48251Commission for Harry Innes, 29 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Williamsburg ], 29 Sep. 1779 . Appointing Innes “a Commissioner, in the room of David Robinson, for executing in Montgomery and Washington District, the Act of Assembly entituled ‘An Act for adjusting and settling the titles of Claimers to unpatented Lands under the present and former Government previous to the establishment of the Commonwealths and Office.’” MS ( PPAP ); in a clerk’s hand,...
48252Petition of James McClurg to the Governor and Council of Virginia, 18 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A Petition from the Director and Surgeons of the Virginia Hospitals to the Governor and Council The Petitioners beg leave to acquaint this honorable board, that the resolution of Assembly, which establish’d Hospitals for the relief of the sick and wounded in the service of this state, gave to the Director and Surgeons of those Hospitals a genteel and liberal allowance, for Devoting their time...
48253To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 24 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By a vessel decoyed in here yesterday bound from New York to Savannah we learn that she sailed from the Hook the latter end of December in company with a fleet of about 90 sail, bound to Georgia, with Troops on board, the number uncertain or who commands, of which 6 were line of Battle ships besides one 54 one 40 and one frigate, and that she parted with them off Cape Hatteras in a storm. It...
48254To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 30 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I did myself the honor to address your Excellency on the 24th. our frigates have returned from a short cruize. By what they discovered, and the information of the Prisoners taken on board two sloops, part of the fleet with about 45 Dragoons on board, (their horses were shipped in the same Vessels, but were all lost on the passage but two) which were brought in by them, the enemy are now...
48255From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you by Col. Digges (the first opportunity which has occurred) Mr. Wythe’s and my arguments in Bolling vs Bolling bound up together. The former are valuable in themselves, the latter to none but myself; but being so to myself, I am induced to recommend the book to your particular care. It will enable you better to foresee your adversary’s objections, than to answer them. Give me leave to...
48256From Thomas Jefferson to John Fitzgerald, 9 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Being much distressed for Cartridge boxes, and cartridge paper for muskets (most particularly the latter article) we find it necessary to purchase up immediately as much of both as we can. Having no particular agent in the neighborhood of Alexandria, we take the liberty of asking your exertions on behalf of the public on this occasion; and have hopes that in Alexandria and Baltimore you may be...
48257To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Lewis, 19 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed that arms and other warlike stores are preparing to be sent via the Head of Elk and Cheseapeake Bay into the State of North Carolina for its immediate defence, the board beg leave to solicit your Excellencys complyance with the enclosed requisition. The Vessels expences while upon this service, is to be defrayed by the United States. For the Accomplishment of this Service,...
48258From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley, 21 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been reported impracticable for want of provisions to carry into execution the expedition proposed against the Indians the executive have appointed adopted the defensive plan of which you will find explained in the within advice of council . As you will readily collect from it the part which is to be carried into execution by your county, I have only to desire that you will...
48259From Thomas Jefferson to William Campbell, 22 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Orders have been sent to the county lieutenants of Montgomery and Washington, to furnish 250 of their militia to proceed in conjunction with the Carolinians against the Chickamoggas. You are hereby authorized to take command of the said men. Should the Carolinians not have at present such an expedition in contemplation, if you can engage them to concur as volunteers, either at their own...
48260From Thomas Jefferson to William Preston, 22 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my Letter directing the Guards from the Lead mines to escort the ammunition to Kentucky, I am informed that those men have not arms. Should this be the case it will be necessary that they should either be furnished with arms public or private or that a guard of the militia from the counties of Montgomery and Washington should go, the numbers from each county to be furnished in proportion...
48261From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Specific Tax for Albemarle County, 26 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
You are hereby appointed Commissioners for the purpose of carrying into execution in the county of Albemarle the act of the present session of Assembly, for procuring a supply of provisions, and other necessaries for the use of the army.—Your duties are so clearly defined in the act, that inclosing you a copy, little need be added by me. We shall desire from your county all the articles...
48262From Thomas Jefferson to [James Buchanan?], 30 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer waits on you with a small cart for one of the casks of wine you have been so kind as to receive for me. I shall send him a second time for the other. I am Sir Your most obedt. servt., RC (The Dumfries Burgh Museum Observatory, Dumfries, Scotland, A. E. Truckell, Curator, 1954; MS at present on loan at ViU ); recipient unidentified, but possibly he was Buchanan, with whom TJ traded...
48263From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Specific Tax for Albemarle County, 13 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the instructions given you in my letter of 26th. June to carry the Salted meats you should collect to Richmond circumstances have taken place which render it necessary to carry that article also to the barracks in Albemarle, there to be delivered to the issuing Commissary, which you will accordingly be pleased to do. I am Yr. hble Servt. RC ( ViHi ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ;...
