150001To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bell, 30 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th. is now at hand. Exclusive of Mr. Browns account the Sherriff has called upon me for your taxes, that with other accounts that I have paid and assumed which Colo. Lewis tells me are Just, and cannot be put off, nearly ballances our account exclusive of the hire of Marey and children. I applied to one of the Gentlemen who Valued her to meet the other and Say what I Should give...
150002To Thomas Jefferson from Nathaniel Cutting, 30 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 30 Jan. 1793 . Knowing “the wish and intention of the political Fathers of our Country to cherish and protect its Commerce, that great source of Federal Revenue,” he represents the need for a consul or vice--consul at Cadiz, a port as heavily frequented by American vessels as any other on the Continent. American citizens have incurred considerable expense there without a consular...
150003To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, [30 January 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Gunn has mentioned to Major Butler the report that his conduct at New York upon some publick questions was influenc’d by some expectations of a foreign mission. He has called on Hamilton whom he did not see but means to chastise those concerned in the charge. Hamilton informed him at the time it took place that the appointment of Short was at your instance contrary to his wishes, and that...
150004To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 30 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of the third of the present month I acknowledged your several favors of the 6th., 8th., 13th. and 20th. of November and 3d. of December; and I now avail myself of the present opportunity of adverting to some parts of them not answered in my last. Mr. Pintards representation of the conduct of Captain Hargood of the British Frigate Hyana at Madeira has been submitted to the...
150005To Thomas Jefferson from John Carey, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Before I proceed in the business of copying the records, which your kindness has enabled me to resume, I request your permission to suggest a few hints—on paper rather than otherwise, as being less likely to trespass on your time. Whenever you are pleased to command my attendance, to learn your pleasure respecting these points, I shall be ready to wait on you; and have the honor to be, with...
150006To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho I write fully by the William Penn which will sail in a day or two for Philadelphia yet as I am informed that there is a Vessel in the Downs bound to New York I send this to Mr. Auldjo at Cowes to endeavor to get it on board in order to acknowledge the receipt of your favors of the 30th. of Decr. 1792 and 1st. Janry. 1793—to say that the contents of the first should receive due attention;...
150007George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had under consideration Mr. Hallet’s plans for the capitol , which undoubtedly have a great deal of merit. Doctor Thornton has also given me a view of his. These last come forward under some very advantageous circumstances. The grandeur, simplicity, and beauty of the exterior, the propriety with which the apartments are distributed, and economy in the mass of the whole structure, will I...
150008George Washington to the Commissioners of the Federal District, 31 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The regular course which the affairs of the Federal city are likely to move in by the appointment of a Superintendant, who may relieve you from details, and from all sacrifices of time except your periodical meetings, enables me now to proceed, on more certain grounds to the subject of compensation. That a proper compensation should be made you must undoubtedly be the public expectation as...
150009From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Carroll, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Thornton’s plan of a Capitol has been produced, and has so captivated the eyes and judgment of all as to leave no doubt you will prefer it when it shall be exhibited to you; as no doubt exists here of it’s preference over all which have been produced, and among it’s admirers no one is more decided than him whose decision is most important. It is simple, noble, beautiful, excellently...
150010To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel Carroll, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 15th Ulto. with the plat of the Territory of Columbia reachd this as I am informed on the 25th Ulto. It came to my hands the monday following and I disired Mr. Gantt to deliver it to Mr. Ellicot for the purposes desired. Your Note with Mr. Traquairs to you is just receivd. I expect Messrs: Johnson and Stuart this Evening & remain Dear Sir, with very great esteem & respect,...
150011To Thomas Jefferson from Alexander Hamilton, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The following is an extract from a letter of Mr. Short to me, dated Hague November 2. 1792. “I should repeat perhaps what I formerly mentioned to you, that Mr. Jefferson on his departure from Paris left with me bills of exchange to the amount of I think 66,000₶. This was destined to a particular object with which You are acquainted. He expected it would be immediately applied and therefore...
150012To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hawkins, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you your share of the white bent grass, so much valued by Mr. Bassett. I have sent the half of the remainder to the President. Mr. B. being a farmer, we may count with certainty on its being a valuable acquisition from the experience he has had. If you have formd any thing interesting from the name I sent you, you can communicate it to the President with a translation of the botanical...
