83231From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 5 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Having occasion to have a communication made to Madame Teresa Ceracchi at Rome, & no correspondent there, I take the liberty of asking leave to do it through you. she is the widow of Ceracchi the Sculptor from Rome who lived sometime in Vienna, came over to Philadelphia, returned to Paris, there engaged in a conspiracy against the first Consul & was executed. his wife & family returned to Rome...
83232From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 23 February 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from a Mr. D’Ivernois, a Genevan now in London (author of the history of Geneva I once put into your hands) several letters informing me of the suppression of the college of Geneva by the late revolution there, and proposing it’s transplantation to this country. The desire of the President to apply his shares in the canals of Patowmack and James river to some public purpose,...
83233To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 March 1785 (Madison 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 post master general there, who will always take care of my letters and...
83234From Thomas Jefferson to George Turner, 9 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
It appears from the Report of the Secretary of the Territory North West of the Ohio, that several regulations of importance in the present situation of that Territory, remain unprovided, on account of the absence of the persons invested with the legislative powers. I am charged by the President to bring this circumstance to your notice, not doubting but that the public exigencies of your...
83235Thomas Jefferson to William H. Crawford, 27 July 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
You will percieve that the inclosed papers of Jacob Koontz , are from a very ignorant man, who supposes I am still at Washington , and the proper person to be addressed. under this supposition he has even forwarded his original papers on which his all depends. in rigor I ought to return them to him, but on so distant a transmission by mail they would run risks, and I would rather at once place...
83236From Thomas Jefferson to the House of Representatives, 1 February 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
For some weeks past I have had reason to expect, by every mail from New Orleans, information which would have fully met the views of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of Dec. 31. on the subject of a post-road from the city of Washington to New Orleans. but this being not yet recieved, I think it my duty, without further delay, to communicate to the House the...
83237From Thomas Jefferson to Bernard Peyton, 21 February 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very kind letters, with those of other friends were real soothers of a kind of uneasiness I never had before experienced, which was the greater as the less expected. a majority of one in the legislature of my native state was an appalling idea. but it has ended well, and I count on days and nights of quiet which I had never seen since the coup de grace given me by a deceased friend. I...
83238Thomas Jefferson to Charles Yancey, 22 October 1810 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 19 th and thank you for the information you were so good as to give mr Yundt , on the subject of clover seed, which I shall be glad to recieve. I read to mr Randolph the part of your letter respecting him. Accept the assurances of my esteem & respect. PoC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “Col o Charles Yancey”; endorsed by TJ.
83239From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 20 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. was received the day before yesterday, and I now inclose you a letter for each of the two ships mentioned therein. I have just recieved information that the National convention of France have reduced the duty on American tobacco carried in French ships from 18₶–15s to 10₶. on that carried in American ships from 25₶. to 12₶. and determined to admit the tobacco of all...
83240To Alexander Hamilton from Thomas Jefferson, [31 March 1793] (Hamilton Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to the Secretary of the Treasury. & is obliged to recall to his mind the order of the President inclosed to him on the 23d. inst. Tuesday being the last day allowed Th: J. for transmitting bills by the packet. AL , Thomas Jefferson Papers, Library of Congress. For background to this letter, see Jefferson to H, March 23, 1793 ; George Washington to H,...
83241Resolution on the Case of General Sullivan, [29 July 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved that the former determinations of Congress to pass by rank and seniority on necessary occasions in order to avail their country of superior talents and experience were entered into on mature deliberation as being absolutely requisite for the salvation of these states, the armies of which, tho’ large, were embodied on sudden emergencies, and were of necessity in some instances...
83242From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Everett, 21 July 1825 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very thankful to the Bunkerhill monument association for the honor they have done me in electing me an honorary member of that institution. the occasion, which has given birth to it, forms an epoch in the history of mankind, well worthy of the splendid ceremonies with which it’s first stone was lately laid and consecrated. the coincidence of circumstances too, was truly fortunate, which...
83243From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Miller, 14 September 1800 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowledge the reciept of your favor of Aug. 11. with a number of the Monthly magazine. I was before a subscriber to that work, and had read it’s different numbers with much approbation. On examining my papers I find only a single one which relates to the history of New York. this is a Chronological statement of English, French & Indian transactions in America from 1620. to 1691. it...
