1651From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Colo. Peyton’s opinion on the two candidates for Nanjemoy. Genl. Mason says Brent is one of the most worthy & amiable men in the world. he is afraid he is a little indolent. I return the papers in Hill’s case. at present there seems a convenience in permitting an union of the offices of Collector & Notary. should it produce abuse it will then be time enough to separate them....
1652From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the financial paragraph with your amendments. I shall insert one on the militia, but doubt whether I can say any thing about the deficiency of the revenue if the embargo is continued, having declined expressing any opinion on it’s continuance. the whole of the paragraphs respecting our foreign affairs will be to be remodelled in consequence of the return of the Hope. the...
1653From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. came to hand yesterday. in it I recieved the list of warrants issued from your department as I did from the Secy. of the Navy those of his & the war department. none came from the office of state. perhaps mr Madison forgot to direct it, or mr Wagner to execute. a word from you to the latter will probably suffice. I think you expressed a wish to see weekly this...
1654From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I think it will be impossible to form general rules for carrying into execution the 7th. section of the law of Mar. 12. without a fuller view of the number and nature of the cases which are to come under it. I have waited in expectation the applications would multiply so as to give one a general view, but have recieved but about half a dozen. but indeed nothing short of a knolege of all the...
1655From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to give the within a careful perusal and favor me with your corrections. I must ask it early tomorrow morning, because it is still to be communicated to two other of the gentlemen, & then to have 2 copies made & to go in on Monday morning. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1656From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of the Martinique petitioners. I think it wrong to detain foreigners caught here by the embargo. but in permitting them to take our vessels to return in, we do what is a matter of favor, not of right. of course we can restrict them to a tonnage proportioned to their numbers. in the transport service I believe the allowance is 2. tons to every person. we may allow a little more room....
1657From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
After such an abuse of his trust by Biggs, and the concealment and other circumstance attending it, I think we cannot justify continuing him in office; I therefore request you to avail us of the presence of mr Tiffin & Morrow to get a recommendation of a proper character. would Worthington be a proper one & willing to accept it. Affectte. salutns. Is your embargo bill given in? NHi : Papers of...
1658From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return Russel’s letter respecting Tupper which I had put by among the papers relating to the characters of officers & applicants; but which probably relates to one who is neither.—I had supposed that Skinner’s commission if ordered now would not reach him till towards the last of the month and might even be dated July 1. the officer commanding at Fort Stoddert is Capt Peter P. Schuyler, of...
1659From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a draught of a Proclamation with an amendment proposed by mr Madison. before I make any alteration I shall be glad of your opinion on the matter. I return the two draughts of letters with an alteration or two proposed to one of them for your consideration. mr Erskine promised to write to Commodore Douglas yesterday on the subject of the Cambrian. he says she is reported as having...
1660From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th. is recieved and I have written to mr Madison to issue a commission to Edward Turner of Kentuckey to be Register of the land office at Natchez. a commission has issued to Trist vice Carmichael. Thompson and Watson may await my return. I now inclose the power for transferring the 2500. D. to the disposal of the Secretary at war. I do not find in my library any thing which can...
1661From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson asks the favor of the heads of Departments to meet him at 11. oclock tomorrow morning— NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1662From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers of Fanning, Lesdernier & Sacket. with respect to Fanning’s case, the true key for the construction of every thing doubtful in a law, is the intention of the law-makers. this is most safely gathered from the words, but may be sought also in extraneous circumstances provided they do not contradict the express words of the law. we certainly know the legislature meant that...
1663From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 7th. 12th. & 14th. inst. came to hand yesterday. consequently that of the 7th. must have slept a week somewhere. mr Davis is now with me. he has not opened himself. when he does I shall inform him that nothing is decided, nor can be till we get together at Washington. I keep all the letters of recommendn of him which you inclosed me, as also Milledge’s letter, & return you...
1664From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Govr. Hall & mr Rodney, whom you met at Baltimore , passed a day or two here. they are satisfied as to Mc.lane if he does not take an active part in elections. it would be well he should be particularly prudent, & bona fide neutral, except to vote himself as he pleases.—they remonstrated on our having appointed all Philadelphians to report on the works in the Delaware . I told them I thought...
1665From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Are not the following officers wanting? Jeffersonville. Register Reciever. Ohio. Register. I know not for what place, perhaps Marietta. I see Wm. McKennan named for it.
1666From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. the ship Aurora, Capt. Rand. provisions, lumber, & naval stores being the articles on which we rely most for effect during our embargo, Rand’s loading, as to the great mass of it’s articles, seems not to render his case suspicious. keeping therefore the articles of provisions lumber & naval stores within their regular limits, I see no objection to a permit in the character of his cargo: and...
