101From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter to Thornton is civil both in matter & manner, and entirely proper. I dare say Irvine will do very well as Surveyor at Buffalo. he seems so far to have conducted himself well as Indian agent. I do not know Oliver Phelps’s particular character, except that he has all the sagacity of a Connecticut man, and is attached to the little band . but I do not see that his recommendation need...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
A doubt is entertained whether the act of Congress respecting claims to lands in Orleans & Louisiana, & authorizing the Commrs. ‘to decide according to the laws & established usages & customs of the French & Spanish governments; upon all claims to lands within their respective districts’ Etc. meant to give that power as to all claims , or to restrict it to those claims only which had been...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your information letters from General Dearborne, P. D. Sargeant & Elisha Tracy on the infractions of the embargo, and their ideas on the means of remedy. I pass them through the hands of the Secretary of the Navy with a request that he will in concert with you give all the aid for the enforcement of the law which his department can afford. I think the conduct of Jordan at...
104From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill supplementary to the several acts for laying an embargo on vessels Etc. for vessels coming down rivers Etc. Be it enacted Etc that it shall not be lawful for any vessel laden with provisions or lumber to pass by or depart from any port of entry of the US. without examination and a special license from the Collector of the customs of such port, nor shall any vessel be so laden on any...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The inducement which you propose in order to engage Powell to bring up his accounts is approved.—so is also the idea of collecting men of talents about us, even in offices which do not need them. upon the principle of distribution also I doubt if the treasury should be given to Maryland . With respect to Doctr. Bache I must have conversation with you. as to the office of Post M. G. he might be...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I think with you it is better to leave the leasing the salt-springs to Governor Harrison who will do it according to general rules: and I am averse to giving contracts of any kind to members of the legislature.—on the subject of Latimer’s letter, I gave him a general answer that all indulgence permitted by the spirit of the law would be used. I am unable to give any particular opinion, because...
107From 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...
108From 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...
109From 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...
110III. 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....
111From 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...
112From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 16th. was recieved on the 21st. Dickerson’s delay of proceeding to N. Orleans will give us time. if Pinkney accepts the office of judge Robert Williams might be the Attorney; if Pinkney does not accept, or does not arrive in time (and a few days only must now decide the latter point) Williams must be the judge. Hall accepts as district judge. with respect to Neufville I am not...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Previous information had led me to believe it necessary to remove Abbot also. the inclosed confirms it. whom can we substitute? [ Reply by Gallatin :] I do not know a single person in the territory who could be substituted. If both Abbot & Griswold are removed, considerable inconvenience will result in relation to the investigation of land claims which will probably be terminated in two or...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of the schooner Concord, sold by J. Bell of Petersburg, to M. W. Hancock of Richmond. I think it may be concluded from the letters of Hancock & of the Collector, that the purchase of the schooner has been a bona fide one; but it is not even alledged that he has purchased the cargo, but it appears on the contrary that Bell has the same concern in that as before. as, where a person has...
115From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have written to mr Smith proposing to order a couple of gunboats from New York into the Delaware, and 2. from Norfolk to the head of the bay. I hope the passage of naval stores into Canada will be prevented. I inclose for your information the account of a silver mine to fill your treasury. Affectte. salutns. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
116From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 21st. came to hand on the 25th. I now return the letters of Thornton & Muhlenberg with entire approbation of your answers. I am in all cases for liberal conduct towards other nations, believing that the practice of the same friendly feelings & generous dispositions which attach individuals in private life will attach societies on the large scale, which are composed of individuals....
117From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 12 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The proceedings of the Commissioners of Washington with Maryland seem not to be accurately understood. Maryland lent them 250,000 D. of stock at par, on which they lost 15. percent. they proposed therefore that Maryland should leave Congress free to repay in stock. they did not propose, nor ever thought of, shortening the terms of paiment. Maryland agrees to recieve stock on condition it is...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The defence of Orleans against a land army can never be provided for, according to the principles of the constitution till we can get a sufficient militia there. I think therefore to get the inclosed bill brought forward again. will you be so good as to make any alterations in it which the present state of the surveys may have rendered necessary, & any others you shall think for the better?...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 18th. & 24th. came by yesterday’s post. I am sorry mr Clay declines a Consulship. it would have been very pleasing to us to replace our Minister at Lisbon by such a Consul as Clay. perhaps reconsideration and enquiry into the advantages of the situation may reconcile it to him. I have not here my bundle of claims for office, & therefore cannot propose a successor for Colo....
