1To Thomas Jefferson from Caspar Wistar, Jr., 17 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Wistar offers respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson. He thinks the Statement perfectly proper and hopes it will excite attention to a Circumstance that promises to be of use in every kind of distillation where boiling is necessary. He has intended for some time to make an experiment with a vessel which should unite Fitch and Voights and Poissonnieres idea of a fire place in the water,...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Burwell, 11 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Carter’s Grove, 11 Aug. 1791 . In response to TJ’s of 1st, he is sorry to report failure of scheme to sell timber for Paradise. Wilkinson says sales will be offset by cost of cutting and carrying to market.—Specie value of Paradise’s paper is £968.5.6 ⅓, of which all but £62.8 is in Virginia Loan Office Certificates. In final settlement, he would be obliged to TJ for information about value of...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Augustine Davis, 17 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor to write your Excellency when at Monticello in this state, on the subject of the Establishment of a Cross Post from this to Staunton, informing that I expected in a few days from that date to complete the Contract, which was done the 8th. instant, except to executing the Bond, which cannot be effected until David Ross, Esqr. returns to this place, who is one of the Undertaker’s...
4To Thomas Jefferson from J. P. P. Derieux, 12 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 12 Aug. 1791 . Knowing that TJ will be interested, he informs him of the good news in the last letter from Mde. Bellanger enclosed in his to Mr. Randolph, which informs him that M. Le Roy of Bordeaux had died and left him a legacy of 15,000₶. This makes him happy once more and he hopes the measures he will take will provide a solid establishment. In her letter of 14 Apr. Mde....
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Brown, 21 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with Extracts from two letters lately recd. from Mr. Short. On rect. of your answer I will take Measures to arrange the Business as you may recommend. For my own part, tho’ a considerable Stock holder I am much a Stranger which plan is most adviseable for Mr. Shorts interest. I hope you found the Account sent you free from Error. My absence from home prevented me...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Dayton, 7 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed by the House of Representatives to consider, and report upon, the petition of the Canadian refugees, wish to be possessed of a list of the persons falling under that description. A return was made to the former Congress, and I am informed is at this time on the files in your office. If this be the case Sir, I will thank you to direct a copy of it to be immediately made...
7To Thomas Jefferson from David Jameson, 4 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of the 14th. of August, and am truly sorry it is not in my power to throw any light on the subject. I made it my business to see Mr. John Browne and Mr. John Pierce in hope that by a free conversation with them something might be thought of that would give aid to the business, but they assured me every thing that came to their knowledge they had communicated to...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
An opportunity offering by a vessel bound to Mogadore, I avail myself of it to send you a collection of the gazettes of the last three months. To these I add herein a passage from a paper of this morning giving news, which arrived in town last night, of the defeat of Genl. Sinclair by the Indians. This of course will oblige us to another campaign.—As nothing has happened since your departure...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 31 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The foregoing is a copy of my last respects covering a report of the vessels that entered and cleared from this port the first six months of the present year, copy of which is also inclosed. The political situation of France is at present an obstacle to the commercial intercourse with America. The difficulty of procuring specie, its high price, the very low exchange with the neighbouring...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Newton, Jr., 24 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Norfolk, 24 Aug. 1791 . The justices there desire to know how to “proceed when call’d on by the British Consul for Warrants to Apprehend Sea Men who quit their Ships, and whether they have power to Commit them to Gaol or send them on board their Ships.” Some think they have no power to do it, others that it should be done. This day a Capt. Stuport brought in a seaman who had not signed...
11From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 6 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of the 24th. of August. A gentleman going from hence to Cadiz will be the bearer of this, and of the newspapers to the present date, and will take care that the letter be got safe to you if the papers cannot. Mr. Mangnal, at length tired out with his useless sollicitations at this office, to obtain redress from the court of Spain for the loss of the Dover Cutter, has...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Littlepage, 26 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved with infinite satisfaction your letter of the 29th. July last, and thank you for the trouble you were kind enough to take to inform yourself of, and let me know, the fate of my letter to the President:—I should not have written to him at all, had I known at the time that you had accepted the American Ministry. The Definitive Treaty between Russia, and the Porte, must be by this...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Joel Barlow, 25 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not take the liberty of commending to your notice and protection my excellent friends Mr. and Mrs. St. John were it not that their merit entitles them to more than I can otherwise do for them. Mr. St. John transfers a considerable property to our country with an intention to devote that and himself wholly to Agriculture, of which his accurate intelligence in every part of rural...
14Enclosure: Draft Message on Western Defense, 16 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Gentlemen of the Senate The pacific measures which were adopted for establishing peace between the U.S. and the North Western Indians, having proved ineffectual, and the military operations which thereon became necessary, tho’ successful in the first instances, being otherwise in the last as was stated to you in my communication of instant, it behoves us to look forward in time to the further...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Delamotte, 19 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 19 Dec. 1791 . He last wrote to TJ on 27 Nov. and enclosed four letters from Short in Holland.—France was gratified by recent reports that the U.S. had sent 1,800 men to Saint-Domingue. Even after Frenchmen realized that these reports could not be true because the U.S. lacked a sufficiently large standing army, they continue to take pleasure in the news of shipments of American arms,...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Tubeuf, 10 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Un des avantages que j’attendais d’une létre que M. le Mis. dela Fayette m’a remise, par laquelle il veut bien me recomander a vous, etait de vous la présenter moimême, de vous exposer le Plan de l’Entreprise que je vais faire, sur les bords du clinch. Une traversée de 85 jours, du hâvre de Graces ici, moitié plus longue que je ne l’avais compté, ne me laisse pas disposer d’un instant, et me...
