1To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, with a Memorandum by Jefferson, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
As your excellency and the council probably have not access to Vattel, on whose doctrines this hasty answer is founded, I shall inclose the paragraph from his work, which treats of the right of soldiery to booty. They seem to amount to this: that booty does in strictness belong to the commonwealth; but that late usage has divided it among the captors, military stores excepted. Now I believe,...
2From Christopher Calvert, with a Note by Jefferson to the Attorney General, 25 February–21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
South Quay, 25 Feb. 1781 . “Agreeable to the within information,” Calvert has seized the trunk and has found no letters in it, but rather a quantity of “valuable dry Goods”; wishes to know what is to be done with them. By law the Naval Office is open from ten to three; this prevents Calvert from attending muster; and, on account of his feet, he believes himself entitled to exemption from...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 September 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of the 7th. inst. That mentioned to have been sent by the preceding post has not come to hand nor two others which Mrs. Randolph informs me you wrote before you left Virginia, nor indeed any other should you have been so kind as to have written any other. When I received the first letter fr[om the President of C]ongress inclosing their resolution, and mentioning...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 15 February 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
You will be surprised to hear I am still in America. The vessel, in which Ct. Rochambeau and Chastlux went, having been destined for Cadix it was thought more adviseable for me to take my passage in the Romulus which was to sail within a few days. This was concluded the rather as at the sailing of the Emeraude I had not got half through the necessary communications. The French fleet having...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 July 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry you have been at the trouble of sending an express to me for information as to the transactions between the Executive and Nathan as I am satisfied I do not recollect a single fact that you are not already possessed of. In the winter of 1779. 1780. Mr. Nathen presented us some bills drawn by Genl. Clarke, Colo. Todd and perhaps others, which he said he had taken up at New Orleans or...
6[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 30 December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 30 Dec. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. European news. Dutch commotions—but 7. states—not fault of delegates but want of money.” Not found.]
7[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 5 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “[Mar.] 5. E. Rand. Hancock’s case—journal of 82. I will send but 83. not printed—information by Barney from Dr. F. Dec. 25. that Ad[ams] was gone to Hague, Jay to Bath, Laur. setting out for Amer.—Engld. not reconciled—Marq. Fayette’s letter of Dec. 26. Fox and N. out by maneuvre of king—Pitt and Temple to come in—parliament to be called—Marq....
8[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 28 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Deane’s pamphlet. Western report. land office ordinance—requisitions—business before Congr.—Luzerne, Marb[ois].—London news to Mar. 25. viz. Pitt in—illumination of London. addresses in support—majority in H.C. reduced to 12.—parliament will be dissolved—a M.S. copy of his defence of Western right if it is not to be published.” Not found.]
9[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Send his defence of Western territory to care Dr. Franklin-Norfolk-canal thro Dismal-Patowm. and Ohio.” Not found.]
10From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in your debt for ten volumes of Buffon, I have endeavored to find something that would be agreeable to you to receive in return. I therefore send you by way of Havre a dictionary of law Natural and municipal in 13. vols. 4to. called le Code de l’humanite. It is published by Felice, but written by him and several other authors of established reputation. It is an excellent work. I do not...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your private favors of July 12. 1786. and Jan. 28. and May 3. 1787.—I am anxious to hear what you have done in your federal convention. I am in hopes at least you will persuade the states to commit their commercial arrangements to Congress, and to enable them to pay their debts,...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, the Chevalier de Saint Trys, passing hence to America, and meaning to visit Virginia, I take the liberty of recommending him to the notice and civilities of your Excellency, and of praying you to introduce him to such a line of acquaintance as may be agreeable and useful to him. Tho’ not particularly honoured by a previous acquaintance with him, I have sufficient assurances...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei desires me to inclose his letter to you and to add my testimony to his of the necessities he is under. This I can do with truth, observing further that had I known of the sufferings he has gone through, they certainly should have been prevented. His situation really requires that his friends should strain his resources to the utmost and give him the benefit of them for his relief....
14From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur L’Olive, proposing [to] pass thro’ Virginia, I take the liberty of presenting him to your Excellency’s acquaintance, and notice. He is a very wealthy and worthy citizen of this country, and will justify by his merit the attentions you will be so good as to shew him. He has the disadvantage of not speaking our language, and I do not know whether your Excellency may...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [6? March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed papers will shew you that cessions are to be made by landholders near George town, to the President for carrying into effect the establishment of the federal government there. In all cases where it is permitted, the lands are to be paid for, and the private title cleared off. I am not certain whether some of the cessions are not with a reservation of a portion of the land, without...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed memorial from the British minister on the case of Thomas Pagan, containing a complaint of injustice in the dispensations of law by the courts of Massachusets to a British subject, the President approves of my referring it to you to report thereon your opinion of the proceedings, and whether any thing, and what, can or ought to be done by the government in consequence thereof.—I am...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 12 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Van Berckel, the resident for the United Netherlands with this government, having, as you will perceive by the copies of his letters inclosed, complained of an infraction of the law of nations by an officer of this state, entering his house and therein serving a process, I take the liberty of putting into your hands the inclosed copies with a desire that you will proceed in such due course...