48264From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 29 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
This badge has renewed with us all the story of the consultation of Doctors on the case of the broken leg which was cured in an instant by binding with rope yarn. Madison was with me the day I received your letter, which I read to him and produced the figure and inscription of the badge. He laughed so that it was long before he could speak to me. He then told me that he had at one time a...
48265From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Berkeley, 2 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
More precise information of the force invading the enemy enables us to dispense with the aid of your militia required by my Letter of Octo: 22, as we also do with that of all the other counties north of Rappahanock and the proprietary line. We have thought it best to countermand the militia of those counties because they are farthest from the present scene of invasion, and because this may...
48266From Thomas Jefferson to Commissioners of the Specific Tax for Albemarle County, 14 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly on their meeting, having found it necessary to authorise the Executive to take measures for laying up a store of beef for the subsistence of the army and militia: We have appointed Col. Richard Morris to superintend and direct this very important operation. I heartily wish it had been in our power to have entered on it sooner, as in that case Col. Morris could have...
48267To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 27 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Washington county, 27 Nov. 1780 . He sends extracts from originals in his possession “to elucidate Col. Clarke’s letter, and may shew the world what kind of beings we are contending with,” these extracts including the following: A letter from Cornwallis to Major [Patrick] Ferguson, 23 Sep. 1780, saying he had heard from Lt. Col. Cruger that he had arrived in time to save Brown, had retaken the...
48268To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 5 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By recent intelligence from the Cherokee country, it appears that the whole of the towns had agreed in a late treaty with our enemies to the southward, to take up the hatchet, and attack the inhabitants of Virginia and Carolina, settled on the back of the mountains, immediately; which country was to be given them by the King over the great water, besides a stipulated quantity of goods for...
48269To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 15 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 15 Dec. 1780 . Introducing “the Marquis de Laval and the Count de Custine, two Officers of rank in M. de Rochambeau’s Army; and of the first distinction in France.” RC ( NNP ); 1 p. See La Luzerne to TJ, 18 Dec. 1780 , note.
48270From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 18 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai pris les informations nécessaires pour connoitre les rades d’ou les vaisseaux de guerre François qu’on stationneroit cet hiver dans notre Baye pourroient proteger le plus efficacement son commerce, etre le plus en sureté et avoir la meilleure retraite. Celles d’ Hampton et d’ York sont les seules qui commandent l’entrée de la Chesapeak; aucun vaisseau ne peut y pénétrer sans être vu de...
48271From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Griffin, 31 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marquis de La Val and Count des Custine two noblemen of distinction, and Brigadiers general in the French army at Rhode island will be passing through Williamsburg. Being particularly recommended to me by the French minister and our delegates in Congress I beg leave to recommend them to your civilities while in Williamsburg. I am with great esteem Sir Your most obedt. humble servt. RC...
48272[From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, ca. 15 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, ca. 15 Jan. 1781 . Letter not found, but the following clearly elliptical version of it appears in a Virginia Militia Order Book for Dec. Jan. 1781 (ViU-McG): “The Genl. takes this Oppertunity to Inform the Troops before they Separate that he has been honour’d with a letter from his excellency the Governour of which the following is an extract—I beg leave in the behalf of my...
48273From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, 4 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Davies has written to me for some tent-poles , but has not mentioned the number. I suppose however that 75 will do [for] him: be pleased to have them made immediately. Are the 48 tents brought in which were in the hands of the state garrison regiment. I observe 14 also were delivered to Wm. Jones for Majr. McGill’s corps, the same regiment I suppose. All these should be delivered to Mr....
48274From Thomas Jefferson to George Muter, [11 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
The Quarter master reported to me yesterday that he had two covered waggons ready. He was ordered to send them to Cabbin Point. If they are gone they had better be recalled to take in the ammunition to be sent. I think it would be best to take Majr. Pryor’s receipt for what is so delivered. If he declines giving one, the receipt of the field Q. M. at camp (George Elliot or his deputy) should...
48275To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, Jr., 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment receiv’d a Letter from Colo. Dabney Commandant of the Posts below, a Copy of which I have the pleasure to send you. Nothing could have happened more fortunately for us. The utmost expedition is necessary to enable us to cooperate with this Fleet. Should they be disappointed in their expectation, it will dis[coura]ge them from affording us future assistance. I propose to go...