17From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 29 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Aug. 23. acknoleging the reciept of your Nos. 19. 21. and 22. Since that I have recieved from 23. to 33. inclusive. In mine I informed you I was about setting out for Virginia and consequently should not write to you till my return. This opportunity by Capt. Wicks is the first since my return. The party which had gone at the date of my last, against the Indians North of...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 14 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose and forward you by the way of England a copy of the King’s letter sent yesterday to the national assembly announcing his acceptance of the constitution, and his intention of going to day to solemnize that acceptation in the assembly. He accordingly went today and took the oath required. The Queen also was present in a lodge adjoining the assembly room. This...
19To Thomas Jefferson from George Hammond, 30 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of acknowledging the receipt of your letter of yesterday. With respect to the non-execution of the seventh article, of the definitive treaty of peace between his Britannic Majesty and the United States of America, which you have recalled to my attention, it is scarcely necessary for me to remark to you, Sir, that the King my master was induced to suspend the execution of that...
20To Thomas Jefferson from David Campbell, 19 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
To morrow I leave the City. I feel myself quite tired of fumum strepitumque Romœ . I cannot depart without returning you my acknowledgments for the List of Books you furnished me with. I should have waited personally upon you; but knowing you were so engaged in public business at this time, that you have not a moment to spare, I beg you to accept my sincere thanks and believe me to be with the...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Church, 12 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 12 Aug. 1791 . Being greatly alarmed by what he learned on arrival, he expressed his fears in his of the 27th, sent by brig Hetty , Captn. Drinker, for Philadelphia.—This day his fears confirmed by letter from Carmichael, a copy of which he encloses. He is thereby arrested at the threshold, unable to advance or retreat. He cannot in any sense hold TJ responsible, but appeals to him...
22From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 18 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Giles carries your trunk to Baltimore where he will see you tonight. Take out of it whatever you may want before you get to Philadelphia and leave the trunk with Mr. Grant and I will call on him for it. The weather is so bad that perhaps I may not be able to overtake you in the morning as I had hoped: but I shall if possible. Adieu my dear Maria. Yours affectionately, RC ( ViU );...
23Notes of a Conversation with Alexander Hamilton, 13 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J mentioned to him a letter received from J. A. disavowing Publicola, and denying that he ever entertained a wish to bring this country under a hereditary executive or introduce an hereditary branch of legislature &c. See his letter . A. H. condemning Mr. A’s writings and most particularly Davila, as having a tendency to weaken the present government, declared in substance as follows. ‘I...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Stuart, 22 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The objections to our State Government are so generally felt, that I am convinced its reformation will shortly be attempted; in that event I feel some anxiety for the Consequence should we be deprived of the Aid of Our absent Citizens. Are we to Expect the Assistance of yourself and Mr. Madison upon such an Occasion and if so, when could it most conveniently be afforded? I must now express the...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 5 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I was in hopes to have seen you here till Mr. Randolph arriving last night from Richmond, informed me Mrs. Eppes was unwell. I hope it has not been serious and that this will find her in that good health I wish her ever to enjoy. I set out four days hence with Polly for Philadelphia. I am following your example in taking measures to clear myself of Hanson at once as far as bonds will do it....
26To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Smith, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
“ Southwestern Territory, At Mr. Cobbs,” 9 Dec. 1791 . In Blount’s absence, acknowledges receipt of TJ’s to him of 22 Aug. 1791, “which was so much delayed on its passage that it never came to hand ‘till 8th. Nov. last.”—The information requested about Davidson county claims amount to 407,780 acres, which includes all allowable under the law of North Carolina except a few remaining preemption...
27To Thomas Jefferson from James Yard, 5 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
St. Croix, 5 Oct. 1791. He encloses an account of the annual imports and exports of St. Croix and St. Thomas and a list of duties on imports from America. The former is not entirely accurate. The quantity of imported Indian meal is probably one fourth and that of imported lumber one third less than the figures given in the enclosed account, “as permission to export Sugars is granted only to...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Hamilton, [31 August 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hamilton presents his compliments to the Secretary of State. He would think the turn of expression on the whole safer, if instead of what follows the words “depreciated medium” the following was substituted—“and that in the final liquidation of the payments, which shall have been made, due regard will be had for an equitable allowance for the circumstance of depreciation.” RC ( DLC :...
29To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 24 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The assembly have continued since my last deliberating on the plan of constitution submitted to them. They have made no material alterations, but have referred two or three questions to be decided after the others—one of them is that for augmenting the property of electors and abolishing the marc d’argent hitherto decreed for the members of the legislature—and another is the condition of the...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mifflin, 6 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of yesterday on the subject of the laws of the U.S. furnished to you from my office. I would with pleasure add a third copy, but that, your Excellency will percieve, on turning to the act of Congress which establishes my department, that that has fixed the number of copies of the laws to be furnished by me to the Executives of the states, and of course that the...