79451From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Lincoln, 27 March 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind as to pay the duties & some other expences of some articles which came last fall for me to Boston. not having yet recieved a note of the amount according to a former request I take the liberty of recalling it to your memory, that I may be enabled to remit it to you, which shall be done with many thanks for your attention to the subject. Accept my salutations & assurances of...
79452From Thomas Jefferson to Gideon Granger, 20 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 13th. and rejoice that in some forms, tho’ not in all, republicanism shows progress in Connecticut. as Clerical bondage is the root of the evil, I have more hopes, from the petition you inclosed me, of seeing that loosened, than from any other agency. the lawyers, the other pillar of federalism, are from the nature of their calling so ready to take either...
79453From Thomas Jefferson to John Quincy Adams, 28 December 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Adams to dine with him on Wednesday the 31st . at half after three, The favour of an answer is asked. MHi : Adams Papers.
79454From Thomas Jefferson to Fulwar Skipwith, 26 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 5th. inst. and wish I could give a more satisfactory answer to it. I do not believe our Consuls in the French islands will be recognised by the government of France very shortly. Should the treaty they have proposed, come to any thing, perhaps we may get this matter determined expressly. The Consular bill has never yet been taken up by the house of...
79455From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as the letter accompanying this was going off Colo. Mathews arrived on parole from New York by the way of headquarters bringing your Excellencys letter on [t]his subject with that of the British Commissary of prisoners . The subject is of great importance and I must therefore reserve myself to answer after further consideration. Were I to speak from present impressions I should say it was...
79456Thomas Jefferson to Caspar Wistar, 17 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your favor of June 29. by mr Correa , it’s bearer. I found him what you had described in every respect; certainly the greatest collection, and best digest of science in books, men, and things that I have ever met with; and with these the most amiable and engaging character. the only alloy to the pleasure of his society was the reflection that we were never more to enjoy it. it is a...
79457From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 20 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of communicating to your Excellency the copy of a treaty of amity and commerce concluded between the United States of America and his late Majesty the King of Prussia, in the two languages in which it was written, each of which was agreed to be equally original. The exchange of ratifications was made but a little before the death of the King. This circumstance with the delays...
79458From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 15 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of informing your excellency in my letter of Feb. 3 that I had received and presented Mr. Alexander’s bill on Laval & Wilfelsheim; that they had refused to pay it; that I had had it protested, but on their saying they would then accept, I had sent it to them again, but received no answer, when I was obliged to send off my letter. They returned it to me accepted, paiable in...
79459From Thomas Jefferson to Fulwar Skipwith, 6 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received your favor of Feb. 12. and knowing my situation you will be at no loss to ascribe the delay of my answer to the pressure of other business. I now inclose you a letter for M. de Rochambeau. I have not applied for one from the French minister lest the circumstance of his being recalled should excite some delicacies about writing official letters. We are told that a Mr. Genest may...
79460From Thomas Jefferson to the Officer Commanding the French Naval Force, 21 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed Letter will inform you of the Arrival of a British fleet in Chesapeake Bay. Lest you should be unapprized of it, I have thought it necessary to order two Lookout Boats from the Eastern Shore of this State to fall in with you and deliver you this notice on which it will be in your power to take such measures as the actual Strength and Circumstances of your fleet shall render...
79461From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 1 June 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Are the inclosed designations of office right? is Nelson to be Inspector as well as Collector, & is it the district of York ? you will observe I have left out the Surveyor of Louisville. will you be so good as in your passage through Philadelphia to enquire of Capt Lewis whether he knows Richard Ferguson, or any person there fitter than him, & to drop me a line from there & I will have the...
79462From Thomas Jefferson to Randolph Jefferson, 28 February 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I will give the orders as you desire to George, relative to peach stones and the puppies. I send you by Orange some very fine Apricot and Plumb stones to be planted immediately and to be cracked before they are planted. I have settled the administration of my sister Elizabeth’s estate whereon you are to receive as follows. Principal Interest From J. Bolling (order now inclosed) £ 4–0–6...
79463From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 26 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Commodore Jones and returns him the book he was so good as to give him the perusal of. He incloses him a letter he has just received, and asks his information as to the justice of the claim. He will be obliged now to occupy himself some two or three days about commercial arrangements just now made at Versailles and which he must translate, have printed, and...