83244Thomas Jefferson to Henry A. S. Dearborn, 3 January 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 12. with a note of the duties & charges on the articles you recieved for me from Marseilles was long on the road and is recently recieved. I have this day written to Col o Bernard Peyton my correspondent in Richmond to remit you immediately the amount noted of 78. D 23 C which I hope will get safe to your hands. the object of the present is merely to inform you of it and to...
83245From Thomas Jefferson to the Georgia Delegates in Congress, 21 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Auckler, proposing to settle himself in the Western parts of Georgia, I take the liberty of recommending him to your patronage and counsel. You will see by his papers that he has been an advocate in this country, of distinction and of good character, and he seems to have taken the resolution of removing to America from a desire of living in a land of freedom. These...
83246From Thomas Jefferson to Joel Barlow, 27 October 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Barlow for the communication of mr Coxe’s letter which has been read to mr Madison. the fact stated as to Burr was certainly unknown to us, and therefore the further particulars which mr Coxe sais he will be willing to give, will be acceptable, & may be useful. friendly salutations. PHi : Tench Coxe Papers.
83247Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Eston Randolph, 20 August 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
The purchase of Pantops renders it necessary for me to understand exactly the conditions of the lease you have on it. M r Eppes has always told me they were exactly the same as those of my lease to Craven , which was agreed between yourselves to be the model. indeed I have some faint recollection of having drawn the articles myself on that model, at the request of mr Eppes , or perhaps of both...
83248Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 29 July 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of June 30. I informed you I would write to D r Cooper for information as to the state and expences of education at Columbia S.C. I will quote his answer in his own words. ‘I am not fully prepared to answer your queries as to the expence of education at the C S. Carolina college . but I have always understood it was very cheap, not exceeding 250.D. for the session of nine months....
83249Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Delaplaine, 1 April 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Mar. 11. was rec d on the 24 th but it is not in my power to give you any information as to mr Samuel Adams . I knew him only as serving with him in the old Congress . the disparity of our ages prevented any particular intimacy being myself the youngest but one in Congress and he I believe the oldest . he was a very operative member a sensible speaker but entirely without...
83250From Thomas Jefferson to John Allen, 16 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
It having been concluded to build a defensive work at Hoods under the direction of Colo. Senf, I am to desire the favor of you to see to the execution of it according to his instructions. Thirteen Labourers will be with you on Monday next. Besides these I have written to Colo. Southall of this County, Colo. Banister of Dinwiddie, Colo. Call of Prince George and Colo. Munford of Charls. City to...
83251From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 8 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I was favoured with your letter of Oct. 26. and far from finding any of it’s subjects uninteresting as you apprehend, they were to me, as every thing which comes from you, pleasing and instructive. I concur with you strictly in your opinion of the comparative merits of atheism and demonism, and really see nothing but the latter in the being worshipped by many who think themselves Christians....
83252From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 13 August 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I find my works here absolutely out of nailrod. I must therefore pray you to send on without delay, 2. tons assorted & addressed as usual. I expect that mr Barnes remitted you on the 6th. instant 281. D. for the last supply of rod. I salute you with esteem. MHi : Coolidge Collection.
83253From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 26 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I gave you information in my last letter that Genl. Greene had cross’d the Dan at Boid’s ferry, and that Ld. Cornwallis had arrived at the opposite shore. Large reinforcements of militia having embodied both in the front and rear of the enemy, he is retreating with as much rapidity as he advanced. His route is towards Hilsborough. Genl. Greene crossed the Dan, the 21st. in pursuit of him. I...
83254[From Thomas Jefferson to Champion, 13 June 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 13 June 1787 . Entry in SJL reads: “Champion. le Comte de. à l’Abbaye St. Germains des prés, r. Colombier.” Not found.]
83255From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 January 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Milton post not having come in last night, we are without news from you. I suppose he has been delayed by the weather, a severe snow storm having begun yesterday morning & still continuing. the snow is supposed to be now a foot deep, and is still falling with unabated fury. as it is the first, so I hope it will be the last of our severe winter weather. it is so tempestuous that I presume...
