79141Thomas Jefferson to Hugh White, 25 April 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the rev d mr White, and his thanks for the pamphlet he has been so kind as to send him. the questions this presents are certainly difficult, and mr White has done what alone can be done, he has presented ingenious views of them. Th:J. has long ago abandoned them as insoluble but by understandings limited as ours are, and believes it to be the case...
79142From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been prevented acknoleging sooner the receipt of yours of April 30. by an attack of the periodical head ach which came on me the 1st. of May, and has not yet quitted me. The first week was violent, the rest has been moderate and for these 10. days past I have been able to do business. This will be delivered you by Mr. Garland Jefferson, a relation of ours, of whom I receive a great...
79143From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Knox, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
On the hasty view which the shortness of time permits me to take of the treaty of Hopewell, the act of cession of N. Carolina and the act of acceptance by Congress, I hazard the following sentiments. Were the treaty of Hopewell, and the act of acceptance of Congress to stand in any point in direct opposition to each other, I should consider the act of acceptance as void in that point: because...
79144Thomas Jefferson to Francis Adrian Van der Kemp, 16 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
I learn with real concern that the editor of the Theological Repository possesses the name of the author of the Syllabus. altho he coyly witholds it for the present, he will need but a little coaxing to give it out and to let loose upon him the genus irritabile vatum , there and here. be it so. I shall recieve with folded arms all their hacking & hewing. I shall not ask their passport to a...
79145From Thomas Jefferson to William Bache, 1 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of June 19. was not recieved till the 28th. I immediately consulted with mr Gallatin and we concluded that it would be best that you should proceed immediately, or as early as you can, to New Orleans , where you will be able by your advice to assist mr Clarke in making such arrangements for the season, as it’s advancing state and our limited funds will permit. you consequently recieve...
79146From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 26 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. inst. came safely to hand with the several matters accompanying it. as the longer the vaccine matter should be unemployed, I knew the chance of it’s success would be the less, I thought it would be more likely to answer your benevolent views by having it employed here rather than risking it by a further mission to Virginia. I therefore put it immediately into the hands...
79147From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Fleming, 11 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in Philadelphia your letter of June 8. but it was not in my power to answer it from thence, because all my papers and memorandums respecting my Law practice are here. I have now diligently examined these, and find that I was employed in May 1771. in the case of Leigh v. West, an action of debt on a bond removed by Habeas Corpus. None of my memorandum’s shew whether I was ever...
79148[From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 27 December 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Richmond, 27 Dec. 1780. Extract from Stan V. Henkels’ sale catalogue, 20 May 1913 (William C. Gibson sale), lot 12 (an A.L.S., 1 p.): “Congress have determined that their troops shall be paid off from the 1st day of August in their new money of Mar. 18, consequently if for want of that you pay off in depreciated money, they have a right to receive forty times as much, that is forty times...
79149From Thomas Jefferson to William Gardiner, 11 September 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The nomination of the principal officers of the government only resting with me, and all subordinate places being in the gift of those immediately superintending them, I return you the letters you were pleased to inclose me as they may be useful to you should you propose to make application to those directly who have the appointment in their several lines. if any vacancy be to be found it is...
79150From Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 20 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 8th. came to hand only two days ago & I hasten to say I shall be glad to recieve mr Martin’s drill whenever it can be ready. during the present interruption of commerce we send an Aviso every 6. weeks to France & England for the purposes of public & mercantile correspondence, and in any one of these I can send the drill. I have recieved the plough from the Agricultural...
79151Thomas Jefferson to James Lyon, 5 September 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the copy of a letter I have recieved from a James L. Edwards of Boston . you will percieve at once it’s swindling object. it appeals to two dead men, and one (yourself) whom he supposes I cannot get at. I have written him an answer which may perhaps prevent his persevering in the attempt, for the whole face of his letter betrays a consciousness of it’s guilt. but perhaps he may...
79152From Thomas Jefferson to John Smith, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of your Latin grammar, by post for which I pray you to accept my thanks. my occupations will probably not permit me immediately to have the satisfaction which I have no doubt I shall derive from the perusal of it: but I am pleased with every effort to facilitate the acquisition of the Greek & Latin languages. I do not give into the modern doctrine that the time...
