78901Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 25 June 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved a week ago your favor of the 15 th and should sooner have answered it, but that I have been awaiting the issue of a negociation between Jefferson and his uncle T. E. Randolph for a relinquishment of his lease of Pantops . the result of this is too doubtful to detain me longer from notifying my acceptance of your offer of Pantops on the terms of your letter, that is to say, for ten...
78902Thomas Jefferson to Nelson Barksdale, 11 November 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Harrison of Lynchburg was authorised to make an agreement for us with mr Knight , which I now inclose to you, and pray you to settle with him, when he is done, and give him an order on mr Garrett . I think he arrived here about Oct. the 8 7 th or 8 th RC (
78903Notes on such parts of Forondas letter of Apr as are worth answering, 30 April 1808 (Madison Papers)
April 30, 1808 Notes on such parts of Foronda’s letter of Apr. 26. 08 as are worth answering. I. I know of no recent orders to Governor Claiborne as to the navigation of the Misipi., Yberville & Pontchartrain. He should specify them, But he may be told that no order has ever been given contrary to the rights of Spain. These rights are 1. a treaty right that "the ships of Spain coming directly...
78904From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 21 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several favors of Sep. 24. Oct. 2. 3. 11. 18. were unacknoleged because, at the time of writing them, you could not tell me how I should direct to you. That of Oct. 28. desired me to write to Rome; but from the time of receiving it till yesterday, I have been in one of those squalls of work with which you are acquainted. That over, and my dispatches for America clear of the house, I had...
78905From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McRae, 8 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the papers you were so kind as to send me with thanks for the communication of them. I have thought it right to give the information to my successor. the ascendancy which great Britain exercises over us through the sameness of language & manners, but above all by her omnipotence over our Commercial men, is most deplorable. in the existing difficulties she has proved that these...
78906Thomas Jefferson to Francis Corbin, 20 May 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Apr. 30. was re is just recieved and conveys the first information of the death of mrs Paradise . it finds me on the eve of a journey of length, on which I shall be a month absent, and the preparations for which permit me only to give you my first thoughts on the subject of your letter. I happen to possess an outline of the marriage settlement between mr and mrs Paradise ,...
78907From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 11 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your head, my dear friend, is full of Notable things; and being better employed, therefore, I do not expect letters from you. I am constantly roving about, to see what I have never seen before and shall never see again. In the great cities, I go to see what travellers think alone worthy of being seen; but I make a job of it, and generally gulp it all down in a day. On the other hand, I am...
78908From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Randolph continues well without the least retrograde circumstance. he sleeps well, walks a good deal about the house, rides out in the carriage every day this cruel weather will permit & breakfasts & dines with us. but his strength returns so slowly that he certainly will not be able to undertake his journey on Monday as we had hoped. indeed I do not think a time can be fixed. when he...
78909XXII. Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 26 June 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you a state of the tickets received by Mr. Wayles and to whom sold. It is taken from two or three states made out by him at different times and corresponding with one another. One of these appears to have been in Colo Byrd’s hands for examination and has some small queries and annotations in his hand writing which shews it to have been approved. Their authenticity is further...
78910From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Montgomery, 10 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of August 25, and think that a letter addressed to Mr. Jay on the subject of the consulate at your port will suffice. If you have already written to him, nothing more will be necessary. I really deplore the situation of our prisoners at Algiers. If they could have been redeemed at the prices formerly paid by the nations of Europe, I think it probable they would...
78911Thomas Jefferson to Samuel J. Harrison, 2 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 12. was not recieved till yesterday. it has given me the deepest concern. engagements to make paiments founded solely on your bond, which I deemed as good as a bank note, are now immediately falling due, and I have no resource, on so short warning, but that, to cover me from the mortification, and the consequences of failure. I cannot yet but persuade myself that, on...
78912From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 24 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I had no conception there were persons enough to support a paper whose stomachs could bear such aliment as the inclosed papers contain. they are far beyond even the Washington Federalist. to punish however is impracticable until the body of the people, from whom juries are to be taken, get their minds to rights; and even then I doubt it’s expediency. while a full range is proper for actions by...
78913[From Thomas Jefferson to James McClurg, 17 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 17 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mc.Lurg. Ballons—Fox and North—Secy. F.A. [Foreign Affairs]—Mrs. Cary.” Not found.]
