158501From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Briggs, 5 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have something to propose to you much to your advantage: but it is necessary I should see you; & as I leave this the day after tomorrow, I have only tomorrow for an interview. I send the bearer express, to see if you could come here tomorrow (Sunday) Accept my best wishes. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Mr. Isaac Briggs”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. something to propose : TJ offered...
158502To Thomas Jefferson from William Hylton, 5 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Sensible how much it is your Excellencies desire, as president of the United States of America, to maintain Harmony; and a reciprocity of Interests, between Your and the British Nation; upon a just Understanding—I do not hesitate, to take the liberty of communicating directly to your Excellency, an occurrence, which however trivial in itself , has produced a difficulty; which left...
158503From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 5 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Feb 28 I informed you I had drawn on you in favor of Craven Peyton for a thousand dollars payable the 10th. instant, and that that sum should be remitted you from hence on this day. accordingly I now inclose you 18. bills of 50. D cash, and one of 100. making the sum of 1000. D branch bank of this place. About the beginning of October, I left a box of at Monticello to be...
158504From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Carroll Brent, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Scott, writer of the inclosed, is engaged in the life of Genl. Washington. it is not in my power to answer the questions he asks relative to his family, and I suppose the family would not do it for him , because Marshal’s is to be their favorite history. I have thought it possible that your knolege of the family, and your means of making the enquiries, would enable you to procure for me...
158505To Thomas Jefferson from Andrew Ellicott, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your agreeable favour of the 26th . Ult has been duly received, and the contents noted.—I shall be very happy to see Captn. Lewis, and will with pleasure give him all the information, and instruction, in my power.—The necessary apparatus for his intended, and very interesting expedition, you will find mentioned in the last paragraph of the 42d. page of my printed observations made in our...
158506From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress have appropriated a sum of money (50,000. D) to be applied to the public buildings under my direction. this falls of course under the immediate business of the Superintendant, mr Monroe, whose office is substituted for that of the board of Commissioners. the former post of Surveyor of the public buildings , which mr Hoben held till the dissolution of the board at 1700. Doll. a year...
158507From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter in which this is inclosed being a public one, and to be produced whenever necessary as a voucher, I have thought it would be useful to add a word in one of a private & friendly nature. from the sum of 50,000 D. we shall take between 5, & 10,000. for covering the North wing of the Capitol & the President’s house. the residue of 40. to 45,000. D. will be employed in building the South...
158508From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph T. Scott, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of Feb. 25 . it is not in my power to answer your queries relative to Genl. Washington’s family: but I have put your letter into the hands of Colo. Danl. C. Brent, who will be able to give me the information either of his own knolege or from enquiry which he has good means of making, & shall be forwarded to you. Accept assurances of my esteem & respect. PrC (...
158509From Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 6 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Could you do me the favor to come a quarter or half an hour before the company, say at three a clock & bring with you the plans of the Capitol , on which & the avenue I wish to consult you? RC ( DLC : William Thornton Papers); partially dated; addressed: “Doctr. Thornton.” Although William Thornton’s original plans of the capitol had been modified, he continued to discuss the construction of...
158510To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 7 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd. yours of the 25. ulto. with one to Mr. de Cepede , this morning, when I also recd. my instructions from the department of State , with all the other documents connected with my mission to France & Spn. The ship, Richmond , of abt. 400. tons burden whose cabbin I have taken, cleared at the custom house on saturday , my baggage was put on board, in expectation of sailing yesterday as Mr....
158511From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 7 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On further enquiry & consideration I find it will be better to employ what is called here foundation stone, rather than brick: consequently that little brick will be wanting. your advertisement therefore may be that there will be wanting large quantities of freestone, foundation stone & lime, and some brick. be so good as to mention this to mr Latrobe should he come. Accept my best wishes &...
158512To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, with Jefferson’s Note, 7 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I came over this morning to submit to you the propriety of procuring Carronades for the Small Vessels we are about building. All practical men prefer them to Cannon. But the Cost of them not being Comprehended in my Estimate they cannot be Obtained but under the appropriation in Brackenridge’s Bill .—I wish to have your Opinion upon this Subject Respectfully [ Note by TJ :] I should approve of...
158513To Thomas Jefferson from Baron von Geismar, 8 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
C’est dans le plus grand embarras, n’aiant recu sur quatre de mes lettres a Votre Excellence aucune reponse , que je m’adresse encore a Elle pour la prier de ne pas me refuser son Assistance et ses bons Conseilles— C’est sur Sa lettre encourageante de l’anné 1798 que non seulement je me suis entierement reposé, m’aiant assuré que lorsqu’il serait tems Elle remettrait mes Affaires entre les...
