4151From James Madison to William Hull, 8 December 1806 (Madison Papers)
I enclose a pardon of the homicide committed by Mechosee, mentioned in your letter of the 18th. ult: and some of the documents printed by order of Congress. Having occasion to use the laws of the Michigan Territory, passed since the reassembling of the Governor and Judges this Summer, and particularly the law respecting the creation of a bank, I request you to be pleased to cause copies to be...
4152From James Madison to William Hull, 24 May 1805 (Madison Papers)
I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 8th. instant. The qualification of a freehold in land being required of the Governor by law, no power exists in the hands of the Executive to dispense with it: and an allowance for travelling expences in proceeding to the Territory, being also unauthorized by any existing law is equally beyound the purview of the Executive; whatever may be the...
4153From James Madison to William Hull, 1 August 1805 (Madison Papers)
I enclose an extract of a letter from the Postmaster General to the President containing information that trespasses are committing on a certain species of timber, growing on the public lands near lake Erie. It is the President’s direction that you warn by proclamation all persons from committing such trespass, and that you be afterwards watchful to cause the trespassers to suffer proper legal...
4154From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 9 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Thos: Jefferson asks leave to observe to Baron de Humboldt that the question of limits of Louisiana between Spain & the US is this. they claim to hold to the river Mexicana or Sabine & from the head of that Northwardly along the heads of the waters of the Missipi to the head of the Red river & so on. we claim to the North river from it’s mouth to the source either of it’s Eastern or Western...
4155From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 28 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 24th. and offer you my congratulations on your arrival here in good health after a tour in the course of which you have been exposed to so many hardships and hazards. the countries you have visited are of those least known, and most interesting, and a lively desire will be felt generally to recieve the information you will be able to give. no one will...
4156From James Madison to Clement Humphreys, 19 July 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
19 July 1802, Department of State. “I have duly received your letter of the 12th. Inst. [not found] enclosing one from Mr. Pinckney and another from the Consul of the United States at Madrid, for which I return you my thanks.” Letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, DL , vol. 14). 1 p. Probably Charles Pinckney to JM, 20 Apr. 1802 , and Moses Young to JM, 26 Apr. 1802 (not found) (see JM to Pinckney,...
4157From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, with Levi Lincoln, [17] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
4158From James Madison to David Humphreys, 22 June 1801 (Madison Papers)
The letter of the day of March last from Mr. Lincoln, then acting Secretary of State will have made you acquainted with the grounds on which the President has permitted your return. A duplicate of that letter and a letter under a flying seal to His Catholic Majesty communicating the permission, are herewith forwarded. You will derive from them the sentiments which it will be proper for you to...
4159From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 20 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Dec. 12. and to return you my thanks for the cloth furnished me. it came in good time, & does honour to your manufactory, being as good as any one would wish to wear in any country. amidst the pressure of evils with which the belligerent edicts have afflicted us, some permanent good will arise. the spring given to manufactures will have durable...
4160From James Madison to David Humphreys, 28 June 1806 (Madison Papers)
In answer to your letter of the 20th. inst. I have the honor to inform you, that the diamonds, which were the subjects of Mrs. Humphrey’s letter of the 20th. April last, were placed, several weeks ago, in the charge of Mr. Cathcart, who will arrive in Boston, about the time of your receiving this, and will deliver them to you with a letter. Mrs. H’s request was not received in time to admit of...
4161From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 15 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of June 28. and sincerely congratulate you on your safe return to your native country. you will doubtless be sensible of an inconcievable change in manners and opinions since you left it; tho’ less perhaps in Connecticut than some other places. After eleven years absence I imagine you will find it more difficult to return from European to American...
4162From James Madison to David Humphreys, 5 January 1803 (Madison Papers)
The President has received the letter you addressed to him on the 1st. Inst. As the constitution of the United States has left with Congress the exclusive authority to permit the acceptance of presents from foreign Governments by persons holding Offices under the United States, the President has thought it most proper that the ornaments addressed to Mrs. Humphreys by the Queen of Spain should...
4163From James Madison to David Humphreys, 14 April 1803 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letters of the 29th. Ult and 4th. Inst. and the letters and accounts of Messrs. John Bulkeley & Son, which it enclosed. The latter have been adjusted at the Treasury, and 37.841 Milrees found due which will be remitted thro’ London to those Gentlemen of which in due time, they may expect to hear from the Bankers of the Treasury Department at that place. From a change,...
