1William Tatham to William Short, 20 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Ship America at Sea, 20 Sep. 1788 . Sends this letter by a “Monsr. La’ritz,” a French officer from Hispaniola who is on his way from Charleston to Dover and whom he wishes to introduce; sends also the “proceedings of Carolina in Convention on the Grand FŒdral Question. I am allso to return my sincere thanks to Mr. Jefferson and Yourself. I stand indebted for Freindship not heretofore fully...
2To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 3 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as I am closing this, Mr. Edward Roberts, a respectable person of this place, expeditiously from the Pleasure House, Lynnhaven Bay , reports the three British Ships to be under way—Wind at East— DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
3IV. William Tatham to William Armistead Burwell, 13 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with your request, I have endeavoured to charge my recollection more minutely, concerning the particulars of my intercourse with Mr. Jefferson (at present the President of the United States) at several times while the British Army were in Virginia, in and about the year 1781. At the time General Arnold arrived within the Capes, I was preparing for a journey from Richmond, on...
4[To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 5 October 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
[[5 Oct. 1788 . Recorded in SJL Index, but not found. See William Tatham to TJ, under 1 Dec. 1789.]]
5To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
When you did me the honour to mention, the other day, the doubts you entertained concerning the correctness of the ordinary recieved opinions touching the effect of the latteral pressure of fluids acting on the interior of a leading main-pipe, I hesitated to give an immediate answer as to what instances (if any) had occurred to me, in a practical case, where the operation had been risqued...
6To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Recd. of the President of the United States (T. Jefferson) The Sum of Seventy Eight Dollars, Eighty four Cents; being the Sum calculated by Mr. Goldsburg on a reference to Colol. Stricker’s letter touching the amount without profit; & which will be at any time adjusted should any error have occurred. London Augt 16 1805 Invoice of Goods Shipped by Learmonths & Berry of London on account & risk...
7To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 13 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Pursuant to the permission I asked, and now presume on, I inclose you my ideas on the particulars I formerly refered to at Lynhaven, which I have minutely reexamined since my Men were discharged. I have all my Accounts in order, & shall transmit them to the Secretary of the Navy without giving you the trouble of intermediating in the way your friendship has offered.—Whatever may be my personal...
8To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My last (4th. instant) advised You that I had consented, at Commodore De’Catur’s request, to proceed on the Survey requisite to satisfy the requisitions of the Navy; and I expect to be farther informed on that head; as they certainly do not expect to make me a [s]econd in the business. I have stipulated for the same terms as in the Coast Survey in Carolina, & the same motives which prompt me...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 25 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This morning the Leopard & Melampus are off , in the last 4 Hours. The Triumph remains, but no tenders visible, excepting boats under sail at a distance.—I presume the vollies fired yesterday were by the Militia who were relieved: too much replete with spunk & imprudence. This is, at least, all I can learn on going over to the Cape side of the Havens, last night. I am this moment returned from...
10To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 4 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching the Survey &c, inclosed to You last night, Comr. Decatur called on me, in bed, and I have declined going to Carolina till the requisition of the Secy. of the Navy is complied with in the most economical way our economical resources will permit. I shall write You my Sentiments on this subject, at more leisure, & (for the present) I beg the honor of Your Communications to...
11To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 20 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just this moment returned from the Coast & Inlet, where I have been my usual reconoitering rounds. Two Ships of the British force, & two of their tenders, under-sail, as usual, (the Ships remaining at Anchor in this Bay) are all that I have discovered. The Schooner lays still at the Cape which was there two nights ago, with her boat along side; & has much the appearance of a Carolina...
12To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Last night I dispatched my Whale Boats, with six trusty oars, to Cape Charles, & Smith’s Island; or as far to Sea as prudence requires, in order to observe the movements of the Ships gone out. At ¼ past six (leaving me at the Inlet at 5 OClock) last evening, they were as far as I could well discover them with the Tellescope, towards Cape Charles; and, I doubt not, would make a safe port on the...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of your enquiry of me yesterday, touching the chase of the French Ship by Three Brittish Frigates, I have asked my servant (Joseph Harrison, a Black man of very exemplary truth integrity & confidence) what he reccolects of the circumstances involved in your question. We were four or five nights at Church’s Island, opposite the place where the Ship was burnt, and I flatter myself...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 18 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just returned from Mr. Cornicks, on Linkhorn Bay, where I found a Masters Mate, Midshipman, & three Sailors of the Party I mentioned to you yesterday, who were taken by the Volunteer Cavalry, as I had expected they would be: I presume they will be sent up to you as hostages for the fate of our men taken out of the Chesapeake; as they would have been, by my Men, if they had been armed...
15To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 31 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing material this last 24 Hours. I sent off my Store Boat to replenish at Nfk last night; & immediately after She got out of the Inlet, I found a British Gun Brig & Tender had got one on each side of her. I ran out a few miles in the Whale Boat; & then stood for the tender with the Flag of the U. States blown full out in the Wind. Signals were immediately made by the Commodore; & I...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 17 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
During several Years absence, & a month since my arrival here, I have felt myself precluded from paying the respects of a sincere friend to you, in person, on account of information communicated to me by Genl. Henry Lee, (while Governor of Virginia) accompanied by the return of a letter of mine unanswered, that, “I had so intruded on you, the last time, we met at Richmond in Virginia, that you...
