74701From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 10 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. came to hand on the 8th. I shall willingly communicate to you all I know on the subject of Louisania. it is new, and therefore profitable to interchange ideas on it, that we may form correct opinions before we are to act on them. The unquestioned extent of Louisania on the sea is from the Iberville to the Mexicana river, or perhaps the high lands dividing that from the...
74702From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Jan. 27. Since that I have received yours of Jan. 19. Information from other quarters gives me reason to suspect you have in negotiation a very important change in your situation. You will carry into the execution all my wishes for your happiness. I hope it will not detach you from a settlement in your own country. I had even entertained hopes of your settling in my...
74703Thomas Jefferson to Abraham Lange, 25 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return to this place in September I addressed a let ter to you, which having probably miscarried, I trouble you with a second repeating the request which I took the liberty of then making. it was to ask some of the beans which I saw and ate of at your house, a large bean eaten as a snap is with the hull on. you pointed out to me in your garden a red flowering bean which you said was the...
74704Thomas Jefferson to Peter Derieux, 19 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
A little before the reciept of your favor of Feb. 25. the inclosed letter had come to my hands, and not knowing your residence I had forwarded it to judge Stuart at Staunton with a request that he would enquire for you & send it. as soon as I recieved yours of Feb. I wrote to mr Stuart to return the other letter to me. his absence from home delayed my recieving it, & my answering your letter...
74705From Thomas Jefferson to William B. Giles, 13 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 9th on the subject of the hire of my servant, but as my stay in Virginia will be too short to intermeddle with my affairs I must beg the favor of you to do in the matter as you would have done had I not returned.—I take the liberty of asking information from you, if you know who are the executors or administrators of the late young Mr. John Bannister, as I...
74706Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Colclaser, 8 August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
You enquired the other day what number of barrels I should be able to furnish. we have barrel stuff enough in the woods ready cut off to serve two seasons. I have now set mr Goodman ’s force to riving and dressing ready to put up, and mean that they shall always get and dress the timber, so that Barnaby & the other two with him shall do nothing but set up. I count on their setting up ready for...
74707Enclosure: Statement of Conflict between Pennsylvania and Virginia, 20 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A statement of facts concerning the proclamation of Governor Mifflin issued against Francis McGuire, Baldwin Parsons, and Absalom Wells, as attested by the two Representatives from the County of Ohio . A Mr. Davies formerly of Maryland, removed into Virginia, and settled near the Pennsylvania line as it was then supposed to run. He brought with him a negroe who was born and bred up in his...
74708Thomas Jefferson to William Wirt, 12 May 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Among some queries you addressed to me some time ago, was one on the case of Josiah Philips , which happened early in the revolution. not aware that the propriety of the proceeding in that case had been questioned and reprehended, my answer was general on that query. an application from another quarter having informed me of the doubts which have been expressed on it, I have bestowed more...
74709From Thomas Jefferson to Michael Krafft, 29 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your letter of the 24th. and therein the expression of a desire which is acceptable inasmuch as it is a manifestation of your dispositions towards me. I see too with great satisfaction every example of bending science to the useful purposes of life. hitherto Chemistry has scarcely deigned to look to the occupations of domestic life. when she shall have made intelligible to the...
74710From Thomas Jefferson to John Pickering, 20 February 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of your Cherokee grammar, which I have gone over with attention and satisfaction. we generally learn languages for the benefit of reading the books written in them. but here our reward must be the addition made to the philosophy of language. in this point of view, your analysis of the Cherokee adds valuable matter for reflection, and strengthens our desire to see more...
74711Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 15 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Of the last 5 months, 4 have been past at Poplar Forest where I am engaged in improvements requiring much of my presence. while there no letters are forwarded to me, the cross post being very circuitous. they are accumulating here during my absence, and on my return are pressing for answers. as soon after my last return as my progress in this corvée afforded me the prospect of a day to spare,...
74712Memorandum Books, 1769 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Recd. of J. May Summs. in Witt v. Biby and also in Bowyer v. Buchanan, but Qu. wherefore the latter having sent one before. 12. Handcock v. Walker and Witt v. Biby. Delivd. Summ. to G. Thompson. Henry Rose (Amherst) v. Joseph Lifely. Friendly caveat for 148 acres Amherst. Employed by Rose. 16. John McCue (Albemarle) v. Alexander Patten (Amherst) and David Kincaid (Augusta). Enter...
