71801From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 1 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
On reading a paragraph in the N.Y. Evening post, I took up my pen to write a squib on it; but the subject ran away with me till I found I had written a treatise. it is one on which I have a great desire to reconcile the parties among the republicans, & the paragraph in the post seemed to offer an occasion of taking just ground, & introducing a public discussion of it, on which I have no doubt...
71802From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 23 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the message, and pray you to suggest, on a separate paper, such alterations as you shall think for the better either in the matter or style. I must ask the return of it this evening because mr Coles has to make 4. copies, & will have only two days to do it in. it comes to you thus late, as time was necessary for it to go through the hands of the other gentlemen. Affectte....
71803From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Newton, 3 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The judge of the Admiralty of Pensylvania has given notice to our Delegates in Congress that there are three Negroes, Tom, Hester and Celia confined in jail in Philadelphia in consequence of a condemnation of a vessel in which they were taken. They say they are the property of a certain Money Godwin of Norfolk, that their Master went off with the British Fleet under Leslie, and gave them...
71804Thomas Jefferson to William C. C. Claiborne, 3 May 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of Jan. 10. 12. & Feb. 1. came to hand only a fortnight ago. the inclosed contains my answer to the latter, for communication to the Legislature . so many false views on the subject of the Batture have been presented in & out of Congress that duty to myself, as well as justice to the citizens of N. Orleans & of the Western country generally required that I should avail myself of...
71805From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 14 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I take up my pen merely because I have not written to you since my arrival here, and simply to inform you I am well. I shall be happy to hear the same from you; and hope this day’s post may bring me that information, or that Fontrees’s waggon will do it which I expect will arrive tomorrow or next day. we are selling off all our vessels except the 13. frigates established by law; bringing 7 of...
71806From Thomas Jefferson to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 13 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor has been duly recieved, inclosing my account current of Feb. 28. balance in my favor ƒ3116–18s. since which I have Mr. Short’s acknolegement of the receipt of Ruston’s bill of Exchange on Paisley for £40. sterling, which he said he would immediately remit to you to receive the money and carry it to my credit. From this is to be deducted my order on you in favour of the Treasury of...
71807From Thomas Jefferson to John Henri Isaac Browere, 6 June 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of your letter of May 20. has attracted more notice certainly than it merited. that the opern to which it refers, was painful to a certain degree I admit, but it was shor-tlived, and there would have ended as to myself. my age and the state of my health at that time gave an alarm to my family which I neither felt nor expressed. what may have been said in newspapers I know not,...
71808Thomas Jefferson to William Baldwin (Draft), 19 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of the 7 th inst. has been duly recieved, with the pamphlet inclosed, for which I return you my thanks. nothing can be more exactly & seriously true than what is there stated; that but a short time elapsed after the death of the great reformer of the Jewish religion before his principles were departed from by those who professed to be his special servants, & perverted into an engine for...
71809From Thomas Jefferson to Catherine Church, 22 January 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to your Mama, yesterday, my dear Catharine, intending to have written by the same post to yourself. an interruption however put it out of my power. it was the more necessary to have done it, as I had inadvertently made an acknolegement in my letter to her, instead of yourself, of yours of the 16th . I recieve with sincere pleasure this evidence of your recollection, and assure you I...
71810Thomas Jefferson to John Staples, 4 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the model of the mouldboard of a plough of a form of my own, and ask the favor of you to cast me two dozen in iron. I presume you will preserve the mould, as I shall probably call annually for a supply. I will thank you to have them ready as soon a s you can, and I will direct them to be called for. they had better be tied together in manageable bundles by bits of nailrod passing...
71811From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard McMahon, 6 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved duly your favor of June 28. with the gooseberries in good condition. they were certainly such as I had never seen before in any country, and will excite strenuous efforts in me to endeavor to raise such. for this purpose early in the next year I shall ask of you some cuttings of your bushes, and before that shall send a pretty copious list for a supply of the best kinds of garden...
71812From 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...
71813Thomas Jefferson to Roger C. Weightman, 16 March 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind, some time ago, as to send me a copy of Scott’s works (a miniature edition) which came safely to hand. the price was not mentioned, but I have desired mr Barnes to pay it out of a sum which will be remitted him on my account within a few days after your reciept of this. Accept the assurance of my respect PoC ( MoSHi : TJC-BC ); date enhanced by TJ; at foot of text: “M r...
