651I. Plans presented to Washington, [26 March 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
Establishment for Dollars A Minister Plenipotentiary. His salary 11,250 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, suppose it to happen once in 7. years will be equal to an annual sum of 1,607 14,607 A Chargé des affaires. His salary 4,500 his Secretary 1,350 postage, couriers &c. 400 Outfit, as above
652To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 February 1790 (Washington Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. still it will be the close of the ensuing week before I...
653From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 21st. of January with which you have honored me, and no longer hesitate to undertake the office to which you are pleased to call me. Your desire that I should come on as quickly as possible is a sufficient reason for me to postpone every matter of business, however pressing, which admits postponement. Still it will be the close of the ensuing week before...
654To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 December 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30 and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties & my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. but when I...
655From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received at this place the honour of your letters of Oct. 13 and Nov. 30. and am truly flattered by your nomination of me to the very dignified office of Secretary of state: for which permit me here to return you my humble thanks. Could any circumstance seduce me to overlook the disproportion between it’s duties and my talents it would be the encouragement of your choice. But when I...
656To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 May 1789 (Washington Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27 and Feb. 13 both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4 and 5. the details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern &...
657From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the honor of your two letters of Nov. 27. and Feb. 13. both of which have come to hand since my last to you of Dec. 4. and 5. The details you are so good as to give me on the subject of the navigation of the waters of the Patowmac and Ohio are very pleasing to me, as I consider the union of those two rivers as among the strongest links of connection between the eastern...
658To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 5 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
659From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 5 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment discover that I have dated my letter of yesterday Nov. 4. instead of Dec. 4. Tho’ the letter be gone out of my hands I hope the present will reach the bearer of it in time to accompany that, and to prevent the embarrasment of dates which it might otherwise occasion. I have only to repeat assurances of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the honor to be Your...
660To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 December 1788 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 31. came to hand yesterday; and a confidential conveiance offering, by the way of London, I avail myself of it to acknolege the receipt. I have seen, with infinite pleasure, our new constitution accepted by 11 states, not rejected by the 12th and that the 13th happens to be a state of the least importance. it is true that the minorities in most of the accepting states have...
661From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 31. came to hand yesterday; and a confidential conveiance offering, by the way of London, I avail myself of it to acknolege the receipt. I have seen, with infinite pleasure, our new constitution accepted by 11. states, not rejected by the 12th. and that the 13th. happens to be a state of the least importance. It is true that the minorities in most of the accepting states...
662To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 2 May 1788 (Washington Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet & thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga & Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. it will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake Erie...
663From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter by the last packet and thank you for the information it contained on the communication between the Cayahoga and Big beaver. I have ever considered the opening a canal between those two watercourses as the most important work in that line which the state of Virginia could undertake. It will infallibly turn thro the Patowmack all the commerce of Lake...
664To 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...
665From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson 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 and 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...
666To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14 November 1786 (Washington Papers)
The house of Le Coulteux, which for centuries has been the wealthiest of this place, has it in contemplation to establish a great company for the fur trade. they propose that partners interested one half in the establishment should be American citizens, born & residing in the U.S. yet if I understood them rightly they expect that that half of the company which resides here should make the...
667From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The house of Le Coulteux, which for some centuries has been the wealthiest of this place, has it in contemplation to establish a great company for the fur trade. They propose that partners interested one half in the establishment should be American citizens, born and residing in the U.S. Yet if I understood them rightly they expect that that half of the company which resides here should make...
668To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 7 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th instant. he informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French. that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of major...
669From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
A conversation with the Count de Rochambeau yesterday obliges me to write a supplementary letter to that of the 4th. instant. He informs me that he has had applications for paiment from the person who furnished the badges for the Cincinnati, as well the Americans as French, that this person informed him they were not paid for, that he had furnished them indeed on the application of Major...
670To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 4 January 1786 (Washington Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Sep. 26 which was delivered me by Mr Houdon, who is safely returned. he has brought with him the mould of the face only, having left the other parts of his work, with his workmen to come by some other conveiance. Doctor Franklin, who was joined with me in the superintendance of this just monument, having left us before what is called the costume of the...
671From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 4 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Sep. 26. which was delivered me by Mr. Houdon, who is safely returned. He has brought with him the mould of the face only, having left the other parts of his work, with his workmen to come by some other conveiance. Doctor Franklin, who was joined with me in the superintendance of this just monument, having left us before what is called the costume of...
672To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 July 1785 (Washington Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used successfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in...
673From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me to add, what I forgot in my former letter, a request to you to be so kind as to communicate to me what you can recollect of Bushnel’s experiments in submarine navigation during the late war, and whether you think his method capable of being used succesfully for the destruction of vessels of war. It’s not having been actually used for this purpose by us, who were so peculiarly in want...
674To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 July 1785 (Washington 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 & 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...
675From 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...
676To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1784 (Washington 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; & the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court & that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch, the Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor: & it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will join...
677From 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...
678To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 16 April 1784 (Washington Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th inst. by Colo. Harrison. the subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; & that the...
679From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 8th. inst. by Colo. Harrison. The subject of it is interesting, and, so far as you have stood connected with it, has been matter of anxiety to me: because whatever may be the ultimate fate of the institution of the Cincinnati, as in it’s course it draws to it some degree of disapprobation, I have wished to see you stand on ground separated from it; and that the...