74713From Thomas Jefferson to John B. Prevost, 20 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
In the arrangements proposed for the new government of the Orleans territory to commence on the 1st. of October next, I am desirous of availing the public of your services as one of the judges of the Superior court. by turning to the law for that establishment you will see what are it’s duties and emoluments. as the time is now arrived when the appointments should be fixed you will do me a...
74714From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 29 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters which pass thro’ the post office either of this country or of England being all opened, I send thro’ that channel only such as are very indifferent in their nature. This is not the character, my dear madam of those I write to you. The breathings of a pure affection would be profaned by the eye of a Commis of the poste . I am obliged then to wait for private conveiances. I wrote to...
74715From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 14 August 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly considered the regulations concerning the Missisipi trade inclosed in your letter of the 7th. and should have signed them, but that a single fact, perhaps unknown to you, renders them impracticable without some alteration. neither Spain nor France allows any foreign nation to keep a consul in their colonies in time of peace. in consequence of this our Consul at N. Orleans has had...
74716From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, [8 January 1795] (Jefferson Papers)
My letters of the last post inform me of Mussi’s having sent on my clover seed; so that it is to him I must remit the 51 D.—67 c. balance of Stras’s money, after taking out Mr. Lyle’s and Taylor’s. I must trouble you therefore to try and get a bill on Philadelphia for that sum paiable to Joseph Mussi, merchant Philadelphia, at the corner of 7th. and Market streets, and to inclose it to him....
74717From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 20 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Having recieved from mr Short and others a very strong recommendation of M. Pougens a bookseller in Paris, and being desired to direct the procuring thence some books for the use of Congress, I thought to spare your time which is engaged on higher objects, & therefore desired mr Short by the inclosed letter to superintend the purchase, the details of which were to be executed by mr Duane and...
74718From Thomas Jefferson to William Branch Giles, 19 March 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I know not when I have recieved greater satisfaction than on reading the speech of Dr. Lieb in the Pennsylvania Assembly. He calls himself a new member. I congratulate honest republicanism on such an acquisition, and promise myself much from a career which begins on such elevated ground.—We are in suspense here to see the fate and effect of Mr. Pitt’s bill against democratic societies. I wish...
74719From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 20 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his respects to the President, observes in answer to the note of yesterday respecting directions to the Mint for the assay of the new coins, that the Departments being instituted to relieve the President from the details of execution, it will be sufficient that the directions go from the head of the department, the President’s approbation being known. They shall accordingly...
74720From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 30 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having now received the permission to revisit my own country which I have been so long expecting, I have determined to depart from this place so that I may sail about the 1st. of October. It is interesting for me to know therefore from this time to that the vessels which may be or may come into the ports of France and be returning to some port of the Chesapeak or Delaware, the former of...
74721From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 8 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I know nothing of the facts in this petition, nor of the person on whose behalf they are stated, but I know most of those who subscribe it, and can certify that they are persons of the first degree of respectability in the county in which I reside and of unquestionable credit as to any thing which they affirm. Given under my hand this 8 th of February 1826. To the President of the United...
74722From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 16 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to mr Gallatin another anonymous letter from Charleston, doubtless from the same hand.—he asks his attention to so much of the letter of mr Esch as respects the seisure of his watches, and to have done on it whatever is right. the young man is recommended by Professor Pictet.—is the object of the inclosed petition within our competence, or must it go to Congress? if the...
74723From Thomas Jefferson to Bernstorff, 21 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am instructed by the United States of America in Congress assembled to bring again under the consideration of His Majesty the King of Denmark, and of his Ministers, the case of the three prizes, taken from the English during the late war by an American squadron under the command of Commodore Paul Jones, put into Bergen in distress, there rescued from our possession by orders from the Court...
74724From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 30 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of Feb. 18. you were so kind as to tender your continuance in office till I could provide a successor, expressing a [wish at] the same time to be relieved as early in this month as should be p[ossible to do.] it has not been in my power to do this as early as you wished. Genl. Smith is now arrived to take charge of the department, at such particular moment as you may think...
74725Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 22 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Dinsmore consulted me yesterday on the entablature & of the Rotunda & of it’s windows. I have done so reviewed them , and find no reason to substitute any other than that of my original drawing for the main entablature, which was that of Palladio Book. 1. Pl. 26. taking the base however from his plate 23. that of Pl. 25. having too much work as well as that of the Pantheon. I have examined...
