1551I. Jefferson’s Draft Memorandum on Consular Vacancies, 21 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A note of the vacant consulships and of the candidates. Mr. Palyert says some think him a native of Engld. some of America. He travelled in the U.S. before the war. During the war he was at Lisbon, a tory. He is now a member of the Eng. factory. Is very rich and has great connections with this country. John Telles, whose papers were laid before the President some time ago, is also a candidate....
1552Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 10 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Sy. War . Wafford’s settlemt . qu. if Indns. wd accept rent? instruct Meigs to bring settlemt. of Cherokee road to an end settle Wafford’s affair. Wilkinson & Dinsmore to purchase above Yazoo of Choctaws to examine our rt betw. Tombigbee , Alibama Harrison to buy of Kaskaskias of the Pioria chief
1553From Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan, 31 August 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing how far the inclosed address may serve to give a certain conveyance to the letter, I have thought it safest to put it under your cover, not doubting that your communion with the person would enable you to procure it a sure passage to it’s destination. I am with esteem Dear Sir Your friend & servt PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. John Vaughan.” Enclosure: TJ to Benjamin Vaughan,...
1554Notes and Plans for Western Defense, [23 July 1779 and after] (Jefferson Papers)
Plan for regimenting & stationing the two Western battalions. Joseph Crocket & James Knox Lt. Colonels commandants } appointed by the Council George Walls, Robert Powell. Majors. William Cherry, Samuel Gill. Captains. Thomas Walls, Peter Moore. Ensigns. no. of men supposed they will raise Officers to be recommended by the feild officers of the respective countries Destination . Yohogania. a...
1555From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Frederick Michaelis and Others, 4 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society having heretofore done themselves the honour of naming you one of their members, the President has been pleased to transmit to me the Diploma made out in the forms used by the society, and authenticated by their seal. I do myself the honour of forwarding it to you and at the same time of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the...
1556From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Randolph Lewis, 10 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your kind offer of the bed; and would avail myself of it as freely if I had occasion, but the goodness of my neighbors with some little provision of our own has placed us at our ease as to that article. I accept with due sensibility your friendly congratulations on my return, and it would be the wish of my heart that it were to remain here, where all my affections...
1557From Thomas Jefferson to Napoleon Bonaparte, 18 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To testify to you the sincerity of the Government of the United States in its negotiations, I have transmitted to Oliver Ellsworth and William Vans Murray, two of the late Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, the ratification of the Convention between the said States and the French Republic, signed at Paris on the 30th day of September...
1558Report on Proposed Convention with Spain Concerning Fugitives, 22 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state having had under consideration the expediency and extent of a Convention with Spain to be established for with respect to fugitives from the United states to their adjoining provinces, or from those provinces to the United States, Reports to the President of the United States the inclosed Analytical view of the motives and principles which should govern such a...
1559From Thomas Jefferson to Anna Jefferson Marks, 12 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters from Virginia inform me of your marriage with Mr. Hastings Marks. I sincerely wish you joy and happiness in the new state into which you have entered. Tho Mr. Marks was long my neighbor, eternal occupations in business prevented my having a particular acquaintance with him as it prevented me from knowing more of my other neighbors as I would have wished to have done. I saw...
1560From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Reed, 3 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Your acceptable present came duly to hand. Tho I had not the happiness of a personal acquaintance with your excellency, I never needed evidence of the propriety of your conduct on any occasion. A circumstantial development however of Governor Johnstone’s essay cannot but have good effects in satisfying the world at large, that the same pure spirit of patriotism which produced this revolution,...
1561From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 23 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 10th. and shall always be thankful for any information you will favor me with, interesting to our affairs, & particularly which may enable me to understand the differences of opinion & interest which seem to be springing up in Pensva., & to be subjects of uneasiness. if that state splits it will let us down into the abyss. I hope so much from the...
1562From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several private letters unacknowledged are May 9. June 14. 29. July 7. 11. 16. August 4. 15. 22. Sep. 26. Oct. 3. 27. Nov. 27. Mine to you have been Aug. 9. 12. 25. 31. Sep. 6. 30. of which the two first and two last have not yet been acknowledged. That of Aug. 9. indeed was only a postscript.—To business. Goldsmith’s Encyclopedie I can meddle no further with. Just before I came away, I...
