51To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Rodney, 23 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Washington, Mississippi Territory, 23 Apr. 1804 . Rodney sends TJ a detailed account of the western country, including descriptions of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and their respective valleys. He has received only imperfect information regarding the west side of the Mississippi. The business of the land office is progressing, but he awaits the supplementary act from Congress before...
52Notes on Curing Herring, 22 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Hollis —Hollis near Bushtown Maryland, comes every year to fish in the Patowmac opposite Alexandria. he says that it is best to leave the head on the fish, because when taken off the fish becomes much drier. he considers what is called gobbing them as much the best method, that is to take out the gills & entrails, & leave the row and head. he has sold this year @ 3⅓ D. the barrel he will...
53Statement of Interest Account with John Barnes, 10 January-8 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Sketch of Apparent Monthly Balances on The Presidents a/c with J Barnes, will Appear from the Annexed Statemt. Commencing Viz 1803 1803. Monthly Int. a 6 ⅌ Ct. Jany. 10. To amt. of a/c rendered (46) $2268.70 shd be 2268.50 to 31. To additional expenditures 2668.50. 4937. Feby 7. By Warrant deducted 2000. Feby 7th 2937. 14.— to 27 To Amt. of a/c rendered
54Memorandum of Tasks for James Dinsmore, 24 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
work to be done by mr Dinsmore. ✓ finish the Dome room. ✓ double the door of the cellar under the tea-room. ✓ do the gutturs of the house with sheet iron. h hang the sashes of all the windows. ✓ a. finish <base & caps & architraves of> Hall & parlour ✓ put up the Venetian blinds from Washington ✓ a. remodel the 2. pr sash doors of the parlour. the outer new folding doors to be made of pine,...
55Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton, 4 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made on the 4th. day of May 1804. between Craven Peyton of the one part and Thomas Jefferson of the other, both of the county of Albemarle, witnesseth that Whereas the said Craven hath, at various times, and by various contracts deeds & other instruments, purchased from the widow & representatives of the late Bennet Henderson all their rights & interests in a tract of land held...
56List of Interim Appointments, 8 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
List of appointments made by the President of the United States, subsequent to the rising of the Senate in March 1804 John Armstrong Esq. Minister Plenipotentiary to France. James Monroe Esq. Minister Extray. and Plenipotentiary Singly, to the Court of Spain, for the same purpose that Charles Pinckney Esqr. was heretofore united with him, and submitted to, and approved by the Senate. Ephraim...
57Memorandum of Tasks for John Perry, 24 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Perry. to floor & shelve the loft ✓ lath the Wood-room & put a good door. ✓ pale in the nursery, enlarging it to what it used to be. pales 4. f. high, to be rived, & made close enough to keep out hares. ✓ make the chicken coop. do the roof of the N.W. offices. mr Stewart will put on the sheet iron when it comes. the North passage is to be covered next; then the South passage, taking off...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. was duly recieved, and I would not again have intruded on you but to rectify certain facts which seem not to have been presented to you under their true aspect. my charities to Callendar are considered as rewards for his calumnies. as early, I think, as 1796. I was told in Philadelphia that Callendar, the author of the Political progress of Britain, was in that...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 11 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter, Madam, of the 18th. of Aug. has been some days recieved, but a press of business has prevented the acknolegement of it: perhaps indeed I may have already trespassed too far on your attention. with those who wish to think amiss of me, I have learnt to be perfectly indifferent: but where I know a mind to be ingenuous, & to need only truth to set it to rights, I cannot be as passive....
60From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 13 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The affectionate sentiments which you have had the goodness to express in your letter of May 20. towards my dear departed daughter, have awakened in me sensibilities natural to the occasion, & recalled your kindnesses to her which I shall ever remember with gratitude & friendship. I can assure you with truth they had made an indelible impression on her mind, and that, to the last, on our...
61From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 8 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to mr Adams and incloses him a letter which came to his hands last night; on reading what is written within the cover, he concluded it to be a private letter, and without opening a single paper within it he folded it up & now has the honor to inclose it to mr Adams, with the homage of his high consideration & respect. RC ( MHi : Adams Papers); addressed:...
