1Anonymous to Thomas Jefferson, 18 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I rejoice to find you engaged in your latter days, in so laudable an undertaking as that of perfecting a system for the education of our youth: an estabilishement much wanted on your side of the mountains: and which must hereafter prove a great blessing to our posterity. But, what has astonished me more than all the miracles of Moses , is, that the birth state of Washington , Jefferson ,...
2A. & J. W. Picket to Thomas Jefferson, 10 September 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
We address you on a Subject of vital importance; we mean the Subject of Female Education , which in our opinion has not received that attention which its intrinsic value merits.—To benefit, & place it on a more permanent basis, as far as our capabilities will allow, we intend to apply to the Legislature of mary land , at its next session, for means to erect a Female College . The importance of...
3To Thomas Jefferson from “A. B.,” 2 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had frequent occasion to transact Business at the Collectors Office in this Port & for a year or two past the Business of the different departments has been executed entirely by Clerks, many of whom are perfectly ignorant of their Business; the Collector during that time has not been at the office once a fortnight on an average, the consequence of which is a great inconvenience to...
4"Abbe Salemankis" to Thomas Jefferson, 27 February 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed letters are respectfully presented, for Your perusal. The author has composed them from no other motive, than a sense of public duty; If th e y have no beneficial effect it will not militate against the design, but to him must remain a subject of regret. Some appology Apology is necessary. They were written, without sufficient documents to furnish a full View of the subject...
5To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 11 November [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
11 Nov . [ 1785 ]. Extend dinner invitation to TJ and David Humphreys for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the farmers-general; they are to be at the Place Vendôme at two o’clock. D’Estaing will also attend. The Abbés are grateful to TJ for forwarding the letter from Adams. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated “Vendredi lle. 9bre.”; addressed.
6To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 17 April [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
17. Apr. [ 1785 ]. Accept dinner invitation for Tuesday, 19 Apr. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; addressed: “A Monsieur Monsieur Jefferson ministre plenipotentiaire des Etats-unis d’Amerique Dans son Hotel.” The two Abbés’ names are often misspelled, particularly that of Abbé Arnoux, whose name is also frequently confused with that of the Abbé François Arnaud (1721–1784). They lived on the...
7To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 13 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 13 Nov. 1785 . Extend dinner invitation to TJ and his party for that day on the part of Chalut de Verin of the Farmers General; they hope “ qu’il ne lui restera aucune raison de refus .” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; dated: “dimanche 12. 9bre. 1785”; addressed. Since 12 Nov. 1785 fell on a Saturday, the date of this letter has been corrected to the 13th. TJ evidently had declined the invitation for...
8To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 28 June [1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Les abbés de Chalut et Arnoux ont l’honneur de faire leurs compliments à Monsieur jefferson et de Le prier de la part de M. de Chalut de Lui faire L’honneur d’aller diner chez lui à St. Cloud jeudi prochain 30 juin. M. de Chalut fait la meme priere à M. Le Colonel humphries et à M. Williasmos il espere qu’ils voudront bien être de la partie. Les deux abbés iront diner à St. Cloud ce jour là,...
9To Thomas Jefferson from the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 24 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
24 May 1785 . Accept TJ’s invitation. RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; in French; addressed.
10David Abbot to Thomas Jefferson, 10 April 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I write to You on a subject which I think of great importance and because in your life I think you have done a great deal of good because you are in a situation to do much on the subject which I shall mention, and because I think You have been a friend to the people, in stead of favoring a chosen few—You will not Sir, think this a piece of flatery; my situation forbids it— but few Years have...
11Thomas Jefferson Abbott to Thomas Jefferson, 12 November 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
we are all tolerable well At present Exept my father who is Down with the Rhuematick pains & has been Subject to it this six years & I hope these Lines will find you & yours Enjoying your healths And I, am named after you sir and was Born Just Eight days Before you took your Seat as late president of unighted states of America —and I shal beg leave of you to Ask of You a small Complement or...
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Abernethie, 1 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Certificate I venture to send to you, humbly requesting of your Exclly. to have the same laid before Congress (at this Session if your Exclly pleases.) if it’s good I wish very much to have the value of it, if it’s not good, your Exclly. & Congress may do what you please with it. The Cer. has belonged to me for about twenty years past—I have sent it once or twice to Congress at...
