1651From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 27 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
will become able to regulate with effect their respective functions in these departments. the burthen of Quarentines is felt at home as well as abroad. their efficacy merit examination. although the health laws of the states should not at this moment be found to require a particular revisal by Congress. yet Commerce claims that their attention be ever awake to them. [Madison’s reply:] (a)...
1652To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
Colo. Newton’s enquiries are easily solved I think by application of the principles we have assumed. 1. The interdicted ships are enemies. Should they be forced by stress of weather to run up into safer harbors, we are to act towards them as we would towards enemies in regular war in a like case. Permit no intercourse, no supplies, & if they land kill or capture them as enemies. If they lie...
1653From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Hooe, 9 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
It escaped my recollection yesterday that it was the day on which my acceptance of mr Jarvis’s bill was become due. I now inclose you a check on the bank of the US. at this place for it’s amount, 242.71 presuming the course of your transactions makes money in this bank as convenient as in Alexandria: if it does not, on saying so by return of post I will draw the money myself & remit it. Accept...
1654Drawing of the Fireplace for Monticello’s Parlor, 18 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( MHi ); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; see Nichols, Architectural Drawings Frederick Doveton Nichols, Thomas Jefferson’s Architectural Drawings, Compiled and with Commentary and a Check List , Charlottesville, 1978 , No. 160. Although the Editors cannnot be completely certain that this sketch was among those enclosed by TJ, the above drawing matches almost exactly the design that Dinsmore...
1655From Thomas Jefferson to Alfred Balch, 25 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Balch whose letter of the 21st. he did not recieve till yesterday. the present Minister of the US. at London having a Secretary attached to him, the additional emploiment arising from the occasional mission lately determined on, has not been thought sufficient to require an additional Secretary: nor consequently the occasion of being useful to those...
1656From Thomas Jefferson to George Clinton, 6 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I congratulate you on your safe arrival with miss Clinton at New York, & especially on your escape from British violence. this aggression is of a character so distinct from that on the Chesapeake, and of so aggravated a nature, that I consider it as a very material one to be presented with that to the British government. I pray you therefore to write me a letter stating the transaction, & in...
1657Memorandum on Appointments, 7 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
William P. Schenck is approved as keeper of the light house at Sandy Hook. Thomas Archer of Yorktown is approved as Collector at that port in the room of William Carey resigned Joseph Turner is approved as Collector of Brunswick in Georgia vice Claud Thompson to be removed for intemperance. Robert Anderson New of Kentucky is approved as Collector of the customs at Louisville in Kentuckey vice...
1658To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 21 October 1807 (Madison Papers)
I send you a letter from the Ex-basha of Tripoli. Had we not better be done with this man by giving him a plain answer stating the truth & sending him the extracts from our instructions, by which he will see that if our agent ingaged any thing beyond that he went beyond his powers, and could not bind us. Nothing short of this can clear us of his sollicitations. We might go further and promise...
1659From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Girard, 8 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The box by the Bellair contains 50. bottles of a wine of Italy called Nebioule sent me by mr Storm from Genoa, through mr Ulrich at Leghorn. I have this day inclosed to Genl Muhlenberg the letters ascertaining the contents of the box that he may ascertain the duty & make it known to me to be remitted with other charges. I have at the same time asked the favor that the box, whether in your or...
1660From Thomas Jefferson to Joachim Frederick Eckard, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Patterson safely delivered me your letter of the 12th. inst. with that of mr Weinwich; and the box of Roman coins he was so kind as to send me. the desire which this valuable present manifests of aiding the advances of science in this region, cannot I think be better fulfilled than by depositing it with the American Philosophical society which I shall accordingly do. will you permit me...
1661From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed petition & papers of the Widow Morin of St. Louis present the first case of that nature which has come to me, & certainly I can do nothing in the case. whether the sentence of the Commrs. can be revised when their proceedings are returned here will depend on arrangements still to be taken. in the mean time I think the papers should be filed in your office. the original concessions...
1662From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 15 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of June 28. and sincerely congratulate you on your safe return to your native country. you will doubtless be sensible of an inconcievable change in manners and opinions since you left it; tho’ less perhaps in Connecticut than some other places. After eleven years absence I imagine you will find it more difficult to return from European to American...
