79191From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 15 January 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
The posts of Detroit and Mackinac having been originally intended, by the governments which established and held them, as mere Depots for commerce with the Indians, very small cessions of land around them were obtained or asked from the Native proprietors, and these posts depended for protection on the strength of their garrisons. the principles of our government leading us to the emploiment...
79192Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, [before 6 June 1817] (Jefferson Papers)
The importance that the inclosed letters should safely reach their destination impels me to avail my self of the protection of your cover. this is an inconvenience to which your situation exposes you, while it adds to the opportunities of exercising yourself in works of charity. According to the opinion I hazarded to you , a little before your departure, we have had almost an entire change in...
79193Thomas Jefferson to Henry A. S. Dearborn, 31 October 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved your favor of the 17 th informing me of the arrival of my stores from Marseilles & that you will be so kind as to ship them by the first vessel to Col o Bernard Peyton my correspondent at Richmond . to this favor be pleased to add that of forwarding me by mail a note of the duties, freight and other charges which shall be immediately remitted to you. Presuming you must...
79194From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Munroe, 16 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson incloses to mr Monroe a resolution of the H. of Representatives & prays him, with as little delay as he can to make the statement required as to the articles within his department, to wit, the Capitol, President’s house, public offices, and other objects of public expence within the city of Washington under mr Monroe’s care, he will percieve that it goes back to the origin of the...
79195Thomas Jefferson to George W. Campbell, 15 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
Your kind favor of Sep. 9. was recieved here on my return after a long absence. it gives me the pleasing information of the improvement of your health, and I hope it will continue to improve so as to restore you again to the public councils. we have always need of the talents and integrity of our best citizens, and I believe as much so now as at any time. we call it indeed peace: but it is but...
79196From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 1 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which I had the honour of writing to Mr. Jay on the 30th. of Aug. 1785. and which announced to him the final settlement of the prize money due to Capt. Jones’s squadron, and the order of the Marechal de Castries that the mòney should be paid into his hands, I mentioned that that order could not be obtained but on my undertaking that, if it should appear there had been any French...
79197From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 14 June 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 7th. since which yours of the 3d. is recieved. your next (which I shall still be here to recieve on the 19th) will probably acknolege mine of May 31. and will perhaps be your last as you would see by mine of the 7th. that I should leave this on the 20th. which I still purpose. the new citizen or naturalization bill is past the Senate also. it requires 14. years...
79198Thomas Jefferson to John Devereux DeLacy, 23 July 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 8 th and entirely concur in opinion with you as to the ease & importance of the inland navigation from S t Mary’s to James river , and will certainly give it whatever aid may be in my power. as this may be best done by way of letters to those whom in on whom the measure would rest, I return you the blank petition. I go out so little & see so few people...
79199From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 9th. of August and since that have received yours of Aug. 23. I have not yet heard of Mr. Adams’s return to London, nor when that may be expected if it has not already taken place. I have nothing public and proper for the post. A letter from Mr. Barclay dated at Mogadore in July shews he was on his return. I impatiently wait an answer from Mr. Adams as...
79200Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 16 April 1821 (second letter) (Jefferson Papers)
My other letter of this date acknoleges yours of Oct. 10. and that of Nov. 2. & 24. is this moment recieved. this letter being on subjects particular between ourselves, I write it separately from that respecting the University and it’s Visitors , which of course must be submitted to their inspection and be placed on their files. I am glad that a remittance thro’ London is more convenient to...
79201Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Thweatt, 29 January 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Peter Lyons in his life time (1801) sent me some claim on mr Wayles as atty for Farrell & Jones . I inclosed it to mr Eppes & informed referred mr Lyons to him. I have just recieved a renewal of the claim from D r Lyons his son, which I send to you with a copy of my answer referring him to you.
79202Thomas Jefferson: Estimate of Funds and Expenditures for Central College/University of Virginia, 1818–1819 (Jefferson Papers)
D 1818 . proceeds of Glebes 3,280 .86 1 st & 2 d instalments of subscriptions 21,949 25,229 .86 D 1818 . 200. a
79203Thomas Jefferson to William Duane, 30 April 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote you my letter of Mar. 28. I had great confidence that as much at least could have been done for you as I therein supposed. the friend to whom I confided the business here, and who was and is zealous, had found such readiness, in those to whom he spoke, as left no other difficulty than to find the bank responsible. but the Auroras which came on while this was in transaction,...