48276To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 4 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote your Excellency by Capt. Calender and then expected to have compleated my Arrangements by to-night; and to have marched to-morrow. I have been delayed several days waiting for the Lowden Men which are now crossing the river. To my very great astonishment not more than 170 Men will come from that County. Colo. Clapham who comes from that place, will inform your Excellency more...
48277To Thomas Jefferson from La Luzerne, 23 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir l’annonce de l’éxpedition prochaine d’une Seconde Escadre destinée à coopérer avec les forces des treize Etats Contre l’Ennemi commun. Il est impossible d’assigner l’époque de Son arrivée sur les cotes de ce Continent, mais je présume qu’elle ne sera pas eloignée lorsque Vous recevres ma lettre. J’ai crû devoir faire part confidentiellement de cette nouvelle à Votre...
48278From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Tax for Albemarle County, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The law requiring that the tobacco notes received by you in payment of the two per cent. tax, under the act of October 1780, for recruiting our quota of continental troops, should be transmitted to the Executive, you will be pleased to transmit them accordingly, so soon as they shall be received, the tobacco being much, and immediately wanted, to provide clothing for the soldiers. Any...
48279To Thomas Jefferson from Mann Page, 27 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This Morning Lieutenant Henry Bell of the third Regiment of Dragoons came to my House with an armed Force, and under your Impress Warrant, granted to Genl. Greene, upon his crossing Dan River, demanded an Entrance into my Stables. I informed him that your Warrant was designed to extend only to those Counties which were then contiguous to the Enemy, and ought not now to be executed in these...
48280To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 3 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your Favour to Day , and am sorry I cannot return a positive Answer. It would give me real Satisfaction to contribute in the least towards the Service of the Public, but many unfortunate Circumstances operate strongly against the present Undertaking. The Vicinity of the Enemy, my Engagements at College, and add to this, my real poverty which will not admit of my procuring the...
48281To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Henry Lee, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Whitlock found me with the Militia on the Shore of Potomac where we had a very warm engagement with a party of the enemy, about 90 men, who landed from two Brigs, a Schooner, and a smaller Vessel under a very heavy cannonade from the Vessels of War. The affair ended by the enemy being forced to reembark with some haste. The loss on our part not any, but there is some reason to suppose that...
48282To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Nelson, Jr., 10 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fontaine, procur’d from this Neighbourhood a number of Horses, upon a supposition, that on the arrival of the Marquis L’Fayette, an attack would be made on the Enemy. That prospect having vanish’d, I must intercede, in favor of the Planters, from whom the Horses were taken, to have them return’d. They were chiefly plough Horses and could be but illy spar’d from their labor, besides I am...
48283To Thomas Jefferson from George Weedon, 9 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed your Excellency in a previous Letter of the Marquis de la Fayettes order to me to assemble a defence in this Quarter for the protection of Potowmac. This Business will be attended with much difficulty as to Arms. I have this day received a Letter from the Board of War in Phila. advising that 1100 Stand had sett off before the date of that Letter 1st. Instant. I had heard of them 8...
48284From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 6 January 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Having unluckily got the blade broke of the sword you were so kind as to lend me I brought it with me to this place and have got a new blade made to the same handle and scabbard. Being just on my departure for Europe I leave it with Mr. Madison one of our delegates who will deliver it to your order. Accept of my sincere thanks for the friendly loan of it and assurances of the esteem & respect...
48285From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 15 August 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desirous of getting from England as soon as possible one of those copying Machines invented there not long since, and of which I dare say you have seen Specimens of it’s Execution in Doctr. Franklin’s Letters, I take the Liberty of asking the favor of you to write thither for one for me, with half a dozen Reams of Paper proper for it. If you can think of this in the first Letter you...
48286XXII. Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 26 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a state of the tickets received by Mr. Wayles and to whom sold. It is taken from two or three states made out by him at different times and corresponding with one another. One of these appears to have been in Colo Byrd’s hands for examination and has some small queries and annotations in his hand writing which shews it to have been approved. Their authenticity is further...
48287XXIII. State of Farell & Jones’ Judgment against John Randolph, [19 December 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
Judgment £241.14. 5 Int: on Judgment from 23d July 68 till 23 Sept: 78 122. 17. 9 364. 12. 2 Put into the hands of Th: J. 1778. Dec. 19 { Recd of Sherif of James City 263.2 } 296. 2 Recd of Mr. Blair 33. £ 68. 10. 2 Pd Mr. Tazewell his fee 4 10 291 12 Carried to the Treasury the instant received, to credit of Farrel & Jones. MS (
48288XXIV. William Jones to Richard Randolph, 31 May 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have wrote ye several letters since the commencement of the late unnatural Destructive War, but have not had one line in return. I had however the satisfaction some time since of hearing that ye was well. Peace being now restored, I flatter myself that the Trade between this Country and America will in some degree return into its old Channells, and that the same happy confidence and...
