11From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 23 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved two days ago your favor of the 16th. and thank you for your kind felicitations on my election; but whether it will be a subject of felicitation permanently will be for chapters of future history to say. the important subjects of the government I meet with some degree of courage & confidence, because I do believe the talents to be associated with me. the [honest] line of conduct we...
12From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, [6 April 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you an extract of a letter from mr Brown to mr Lincoln under whom, acting as Secretary of state, and Genl. Smith acting voluntarily for the department of Secretary of the Navy, but without appointment or reward, the latter part of what respected the Berceau was conducted. the other letter of Brown’s which I mentioned relates merely to the details of the repairs. The question whether...
13From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 18 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
See the stat. 24. G. 3. (1784.) c. 47. made against smuggling- armed vessels and forfieting the vessels. the 7th. sectn. latter part provides that it shall not extend to vessels having arms or ammunition put on board for the necessary use & defence of such vessel, by license from the Lord High Admiral of G.B. or the commissioners of the admiralty.’ this shews that English vessels cannot arm...
14From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 23 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
We learnt here with real affliction the terrible calamity which happened to you. to our feelings for your personal sufferings were added those for the public want of you here. from the importance of the matters before Congress, & some unfortunate circumstances, your presence here would have been, & would still be of incalculable value to the nation. as we naturally believe what we wish, the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 23 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his thanks to mr Giles for the suggestions of the other day as to mr Pease, as he is always thankful to his friends for any information which may enable him to do for the best. he has made enquiry as to the fact of mr Pease’s being interested in the Yazoo claim, and is assured that he is not interested a cent either directly or indirectly in that claim, nor has a...
16From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 20 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. on the subject of Burr’s offences was recieved only 4. days ago. that there should be anxiety & doubt in the public mind in the present defective state of this proof is not wonderful; and this has been sedulously encouraged by the tricks of the judges to force trials before it is possible to collect the evidence dispersed through a line of 2000. miles from Maine to...
17From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 26 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from mr Pinckney being private , cannot be communicated to Congress for that reason, as well as for others. I send it for your perusal, in confidence, because, mr Pinckney’s nomination being under consideration, I wish his real character & way of thinking to be known from facts, instead of surmises. I send it to yourself particularly because I know you will make a just use...
18From John Adams to William Branch Giles, 17 November 1812 (Adams Papers)
Having in ancient days had much experience of the frankness and candor of your disposition I feel the less apprehension of giving you offence, by Trespassing on your time, though according to the fashion of the world I have no right to commence or invite such a correspondence. Every good citizen must regret the appearance of disaffection to the national administration, so visible in the...
19From John Adams to William Branch Giles, 22 December 1812 (Adams Papers)
I thank you for your favor of the 5th and the two valuable Pamphlets inclosed. The speech I read with Pleasure in the time of it, and, have now read it again, with close attention…I know not what fault to find with either. In reading the Letter to the house of Delegates, I fancied myself sometimes reading Pascal upon peace in his disputes with the “Preists, and sometimes Locke upon Stilling...
20Thomas Jefferson’s Circular to Prospective Donors to Central College, 4 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
You have probably seen mentioned in the public papers that it is in contemplation to establish near Charlottesville a seminary of learning which shall embrace all the sciences deemed materially useful in the present age. towards this object the legislature has passed an act giving us a constitution nearly of our own choice, under the name of the Central College , making the Governor patron of...