101To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I do not believe that any principle short of that proposed in the bill I have sketched, will cut off the evasions at Passamaquody. No consideration however should induce us to propose a measure not strictly constitutional. But although the objection has been made, it does not appear to me that that provision is liable to it. By the constitution, no preference is to be given to the ports of one...
102To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
And be it further enacted That the act entitled “an act laying an embargo on all ships and vessels in the ports & harbours of the United States,” the act supplementary to the last recited act, and this act as well as any act or acts which may hereafter be passed prohibiting or concerning the exportation of any articles, laying embargoes, or relating to seamen, ships or vessels, shall in every...
103To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 28 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The only information received by this Department in relation to any “attempts made to give circulation and credit to the Detroit Bank Notes, since the law of the Territory for establishing the said Bank was rejected,” was communicated by Stanley Griswold late Collector of Detroit and Secretary of the Michigan Territory. A copy of his letter of 12th. February last on that subject is...
104To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 26 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The petitioner is imprisoned; and I find that the application, which is supported by a recommendation from the jury, is intended for the President, in order to obtain a pardon. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
105To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Similar applications have been made from a variety of quarters. All those who intend to import rum & molasses, and the exportation of other articles in american vessels is forbidden in the british west india islands, state it as absolutely necessary. By taking bond for the re-importation of the casks themselves, the danger of their being sold abroad may be avoided. But the question is whether...
106To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 21 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose the rough draft of a circular to the collectors for the execution of the 7th Section of the last embargo act. We are earnestly urged to give instructions; & strong representations are made that all the applications may not be sent here in the first instance for examination. The loss of time, the time of the West India crops, the capitulation of S. Croix, and the fear of some new...
107To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 16 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The 7th Section of the Embargo act seems to require the adoption of some general rule for its execution. The President is authorised to grant permission &c.—, if he shall be satisfied by the proofs exhibited that the parties had property of value in any port &c. Three questions arise on that section. 1. Are the words is authorised imperative?, or do they leave a discretion even in those cases...
108To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It appears from the enclosed extract of a letter from the collector of Wilmington that we have no Marshal in North Carolina; which stops our business and even prevents serving process on a vessel which had violated the embargo. Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. I enclose the letter itself, which be pleased to return. He has been referred to the district attorney for the proper mode to pursue....
109To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I understand that the part of South America where Mr. Peppin the writer of the enclosed is going to settle for the purpose of superintending a commercial British house is Brasil. The vessel is daily expected & will sail without delay for that country. I have thought that perhaps some use might be made of that opportunity for the purpose mentioned the other day. If Mr P. did not go on British...
110To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 10 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
An act to extend the terms of credit on certain revenue bonds, which passed both houses nine days ago, should be sent immediately to the collectors. But on application to the office of Secy. of State, it was answered that it had not yet been deposited there. I wish also to have the new supplementary embargo act as soon as it is signed. It would save time if it was sent to me to be transcribed...
111To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 8 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This application being made under the proviso of the 2d Section of the act to prevent intrusions, the spring can be rented only to the actual settler; & there being no competition, we may fix the conditions & price of salt, but not rent to the lowest bidder. It is useless in this instance to fix the price; for the spring is too weak to supply one thousandth part of the demand; nor are there...
112To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 2 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think that Congress might now decide whether they will give to the corporation the right of the United States 1st to the batture 2d to the fortifications & ground contained between them & the houses—3dly to the levy & ground contained between it & the houses. If they give the batture, it may be done without any restrictions; but if they give either of the other portions of ground which are...
113To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 29 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Private Secretary of War Payment at Detroit in Detroit bills— recommends Joseph Farrow for keeper of light house at Cape Hatteras The propriety of appointing Joseph Farrow is respectfully submitted to the President DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Joseph Farrow of Cape Hatterass, is, take him all in all, the best man thereabouts, for any imployment, and if he will undertake it, will I think...
114To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 29 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given the directions to Mr. Gelston on the subject of the fraudulent papers used at Amsterdam. But I do not think that at this moment any thing more either by way of publication or message would be expedient. Brown the N. Orleans collector writes that he had cleared 42 vessels since the embargo was known, because he had no copy of the law. A packet from New York had brought the...
115To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 27 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems that fourteen american vessels, which had entered last summer in Amsterdam as coming from America & with cargoes not of British growth have been detained under suspicion of having in fact come from England with English cargoes. The clearances have been sent to Heinicken the Dutch Consul, in order to ascertain the fact. Four of the vessels having thus entered as if coming from New York...
116To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 26 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have read Mr de Foronda’s letter of the 20th. inst., and the bill of Congress to which it refers. So far from the title, or body of the bill containing any expressions liable to misconstruction, the whole is predicated on the actual state of things without any reference to any claims which the United States may have on territories not in their actual possession. The town of Mobile as well as...
117To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 20 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return the recommendation for the office of “Surveyor of the port of Salem and inspector of the revenue for the same”, together with a letter from Mr Crowninshield by which he accedes to the recommendation in favor of Mr. Hodges. With great respect Your obedt. Sert. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
118To James Madison from Albert Gallatin, 15 February 1808 (Madison Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the Charter-party of the ship Osage chartered for the United States by the collector of New York, in conformity with the directions of the President of the United States. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir Your obedient Servant DNA : RG 59—ML—Miscellaneous Letters.
