1Philippe Jacques Dahler to Jefferson and Congress, 6 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est pour procurer à ma famille des renseignemens sur l’existence oû la mort de nôtre Oncle et depuis longtems vôtre compatriote Jean Daniel Hammerer que j’ose Messieurs m’adresser jusqu’à Vous respectables Président & Membres du Congrès. Depuis 1774 époque de la derniere de ses nouvelles, nous lui avons écrit à reïtérées fois, sans avoir pu recevoir reponse, ni de lui ni des Siens. Comme des...
2From William Marshall to Thomas Jefferson, 13 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The president of the United States of America. To Thomas Jefferson, Robert Smith, Henry Dearborne or either of them who may have the papers—hereinafter mentioned or any of them within his or their keeping or power. You are hereby commanded to appear before the Judges of the circuit court of the United States, for the fifth circuit, in the Virginia District in the city of Richmond, at the Court...
3From William Henry Harrison to Henry Dearborn, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The Delaware Tribe have determined to remove the ensuing Spring from their present habitations to Settle on the West Side of the Mississippi—Their particular destination is White River to which they Say they have been invited by the Indians of that Country. I can See no injury that will result to the United States from this removal, on the Contrary it will leave vacant a fine tract of Country...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, with Gallatin’s Reply, [23 February 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
the inclosed case is entirely unintelligible to me. can you make any thing of it? [ Reply by Gallatin :] Nicholas Reib is an old German who has tormented Congress & more particularly the Pennsylvania delegation for several years with his claim. It has been repeatedly rejected. If an answer is thought necessary, it will be sufficient to tell him that the Executive has no power in that case &...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, with Gallatin’s Reply, [on or before 24 February 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
Are the within terms admissible? [ Reply by Gallatin :] The 1st, 2d & 4th are either in pursuance of, or, not inconsistent with the law, excepting only the words “all other documents belonging to the land department;” the Surveyor general superintends the surveying department, & has nothing to do with the sales of the lands, these being under the superintendence of the several registers, who...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James McGurk, 10 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I Beg lave once more to adress yaur Exilency as the Onley and last means that I have for my life in my Latir to you By Mr. wodward I mentioned that Judge keltey and Cranch was willing to have my life Saved But Since there has Been a politicle partey that has Ecused Me with faulls Storeys in the washinton feaderelist I Bleive That Induced the Judges to not Concent to my Pardon I Bleive the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from James Oldham, 5 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
on the forth of February I rote you Respecting some ornaments for a Frize and Incloasd a Letter to Cpt. Andrews under cover to you which am fearful has bin miscarried: the drawing of one of the modillions which I incloasd to you was for to now of Cpt. Andrews what would be the cost of composition for each Modillion: The agreement with Mr. Hudson and my self was, that he should furnish his...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 17 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last respects, I have received a Letter from Mr. Hackley from Algexiras, in answer to my offers of assisting him & family, in which he does not mention a word of having instructions respecting the Union with me; as I took the liberty proposing last year to Your Excelly. I am fearfull it will not take place as he has united with Mr. Meade, who has lately forced me to attack him before...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Dougherty, 17 April 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your 2 letters and the direction they contained are duly attended to. I got a box for you in stage office at george Town about 12 I. square. it feels light as if it contained books. I will wait your directions what to do with it Mr. Duane is not arived here nor no account of your boxes with the strawberry plants. I thought the box I received might contain the strawberrys but did not...
10To Thomas Jefferson from J. Phillipe Reibelt, 24 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Certainement bien eloignè de l’ Idee meme, de faire passer la revüe aux Livres, que Vous m’avez renvoye avec tant de Graçe —Les premiers, qui malgré moi me sautoient aux Yeux, lorsque mon Domestioque avoit ouvert la Caisse au Magazin, et que le Commis, que j’en Chargois, vouloit sortir et replacer les Ouvrages, etoient deux Exemplaires de l’ Atlas appartenant au Tableau de l’Espagne , dont un...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Michael Leib, 22 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My friend Dr. Muhlenberg of this place, whose reputation as a botanist you are not unacquainted with, is very desirous of possessing the seed of any rare plants that Captain Lewis may have brought with him. As you will be in possession of them, I have taken the liberty of requesting a specimen of any that you may have to spare, for my friend the Doctor. As you have always evinced the strongest...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your Letter arrived Dr Priestley was dead: of which I informed you hastily on the same afternoon. The work you mention of Mr Malthus, I have perused with deep interest and melancholy conviction of the general truth of his Theory, but I cannot help thinking he carries it much too far. Granting the tendency of the procreative passion to increase the human species far beyond the ratio of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Irvine, 18 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
When at Washington I took the liberty to recommend Robert Porter Esqr. of Philadelphia to your notice as one of the Commissioners of Bankruptcy for the District of Pennsylvania—Circumstances probably were not favorable at that time to his appointment—as there is now a vacancy by the death of John W. Vancleve, I again solicit your attention to the pretensions of Mr. Porter for that office,...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 14 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I much fear that in performing my duty, and endeavoring to give you all the information possible on the State of the public buildings, I claim an unreasonable portion of your time & attention.—My present letter is on a subject on which I see only one mode of proceeding, and that one , involves a mode of finishing the roof of the North wing on which I solicit your opinion and direction:...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 5 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I sincerely hope that you have, on your arrival, found Mrs. Eppes in a fair way of recovering. The weather and city have been gloomy enough since your departure; and Mrs G. is anxious that I should take her to New York. If I can possibly complete in time the business and arrangements resulting from the laws of last session, I will try to do it early enough to be back here when you shall...
