83231To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 23 July 1815 (Madison Papers)
One of those cases now occurs which oblige me to relax from my general wish not to add to your troubles in the disposel of offices. I inclose you the papers which produce the occasion, and they will present to you all the grounds of interest which I can possibly feel in the success of the application. They will have with you exactly the weight they intrinsically merit & no m⟨o⟩re. Accept the...
83232From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 4 May 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 16th. of March by a common vessel, & then expected to have had, on the rising of Congress, an opportunity of peculiar confidence to you. Mr. Beckley then supposed he should take a flying trip to London on private business. but I believe he does not find it convenient. he could have let you into the arcana rerum, which you have interests in knowing. mr Pinckney’s pursuits...
83233From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Eppes, 18 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been expecting by every post to learn from yourself or your sister when I might send to meet you. I still expect it daily. in the mean time I have sent to mr Randolph, who I understand is to be your conductor, money for the expences of the road, so that that may occasion no delay. the indisposition mentd in my letter by Davy Bowles turned out to be rheumatic: it confined me to the house...
83234Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 9 July 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, my dear friend, the day before yesterday, your favor of Feb. 15 . it is the only one I have recieved from you since that of Oct. 28. 1808. so long a silence had excited apprehensions which this letter removes. I shall take the best measures I can for the sale of your house & lot in Richmond . it is in a part of the town where property sells low. for it is a curious fact, that...
83235From Thomas Jefferson to William B. Philips, 16 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer mr Philips has executed much of the bricklaying at the University, and of the best work done there. I can truly recommend him for the excellence of his work and correctness of his conduct. Th: Jefferson Dec. 16. 23. ViU : Papers of Thomas Jefferson.
83236Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 16 June 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you three letters from detained seamen which came to hand by the last post. your favor of the 12 th was recieved at the same time. the intelligence by the Pacific gives me great anxiety. when I consider the tenor of the new order of council & the official exposition of it by the Lords of trade to the London American merchants (in the inclosed paper) and compare it with the engagement...
83237From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Claxton, 9 June 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
As we shall move into the Mamoth room within 2. or 3. days we shall be in immediate want of chairs for it. if therefore you could send a couple of dozen round immediately it would be well. a decent lanthorn is wanting for the middle of the passage upstairs. such as those in the Hall below stairs would be best. also about half a dozen semi-vase lamps to hang against the walls in the passages &...
83238Proclamation re Military Expeditions against Spain, 27 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
WASHINGTON CITY. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28 . BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA , A PROCLAMATION. WHEREAS information has been received that sundry persons, citizens of the United States, or residents within the same are conspiring and confederating together to begin and set on foot, provide and prepare the means for a military expedition or enterprize against the dominions of Spain,...
83239Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 26 January 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
You were one of the Commissioners (and now I believe the only surviving one) for carrying into execution a decree of the court of Chancery for the sale of a tract of land in Goochland mortgaged to me by the late W m Ronald to secure a debt. you are therefore acquainted with the case without further explanation. I recieved some time ago, through mr Eppes , a request from Col o Bentley ,...
83240Thomas Jefferson to Patrick Gibson, 12 June 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of May 29. with 150.D. inclosed was duly recieved as is that also of June 5. I should not be for recieving the paiment of the monies for mr Mazzei before they are due on any other discount than of legal interest, say ½ per cent per month. I inclose you a letter I have recieved from mr Edmund Randolph , by which you will see that he executed our joint deed to mr Taylor on the 22 d of May...
83241From Thomas Jefferson to William DuVal, 19 June 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment recieved by post the paper directed to me in the handwriting of my best & most revered departed friend, mr Wythe, & superscribed by yourself as found among his papers. it covers his will in his own handwriting, dated Apr. 20. 1803. with a codicil of Jan. 19. 1806. with a label indorsed ‘Testament of G. Wythe to be published when he shall cease to breathe, if not by him...
83242From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, with a Note to Anne Blair Banister, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 12. 1786. came to hands a few days ago, and I am to thank you for the trouble you have taken in the affair respecting Mr. Mark. When he shall have delivered you the state he had promised, you will have the goodness to forward it. The health of your son is not yet established. He had proposed to come and try for some time the climate of Paris, and set out from Bourdeaux with...
