51To Thomas Jefferson from John Steele, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am extremely gratified, and obliged by your favor of yesterday . It has determined me to postpone my journey to Carolina until the last week of this month, which is the more agreeable to me, as my absence will then correspond with the general arrangements of the Executive. If my private affairs can possibly be made to admit of it, a sense of gratitude for what I consider equivalent to a new...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Granger, 25 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have visited Our friends at Providence and had a full conversation with the Govr: Messrs. Russell, Wheaton & Others, on the subject of the Office at Providence . The Governor was impatient for an appointment, all the other Gentlemen were solicitous that the business might be postponed for the present. There are some very serious difficulties among Our friends in that State and there is some...
53To Thomas Jefferson from Baron von Geismar, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Je fais mon Compliment aux Americains du Choix de President qu’ils ont fait, aiant eté temoin, plus d’une fois du tendre Interes que Vous prennes au bien etre de Votre patrie, puissies Vous vivre long Tems; et reusir en Tout, pour rendre heureux et etablir un bien etre parfait à Vos Concitoyens—Mais malheureusement pour moi Votre nouveau Poste me laisse esperes encore moins d’avoir quelque...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Appleton, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not so often intrude, Sir, on your time, if the circuitous route I am compell’d to adopt, render’d less uncertain the conveyance of letters to the U’States, for all direct communication, has long since been suspended.—On intimation being given me that exequaturs under the new government would be requir’d from the foreign Consuls here, I applied to mr Armstrong, to know what steps I...
55To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Priestley, Jr., 20 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have desired Mr Patrick Byrne bookseller of Pa. to send you a copy of my father’s last work; entitled The Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy compared with Revelation of which I beg your acceptance The wish you expressed in your letter to Mr Cooper has been complied with, but in Philadelphia, two or three persons asked me whether my father had not left behind him a work undertaken at your...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph T. Scott, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor dated June 13. came to me at this place only one week ago. it is probable that mr Cummings has deposited for me at Washington the copy of your geographical dictionary which you have been so kind as to send me, for which I pray you to accept my thanks. I anticipate with pleasure the satisfaction I shall recieve from it, and am happy that we are to see at length contradicted the...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
You are not unapprised that in order to check the evasions of the embargo laws effected under colour of the coasting trade, we found it necessary to prevent the transportation of flour coastwise, except to the states not making enough for their own consumption, and that to place the supplies of those states under some check, a discretionary power was given to the governors to give licenses to...
58To Thomas Jefferson from George Wolcott, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Commissions your Excellency has been pleased to honor me with—appointing me Surveyor of the Customs—and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Saybrook—I accept them with gratitude and to the best of my ability shall faithfully discharge the Trust reposed in me I am Excellent Sir most respectfully your Obedient Servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “His Excellency...
59To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 4 August 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters from Cathcart & Mellimelli explain the unexpected & perplexing determination of the latter with respect to the Franklin. The least evil left to our choice has been thought to be that of chartering a vessel at Boston. Cathcart has accordingly been instructed to do so. It has been thought proper also to take advantage of a vessel going from Alexa. to Boston, for sending the...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Liles, 12 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Representation and Petition of Jacob Liles of the County of Wake in the State of North Carolina respectfully sheweth: That the Affidavit which he has the honour of submitting, herewith enclosed, contains, as far as he knows, is informed or believes, a true Statement of the facts therein set forth:—That he had a son of the name of Lamb, a minor whom he sent to his Grandfather residing in...
61To Thomas Jefferson from William H. Cabell, 15 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you Major Newton’s letters from the 4th to the 11th instant inclusive. In all cases of sealed letters coming from the Squadron, addressed to persons residing in Norfolk, I have informed him that he would be authorized to open them, with the consent of the persons to whom they are addressed, and after having examined them, to deliver or withhold them according to the...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 8 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor to enclose Warrants for Jno. N. Canon—Boatswain & David Loring—Gunner— Should you approve their appointment these Warrants will require your signature— These gentlemen have been in the frigate President, her last cruise—& are highly recommended by Commdre. Dale & Capt. Barron. I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect Sir, your most obt servt. RC ( DLC ); in a...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Hazard, 3 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
As one of the representatives from this town in the General Assembly of this State, I take the liberty to address you on the subject of Mr Ellery , our present Senator, I was not at the last Session of the General Assembly owing to professional avocations, and I regret extremely that I was not, that at least, I might have given the Testimony of my vote, against the Injustice that has been done...
