51From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 7 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I dare say that Purcell’s map must be of value, and it would be well if his representatives would publish it. but whether worth your purchase & at what price Genl. Wilkinson might perhaps satisfy you. I shall write to Marentille that if you think it worth while to give him 50,000 D. for his project, you will inform him. in the contrary case it may be put away in your pigeon hole of projects....
52From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 15 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
As soon as I possibly could after my arrival here, I prepared the general instructions for our mission up the Arkansa & Red rivers, but could not make a fair copy of them in time for the last post. they are inclosed in the letter to mr Dunbar which I send open for your perusal, and then to be forwarded to him. it will enable you to see and to supply what is deficient, and to alter whatever on...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much pleased to find that the Choctaws agree to sell us their country on the Missisipi, and think we ought to accept it to any extent they will agree to, only taking care the price be not too high. they are poor; and will probably sell beyond what will pay their debts, so as to be entitled to an annual pension, which is one of the best holds we can have on them. their strength & the...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you letters from P. Choteau & a mr Hay giving information of Capt Lewis. the information given by the former of the combination forming among the Machicoux (the Indians about Michigan I presume) is worthy attention. I wonder neither Governr. Harrison nor Wells have noted it. if true it may be proper for us to send a talk to each of the tribes, explaining our real intentions as to...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 16 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Govr. Tatnall and petition from the inhabitants over the Cherokee boundary, on a subject which Colo. Wafford had before presented to us , renders it necessary to advert again to it. I think we have had some information from our Commissioners of the unsuccessful endeavors they used, according to our instructions, to obtain indulgence for these settlers, but I do not...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 July 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his friendly salutations to Genl. Dearborne incloses him a letter from an Ensign Johnson of Maryland, of whom he knows nothing. he does it not to make mischief as to him, nor even that he should know it has been communicated, but because it is useful the Secretary at war should know the measure of discretion possessed by those who may be candidates for trusts from him. DLC :...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 11 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the day before yesterday I informed you that to comply with a request of Govr. Cabell I had undertaken to lay down rules of intercourse with the British vessels, at first intended for Capt Decatur only, but afterwards extended with equal power to the officer commanding by land, so that each should have equal power to send & recieve flags. I now send you a copy of that letter. since...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to consider & direct how the 3000. D. may be apportioned in the details of the Arcansa expedition ? to wit how much for pay, for instruments & other articles of outfit which cannot be furnished from the military fund, & how much may be laid out in light articles for barter & presents to the Indians. this last article should be made as large as the fund will admit....
59From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The substance of what was agreed on yesterday, was I think as follows. I. the 2. bomb-vessels & 2. gunboats built by Commodore Preble are to go immediately to Charleston, there to take gunboat No. 1. & proceed, the 3. gunboats into L. Pontchartrain, & the 2. bomb vessels to N. Orleans. to these are to be added other gunboats from the Ohio, or the Mediterranean so as to keep a force of 6. boats...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, Henry Dearborn, and Robert Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary at War & Secretary of the Navy to carry into execution the inclosed resolution of the H. of representatives of May 3. 1802. desiring a statement of expenditures from Jan. 1. 1797. by the Quarter Master Genl. the Navy agents, for the Contingencies of the Naval & Military establishments and the Navy contracts for timber &...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 2 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I propose tomorrow morning to send to both houses the act of S.C. with the inclosed message. is there sufficient reason to be satisfied that the positions ceded are the best? or ought we not to examine & say what positions we think worth taking & will take & fortify, & consequently to require a suitable modification of their act? the condition of fortifying them all in 3. years, or to lose...