79204Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, 26 May 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Apr. 5. of the last year ; since which I have recieved yours of Mar. 30. Apr. 25. May 2. Aug. 13. & Nov. 30. of the same year ; and all the articles announced in these are safely recieved also. those by the brig Planter , Anderson , to Petersburg
79205Thomas Jefferson to John Pitman, 2 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 4. has been duly recieved, & with it your addresses to the Tammany & Philermenian societies. in the former I find all the those sentiments of republican patriotism which distinguish every branch of the Tammany societies, and on which depend all the hopes of man of seeing one good government at least exist on the earth. I will add on the subject of the poem that if Homer &
79206From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. and a letter from Mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received Mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19....
79207From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 13 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marquis Fayette having desired a number of waggons and Saddle Horses and Colo. Pickering fixing the number of the former at 130 and of the latter at 50, We authorized the Continental Quartermaster to procure them. Lest he should fail however the State Quarter master is ordered to get as many as he can and to send them to be kept at your Camp under some careful person to be appointed by...
79208From Thomas Jefferson to John Garland Jefferson, 19 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some days delayed answering your letter of Apr. 27. to see whether any prospect would open of my complying with your desires from this quarter: but I assure you it is out of my power. A very capital disappointment in a sum of money, my share of which was 1000£. due under judgment and execution, and to have been received at Richmond in February last as was expected, has been delayed...
79209From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Skipwith, 26 December 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Our voyage from Hoors du monde was pretty easy. I determined at Mrs. Carr’s to divide the remaining part equally into two days by coming to the Byrd ordinary. A wretched place indeed we found it: but we could not have got up by any other division without the danger of lying in the woods. From there we came with your horses 15. miles to the stone quarry where my waggon horses met us, and...
79210From Thomas Jefferson to Brizard, 4 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a l’honneur de remercier Monsieur de Brizard de l’excellente ouvrage sur feu l’Abbé Mably, qu’il a eu la bonté de lui envoyer. L’eloge est vraiment digne de cet auteur celebre, et estimable autant que celebre. Ses ouvrages y sont analysés et characterisés de sorte à faire voir que l’analyste en feroit d’excellentes dans la meme genre s’il le voudroit. M. Jefferson prie très...
79211Thomas Jefferson’s Corrections to Biography in Public Characters, [ca. 3 June 1816] (Jefferson Papers)
pa. 220. line 3. born Apr. 2. 1743. 12. as Minister plenipot y in July 1784. & returned Dec. 1789. 221. at bottom. if I have had any merit as a member of our legislature it was in drawing and introducing the following laws , some of which were adopted when proposed & some afterwards. 1. a law forbidding the future importation of slaves.
79212From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, [23 November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
There is reason to believe that the appointment of a Consul to reside in this State on the part of his most Christian majesty either has been already or will shortly be made. I must submit to the general Assembly the expediency of considering whether our Laws have settled with precision the prerogatives and jurisdiction to which such a person is entitled by the usage of nations; and putting...
79213Memorandum Books, 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 1. Gave the following etrennes at court ₶ Valet de chambre de M. de Vergennes 96 Livery servants of do.
79214From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Ellery, 2 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The business of Supervisor for Rhode island being nearly finished it has become proper according to the provisions of the law to suppress the office and transfer the residuary duties of it to some other officer. as it has been thought that Newport has not had it’s due share of office, I have thought of making the transfer to some one of the officers of the US. there. mr Nichols & mr Slocum are...
79215Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 21 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Our last mail brought us your favor of the 14 th . the case of mr Johnson is thus. his last attendance was on the 4 th of Oct. 1819. at the meeting of Apr. 1820. he was prevented by the precedin g day being one of very close snow. at our meeting of Oct. 1820. he was confined in Amherst by a dangerous illness. this was known to the board and became a matter of consultation; and the words of the...
79216From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Chamberlayne, 24 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 8th. was recieved in due time. on considering it’s contents it appeared to me that the most eligible thing which could be done for your son would be to place him among the midshipmen of the Navy. this is a corps of young gentlemen of the best characters & standing from different parts of the Union who are destined for future commands in the Navy. the state of a midshipman is...