78914Thomas Jefferson to Edwin Stark, 20 February 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter just recieved from mr Theus Collector of Charleston informs me he had forwarded to Norfolk two cases of wine addressed to your care. they contain 83. bottles of Florence wine. I do not know what duties or expences they may come charged with to your hands; but if you will have the goodness to forward them to mess rs Gibson & Jefferson my correspondents at Richmond , and to draw on them...
78915Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 25 March 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter by post yesterday desired you to send my goods from Washington by trusty boatmen. I did not then know that mr r R andolph ’s boats would go off to-day. as they are entirely trusty, I pray you to deliver to them whatever you may have for me. the molasses particularly will come safe by them. we are entirely unable to get cotton seed in this part of the country. mr Bacon at my request...
78916From Thomas Jefferson to Tench Coxe, 17 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not been inattentive at any time to the considerations which urged the availing the general government of your services; but my own principles, & the uniform doctrine of the Republicans that no man should be removed for a mere difference of political opinion, has allowed little to be done in the way of appointment. the office into which it would have been most natural to place you, was...
78917From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, 12 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
At my departure from Philadelphia, I said nothing to you about the Equatorial instrument , because the payment of my bills had left me with little more than would safely bring me home, and the inclosed note from Mr. Lieper for 238.58 Dollars was not put into my hands till the moment I was setting out. I now inclose it to you, merely to secure to myself the purchase of the instrument; for an...
78918From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 20 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 11th. an error of the post office had occasioned the delay. before an impartial jury Burr’s conduct would convict himself were not one word of testimony to be offered against him. but to what a state will our law be reduced by party feelings in those who administer it? why do not Blannerhasset, Dayton &c demand private & comfortable lodgings? in a country...
78919To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 26 October 1798 (Madison Papers)
The day after you left us, I sat down and wrote the petition I mentioned to you. It is not yet correct enough, & I inclose you a copy to which I pray your corrections, and to return it by the next post, that it may be set in motion. On turning to the judiciary law of the US. I find they established the designation of jurors by lot or otherwise as now practiced in the several states ; should...
78920Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 7 September 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
On the subject of the Academy or College proposed to be established in our neighborhood, I promised the trustees that I would prepare for them a plan, adapted in the first instance to our slender funds, but susceptible of being enlarged either by their own growth or by accession from other quarters. I have long entertained the hope that this our native state would take up the subject of...
78921From Thomas Jefferson to Elisha Tracy, 9 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 30. was recieved yesterday and I thank you for the information it contained. it shall be used for the public good only and without compromitting you. the facts it states mark a combination of moral and political depravity which I had hoped less extensive in our country than it seems to be. We have recieved letters from mr Pinckney to the 30th. of May; but they contain...
78922VII. Thomas Jefferson to Philip Freneau, 13 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson sends to Mr. Frenau a list of persons in Charlottesville who have desired to receive his paper. This mail should go by the Friday morning’s post always, which will meet the Charlottesville post at Richmond on the Thursday evening following, and on Saturday the mail will be at Charlottesville. Thos. J. will pay Mr. Frenau the necessary advances as soon as he will be so good as...
78923Thomas Jefferson’s Essay on New England Religious Intolerance (Draft), [ca. 10 January 1816] (Jefferson Papers)
you judge truly that I am not afraid of the priests. they have tried upon me all their various batteries, of pious whining, hypocritical canting, lying & slandering, without being able to give me one moment of pain. I have contemplated their order from the Magi of the East to the Saints of the West, and I have found no difference of character, but of more or less caution, in proportion to the...
78924To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 August 1801 (Madison Papers)
Your’s of the 26th. by Doctr. Bache came duly to hand: and I now return you all the papers you inclosed except the commission for the Marshal of New Jersey, which I retain till I see you, which Dr. Bache gives me hopes will be the ensuing week, & I suppose will of course be the day after tomorrow, as you will then be free from the pressure of the post. I inclose with those papers, for perusal,...
78925From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 20 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the honor of your Excellency’s letter of the 18th. instant, and will avail myself of the first occasion of transmitting it to Congress. The pleasure of meeting your desire, will, I am persuaded, induce them to do for Mr. Dumas whatever the establishment which they think themselves bound to keep up at the Hague, together with the rules to which they have submitted all their...
