1601From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 30 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
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...
1602Resolution for Introduction of Constitutional Amendment, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved by the Senate and House of Repr. of the US. two thirds of both houses concurring, that the following amendment to the constitution of the US. be proposed to the legislatures of the several states; which, when ratified by three fourths of the said legislatures shall be valid to all intents & purposes as a part of the sd constitution. Louisiana , as ceded by France to the US. is made a...
1603I. Notes for a Draft, before 1 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress witnessed , & themselves participated in the uneasiness produced at the close of the last year, by the violation of treaty committed by the Intendant of the govmt of N. Orleans, in the suspension of our right of deposit at that place before any other had been assigned. we then believed on good grounds that this was unauthorised by his govmt, and having made proper representns to that...
1604From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. P. Derieux, 1 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the reciept of your letter from New York, I inclosed it to mr Madison to whom the subject of it belonged, in order that he might be able to answer it without any delay. as I presumed you would immediately [set out] from Washington on reciept of his letter, I thought it unsafe to send your certificate there, & detained it the rather as I hoped you would do us the favor of calling...
1605From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
About a twelvemonth after we came into the administration we learnt by a letter from mr Simpson that our predecessors had promised to the Emperor of Marocco 100. gun carriages. you have known most of the unlucky circumstances which have baffled our execution of it. the last however is but recently known. we had desired mr Simpson to have them made in Europe, or to offer the value to the...
1606From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. came by the last post, and conveyed the first information I had recieved since I left Washington of the progress in the public buildings. I see with extreme concern that we shall not accomplish what was hoped. as nothing is mentioned of the covering of sheet iron being put on either building, I fear it is not done. I am now putting such a cover on my own house, &...
1607From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 28th. came to hand on the 2d. inst. expecting mr Madison daily , I deferred writing till I should confer with him. this is the first post after his arrival, & I write to Genl. Dearborne to contribute his agency with you in such way as may be convenient for both towards carrying into execution the engagement of our predecessors to furnish the hundred gun carriages to the...
1608II. Examination of the Boundaries of Louisiana, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
An examination into the boundaries of Louisiana. The French having for a century and a half been in possession of Canada, and it’s inhabitants penetrating to the remote waters communicating with the St. Laurence, they learned of the Indians that, in the neighborhood of those waters, arose a great river, called the Missisipi, running due South to the sea, and through a fine country unpossessed...
1609From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the proceedings of the courtmartial held at Fort Jay with an approbation of the sentence against Lt. Van Renslaer, & a remission of the corporal punishment of Ferguson & Rush as you advised. I am sensible of the risque we run in returning to Washington before the commencement of the [frost?] but the collection & copying of documents & other preparations for the meeting of...
1610From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d was delivered me at court: but we were much disappointed at not seeing you here, mr Madison & the Govr. being here at the time. I inclose you a letter from Monroe on the subject of the late treaty. you will observe a hint in it to do without delay what we are bound to do. there is reason, in the opinion of our ministers, to believe that if the thing were to do over again,...