1To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31 ult: came to hand yesterday. As the reason which chiefly urged my departure for Virga. has ceased I have been led to protract my attendance on Congress by the interest I felt in some measures on foot, and the particular interest which my Constituents have in them. Two of these were the territorial cession and the permanent seat of Congress. The former was a few days ago...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was written on the supposition that Mr. Jones and myself would be on our way to Virga. by the middle of Ocr. and that my best chance of an interview with you might be at Alexandria at the time of the races. On further thought I fear that you may be led by that suggestion to suspend your setting out longer than you proposed, and that I may not find it practicable to leave this place...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 12 October 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours by Doctor Currie but to late to send to Mr. Eppes. I am sorry I have not been more attentive to the Waights of Many Wild Anamals for except a Ber; an elk and several Bucks I never waighd any. I saw in England a Panther sayd to be from the Cost of Gania, and a Wolf sayd to be from Germany both full Grown, and I Can assure you I have seen of both Kinds in Virginia much larger; I...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Reed, [10? November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
The Esteem of the wise and virtuous is the most desirable Acquisition in human Life, but the wise and virtuous as well as weak and vicious are liable to Imposition and Mistake. Considering the active Industry of the Partizans of this City I should not wonder if the many Slanders propagated against me should sometimes have made Impressions. Under this Idea I was induced to publish a small...
5[To Thomas Jefferson from William Jones, 18 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Bristol [ England ], 18 Nov. 1783 . Entry under 10 Apr. 1784 in SJL reads: “received W. Jones.’ Bristol. Nov.18.1783. Richd. Hanson will bring a letter.” Not found.]
6To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 21 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 11th. instant. It very fully explains the views and interests of the several states as to the future residence of Congress, tho’ it is to be lamented that either should have any weight against the justice due to the whole confederation, which calls on them to fix on the most central place that can be made convenient which is certainly at or near...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Eliza House Trist, [ca. 8 December? 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
I am greatly indebted to worthy Mr. Jefferson for his polite and friendly letter. I wish I cou’d express my greatful feelings in language suitable to what my mind suggests. I can and will say that you are incapable of esteeming me more than I do you. I cou’d give as many reasons were I to enumerate your Virtues as wou’d fill a Volume folio. Your caracter was great in my estamation long before...
8To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
My journey from Annapolis was so much retarded by rains and their effect on the water courses that I did not complete it till the ninth day after I left you. I took Col. Mason in my way and had an evening’s conversation with him. I found him much less opposed to the general impost than I had expected . Indeed he disclaimed all opposition to the measure itself but had taken up a vague...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 19 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you an act of our assembly by which you will see their willingness to join the other states in any plan that Congress and they may think necessary to force Great Britain into a generous commercial treaty with us. Great expectations are entertained here of the efficacy of the measure, tho’ I confess I expect nothing from it. The jaring interests of the States will ever prevent their...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 21 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have your favor by the Post this week and have the satisfaction to inform you the Assembly have passed a law granting the impost to Congress, also that a bill has passed the Delegates and [is] now before the Sennate, accepting the terms stipulated by Congress respecting the western lands, and authorising the Delegates to convey the claim of this State to the united States. I have no doubt of...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Eppes, 22 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of Novbr. 10th. and Decbr. 11th came both together a few days ago and reliev’d us from the anxiety we had for some time been under least some indisposition might have prevented your writing. I am happy to inform you that you[r] children continue very well. Polly often mentions you and Patsy, she desires her love to you both, and begs you will make haste home, for she longs to see...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 26 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 17th. It contains many interesting particulars and such as the executive of every State ought to know, tho’ I have seldom ‘till your arrival in Congress been favored with anything of the kind. The mode of correspondence proposed by you is perfectly agreeable to me, and I think good will result from it. We seem to blunder here more from the want of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Jones, 29 December 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the satisfaction to inform you the Senate contrary to my expectation passed the act authorising the Delegates in Congress to convey the claim of Virginia to the territory northwestward of the ohio to the united States without amendment and it will be transmitted you without the instruction heretofore intimated. The mode adopted for transfering our right was in pursuance and in...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 2 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have nothing to communicate to you either interesting or entertaining, the bad weather having cut off all communication with the country. Your favor of the 24th. ultimo really alarms me. Your fears of great britains taking advantage of any slip or neglect of ours are just, and what is still more to be dreaded than their resentment is the falling off of our allies in Europe who will never...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, with “A Literary Christmas Gambol”, 4 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I heartily thank you for your favour of the 23d. Decr. last and for the Pains you have taken to abridge Monsr. Buffon’s System of Astronomy. However you may think your Time lost in reading his two whimsical volumes, the little Time you took to give me a summary of his Scheme was certainly not spent in vain. Your Letter found me very un-well and in a great deal of Pain; it drew my attention so,...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Sullivan, with Petition of John Penhallow, 6 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have selected the papers you were pleased to mention, have numbred them from one to Thirty and noted their Contents in the enclosed Minutes. In my state of objections which I beg you will peruse I omitted to mention that the Claimants have upon obtaining the Decree brought Trover for the vessel and Cargoe and attached the Cargoe of goods to a very great amount which are now held to respond...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Skipwith, 20 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor reached me last evening, preceeding the most tremendous Snow storm this country has ever experienced since my rememberance. It commenced about seven at night, and never ceased until the evening of the present day about four OClock. It is impossible to say what the depth of the snow is, since from the wind it is exceedingly irregular, in some places scarcely any in others dangerously...
