1From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 5 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I must revoke my letter of the 2d. inst. mr Gallatin informs me the transfer of the office of Supervisor cannot wait, and that it will be much more proper to add it to the Marshal’s office, because he is already possessed of the principal materials for finishing it, which would cost much time, trouble & expence to any other. you will therefore be so good as to consider this only as a proof of...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 12 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Ellery. he is glad to recieve visits either of business or society at any hour of the forenoon. he generally goes out for exercise at noon. and is then engaged with company till candle-light, after which his friends will again find him entirely disengaged. he takes the liberty of mentioning this to mr Ellery, lest doubts on his part might deprive...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 2 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The business of Supervisor for Rhode island being nearly finished it has become proper according to the provisions of the law to suppress the office and transfer the residuary duties of it to some other officer. as it has been thought that Newport has not had it’s due share of office, I have thought of making the transfer to some one of the officers of the US. there. mr Nichols & mr Slocum are...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 6 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 28. was recieved yesterday, and gives me the opportunity of expressing my satisfaction at your appointment to the Senate of the US. this testimony of the confidence of your country, would of itself have given great weight to your recommendation of mr Robbins for the office of district attorney; but the commission had been made out for mr Howell so long before that I think he...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 9 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately recieved a letter from Ingraham , who is in prison under a ca. sa. on a judgment for 14000. dollars & costs, one moiety (I presume) to the US. for having been the master of a vessel which brought from Africa a cargo of the natives of that country to be sold in slavery. he petitions for a pardon, as does his wife also on behalf of herself, her children & his mother. his situation,...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 10 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
William Martin , keeper of the lighthouse in the district of Newport is dead, and mr Ellery the collector names two persons either of which he deems fit for a successor, to wit, Philip Caswell , son-in-law to the decedent & who has actually been the keeper of it, and Benjamin Remington of Conanicut, an old sea-captain of between 60. and 70. years of age. the age of the latter, if not now, will...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 29 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
When I thought of removing the loan office of R.I. to Newport, the object was to give to that place the participation in the benefits, which it had in the confidence of the government. I did not then suppose that a removal of 30. miles could have produced the serious inconveniences which have been since explained to me. whether these are as considerable as has been said is more than I am...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 22 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ I studiously avoid taking any part in the schisms & contentions which arise among our friends, & desire generally that my name may not be mingled in them, yet where my testimony is requisite to matters of fact, I think it my duty to give it. you say it has been imputed to you 1. that through your means & influence the Collector of Newport has been retained in office. I declare that not...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 17 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 28. came to my hands by our last post. mr Geffroy’s declaration is sufficient proof that he did not write the letters addressed to me in his name. on recurring to them I percieve that it is a constrained hand such as a person would write who desired to disguise his own. but with what view it could be done is difficult to conjecture. the facts stated are such as none but a...