71814From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
At Philadelphia on my way here I received your favor of Nov. 19. and since my arrival here, those of Nov. 3. 25. 30. Dec. 25. and Jan. 12. have come at different times. My last private letter to you was from Alexandria. I shall send a duplicate and triplicate of it because of it’s importance to me. On delivering my letters of leave I will beg the favor of you to make the accustomary present...
71815From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 18 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your friendly letter of the 12th. which shall be answered the first practicable moment. in the mean time I send you Latude which I happen to have here. affectionate salutations. RC (Swann Auction Catalogue, sale 2058, New York, 2005); address clipped: “Doctr. Benjamin [Rush]”; franked and postmarked.
71816From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, 6 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly respects to Mr. Rittenhouse. He has two young ladies at his house whose time hangs heavily on their hands, and the more so, as their drawing master cannot attend them. If Mr. Rittenhouse then does not take his Camera obscura with him into the country, Th:J. will thank him to permit them the use of it a few days, that they may take a few lessons in drawing...
71817To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 16 September 1821 (Madison Papers)
I have no doubt you have occasionally been led to reflect on the character of the duty imposed by Congress on the importation of books. Some few years ago, when the tariff was before Congress, I engaged some of our members of Congress to endeavor to get the duty repealed, and wrote on the subject to some other acquaintances in Congress, and pressingly to the Secretary of the treasury. The...
71818[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 4 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “A. Cary. Proceedings of Congr. on Western cession—execution of deed—refused commit Indiana—Kentucky petition—further cession to meridian mouth Kanhaw.—paiments and arrears of states on requisition of Oct. 30. 1781. for 8. million—ratification sailed Feb. 17—Turks and Russians—Fox and North resigned—Pr. Wales against E. Ind. bill—Pitt-Adams and...
71819Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Nelson, 9 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor covering the letter from mr Sullivan and have addressed the answer to himself directly. if his plan of applying the steamboa d t to the upper navigation succeeds it will be of great advantage to us. For political news we look to your quarter, and our neighborhood offers nothing worth communicating. we have had near a month of very hard weather, the thermometer...
71820From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of Trade, [18? March 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
It is recommended to the Board of Trade to procure for Colo. Bufords Officers now under orders to march to Charles Town 50 yds. Cloth blue and white Cloth, 16 Suits Tremings, 40 Shirts with buttons, 30 ⅌ of Thread Hose, 40 Handkerchiefs, 44 Summer Vests and Breeches. Also for the Officers of Colo. Bland’s Regiment 60 Shirts 45 Summer Vests and Breeches, 30 Handkerchiefs, 30 ⅌ Thread Hose. Also...
71821From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 29 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time of my settlement with Mr. Hanson and yourself, I had flattered myself that those demands were so modelled that I might provide for a punctual discharge of them by sale of property for the later payments and, for the earlier, from the profits of my estate. Two flattering crops had made me count on the latter resource too sanguinely, and the importunities of the other creditor have...
71822From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 29 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Several vacancies having happened in the army of the United States, during the last recess of the Senate, I granted commissions as stated in the list hereto annexed marked A. accompanied by a letter from the Secretary at War; which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I now therefore nominate the same persons for the same appointments. I also nominate the...
71823Memorandum Books, 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave Conrad & McMun ord. on J. Barnes for 218.90. Jan. 1. Inclosed to D. Higginbotham for Reuben Perry 65.D. 2. Pd. ferrge. &c. at Geo. T. .5. 3. Pd. at Gadsby’s Alexandria lodgg. dinner &c. 5.5 servts. .75. Pd. ferrge. &c. Geo. T. .5.
71824Notes on Painting at Monticello, 2 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
a very loose estimate of the painting to be done at Monticello. yds Parlour 25 } 180. at 4. coats 720 Hall 28 Ding. Room 22 Tea Room 14 Chamber 18 Dome 33 8. bedrooms 40 externl. entabl.
71825Recipients of Appendix to the Notes on the State of Virginia, [ca. April 1800] (Jefferson Papers)
Loganian Appendix C. Thompson all those who gave me informatn G.W. E.P. Madison mr Jackson. Congr. Granger. Conn. J. Dickinson S. Adams. Heath. Gerry Dyer. Rush Barton Wistar Priestly Cooper A. Stuart Law.
