31To Thomas Jefferson from William Bradley, 4 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
This represents an unfortunate Mechanic confined in Washington Goal—the Tale is plain & simple—& Testimony of the Truth may be fully substantionated at the Moment He is now under durance relative to a Building He has erected in the Vicinity of the West-Market—the Subject in some degree may be familiar to Your Ear—He has only to say the Confinement adjudged to Him He suffers with Patience, He...
32To Thomas Jefferson from John Breckinridge, 26 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
J Breckinridge returns the inclosed with his thanks to the President, for the trouble he has been so obliging as to take on this interesting subject. A copy has been taken, & the caution (’tho unnecessary) shall be borne in sacred recollection.—The scheme, so far as JB has been able to consider it, appears well adapted to the object & will be submitted to such as appear disposed to take any...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 27 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am here, with Robert Williams, on my way to the seat of Government. We expect to sail for Baltimore, within three or four days, in the Schooner Experiment, being the first vessel that offers. She is said to be a swift sailer; our hopes are therefore sanguine that we shall arrive in Washington before the end of next month. On the 10th. instant, by the mail, I wrote to the Secretary of the...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Isaac Briggs, 2 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time ago—very long after its date—the mail brought me thy favor of the 11th. of August. I had, as soon as it was possible for me, after my arrival in the Missisippi Territory, to give information which might be of any service to Gideon Fitz, taken the necessary care, by addressing a letter to him at Monticello. I have lately received a letter from him, dated at Louisville in Kentucky,...
35To Thomas Jefferson from the Earl of Buchan, 4 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the tenth of July last is just what I expected from the figurative as well as official reppresentative of the virtuous Washington . I perused it, and re-perused it with sensibility as containing fully, & emphatically the uniform opinion I have entertained concerning the subjects of it.—retired as I am, & have long deliberately been from the busy world of politics I enter not the...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Butler, 8 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Before entering on a subject, to the merits of which I must beg leave to solicit your Excellency’s attention; it will be necessary to state, as a data, that on the 4th. inst., the Honble the Secretary of war, honored me with a conversation in his office respecting my late trial .—After his having expressed much surprise why the commanding general had so long withheld the promulgation of the...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Arthur Campbell, 17 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the acquisition of the Country West of the Missisippi I have often indulged myself in contemplations of the future greatness of the United States, different from any conceptions I had of the subject in former years. The thing is new in the annals of the World. The great matter now is, to make the wonderful event, a blessing to the human race. With this impression on my mind, I most...
38To Thomas Jefferson from David Campbell, 1 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In reading a favourite author the other Day, the following observations made deep impressions on my mind. Man, says he, is the subject of every history; and to know him well, we must see him and consider him, as history alone can present him to us, in every age, in every Country, in every State, in life and in death. History, therefore of all kinds, of civilized and uncivilized, of ancient and...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Louis Alexis Hocquet de Caritat, 16 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The important subject of Lousiana which has engaged your attention for sometime past, and the succes with which it has been crowned gives me hope that the enclosed prospectus relative to the Voyage of General Collot through that Country will appear to you worthy of some examen. My Partner in France has been induced by Mr Livingston and all the Americans in Paris to purchase the copy-right of...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Peter Carr, 4 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Comegys , a merchant of Baltimore, will deliver this—during my stay, and illness there last spring, I was indebted to him, for his very friendly attentions. He will remain in Washington a few days, and has requested this introductory letter. I am just on the wing for Albemarle; Accept assurances, my dear Sir, of affectionate attachment. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 15 Feb....
41To 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...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Claiborne, 16 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Prompted by considerations as are thought to be of importance, and encouraged by the situation of the public business, in which they are concerned—Commissioner Williams , and surveyor General Briggs , go to make some communications to Government, which it is believed will be useful. From the more deliberate and confidential conversation of these Gentlemen, than by writing,—you will be better...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Before my departure from this Post, I cannot deny myself the pleasure of addressing to you a private and inofficial Letter.— Information of the Mission to New-Orleans , with which you honored me, I received on the evening of the 17’th Ultimo, and the measures which I have taken since that period, have been faithfully detailed to you by my Communications to the Department of State.—The...
44To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 16 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days previous to my departure from Fort Adams, I had the honor to address to you a private letter , which I hope has reached you in safety. Since my arrival in this City, my official communications to the Department of State have informed you of all events of importance, and thro’ that channel I shall endeavour to keep you fully advised of such political occurrences as are worthy of...
45To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 25 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Isaac Briggs and Mr. Robert Williams are now in this City, and propose taking their passage (by Water) for the Seat of Government in two or three Days. I cannot omit so favorable an opportunity to write you an unofficial and private Letter.—The causes which induce these Gentlemen to leave Natchez, they will themselves explain. I do sincerely regret the excuse for their departure, but under...
46To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Briggs and Mr. Williams of whose arrival in this City, I informed you in my last , have been detained longer than they had calculated on; they will however, sail on tomorrow in a Vessel bound for Philadelphia, but the Captain has promised to land them at Charleston if the wind should admit of it. I think it probable that these gentlemen will reach the seat of Government early in April....