1663From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 21 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Observing that the usage has been to insert the treaty at full length in the proclamation , on a conference with the Secretary of state, we have concluded it safest to follow the usage, and further to insert Buonaparte’s ratification & the subsequent advice of Senate verbatim. this being merely mechanical will be done by the clerks in the office of state; but in the mean time I must ask of you...
1664From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 17 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 11th. has been recieved, & the articles sent by the waggons also. I this day set out for Bedford where I will endeavor to find out where my tobo. is lodged, and on my return send off my waggons to carry it to Richmond. in the mean time your letters leave me somewhat at a loss as to the quantity recieved by you. in a former one you mentioned the reciept of as much as would pay mr...
1665From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 22 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from Mr. Madison’s, where I have had conferences with him on the subject of our Barbary affairs & on consideration of the opinions of yourself & the Secretaries of the Treasury & War. there is an entire concurrence of opinion among us in every material point. the amount of these opinions is, and consequently the decision on them as follows. The hundred guncarriages, and...
1666From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Tudor Tucker, 31 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a letter from you in March last which expressed a willingness to undertake the duties of an office in the General government should occasion arise. with whatever pleasure I recieved this information, and however much I was chagrined not to return an answer, yet I found myself obliged by a rigorous rule, under which it was absolutely necessary to lay myself, to pretermit that...
1667From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the brig Hieram, I think with you that no permission can be given to renew the voyage. the party has not lost his voyage by any inevitable accident, but by the fraud of those he employed & over whose conduct it was his duty to watch, & has been his negligence not to have done so. if once we give up the responsibility of the employer for those he employs, the door to fraud can...
1668From Thomas Jefferson to George Blake, 24 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition of John Partridge which I percieve to have been in your hands before, by a certificate endorsed on it. the petitioner says the term of labour to which he was sentenced expired on the 14th. inst. that he is unable to pay the costs of prosecution & therefore prays to be discharged. but in such cases it is usual to substitute an additional term of confinement equivalent...
1669From Thomas Jefferson to John Smith, 9 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Mills, proposing to take a tour which will lead him thro’ Winchester, I take the liberty of introducing him to your notice & civility. he is a young man of liberal education, of great worth, and any attentions you may be so good as to shew him, will be well bestowed, and will do me a favor. I salute you with friendship & respect. MoSHi : Bixby Collection.
1670Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 25 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
25. Present all the members of the Cabinet. All the articles of a treaty, in maximo & minimo, were agreed to, without a single dissent on any article. the former instrns of Monroe were made the groundwork. It was proposed to consider whether any measures should be taken under the act. for detaching 100,000. militia. it was agreed not on the following grounds. 1. it would spread considerable...
1671From Thomas Jefferson to Matthias King, 15 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been able sooner to acknolege the reciept of your letter of Dec. 24. which came to hand on the 5th. inst. and to decline availing myself of the offer you are so good as to make therein respecting the collection of the oaks of this country. the nature of my occupations, and the constant absence from home which they have rendered necessary, have never permitted the idea of my...
1672From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Ingle, 6 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The very great pressure of business for some time before and after the meeting of Congress, obliging me to suspend nearly all correspondence, I have not till this day been able to reach your letter notifying me of the obliging offer of the use of a pew in the new Protestant Episcopal church near the Navy yard on the part of the vestry of Washington parish. I pray you to convey to them my...
1673From Thomas Jefferson to Consider Sterry, 13 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his thanks to mr Sterry for the pamphlet he was so kind as to send him on the method he proposes of working the Lunar observations. whatever will simplify or facilitate the operations for ascertaining the longitude in that way, is worthy the attention of the friends of science & of humanity. the other duties of Th:J. forbid his indulging himself in pursuits of this kind,...
1674From Thomas Jefferson to J. Phillipe Reibelt, 28 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of July 25. Aug. 10. 25. Sep. 1. 7. 18. have been duly recieved. the last Aviso which we sent to Europe is now daily expected to return, and it is not yet decided whether we shall send any other during the winter. but were we to do it, it would always be on such short warning as would render your profiting by it impracticable, as the notice of time, vessel, or port never exceeds a...
