41From Thomas Jefferson to Washington City Tammany Society, 2 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The observations are but too just which are made in your friendly address on the origin & progress of those abuses of public confidence & power which have so often terminated in a suppression of the rights of the people, & the mere aggrandizement & emolument of their oppressors. taught by these truths and aware of the tendency of power to degenerate into abuse, the worthies of our own Country...
Mr Gurney having called on me yesterday, to give notice that he should quit your house next quarter day, and that he wished to settle with you as soon as possible, I have thought it best to write you my beloved friend, he having expressed a desire to leave it immediately, which I did not think you would approved; he mention’d not having it in his power to pay you at present, but will give you...
43To James Madison from Ezekiel Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. as a Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as the head of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next Administration. Nothing but my sincere...
44To James Madison from Joseph B. Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In selecting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence, with their Abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the...
45To James Madison from Henry Daingerfield, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I was informed the last evening by a gentleman lately from the City of Washington that in the course of the ensuing week officers would be appoint’d to fill the various offices under the new territorial government to be established in consequence of the late division of the Indiana territory, and a Judge in the place of Judge Bruin of the Mississippi territory. If you think me qualified to...
46To James Madison from Edmund Bacon, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
I am sensible that I discharge a very delicate & perhaps officious Duty in mentioning the Name of Gideon Granger Esqr. Gentleman who in my opinion would afford much satisfaction to the friends of the Government in the Eastern Section of the Union as Staff hand of one of the Departments composing the Cabinet Council of the President under the next administration. Nothing but my sincere...
47To James Madison from Joseph Bradley Varnum, 1 March 1809 (Madison Papers)
In Seluting Gentlemen for the great heads of Departments, in the Executive branch of the Government, I feel confident, that the greatest good of our common Country will be your primary Object; Yet it must be considered very desirable, that they should be Gentlemen, who combine Your personal confidence with their abilities faithfully to discharg their public Functions: In this view of the case,...
48To Thomas Jefferson from John Martin Baker, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Consequence of the present state of affairs in Spain, and the uncertainty of when tranquillity will again be permanent, and trade current, I take the liberty to solicit Sir, a letter of Credence to act as Consul on the Island of Sardinia.— I have the Honor to be with the highest Respect and Gratitude. Sir Your Most Obedient humble Servant DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
49To Thomas Jefferson from Collins & Perkins, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
We are this morning favoured with thy letter inclosing five dollars, and requesting us to send thee Smiths Abridgment of John Bell’s Principles of Surgery . We are under a little embarrassment how to act, in consequence of that work not having yet been published—and will not for some months. We, however, conclude to place thy name on the list of Subscribers; and, unless otherwise directed by...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William Compton, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of soliciting your interference on a subject that I think calls loudly for redress—The Fact is this—I arriv’d in this Country in the Ship Corn-Planter from London in July 1808 & brought with me sundry articles for my own private use & amusement; (it being my intention to reside in this Country) amongst others a small Bust of Sir Francis Burdett, made of Plaister Paris, & a...
51To Thomas Jefferson from John McConacho, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
your are about to retire from the helm of a beloved country and independent nation which you have Steared with thruth and patriotism when the peace of our country was disturbed you hasten to prevent further hostilitys. your measures which our government took to court peace with the belegerent powers of europe is disregarded and our ministers in london and paris is grossly insulted i hope as...
52From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 1 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate, Nicholas Harwood Robert D. Thorn and John Brown now Surgeons Mates and Saml. R Trevett Jr. of Massachusetts Stephen C Blyden of Massachusetts Samuel Shaw of Vermont to be Surgeons in the navy of the United States, Gustavus R Brown of Maryland Grafton D. Hanson of Maryland Thomas Lawson Jr. of Virginia Henry Fackler of Pensylvania Jesse Hand of Pensylvania John Reynolds of...
53To James Madison from United States Congress, 28 November 1808 to 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
It will be very agreeable to us that Mr. Granger should be advanced to one of the Cabinet Departments under the next Administration. DLC : Papers of James Madison.
54From Abigail Smith Adams to John Quincy Adams, February 1809 (Adams Papers)
The Saturday after you left Boston, I went to Town, and brought up George. he went the next week to his uncle Cranch’s, and goes daily to school to mr Whitney. he appears well pleased, and learns to the Satisfaction of mr Whitney as I hear, who has put him into Lattin, which George Says is not so hard as French, in his French Bible his Aunt hears him daily. he is a Good Boy, save now and then,...
55To James Madison from Peter Early, February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Genl. Meriweather is confined at his lodgings in G. Town. His signature therefore cannot be had to the recommendation herewith sent to the President. Were he here, t here is no doubt he would heartily unite with us. I am your Obt. Sert. DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of Application and Recommendation.