1667From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Harrison will continue in office till the 3d. of March. I send you tit for tat, one lady application for another. however our feelings are to be perpetually harrowed by these sollicitations, our course is plain, & inflexible to right or left. but for god’s sake get us relieved from this horrible drudgery of refusal. Affectionate salutations. to be returned NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1668From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I happened to be extraordinarily pressed by business which prevented my answering on the subject of Worthington’s resignation. but I observed to him yesterday that as he had a right to resign, his act of resignation was final, and did not need an acceptance to validate it. if he apprehends any question, he might be furnished with an acceptance of the same date with his resignation. Spencer...
1669Authorization for Tench Coxe, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Should the Secretary of the Treasury find it adviseable The Supervisor of the district of Pensylvania is hereby authorised to act as Collector of the internal revenues for the city and county of Pensylvania . Given under my hand at Washington this 20th. day of July 1802. MS ( DLC ); in TJ’s hand; with Gallatin’s instructions to the commissioner of the revenue written below TJ’s signature and...
1670From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your own opinion & that of the Atty Genl. are sufficient authorities to me to approve of prosecuting in the case of the Schooner Sally. and I will candidly add that my judgment also concurs. the handcuffs & bolts are palpable testimonials of the intention of the voyage, & the concealment of them, & their omission in the statement of the cargo, strengthens the proof. the traffic too is so...
1671From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I had detained the letter of mr Merry on Foster’s claim of freedom from importing duties in expectation that mr Madison’s return would enable him, you, & myself to confer on it. if the case presses I will express my opinion on it. every person, diplomatic in his own right , is entitled to the privileges of the law of nations, in his own right. among these is the reciept of all packages,...
1672From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter merits serious attention. notwithstanding the favorable opinion I have hitherto entertained of Symonds. when facts are specified & the persons named who can prove them, I do not see that we can avoid instituting some enquiry. tho’ the writer keeps his own name back, it is impossible but that the letter would shew there who was the writer, and he might thus be obliged to...
1673From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to order 2 copies of the Contingent account to be made out for communicn to Congress? Mr. Madison concurs with us in thinking it better Genl. Dearborne’s case should go to Congress direct for decision. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Not recorded in SJL . contingent account : the next day, Gallatin sent TJ a brief covering note:...
1674From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having a copy of the laws of the last session here, I am obliged to ask information from yourself whether the opinion of your chief clerk, mentioned in Thos. Moore’s letter, be correct. it is certainly best not to draw the issuing of warrants out of their regular course, if the words of the law can possibly bear another construction. there is no case, but that of the contingent fund, where...
1675From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Would the office of Register or Reciever be most compatible with that of judge held by Taylor? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1676From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The act of Congress 1789. c. 9. assumes on the General government the maintenance & repair of all lighthouses, beacons, buoys & public piers then existing, and provides for the building a new lighthouse . this was done under the authority given by the constitution ‘to regulate commerce,’ was contested at the time as not within the meaning of these terms, & yielded to only on the urgent...
1677From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to advance to Dollars out of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress of last session entitled “An Act to provide for the accommodation of the President of the United States”; of which fund he is appointed Agent and is to render his accounts to the Treasury. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
1678From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
for exploring the waters of the country ceded by the Convention with France of Apr. 30. 1803, & establishing commerce with the Indian nations inhabiting the same 5000. D. Th: J. proposes to mr Gallatin to insert into his Approprn law the above article, which will enable us to undertake the next season either the Arkansa or upper part of the Misipi: and that there should be annually a like...
1679Memorandum to Albert Gallatin, with Gallatin’s Reply, [on or before 26 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State has sent me the list of officers named during the recess of Senate, and now to be nominated to them, among these are Josiah Hook Inspector for Penobscot as well as Collector Jonas Clark Inspector for Kennebunk M. E. Chisman Inspector for Hampton as well as Collector. Thos. Worthington Inspector of N.W. district John Oakley. Inspector as well as Collector of George town...
1680From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
You witnessed in the earlier part of the administration the malignant & long continued efforts which the federalists exerted, in their newspapers, to produce misunderstanding between mr Madison & myself. these failed compleatly. a like attempt was afterwards made through other channels to effect a similar purpose between Genl. Dearborne & myself, but with no more success. the machinations of...
1681Enclosure: Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim, 23 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The constitution having provided that the President should appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls and all other officers which shall be established by law, the first Congress which met passed a law (1790. July 1.) authorising him to draw from the treasury 40,000. D. annually ‘for the support of such persons as he shall commission to serve the US. in foreign parts, & for the...
1682From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
On the question who are to pay the petty jurors in the courts of the US. in private cases? it must be admitted there is room for doubt. the act of 1792 c. 36. § 3. says ‘the compensations shall be to each grand & petit juror so much to witnesses summoned in any of the courts of the US. so much’ etc. without saying who should pay either; whether the US. should pay all the jurors & witnesses or...
1683From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson asks the favor of a meeting of the heads of Departments on friday the 3d. at 12 oclock and that they will also do him that of Dining with him. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1684From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The memoranda you inclosed me from mr Clarke deserve great attention. such articles of them as depend on the executive shall be arranged for the next post. the following articles belong to the legislature. the administration of justice to be prompt. perhaps the judges should be obliged to hold their courts weekly, at least for some time to come. the ships of resident owners to be naturalized,...