150013Minutes of a Conference with the Illinois and Wabash Indians, [1–4 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 1. 1793. The President having addressed the Chiefs of the Wabash and Illinois Indians, John Baptist De Coin , chief of Kaskaskia, spoke as follows. Father. I am about to open to you my heart. I salute first the Great Spirit, the master of life, and then you. I present you a black pipe on the death of our chiefs who have come here and died in your bed. It is the calumet of the dead. Take...
150014To Thomas Jefferson from James Cole Mountflorence, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the Honor to transmit to you herewith the Manuscript relative to the Events of the French Revolution of last year. You will find, Sir, that I have been pretty circumstancial respecting what regards the unhappy Marquis De la Fayette: It was the Opinion of a Number of his friends in Paris that the United States of America would probably interfere in his Behalf, and that the Supreme...
150015Enclosure: James Cole Mountflorence’s Account of the French Revolution, 11 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not written to you since the memorable 10th. of August, but do not accuse me of neglect, The tyrannical proceedings of the Municipality of Paris who had erected themselves into one of the most tremendous inquisitorial courts, ten times more arbitrary than the star chamber, or the Dominicans Inquisition in Spain and sicily made it unsafe even for a stranger to trust his thoughts to paper...
150016From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the speech of De Coin, written at length from his notes , very exactly. He thinks he can assure the President that not a sentiment delivered by the French interpreter is omitted, nor a single one inserted which was not expressed. It differs often from what the English Interpreter delivered, because he varied much from the other who alone was...
150017From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Clarkson, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been by my direction that my servant has offered the horse for sale, which is the subject of your letter . He had told me yesterday that he had found a purchaser, but I did not enquire who it was. At present, presuming, if the purchase is either for yourself or a friend, you may be glad of information respecting the horse which may be relied on, I take the liberty of mentioning that I...
150018From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking for granted that before the arrival of the vessel by which this goes, Mr. Short will have left the Hague on a temporary mission to Madrid, I have taken the liberty of addressing to you a packet of plans of the city of Washington on the Potomak, with a desire that they may be exhibited (not for sale) but in such shops, houses, or other places, where they may be most seen by those...
150019From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington Greene, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Peale the bearer of this letter proposing to go to Georgia to collect curiosities in Natural history, for his father’s Museum, now become considerable and worthy of encouragement, I take the liberty of recommending himself and his object to you. If I did not mistake symptoms in an early part of your life, your dispositions and your attention to these subjects will be in his favor. Permit...
150020To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
T. Lear has the honor to inform the Secretary of State that as it is a cloudy day the Indians decline doing business . Their meeting is therefore put off till monday 12 O’clock. RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 2 Feb. 1793. The business that brought a delegation of Wabash and Illinois Indians to Philadelphia is described in Minutes of a Conference with the Illinois and Wabash Indians ,...
150021From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose for the President’s notice a small pamphlet sent to Th:J. by the author, containing some ideas which may merit attention, in due time, at the Federal city. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed erroneously by Tobias Lear as a letter of 2 Mch. 1793, but corrected in another hand. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in...
150022To Thomas Jefferson from C. W. F. Dumas, 3 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Hague, 3 Feb. 1793 . Since his last of 29 Jan. each day becomes more critical for France on one side and the dominant parties here and in London on the other. He is unable to give an account of some propositions with which Maulde, the former French minister plenipotentiary who had been recalled to Paris, is said to have returned here, and to which it is said the Grand Pensionary has...
150023From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 3 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter to my daughter, of the last week, I suggested to her that a possibility had arisen that I might not return home as early as I had determined. It happened unfortunately that the attack made on me in the newspapers came out soon after I began to speak freely and publicly of my purpose to retire this spring, and, from the modes of publication, the public were possessed of the former...
150024To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 3 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter from the Hague of the 18th. of Dec. will have informed you of my intention to set out from that place the next day and proceed to this by the way of France. This I have accordingly done, and have now the honor to inform you of my arrival here the day before yesterday, after completing my journey of 400 leagues. I was singularly and unexpectedly fortunate in meeting with no impediment...
150025To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 3 February [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed, containing some things which are not in Gouvr. Morris official letter, the President sends it for Mr. Jeffersons perusal. RC ( DLC ); partially dated; addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; with notation by TJ (see note 1 below); endorsed by TJ as received [3] Feb. 1793. Recorded in SJPL . Enclosure: Gouverneur Morris to Washington, 23 Oct. 1792, which, in addition to the subjects dealt...
