1Enclosure: Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short to be in cypher, 23 March 1793 (Washington Papers)
It is intimated to us, in such a way as to attract our attention, that France means to send a strong force early this spring to offer independance to the Spanish American colonies, beginning with those on the Missisipi: & that she will not object to the receiving those on the East side into our confederation, interesting considerations require that we should keep ourselves free to act in this...
2From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 11 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters to you were of the 12th. and 16th. of July. Since that I have recieved yours of Apr. 18. May 5. and June 6. The present occasion does not admit of my entering into particulars on the subject of your letters: I will only inform you therefore generally that the President approves of your proceedings and views. Proceed in the plan your letter of June 6. expresses; we make no other...
3From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 24 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Mar. 18. conveyed to you full powers for treating with Spain on the subjects therein expressed. Since that our attention has been drawn to the case of fugitive debtors and criminals, whereon it is always well that coterminous states should understand one another as far as their ideas on the rightful powers of government can be made to go together. Where they separate the cases may...
4From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of 30 ult. I have received the inclosed paper containing extracts from letters of M. de Montmorin to his court while he was their Ambassador at Madrid. Without pretending to say that they contain the genuine views of Spain towards us, it must be acknoleged that had their views been such, their proceedings would have been exactly what they have been. I have thought it...
5From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 18 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The President having thought proper to appoint you joint Commissioners Plenipotentiary, on the part of the U.S. to treat with the court of Madrid on the subjects of the navigation of the Missisipi, arrangements on our limits, and commerce, you will herewith receive your commission; as also Observations on these several subjects reported to the President and approved by him, which will...
6From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 16 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Blake’s departure being, by the unreadiness of the vessel, put off till this day gives me an opportunity of inclosing you the last letters which have passed between the Chargés des affaires of Spain and myself, and which probably close this subject of correspondence here. I have the honor to be with great respect & esteem Gentlemen Your most obedt. & most humble servt RC ( DLC : Short...
7From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 9 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress rises tomorrow. Your successor will not be appointed till they meet in December. Consequently he cannot go till the next spring. RC ( DLC : Short Papers); entirely in code, except for date, having interlinear decoding in Short’s hand; at head of text (also in code): “private.” PrC ( DLC ); accompanied by text en clair in TJ’s hand. Decoding verified by Editors, employing partially...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, Thomas Pinckney, and William Short, 26 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The public papers giving us reason to believe that the war is becoming nearly general in Europe, and that it has already involved nations, with which we are in daily habits of commerce and friendship, the President has thought it proper to issue the Proclamation of which I enclose you a copy, in order to mark out to our citizens the line of conduct they are to pursue. That this intimation,...
9From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 31 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letters of Oct. 14. and Nov. 3. 1792, I communicated to you, papers and Observations, on the conduct of the Spanish Officers on our South Western frontier, and particularly of the Baron de Carondelet, the Governor of New Orleans. These made it evident that he had industriously excited the Southern Indians to war against us, and had furnished them with Arms and Ammunition, in abundance,...
10From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 14 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letters of March 18th. and April 24. (which have been retarded so unfortunately) another subject of Conference and Convention with Spain, has occurred. You know that the frontiers of her Provinces as well as of our States, are inhabited by Indians holding justly the right of occupation, and leaving to Spain and to us only the claim of excluding other nations from among them, and of...
11From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 3 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 14th. of last Month, since which, some other incidents and documents have occurred, bearing relation to the subject of that letter. I, therefore, now inclose you a duplicate of that letter. From these papers you will find that we have been constantly endeavoring by every possible means to keep peace with the Creeks; that, in order to do this, we have even suspended and still...
12From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 23 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It is intimated to us, in such a way as to attract our attention, that France means to send a strong force early this spring to offer independance to the Spanish American colonies, beginning with those on the Missisipi: and that she will not object to the receiving those on the East side into our confederation. Interesting considerations require that we should keep ourselves free to act in...
13From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 12 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Being just now informed that a vessel sails this afternoon for a port of Normandy, and knowing that the President wished to have some Champagne, and that this is the season to write for it, I have been to him, and he desires 40. dozen bottles. The execution of this commission I must put upon you, begging the favor of you to procure it of the growth of M. Dorsay’s vineyard at Aÿ opposite to...
