101From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the receipt of yours of Mar. 4. and to express to you the delight with which I found the just, disinterested & honorable point of view in which you saw the proposition it covered. the resolution you so properly approve had long been formed in my mind. the public will never be made to believe that an appointment of a relative is made on the ground of merit alone,...
102From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with great pleasure your favor of the 16. and it is with the greatest satisfaction I learn from all quarters that my inaugural Address is considered as holding out a ground for conciliation & union. I am the more pleased with this, because the opinion therein stated as to the real ground of difference among us (to wit, the measures rendered most expedient by French enormities) is...
103From Thomas Jefferson to Providence Citizens, 27 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I return my sincere thanks for your kind congratulations on my elevation to the first magistracy of the United States. I see with pleasure every evidence of the attachment of my fellow citizens to elective government, calculated to promote their happiness, peculiarly adapted to their genius, habits & situation, and the best peaceable corrective of the errors or abuses of those entrusted with...
104From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 28 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you the day before yesterday, since that I have taken a more correct view of my [probable] receipts & expenditures and find that I may venture to take Haxall’s horse immediately at 500. doll. paiable at 90. days. it would be a great inconvenience to have to send from Washington for directions; & on the [other hand] a convenience to have […] brought to Monticello by the messenger who...
105From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Adams, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I addressed a letter to you, my very dear & antient friend, on the 4th. of March: not indeed to you by name, but through the medium of some of my fellow citizens, whom occasion called on me to address. in meditating the matter of that address, I often asked myself, is this exactly in the spirit of the patriarch of liberty, Samuel Adams? is it as he would express it? will he approve of it? I...
106From Thomas Jefferson to Pierpont Edwards, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You will doubtless have long ago learned that the office which was the subject of your two favors to me was filled by mr Adams some days before he went out of office. I have not considered as candid, or even decorous, the crouding of appointments by mr A. after he knew he was making them for his successor & not for himself, even to 9. aclock of the night, at twelve of which he was to go out of...
107From 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...
108From Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have long been indebted to you a letter; but it has been because you desired me to write by mr Ervin the bearer of yours who is not yet gone back. but in the mean time I trust that the post is become a safe channel to and from [me]. I have heard indeed of some extraordinary licenses practised in the post offices of your state, & there is nothing I desire so much as information of facts on...
109From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 29 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I propose in two or three days to make a short excursion home to make some arrangements previously neecessary to my final settlement here. I cannot go till I have thanked you for the trouble you took in the late case of my tobo. which as to the complaints I suppose had it’s origin in feelings no way derived from the quality of the tobo. my crop of the last year, about [40,000] is lying at...
110From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have a commission to be executed in Philadelphia which would be the better at least of being done with taste and convenience, and to whom […] I apply in a question of taste & convenience so justly as to yourself, who are full of taste, and aided by that of mrs Edwards? the only scruple is on what ground I can claim a right to lay your taste under [contribution?] for my benefit? to this I...
111Enclosure: Instructions for a Carriage, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
PrC ( DLC ); blurred; letterpressed to second page of enclosing letter. Word interlined. Preceding two words interlined.
112From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of Feb. 18. you were so kind as to tender your continuance in office till I could provide a successor, expressing a [wish at] the same time to be relieved as early in this month as should be p[ossible to do.] it has not been in my power to do this as early as you wished. Genl. Smith is now arrived to take charge of the department, at such particular moment as you may think...
113From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Stoddart, Secretary of the Navy having early in this month informed me by letter of his desire to resign that office, and having continued in it ever since, on my request only, I hereby authorize & appoint you to recieve the charge of the department from him, and to perform the duties of it until a Secretary of the Navy shall be formally appointed. Accept assurances of my high...
114From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Dexter, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment favored with yours of yesterday’s date expressing your wish that your resignation might be accepted to take place on the 20th. of the ensuing month. after continuing so long as an accomodation to myself as well as the public, I can not urge your convenience further, tho’ it would have been materially advantageous if you could have continued a fortnight longer than the time you...
