451From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 11 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have given you the trouble of more reading on the subject of Major Lenfant’s letter, than you perhaps intended. I have done it from an apprehension that your mind might not be thoroughly satisfied whether he was not equally justifiable in the demolition of Mr. Carrol’s house, as in the demolition of trees and other obstacles, which he urges in his own justification. The truth is that without...
452From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President draughts of the instruments which he suggested as proper to be given formally to each tribe of Indians whose circumstances may call for such a manifestation of our views with respect to them. The first is a Letter of protection of the ordinary tenor, except that it declares a protection of the lands as well as the persons and other...
453To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 February 1791 (Washington Papers)
The bill for establishing a National Bank undertakes, among other things 1. to form the subscribers into a Corporation. 2. to enable them, in their corporate capacities to receive grants of land; and so far is against the laws of Mortmain. though the constitution controuls the laws of Mortmain so far as to permit Congress itself to hold lands for certain purposes, yet not so far as to permit...
454Opinion on Offenses against the Law of Nations, 3 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Complaint has been made by the Representatives of Spain that certain individuals of Georgia, entered the State of Florida, and without any application to the Government, seized and carried into Georgia, certain persons, whom they claimed to be their slaves. This aggression was thought the more of, as there exists a convention between that Government and the United States against receiving...
455From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects incloses to the President two letters recieved yesterday from Mr. Morris.—He had sent the Observations of Mr. Keith to Mr. Rittenhouse, with a note for his consideration. Th: J. incloses the Note with Mr. Rittenhouse’s answer for the perusal of the President if he thinks them worth the time. P.S. The Proces-verbal accompanying Mr. Morris’s letter has appeared in...
456From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President returns the inclosed. He will mention M. de la Fayette to Mr. Pinckney in a letter he is now about to write, to go by the William Penn on Thursday. The other paper was inserted in Brown’s paper of Friday, probably by the Governor. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Washington. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not...
457From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 July 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from the Committee of Congress at Headquarters three letters calling for aids of men and provisions. I beg leave to refer you to my letter to them of this date on those subjects. I thought it necessary however to suggest to you the preparing an arrangement of officers for the men: for tho? they are to supply our battalions, yet as our whole line of officers almost are in...
458To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been again to see mister Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions, and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. you know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character in order to save expence. he observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
459From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and submits to his approbation an addition to the letter to Messrs. Carmichael and Short. The circumstances and prospects under which the guarantee of Louisiana had been suggested are so changed, as in his opinion to render it better to retract that suggestion, and to forbid the guarantee. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President...
460Memorandum to George Washington, [29 November 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
A note of subjects, some of which the President may think proper to be mentioned to Congress. The extreme want of a coin: and necessity of pursuing the establishment of a Coinage, and of uniformity in measures, weights and coins. PrC ( DLC : TJ Papers, 59: 10131); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated; brackets in original. Recorded in SJPL under 29 Nov. 1790: “Subjects of speech to Congress.” In his...
461To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 October 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President two letters just received from Mr Barclay. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The first of the enclosed letters from Thomas Barclay to Jefferson, written at Gibraltar, was that of 8 Sept., in which Barclay conveyed a detailed...
462From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [ca. 18–19 August 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson on examination of the subject finds that the resolution for restoring or compensating prizes taken by the proscribed vessels was agreed to by the heads of departments and Atty. Genl. on the 5th. There was a difference of opinion how far it should be communicated to Mr. Hammond; the President was pleased to call at the office of Th:J. and to decide in favor of a full...
463To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 December 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President the inclosed draught of a clause which he has thought of proposing to the committee to whom the President’s letter with the accounts of the Department of state are referred. he will have the honor of waiting on the President at one aclock, as well to explain any parts of it as to take his pleasure on the whole matter. AL , DNA : RG 59,...
464To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
The President having been pleased to propose, for consideration, the question Whether it be proper or not to convene the legislature at an earlier period than that at which it is to meet by law? and at what time? I am of the opinion it will be proper. 1. Because the protection of our Southern frontiers seems to render indispensable a war with the Creeks, which cannot be declared, nor provided...
465To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President, incloses him a letter he received from Mr Short yesterday, by which he expected to leave the Hague on the 12th of December: also the answers he has prepared to the two petitions from Post Vincennes. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW...
466From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. The Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; and the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court and that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch. The Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor; and it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will...
467Memorandum from Thomas Jefferson, 26 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
Mr Genet’s declaration to the President at his reception, that France did not wish to engage the U.S. in the present war by the clause of guarantee, but left her free to pursue her own happiness in peace, has been repeated to myself in conversation, & to others, and even in a public answer, so as to place it beyond question. Some days after the reception of mister Genet (which was May 17.) I...
468From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing to your Excellency on the subject of an expedition contemplated by this State against the british post at Detroit and of receiving your answer of october 10th. Since the date of my Letter the face of things has so far changed as to leave it no longer optional in us to attempt or to decline the expedition, but compels us to decide in the affirmative and to begin our...