18From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The last post brought me your favor of the 26th of August; but it brought me at the same time so much business to be answered by return of post, and which did not admit of delay, that I was obliged to postpone the acknowledgment of yours. I thank you sincerely for what respects myself. Though I see the pen of the Secretary of the Treasury plainly in the attack on me, yet, since he has not...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a letter from the Minister of France with sundry papers which accompanied it respecting the unlawful proceedings of a Capt. Hickman of the schooner Dolphin, in bringing away from Martinique sundry slaves the property of persons residing there, and making sale of them in the U.S. and to ask the favor of you to advise what may be proper for punishing all offenders...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 9 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of submitting to your consideration sundry letters which have passed between Governor Martin, Governor Blount and myself relative to intrusions on the lands of the U.S. in the South-Western territory, and of asking your advice Whether any and what proceedings should be instituted for asserting the rights of the U.S. against the intruders? I have the honor to be with great...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Randolph’s Reply, 12 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to tell me what answer to give to the interrogatory in the last sentence of this letter? [ Reply by Randolph: ] I do not see any absolute, or indeed probably necessity for the ancient treaties. But I am not certain, that it may not be satisfactory to have those, made with the state governments; since some of the commissioners are new in this kind of business; and might...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 13 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the inclosed letter from Mr. Hammond Minister Plenipotentiary of Great Britain on the case of Hooper and Pagan whereon you have been before consulted. I take the liberty of resorting again to you for the information which your presence in the supreme court will have enabled you to give, or which you may have otherwise obtained, and for your opinion on the case in it’s...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses for the examination of the Atty. Genl. the abstract form of a patent proposed under the new law , wherein will be inserted the title only of the discovery, within the body of the instrument; and the description required by law, to be in a schedule annexed to and making part of the letters patent. This will admit the very words of the petitioner to be used, without the...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On the information received from Crosby , and which I directed him to communicate to you, I have prepared the inclosed letter to him according to the President’s instructions . If you approve of it, be so good as to send it on to him. But if you are not satisfied that you can set some effectual process on foot, it would be better to hold it up till the President’s return, that he may not be...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 2 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having this moment received and communicated the inclosed Memorial from the British Minister to the President, relative to the Capture of the British vessel the Grange, by a French Frigate, I must ask the favor of you to consider the Case, and to give your opinion of the law arising thereon. These questions seem particularly material—By whom is the validity of the Capture to be decided? By...
26From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [8 May 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I understood Colo. H. yesterday that he should confer again with the President on the subject of our deliberation . As that is not exactly the channel thro’ which I would wish my objections to be represented, should the President mention the subject to you, I will thank you to communicate to him this note, or it’s substance. PrC ( DLC ); undated; unsigned; letter-pressed upside down at foot of...
27From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been still reflecting on the draught of the letter from the Secretary of the Treasury to the Custom house officers, instructing them to be on the watch as to all infractions or tendencies to infraction of the laws of neutrality by our citizens and to communicate the same to him. When this paper was first communicated to me, tho’ the whole of it struck me disagreeably, I did not in the...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, [23 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of Genet’s of July 9. and the draught of an answer to it, which is approved by the other gentlemen but we wish your sentiments on it, and as soon as possible as it is pressing.—The other of June 22. is only under deliberation, and sent to you for your information and consideration against we meet again. [ Note by TJ: ] July 23. 93. E.R. returned this note and the two...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having determined to retire from my office before the term of paiment of the inclosed bill and so informed the President, it is indispensable for me to wind up all my money concerns as fast as I can, in which operation I am actually engaged. This circumstance renders it impossible for me to enter into any new engagement here, my first object now being to see myself cleared out, and neither...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [ca. 13 August 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Suppose interest at 6 pr. Cent, the arrangement to commence Oct. 1. 1793. £ £ 67.567 with 8. years interest = 100. 70.422 7 = 100 73.529 6 = 100 76.923 5 = 100
31Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, Henry Knox, and Edmund Randolph, [24 August 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th. Jefferson submits to the Secretaries of the treasury & War & the Atty Genl. some sketches of Notes to be signed for the President. As they are done from memory only, they will be pleased to insert whatever more their memories suggest as material. Particularly, the final conclusion as to the express-vessel will be to be inserted, which is most accurately know to the Secy. of the Treasury....
32From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you the papers of Messrs. Wilson Potts & Easton, merchants of Alexandria, complaining that their brig the Jesse has been taken by a French privateer called the Sans pareil , carried into Charleston, and there condemned by the French Consul and sold. The object of their application is to obtain national interference for redress. But this measure is always slow,...
