1From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 4th. with a P.S. of the 8th. being delivered to the Captain of the vessel, the object of the present is to inform you that the reports of both those days prove to be unfounded, and that it is questionable whether the marriage spoken of is to take place. you will therefore depend on future evidence as to the fact, & only use the apology if the issue should render it necessary....
2From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 23 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved with great pleasure your favor on the subject of the Steam engine . tho’ deterred by the complexity of that hitherto known from making myself minutely acquainted with it, yet I am sufficiently acquainted with it to be sensible of the superior simplicity of yours, and it’s superior economy. I particularly thank you for the permission to communicate it to the Philosophical...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 20 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having recieved from mr Short and others a very strong recommendation of M. Pougens a bookseller in Paris, and being desired to direct the procuring thence some books for the use of Congress, I thought to spare your time which is engaged on higher objects, & therefore desired mr Short by the inclosed letter to superintend the purchase, the details of which were to be executed by mr Duane and...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 18 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
A favorable and a confidential opportunity offering by Mr. Dupont de Nemours, who is revisiting his native country, gives me an opportunity of sending you a cypher to be used between us, which will give you some trouble to understand, but, once understood, is the easiest to use, the most indecypherable, and varied by a new key with the greatest facility of any one I have ever known. I am in...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 9 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
You will recieve, probably by this post, from the Secretary of State, the final instructions for your mission to France. we have not thought it necessary to say any thing in them on the great question of the Maritime law of nations, which at present agitates Europe, that is to say, Whether free ships shall make free goods? because we do not mean to take any side in it during the war. but, as I...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 21 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is mr Robert Carter , one of the sons of Colo. Charles Carter of Shirley in this state, our first citizen in point of wealth, and head of one of the oldest & most distinguished families in it. the son having past some time in the study of medicine & surgery in Philadelphia, now goes to London, Edinburgh, & Paris to pursue the same studies. apprehensive that in the present...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A report reaches us this day from Baltimore (on probable, but not certain grounds) that Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the first Consul, was yesterday married to miss Patterson of that city.* *Nov. 8. It is now said that it did not take place on the 3d. but will this day. the effect of this measure on the mind of the first Consul, is not for me to suppose: but as it might occur to him, primâ...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The question of Neutral rights has not yet been taken up in our Cabinet. there is a visible leaning however to the liberal side. having had occasion in a particular case to state my own opinion privately, it will not be improper that Chancellor Livingston should see it; and the rather, as I believe my coadjutors, when we shall come to compare notes, will be found in the same sentiments. but...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 28 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. inst. came to hand yesterday, and I recieve it with the respect & attention with which I do every thing coming from you. nothing can be done on the subject of it till after my return to Washington which will probably be after your departure for France. whatever may be determined by the gentlemen of the administration on the subject of mr Davis, other candidates have...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 20. has been recieved. the copy of the late volume of agricultural proceedings is not yet at hand, but will probably come safe. I had formerly recieved the preceding volumes from your kindness, as you supposed. writings on this subject are peculiarly pleasing to me, for, as they tell us, we all sprung from the earth, so to that we naturally return. it is now among my most...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 12th. is just now at hand. with respect to the time of your departure it will depend on the return of mr Dawson with the ratification of the Convention. we may expect this in 4. months: so that you may have time enough to prepare for your departure soon after his arrival. we shall join with you a Secretary of legation, to guard against any accident happening to yourself: and...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 31 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Attorney general being absent, and none of the other members of the administration being professional lawyers, I am obliged to decide for myself in a case of law, which, in whatever way I decide, will make a great deal of noise. in this situation I ask the favor of you as a friend , and as a lawyer still in the habits of law reading, which I have not been for 30. years, to tell me what you...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This is probably the last time I shall address you on this side the water. the occasion is furnished by a desire that you will be so good as to deliver the inclosed letter to my eleve and friend mr Short. I recommend him at the same time to your patronage and attentions. you will find him a man of great natural ability, compleatly read, and better acquainted with the world than most in it. he...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am within a few minutes of setting out on a short visit to Monticello, and must therefore be very short. 20 years of intimate acquaintance with M. Dupont de Nemours has given me an unlimited confidence in him. his dispositions in favor of this country as well as France are unquestionable, and his talents so well known that I presume his opinions will have great weight with the French...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was by mr Dupont . since that I have recieved yours of May 22. mr Madison supposes you have written a subsequent one which has never come to hand. A late suspension by the Intendant of N. Orleans of our right of deposit there, without which the right of navigation is impracticable has thrown this country into such a flame of hostile disposition as can scarcely be described....
