16 December 1801, Washington. Transmits the secretary of the treasury’s 14 Dec. report and the proceedings of the treasury officers, in which are described the measures authorized by the board and completed since the commissioners’ report of 28 Nov. 1800. RC and enclosures ( DNA : RG 46, Reports from the Commissioners of the Sinking Fund, 7A-F7). RC 1 p.; signed by JM and the other...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, with Levi Lincoln, [18] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at the seat of Government I have been authorized by the President to discharge the duties of that office per interim; and among the objects which have claimed the earliest attention is the Convention signed by yourselves and General Davie with the government of France. This instrument was laid before the Senate on the 16th. of December...
3From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, with Levi Lincoln, [17] March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison the Secretary of State being not yet arrived at this place, and a favorable apportunity of addressing you, offering itself by a government vessel going to France with our late convention with that country, I avail myself of it being authorized by the President of the United States to perform the duties of this department per interim. The Country in which you reside having as well...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 6 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by a member of Congress from the State of Massachusets. Mr. Bidwile’s character and merits, are too well known to need any recommendation. Equally conspicuous for political information, talents and industry as for a republicanism unalloyed by personal attachments to federal friends, or local prejudices, he has been a uniform & warm supporter of the measures of the...
5IX. Lincoln’s Remarks on the Draft, 25 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
+ considering the great captiousness of the opposition, I respectfully, suggest for consideration whether the following alteration, would be of any advantage viz—after the word, Yet , in the ninth line of the first paragraph , to insert, our revenues are . – Instead of the word fiscal , in the last line of the same paragraph, to use the word, needless , or unnecessary , to guard against a...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The Newspaper accounts of the proceedings of the Legislature of Mass., during the present session, must have prepared you & the nation for results similar to the enclosed. It is not for me to assign reasons for such extraordinary conduct, different from the objects and the motives avowed. There is nothing concealed. The facts and their tendencies are on the face of the transactions and cannot...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 10 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yours of August 22 while attending the Council at Boston. I possessed previously a general knowledge of the regulations adopted by the general Government to supply the deficient states with flour for their own consumption and to prevent an evasion of the embargo restraints. My impressions were that there had been great abuse of the indulgencies granted to the citizens of...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
with the letter, and the associated papers from Mr Porter, and three from Gent. in Alexandria recommending Capt Moore as register of wills in that district, I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection a letter of a more private nature just recd. from Boston—By it, my friends, it is easy to be perceived, have agreed to confuse. Explanations, it is to be hoped will remove the...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 17 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have in vain searched, and untill wearied with the pursuit, for some authority from the acknowledged law of nations, which would justify or condemn belligerents impressing or taking from a neutral vessel, at sea , its own subjects whether passengers or a part of the crew—It is clear, having on board such subjects, can by law, be no cause for the bringing too, & boarding. But the question is,...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 1 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your pleasing favor of March 23 reached me last evening, by the way of Boston. I was prepared to expect every thing mean, malignant, and false, at the approaching elections from Pickering, and his coadjutors, irritated by disappointments, before the explosion took place, produced by his pitiful letter. you over rate its effects, if you judge from the repeated bold & false assertions contained...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 2 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
We are now reposing from our electioneering conflict. The struggle has been, in general, severe & spirited, and on the part of the federalists, bitter in the extreme. Their frauds, falshoods, and force have secured to them a Governor, Senate, council, and house, in this State. By force I mean an intolerant and oppressive violence towards labourers, tenants, mechanics, debtors, & other...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It is from duty and inclination that I now write. After some accidental & unexpected delays on the road, I reached this place in health. Through the upper parts of Maryland & Pennsylvania, it is obvious that the federal cause is considered by it’s leaders as ruined, the sentiments of the people as changed & fast changing, in favor of the new order of things; and that these leaders from a...