158514To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 8 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I forwarded some days since the remainder of the nail rod , & the hoop-iron, received some time ago. I likewise forwarded by C. Becks’s boat 31 packages lately received from George Town & Alexandria, together with a Hhd of Molasses & the 3 Casks Cyder. I could not conveniently get the Molasses caskd, and therefore sent it without, supposing Becks to be perfectly honest, and very careful. I...
158515To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 10 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The answers from the Govr. & Intendant at N. Orleans to the Spanish Ministers letter were recd. by him yesterday . The Intendant himself states that he had taken his measures, merely on his own judgment, without orders from his Govt. and in opposition to the judgment of the Govr: but it appears that his determination had not been changed by the first interposition of Yrujo. As his second...
158516To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Savage, 10 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
your favour of the 4th. is Just Come to hand. the miscarriage of Several Papers appears very Extraordinary, I am very Shure of Enclosing to you a Discription of the mountain Ram , and one of my proposals for Publishing by Subscription a print Representing the Declaration of Independence. I put up at the Same time a packet containing thirty Proposals and twenty three Recipts fill’d up and...
158517To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 10 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
New York, 10 Mch. 1803 . Replying to TJ’s letter of 3 Mch. , he asks that TJ bring the bundle of papers relating to Short’s affairs when he returns from Monticello, as he would like to have access to the maps and mortgage papers for his property. With regard to TJ’s offer to repay the money he owes Short in two years, Short states that he was “indifferent” to that subject before he left...
158518To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Tiffin, 10 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of feby —has been duly received, in which you request with as little delay as possable to be furnished with a return of the Militia, and of the Arms and Accoutrements of this state, and of the several counties or other geographical divisions of it. believing as I do, that none but an armed nation can dispence with a standing Army and that standing Armys are dangerous to Liberty, I was...
158519To Thomas Jefferson from John Willard, 11 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter from Mr Israel Smith received on the 7th inst I understand that complaint has been made to the President of the United States by Amasa Paine & Cephas Smith that I had officiated in the office of Marshal without giving bond, as the Law requires—being unacquainted with the particulars it will at present be out of my power to reply to the charges exhibited against me, in the mean time...
158520To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Harvie, before 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the earliest opportunity of answering your favour of the 28th of February. The experience which my visit to Monticello gave me of the mingled benefit and pleasure resulting from a residence in your house induced me to offer my services as Secretary, when the wishes of the American people were gratified by your accession to the Presidential chair. Although my situation has been since...
158521To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Barbier, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Citoyen Serraire habitant de Cette ville de Digne me charge de Vous prier de donner des Ordres pour qu’il soit pris des renseignemens Sur françois Serraire son fils qui a été emmené de Marseilles par le Capitaine de Navire Michel qui l’a conduit à Philadelphie il y a environ six ans; Depuis cette Epoque le Pere n’a aucune nouvelle de Son Enfant, il attend de votre Bienveillance que Vous...
158522To Thomas Jefferson from Robert R. Livingston: Editorial Note (Jefferson Papers)
On 12 Mch., Robert R. Livingston began a letter to the president that reported on his activities in general terms, mentioning his efforts to influence Napoleon Bonaparte about Louisiana, his discussions with the Spanish ambassador concerning the Floridas, and French attitudes toward the United States and Great Britain. The next day, a Sunday, Livingston interrupted his writing to attend an...
158523I. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed replying to your friendly letter by Madame Brougniart in the hope of having something important to communicate, but in the mean time have been so full in my letter to the Secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the Subject of our publick affairs—I can only tell you generally that we have been gaining ground here for sometime past & some propositions I had an...
158524II. Recipient’s Copy (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed answering your friendly letter by madame Brogniard in the hope of having some thing important to communicate but in the mean time have been so full in my letters to the secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of our publick affairs. I can only tell you generally that I have been gaining ground for some time past & some propositions I had an...
158525III. Extract, after 18 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed replying to your friendly letter by Madam Brougniart, in the hope of having something important to communicate; but, in the mean time, have been so full in my letter to the Secretary of State that I have left myself little to say on the subject of my public affairs. I can only tell you, generally, that we have been gaining ground here for some time past; and altho some...