16To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with the receipt of your letter of the 21. of March, inclosing a copy of an act of Congress which authorizes the President to accept of such Company or Companies of Volunteers, not exceeding 30,000, as shall make a tender of service. The present state of things on the western side of the Mississippi, as far as I am advised, authorizes a hope that no difficulty will shortly...
17To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 21 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Is the fact certain that the amt. of the internal taxes not objectionable in their nature would not have paid the Collectors? What is the amendment alluded to as necessary to a repartition of liberated revenues amg. the States in time of peace? page 3—“in any view” may be better than “in any event” that phrase having but just preceeded. Instead of “acts of religious exercise suited to it...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William H. Cabell, 21 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I laid before the General Assembly of Virginia the letter which I had the honor to receive from you enclosing the Act of Congress for laying out and making a road from Cumberland in the State of Maryland to the State of Ohio, together with the partial report of the Commissioners: and I have now the honor to enclose you the Copy of an Act of the General Assembly, giving the assent of this State...
19To Thomas Jefferson from W. Jennings, 27 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The leizure hours of a few months residence in the United States have enabled me to prepare for the Press ‘The Foundling of Belgrade’ a tale intended as a series to ‘The memoirs of Charles Westcote’ published by me about a twelve month since in Great Britain. Apart from the honor of receiving a dedication to the first magistrate of a free people the liberty of placing this volume under the...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Preble, 26 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having established myself at this Port; and finding that Mr. Peter Dobell who was some time since appointed Commercial Agent of the US. at Havre, intends to resign that office, I beg leave to solicit the same when vacant; it would be particularly valuable to me, as I shall most probably pass great part of the remainder of my life at this Place. I have thought it needless to trouble you with...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 12 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my answer to Sergt. Dunbau I observd that there would be an impropriety in giving him a discharge at present, but that if his fears were such as to render it painfull to to join his Company he might be transfered to an other Company, and that he might remain with the guard in this City the ensuing winter.—I think Capt. McComb would be a suitable charactor to attend any experiments that Mr...
22To Thomas Jefferson from William Evans, 5 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favour of the 1st Instant, and am sorry to inform you that the report respecting James Hennings Having commited an act of Suicide is true. I made every enquiry at the time this melancholy circumstance took place, the result of which was, that he had been delirious for Some days previous to his having commited the act, and it was the General opinion that drinking too freely was...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob H. Geiger, 26 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The petition of Jacob H. Geiger humbly represents that at a Circuit Court of the District of Columbia held for the County of Washington on the fourth monday of July 1805 the Grand Inquest of said County found a presentment against your petitioner on a charge of having assaulted a certain Robert Casey the Commission of which, he is entirely ignorant; That at a term of the same Court held on the...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Pseudonym: "A Stranger and a Friend", 22 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
As you naturally take an Interest in every thing that relates to the Embargo; permit me to direct your attention to a letter, which appeared in the Enquirer of this City on Tuesday last. That letter is from the Pen of John Gamble, the eldest Son of Col. Robert Gamble of this city. W. J. Gamble has always pursued the rank of politics of his father. and was the only one, except one, who opposed...