680To 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...
681From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 April 1784 (Jefferson 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 and 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 this last distance I collect 820 by...
682To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your servant delivered me your favor this morning; Capt. Barney is gone to Philadelphia and his vessel to Baltimore, having left with me one of your packages only. the persons who brought this could give me no certain account of the other package which you suppose to have been brought. this your servant now receives. Being obliged to seize a moment in Congress of writing you these few lines, I...
683From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your servant delivered me your favor this morning; Capt. Barney is gone to Philadelphia and his vessel to Baltimore, having left with me one of your packages only. The persons who brought this could give me no certain account of the other package which you suppose to have been brought. This your servant now receives. Being obliged to seize a moment in Congress of writing you these few lines, I...
684To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 15 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Since my last nothing new has occurred. I suppose the crippled state of Congress is not new to you. we have only 9 states present, 8 of whom are represented by two members each, and of course, on all great questions not only an unanimity of states but of members is necessary, an unanimity which never can be obtained on a matter of any importance, the consequence is that we are wasting our time...
685From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last nothing new has occurred. I suppose the crippled state of Congress is not new to you. We have only 9. states present, 8 of whom are represented by two members each, and of course, on all great questions not only an unanimity of states but of members is necessary, an unanimity which never can be obtained on a matter of any importance. The consequence is that we are wasting our...
686To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 March 1784 (Washington Papers)
Your favor of the 3d is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. we received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. there is no news but in...
687From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. We received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. There is no news but...
688To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1783 (Washington Papers)
Having lately received a call from Congress to pass the Atlantic in the character of one of their ministers for negotiating peace, I cannot leave the Continent without separating myself for a moment from the general gratitude of my country to offer my individual tribute to your Excellency for all you have suffered & all you have effected for us. were I to indulge myself in those warm effusions...
689From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 January 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately received a call from Congress to pass the Atlantic in the character of one of their ministers for negotiating peace, I cannot leave the Continent without separating myself for a moment from the general gratitude of my country to offer my individual tribute to your Excellency for all you have suffered and all you have effected for us. Were I to indulge myself in those warm...
690To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 October 1781 (Washington Papers)
I hope it will not be unacceptable to your Excellency to receive the congratulations of a private individual on your return to your native country, & above all things on the important success which as attended it. great as this has been however, it can scarcely add to the affection with which we had looked up to you, and if in the minds of any the motives of gratitude to our good allies were...
691From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 October 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope it will not be unacceptable to your Excellency to receive the congratulations of a private individual on your return to your native country, and above all things on the important success which has attended it. Great as this has been however, it can scarcely add to the affection with which we had looked up to you, and if in the minds of any the motives of gratitude to our good allies...
692To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
I make no doubt you will have heard before this shall have the honour of being presented to Your Excellency of the junction of Lord Cornwallis with the force at Petersburg under Arnold who had succeeded to the command on the death of Major General Philips. I am now advised that they have evacuated Petersburg, joined at Westover a Reinforcement of 2000 Men just arrived from New York, crossed...
693From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I make no doubt you will have heard, before this shall have the honour of being presented to Your Excellency, of the junction of Lord Cornwallis with the force at Petersburg under Arnold who had succeeded to the command on the death of Major General Philips. I am now advised that they have evacuated Petersburg, joined at Westover a Reinforcement of 2000 Men just arrived from New York, crossed...
694Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates and George Washington, 10 May 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk and directed to “His Excellency General Washington & the Honble Virginia Delegates in Congress.” 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 Congress is among the most important...
695From 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...
696To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 9 May 1781 (Washington Papers)
Since the Letter which I had the Honor of last addressing to your Excellency, the military movements in this state have scarcely merited Communication except a very late one. The Enemy after leaving Williams burg came directly up James River & landed at City point being the point of Land on the Southern Side of the Confluence of Appamattox & James Rivers; they marched up to Petersburg where...
697From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 9 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the Letter which I had the Honor of last addressing to your Excellency, the military movements in this state have scarcely merited Communication except a very late one. The Enemy after leaving Williamsburg came directly up James River and landed at City point being the point of Land on the Southern Side of the Confluence of Appomattox and James Rivers; they marched up to Petersburg where...
698To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 23 April 1781 (Washington Papers)
On the 18th instant the enemy came from Portsmouth up James river in considerable force, tho’ their numbers precisely are not yet known to us. they landed at Burwells ferry below Williamsburg & near the mouth of Chickahominy above it. this latter circumstance obliged Colo. Innes who commanded a body of Militia stationed on that side the river to cover the country from depredation, to retire...
699From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 23 Apr. 1781 . This letter is identical with TJ’s letter to Samuel Huntington of this date except that it lacks the postscript. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 3 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed: “Richmond 23d. April 1781 from Governor Jefferson. Ansd. 16 May.” FC ( Vi ). Tr ( DLC ). Printed in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington,...
700To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1781 (Washington Papers)
I forward to your Excellency, under cover with this, copies of letters received from Major General Greene and Baron Steuben which will give you the latest state of the situation of things with us and in North Carolina. We had hoped to have received by the French Squadron under Mons: Tilly eleven hundred stand of arms which we had at Rhode-Island, but were disappointed. the necessity of...