48289Enclosure: Papers on Spain Received from Edmond Charles Genet, II, 21 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
II Proofs of the Machievelism of the Cabinet of Versailles. Extract of a letter of M. de Vergennes to the Chargé des affaires of France with the US. Versailles. July 21. 1783. ‘The future existence of the Congress presents important questions to discuss, and I foresee that it will be some time before they will be decided. I think as you do, that the preservation of the Congress would suit us;...
48290Election Tally for the Virginia Committee of Safety, [17 August 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( Vi : Third Virginia Convention, Loose Papers); probably in an unidentified hand in part, with the last eight names and numerical totals added by TJ, the dots and check marks being in TJ’s or another hand; undated, but assigned on basis of minutes of the Third Virginia Convention (see below); left margin partly torn away; with inverted and unrelated notation in the hand of John Tazewell,...
48291From Thomas Jefferson to William Bradford, 26 April 1777 (Jefferson Papers)
I am constrained by the subscribers to your paper in this neighborhood to trouble you with information of the uncertainty with which they seem likely to come. The first mail came about ten days ago open and loose, and containing not more than one paper for any subscriber, and none for several. The papers which came were of three several dates. The last mail, which would have been the second,...
48292Memorandum on Paper Money, [October 1777–January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
year. sum in circulatn. rate sum raised 1778. 3,125,000 £ 10/ 500,000 1779. 2,625,000 20/ 1,000,000 1780. 1,625,000 15/ 750,000 1781. 875,000 10/ 500,000
48293Will of Ann Eppes Harris, [1777] (Jefferson Papers)
I Anne Harris of the parish of Southam and county of make the following testamentary disposition of my estate. First I give to my son Joseph and his heirs four hundred acres of the tract of land whereon I live, meaning that the parcel I some time ago conveied to him by deed shall be reckoned part of the said four hundred acres, and that the residue necessary to make up his complement be laid...
48294To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 13 November 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carrington, who is a defendant in the suit, brought by your Relation Jefferson vs. Reade’s administrators , obtained an order at the last court, that he, as being nonresident, should give security for costs at the next Term. Will you be so good, as to inform him of this, if he is within the circle of your correspondence? Be pleased to add, that dismission is the penalty on non compliance...
48295To Thomas Jefferson from Riedesel, 19 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The happiness I have had in becoming acquainted with you, and the many kindnesses I received of you during your short residence at Montichelli, induces me to present you these lines, and my most perfect congratulations on your new Charge as Governor of Virginia, as much Pleasure as it is possible for this event to give you. Such on your account I feel on the occasion, having only to struggle...
48296To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay, 26 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 26 Sep. 1779 . Encloses act of Congress of this date requesting the states to provide the allied forces in America with the men and provisions needed to drive the common enemy from the country and noting that the preamble will sufficiently explain the reason for this requisition. RC ( M-Ar : Revolutionary War Letters); 1 p.; in Henry Brockholst Livingston’s hand, signed by Jay;...
48297To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 28 September 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Give me leave to congratulate my Country on the choice of your Excellency to preside over its welfare. I always saw with very great pleasure that one of whose integrity, talents, and prudence, I had so high an opinion, stood among the foremost in support of our cause. Your Excellency will see by the Papers I have had the honor of transmitting to Governor Henry what I have advanced, and how I...
48298To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Lee, 13 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I am persuaded that when I state to you my situation, you will see the justice and necessity of contriving some immediate means of re-imbursing me the Advances I have made for the State. In consequence of these, the funds in my hands which were to support my Ambassy, are almost entirely exhausted, and Dr. Franklin refuses to supply me out of the funds in his disposal. The consequence of this...
48299To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Hopkins, 28 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The astonishing Depreciation of the Continental Currency having already produced such great Embarresments in our Public measures as are truly Alarming and occasion’d a meeting of the States of New Hampshire, Massts. Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New York in Convention at this place by their Commissioners and Agents, I am directed by them to transmit to you and to each State as far as...
48300Board of Trade to Oliver Pollock, 6 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Board of Trade, 6 Nov. 1779 . The governor has this day directed them to acknowledge the receipt of Pollock’s letter to his predecessor, and they are empowered to authorize him, in case the request to the governor of New Orleans for a loan fails, to draw on Penet, D’Acosta Frères for all of the money he advanced on behalf of the states, except the 2,602 pesos and 4 reales drawn by Captain...