78926From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Moore, 3 March 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
My memory is so entirely in default that I do not remember a single circumstance respecting the devices on our coins except that some one having proposed to put Gen l Washington’s head on them it was entirely objected to, and the head of Liberty adopted—but whether with or without the Pileus I do not remember: but surely it ought to be without it, for we are not emancipated slaves. I have...
78927From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 26 April 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
In pursuance of the act entitled ‘ an act supplemental to the act intituled an act for an amicable settlement of limits with the state of Georgia, and authorizing the establishment of a government in the Missisipi territory’ James Madison Secretary of State, Albert Gallatin Secretary of the treasury, and Levi Lincoln Attorney General of the US. were appointed Commissioners to settle by...
78928Payments Made by Virginia for the United States, May 1779 to July 1780, [19 July 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
Monies answered for the Continent from May 21. 1779. to July 19. 1780. Quarter master’s departmt. 1. Charles Petitt £294,000 2. William Finnie 750,000 3. George Elliot 735,000.13 4. Stephen Southall 196,442 5. Gressitt Davies 10,800 6. Richard Young 10,000 Commissary’s. 7. Chaloner & White 705,000 8. Robert Forsyth 173,200 9. Ephraim Blaine
78929Thomas Jefferson to David Copeland, 25 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday by your son a copy of a summons in the suit of Gilliam v. Fleming E t al. and have given him a proper acknolegement of it. altho’ not interested one cent in the issue of this suit (because whichever party is debtor to the other I pay a third & recieve a third) yet no one living is more anxious to have a final settlement of it than myself. having been the depository of the...
78930Paragraphs for the President’s Annual Message to Congress, 15 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The interests of a nation, when well understood, will be found to coincide with their moral duties. Among these it is an important one to cultivate habits of peace and friendship with our neighbors. To do this we should make provision for rendering the justice we must sometimes require from them. I recommend therefore to your consideration Whether the laws of the Union should not be extended...
78931From Thomas Jefferson to James Swan, 23 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor to present his compliments to Mr. Swan and to express his regret that his absence today prevented him the pleasure of seeing him. He now returns him his letters in which he finds a great deal of good matter, and many useful views. In the course of perusing them, Mr. Jefferson noted on a bit of paper the following doubts, the importance and justice of which are...
78932From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 24 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The cargo, ostensible destination, ownership & other circumstances respecting the ship Lorenzo of New York, leave not a doubt but that fraud is intended. let her therefore be detained. As the law for laying permanent protecting duties will pass through your hands, I take the liberty of depositing with you the inclosed letter from mr Strong of Philadelphia, giving an account, & a specimen of...
78933Thomas Jefferson to William Jones, 26 October 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
When I lately addressed you on the subject of a bank at Lynchburg , I little expected to be so soon called on to trouble you a second time. these two calls on me however have stood on grounds too peculiar to induce a fear of repetition, and therefore I proceed to obey the 2 d as I did the 1 st . there is an idea that branches of the National b bank will be established at Petersburg & Lynchburg...
78934From Thomas Jefferson to George Weedon, 11 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The enemy moved down the river from Westover yesterday. I wrote by express to Genl. Nelson this morning to desire that if they should pass Burwell’s ferry (which would prove that they mean nothing against Wmsburg or York) he would in that point of time send off an express to you that you might thereby know that your whole attention should be pointed to Fredsbg. They have had the winds at their...
78935From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 24 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The address of the Ward committees of Philada on the subject of removals from office was recieved at Washington on the 17th. inst. I cannot answer it, because I have given no answers to the many others I have recieved from other quarters. you are sensible what use an unfriendly party would make of such answers by putting all their expressions to the torture: and altho’ no person wishes more...
78936From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Lomax, 12 March 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
Your welcome favor of the last month came to my hands in Philadelphia. so long a time has elapsed since we have been separated by events that it was like a letter from the dead, and recalled to my memory very dear recollections. my subsequent journey through life has offered nothing which in comparison with those is not [cheerless?] & dreary. it is a rich comfort sometimes to look back on...
78937Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 1 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 29 . William Johnson of Milton has two boats on the river & is now engaged in carrying down my crop, of which he carried to you 40. Bar. of flour the last week, being the first load he had taken for me. he attends his boats himself and may be trusted with the oil, spirits of turpentine or any thing else of mine, except that I would not have my plaister...