158526Petition from the Mississippi Territory House of Representatives, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The memorial and petition of the House of Representatives of the Missisippi Territory. Respectfully Sheweth. That a considerable portion of the Inhabitants of this Territory are situated upon lands of the greatest fertility, watered by navigable Rivers, which have no communication with the Bay of Mexico, but through the dominions of his Catholic Majesty. The principal of those settlements...
158527To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Rush, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Solicitude I felt upon the account of your health , excited by your letter of last summer, is in a great measure removed by the history you have given me of your disease in your favor of the 28th. of February. Chronic diseases even in persons in the decline of life, are far from being incurable, and I have great pleasure in assuring you that complaints of the bowels such as you have...
158528To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Smith, 12 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the Conversation I had with you some days since respecting the Compensation to be allowed to Capt Tingey I have Offered to him the same pay & emoluments which he would have been entitled to receive, if he had remained a Captain of the Navy. This he does not consider sufficient. Herewith you will receive Copies of my Letter & his answer. I find that in the hurry of your...
158529To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin H. Latrobe, 13 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 6th with the most grateful sentiments. It did not reach me till the 11th. I cannot better express the sense I have of your kindness, than by setting off for Washington as soon as I can leave my business with convenience, & safety. This will be in 2 or 3 days at furthest. I have already made my principal arrangements.—The failure of my partners Messrs. Bollmann ,...
158530To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Lewis, 13 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In July 1801—I was hon’d with the Consular appointment for the British Territories In the East Indies—as soon after as Convenience wou’d admit of, I visited the Court of St. James’s for the purpose of obtaining my Exequator, this I did from an opinion which I had previously form’d; that without being Acknowledged by the General Government, I shou’d be subject to the Caprice of the Colonial...
158531To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Dougherty, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The family is all well and Lives tranquil Sir. Stable jacks master is now here from the Easternshore. He proposes. the following terms to sell his Servant he will furnish me with a copy of his Uncles will who is Dead About four years & four months. jack was borne a slave under him and at his Death was to serve this Wm. Legg his present Master twelve years. At the Expiration of which time he is...
158532To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive herewith an official representation dated the 5th instt., submitting the propriety of removing the collectors of Brunswick Georgia, Plymouth Mass., & Fort Adams, Mississ.; The Commissions for their three successors Turner of Georgia, Henry Warren & Mr Trist have already been received from the Secretary of State & transmitted to them. I had understood that a commission of...
158533To Thomas Jefferson from Ephraim Kirby, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It has been mentioned to me, that expectations of the removal of the Surveyor at Saybrook in this State, from office, are generally entertained. Should such an event take place, permit me to name Mr. George Wolcott as a candidate for the appointment. He is a Gentleman of fair and unblemished moral character, whose integrity, amidst the conflicts of party, I believe, has never been questioned;...
158534To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You will find in the gazette of this morning the letter from d’Yrujo, which he wished to be printed, and which will I hope do good. Pichon has also written a strong letter to the Govr. of Louisiana, summoning him on his responsibility, to see that the cession of that province to France be not effected, nor the amicable relations of the Republic to the U. States, be endangered by a perseverance...
158535To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Munroe, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recd., on the 10th Instant, the Letter which you did me the honor to write from Colo Wrens on the 7th—We are proceeding with diligence in our operations on Pennsylvania Avenue according to your directions. It seems to be a very general opinion here that without the trees are boxed, or otherwise protected from the horses and cattle a great many, if not all of them will be bark’d and...
158536To Thomas Jefferson from S. Smith & Buchanan, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
We have the honor, to hand you herewith, a statement of the Expences, on two Casks Wine received for you by the Ship Adelaide from Lisbon, & forwarded by us this day, agreeably to your desire, to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond—Mr Jarvis , by whom the Wine was addressed to us, has neither mentioned, nor authorised us to receive, the Cost of the Wine— We have the honor to be Sir Your...
158537To Thomas Jefferson from Jonathan Trumbull, Jr., 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your Excellency’s Letter of Febry last —covering a Report of a Committee relative to the Militia Institution of the UStates,—and shall take care to have them placed before the Legislature of this State, at their approaching Session in May next— With high respect & regard I have the Honor to be Sir Your Obet Servant RC ( PHi ); at foot of text: “President of the...
158538To Thomas Jefferson from John Warner, 14 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to enclose for your perusal a number of the “Federal Ark,” a paper lately removed from Dover to this place. It is generally believed that no paragraph of a low political nature, more particularly, is ever inserted in it without the approbation of the Collector of this port ; this number may serve as a specimen of the manner in which this paper is conducted;—perhaps none on...
