1To Thomas Jefferson from the American Philosophical Society Held at Philadelphia For Promoting Useful Knowledge, 7 … (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophic society on the 5th of January last held their first annual election under the act of incorporation by the General Assembly of Pennsylvania, and I have it in charge to inform your Excellency, that they have elected you a Councellor for two years. The powers of the Council are to “be described, fixed and determined by the statutes, laws, regulations and ordnances of the...
2Agreement with James Anderson for Nailers, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have Nine lads thats Nailors, which the State may have for one Year at ⅔ Specie Pr. Day, they lads must be fed Clothed Washing and lodgeing fiting for Apprentises. Eight of those lads shall make Twenty five Thousand Nails pr. Week. In Council Feb. 9. 1781. The board agree to engage the above persons for one year on the terms above proposed on the condition that when not necessary to be...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Andrews, 10 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Williamsburg, 10 Feb. 1781. “The City of Williamsburg having procured a Waggon, Team &c. as ordered by Act of Assembly ,” Andrews desires to know to whom they shall be delivered. RC ( Vi ); endorsed (in part): “From the Revd Robt. Andrews.” The act of assembly in question was an Act of the Oct. 1780 session for supplying the army with clothes, provisions, and wagons; see Hening, William W....
4To Thomas Jefferson from D’Anmours, 25 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It will appear to you very strange that I should Communicate You Pollitical news from this place, where I expected to hear of none but of the Rural sort. Yet I have one which, though it may at first seem rather extraordinary, is not altogether quite improbable. Yesterday, after I had finished my letter to Mrs. Jefferson , I went to dine with Dr. Gilmer. In the evening Just as I left the town,...
5To Thomas Jefferson from D’Anmours, 18 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to Acquaint your Excellency with a Piece of intelligence, Which if true Can not fail of Being Agreable to you in the present Circumstances. A Gentleman of this town Received last night a letter informing him of our ship Washington at Boston and tels him also that that ship parted in a storm from a french Squadron and fleet of transports in the latt. 32. which were intended...
6To Thomas Jefferson from James Arbuckle, 22 December 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Looking upon it a duty I owe to the Publick, have taken the liberty to inform your Excellency the condition that the Galleys now lie in, in our County, which were deserted by the Officers and men last summer. A Gentleman in this County who was a Continental Officer assigned about two years ago, came home, and finish’d a vessel last fall, took the rigging of one of the Galleys as much as woud...
7[To Thomas Jefferson from Edward? Archer, 3 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Swan’s Point, 3 Jan. 1781. The 1816 version of TJ’s Diary of Arnold’s Invasion (Document I in Notes and Documents Relating to the British Invasions in 1781, printed under 31 Dec. 1780) contains the following entry under 3 Jan.: “8. aclock P.M. Received letter from E. Archer Swan’s point that at 12. aclock that day they [the British fleet] were at anchor a little below Jamestown.” Archer’s...
8William Armistead to William Davies, 3 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 3 Jan. 1781. Has been directed by the governor to order the tailor and shoemaker at Warwick to go to Chesterfield Courthouse immediately; but fears that without an officer to attend them they will desert; suggests that they be sent for, with a wagon or two to remove the leather and cloth on hand. RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; addressed: “Colo. William Davies Chesterfield Court House”; endorsed;...
9To Thomas Jefferson from William Armistead, 20 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Present State of the Shoemaking business under Mr. Mathew Anderson. No materials on hand to carry on the business; nor to be procured without the ready money. 13 Soldiers employed and Standing idle. 3 hands employed for the day Mr. Andersons Wages going on; together with house rent &c., the Shoes made, from the high Price of leather &c. and the hands being obliged to be idle from the Want of...
10Robert Scot’s Invoice for Executing an Indian Medal, with Jefferson’s Memoranda, [13–21 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr to Rot. Scot Dr. 1780 Oct 13 To Engraving and making a Medalion mould in Brass and casting paterns £3150. 0.0 To Pewter for paterns 15. 0.0 To Cash payed on Acct Express as pr. receipt 41.14.0 £3206.14.0 37 Silver dollars estimated @ 140 for 1. To 37 Silver Dollars 1554. £4760.14.0 In Council Oct. 21. 1781 The within service was performed on...
11To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, [15? February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Without place or date [ 15? Feb. 1781 ] . Encloses receipt for £5,250 “advanced for the Equipment of the Volunteer Horse in Lawsons Corps under an Express promise that I would be reimbursed the Succeeding Week.” Necessities are now so urgent that he hopes for early payment of this and also $2,700 “advanced the other day for Catrige Boxes.” RC ( Vi ); 2 p.; undated; addressed and endorsed....