120From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
If we can do any thing ourselves in the case of the from the Missisipi, let us do it. but if any thing has to be done by Congress I think the merchants had better be left to get it brought forward in their own way, and leave us free to modify. it is a question of some nicety whether in the seasons when exportations are strong, we might moor a in the river opposite or near N. Orleans, and keep...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Judging by Price’s survey of Ocracock, the only position for the custom house which seems to come into competition with the point B recommended by mr Taylor, is that part of Beacon island opposite to the point marked a . but perhaps Wallace’s channel may be the most used. the form you propose No. 1. would include Beacon’s island, and on that account would be preferable, as it would give us...
122From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissions to be made out Christopher Ellery of Rh odei sland to be Commissioner of loans for the state of Rhodeisland. Augustus Sacket of New York, to be Collector & Inspector of revenue for the port of Sacket harbour. Gideon D. Cobbs of Indiana to be Collector at Massac. Benjamin Sebastan of Kentucky } Comrs. for land titles in the Eastern district of Orleans John Coburn of Kentucky
123From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Did I lend you the Pensylvania act permitting our Western road to cross through that state? if I did, or if you have a copy of it I shall be very glad to see it. mr Hoge gave me notice yesterday that there would be legal opposition to that road’s passing in any other direction than through Washington, their construction being that if in fact a good road can be got by Washington the law obliges...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
E. Randolph has offered to mr Short to give him personal security, such as he will be satisfied with, for the whole sum & interest due to mr Short. mr Short will not accept it, viewing the public as his debtor, but is willing to endeavor to obtain the security, on condition it shall not prejudice his right against the public, considering it as so much saved to the public which may otherwise be...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved from mr Nicholas a letter in which is the following passage . ‘if mr Gallatin will write to mr Davis that he may resign, & send his letter, with a commission for me, under cover to my brother, I will be in Richmond on Friday or Saturday in the next week (the 11th. or 12th. inst.) and will go on from thence immediately for Norfolk. in a day or two my determination will be made....
126From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to adopt either the former or latter proposition at the Salines, as you shall think best? if you think them equally good, perhaps it will be as well to leave to Govr. Harrison the choice , as it might increase his activity and responsibility to execute his own plan. I am quite ignorant of the situation of such a claim as that of Abernethie’s inclosed. will you be kind...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the form in which I would wish to place the Financial paragraph, with blanks which I must ask you to fill up; also the sequel which is to conclude the message, for your correction. and I must ask the return of the former part as it is still to be communicated to mr Rodney for his observations, and then will be to be modified and 4. copies made according to the several...
128From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Genl. Turreau’s application for two vessels to carry French subjects to France must, I think, be granted, because under present circumstances we ought not on slight grounds to dissatisfy either belligerent. the vessels may be back before winter, and their only danger will be of stoppage by the English, who however have no right but to take out the French subjects. At the same time, I think it...
129From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Joseph Farrow as Keeper of the Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras is approved. DNA : RG 26—Light House Service.
130From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of 26. March is recieved and I learn with real concern the danger that a temporary loan may be necessary, because we know how it will be perverted to throw dust in the eyes of the people. however if no other expedient can be used we must meet it—I have no expectation that Monroe will be able to get any acknolegement of boundary which we can admit. the next best measure will be to...
131From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Some letters are recieved which require to be consulted & acted on to-day. if you will be so good as to come here on your arrival at your office, I will send for the other gentlemen. it will be an affair of not more than a quarter of an hour’s consultation. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
132From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 27th. of April I wrote to Govr. Claiborne in these words. ‘Congress has permitted lots to be taken for M. de la Fayette as low as 500. as. this secures to us the parcel on the canal of Carondelet: but at the same time cuts off those smaller locations proposed by mr Duplantier. indeed it would not be for the interest of the General to let his claim get into collision with any public...
133From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 16th. came to hand last night. as the lead mines do not press in point of time, I would rather they should be the subject of a conversation on my return. it is not merely a question about the terms we have to consider, but the expediency of working them. as to the Savanna revenue cutter I approve of the proposition in your letter or whatever else you may think best to be done. the...
134From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Can we do better as to Nantucket than to send Coffin’s letter to Govr. Lincoln? he is better qualified than we are to judge of their wants & their real views. their proposition to give a carte blanche to all their coasters, besides being suspicious, might be an invidious distinction to which I do not know whether their general character entitles them. if you can suggest any thing better I...
135From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the Schooner Anne carried off forcibly by a British crew, I think the removal of the Inspector should be permitted to take place. the Collector should be instructed to communicate from time to time all circumstances which may enable us to trace the vessel, and copies of these papers should be furnished to mr Madison to furnish him the grounds of an answer to the British...
