61From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is represented to me on the part of a person of the name of Solomon Sessum living at Tarburgh in N. Caroline, in independant circumstances, but himself & wife both old, that Roderick Sessums their son was, in the year 1795, during a fit of intoxication, enlisted by a Captn. Rickard then recruiting in that quarter. that being at Natchez in 1800, when his time was to expire, the father with...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with pleasure the letter of Capt Davidson by which, according to unanimous resolves of the company of light infantry of the first legion of the militia of Columbi a commanded by him, he tenders their services as volunteers under the act of Congress of Feb. 24. 1807 I accept the offer and render to Capt. Davidson & the other officers & privates of the company that praise to which...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from mr Jackson of Tennissee, formerly a Senator from that state on the subject of Colo. Butler. he is a man of great integrity and respectability; carried sometimes beyond strict reason by an overwarm and excellent heart. another from judge Campbell on the subject of Doctr. Vandyke. I also return the one from him to you covering mine. on the subject of the robbery...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Considering that the important thing is to get the militia classed so that we may get at the young for a year’s service at a time, and that training may be supplied after they are called out, I think we may give up every part of the bill which respects training & arming. let us once get possession of the principle, & future Congresses will train & arm. in this way we get rid of all those...
65From 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...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the day before. with respect to the slanders in which the two mr Hunts were implicated, I assure you on my sacred honour that I never heard one word uttered but from mr Granger and one other person, who does not reside in this part of the country, nor is any way connected with the government; and the sole object of his communicating with me was to engage me...
67From 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...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
About a twelvemonth after we came into the administration we learnt by a letter from mr Simpson that our predecessors had promised to the Emperor of Marocco 100. gun carriages. you have known most of the unlucky circumstances which have baffled our execution of it. the last however is but recently known. we had desired mr Simpson to have them made in Europe, or to offer the value to the...
69From 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....
70From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I possibly could after my arrival here, I prepared the general instructions for our mission up the Arkansa & Red rivers, but could not make a fair copy of them in time for the last post. they are inclosed in the letter to mr Dunbar which I send open for your perusal, and then to be forwarded to him. it will enable you to see and to supply what is deficient, and to alter whatever on...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much pleased to find that the Choctaws agree to sell us their country on the Missisipi, and think we ought to accept it to any extent they will agree to, only taking care the price be not too high. they are poor; and will probably sell beyond what will pay their debts, so as to be entitled to an annual pension, which is one of the best holds we can have on them. their strength & the...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you letters from P. Choteau & a mr Hay giving information of Capt Lewis. the information given by the former of the combination forming among the Machicoux (the Indians about Michigan I presume) is worthy attention. I wonder neither Governr. Harrison nor Wells have noted it. if true it may be proper for us to send a talk to each of the tribes, explaining our real intentions as to...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 16 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Govr. Tatnall and petition from the inhabitants over the Cherokee boundary, on a subject which Colo. Wafford had before presented to us , renders it necessary to advert again to it. I think we have had some information from our Commissioners of the unsuccessful endeavors they used, according to our instructions, to obtain indulgence for these settlers, but I do not...
74From 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...
75From 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...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to consider & direct how the 3000. D. may be apportioned in the details of the Arcansa expedition ? to wit how much for pay, for instruments & other articles of outfit which cannot be furnished from the military fund, & how much may be laid out in light articles for barter & presents to the Indians. this last article should be made as large as the fund will admit....
77From 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...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary at War & Secretary of the Navy to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the H. of representatives of May 3. 1802. desiring a statement of expenditures from Jan. 1. 1797. by the Quarter Master Genl. the Navy agents, for the Contingencies of the Naval & Military establishments and the Navy contracts for timber &...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The guarding our arms at New London & Manchester stands on totally different ground. the former was at my request, delivered verbally to Governor Monroe about the 15th. of April 1801. certainly not a week sooner or later. the latter was in the time of the insurrection of their slaves and no more chargeable to the Union than the other expences of their militia on that occasion. I should have...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just making the last arrangements for my departure. the inclosed proposition of Monsr. Dupont for the purification of our Saltpetre being of some magnitude I have thought it best to forward his letter to you, that you may decide on it yourself, and give him an answer. we have nothing material from Europe except the communication from his Britannic Majesty that understanding we were...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much pleased with both the ideas suggested by Lyons , viz. 1. to proceed from Knoxville direct through the Cherokee Creek & Choctaw country to Natchez. 2. to encourage individuals to make terms with the Indians on their private account for establishing farms along the line at every 15. or 30. or 45. miles distance as can be obtained. but instead of going from Knoxville to Natchez in a...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of July 1. from Govr. Lewis recieved from the war office by the last post. It presents a full, & not a pleasant view of our Indian affairs West of the Misipi. as the punishment of the Osages has been thought necessary, the means employed appear judicious. first to draw off the friendly part of the nation, & then withdrawing the protection of the US. leave the other...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Aaron Goff of Vermont praying the release of his son under age. the fact of infancy being established, the discharge becomes a matter of right. I have the pleasure to inform you that William Clarke accepts with great glee the office of going with Capt Lewis up the Missouri. in the moment of my departure from Washington mrs Madison informed me you had a thought...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 23 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking from our last Census the number of 384,554 free white males of the age of 16. and under 26. and distributing them according to their ages by Buffon’s table they stand thus. between 16. and 18. 80,405. not of military age in their 19th year 39,591
85From 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...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There is a subject on which I wished to speak with you before I left Washington; but an apt occasion did not occur. it is that of your continuance in office. perhaps it is as well to submit my thoughts to you by letter. the present summer is too important, in point of preparation, to leave your department unfilled, for any time, as I once thought might be done: and it would be with extreme...
87From John Langdon Sibley to Henry Dearborn, 12 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Extract of a letter from Mr. John Sibley dated Natchitoches Octr. 12. 1808. Every thing in this quarter is quiet. the Season is healthy and very great crops of every thing. No occurrence amongst the Indians worthy of notice. Every body wishes the Embargo raised; but not untill the object for which it was layed is affected; or it is found insufficient to affect it. The late events in Spain seem...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23. is recieved & I learn with pleasure that mrs Dearborne & yourself will ere long be with us. there are three routes by which you may come. 1. that by Fredericksburg, which is 20. miles the furthest, the worst road, & after you pass Fredericksburg as badly off for stages as any other & a miserable uninteresting country. of the other two to wit, by Stephensbg, & by the...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Smith the writer of one of the inclosed letters is the republican […] in the place of Page lately elected to Congress in Virginia. a man of very great respectability. setting that aside, our service is not so urgent as to render it necessary to drag sons from their fathers. the affection of citizens to their government is worth cultivating as it’s best support. these considerations would...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been able to give the inclosed so little time that the suggestions of alteration which I make are merely for your consideration. in order to keep the subject clear I would propose to transpose the paragraphs so as to touch 1st. on their Civil powers generally. 2d. intrusions on land. 3. the military. 4. the militia. for this purpose I suggest something like the following. Section 1. to...