13"A Bond Street Lounger" to Thomas Jefferson, 31 August 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of M r Sec y Smith (lately published) has fully exposed the diabolical views, & Strange fallacy of the democrats of America in fine the above letter will do more for the Cause of Federalism than all their own writers Combined could have done—to use a Cant & Vulgar phrase “when theives fall out, honest Men Come by their own”—the above speaks more than volumes—in fine you must Shrink...
14To Thomas Jefferson from “A Boston Merchant,” 26 July 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your REPLY to the merchants of the respectable City of New-Haven has just come to hand—Your boasted majority who are they. why Negro’s or what in New England are there cattle as the majority by whom you have been chosen. as you will see dele[…] in a peice in a late centinel of this town?—Let your Vengence of which you intimate as much fall on this spirited town. the first to avenge its...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Abraham, 17 September 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
At this time I am in very Great Distress and Now Sir Beg your assistance if you please I am oweing abought one hundred and Forty Dollars and have no way of Raising it without Borrowing it. and I thinke you to be the moste proper Gentleman of my acquaintances to aske a Favour of that Kinde of if you will be so Good as to Lende me one hundred and Fifty Dollars untill march next you Shall Surely...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Abraham, 13 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I See By the papers that there is to be a road Cut out from Nashville to Natchez M.T. and you are to have it done: and I Suppose there must be Some person to atende to it and as I am out of Business I Would be very thankfull to you for the Burth of atending to it and every thing on my Part Shall be atended to to have it done Well I am Sir your very Humble Servant DNA : RG 59—LAR—Letters of...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Francis Abraham, 31 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
A true Statement of the Bad Earth Between Fort Stoddert & Pearl River From Fort Stoddert to Dog River very good; on the West Side of Said river 1 quarter of a mile Which is Bad thence on to the paspergolar very good Escept some small streams Which will want Bridging; on the west Side of Said river 5 Miles very Bad which will want coswaying & Bridging nearly all the way; from thence to Bog...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Abraham Runnels & Son, 30 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
When I took the liberty of addressing you on the 5th. Instant, Relative the Captured American Brig, with my Property on board, I could not doubt but that some enquiry would have been made, as to the Propriety of the Capture and the objects either Condemned or Acquitted; it is not necessary to prove that I suffer serious Inconveniencies, and disappointments, by the Detention of my Property (for...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Abraham Runnels & Son, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Peculiar disagreableness of the business I am at present entangled in and the Extraordinary chain of Circumstances attending it equally injurious to me and offensive to the Neutrality of this Country, obliges me to seek refuge through your Medium from that Power which dispenses equal justice to all. I beg leave to refer you to the Accompanying Documents for the Particulars of a Capture...
20Reuben Haines to Thomas Jefferson, 24 February 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia , held on the 27 th ultimo Thomas Jefferson of Monticello was duly elected a Corresponding member. The object of this institution being the promotion of all the various branches of Natural Science, especially the investigation of the natural productions of the United States , we shall be happy to receive, and communicate any...
21[To Thomas Jefferson from Achard Frères, 29 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Rouen, 29 Aug. 1786 . Recorded in SJL as received 2 Sep. 1786. Not found.]
22To Thomas Jefferson from Achard Frères, 21 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received the Passeport your Excellence has been so good as to send us. Your two Cases are on Board of the Diligence L’Adelaide and we hope they will Come Safe in the hands of your Excellence. Here inclosed is a note of our Expences which have been paid to us by the Master of the Diligence to whom we beg of your Excellence to reimburse them. We are most respectfully Your Most obedient...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Jean-Baptiste Acher, 29 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bayonne, 29 Nov. 1788. Submits to TJ, as “Dépositaire des droits des Etats Unis et des faveurs que les traittés avec la france leur assurent,” a complaint concerning the importation of whale oil. The king’s arrêt of 28 Sep. last concerning the importation of foreign oils was sent to the port authority for Bayonne without any specification that an exception was to be made for the United States;...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Acheson, 19 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed you have a letter and a document addressed to you from Lancaster by the Members of the Pennsa. Legislature, on the subject of the Federal road, which by some error or mistake came to this Town last Mail and was put into my hands with a request to enclose and forward the same, And having so favourable an oppertunity you will pardon my giving you my opinion of this important Subject, a...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Acheson, 23 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
As secratary of the Committee of Corespondence for Washington County (Pa) I have the honor of transmitting you the free and unbiased Sentiments of the Democratic Republican Citizens of this County as expressd by their delegates in the enclosed Resolutions and address on the 21st. Instant, this tribute of thanks they Considered Justly due to their Venerable Chief Magistrate about to retire from...
