1401From Thomas Jefferson to Elijah Brown, 7 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The very affectionate address which you have been pleased to present me on behalf of the 16th. regiment of South Carolina, demands & recieves my warmest thanks. the interest you feel in my appointment to the Presidency, your confidence in my sincere dispositions to oppose the exercise of all arbitrary power, & to preserve inviolate our liberties and constitution, and your promises of support...
1402From Thomas Jefferson to Elijah Brown, Jr., 11 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the address of that portion of the citizens of Stockbridge who have declared their approbation of the present suspension of our commerce, and their dissent from the representation of those of the same place who wished its removal. A division of sentiment was not unexpected. On no question can a perfect unanimity be hoped, or certainly it would have been on that between war...
1403From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Brown, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The substance of the inclosed letter, so far as is necessary for the satisfaction of our fellow citizens, should be communicated to them. but the letter itself should not be published, nor be permitted to be copied, because the source from which it comes will occasion every word of it to be weighed by your neighbors on the opposite shore, and every inference to be drawn of which it is...
1404From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 12 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson takes the liberty of inclosing to mr Brown a letter from a John Preston of Dundee enquiring after a friend named James Gickie, of whom it is supposed mr Brown may have some knolege. if he can give any information Th:J. will thank him for it, & for a return of the letter that he may have the enquiry pursued in favor of the distressed relations of Gickie. he salutes mr Brown with...
1405From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In the arrangements proposed for the new government of the territory of Orleans to commence on the 1st. of Oct. next, I am desirous of availing the public of your services as Secretary of the territory. on turning to the law for that establishment you will see what are it’s duties and emoluments. you will oblige me by giving me as early intelligence as you can whether I may count on your...
1406From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 1 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The importance of appointing officers for the government of Orleans who speak both the French and English languages has produced difficulties in the arrangement which have distressed me exceedingly. the French language entered so little into education in this country in the early time of those who are now of an age for public office, that it is difficult, even among those, otherwise well...
1407From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Brown. he recieved a letter and some nuts from the lady to whom the inclosed is an answer. being entirely unacquainted with her as far as he recollects, he incloses it open to mr Brown with a request that he will be so good as to seal & have it delivered if no circumstance unknown to Th: Jefferson would render it improper; or better in the...
1408From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 14 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter of thanks from the Philosophical society has been sent me to forward to you. We have been unfortunately delayed in our Hospital establishment at New Orleans by different accidents: and I just now learn that mr Daniel Clarke , who is to be the Superintendent, is lately returned from New Orleans to Philadelphia; in which case he will have left the place just before our...
1409From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 23 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Dufour called on me yesterday , with the wine. his object seems to be to get my own opinion & that of others on it’s merit, in order to decide on the expediency of continuing the pursuit. but it should be observed that no wine on earth was ever drinkable the spring after it was made. country people may indeed drink it, as ours drink new cyder from the press. but I mean that no judgment can...
1410From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 9 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under your cover because it is suggested that Dr. Brown may be gone to New Orleans. and I leave the letter to him open for your perusal, praying you to do with respect to the letter or the object of it whatever the existing circumstances, which are not known to me may render most expedient. if in his absence you can give me any information which would...
1411From James Madison to John F. Brown, 8 October 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
8 October 1804, Department of State. “I have recd. your letter of the 20th. Ult, and the accot. enclosed therein has been referred to the Auditor of the Treasury, to whom you will be pleased to forward the vouchers necessary to enable him to settle it. No instruction to the Consuls is adequate to the correction of the abuse of the Sea Letter, which you represent occurs at present: it may...
1412From James Madison to Joseph Brown, 3 January 1807 (Madison Papers)
I have received your letter enclosing the representation of Mr. Small respecting seals for the Territory of Louisiana. Those which may be necessary you will be pleased to obtain and draw upon this Department for the expense. You will of course take from Mr. Small such of those which he has prepared under the orders of Govr: Harrison, as may be adapted to the wants of the Territory; and refer...
1413From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Brown, 18 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I was told last fall that the road to and from Lacey’s ford on Bull run was so destroyed by the rains of last summer that a carriage could not pass there, and that they had not been repaired. will you be so good as to write me word whether a carriage can pass them now, as I shall be going that way the first week in March, and shall be unwilling to attempt the Centreville road, which at that...