1675From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Lincoln, 16 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A pressure of business since my return to this place has prevented so early an acknolegement of your favor of Aug. 29. as I ought to have made, and the remittance of the sum due for duties on articles you were so kind as to recieve & forward, and which have come safely to hand. I now repair the omission by inclosing you a note of the Branch bank of the US. at this place on that of Boston for...
1676From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
1. As to the 500. cavalry. if we have peace with Spain, we shall not want them; if War, all our plans must be new moulded: it is therefore only during the present unsettled state . this cannot exceed 6. month from Oct. 1. about which time they probably went into service. this will cost 100,000. D. the proposing to Congress to establish them during the present unsettled state of things, is...
1677From Thomas Jefferson to J.P.P Derieux, 28 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 23d. and now inclose under cover to mr Jefferson, as you desired, this letter with the certificate requested. I have not named you a citizen of the US. because I do not know the fact, and I doubted whether it would be of service to you. I have to the certificate subjoined a passport, without subscribing in any official capacity, because in that capacity...
1678From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Cary Randolph, 9 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 7th . with your Mama’s postscript. as your’s was the principal the answer is due to you. I am glad to find you are pursuing so good a course of reading. French, History, Morals, and some poetry and writings of eloquence to improve the stile form a good course for you. how does Jefferson get on with his French? will he let Ellen catch him? the American...
1679From 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...
1680From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You will see in the public papers an account of proceedings of the legislature at Lancaster, which you will not understand without explanation. the members in Caucus have named electors of President & V. President without saying whom they are to vote for. the fact is this. the Democrats had more at heart the election of Snyder for Governor than any thing else. the Feds named Ross. the Quids...
1681From Thomas Jefferson to David Stone, 24 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Capt Isaac Lane offering the service of 35. men as volunteers, but not specifying whether under the law of 1807. or 1808. the former being for 12. & the latter for 6. months. if under the latter, the law has authorised the Governors to accept; if under the former, the authority given to the President to accept, has been by him delegated to the Governors. your...
1682From Thomas Jefferson to Jared Mansfield, 17 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Nicholas M. Lewis who lives near Louisville in Kentucky is desirous of being employed as a surveyor in the country lately acquired from the Delawares on the Ohio, whenever the surveying of that shall be begun. knowing how important it is to a person in public employ to have assistants in whom he may place unlimited confidence, I with pleasure recommend mr Lewis to you as such an one. he...
1683Doctrines of Jesus Compared with Others, 21 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Syllabus of an Estimate of the merit of the doctrines of Jesus, compared with those of others. In a comparative view of the Ethics of the enlightened nations of antiquity, of the Jews, and of Jesus, no notice should be taken of the corruptions of reason, among the antients, to wit, the idolatry & superstition of their vulgar, Nor of the corruptions of Christianity by the over learned among...
1684From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 29 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I was taken with a tooth-ache about 5. days ago, which brought on a very large & hard swelling of the face, & that produced a fever which left me last night. the swelling has subsided sensibly, but whether it will terminate without suppuration is still uncertain. my hope is that I shall be well enough to recieve my company on New Year’s day. indeed I have never been confined by it to my...
1685From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 7 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Beverley Daniel of North Carolina to be Marshal for the district of N. Carolina. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
1686I. Observations on the Common Law and Hardin’s Case, 11 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Observations on the force and obligation of the common law in the United States, on the occasion of Hardin’s case, in Kentucky. November 11th, 1812 [i.e. 1802]. The common law of England is that system of law which was established in that country anterior to the Magna Charta, 9 H. 3, before which period no statutes are extant of record. It is used in contradistinction to the term statute law ,...
1687III. Referral of the Draft to Albert Gallatin, 3 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin to examine with rigour the inclosed projet of the message to Congress, and to note on a separate paper the alterations he thinks advantageous. as it is to go thro’ the hands of the other gentlemen of the Cabinet, his immediate attention to it is desireable. he also asks the favor of mr Gallatin to meet the heads of department here tomorrow at 10....
