31From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 24 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is the first intimation I have recieved of the intention of the paymaster to resign. if it be within rule to appoint to that office a person not in the military line, there is certainly no better man than Robert Brent. but of this also there is no better judge than yourself, to whom accordingly it is submitted with affectionate salutations & assurances of respect. PHi : Daniel...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th. came to hand yesterday. I do not see that we can avoid agreeing to estimates made by worthy men of our own choice for the sites of fortifications, or that we could leave an important place undefended because too much is asked for the site. and therefore we must pay what the sites at Boston have been valued at. at the same time I do not know on what principles of reasoning...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 12th. was recieved last night. I presume we must employ Herbaugh at N. Orleans, on the recommendation of others, not knowing him ourselves. the sooner he goes the better. You will be so good as to use your own discretion as to the sending a vessel to Passamaquoddy. the special license is not signed by me: and as I do not know the particular course pursued, I have requested mr...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey & two days detention on the road by high waters gave me time to reflect on our Canal at New Orleans, on which I will therefore hazard some thoughts. I think it has been said that the Misipi at low water is many feet lower, opposite N.O. than lake Pontchartrain. but the fact is impossible, being in contradiction to the laws of nature. two beds of dead water connected with the same...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson will thank Genl Dearborne to consider the inclosed. the writer appears to have that sincere enthusiasm for his undertaking which will ensure success. the education of the common people around Detroit is a most desirable object, and the proposition of extending their views to the teaching the Indian boys & girls to read & write, agriculture & mechanic trades to the former,...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks a consultation with the heads of Departments tomorrow at one Oclock & that they will do him the favor to dine with him— Privately owned.
37From Daniel Carthy to Henry Dearborn, 19 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
Not discouraged, that I did not, recieve an answer to the letter I presumed to write to you, recommending Mr Neal, as a proper person for the appointment of Surveyor of the Coast of the United States; because I have been assured it is the Course of business, at head quarters, not to reply to Such letters; therefore, presuming Still on the Strength of the Sentiment, produced by the recollection...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 8 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Has Genl. Dearborne recieved any information from Genl. Clinton which will enable Th:J. to answer the inclosed letter [ Reply by Dearborn :] Govr. Clinton speaks well of Astor, as a man of large property & fair charactor, and well acquainted with the fur & peltry business. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
39From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Should we take any notice of these declarations of the St. Regis Indians? St. Regis or the head of the lake St. Francis seems to be the point where, if a site could be found favorable we should place our extreme post. [ Reply by Dearborn :] Sir, may it not be advisable to request Mr. Sailly to hold friendly intercourse with such of the St. Regis Chiefs as may be inclined to [visit] him...
40From William Henry Harrison to Henry Dearborn, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Delaware Tribe have determined to remove the ensuing Spring from their present habitations to Settle on the West Side of the Mississippi—Their particular destination is White River to which they Say they have been invited by the Indians of that Country. I can See no injury that will result to the United States from this removal, on the Contrary it will leave vacant a fine tract of Country...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 8 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Dec. 29. brings to my mind a subject which never has presented itself but with great pain, that of your withdrawing from the administration, before I withdraw myself. it would have been to me the greatest of consolations to have gone thro’ my term with the same coadjutors, and to have shared with them the merit, or demerit, of whatever good or evil we may have done. the...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer to M. de la Croix is obviously that it is premature to say any thing about appoint[ment] to an army as yet. but I have thought it not amiss to comm[unic]ate to you his letter, as it may be worth while to enquire in what way he can be used, if in any way. perhaps he may be an engineer. but how I shall return his certificate I know not, as he has given no date of time or place to his...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
There seems to be a disposition to take up the classification bill. I have substituted a division of the classes into sections according to their ages instead of the Nos. from 1. to 10. which I think will have a happier effect, & produce several advantages. it is in fact Bonaparte’s plan. I inclose it for your examination & correction. It is exactly the same as the former one, except as to the...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have reflected on the case of the embodying of the militia in Ohio, and think the respect we owe to the state may overweigh the disapprobation so justly due to the conduct of their Governor pro tem. they certainly had great merit, and have acquired a very general favor thro’ the union, for the early & vigorous blows by which they crushed the insurrection of Burr. we have now again to appeal...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you write to Govr. Cabell or the proper officer & give the orders for the discharge of the militia & measures to be taken thereon. will you also give orders to Capt. McComb at Charleston to attend mr Doyley’s experiment, & indeed to try the experiment at the public expence. I have written to Doyley that you would give such orders. as his plan is to set fire to sails & rigging, I presume...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I forwarded to mr Smith, Secretary of the Navy, an extract of so much of my letter to you of Aug. 31. as suggested the idea of artificial harbours for gun boats on the Horse shoe & Middle grounds, with a view to his having their foundation examined to know if they would support works, & their distance ascertained to know what would be their effect. the objects were 1st. to provide an asylum on...