1414From Thomas Jefferson to Obadiah B. Brown, 17 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
To the Members of the Baltimore Baptist association I recieve with great pleasure the friendly address of the Baltimore Baptist association, & am sensible how much I am indebted to the kind dispositions which dictated it. In our early struggles for liberty, religious freedom could not fail to become a primary object. all men felt the right, and a just animation to obtain it was excited in all....
1415From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Brown, 9 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favor of Genl. Brown to dine with him on Saturday the 13th . at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may arise. Tuesday Feb. 9. 1808 . The favor of an answer is asked. Privately owned.
1416From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Brown, [before 23 November 1803] [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of The Hon.ble Genl. Brown to dine with him on Wednesday the 23rd . inst at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Nate D. Sanders Auctions, Los Angeles, May 2013, Lot 593); printed form, with blanks filled by Lewis Harvie reproduced in italics; partially dated; addressed by Harvie: “The Hon.ble...
1417From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Brown, 27 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You will wonder that your letter of June 3. should not be acknowledged till this date. I never recieved it till Sep. 12. and coming soon after to this place, the accumulation of business I found here has prevented my taking it up till now. that you ever participated in any plan for a division of the Union, I never for one moment believed. I knew your Americanism too well. but as the enterprize...
1418From James Madison to Samuel Brown, 4 August 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Samuel Brown. 4 August 1806, Department of State. “Having instructed Mr. Cathcart to charter a Vessel to carry the Tunisian Ambassador to Tunis, with his effects and various articles intended for the Regency, I beg the favor of your assistance to him should he need it, and that you will furnish him with as much cash or credit as he may need for the purpose, which shall be reimbursed...
1419From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Brown, 9 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you part of a letter lately recieved from Dr. Wistar on the subject of certain bones in the possession of a mr Irvill of Cincinnati; & supposed to be those of the Mammoth & Megalonyx. they were formerly destined for Philadelphia, & had got to Pittsburg where the owner beginning to doubt whether they would sell there so as to quit cost, sold them to mr Irvill. it is certainly...
1420From Thomas Jefferson to Falls Moore, 8 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved a letter from messrs. Williamson & Cowling of Savanna informing me that they had sent to your address two tierces of cotton seed for me by the schooner Mary Capt. Almeda which left Savanna for Baltimore on the 24th. of January. as she may be arrived, or daily expected, & this seed is procured for the Agricultural society of Paris, I am very anxious it should get to...
1421From Thomas Jefferson to William Brown, 18 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Trist, who is now here & in good health, informs me that the Campeachy hamock, made of some vegetable substance netted, is commonly to be had at New Orleans. having no mercantile correspondent there, I take the liberty of asking you to procure me a couple of them, & to address them to New York, Philadelphia, or any port in the Chesapeake, to the care of the Collector, being so good as to...
1422From Albert Gallatin to William Brown, 7 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of August 26th has with its enclosures been laid before the President who has directed that the prosecutions which may have been instituted in relation to a supposed infraction of the embargo laws by the English brig Union should be discontinued. I enclose his instruction to that effect to the district Attorney; which you will be pleased to deliver to him. I am respectfully Sir...
1423From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Bruff, 20 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. was recieved by our last post, and as I shall be in Washington within a week after your reciept of this, I would rather defer answering it until I am in a situation to do it on full consideration & advisement. wishing you sincerely success in both the enterprises stated in your letter I salute you with esteem & respect. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
1424From James Madison to James A. Buchanan, 27 February 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
27 February 1804, Department of State. “Your letter of the 15th. inst. has been duly received together with the papers it enclosed, respecting the capture of the Brig Lear and the proceedings exercised against her at Antigua. Should the event of a condemnation take place, it will be advisable for you to appeal to England, since the doctrine of the blockade of Martinique is [ sic ] announced by...
1425From James Madison to William Buchanan, 4 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The existing posture of things between Great Britain and the United States, resulting from recent occurrences, though it should not issue in the threatened rupture, evidently requires certain precautions having reference to such an event. Among these, an early notice of the danger to the rich commerce of our Citizens beyound the Cape of Good Hope, which it is apprehended will in case of...
