51From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 6 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Munroe: he does not recollect whether any act of Congress authorises the paiment of the instalments to Maryland, & he has not had an opportunity of consulting mr Gallatin. under this state of uncertainty it would be improper to say any thing to mr Harwood which should be any thing like a promise or assurance on the part of the Executive. he thinks...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 27 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect to leave this on Thursday; but unforeseen business may protract it. I expect consequently to be with you on Sunday or some early day after that. we have nothing to be depended on from Egypt. the Northern difference is probably settled. the K. of England has desired it to be notified to our government that, understanding we were about to send a squadron into the Mediterranean for the...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 5 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31st. came by the last post, and conveyed the first information I had recieved since I left Washington of the progress in the public buildings. I see with extreme concern that we shall not accomplish what was hoped. as nothing is mentioned of the covering of sheet iron being put on either building, I fear it is not done. I am now putting such a cover on my own house, &...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Perkins, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of Feb. 6. but never till now have had a moment’s leisure to make you my acknolegements for the permission to use your invention. my nailers are employed in hammering nails, except one cutter for four pennies only, our neighborhood requiring no other cut nail. so that it is but a small business with me. still I like to see even small things done to the best...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of May 30. came to hand yesterday. I wrote to Martha on the 28th. I have never heard from the Hundred since I left home. and indeed have been so pressed with business that I have never written but once .—two of our frigates are arrived here to be laid up . 3. more are expected. 2 others will remain where they are, the one to be repaired, the other to be sold as good for nothing if...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas T. Davis, 16 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Davis & his thanks for the information respecting Indiana. he had wished to see the law on the subject of it’s going into the 2d. grade of government, not knowing but it might have been rested on the President to do some act promotive of it, which he should willingly have done, as being a friend to the advancement of the territories to a freer state...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 11 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A mr John Hill of Philadelphia asks of me whether mr Duane senr. ever said in my presence ‘that the members of St. Patrick society in Phila were all federalists.’ I do not know mr Hill, and the liberties which have been taken in publishing my letters renders it prudent not to commit them to persons whom I do not know. yet a desire never to be wanting to truth and justice makes me wish it to be...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 4 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 27. came to hand yesterday. I am sensible the settees could not be here till long after I shall have left this place, & that it will be better they should await your going to Philadelphia. the mattrasses were intended to be single, and to have a decent furniture cover. I shall be at Washington on or before the last day of this month, barring sickness & accidents on the road....
59From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
As possibly an authentic copy of the decree against Henderson may be wanted at the hearing of his & Peyton’s applications for an order of court for a mill, I have procured one from Richmond & inclose it to you. you will observe the level to which it restores & confirms my right is that at which the water stood at the confines between Henderson & myself , before the erection of his dam. that is...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 7 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. Apr. came to hand on the 1st. inst. and that of the 8th. not till the 3d. the pipe of wine had arrived a few days before, and I have now the pleasure to inclose you the first halves of 4. bills of the bank of the US. to wit 3. of 100. D. each & 1. of 50. D. the other halves shall follow by a subsequent post. I have already tried the wine and am highly pleased with it’s...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Whitney, 13 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I observe in the European catalogues of Optical, Astronomical &c. Instruments, they advertize ‘Artificial horizons by parallel glasses and quicksilver to take double altitudes by, £1–16. sterl.’ I suppose it possible that this may be to supply the want of a good horizon at land and enable us to use Hadley’s quadrant here as well as at sea. should this be the case, and you happen to have one,...
