1To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 2 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 14 Ultimo I had the Honor to receive the Commission of Appointment which the President of the United States had conferr’d on me together your letter of the 7 August by Coll. Humphreys; I beg you Sir, to assure the President of the gratitude and high sense I entertain of the distinguished favor conferred on me, and altho I feel myself very inadequate to the execution of the trust imposed...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 3 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The foregoing is the Copy of what I had the honor to write you on the 2 Instant, by the two Brothers Capt. Ceely, via New York, and to which I beg reference; nothing of any material consequence has since occurred; the Armaments going on as before described. The arrival of six Cherokee Indians engrosses public speculation and various are the conjectures, but the most probable is that their...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 5 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write you the 3rd. Instant by this conveyance; Yesterday Morning a Messenger arrived from Madrid, with dispatches from Mr. Fitzherbert to the Duke of Leeds, which occasioned the publication of the extraordinary Gazette, inclosed; and which has produced many conjectures. The Effect it has on the Stocks was considerable; they rose 4 ⅌ Ct. in the forepart of the day, but...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 15 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding the Packet has not Sailed, affords me the opportunity of handing you the Court Gazette and Woodfalls Papers up to the 13th. We are at present quiet, and every thing bears the appearance of Peace, which will give facility to Trade, but which will add nothing in favor of the Shipping belonging to the United States. On the Meeting of Parliament the Minister will be called on, for an...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 30 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to address you on the 3d. 5th and 15 Instant by the New York Packett, Copies of which be pleased to find annexed and to which I beg reference. Inclosed I hand you the Court Gazette and Woodfalls register to this day inclusive. They contain the Kings speech and proceedings of Parliament. So far, nothing else has transpired worth observation, or your attention; Mr. Pitt seems...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 25 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 19 Instant, Charles Calvil, Carpenter, of the Dolphin, Captn. Richard O’brian, belonging to Messrs. Allens of Philadelphia, who was Captured on her Passage from St. Ubes to America on the 30 July 1785, and carried into Algiers on the 16 August in the same Year, call’d on me; He tells me that he was liberated by Subscription obtained by the British Consul in July last, that when he left...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 26 February 179[1] (Jefferson Papers)
My last was on the 1st December by the British Packet; since then, I have deferred writing you for several reasons; the first, I was anxious to have the power to say, whether this Court really meant to send out Mr. Elliott or not; but I am still in the same state of suspense, the Minister, not denying, or confirming the report. The second reason, was my wish to make trial of the conduct of the...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 26 Mch. 1791. His of 26 ult. sent by Pigou , Capt. Collett.—Preparations here indicate immediate rupture between England and Russia. Upwards of 30 sail of the line lie ready at Spithead and many others have been commissioned in last few days. The King this day issued proclamation offering bounty for seamen. Fearing press warrants will be issued in the evening, he gave warning to all...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 27 Mch. 1791 . Before receipt of TJ’s letters of 17 and 23 Dec. Purdie had told him of Capt. Young’s mistreatment, but at the same time he found Purdie “more violent if possible against Mr. John Brown Cutting, charging him with motives that I was sensible never actuated Mr. Cutting, and making use of threats violent and dishonorable against him.” He tried to get Purdie to return to...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 4 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 4 Apr. 1791 . Encloses accounts of the Greenland fishery for 1789 and 1790, the former perfect but the latter not, due to incomplete “returns of success ,” though an exact copy of that given parliament; also list of ships fitted out for Southern fishery in 1789, though it is impossible to foretell their success since some may be out two or three years. These accounts procured after...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 18 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 18 Apr. 1791 . His of 27 Mch. and 4 Apr. sent by New York packet in care of Colo. Smith. Since then the press for seamen has become general, but he is pleased to report “not … one Complaint from our Countrymen,” proving the Ministers have kept their promise not to molest American citizens. He thinks the government do not dare enter the Russian war because of opposition to it in both...