47From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 6 September 1807 (Madison Papers)
The Chevalr. de Foranda has stated in a letter to the Dept. of State, that one thousand dollars having been advanced by Don. H. Salcedo, to Lt. Pike during his late expedition, he requests that the reimbursement may be placed at his disposal. The President gives his sanction to the measure, with an intimation that it be referred to your department for execution. Will you be so obliging as to...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the letters of mr Granger & mr J. Nicholas, by the latter of which you will see that an Indian rupture in the neighborhood of Detroit becomes more probable if it has not already taken place. I see in it no cause for changing the opinion given in mine of Aug. 28. but on the contrary strong reason for hastening the measures therein recommended. we must make ever memorable examples...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 2 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Aug. 28. on the dispositions of the Indians was to go the rounds of all our brethren, & to be finally sent to you with their separate opinions. I think it probable therefore that the inclosed extract of a letter from a priest at Detroit to Bishop Carroll may reach you as soon or sooner than that. I therefore forward it, because it throws rather a different light on the...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Madison will have written to you on the subject of a demand of 1000. D. furnished to Lieutt. Pike to be repaid to Foronda, which of course must come out of the military fund. I inclose you an application from mr Graham for a commission in the army for a mr Lithgow, relation of mr Henderson who sollicits it, & who I think has a just claim for the gratification. I inclose you also a letter...
51From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I had had the letter of mr Jouett of July 6. from Chickago, & that from Govr. Hull of July 14. from Detroit under consideration some days, when the day before yesterday I recieved that of the Governor of July 25. While it appeared that the workings among the Indians of that neighborhood proceeded from their prophet chiefly, & that his endeavors were directed to the restoring them to their...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14th. & 15th. were recieved yesterday. the former is now returned. I shall, in answer to mr Nicholas, say that we cannot lend arms but to Volunteers training for immediate service, & that as to a deposit in his neighborhood, we shall in due time take up that subject generally when just attention will be paid to that section of our country. our separation at this time having been...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had time since writing to you this day, to write the letter to mr Nicholas, & to have it copied, I inclose you the copy. PHi : Daniel Parker Papers.
54From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you all the papers recieved in yours of the 9th. except Morrison’s letter on the subject of Alston, which altho’ expressed to be confidential, I send to mr Hay under that injunction, merely for his information, should there be other bearings on the same point. in my conscience I have no doubt as to his participation. to your papers I add some others. particularly respecting the...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 11 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the day before yesterday I informed you that to comply with a request of Govr. Cabell I had undertaken to lay down rules of intercourse with the British vessels, at first intended for Capt Decatur only, but afterwards extended with equal power to the officer commanding by land, so that each should have equal power to send & recieve flags. I now send you a copy of that letter. since...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 7th. with the proposition for substituting 32,000. twelve month volunteers instead of 15,000. regulars as a disposeable force, and I like the idea much. it will of course be a subject of consideration when we all meet again, but I repeat that I like it greatly. On some occasion, a little before I left Washington, when we were together (all, I think except mr...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 7 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I dare say that Purcell’s map must be of value, and it would be well if his representatives would publish it. but whether worth your purchase & at what price Genl. Wilkinson might perhaps satisfy you. I shall write to Marentille that if you think it worth while to give him 50,000 D. for his project, you will inform him. in the contrary case it may be put away in your pigeon hole of projects....
58From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes of consultations. 1807. July 26 Norfolk. agreed that all the militia at this place, & on both sides of James river be dismissed, except 1. an artillery company to serve the spare guns at Norfolk and to be trained to their management. 2. a troop of cavalry to patrole the country in the vicinity of the squadron, as well to cut off their supplies as to give notice of any sudden danger, to...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved certain information that the British vessels have retired from Hampton road. whether they will only join their companions in the bay & remain there or go off is yet to be seen. it gives me real pain to believe that circumstances still require your presence here. I have had a consultation this day with our collegues on that subject, and we have all but one opinion on...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 7th. since that we learn that the Bellona & Leopard remaining in Hampton Road, the other two vessels have returned to the capes of Chesapeak where they have been reinforced by another frigate and a sloop of war we know not from whence. this induces us to suppose they do not mean an immediate attack on Norfolk; but to retain their present position till further orders from...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering that gun-boats will enter very materially into the system of defence for New-York, I have thought that Commodore Rogers (who is proceeding to that place on other business) from his peculiar acquaintance with their operation & effect, might be useful as an associate in your examination of the place and the determinations to be formed. his opinions on that part of the subject will...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 7 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you copies of 2 letters sent by express from Capt Decatur. by these you will percieve that the British Commanders have their foot on the threshold of War. they have begun the blockade of Norfolk; have sounded the passage to the town, which appears practicable for three of their vessels, & menace an attack on the Chesapeake and Cybele. these with 4. gunboats form the present defence,...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sincerely sorry that I am obliged to ask your attendance here without a moments avoidable delay. the capture of the Chesapeake by a British ship of war renders it necessary to have all our council together. I do not suppose it will detain you long from rejoining mrs Dearborne. the mail is closing. Affectte. salutations. Privately owned.