56Enclosure: Philip Freneau’s Poem on Thomas Jefferson’s Retirement, February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
LINES Addressed to Mr. Jefferson, On his approaching Retirement from the Presidency of the United States . Trenton, N.J. February , 1809. from the true american. Præsenti tibi maturos largimur honores — Hor. To you, great Sir, our heart-felt praise we give, And your ripe honours yield you—while you live. AT length the year, which marks his course, expires, And Jefferson from public life retires;
57From Thomas Boylston Adams to John Quincy Adams, 28 February 1809 (Adams Papers)
I intended to have written to you when at your own house or Office in Boston, but was prevented by the intense severity of the weather , added to the general ill health of both your & my family, during the whole time we sojourned under your Roof, which, by the assiduity of your wife & Catharine and the faithful attendance of their domesticks was made, in every respect, our own house . My...
58To James Madison from Pseudonym: "Cassandra", 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Your predecessor has brought the Commonwealth to the very jaws of destruction. Whether through supineness, timidity, or enthusiasm, is unimportant, as it respects the public. It may affect his character with posterity. Treason, Treason, has stalked through the land for two or three years, in all the glare of day. Its brazen front has audaciously bearded the government, & appeared to court its...
59To James Madison from Samuel Latham Mitchill, 28 February 1809 (Madison Papers)
Sam L. Mitchill has, tho perhaps indiscreetly, ventured to entertain a Sentiment that the speedy cessation of his Senatorial functions might coincide with the President’s wish to find a man that would answer to represent this country in a diplomatic capacity at St. Petersburgh. He therefore ventures to suggest the hint, not obtrusively, but with the intention of signifying his willingness to...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In writing to you yesterday I forgot to send you the inclosed letter to Doctr. Wallace at Fauqr. C.H. he has promised me a pair of wild geese, a pair of Summer ducks & some other things, which are at some little distances from there. by delivering him this letter as you come by Fauqr. C.H. he will have them all ready in place by the time you get back there again, so as not to detain your...
61To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "Cassandra", 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I address you without apology a few words on a subject of magnitude. You have brought the government to the jaws of destruction. I do not undertake to say whether by supineness, timidity, or enthusiasm. The effect is certain. On the cause I cannot pronounce. Sedition & Treason have prowled abroad in the glare of day. They have scorned concealment. They have gloried in their turpitude, and...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Eleuthère Irenée Du Pont, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of the 11th. inst. mr Gallatin undertook to write to mr Gelston Collector of N.Y. that we consented to the Mentor’s recieving and bringing for you the Merino Sheep which were the subject of that letter. it followed that you would have to make your arrangements with the Captain as; by his contract, the benefit would be his. I am sorry the pressure of business did...
63To Thomas Jefferson from William Duane, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter from Natchitoches now before me contains the following Statements, which I think it proper to communicate, tho’ it may probably be obtained from other quarters. The letter is from a gentleman of undoubted credit & integrity “Some interesting Events are likely soon to occur in this quarter. Our Spanish neighbors talk of nothing but independence and are determined to Effect it the...
64To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "Hamlit", 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
It is an applauded saying that a virtuous man rising above his misfortunes is a scene which the Gods themselves look upon with pleasure. but it seems unfortunate for human nature that its sympathy is only reserved for success and that a young man struggling for his soscial existance and almost for his life has no claim to it. Your Excellencies erudition will inform you that the Delphic pithia...
65To Thomas Jefferson from John Hollins, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Allow me once more to use the freedom of addressing you & of introducting to your acquaintance, my friend Mr Van Alphen, a Native of Holland, but for some years past a resident of the Island of Java, from whence he arrived a few months past in a Ship, in which I am a part owner Mr Van Alphen being (with his friend) desirous of viewing the Seat of our Governmt, before their departure for...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Mentor Johnson, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Johnson and returns him the statement of the case of Richard Berry as one which must await the pleasure of his successor. he observes at the same time that his practice has been never to pardon till he recieved the opinion of the judges who sat on the trial of the offender an authentic copy of the judgment is also indispensable, as it is recited in...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Bernard McMahon, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure of sending you by the mail stage a collection of Flower seeds, some Early York & Sugarloaf Cabbage, Red Celery, Long French Turnep (Navet de Freneuse) so much and I think so justly admired, for its flavour, in France, together with 8 Quarts of Leadman’s Dwarf Peas; they are contained in a small box address’d to you, and will reach you at the same time of this letter. Price...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By yesterday’s mail I learn that it would be the desire of many of the good citizens of our county to meet me on the road on my return home, as a manifestation of their good will. but it is quite impossible for me to ascertain the day on which I shall leave this. the accumulated business at the close of a session will prevent my making any preparation for my departure till after the 4th. of...
69To Thomas Jefferson from Caesar Augustus Rodney, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read and considered the inclosed papers. The subject they furnish is interesting to the cause of humanity. The questions presented are new and important. The American Government must feel an anxious solicitude, for the complete success of those laws, which have been wisely enacted, to abolish that deplorable species of commerce, the slave trade, and to preserve the liberties of a...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 28 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed list of surgeons and Surgeons mates is sent to you for nomination to the Senate should it be approved by you.— The Surgeons are required for the vessels now in commission under the act of the 31 Jany; the surgeons mates are also required for these Vessels, and for the Norfolk and New Orleans station. It may be proper to state to you that of the 6 surgeons mates nominated to the...