136From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
1. D.W. Coxe & the ship Comet. the application to send another vessel to the Havanna to bring home the proceeds of the cargo of the Comet, charged with a breach of embargo must be rejected for 3. reasons each insuperable. 1. the property was not shipped from the US. prior to Dec. 22. 1807. and therefore is not within the description of cases in which a permission by the Executive is authorised...
137From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 9th. came to hand yesterday only so that it has missed a post somewhere. I thought that in my letter of Aug. 20. answering your’s of Aug. 17. that I had answered every point distinctly; but I find on recurring to it that the recommendations of messrs. Langdon & Whipple for Hopley Yeaton to be master and Benjamin Gunnison 1st. mate of the revenue cutter in Newhampshire, tho’...
138From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed paper got mislaid by accident so as to escape my earlier attention. I do not know how far the office of a director of the bank is compatible with mr Nourse’s official duties, or the general spirit of our laws. I leave it therefore altogether to your judgment, only observing that if these admit his acceptance, I believe the bank cannot associate to themselves an honester man. RC (...
139From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 31 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers respecting the Louisiana board of Commissioners, with only the alteration of omitting the words in the Xth. intruction about which you had doubted yourself. at the same time it is without confidence I give any opinion on this subject, having always considered your knolege on it so exact as to supersede the necessity of my studying it minutely. if any opinion, in aid...
140Enclosure: Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim, 19 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Stevens having been sent by the preceding administration in 1798. to St. Domingo, with the Commission of Consul general, and also with authorities as an agent additional to his Consular powers, under a stipulation that his expences should be born; an account of these is now exhibited to the Secretary of state and the questions arise Whether the paiment can be authorised by the...
141From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The cargo, ostensible destination, ownership & other circumstances respecting the ship Lorenzo of New York, leave not a doubt but that fraud is intended. let her therefore be detained. As the law for laying permanent protecting duties will pass through your hands, I take the liberty of depositing with you the inclosed letter from mr Strong of Philadelphia, giving an account, & a specimen of...
142From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 15th. & 17th. are recieved. you will find an approbation signed at the foot of mr Millar’s letter. all the papers inclosed to me, are re-inclosed except the list of warrants.—I do not with very great certainty recollect the particulars as to Genl. Herd . but I think we at first intended him the place afterwards given to Lynn: that it was after that suggested he would accept...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers which inform us of the construction of the law respecting land claims by the Commissioners of Louisiana, with the Attorney General’s opinion on that construction. this opinion is approved by every member of the administration, as it is by myself. satisfied that no improper motive has produced this mistake of the object of the law in the minds of the Commissioners, I...
144From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to hasten your return to this place, & pray that it may be without a moment’s avoidable delay. the capture of the Chesapeak by a British ship of war renders it necessary to have all our council together. the mail is closing. Affectionate salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
145From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Cutters being intended to fulfill a legal object, if that of Charleston is not competent, we should certainly provide one which is so. I think she should be of such velocity & force as not to be outsailed or resisted by the African ships, against which nothing should be spared. I concur with you in opinion that MacNeel being here & a good judge, it would be better to let him buy one at...
146From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The draught of the letter is approved, & I should be much disposed to remove Backus, on a more detailed knolege of facts. Feb. 6. 07. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
147From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your perusal my answer to mr Clarke. will you be so good as to give the instructions therein spoken of to the Commissioners & Governor, & to Seal & send the letter to Mr. Clark? I send herewith the papers he left with me, to be filed in your office unless he wishes their return. affectionate salutations. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
148From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Collector of Detroit. I think the liberal construction of the letter of May 2. as explained in the Collector’s letter, had better be permitted to go on, sub silentio, as the contrary would be vexatious & unprofitable, and might excite a spirit of counter-vexation in the English. McKim’s application is inadmissible, and Genl. Smith would be far from himself approving such a departure from rule,...
149From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the cases of Thorndike of Mass. & Barney of R.I. recieved by yesterday’s post, which appearing to have nothing taking them out of the common rule, you will be pleased to dispose of them according to that. Thorndike’s ground is that he was out of the state of Mass. during the whole time permits were allowed. if he had been out of the US. the case would have merited consideration:...
150From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I find Bastrop’s case less difficult than I had expected. my view of it is this. the Governor of Louisiana being desirous of introducing the culture of wheat into that province engages Bastrop as an Agent for carrying that object into effect. he agrees to lay off 12. leagues square on the Washita & Bayou Liard, as a settlement for the culture of wheat, to which Bastrop is to bring 500....