85351From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel McDowell, 23 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Letter of the 20th. has been considered by the Board. We are exceedingly sorry that the Militia Service of necessity falls so heavily on the Citizens of our State and would gladly embrace every Opportunity of relaxing it. All we can do however is to keep the Burthen as equal as possible on all the Counties. We keep an Account of all the Tours required by us and the proportions of Men; On...
85352Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Carr, 16 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I send the horse by the bearer. if he is to be had for 100 D I will take him without further hesitation or reserve. if 120.D are required, they must agree to take him back if his lameness does not go off in one month, during which he shall be little used, merely to see if he gets better. I shall be glad to be decided as soon as convenient. I send you some Benni seed, and more asparagus beans...
85353From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Huntington, 6 September 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the dispatches forwarded three days ago I have received others from Genl. Gates which he was pleased to leave open for my perusal and desired they might then be sent on by the line of expresses. He has therein informed you of the articles he has called on us for, and it may be important that you should know as well what we cannot as what we can do. Of the tents desired we cannot procure...
85354From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin H. Latrobe, 9 April 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved, three days ago, your favor of Mar. 29. and have taken the first leisure moment to consider it’s contents & the drawings they refer to, and I approve generally of the internal distribution of both the floors, with some exceptions which shall be noted below. but we must for the present defer whatever is external to the North wall of the South wing, that is to say, the Vestibule, the...
85355From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 5 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
The offices of Secretary of state, Secretary of war, Attorney general of the United States, and Minister plenipotentiary to the republic of France being vacant, I nominate the following persons to them James Madison junr. of Virginia, to be Secretary of State: Henry Dearborn of Massachusets to be Secretary of War: Levi Lincoln of Massachusets to be Attorney General of the United States: Robert...
85356From Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 11 January 1809 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Doctr. Thornton & his thanks for the opportunity of examining Molina’s book now returned. he finds it is the book of which Miranda gave him the original, & made it the subject of his jesuitical letter for blinding his followers. Privately owned.
85357From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 24 February 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Several vacancies having happened in the army of the United states, during the last recess of the Senate, I granted commissions as stated in the list herein inclosed, marked A. & signed by the Secretary at War, which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I now therefore nominate the same persons for the same appointments. I also nominate the persons, whose...
85358From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 August 1791 (Adams Papers)
I recieved some time ago your favor of July 29. and was happy to find that you saw in it’s true point of view the way in which I had been drawn into the scene which must have been so disagreeable to you. the importance which you still seem to allow to my note, & the effect you suppose it to have had tho unintentional in me, induce me to shew you that it really had no effect. Paine’s pamphlet,...
85359From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
1400. 621. 1410. 327. 251. 569. 1402. 640. 146. 1486. 1445. 956. 530. 43. 954. 1399. 1006. 1436. 1379 1576. 1372. 1501. 1436. 981. 167. 996. 548. 604. 805. 809. 1046. 377. 1401. 1513. 1274. 1067. 1440. 569. 663. 981. 818. 1443. 270. 1315. 1440. 627. 1310. 219. 179. 1337. 520. 1440. 1225. 271. 569. 1549. 925. 1153. 569. 341. 801. 1501. 126. 1550. 94. 352. 879. 569. 177. 1507. 1042. 1102. 439....
85360From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 26 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Feb. 26. and Mar. 16. have been duly recieved. The conferences which you held last with the British minister needed no apology. At the time of writing my letter desiring that communications with them might cease, it was supposed possible that some might take place before it would be recieved. They proved to be such as not to vary the opinion formed, and indeed the result of the...
85361From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 December 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
I suppose the sum of mr Lyon’s chapter of lamentations is that the salt works cannot supply every body, & that the disappointed grumble. M. de Niorth will call & speak with you on the proposition on his behalf. Will you be so good as to meet the heads of departments here tomorrow at 11. aclock to consult on our foreign affairs. NHi : Papers of Albert Gallatin.
85362From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having performed the last sad office of handing you into your carriage at the Pavillon de St. Denis, and seen the wheels get actually into motion, I turned on my heel and walked, more dead than alive, to the opposite door, where my own was awaiting me. Mr. Danquerville was missing. He was sought for, found, and dragged down stairs. [We] were crammed into the carriage, like recruits for the...