14From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. James Jones proposing to visit Paris in a tour of travel, I take the liberty of recommending him to your acquaintance and friendly offices. The general worth of his character will sufficiently recommend him to you, and you will probably derive particular satisfaction from conversing with him on the subject of New Orleans, where having resided 20. years, he will be able to...
15From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 31 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of the 26th. it has been decided to commit to your care the transaction of very important money matters at Amsterdam. It is thought necessary that you should go there immediately, and remain there about three months to possess yourself of the ground. The Secretary of the Treasury will detail to you the particulars requisite there. With respect to our affairs at Paris,...
16From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 5 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Nov. 24. since which I have recieved your Nos. 76. 77. and 81. to 87. inclusive. Your letter of Oct. 6. with your account to June 1791. is not yet arrived, nor the box mentioned in your No. 84. The Memorial of the crew of the Indian shall be sent to the Governor of South Carolina. In a former letter I informed you that two balanciers would suffice for us, which will have...
17From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Having written to you so lately as the 27th. of May by M. de Crevecoeur, I have little new to communicate. My head-ach still continues in a slight degree, but I am able to do business. Tomorrow I go on a sailing party of three or four days with the President. I am in hopes of being relieved entirely by the sickness I shall probably encounter. The President is perfectly reestablished, and looks...
18From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Custis, a citizen of Virginia, proposing to make application to the government of France for redress of a wrong which he thinks he has sustained from them, I am to ask your patronage of his claims so far as they shall be just and so far also as a denial or delay of justice in the ordinary modes of application may render an extraordinary interference necessary.—I am with great & sincere...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 17 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Our ship has arrived here this evening, and if the wind permits we shall sail tomorrow. We have now lost exactly three weeks by contrary winds: so that in spite of my efforts to be in readiness for a passage between the equinox and winter, we shall surely be thrown late into December and perhaps into January, for our captain tells us we cannot expect less than a nine weeks passage. The ship is...
20From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A bill has past two readings in the Senate for removing the seat of government immediately to Philadelphia, there to remain ten years, and then to be established permanently in Georgetown. It is to receive it’s third reading to-day, and tho’ it depends on a single vote, yet I believe we may count surely that it will pass that house. As it originated there, it will then have to pass the lower...
21From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding it necessary to send to Bordeaux for my year’s stock of wine, I inclose herein a bill of exchange of Mr. John Vaughan of this place on Messieurs Le Coulteux & co. for a thousand livres Tournois. Besides this, being in the moment of my departure for Virginia, I leave my letter open with a friend to put into it another bill of £40. sterling on London, which a broker is now in quest of...
22From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 9 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Pinckny of S. Carolina has this day the offer of the mission to London as minister Pleni. When we know whether he accepts, or not wch. will not be these six weeks, the nomination of a minister pleni. for Paris and a minister resident for the Hague will be made. The former is in suspence between yourself and another. If you do not have that you will have the latter. There was never a...
23From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 4 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
We arrived here on Monday morning 28th. Sep. having had no accident on the road, but an axle tree broken on the Phaeton and the bad tire which Rocounier had put on the chariot wheels broke in two places. We have been detained here ever since by the most tempestuous weather ever seen. A ship and a brig, put in in distress, have been driven aground. To-day the wind has lulled, and tho’ as yet...
24From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Horrÿ, is a citizen of So. Carolina, of distinquished connections in that country who is about to visit Paris. Tho’ not having the honor of a personal acquaintance with him, I am authorised on good information to assure you of his worth, and therefore take the liberty of asking you to render him all the services, and attentions, which may lie in your way. I am not...
25From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 3 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Apr. 28. from Bordeaux came to hand yesterday as did Mr. Rutledge’s of the 27th. (for I must still have the privilege of acknoleging both together). The incertainty you express whether you come by Nantes, and of course whether this letter (a copy of which goes there) may not get into other hands will very much shorten it. Madame de Tessé, whose constancy to you is above reproach, has...