1426From Thomas Jefferson to the Earl of Buchan, 10 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved through the hands of mr Lenox, on his return to the US. the valuable volume you were so good as to send me on the life & writings of Fletcher of Saltoun. the political principles of that patriot were worthy the purest periods of the British constitution. they are those which were in vigour at the epoch of the American emigration. our ancestors brought them here, and they needed...
1427From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bulfinch, 26 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the Address of that portion of the citizens of [Boston] who have declared their approbation of the present suspension of our commerce, and their dissent from the Representation of those of the same place who wished it’s removal. a division of sentiment was not unexpected. on no question can a perfect unanimity be hoped, or certainly it would have been on that between war &...
1428From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bulfinch, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Mills , a native of South Carolina, has passed some years at this place as a Student in architecture . he is now setting out on a journey through the states to see what is worth seeing in that line in each state. he will visit Boston with the same view, and knowing your taste for the art, I take the liberty of recommending him to your notice, and of asking for him...
1429From James Madison to Thomas Bulkeley, 22 March 1802 (Madison Papers)
The President having appointed William Jarvis Esqr. by whom this will be handed to you, consul of the United States at Lisbon, you will be pleased to receive him as your successor, and to deliver to him the several documents, letters, &c. which may belong to the consulate; to which you will be Kind enough to add any other information by which you may be able to assist the commencement of his...
1430From James Madison to John Bullus, 18 July 1807 (Madison Papers)
It being understood that you are disposed to take charge of the Dispatches which are to go to Europe in the armed Vessel The Revenge, I have now to inform you that they will be put into the hands of Captain Reed, and delivered to you on your going abroad. The Dispatches are intended partly for our Ministers at Paris, and partly for those at London. The Revenge will touch first at a French...
1431From Thomas Jefferson to John Bullus, 3 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson proposing to leave town on Monday asks the favor of Dr. Bullas to inform him what he is in his debt for attendance on himself & servant. he salutes him with esteem & respect he returns the 2d. vol. of Bell. Privately owned.
1432From Thomas Jefferson to John Bullus, 6 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. Bullas and returns him the other volume of Bell, certain parts of which he has read with great satisfaction. he asks the favor of him to let him know how much he is in his debt for his kind attendance on him, and has the satisfaction to inform him that his finger is entirely well, & the nail has protruded about one fifth of the whole length....
1433From Thomas Jefferson to John Daly Burk, 21 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. has been duly recieved. in the early part of my life I paid a good deal of attention to the state papers of Virginia , and in some degree, to those of the other states. the result of my enquiries is contained in the list of statepapers at the end of the Notes on Virginia, and so far as I possessed any of these papers they were communicated to mr Hazard to be published in...
1434From Thomas Jefferson to John Daly Burk, 12 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
According to promise in my former letter I wrote to mr Randolph to forward the volumes desired to Richmond, and to Govr. Page that I had at your request consigned them to him. I have just recieved his answer wherein he says ‘mr Burke deserves in my opinion encouragement to proceed in his work, & has every reason to believe that I will contribute any thing in my power to enable him to go on...
1435From Thomas Jefferson to John Daly Burk, 21 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have safely recieved your favor from Amelia with the [sheets?] of the Columbiad which it covered, and have given to them the hasty perusal which my less agreeable but more indispensable occupations have permitted. rarely indeed do they permit one moment’s deflection from the volumes of official papers which every day presents. the few moments I could spare to this object, I will say, were...
1436From Thomas Jefferson to John Daly Burk, 1 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 26. is recieved and I am perfectly disposed to communicate to you the collections I possess as far as their condition will admit. what this is will need explanation. I have a collection, nearly compleat, of the laws from 1624. to 1662. where Pervis’s printed collection begins. but some of the volumes are in such a state of decay, that the leaf falls to pieces on being turned...
1437From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Burling, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. reached me at this place yesterday only, and I now return you my thanks for the Peruvian curiosities which your kindness has destined for me. mr Budd had not, I presume, reached Washington on the 7th. when I left it, or they would have been recieved, and an earlier acknolegement made. the description of them is interesting and they will be a very acceptable addition...
1438From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 15 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the Vicepresident and is sorry that an error of his Secretary mentioning Thursday the 17th. instead of Tuesday the 17th. in his note of invitation should have occasioned a miscomprehension of the day. mr Harvie wrote a note correcting his error, to the V. President; but lest it should not have been delivered Th:J. asks leave to expect the pleasure of his...