62From 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...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Auguste Adet, 5 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I ought to have acknoleged the reciept of your favor congratulating me on my advancement to the post I now occupy. the constant demand of attention to cases which admit no delay has forced me to long postponements of those of a less urgent character. that my own happiness, & probably my reputation, will not gain by this [advance]ment is more than probable. you know too well...
64From 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...
65Enclosure: To Allegany County Republican Citizens, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sensible of the kindness of the republican citizens of the county of Alleghany in Maryland, in their cordial congratulations on my election to the office of President of the United States, and I pray you to be the organ of my acknolegement to them. the confidence reposed in me on committing to my management the helm of our political affairs, shall not be abused; but, to the best of my...
66From Thomas Jefferson to John Allen, 25 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The duties of my office calling for all my time, I do not find myself at liberty to indulge in pursuits of the nature of that which is the subject of your letter of September 28. I observe that physicians are as far from being agreed as to what is the yellow fever, as what is it’s cure. if the disease which you have so successfully treated be that which all of them would call the yellow fever,...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Paul Alliot, 27 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved on a short visit to this place your letter of the 14th. and the papers it covered, and have perused with satisfaction that containing your historical and political reflections on Louisiana. they are replete with views which are benevolent, and which appear to me to be just, altho’, for want of local knolege, I am unable to decide on them competently. in the present stage of...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Anderson, 4 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved your favor of this morning, but as I suppose from it that you were then on the point of departure, this can only follow you. the appointment which is the subject of it will not take place till autumn, and in the mean time we shall no doubt be recieving applications. you are sensible that it will be our duty to select from the whole number of candidates, & not...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Anderson, William Cocke, and William Dickson, 23 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is upwards of a twelvemonth since my attention was drawn to the importance of a road which should enable the inhabitants of Tenissee & Kentucky to seek a market on the Savannah, and instructions were immediately given to our Commissrs. Genl. Wilkinson & others to negotiate with the Cherokees for permission to the states interested to open the road through their country. it was stiffly...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Matthew Anderson, 31 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved through the channel of mr Eppes a piece of silk which mrs Anderson has been so good as to present me, raised and manufactured in your own family. this sample of domestic skills is evidence that you possess the most pleasing of all human spectacles, a well ordered houshold, usefully employed. if my principles have pointed me out as worthy of this attention from mrs Anderson, it...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Matthew Anderson, 15 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved from a gentleman travelling in Italy a box containing the seeds or eggs of the fine Italian silk-worm. I do not know that I can better fulfill his patriotic views than by transmitting them to mrs Anderson & yourself, who alone as far as I know pay attention to that branch of culture. he says that towards the 1st. of May when the leaves of the white mulberry are grown & yet tender,...
72Instructions on Architectural Ornaments for George Andrews, 4 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A moulding of eggs and anchors is wanting for 2 pediments to wit Parlour doors { 20. feet of level moulding of the size & form of the Walnut model. 16. feet of raking do. of the same size, one half, to wit, 8. feet for the right hand, and one half, to wit 8. f. for the left hand rake. Dome cornice 100. feet of egg & anchor moulding of the size & form of the larger model. Hall ornaments for 2...
73From 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...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 5 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having occasion to have a communication made to Madame Teresa Ceracchi at Rome, & no correspondent there, I take the liberty of asking leave to do it through you. she is the widow of Ceracchi the Sculptor from Rome who lived sometime in Vienna, came over to Philadelphia, returned to Paris, there engaged in a conspiracy against the first Consul & was executed. his wife & family returned to Rome...
75From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 26 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We find it of advantage to the public to ask of those to whom appointments are proposed, if they are not accepted, to say nothing of the offer, at least for a convenient time. the refusal cheapens the estimation of the public appointments and renders them less acceptable to those to whom they are secondarily proposed. the occasion of this remark will be found in a letter you will recieve from...
76From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 21 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed General Kosciuszko of your kind attention to the location of his lands, and of your refusal to accept of any thing for it, expressing a pleasure at the opportunity of rendering him a service, and he in answer desires you to be assured how sensible he is of this mark of recollection & friendship, and the pleasure he has recieved from this testimony of regard from an old brother...