115From Thomas Jefferson to William Evans, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in the moment of departure for Monticello where it is necessary for me to be two or three weeks previous to my final settlement here, I cannot go without thanking you for the trouble you were so good as to take as to James & Francis. I supposed I saw in the difficulties raised by James an unwillingness to come here, arising wholly from some attachment he had formed at Baltimore; for I...
116From Thomas Jefferson to Walter Jones, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I was already almost in the act of mounting my horse for a short excursion home, when your favor of the 14th. was put into my hands. I stop barely to acknolege it, and to thank you for your kind congratulations, and still more for your interesting observations on the course of things. I am sensible how far I should fall short of effecting all the reformation which reason would suggest and...
117From Thomas Jefferson to Philippe de Létombe, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve your favor of the 26th. just in the moment of my departure for Monticello, from which I shall not return till the last week of April. I have therefore but barely time to acknolege the receipt of your letter, to thank you for the trouble you have taken to aid me in my domestic administration, and to rejoice in the success which has attended your endeavors. it is a great matter to get...
118From Thomas Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been in hopes you would arrive here in time, with me, to make a little excursion to Albemarle, where I supposed it would be as agreeable to you to see your friends, as necessary to me to make some arrangements for my final removal hither. I shall stay there till the 29th. & then return. the time of your arrival here therefore, & your own inclinations will decide whether you follow me...
119From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Little, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. White, one of the Commissioners of this city, informs me that he has heretofore had conversations with you on the subject of a road we have been wishing to get from this place to Slaterun church as direct as can be had tolerably level; for levelness is a still more important consideration than distance. it is become more interesting now to me to find such a course. as I am setting out...
120From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Vaughan, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th. is put into my hand, just as I am mounting my horse for Monticello, where I shall be about three weeks making some domestic arrangements for my final settlement here. I stop to thank you for your kind congratulations & still more for your judicious observations on the circumstances of my position. one counsel will be very difficult, to draw the veil of confidence over a...
121From Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 31 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
By the preceding post you will have recieved some Observations transmitted [here] by Mr. Legaux, [& also] two precious volumes of Comparative anatomy presented to the Society by mr Cuvier , the author. I now inclose you a letter from Chancellor Livingston on the subject of the large [bones] lately found [in New York] with a drawing, & also a paper enclosed me in a former [private] letter, but...
122From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 4th. inst. and found the family at Edgehill all well. we are now all together at this place, and only want the addition of your’s and my dear Maria’s company to be entirely happy. I shall leave it pointedly on the 25th. if not some days before. mr Overton is married & settled adjoining us. Nancy Jefferson is said to be about marrying Charles Lewis. this is our only small...
123From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 8 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 4th. and expect to stay a fortnight in order to make some arrangements preparatory to my final removal to Washington.—you know that the last Congress established a Western judiciary district in Virginia , comprehending chiefly the Western counties. mr Adams, who continued filling all the offices till 9. aclock of the night, at 12. of which he was to go out of office...
124From Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King, 10 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Louis Buchanan Smith, son of Genl. Smith now acting as Secretary of the navy, proposing to visit Europe, I take the liberty of introducing him to your civilities & services. his personal merit will do justice to any attentions you shall be pleased to shew him, & his station & prospects in life render it interesting that he should derive from his travels all the advantages...
125From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 10 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I reached this place on the 4th. having passed an evening with mr Madison who is in as good health as for some time past, but that is very indifferent. he will set out for the seat of government about the time I shall. I did not percieve till I got here, that I had brought away the inclosed commissions before they were sealed. I therefore return them. if sealed and returned to me in Thursday...
126From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 11 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to mr Eppes on the 8th. instant by post, to inform him I should on the 12th. send off a messenger to the Hundred for the horses he may have bought for me. Davy Bowles will accordingly set out tomorrow, & will be the bearer of this. he leaves us all well, and wanting nothing but your’s & mr Eppes’s company to make us compleatly happy. let me know by his return when you expect to be...
127From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is just now recieved. your former one had also come duly to hand, and was properly disposed of to produce it’s effect at it’s just season. it was not therefore from inattention that I had not acknoleged it, but from the absolute impossibility of doing this in the immense number of those I daily recieve. it reduces me to the painful necessity of leaving those who are...