12II. Joshua Johnson to the Secretary of State, 31 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to transmit you various Papers marked A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S respecting the seizure of the Brigantine, Rachel, Capt. Nicholas Duff, belonging to New York, at Portsmouth, by the Collector and Comptroller of his Britanick Majestys Customs. As this case is singularly hard, I have been the more anxious, to procure Justice to the injured, and support the Honor, and...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 2 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 2 July 1791 . His last, 31 May, went by Sterett on New York packet. On 29th ult. he received TJ’s two letters of 13 May; those enclosed have been delivered. To his other he will reply in a few days, “tho’ … I must confess that I began to consider your silence, neglect; or that my communications were not worth attention.” But, doubts removed, he informs TJ that Thomas Walpole, minister...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 10 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 10 July 1791 . Encloses a copy of his of 2d. Has heard nothing of Hammond’s preparations for departing, nor is his appointment yet publicly known. He has taken infinite pains to obtain a report of the Committee of the Lords of Trade. One hundred copies printed for the Privy Council “but so very careful are they of them, that it is impossible to get one for you; I procured a Sight of...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 10 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 10 Aug. 1791 . He recognizes the justice of TJ’s reasons given in his of 13 May for not acknowledging his regular communications, yet for want of information (particularly respecting American funds), he is placed in disagreeable situations. He was confident Congress would regulate the consular office at the last session. “Their omitting it has lessened the consequence of their Consuls,...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 10 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg that you will be pleased to make it Publicly known to the Citizens of the United States, that all the American Shipping carrying Tobaccos &ca. to the Ports of Guernsey and Jersey, are subject to Seizure, under an Act of Parliament in the Reign of Charles the Second, that they may govern themselves accordingly.—I have the honor to assure you that I am with the most perfect Respect Sir...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 12 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to write you on the 10th. Ultimo, which Letters went by the America Captn. Mackay, via New York, and which I now confirm, since then I am deprived of the pleasure of any of your much respected Favors. I now inclose you Copies of Mr. Long’s (Joint Secretary to the Treasury) Letters to me, in Answer to mine on the Subject of the Seizure of the Hope, and Janet at Liverpool, which...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 30 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the Honor to write you on the 12 Inst. by the Zephyr, Capt. Crombie, via Annapolis, to which I pray your reference.—We have nothing of a political nature stirring worth your attention: the King and his followers are still at Weymouth.—The general opinion is, that the Parliament will not meet ‘till after Christmas to do Business; then, the Minister will face them, and give his reasons for...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 31 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 31 Dec. 1791 . Enclosing the quarterly accounts through today of American ships touching in this port. Also enclosed is an account of disbursements for the same quarter which total £61.3.2 when added to those formerly transmitted, “and to which I beg your attention.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD ); 1 p.; in clerk’s hand except for signature. Enclosures not found.
20To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 6 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your Favors of the 31 July, 29 August, and 29 January. It is highly gratifying to me to find that my Conduct respecting Purdie, was approved. I did every thing possible to procure the Report I mentioned to you in mine of April, but could not obtain it. I thank you for your Explanations of the duty of the Consuls and Vice Consuls; I have made it...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 13 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The annexed is the Copy of a letter I had the honor to write you on the 6th. Idem by the brig Mary Captn. McKenzie, via Maryland, and to which I pray your reference.—Mr. G. Morris is still in London. I hear that he means to leave in a week or ten Days. I forward you all the Newspapers and a Pamphlet published on the Income and Expenditure of this Country; the News Papers will give a proper...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 19 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 19 May 1792 . He has received no letters from TJ since writing him the 13th. ulto. via the Mary , Captain Reed. The newspapers carried by Mr. Marshall will reveal the operations of the French and Hungarian armies. The defeat of the former is considered unimportant, “but the unexampled barbarous Massacre of their Commander, makes every one shudder, nay, even the well wishers to their...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 9 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your favor of the 31st. May by Mr. Pinkney, together [with] the Laws of the last Session of Congress, and have paid the greatest Attention to the one you refer to, Chapter 24, regulating the Consular Office; by this Act I find that Bond, with two Securities must be given within twelve Months from its date (14 April last) for the faithful discharge of a trust for which...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 24 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 24 Aug. 1793 . He has received TJ’s favors of 14 Nov. and 21 Mch. and regrets his intention to retire. Because of the great hardships and inconveniences to which he knew American seamen and commerce would be subjected by the war in Europe that took place prior to receipt of the second letter, he decided to remain in office until he learned the President’s pleasure about his...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 28 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 28 Sep. 1793 . Since writing on 24 Aug., he has received no favors from TJ, who will be informed of public affairs by Pinckney. There has been no change in the Admiralty’s treatment of American seamen; they are still detained and he receives no answer. American ships captured and brought in are perishing while awaiting a court decision. At Pinckney’s request, he encloses a bill of...