1To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 16 May 1777 (Adams Papers)
Matters in our part of the continent are too much in quiet to send you news from hence. Our battalions for the Continental service were some time ago so far filled as rendered the recommendation of a draught from the militia hardly requisite, and the more so as in this country it ever was the most unpopular and impracticable thing that could be attempted. Our people even under the monarchical...
2To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1777 (Adams Papers)
Albemarle, Va., 21 August 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:27–29. Jefferson suggested applying for a loan from the Grand Duke of Tuscany, who reportedly had a considerable hoard of crowns in his treasury. Philip Mazzei was recommended as a suitable agent to negotiate the loan. Jefferson...
3To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 17 December 1777 (Adams Papers)
Williamsburg, Va., 17 December 1777. RC ( Adams Papers ); printed : Jefferson, Papers The Papers of Thomas Jefferson , ed. Julian P. Boyd and others, Princeton, 1950-. , 2:120–121. Noting that Virginia had ratified the Articles of Confederation, Jefferson described the concern among some in the state over Art. 9, which gave power to the congress to enter into treaties of commerce. Opponents...
4To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, [21 June 1776?] (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society This note has probably far more importance than appears on the surface, because the likelihood is that Jefferson enclosed with it his draft of the Declaration of Independence. The evolution of that document has undergone repeated and microscopic analysis. A number of minor questions remain unanswered, but the general outline is clear. On June 7 the issue of...
5Proposal for the Great Seal of the United States, [before 14 August 1776] (Franklin Papers)
On July 4, 1776, Franklin, John Adams, and Jefferson were named as a committee to suggest a seal. Each man proposed designs, and one of Jefferson’s closely resembled Franklin’s. In addition the painter Pierre Du Simitière, who had been called in as a consultant, produced a version of his own. A letter from John Adams of August 14 described the various proposals; hence Franklin’s had been...
6To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress The bearer hereof Mr. Thomas Shores is a native of Virginia and having lately, in conjunction with some others established a partnership for the purpose of carrying on a trade to Europe, he comes to France on behalf of his house to establish a proper mercantile correspondence. I am less acquainted with him than his partners...
7To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 5 October 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Library of Congress; AL (draft): Monroe Memorial Foundation The bearer hereof Colo James Monroe who served some time as an officer in the American army and as such distinguished himself in the affair of Princetown as well as on other occasions, having resumed his studies, comes to Europe to complete them. Being a citizen of this state, of abilities, merit & fortune, and my particular...
8To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 3 January 1783 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Library of Congress I arrived at this place a few days ago expecting to have proceeded to Europe in the vessel which carries Count Rochambaud & the Chevalr. de Chastellux; but it sails before I can be ready. I shall follow however in a very few days, & may possibly be with you as soon as this. Conscious that I can add no good to the commission,...
9To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1779 (Washington Papers)
I have the pleasure to enclose you the particulars of Colo. Clarkes success against St Vincenne as stated in his letter but lately received the messenger with his first letter having been killed. I fear it will be impossible for Colo. Clarke to be so strengthened as to enable him to do what he desires indeed the express who brought this letter gives us reason to fear St Vincenne is in danger...
10To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed Copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons and in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his Capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was...
11To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of begging leave of your Excellency to forward the enclosed by the first flag which may happen to be going into New york. They are addressed to [a] good man in distress which I am sure will apologize with you for my asking your intervention. I am with the greatest respect your Excellencys mos. obdt & most hbl. servt Copy, DLC : Jefferson Papers. GW replied to Jefferson from...
12To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
On receipt of your letter of August 6th during my absence the Council had the irons taken off the prisoners of war. When your advice was asked we meant it should decide with us: and upon my return to Williamsburg the matter was taken up and the enclosed advice given. A parole was formed of which the enclosed is a copy and tendered to the prisoners. They objected to that part of it which...
13To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
Just as the letter accompanying this was going off Colo. Mathews arrived on parole from New York by the way of head quarters bringing your Excellencys letter on [t]his subject with that of the British Commissary of prisoners. The subject is of great importance & I must therefore reserve myself to answer after further consideration. Were I to speak from present impressions I should say it was...
14To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1779 (Washington Papers)
In mine of the second of the present month written in the instant of Colo. Mathews delivery of your letter I informed you what had been done on the subject of Governor Hamilton & his companions previous to that moment. I now enclose you an advice of council in consequence of the letter you were pleased to enclose me from the British commissary of prisoners with one from Lord Rowdon. also a...