12To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy in having anticipated your order respecting the Arms , having before directed the Captains to collect every effective Fire lock in the County to a proper Place on the Road leading to Taylor’s Ferry, but I fear when the best endeavours are used few will be the Number, as this collection has repeatedly been made to arm the continental Soldiers sent from hence, and I cannot help...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Banister, [before 24 February 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Without place or date [ before 24 Feb. 1781 ]. Cannot send more than 100 men into the field with arms; but if arms could be had, “I suppose half our Militia would cheerfully turn out.” At Petersburg are 400 good Continental arms. Desires instructions. Tr ( NHi ). At head of text: “Copy of a Letter to the Governor from Colo. Banister.” This is the copy enclosed in TJ’s letter to Steuben of 24 Feb .
14Marbois’ Queries concerning Virginia, [before 30 November 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
1. The Charters of your State. 2. The present Constitution. 3. An exact description of its limits and boundaries. 4. The Memoirs published in its name, in the time of its being a Colony and the pamphlets relating to its interior or exterior affairs present or ancient. 5. The History of the State. 6. A notice of the Counties Cities Townships Villages Rivers Rivulets and how far they are...
15[To Thomas Jefferson from James Barron, before 2 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond?, before 2 Oct. 1780. Minute in Journal of the Commissioner of the Navy (Vi), under date of 2 Oct.: “Letter from Commodore Barron referred from his Excellency the Governour.” An entry of 3 Oct., following, states that a reply was written by James Maxwell to Commodore Barron “inclosing a Form of a List of Seamen employed in the Navy of Virginia.” Neither Barron’s letter nor Maxwell’s...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Baylor, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Hoping that you may have supplyed yourself with an American Atlas, in the space of six or eight Months, You will please to deliver to General Weedon’s Care, my Atlas. I have the Honor to be Your Excellency’s most Ob: & H: Sert, RC ( Vi ); addressed; endorsed (in part): “Requesting the return of his American Atlas.”
17III. Depositions Taken in 1796 respecting Jefferson’s Conduct during Arnold’s Invasion, 12 October 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Archibald Blair’s Deposition Being requested to state what I recollect of the circumstances which occasioned the loss of the public records in the year 1781, and the time Mr. Jefferson, the then Governor of Virginia, quitted Richmond upon the approach of the enemy,—I do well remember that Mr. Jefferson was extremely active in removing all public records from Richmond, and I have reason to...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 22 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Walker, who sets off to Virginia tomorrow, affords us this opportunity of Enclosing your Excellency a Copy of a letter Presented to us the 16th Inst. together with a Copy of our Answer, concerning the affair of the Indiana Company. It may not be improper to Inform Your Excellency and, (through Your Excellency) the Legislature who we suppose may be now Siting, that every art has been and...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 29 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A French officer of the name of Dubuisson a Colonel in our Army and formerly aid to the Baron Du Kalb who was wounded in the Action near Cambden and taken Prisoner, has requested me to enclose the Contents of this to Your Excellency, which will fully explain his desire. Your Excellency, will be pleased to do in the affair, what you think Justice, Humanity and Policy dictate, and will be so...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, [ca. 5 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Some overtures having been made to Congress, through Mr. Jay our Commissioner at the Court of Madrid, for Building Frigates in America for and on account of his Catholic Majesty and the Proposals having been referred to the Admiralty to Confer with the Navy Boards of the Eastern and Middle district and obtain from them estimates of what would be the Cost of a frigate of forty Guns, and there...
21[To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 17 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 17 Dec. 1780. Burnett, Letters of Members , v, No. 537, note 5, quotes from a letter of this date written by Theodorick Bland to TJ introducing “the Marquis de La Valle and the Count de Guistine,” who had been introduced to Bland by La Luzerne and Lafayette. Burnett’s source was a “Copy, from the original, in possession of the Carnegie Institution [of Washington],” but neither...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Theodorick Bland, 9 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Delegates some time ago transmitted to Your Excellency officially an account of their application to the Minister of France to interpose his interest with Monsr. de Ternay to induce him to detach a frigate of the Fr: Squadron at Rhode Island, to convey the Arms belonging to our state which came in the Comite, thither in safety. Since which my Personal application, singly, has been...
23To Thomas Jefferson from William Bradford, enclosing Proceedings of the Hartford Convention, 22 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By the direction of the Convention held at this Place, I have the Honour to transmit to your Excellency their Proceedings with a Request that you will please to lay them before the Legislature of your State. As the measures we have recommended to the States by whose Appointment we met will depend for their Effacacy upon the Concurrence of the other States, we conceive it our Duty to...
24To Thomas Jefferson from John Broaddus, 24 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received information from Col: Thornton that Mr. James Warren at Fredericksburg requests that we may procure what Pork or Stalled beef we can, and send to him, for which he says a reasonable price shall be paid, and that he shall have the money in a few days. Since the receipt of which information I have applyed to several persons that I expected might have such articles to...