64II. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your friendly letter by madame Brogniard in the hope of having some thing important to communicate but in the mean time have been so full in my letters to the secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of our publick affairs. I can only tell you generally that I have been gaining ground for some time past & some propositions I had an...
65To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "An Old Soldier", 3 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lived in obscurity for a long time my counsel will perhaps have but little weight with our modern philosophers, but to your Excellency I shall write freely for I think you are better informed respecting mankind. I have for a long time been patient in reading the proceedings of congress which I think are very futile, I for my own part & for the sake of my posterity can devise no way for...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 26 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The question arising on Mr Simons’ letter of Jan. 10. is Whether sea-letters shall be given to the vessels of citizens neither born nor residing in the US? Sea-letters are the creatures of treaties. no act of the ordinary legislature requires them. the only treaties now existing with us, & calling for them are those with Holland, Spain, Prussia & France. in the two former we have stipulated...
67To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you herewith Returns of the Militia of the United States, made from such Returns as have been received by this Department Accept Sir assurances of my high respect & consideration DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
68To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 22 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have answered a letter from this man, a few days ago, stating that the bills would not be paid unless Congress ordered it, & that to that body he might apply MHi : Coolidge Collection.
69To Thomas Jefferson from Pierpont Edwards, 25 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr George Wolcott of Windsor in Hartford county, in this state, brother of Alexander Wolcott Esqr., is desirous of being appointed surveyor of the port of Saybrook, in the district of Middletown, should Mr Dickinson , the present holder of that office be displaced, an event which I presume must soon take place. George Wolcott has been as essentially injured by the persecution of the...
70To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commissions which are required for the Officers mentioned in the list accompanying my letter to you of the 7t ultimo & whose appointments have since been confirmed by the Senate.— I am very respectfully Sir, Your most ob Serv. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
71To Thomas Jefferson from Meriwether Lewis, 21 September 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Having acquired information & provisions of the Mandans On the evening of the 7th of Apl. 1805 we embarked with our baggage on board 2 large perogues and six small canoes at Fort Mandan—on a Voyage of Discovery to the Pacific Ocean. The party consisted of the following persons my friend and Colleague Capt. Wm Clark, Interpreters George Drewyer and Touasant Charbono, Sergts. John Ordway...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 12 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey to this place was not as free from accident as usual. I was near losing Castor in the Rapidan, by his lying down in the river, where waste deep, & being so embarrassed by the shafts of the carriage & harness that he was nearly drowned before the servants, jumping into the water, could lift his head out & cut him loose from the carriage. this was followed by the loss of my travelling...
73To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Moore, with Jefferson’s Note, 21 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Moore respectfully invites the President of the United States to examine the condition of Butter in a newly invented Refrigiratory , put in the 21st Inst. at 6 OClock P.M. 20 miles distant from Washington— [ Diagram and note by TJ: ] the oval was cooper’s work the inner parallelogram was a box of tin turned down on the top and trimmed to the oval: a. and b. were 2 square holes at which...
74To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund P. Gaines, 25 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The delicate nature of a communication which a sense of duty impels me to make—recommends its being made direct to you —so that if there should appear no cause of suspicion or inquiry; the subject may be permitted to rest,—and not be turned to the injury of the innocent. I will beg leave to premise, that I have been for several years acquainted with General Wilkinson;—have served for some time...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Giuseppe Franzoni, 5 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson informs mr Franzoni that he had enquiry made into the subject of his two statues, and he now incloses him the information from the Collector of Baltimore. by this he will percieve that to obtain a more proper appraisement mr Franzoni must appoint one appraiser & the Collector another, who will estimate them on such evidence as mr Franzoni can give of their value. but he will see...