79464Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Carmignani, 18 July [1816] (Jefferson Papers)
Within these few days I have recieved your favor of April 7. with certificates of the death of my estimable friend Philip Mazzei , and a copy of his Will . I learn this event with great affliction, altho’ his advanced age had given reason to apprehend it. an intimacy of 40. years had proved to me his great worth; and a friendship, which had begun in personal acquaintance, was maintained after...
79465To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 19 August 1807 (Madison Papers)
I suppose Mr. Gamble should be told that his opinion in favor of the appointment of a Consul General for the Danish islands being founded on the supposition of a war with England, the Executive cannot at present act on that ground. It would seem indeed that in the event of war, our agent or agents in those islands would be very important persons, & should therefore be chosen with care. I...
79466From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph H. Nicholson, 29 January 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Eppes has this moment put into my hands your letter of yesterday asking information on the subject of the gunboats proposed to be built. I lose no time in communicating to you fully my whole views respecting them, promising a few words on the system of fortifications. considering the harbours which from their situation and importance are entitled to defence, and the estimates we have seen...
79467From Thomas Jefferson to Alfred W. Elwes, 2 May 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Benson safely delivered the little vol. of poems you were so kind as to commit to him for me. the spirit of pure patriotism which the Potomac muse breathes is worthy of high approbn. great justice is certainly done to the many worthies of our country and more than justice to one at least whose pretensions go not beyond that zeal for the rights of man which was so eminently displayed by our...
79468From Thomas Jefferson to Angelica Schuyler Church, 27 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Many motives, my dear Madam, authorize me to write to you, but none more than this that I esteem you infinitely. Yet I have thought it safe to get Kitty to write also, that her letter may serve as a passport to mine, and shed on it the suave odeur of those warm emotions it will excite in your breast. When we have long expected the visit of a dear friend, he is welcome when he comes, and all...
79469From Thomas Jefferson to George Ticknor, 15 August 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor fo July 26. has been recieved, and with it the prospectus of the Northampton school. this will certainly prove a great blessing to the individuals who can obtain access to it. the only ground of regret is the small extent of it’s scale, in the few who can share it’s advantages it will lay a solid foundn of virtue as well of learning. but leaving it at the age of 13. they will still...
79470Survey and Plat for Land Purchased from Richard Overton, [on or after 31 August 1802] (Jefferson Papers)
1802. Aug. 31. courses run by mr Fitch . Beginning in the road in the Thoro’fare at the crossing from Monticello to Montalto, and running on the West side of a fence which runs on the level of the Thoro’fare. N. 12. W. 12. po. } so far is within the old patent lands of Th: J. N. 57. W. 6. N. 33. W. 4. N. 21. W. 10. N. 23 W. 8. 52 N. 28. W. 8. 80 N. 15. W. 10. 40 N. 2. E. 7. 20 N. 28¾ W. 5. 60...
79471From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Brooke, 24 May 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
A Subpoena in Chancery at the suit of Henry Banks agent and representative of Hunter, Banks, & Co. issued against myself and others was served on me two days ago, as former governor of Virginia . Who the other defendants are I know not, nor yet the foundation of the complaint; but I presume they are the members of the then executive council, and that it is for some of our acts or engagements...
79472From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 31 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Acquainted as you are with the treasons of Arnold, I need say nothing for your information, or to give you a proper sentiment of them. You will readily suppose that it is above all things desireable to drag him from those under whose wing he is now sheltered. On his march to and from this place I am certain it might have been done with facility by men of enterprize and firmness. I think it may...
79473From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 July 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
Your brother recieved a letter from you a few days since in which he says you mention having recieved but two from me since you left us. I have not been a very troublesome correspondent to you, I acknolege, but have written letters of the following dates to you, to wit 1794. Mar. 11. Apr. 24.—1795. May 26. Sep. 6.—1796. June 12. In this last I acknoleged the reciept of yours of Nov. 18. and...
79474From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 November 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The bank statements are new to me and present curious information. to obtain a general idea I have brought them together as above , very inaccurately, omitting some items I did not understand, lumping others perhaps ill understood. but such an abstract accurately made would be interesting. for this purpose it would require in the first place a judicious form to be devised, and that sent to all...
79475From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I expect from Mr. Donald a very small parcel of books from London this spring, and a larger one from Dublin. Both will be addressed to me, to your care. The latter one being intended for Mr. Eppes, I will beg the favor of you to deliver it to him as soon as it comes to hand. It will be certainly known by it’s coming from Dublin directly.—Having intended to have gone home this spring I had not...
79476From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar Augustus Rodney, 18 March 1808 (Madison Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the heads of departments and Atty Genl to meet to-day at 12. oclock on a consultation. Catalog--Paul C. Richards Autographs.