77From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, 13 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of June 4. has been duly recieved. on recurring to the deed of Genl. Kosciuzko to Madame Felix I observe he guarantees to her 1st. the existence of the land , that is, that these lands were real, and not merely ideal, as many which had been sold in Europe. 2. the situation, to wit geographical situation. 3. title. 4. contents. 5. delivery of possession. the objections mentioned in...
78From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 29 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will Genl Armstrong do Th: Jefferson the favor to come & take family soupe with him to-day at half past three? Th:J. will ask the same favor of mr Madison. free conversations with Genl. Armstrong will give him a truer idea of the dispositions of this government towards those of Europe than written instructions can possibly convey. RC ( NBLiHi ).
79From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter for mr Cathalan our Commercial agent at Marseilles, a great wealthy and cautious merchant, whose father first and himself since has been our Consul at that place near thirty years, and is a most zealous servant. the letter covers a bill of exchange and I will pray you to put it into the post office on your arrival at Paris. wishing for yourself and family a prosperous &...
80From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong of New York, 11 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you according to promise a letter for mr Skipwith whom you will find a good humoured and rigorously honest man. I also trouble you with one for La Fayette which is extremely important to him as it contains interesting information on the subject of his Louisiana grant of lands which will apprise him of their immense value, and prevent any inconsiderate disposal of them. the school...
81From Thomas Jefferson to William Frederick Ast, 29 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of May 14. which was the first intimation I had recieved of any demand for the fire insurance company, altho’ I am now told it has been published lately in some of the Richmond papers. the date of the reciept renders a literal compliance with the requisition of 89. D 80 c to be paid in Richmond on the 1st. of August impracticable nor can I do it earlier than...
82From Thomas Jefferson to David Austin, 14 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Understanding that Joseph Daugherty and Maria Murphy servants in my family propose to intermarry, and that on application to yourself to perform the ceremony, you expressed a wish to know whether it was with my knolege & approbation, I with satisfaction declare they have conducted themselves well in their several departments so as to merit and obtain my approbation, and that I know of no...
83From Thomas Jefferson to David Austin, 21 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having daily to read voluminous letters & documents for the dispatch of the public affairs, your letters have consumed a portion of my time which duty forbids me any longer to devote to them. your talents as a divine I hold in due respect: but of their employment in a political line I must be allowed to judge for myself, bound as I am to select those which I suppose best suited to the public...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, Jr., 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
This serves to acknolege the reciept of your favor of the 7th. inst. and the pleasure I derive from the expressions of approbation which it contains. we have lately recieved the treaty and conventions for the cession of Louisiana. 11¼ millions of Dollars to the government of France, the discharge of their debts to our citizens under the Convention of 1800. not to exceed 20. Millions of francs,...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Austin, Jr., 28 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the reciept, some time ago, of a volume from you , the papers of which I had before read as they appeared under the signature of Old South, and had read with uncommon satisfaction. a sacred devotion to the natural rights of man, and to the principles of representative government which offers the fairest chance of preserving them, with an intrepidity bidding defiance to...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Avery, 17 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Avery; he has this morning examined the law erecting the territory of Michigan, and finds that the Marshal or sheriff is not appointed by the President, but by the Governor. nevertheless he is so well satisfied of the indispensable necessity that that office should be filled by a person speaking French as well as English, & of the convenience of...
87From Thomas Jefferson to John Avery, 23 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
General Varnum has delivered to me your letter of Nov. 20. together with the maps which the Legislature of Massachusets has been pleased to destine for me. I pray you to deliver my respectful acknolegements to them for this mark of their attention, and to accept my thanks to yourself for the trouble you have been so good as to take, as well as assurances of my respect and consideration. PrC (...
88From Thomas Jefferson to William Bache, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of June 19. was not recieved till the 28th. I immediately consulted with mr Gallatin and we concluded that it would be best that you should proceed immediately, or as early as you can, to New Orleans , where you will be able by your advice to assist mr Clarke in making such arrangements for the season, as it’s advancing state and our limited funds will permit. you consequently recieve...