26From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 7 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The day after my arrivel here the equinoctial gales commenced and have prevailed now for nine days with a fury almost unexampled. Three days ago there appeared a small abatement, we got our baggage aboard a packet and tried to get out of the harbor but it was impossible. For my comfort the weatherwise tell me these winds will continue till the change of the moon, that is near a fortnight...
27From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 18 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive herewith a commission appointing Mr. Carmichael and yourself joint Commissioners plenipotentiary for treating on the subjects therein expressed with the court of Madrid, to which place it is necessary of course that you repair. The instructions and other papers accompanying the commission (and of which no duplicate is hazarded) leave nothing to be added here but to express the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 23 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
As my public letter of Oct. 14. 1792. required you to leave the Hague immediately on another business, I have addressed no other to you since that date. In the mean time I have received your Nos. 103. 107 to 117 inclusive and 119 to 122. inclusive and it is chiefly to acknolege these, and place your mind at ease with respect to them, that I write the present, as it is so uncertain how it may...
29From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 21 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ a committee of American captains at Cowes had determined we must expect a nine weeks passage, the winds and weather have so befriended us that we are come to an anchor here 29. days after weighing anchor at Yarmouth, having been only 26. days from and to land. After getting clear of the eternal fogs of Europe, which required 5. or 6. days sailing, the sun broke out upon us, and gave us...
30From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 16 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Majr. Mountflorence, proposing to visit France on his lawful affairs, I take the liberty of recommending him to your attention and good offices. He is a citizen of the state of North Carolina, and of the profession of the law there, and his merits in every respect will do justice to any civilities or services you can render him, and which will at the same time be esteemed an...
31From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 3 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
You are nominated to the Senate Minister resident to the Hague. Thomas Pinckney Minister Plenipotentiary to London. G. Morris Minister Plenipotentiary to France. A party in the Senate against Morris has joined with another party which is against all permanent foreign establishments, and neither being strong enough to carry their point separately, we have been now twelve days in suspense...
32From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
[I had sealed my letter before I discovered that I had omitted to desire of you, while at Madrid, to procure if possible some account of the dollars of that country from the earliest to the last, stating their dates, places where coined, weight and fineness. Such a statement, if it can be here in time before the next meeting of Congress (Nov. 1.) to enable them, before we begin our coinage, to...
33From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 14 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Russell proposing to visit Paris, I take the liberty of introducing him to your notice. His father is the most eminent merchant in Boston, I might perhaps have said in the United states: his brother I believe you knew in France. Tho less acquainted with himself I am authorised to assure you he will do justice to any marks of attention you will be so good as to shew him,...
34From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 25 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Donald having it in contemplation to make overtures for the purchase of tobacco for French consumption, and the public papers rendering it uncertain whether that business will be left in the hands of the farmers general, or committed to a new board, or perhaps left altogether free, insomuch that we know not here to whom application must be made, I cannot do better than recommend him as my...
35From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 7 January 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Being much interested for the welfare of Mr. De Rieux my neighbor, and nephew of Made. Bellanger, for his excellent qualities, and the very streightened circumstances under which he labours with a numerous family of children, and perceiving that he cannot receive a legacy of 15,000.₶ in France till a certificate shall be produced of his having been alive at the time of the death of the...
36From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Daniel Ludlow, a merchant and citizen of New York, being about to go to Europe and probably to France, for the purpose of establishing mercantile connections, I take the liberty of introducing him to you. The assurances I recieve of his worth and respectability are such as to merit any services or kindnesses you can render him, and shall be considered as personal...
37From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, [ca. 12 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson in writing to Mr. Short forgot to mention that the present occasion by Mr. Blake will be a happy one to receive from him the Letters of Fernand Cortez published by the Archbishop of Mexico (afterwards Toledo) as mentioned in 3d. Borgoyne’s travels 303. which he so much wishes to get. If Mr. Short will send it by Mr. Blake and note the price it shall be added to the first...
38From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 23 October 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
We are now under way, with a hopeful breeze. The Montgomery for New York on board which is Trumbull, Days , and Mr. Hillhouse, an American goes close along side of us, so that we are in easy conversation with them. Our ships are such equal sailors that we hope to keep together half the voiage if no accident happens. We have agreed on signals of reconnoissance. We go just North of the Western...