74726From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 25 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to Colo. R. H. Lee and returns the paper he desired. He awaits the effect of the applications spoken of, before he will move in the case of Mr. Church. PrC ( DLC ). Lee’s letter to TJ of 23 Apr. 1792 is recorded in SJL as received 24 Apr., but it has not been found.
74727From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 20 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Vacancies having happened during the last recess of the Senate in the following offices, I granted commissions to the persons herein respectively named, which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I now therefore nominate the same persons to the same offices respectively for appointment. John Breckenridge of Kentucky to be Attorney General of the US. Robert...
74728From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 8 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
The first copy of my letter of May 30. went soon after that date. A second copy accompanies this. Soon after that date I received letters from Mr. Blair and Mr. Madison, extracts from which I now inclose you. By that from Mr. Madison you will percieve that Dohrman alledges some deductions from the sum claimed. If he accedes to Mr. Madison’s proposition of paying up what he acknoleges due, the...
74729From Thomas Jefferson to James E. Dekay, 18 October 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I return thanks to the Directors of the Lyceum of Nat. hist. of New York and to yourself for the kind attention of sending me the 1 st N o of their Annals. the preservn of such tracts as this N o contains is well worthy of their care and science, and with my wishes that they may furnish the scientific world with many more of equal value I tender to them & to yourself the assurance of my high...
74730From Thomas Jefferson to Dwight Foster, 31 December 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. D. Foster to dine with him on Monday next, the 3rd. January at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. Friday Decr. 31st. 1802. The favour of an answer is asked. RC ( MB ); printed form, with blanks filled by Meriwether Lewis reproduced in italics.
74731From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Inglis, 19 October 1772 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter was delivered me in court to-day when it was impossible for me even to read it. I therefore detained the servant till the evening lest there might be any thing which would require an answer. I shall file the answer in which you say nothing of McCaul’s effects. Indeed the other would be improper because it confesses effects of his in your hands at the time of the subpoena served,...
74732From Thomas Jefferson to Copland Parker, 3 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 10. was recieved on the 24th. & I have to thank you for your attention to the box therein mentioned, which came safely to hand. The assurances which you are pleased to give me of your dispositions towards me are recieved thankfully. no information to the contrary had ever come to me from any quarter. I have never had a wish to controul the right of private opinion or of...
74733Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Trist, 23 November 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 10. travelled to Monticello , thence to Richmond , thence to Lynchburg , and came to me here on the same day with one of the same date from Gen l Clarke at S t Louis . this must apologise for a late answer, as it’s finding me in the act of packing up for my return must for a short one. as far as I am acquainted with the colleges and academies of the
74734Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 13 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to ask the favor of you to dispose of the inclosed bill of exchange for me. it is drawn by D r Everitt on James Maury of Liverpool , being the nett proceeds of tobaccos consigned by the D r to Maury , sold by the latter, and the account of sales acknoleging the balance of 240 £–15 s–8 d sterling in his hands and liable to order. these papers under Maury ’s hand
74735From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 11 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the within order, Commodore Jones is ready to pay the sum of 112,172₶–2s–4d, which be pleased to receive from him for the use of the United states, giving him a receipt for the specific sum on the back of the order. I shall hereafter have the honor of explaining to you the purposes to which the board of treasury have appropriated this sum. I have the honor to be with great...
74736From Thomas Jefferson to Craven Peyton, 2 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved by last post your favor of Oct. 27. informing me of the purchase of the lands of Bennet Hill Henderson, Eliza Henderson, Frances Henderson, Lucy Henderson & Nancy Henderson for 650. £ and the widow’s dower for £250. certainly I am very glad to get them secured, but the paiment of £650. by the 10th. instant is utterly out of my power. from this time to February I have to pay for...
74737From Thomas Jefferson to John Moody, 27 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. is recieved. my mill carries but two pair of stones. one of them is on hand & the other engaged in Alexandria, which prevents my availing myself of your obliging offer. Accept my salutations & respects. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
74738Thomas Jefferson to William Johnson, 27 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred my thanks for the copy of your Life of Gen l Greene until I could have time to read it. this I have done, and with the greatest satisfaction; and can now more understandingly express the gratification it has afforded me. I really rejoice that we have at length a fair history of the Southern war. it proves how much we were left to defend ourselves as we could, while the...
