51From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a copy of the President’s speech. Before that was delivered the dispositions of all the members from every quarter seemed averse from war. But that disposition appears to be changing, and those are taking the hue of the speech who wish the Executive to be the sole power in the government. The Republican interest has lost by the changes in the last election , particularly by those...
52From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Nothing new has occurred this week, except that prices get duller. Embargo is also now beginning to be talked of, and I begin to fear I shall not get the price for my tobacco which I have held it at. Ten dollars may perhaps be yet had, tho’ I have been afraid to ask the fact lest it should be thought a symptom of my falling. No judging yet when Congress will rise as the Representatives have...
53From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 1 June [1797] (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of May 24. is recieved, and I have directed the springs to be made according to your desire. Your other commissions shall also be executed with pleasure, and shall go with some things of mine in the course of this month. Your tobacco is not yet arrived. Mr. Johnston’s express directions to ensure has induced us to do it: otherwise, considering the safety of the season I should have...
54From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have scarcely a moment left to write to you, having waited till the morning of the departure of the post to see Barnes in expectation I could inform you of the sale of our tobacco . Your’s arrived yesterday. I had found it safest to sell for 10. Dol. as no more than 9 1/2 D. has been given for new tobacco and Lieper would not take it, as he formerly did, at the old tobacco price, giving a...
55From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
It was expected the last week that we might have risen on Saturday next. Those expectations are now pushed off to Saturday the 24th. and perhaps it may be even later than that. I conclude however that instead of sending off my chair and horses on Saturday the 24th. as I had desired, they must set out on Wednesday the 28th. so as to be at Fredericksburg Thursday evening of the 29th. This will...
56From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The Senate have this day thrown out their own bill for raising 15,000 men as a provisional army. I think they will also reject the bill for permitting private ships to arm. The Representatives rejected the bill from the Senate for raising artillery, and have this day by resolution proposed to the Senate to adjourn on Wednesday the 28th. Under present appearances I may by possibility be 3. or...
57From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 29 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The day of adjournment walks before us like our shadow. It will not take place till the 3d. or 4th. of July. Consequently I shall not be at home till the 10th. or 11th.—Yours of the 19th. inst. came to hand on the 27th. We still go on undoing what in the beginning of the session had been too ardently begun. A bill to authorize the President to lay embargoes, brought into the Senate, has been...
58From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 December 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on the 8th. day of my journey from Belmont, having suffered much with the severity of the weather, and taken moreover a violent cold which still indisposes me. Not so much however as to prevent my attendance on business, and it is going off. The Senate had as yet only a single bill before them, so that I found myself in place in time for business. They have since received and...
59From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes you are by this time in the regular reciept of Bache’s papers; and in a few days you may expect the Chronicle from Boston, both are to begin Jan. 1. so that your year may end always at a marked period. tho we hear nothing official from our envoys at Paris, yet the rumors are very unfavorable. I begin to fear, not war from them, but that they will refuse to have any settlement...
60From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 25 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 13th. came to hand yesterday, and relieves my anxiety as to the health of the family. I thank you for your interference at Monticello & Shadwell. I had directed the managers at both to apply to you for your counsel when at a loss, and have only been prevented by the state of your health from asking a more onerous attention. George needs to be supported & Page to be moderated. Davy...
61From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of yours of Jan. 28. & 30. & Feb. 3. that of the 30th. came by Richardson. mine to you have been of Jan. 11. & 25. & to Martha Feb. 8. I imagine yours of Feb. 3. was sent when you sent to Charlottesville for your letters and that you received by the return of your messenger mine of Jan. 25. and I hope too that of Jan. 11. tho’ it was then a fortnight in arrear....