13XV. Levi Lincoln’s Remarks on the Message, [ca. 27 November 1801–8 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The Address. relieved from the danger— 2 page—3 line Quere—if the word from had not better be inserted as the word commerce understood is the object on which the verb seems immediately to operate Page 3d. — Quere, whether postage on newspapers had not better be added to the list of duties to be suspended. The means of instruction and of spreading knowledge are generally in all the States, not...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Brocier a Gent. of this town is, this moment with me, on the wing for the city of Washington, as an amusement & to witness the inauguration of our great & good friend Mr Madison. Permit me to introduce him, & refer you to him, for information respecting the situation of parties in this section of the Union. I think the opposition has been over rated with you, & its character & object...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 13 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
By the chronicle, received yesterday, we have learnt the fate of Mr Morton’s motion in the legislature of Massachusetts. If the only object was, to obtain an address, the measure was certainly ill-concerted, they ought first to have known their numbers. It is apparent that the friends to the motion did not expect to carry it, but meant it, as a measure to effect future elections. The inclosed...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, on or before 5 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The names, agt Worcester, in the memorandum were intended for commissioners of bankruptcy;— Vaughan I think was designed to supply the place of one who had not accepted, Cohen , I have no recollection of— Hull was named , altho the commission was considered as full, to quiet his feelings, which appeared to have been very much hurt, from an idea of his having been neglected—As the...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 12 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of stating my ideas on the subject submitted to my consideration by your favor of yesterday. The Courts of the Columbia District, are national ones created by statute. Their powers are merely judicial, unless in particular instances particularly expressed, or necessarily implied. The mere establishment of these courts did not of course include, a particular extent of...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 31 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On the reception of your note yesterday, I waited on Mr Gallatin with the inclosed. He was so unwell, as to think, he should not be able to be out this day, but wishes to see you, before you give in your nominations . If you should judge it expedient to remove Watson , Warren is generally thought of as his successor— I am Sir most respectfully yours RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “President of...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 24 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been gratified by the reading of the abstract of those Ethical and religious doctrines, which by peculiar indulgence have been submitted to my perusal . Accept, Sir, of my sincere thanks, for this token of confidence & attention, to me so personally pleasing & flattering. It was impossible, from the examination to repress the wish of having a copy of the valuable compendium. Supposing...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 7 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I cannot deny myself the pleasure of congratulating you on the result of our late election. My motive is to releive you from the possible solicitude, that the numberless misrepresentations, circulated in our federal papers may have excited in your mind on that subject. I know you have more confidence in history, than in political prophecy, especially when the foreteller is inspired with a zeal...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I omitted to mention that there was a mistake in making out the commission for Ray Greene of Providence. the design was, to appoint him to the office of a district Judge, the commission to him is, as judge of the circuit court—he has sent it back, & wishes to have it rectified. It is probable that Bourn was the judge of the district court. when the appointment was made—of course there was no...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 9 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In my endeavours to forget my friends at Washington, & to transfer and fix my attention to objects within the reach of my influence and agency nearer home, I fear you will think I have succeeded too well. This is the first letter I have directed to the seat of Govt since I left it. A few days after my arrival at Worcester, where I met my family and friends, generally, in health & spirits,...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 25 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have examined the questions referred to my consideration by your note of yesterday —By the Constitution of the US. offences against it and the laws made in pursuance thereof are cognizable by the federal Courts—All crimes or misdemeanors, which are not such by this constitution, or to which the jurisdiction of the federal Courts, is not by law, expressly extended, are, it is conceived...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 2 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
After the utmost attention which I have been able to pay to the questions , respecting the northwestern territory, which you did me the honor of submitting to my consideration there is a difficulty in giving a decisive answer. I can find no grounds, or principles for a very confident decision in, or out of the ordinance for the establishment of that Government. Nothing can be collected to aid...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last , has been received your’s of the 26th & 28 of August. The former was read with great pleasure, and the subject matter of the latter had been previously attended to—I lately spent several days in Boston, find the sentiments and feelings of the opposition, much as I have heretofore stated. The republicans in spirits, the federalists depressed, and the lower classes of them, are...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 29 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Letter from Mr. Callender inclosed to me by Morton as also Mr Morton’s I do myself the honor to forward; I mean to follow them, in eight or ten days, if the situation of my family will permit. They are getting better exerpt my youngest whose situation appears to be critical. It not being probable, that any new commissioners of bankruptcy will be appointed in Boston immediately I shall not...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 16 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of recg. yours of the 10th, this morning. It is much to be regreted, that Mr Madison indisposition continues. The public have much to expect from his abilities, and his Patriotism. The two returned Commissions are recorded, with blanks left for the names and dates —These will be necessary to complete the record. Joseph Clay jr. declines accepting his commission, as judge of the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 25 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
There can, I think, be but little difficulty in determining on the theory and general principles applicable to the subject matter of your communication , which I had the honor of receiving the last evening. “Taking a part in a war against a nation in amity with us’ or any way to interfere, and favor one party more than the other, must be agreed to be inconsistent with a fair construction of...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 28 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Deeming it of importance that you should know, as fully as possible, the state of the public mind; and the feelings, and opinions of the people, which you are obliged to meet, and to manage, especially, in that difficult part of the Country, of which I am an inhabitant, I have thought proper to submit to your inspection the inclosed letters— They prove, what I am sure has taken or will soon...
30VII. Levi Lincoln’s Remarks on the Draft, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused, and reperused with increased satisffaction the proposed message which you did me the honor of submitting to my inspection. Was I obliged to maintain an exception to any part of it, I should select for that purpose, the close of the last paragraph but one . Would not the sentiment present itself more formidable to foreign nations, & less exceptionable to many of our citizens, if...