1From James Madison to William Short, 9 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have just closed for Mr. Graham the papers which will be forwarded to you in due form from the office of State; and reach you, I hope on the evening of the 14th. I have suggested to him the addition of such printed documents as occured to me, and desired him to add any others which may occur to him. It wd. have given me pleasure to have seen you before your departure, and particularly to...
2From James Madison to William Short, 8 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
The President having thought it expedient for the interest of the United States that a Minister Plenipoy. should be sent to the Emperor of Russia, he is desirous of availing them of your services on the occasion. You will accordingly herewith receive a Commission and a Letter of Credence to the Emperor. You will see in the latter, a copy of which is furnished, the general purpose of your...
3From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the last moment allowed by the departure of the post to acknolege the reciept of your letters of the 27th. & 31st. ult. and to say, in answer to the last, that any one of the three persons you there propose, would be approved as to their politics, for in appointments to office the government refuses to know any difference between descriptions of republicans, all of whom are...
4From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 29 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 7th. & 10th. inst. were acknoleged in mine of the 19th. Mr. Madison is now with me and is preparing instructions for you. we now very much wish we had asked you to take a trip here. it is impossible to give on paper so intimate an expression of our views as in conversation, and more difficult in this case than in others because in addition to the general objects of cultivating...
5From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 19 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 7th. & 10th. were recieved on the 15th., communicated to mr Madison & recieved back from him yesterday. we relinquish the idea of a direct passage to St. Petersburg, and adopt that of a general communication to the government of France through which you will pass. mr Madison will be here within a few days in order that we may arrange and finally expedite whatever is...
6From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 2 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of July 23. I wrote to mr Madison expressing my ideas on the several points it presented, and recieved his in return which I now inclose you as containing our joint opinions on them. that which respects the direct voyage will, I am afraid, not be so agreeable to yourself, yet I believe it is indispensible. secrecy is essential, that obstacles may not be prepared...
7From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 20 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have put off writing to you to the last moment, and must therefore be short as I am just setting out for Monticello. yours of the 15th. is recieved. we fix your departure by the next vessel we send which will be in about 6. weeks. it will not be necessary for you to visit this place as mr Madison leaves it on Saturday. we highly approve the idea of calling your secretary our messenger & your...
8From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 13 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 10th. the idea of your going so early as by the vessel which sails on Sunday has been given up. consequently it will not be till the next which will go in 6. weeks, unless an earlier passage were to occur by some other vessel, which as it might excite less notice would be more desirable. we have ceased to annex Secretaries of legation to our foreign missions,...
9From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
What I now write you must be as secret as the grave. there is at length an unanimity of opinion as to a mission to Petersbg. but some difference as to the time, whether now or not till the meeting of the Senate. but the latter opinion will I think give way to the importance of the mission being so secret that it shall be suspected by no mortal until it is arrived in Petersburg. I write you...
10From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 5 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 28. came safe to hand with the watch chain and seal, which are entirely to my mind, and I now inclose you an order of the bank of the US. of this place on that at Philadelphia for 20. D. the amount of the two articles. I am now in all the hurry & bustle of preparation for departure this evening if I can be ready, or tomorrow morning at farthest, and having not a word of news...