1563From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, 19 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you a state of the case of one Polson, and of begging your enquiries and information whether the lands therein mentioned have been escheated and sold, and if they have what would be the proper method of application to obtain a compensation for them. The negociations between Holland and the emperor are slow, but will probably end in peace. It is believed the...
1564From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Priestley, 29 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 29. was recieved in due time, and I am very thankful for the extract of mr Stone’s letter on the subject of Alexander. the apparition of such a man on a throne is one of the phaenomena which will distinguish the present epoch so remarkeable in the history of man. but he must have an Herculean task to devise and establish the means of securing freedom & happiness to those who...
1565From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Colley, 9 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of Jan. 22. by post that by Capt. Anderson being not yet arrived. In your account you have omitted freight and commission, and I was not merchant enough to know how much they should be. I have therefore by guess inclosed you a bank post note for seventy dollars, which if too little shall be corrected. Observe that by an arrangement between the bank and Treasury, any...
1566From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Cutting, 10 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 3d. and thank you for the information it contained. None of the vessels mentioned in it will suit me, unless that of Mr. Taylor of Norfolk should be longer receiving it’s orders than we ought to expect. However this sometimes happens and I do not therefore give up the possibility that she may be here late enough to carry me. Indeed I begin to be anxious now...
1567From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson, 30 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to give you so much Trouble with the Horses lately impressed for operating against Portsmouth. That plan being now discontinued we have thought that (Economy and Respect to the rights of our Citizens required a restitution of all the Horses to their Owners. But as they may have fallen off or been injured we wish that the whole should be valued by you as they were when...
1568From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I write by this post to the Minister of foreign affairs, but will repeat to you the facts mentioned to him and some others improper for a public letter, and some reflections on them which can only be hazarded to the ear of friendship. The cold weather having set in the evening of the 30th. Ult. (being the same in which I arrived here) the Chevalr. de Ville-brun was obliged to fall down with...
1569From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of Dec. 12. which Mr. Remsen did me the favor to write me during your indisposition has been duly received; and I shall be happy to hear that the cause is removed which deprived me at that moment of the pleasure of hearing from you. My last were of the 21st. and 31st. of December. I am afraid that my intelligence may have appeared sometimes to come late to hand. My letters by the...
1570From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 29 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state, charged with the civil affairs of the several territories of the United States, has recieved from the Marshal of Columbia a statement of the condition, unavoidably distressing, of the persons committed to his custody on civil or criminal process, and the urgency for some legislative provisions for their relief . there are other important cases wherein the laws of the...
1571From Thomas Jefferson to George Gilmer, 11 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 1. has filled us all with joy. Madison, Monroe and myself have been constantly in council about you for three or four weeks past, the account we had recieved of your situation having filled us with anxiety. The moment I received your letter, I sent it round to chear them. We had before been made happy by an assurance that Mrs. Gilmer was restored to health. I am in hopes you...
1572From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carmichael informs me that he has drawn on you for 4614₶–3–6 for salary due to him. I have only to observe on this occasion that in the Estimate which Mr. Adams and myself left with you, the article of 4000₶ monthly for the diplomatic establishment was meant to include the demands for salary and incidental expences of Mr. Carmichael, Mr. Dumas and myself, and that these demands, including...
1573II. Notes on Cost of Shipping Rice, &c., 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Riz vaut dans ce moment £14. à £14.5s. de Nice Le cantare qui est composé de 150. lb soit de 6 Rubs de 25. ℔ chaque. Le Rapport du poidt de Nice à celui de Marc doit etre calculé sur le pied de 25.℔ de Nice pour 16 ℔. de Marc de manière que le cantare soit quintal de Nice de 150 ℔. est equivalent à 96 ℔. de Marc. Le louis d’or de france de £24. vaut £25 de Nice en marchandise. Estimate of...
1574From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 20 October 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 11th . has come duly to hand. Before it’s receipt I had carried the purchases of James river shares, for Mr. Short nearly to the extent intended, and had determined to go no further, as I learn that the company is aground and will not have funds to complete the canal, without raising a very large sum (£10, 000 it is said) either on the old shares or by selling new ones, which...