16[From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 27 March 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 27 Mch. 1783 . Stan V. Henkels’ sale catalogue No. 683 (5–6 Apr. 1892) records as lot 378 a Jefferson A.L.S., 1 p., 4to, of this date, and prints the following extract from it: “I think with you clearly that the three months after notice of recall could only be intended for gentlemen actually in Europe in the execution of their commissions, and that in a case like mine the...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 April 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by the receipt of your favor of to-day and thankful for the honor Congress do me in expressing so kindly their satisfaction with what was no more than duty in me. I beg leave also to acknowlege your goodness in the trouble you have taken with my account. It is perfectly agreeable, settled as you mention it, and I would wish nothing further to be proposed for any time I may...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 10 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The departure of Made. Brugnard for France furnishes me a safe conveyance of a letter which I cannot avoid embracing, altho’ I have nothing particular for the subject of it. it is well however to be able to inform you, generally, through a safe channel, that we stand compleatly corrected of the error that either the government or the nation of France has any remains of friendship for us. the...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 30 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 28. never came to my hand till the 17th. inst. this must account for the greater portion of the delay which has attended the acknolegement of it. I thank you for the volume of your Agricultural transactions : and as I percieve you take a great interest in whatever relates to this first & most precious of all the arts, I have packed in a small box, a model of a mouldboard of...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 8 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. has been duly recieved. it will be a subject of real regret if the regulation we have adopted does not meet your wishes, & the more so as it is too far gone to be changed, acceptances having been recieved . I explained to you in my former letter the principles on which it was done, to wit, 1. to train for public service in future such subjects as from their standing in...
21Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 20 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not hesitated to send you one of the inclosed because I know that your mind will view in it nothing but the abstract question of right; and in the opinion of my fellow citizens on that question it will be my duty to acquiesce. I owe it to you also in return for your excellent book on the subject of sheep, now becoming daily more and more interesting to us. I am embarked a little in that...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 7 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 30th. of the last month, and had a short interview the same evening with the Chevalr. de Ville-Brun Commander of the Romulus. There appeared at that time little apprehension but that we might sail within a few days; but we were not very particular in our conference as we expected so soon to see each other again. The severity of the cold however which commenced that night...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I apprised you in my former letter of the causes which had so long delayed my departure. These still continue. I have this moment received a printed copy of his Britannic majesty’s speech to his parliament by which we learn that preliminaries between America and Great Britain, among which is one for the acknolegement of our independance, have been provisionally agreed on to his part, that the...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 14 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your former communications on the subject of the steam engine , I took the liberty of laying before the American Philosophical society, by whom they will be printed in their volume of the present year. I have heard of the discovery of some large bones, supposed to be of the Mammoth, at about 30. or 40 miles distance from you: and among the ones found are said to be some which we have never yet...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 8 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly recieved your favor of the 1st. inst. and have withheld acknoleging it in hopes of finding time to consider it thoroughly. But this hope advancing before me, like my shadow, I must hasard thereon the ideas which occur extempore. I think it ingenious, well worth trying, and that probably it will lessen the friction. One consideration occurs to me. Suppose it the case of the tub mill,...
