51From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 20 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am desirous to obtain two copies of the New testament in Greek or Greek & Latin, both of the same edition exactly; and two others in English, both also of the same edition; and all four of the same format, that they may admit being bound up together. the format to be either 8vo. or 12mo. but the latter of preference. will you be so good as to endeavor to procure these for me? Accept my...
52From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 27 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Resuming the subject of the resolutions of the House of Delegates of Dec. 31. 1800. Jan. 16 1802. and Feb. 3. 1804. I have it not in my power to say that any change of circumstances has taken place which enables me yet to propose any specific asylum for the persons who are the subjects of our correspondence . the island of St. Domingo, our nearest and most convenient recourse, is too unsettled...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Philippe Reibelt, 31 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The books mentioned in your letter of Jan. 25. are safely recieved. in your Catalogue No. 3. pa. 25. I observe the following which be pleased to send. ✓ Arabia seu &c } edit. Elzevir in 32mo. ✓ Descriptio Africae ✓ Bohemiae ✓ Galliae ✓ Germaniae ✓ Hungariae ✓ Leudiens
54From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 25 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16th. was recieved on the 20th. the post having departed the day before as usual. you ask what shall be done with Shadwell? there was a wish in mr Tom Esting Randolph to have rented it. mr T M Randolph can tell whether he now wishes it. if not, let it to some one tenant, if you please, subject to my approbation which can be asked in a fortnight always. I say to some one...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 14 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A collector for the port of Hampton is wanting in the room of mr Kirby, removed for gross delinquency. Mount E. Chisman has been proposed. can you inform me of his character & circumstances? or can you recommend any better person? I must ask your answer without any delay, as I believe the case presses. indeed I am not certain if it’s pressure may not oblige the Secretary of the Treasury to...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 23 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Latrobe, and recommends to him, in passing through Baltimore, to examine the covering on the flat part of Genl. Smith’s house. it is with sheet iron in gutturs, is the first & only example yet executed, and may furnish us, by the manner of it’s execution, information both as to what succeeds, and as to what may not succeed & therefore is to be...
57From Thomas Jefferson to David Leonard Barnes, 24 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have been so good as to take in Ingraham’s case. it has given more than I had meant, as I should have been perfectly satisfied with your opinion alone. I now return the letter which you desired to have again. I have ordered a pardon as to whatsoever appurtains to the US. leaving the interests of the prosecutor untouched. accept my respectful salutations and...
58From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 8 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25th. Apr. came to hand only yesterday. I am contented with the sale of my tobacco at 41/. but am uneasy at the account given me of it’s quality by mr Craven. if you think it’s quality was such as ought not to have commanded the price, I authorise you to make whatever abatement you think just to the purchaser. you are to place 19,000. ℔ of the tobacco made here by Craven at...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 26 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heard nothing of you since mr Eppes’s letter dated the day sennight after I left home. the Milton mail will be here tomorrow morning when I shall hope to recieve something. in the mean time this letter must go hence this evening. I trust it will still find you at Monticello, and that possibly mr Eppes may have concluded to take a journey to Bedford & still farther prolonged your stay. I...
60Notes on Building the Jail, [June 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes for building the jail Walls. to be built of granite 2. f. thick the mortar half of good lime in all the walls half of clean gritty sand in all the inner walls one fourth of clean gritty sand one fourth of fine sifted gravel from the beach of the Potomac } for the outer walls overcast on the outside with plaister of Paris plaistered & white washed within. Roof. to have rafters 9. I....
61From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 1 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate Robert Williams of North Carolina to be Governor of the Missisipi territory. Daniel T. Tomkins of New York to be judge of the court of the District of New York. RC ( DNA : RG 46, EPEN , 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC ( DLC ); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL : “Nomns. Williams. Tompkins.” On this day, Isaac A. Coles delivered the message to...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 12 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It would be well to recieve from you as early as possible the report you propose to make for Congress as to the progress, state and further cost of the public buildings. I am apprehensive of a more serious opposition to another appropriation than has ever been made. perhaps after you shall have sent me the report, & it is referred to a committee it may be expedient you should come up yourself...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Henry Brackenridge, 29 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
My business not permitting me to be a very punctual correspondent, I did not, at the time, acknolege the receipt of your favors of Jan. 30. & Feb. 17. I am just now on my departure for Monticello where I propose to pass the months of Aug. & Sep. rather than on the tidewaters. we are still uninformed of the fate of Egypt. indeed the only thing new of any importance is the communication from his...
