101Description of a Cipher, [23 May 1803] (Hamilton Papers)
Pour se servir de l’Echiquier cy inclus, en place d’un Chiffre, afin d’empecher la decouverte de votre correspondance; employer la maniere suivante. Ayant ecris votre lettre comme de coutume; vous prepárerez le papier sur lequel vous ētes intentioné a coucher votre copie secrete de la meme grandeur que le carré en Echiquier, lequel ētant placé sur le dit papier, vous l’y fixerez par les quatre...
102To Thomas Jefferson from Baron von Geismar, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Je fais mon Compliment aux Americains du Choix de President qu’ils ont fait, aiant eté temoin, plus d’une fois du tendre Interes que Vous prennes au bien etre de Votre patrie, puissies Vous vivre long Tems; et reusir en Tout, pour rendre heureux et etablir un bien etre parfait à Vos Concitoyens—Mais malheureusement pour moi Votre nouveau Poste me laisse esperes encore moins d’avoir quelque...
103To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Appleton, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not so often intrude, Sir, on your time, if the circuitous route I am compell’d to adopt, render’d less uncertain the conveyance of letters to the U’States, for all direct communication, has long since been suspended.—On intimation being given me that exequaturs under the new government would be requir’d from the foreign Consuls here, I applied to mr Armstrong, to know what steps I...
104To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Priestley, Jr., 20 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have desired Mr Patrick Byrne bookseller of Pa. to send you a copy of my father’s last work; entitled The Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy compared with Revelation of which I beg your acceptance The wish you expressed in your letter to Mr Cooper has been complied with, but in Philadelphia, two or three persons asked me whether my father had not left behind him a work undertaken at your...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph T. Scott, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor dated June 13. came to me at this place only one week ago. it is probable that mr Cummings has deposited for me at Washington the copy of your geographical dictionary which you have been so kind as to send me, for which I pray you to accept my thanks. I anticipate with pleasure the satisfaction I shall recieve from it, and am happy that we are to see at length contradicted the...
106From James Madison to Thomas Farmar, 31 March 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have received the letter which you wrote me on the 11th. inst. by direction of the Committee appointed by a general meeting of the Merchants of New York. The solicitude of those engaged in foreign commerce at the present crisis which led to the application, could not fail to awaken the regret that the course of mercantile operations could not in all cases be regulated by a more precise...
107From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You are not unapprised that in order to check the evasions of the embargo laws effected under colour of the coasting trade, we found it necessary to prevent the transportation of flour coastwise, except to the states not making enough for their own consumption, and that to place the supplies of those states under some check, a discretionary power was given to the governors to give licenses to...
108To Thomas Jefferson from George Wolcott, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Commissions your Excellency has been pleased to honor me with—appointing me Surveyor of the Customs—and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Saybrook—I accept them with gratitude and to the best of my ability shall faithfully discharge the Trust reposed in me I am Excellent Sir most respectfully your Obedient Servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “His Excellency...
109To James Madison from David Montagu Erskine, 22 November 1806 (Madison Papers)
I had the Honor of receiving your letter on the subject of some seamen Citizens of the U. S. stated to have been impressed by some of the ships of his Britannic Majesty’s Squadron at Halifax. I beg leave to inform you that I will immediately forward the Depositions concerning them to the Admiral of that station who I have no doubt will pay the proper attention to their Cases. With the Highest...
110To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters from Cathcart & Mellimelli explain the unexpected & perplexing determination of the latter with respect to the Franklin. The least evil left to our choice has been thought to be that of chartering a vessel at Boston. Cathcart has accordingly been instructed to do so. It has been thought proper also to take advantage of a vessel going from Alexa. to Boston, for sending the...
111To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Liles, 12 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Representation and Petition of Jacob Liles of the County of Wake in the State of North Carolina respectfully sheweth: That the Affidavit which he has the honour of submitting, herewith enclosed, contains, as far as he knows, is informed or believes, a true Statement of the facts therein set forth:—That he had a son of the name of Lamb, a minor whom he sent to his Grandfather residing in...
112To Thomas Jefferson from William H. Cabell, 15 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you Major Newton’s letters from the 4th to the 11th instant inclusive. In all cases of sealed letters coming from the Squadron, addressed to persons residing in Norfolk, I have informed him that he would be authorized to open them, with the consent of the persons to whom they are addressed, and after having examined them, to deliver or withhold them according to the...