26To Thomas Jefferson from a "Citizen free Born," 30 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The Times Are much Altered Since your Administration, Thousands are released from hard Taxes, And the Union at large are eased of many thousands of Dollars, by your Justice, may you long live to Administer Justice to all your fellow Citizens— But there is one thing more in Justice you Ought To Do, humanity Calls loudly on you & the rest of the Rulers to do (And that is the FREEDOM of the...
27To Thomas Jefferson from John Jay AcModery, 9 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
an unfurtuanate Man addresses You with these Lines though Scarsly worthy of Your Notice on account of its Iregular stile & Compossure—But would most Humbly begg pardon for the Intrussion & wish You to exuse me for attempting to trouble You with so lenghty a Scrawlling & so poorly Connected & spelled Sir I embarked in the Earliest Day of the American Revolution went with the faithful Genl....
28To Thomas Jefferson from James B. M. Adair, 9 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your favour in course of post, and as I did not know of any person going to Philadelphia, with whom I could entrust your model, I delivered it to Mr. Remsen, informing of the precautions necessary to be observed in forwarding it, and I hope that before this time you have received it in perfect safety. The greatest care was taken, on board the Ship, to put it into...
29To Thomas Jefferson from James B. M. Adair, [ca. 28 August 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inform you, that I have just arrived here in the Ship Amsterdam Packet, after a passage of 68 days from London. Mr. Pinckney did me the honour to entrust to my care several packets addressed to you, two of which you will receive by this post, and I also send by the Coach two parcels of Newspapers, from Mr. Pinckney, and one, of which I wish to request his Excellency the...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Johan Adames, 23 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of John Adams, humbly Sheweth, That your petitioner hath been convicted at the Circuit Court of the United States for the district of Pennsylvania, of smuggling a small quantity of Coffee, for which Offence he hath agreeably to Law been sentenced to pay a fine of four hundred Dollars, all which will more fully appear to your Excellency, by the Certified transcripts from the...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Adam, 8 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Inclosed I have the Honour to transmit you a Copy of a New Work , of which I am the proprietor, and of which I have already lodged a Copy in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court agreeable to Law. I am Sir, with due Respect, Your Most Obedient And Most Hble Servt., RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Remsen as received 16 Aug. 1791 but not recorded in SJL . The enclosed new work was a...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Adams & Rhodes, 18 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Copies of a Correspondence , are most respectfully submitted by Your most obedient & very humble Servants RC ( DLC : Rare Book and Special Collections Division); at foot of text: “The President of the United States.” Enclosure: see below. Abijah Adams (1754–1816) of Boston, worked for his younger brother Thomas Adams as clerk and bookkeeper for the Boston Independent Chronicle ,...
33Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 24 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I hope if the Marquiss de la Fayette is returned to Paris he may be able to give us some account of Colln. Smith for whom we are not a little anxious, having no intelligence from him since the begining of September when he wrote that he should tarry at Berlin till the reviews were over which would be by the 20th. of that month and then should make the utmost expedition to Paris where his stay...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 23 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Trumble will have the honour of delivering this to you. The knowledge you have of him, and his own merit will ensure him a favourable reception. He has requested a Letter from me, and I would not refuse him, as it gives me an opportunity of paying my respects to a Gentleman for whom I entertain the highest esteem, and whose portrait dignifies a part of our room , tho it is but a poor...
35Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have Sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me, as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, with Enclosure, 6 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams has already written you that we arrived in London upon the 27 of May . We journey’d slowly and sometimes silently. I think I have somewhere met with the observation that nobody ever leaves paris but with a degree of tristeness. I own I was loth to leave my garden because I did not expect to find its place supplied. I was still more loth on account of the increasing pleasure, and...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
If I had thought you would so soon have sent for your dear little Girl, I should have been tempted to have kept her arrival here, from you a secret. I am really loth to part with her, and she last evening upon Petit’s arrival, was thrown into all her former distresses, and bursting into Tears, told me it would be as hard to leave me as it was her Aunt Epps. She has been so often deceived that...