1439From James Madison to Aaron Burr, [ca. 5 March] 1804 (Madison Papers)
The voyage referred to by Mr. Vanderkemp was undertaken and conducted by individuals, in whose hands the journal and other papers, which he desires to peruse, must remain. Mr. Barrill of Boston had a concern in the voyage and may be therefore resorted to in order to trace their place of Deposit. With very high respect, I have the honor to remain, Dr Sir your most obed. servt. RC (owned by...
1440From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 21 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed was by mistake at the post office put into my packet of letters recieved last night from the post office, and was broke open without particular examination of the superscription. in the moment of opening it, seeing your name on a paper inclosed in it, I looked to the superscription and instantly closed the letter without having read one single word in it. the truth of this...
1441From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 22 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
Your first letter, in a style too peremptory, made a demand, in my opinion, unprecedented and unwarrantable. My answer, pointing out the embarrassment, gave you an opportunity to take a less exceptionable course. You have not chosen to do it, but by your last letter, received this day, containing expressions indecorous and improper, you have increased the difficulties to explanation,...
1442From James Madison to Aaron Burr, 11 December 1803 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
11 December 1803, Department of State. “J. Madison presents his respects to the vice-president, who will find in the enclosed the information afforded by the office of state on the subject of former amendments to the Constitution. Mr. Beckley recollects, that in one of the instances, copies equal to the number of the states were made out in the clerk’s office of the House of Representatives....
1443From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, [1 April 1802] (Hamilton Papers)
Your Protegé Buisson has addressed to me the inclosed letter. Why he did not immediately write to you I cannot tell unless it be that he is conscious he has used your politeness sufficiently, and imagines an intermediary to be hereafter necessary. Perhaps you may be able to decipher his wishes from the letter; which I confess is beyond my skill. But I understand from him in conversation that...
1444From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 10 October 1803 (Hamilton Papers)
I distinctly recollect (as was once before verbally explained between us) that just before you made a payment of Two thousand Dollars on your Bond, Winships Mortgage was returned to you, as the mean by which the money was to be procured. I think it was sent to you by Le Guen himself. It is to be presumed, that Winship has had since some intimation from the possessor of his mortgage, and that...
1445From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 19 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of yesterday I forgot to put the inclosed and to ask the favor of you to address it to the proper place. it is in answer to one I received three months ago , dated in Dumfries, but the gentleman was there only as a traveller and did not advise me where to address the answer. I inclosed it to mr Gallatin having heard him speak of the writer. but he returned it to me two months ago,...
1446From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 6 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his salutations to the Vice President returns him the letter he put into his hands for perusal. the Secretary at war had a high opinion of mr Barron: but on the informations he has recieved, that opinion is suspended. the matter being sub judice no more ought to be said, than that no prejudices will be in the way of justice. RC ( CtY ); addressed: “The Vice President of the...
1447From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 15 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to the Vice-president of the US. and his thanks for the friendly sentiments of his letter of this morning. the request for transmitting to the V. President elect the notification of his election, is put into a train for execution. PoC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ.
1448From Alexander Hamilton to Aaron Burr, 20 June 1804 (Hamilton Papers)
I have maturely reflected on the subject of your letter of the 18th instant; and the more I have reflected the more I have become convinced, that I could not, without manifest impropriety, make the avowal or disavowal which you seem to think necessary. The clause pointed out by Mr. Van Ness is in these terms “I could detail to you a still more despicable opinion , which General Hamilton has...
1449From James Madison to Aaron Burr, 14 December 1803 (Madison Papers)
Mr. Madison presents his respectful compliments to the Vice President. There was about two years ago a Consul at St. Jago, since which nothing has been heard from him; such characters not being tolerated by the Spanish Govrs. in times of peace. He was also involved in such a manner with the local authorities as to render it questionable how far he could be prudently used for the purpose...
1450From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Burr, 18 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th . has been recieved, as have been those also of Sep. 4. & 23. in due time. these letters all relating to office, fall within the general rule which even the very first week of my being engaged in the administration obliged me to establish, to wit, that of not answering letters on office specifically, but leaving the answer to be found in what is done or not done on them....