25From Thomas Jefferson to the Auditors, with Account of Goods Furnished to the Indians by Major Linctot, 11 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to issue on the within certificate from Colo. Broadhead a warrant for the sum due on the within account in specie or it’s value in paper money at the current exchange, to be paid to Majr. Lintot or order and charged to the Continent. An Account of what goods Mr. Godfrey Linctot Major and Agent General of all the Indien Nations have Furnished to the Indiens for the Service of the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Brodhead, 17 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Fort Pitt, 17 Jan. 1781. Acknowledges receipt of letter of 12 Oct. 1780. Has information from Detroit that the Indians are in council there and expects “they are meditating with the British to attack these frontier posts, as soon as the season will permit.” The orders to James Francis Moore to purchase rations “on this side the Mountain” will distress the troops there “and probably greatly...
27To Thomas Jefferson from George Brooke, enclosing Lists of Paid and Unpaid Warrants, 25 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By the inclosed list it will appear what sum of money hath been issued and paid away of the last Emission, also the amount of balances due on several Warrants lodged in the Office and partly paid. Those two sums will exceed the sum I was empowered to Emit by the last Assembly. I have also sent you a list of Warrants in the hands of other People but I am well satisfied there are many more, as...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Vivian Brooking, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Pursuant to the Act for recruiting this States Quota of Troops to serve in the Continental Army I summond the Field Officers, four Senior Majistrates and Commissioners of the Tax, to meet at the Court House the last Day of January the Captains or other Commanding officers of the several Militia Companys also being required to attend. We met agreable to appointment but several Captains with...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Vivian Brooking, 20 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Amelia, 20 Feb. 1781 . Received TJ’s letter of 18 Feb. this evening and will endeavor to execute the orders therein, but there will be difficulty because “the Militia has been embodied on this Alarm, and disbanded last Night, as we had not received any Orders from you or Requisition from the Commanding Officers of the Neighbouring Counties.” Brooking also received a letter this day from an...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Browne, 9 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here this evening after a fatigueing journey being obliged to walk the greater part of the Way. The Baron being out of Town prevents my waiting on him untill the morning. I find provisions sufficient for five days, and expect hourly two hundred and fifty beeves from Mr. James Mason of Brunswick. I have agreed for upwards of a hundred hogs which will be deliverd in a few days, which I...
31To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Burwell, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency will I make no doubt be informed before you get this of the near approach of Lord Cornwallace with the British Army. I last night received information that the enemy were at Boyds Ferry on Dan River Halifax County. I have order’d out all the Militia of this County but I can assure you that we have little or no Amunition and I fear not a hundred Guns in the County. The People...
32To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Burwell, 2 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Enemy’s Fleet have just now come to off this Place; they consist of 23 Sail, including two Men of war; a number of Flatbottom’d Boats are a-Stern of the Ships full of men. We have near 200 men under the Command of Colo: Innis and myself a number very insufficient for the present Purpose: however nothing shall be wanting as far as we’re able to oppose the Enemy if they attempt to land. A...
33To Thomas Jefferson from William Call, 21 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The very great demand for Arms for the Army has heitherto Prevented my making any application for any for this county. Probably there may be spare Arms out of order, if so, on having your approbation I will endeavour to get them repair’d at the Publick expence, could they be Sent over, in any of the publick Waggons, unless they could sooner be done in the hands of the publick artificer’s....
34To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 7 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It now appears that the Indians that attacked Blackmores Fort, as mentioned in my last , were a small party of Shawanese headed by our noted enemy Logan. The last Travelers that came from Kentucky came thro Cumberland Gap safe, having on their way made no discoveries of Indians. Some attention of Government to former means proposed, I am convinced may bring about a Peace; or make the war with...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 2 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
This moment I have the intelligence that a Body of Indians (supposed to be Cherokees) attacked Blackmores Fort on Clinch, took four Men prisoners and has carry’d off a considerable number of Horses. I must entreat the speedy attention of the Executive to my former proposals of a Garrison in Powells Valley; and on the banks of the Tenasee, as absolutely necessary for the preservation of the...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 27 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my Letter of the 15th: Instant I am informed that the Indians have killed one of the settlers in Powells Valley and carried off 14 Horses belonging to a party of Men coming from Kentuckey. Whether this is done by Indians that had set out to War before our approach were known in the Towns; or it may be some of the Fugitives that have taken refuge in the adjacent Mountains for the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 15 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Militia of this, and the two Western No. Carolina Counties, have been fortunate enough to frustrate the designs of the Cherokees. On my reaching the frontier, I found the Indians meant to annoy us by small parties and carry off Horses. To resist them effectually, the apparently best measure was to transfer the War without delay to their own border. To raise a force sufficient and provide...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Late dispatches from General Greene and various Letters from Officers in Carolinia entreats the aid of the Mountain Militia, and I have taken the liberty once more to order them out notwithstanding their circumstances ill suits such a tour now. Matters yet unsettled with the Cherokees, and the Northwards already begun to annoy us; but altho, we have these, and other difficulties to combat...