128From Thomas Jefferson to John Hoomes, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I came here on the 4th. & shall leave it on the 25th. inst. for Washington after compleating some arrangements previous to my final removal there. but for fear any accident of health or weather should detain me here longer, I forward you the inclosed order for paiment for the horse , which mr Barnes will pay to your order in Washington, Philadelphia, or Richmond, or remit to your own house in...
129From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Apr. 6 is recieved; so is the syrop of punch forwarded by you. I must ask the favor of you to call on Colo. Carrington & pay him 30. Dollars on account of Matthew Rhodes collector of the direct tax of this county. also to pay mr Jones & mr Pleasants, a year’s subscription for their papers , and notify them that they may annually apply to you for the paiment without awaiting the...
130From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve your favor on the subject of my bonds , [the] possession of mr Hanson, and now inclose you an authority to recieve them, of which I notify him by this post . I am Dear Sir Your’s affectionately PrC ( MHi ); faint; letterpressed at head of same sheet as TJ to Richard Hanson, 17 Apr.; at foot of sheet below Hanson letter: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on...
131From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterday I recieved your favors of the 8th. & 9th. and as the delay of the post here is short, I can only acknolege their reciepts. before the next post (a week hence) reaches you I shall be with you myself; that is to say on the 28th. health & weather permitting. till then I can say nothing on Priestman’s case: & the rather, as having been already the subject of a deliberate decision, it...
132From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be with you on the 25th. unless health or weather prevent. but if you propose leaving home sooner for Washington, do not let my coming prevent you. only, in that case, if convenient, lodge word at Gordon’s, or write me by next post, that you will be gone; as I should then wish to lengthen my day’s journey. I have not been able to look yet into my newspapers, but I presume yours contain...
133From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Rapin, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your letter under cover of Capt. Lewis’s. what you propose as to the arranging the apartments is very right. of Edward I know very little, as he has been but a short time in my service. it is yet to be seen therefore how far he may be fit for his present station. the negro whom he thinks so little of, is a most valuable servant. I propose to leave this place on the 25th....
134From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Smith, 17 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 9th. inst. I recieved your’s of the 2d. and acknoleged it by return of post. yesterday your favor of the 6th. came to hand. the orders for the sale of the vessels which are to be sold, for the equipping three others for sea, & the laying up others are all right. I shall really be chagrined if the water into the Eastern branch will not admit our laying up the whole seven there in time of...
135From Thomas Jefferson to Enoch Edwards, 18 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 3 finds me on a short visit to this [place] for the purpose of making some [ … ] arrangements preparatory to my removal to Washington, which will be in one [week] from this time. a thousand of the ordinary formulas of compliment would not have [pro]ved the sincerity & kindness with which you undertake my commission so strongly as the [detailed views] you have given of it,...
136From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 20 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not know till this moment that the manifests for my tobo. [passed] at Milton the last winter had not been sent to you. I am now sending off a messenger to Milton for them. if they arrive before the departure of this letter they shall be inclosed. if not, some other private conveyance from our [court] shall be sought, so at farthest they shall go by the next post. I hope it will be no...
137From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 21 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you the manifests for my tobo. of the Milton inspection & growth of the last year, being 7. hhds weighing 10,028 th total. Mr. Eppes’s draughts on you on my account are now fixed to mr Bell 300. D. paiable June 16. Doctr. Shore 800. D. paiable July 12. mr. Haxhall 500. D. paiable July 16. for all of which I will make provision in your hands in time to prevent the inconvenience of...
138Statement of Account with Gibson & Jefferson, 24 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibson & Jefferson with Th: Jefferson Dr. Cr. 1800. £ s d Dec. 11. By balance Dec. 11. 1800. 60–10– 6 14. By ord. in favr. James Lyon 15– 0– 0 1801. Jan. 7. By ord. in favr. Rogers 17– 7– 0 Lilly 9– 7–10 Walker
139From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Martin & Davy arrived on the 20th. with the horses. I am perfectly satisfied with them all, & they completely answer my expectations. they are dear certainly, but horses, less perfect, however cheaper, would not have answered my purpose at all, so that I think the extra prices better submitted to. your draughts will be duly honored & provided for at maturity. the horses being tried in the...