83256Notes on Potential Changes to the Constitution, [1800?] (Jefferson Papers)
war to require ⅔ of Congress. power over the purse expressly declared a check impeachmt. all laws void after years no foreign ministers. no foreign-armed vessels in our ports during war. no protection out of our limits a declaratory part as to all former breaches of constn states make citizens —bankrupts. council of appointment
83257Thomas Jefferson to Henry A. S. Dearborn, [6] November 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your favor of Oct. 29. informing me of the shipment of my stores to Col o Peyton , and I have this day desired him to remit you immediately the 73. D 93 c am t of freight, duties & other charges, which I trust will get safely to hand, and with my thanks for your kindness be pleased to accept the assurance of my great esteem and respect. RC ( DLC : Levi Woodbury Family...
83258Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Williamson, 25 December 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Without knowing in what way my having been or not been in England , or my having seen or not seen it’s present king may be interesting to any one I answer the enquiries of your favor of the 19 th inst. by informing you that while I was in Europe , I was three times in England . my stay the first & last time was of not more than a week or ten days each time; but the second journey there was as...
83259From Thomas Jefferson to Rufus King, 13 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
The course of things in the neighboring islands of the West Indies appears to have given a considerable impulse to the minds of the slaves in different parts of the US. a great disposition to insurgency has manifested itself among them, which, in one instance, in the state of Virginia broke out into actual insurrection. this was easily suppressed: but many of those concerned, ( between 20. &...
83260From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Carr, 7 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
That you may have no uneasiness from what you will hear from Peter, I will mention to you that a worthless fellow, named Rind, wrote a libel on the inhabitants of Charlottesville and neighborhood, which P. Carr and G. Jefferson were imprudent enough to suffer him to communicate to them. Rind then pasted it up in Charlottesville, and from expressions of his, the suspicions were directed on all...
83261From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 8 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Dec.—Jan. 18. and Feb. 28. On the subject of the latter I have to inform you that I am an utter stranger to Mr. Silas Talbot father of the two young Americans at Brest, and never heard even his name till a few days before your letter came to hand. I received one from him, dated John’stown N. York Nov. 20. 1788. wherein he informs me he has...
83262From Thomas Jefferson to United States Militia, 8 September 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
The offer of your service in support of the rights of your country merits & meets the highest praise, & whenever the moment arrives in which these rights must appeal to the public arm for support, the spirit from which your offer flows that which animates our nation, will be their sufficient safeguard. Having required from the Governors of the several States their certain quotas of Militia to...
83263Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on Virginia Statutes for Clearing the Rivanna River, 27 December 1816, document 7 in a group of … (Jefferson Papers)
1816. Dec. 27. The act of 1816 . Feb. 13. c. 46. having been passed since the date of the preceding letter , it may not be amiss to bestow some thoughts on the present state of the subject. What is the line of discrimination between the waters which may be exclusively private property, and those on which the public may have some claim? by the common law of England it is that at which the...
83264From Thomas Jefferson to Ralph Izard, 1 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you for the laws and newspapers sent me by M. de Chateaufort. Your favor of April 4. has also been duly received. I am happy to find that the idea of diverting the rice trade from England to France is thought to be not impracticable. A journey which I made from Marseilles lately into Lombardy in order to acquire information relative to their rice has corrected some misinformation...
83265From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Henry Latrobe, 22 May 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On considering the amount of our 15,000. D. fund and it’s objects, to wit, 1. finishing the offices of the Pres’s house, 2. smoothing the ground, and 3. inclosing it, and sensible it would not do the whole, I concluded that it was best to do the first absolutely, to do all that part of the 2d. which will require but a moderate sum, & then such a portion only of the inclosure as the balance...
83266Thomas Jefferson to Samuel B. H. Judah, 27 June 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns thanks to mr Judah for the poem of Odofreide, of which he has been so kind as to send him a copy. the chill of 80. winters has so compleatly extinguished his sensibility to the beauties of poetry; as to leave him no longer competent either to enjoy or judge them. he transfers therefore to the younger members of his family a pleasure which their more susceptible...
83267From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 28 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of to-day on the subject of Mr. Pagan. His case arises on the proceedings of the supreme court of justice of Massachusets, and requires of course to be considered by the Attorney General of the United States, who calls for a sight of the record of those proceedings. I have accordingly written to Massachusets to have a copy of the record of the judiciary...
83268Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Jones, 6 June 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
The iron announced in yours of Mar. 25. came safely to hand and I have this day , by the mail to Richmond , desired my correspondents Mess rs Gibson and Jefferson to remit to you 142. D 76 C the amount of the bill which therefore you may count on some few days after your reciept of this. Accept the assurance of my esteem & respect PoC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “M r Benjamin Jones”; endorsed by...