64From Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 3 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns the patents signed, to Doctr. Thornton with his respectful compliments and salutations. RC ( CtWMHi ).
65From Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham, 13 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Business prevented my answering your letter of Oct. 21. till I apprehended you had left Albemarle for Richmond. your draughts on me for the work you have done , or may do, or the materials shall be always paid at the counting house of messrs. Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond. if you can draw at 30. days sight it will be a convenience because I settle every thing of that kind once a month but if...
66Notes on Reducing Navy Expenses, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Navy estimate Oct. 1803. D In actual service. 2. frigates 209,807.36 5. small vessels 185,158.19 394,965.55 In ordinary. 11. frigates 180,845.17 Pay of officers on shore 27,500. 208,345.17 Contingencies 40,000. Ordnance & stores 15,000. Marine corps
67From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Jones, 6 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 15. came to hand in due time, but it has not been till lately I could find time to look through our past account. it was thoroughly impressed on my mind that I had never failed to order paiment for every supply of iron at the term of three months a little more or less. but I find in effect that the two small articles of Sep. 12. sash weights & Oct. 28. bar iron to Stewart,...
68V. To Albert Gallatin, 14 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin to examine the inclosed rough draught of what is proposed for his first communication to Congress: not merely the part relating to finance but the whole. several paragraphs are only provisionally drawn, to be altered or omitted according to further information. the whole respecting finance is predicated on a general view of the subject, presented...
69From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 12 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The mail is closing just as the inclosed is put into my hands. tomorrow we shall write to you fully. Adieu. PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “James Monroe”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Enclosure: Resolutions of the Senate, 12 Jan., agreeing to Monroe’s appointments as minister extraordinary and plenipotentiary to France and Spain (see TJ to Monroe, 13 Jan. ; JEP Journal of the Executive...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Hawkins, 18 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hill’s return to you offers so safe a conveyance for a letter that I feel myself irresistably disposed to write one, tho’ there is little to write about. you have been so long absent from this part of the world, and the state of society so changed in that time, that details respecting those who compose it are no longer interesting or intelligible to you. one source indeed of great change...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The division of Louisiana into districts relating to the military as much as to the civil administration, will you be so good as to consider those proposed by Governor Harrison, and we will then consider the subject. my idea would be not to fix precisely the dividing line between the districts, as we have not information enough for that, but to use such a mode of designation for these as we do...
72From Thomas Jefferson to James Taylor, Jr., 25 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The pipe of Madeira and box of Champagne have been duly recieved. the latter has been tried and is approved and I shall be glad to take eight cases more, say 480. bottles of it, to be forwarded to this place at any time before the 1st. of May till which time I shall not be returned from Monticello. only be so good as, on reciept of this, to inform me by post if I may rely on that quantity,...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 16 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 14th: is this moment recieved, & I hasten to answer it by return of post, that no time may be lost. the copy of instructions sent you are only a rough draught for consideration. they will not be signed or dated till your departure. presuming you would procure all the necessary instruments at Philadelphia, which is a principal object of your journey there, the instructions say...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Harrison Smith, 19 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Is it worth while to contradict the barefaced falsehoods of Coleman in the 2d. page 5th. column of the inclosed paper. It is false that I ever drew such a paper as is there ascribed to me. It is false that I ever signed such a paper drawn by another. the appeal to the records of any state for a paper so signed is without foundation. I believe that such a paper was drawn by a very timid, honest...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your’s of the 17th. and tomorrow I set out for Monticello, so must be brief. Commissions were yesterday directed to be made out with blank dates as follows. Lee Collector Salem Lyman do. Newbury port Warren do. Marblehead. Muhlenberg do. Philadelphia. Page do. Petersburg. Coxe Supervisor Pensva on desiring mr Madison this morning to have them dated Aug. 1. and kept here...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you more militia resignations, as also a petition of Benjamin Dame of Newington praying the discharge of his son under age enlisted in the army. this being a matter of right, and not of discretion in us, which he might effect by a Habeas Corpus, I hold it a duty that he be discharged. if I recollect rightly we did the same in a similar case on some former occasion. Accept assurances...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 14 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was written to you on the day of it’s date. I wrote to Dr. Currie of Richmond on the same day. by mistake I put your letter under his address, and probably I put the one for him under cover to you. he has returned the one addressed to you, which discovers to me my mistake. I forward it now to you for the purpose of rectifying it with you. Accept my respects and best wishes...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of Jan. 15. and Feb. 24. came safely to hand and I thank you for the history of a transaction which will ever be interesting in our affairs. it has been very precisely as I had imagined. I thought, on your return, that if you had come forward boldly and appealed to the public by a full statement, it would have had a great effect in your favor personally, & that of the...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel L. Mitchill, before 27 January 1802 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to The Hon’ble Doct’r Mitchell and requests the favour of his company to dinner on wednesday 27th inst: at half after three o’clock. or at whatever later hour the House may rise The favour of an answer is requested. RC ( TxFTC : Mary Couts Burnett Library); partially dated; printed form, with blanks filled by Meriwether Lewis reproduced in italics. the...