83243From Thomas Jefferson to George Blaettermann, December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of Doct r and mrs Blaettermann mr & mrs Deverill to dine at Monticello tomorrow, Saturday, the hour of dinner is half after three. DNDAR .
83244Thomas Jefferson to Virginia Delegates, 15 March 1781 (Madison Papers)
FC (Virginia State Library). Written by a clerk. A Difference of opinion having taken place between the Executive of this State and Mr Simon Nathan as to the rate at which certain Bills of exchange should be discharged in paper money—we have agreed with him to refer it to such Gentlemen of Knowledge in the Laws, of established Character & of any other State as yourselves shall mutually agree...
83245Thomas Jefferson to Alexander von Humboldt, 6 December 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege your two letters of Dec. 20. & 26. 1811. by mr Correa , and am first to thank you for making me acquainted with that most excellent character. he was so kind as to visit me at Monticello , and I found him one of the most learned and amiable of men. it was a subject of deep regret to separate from so much worth in the moment of it’s becoming known to us. the livraison of...
83246Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Ellicott, 24 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I avail myself of the partial acquaintance between us to which a former occasion gave birth to ask the favor of some information interesting to me. I am desirous of erecting a mill or machine for pulverising plaister of Paris on a small scale, to be moved by water. I remember your being kind enough to shew me your mill once but I do not retain it’s construction in my memory. I think it was on...
83247Thomas Jefferson’s Calculations of Latitude of Poplar Forest, 6 August–10 December 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
1815 observns not all carefully made. the good & satisfactory are marked with an * Aug. 30. ° ′ Sep. 1. ° Sep. 2. * ° ′ ″
83248From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 16 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency for some blank letters of marque for use in this state, those we have on hand (forty seven in number) bearing the signature of Mr. Jay your predecessor. I am in hopes a safe opportunity of conveying them may not be long wanting. I have the honour to be with great respect Your Excellency’s Most Obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DLC : PCC , No....
83249From Thomas Jefferson to John McDowell, 22 October 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 27. was duly recieved, and having [now] to make a paiment, I send the bearer, Jupiter, a trusty servant express, to recieve and bring any sum you may have in readiness for me. be so good as to let it be in hard cash, as no […] is recieved here. I will hereafter ask of you only quarterly settlements & paiments if you please, fixing them in the months of March, June, Septemb....
83250Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas G. Dufief, 22 August 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
I am desirous of sending to mr John Adams late Presid t of the US. at Quincy, Mass. a copy of Priestley’s ‘Doctrines of heathen philosophy compared with those of revelation’ printed at Northumberland Pensva in 1804. will you be so good as to procure one, and inclose it to him by mail ‘ de ma part .’ be so good as to chuse the best binding you find ready prepared, and to place the article to my...
83251From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 27 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned to you in a former letter that as the booksellers in London were afraid to sell your book there, I would have some copies brought here, advertising in the London papers that they could be furnished weekly from hence by the Diligence. 50 copies are just arrived, and 50 more are on the way. The translation will come from the press in a few days. Having observed the immense...
83252From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Bréhan, 3 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of May 11. with which you were so good as to honour me, did not come to hand till the 14th. of October when I was on a visit to Virginia, from whence I returned to this place a few days ago only. Accept my sincere regrets at the perverse arrangements of fortune which seems to have made a point of disappointing all my wishes to be near you, and every occasion even of seeing you. She...
83253From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the 23d....
83254Thomas Jefferson to James T. Austin, 23 July 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the very splendid morsel of eloquence which you have been so kind as to send me . it is a happy and pregnant example to the orators of the 4 th of July, of change from the hackneyed topics of 1776, to those of the current year. I have read it with sensations very different from those which will be felt by our recreant citizens of the East. if theirs be sensations of sorrow ‘ I...
83255Charges Advanced by George Nicholas, with Jefferson’s Answers, [after 31 July 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
Obj . That Genl. Washington’s information was that an embarkation was taking place destined for this state . Ans . His information was, that it was destined for the Southward as was given out in N. York. Had similar informations from Genl. Washington and Congress been considered as sufficient ground at all times for calling the militia into the feild there would have been a standing army of...
