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...
150051To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 11 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the pleasure to send you, by Mr. Ellicott, the plat of the Territory, executed according to the President’s request. We are happy to inform you, that we have had some explanations with him, which render us better satisfied with him, than we were, at the time of our last. We are, Sir, with respect your mo. Obt Servts Dd: Stuart } Commrs Danl. Carroll RC ( DLC ); in a clerk’s hand except...
150052To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Pinckney, 11 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Within these few days I have written to you by the Packet, the William Penn and the George Barclay; by the harmony which will convey this to you I have only to inclose a copy of the Passports I have given to our homeward bound Vessels, being the highest evidence we can give of their being American bottoms and as near the Passports required by our treaties of Commerce as the circumstances of...
150053From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The hour of post is come and a throng of business allows me only to inform you we are well, and to acknolege the receipt of Mr. Randolph’s letter of Jan. 24. With hopes that you are all so accept assurances of constant love to you all from your’s my dear most affectionately RC ( NNP ); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph”; endorsed by Mrs. Randolph. PrC ( CSmH ). Tr ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph...
150054To Thomas Jefferson from the Commissioners of the Federal District, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
From the short notice we had of Mr. Ellicotts intentions to go to Philadelphia, we omitted sending the Account of the Expences, incurred in running the out lines of the Territory. We now send it, that if it is thought proper, we may be reimbursed. The original from whence the present Account is taken, was signed by Mr. Ellicott, who, if it be necessary will no doubt sign this. The specimens of...
150055To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago took the liberty of writing you a line enquiring into the situation of my debt and suit vs. Dr. Griffin and solliciting your further friendly agency therein. I hope you have received the letter before or at this period and anxiously hope and wish for favorable Accounts of the business; as soon as convenient, and agreeable to yourself, to write me. I have been this forenoon with...
150056Editorial Note: Jefferson’s Questions and Observations on the Application of France (Jefferson Papers)
The four documents printed below illuminate an obscure episode in the Secretary of State’s continuing political contest with his great antagonist in the Treasury Department. As Republican critics in the National Gazette and the House of Representatives mounted their assault on Alexander Hamilton’s management of public finances, this chapter in Jefferson’s conflict with the Treasury Secretary...
150057I. Statement of the American Debt to France, [ca. 12 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Loan of 18. Millns. 6. Millns. Interest payable 10. Millions Total due in Dollars. Payments made each year. Balance unpaid at end of each year. Principal payable Interest payable Principal payable Interest payable day of paiment Sep. 3. day of payment Jan. 1. day of payment Nov. 5. 1784. 900,000 300,000 1785. 900,000 300,000 }
150058II. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire you expressed the other day when speaking of the application of France for 3. millions of livres, I have the honour to inclose a statement of the Questions which appear to me to enter into the consideration of that application. After putting them on paper, I saw that some developements and observations would be necessary to explain their propriety and connection. These...
150059III. Questions on the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Questions arising on the application of France for 3. millions of livres to be sent in Provisions to France. I. 1. Has the Legislature furnished the money? 2. is that money in it’s place, or has it been withdrawn for other purposes? 3. if it has, should we not take the first proper occasion of rectifying the transaction by repaying the money to those for whom the law provided it? 4. is the...
150060IV. Observations on the Questions about the Application of France, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I. The First question is Whether the application of the Executive of France for 3. millions of livres = 544,500 Doll. is to be complied with? But to be in condition to solve this, some preliminary Queries and Observations are necessary. Qu. Has the Legislature done their part, by providing the money? The act of 1790. Aug. 4. c.34. §.2. authorized the President to borrow 12. Millions of...
150061To Thomas Jefferson from James Simpson, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Gibraltar, 12 Feb. 1793 . He encloses two dispatches from Humphreys and a duplicate of one he had forwarded from the late Thomas Barclay some weeks ago by the English ship Norfolk , Wilson master, bound for Baltimore. By the death of his “much esteemed Friend” Barclay he has been placed in “a very particular situation,” since Barclay after arriving from Lisbon did not take a receipt for the...
150062To Thomas Jefferson from Fulwar Skipwith, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In order to save the remnant of a little property, which, from the Situation of Martinique, I have been obliged to leave behind me, I am under the necessity of returning once more to that unhappy Island. What the posture of affairs there, may be on my arrival I can hardly hazard a conjecture; should, however, its Inhabitants have been brought under obedience to the reigning Government of...
150063To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 12 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking it for granted that the several matters enumerated in the Report, herewith returned, are supported by authenticated facts thoroughly investigated—the statement of them, and the observations thereupon, accord with the sentiments of Dear Sir Yours &ca. RC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Secretary of State”; with marginal note by TJ (see below); endorsed by TJ as received 12 Feb. 1793. FC ( DLC...
