1From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of 26. March is recieved and I learn with real concern the danger that a temporary loan may be necessary, because we know how it will be perverted to throw dust in the eyes of the people. however if no other expedient can be used we must meet it—I have no expectation that Monroe will be able to get any acknolegement of boundary which we can admit. the next best measure will be to...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 19 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The following Commissions to be issued Michael Baldwin of Ohio to be Marshal Of Ohio Thomas Newton senr. of Virginia to be Collector for the port of Norfolk co. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
3From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish that when Muse was appointed to Tappahanoc we had known that Brett Randolph would accept of it. he is a very worthy & needy man, & one for whom it would be a good act to do something. Colo. Lyon’s applications have been so many & so unsuccessful that, all other qualifications being equal, I should like to prefer the person he recommends: if you know nothing against him. in that case if...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the instructions are perfectly just which provide that if a purchase be made of the Indians adjacent to the Connecticut reserve by the US. the public should be at the expence of surveying all the lines circumscribing their purchase. but if they make no purchase, then those for whom the survey is should pay the expence. it has been sometimes made a question whether Seller or Buyer...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have no information of the death of judge Bruin, altho I have letters & newspapers from Natchez to Mar. 24. in some of which it would certainly have been mentioned if true. I return you the instrument for Sacket harbour approved. with respect to Claiborne’s accounts I think his situation so totally different from that of all other governors as to justify peculiar indulgences. the office of...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your queries I would say 1. the square for the lighthouse on the Missisipi is preferable to the Octagon. in brick or stone the Octagon is strongest, but not so in wood. it is all but impossible to make an Octagon of wood, that will stand at all. 2. the building should be weather boarded; because, as mr Latrobe observes, the lift of the wind is as dangerous as it’s direct impulse,...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to meet us at 10. oclock tomorrow on a short consultation on the affairs of N. York? NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
8From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissions to be made out Christopher Ellery of Rh odei sland to be Commissioner of loans for the state of Rhodeisland. Augustus Sacket of New York, to be Collector & Inspector of revenue for the port of Sacket harbour. Gideon D. Cobbs of Indiana to be Collector at Massac. Benjamin Sebastan of Kentucky } Comrs. for land titles in the Eastern district of Orleans John Coburn of Kentucky
9From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to advance to Dollars out of the fund appropriated by the Act of Congress of last session entitled “An Act to provide for the accommodation of the President of the United States”; of which fund he is appointed Agent and is to render his accounts to the Treasury. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
10From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have no information that the act dividing Orleans into counties is passed. by the papers which came yesterday it appeared to have been twice read and committed. would not the waters of the Red river form one proper district, & the residuary country another? or the waters of the Red-river & the country above & between that & the Misipi for one, and the residuary country the other? The...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I think mr Hollingsworth’s conduct has been wrong in every point with the Smiths. 1. as to the large bond, when a plaintiff accepts paiment from a def. pending a suit, and does not secure costs he loses them. should he afterwards go on to judgment, it will be against him, the paiment defeating the ground of action. it is the stronger in this case, as not only the writ had not been served, but...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin to come half an hour before dinner to-day (say at 3.) to consult on a judge for N. York vice Livingston. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
13From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of the rescue of the Felicity by Capt Newcome of the revenue cutter he certainly could not act as a revenue officer. but taking for granted the fact that the Felicity was taken within our jurisdiction, it was the duty of any citizen who had the means of vindicating our jurisdiction to do so. Capt Newcome, with the arms of the US. in his hands, for whatever other purpose they might...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
the revival of antient slanders under pretext of new evidence, has induced Th:J. to do, what he never took the trouble of doing before, to revise some papers he happens to have here (for most of that date are at Monticello) and to make a statement of the transactions as they really took place, with a view that they shall be known to his friends at least. under this view he taxes mr Gallatin...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by the inclosed letter from Henry Sheaff, that after having been once an immense sufferer as security for Robert Morris, he is now likely to be so again as security for Peter Kuhn. a man in distress may be pardoned the error of supposing that in a public transaction he can have a resource in the private regard of a public officer. but considering him as an innocent security, for a very...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Morris’s letter, claiming for Kibber paiment of the bill to be drawn on us for monies due from France to Comfort Sands a bankrupt of whom Kibber is the assignee. the government is in this case merely the channel of paiment. as it is liable to no process from a court, it is bound to do voluntary justice, & precisely as a court would direct if it had authority. the money, claimed by...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The answer to Morris is perfectly well as it leaves the case open for decision as the fact or law shall be. I have dropt a line to Sheaff to address either yourself or the Comptroller on his case.—the prospect of avoiding a loan is really most pleasing. I observe mr Livingston is arrived, and the newspapers seem to suppose the call for the French money will soon take place. you have not told...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter merits serious attention. notwithstanding the favorable opinion I have hitherto entertained of Symonds. when facts are specified & the persons named who can prove them, I do not see that we can avoid instituting some enquiry. tho’ the writer keeps his own name back, it is impossible but that the letter would shew there who was the writer, and he might thus be obliged to...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 21 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. has been duly recieved. with respect to the revenue cutters to be provided, I think we require two strong ones for Charleston & New Orleans. if I recollect rightly however that now at New Orleans is of pretty good force. if so, it might not be necessary to provide another. at Charleston I leave to yourself, as a better judge, to decide what size is best for the double...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