83269Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 20 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just now made up my packet of documents to be sent to Mess rs Hay & Wirt , my counsel in the case of the Batture , I think it my duty to furnish you with a particular list of those sent me from your office, which list you will accordingly find on the next page. those marked as now returned, you will find in the packet which accompanies this letter. the rest are sowed together that they...
83270Thomas Jefferson to William F. Gray, 4 April 1819, with Jefferson’s Note (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Mar. 20 . and the books came to hand a few days ago, shewing by their package they were securely stowed, but by the carelessness of the driver sadly injured, being soaked with rain to the lowest tier of the box. I now inclose you an order on Richmond which I hope can be made use of with you. to the 37.25 for the books sent I have added 6.D. for the Portfolio...
83271Thomas Jefferson to John Dawson, 2 May 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Apr. 22 d is just now recieved, & finds me on the eve of departure for Bedford , and with time only for a hasty compliance with it’s request. I have thought it better not to specify any particular object lest, on your arrival at New Orleans , you may vary that of your present choice. I shall be happy if my letter can be of any service to you, and to my best wishes for your...
83272Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 June 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
In two packages, distinct from this letter, I return you your father ’s meteorological diaries , which you were so kind as to lend me, and a piece on paper money recieved from you some time ago. from the former I have made out tables of rain and snow, and a calendar of animal and vegetable matters announcing the advance of seasons. having now compleated 7. years of observations since my return...
83273Estimate of Militia Strength, [ca. 4 September 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
before called on No. of Militia No. called for Delinquents Pittsylva. 725 97 45 Bedford 1535 202 137 Halifx. 1139 141 31 Charlotte 656
83274Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 25 August 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
By the last post I acknoleged the receipt of your last letter, & at the same time took the liberty of making a remittance through you to mr Peale . having occasion to send a light cart to Washington , & being in want of half a pound of Sal-Ammoniac, an article necessary for tinning our copper utensils, & not to be had here, I ask the favor of you to procure it at an Apothecary’s & send it to...
83275Enclosure: Directions for Window Sashes, 11 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
8. pair of Astragal and hollow, mahogany, window sashes, for windows 6. f. 6. I. high and 3 f. 3 I. wide in the clear of the architrave. The gobbets to be for panes 18. I. square. Both sashes to run up and down. The above are drawings of some sashes made by Adam Dennis. No. 13. St. Clement’s lane Lombard street, London, about the year 1774 for me. I should chuse those now desired to be made as...
83276Thomas Jefferson to Charles K. Mallory, 25 December 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return to this place, after an absence of 6. weeks at a very distant possession at which I pass a third of my time, I find here your favor of Nov. 26 . I thank you much for your kindness in having rec e ived my articles from Marseilles , and forwarded them without awaiting my particular directions to Mess rs Gibson & Jefferson of Richm d who I am sure have paid, and will always pay all...
83277From Thomas Jefferson to John Wayles Eppes, 8 October 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter to you from Monticello by your servant I had concluded to let the purchase of the horse lie till you should come here. but I find I am obliged to get another & without much delay: & that therefore I had better not let the chance slip out of my hands of getting Major Egglestone’s horse, for taking into consideration his price, & the circumstance of it’s being known that he draws...
83278From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the President and submits to his approbation an addition to the letter to Messrs. Carmichael and Short. The circumstances and prospects under which the guarantee of Louisiana had been suggested are so changed, as in his opinion to render it better to retract that suggestion, and to forbid the guarantee. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President...
83279From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 7 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I have examined the papers respecting the St Domingo trade, and now return them to you. not having a copy of the laws of the last session, I can judge in these cases only from so much of this particular law as is quoted. I think mr Dallas’s answers to the queries proposed to him, (as stated in the Aurora) are sound: and it appears to me that the case stated by Colo. Newton falls a fortiori...
83280From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 14 October 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
In the year 1774 (before a shilling of paper money had issued) I sold about […] acres of land in [Cumber]land & Bedford to pay my part of a debt of mr Wayles to Farrel & Jones. I offered the bonds to their agent immediately but he refused to take them. the money was paid to me in 79. 80. &c. I [then carried it] to the treasury as the laws pressed on all to do who owed money to British...