius is so bold, direct & false in it’s assertions respecting the clerks, that it ought really to be contradicted. would it not be worth while to ask of each head of department whether he found any republican clerk in his office & how many, and to state the fact, not naming the authority, but appealing to the notoriety of the fact. perhaps even the names as given...
21From James Madison to [Levi Lincoln?], 14 May 1802 (Madison Papers)
Will you be so good as to forward me Govr. St. Clair’s papers by the Mail as soon as the two Secretaries Dearborn & Smith with yourself shall have examined them. I make the request on the idea that they can be spared in time to be examined by me during my absence. I expect to return to this place about the 1st. of June, and to be four days on my journey back. The mail leaves this every tuesday...
22From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 13 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
13 June 1802, Department of State. “The Secretary of State presents his compliments to the Attorney General of the United States and requests his opinion on the points stated in the enclosed letter of the 9th. inst. from the Secretary of the Treasury—all the documents relating to the case which were received from Mr. Gallatin being also herewith sent to Mr. Lincoln.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 25 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. is recieved, and that of July 24. had come to hand while I was at Monticello. I sincerely condole with you on the sickly state of your family and hope this will find them reestablished with the approach of the cold season. as yet however we have had no frost at this place, and it is believed the yellow fever still continues in Philadelphia if not in Baltimore. we shall...
24VIII. Referral of the Draft to Levi Lincoln (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to give the inclosed a scrupulous examination, and suggest any alterations for the better, and without any reserve. the sooner you return it the better, as, when it has been separately examined and amended by the gentlemen, I mean to ask their joint attendance to consider it finally. RC ( MHi : Levi Lincoln Papers); undated or date clipped; endorsed by Lincoln as 25 Nov....
25From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 13 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to satisfy yourself and advise me on the following persons? Samuel Whittermore Surveyor & Inspector of Gloster to be removed and Zachariah Stevens to be put in his place. he is recommended by Capt Crowninshield. Nath. F. Fosdick Collector of Portland to be removed, and who to be put in his place? Would it do good or harm at Boston for mr Bradford the marshal of...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Heads of Departments (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks a consultation with the heads of departments tomorrow at 11. aclock, on the subject of N. Orleans & the Floridas. should we meet later, we may be prevented by the visits usual on the day. will mr Smith be so good as to send the inclosed over the way to mr Lincoln? RC ( MHi : Levi Lincoln Papers); undated or date clipped; endorsed by Levi Lincoln as 31 Dec. 1802; with...
27From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 4 January 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 January 1803, Department of State. “The Secretary of State requests the Attorney General to favor him with his opinion, whether a patent may be issued to the assignee of Robert Holliday for the land contained in the within survey [not found]. The doubt arises upon the variation between the survey and the description of it in the devise contained in the enclosed will [not found]. The land...
28From James Madison to Levi Lincoln, 26 February 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 February 1803, Department of State. Asks Lincoln’s opinion on the enclosed papers [not found] as to “whether the Indenture of Daniel Clark to Jane Clark, supposed by the Will of Daniel Clark Senr., is sufficient to authorize patents to be issued to the said Jane Clark on the enclosed surveys in the name of the Testator?” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p.
29From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 23 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers recieved in yours of the 15th. inst. with thanks for the perusal, and sincere congratulations on the pleasure you must experience from the possession of a son whose talents afford a prospect not less comfortable to his family than promising to his country. amid the dreary prospect of a rising generation committed from their infancy to the education of bigotted &...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 26 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his compliments to mr Lincoln returns him mr Crowninshield’s letter . the appointmt. of a substitute for mr Story shall await further information.—he has not been at all moved to doubt the propriety of Fosdyck’s removal. Mr. Lincoln is perfectly free to retain the copy of the Syllabus, & to make any use of it his discretion would approve, confident as Th:J. is that his...