71826From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 9 January 180[1] (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for thinking of me when you got the copies of Rabaut & Meyer , and I now inclose you John Barnes’s check on the bank of the US. for four dollars, the sum noted. should you possess Dumourier’s account of his campaigns, Carnot’s or Madame Roland’s books, I will thank you for them, by the stage, noting their cost which shall be remitted in the same way.—you will render a...
71827From Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Carey and incloses him a N Caroli[na] newspaper containing a convention between the two states of Virginia and N Carolina and submitting to Mr. Carey whether it be not worth a place in his Museum. Th: Jefferson has been told that the same convention is complete in the ac[t] of Virginia of about 1786, but he does not possess the act. RC not found but sold at...
71828From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Zane, [ca. 1773–1778] [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
You must give me leave to return you the inclosed, as I have laid aside the distressing trade of receiving money for serving my friends. the pleasure of doing them an acceptable office is the richest reward which can be conferred on me, and I never think them ungenerous but when they decline giving me an opportunity of proving this. the late occasion too was peculiarly sacred. the packet to...
71829From Thomas Jefferson to Castries, 9 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
On receiving the honor of your Excellency’s letter of December 30 on the subject of the debts due by Robinson and Francfort to Françoise Rippert, I asked of Captain Jones those informations which his office had put him in possession of. I now trouble you with a copy of his letter on the subject. Your Excellency will find by that that Robinson having belonged to the Alliance, and the portions...
71830From Thomas Jefferson to Margaret Bayard Smith, 27 March 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns mrs Smith many thanks for the plants she was so kind as to send him yesterday, and which are very acceptable. he will not give mrs Smith the additional trouble of taking care of them through the season, but sends them up to mr Maine who has some others in charge for him. he does not recollect whether he gave mrs Smith some plants of the Aspen, of a parcel he formerly...
71831Thomas Jefferson to John H. Cocke, 19 February 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Successive circumstances too long to be detailed in a letter, have prevented me hitherto for p from proposing a meeting of the Visitors of the College . that of the Visitors of the University being postponed to the 29 th of March renders our immediate meeting indispensable. I therefore propose to you to be at mr Madison ’s on in the forenoon of Friday next the 26 th
71832From Thomas Jefferson to James Cheetham, 23 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be glad hereafter to recieve your daily paper by post, as usual, and instead of sending on the Republican Watch-tower , you will retain it, and at the end of the year send it to me in a volume bound in Blue boards.—it is proper I should know what our opponents say & do; yet really make a matter of conscience of not contributing to the support of their papers. I presume Coleman sends...
71833From Thomas Jefferson to John Key, 8 October 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now engaged in the settlement of my account with Inis wherein I do not think he has credited my tobacco at just prices. As this was during the years you had the management of my affairs, I am obliged to trouble you to endeavor to search for any proofs you have of your contracts with him, or to recollect the contracts. I inclose you a list of the tobaccos and prices, as he credits them. Of...
71834From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 30 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Foster Webb you will receive in part of the requisition of Congress of 1,953,200 Dollars, the following sums, to wit 650,000 Dollars in money, and bills for 780,239 8/9 Dollars, making in the whole 1,430,239 8/9 Dollars. There remains a deficiency of 522,960 1/9 dollars which I hope to be able to send on within four weeks from this time. I should have been very happy to have been...
71835From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter by your son, and shall be happy to render him every assistance in my power of whatever nature. The objects of his stay in this country and of his visit to London are perfectly well judged, so of that to Amsterdam. Perhaps it is questionable whether the time you propose he should spend at some of the German courts might not be better employed at Madrid at Lisbon...
71836From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Carstairs, 13 January 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
When we began our buildings at our University, we adopted it as a rule that we would be governed in all our prices by those established by long experience & due competn in Phila, and you were so bind as to procure & send me the printed book of Carpenter’s prices, in the other branches of work we have been able in different ways to learn your prices, except those of plaisterer ’s work, of these...
71837From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 5 September 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I this moment recieve yours of the 2d. and am confounded and ashamed at the incomprehensible omission of filling up the blank in the check for 1175. D. in your favor. I now send you another for the same sum, which you will recieve Thursday evening in time to send it by the post which leaves Washington Friday evening. I hope you will not have put yourself to the trouble of otherwise procuring...
71838From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 17 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It was agreed yesterday 1. that a copy of the proclamation should be inclosed to each member in a letter from the Secy. of state, mentioning that the meeting of Congress had been necessarily anticipated three weeks, because the ratificns of the treaty & conventions for the cession of Louisiana were to be exchanged on the 30th. day of October, & suggesting the importance of a punctual...