150026From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 4 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The details respecting the Sum of 66,000₶, which are the subject of Mr. Short’s letter of Nov. 2d. 1792, and of yours of the 1st. instant, and which he observes still remain in the hands of Mr. Grand, are as follow. On the 14th. of February 1785, Congress appropriated a sum of 80,000 Dollars, for the purpose of effecting Treaties with the Barbary States. The missions of Mr. Barclay to Morocco,...
150027To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 4 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
T Lear has the honor to inform the Secretary of State, that if the weather continues cloudy the Indians will not do business to day; but if it should clear off they will meet the President at two O’clock. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary of State”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Feb. 1793. For the administration’s conference with the Indians, see Minutes of a Conference with the Illinois...
150028To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 5 February [1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to return to Mr. Jefferson the report, on which he has taken the liberty to make marks (to connect his notes), with a pencil. These notes apply very unreservedly to questions of fact—and to modes of expression. There are some Ideas of importance in relation to the subject in general, and to this present moment or state of thing’s on which Mr. C. will communicate his...
150029Enclosure: Tench Coxe’s Notes on Jefferson’s Draft Report on Commerce, [5 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on the Report of the Secretary of State, made in consequence of the reference of the House of Representatives of the day of 1791 [pa]ge 1 1 Nations —substitute Countries —or change the words “ Spain &ca.” 2 Quere the difference between Breadstuff and meals page 2 1 its Dominions —to prevent mistakes might be inserted as above
150030From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 5 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe and his thanks for his Notes, which are exactly in the way he wished. But Mr. Coxe having omitted to return the report, Th:J cannot as yet understand the whole of them. He will be glad to receive the report now, and devote this evening to the examination of them, and would be happy to see Mr. Coxe tomorrow morning at the hour he proposes, as...
150031To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 5 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had just concluded mine of the 30th. ulto. herewith, when your favors of the 30th. of December and 1st. January were brought to me, seeing the latter was in cypher I immediately opened the Drawer in which I kept all my confidential papers when to my great mortification I saw that my counterpart of the Cypher was missing; after the most accurate search I can not find it, nor can the strictest...
150032To Thomas Jefferson from John M. Pintard, 5 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Madeira, 5 Feb. 1793 . Acknowledging receipt of the letter of 14 Nov. 1792 wherein TJ announces his intention to resign on 3 Mch. 1793, he expresses regret, “as I think our Country will Sensibly feel the loss of your distinguished abilities,” and wishes him well in retirement. He will observe TJ’s directions for addressing public letters and encloses “the American Ship list” from 30 June to 31...
150033To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The plat of the Territory was sent by Mr. Carroll as soon as it arrived, to Mr. Ellicott who has informed us that he will have the Additions required by the President, completed by Sunday; so as to be in readiness to be sent by the post on Tuesday. We are sorry to mention, that Mr. Ellicott still continues in a very ill humor with us, and has refused to give us any information relative to his...
150034To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President requests the Secretary of State to add words to the effect of those marked by the President with a pencil at the end of the Indians’ Speeches to the President, and return the paper to the President. RC ( DLC ). For TJ’s record of the Indians’ speeches, see Minutes of a Conference with the Illinois and Wabash Indians , printed under 1 Feb. 1793. See note 17 to that document for...
150035Notes of a Conversation with George Washington, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 7. 1793. I waited on the President with letters and papers from Lisbon. After going through these I told him that I had for some time suspended speaking with him on the subject of my going out of office because I had understood that the bill for intercourse with foreign nations was likely to be rejected by the Senate in which case the remaining business of the department would be too...
150036To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We find by your letters not coming as usual that the Northern mail has been delayed by the Snow. Monticello and the country adjacent were covered with it to the depth of 12 inches at least and yet today not a particle is to be seen the Weather has been so uncommonly warm. The farmers say, it has been of great service to the Wheat which really suffered from drought in the middle of Winter. For...
150037To Thomas Jefferson from Winthrop Sargent, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I conceive it my duty Sir, in the absence of Governour St: Clair to represent to the General Government, that considerable public embarrassments, and injury, accrue to this Territory, from the absence of the Judges thereof. Our Code of laws materially deficient to promote the welfare and happiness of the people (as observation must evince) can know no alteration from this cause, at the same...
