79201From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 20 August 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of July 1. from Govr. Lewis recieved from the war office by the last post. It presents a full, & not a pleasant view of our Indian affairs West of the Misipi. as the punishment of the Osages has been thought necessary, the means employed appear judicious. first to draw off the friendly part of the nation, & then withdrawing the protection of the US. leave the other...
79202[From Thomas Jefferson to James McClurg, 8 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 8 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “McLurg. Jay’s appointment to F. O.—if should not accept Colo. Monroe will renew nomination.” Not found.]
79203From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 8. Since that yours of Feb. 1 . has come to hand; and I am in hopes I shall shortly receive from you the history of the last session of our assembly. I will pray you always to send your letters by the French packet which sails from N. York the 15th. of every month. I had made Neill Jamieson my postmaster general there, who will always take care of my letters and...
79204Thomas Jefferson to James Martin, 15 December 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your letter of the 2 d inst. of the two offers there made for my lands on Ivy creek , I do not hesitate to prefer that which proposes to pay the whole £1200. at three paiments of £400. each beginning on the 1 st day of April next . even this does not come up to my terms fully, as it offers the 1 st paiment on the 1 st of April , instead of in hand
79205To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 1 January 1793 (Washington Papers)
I have duly considered the translation of the letter of Dec. 27. from M. de la Forest stating that the French Consuls here have a right to recieve their salaries at Paris, that under the present circumstances they cannot dispose of their bills, and desiring that our government will take them as a remittance in part of the monies we have to pay to France. no doubt he proposes to let us have...
79206From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 5 May 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I am within a few minutes of setting out on a short visit to Monticello, and must therefore be very short. 20 years of intimate acquaintance with M. Dupont de Nemours has given me an unlimited confidence in him. his dispositions in favor of this country as well as France are unquestionable, and his talents so well known that I presume his opinions will have great weight with the French...
79207From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 13 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter which I had the honor of addressing you on the 19th. of June last, I asked for information when we might expect an answer to that which I had written you on the 29th. of May was twelvemonth, on the articles still unexecuted of the treaty of peace between the two nations. In your answer of the next day, you were pleased to inform me that you had forwarded the letter of the 29th. of...
79208From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of October 29th. from Messieurs Viar and Jaudenes, not expressing the principle on which their government interests itself between the United States and the Creeks, I thought it of importance to have it ascertained. I therefore, called on those Gentlemen, and entered into explanations with them. They assured me, in our conversation, that, supposing all question of boundary to be out...
79209From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 2 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
The general mind of Congress seems now to be rallying to a certain course of proceeding. a bill will be brought in tomorrow for convening Congress about the middle of May. it will be of course that in the debate members will declare the intention to be then to take off the embargo & if the belligerent edicts be not repealed, to issue letters of marque & reprisal. this will let Europe see that...
79210List of Gunboats, 6 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Gun-boats New Orleans 8. they are building Mobille 2 at Boston St. Mary’s 1 N. York 10 Savanna 1 Phila. Charleston 1 Baltimore Cape Fear 1
79211[From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Currie. Send him report on Animal magnetism. Roberts, and 2 doz. Phosphoretic matches—war in Eur. My health. I ordered hares, rabbits, pheasants, partridges, quails from Engld. to Colo. Cary and will more if opportunity. Address.” Not found.]
79212Thomas Jefferson to David Higginbotham, 31 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
According to promise I sent to mr Short a form of reconveyance of the Indian camp to you, and impressed on him the necessity of executing it. he has just returned it to me duly executed, and I have the pleasure of inclosing it to you with assurances of my constant esteem & respect. RC ( ViU: TJP ); at foot of text: “ M r Higgenbotham ”; endorsed by Higginbotham . PoC ( MHi ); on verso of...
79213Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Pleasants, 20 March 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
To compleat my collection of the latter Sessions acts I need those of the sessions which commenced in Dec. 1809. Dec. 1812. Dec. 1813. will you be so good as to furnish me with them by the stage, adding to the packet one of Hopkins’s razor straps, without a drawer or any thing but the strap. I subscribed for a doz. copies of miss Lomax’s poems. be so good as to send me a single copy, and to...
79214From Thomas Jefferson to Peregrine Williamson, 21 June 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I must trouble you for a new supply of your steel pen points . I find them excellent while they last, and an entire relief from the trouble of mending. but, altho’ I clean them carefully when laid by for the day, yet the constant use for 6. or 7. hours every day, very soon begins to injure them. the points begin to be corroded, & become ragged, & the slit rusts itself open. I have sometimes,...
79215To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 28 June 1791 (Madison Papers)
Yours of the 23d. has been duly recieved. The parcel from the taylor will probably come safely by the stage. With respect to the edition of Hamilton More’s book I took pains to satisfy myself of the best edition when I was in a better situation than I now am, to do it with success. The result was that the 6th. edn. was the last published under the examination of the author, & that the...