62From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The guarding our arms at New London & Manchester stands on totally different ground. the former was at my request, delivered verbally to Governor Monroe about the 15th. of April 1801. certainly not a week sooner or later. the latter was in the time of the insurrection of their slaves and no more chargeable to the Union than the other expences of their militia on that occasion. I should have...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 28 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just making the last arrangements for my departure. the inclosed proposition of Monsr. Dupont for the purification of our Saltpetre being of some magnitude I have thought it best to forward his letter to you, that you may decide on it yourself, and give him an answer. we have nothing material from Europe except the communication from his Britannic Majesty that understanding we were...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much pleased with both the ideas suggested by Lyons , viz. 1. to proceed from Knoxville direct through the Cherokee Creek & Choctaw country to Natchez. 2. to encourage individuals to make terms with the Indians on their private account for establishing farms along the line at every 15. or 30. or 45. miles distance as can be obtained. but instead of going from Knoxville to Natchez in a...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of July 1. from Govr. Lewis recieved from the war office by the last post. It presents a full, & not a pleasant view of our Indian affairs West of the Misipi. as the punishment of the Osages has been thought necessary, the means employed appear judicious. first to draw off the friendly part of the nation, & then withdrawing the protection of the US. leave the other...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Aaron Goff of Vermont praying the release of his son under age. the fact of infancy being established, the discharge becomes a matter of right. I have the pleasure to inform you that William Clarke accepts with great glee the office of going with Capt Lewis up the Missouri. in the moment of my departure from Washington mrs Madison informed me you had a thought...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In the case of Crutchelow & John Williams , two of the murderers of the Indians who have fled, had the case happened in any of the states which proceed according to the forms of the English law, an indictment would be preferred to a grand jury, the witnesses called to appear, and on it’s being found a true bill, a capias issues, which being returned non est inventus, an Exigent goes out, on...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 23 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking from our last Census the number of 384,554 free white males of the age of 16. and under 26. and distributing them according to their ages by Buffon’s table they stand thus. between 16. and 18. 80,405. not of military age in their 19th year 39,591
69From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you all the papers recieved in yours of the 9th. except Morrison’s letter on the subject of Alston, which altho’ expressed to be confidential, I send to mr Hay under that injunction, merely for his information, should there be other bearings on the same point. in my conscience I have no doubt as to his participation. to your papers I add some others. particularly respecting the...
70From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the letters of mr Granger & mr J. Nicholas, by the latter of which you will see that an Indian rupture in the neighborhood of Detroit becomes more probable if it has not already taken place. I see in it no cause for changing the opinion given in mine of Aug. 28. but on the contrary strong reason for hastening the measures therein recommended. we must make ever memorable examples...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 25 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
There is a subject on which I wished to speak with you before I left Washington; but an apt occasion did not occur. it is that of your continuance in office. perhaps it is as well to submit my thoughts to you by letter. the present summer is too important, in point of preparation, to leave your department unfilled, for any time, as I once thought might be done: and it would be with extreme...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 26 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23. is recieved & I learn with pleasure that mrs Dearborne & yourself will ere long be with us. there are three routes by which you may come. 1. that by Fredericksburg, which is 20. miles the furthest, the worst road, & after you pass Fredericksburg as badly off for stages as any other & a miserable uninteresting country. of the other two to wit, by Stephensbg, & by the...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Smith the writer of one of the inclosed letters is the republican […] in the place of Page lately elected to Congress in Virginia. a man of very great respectability. setting that aside, our service is not so urgent as to render it necessary to drag sons from their fathers. the affection of citizens to their government is worth cultivating as it’s best support. these considerations would...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 1 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been able to give the inclosed so little time that the suggestions of alteration which I make are merely for your consideration. in order to keep the subject clear I would propose to transpose the paragraphs so as to touch 1st. on their Civil powers generally. 2d. intrusions on land. 3. the military. 4. the militia. for this purpose I suggest something like the following. Section 1. to...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 12th. the duties proposed to be levied on us by the Spanish Government at Mobille, require certainly very serious attention. their bearings on what we had determined to do at Baton rouge, must come into consideration at the same time. the want of papers here to remind me exactly of the regulations we had established, and the distressing situation of my...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from mr Boudinot to whom an answer is promised as soon as I shall hear from you on the subject. I think this mr Blackburn called on us, and recieved such assurances as then gave him satisfaction. as we have in other instances encouraged the cooperation of the Quakers in Indian civilization, it is to be considered whether we may with advantage do the same with other sects...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 21 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very happy you have been able to find an Agent for the Chickasaws on such good recommendation and so promising an appearance as mr Wright, and entirely approve of his appointment. Majr. Fortier has not appeared here. Our post is not well organised. tho’ two mails a week on Mondays & Wednesdays leave Washington for Milton, yet both leave Milton on the same day, Saturday. so that tho’ you...