1575From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 14th. was recieved on the 18th. and this goes by the return of the first post, that which brought it not affording time for an answer. No. 2. in the draught mr King was so kind as to send me is exactly what Dr. Thornton explained to me as the original design except that he did not mention the two middle rows of trees, but only the two outer ones on each side: and, omitting...
1576From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 11 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 12th. of March, and again on the 17th. of the same month, since which I have received your favor of January 24th. wherein you refer to copies of two letters, also to a paper No. 1. supposed to be enclosed in that letter: but there was nothing enclosed. You speak particularly of several other letters formerly forwarded, but not a single one was ever received of later date...
1577From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 3 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Dr. Edwards, a citizen of the US. proposing to visit London, I take the liberty of presenting him to you. Tho I have not the honor personally of a particular acquaintance with him, yet his reputation, and the recommendations I receive of him from several persons and particularly from Colo. Burr and Doctor Rush authorise me to ask your attentions and good offices to him with...
1578From Thomas Jefferson to Edmond Charles Genet, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you the Memorial of Nicholas Cruger and others, citizens of the US. owners and underwriters of the schooner the York. They set forth that their vessel had been sent on a voyage to the Spanish coast in the bay of Mexico, with a cargo assorted to that market, and armed as usual in such cases; that on their return, being distressed for water and other...
1579From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 10 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
The annual period for electing a President of the American Philosophical society being now approaching, and no circumstances rendering it probable that I may be able to attend their sessions in Philadelphia it is become my duty to desire the society to turn their views to some other person, better situated and more capable of discharging the functions of their President. permit me to do this...
1580From Thomas Jefferson to William Evans, 22 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You mentioned to me in conversation here that you sometimes saw my former servant James, & that he made his engagements such as to keep himself always free to come to me. could I get the favor of you to send for him & to tell him I shall be glad to recieve him as soon as he can come to me? Francis Sayes who also lived with me formerly and, since that, with you, came here some time ago to offer...
1581From 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...
1582From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 12 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Martin Wanscher writes to me for 40. Dollars. there will then remain due to him about 90. or 100. D. which he will be drawing for from time to time. the demand of his balance having been expected to have laid over till the spring, will be an addition to my last estimate . I am to inclose the money to him in Alexandria, so that I suppose it should be in bills of that bank or the Washington. I...
1583Notes on Nathaniel Ingraham’s Case, ca. 9 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Ingraham’s case for carrying on the slave trade. 1801. Feb. action of q.t. institd. by J. W. Leonard Nov. verdict & jdmt for 14,000 D. & costs. does not appear that any term of imprismt entered into the quantum of punmt adjudged. act of 1794. c.11. §.4. inflicts 200. D. for every slave, by qui tam. 1800. c.51. respects slave trade betw. foreign ports, or in forn. vesls. the conviction then has...
1584From Thomas Jefferson to James Lewis, Jr., 9 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your friendly letter of the 4th. inst. as soon as I saw the first of mr Martin’s letters, I turned to the newspapers of the day & found Logan’s speech as translated by a common Indian interpreter. the version I had used had been made by Genl. Gibson. finding from mr Martin’s article that his object was not merely truth, but to gratify party passions, I never read another...
1585From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to each of you once during my journey, from which I returned four days ago, having enjoyed thro’ the whole of it very perfect health. I am in hopes the relaxation it gave me from business has freed me from the almost constant headach with which I had been persecuted thro the whole winter and spring. Having been entirely clear of it while travelling proves it to have been occasioned by...
1586From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Mercer, 5 September 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved safely your favor of Aug. 9. with the two packets of Smyrna and Sicilian wheat. The latter I shall value as well because it lengthens our fall sowing, as because it may be sown in the spring. And in a soil which does not suit oats (as is the case of ours) we want a good spring grain. The May wheat has been sufficiently tried to prove that it will not answer for general culture in...
1587From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Culpeper, 5 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to inform you [&c. as in the preceding Letter of May 5th] I am &c. FC ( Vi ); at head of text: “County Lieutenant of Culpeper.” Brackets supplied. The “preceding letter” refers to the letter preceding here, also. Below the text is written, “Culpeper 351,” the number of militia to be called.