1688From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Wilson, 9 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson having a few days ago only recieved a copy of the printed proposals for publishing a work on American ornithology by mr Wilson, begs leave to become a subscriber to it, satisfied it will give us valuable new matter as well as correct the errors of what we possessed before. he salutes mr Wilson with great respect. Catalog--William Reese Company.
1689From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear daughter, your’s of the 13th . by post. I regret extremely the situation of your family, not only for my disappointment here, but for what they are to suffer. I acknolege that, knowing when I came away the measles were in the neighborhood, I saw it was but too possible your visit here would be delayed. as it is, we must agree to the fall visit, and as Maria will be at...
1690From Thomas Jefferson to John Glendy, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Ogilvie, proposing a visit to Baltimore, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance. he has been very advantageously known in Virginia as one of those who has been most successful in the establishment & direction of Academical institutions. considerations of health having rendered necessary for him a change of climate, & of his sedentary habits, he...
1691From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 15 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate, for the information of Congress, the report of the Director of the mint of the operations of that institution during the last year. DNA : RG 233—LRHR—Legislative Records of the House of Representatives.
1692To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 3 August 1804 (Madison Papers)
I inclose you the S. Carolina ratification of the amendment to the constitution, & presume it possible that in a week more you may recieve that of Tennisee, after which I suppose no time should be lost in publishing officially the final ratification. Prevost accepts the office of judge of the Orleans territory, & Dickerson that of Attorney. But as J. T. M. declines the place of A. G. US. can...
1693From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Cary Randolph Bankhead, 10 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Jefferson writes to enquire of me whether he ever had the small pox, and cannot attend the anatomical dissections till he gets an answer for fear of catching that disease. I am almost certain that he & yourself were carried by your Papa to Richmond when very young & inoculated there under his eye. you were probably old enough to remember it. write me an answer by the return of post that I may...
1694From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 19 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 7th. & 10th. were recieved on the 15th., communicated to mr Madison & recieved back from him yesterday. we relinquish the idea of a direct passage to St. Petersburg, and adopt that of a general communication to the government of France through which you will pass. mr Madison will be here within a few days in order that we may arrange and finally expedite whatever is...
1695From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Eli Vickery lives at Norfolk. if the letter be addressed to the care of Colo Thos. Newton, it will be handed him. RC ( DNA : RG 26, MLR ); undated, but endorsed by a clerk as a letter of 14 Feb. from the president; addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Not recorded in SJL . This undated note is in response to Gallatin’s query at 11 Feb. (second letter). Gallatin forwarded TJ’s answer to...
1696From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to Genl. Dearborne some papers from Lt. Osborne, a part of which he believes he before delivered to him, & sends him now the sequel, recieved yesterday to do in the case what he finds just. he had the pleasure of finding his family all restored to health. they accompanied him to Monticello where they hope in due season to recieve Genl. & Mrs Dearborne. he salutes them...
1697From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Wagner, 11 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 29th. ult. I recieved from mr Madison a petition on behalf of Saml. Miller under sentence of death and a pardon ready drawn, which I signed and returned on the 31st. with a request that before it should be used the recommendation of the judges should be obtained. that I recieved yesterday, & now re-inclose to be filed. I take for granted the pardon got to hand and has been delivered....
1698From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Bedford Venable, 23 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter to my friend & relation mr Jefferson, I explained to him the unexpected difficulties into which I was likely to fall on my winding up my affairs here, with a request to endeavor to procure me the aid of the bank at Richmond. you have been so kind as to interpose and to procure for me the sum needed on private loan, which is infinitely more eligible for myself. it is the more so...
1699From Thomas Jefferson to James Pemberton, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 30. was delivered me on my return to this place, and I now inclose the prospectus of Clarkson’s history with my subscription to it. I have perused with great satisfaction the Report of the Committee for the African institution. the sentiments it breathes are worthy of the eminent characters who compose the institution, as are also the generous cares they propose to...
1700From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander J. Dallas, 21 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of July 17. Doctr. Franklin left nothing with me when he left Paris, not even a scrip of a paper; because we concurred in opinion that as he left nothing unfinished, the office of foreign affairs here was the proper deposit for his papers. I heard nothing of his having any other deposits. certainly he left none of any kind with me. had a deposit of silver been...