89From Thomas Jefferson to William Bache, 11 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to pay you £10. for Polly Carr, making, with the balance due yourself 143.33 D you will of course drop me a line as soon as you shall have fixed a day for your departure, and the money shall be lodged in mr Jefferson’s hands before you will be there. we wish you to be at your destination before the French take possession. if they have sent troops from France on that destination as is said...
90From Thomas Jefferson to William Bache, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 16th was recieved yesterday, and communicated to mr Gallatin. his answer is ‘if Doctr Bache will supply me with a list of medicines wanted, in conformity to my former request, I will have the purchase made, and the chest transmittted to his direction at New Orleans. our appropriation is so small that every necessary must be provided with the most rigorous economy.’ On the 1st....
91From Thomas Jefferson to William Bache, 1 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 26th . mentioning that you would set out the next day for Richmond, where of course you would arrive on the 28th. three days before I recieved your letter. as I had lodged money in mr Jefferson’s hands, he might possibly pay you the 143. D 33 c on sight of the letter I wrote you. but I now write to him to do it, and I inclose you an order on him accordingly...
92From Thomas Jefferson to John Bacon, 30 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. has been recieved, & I thank you for the communication on Indian affairs. I observe what you say on the aspect of your elections. altho’ federalism appears to have boasted prematurely of it’s gains, yet it does not appear to have yielded as we might have expected to the evidence either of their reason or their senses. two facts are certainly as true as irreconcileable....
93From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 9 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine in France has asked of me to procure the seeds and plants below mentioned. as this may not be out of your line, and the plants abound in this neighborhood, I will ask the favor of you to make the collection, and pack them well and properly for the sea, labelling each article so substantially as not to be erased. the sooner they are ready the better. should you not have the...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 21 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Bailey to accept of some small articles of cloathing for his family, on the score of antient acquaintance . Would it be within the scope of mr Bailey’s plan of gardening for the common market, to make a provision of endive for the ensuing winter, so as to be able to furnish Th:J. with a sallad of endive every day through the winter till the spring sallading...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 19 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman here has given me 40. Balsam poplars to send to Monticello, and mr Randolph’s servant , who was to have returned tomorrow, will be detained till the next day, to carry them. as I set much store by these trees which I have been a long time trying to get to Monticello, I wish them to be carefully taken up & packed in bundles for safe transportation. if it would suit you to come...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 9 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I think I informed you that I should want such a box of plants & seeds put up every year as I first desired from you, for the same friend at Paris . I have only therefore to refer you to my former list, and call your attention to it at this time when the season for getting the seeds is commencing. when you come to pack the plants in autumn, they must have a great quantity of moss distributed...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved lately from France a few grains of a wheat with a solid stem. as from this circumstance it will probably be proof against the Hessian fly I am dividing it among those who I think will take care of it. I send you a few grains, as also some seed of a cabbage said to grow 7. feet high, to put on several heads & reproduce them when cut off. this seems wonderful, but is worth seeing...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorus Bailey, 10 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Having occasion to have a small commission executed at New York and little acquaintance there, I take the liberty of asking that favor of you. I recieved some time ago information that there was a large batch of Champaigne wine at Norfolk, & recieved a sample which I found fine. but before my letter asking some of it got there it was shipped round to N. York. it was sold at Norfolk @ 62½ cents...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorus Bailey, 21 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. is this moment come to hand, having been so long retarded by the effects of the great rains on the roads. altho’ the Champaigne on which I have troubled you is not of the first quality, and is dearer than it would cost to import it, yet considering the blockade of the French ports, the delays, uncertainties & trouble of importation I have concluded on the whole rather...
100From Thomas Jefferson to William Baker, 30 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
A large district, consisting of about ten or a dozen counties of Virginia 4. or 5 of Maryland, & the territory of Columbia, was created by the last Congress into a separate district by the name of the district of Potomac, the court of which is to be held […]. mr D[ent] who was appointed the Marshal, after [acting?] some time has resigned [he says] it would [seem?] from the richness & extent of...