78938From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Tiffin, 30 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns the inclosed to mr. Tiffin with his thanks for the communication. he cannot foresee what shape Burr’s machinations will take next. if we have war with Spain, he will become a Spanish General. if with England, he will go to Canada and be employed there. internal convulsion may be attempted if no game more hopeful offers, but it will be a difficult one, and the more so as...
78939From Thomas Jefferson to the North Carolina Board of War, 23 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry that it is utterly out of our Power to furnish a single stand of Arms for the Use of your Troops. After making reasonable Deductions we have right to expect, that 5000 or 5,500 Regulars and Militia will march from this State to yours in the Course of this and the ensuing Month; for these we have but 3000 Stand of Arms. I have apprised Congress and General Washington of this and...
78940Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 23 December 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the requisitions of the law, I now transmit to the President and Directors of the Literary fund , for communication to the legislature , the annual Report of the Visitors of the University of Virginia , bearing date the 7 th of October last . at that date the regular books were not yet compleated which were under preparation for the purpose of exhibiting a clear and methodical...
78941From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel L. Hylton, 3 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 25. came to hand last night after the departure of the vessel which had brought my tobacco but I will avail myself of the first other one which shall be going to Richmond to send your looking glasses. To save you all the trouble in my power about the sale of the lands, I have prepared all the necessary papers, as far as could be done, and now inclose them. There is, in the...
78942From Thomas Jefferson to J. B. McGruder, 7 May 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
The request, my dear gentlemen; of your letter recieved the day before yesterday, has greater difficulties than you are aware of. whether buildings erected by the public for appropriate purposes, and committed to the trust and safe-keeping of the visitors, can lawfully be applied by them to purposes different from the trust, may well be questioned. another evil is that if once we permit...
78943From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 3 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favor of the second instant . The reason for my importing harness from England is a very obvious one. They are plated, and plated harness is not made at all in France as far as I have learnt. It is not from a love of the English but a love of myself that I sometimes find myself obliged to buy their manufactures. I must make one observation with respect to the use I make of...
78944Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 5 June 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday a letter from mr Yancey informing me that on the 25 th of May he sent off 7. hhds of tob o for me, and I learnt at the Shadwell mills that they had sent off 89. barrels of flour. both articles I trust are with you by this time. I therefore put under your cover two letters for Glinn & co. and Fr. Mayo , covering orders on you the former for 100.D. the latter for 127.12 ½ D...
78945From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 5 January 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The late Secretaries of State and of the Treasury & late Attorney General having been appointed Commissioners under the act entitled ‘An act for an amicable settlement of limits with the state of Georgia, and authorising the establishment of a government in the Missisipi territory,’ and the act supplementory thereto passed on the 10th. of May 1800. I now nominate, in their stead, the present...
78946From Thomas Jefferson to William C. C. Claiborne, 7 March 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I ask the favor of you to deliver the inclosed letters to the President of the Council & Speaker of the H. of Representatives of the Missisipi territory. they contain answers to the resolutions they were pleased to forward to me. I am gratified by their testimony to the world that I have done right in refusing to continue Governor Sargeant. as to his statement of the conversation between him...
78947From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Rush, 24 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your friendly favor of the 12th and the pleasing sensations produced in my mind by it’s affectionate contents. I am made very happy by learning that the sentiments expressed in my inaugural address give general satisfaction, and hold out a ground on which our fellow citizens can once more unite. I am the more pleased, because these sentiments have been long &...
78948From Thomas Jefferson to George Sullivan, 8 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of the 2d. desiring permission to have a machine for spinning wool, cotton & flax, invented in Paris, brought in the public vessel now about to sail from New York for France. in consideration of the public utility of introducing such a machine, the Secretary of the Treasury will give notice to the captain at New York that he is permitted to bring it. as the...
78949Thomas Jefferson to Francis W. Gilmer, 28 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry it is not in my power to furnish you any documents on the subject of the Louisiana boundary. all these went with my library. soon after the acquisition of that country, I investigated it’s history & boundaries minutely, made out a Chronological series of it’s historical events, and formed a memoir establishing it’s boundaries from Perdido to the Rio Bravo . these were sent to our...
78950From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 22 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose a letter from Jefferson to Ellen which I presume will inform the family of his health. I sent for your perusal last week a letter from Dr. Wistar strongly urging his attendance on the chemical lectures. we had supposed, you know, that it would be best for him to confine himself, while at Philadelphia, to those branches of science for which that place has peculiar advantages, that is...