62From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 15th. since that we are quieted by an entire confidence in the account from the Natchez that the Spaniards will immediately deliver up the posts. the conduct of our agents there was so waspish as to have induced a suspicion that, if war was to take place against France, we meant to drive Spain into it also, that our Southern states might have something to conquer and...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 February 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this morning yours of the 12th. inst. is come to hand. I very much doubt Bates’s not having recieved my bill. however it happens luckily that I have a copy of it with me, & therefore write him the inclosed letter subjoining the bill. he has still time to get it before the rise of the sap, & I will pray you to send Jupiter off immediately with the letter with orders...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 2 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
All well. no news from our commissioners at Paris. no talk yet of the time of adjournment, though probably it will be very soon after we hear from Paris. I wrote you 2. letters on the 22d. of Feb. no change in the price of wheat or flour. old tobacco at 13.50. I write in the moment of the departure of the post so can only add kisses to my dear Martha & the little ones and an affectionate Adieu...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 8 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 22d. of Feb. and then acknoleged the receipt of yours of the 12th. Feb. which is the last come to hand. I am now sending off a hogshead of molasses and 4. bushels of clover seed. I write to mr Jefferson to forward the latter immediately by some waggon, as the season for sowing it will be far advanced. mr Page & George have written directions where to sow it; to wit the...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 15 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Feb. 26. came to hand on the 8th. inst. but after mine to you of that date was sealed. I at the same time recieved one from G. Jefferson informing me I had no nail rod in his possession. Richardson however, who happened to be present told me that on the 1st. of Feb. he saw in mr Johnston’s warehouse a considerable parcel of nail rod which they told him was mine. I therefore wrote...
67From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Mar. 5. was recieved after mine of the 15th. was sealed. I have observed for some time past that your letters come 2. days later than mr Madison’s. I suspect therefore that your’s come by the way of Richmond. I think, considering the poor appearance of the wheat crop, & high price of tobacco, it will be best for Page & George to push at as much of the latter as they can. I should be...
68From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 29 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 22d. inst. & on the same day I recieved yours of the 12th. I have in mr Lott’s hands something short of 200. Doll. should either the objects of horses or corn require this, be so good as to call on mr Lott for it, who will not need from you a formal order signed by me. he may be also informed that the order of Mar. 13. for 93.33 D given Richardson & notified to mr...
69From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 12 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I have still to acknolege your favors of Mar. 19 . & 26. my last to you was of Mar. 29. I have recieved a letter from Arnold dated Apr. 1. in which he promises to set out for Monticello immediately after Easter: I suppose therefore about the 9th. and that he will be there before you recieve this. I inclose a memorandum for him, and propose that John Hemings shall work with him for the present....
70From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 12th. inst. two days after which I recieved yours of the 2d. from it’s frequently happening that instead of arriving on Tuesday (as all letters do by the Fredericksburg post) your’s arrive on Saturday, the day the Richmond letters come here, I presume they come by the way of Richmond. if they arrived on Tuesday, they would be acknoleged in my letters of Thursday, which...
71From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your last of the 14th. was acknoleged in mine of the 19th. the bill for 12. armed vessels passed by about 4. to 3. in the H. of R. that for the establishment of a Secretary of the navy was tried yesterday on it’s passage to the 3d. reading, and prevailed by 47. against 41. it will be put on it’s passage to-day. the bill for a provisional army of 20,000. men is somewhat doubtful in event. the...
72From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 26th. since which yours of the 22d. was recieved, to wit on the Tuesday. you will have found before this that the Fredericksburg post also is to deliver a mail at Milton. I am very thankful to you for your attention to my affairs, for in truth this state of long abandonment of them on my part gives me great uneasiness. I am in hopes that Page & George will give you but...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 3d. instant. yours of the 29th. April is now recieved. Champlain came perfectly safe: and I am in hopes you will have found Escarbot as I know it is in the library, and I think in one of the 3. presses fronting the door: I mean those near the commode, but the North East range of them. you will see in Bache an Alien bill worthy of the 8th. or 9th. century. it will pass...
74From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 24 May [1798] (Jefferson Papers)
My last was to my dear Martha, of the 17th. the last recieved from you was of the 29th. of Apr. acknoleged in mine of May 9. the severe alien bill of the Senate still hangs before them, & one rather worse in the H. of R. which had got on to it’s 3d. reading, was in that stage recommitted yesterday by a majority of 2. it will perhaps be a little softened. the Senate yesterday passed a bill for...