15To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, & those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. the resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
16To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 December 1779 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of putting under cover to your Excellency, some Letters to Generals Philips & Reidesel, uninformed whether they are gone into New York or not, and knowing that you can best forward them in either Case. I also trouble you with a Letter from the Master of the Flag in this State to the British Commissary of Prisoners in New York, trusting it will thus be more certainly conveyed...
17To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 February 1780 (Washington Papers)
It is possible you may have heard that in the course of the last summer an expedition was mediated by our Colonel Clarke against Detroit; that he had proceeded so far as to rendezvous a very large body of Indians (I beleive four or five thousand) at Saint-Vincennes; but being disappointed in the number of whites he expected, and not chusing to rely principally on the Indians, was obliged to...
18To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 March 1780 (Washington Papers)
Since writing to your Excellency on the subject of the expedition against Detroit, the want of men, want of money & difficulty of procuring provisions, with some other reasons more cogent if possible & which cannot be confided to a letter, have obliged us to decline that object. I thought it therefore necessary to notify this to your Excellency that no expectations of our undertaking it may...
19To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 11 June 1780 (Washington Papers)
Majr Galvan as recommended by your Excellency was dispatched to his station without delay, and has been furnished with every thing he desired as far as we were able. the line of expresses formed between us is such as will communicate intelligence from the one to the other in twenty three hours. I have forwarded to him information of our disasters in the South as they have come to me. Our...
20To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 July 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have received from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters three letters calling for aids of men & provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them of this date on those subjects. I thought it necessary however to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men: for tho’ they are to supply our battalions, yet as our whole line of officers almost are in...
21To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 [letter not found] (Washington Papers)
Letter not found : from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1780 . On 14 Aug. , GW wrote Jefferson: “I have been honoured with Your Excellency’s favor of the 22 of July.”
22To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
In obedience to the act of our assembly, a copy of which I now do myself the honor of inclosing you, I am, in the name of the General assembly, “to request you to proclaim pardon to all deserters from the Virginia line of the continental army, who shall within two months after the publication of the act” (which took place about a week ago) “return to their several companies, if on land, & if...
23To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
Agreeable to the resolutions of Congress of January 13. 1780, we have turned over to the Continental Commissary of Prisoners at Winchester forty prisoners of war, a roll of whom I now take the liberty of enclosing to your Excellency. I have the Honor to be with all possible respect & esteem Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble servt LS , DLC:GW ; LB , UkLoBM : Add. MSS 38650; copy,...
24To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, c.29 August 1780 (Washington Papers)
At the request of General Hamilton I transmit you Letters from General Specht and himself, to Generals Philips and Reidesal, and a state of the deficiencies of provisions furnished to the barracks. I have no reason to doubt the truth of the state they send, so far as it may be understood of animal food, for of meal they have had alway enough, but in justice to ourselves must assure you that...
25To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 3 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
As I know the anxieties you must have felt since the late misfortune to the South, and our latter accounts have not been quite so unfavorable as the first, I take the liberty of inclosing you a state of this unlucky affair extracted from letters from General Gates, Genl Stevens, & Govr Nash, and taken as to some circumstances from an officer who was in the action. another army is collecting....
26To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
I yesterday forwarded to you a letter from Colo. Wood informing you of his situation. That Post has been for some time past pretty regularly supplyed, and I hope will continue so to be for some time to come. A Person whose punctuality can be relied on offers to contract for victualling it. If We can agree on terms, and the Assembly will Strengthen our Hands Sufficiently, We think to adopt that...
27To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter from Ld Cornwallis to Colo. Balfour was sent me by Govr Rutledge: lest you should not have seen it I do myself the pleasure of transmitting it, with a letter of Genl Harrington to Genl Gates giving information of some late movements of the Enemy. I was honored yesterday with your favor of the 5th inst. on the Subject of Prisoners, and particularly of Lt Govr...
28To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I have this morning received certain information of the Arrival of a hostile fleet of about Sixty Sail in our bay. the debarkation of some light Horse in the Neighbourhood of Portsmouth, seems to indicate that, as the first scene of their action. we are endeavouring to collect as large a body to oppose them as we can arm: this will be lamentably inadequate if the Enemy be in any force; it is...
29To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 25 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you Letters from Genl Hamilton for New York. On some representations received by Colo. Towles that an indulgence to Govenor Hamilton and his Companions to go to New York on parole would produce the happiest effect on the situation of our Officers in Long Island We have given him, Majr Hay & some of the same Party at Winchester leave to go there on Parole: The...
30To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Executive of this State think it expedient and necessary that under our present circumstances the prisoners of war under the Convention of Saratoga be removed from their present situation. Many circumstances have led to this necessity. It will be utterly impracticable as long as they remain with us to prevent the hostile army now in this State from being reinforced by numerous desertions...