83256From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Aug. 5. I had the honour of inclosing to you a letter written me by Messrs. Fiseaux & co. reminding us that the principal of the loan of 51,000 florins obtained by them would become due on the first day of the ensuing year. A few days ago I received another from them calling for the money. At first I was disposed to answer them that I was in no wise authorised to do any thing...
83257Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 23 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved and read with great pleasure the account you have been so kind as to send me, of the interview between the emperor Alexander and mr Clarkson , which I now return, as it is in MS. it shews great condescension of character on the part of the emperor, and power of mind also to be able to abdicate the artificial distance between himself and other good and able men, and to converse...
83258IV. Notes on Money Bills, [before 9 January 1778] (Jefferson Papers)
1671. Apr. 19. Resolved that there is a fundamental right in the house of Commons alone in bills of rates & impositions on merchandise as to the matter, the measure, & the time. Parl. deb. 1st. v. 147. note the bill in questn. was a bill for impositions on merchandise. Apr. 22. they object that instead of a discourse from the lords on the amendments to the bill they met with nothing but a...
83259From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 27 January 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of the 22d. has been recieved. I have turned to the purchases of ham made by us heretofore of capt Macon, & find that for the years 1802. 3. and 4. he had 10d. in 1805. & 6. he had 13d. now he asks 15d. next it will be 16d. 18d Etc, pressing on till some limit is found to which we will go no further. we may as well make our stand at 13d. which is about 17½ cents, certainly enough when...
83260From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received the inclosed letter from Julien Laurent claiming his wages as Volunteer on board the Bonhomme Richard, I have the honour of forwarding it to you, supposing it will of course be referred to the proper office to take order on. I have the honour to be with sentiments of the most perfect esteem and respect Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt., RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 87, ii )....
83261From Thomas Jefferson to Evan Shelby, Jr., 24 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of your Letter , the assembly having empowered us to raise one troop of horse for the Illinois, we had commissioned Captain Rogers for that purpose who raised his men and proceeded some time in the fall to join Colo. Clarke, who was not informed of any of these measures at the date of his Letter to you. We have therefore no authority to direct the raising any more. After...
83262From Thomas Jefferson to Sherman Converse, 20 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly reciev d your favor of the 1 st asking my examination and opinion of the plan of mr Webster’s dictionary, of which you inclosed me a sample. but worn down with age, infirmity and pain my mind is no longer in a tone for such exercises. I can only therefore express my regret that I cannot be useful to you in that way and assure you of my respect and best wishes for it’s success. DLC...
83263To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 27 March 1791 (Washington Papers)
I have been again to see mister Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions, and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. you know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character in order to save expence. he observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
83264Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 15 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of the 8 th with the bill of the cost of the books sent , 14.75 and I now inclose you 15.D. as fractional sums cannot easily be passed between us let them always stand in account. with your letter came the Register, Worrall , Newcome , & Ray
83265From Thomas Jefferson to James Sullivan, 18 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 8th. instant, covering, at the request of the General court of Massachusets, a Memorial to the Senate & House of Representatives of the US. on behalf of Benjamin Hichborn & others, with a desire that I would communicate & recommend the same to both Houses of Congress. I should avail myself with particular pleasure of every occasion of doing what would be...
83266From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Bowman, 6 September 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
The body of mr Wilson M. Cary is on it’s way to this place for burial & is expected to arrive immediately. his friends are anxious it should be buried this afternoon, and we ask the favor of you to come & perform funeral service on the occasion. accept the assurance of my great esteem & respect NcMHi .
83267Thomas Jefferson to John Hollins, 8 April 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved your favor just as I was setting out on a journey to this place, & learnt at the same time, the arrival of the plaister at Richmond . by this post I desire mess rs Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond to remit you the amount, 80.40 D with which be pleased to accept my thanks for this & other favors. On my way here I passed a day with mr Nicholas , Warren being on my road hither. he still...