75From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 7 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to my dear Martha on the 31st. of May. hers of the 12th. May is the last I have recieved from Belmont. I have now determined to leave this on the 20th. inst. I shall be obliged to you therefore to order Jupiter to set out in time to be at Fredericksburg on Sunday the 24th. instant. he must bring my chair, and three horses, because I have a workman to carry with me. this admits him to...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 7th. inst. since which yours of the 3d. is recieved. I shall certainly leave this on the 20th. and be at Fredericksburg on the 23d. consequently one day before my horses, which in my last I desired might set out Saturday the 23d. & be there Sunday the 24th. in the mean time I thank you for putting an end to the cultivation of tobacco as the peculium of the negroes. I...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 21 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. is recieved. I had expected mine of the 14th. would have been my last from here, as I had taken measures for my departure on the 20th. but on the 19th. in the morning we heard of mr Marshal’s arrival at New-York, and I thought it better to remain and see whether that circumstance might engender any thing new, and in which I could be of any service. I have reason to believe...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, [29 August 1798] (Jefferson Papers)
I find that the Ogee plain I sent you, was for the architraves of my doors as well as your windows. as we are now about these, I must borrow it of you again. what is become of the Carr’s brook expedition, and what the present intentions on that subject? we are always ready. loves & kisses to Martha & the little ones. Adieu. RC ( DLC ); date supplied from endorsement; addressed: “Mr. Randolph...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 December 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Having pressing occasion here for three hundred dollars, which I have not been able to get for an order on Richmond, I must pray you to call on mr Jefferson for that sum on my account, and to bring it to me. as Jamey, the bearer of this, sometimes drinks and might lose his papers, it will be safer for me to send the formal order to mr Jefferson by post, which I now prepare with a letter to...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 20 December 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Dinsmore asked me to lend him Gibb’s Rules for drawing , and I forgot to lay it out for him. it is a large thin folio, lying uppermost of a parcel of books laid horizontally on the shelf close to my turning chair. be so good as to give it to him. it is bound in rough calf, and one lid off. should mr Madison send for my diamond it is in the upper part of the tool chest, in the cell adjacent...
81From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Martha the last week. I believe I omitted to concur with mr Eppes in asking the favor of you as a mutual friend to have the hire of his negroes the last year estimated by any body you think a judge. the men, women, & children are known to Page , being all by this time with him except one or two of the children. perhaps mr Eppes may have left a list of them with you for this purpose....
82From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 17 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to my dear Martha Dec. 27. and to yourself Jan. 3. I am afraid my nailery will stop from the want of rod. 3 tons were sent from hence Dec. 11. the vessel was blown off the capes and deserted by the crew. she has been taken up at sea and carried into Albemarle Sound. we are in hopes however of getting off another supply from here immediately as the river bids fair to open. the shutting...
83From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 30 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters to you have been of Jan. 3. & 17. to Martha of Dec. 27. and Jan. 23. yours of the 19th. came to hand yesterday. we have now got the derangement of the post set to rights. your letters arrive on Tuesday, & the post goes out again on Thursday. he arrives in Charlottesville the Thursday following & comes away on Saturday (I believe, but perhaps Friday) and gives an answer in three...
84From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 12 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Martha on the 5th. inst. and desired my horses might be at Fredericksburg on Tuesday evening the 5th. of March. I shall arrive there the next morning, & proceed part of my way home. I mention this again lest any accident should befal that letter. we have just confirmed the President’s appointments of Rufus King to enter into a treaty of commerce with the Russians at London; & of...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 19 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I am so hard pushed for time that I can only announce to you a single event but that is a great one. it seems that soon after Gerry’s departure from France, overtures must have been made by Pichon, French chargé d’affaires at the Hague, to Murray. they were so soon matured that on the 28th. of Sep. 98. Taleyrand writes to Pichon approving what had been done, & particularly of his having...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 16th . and Martha’s of the 8th. came to hand on the 23d. inst. in mine to you of the 19th. I informed you that the President had nominated W. Vans Murray M.P. to settle our differences with France. yesterday however he superseded that by a nomination of Chief Justice Elsworth, P. Henry and W. V. Murray to be envoys extray. & M.P. to the French republic; but the two former are not...
87From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 3 July 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mc.gehee is mistaken in supposing I had made mr Madison’s nails. not a single one is made, because he promised to give me notice sufficient for having them made before he should go away. your letter being delivered to me at Monticello at 2. aclock & my people all over at Shadwell, I can do nothing in it to-day; but they finish at Shadwell tonight & will all come over here, and in the...
88Memorandum to Thomas Mann Randolph, 30 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
the above is the standard we use. Th:J. will be obliged to mr Randolph to have them made & shod as quick as possible, as his corn is suffering much for want of being got in. Oct. 30. 99. MS ( DLC ); written on scrap of paper, entirely in TJ’s hand. Not recorded in SJL . TJ here canceled “4¼.” TJ here canceled “2¼.
