79051Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Brown, 10 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the copy of your Medical electricity which you have been so kind as to send me . I concur entirely in the opinion expressed by D r Mitchell in his letter to you that ‘facts are the foundation of all useful knolege in Physics,’ and those you have collected will doubtless bring into notice the process they recommend. these merit our thanks, & every thing has my good wishes which...
79052From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your two letters without date on the subjects now to be answered. I do not see any objection to the appointment of mr Cocke as Agent at Martinique. that of a Consul at Mogadore is on more difficult ground. a Consul in Barbary is a diplomatic character, altho’ the title does not imply that. he recieves a salary fixed by the legislature; being independant of Simpson we...
79053From Thomas Jefferson to D’Anmours, 30 November 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor from Baltimore and shall carefully attend to the notifying you of the arrival of any fleet here from your nation or other circumstance which I may think interesting to you. The enemy have left us as you will before have heard. Tho’ I do not wish for new occasions of calling together my countrymen to try their valour, yet I really wish, as they were called together that...
79054To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 8 March 1801 (Adams Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his respects to Mr. Adams and incloses him a letter which came to his hands last night; on reading what is written within the cover, he concluded it to be a private letter, and without opening a single paper within it he folded it up & now has the honor to inclose it to Mr Adams, with the homage of his high consideration and respect. MHi : Adams Papers.
79055From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 21 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure of informing you on the 14th. inst. that I supposed the inoculation of the kine pox to have taken effect in two subjects. these were from the matter you were kind enough to send July 24. that of July 26. succeeded with 2. others. that of Aug. 1. with 4. on the 16th. inst. we inoculated from the 2. first subjects 15. others, 14. of whom very evidently have the infection, so...
79056From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, 17 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As the moment of my departure approaches, I take the liberty of recalling to your mind the order I have sollicited for the delivery of our arms and stores at Nantes, arrested there by Schweighauser & Dobrée. I am very anxious to be enabled to give final orders on that subject before I go, and therefore am obliged to be troublesome to you about it.—I have the honor to be with sentiments of the...
79057From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 28 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to ask the Favor of you to proceed immediately to Hampton to procure a number of the best and most trusty river and Bay Pilots. If you cannot otherwise get them you must force them into the Service. Immediately on your arrival at Hampton wait on the Commanding Officer of his most Christian Majesty’s Fleet to know the Number of Pilots wanting, and to receive and forward by express to me...
79058From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 12 October 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Brockenbrough was before desired to remit to Gen l Dearborn Collector of Boston on the marble capitels arrived there Freight from Leghorn to Boston 795.30 Expenses in Boston 17.50 Insurance 72.28 885.08 [note in Brockenbrough’s hand?] : Nov 9 ’25 Voucher rec d he is now desired to remit to Jonathan Thompson, Collector of New York on the bases & pavement arrived there Duties on 31. cases. @...
79059Thomas Jefferson to Theodosius Hansford, 7 April 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of Mar. 15. with the books stated in the catalogue it covered, and the natural substances accompanying them, and on behalf of the Visitors and of the University I return you thanks for this kind donation. they shall be carefully preserved, and faithfully delivered to that institution so soon as it opens. I hope it will become worthy of the favors of which you...
79060Report on Petition of Charles Colvill, 14 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, to whom was referred, by the House of Representatives, the Petition of Charles Colvill, praying to be paid the Amount of his Ransom from the Algerines, and of his Travelling Expenses, and that Measures be taken for procuring the Ransom of his late Fellow-Captives, with Instructions to examine the same, and report his Opinion thereon, has had the same under Examination,...
79061Thomas Jefferson to William W. Hening, 11 March 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having concluded to replace by my library the one which they lost by British Vandalism, it is now become their property, and of course my duty to collect and put in place whatever belongs to it. this obliges me to request of you the return of the V th vol. of my Collection of the Virginia laws, being that in which the Sessions acts were bound together. should there be in the volume...
79062From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 18 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor, Madam, to send you the Memoire of M. de Calonne . Do not injure yourself by hurrying it’s perusal. Only, when you shall have read it at your ease, be so good as to send it back, that it may be returned to the Duke of Dorset. You will read it with pleasure. It has carried comfort to my heart, because it must do the same to the king and the nation. Tho’ it does not prove M....