83268From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 9 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of March 12th. on the subject of Mr. Pagan, I referred it to the Attorney general of the US. for his opinion. As soon as I receive that opinion from him, I will do myself the honor of addressing you thereon. I am with due respect Sir your very humble servt. PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “The Minister Plenipotentiary of G.B.” FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, DL ).
83269Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Smith Barton, 22 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night yours of the 16 th . Persoon , being over at mr Randolph’s farm he will return it to me this evening: if not in time to go by this post, the 1 st vol. shall go by the next, & the 2 d by the one after, not to embarras too much a single mail. I would wish you not to consider yourself bound to return it at any particular period of time, and not prematurely for the...
83270Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 6 May 1793 (Washington Papers)
Apr. 18. The President sends a set of Questions to be considered & calls a meeting. tho those sent me were in his own hand writing, yet it was palpable from the style, their ingenious tissu & suite that they were not the President’s, that they were raised upon a prepared chain of argument, in short that the language was Hamilton’s, and the doubts his alone. they led to a declaration of the...
83271From Thomas Jefferson to Louis A. Leschot, 19 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:Jefferson sends his watch to mr Leschot to be put to rights. she goes 12 or 15. hours after being wound up and then stops—he is always sorry to give mr Leschot the trouble of coming here. The large clock has never gone right since the last repairs because the hands will not stand in place. in the kitchen the hour hand will not stand. if mr Leschot can come up some cloudy cool day Th:J. will...
83272From Thomas Jefferson to Daniel Smith, 10 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 6. came safely to hand, & I thank you for the Chickasaw vocabulary it contained. it will aid me considerably in filling up a defective one I had recieved before . I have been long anxious to have as many of the Indian languages preserved as could be, because a comparison of them among themselves as well as with those of the red men in Asia, may lead to conjectures as to...
83273From Thomas Jefferson to Sir John Sinclair, 24 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the reciept of your two favors of Dec. 25. and May 14. with the pamphlets which accompanied them, and to return you my thanks for them. The Corn law , I percieve, has not passed in the form you expected. My wishes on that subject were nearer yours than you imagined. We both in fact desired the same thing for different reasons, respecting the interests of our respective...
83274Thomas Jefferson to Joel Yancey, 25 December 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter by Jerry I forgot to request you to send by the waggon the barrel of biscuit also, as before spring it will become mouldy probably and spoilt. With respect to the canal, I look to the grinding plaister as the thing which is to produce us crops and improve our lands. and that therefore we should think it a lasting compensation for shortening a particular crop somewhat. yet I would...
83275From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison Broom, 22 January 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Broom to dine with him on Saturday the 25th at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. Jan. 22. 1806. The favour of an answer is asked. MeHi .
83276From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 18 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been expecting by every post to learn from you when I might send on to meet you. I still expect it daily. in the mean time I inclose you 100. Dol. for the expences of yourself, Maria & all your party. mr Randolph would do well to exchange the bills for gold & silver which will be more readily [. . .] on the road. the indisposition I mentioned in my letter by Bowles turned out to be...
83277From Thomas Jefferson to Hammuda Pasha, Bey of Tunis, 14 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of September the 8th of the last year has been lately received by me, and I observe with pleasure that the Stores and jewels sent you on our part have given entire satisfaction, and that you preserve for our nation those sentiments of friendship which we wish to cultivate and continue: and it is further intimated that the present of a frigate of 36 guns would at this time be...
83278From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. The sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, and such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be...
83279From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick II, 13 November 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received the letter of your Royal Highness bearing date the 13th day of August last, announcing the marriage of your much loved daughter the Princess Catherine of Wirtemberg with His Imperial Highness Prince Jerome Napoleon of France. From the interest we take as your Royal Highness very justly supposes in all the Events which contribute to your happiness, we pray your R. H. to...
83280From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Hue Girardin, 19 December 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 6 th came but lately to hand. I cheerfully comply with the request it conveyed of writing to the President on the subject of the Librarian’s office. I accordingly inclose a letter to him, stating truths to which I bear witness ever with pleasure; & I shall be the happier if the position should befriend the publication of the rest of your history. Our University is going on...