1685From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Crowninshield’s and Gibaut’s letters recommending Stevens & Storer . Storer was also recommended by mr Lincoln. Illsley by Genl. Dearborne. the circumstance of exhibiting our recommendations, even to our friends, requires great consideration. recommendations, when honestly written should detail the bad as well as good qualities of the person recommended. that gentlemen may do...
1686From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
If mr Gallatin will be so good as to call on Th:J. on his arrival at the office, the other gentlemen will then attend on being notified, & consider the subject of mr Gallatin’s letter recieved yesterday. it is the more necessary as every thing else is ready for the departure of the vessel. Affectte. salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
1687From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress adopting a court, adopts all it’s officers. The Sheriff consequently is the competent officer. but as to the Attorney, we can surely employ one in each particular case, until we be authorised to do better. With respect to the revenue cutter at Norfolk, the general idea I had was that having concluded to employ smaller vessels in that service, all the large ones were to be...
1688From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In questions like the present, important neither in principle nor amount, I think the Collectors should decide for themselves, and especially as they, and they only, are the legally competent judges: for I believe the law makes them the judges of the security. if the indulgence proposed be within the intentions of the law, they can grant it: if it be not, we cannot. but it is the practice in...
1689From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer to the petition of Percival & others praying that they may be permitted to send a vessel or vessels to take up their men from the desolate islands of the Indian ocean & thence to proceed on a trading voyage to Canton &c cannot but be a thing of course, that days having been publicly announced after which no permissions to send vessels to bring home property would be granted, which...
1690From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By virtue of the act, entitled, “an act making Provision for defraying any extraordinary expences attending between the U States and foreign nations,” passed on the 13th. February 1806., and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I Thomas Jefferson, President of the U States of America, Do hereby authorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the U States, to...
1691From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have examined the papers respecting the St Domingo trade, and now return them to you. not having a copy of the laws of the last session, I can judge in these cases only from so much of this particular law as is quoted. I think mr Dallas’s answers to the queries proposed to him, (as stated in the Aurora) are sound: and it appears to me that the case stated by Colo. Newton falls a fortiori...
1692From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in the habit of filing in the proper offices all papers I recieve which are merely official, so as never to retain among my own any which ought to remain with the public, I send that of Govr Page & my answer to be filed in your office. applications for office, informations, &c. I suppose the writer would not wish to have recorded, and therefore I keep them as confidential. altho’...
1693From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems I think that a pardon may be justly expected in the inclosed case. but the practice we have followed is a sound one, to let the matter go to a jury that facts may be proved & disclosed; & after that only, to determine the question of pardon. the practice of Nolle prosequi is to be avoided but in extraordinary cases. I once agreed to one in a case of manslaughter by surprise, & of...
1694From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There is no source from whence our fair commerce derives so much vexation, or our country so much danger of war, as from forged papers & fraudulent voyages. nothing should, in my opinion, be spared either of trouble or expence on our part, to aid all nations in detecting and punishing them. I would therefore certainly direct mr Gelston to furnish Heinecker with every proof in his power, & to...
1695From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. was recieved yesterday. your letter in which Coquerel’s case was mentioned was recieved by me on the 15th. it was not noticed in my answer to you of that day, because I wished to give it particular consideration. it was answered by the next post in my letter of the 19th. which I presume you recieved on the 24th. I inclose you the applications from Callahan & Bagneris which...
1696From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The more I consider the letter of our Ministers in London the more seriously it impresses me. I believe the sine qua non we made is that of the nation, and that they would rather go on without a treaty than with one which does not settle this article. under this dilemma, and at this stage of the business, had we not better take the advice of the Senate? I ask a meeting at 11. oclock tomorrow...
1697From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 27 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 24th. came to hand last night. the rapidity with which the post moves between Washington & New York will render our communications probably quicker while you are there than if you had retired into the country. Mine of the 23d. gave you the Christian name of Doctr. Shore, to wit John . a further conversation with the Governor leaves no doubt of the propriety of the appointment....
1698From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The short answer to the Collectors is that Sea letters are never given out but in time of war. then they are given in consequence of the stipulations in treaties to ascertain our flag to the other party when belligerent. no Sea letter was ever issued by this government till the commencement of the war between France & Great Britain.—I should except from these observations the case of vessels...
1699From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reciept of your letter of the 6th. observing you would leave N. York before an answer could reach you, I retained all the papers accompanying it, & shall carry them with me to Washington. in the mean time the inclosed letter is recieved through mr Madison respecting a vessel concerned in the slave trade, & as it may require your immediate interposition I send it by post. I shall leave...
1700From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I should think mr Woodside’s application to send provisions for the family of our Consul at Madeira, admissible on the same ground as that lately to Favre, were the necessity as evident. but I suppose it can hardly be doubted that England will procure provisions for that island, and there is danger of one precedent in our relaxations begetting another till we may get out of the limits of the...