1To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your Letter arrived Dr Priestley was dead: of which I informed you hastily on the same afternoon. The work you mention of Mr Malthus, I have perused with deep interest and melancholy conviction of the general truth of his Theory, but I cannot help thinking he carries it much too far. Granting the tendency of the procreative passion to increase the human species far beyond the ratio of...
2Petition of Jesse Page and Wife, 1 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Petition of Jesse Page, and Wife, of Ann Arundel County, in the State of Maryland; respectfully sheweth, that they are the Parents of a Profligate Son, who now lies, in Confinement, for Desertion, at the military Corps, in Frederick Town; Your Petitioners would beg Leave, to represent, that they have always sustained a fair and reputable Character, in Society—that their Son, Shadrach Page,...
3To Thomas Jefferson from William Strickland, 13 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 30th: of June, I received on the 22d. of October, since which time I have been waiting for a safe conveyance for my answer. I am highly flatter’d by your recollection, particularly at a period when you must be occupied by so many momentous engagements; an unwillingness to interrupt which has been the cause of my long silence . I have many times wished for an opportunity of...
4To Thomas Jefferson from George Wolcott, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the Commissions your Excellency has been pleased to honor me with—appointing me Surveyor of the Customs—and Inspector of the Revenue for the Port of Saybrook—I accept them with gratitude and to the best of my ability shall faithfully discharge the Trust reposed in me I am Excellent Sir most respectfully your Obedient Servt. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “His Excellency...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have always proposed to re-appoint Genl. Gibson to his present office, wherein I hear of no complaint against him. neither his age nor understanding entitle him to any thing beyond that , & equal to his antient military rank. I personally know those who recommend Dr. Baldwin . Kinney is a good man, but as a federalist feels no great interest in our making good appointments. judge Stuart is...
6To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 11 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 7th. inclosing 75$—The coal you require shall be forwarded by the first opportunity; there are however but few vessels I believe, which go from here to Alexa. and fewer still to Washington. only 14 hhds of your Tobacco are yet down. the price now is from 6 to 7$ according to quality, or the opinion of it . I hope yours may be supposed to...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin B. Carter, 21 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the numerous applicants who trespass upon your time, the writer of this craves leave to draw your attention, for a few moments to an object of some importance. Your Excellency’s profound knowledge of the sciences and your known good will towards the cultivators of them, embolden me to make the advances. The U.S. of America now flourishing under the happy auspices of your Excellency’s...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Lemuel Sessums, 28 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I ardently beg that you peruse this letter and reflect on the situation of a family which I shall attempt to describe. My Father is a man, aged fifty six, of independent circumstances, My Mother is a woman, aged forty five, of laudable affections. They live in the town of Tarborough in this state; I am now a student here and having perhaps more acqured knowlege than my Father have been pitched...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 22 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond which will inform you of the reciept of only 70. instead of 80. bundles of nail-rod, which you will doubtless have rectified wherever the error has happened. when you forward on the 10. bundles deficient, I shall be glad if you will send at the same time 3. sheets of sheet-iron 5 f. 9 I. long, and of whatever width above 16. I. they...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 20 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am desirous to obtain two copies of the New testament in Greek or Greek & Latin, both of the same edition exactly; and two others in English, both also of the same edition; and all four of the same format, that they may admit being bound up together. the format to be either 8vo. or 12mo. but the latter of preference. will you be so good as to endeavor to procure these for me? Accept my...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bedwell, 21 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
altho I am conscious that I am guilty of great impropriety in thus taking this liberty of addressing you, yet I have presumed notwithstanding, depending as an apology only on the supposed importance of a discovery which I thought too interesting if successful not to communicate—Having had repeated opportunities in a particular manufactory to observe the effects of a solution of Iron upon the...
12From Thomas Jefferson to David Leonard Barnes, 24 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have been so good as to take in Ingraham’s case. it has given more than I had meant, as I should have been perfectly satisfied with your opinion alone. I now return the letter which you desired to have again. I have ordered a pardon as to whatsoever appurtains to the US. leaving the interests of the prosecutor untouched. accept my respectful salutations and...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Christopher Ellery, 23 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
C. Ellery begs leave to present his highest respects to the President of the United States—and to mention that application has been made to him, by an old friend, of great worth, to aid Mr. Henry Wilson in the obtainment of a Consular appointment, for which he will ask through other friends—and further to mention that from the knowledge C. Ellery has of the character of his friend, he cannot...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Mountjoy Bayly, 3 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The President will please to excuse the freedom I have taken in communicating to him the following circumstances relative to a Sulphur Spring in the Genesee —Which I made an offer off to the United States through the Secretary at War— When I informed the Secretary of my intention to dispose of this property—he requested of me to give him a written discription of the same, which I complied with...
15To Thomas Jefferson from James Sullivan, 24 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago the Secretary of State, Mr Madison, requested of me information in regard to the method of ascertaining the boundary between the United States, on their northern angle, and the British dominions. He was lead to this by my having been the agent of our nation in the settlement of the St. croix line. I readily complied with his wishes; and now observe in the Presidents communication...