62From 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...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I snatch half a moment to inform you that a circumstance has occurred which will inevitably keep me a week longer or thereabouts. in the mean time my horses will wait I presume at Heron’s. my tender love to my dear Martha, & the little ones. Affectionate attachment to yourself. P.S. I do not know if there is any merit in the music inclosed. It has been sent to me. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Rodney, 17 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
From what passed between mr Nicholson & myself last winter , I have presumed it possible you might be willing to undertake soon a distant service for the US. the act of the last session of Congress regulating grants of lands South of the Tennissee, authorises me to appoint two Commissioners for the territory West of Pearl river & two for that East of the same river. they are to meet on the...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Leiper, 2 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. is recieved. my crop of tobacco of the last year’s growth was sold in April. that lately severed will be small; the crop of tobacco this year being generally short. mine will not be half a one. I fear too the quality will be indifferent; at least that was the expectation when I was at home in September. in that case I always sell in Richmond where they are less anxious about...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 19 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Jan. 20. and Mar. 15. have been duly recieved, as also the books, vines, and wines announced in them, for which I pray you to accept my thanks, and to communicate the same to M. Lastri for his book and the vines. these last came in fine order and are now growing here. the wines came also in perfect order, & there is no doubt but the method you adopted for their safe keeping was...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Prince Ruspoli, a Roman Noble proposing in a tour which he is taking to Rockbridge, to pass by Monticello, I take the liberty of addressing him to your attentions. he will probably pass one evening only at Milton or Charlottesville; and, if you could ride with him to Monticello, he would probably be gratified by it, and have his enquiries more satisfactorily answered, than by mr Dinsmore, to...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas T. Hewson, 20 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The renewed evidence of regard which I recieve through you from the American Philosophical society, calls for my grateful acknolegements. the suffrage of a body of men, of the first order of science, associated for the purposes of enlightening the mind of man, of multiplying his physical comforts improving his moral faculties, and enlarging the boundaries of his knowledge in general, is a...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Caldcleugh & Thomas, 12 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. has been duly recieved, and I now inclose you a draught of the US. bank of this place on that at Philadelphia for 47.25 D for the lamps you have been so kind as to forward, which I presume will arrive in due time. with respect to the mantle-piece lamps, being, as I mentioned to you, in no hurry for them, I can wait till I have an opportunity of getting those which...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 7 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On further enquiry & consideration I find it will be better to employ what is called here foundation stone, rather than brick: consequently that little brick will be wanting. your advertisement therefore may be that there will be wanting large quantities of freestone, foundation stone & lime, and some brick. be so good as to mention this to mr Latrobe should he come. Accept my best wishes &...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 20 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th is recieved. I think that while there is a prospect of getting better prices by postponing the sale of the lots, the public interest requires they should be postponed. to what time I leave to your own judgment, observing only that the law has fixed a limit beyond which we cannot postpone. With respect to the paiment of your note to the Columbia bank I am in hopes no...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 24 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favors of the 6th. and 16th. and learnt the death of Dr. Priestly with all that regret which the termination of so good and so useful a life necessarily inspires. all late accounts of him had given me apprehensions for him. not indeed that the continuance of life could be important to him, but as every year added to it was usefully employed for the general good of...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 9 March 1801 [i.e. May 1801] (Jefferson Papers)
The day before yesterday I inclosed you the first halves of 4. bank bills for 350. D. to wit 3. for 100. D. each & 1. of 50. all of the United states. I now inclose you the other moieties. This morning your two letters to Govr. Monroe relative to lands at Gosport were put into my hands and will be duly attended to. in the last of them I observe you mention that mr Taylor had sent some pipes of...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to have to inform you of the dangerous situation of our friend Peter Carr at mr Hollins’s at Baltimore. yesterday was sennight he was taken suddenly & violently ill. gravel entered certainly into the complaint, but whether something bilious was not also a part of it seems doubtful. on Tuesday I recieved from mr Hollins the first information of his illness & danger, & his wish to see...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 2 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the day before yesterday I mentioned that [I was] not then fixed on the inscription for the Silver ewer . I was con[vinced] to have the following words engraved on the upper side of the lid. to wit “[Copied from] a model taken in 1778. by Th. Jefferson from a Roman Ewer in the Cabinet of antiquities at [Nismes.]” I enclose you a [paper] showing in what manner I think it may be...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Cooper, 29 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 25. was recieved in due time, and I thank you for the long extract you took the trouble of making from mr Stone’s letter. certainly the information it communicates as to Alexander kindles a great deal of interest in his existence, and strong spasms of the heart in his favor. tho his means of doing good are great, yet the materials on which he is to work are refractory....