140From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have set out for Washington this morning, but that it has now been raining upwards of a week, with some intermissions, is still raining & the wind at North East. of eight rivers between this & Washington, 5 have neither bridges nor boats. as soon as the one on which I live is fordable, it will be a signal that the others are so. this may be tomorrow; and in that case, if it has ceased...
141From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your’s of the 22d. & learn with regret that you have been so unwell. this & the state of the [country, the river &] roads should delay your departure, at least till the weather is better. I should have set out this morning, but it is still raining, and the rivers all but [swimm]ing at the last ford. if these circumstances are more favorable tomorrow I shall then set out,...
142From Thomas Jefferson to John Monroe, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Having to dispose of the inclosed commission I cannot better do it than by inserting your name. I am told you will not leave your present residence till the fall, or perhaps not at all. if in the fall, we can but then supply it, and indeed I think it highly probable the law will be repealed at the meeting of Congress. I set out tomorrow to take up my abode in Washington. accept assurances of...
143From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Stuart, 25 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote on the 8th. inst. to ask your recommendation of an Attorney & Marshall for the Western district of this state, but I learn you were absent on your circuit . on the enquiry I have been able to make, I have appointed mr John Monroe Attorney. but I cannot decide between Andrew Alexander, John Alexander, & John Caruthers , recommended by different persons for the Marshall’s office. pray...
144From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 April 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I hasten the return of the bearer that he may meet you at Brown’s and convey you information as to the road. from Songster’s I tried the road by Ravensworth, which comes into the turnpike road 4½ miles below Fairfax courthouse. there are about 2 miles of it which I think cannot be passed by your carriage without oversetting; and consulting with Colo. Wren who knows both roads, he says there is...
145From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Carr, 1 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here the day before yesterday, having left your mother well at Monticello, and your other friends in the neighborhood likewise so. Peter carried his election by a majority of 110. or 120. I have engaged a waggon to come on with my things, and propose she should return loaded with fish. the quantity necessary for me would be 12,000. but as she cannot carry [the] whole, I can have a...
146Notes on John Hunter’s Recommendations, [ca. 1 May 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
S. Carolina— J. Hunter considers John Ewing Calhoun first in information & integrity. And local knolege of S.C. Drayton Govr. John Julius Pringle Atty Gen., Wm. Johnston a judge , Paul Hamilton comptrollr. of treasy. in the lower country in the middle country. Ephraim Rumsy Silvanus Bluf near Augusta Wade Hampton. Columbia in the upper country
147From Thomas Jefferson to the Aliens of Beaver County, Pennsylvania, 2 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The satisfaction which, in the name of the foreigners residing in Beaver county, you are pleased to express in my appointment to the Presidency of the United States, the expectations you form of the character of my administration, and your kind wishes for my happiness demand my sincere thanks. born in other countries, yet believing you could be happier in this, our laws acknolege, as they...
148From Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 3 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 29th. of March. yours of the 25th of that month with the address it covered had not reached this place on the 1st. of April when I set out on a short visit to my residence in Virginia where some arrangements were necessary previous to my settlement here. in fact your letter came to me at Monticello only the 24th. of April, two days before my departure from thence. this I...
149Enclosure: To Suffield Citizens, 3 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieve with great satisfaction the congratulations of the citizens of Suffield & the neighboring towns who have been pleased to tender them on my appointment to the first office of government in the United States. and should I be able to preserve the general tranquility of the republic, or be instrumental in promoting the happiness of those who have placed me in this station, the measure of...
150From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 3 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. of April accepting 7. D. for my tobo. by return of the post which brought the offer: and on the 21st. I inclosed you the manifests of the Albemarle part of it. those of Bedford you had before. I have not heard whether you closed the sale. I expect that fine hams for table use can be obtained in Richmond & it’s vicinities; by which I do not mean large, but rather small...