4164From John Adams to David Humphreys, 1 December 1802 (Adams Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 28 from Boston has remained through a multiplicity of agricultural occupations unacknowledged to this hour and notwithstanding the lively sensibility it excited both in Mrs. Adams & myself, we sincerely regretted that we were not to have the pleasure of receiving you and Mrs Humphreys at Quincy as we had hoped & expected. If in the course of your affairs you should again...
4165From James Madison to David Humphreys, 1 June 1805 (Madison Papers)
The letter for Mr. Young enclosed in yours of the 20th. April was sent after him to Philadelphia, but as he had sailed for Spain before it reached him, it will be forwarded to him there. With the point contended by Mr. Young this Department has no official connection, and the general subject of your accounts belongs to the Treasury Department. The diamonds presented to Mrs. Humphreys remain...
4166From Thomas Jefferson to James Humphreys, 9 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his compliments to mr Humphreys incloses him an order of the bank of the US. at this place on that at Philadelphia for 12. D. for Edwards’s history of the W. Indies, according to the note recieved from him. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
4167From Thomas Jefferson to George Hunter, 14 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 4th. inst. was recieved a few days ago. you have been greatly decieved by the information that I had never paid the debt to William Hunter & that the bond is lost. I paid it to Joseph Royle’s executor & have a perfect recollection of the fact, and I have no doubt that at Monticello I can produce satisfactory evidence of it; probably the bond itself. I am not willing to...
4168From James Madison to the Governor of Upper Canada, 5 May 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
5 May 1801, Department of State. Encloses certified copies of murder indictment and depositions against British soldier Levy Cole; requests extradition as provided for in article 27 of Jay treaty. RC and enclosures (Public Archives of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario); letterbook copy ( DNA : RG 59, IC , vol. 1). RC 2 pp.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by JM; docketed by a clerk: “Recd. at York 28h Augt.”...
4169From James Madison to Jedediah Huntington, 15 January 1802 (Madison Papers)
Letters which I yesterday received from the American Consul at Havana announce that the ports of the Island of Cuba were on the 25th Ult. closed against the admission of American and other foreign vessels. In an interview however, which the Consul had with the Governor, the latter unequivocally assured him, “that every possible indulgence and relief will still be extended to those vessels...
4170From Alexander Hamilton to Jedediah Huntington, 12 November 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
I take the liberty to ask the favour of your aid in respect to the inclosed notice from the Supreme Court of the UStates in the affair of the Schooner Peggy. It is to be delivered to the Agents of the Ship Trumball, who are Messieurs Howland and Allen and upon a copy of it an affidavit must be made before the District Judge of the UStates (who I am told resides at New London) that the original...
4171From James Madison to Samuel Huntington (Abstract), 22 March 1805 (Madison Papers)
22 March 1805, Department of State . “The President of the United States being desirous of availing the public of your services as a Judge of the Territory of Michigan, I have the pleasure to inclose your Commission.” RC (http://rrauction.com, Catalogue 242, item 114, October 2000); letterbook copy of enclosure ( DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Permanent and Temporary Presidential Commissions). RC...
4172From Thomas Jefferson to Major Hunt, 9 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has recieved Major Hunt’s letter of Sep. 30. and also the Stylograph forwarded by mr Gelston, & returns his thanks to mr Hunt for his care of it, & his respectful salutations. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
4173From Thomas Jefferson to Major Hunt, 20 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Major Hunt whose note of the 14th. he has recieved, and thanks him for his care of the package from Genl. Lyman. he proposes to be at Washington on the 3d. of the next month, & should Major Hunt be coming there by that time or find any gentleman coming that far in the stage who would take care of it, Major Hunt’s attention to the conveyance in that way...
4174II. Henry Dearborn’s Second Draft, with Jefferson’s Revisions, [20 April 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
having examined the proceedings of a Genl. Court Martial, of which Majr. Thos. Hunt was President, holden at Detroit on the eighteenth day of July last, for the trial of John Spence a private soldier in Captain John Whistlers Company, of the first Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States, charged with seditious conduct at Fort Wayne on the third day of May 1801, by assailing...
4175I. Henry Dearborn’s Preliminary Draft, [10 March 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
Having examined the proceedings of the Genl. Court Martial of which Majr. Thos. Hunt was President, holden at Detroit in the Month of July last past, in the trial of John Spence a private soldier in Capt. John Whislers Company of the first Regiment of Infantry in the service of the United States, charged with seditious conduct at Fort Wayne on the third day of May in the year 1801, by...