71839Notes of a Tour of English Gardens, [2–14 April] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandums made on a tour to some of the gardens in England described by Whateley in his book on gardening. While his descriptions in point of style are models of perfect elegance and classical correctness, they are as remarkeable for their exactness. I always walked over the gardens with his book in my hand, examined with attention the particular spots he described, found them so justly...
71840From Thomas Jefferson to Steuben, 26 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
An Officer from Cumberland having called on me this morning to direct what should be done with his unarmed Men, I took the Liberty by him of stating to you the order in which I thought the Militia should be discharged. I did this hastily while he was waiting and must now on more mature Reflection beg leave to correct in some Degree what I then wrote and to take up the whole subject. Fauquier,...
71841From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 19 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I now return you the papers reserved from the last post. our regular answer to mr Livingston may well be that the Attorney General having given an official opinion that the right to the batture is in the US. and the matter being now referred to Congress, it is our duty to keep the grounds clear of any adversary possession until the legislature shall decide on it. I have carefully read mr....
71842From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 23 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on the British claims in the Missipi territory. 1803. Mar. 3. act of Congress gave to Mar. 31. 1804 to exhibit their claims or grants 1804. Mar. 27 do. gave to Nov. 30. 1804. & allowed transcripts instead of originals Etc. 1805. Mar. 2. do. gave to Dec. 1. 1805 to file their grants. & in fact to Jan. 1. 1807. time when the sale might begin. 1807. Dec. 15. the British claimants...
71843From Thomas Jefferson to John Harriott, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your […] [pack]ages from Mr. Pinckney for your care of which I return you my thanks. Your object being to settle yourself in this country, you have certainly taken the wisest course, that of going yourself to see the different parts of it, and chuse for yourself. This choice, in order to make it a happy one, depending on the circumstances of climate, soil, cheapness of...
71844From Thomas Jefferson to —— Myers, 24 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to my engagement I now inclose you 186. Doll. thirty six cents = £55–18–3 Virginia currency to be passed to the credit of Mrs. Carr . You will readily perceive that your endorsement on the inclosed bank note will make it cash to any person wishing to remit to Philadelphia. The Custom house officers particularly take up these notes by a general arrangement. I am Sir Your most obedt....
71845From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the inspection of the President a set of copper promisory notes, and coins, made by Boulton, the superiority of which over any thing we can do here, will fully justify our wish to set our mint agoing on that plan.—They are obscured by the sea-air. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...
71846Thomas Jefferson to Sir Egerton Leigh, 21 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 7. came to hand but a few days ago, and with it the letter of D r Ramsay . I learned with regret your detention on the road by sickness, and hope, if this finds you at the same place, it will be in a better state of health. presuming that the warm and hot springs of Augusta Bath county are the objects of your journey, I cannot but wish to hear of your arrival there; as...
71847From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Burke, 30 June 1771 (Jefferson Papers)
The case of Plume v. Portlock now lies at the Rules in danger of a dismission for want of a declaration. Mr. Blair directed me to apply to you for instructions in this matter. Your favor herein will oblige Dr. Sir Your friend and servt., P. S. On looking further into the Rule docket I find myself referred to you also for instructions to draw the bill in McVee v. Wilson . I have Wilson’s bond...
71848From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 5 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
We did not collect the sense of our brethren the other day by regular questions, but as far as I could understand from what was said it appeared to be 1. that an acknolegement of our right to the Perdido is a sine quo non, and no price to be given for it. 2. no absolute & perpetual relinquishment of right is to be made of the country East of the Rio bravo del Norte, even in exchange for...
71849From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Coit Allen, 7 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your representation and request were received on the 7th. inst : and have been considered with the attention due to every expression of the sentiments and feelings of so respectable a body of my fellow-citizens. No person has seen with more concern than myself, the inconveniences brought on our country in general, by the circumstances of the times in which we happen to live; times to which the...
71850V. Referral of the Draft to Henry Dearborn, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Will Genl. Dearborne be pleased to examine the inclosed with rigour & suggest any alterations he would think for the better. if he can return it tomorrow it will be desireable, because when individually examined by all the gentlemen, I propose to submit it to them collectively. RC ( DLC ); addressed: “The Secretary at War”; with Dearborn’s reply at foot (see the next document ). Not recorded...