1588From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [ca. 13 August 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Suppose interest at 6 pr. Cent, the arrangement to commence Oct. 1. 1793. £ £ 67.567 with 8. years interest = 100. 70.422 7 = 100 73.529 6 = 100 76.923 5 = 100
1589From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 4 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inclose for communication to the society observations made on a lunar eclipse at the Observatory of Philadelphia on the 21st of Sep. last by messrs. Patterson & Ellicot. Also some extracts from a letter I recieved from mr Dunbar of the Natchez with Meteorological observations for the year 1800. made there by him, and remarks on the soil, climate & productions of the...
1590From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
We are still without any letters from Monticello since our departure. I received one yesterday from Mr. De Rieux of Nov. 15. in which however he does not mention the family at Monticello. I suppose that some irregularity of the post occasions this. I have never failed to write once a week, and Maria has written several times . Stratton did not sail till yesterday, so that by the time you get...
1591From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 12 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I offer you my sincere condolances on the melancholy loss which has detained you at home: and am entirely sensible of the necessities it will have imposed on you for further delay. mr Lincoln has undertaken the duties of your office per interim, and will continue till you can come. Genl. Dearborn is in the War department. mr Gallatin, though unappointed, has staid till now to give us the...
1592III. Some Thoughts on a Coinage, [ca. March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Some Thoughts on a Coinage, and the Money Unit for the U.S. Transition from money to weights. Transition from weights to measures. Transition from measures to time. I find new dollars of 1774,80,81 (qu. Mexico Pillar) weigh 18 dwt. 9 grs.=441 grs. If of this there be but 365 grs. pure silver, the alloy would be of 2.1 oz. in the ℔. instead of 19 dwt. the common Spanish alloy, which is 1 dwt....
1593From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 1 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Monticello the 18th. of Dec. and arrived here to breakfast on the 25th. having experienced no accident or inconvenience except a slight cold, which brought back the inflammation of my eyes and still continues it, though so far mended as to give hopes of it’s going off soon. I took my place in Senate before a single bill was brought in or other act of business done, except the Address...
1594From Thomas Jefferson to João, Prince Regent of Portugal, 12 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
To our Great and Good Friend, His Royal Highness the Prince Regent of Portugal and the two Algarves, on this side and on that of the sea, in Africa of Guinea, and of the conquest, Navigation and Commerce of Æthiopia, Arabia, Persia and of India &ca. I have received with the deepest concern the letter of your Royal Highness, dated on the 12th of June last, wherein you announce to me the decease...
1595From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 13 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the inclosed letter from Mr. Hammond Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain on the case of Hooper and Pagan whereon you have been before consulted. I take the liberty of resorting again to you for the information which your presence in the supreme court will have enabled you to give, or which you may have otherwise obtained, and for your opinion on the case in it’s...
1596From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 6 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never expressed an objection to the part of your plan relative to the theatre. The utility of this in America is a great question on which I may be allowed to have an opinion, but it is not for me to decide on it, nor to object to the proposal of establishing one at Richmond. The only objection to your plan which I have ever made, is that contained in my letter to you. I feared it was...
1597From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 16 July 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Snelson’s business has prevented his rendering me an account till this day. I now inclose you his note for the balance due me £102–8–11 ¾. arising on nails delivered him before the 30th. May. I also inclose an order of Ro. Rives & Co. on you for £9-5-3. Below is a statement of our account as nearly as I can make it. By this there will be still about £10. due from me to you, occasioned by...
1598From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate for the information of Congress a letter of Sep. 18. from Commodore Preble giving a detailed account of the transactions of the vessels under his command from July the 9th. to the 10th. of Sep. last past. The energy & judgment displayed by this excellent officer thro’ the whole course of the service lately confided to him, and the zeal and bravery of his officers & men in the...
1599From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 8 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I ought oftener, my dear Martha, to recieve your letters, for the very great pleasure they give me, & especially when they express your affections for me. for though I cannot doubt them, yet they are among those truths which tho’ not doubted we love to hear repeated. here too they serve like gleams of light, to chear a dreary scene, where envy, hatred, malice, revenge, & all the worst passions...
1600From Thomas Jefferson to John Skinker and William Garrard, 14 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am exceedingly sorry to learn that the Enemy are committing such cruel depredations in your part of the Country: however it may tend to produce irremoveable hatred against so detestable a nation and thereby strengthen our Union. Yet in the mean time it brings afflicting distress on Individuals and by diverting so great a Proportion of our force from their principal object leaves...