Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-33-02-0113

From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 3 March 1801

To the Senate

Mar. 3. 1801.

Gentlemen

I recieve with due sensibility the congratulations of the Senate on being called to the first Executive office of our government,1 and I accept with great satisfaction their assurances of support in whatever regards the honor & interest of our country. knowing no other object in the discharge of my public duties, their confidence in my future conduct derived from past events, shall not be disappointed, so far as my judgment may enable me to discern those objects.

The approbation they are so good as to express of my conduct in the chair of the Senate, is highly gratifying to me; and I pray them to accept my humble thanks for these declarations of it.

Th: Jefferson

RC (DNA: RG 46, 6th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by clerk: “Reply of the President Elect of the United States to the address of the Senate in answer to his speech to them on leaving the Chair of the Senate. March 3d. 1801.” PrC (DLC).

Gouverneur Morris presented the congratulations of the senate to TJ on 3 Mch. (see James Hillhouse to TJ printed at 2 Mch.) and brought TJ’s reply with him when he returned (JS description begins Journal of the Senate of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1820–21, 5 vols. description ends , 3:140).

1In RC, TJ wrote the preceding eight words over the partially erased passage “by the government to the first Executive office.” PrC emended by TJ in ink to reflect alteration.

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