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on monday. It is with regret I assure you Sir that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becomeing more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honour to their Country placed in more distinguishd stations. Yet these...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 26 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Adams being absent I replie to your Letter this day received, that Mr. Adams has written to you upon the subject you refer to. Our time here is short and pressing. Yet short as it is Mr. Adams is obliged to Set out on fryday for the Hague in order to take leave there. Owing wholy to the neglect of Congress in omitting to send him a Letter of recall, tho he particularly requested it of...
40Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 18 August 1804 (Adams Papers)
Your Letter of July 22d was by Some mistake in the post office at Boston Sent back as far as Newyork, so that it did not reach me untill the Eleventh of this Month. Candour requires of me a reply. Your statement respecting Callender, (who was the Wretch referd to) and Your motives for liberating him, wear a different aspect as explaind by You, from the impression which they had made, not only...
41Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 29 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received by Col Franks Your obliging favour and am very sorry to find your wrist Still continues lame. I have known very Salutary effects produced by the use of British oil upon a spraind joint. I have Sent a Servant to See if I can procure some. You may rest assured that if it does no good: it will not do any injury. With regard to the Tumults in my Native state which you inquire about, I...
42Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
The Gentleman who is so kind as to convey this to you is from Carolina, his Name is Smith. He is a distant relation of mine, tho I have not the pleasure of much acquaintance with him. He has resided in England some time, and bears a Good Character here. Give me leave sir to introduce him to your notice. Mr. Short left us last twesday for the Hague, I did myself the honour of writing to you by...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 11 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Col. Humphries talks of leaving us on Monday. It is with regret, I assure you, Sir, that we part with him. His visit here has given us an opportunity of becoming more acquainted with his real worth and merit, and our friendship for him has risen in proportion to our intimacy. The two American Secretaries of Legation would do honor to their country placed in more distinguished stations. Yet...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 21 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Gentleman who is so kind as to convey this to you is from Carolina, his name is Smith. He is a distant relation of mine, tho I have not the pleasure of much acquaintance with him. He has resided in England some time, and bears a good Character here. Give me leave Sir to introduce him to your notice. Mr. Short left us last Tuesday for the Hague. I did myself the honour of writing to you by...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 7 October 17[85] (Jefferson Papers)
Your very polite favour was handed me by Colo. Franks. I am much obliged to you for the execution of the several commissions I troubled you with. Be assured sir that I felt myself Honourd by your commands, tho I have only in part executed them. For I could not find at any store table Cloths of the dimensions you directed. The width is as you wisht, but they assure me that four yds. and three...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 20 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Had you been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of your beloved and...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Abigail Adams, 19 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fox a young gentleman from Philadelphia who came recommended by Dr. Rush to Mr. Adams, will have the Honour of delivering you this Letter. We requested him to call upon Mr. Stockdale for your papers &c. Mr. Adams is unwell, and will not be able to write you by this opportunity. I am to acquaint you sir that Dr. Price has transacted the business respecting Mr. Hudon. The Money is paid, but...
48Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 7 October 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your very polite favour was handed me by Col. Franks. I am much obliged to you for the execution of the several commissions I troubled you with. Be assured sir that I felt myself Honourd by your commands, tho I have only in part executed them, for I could not find at any store table Cloths of the dimensions you directed. The width is as you wisht, but they assure me that four yds and three...
49Enclosure: Extracts from Newspapers, 6 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
The publick Advertiser— Yesterday Lord Gerge Gordon had the Honour of a long conference with his Excellency John Adams, (honest John Adams) the Ambassador of America, at the hotel of Mons. de Lynden Envoye extraodinaire de Leurs Hautes Puissances. This is true, and I suppose inserted by his Lordship who is as wild and as enthusiastic as when he headed the Mob. His Lordship came here but not...
50Abigail Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 20 September 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
your kind and Friendly Letter found me in great affliction for the loss of my dear and only daughter, mrs smith She had been with me only three weeks having undertaken a journey from the State of N york , desirious once more to See her parents, and to close her days under the paternal roof She was accompanied by her Son and daughter , who made every exeertion to get her here, and gratify what...