25Petition of Jesse Page and Wife, 1 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Jesse Page, and Wife, of Ann Arundel County, in the State of Maryland; respectfully sheweth, that they are the Parents of a Profligate Son, who now lies, in Confinement, for Desertion, at the military Corps, in Frederick Town; Your Petitioners would beg Leave, to represent, that they have always sustained a fair and reputable Character, in Society—that their Son, Shadrach Page,...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be Delivered to you My Dear Father by Beverly Randolph whom you may reccollect to have seen at your house in the Spring 1806. Mrs. Madison has been so kind as to procure for him young Nourse’s place during his absence or untill some thing better offers. enclosed is a little seal of my Mother that I Must beg the favor of you to have mended and My watch key if it is possible to make it...
27To Thomas Jefferson from David Howell, 18 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The object of this Letter is to introduce to the Special notice of the president one of the gallant officers of the revolutionary War—Major General Barton—the Captor of General Prescott. As an agent for sundry Officers, Soldiers & others holding claims for Services rendred to the U.S. during the war, he visits the Capital to ask for Justice. Whatever attention and respect he may receive from...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Louise d’Egremont Brongniart, 11 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Mme Brongniart est extrêmement reconnaissante des souhaits que monsieur Le president a la bonté de former pour le succès de son voyage. Elle s’empressera à son arrivée de remettre elle même à Mr Livingston la lettre de monsieur Le president dont elle se charge avec le plus grand plaisir. Madame Brongniart is extremely grateful for the president’s kind wishes for the success of her journey. She...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 4 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose the copy of a letter from Samuel Hay one of the commissioners for the direct tax in South Carolina. As the assessment is not yet completed in that State, and the principal cause of the delay has been the difficulty of finding gentlemen who would accept the office, the propriety of appointing the gentlemen recommended by Mr Hay is respectfully submitted. I have the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Jeremiah Morrow, 7 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Presuming that the appointment of register to the land office at cincinnati would shortly be made, I have taken the liberty of giving an opinion as to the most suitable amongst the persons who have applyed for the office. Daniel Symmes William Ludlow & Aaron Gofourth are considered as best qualified, should either of them be appointed I believe the duties of the office Would be well...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Marie de Bordes, 15 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de traduire de l’Anglais en Français un petit traité de morale trop bien connu de votre Excellence, pour me permettre de lui en faire l’éloge; c’est l’Economie de la vie humaine, par Robert Dodsley. Cet ouvrage manquait à ma patrie, j’ai cru devoir lui en faire le présent: en publiant de plus l’original à côté de ma traduction, j’ai tâché de favoriser le goût de ceux qui, partisans de...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Ephraim Pentland, 30 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In behalf of the committee of Young Republican citizens, appointed at a numerous and respectable meeting, held on the 24th. ult. in this place, I forward you their address, under cover to our representative in Congress.—Hoping that this small tribute of their respect will not be unacceptable. Very Respectfully, Your obt. huml. Sert. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
33To Thomas Jefferson from William Plumer, 22 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last mail I received your respectful note of the 3d instant, with a volume of documents respecting our foreign relations. For these interesting communications be pleased to accept my grateful acknowledgement. I have commenced the compilation of my history of this country. I have thought it necessary that the introduction should contain a concise view of the state of the world,...
34To Thomas Jefferson from William Strickland, 13 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 30th: of June, I received on the 22d. of October, since which time I have been waiting for a safe conveyance for my answer. I am highly flatter’d by your recollection, particularly at a period when you must be occupied by so many momentous engagements; an unwillingness to interrupt which has been the cause of my long silence . I have many times wished for an opportunity of...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Smith, 10 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My Brother has gone this Morning to Baltimore, he has taken with him his Eldest Son, not quite recovered from a Violent Cold, and Swelling in his throat. he will find his youngest Son dead, (he died on Saturday night.) and his only Daughter, extremely Ill, without a hope left of her Recovery. a Dropsy in the Brain is Suspected. her head has been Shaved & Blisters were applied—His Distress &...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 9 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The following gentleman are proposed to your consideration, as Candidates for military Agencies : (viz) For the Northern Department Peter Gansevoort , of Albany. For the middle Department William Linnard of Philadelphia. For the Southern Department Abraham D. Abrahams of Savannah. I have the honor to be, Sir, with high consideration, Yr. Obt. Servant RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Dean, 5 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Being informed by Mr Robert Moss that Coll. Danl. C. Brent the present Marshal of the District of Columbia is about to Resign that appointment and that he is an applicant. with due Respect I have taken the liberty to State that he is a Gentleman of Integrity and Respectability in my estimation well Qualifyed to fill that office. haveing acted as Deputy Marshal for some time past with Honor to...
38To 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...
39To 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...
40To 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...
41To 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...
42To 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...
43To 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...
44To 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...
45To 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...
46To 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...
47To 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...
48To 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...
49II. 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...
50To 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...