79477Thomas Jefferson to Charles Johnston, 12 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the information I recieved from you; I stated to the Postmaster General the situation of Lynchburg as to it’s mails, and it’s claims to a second mail every week: and I am happy to transmit you the information I recieve from him in answer to my letter. After the 1 st day of April next the mails between Lynchburg and Richmond will be as follows. from Richmond by Powhatan C.H.
79478Thomas Jefferson to Edwin Stark, 10 October 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
M r Timothy Banger of Philadelphia informs me that a box found in the military stores addressed to me, & so long there as that neither it’s contents, or when it came there is known, has been sent to you to be forwarded. I am equally ignorant of the box & it’s contents; but if you will have the goodness to send it to Richmond to Mess rs Gibson & Jefferson , my correspondents there, they will...
79479From Thomas Jefferson to John Beale Bordley, 30 August 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Randolph, your friend in England, & I believe your relation is entitled to large arrearages of an annuity settled on her by marriage contract, for the paiment of which Peter Randolph, Peyton Randolph & Philip Grymes were jointly & severally bound. Peter R’s estate is no longer solvent, & . Peyton R’s part devolves on Edmund Randolph, so that he and mr Grymes the son, are liable for the...
79480Thomas Jefferson to William Gough, 29 December [1821] (Jefferson Papers)
Dec. 29. wrote to desire him to allow the negroes 2000 ℔ pork and add what is over to the 10 hogs put by for me, as I shall have 6. carpenters there from Apr. thro’ good part of summer FC ( MHi ); abstract in TJ’s hand on a half sheet; partially dated; at head of text: “ Gough .” Recorded in SJL as a letter of 29 Dec. 1821. William Gough (1781–1863), farmer, was a native of Virginia . He...
79481From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Harwood, 22 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners for the public buildings at George town inform the President that they are in want of a sum of money for the objects of their appointment, and that they suppose you will accept his draught for the first instalment of the money granted by the state of Maryland. The President being unwilling to make any draught but on a certainty of it’s acceptance, I am to ask the favor of...
79482Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the Peacock Plow, October 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
Smallest Peacock plough. beam. 4 f–5.I long, breadth vertical 3.I ¼ thickness horizontal 2½ height of beam from ground behind 12¼ before 15½ I. length of handles 4.f. their opening at top 21.I. angle of their elevation from the horizontal line 33° thickness of iron mould board ⅜ + 1/16 share & bar
79483From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never yet thanked you, but with the heart, for the act of assembly confirming the agreement with Maryland, the pamphlet and papers I received from you a twelvemonth ago. Very soon after their receipt I got my right wrist dislocated which prevented me long from writing and as soon as that was able to bear it I took a long journey from which I am but lately returned. I am anxious to hear...
79484From Thomas Jefferson to United States Congress, 26 February 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose for the information of Congress, letters recently recieved from our ministers at Paris & London, communicating their representations against the late decrees & orders of France and Great Britain, heretofore transmitted to Congress. these documents will contribute to the information of Congress as to the dispositions of those powers, & the probable course of their proceedings towards...
79485From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Coolidge, 24 October 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not have delayed a single day the answer to your interesting and acceptable letter of the 13 th inst. but that it found me suffering severely under an imposthume formed under the jaw, and closing it so effectually as to render the introduction of sustenance into the mouth impossible, but in a fluid form, and that latterly sucked thro’ a tube. after 2. or 3. weeks of sufferance, and a...
79486Thomas Jefferson to Emma Willard, 18 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mrs Willard and his thanks for the copy of her book on female education which she has been so kind as to send him. the subject is of great importance and of lamentable deficiency in this country. it must be confessed to be also of great difficulty and he is happy to see it brought before the public so ably and eloquently by mrs Willard , to whom he...
79487Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin James Harris, 9 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3 d is duly recieved, & I freely offer you what occurs to me respecting the inventions therein mentioned. that of the fireproof cieling is entirely new, as far as I know, and will in many situations, I think be useful. I take for granted that the triangles H. K. F. in the drawing (which I return you) are either of the solid of the joist A. or are strips of hard wood firmly...
79488From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Patterson, 16 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed is merely the letter of form communicating the paper it covers to the society. but I promised Capt Groves to write you a private & more particular one. he has proposed a new method of observing the eclipses of Jupiter’s satellites at sea. you will percieve that he is not expert at explaining his ideas. he has invented an instrument too for making the observations, but what are...