113From John Adams to Mercy Otis Warren, 30 July 1807 (Adams Papers)
Had I really been disgusted and mortified at my Treatment by Congress which in fact I was not, but was Satisfied as Soon as it was explained to me, the mortification would have been more than compensated by the Commissions I received on the fourth of November, 1779 unquestionably the more confidential Commissions that Congress had ever issued. The Commission to General Washington as Commander...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 8 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose Warrants for Jno. N. Canon—Boatswain & David Loring—Gunner— Should you approve their appointment these Warrants will require your signature— These gentlemen have been in the frigate President, her last cruise—& are highly recommended by Commdre. Dale & Capt. Barron. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir, your most obt servt. RC ( DLC ); in a...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Hazard, 3 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
As one of the representatives from this town in the General Assembly of this State, I take the liberty to address you on the subject of Mr Ellery , our present Senator, I was not at the last Session of the General Assembly owing to professional avocations, and I regret extremely that I was not, that at least, I might have given the Testimony of my vote, against the Injustice that has been done...
116Coroner’s Inquest, [13 July–2 August 1804] (Hamilton Papers)
City & County of Newyork } ss An Inquisition Indented taken for the People of the State of Newyork At the third Ward of the City of Newyork in the County of Newyork, the thirteenth day of July in the year of Our Lord One thousand Eight hundred and four, and Continued by adjournment until the Second day of August in the year Aforesaid, before me John Burger Coroner for the Said City and County...
117II. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your friendly letter by madame Brogniard in the hope of having some thing important to communicate but in the mean time have been so full in my letters to the secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of our publick affairs. I can only tell you generally that I have been gaining ground for some time past & some propositions I had an...
118To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "An Old Soldier", 3 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lived in obscurity for a long time my counsel will perhaps have but little weight with our modern philosophers, but to your Excellency I shall write freely for I think you are better informed respecting mankind. I have for a long time been patient in reading the proceedings of congress which I think are very futile, I for my own part & for the sake of my posterity can devise no way for...
119To James Madison from Daniel Carroll Brent, 14 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
The mails of yesterday brought nothing for the office worth forwarding to you. Mr. Foster has observed to me on the subject of the supplies for the Columbine, (the Dispatch vessel at Norfolk) with a view to my communicating the Remark to you, that they scarcely ever victual one of their public vessels for a shorter period than four months at a time, and that the destination of the Columbine...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The question arising on Mr Simons’ letter of Jan. 10. is Whether sea-letters shall be given to the vessels of citizens neither born nor residing in the US? Sea-letters are the creatures of treaties. no act of the ordinary legislature requires them. the only treaties now existing with us, & calling for them are those with Holland, Spain, Prussia & France. in the two former we have stipulated...
121To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith Returns of the Militia of the United States, made from such Returns as have been received by this Department Accept Sir assurances of my high respect & consideration DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
122To James Madison from Joseph Warner Rose, 14 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ From Joseph Warner Rose. 14 May 1806, Boston. “Having heard of an opportunity direct from this Port to the Island of Antigua which will Sail early the next month and being determined to avail myself of it, I beg leave to communicate it as you may have some orders for me. The Commission as commercial Agent which the President has confer’d on me directs me to render all the Assistance in my...
123To James Madison from Louis-André Pichon, 10 July 1801 (Madison Papers)
Cn. Pichon returns the Secretary of State, with his best compliments, the inclosed papers which were communicated for Citizen Pichon’s examination. It is Cn. Pichon’s opinion that the cases of American captures by french West-india cruisers described in those papers, all, except the case No. 1. of the Brig Betzy of Norwich captured January 1797 and adjuged on the 14th come within the...
124To James Madison from James Simpson, 28 July 1803 (Madison Papers)
I had the honour of addressing No. 59 to you the ninth of this Month in duplicate, by way of Gibraltar & Lisbon. The 18th. Inst. Passports for the Frigate Mirboka of 22 Guns and 100 Men, and on the 23d. for the Maimona of thirty Guns and One hundred and fifty Men, the former to sail from Larach and the latter from Salle on a Cruise, were demanded and of consequence granted by all the Consuls...
125To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have answered a letter from this man, a few days ago, stating that the bills would not be paid unless Congress ordered it, & that to that body he might apply MHi : Coolidge Collection.