18To Thomas Jefferson from the Rev. James Madison, 22 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I did not receive your Favour of the 24h Decr. untill last post. I immediately looked out for a Thermometer and obtained one which appears very sensible as to Heat or Cold, tho’ it is so constructed that I cannot ascertain the Accuracy of the Division by plunging it in boiling water; This appears of Consequence especially when we keep correspondent Observations. I shall observe the Time you...
19To Thomas Jefferson from St. John de Crèvecoeur, 23 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Encourag’d by Mr. Le Chevr. de Chastelux whom I Saw Lately in Paris; as well as by Several others French officers, who had the Honor of Your acquaintance whilst on this Continent, I have been Led to hope you’d not refuse giving an answer to the Question I take the Liberty of Sending you—Give me leave to add that I am commanded to do so by the Minister who is at the head of the Nurseries...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 30 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Yesterdays post brought me your favors of the 31st. of last month and 17th. instant which are the only letters received from you for four weeks. The latter enclosing the ratification of the treaty gave me great pleasure as it removed many disagreeable apprehensions of consequences that might flow from its not reaching france by the stipulated time of exchange; if the packet can sail from new...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 30 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your friendly overture of a correspondence; altho’ written on the 31st. Ulto. , did not reach me before the last evening. I pledge myself for furnishing all the intelligence, which the barrenness of this place can supply, fit for your attention. But for a late occurrence, the executive would languish for employment. A Mr. Geo. Hancock, a citizen of this commonwealth, assaulted and beat a Mr....
22To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Carleton, with an Estimate of Expenses of the Military Department, 1 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
War Office [ Annapolis ], 1 Feb. 1784 . Transmitting general estimate “of the expence of the Military Establishment of the United States for the current year amounting to 219.578 dollars.” This estimate was sent in response to orders “of the grand Committee, communicated in your Letter of the 31st. ultimo.” Staff estimates not accurate, but “the best that can be made out of the imperfect...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Charles Carter, 9 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
My father has only one instance of the white negroe in his estate. I have been prevented examining her by her being sent some time since to Amherst. But as she lived many years at Blenheim and generally drew the attention of every one who saw her, I have found little difficulty in collecting answers to your queries. I feel myself much disposed to see this curiosity and think to visit Amherst...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Marbois, [10? February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. De Marbois presents his compliments to Mr. Jefferson and begs the favor of a communication of the Constitutions of the thirteen States if Mr. Jefferson has got them. RC ( DLC : PCC , No. 30). TJ’s draft of the Virginia deed of cession is on the verso of Marbois’ letter. TJ must, therefore, have received this letter sometime before 13 Feb. It may have been written on Tuesday, 10 Feb. 1784;...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Hutchins, 11 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 24th of last month I was honored with the 9th instant. I embrace the first opportunity of tendering you my thanks for your friendly communication respecting the error you discovered in my Pamphlet . How to account for so egregious a blunder in calculation, I am really at a loss, as a moments reflection on the subject would have set me right. Should any other mistake appear to...
26To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 11 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 11. of Decr. ulto. came safe to hand after a very tedious conveyance. Mr. W. Maury having broken up his school in this Neighbourhood in order to attempt a superior one in Williamsburg and his pupils being dispersed, I have sent the book for Mr. P. Carr into the neighbourhood of Doctr. Walker whence I supposed it would most easily find its way to him. I thank you for the mark...
27To Thomas Jefferson from David Ross, 14 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am lately returned from the back Country where I have been for a considerable time in a bad State of health which is the reason I did not reply sooner to your letter . At present I shall only observe that if you find it Convenient you may draw on me occasionally for such sums as you require and I shall honor your Bills. I am but just come to this Town and Cant tell what Funds the Treasurer...
28To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you a few days ago by the post acknowledging your favor of the 10th. of Decr. Mr. Maury has since afforded me an opportunity which I cannot omit to acknowledge that of the first of Jany. which has just come to hand, and to express the concern I feel at the account it gives of your ill health. I hope earnestly that this will find it in a better state and that I may soon receive a...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Derieux, 22 February 178[4] (Jefferson Papers)
Mon epouse m’ayant dit que vous etiés L ami de Mr. Mazzei mon beaupere, Je prends la liberté de vous informer que nous sommes dans ce port depuis le 1er. de ce mois, d’ou nous proposons de faire routte pour la virginie, aussitot que La Santé de ma femme qui est accouchée dans notre traversée de france, nous le permettra. Le desir de faire connoissance avec vous, Monsieur ajoutte beaucoup à mon...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Hopkinson, 23 February 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just now received your favour pr. Mr. Marbois, have not Time to answer in kind, am sorry for your Illness. If your Fever was of the infectious kind you have performed Quarantine. I hope to see you in the Spring. I should not have wrote in such a Hurry, but to inform you that our Philosl. Society is in a promising Way. The Case of Mr. Maddison was this—the Candidates for Election were...