You have probably learnt through other channels that our Commissioners to Spain have terminated their mission without success in a single point. I have desired mr Madison to send you the papers, and when you shall have perused them, I will ask a communication of your general view of what is expedient for us to do. I ask the same of the other gentlemen. when I shall have recieved them it will...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters of July 30. did not come to my hands till yesterday. I have directed a commission for James Holmes as Collector of Sunbury v. Foster; but knowing so little of him I think he should be made to consider the appointment only as pro tempore.—I return you the letters of Hall & Governor Claiborne on the subject of the court room. by this time Claiborne has recieved my request of a...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 17th. and have this day directed a commission for Latta as Collector of Gennissee, & will have one issued to Kittridge for Gloucester as soon as the death of his predecessor is known. I send you the inclosed merely because it is well to understand all the little hostilities existing among principals & subordinates in the different offices. a successor to...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Observing in the Salem Register recieved yesterday a mention of the death & burial of Gibaut, I have this day directed a commission for John Kitteredge according to the recommendations. Affectionate salutations NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
24From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of the 21st. & 23. were recieved yesterday. mine by the preceding post had informed you that on seeing an account of Gibaut’s death in the Salem paper I immediately ordered a commission for Kittridge. I gave notice of it to Crownenshield by the same post. I am glad it was done. for after a good candidate is known, delay only gives time to intrigue, to interest a greater number of...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns to mr Gallatin Gurley’s letter: no further intelligence being now expected on the subject of our affairs with Spain and some measures growing out of them requiring the earliest consideration possible, he asks the favor of mr Gallatin to attend if possible a cabinet meeting at Washington on the 4th. of October at 12. oclock. he presents him affectionate salutations. NHi :...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons of the bank against importing coin seem good under their views of the subject, which perhaps are not broad enough. I think Congress should renew the tender of foreign coins. but whether any alteration in the comparative value of Spanish gold should be made admits of question. I imagine Colo. Hamilton had assays made wherein he founded his rates of foreign coins. indeed I think I...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I had detained the letter of mr Merry on Foster’s claim of freedom from importing duties in expectation that mr Madison’s return would enable him, you, & myself to confer on it. if the case presses I will express my opinion on it. every person, diplomatic in his own right , is entitled to the privileges of the law of nations, in his own right. among these is the reciept of all packages,...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 23 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I send for your perusal another letter of mr Madison which I will ask the favor of you to return immediately with the one sent on Saturday & on which it is necessary to act. the war on the continent of Europe appears now so certain, and that peace is at least one year off, that we are now placed at our ease in point of time. we may make another effort for a peaceable accomodation with Spain...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I wish for an à peu prés of the number of seamen we call ours. I suppose the best way of estimating will be by our tonnage, including coasters, bay & river craft, & every thing employed on the tide waters. can you assist me with the materials for such an estimate? it is of some importance for my bill for a Naval militia, that, & the one for the land militia I will send you for consideration as...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of L. H. Guerlain of New Orleans, it is undeniable that a fraud on the revenue was meditated. yet under all the circumstances of the case I am of opinion he will be sufficiently punished by forfieting the difference between his invoice & the appraisement stated to be 7548.45 D by the paiment of duties 9,500. D. and by the loss by the proceeds of sales. the chief motive which in...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The Jersey law puts the lands on Sandy hook compleatly in our power; and having paid the money, the feesimple is fixed in the US. unconditionally for ever; nor would it be in the power of the Jersey legislature to alter it were they disposed. mr Hartshorne’s conduct has been so sordid as to prove that nothing restrains him from any robbery private or public but the power of the law. he is...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Can you be so good as to let me have the financial paragraph this morning as there is not more than time enough to submit the message successively to the different gentlemen for correction & then to have copies. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
33From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 22 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is mr Thomas Walker Maury who is come on to recieve the appointment of Reciever of public monies at Fort St. Stephens. supposing it would be agreeable to you to obtain some personal knolege of a person who is to act under you, I have recommended to him to wait on you to ask any information or instructions you may be pleased to give him. altho’ he seems to have made up his...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the message to ask a scrupulous revisal, and as early an one as you can, because there does not remain more than time enough to submit it successively to the other gentlemen for their corrections, to make copies &c. on reviewing what had been prepared as to Gr. Britain & Spain, I found it too soft towards the former, compared with the latter, & that so temporate a notice of the...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
1. the Concessions to Renault. as to those in the territory of Indiana, that country having been claimed by England at all times, conquered in the war of 1755. & confirmed to her in 1763. conquered by the US. & confirmed to them in 1783. and all antient titles there settled & done with by authority of the US. these claims of Renault are certainly at an end. 2. As to those in Louisiana I...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 30 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
inclosed for consideration & amendment NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
37From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed is a revised edition of the Spanish resolutions, in which you will find most of your ideas conformed to. That respecting money is omitted; that it may be provided in the way you suggest. in the Message also I have adopted all your amendments, except the last which respected merely the arrangement of the phrases, & could not be satisfactorily altered. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin....