64From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 22 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I suggest to you the following, as some of the ideas which might be expressed by Genl. Wilkinson in answering Govr. Salcedo’s letter. The introductory and concluding sentiments will best flow from the General’s own feelings of the personal standing between himself & Govr. Salcedo. ‘On the transfer of Louisiana by France to the US. according to it’s boundaries when possessed by France, the...
65From William Marshall to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The president of the United States of America. To Thomas Jefferson, Robert Smith, Henry Dearborne or either of them who may have the papers—hereinafter mentioned or any of them within his or their keeping or power. You are hereby commanded to appear before the Judges of the circuit court of the United States, for the fifth circuit, in the Virginia District in the city of Richmond, at the Court...
66From Richard Ridgway to James Madison, 2 May 1807 (Madison Papers)
Whereas our Friend and acquaintance Richard Carter Junr. having a prospect of making application for the Registers office in the new Land office to be opened for the sale of the lands lying west of the Tuscaraway and between the United states Militirry tract and the Connecticut reserve, and calling on us for our approbation, These are to certyfy that to the best of our knowledg Richard Carter...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the nominations of Gansevoort and Forsyth approved. I send you also a letter from a mr Shaw who asks emploiment, & one from a Lieutt. Sebastian to whom I will ask you to give an answer, if one be proper. your letters of the 11th. 14th. & 16th. were recieved yesterday only, by the missing certainly of more than one mail. with respect to the office of librarian, I have thought it...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Many officers of the army being involved in the offence of intending a military enterprize against a nation at peace with the US. to remove the whole, without trial, by the paramount authority of the Executive, would be a proceeding of unusual severity. some line must therefore be drawn to separate the more from the less guilty. the only sound one which occurs to me is between those who...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 14 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes Genl. Dearborne with friendship and communicates the following information from Capt. Lewis, which may be useful to Colo. Freeman and our future explorers, and indeed may enable us understandingly to do acceptable things to our Louisiana neighbors when we wish to gratify them. he says the following are the articles in highest value with them. 1. blue beads. this is a...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The H. of Representves. ask what particular ports are proposed to be furnished with gunboats, & how many to each. I will give a list of the ports, but instead of saying how many to each, I will throw them into groupes as below, & say how many boats to each groupe. will you be so good as to state how many you would think necessary for each of the ports below mentd. to give them a reasonable...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 15 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you letters from Genl. Wilkinson, of Dec. 9. these, & some recd. from Govr. Claiborne render it necessary to take certain measures into consideration. not knowing whether mr Gallatin will be well enough to come out to day, I have written to him to say that if he is, and will call on me early, I will, on his arrival ask the favor of the other gentlemen to come for the purpose of...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returned to Genl. Dearborne yesterday the letter of mr John Randolph, to which he thinks some of the following ideas might enter into the answer, to wit that the military establishment of the US. being known, it is only necessary to observe that it is nearly full; that a considerable portion of it is necessarily retained at the several forts & posts of the US to preserve them &...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to Genl. Dearborne the draught of his message to Congress, of which he asks his careful examination & to be favored with the alterations which may occur to him on a separate paper. H. Dearborn has looked over & considered the enclosed, without observing any thing that he can consider as a difect, or requiring alteration. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
74From 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...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very happy you have been able to find an Agent for the Chickasaws on such good recommendation and so promising an appearance as mr Wright, and entirely approve of his appointment. Majr. Fortier has not appeared here. Our post is not well organised. tho’ two mails a week on Mondays & Wednesdays leave Washington for Milton, yet both leave Milton on the same day, Saturday. so that tho’ you...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his friendly salutations to General Dearborne returns him the Duplicate of the Spanish letter, with a translation, and wishes for his health & happiness. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson. To the good understanding which happily reigns between his Catholic Majesty & the US of America, which it is my duty to preserve (according to the orders I have from the Captain General on...
77From James Madison to Henry Dearborn, 9 May 1806 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
§ To Henry Dearborn. 9 May 1806, Department of State. “It being determined to forward to Tunis Six brass field pieces, 6 pounders, with the necessary carriages & apparatus, I have the honor to propose, that six of those in the hands of Mr. Foxall, belonging to the war Department, should be appropriated to this purpose; and that, if they can be spared, the carriages and apparatus should be...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The substance of what was agreed on yesterday, was I think as follows. I. the 2. bomb-vessels & 2. gunboats built by Commodore Preble are to go immediately to Charleston, there to take gunboat No. 1. & proceed, the 3. gunboats into L. Pontchartrain, & the 2. bomb vessels to N. Orleans. to these are to be added other gunboats from the Ohio, or the Mediterranean so as to keep a force of 6. boats...
79From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In expectation that further information would give us a more distinct view of the course which our foreign affairs are likely to take, I have kept unanswered the letter of Capt Shallus & others covering resolutions of the 1st. light infantry company of the 1st. Brigade of the 1st. division of Pensylvania militia, offering their service to their country if necessary and asking the honour of...