119To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 13 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The President will be pleased to decide whether any orders should be given to the gun-boats by the navy departmt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
120To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 13 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
For information The amount may be exaggerated; but this shews to what extent the British are supplied from the U.S. with masts & ship timber; & how little Canada itself affords of what in British official returns appears as being the exports of that colony. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
121To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The President was authorised to cause to be opened a road, or roads through the territory lately ceded by the Indians to the United States, from the river Mississippi to the Ohio, & to the former indian boundary line established by the treaty of Grenville by the 7th Section of an act entitled “an act to regulate and fix the compensation of clerks and to authorise the laying out certain public...
122To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Note in unknown hand :] Petersburg Jan. 31. 1808. John Shore Collr.—case of the Ship Felix chartered by John Bell—contravention of embargo by the same &ca. [ Note in Gallatin’s hand :] For information Would it not be well that Mr Madison should enquire how far Mr Aaron Vail Consul at Lorient is concerned in this transaction? DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
123To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I Plan proposed by Dorsey; to which add abolishing the troy weight & substituting the division of the avordupoids ounce (or cubic decime of foot) into either 1000 parts. (or into 20 penny weights & each penny wt. into 24 grains.) The avordupoids pound being equal to 7000 troy grains, the ounce is equal to 437 ½ troy grains. Our unit of money or dollar contains 371 ¼ troy grains of pure silver...
124To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 8 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose for your information 1. a letter from Ed. Livingston with the first part of his answer to D’Herbigny’s opinion: the sequel not yet received. 2. a letter from Jas. Brown land agent respecting the claims of the U. States to lots & houses in New Orleans. He also announces further information and a survey without which we cannot well decide. I would therefore suggest the suspension of a...
125To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 7 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I send the 3 copies of the account of the contingent fund in the usual form, one for each house & one for yourself. The acct. only states that 8737 dollars & 11 cents were paid to the Attorney general by your direction. It will be necessary that in your letter to the houses you should state the object in general terms, vizt. in order to enable sd. attorney general to defray sundry expenses...
126To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 6 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The President is authorized to establish three ports of delivery in the district of Michillimakinac. The collector proposes St. Mary’s falls, Green bay & Chickago. I do not perceive how the establisht. of the two last could contribute to the safety of the revenue; for nothing can now reach within place without passing Michillima.; and if either was made a port of delivery, the vessels would...
127To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
For a succinct account of the naval actions in the Liman of 19th & 28th June 1788—see Annual Register pages 71 & 72 For the official account of the Russians see Leyden Gazette vizt. for 19th June Supplement to No LXII; & for 28th June wh. is the important one Supplement to No LXVIII & No LXIX. This last action is sometime called of 28 June & sometime of 12 July, on acct. I suppose of the two...
128To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 1 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed application which is grounded on the power given to the President, by the embargo act, to permit vessels to sail under his immediate direction , is respectfully submitted to the President for his decision. Quere Do the words immediate direction justify special permits for private purposes? DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
129To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 1 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The propriety of complying with any particular application ought to be well considered, on account of the numerous ones wh. the Presidt. will be obliged to reject. See Donnel’s application transmitted this day. It must be however observed that in 1794 an exception was made for transporting to France the San Domingo refugees. Better perhaps to suspend this a few days. There is no urgency DLC :...
130To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 31 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
As the embargo amendatory act may not pass for some days, & I have received numerous letters stating gross evasions, the enclosed circular has been prepared wh. will go to-day if you approve it. You are fully authorised by the act to give such instructions as shall appear best adapted for carrying the act into effect. And that is the only substitute for penalties. The evasion to be immediately...
131To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
John Cockle is indebted to U.S. for revenue bonds. His sureties in Charleston have been sued & judgment obtained. They have requested that Govt. should stop payment on Louisiana bills drawn in his favour. He has removed to New Jersey & wants us to pay his bills & to recover the money from his sureties, or rather to give up the debt on various frivolous pretexts. He has been answered in full...
132To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 23 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose copy of a circular sent this evening (22 Decer.) to all the sea-ports—Will any other instructions be necessary? & will an express go to New Orleans? On first view of the act, the following defects appear. 1. Want of penalties—Supposing a vessel to sail without a clearance contrary to the act, the only penalty is that of five hundred dollars by virtue of the 93d Sect. of the...
133To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 23 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Batture How would it answer 1. to cede to N. Orleans the right of the U.S. to the batture there 2. In order to quiet the apprehensions excited by Livingston, to relinquish to all other ripuarians any claim to the alluvions adjacent to their lands. Adair at Washita. We cannot I believe do any thing with him DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
134To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It is not very desirable that the news of the Embargo should reach foreign ports with extraordnry. dispatch. But if the permission must be granted; there is no restriction absolutely necessary except that the vessels shall take no cargo; for wh. purpose bonds may be taken from the owners & master, and an inspector placed on board till departure. It may however be proper to limit also to each...