26Enclosure: Neutral Rights, 4 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The Principles insisted on by the English are that 1. free bottoms do not make free goods. 2. that a port may be blockaded by proclamation without force. 3. that Naval stores are contraband. 4. that belligerent may search neutral vessels, in all cases. 5. that Neutrals have no right to a commerce in war not permitted them in peace. When two nations chuse to go to war, it should in no wise...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 26 November 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the letter with which you have been pleased to honour me, inclosing the resolution of Congress of the 12th. inst. renewing my appointment as one of their ministers plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace; and beg leave through you to return my sincere thanks to that august body for the confidence they are pleased to repose in me and to tender the same to yourself for the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The two reciepts of Pougens have come safely to hand. the account had been settled without difficulty. The federal papers appear desirous of making mischief between us & England by putting speeches into my mouth which I never uttered. percieving by a letter recieved in January that our Comrs. were making up their mind to sign a treaty which contained no provision against impressment, we...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is a Mr. Dupont son to a gentleman of my acquaintance here of great worth and knowlege, and holding a very distinguished office in the department of Commerce. He was the friend of the late M. Turgot and wrote his life, which perhaps you may have seen. He sends his son to America to finish his education under the patronage of the Count de Moustier, believing that he may...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 3 October 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, mr Tubeuffe, is the son of a gentleman of that name from France who settled in Virginia some years ago, and was unhappily murdered by some ruffians who made their escape. I was not acquainted personally with him or any of his family, but heard much of them from time to time, and always favorably. the inclosed letter from mr Giles however, as personally acquainted with their...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 16 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 7. came duly to hand. a part of it gave me that kind of concern which I fear I am destined often to meet. men professing minds of the first order, and who have had opportunities of being known & of acquiring the general confidence, do not abound in any country beyond the wants of the country. in your case however it is a subject of regret rather than of complaint, as you are...
32From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 13 March 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing the dispatches received by the Washington may have enabled Congress to decide on the expediency of continuing or of countermanding my mission to Europe, I take the liberty of expressing to you the satisfaction it will give me to receive their ultimate will so soon as other business will permit them to advert to this subject. I have the honour to be with very great respect & esteem...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 24 February 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
It has occurred to me that possibly you might be willing to undertake the mission as Minister Plenipotentiary to France. if so I shall most gladly avail the public of your services in that office. though I am sensible of the advantage derived from your talents to your particular state, yet I cannot suppress the desire of adding them to the mass to be employed on the broader scale of the nation...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Unremitting business since the meeting of Congress has obliged me to a rigorous suspension of my correspondencies, and this is the first day I find myself at liberty to resume them, and to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of Dec. 10. The drawings &c. were immediately laid before the board of arts, who, adhering to a general rule, desire a model of your invention and a more ample...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 16 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 26. was recieved the 5th. inst. and one of a later date to the Secretary of state has been communicated to me. the present is intended as a commentary on my letter to you of Aug. 28. when I wrote that letter I did not harbour a doubt that the disposition on that side the water was as cordial, as I knew our’s to be. I thought it important that the agents between us should be...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 2 [September] 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of June 4. and in the first place to return my thanks to the Agricultural society for the honour they have been pleased to confer on me in naming me one of their members. in affection indeed to the science I am a sincere brother; but it has been but a short portion of my life which has been free enough from other business to permit an indulgence of...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 6 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Ciracchi, a very celebrated sculptor from Rome, proposing to go to New York to explain the device of a monument which he proposes to erect for the United states, I take the liberty of recommending him to your advice and good offices. Independantly of his talents as an artist, you will find him a man of very superior worth; and your attentions to him will be acknoleged as...
38Commission for James Monroe and Robert R. Livingston, 12 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and confidence in the Integrity, Prudence and Abilities of James Monroe, late Governor of the State of Virginia, and of Robert R. Livingston, at present the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States to the French Republic, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, appointed them the said Robert R. Livingston to be Minister...