1From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 5 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be pleased to advertise the Tartar for sale at some future day as you propose, as also the Safeguard galley. The Council agrees to suspend the sale of the Lewis Galley till the Assembly shall declare their sense of the matter. We shall be very glad to purchase the ground you speak of above Hoods proper for making a wharf for public use, if the owner shall be willing to sell it for a...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 12 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Letter, giving a very unfavorable account of the situation of [the] Diligence and Accomack gallies, and pointing out the immediate necessity of interposition; I take the liberty of transmitting to you. If it shall be found that both gallies are deserted by the men, it may be worthy consideration whether it woud not be better to bring both to the western shore. I am sir, your very...
3From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 31 August 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of a Letter from Governour Lee. We are very desirous to afford all the cooperation in our power. The brig and such of the boats and two eastern shore gallies as can be equipped we wish to have sent. We therefore think it will be adviseable in you, laying aside all other business, to proceed immediately to hampton or what ever other place you can act from with most energy,...
4[From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 23? October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 23? Oct. 1780. Minute in the Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi) under date of 23 Oct.: “Waited on the Governor and Council in Consequence of a Letter received from his Excellency, and then proceeded to the Shipyard in order to have the state Vessels lying there brought up the River should Occasion require it.” TJ’s letter not located, but see an entry in his memorandum on...
5From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, [8 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
The flagg is to go as soon as we receive some Bills of Exchange to be sent by her, which we daily expect. I think it would be not amiss for her to be taking in her loading, which is to be Flour, Spirit, some Tobacco and the Officers Baggage. Tr in Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy ( Vi ).
6From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, [11 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Money to pay off the Men of the Brig will be ready Friday Evening or Saturday Morning which may be dispatched to them by Express. In the mean time they may be informed of this, and the Brig ordered to be in readiness to proceed down as within proposed Instructions should be given to the Officer commanding on the Cruise to make particular Enquiry whether any persons he may take come within the...
7From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 16 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a plan for building portable Boats recommended from General Washington and shall be glad that you will take measures for having about twenty of them made without delay. I suppose it will be necessary for you to send out in quest of Workmen. Any such which can be engaged shall receive a hire according to the former hard money prices having reasonable attention to the late advances...
8From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of a French naval force will render it necessary for us to put into immediate order for service and to man every Vessel we have capable of rendering any service. You will therefore be pleased to have this done, and to have the Vessels kept in readiness to move at a moment’s warning. You are also desired, having left this matter in a proper train, to proceed yourself and examine the...
9From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to ask the Favor of you to proceed immediately to Hampton to procure a number of the best and most trusty river and Bay Pilots. If you cannot otherwise get them you must force them into the Service. Immediately on your arrival at Hampton wait on the Commanding Officer of his most Christian Majesty’s Fleet to know the Number of Pilots wanting, and to receive and forward by express to me...
10From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have been so unluckily delayed about the Delivery of the Dispatches to the French Commodore and you are exceedingly wanting above I must beg the favour of you to engage some trusty Person to deliver the Letters, finish whatever you have to do, and serve as a guide and advisor to the Gentlemen who were to have gone on Board the French Commodore. Inform that Person in Confidence that the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 13 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to procure immediately a pilot Boat to go as a Flag to Charles Town for the Conveyance of a Letter and to let me know where she shall be ready. I am, &c., FC ( Vi ). See TJ to David Ross, 13 Mch.
12From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 20 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having heard from you for a considerable Time nor knowing where you are, and the matters under your Care at the Shipyard requiring your Presence extremely, the Bearer is sent Express to find you with this Letter. It being necessary that the public armed vessels at the Shipyard fit for Service should be immediately manned; I must desire you to repair them and have them manned by impress or...