150064To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fay, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had this day the honor of your letter of the 27th. Ulto. in which you lay me under too much obligation by your friendly apology for not shewing me that attention which you really meant while I was in Phila. Be assured sir, that I was so far from entertaining a thought of any Neglect on your part, that I felt as tho I had committed an error in not paying that attention to you which I...
150065Circular to Foreign Ministers in the United States, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The House of Representatives having referred to me to Report to them, the nature and extent of the privileges and restrictions on the Commerce of the united States with foreign nations, I have accordingly prepared a Report on that subject. Being particularly anxious that it may be exact in matters of fact, I take the liberty of putting into your hands, privately and informally , an extract of...
150066Enclosure I: Extracts from Jefferson’s Draft Report on Commerce: Spain, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Of our commercial objects, Spain receives favorably our Bread-stuff, salted Fish, wood, Ships, Tar, Pitch, and Turpentine. On our meals, however, when re-exported to their Colonies, they have lately imposed Duties, of from half a dollar to two dollars the Barrel, the Duties being so proportioned to the current price of their own Flour, as that both together are to make the constant sum of nine...
150067Enclosure II: Extracts from Jefferson’s Draft Report on Commerce: France, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
France receives favorably our Bread-stuff, Rice, wood, Pot and Pearl ashes. A duty of 5 Sous the Kental, or nearly 4½ Cents, is paid on our Tar, Pitch and Turpentine. Our whale Oils pay six livres the Kental, and are the only foreign whale oils admitted. Our Indigo pays 5 livres the Kental, their own two and a half. But a difference of quality, still more than a difference of duty prevents...
150068Enclosure III: Extracts from Jefferson’s Draft Report on Commerce: Great Britain, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Great Britain receives our Pot and Pearl Ashes free, while those of other Nations pay a duty of 2s/3d the Kental. There is an equal distinction in favor of our Bar-iron; of which Article, however, we do not produce enough for our own use. Woods are free, from us, whilst they pay some small duty from other Countries. Indigo and Flaxseed are free, from all Countries. Our Tar and Pitch pay 11d....
150069Enclosure IV: Extracts from Jefferson’s Draft Report on Commerce: United Netherlands, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The United Netherlands prohibit our pickled Beef and Pork, Meals and Bread of all sorts, and lay a prohibitory duty on Spirits distilled from Grain. All other of our productions are received on varied duties, which may be reckoned on a medium, at about 3 per cent. They consume but a small proportion of what they receive. The residue is partly forwarded for consumption in the inland parts of...
150070To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My last No: 18 was of the 25th. of January. Since it was written I have had every Reason to beleive that the Execution of Louis XVI has produced on foreign Nations the Effect which I had imagin’d. The War with England exists and it is now proper perhaps to consider it’s Consequences to which Effect we must examine the Objects likely to be pursued by England for in this Country notwithstanding...
150071To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknowlege yours of the seventh of last November which I cannot do without expressing my Concern at a Resolution which will deprive the United States of an able and faithful Servant. Since you declare your determination to be unalterable it would be idle to offer Reasons to dissuade you besides which it seems probable that e’er this can arrive you will have acted. But were it otherwise...
150072To Thomas Jefferson from William G. Sydnor, [before 13 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed from Mr Thomas Randolph jr will explain to you my wishes and situation in The army of The United States, altho’ I confess I have no right to expect Promotion, (nor do I wish it) until I have served sufficiently to gain a proper Knowledge in the Military line to entitle me to a superior rank. Yet wishing to take advantage of any Vacancy which may happen, I have Forwarded the letter...
150073To Thomas Jefferson from George Washington, 13 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Arrangements may be made with the Secretary of the Treasury for the immediate payment of One hundred thousand dollars on account of the debt due from the United States to France . The statement of the Account between these Countries will, it is expected, be compleated tomorrow; and the balance up to the last of December be ascertained; when the propriety of further, and to what extent advances...
150074To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Hawkins, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Strong Mr. Rutherford Mr. Hawkins The committee on the enclosed bill reported verbally in substance as follows. That the line to be run would be exparte, as the President of the United States was authorized to appoint the officers to be employed in running the line, although such line would have affected the jurisdiction of the States of Virginia and Kentuckey, and perhaps, would have...
150075From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste Ternant, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It will require some few days yet to estimate the probable calls which may come on the treasury, and the means of answering them; till which is done a final answer can not be given to your application for the three millions of livres . But in the mean time that your purchases of provision may be begun, arrangements may be made with the Secretary of the Treasury for the immediate payment of one...
150076From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President sends him a letter from Mr. Short. Also a circular letter he has written to the foreign ministers at Philadelphia, in order to place his Report on commerce on safe ground as to them. Also a copy of the statement of the French debt as furnished me by Mr. Ternant. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); dateline at foot of text; addressed: “The President of the...