78From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 28 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
What would you think of raising a force for the defence of New Orleans in this manner? give a bounty of 50 acres of land, to be delivered immediately, to every able bodied man who will immediately settle on it, & hold himself in readiness to perform 2. years military service (on the usual pay) if called on within the first seven years of his residence. the lands to be chosen by himself of any...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 25th came to hand yesterday, and I now return the letter of LaFayette with a similar one under cover to me, which he desired me, if I thought it proper, to hand on to you as the channel through which he wished to have it conveyed to Congress. considering it as proper & believing it will have a favorable effect I comply with his request in now inclosing it. You remember it was...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 5 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for your consideration a paper addressed to me from Lieutt. Landais of the Artillery, to consider & decide whether any thing & what should be done in consequence of it.—I formerly referred to your consideration the petition of John Rowe , confined in jail for having counselled or procured a souldier to desert. he was sentenced to 3. months imprisonmt. & to paiment of costs . his 3....
81From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 15 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you letters from Genl. Wilkinson, of Dec. 9. these, & some recd. from Govr. Claiborne render it necessary to take certain measures into consideration. not knowing whether mr Gallatin will be well enough to come out to day, I have written to him to say that if he is, and will call on me early, I will, on his arrival ask the favor of the other gentlemen to come for the purpose of...
82From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returned to Genl. Dearborne yesterday the letter of mr John Randolph, to which he thinks some of the following ideas might enter into the answer, to wit that the military establishment of the US. being known, it is only necessary to observe that it is nearly full; that a considerable portion of it is necessarily retained at the several forts & posts of the US to preserve them &...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter shews the writer to be really a curiosity. I think he might be told that you had communicated to me the substance of his letter: that the information relative to the olives & to Genl. Gadsden was very gratifying to me. that as to the gunboats, (his 3d subject) that mode of defending our harbours would probably be pursued: that the boats will not all be on one model, but...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho’ the communication of the within to me might be considered as confidential, yet it is so important that Wilkerson’s maneuvres should be understood that I send it for your perusal, in confidence also. he is turning on us the batteries of our friends in aid of his own. the business of the Commission terminated on the 16th. of Jan. when the order for the upper posts was given, as that...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 2 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Aug. 28. on the dispositions of the Indians was to go the rounds of all our brethren, & to be finally sent to you with their separate opinions. I think it probable therefore that the inclosed extract of a letter from a priest at Detroit to Bishop Carroll may reach you as soon or sooner than that. I therefore forward it, because it throws rather a different light on the...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 9 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday yours of the 7th. with the proposition for substituting 32,000. twelve month volunteers instead of 15,000. regulars as a disposeable force, and I like the idea much. it will of course be a subject of consideration when we all meet again, but I repeat that I like it greatly. On some occasion, a little before I left Washington, when we were together (all, I think except mr...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 22 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I suggest to you the following, as some of the ideas which might be expressed by Genl. Wilkinson in answering Govr. Salcedo’s letter. The introductory and concluding sentiments will best flow from the General’s own feelings of the personal standing between himself & Govr. Salcedo. ‘On the transfer of Louisiana by France to the US. according to it’s boundaries when possessed by France, the...
88From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 6 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
A complaint has come to me indirectly on the part of the Cadets at West point, that the promotions in their corps are made on other principles than those of seniority or merit. they do not charge Colo. Williams with an unjust selection by himself, but with leaving the selection to his lieutenant, whose declaration that it was so left to him, they say can be proved. it is stated particularly...