135To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 21 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It may be agreed that the land shall be applied to no purpose than light house—& that the keeper shall not keep tavern; but it seems that we cannot agree, that the land paid for shall revert to Mr. Bowdoin if light house be discontinued, nor that the keeper shall not harbour sailors &c. He must be responsible for any trespass to which he is a party, but not the U.S. for him. There must also be...
136To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 19 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the embargo bill pass & be signed by you to day, have the goodness to send it immediately to me at my house, in order that I may prepare a short circular, have it printed to morrow & be able to send it by to morrow night’s mail. Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
137To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 18 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Reflecting on the proposed embargo and all its bearings, I think it essential that foreign vessels may be excepted so far at least as to be permitted to depart in ballast or with such cargoes as they may have on board at this moment. They are so few as to be no object to us; and we may thereby prevent a similar detention of our vessels abroad or at least a pretence for it. Such a seizure of...
138To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 18 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I really do not know what to answer to Dr. Barnwell. I find, what I did not know, that an assistant has been employed at Norfolk, tho’ without previous authority. The notes, on the back of the enclosed letter, signed D.S. will shew the general situation of both Norfolk & N. Orleans hospitals. That no assistant is wanted at N. Orleans I am satisfied. The enclosed paper, (which please to return)...
139To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 15 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose a letter from the Collector of New Orleans written in answer to mine of the 15h. of September last, by which he was directed to make a report respecting the conduct of Capn. Newcombs of the revenue cutter stationed at that place. It appears thereby that Capn. Newcombs is guilty of habitual intoxication & so quarrelsome that he cannot keep any mates of...
140To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The owners of the Connecticut reserve, which by law extends 120 miles west of the western boundary of Pennsylvania have themselves surveyed their southern & western boundaries. Mr Seth Pease was the surveyor employed by them. The Surveyor General of the United States, having no instruments of sufficient accuracy to ascertain the latitude of the Southern boundary, (41.°), has left a margin of...
141To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctor Barnwell I have never corresponded with him or any other Hospital Physician. He may have written, but no letter of his is in our files. The enclosed contain all the correspondence with the collector in relation to him. No assistant has been allowed in any other case; but the President is fully authorised to fix or encrease the salary or to allow assistants— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
142To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
If you approve, I will send the enclosed on Monday to the Committee. May I, when conversing with them, say that it is the opinion of the Executive that it would be better at this time to suspend the act? or in what manner & with what modification must the opinion be expressed? I mean to friends— Respectfully If you can send me an answer to morrow, it will enable me to make the communication...
143To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 3 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandum respecting revenue cutter asked for in Charleston In 1803, the former revenue cutter being declared to be unfit for service, the collector was authorised to purchase such one as would be proper, the choice being left to him. He purchased one accordingly, in June 1803 & in Decer. same year declared her to be unfit for a cutter as she could not be coppered. She was however kept till...
144To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 2 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that the power to lay embargoes should be considered as improper to be vested in the President during the session of Congress, how would this plan answer? To “repeal the present non-importation act, & in lieu thereof to pass a general non importation act (from Great Britain) to take place say on 1st Feby. next. This is thrown out for consideration & may be liable to other objections,...
145To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 30 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter notifying the collector of Boston that Mr. Waterhouse should succeed Dr. Jarvis, though written last Saturday happens not to be yet in the Post office. Strong applications are made in behalf of Dr. Eustis who by last mail wrote that he would accept the office. On the score of politics, it is asserted that Dr. Waterhouse is decidedly a federalist, & that Eustis on the whole is better...
146To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 28 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Orleans defence bill Amendments A. B. Dd. G. H. may be introduced without difficulty. C. The reason, why the phraseology of the printed bill was adopted, was to encourage the intruders in Indiana, but particularly in upper Louisiana to remove to the territory of Orleans. All those intruders are Americans & such as we want to leave the first & to go to the last: the French Creoles will not...
147To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 26 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Martin’s case Had the penalty been incurred under a revenue law, the Secy. of the Treasury might have remitted it; and the Statement of facts transmitted by the district judge is, in such cases, made by law the evidence on which the Secretary must judge. May not in instances like this, the same statement of facts be taken by the President as sufficient evidence, without waiting for the trial?...
148To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 25 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
You gave two years ago to Colo. Worthington the sketch of the Orleans bill with a request that I should, taking its provisions for a basis, draw one consistent with the general arrangements of our complex land laws. This was accordingly done; Mr Worthington introduced the bill in the Senate, where it was amended, passed to a third reading & then postponed. The only copy of the bill wh. I...
149To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 17 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose Palmer’s commissions which were never sent. The mistake was immediately discovered; but as you were then (in March), at Monticello, they were suspended till your return, & afterwards forgotten. Nothing will be necessary but to withdraw your nomination. Respectfully Your obedt. Sevt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
150To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 17 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose the land proclamations for your signature. Mr Morrow has some objections to Gibson’s capacity & is to confer with Mr Tiffin respecting the degree of trust wh. may be placed in him or Sloane as to the safe keeping of public monies. Until his answer is received, I think the nominations of land officers might be postponed. Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.