38From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 4 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Resolved that no armed men, not being citizens of the US. ought to be permitted to enter or remain, nor any authority to be exercised, but under the laws of the US. within the ‘former colony or province of Louisiana, in the extent in which it was in the hands of Spain’ 2. Resolved that as to the residue of the sd ‘former colony or province of Louisiana, in the extent it had when France...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
J. Randolph has just called to ask a conversation with me, for which purpose he will be with me tomorrow morning, every thing therefore had better be suspended till that is over. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
40From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 8 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I see nothing to alter in the inclosed except two or three verbal changes of the indefinable ‘shall’ for ‘will’. Dec. 8. 05. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
41From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. with his salutations to mr Gallatin informs him that the act for the Navy appropriation was brought to him last night, is signed & deposited in the office of state. Dec. 11. 05. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
42From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers respecting the Sandy hook business which I am content should be closed on the terms already proposed by you. it is well that a government should feel no temper towards a rascally individual, or the present case would justify a high degree of indignation against mr Hartshorne. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
43From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 20 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
You wrote to me Aug. 25. 04. inclosing the papers respecting the Eugenia which you had recieved from Gelston. my letter of Sep. 1. answered the case and returned the papers. on the 4th. of Sep. you inclosed supplementary papers recieved from N. London. I recieved them Sep. 11. and as I had answered on that subject & these papers did not alter my view of the case, I wrote no new letter; but...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I believe the fact is that no measures have been taken by the states indebted to the US. to discharge the balances due under the act of June 23. 1797. or, at any rate, that we have no notice of any such measures. will you be so good as to state this or any other fact on the subject in a form to be communicated to the H. of R. in compliance with their resoln of yesterday. Dec. 24. 05. NHi :...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed bond is signed by mr Maury the father, who I have no doubt is worth the 10,000 D. therein named. he owns a valuable tra[ct of] land on which he lives, well improved as a farm, & a considerable number of negroes: and I question if he owes 10. Dollars in the world, having always been one of the most prudent & cautious men. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
46From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 10 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been too long in answering several matters recieved from you: but I have not had an earlier moment in which it could be done. The appointment of a Surveyor General of Louisiana by the Governor can have no effect respecting the public lands. it is possible that the former laws, still subsisting, may have authorized the appointment of such an officer by the Governor, to execute surveys by...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
for exploring the waters of the country ceded by the Convention with France of Apr. 30. 1803, & establishing commerce with the Indian nations inhabiting the same 5000. D. Th: J. proposes to mr Gallatin to insert into his Approprn law the above article, which will enable us to undertake the next season either the Arkansa or upper part of the Misipi: and that there should be annually a like...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans by offering a bounty of 50. acres of land to be delivered immediately to every able-bodied man, on condition of settlement & holding himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service if called on within the seven first years of residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any of those in the Orleans territory...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 March 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
By virtue of the act, entitled, “an act making Provision for defraying any extraordinary expences attending between the U States and foreign nations,” passed on the 13th. February 1806., and of which the annexed is an official exemplification, I Thomas Jefferson, President of the U States of America, Do hereby authorize and empower Albert Gallatin, Secretary of the Treasury of the U States, to...