47To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Clay, Jacob Richards, and Frederick Conrad, 23 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Our friend and colleague Michael Leib has signified to us his intention of retiring from public duties. As we are most immediately connected with him, we feel it due to him, to ourselves, and to our common cause, to offer to you our sentiments, and our recommendation of him to your attention. Carrying with him into retirement nothing but the bruises of warfare and the consciousness of having...
48To Thomas Jefferson from DeWitt Clinton, 26 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of recalling to your mind the appointing Pierre C. Van Wyck a Commissioner of Bankruptcy vice Mr. Sandford District Atty. who has or will resign The enclosed papers were put into my hands by a friend for perusal—and as they disclose some extraordinary proceedings I have thought it a duty I owe to you to transmit them for your perusal at a leisure moment—In doing this I do...
49To Thomas Jefferson from DeWitt Clinton, 1 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to you, Mr. Cutting Esqr. of this City Counsellor at Law. He is a gentleman of good character respectable standing and correct politics—and I am persuaded that you will find him worthy of your notice. I have the honor to be With the most perfect respect Your most Obedt. Servt. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “The President of the U–S.–”; endorsed by TJ as...
50To Thomas Jefferson from George Clinton, 22 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately read in a scurilous Pamphlet entitled “an examination of the various charges exhibited against Aaron Burr Esquire” &c, a Paragraph charging me with having expressed at a meeting held at his House in the Spring of 1800 Sentiments highly derogatory to your political Character and inconsistent with private Friendship—I am sensible of the impropriety of troubling you with Matters of...
51To Thomas Jefferson from George Clinton, 20 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I am highly gratified by the generous and very friendly Sentiments expressed in your Letter of the 31st: of last Month—It was far from my Intention however to have given you the trouble of replying to the one I addressed to you . I most sincery wish the pleasing hope you cherish of the increase of republicanism may be realized in its full extent; but candor oblidges me to confess that my...
52To Thomas Jefferson from Moses Coates, 3 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is from the Generous affability and freedom Which I Discovered in the Agreeable Plainness of thy Conversation and Deportment When in thy Company, And perceiving the scientific, and superior Machanical Powers Which thou Possess, of Course a Wellwisher to the advancement and Encouragment of the Arts in our Country, that Excuses me (altho I feel my inferiority) in attempting to Adress thee on...
53To 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...
54To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Cooper, 6 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with much regret I inform you of the decease of Dr. Joseph Priestley this morning at 11 oClock. He retained his faculties, his cheerfulness, his kindness to the last moment; he died without pain; it was a gradual falling asleep. He wd. have been 71 in March. Knowing how much he respected you, and believing, that in common with those who know how to appreciate uncommon attainments...
55Enclosure: Remarks on American Commerce, 29 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Remarks on the American flag & seamen. The writer of the anonymous communication enclosed to the President, has stated “that America lost immense sums in the course of the late war by spoliations,” and there can be no question about it, but he certainly attributes these losses to a wrong cause. I would ask if the 400 American vessels captured by Great Brittain previous to the ratification of...
56To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Crowninshield, 30 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you some ill-digested remarks on the anonymous communication which you sent me yesterday.— I acknowledge the practice alluded to is supposed to exist among our merchants, but I assure you it is more a subject of clamour with some interested people than any thing else. If it were really carried on to the extent, and in the manner described by the writer, and had...
57To Thomas Jefferson from George W. P. Custis, 13 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Perceiving by the detail of Public Affairs that a Bridge is contemplated by the Government, whereby the Counties of Washington & Alexandria shall be united, & other objects of National moment effected. I have done myself the honour to address your Excellency on this subject, & beg leave to propose for your consideration whether the ground immediately below the spot intended for the University...
58To Thomas Jefferson from Richard Cutts, 25 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to your wish —I have made every enquiry respecting the situation of Joseph Tucker Collector of the district of York &c in Maine & feel no hesitation in saying that the Public good requires his removal from office, for continued intoxication — At the same time I will take the liberty to name Samuel Derby of York—as a suitable person to be appointed successor to Mr Tucker, being an old...
59To Thomas Jefferson from Paul Dalrimple, 12 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The old Toryes are Murdering of me, and no one Takes my part, I wass beatten Thre times in N. York by them Parsecuted to Philadelphia have allso been beatten five Different time, thease beatings Generally Consist of forty or fifty People thowing brik bats & the lik—till I wuld Start frorm my bed at three in the morning—Rushing into my Hous and beating the breath out of my body Stealing the...
60To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Daniel, 5 December 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The present Anxiety which I feel for the population of my country together with a wish to render my fellow cittizens every service in my power will I hope be a sufficient apoligy for addressing you on the following subject—permit me sir to represent to you the situation of some hundreds of our countrymen who have In the Inexperience of youth Deserted from the American Service to the spanish...