17To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 10 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I drop you a Note by this Post, chiefly to furnish you with the readiest address, if any occasion occurs to call for my services.—I presume the many important matters before Government at present, may be the reason why I am not honored with any communication from Yourself, or the heads of Department, touching my unfinished Surveys about the enterance of the Chesapeake, the Gunboat Canals,...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
An indisposition which has followed me into this country, and attacked me with slight fevers and sweatings, ever since I left Lynhaven Bay, has prevented me from communicating to you such observations as I might have thought useful to you in the field of Public economy at the opening of the ensuing Session of Congress. I am now so fully recovered as to be able to set out this day (by water) to...
19To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 26 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here last night, after having gone through an additional & thourough examination of Pamptico Sound since my last to you from Newbern, and had designed to have set seriously to work in order to furnish Government with several Communications on the subject of our public economy, particularly one on the defence of the Coast, wherein (corresponding in sentiment with Comodore Decatur...
20To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 14 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment examined the 4 British Ships—presumed to be the Triumph, Bellona, Leopard, & Melampus. They lay at Easy Anchor, forming a line of Blockade (for the Chesapeake) from towards Cape Henry, obliquely, towards the Middle Ground—somewhat farther out than in my former Sketch. They have been much on Cape Henry, (the Pleasure House crowd say) after provisions ( livestock ) & water:...
21To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 15 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
After dispatching mine of yesterday, I forded (a bye way) to the Sea Banks, & approached the boats which had been described to me, circumspectly. I found them to be the Schooner & Yawl from the Navy Yard; & my own Whale boat, all belonging to my own party; & which my men, by creditable exertions, had got together & lodged safely in port, in Long Creek near Lynnhaven Inlet. I ordered them...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 23 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
All today as last night, nothing new. The Tenders said to get supplies at the Wash Woods. I think it probable that the Triumph is sharing the provision taken from on board the Medway & others without the Capes; as they have been alongside each other ever since her veture into Port. Commodore De Catur is now on Board my Boat here; & tells me he is coming to you at Washington immediately: We are...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 2 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment from Lynhaven Inlet, which I thought it proper to visit before I set out to the Southward; & it may be well (if any thing to say to me) to address to Newbern with duplicate to Norfolk: I shall certainly volunteer it there if circumstances require it, for no misfortune shall suffer fame to recognize an inconsistency in a life which has been perpetually oppressed, & persecuted,...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 28 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment returned from the Cape Henry Light House. The Triumph, & Patriot, came in last night, & took their Station at their accustomed place, in Lynhaven Bay, in Blockade order. No small vessels seem to be molested; but it is uncertain what is done to the outward bound. This morning the Patriot went out, & seemed to be cruising off the Light House, as usual, when I left it. Fifteen...
25To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 29 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My Whale Boat returned last night, from Smiths Island & the Eastern Shore at Cape Charles.— From the account given by them, & the guard near Cape Henry, signals were given (in vain) for Her capture. My Men report as follows.— On Saterday evening they left me (say 4 to 5, O.Clock at Lynhaven Inlet; & that night at Ten O.Clock, anchord in “ Fisherman’s ” Northampton)—At Daylight on Sunday...
26To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
By inclosing to you authentic documents concerning the late inestimable discovery of the Life-Boat , which has been introduced into full practice, in saving the crews of vessels wrecked amidst the most tremendous Breakers of this coast, I acquit myself of a duty to my fellow Citizens and to my country. I flatter myself this contrivance will be found of great use on the Jersey coast, such...
27To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 6 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform You that I am thus far on my way to the Southward, having in vain spent the best part of the year, at great expence, without any thing conclusive with the Secretary of the Navy. I beg leave to state to you Sir, nevertheless, that, if that Naval department is designed to exist, there seems to be an Auxiliary one much needed: It should comprehend the economy of our...
28To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 7 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Proclamation reached this place last night, was printed this Morning, & is gone to London. I presume, by this time, His B. Ms. Ships in the road have it; & they must recieve it as they please! I regret that we cannot draw a line between the duty & inclination of some of their Officers, whose hearts (I really believe) would join us in bringing Admiral Berkley to justice, for an...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 27 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The Atty. Genl. will have advised you that Mr. Burr left Fredricksburgh, in a Stage, for Richmond yesterday morning, & would be safe lodged there last Night. Mr. Rodney arrived at Fredricksburgh this morning, quite fatigued; & so soon as his dispatches were ready, I left Fredricksburgh about Nine, & my Servant is dispatched, fifteen Minutes ago on fresh Horses (per Post Masters) to deliver the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from William Tatham, 24 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
This morning has produced nothing very material that we yet know of. The Triumph, Leopard, & Melampus appear to occupy their yesterdays station; which Capt. Decatur says they shall not continue to hold. The Tenders occupied as usual. Capt. Decatur has rounded the Inlet, out as far as the Tideway in front of the British Ships; & will communicate his sentiments to You on such subjects as we...