33From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Minister Plenipotentiary of France has inclosed to me the copy of a letter of the 16th. inst. which he addressed to you, stating that some libellous publications had been made against him by Mr. Jay, chief Justice of the US. and Mr. King one of the Senators for the state of New York, and desiring that they might be prosecuted. This letter has been laid before the President, according to...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 February 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to thank you for the transmission of the letters from Genl. Gates, La Motte , and Hauterive. I perceive by the latter that the partisans of the one or the other principle (perhaps of both) have thought my name a convenient cover for declarations of their own sentiments. What those are to which Hauterive alludes, I know not, having never seen a newspaper since I left Philadelphia (except...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [17 April 1794] (Jefferson Papers)
You are so kind as to ask what is to be done with the 4. drums of figs from Simpson . As his letter mentioned that two of them were for the Presidt. I hope you will have delivered them. Of the other two, acccept one for yourself and put the other on board any vessel bound for Richmond addressed to me to the care of Colo. Gamble.—Among the MSS . you had from hence were two 4to. vols. the one...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 14 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho Mr. Bertrand mentions having seen me at Paris, (of which I remember nothing) yet it is evident his letter was meant for me as Secretary of state, and not in my private capacity. The proposition to the government for an assignment of lands can only be answered by the government, if to be answered at all. I therefore inclose you his letter and papers. I also send back 6. packages destined...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 May 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for forwarding Mr. L’Epine’s letter. Dombey was a man of sense and science, and had resided some years in Spanish America, with which he had made himself much acquainted. Should we have a war with Spain, he would have been a most valuable acquisition to us. I now think it probable that among his papers will be found a good deal of information as to that country, and particularly...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 7 September 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 28. finds me in bed under a paroxysm of the Rheumatism, which has now kept me for ten days in constant torment and presents no hope of abatement. But the express and the nature of the case requiring immediate answer, I write to you under this situation. No circumstances my dear Sir will ever more tempt me to engage in any thing public: I thought myself perfectly fixed in...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, [6 November 1794] (Jefferson Papers)
A merchant neighbor of mine (Mr. Fleming) going to Philadelphia for his fall goods, and being to return with them by water himself, offers me a good opportunity of collecting the remains of my books left in Philadelphia. In a memorandum kept here, during my absence, of books lent, I find the following set down to you. Tacito del Davanzati. 2. v. Tull’s husbandry. Da Costa’s fossils Crown...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from a Mr. D’Ivernois, a Genevan now in London (author of the history of Geneva I once put into your hands) several letters informing me of the suppression of the college of Geneva by the late revolution there, and proposing it’s transplantation to this country. The desire of the President to apply his shares in the canals of Patowmack and James river to some public purpose,...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 1 June 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Apr. 11. and I now inclose the letter of Mr. Short on the diplomatic arrangement which you desire. It is marked private, as you see, having been a part of his private correspondence with me, which was the reason I did not leave it in the office. I take the liberty of inclosing to you a letter for him which I will thank you to forward by the...
42From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 27 June 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your two favors of May 26. and 29. which came to hand in due time and relieved my mind considerably, tho’ it was not finally done. During the vacation we may perhaps be able to hunt up the letters which are wanting, and get this tornado, which has been threatening us, dissipated. You have seen the speech and the address, so nothing need be said on them. The...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 14 January 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. inst. came to hand yesterday. those of Nov. 15. 21. & 28. had been recieved in due time. that of the 21st. covered the assumpsit of Messrs. Pendleton and Lyons to pay the amount of the decree of Royle’s admrs v. Robinson’s admrs, to the use of mr Short. I should sooner have acknoleged these but that in that of the 21st. you mentioned that you had arranged the balance...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 18 August 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved only two days ago your favor of the 12th . and as it was on the eve of the return of our post, it was not possible to make so prompt a dispatch of the answer. Of all the doctrines which have ever been broached by the federal government, the novel one of the common law being in force & cognisable as an existing law in their courts, is to me the most formidable. all their other...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 16 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. was recieved yesterday. the copy of the judgment v. Pendleton & Lyons was assigned by me by an indorsement to the Treasury of the US. and was sent to messrs Pickering & Wolcott; but returned to me with a request to keep it till called for. I do not recollect whether, since I came into the administration it has been given up to the Treasury, or is still in my hands. if...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 28 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 22d. it was the first information I had had of the sentence against Moss, the District attorney not having written to me as you supposed. I referred the case to the Post M. Gl. who in his answer says ‘his is not a single crime, but a series of crimes for months, if not years. there were found upon him between 1300. & 1500. D. which he had robbed in small...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 24 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Randolph and incloses him a note by which he will percieve that the pardon to Moss was sent from hence on the 11th. inst. under cover to the Marshal as is the usage. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
48Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 17 May 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
The sale of Mazzei’s lots is at length concluded and the purchaser having deemed it necessary for me also to sign the deed as co-attorney with yourself, altho’ by a separate instrument, which being special did not revoke the power given to you, I have not hesitated to do so. I now forward it for your signature, and as that must be certified by some court, I must ask the favor of you to execute...