79216From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 19 July 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 14th. is recieved. I find that mr Barnes has made some mistake about the stick chairs. he recieved and paid for half a dozen for me. they were painted of a very dark colour, & were in this style. perhaps, if you saw those forwarded to Colo. Cabell you will recollect whether they were in this form, and may judge whether they were mine. if not, then mr Barnes has not forwarded mine...
79217Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Cabell Breckinridge, 11 December 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Dec. 19 . places me under a dilemma which I cannot solve but by an exposition of the naked truth. I would have wished this rather to have remained as hitherto, without enquiry. but your enquiries have a right to be answered. I will do it as exactly as the great lapse of time and a waning memory will enable me. I may misremember indifferent circumstances but can be right in...
79218Thomas Jefferson to Charles F. Kupfer, 15 June 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 6 th of May I wrote a letter (of which I inclose a copy) to mess rs Smith and Riddle agents in Richmond for the manufactory of Window glass in Boston . it happened that they failed about the time of the date of my letter, but it was not known to me till some days after. as they have not sent me the glass therein requested, nor written to me, I presume I am not to expect the supply from...
79219From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick Soffer, 7 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of July 14. I took measures to obtain the information you desired as to the terms on which American vessels are received in the Isle of France. They are precisely the same on which other foreign vessels are admitted, there having been no peculiar favor granted us. American vessels may carry thither the productions of the United states which are...
79220From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 19 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I nominate the persons whose names are stated in the annexed list signed by the Secretary at War for the promotions and appointments therein respectively proposed for them DNA : RG 46—Records of the U.S. Senate.
79221From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 17 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
In my message to both houses of Congress at the opening of their present session, I submitted to their attention, among other subjects, the oppression of our commerce & navigation by the irregular practices of armed vessels public & private, & by the introduction of new principles, derogatory of the rights of Neutrals, & unacknoleged by the usage of nations. The memorials of several bodies of...
79222From Thomas Jefferson to Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 3 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you the first of a bill of exchange drawn on you by the Treasurer of the U.S. for one hundred and twenty three thousand seven hundred and fifty current Gilders, which please to enter to the credit of the Secretary of state for the U.S. Mr. Pinkney our minister at London is authorised to draw on you at times to this whole amount for particular purposes independant of the general ones...
79223From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
These papers from Governor Cabell are inclosed for your perusal: I am about to answer the Governor’s letter but whether I shall be able in time for this day’s post, I do not know. if not, I will send you his letter & my answer by tomorrow’s post, with which answer I will pray you to send him the papers now inclosed, returning to me his letter Will you be so good as to direct a commission to be...
79224Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Chisholm, 16 August 1821 (SJL description) (Jefferson Papers)
[ Monticello , 16 Aug. 1821 . SJL entry reads, in brackets, “pavilion. cistern Sep. 3. ” Letter not found, but in his financial records for 29 Sept. 1821 TJ indicated that he had paid “ Chisolm ’s Lewis gratuity for cistern 1.D.” ( MB James A. Bear Jr. and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum Books: Accounts, with Legal Records and Miscellany, 1767–1826 , 1997, The Papers of Thomas...
79225From Thomas Jefferson to John Gassaway, 17 February 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the resolutions of the republican citizens of Annapolis and Anne-Arundel county, of the 4th. inst. which you were so kind as to forward to me. That the aggressions & injuries of the belligerent nations have been the real obstructions which have interrupted our commerce, & now threaten our peace, & that the embargo laws were salutary & indispensably necessary to meet those...
79226From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Chaudron, 18 December 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed by a gentleman who called on you in Philadelphia that the watch is arrived, which you were so kind as to undertake to import for me. the question is how to procure a safe conveyance of it to this place, which can only be in a gentleman’s pocket; as experience has proved to me that no precautions of package can secure a watch brought in a trunk, on the wheels of a carriage, from...
79227Thomas Jefferson to James W. Wallace, 23 February 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10 th has but just reached me, having loitered long on the way. this may still I hope this may find you in Phila if the mail does it’s duty of which the improvemt of the season admits a hope. I am afraid I send you with pleasure a lre to the President as you requested. but I am afraid you are proposing to yourself a life of thin diet, that of doing charities in that of
79228Thomas 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...
79229From 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...
79230From 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...
79231Thomas 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...
79232From 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...
79233From 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...
79234From 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...
79235[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...
79236From 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...
79237From 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...
79238Thomas 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...
79239From 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...
79240From 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...
79241Notes 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
79242From 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.
79243From 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...
79244From 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...
79245From 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...
79246Proposed 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...
79247Thomas 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...
79248From 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...
79249IV. 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...
79250Memorandum 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...