79153From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 13 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am instructed by the President of the US. to forward to you the inclosed petition from Ezra Fitz Freeman , on behalf of his son Clarkson Freeman, and to ask the favor of your information of the circumstances of the case of the said Clarkson Freeman therein referred to, and your opinion on the different considerations weighing for and against the pardon therein prayed for. I have the honor to...
79154Notes on Tensions with Spain and Great Britain, 31 October 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
If S. strengthens shall we accept the insurrn of Bat. R. What measures on < Brit .> police of harbors power to Exve to forbid entrance of armed vessels altogether sub modo modificns to lay under our guns. to give up rudder to give security on disobedience. stop entry in that port in all ports cut off intercourse. gun boats
79155From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 6 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The draught of the letter is approved, & I should be much disposed to remove Backus, on a more detailed knolege of facts. Feb. 6. 07. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
79156From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 13 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a petition from Aaron Goff of Vermont praying the release of his son under age. the fact of infancy being established, the discharge becomes a matter of right. I have the pleasure to inform you that William Clarke accepts with great glee the office of going with Capt Lewis up the Missouri. in the moment of my departure from Washington mrs Madison informed me you had a thought...
79157From Thomas Jefferson to Those Appointed by Lafayette to Remove Horses out of the Route of the Enemy, 15 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
There being reason to apprehend that the two hostile Armies under Lord Cornwallis and Genl. Phillips will form a Junction and for that Purpose pass through this State along the Road from Petersburg to Halifax, I instructed the Lieutenants of the Counties lying in that Route to give notice to the Inhabitants to remove all Horses fit for Cavalry within twenty Miles of an Enemy’s Army and all...
79158From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President the letter of the National assembly to him of Dec. 22. 92. It’s most distinct object seems to have been to thank the U.S. for their succours to St. Domingo. It glances blindly however at commercial arrangements, and on the 19th. of Feb. the same assembly passed the decree putting our commerce in their dominions on the footing of natives...
79159Proposed Public Statement on Edmond Charles Genet, [ca. 16 December 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
A Question whether Mr. G. has threatened to appeal from the Pr. to the people of the US. has excited considerable attention, has been thought worthy of calling forth the evidence of the highest officers of the government and to justify the disclosure of the private consultations of the Exve. The performance of an official duty having connected me with the matter in question, I have been...
79160Thomas Jefferson to A. F. De Laage, [13] August 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
My intention of being soon at this place induced me to defer acknoleging your letter of Adieu until my arrival here I am sorry that in the place in which you have fixed your new residence, my acquaintance is so limited as to enable me to be of but little use to you. I inclose you however letters to mr Johnson , mr Harrison and mr Robertson , the only gentlemen there of my particular...
79161From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 May 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind sympathies in my late loss are a mark of your great friendship to me, and of the interest you are so good as to take in my happiness. it is indeed an inexpressible loss, and which, at my years, can hardly wear away. it is the more felt as it leaves, whatever of comfort remains, hanging on the slender thread of a single life. in the affections of our friends there is always great...
79162IV. Report on American Captives in Algiers, 28 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State, having had under Consideration the Situation of the Citizens of the United States in Captivity at Algiers, makes the following Report thereupon to the President of the United States. When the House of Representatives, at their late Session, were pleased to refer to the Secretary of State, the Petition of our Citizens in Captivity at Algiers, there still existed some...
79163Memorandum Books, 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Maryland & Pennsylva. currency 7/6 to the dollar. Jan. 1. Pd. for sundries for Patsy £3–17–6. 2. Pd. for washing 24/—Bell for books £8–5. 3. Recd. of Rob. Morris for the United States £175. Pd. contribution to American Philosoph. society 35/. 4. Pd. for books from Styner & Cist 27/6—repd. Bob 1/10½. Pd. for a box 22/6—pd. McIlhenny a taylor £14–18–8. 5. Pd. for mending gun lock 8/4. 6. Pd. for...
79164From Thomas Jefferson to William Kerr, 4 March 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Doctr. Kerr, and having occasion to deposit in the bank of Fredricksburg a sum of five hundred and ninety Dollars to be subject to the order of Byrd C. Willis esquire, he takes the liberty of addressing it to Doctr. Kerr personally & by note, as not being acquainted with the particular forms of the bank. he presents him the assurances of his...