158539To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favor of the 5th. inclosing 1000$, with which I have taken up your dft in favor of Craven Peyton for that sum. the box you mention after the most shameful neglect was sent to Norfolk to be forwarded on to Washington. I hope it has before this arrived there. The iron from Phila. has arrived. the Wine from Baltimore has not. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. RC ( MHi );...
158540To Thomas Jefferson from Levi Lincoln, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
As the accompanying, from their conciseness, will consume but eight, or ten minutes in their perusal; and as it may be useful to see Specimens of the old spirit exhibited on an interesting occasion , in a new shape, by young , & old hands, I take the liberty to forward them. There may be danger of too much heat, of the sacred glow bursting into a flame from the fuel with which it may be fed....
158541To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Patterson, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favour of the 2d. and thank you for your confidence, which I will never abuse—I am preparing a set of astronomical formulæ for Mr. L. and will, with the greatest pleasure, render him every assistance in my power—I take the liberty of subjoining the formula which I commonly use for computing the longitude from the common lunar observation, illustrated by an...
158542To Thomas Jefferson from John Vaughan, 15 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The enclosed Accot. of a Method of preserving ship Bread from Weavils, I have extracted from Tilloc’s Philosophical Magazine for Decr. last—& I concieve it sufficiently important to trouble you with it— When our ships bring salt petre from the East Indies they sell the Bags for a low price, for the sake of the Nitre which be extracted from them by boiling them, possibly they might hereafter be...
158543To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 16 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty by this, of doing myself the honor of introducing to your acquaintance the Honble. Captain John Murray of the Royal British Navy, a son of the Earl of Dunmore, whom you will find, perfectly deserving of those Civilities & polite attentions (for which you have ever been remarkable, to Respectable Strangers) & to which I beg leave & take the pleasure to recommend him; ‘tis not...
158544To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 16 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the Liberty of introducing to your acquaintance and Civilities the Honorable Captain John Murray of his Britanic Majesty’s Navy, third Son of the Earl of Dunmore. He has been several weeks here, and seems worthy of the polite Attention which has been paid him. I confess I am happy to hear that our Countrymen, where ever he has been, have exhibited a Conduct towards him, which can not...
158545To Thomas Jefferson from John Warner, 16 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
As further establishment of the facts stated in my communication of the 14th Inst, I take the liberty to enclose two more numbers of the “Federal Ark.” I have reason to believe the Collector , perhaps from the Post master of this place , knows that a number of this paper has been sent to You in consequence of which the first paragraph under the Wilmington head is inserted. The intent is...
158546From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson [presents] his friendly the Secretary at War and sends him the Governors Page in his office. PrC ( DLC ); faint. Recorded in SJL with notation “lres from Govr Page & Saquiricia.” Enclosures: (1) John Page to TJ, 2 Mch. 1803 . (2) “Saquiricia” to TJ, 15 Feb. 1803 (recorded in SJL as received from Windsor, North Carolina, on 16 Mch. with notation “W,” but not found). (3) probably...
158547To Thomas Jefferson from Gideon Granger, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The extraordinary productions in the enclosed paper under the signatures of “A Western American” & “Americus” appear to be calculated to produce so much mischief, that I thought it my duty to transmit it for your perusal. I am at present confined by an inflamation upon the kidnies; and am Sir most respectfully Your Friend And Humble Servant— RC ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand, signed by...
158548From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Harvie, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor is duly recieved and I am happy to learn that it will be convenient for you my [family] prop ose d; the of Capt. Lewis [your same views]; for I would not wish to [be employed]. but with a view to your I intended to be back to Washington by the 1st of April. I fear however I have in that allowed myself too little time for the business which brought me here. still I do not altogether...
158549From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 10th. is recieved and I now inclose a letter to the Secretary of the navy, which be pleased to seal & deliver after perusal. I think not a moment should be lost in forwarding the stores to Algiers, as it is of importance to keep those powers quiet. might it not be useful to propose to the Dey with a year’s annuity in stores, to recieve another year’s in money? the answer from...
158550To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 17 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In the inclosed Intelligencer you will find the letter from Pichon to the Govr. of Louisiana. Having been written without reference to its publication, it is less carefully fitted than Yrujo’s for the contemplated impression; and in connection with that presents some points for sophistical comments, which are made rather more, than less salient by the reflections of the Editor . The letter...