79217From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 12 February 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. inst. came to hand on the 6th. We the next day strewed some clover seed on moistened cotton. This is the 6th. day, and the plate has been set on the hearth every night. They have not sprouted; but I think they are swelled. By the next post we may probably decide whether they will sprout or not. The weather continues cold, snowy, and unfriendly to the labors of the field....
79218To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 5 September 1808 (Madison Papers)
The last post brought me the counteraddresses now inclosed. That from Ipswich is signed by 40. Persons, the town meeting which voted the petition consisted of 30. There are 500. voters in the place. The Counter address of Boston has 700. signatures. The town meeting voting the petition is said to have consisted of 500. In the draught of an answer inclosed, I have taken the occasion of making...
79219From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 July 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters from Edgehill mentioned that you had been indisposed but had got the better of it. having no letter from Edgehill by this mail I can only hope you continue well.—in a conversation with you on the subject of Jefferson’s going to Philadelphia you mentioned that mr Randolph thought of declining it, and I do not know whether I inferred rightly, from what you said that a supposed...
79220From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I communicate for information a copy of the speech of Arthur St. Clair , governor of the territory N.W. of the Ohio, delivered to the Convention assembled under the act of Congress for enabling that territory to form a constitution & for it’s admission into the union, which copy has been transmitted to me through authentic channels. This outrage on the justice and wisdom of the National...
79221From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Senate, 2 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
As the information contained in the enclosed extracts from a letter of Mr. Short’s lately received, has some relation to a subject now before the Senate, I have thought it my duty to communicate them, and have the honor to be with sentiments of the most profound respect and attachment, Sir Your most obedient and most humble Servant: PrC ( DLC ); in clerk’s hand, unsigned. Not recorded in SJL...
79222From Thomas Jefferson to James Simpson, 22 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Feb. 12. has been duly recieved, and I am to make you my acknolegements for your attention to the affairs of Mr. Barclay, and of the public in his hands. Colo. Humphreys is now authorised to settle those matters finally, to receive and dispose of all the public effects and monies confided to Mr. Barclay, and to him therefore I will refer you as to those remaining in your hands....
79223Thomas Jefferson to John Wood, 18 May 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I deferred answering your favor of Apr. 22. until I could mention it’s contents to the Visitors of the Central college , whose semiannual meeting was to take place on the 10 th inst. this however was a tribute of respect to your application, rather than from any expectation of effect from it; because circumstances had already put it beyond our power. our funds enable us, as yet, to establish...
79224From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 27 April 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I have learnt indirectly that mr Boudinot will shortly resign the office of Director of the mint. in that event I should feel very happy in confiding the public interests in that place to you. will you give me leave to send you the commission in the event of mr B’s resignation? I pray you to consider this as confidential, as what you write me shall be. Accept my friendly salutations. P.S. I...
79225From Thomas Jefferson to George Hay, 19 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 17th. was recieved last night. three blank pardons had been (as I expect) made up & forwarded by the mail of yesterday, and I have desired 3. others to go by that of this evening. you ask what is to be done if Bollman finally rejects his pardon & the judge decides it to have no effect? move to commit him immediately for treason or misdemeanor as you think the evidence will...
79226From Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 11 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson, with his compliments to Dr. Thornton returns him many thanks for the device of the Mace; and still more for his dissertation on the elements of language which he had read in manuscript with great satisfaction, but shall do it with more in print. RC ( DLC : Thornton Papers); addressed: “Doctr. Thornton.” PrC ( DLC ); on same sheet as PrC of TJ to William Stokes of this date. Tr (...
79227Jefferson’s Opinion on the Powers of the Senate Respecting Diplomatic Appointments, 24 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The Constitution having declared that the President ‘shall nominate , and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors other public ministers and consuls’ the President desires my opinion Whether the Senate has a right to negative the grade he may think it expedient to use in a foreign mission, as well as the person to be appointed? I think the Senate has no...
79228From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, [31] January [1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I went to breakfast with you according to promise, and you had gone off at 5. oclock in the morning. This spared me indeed the pain of parting, but it deprives me of the comfort of recollecting that pain. Your departure was the signal of distress to your friends. You know the accident which so long confined the Princess to her room. Madame de Corny too was immediately thrown into great alarm...