79165To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 July 1791 (Madison Papers)
I have duly recieved your favours of June 27. & July 1. The last came only this morning. I now return Colo. Smith’s map with my acknolegements for the pamphlet & sight of the map. I inclose you a 60. Dollar bill, & beg the favor of you to remit 30. Dollars with the inclosed letter to Prince, also, as I see Maple sugar, grained , advertised for sale at New York in boxes of 400 lb. each, if they...
79166From Thomas Jefferson to William Strickland, 30 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I had the pleasure of hearing from you , of which I take all the blame on myself; acknoleging myself to be entirely the defaulter. with a mass generally before me which will not admit delay, I have suffered those things to lie too long which might bear some postponement without reproach. knowing your love of agriculture, and your skill in it, I could not pretermit the occasion...
79167From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 3 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter which came to me under cover of one from your mama. it was accompanied by a bundle too large for the post, & too small to be trusted by itself to the stage. I will send it under the care of the first person who shall be going on to Philadelphia, within my knolege. your box of books & that of the model of the mammoth’s head, did not leave Milton till a fortnight ago. they...
79168From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 6 February 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned in a former letter that 3. tons of nail rod, too large for my use, would be brought down from Monticello, & desired you to hold it till I could get mr Roberts’s order to whom it should be delivered in Richmond to his use. he now authorises me to have it delivered to Joseph Anthony, merchant in Richmond. I will ask the favor of you to do this, if the rod is come down, & to send me...
79169To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 19 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
The decision of the case of the British debts which was expected to have taken place at Richmond, being now deferred, Th: Jefferson has the honor of submitting to the President the draught of a letter to mister Hammond, asking an answer on the subject of the treaty of peace. AL , DNA : RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters; AL (letterpress copy), DLC : Jefferson Papers; LB , DNA : RG 59, George...
79170From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Pougens, 5 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the reciept of several letters from yourself and mr Short making a friendly tender of your services as a bookseller. but the fact is that my collection of books is now so extensive, & myself so far advanced in life that I have little occasion to add to it. being charged with procuring some books for Congress, and observing you had established a correspondence with mr Duane...
79171From Thomas Jefferson to Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams, 8 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your letter of the 28th. of July expressing a wish that your brother could find some emploiment in New Orleans in which his knolege of the French & Spanish languages might be made useful. it would have been pleasing to me to have been able to point out such an emploiment, & more so to add that any such was within my powers of appointment. but the only appointments I make...
79172To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1797 (Madison Papers)
My last was of the 8th. inst. I had inclosed you separately a paper giving an account of Buonaparte’s last great victory. Since that we recieve information that the preliminaries of peace were signed between France & Austria. Mr. Hammond will have arrived at Vienna too late to influence the terms. The victories lately obtained by the French on the Rhine were as splendid as Buonaparte’s. The...
79173From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Sheaff, 11 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to send me about half a gross of best claret by the first vessel coming to this place. Also to send for me to Richmond addressed to the care of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson a quarter cask of good dry Lisbon (the best of that quality is called Termo.) if you have not Lisbon which is dry and good, send Sherry. accept my salutations and best wishes. PoC ( MHi ); at foot of...
79174Thomas Jefferson to DeWitt Clinton, 30 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 11 th with the description it covered of the Otsego Basse. born and bred among mountains, I have had less opportunity of becoming acquainted with the fishy tribe, however interesting, than with any other the objects of natural history. I should expect that the great inland seas of our country, insulated as they are, would furnish many examples of...
79175From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 17 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to call at the office of Hope’s Philadelphia price-current, enter me as a subscriber and pay 3. dollars, the year’s subscription. the paper must be addressed to ‘Thomas Jefferson, Monticello, near Milton.’ affectionately yours Privately owned.
79176From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 6 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to send two tons of nailrod assorted from 6 d. to 20 d. sizes to Richmond addressed to messrs. Gibson & Jefferson for me, & with as little delay as possible. the suspension of intercourse by the fever has occasioned my nailery to be nearly out & it will be quite so before this supply arrives. mr Barnes will remit you immediately 45 D. 81 c the amount of the last bill now due. Accept...
79177From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 June 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
An indisposition, which is not yet entirely removed has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your kind letter of May 10. With respect to the Museums and Magazines I wait the arrival of my books and papers from Paris when I shall know what is wanting to complete my set. I inclose according to your desire my side of your account, against which you will be able to set off what you have...