39From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 25 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The President will leave this on the 30th. for Mount Vernon and will return to Philadelphia towards the latter part of November. I go hence a day or two after him, for Monticello, and shall return to Philadelphia about the last of October. The other offices will be removed to Philadelphia between the middle of October and of November. I very much wish my letters, written for this purpose, may...
40From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 September 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am here on my way to Virginia, to which place I set out tomorrow. The President left this this morning on his way to Mount Vernon. He engaged me some time ago to get him some wines from France, to wit 40. dozen of Champagne, 30 doz. of Sauterne, 20. dozen of Bordeaux de Segur, and 10. doz. of Frontignan, and he took a note of their prices in order to furnish me with a bill of exchange...
41From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 26 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
My publick letter of this date will convey to you public information and there is little of a private nature which the newspapers will not give you. Your last letter to me was of Mar. 25. and was acknoleged in mine of May 27. Since that I have written you three short letters of June 6. July 1. and 8. to apprize you of the removal of government from hence to Philadelphia on the bare possibility...
42From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is Major Jackson, formerly of the army, and afterwards of the President’s family. Supposing it possible he may see you at Madrid, I with pleasure make him known to you, as a gentleman of information talents and worth. He merits well any attentions you can shew him, and I also will be thankful for them. Should he, from the circumstances of the times, need your official...
43From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 10 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 25th. of April. Since that date nothing has occurred worth communication. On this day, in consequence of orders given, we expect a sudden incursion will be made from Kentuckey into the Indian country by a corps which will return immediately, and others repeat the same thing successively, till a force shall be collected sufficient to meet any numbers the enemy can bring into...
44From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 30 March 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
There being no vessel here bound to any port in France, I avail myself of one going to Amsterdam to inform you of my having entered on the duties of the Department of state, comprehending that of foreign affairs. Your letters come to hand before the 3d. inst. have been acknoleged by Mr. Jay in one of that date. Those of the 18th. and 30th. of Nov. and 15. 22. and 26. of December have been...
45From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 17 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Morris, eldest son of Mr. Robert Morris being about to visit Europe, and to make a considerable tour through it, I trouble him with this line to you, in order to renew your former acquaintance with him, and also to ask the favour of you to procure for him such letters as may be useful to him in those parts of Europe to which he may go.—I know he will receive from you personally the...
46From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael and William Short, 30 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes the representatives of Spain at this place, a letter, which, whether considered in itself, or as the sequel of several others, conveys to us very disagreeable prospects of the temper and views of their court towards us. If this letter is a faithful expression of that temper, we presume it to be the effect of egregious misrepresentations by their...
47From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
At Philadelphia on my way here I received your favor of Nov. 19. and since my arrival here, those of Nov. 3. 25. 30. Dec. 25. and Jan. 12. have come at different times. My last private letter to you was from Alexandria. I shall send a duplicate and triplicate of it because of it’s importance to me. On delivering my letters of leave I will beg the favor of you to make the accustomary present...
48From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
[In my private letter of Mar. 18.] I gave you notice I should lodge subsequent ones perhaps at Bordeaux, after which I know no prospect of writing to you again till you leave Spain, with any hope of your getting the letter. [I mentioned to you the failure of some of the primary speculators, in New York. The crush has been tremendous and far beyond our expectation at that time. The dead loss at...
49From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your private letter of June 5. by Dr. Bancroft came to hand Feb. 12. that of Oct. 25. was received Jan. 27. and that of Dec. 23. four days ago. If in consequence of my former letters Petit cannot be prevailed on to come, I will beg the favour of you to enquire about Mde. de Corny’s Maitre d’Hotel, who I know understood his business well, and if she considers his character as an honest one, and...
50From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 30 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 6th. instt. acknowledging the receipt of your favors of the 2d. and 6th. of January, since that Mr. Jay has put into my hands yours of the 12th. of January, and I have received your note of Feby. 10th. accompanying some newspapers. Mine of the 6th. covered the Presidents letter to the King for my recall, and my letters of leave for myself, and of Credence to...