79229Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 3 September 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I am afraid I have kept your papers longer than you expected. mr Randolph ’s absence till within these two days has been the cause of it. they are valuable documents , and are now returned. with respect to the copy of my letter , I know it is safe in your hands, and I rely on your effectual care that it be kept out of the public papers. affectionately your’s RC ( ViU: TJP ); at foot of text: “...
79230Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 12 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Stevens’s case. I consider the annual act which appropriates a given sum to the expences of intercourse with foreign nations, as a sufficient authority to the President (the constitutional organ of foreign intercourse) to expend that sum for the purposes of foreign intercourse, at his discretion. if he abuses that discretion he is responsible for it in a constitutional way. the legal...
79231From Thomas Jefferson to Robley Dunglison, 16 June 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr Dunglison and begs leave to introduce to him Dr Caldwell one of the Professors of Transylvania College. He is highly considered in that institution, and very justly so. He is anxious to see our establishment, and especially to become acquainted with its professors, which good office, Th. J. requests Dr Dunglison to render him. Th. J. is going on...
79232Thomas Jefferson to James O. Morse, 30 April 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg to be excused from answering the question proposed to me in your favor of the 11 th inst. on the subject of the Candidates named for the next Presidency. I lay it down as a law to myself to take no part in that election. advice on such an occasion, were I even disposed qualified to give it, would incur a fearful responsibility. I shall be perfectly contented with any choice my...
79233From Thomas Jefferson to Abia Thorn, 25 September 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer Abia Thorn, of Phila a bricklayer by trade has done much of the brickwork of the University of Virginia, and besides some of the other buildings, of the best workmanship himself and partner executed the walls of the principal edifice the Rotunda, than which I believe more beautiful and faithful work has never been done in any country. he is moreover sober, industrious perfectly...
79234From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Waterhouse, 1 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to the enquiries of the benevolent Dr de Carro on the subject of the Upland, or Mountain rice, Oryza Mutica, I will state to you what I know of it. I first became informed of the existence of a rice which would grow in up-lands without any more water than the common rains, by reading a book of Mr. de Poyvre who had been governor of the Isle of France, who mentions it as growing there...
79235From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Hanson, 5 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Nov. 7. I informed you that on settling the affairs of the year there were expected to be 69,000 ℔. of tobacco to be appropriated to the making my annual payment of £500. sterl. to you and £200. sterl. to Kippen & co. Finding that tobacco of that quality would sell better here than in Virginia and probably better than in England I ordered so much as was at the warehouse to be...
79236From Thomas Jefferson to Etienne Lemaire, 17 August 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The barrel, boxes, & cases from Baltimore mentioned in your letter contain skins, furs, horns, bones, seeds, vases, & some other articles. being apprehensive that the skins & furs may be suffering, I would wish you to take them out, have them well dried & brushed, and then done up close in strong linen to keep the worm-fly out. as I do not know in which packages they are, it will be necessary...
79237From Thomas Jefferson to John Fitzgerald, 9 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Being much distressed for Cartridge boxes, and cartridge paper for muskets (most particularly the latter article) we find it necessary to purchase up immediately as much of both as we can. Having no particular agent in the neighborhood of Alexandria, we take the liberty of asking your exertions on behalf of the public on this occasion; and have hopes that in Alexandria and Baltimore you may be...
79238To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 31 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send the President draughts of letters on the subjects discussed in his presence the other day, meant merely as a ground-work for the gentlemen to propose amendments to. he shall be able to send another in the course of to-day, so that the whole would be ready for consideration tomorrow, if the President should think proper to have them considered before the...
79239From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 26 February 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Some statements have been lately recieved of the causes decided or depending in the courts of the Union, in certain states, supplementary, or corrective of those, from which was formed the general statement accompanying my message at the opening of the session. I, therefore, communicate them to Congress, with a report of the Secretary of State, noting their effect on the former statement, and...
79240From Thomas Jefferson to Deborah Stewart, 30 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the return of the post which brought me yesterday only your favor of May 22d. to acknowledge it’s reciept. it has been considered as a necessary rule that the President should not give letters of introduction or recommendation to persons going to other parts of the world, and from this rule there has not been a single instance of departure. altho’ prevented by this from...