89From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to Genl. Dearborne more candidates for the succession to Genl. Irvine. he has just recieved a letter from mr Dupont the father in which is the following paragraph. ‘continue your friendship to me. extend it to my children. I hope you have your powder made and your saltpeter refined at their manufactory 1. because it is without comparison the best in the US. and one of...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14th. & 15th. were recieved yesterday. the former is now returned. I shall, in answer to mr Nicholas, say that we cannot lend arms but to Volunteers training for immediate service, & that as to a deposit in his neighborhood, we shall in due time take up that subject generally when just attention will be paid to that section of our country. our separation at this time having been...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a newspaper with a Lexington article respecting the Osage chiefs. Govr. Harrison in a former letter I think proposed the purchasing all the Piankishaw lands on the Ohio. this would be infinitely preferable to nibbling about the Saline. I doubt the expediency of buying the Pioria lands West of the Missisipi, unless a bargain could be made at the same time with some other tribe to...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 8 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is suggested to me (indirectly from the person himself) that Jerome Bonaparte is at Baltimore under the name of Monsr. Dalbarton , with a son of Rewbell, and that they mean to ask a passage to France in one of our frigates. if this be the fact, he will have satisfied thereof the minister of his nation, thro’ whom we shall be apprised of it, and relieved from all trouble in deciding on it....
93From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 27 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Capt Barron at Westpoint, on which be pleased to do what you think right. The object of the kind enquiries in your letter of the 19th. is no more. she left us on the day of the date of my last letter to you. this event will occasion my stay here to be about a week longer than I had originally intended. I suppose it will still be a fortnight before I shall be with...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 7th. with the inclosed papers came to my hand only last night. I now return the papers with an entire approbation of your letter to Govr. Harrison & proceedings. the white people who are among the Indians, having designs of their own to answer, & no principle to restrain them, make great use of lies to effect their purposes, and fabricate them from time to time according to the...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 July 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes of consultations. 1807. July 26 Norfolk. agreed that all the militia at this place, & on both sides of James river be dismissed, except 1. an artillery company to serve the spare guns at Norfolk and to be trained to their management. 2. a troop of cavalry to patrole the country in the vicinity of the squadron, as well to cut off their supplies as to give notice of any sudden danger, to...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of July 27. has been recieved. I now inclose you the letters of Hawkins, Harrison, Wells, Hull & Claiborne recieved from the war office, and, as I conjecture, not yet seen by you. Indian appearances, both in the North West & South are well. beyond the Missisipi they are not so favorable. I fear Governor Lewis has been too prompt in committing us with the Osages so far as to oblige us to...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 3 September 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter recieved from Governor Strong on the subject of the military articles furnished us with the fort . considering that our predecessors may have engaged more fully than we suppose, and that in all cases where a state is urgent, the General government ought to exercise towards it the liberality & indulgence of a parent, I should be for yielding whatsoever was not too...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 2 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you mr Griswold’s letter. the measure he proposes is exactly to reverse our politics. instead of inviting Indians to come within our limits, our object is to tempt them to evacuate them. I suppose the smoothest answer would be that being connected with the English in friendship, good faith requires that we should not interfere with the inhabitants of their territories, nor attempt to...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 18 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I had written to Governor Claiborne according to what had been agreed between you & myself after which I recieved a letter from Pitot on behalf of the canal company of NO. which should have accompanied the printed report I communicated to you. the letter agrees with the report and asks specifically that we should either lend them 50,000. D. or buy the remaining fourth part of their shares now...
100Memorandum for Henry Dearborn on Indian Policy, 29 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Hints on the subject of Indian boundaries, suggested for consideration An object, becoming now of great importance, is the establishment of a strong front on our Western boundary, the Missisipi, securing us on that side, as our front on the Atlantic does towards the East. our proceedings with the Indians should tend systematically to that object, leaving the extinguishment of title in the...