126To Thomas Jefferson from Pierpont Edwards, 25 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr George Wolcott of Windsor in Hartford county, in this state, brother of Alexander Wolcott Esqr., is desirous of being appointed surveyor of the port of Saybrook, in the district of Middletown, should Mr Dickinson , the present holder of that office be displaced, an event which I presume must soon take place. George Wolcott has been as essentially injured by the persecution of the...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commissions which are required for the Officers mentioned in the list accompanying my letter to you of the 7t ultimo & whose appointments have since been confirmed by the Senate.— I am very respectfully Sir, Your most ob Serv. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
128To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 21 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having acquired information & provisions of the Mandans On the evening of the 7th of Apl. 1805 we embarked with our baggage on board 2 large perogues and six small canoes at Fort Mandan—on a Voyage of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean. The party consisted of the following persons my friend and Colleague Capt. Wm Clark, Interpreters George Drewyer and Touasant Charbono, Sergts. John Ordway...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey to this place was not as free from accident as usual. I was near losing Castor in the Rapidan, by his lying down in the river, where waste deep, & being so embarrassed by the shafts of the carriage & harness that he was nearly drowned before the servants, jumping into the water, could lift his head out & cut him loose from the carriage. this was followed by the loss of my travelling...
130To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Moore, with Jefferson’s Note, 21 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Moore respectfully invites the President of the United States to examine the condition of Butter in a newly invented Refrigiratory , put in the 21st Inst. at 6 OClock P.M. 20 miles distant from Washington— [ Diagram and note by TJ: ] the oval was cooper’s work the inner parallelogram was a box of tin turned down on the top and trimmed to the oval: a. and b. were 2 square holes at which...
131To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund P. Gaines, 25 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The delicate nature of a communication which a sense of duty impels me to make—recommends its being made direct to you —so that if there should appear no cause of suspicion or inquiry; the subject may be permitted to rest,—and not be turned to the injury of the innocent. I will beg leave to premise, that I have been for several years acquainted with General Wilkinson;—have served for some time...
132From Thomas Jefferson to Giuseppe Franzoni, 5 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson informs mr Franzoni that he had enquiry made into the subject of his two statues, and he now incloses him the information from the Collector of Baltimore. by this he will percieve that to obtain a more proper appraisement mr Franzoni must appoint one appraiser & the Collector another, who will estimate them on such evidence as mr Franzoni can give of their value. but he will see...
133To John Jay from Egbert Benson, 4 January [1805] (Jay Papers)
I should not acquit myself to You, certainly not to my own Convictions and Feelings, if I was not to let You know Your Freinds here regret Your not subscribing to the Hamilton Loan— The Subscription-List is to be annexed to the ^Conveyance from the^ Executors to the Trustees of the Loan, Morris King, Wolcott, Wilkes, and myself, and consequently will go on the public Records of our Country,...
134To Thomas Jefferson from John Baylis Earle, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I have never had the Honor either of corresponding or a very intimate acquaintance with you; the few hours I have so agreably spent in your company will long be a source of pleasing reflection and warrants the belief, that in addressing You upon a subject in which I concieve my country’s interest is involved, I shall neither be thought presuming or to exceed the limits of a citizens...
135To James Madison from DeWitt Clinton, 25 June 1804 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you a copy of an Affidavit of Thomas Cook relative to the outrage lately committed in this port. Our port is still blockaded by the Cambrian and Boston Frigates which continue stationed in the Bay about two miles this side of the Hook. The sloop of war Driver is cruizing just outside of the Bar and yesterday brought a vessel to which was coming into port. I have the honor to be &c RC...
136From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 19th. by which I learn you have done 250. f. of the garden. were we to go on, reducing the whole to the same level we have begun with, the labor would be immense. I therefore conclude to do it in 4. levels of 250. f each, and taking such a level for each as that the earth to be dug away shall just fill up the part which is too low. in this way each...
137To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 1 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. James Taylor Jr informd me he had sent by Capt Stephen Moore two pipes of Brasil wine & had reserved two more for you to be sent by some other oppertunity; Capt. Moore has promised his particular care of them & to forward them to you from Alexandria.—The Frigates I expect will sail this day, the French Frigate Semilante is in Hampton road I beleive ready for sailing & it is said here that...
138From James Madison to Edward Livingston, 20 May 1808 (Madison Papers)
Having transmitted to the President your letter of the 6th: I have just received as his decision thereon, that the case of the Batture being now referred to Congress on the Official opinion of the Attorney General that the right is in the United States, it is the duty of the Executive to keep the ground clear of any adversary possession, until they shall have decided on it. The delay in...