16Enclosure: Extract of Robert R. Livingston to Andrew Ellicott, 19 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
“The fact of the fall of stones from the sky, having been put, by some late inquiries almost beyond a doubt the philosophers are now disputing whether they are generated in the atmosphere or whether we owe them to volcanic eruptions in the moon, as much remains to be said on both sides; prudent men have not yet thought proper to pronounce judgment.—But it may be new to you to learn that while...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Michael Leib, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of Mrs. Heister, I send you Gros’s moral philosophy. This work was transmitted to Genl. Heister by the author, with a request, that he would deliver it to you; but death rob’d him of this pleasure. Last night he departed this life. As Mrs. Heister is preparing to depart for Hagar’s town with her husband’s remains, she wished this work to be immediately forwarded, & I have taken...
18To Thomas Jefferson from John Dickinson, 28 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately found among my Papers the original Documents relating to the Convention that met at Annapolis in the Year 1786, I think it my Duty to transmit them to the Executive of the Union, and therefore I now send them. I am entirely thy Friend RC ( PHi ); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President”; written on verso of sheet addressed to Dickinson by George Logan. Recorded in SJL as...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Bradley, Jr., 6 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson will thank mr Bradley to inform him of the days & hours of departure & arrival of the mail between Washington and Milton, according to the establishment reverted to since Jan. 31. RC (Kenneth W. Rendell, Inc., Catalogue No. 48, 1970, Item 131); addressed: “Mr. Bradley Post office.” Not recorded in SJL . departure & arrival of the mail : Bradley was the assistant postmaster...
20To Thomas Jefferson from George W. Erving, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred the gratification of acknowledgeing the rect of the letter with which you honord me on the 10th of July, only till I shou’d be able to dispatch the remainder of the books for the national library ordered from Mr. Johnson;—I am concerned to find that they coud not have been sooner collected, & even now, that there are some deficiences which you may consider important;—I can...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Littleton W. Tazewell, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The Assurance you give me relative to Mr. Welch’s claim is perfectly satisfactory, and confident that you will bear it in mind, I shall not trouble you again upon this subject— You ask me what is the opinion of the Mercantile Men in this quarter relative to the present order of things—I feel much difficulty in resolving such an inquiry, notwithstanding I am in the habit of much and free...
22Notes on a Conversation with Charles Coffin, 13 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1803. Dec. 13. the revd mr Coffin of New England who is now here solliciting donations for a college in Greene county in Tennissee tells me that when he first determined to engage in this enterprize, he wrote a paper recommendatory of the enterprize, which he meant to get signed by clergymen, and a similar one for persons in a civil character, at the head of which he wished mr Adams to put his...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 29 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to the revd mr Miller for the copy of his Retrospect of the 18th. century which he has been so kind as to send him , and shall with pleasure avail himself of his first leisure to read it. he salutes him with respect & friendship. RC ( NjP : Samuel Miller Papers); addressed: “The revd. Samuel Miller New York”; franked; postmarked Washington. PrC ( DLC ). to send...
24Enclosure: Memorial of Burlington, New Jersey, Republican Citizens, 25 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Memorial and Representation, of the Subscribers, republican Citizens, of the district of Burlington, in the State of New Jersey, respectfully Sheweth.— That we have beheld with considerable regret for some time past, Moses Kempton Esquire, in Occupancy of the Office of Collector of the Customs, for this District; and pray that he may be succeeded by William H. Burr Esquire: for the...
25From Thomas Jefferson to DeWitt Clinton, 2 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 26th. ult. has been recieved. mr Van Wyck’s appointment as Commr. of bankruptcy only awaits mr Sandford’s resignation. the papers in the case of Lt. Wolstencroft shall be recommended to the enquiries & attentions of the Secretary at War. I should think it indeed a serious misfortune should a change in the administration of your government be hazarded before it’s present...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 14 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Pickering presents his respects to the President, and requests the loan of Crozat’s grant of Louisiana from Lewis XIV. Mr. P. acknowledges the receipt of the President’s observations on the northern boundaries of the U. States & Louisiana; and if any further examination of the subject should present a different view of it, to Mr. Pickering, he will take the liberty to offer the same to the...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 17 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to submit the following statement, for the purpose of shewing the necessity of an Act of Congress authorising the appointment of Six Surgeons Mates, in addition to the number authorised by the Law of the 16th. of March 1802, fixing the Military Peace Establishment — The Posts recently established, in addition to the twenty five contemplated at the late organization of the...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Rodney, 2 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with great Pleasure that I imbrace This Early Opurtunity by the First Mail after My Arrival To Communicate To you My arrival here in good health yesterday at 5 oClock P.M. and that my brother Commissioner Mr. Williams arrived the day before and that we Met yesterday Evening With Mr. Turner the Register and formed the Board Agreably To Law at the Town of Washington and Tomorrow Shall...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 15 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The following passage is contained in a letter just received from Mr Wm Stewart, by far the most wealthy & respectable Stonecutter at Baltimore. Mr Robert Stewart ,—his father is proprietor of an acre, containing the best Stone on the Island. I have not yet received his proposals for supplying stone. “I have understood ⅌ Mr Conway who was in Baltimore some time ago, that Mr D. C. Brent expects...
30Canons of Official Etiquette: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
After Jefferson hosted the newly arrived British Minister Anthony Merry and his wife, Elizabeth, for dinner at the President’s House on 2 Dec., a debate over diplomatic protocol ensued. The British consul took umbrage when the widowed president did not accompany his wife to the dining room, but instead escorted Dolley Madison, whom he seated at his side. Secretary of State James Madison...