469To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 August 1790 (Washington Papers)
On consideration of the letter of our bankers of Jan. 25. 1790. the Secretary of the Treasury’s answer to it, and the draught of powers and instructions to him. I am of opinion, as I always have been, that the purchase of our debt to France by private speculators would have been an operation extremely injurious to our credit; and that the consequence foreseen by our bankers, that the...
470From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and sends him his report on the subject of commerce with Spain , and the form of a message to the Senate. A second copy is now making out for the President’s own use, so that he may send in the one now inclosed today, assured of receiving the other the moment it is finished. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Lear. Tr (same, SDC ). The...
471To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 February 1792 (Washington Papers)
The late appointment of a Minister Resident to the Hague, has brought under consideration the condition of Mr Dumas, and the question, whether he is, or is not, at present in the service of the U.S.? Mr Dumas, very early in the war, was employed first by Dr Franklin, afterwards by Mr Adams, to transact the affairs of the U.S. in Holland. Congress never passed any express vote of confirmation,...
472From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [1 April 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that Mr. Madison has just delivered to him the result of his reflections on the question How shall communications from the several states to Congress through the channel of the President be made ? ‘He thinks that in no case would it be proper to go by way of letter from the Secretary of state : that they should be delivered to the houses...
473From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have taken time ere this to have considered the observations of Mr. Young, could I at this place have done it in such a way as would satisfy either him or myself. When I wrote the notes of the last year , I had never before thought of calculating what were the profits of a capital invested in Virginia agriculture. Yet that appeared to be what Mr. Young most desired. Lest therefore no...
474To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 September 1780 (Washington Papers)
The inclosed Copy of a letter from Ld Cornwallis to Colo. Balfour was sent me by Govr Rutledge: lest you should not have seen it I do myself the pleasure of transmitting it, with a letter of Genl Harrington to Genl Gates giving information of some late movements of the Enemy. I was honored yesterday with your favor of the 5th inst. on the Subject of Prisoners, and particularly of Lt Govr...
475From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Houdon would much sooner have had the honour of attending you but for a spell of sickness which long gave us to despair of his recovery and from which he is but recently recovered. He comes now for the purpose of lending the aid of his art to transmit you to posterity. He is without rivalship in it, being employed from all parts of Europe in whatever is capital. He has had a difficulty to...
476VII. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 June 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last letter from Philadelphia, I mentioned that Mr. Madison and myself were about to take a trip up the North river as far as circumstances should permit. The levelness of the roads led us quite on to Lake George, where taking boat we went through that, and about 25 miles into Lake Champlain. Returning then to Saratoga, we concluded to cross over thro’ Vermont to Connecticut river and go...
477From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [21 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President, and sends for his perusal a letter he has prepared for the Commissioners, which will inform him also of Mr. Blodget’s ideas. In the mean time Blodget will be preparing the necessary papers. Th: J. has at length been able to see Dr. Wistar about the big bones. They are at his house, always open to inspection. The Doctor is habitually at home...
478To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14–15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1 1786 which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul & Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a...
479To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 12 July 1790 (Washington Papers)
Th. Jefferson had a conference yesterday with mister Madison on the subject recommended by the President. he has the honor of inclosing him some considerations thereon, in all of which he believes mister Madison concurred. he has sketched the heads only, as the President’s mind will readily furnish the developement of each. he will wait on the president at one aclock on some other business,...
480From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President. He had expected that the Secretaries of the Treasury and War would have given to the President immediately the statement of facts in the case of the Little Sarah, as drawn by the former and agreed to, as also their Reasons: but Colo. Hamilton having informed Th:J. that he has not been able to prepare copies, Th:J. sends the President the...
481From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, [1 February 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Ellicot having sent the inclosed letter from Roberdeau for the perusal of Th: Jefferson, he thinks the 1st. page and 2 or 3. lines of the 2d. worth reading by the President. The rest contains communications of small news. He has learnt that Majr. Lenfant, after his conversation with Th: J. wrote to Roberdeau to continue 50. hands; which shews he means to continue himself. Is the...
482Opinion on Ship Passports, 3 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been stipulated in our treaties with the French, Dutch and Prussians that when it happens that either party is at war, and the other neutral, the neutral shall give passports of a certain tenor to the vessels belonging to their subjects, in order to avoid dissension. And it has been thought best that passports of such high import to the persons and property of our citizens should have...
483To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I am obliged to you for your query as to the distance from New York to Cayahoga, as it has occasioned my reexamination of that matter & detection of an error of 150 miles. the distances from New York to Niagara I collect from information as follows. from N. York to Albany 164 miles Oneida 165 Oswego 171 Niagara 180 680 from Niagara to Cayahoga 140 820 This last distance [from Niagara to...