80From Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar, 13 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 28. has been duly recieved, and I have read with great satisfaction your ingenious paper on the subject of the Missisipi, which I shall immediately forward to the Philosophical society, where it will be duly prized. to prove the value I set on it, & my wish that it may go to the public without any imperfection about it, I will take the liberty of submitting to your...
81From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 [i.e. 13] August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The post having made it night before his arrival yesterday and my mail extraordinarily voluminous, I have been able to read & now return you the inclosed papers only. mr Livingston’s shall come by the next mail. I do not like this mistake of Capt Mc.Niel’s, and fear it will be very embarrassing. other dispatches oblige me to close here with assurances of my affectionate esteem & respect. PrC (...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 14 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is a case of the first impression and therefore needs consideration. the Louisianians have been heretofore allowed an appeal from their Govr. to the Govr. Genl. at Cuba. this seems intended as such an appeal. but tho’ Congress have authorised me to give to any person all the powers of the officers of the then existing government, yet I do not know that this includes the Govr....
83From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Bradley, Jr., 6 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson will thank mr Bradley to inform him of the days & hours of departure & arrival of the mail between Washington and Milton, according to the establishment reverted to since Jan. 31. RC (Kenneth W. Rendell, Inc., Catalogue No. 48, 1970, Item 131); addressed: “Mr. Bradley Post office.” Not recorded in SJL . departure & arrival of the mail : Bradley was the assistant postmaster...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McKean, 24 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 21st. is duly recieved. it is on a subject the most difficult of all we have to act on. my idea is that the mass of our countrymen, even of those who call themselves Federalists, are republican. they differ from us but in a shade of more or less power to be given to the Executive or Legislative organ. they were decoyed into the net of the Monarchists by the XYZ contrivance....
85From Thomas Jefferson to James Bringhurst, 9 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to his antient acquaintance and friend mr Bringhurst, and thanks him for the book he has been so kind as to send him , which will occupy some of his leisure moments agreeably and usefully. he prays mr Bringhurst to recieve the assurance of his constant esteem & respect. PoC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ. so kind as to send him : Bringhurst to TJ, 3 Jan.
86I. Draft Bill, [before 7 December 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
Be it enacted by the Senate & H. of R. of the US. in Congress assembled that The government of the territory of Columbia, (with a reservation of the Constitutional authority of Congress over the same) shall be exercised in manner following The powers of legislation shall be vested in a H. of representatives to be chosen annually by the freemen citizens of the sd territory in the separate...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas McLean, 9 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 2. was not recieved till a few days ago. however strong my preference of subjects of the nature of that of your letter yet the business of my present station requiring the whole of my time and attention, forbids me to give any portion of either from it’s duties. I have been obliged therefore to forbid myself to enter into philosophical speculations. should you propose to...