39To Thomas Jefferson from William Campbell, 31 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I came to this place last night to receive General Gates’ directions how to dispose of the prisoners taken at King’s Mountain, in the State of South Carolina, upon the seventh instant. He has ordered them to be taken over to Montgomery county, where they are to be secured under proper guards. General Gates transmits to your Excellency a state of the proceedings of our little party to the...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 30 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I did myself the Honor to attend at the Door of the Council Chamber yesterday with a view of Conferring with the Executive on the subject of purchasing the necessary Horses wanted from this State for the southern Army, but as I could not gain Admittance immediately, my business in other respects would not admit of my waiting. I now take the liberty of troubling your Excellency with my thoughts...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 24 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Major Claiborne has inclosed me a Copy of your Excellencies Letter on the Subject of the Estimate I left with him to be complied with in Virginia. I find the Executive have estimated the Amount of the Sum which will be requisite to comply with my Claims, and that the Greatness of it fixes the Impossibility even of an Attempt. It is true, in forming the Estimates , I did not consult the...
42Edward Carrington and Richard Claiborne: Plan for the Quartermaster’s Department in Virginia, 1 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Whereas the irregular manner in which the Quarter Masters Department for the State of Virginia has hitherto been conducted, has been attended with many delays and inconveniencies both to the people and to the public service; and it being expedient that a new disposition should be made to remove those difficulties agreable to the late System for the Quarter Masters department, established by...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 4 January [1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Col: David Meade just from logans point informs us that he saw the Enemy land in Force at Westover about 3 or 4 Hours ago, and take up their March towards Richmond. I am with respect Yr. Excellencies Mo Obt RC ( NHi ); addressed.
44From Edward Carrington, with Jefferson’s Instructions to George Muter, 13 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the Honor to inclose you a return from Colo. Gibson for a Number of Articles wanted for the Accommodation of the Militia under his Command. Those are Articles of equipment which these Troops should have been furnished with before they were put into the Feild, which plainly determines that the Continental Staff are not the proper Officers for furnishing them. If your Excellency can...
45To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Carrington, 10 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Baron Steuben directs that I shall apply to your Excellency for one Hundred and fifty Tents, and two hundred Camp kettles, for the use of the Militia, to be sent to this place immediately. Should your Excellency find it difficult for the State Quarter Masters to dispatch them, those of the Continental Service at Richmond will be ready to lend their Aid. Your Excellency has wrote the Baron,...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 13 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope you will Excuse the Fredom I Venture at, In recommending any Publick Matter, and I hope you will; The Baron Dined with me Yesterday, and the Conversation Turnd, on the Defence of our River on which he Mentioned a Fort at Hoods , which would he was Confident prevent any Ships Coming by. This Morning Col: Self [Senf] Came here in Quest of the Baron who had gone on to the Courthouse, the...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, [29 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have calls on me which I must in a Few days comply with, for £16000 or thereabouts for my proportions towards raising the 3000 men. Mr. Rubsarnen Informs me he has a warrant on his and my account for about £40.000. He informs me, he has been apply’d to Worke over a Quantity of Powder taken out of the Canel. This Powder will require a large Quantity of Salt Peter, which without ready money...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, [16 January 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
I have Continued As ill as any Person could well be with a Cold, for upwards of 3 Weeks, it has reduced me so that I can with difficulty walke up and Down Stairs. I thank God it has Mended greatly for 3 days past, and I have gatherd a little strength. I have heard nothing of the Enemy Since their Stop at Sandy Point, untill this Morn. A Man Came to press a Waggon who Says they have landed at...
49Petition of Certain Deserters, with Jefferson’s Observations, [before 7 October 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
To his Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Governor of Virginia, and the Honble. Members of the Council. The petition of sundry persons whose Names are hereto Subscribed, most humbly sheweth, That your said Petitioners being of the Goochland Militia lately March’d to Hillsborough in divisions, and with shame and Sorrow acknowledge the disgracefull rout your said Petitioners, with most of the...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 21 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from Mr. Elliott at Petersburg, I am informed that there is in the possession of Mr. McNeal, Assistant to Mr. Ross at that place, a considerable quantity of Duck proper for Tents. The difficulty of procuring this article, for want of Money, obliges me to beg of your Excellency that a part of it may be delivered to Mr. Elliott, as he can have it made up immediately. There are Twenty...