79063From Thomas Jefferson to Jacob Crowninshield, 21 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Crownenshield & incloses him the six dollars for the dumb fish he was so kind as to send him: he returns him his thanks for the trouble he has taken, and is encouraged hereafter to make use of his friendly offices in the same way. DLC : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
79064Thomas Jefferson to Henry Sheaff, 26 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 16 th is recieved, and I regret that I troubled you with an application so improsed improper . it had been long since I had had correspondence with you, and I was led to suppose your continuance in business by the Philadelphia Directory in f which I found your name, as a still a wine-merchant, and at the old stand. I still learn with more regret the bodily affliction under...
79065Thomas Jefferson to Henry Meigs, 5 April 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his thanks to the honorable mr Meigs for the copy of his speech of Feb. 25 . on the Missouri question, his wishes that it may never again be revived, his congratulations in that event, and, under all events, the assurance of his high respect. PoC ( DLC ); on verso of reused address cover to TJ; dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ as a letter to Meigs “of Congress.”...
79066Thomas Jefferson to Henry Middleton, 8 January 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 25 . was a month on it’s passage to me. I recieved with great pleasure this mark of your recollection, heightened by the assurance that the part I have acted in public life has met your approbation. having seen all other the people of all other nations bowed down to the earth under the wars & prodigalities of their rulers, I have cherished their opposites, peace, economy, &...
79067To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, March 1809 (Madison Papers)
Information having been recieved in October last that many intruders had settled on the lands of the Cherokees & Chickasaws; the letter from Genl. Dearborn to Colo. Meigs was written to have them ordered off, & to inform them they would be removed by military force in the spring if still on the lands. These orders remain still to be given, & they should go to the officer commanding at...
79068Thomas Jefferson to Henry Guegan, 4 November 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
The box of books came to hand yesterday, safely and in good order, and I shall immediately write to Cap t Bernard Peyton , my correspondent in Richmond , to remit you the sum of 43 D–50 C, as in this inland situation we have no course of Exchange but thro’ Richmond . I was gratified by the Catalogue of classical books, as it makes known to me some editions which I had not before known of. I...
79069Thomas Jefferson to Clifton Garland, 7 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have examined the account of the Mutual insurance co. which you put into my hands. so much of it as respects the houses at Monticello is right: but the account for what the mill house which was the property of the Hendersons , I have nothing to do with, having never purchased nor owned it. it was excepted out of all my deeds. but indeed that account lies against nobody; for on their being...
79070Jefferson’s Advertisement for Sale of Elk Hill, [after 10 January 1790] (Jefferson Papers)
For Sale in Virginia The lands called Elk-hill on James river and the Byrd creek, adjacent to Elk-island, in Goochland, containing 669 acres, in two parcels, separated from each other about 50 rod, through which interval a public road passes. The one parcel contains 307. acres, of which there are between 50. and 60. of the best James river lowgrounds, about 200 acres of highland of rich red...
79071[From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 8 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 8 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Madison. Wms.bg. Diary of weather enclosed. Tender of service to College—valedictory.” Letter and enclosure not found.]
79072To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 October 1793 (Washington Papers)
I was the day before yesterday honored with your favor of the 7th inst. by post and yesterday I received that of the 11th by express from Colo. Carrington. I will take care to be at Germantown by the 1st of the month. as the ploughing thro the roads of the month of January would be disagreeable with my own horses, I shall send them back from Fredericksburg, for which place I will set out...
79073From Thomas Jefferson to George W. Erving, 16 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress have appropriated a sum of money to the procuring books for their use. about one half of it was laid out in London the last year, but at such prices as forbid an application to the same bookseller. mr Duane is employed this year to make the importation, partly from Paris, partly from London, & to execute the details. but, as I am anxious to have it known that the public money must be...
79074From Thomas Jefferson to James Lackington, 12 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night your catalogue, and the post being to set out this morning I send you, on the next leaf , a list of those I wish to take. The warning being too short to procure a bill of exchange and send it by this post, it shall follow by the next which leaves this place four days hence. In the mean time be so good as to pack the books in a light box, and after four days from your...
79075Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton, 25 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
This indenture made between Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in Albemarle and Craven Peyton of the same county witnesseth that whereas the said Craven hath purchased from John R. Kerr & Sarah his wife, James L. Henderson , Isham Henderson & Charles Henderson (which said Sarah, James L. Isham and Charles are children & co-heirs with six others to Bennet Henderson late of Albemarle aforesd) their...