77From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 10 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Doctr. Thornton informs me that mr Mason & yourself had concluded that it would be no injury to the public to postpone for a time the sale of mr Stoddert’s lots , and that you had postponed it till the 25th. of Oct. and he asks the same indulgence for himself. the same reason pleading for this as in the other case, I think it right that the same indulgence should be...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas C. James, 21 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A pressure of business for some days past has prevented my acknoleging the reciept of your favor of the 7th. inst. informing me that at the last annual election of officers of the American Philosophical society, they had been pleased unanimously to re-elect me their President. I beg leave through you, Sir, to express my thankfulness to the society for the reiterated proofs of their good will...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 4 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of July 31st. is recieved, and I am sorry to learn that our funds call for a contraction of our works. in this case every thing unessential in other parts must be given up to finish the Capitol, which is the main object. I will give you my thoughts on the several parts of the works, and leave to yourself on consultation with mr Lenthall & mr Blagden to modify them according to existing...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 13 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer brings your models. you have certainly misconcieved what you deem shyness . of that I have not had a thought towards you, but on the contrary have openly maintained in conversation the duty of shewing our respect to you and of defying federal calumny in this as in other cases, by doing what is right. as to fearing it, if I ever could have been weak enough for that, they have taken...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 22 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor informing me of your disappointment as to the grates. I think with you we had better get common cheap ones made here for this winter & perhaps order from England proper ones for the next year. six will do for the house for this winter. the one for the kitchen you will be pleased to get either in Philadelphia or here as you think best. accept my best wishes &...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 14 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your letter covering mr Davidson’s on the subject of the claim he sets up to certain grounds near the President’s house, I did recieve an early application from him on the subject as he states, but it was very long before I got all the materials which were necessary to enable me to make up a satisfactory judgment on that & the many other questions respecting the city which had...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you two letters yesterday by the direct post. in the evening I recieved the two now inclosed, and altho’ I do not know that sending them by Richmond they can get to you sooner than if sent by our next post of Wednesday, yet I take that chance, to lessen the anxiety of yesterday’s accounts. affectionate salutations RC ( DLC ); endorsed by Randolph as received 10 June. Recorded in SJL...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 26 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Observing that the roof of the Representatives chambers has sunk in the middle, that the walls are cracked in several places and pressing out from the perpendicular, I think it necessary that the cause should be examined into by good & experienced persons, that we may know whether they may be safely left in their present state until the next season, when such steps may be taken as Congress...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am still here, & not yet absolutely certain of the moment I can get off. I fear I shall this evening recieve a 4th. refusal of the Secretaryship of the Navy. should it take place, I have fixed on a temporary arrangement, & in any event expect to get away in the course of 3. or 4. days, so as to be with you by the time you recieve this or very soon after. it is the getting the Naval...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 2 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. Ult. came to hand a few days ago. the reciept of the cyder had been acknoleged by mr Barnes to mr Taylor when he remitted him the cost of it (60.50) we have as yet tried only one cask of it, which is very fine indeed. not but that it has a little taste not belonging to it, & which I imagine is from the cask; but it is so slight as not to be percieved scarcely, nor to...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 18 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 13th . is recieved. the samples of straw floor cloths are beautiful, especially the finest one; but would not answer for the purpose I have in view which is to lay down on the floor of a dining room when the table is set, & be taken up, when the table is removed, merely to save a very handsome floor from grease & the scouring which that necessitates. the straw would fur up...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 20 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 25. did not get to my hands till the 17th. instant after I had delivered mine of that day to the post office. in that you will have been informed of the steps I had taken to procure you a copy of the act of assembly you had desired. your kind offer respecting the procuring cyder for me is accepted with thankfulness. if there were people at Norfolk who follow the business of...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 15 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day made a tolerably exact estimate of the digging already done at the President’s house, & that which remains to be done, for the head drains from each end of the house, and the main sewer. C D C D D there is done 1000. cub. yards. digging at 18 = 180. carrying away @ 39 ½ = 3