150038From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return the Indian proceedings with the addition proposed, and to mention to the President that he did not send him in writing the proposition for enquiring into their boundaries, because having spoken to Genl. Knox on the subject it was found that their claims had been perfectly explained to Genl. Putnam. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the...
150039From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Coxe and incloses a letter from which he gets a hint which may serve as a clue to the unfavorable distinction made by the British as to our vessels. He suspects that they permit vessels belonging to other countries, tho’ not built in those countries to carry to Engld. the produce of those countries. They certainly did this for us till lately. In...
150040To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to inform the Secretary of State that he has applied to those whom he considers as the first mercantile authorities here, and that their statements vary so materially that he is not able to furnish any materials on which a reliance can be placed either in regard to Ireland, or foreign built ships owned by British subjects. On the latter point he relies upon the British...
150041To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar, 8 Feb. 1793 . His letter No. 64, a duplicate of which went by a second conveyance, described Barclay’s sudden death and the reasons he felt it necessary to come here to take care of the public property. Upon his arrival last Sunday he found the packages Barclay had brought from Lisbon safely in the hands of the Russian consul, James Simpson, who promptly told all he could about them...
150042To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar, 8 Feb. 1793 . The fortuitous arrival here of the British consuls for Morocco, Algiers, and Tripoli and the French consul for Morocco has enabled him to obtain valuable information about Barbary affairs. Mr. Matra, the British consul for Morocco, has been summoned to Tangier to consult with Messrs. Mace and Lucas, who are enroute from England to Algiers and Tripoli. He says that the...
150043To Thomas Jefferson from William Stephens Smith, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of informing you of my arrival last night from England in the Portland Packett, which sailed from Falmouth on the 23d. of Decr., and shall take the earliest opportunity that my private affairs will allow, to present myself to you at Philadelphia, not doubting but it will be satisfactory, to have a detail of the present political State of Europe, from one who has been...
150044To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Ternant, 8 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Minister of France to the Secretary of state of the U.S. I am enjoined by the government of France to lay before the government of the U.S. the indispensable want under which we are to draw from abroad subsistences of first necessity, and the advantage which would arise to the two nations to recieve these provisions from hence, in deduction of our credit with you. This mode of payment...
150045To Thomas Jefferson from John Nancarrow, 9 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
On dipping into the second Vol. of Desaguliers’ experimental Philos . I find that his 5th. size Engine which worked with 22 men, threw Water to the height of 55 yards or 165 feet, which if I am not mistaken exceeds the largest Engines made in Philada. altho’ a greater number of hands were employed. The Machine of Newsham in England expended 870 Gallons per minute with 22 men and the largest in...
150046To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Ternant, 9 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai l’honeur d’envoyer à Monsieur Jefferson le tableau de notre créance, ainsi que l’extrait qu’il a desiré à ce sujet. Il verra que l’exposé de notre Ministre des contributions correspond assez avec celui de Monsieur hamilton; mais que les remboursemens ont eté faits jusqu’ici en valeurs nominales, et sans egard à la compensation promise par la lettre que Monsieur Jefferson m’ecrivit le 1r....
150047To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have none of your favors to reply to. On the first Inst. the National Convention declared war against England and Holland. This declaration was preceded by an embargo in all the ports of France on English, Dutch, Russian, Prussian and Austrian vessels. The commerce with the two last, altho’ in war with France, had not before been interupted. This circumstance has given great favor to the...
150048To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Masters of the American Vessels in this port homeward bound have applied for passports conformable to our treaties of Commerce; stating that they can not get their insurance done on moderate terms unless they are furnished therewith. I have doubts of the strict right of any person out of America to grant these Passports, but as war has been declared by France against Great Britain and...
150049To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
This will convey to you the assurance of my sincere regret on being informed by your favor of the 8th. of November that you purpose relinquishing your situation at the head of the department of State. I truly lament the loss the public will suffer from your retirement but I must confess myself selfish enough to feel most sensibly the apprehension of the removal of those kind attentions and...
150050From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the judgment of the President the rough draught of the Report he has prepared on commerce. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . The text sent to Washington, in the hand of George Taylor, Jr., with revisions made by TJ in response to comments he had solicited from Tench Coxe, is in DLC : TJ...