1571From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Goff, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your petition praying for the discharge of your son Jehiel Goff from military service on the ground of his being under age; and have forwarded it to the Secretary at war to have the fact enquired into, and to order a discharge if found true. I think it proper to inform you also, that the discharge in such a case does not rest on the will of the military alone, but that on your...
1572From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed letter & papers from Governor Mercer, requesting my approbation of the relinquishment of a part of their claim to bank stock in England in order to obtain the residue. this it seems is required by an act of the legislature of Maryland, but with what view, or to what end I am unapprised, never having seen the act. it cannot certainly be with a view to raise any...
1573From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel D’Oyley, 14 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 25. found me at this place, where I habitually pass the two months of August & September, to avoid the bilious diseases then prevailing on the tidewaters. I thank you for the pamphlet it covered, and which breathes the genuine sentiments which separated us from Great Britain. I lament that so many of the worthies of your state, who went well with us through the revolution,...
1574From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund J. Lee, Cuthbert Powell, and Archibald McClean, 14 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival here I recieved from the person I had employed for that purpose, copies of the acts respecting the town of Alexandria, which had been selected from my collection of the printed laws. although I have not had time to examine & compare them myself, the correctness of the transcriber on former occasions gives me entire confidence that these are correct. I now inclose them, & beg...
1575From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 14 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 2d. inst. has been duly recieved. I have altogether declined my journey to Bedford, and therefore am in no danger of being absent when yourself & family shall render us the kindness of a visit. as all roads appear bad to the traveller, and he is liable to be ill-advised in the choice of them, I take the liberty, on my own knolege of the routes from Richmond here, as well as on the...
1576From Thomas Jefferson to John Vaughan, 14 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have taken in procuring a copy of Dr. Priestley’s harmony, yet fear at the same time we may have disfurnished him of the one retained for his own use. I expect that mr John Barnes of George town is at this time at Philadelphia at mr Bissel’s 19. South 3d. street. if he is he will take charge of the book and bring it with him to Washington. if not...
1577From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th. came to hand yesterday. I now return Paine’s Duane’s, Lear’s, Simpson’s & Toulman’s letters, and the two protests on impressment by a British and a French armed vessel. I am glad of the latter, as it will serve as a set-off against French complaints on the British trespasses on us. but the former is an afflicting subject. with every disposition to render them all...
1578From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 16 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson salutes mr Smith and incloses him a letter from a mr Nichols of Massachusets desiring to be a midshipman, of whom he knows nothing but what is contained in the letter. health & happiness. PrC ( DLC ). Enclosure: John H. Nichols to TJ, 8 Aug. 1803 (recorded in SJL as received from Charlestown on 15 Aug. with notation “to be Midshipman,” but not found).
1579From Thomas Jefferson to John Breckinridge, 18 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 12th. inst. on the subject of Louisiana, and the constitutional provision which might be necessary for it. a letter recieved yesterday shews that nothing must be said on that subject which may give a pretext for retracting; but that we should do sub silentio what shall be found necessary. be so good therefore as to consider that part of my letter as confidential. it...
1580From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 8th. inst. yesterday I recieved your two favors of the 11th. there ought to be no further hesitation with E. Livingston. the importation of negroes from the French islands ought to be vigorously withstood: but I think we should not tread back our steps as to the reduction of the size of our revenue cutters on bare supposition that they will be resisted. when such a...