90From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 13 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve a letter from John Hyndman Purdie of Smithfield asking the office on which I wrote you yesterday, and another from his father George Purdie. the latter I formerly knew, and he was a man of merit. I know nothing of their politics; yet that article of character is not to be neglected: and if there be a republican who will do, he should be preferred in the state of great...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Tingey, 20 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Capt Tingey, and having little acquaintance among the directors of the bank , asks the favor of him to consider the inclosed letter proposed to be written to the President, as to the mode of keeping his account, should he open one with them on the departure of mr Barnes who has hitherto been his banker. if there be anything in it, which Capt Tingey...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 6 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Monroe informs me you have not more than two or three pipes of your Brazil Madeira left. I must therefore pray you to send me two pipes of it, recieving paiment at 90. days if that will suit. for my demands here are such as to keep me in that predicament. if you import this wine annually, it is probable I shall annually call for two or three pipes. I have recieved 6. barrels of Crab...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Whitney, 9 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a postnote on the bank of the US. at Philadelphia drawn by the branch bank here, in discharge of a bill for instruments to that amount furnished to Isaac Briggs partly for him & partly for myself. Accept my salutations. PoC ( MoSHi : Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Thomas Whitney”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL : “50.” The $50 that TJ sent to Whitney included a...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, Sr., 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
You recommended to me formerly a Major Thos Fitzpatrick for some office in the Western country to which he proposed to remove. I shall be glad to avail the public of his services in the Commission for settling the claims to lands in the Missisipi territory. it may be necessary for him to be at Natchez by the 1st. of Oct. but certainly before the 1st. of Dec. having heard nothing of his going...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have learnt with extreme concern the rupture between Craven & Lilly, and percieve that it will become extremely embarassing & prejudicial to my affairs unless it can be made up. this can only be done by an oblivion of the past without going into any enquiry which was most in the wrong. I have pressed this in a conversation with Craven, & I think he may be brought to. I have written with...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 17 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s from Gordon’s did not reach me till the 15th. and was the first information which relieved us from the state of anxious suspense into which we had been thrown by reports of the difficulties & delays you met with at Bullrun. yesterday morning John & the carriage got back. I rejoice that the journey has been accomplished without any sinister accident; for a journey with a family in winter...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The arrival of the treaty of cession of Louisiana last night, and the short day given for ratification (Oct. 30.) will oblige me to call Congress about the middle of that month; & consequently to return here earlier than I had calculated; I shall therefore go home earlier. I think I shall be with you on Friday or Saturday next. my affectionate love to all of you.—the price of Louisiana...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 2 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It being perfectly understood that the appropriation of Mar. 3. 1803. for ‘keeping in repair the highway between the capitol & other public buildings’ had in view only ordinary & light repairs in the stile which then existed, it would be contrary to that view to make it the foundation of expending on them such a sum as 5. or 6000. D. altho’ it is very possible that this would be cheapest in...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 9 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
An extraordinary press of business has prevented my sooner acknoleging the reciept of your favor of Oct. 16. the articles from New Orleans were safely recieved, and I now with thankfulness inclose the 20 D. 75 c you had been so kind as to pay on that account. a few days before my return to this place two other pipes of Brazil wine had come to hand. this is the first occasion I have had to...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 22 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having consulted the Secretary of the Treasury on the letter from mr Harwood to yourself respecting the Maryland debt, you are desired to inform mr Harwood that we consider ourselves as authorised by the act of Congress to pay the 1st. instalment of 40. M dollars on any day in the year 1804. the 2d. on any day in the year 1805 &c. that consequently the first will be paid on demand, & as it is...