79489From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 12 January 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by post . The weather having broke away we are trying to get the waggon off before the river becomes impassable. I put on board her a box for Mr. Wythe containing my whole and precious collection of the printed laws of Virginia, to be bound as noted to Mr. Wythe who has occasion to keep them some time for his use. I have taken the liberty of saying you would answer the charges of...
79490From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 11 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a letter from Gordon’s on the 31st. of March, which having been on a particular subject , I am anxious to know that it has got safely to your hands. be so good as by return of post to say you have recieved it whenever you shall have recieved it.—nothing interesting from France. affectionate salutations. PrC ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. TJ’s letter from gordon’s Tavern,...
79491Notes on Conversations with Abraham Baldwin, John Brown, and John Hunter, 11 March 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Mar. 11. in conversn with Baldwin & Brown of Kentucky, Brown says that in a private company once consisting of Hamilton, King, Madison, himself & some one else making a fifth, speaking of the ‘ federal government ’ ‘Oh,’ says Hamilton ‘say the federal monarchy let us call things by their right names, for a monarchy it is’ Baldwin mentions at table the following fact. when the bank bill was...
79492From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Alexander Scammell Dearborn, 9 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter to mr Adams, of Oct. 12. which is the subject of your’s of the 23 d ult. does not claim the encomiums you are so kind as to bestow on it. it was simply the expression of such sentiments as ought to arise under the circumstances of the case, past & present; & such as I am sure would have arisen had the persons been interchanged. With respect to your request to publish it, I must say...
79493From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenants of Washington and Certain Other Counties, 15 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just received intelligence from Genl. Greene that Lord Cornwallis, maddened by his losses at the Cowpens and George town, has burnt his own Waggons to enable himself to move with facility, and is pressing forward towards the Virginia line, Genl. Green being obliged to retire before him with an inferior force. The necessity of saving Genl. Green’s Army and in doing that the probability...
79494Thomas Jefferson to Théodore Pahlen, 13 July 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honored with your letter of the 25 th Ult. and have to return you my thanks for those of Mad e de Tessé , & Gen l La Fayette , and for the print of Baron Humboldt , all of which are come safely to hand, & present to me the proofs & recollections of their much valued friendships. to these acknolegements permit me to add my congratulations on your safe arrival in the United states ,...
79495From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Blodget, Jr., 12 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of June 25. and forwarded the letter it inclosed for the Commissioners. I am setting out tomorrow for Virginia, and therefore in the midst of hurry have only time to say that I suppose it will be well to retain a few copies of the plan of the town, disposing of them where they will be most seen. I observe the soundings are not in the sheets you send me. I have...
79496From Thomas Jefferson to the County Lieutenant of Henrico, 19 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It being possible that the enemy may be destined for this place we have advised the Auditors, Treasurer, Register, Clerks of the Assembly, Chancery and General Court, the Clothier and Commissary of Naval Stores to prepare their Papers &c. for Removal. The same is doing with the Papers of the Council, War and Navy Office. As no persons can do this but the Clerks of those Offices and their...
79497From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth House Trist, 23 November 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two letters, my dear friend, of Aug. 31. & Sep. 9. reached me on the 9th. & 31st. of October. I had already learned through other channels the melancholy event they announced. be assured I deeply felt for your situation: but on this subject I will not say one word; experience in the same school having taught me that time alone can mitigate what nothing can remedy. I hope that the...
79498From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 August 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Rose delivered me last night the letter with which you charged him , and I have thought it better to attend to it’s contents at once before the arrival of the load of other business which this morning’s post will bring. Pinckney’s, Orr’s, Livermore’s, Howell’s, Webster’s, Murray’s, Otis’s, Graham’s & Thornton’s letters, with Wagner’s sketch of an answer to the latter are all returned...
79499From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 8 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a Report of the assays and experiments made on the gold and silver coins of France, Spain, England and Portugal, in pursuance of the resolution of the House of Representatives of Nov. 29. 1792. and of assuring you of those sentiments of respect & esteem with which I am Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Speaker of the...
79500From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste LeRoy, 3 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you with many thanks the Volume with D. Bernoulli’s paper which I have read with great satisfaction. I observe that the proposition of M. Bernoulli differs from Mr. Rumsey’s in several essential points. 1. His Water was to be raised by man: Rumsey’s by elastic vapour. 2. Bernoulli ’s water was to act on an inclined plane: Rumsey’s on a direct one. 3. Bernoulli ’s was to act by it’s...