4176From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Husted, Jr., 10 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Being unwilling to become the depository of secrets valuable to their author I will not give you the trouble of a meeting proposed in your letter of Aug. 23. nevertheless as I should not be justifiable in shutting the door to any benefit which your patriotism might intend for your country, I will observe to you that the Secretary of the Navy, mr Robert Smith is the person to whom such a...
4177From Thomas Jefferson to Jean-Guillaume, Baron Hyde de Neuville, 17 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 13th. inst. I had the pleasure of recieving your favor of Dec. 22. covering one from Madame D’Houdetot, of whom I had not recieved information for several years. I am happy to learn that she is living and enjoying a retirement in comfort. the proofs of friendship which I recieved from her in France were such as to make a lasting impression on my mind, and to inspire me with sincere...
4178From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Hyde, 12 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To Capt. Thomas Hyde, and the officers & privates of the first volunteer company for the counties of Jackson, Clark and Franklin in the state of Georgia. The offer of your service 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 directed the Governor of the state to carry the acts concerning...
4179From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L. Hylton, 23 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I called yesterday at the Patent office to enquire respecting Macomb’s mill according to the request in your letter of the 15th. inst. there is a drawing of it, but no model; and no copy can be permitted to be taken from the office till the patent expires, which will be on the 28th. of August next. it is really nothing more than a bad edition of Barker’s mill, which no mode hitherto devised...
4180From Thomas Jefferson to William Hylton, [5 June 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favors of Mar. 27. & June 1. the former had come during my absence and when I returned, which was a month after it’s date, I presumed you had already proceeded on your voyage. I thank you for it’s kind congratulations on my appointment to the first Executive office, and am sensible how much my powers are overrated. I have two important objects before me, to reduce the...
4181From Thomas Jefferson to Indian Nations, 31 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have considered the speech you have delivered me, and I will now give you an answer to it. You have told us on former occasions of certain promises made to you at the treaty of Grenville by Genl. Wayne, respecting certain lands whereon you & your friends live. But when we looked into the treaty of Grenville, we found no such promises there; and as it is our custom to put all our agreements...
4182From Thomas Jefferson to Indian Nations, 21 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Some of you are old enough to remember, and the younger have heard from their fathers, that this country was formerly governed by the English. While they governed it, there were constant wars between the white & the red people. to such a height was the hatred of both parties carried that they thought it no crime to kill one another in Cold blood whenever they had an opportunity. this Spirit...
4183From Thomas Jefferson to Indian Nations, 10 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
This is the first time I have had the pleasure of seeing the distinguished men of our neighbors the Wiandots, Ottawas & Chippeways at the Seat of our Government. I welcome you to it as well as the Poutewatamies & Shawanese and thank the great Spirit for having conducted you hither in safety & health. I take you and your people by the hand and salute you as my Children; I consider all my red...
4184From Thomas Jefferson to Indian Nations, 18 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have considered the speech you have delivered me, & will now make answer to it. you have gone back to antient times, & given a true history of the uses made of you by the French, who first inhabited your country & afterwards by the English. and how they used you as dogs to set upon those whom they wanted to destroy. they kept the hatchet always in your hand, exposing you to be killed in...
4185From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Ingle, 6 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The very great pressure of business for some time before and after the meeting of Congress, obliging me to suspend nearly all correspondence, I have not till this day been able to reach your letter notifying me of the obliging offer of the use of a pew in the new Protestant Episcopal church near the Navy yard on the part of the vestry of Washington parish. I pray you to convey to them my...
4186From Alexander Hamilton to Nathaniel G. Ingraham, 6 March 1801 (Hamilton Papers)
Albany, March 6, 1801. Acknowledges receipt of Ingraham’s letter of February 26, 1801 . Regrets that he cannot serve as Ingraham’s attorney because of unavoidable delay in Albany. ALS , Mrs. Jean Ahnfeldt, Los Altos, California. Letter not found. Ingraham was declared a bankrupt on February 19, 1801 (RG 21, Records of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York,...
4187From Thomas Jefferson to Newbury Township Inhabitants, 8 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Assurances of attachment & support from any description of my fellow citizens are accepted with thankfulness & satisfaction. I will ask that attachment & support no longer than I endeavor to deserve them by a faithful administration of their affairs in the true spirit of the constitution, and according to laws framed in consonance with that. the sentiments expressed on my undertaking the...