76To Thomas Jefferson from John Baylis Earle, 21 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Although I have never had the Honor either of corresponding or a very intimate acquaintance with you; the few hours I have so agreably spent in your company will long be a source of pleasing reflection and warrants the belief, that in addressing You upon a subject in which I concieve my country’s interest is involved, I shall neither be thought presuming or to exceed the limits of a citizens...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 23 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 19th. by which I learn you have done 250. f. of the garden. were we to go on, reducing the whole to the same level we have begun with, the labor would be immense. I therefore conclude to do it in 4. levels of 250. f each, and taking such a level for each as that the earth to be dug away shall just fill up the part which is too low. in this way each...
78To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, 1 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. James Taylor Jr informd me he had sent by Capt Stephen Moore two pipes of Brasil wine & had reserved two more for you to be sent by some other oppertunity; Capt. Moore has promised his particular care of them & to forward them to you from Alexandria.—The Frigates I expect will sail this day, the French Frigate Semilante is in Hampton road I beleive ready for sailing & it is said here that...
79To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 8 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Being still deprived of Your Excellency’s gracious favors, or having merited an answer from the Secretary of State approving or dis’approving my Conduct I have been waiting a long time for the arrival of Mr. Hackley hoping that he would be bearer of such Satisfactions, but alltho’ the first is verified, to my grief I am disappointed in the latter; the particulars that I took the liberty to...
80From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his affectionate salutations to mr Madison & sends him the inclosed which will explain itself. he hopes to see him & family at Monticello when most convenient to themselves; and observes for his information that the road through Shadwell is put into fine order, the right hand at issuing from the ford on this side to be greatly preferred to the left. the road by Milton is...
81To Thomas Jefferson from Coale & Thomas, 18 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
We take the liberty to enclose to you a copy of a catalogue of our books and to assure you, that we will take pleasure in executing, with promptitude, any order with which you may honour us We have the honour to be Respectfully Yr. Obt. Servts MHi : Coolidge Collection.
82From William C. C. Claiborne to Anonymous, 23 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to address to your Care, one Hogshead, three Boxes & two Cases directed “to the President of the United States,” and which were this day put on Board the Ship Comet, (Captain McNeil) bound for Baltimore.—The Hogshead & Boxes contain Curiosities which were collected by Captain Lewis in his Voyage up the Missourie; In one Cage , is a living animal, cal’ld the Wild Dog of...
83To Thomas Jefferson from John Alexander, 8 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty of writing to you, on a subject which I deem will be of use to the Citizens of America in general, and to the American youth in particular. Having been for many years employed in the Study & instruction of the Mathematics, I have found great inconvenience, as well as expense, arising to Students, in procuring books on the different branches in which they have been...
84From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heretofore communicated to Congress the decrees of the government of France of November 21. 1806. and of Spain of Feb. 19. 1807. with the orders of the British government of January & November 1807. I now transmit a decree of the emperor of France of Dec. 17. 1807. and a Similar decree of the 3d. of January last of his Catholic majesty: with the letter of our Charge des affaires at...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 10 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 6th. and the books forwarded by mr Duane. La Grange’s translations are new to me, and I am so much pleased with that of his Seneca, that I will thank you to forward me also his Lucretius with the Latin text. has the Seneca of La Grange been ever printed with the Latin text? if it has I should be glad if you would order it from France. if not, order me...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Brown, 20 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
By Order of a very numerous and respectable Meeting of the Inhabitants of Jefferson County, I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed Address— Most respectfully I am Sir your Excellencies Humbl. Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
87From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 2 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Bache’s Address is ‘William Bache at Franklin near Charlottesville’ the letter should be put into the Post office before 5. P.M. to-day William White to be Surveyor for the district of East river. approved. Griffin Greene to be collector of the port of Marietta. approved. James Clarke to be Surveyor of customs at Tombstone, district of Edenton N.C. recommended by mr Stone. Selden Jasper...
88To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 25 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters to Mr. Madison are so full on what concerns us, as to leave me little to add to you. I never experienc’d more difficulty in any case, than in deciding whether to hasten the negotiation with this govt. to a conclusion, & set out immediately in pursuit of the other object, or to let it take its natural course and consume a couple of months more, and pursue that object afterwards. The...