79178[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel House, 20 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 20 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “S. House. Whether Harrison’s bill on Holker for 96. D. was paid into bank.” Not found.]
79179Thomas Jefferson to Fitzwhylsonn & Potter, 19 March 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Vest , postmaster of Milton , who committed the volumes of Edinburg review to the stage, which I sent you, thinks he shall be able to recover them. the difficulty has arisen by a change of the driver. he says they were left by the former driver at the old stage office. perhaps you can find them there. I have generally had a good deal of bookbinding to do, and am likely still to need it...
79180Instructions to Express Riders between Richmond and Cape Henry, [ca. 31 May 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
You are to proceed immediately to Hood’s and be there in constant readiness, never absenting yourself a moment from your quarters, nor suffering your horse to be out of your instantaneous command. Whenever you shall receive from the express who will be placed next to you any letter or paper from me to Majr. Galvan you will proceed without a moment’s delay by night and by day and without regard...
79181From Thomas Jefferson to James McClurg, 1 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Cassinove, a gentleman from Holland of distinction, wealth and merit, being to pay a visit to Richmond and Norfolk, I am desirous of making him known to the men of worth of my own country, and them also to him. On this principle permit me to bring you and him together, persuaded you will find a mutual gratification in each other’s society. He is particularly connected...
79182Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 25 April 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
On recieving from you mr Walker’s bill of prices (which I now inclose) I examined your account, which I had not done before, and soon found that mr Walker’s bill related only to grist mills. I therefore sent a messenger to him and asked him to state the prices of saw mill work, which he did. on comparing these with yours I found them very materially different. my original agreement for...
79183From Thomas Jefferson to John Armstrong, Jr., 30 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Stewart, widow of the late Genl. Stewart, proposing to go to France, in prosecution of a claim she has against that government, has asked of me a letter introductory to you, expressing my wish ‘that you should recognise her as an American lady, who has a claim to enforce, depending on it’s own merits, & recommending it, as far as it has merits, to your patronage.’ indispensable...
79184From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 20 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I forgot last night a very material circumstance in my calculation. The Farmers general are, by their bail, obliged to keep a certain provision of tobacco and snuff always on hand. I believe it is three years consumption. However for fear of error I will call it two years; because were the bail silent on this head they would certainly have always on hand one year’s stock ready for manufacture,...
79185To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 2 August 1788 (Adams Papers)
I have received with a great deal of pleasure the account of your safe arrival and joyful reception at Boston. mr̃ Cutting was so kind as to send me a copy of the address of the assembly to you & your answer, which with the other circumstances I have sent to have published in the gazette of Leyden, and in a gazette here. it will serve to shew the people of Europe that those of America are...
79186To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof the count de Moustier, successor to Monsr. de la Luzerne, would from his office need no letter of introduction to you or to any body. Yet I take the liberty of recommending him to you to shorten those formal approaches which the same office would otherwise expose him to in making your acquaintance. He is a great enemy to formality, etiquette, ostentation & luxury. He goes...
79187Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 21 March 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
I am indebted to you for mr Bowditch ’s very learned mathematical papers, the calculations of which are not for every reader, altho’ their results are readily enough understood. one of these impairs the confidence I had reposed in La Place ’s demonstration that the excentricities of the planets of our system could oscillate only within narrow limits, and therefore could authorise no inference...
79188To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 6 December 1807 (Madison Papers)
I return you the papers on Clarke’s claim, which indeed I have not considered with all the attention which should be done were this an ultimate decision, but my first impression is that the claim ought to be rejected. It is clearly a claim for money, not for land. The Commrs. of N. Y. were constituted a special court of justice to distribute the 30,000 D. of Vermont according to right, & they...
79189From Thomas Jefferson to John Joseph Rey, 7 February 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have perused the statement of grievances and impositions which you left with me, and find they are not of the class which the constitution has placed within Executive cognisance. their redress can only be obtained from the judiciary establishments, and through the accustomary instrumentality of the Attornies at law, who would be able to point out to you the measures which the law has placed...
79190I. Queries concerning Government, Labor, Commerce, &c., [ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. This query was originally framed by Hogendorp, but was employed by TJ only in New York and Connecticut; none of the replies for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire contains an answer to it.