150077From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and returns him the letters from the Commissioners. He does not recollect whether he shewed him his letter to Ellicot the only one he has written to him since last Summer. Lest he should not have done it he now incloses it. He thinks it impossible that any thing in that could have produced ill humour in Ellicot towards the Commissioners and...
150078To Thomas Jefferson from George Hammond, 15 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had not the honor of receiving your letter of the 13th curt., until yesterday afternoon. This circumstance, added to the near approach of the period, at which you propose giving in your Report to the House of Representatives, renders it expedient, on my part, to decline entering into any general examination of the facts advanced in the extract you have transmitted to me, or of the inferences...
150079Enclosure: Table of British Import Duties, 15 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Table shewing the discrimination of duties upon certain articles imported into Great Britain from the United States and from all other foreign countries. Column 1st. marks the duties on importations, from the United States or British colonies in vessels belonging to the citizens of the United States or to British subjects. Column 2nd. duties on importations from other foreign countries in...
150080Memorandum on Consuls and Consular Appointments, 15 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Consuls remaining in office. Feb. 15. 1793. Consuls &c. who have resigned or abandoned their Consulates. Candidates for appointments. Havre. Nathaniel Cutting of Massachusets to be Consul. Falmouth. Edward Fox. of Gr. Britain. to be Consul. Our ships often touch at Falmouth for orders, and have occasion for patronage to prevent their being forced to enter. A safe person there also for taking...
150081To Thomas Jefferson from Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 15 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received with due acknolegement your favor of the 13th. inst. and from it a new proof of your sincere desire and good disposition to contribute to the reciprocal advantages of Spain and the U.S. Moved with equal zeal, and encouraged by your very polite attention, we have examined with all possible care the Statement which you have been pleased to inclose to us, relative to the extent...
150082From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of yesterday with the statement of the duties payable on articles imported into Great Britain. The Object of the Report, from which I had communicated some extracts to you, not requiring a minute detail of the several duties on every article, in every country, I had presented both articles and duties in groups, and in general terms, conveying information...
150083Notes on Levees and Assumption, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Feb. 16. 93. E.R. tells J. Mad. and myself a curious fact which he had from Lear. When the Presidt. went to N.Y. he resisted for 3. weeks the efforts to introduce levees . At length he yeilded, and left it to Humphreys and some others to settle the forms. Accordingly an Antichamber and Presence room were provided, and when those who were to pay their court were assembled, the President set...
150084Report on the Petition of John Rogers, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred by the House of Representatives of the United States, the Petition of John Rogers, setting forth that as an Officer of the State of Virginia, during the last war, he became entitled to Two thousand Acres of Lands on the North east side of the Tennissee at it’s confluence with the Ohio, and to 2400 Acres in different parcels, between the same River...
150085To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Ternant, [16 February 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I have found the statement which you have taken the trouble to address to me with your private letter of the 13th. of the month, conformable with what is known to me of our present regulations on commerce and the duties of importation. But I remark that you have passed over in silence that the importation of tobaccos into France is exclusively reserved to American and French bottoms. When you...
150086From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by Mr. Hammond’s letter, now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th:J’s report on commerce. Th:J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President should...
150087To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my Last Respects of the 10th. Last Septr. from Bordeaux, I have the honour of acknowledging you, your most esteemed favours of the novber. 6th. 14th. and Decber. 2d. of which I have duly noted the Contents; The Letter you may have wrotte to me via London, at the Same time you wrotte to Consuls, Fenwick and Edwd. Church, which they received the 20th. october Last at Bordeaux, (when I was...
150088To Thomas Jefferson from Angelica Schuyler Church, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
You will say my dear Sir after the Long silence I have observed that a line from me has lost its effect. But remember that I plead guilty to the charge of Idleness only; for when my friends require my assistance few are more willing than myself and there is no occasion in which I take more pleasure than in warmly recommending to your Attention the Count de Noailles, one great object of his...
150089From Thomas Jefferson to George Clinton, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
As it is possible and perhaps probable that at the ensuing conferences on Lake Erie with the Northern and Western Indians they may be disposed to look back to antient treaties, it becomes necessary that we should collect them, in order to be in a state of preparation. This can only be done with the aid of the several state-offices where these treaties have been deposited, which, in New York I...
150090To Thomas Jefferson from Tobias Lear, 17 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States requests that the Secretary of State will write to the Governor of New York, by the post of tomorrow, for authenticated Copies, under Seal, of the several treaties between the Six nations and the Governors of New York from the Year 1683; and especially those with Colo. Dongan. They were preserved under the old Government of New York, in the Office of the...