4188From Thomas Jefferson to Harry Innes, 20 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 25. is duly recieved & I have to observe that I used the mouldboard you mention with the common bar share plough; nothing about it being changed but the mouldboard. I can assure you that the same horses, in my farm, would make a furrow with this mouldboard 2. I. deeper than they could with the common mouldboard, owing to the difference of resistance. adhering to the principle...
4189From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 9 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear Sir, your note of yesterday, and am sensible of the friendly spirit which dictated it. but you must pardon me for repeating my request to inform me of the price of the wine. this is such a transaction of meum & tuum as must follow the same rules between us as between others. it is sufficient obligation to me to spare me so excellent a supply, and if not done on the usual &...
4190From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 15 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 7th. inst. came to hand on the 14th. only, by which it seems to have lost a post by the way. this therefore cannot be in Washington but on the evening of the 17th. no information has been recieved from mr Pinckney of the character which your letter supposes. the latest we have from him inclosed a letter to him from M. de Cevallos in a tone not as friendly as heretofore used...
4191From Thomas Jefferson to Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. is recieved. in the meantime you will have recieved one of the 19th. from me . I have inserted in a letter to Colo. Humphreys what might be said with effect on the subject mentioned in your letter. if in time, I hope it will weigh. if not, when you take leave, you will of course recieve a letter, the tenor of which shall do you the justice due to you. I am in hopes...
4192From James Madison to Jared Irwin, 15 December 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have received a letter from Mr. Foronda the Spanish Chargè des Affaires complaining that a certain Archibald Clarke, of the Town of Newton, in Camden County Georgia, had passed over into the Province of East Florida with armed Men, and taken by force a Negro Woman from the House of David Garvin, an Inhabitant of that Province; and that notwithstanding the immediate application of Governor...
4193From Thomas Jefferson to Jared Irwin, 10 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to communicate to yourself, & through you to the Senate & Representatives of Georgia the inclosed answer to the resolutions of that legislature of the 6th. of December last, and to add to it the assurances of my high respect and consideration. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
4194From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McClurg, 2 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The sentiments which you express in your Address of Octob. 27. of attachment to the rights of your country, of your determination to support them with your lives & fortunes, and of disregard of the inconveniences which must be encountered in resisting insult and aggression, are honorable to yourselves, & encouraging to your country. they are particularly solacing to those who, having laboured...
4195From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson, 3 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter, proffering the services of a very respectable corps of Volunteers, should the injuries offered our country render it necessary. Always a friend to peace, & believing it to promote eminently the happiness & prosperity of mankind, I am ever unwilling that it should be disturbed, as long as the rights & interests of the nation can be preserved. but whensoever...
4196From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson, 19 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On reciept of your favor of Aug. 7. I made it the subject of some communication with the Secretary at War. he informs me that the charge against Colo. Butler on which stress is laid is for disobedience of orders & neglect of duty for not going to fort Adams when ordered, & for an absence from his command of near twelve months without leave. on this he will have the benefit of a trial by his...
4197From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Jackson, 21 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Dec. 3. answering yours which offered the service of a Corps of Volunteers, I informed you that the Legislature had then under consideration in what way they would authorize the Executive to accept those patriotic tenders. they accordingly passed the Act of which I now enclose you a Copy. Altho’ the present state of things on the western side of the Missisipi does not threaten...
4198From Thomas Jefferson to David Jackson, Jr., 11 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments & thanks to mr Jackson for the pamphlet sent him . the [with which] he has been monarchists and ecclesiastics on the subject of religion he has ever consid ered as the most honourable testimony he could expect from them. they [acknowlege] their apprehension that he would be an obstacle to the alliance between [church] & State which some of them avowedly...
4199From Thomas Jefferson to James Jackson, 16 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. was recieved on the same day, and will be duly attended to in the course of our affairs with the Creeks. in keeping Agents among the Indians two objects are principally kept in view. 1. the preservation of peace. 2. the obtaining lands. towards effecting the latter object we consider the leading the Indians to agriculture as the principal means from which we can expect...
4200From Thomas Jefferson to James Jackson, 28 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Clay having declined his appointment as a Circuit judge, it becomes necessary to supply his place by another appointment. unacquainted as we are here with the different characters who might be considered as proper to fill the place, it becomes necessary to ask information from those who know the characters. your opinion on the subject would be peculiarly satisfactory to me. permit me...