89To Thomas Jefferson from William Adamson, 29 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg to be permitted the liberty of congratulating thee on the late happy event which placed thee at the head of the federal Goverment, & gave thy Country a chief Majestrate, whose republican virtues, & political wisdom, cannot fail of consolidating her Liberty, & securing her happiness, not only for the present generation, but for ages yet remote!—May the great ruler of the universe who...
90To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 12 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I enclose two letters from the collectors of Delaware, & Barnstable respectively with the intended answers. Are they correct? Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
91From Thomas Jefferson to James Walker, 1 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In an account presented to me by mr Shoemaker are the charges below stated, as to the reasonableness of which I am an entire stranger, and therefore ask the favor of you to inform me what would be the proper charges. I ask this of you the rather because you know exactly the nature of the articles, and because I shall have entire confidence in what you shall think right. Be so good as to lodge...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Watkins, 22 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
When you were here to offer me your service for the next year, we separated on the subject of price. I offered you 120. Dollars, & you asked an hundred & fifty for the year’s service. I have concluded to give you your asking of an hundred & fifty dollars, with the allowance of 600. lb of pork, & corn as usual. the emploiment the first year will be as a carpenter with 2 or 3 men under you, for...
93From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The road through Ravensworth is rendered absolutely impassable for a four wheeled carriage by a single change made lately by one of the mr Fitzhughs in his plantation. you must not therefore attempt it, but go on to Fairfax C.H. & there turn off to Songster’s. Bull run is now passed at an excellent ford, and the hills by a great deal of work have been made quite good. the road between Elkrun...
94To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Kellogg, 16 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had a great desire, & for many years, of Improving in the Arts, & Sciences.—& Espiscally in those arts, that I was bred up in, which was that of Fulling, Dying, & Dressing Woolen goods.—This desire I have Instill’d into four Sons of mine; one of which, has Invented a Shearing Machine, & Recd. Letters Patent.—Two others, older then Friend the Patentee has purchas’d half of that Patent, &...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Moses Young, 4 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Young and returns him the Vigogna shawl & Map of S. America with his thanks for the opportunity of inspecting them. he had never before seen the cloth of the Vigogna wool or fur in the piece. nothing certainly can be more beautiful. he had, while in Europe seen two or three instances of coats of that manufacture; but he understood it was a royal one...
96From Thomas Jefferson to John F. Oliveira Fernandes, 7 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 30. was recieved on the 12th. of Jan. and I now inclose you a draught of the bank of the US. of this place on that at Norfolk for D 69.50 c the amount of the cask of Lisbon Malmesey forwarded for me by you to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
97To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 23 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The fall of the arch or Vault of the Court room in the North Wing of the Capitol on Monday last, & the death of Mr. Lenthall who was buried in its ruins, must be known to you through the medium of the National Intelligencer & the Monitor in all its circumstances. Among the multitude of vexations, regrets, & business which this unfortunate event has thrown upon me, I feel extremely mortified...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mendenhall, 25 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 12th. I can say with truth that I do not remember ever to have recieved such a paper as is the subject of your letter. I might ascertain this by a recurrence to my files; but it is unnecessary for another reason. it is so important to the public service that I should be the center of information as to whatever concerns them, that in order to induce it to...
99To Thomas Jefferson from James Bankhead, 15 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
This opportunity by Mr. Jos. Monroe, enables me to make a request, so early, that no other can have anticipated me in it; which may secure what I request should there be no other considerations—I have presumed, from report and other circumstances, that Mr. James Monroe will continue in Europe as resident Embassador, and should I be correct in the presumption, it is my ardent wish, to be placed...
100From Thomas Jefferson to John Perry, 12 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Tomorrow I shall remit for you to mr Bacon 100. D. in recovering the passage of the S.E. offices, (which I believe is now covered with shingles on laths) the shingles are to be taken carefully off, leaving the laths, then nail on them a coat of perpendicular sheeting, and shingle on that. I wish this to be done immediately. I present you my salutations. MHi : Coolidge Collection.