79076From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Griffin, James Southall, and Robert Anderson, 17 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
A number of Horses having been impressed for the use of the army collecting before Portsmouth and having been valued in the ordinary way to such prices as no State could pay nor should any man wish to receive, the General Assembly have come to the resolution now inclosed. The Executive for the Purpose of carrying it into Execution beg the favor of you or any two of you to undertake the...
79077From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 5 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last of June 17. 1787. I had the honor of communicating to you the information I had received from Mr. Grand that your funds here were out, and he considerably in advance. I took occasion to mention to him the paragraph in your letter of Feb. 17. wherein you were so kind as to say your attention should be immediately turned to the making a remittance. However I understood soon after that...
79078From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 26 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
We are this moment informed by a person who left Richmond since the 22d. that the prosecution of Burr had begun under very inauspicious symptoms by the challenging & rejecting two members of the grandjury as far above all exception as any two persons in the US. I suppose our informant is inaccurate in his terms, & has mistaken an objection by the criminal & voluntary retirement of the...
79079From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 28 February 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 23d. was recieved last night and I have this day desired mr Barnes to get a bushel and a half of clover seed for mr Craven to be forwarded to you from this place or Philadelphia without delay. although the 400. bushels of coal desired from you would last through the summer, yet I would rather recieve from you double that quantity than be obliged to buy here, where indeed it is not...
79080Thomas Jefferson’s Estimate of Material Needed for Shadwell Milldam, [ca. 5 July 1822] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimate. for milldam stretchers. 10. of 40 f. each reach across the river 8. tier of them (4. on each side) 80. trees tiers 50. to each course × 4 courses 200. tiers each of the 80 stretchers will give 1. 80 120. more
79081Thomas Jefferson to George Watterston, 20 June 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have formerly mentioned, either in some letter written to you, or in a note in the MS. catalogue, that I had cut the print of Americus Vespucius out of the book containing his life, & lent it to mr Delaplane to be copied. it is just now returned to me, very much sullied: but as it is the original, it should be pasted again into the work, for which purpose I now inclose it . you will readily...
79082From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 22 April 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I transmit to both houses of Congress a letter from the Envoy of his Britannic Majesty at this place to the Secretary of state on the subject of certain British claims to lands in the territory of Missisipi, relative to which several acts have been heretofore passed by the legislature. DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
79083I. Draft of the Annual Message, 25 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Aggressions in the W. Indies & in our harbours. To a people, fellow citizens, who sincerely desire the happiness and prosperity of other nations, to those who justly calculate that their own prosperity is advanced by that of the nations with which they have intercourse, it will be a satisfaction to observe that the war which was lighted up in Europe a little before our last meeting, has not...
79084Circular to Consuls and Vice-Consuls, 14 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Purposing to retire from my office at the close of our first constitutional period of four years, which takes place on the 3d. of March next, I am to beg the favor of you to direct your future public letters to ‘the Secretary of State for the U.S of America at Philadelphia’ by title and not by name, until that of my successor shall be known to you, to avoid the delay, risk and expence of their...
79085Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 30 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I returned from Bedford a week ago, after an absence of 6. weeks, and found here the Palladio , with your two favors of Nov. 29. & Dec. 1 & with 3. from D r Cooper , written before he had recieved
79086Thomas Jefferson to John Mitchell, 7 March 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 26. is just recieved, and I learn with great satisfaction that the object of the public liberty to which you devoted your services in the field, has been still that of your retirement and has been maintained on the most correct principles. it is a subject of much regret when those who have performed all their duties faithfully to their country, become from any circumstances...
79087From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Livingston, 1 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
I some days ago recieved a letter from Messrs. Denniston & Chetham of the most friendly kind, asking the general grounds on which the Nolle prosequi in Duane’s case ought to be presented to the public, which they proposed to do. you are sensible I must avoid committing myself in that channel of justification, & that were I to do it in this case I might be called on by other printers in other...
79088From Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 16 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I now inclose you catalogues of the books which are to be imported for Congress and which you desired to have placed under your procurement . I have written to mr Short at Paris and mr Erving at London to superintend the purchase in order that the books & their prices may be such as they approve, and I have inclosed them copies of the catalogues; so that your correspondent will have to obtain...