139To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 8 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Being still deprived of Your Excellency’s gracious favors, or having merited an answer from the Secretary of State approving or dis’approving my Conduct I have been waiting a long time for the arrival of Mr. Hackley hoping that he would be bearer of such Satisfactions, but alltho’ the first is verified, to my grief I am disappointed in the latter; the particulars that I took the liberty to...
140From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr Madison & sends him the inclosed which will explain itself. he hopes to see him & family at Monticello when most convenient to themselves; and observes for his information that the road through Shadwell is put into fine order, the right hand at issuing from the ford on this side to be greatly preferred to the left. the road by Milton is...
141From James Madison to Louis-Marie Turreau, 12 February 1806 (Madison Papers)
I have been just honored with your letter of the 11th. instt. Having already made you acquainted that on the first notice of the expedition from New-York under the apparent superintendance of Mr. Miranda, orders were issued by the President for the immediate & legal steps which the case demanded. I must now repeat the sam⟨e⟩ communication, with the same frankness, adding only that the orders...
142To Thomas Jefferson from Coale & Thomas, 18 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
We take the liberty to enclose to you a copy of a catalogue of our books and to assure you, that we will take pleasure in executing, with promptitude, any order with which you may honour us We have the honour to be Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servts MHi : Coolidge Collection.
143To James Madison from Rufus King, 26 April 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
26 April 1801, London. No. 15. Received instructions several months ago to procure jewels as present for bey of Tunis and had estimated cost at £7,000 sterling. That part of presents consisting of silk and woolen cloth (valued at over £1,000) has been sent to Eaton by Maw-hood and Co. Jewelry is being prepared by Rundel and Bridges to be finished in June, about the same time as the guns and...
144From William C. C. Claiborne to Anonymous, 23 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to address to your Care, one Hogshead, three Boxes & two Cases directed “to the President of the United States,” and which were this day put on Board the Ship Comet, (Captain McNeil) bound for Baltimore.—The Hogshead & Boxes contain Curiosities which were collected by Captain Lewis in his Voyage up the Missourie; In one Cage , is a living animal, cal’ld the Wild Dog of...
145To Alexander Hamilton from Philip Schuyler, 15 [June] 1802 (Hamilton Papers)
On Sunday a letter from Mrs. Church announced the happy delivery of My Dear Eliza, and that She and the child, were in as good health as could be expected and wished for. On this Event, I must Sincerely congratulate you and her. May I soon learn that she is perfectly restored. It is more than probable that soon after my return to albany I shall have the pleasure of seeing [you] at New York....
146From James Madison to Colin and James Ross, 3 June 1806 [letter not found] (Madison Papers)
¶ To Colin and James Ross. Letter not found. 3 June 1806. Mentioned in the Rosses’ 5 June 1806 reply as having to do with a payment to Hubbard Taylor of Kentucky.
147To James Madison from Thomas Bulkeley, 1 August 1801 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
1 August 1801, Lisbon. Encloses report [not found] on American trade with Portugal from 1 Jan. to 30 June and copies of letters received from U.S. consuls in Tangier and Tripoli on North African relations and the arrival of Commodore Dale’s squadron. He himself stands ready to offer squadron all possible assistance. Acknowledges receipt of triplicate of JM’s 21 May letter. States that the brig...
148To Thomas Jefferson from John Alexander, 8 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of writing to you, on a subject which I deem will be of use to the Citizens of America in general, and to the American youth in particular. Having been for many years employed in the Study & instruction of the Mathematics, I have found great inconvenience, as well as expense, arising to Students, in procuring books on the different branches in which they have been...
149From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore communicated to Congress the decrees of the government of France of November 21. 1806. and of Spain of Feb. 19. 1807. with the orders of the British government of January & November 1807. I now transmit a decree of the emperor of France of Dec. 17. 1807. and a Similar decree of the 3d. of January last of his Catholic majesty: with the letter of our Charge des affaires at...
150To James Madison from Andrew Moore, 11 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am Requested by Mr Joseph Grigsby of Rockbridge Cy. Va. To offer his Services as Secretary in the Ilinoise Territory. Mr. Grigsby is a Very Respectable Character Has been for some years past A Representative in the State Legislature, A Good Clerk, Possesses Information & an Accuracy in doing Business fully equal (In my Opinion to the faithfull Discharge of the Trust. Should He obtain the...