88Notes on Upper Louisiana, 14 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Louisiana probable numbers from latest accounts St. Andrews . 361 38°–30’ St. Charles 840 1201. 1559 Marais des liards 337. St. Ferdinand 259 38–15 St. Louis
89From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 8 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. Apr. found me at Monticello on a short visit to make some arrangements preparatory to my removal here. I returned on the 30th. and have taken time to examine into the state of our furniture funds. after procuring all other more essential articles I think there will be about 4000. D. which might be better invested in plate than in more perishable articles. if therefore it...
90Notes on a Conversation with Charles Coffin, 13 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1803. Dec. 13. the revd mr Coffin of New England who is now here solliciting donations for a college in Greene county in Tennissee tells me that when he first determined to engage in this enterprize, he wrote a paper recommendatory of the enterprize, which he meant to get signed by clergymen, and a similar one for persons in a civil character, at the head of which he wished mr Adams to put his...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine Félix Wuibert, 7 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his compliments to Colo. Weibert, returns him the papers inclosed in his letter , respecting his lands, and has only to advise a compliance with the law by paiment of his tax as proposed by mr Taylor, in order to save the land. PrC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. His Letter : Wuibert to TJ, 14 Dec. 1801 .
92From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 6 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 20. is just recieved and I hasten to reply to it. the view of the funds for furnishing the President’s house which I [gave] you in my last was just. they are absolutely inadequate to the acquisition of the whole service of plate which you have been so kind as to propose. the terrines and Casserolles would have been desireable in the first degree; the dishes in the second;...
93From Thomas Jefferson to James Oldham, 11 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. is recieved, and in answer thereto I observe that there is to be a semicircular window in the pediment of the S.E. piazza. if I understand your drawing, the tympanum is 18. f9f 9½ I wide at bottom, and 10. f3f 3¼ I on each side, clear, within the cornice. making the window then 4. f. wide (that is, on a radius of 2. f.) within the architrave, the architrave 8. I. sill 4....
94From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The appointment of Jonathan Delano to be keeper of the light house at Seguin island; and of James Taylor to be keeper of the light house in Shell castle island is approved. commissions are directed for David Broadie Hampton Edmund Key. Llewellensbg RC ( CtNlCG ); at foot of text: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” PoC ( DLC ); lacks postscript. Notation in SJL : “Delano. Taylor.”
95From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 28 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 22d. finds me here. I have carefully perused the copy of the paper addressed to you from Wilmington in July 1801. signed by Messrs. Tilton and others and inclosed to me in your letter: and altho’ I really believe that you presented such an one to me while at Washington, yet I have had so many proofs of the little confidence I ought to place in my memory, surcharged with so...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Bishop James Madison, 9 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never had time to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Dec. 24. yet it came very opportunely, and probably saved me from doing what I might have been led to. the subject of your letter , appeared here soon after, and conducted himself on a plan as incomprehensible, as it was unworthy.—yours of Apr. 19. is recieved. your friend Doctr. Barraud has nothing to fear (barring just...
97From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 8 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I yesterday inclosed you the first halves of bank bills to the amount of fifteen hundred dollars. I now inclose the remaining halves, arranged exactly in the order of those sent yesterday, so that you may have no trouble in tallying them. the 10. D. bills are sent entire. I percieved on reflection on the balance of the account rendered, that 1500. D. would not meet the paiments noted in my...
98From Thomas Jefferson to John Roberts, 7 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The approbation which in the name of the 31st. regiment of Kentucky & of the citizens of Montgomery county , you have been pleased to express of my past conduct in public & private life is highly gratifying; and it will be my endeavor to continue to deserve it through the course of my future service. Your confidence that my objects will be to preserve the constitution inviolate, to defeat...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Taliaferro Brooke, 20 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to Mr. Brooke Speaker of the Senate of Virginia, and availing himself of the moment when the confidence of his country has placed him where the little volume accompanying this may be a convenience, he asks his acceptance of it as a testimony of the respect of the giver. RC (Julian Goldman, New York City, 1947). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ’s A...
100From Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar, 3 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 5th. of Jan. has been duly recieved, and I have to return you thanks for the two vocabularies. the memoir of mr Durald has been forwarded to the Philosophical society . we shall be happy to see your history of the Missisipi compleated, as it is becoming one of the most interesting parts of our country, the only one where some of the Tropical productions can be numbered among...