79089Notes on the Payment of the Public Debt, [ca. 28 March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
In how many years will a Debt bearing int. @ 6 pr. Ct. be extinguished by equal annual payments of 7. 8. 9. or 10. pr. ct. on acct of principal & interest? Answer. If the question be reversed the solution is equally easy. viz. What must the equal annual payments be to extinguish a debt in 20 years at 6. per cent? Answer 8.71845 pr. cent on the debt. See Bache’s paper Mar. 2. 93. The rule thus...
79090From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 13 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 23d. of July. yours of the 13th. of the same month. I am now within a week or ten days of my departure, tho’ not decided whether by Havre or Lorient. The latter port is inconvenient, but there is a vessel there which suits me. The former port much more eligible, but no certainty yet of a vessel there. But if none before the 23d. I set out for Lorient. They have...
79091From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 25 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry to be obliged to hasten your return to this place, & pray that it may be without a moment’s avoidable delay. the capture of the Chesapeak by a British ship of war renders it necessary to have all our council together. the mail is closing. Affectionate salutations. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
79092From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Norborne Nicholas, 2 November 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
[Your] favor inclosing the pamphlet came safe to hand. it was written [with that energy of] […] which distinguished everything from the same author. I [had] during the [last winter] read with great pleasure the letter to Judge Addison . it is an unanswerable […] of the [new] [usurpa]tion the federal government is […] about to add to their list, but [all the others] have been petty […] things...
79093From Thomas Jefferson to Brissot de Warville, 11 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sensible of the honour you propose to me of becoming a member of the society for the abolition of the slave trade. You know that nobody wishes more ardently to see an abolition not only of the trade but of the condition of slavery: and certainly nobody will be more willing to encounter every sacrifice for that object. But the influence and information of the friends to this...
79094From Thomas Jefferson to Arthur S. Brockenbrough, 27 June 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I approve of the position for the stables which you propose, provided it be exactly in the line designated, that is to say, provided their front is exactly in the range of the line of the future row of Hotels E t c on the opposite sides of East & West streets. Perry’s deed is not in my possession. I think he took it to have it recorded, and I suppose you will find it in the clerk’s office....
79095Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 9 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
In directing the distribution of the pork for this season I believe I omitted to state that 10. hogs should be kept for my use at Poplar Forest as usual. if there is any old bacon left it will be acceptable here when the waggon brings the pork. you will be so good as to inform me on what day our waggon should be there to join Dick ’s in bringing the pork, butter E t c. I propose to send Phill...
79096From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed , by the Director of the Mint , that an impediment has arisen to the coinage of the precious Metals, which it is my Duty to lay before you. It will be recollected, that, in pursuance of the Authority, vested in the President, by Congress, to procure Artists from abroad, if necessary, Mr. Drotz, at Paris, so well known by the superior style of his coinage, was engaged for our...
79097From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Deblois, 19 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has taken the liberty of sending 2. boxes marked TI. No. 1. & No. 2. by the packet (Capt Johnson) of to-day, to the care of mr Deblois, of whom he requests the favor to send them by the first vessel going to Richmond, to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of that place. their freight will be paid there. he salutes mr Deblois with esteem & respect. ViU .
79098From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 8 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of May 17, since which I have recieved your’s of Apr. 1. May 1. and June 10. I had desired my correspondent in Richmond, Col o Bernard Peyton to procure a bill of excha. on London which will nett there 500.D. clear of exchange payable to mr Sam l Williams on your account to whom I have written to remit the same to you. I just now recieve his information that is done,...
79099Thomas Jefferson to David Gelston, 4 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of Nov. 24. and am very thankful for your kind attention to forward my books to Richmond promptly and without waiting my answer. the advance of the season which renders them more liable to loss or injury makes this dispatch interesting. I return you mr Beasley’s letter, and inclose also Debure’s letter & invoice of the cost of the books. as soon therefore as...
79100From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Carroll Brent, 10 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
On a suggestion that Judges Kelty & Marshall who pronounced sentence on Mc.Gurk were divided as to the recommending him to mercy I reprieved him that the opinion of judge Craunch might be obtained, who had also sat on the trial. I have this day recieved his opinion against a pardon. this is known to the criminal; and I have good information that, seeing all other hope cut off, he means to try...