1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. is just now at hand. with respect to the time of your departure it will depend on the return of mr Dawson with the ratification of the Convention. we may expect this in 4. months: so that you may have time enough to prepare for your departure soon after his arrival. we shall join with you a Secretary of legation, to guard against any accident happening to yourself: and...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 8 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. has been duly recieved. it will be a subject of real regret if the regulation we have adopted does not meet your wishes, & the more so as it is too far gone to be changed, acceptances having been recieved . I explained to you in my former letter the principles on which it was done, to wit, 1. to train for public service in future such subjects as from their standing in...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 31 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Attorney general being absent, and none of the other members of the administration being professional lawyers, I am obliged to decide for myself in a case of law, which, in whatever way I decide, will make a great deal of noise. in this situation I ask the favor of you as a friend , and as a lawyer still in the habits of law reading, which I have not been for 30. years, to tell me what you...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The question of Neutral rights has not yet been taken up in our Cabinet. there is a visible leaning however to the liberal side. having had occasion in a particular case to state my own opinion privately, it will not be improper that Chancellor Livingston should see it; and the rather, as I believe my coadjutors, when we shall come to compare notes, will be found in the same sentiments. but...
5Enclosure: Neutral Rights, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Principles insisted on by the English are that 1. free bottoms do not make free goods. 2. that a port may be blockaded by proclamation without force. 3. that Naval stores are contraband. 4. that belligerent may search neutral vessels, in all cases. 5. that Neutrals have no right to a commerce in war not permitted them in peace. When two nations chuse to go to war, it should in no wise...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. inst. came to hand yesterday, and I recieve it with the respect & attention with which I do every thing coming from you. nothing can be done on the subject of it till after my return to Washington which will probably be after your departure for France. whatever may be determined by the gentlemen of the administration on the subject of mr Davis, other candidates have...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 9 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You will recieve, probably by this post, from the Secretary of State, the final instructions for your mission to France. we have not thought it necessary to say any thing in them on the great question of the Maritime law of nations, which at present agitates Europe, that is to say, Whether free ships shall make free goods? because we do not mean to take any side in it during the war. but, as I...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Tubeuffe, is the son of a gentleman of that name from France who settled in Virginia some years ago, and was unhappily murdered by some ruffians who made their escape. I was not acquainted personally with him or any of his family, but heard much of them from time to time, and always favorably. the inclosed letter from mr Giles however, as personally acquainted with their...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This is probably the last time I shall address you on this side the water. the occasion is furnished by a desire that you will be so good as to deliver the inclosed letter to my eleve and friend mr Short. I recommend him at the same time to your patronage and attentions. you will find him a man of great natural ability, compleatly read, and better acquainted with the world than most in it. he...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 16 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 26. was recieved the 5th. inst. and one of a later date to the Secretary of state has been communicated to me. the present is intended as a commentary on my letter to you of Aug. 28. when I wrote that letter I did not harbour a doubt that the disposition on that side the water was as cordial, as I knew our’s to be. I thought it important that the agents between us should be...