484Enclosure: From Thomas Jefferson, 7 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
The Secretary of State having understood from communications with the Commissioners of his Catholic Majesty, subsequent to that which he reported to the President on the 22d of Decembr last, that though they considered the navigation of the Missisippi as the principal object of negociation between the two Countries, yet it was expected by their Court that the conferences would extend to all...
485To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 February 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by mister Hammond’s letter now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th: J’s report on commerce. Th: J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President...
486From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inform the President that his letter to Gouverneur Morris is dated December 17th.—He encloses him a letter from Mr. James Brown just now received. Tr ( DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Washington’s inquiry, if in writing, has not been found and neither it nor the above is recorded in SJL . Evidently Washington made the inquiry in order to give his own letter to Morris the...
487From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was the day before yesterday honored with your favor of the 7th. inst. by post and yesterday I received that of the 11th. by express from Colo. Carrington. I will take care to be at Germantown by the 1st. of the month. As the ploughing thro the roads of the month of January would be disagreeable with my own horses, I shall send them back from Fredericksburg, for which place I will set out...
488To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 November 1779 (Washington Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter on the discriminations which have been heretofore made between the troops raised within this state and considered as part of our quota, & those not so considered, was delivered me four days ago. I immediately laid it before the Assembly, who thereupon came to the resolution I now do myself the honor of inclosing you. the resolution of Congress of Mar. 15. 1779 which...
489To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1793 (Washington Papers)
According to the desire expressed in your letter of June 30. I called together Doctr Thornton, Mr Hallet, Mr Hoben, and a judicious undertaker of this place, Mr Carstairs, chosen by Dr Thornton as a competent judge of the objections made to his plan of the Capitol for the City of Washington. These objections were proposed and discussed on a view of the plans: the most material were the...
490To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1792 (Washington Papers)
[Philadelphia] 7 July 1792. Sends “a recommendation of a candidate for keeping the lighthouse at Cape Henry.” AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State; LB (photocopy), DLC:GW . The enclosure was a recommendation of John Waller Johnston written by David Meade Randolph of Presque Isle, Va., on 30 June and...
491To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 August 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his dutiful respects to the President of the United States, has the honor to inclose him under an open cover to mister Taylor two letters to M. de Ternant, the one containing an Exequatur for his signature (the commission whereon it is grounded being under the same open cover to mister Taylor) the other an answer to a formal notification of the declaration of war by France...
492To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 April 1791 (Washington Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 2d which I supposed would find you at Richmond, and again on the 10th which I thought would overtake you at Wilmington. the present will probably find you at Charleston. According to what I mentioned in my letter of the 10th the Vice-president, Secretaries of the Treasury & war & myself met on the 11th. Colo. Hamilton presented a letter from mister...
493To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 21 August 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a letter from mister Seagrove. When he shall have considered of the questions of wages to Albion Coxe (till he shall have qualified himself to draw his regular salary) and the ordering a coinage of 1000 Dollars in small silver for the Treasury, he will be so good as to communicate his determinations. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous...
494Jefferson’s Opinion on Proposal for Manufacture of Woolen Textiles in Virginia, [3 December 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
The house of delegates of Virginia seem disposed to adventure 2500.£ for the encouragement of this undertaking: but the Senate did not concur. By their returning to the subject however at a subsequent session, and wishing more specific propositions, it is probable they might be induced to concur if they saw a certain provision that their money would not be paid for nothing. Some unsuccessful...
495To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 December 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President a copy of mister Genet’s instructions which he has just recieved from him with a desire that they may be communicated to the legislature. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; LB , DNA : RG 59, George Washington’s Correspondence with His Secretaries of State. In a letter to Jefferson of 20 Dec., Genet enclosed the printed translations...
496From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 26 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 26 Feb. 1781 . This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of the present date , q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed (in part): “Ansd. 21st. March.” Printed in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington, 1853–1854 , i , 296–7, and elsewhere. Tr ( DLC ).
497To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1780 (Washington Papers)
The Executive of this State think it expedient and necessary that under our present circumstances the prisoners of war under the Convention of Saratoga be removed from their present situation. Many circumstances have led to this necessity. It will be utterly impracticable as long as they remain with us to prevent the hostile army now in this State from being reinforced by numerous desertions...
498From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with your Excellency is among the most important I am to solicit the Favor of you to permit the Bearer hereof Mr. Granville Smith to take Copies of any Letters with which you have been...
499To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson having received information that a vessel sails from New York for Amsterdam about Wednesday, is endeavoring to get ready the necessary papers for Messrs Short & Carmichael, to go by tomorrow’s post. he beleives it impossible; but in order to take the chance of it, he troubles the President to sign the Commission to-day, which mister Taylor now carries to him for that purpose. AL...
500From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Nov. 1780. This letter is almost identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of this date, q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); in a clerk’s hand, with corrections, complimentary close, signature, postscript, and address in TJ’s hand; endorsed: “No. 19. Richmond 3d: Novr. 1780 from Governor Jefferson Ansd. 9th. Decr.” PrC ( DLC : TJ Papers), lacking postscript.