Thomas Jefferson Papers
Documents filtered by: Author="Jefferson, Thomas" AND Recipient="Lincoln, Levi" AND Period="Jefferson Presidency" AND Period="Jefferson Presidency" AND Project="Jefferson Papers" AND Starting date=4 March 1801 AND Ending date=3 March 1805
sorted by: author
Permanent link for this document:
https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-41-02-0225

From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 30 August 1803

To Levi Lincoln

Monticello Aug. 30. 1803.

Dear Sir

The inclosed letter came to hand by yesterday’s post. you will be sensible of the circumstances which make it improper that I should hazard a formal answer, as well as of the desire it’s friendly aspect naturally excites that those concerned in it should understand that the spirit they express is favorably viewed. you can judge also, from your knolege of the ground, whether it may be usefully encouraged. I take the liberty therefore of availing myself of your neighborhood to Boston, and of your friendship to me, to say to the capt. and others, verbally, whatever you think would be proper, as expressive of my sentiments on the subject. with respect to the day on which they wish to fix their anniversary, they may be told that disapproving1 myself of transferring the honours & veneration for the great birth-day of our republic, to any individual, or of dividing them with individuals, I have declined letting my own birthday be known, & have engaged my family not to communicate it. this has been the uniform answer to every application of the kind.

On further consideration as to the amendment to our constitution respecting Louisiana I have thought it better, instead of enumerating the powers which Congress may exercise, to give them the same powers they have as to other portions of the Union generally, and to enumerate the special exceptions, in some such form as the following.

‘Louisiana, as ceded by France to the US. is made a part of the US. it’s white inhabitants shall be citizens, and stand, as to their rights & obligations, on the same footing with other citizens of the US. in analogous situations. Save only that as to the portion thereof lying North of an East & West line drawn through2 the Mouth of Arkansa river, no new state shall be established, nor any grants of land made, other than to Indians in exchange for equivalent portions of land occupied by them, until an amendment of the Constitution shall be made for these purposes.

Florida also, whensoever it may be rightfully obtained, shall become a part of the US. it’s white inhabitants shall thereupon be citizens, & shall stand as to their rights & obligations, on the same footing with other citizens of the US. in analogous situations.’ I quote this for your consideration, observing that the less is said about any constitutional difficulty, the better: and that it will be desireable for Congress to3 do what is necessary, in silence. I find but one opinion as to the necessity of shutting up the country for some time. we meet in Washington the 25th. proxime, to prepare for Congress. Accept my affectionate salutations, & great esteem & respect.

Th: Jefferson

RC (MHi: Levi Lincoln Papers); at foot of text: “Levi Lincoln esquire”; endorsed; with unrelated notations by Lincoln on verso. PrC (DLC). Enclosure: Josiah Snelling to TJ, August 1803 (recorded in SJL as received from Boston on 29 Aug. but not found).

For the changes included in this form of the constitutional amendment, see Amendment for Annexation of Louisiana and Florida, printed at 30 Aug.

1Word interlined in place of “[being?].”

2Preceding six words and ampersand interlined in place of “the latitude of.”

3TJ here canceled “act.”

Index Entries