89From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 13 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have suffered the Post day to come upon me for two weeks past so unexpectedly as to be unable to write even the necessary letters of business. I found on my arrival that Barnes had not had the courage to sell our tobacco notwithstanding my positive directions to do so. he could then I believe have got 7½ D. for it. I struggled for a fortnight for that price, but was obliged at length to take...
90From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Si vales bene est. ego valeo . having occasion to write to-day to Dr. Wardlaw, I touched a little on politics, but think it better to avoid it. having recieved from N. York this morning a paper giving the details of the revolution at Paris, I inclose it to you, as you cannot get it through the other papers by this week’s post. all reflections on this subject would be nugatory.—our tobo. was...
91From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 2 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters to yourself and my dear Martha have been of Jan. 13. 21. & 28. I now inclose a letter lately recieved for her. you will see in the newspapers all the details we have of the proceedings of Paris. I observe that La Fayette is gone there. when we see him, Volney, Sieyes, Taleyrand gathering round the new powers, we may conjecture from thence their views and principles. should it be...
92From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Jan. 18 never reached me till this day, so that it has loitered a week somewhere. our post going out tomorrow morning, I hasten to answer it. my anxiety to get my lands rented is extreme. I readily agree therefore that mr Kerr shall take for 5. years, or say till Christmas 1804. the Oblong, Square field, and the one on the river next below the Square field, comprehending the orchard:...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 17 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by the last post Martha’s letter of Jan. 30. since which date I wrote to you on the 4th. & to her on the 11th. inst. your letters if they came by the Fredericksburg mail would arrive here on Saturday and would give time to answer them by Wednesday morning, the departure of our mail. but they have for some time past reached us only Tuesday afternoon, which shews they go in the...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 17th. of February. since that I learn by a letter from Richmond that Martha is with her sister. my last letter from Eppington was of the 16th. of Feb. when Maria was hoped to be in fair way of speedy recovery. the continuance of the non inter-course law for another year and the landing of our commissioners at Lisbon, have placed the opening of the French market (where,...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 7 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you on the 4th. inst. and yesterday recieved yours of the 27th. ult. I find on enquiry that the 400. D. of mr Short’s which I thought were in mr Jefferson’s hands have been applied to the credit of mr Barnes, for so much he had advanced here for mr Short. this reduces so far what I had depended on. on rallying all other resources I find I can cover about 1800. dollars for you, and...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 1st. inst. came to hand yesterday. that of Feb. 27. had thrown us off our guard so as to lose a discounting day. however on Wednesday the 12th. I shall remit to mr Jefferson 1000. Doll. on Saturday 15th. 400. more and on the Saturday following (22d.) 468.79 making up the whole 1868.79 Mr. Jefferson will recieve every remittance on the 6th. day after it’s departure hence. not...
97From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to my promise in my letter of the 9th. inst. I have this day inclosed to Messrs. George Jefferson & co. one thousand dollars in bank bills to be applied to the credit of their advances for you. the residue shall follow as mentioned in the same letter. I am Dear Sir Your’s affectionately RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “T M Randolph”; endorsed by Randolph: “March 4. 7. 9. 11. 1800” (see...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 31 March 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 22d. came to hand by last post . the dates of my late letters to you have been of the 4th. 7th. 9th. 11th. the last only of these is acknoleged in yours, on which day I sent on 1000. D. to mr Jefferson . on the 13th. I inclosed him 400. D. and on the 19th. 470. D. making up the whole sum of 1870. D. of the two first sums I have recieved his acknolegement, & expect the last. the...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 4 April 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 31st. of Mar. since which I have recieved G. Jefferson’s of Mar. 22. acknoleging the reciept of the last 470. D. making 1870. D. in all.—Mr. Ross’s Kitt setting out for Charlottesville where he has a cause to be tried with James Ross, and apprehending from him some personal assault, has asked me to interest some person to ensure him the protection of the laws. I have...
100From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 7 May 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Apr. 26 . came to hand the 2d. inst. we have recieved information, not absolutely to be relied on, that our envoys are arrived at Paris and were recieved with peculiar favor. I have seen a letter from a person there of the best information dated in January that the dispositions of the present government were so favorable that a carte blanche would be given to our envoys & that it...