74739From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Caswell, 30 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing the within, I learn that the Caswell Galley is sunk at her station, that her bottom is eaten out, and her original form such that she could not be hove down to be refitted. The within proposition therefore, your Excellency will be pleased to understand as confined to the Washington only. By direction of the Assembly of this State, I do myself the honor of enclosing their...
74740Thomas Jefferson’s Memorandum of Conversations with Washington, 1 March 1792 (Washington Papers)
1792. Feb. 28. I was to have been with him long enough before 3. aclock (which was the hour & day he received visits) to have opened to him a proposition for doubling the velocity of the post riders, who now travel about 50. miles a day, & might without difficulty go 100. and for taking measures (by way-bills) to know where the delay is, when there is any. I was delayed by business, so as to...
74741From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 2 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night, from mr Griffin, my overseer at Poplar forest, the list of my tobacco of the last year, with information that it was all sent down & the manifests forwarded to you. according to this list the whole crop was 28. hhds. weighing 43,535 ℔. out of which the overseers’ parts were 5528. ℔. & mine 38,007. ℔. whether they have retained their parts at home, or sent the whole down,...
74742From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., 7 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Aug. 27 came duly to hand. Since that I have received the inclosed letters for you. I am glad to hear you think yourself so much better as to open a prospect of your visiting Italy. Such a trip will certainly furnish you pleasing reflections through life. About the first of the next month I shall accompany the court to Fontainebleau and after a short stay there, make a tour to...
74743To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 24 March 1815 (Madison Papers)
I had written the inclosed letter but had not yet sent it to the post office when mr. Nelson calling, informed me you were to leave Washington on Tuesday last (the 20th.) I have thought it better therefore to inclose it to you at Montpelier. I am laboriously employed in arranging the library, to be ready for it’s delivery. And as soon as I can name the day on which I shall have finished I will...
74744Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Law, 23 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now entered on my 69 th year. the tables of mortality tell me I have 7. years to live. my bibliomany has possessed me of perhaps 20,000. volumes. of these there are probably 1000. which I would read, of choice, before I should the historical, genealogical, chronological, & geographical Atlas of M. Le Sage . but it is also probable I shall decamp before I get through 50. of them. why then...
74745II. Notes on Eaton’s Accounts, on or after 2 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes on mr Eaton’s accounts, additional to those of the Secretary of state. When we consider that this is the first of the Barbary accounts which comes to us for settlement, and that every article now allowed will be a precedent for futurity, we ought to reduce it to what is rigorously right. the rules of settlement of the accounts of our foreign ministers are generally applicable to those...
74746From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 June 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived here on Sunday morning (May 30.) to breakfast without having experienced any accident on the road, other than being twice taken in soaking rains: but my water proof coat was a perfect protection. mr and mrs Madison arrived the day after. I find they have not yet got clear of the measles here, so that either at home or here your family will hardly escape it. it is now time for you to...
74747From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 12 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As I may not be able to get at you at Versailles I write this to deliver it myself at your door. With respect to the utility or inutility of your minority’s joining the Commons I am unable to form an opinion for myself. I know too little of the subject to see what may be it’s consequences. I never knew an instance of the English parliament’s undertaking to relieve the poor by a distribution of...
74748From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 12 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The prisoners of Convention and those taken at the Cowpens having been ordered on the late Approach of Lord Cornwallis to move on to our Northern Boundary, while Congress could be consulted as to what should be done with them, I have received a Letter from the President from which the inclosed is extracted. They have I believe reached as far as Winchester from which place they are now ordered...
74749From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 12 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Ellery. he is glad to recieve visits either of business or society at any hour of the forenoon. he generally goes out for exercise at noon. and is then engaged with company till candle-light, after which his friends will again find him entirely disengaged. he takes the liberty of mentioning this to mr Ellery, lest doubts on his part might deprive...
74750Opinion on the Restoration of Prizes, 16 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The facts suggested, or to be taken for granted, because the contrary is not known, in the case now to be considered, are, that a vessel was purchased at Charleston and fitted out as a privateer by French citizens, manned with foreigners chiefly, but partly with citizens of the US. the command given to a French citizen by a regular commission from his government, that she has made prize of an...