85363Thomas Jefferson to Fernagus De Gelone, 22 January 1819 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7 th is recieved, and by that I percieve I am 18.D. in your debt, and therefore inclose you a 20.D. bill, the surplus of which may go into account. I observe that l’Algebre d’ Euler is not mentioned in your account. is this an omission of the account, or that the book has not been sent? you will find it mentioned in my letter of Nov. 16. in mr Belair’s of Nov. 26. and finally...
85364Thomas Jefferson to Cornelia J. Randolph, 3 June 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately recieved a copy of mrs Edgeworth’s Moral ta le s, which seeming better suited to your years than to mine, I inclose you the first volume. the other two shall follow as soon as your Mama has read them. they are to make a part of your library. I have not looked into them, preferring to recieve their character from you after you shall have read them. your family of silk worms is...
85365From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Dobson, 30 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
When I last wrote to you I expected that I should have been permanently fixed at home this autumn. I have been obliged however to defer it to the winter. But I shall make a visit there about the middle of October, and therefore will be obliged to you to lodge there for me in the mean time a statement of the paiments made on my bill of exchange and bond, and of the balance due, and I will see...
85366X. Secretary of State to the President, 17 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state has the honor to send to the President three copies of a report and message relative to Kaskaskia, Kahokia and Prairie, to wit, one for each house, and one to be retained by the President. He sends also the original report which contains some things worthy the President’s reading, tho not mentioned in the report. The passages reported on are marked with a pencil. RC...
85367From Thomas Jefferson to the Board of Trade, 8 November 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
It has become necessary to advance an additional Sum of Money to Mr. Lindsay. The Board of Trade will therefore be pleased to issue a further Warrant in his favour for Six Hundred Pounds on Account. I am Sir with much respect Your most obedt. humble servt., RC ( Vi ). Addressed in another hand: “To the Honble Commissioners of the Board of trade.”
85368From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sim Lee, 25 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your Excellency’s letter of the 20th. and have duly laid the same before the President. Measures had been already taken for prosecuting such American citizens as had joined in the capture therein mentioned, a letter to that effect having been written to the Attorney of the US. in the state of Maryland. With respect to the prize, the government did not think itself authorised...
85369Memorandum on the Cession of Louisiana from Spain to France, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The treaty of St. Ildefonso, dated Oct. 1. 1800. between Spain & France, Article 3d . is in these words, in French, the language in which it was written. “Sa Majesté catholique promet et s’engage de son coté a retroceder a la republique Française, six mois aprés l’execution pleine et entiere, les conditions et stipulations cy-dessus, relatives a son Altesse Royale le Duc de Parme, la Colonie...
85370Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Crawford, 3 March 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson begs leave to remind mr Crawford that his paper should be addressed to Charlottesville , without which it goes to the Milton office with which he has no commn FC ( MHi ); on verso of reused address cover of Hutchins G. Burton to TJ, 8 Nov. 1821 ; in TJ’s hand; dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ. A letter from TJ to Crawford of 2 Jan. 1824, not found, is recorded in SJL with...
85371From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Pinckney, 1 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 8. to the President of the U.S. having been referred to me, I have given the subject of it as mature consideration as I am able. Two neighboring and free governments, with laws equally mild and just, would find no difficulty in forming a convention for the interchange of fugitive criminals. Nor would two neighboring despotic governments, with laws of equal severity. The...
85372Thomas Jefferson to Joseph C. Cabell, 15 February 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I address this day to Gen l Breckenridge a letter as you desired ; to be shewn if it is thought expedient within the circle of discretion. I doubt much myself whether it’s exhibition to members independant in their purposes, & jealous of that independance may not do more harm than good. on this I put myself into the hands of my friends. I am sure you will see the propriety of letting no copy...
85373Thomas Jefferson to Spencer Roane, 31 May 1822 (Jefferson Papers)
In a single unguarded moment of my life, I did what is likely to draw a cloud over all my remaining days. the late W. C. Nicholas sollicited me to become an endorser for him of two notes of 10,000.D. each to the US. bank , promising he would not ask it’s continuance beyond a year. I had ever been very careful to avoid such implications: but a long and intimate friendship for him, great...
85374Fifth Annual Message to Congress, 3 December 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
At a moment when the nations of Europe are in commotion & arming against each other, when those with whom we have principal intercourse are engaged in the general contest, and when the countenance of some of them towards our peaceable country, threatens that even that may not be unaffected by what is passing on the general theatre, a meeting of the Representatives of the nation in both houses...
85375From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 4 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Our government having thought proper to dispose otherwise of my services than I had expected, instead of paying my respects to you in person, I have to perform the less pleasing office of writing you a letter of Adieu, thanking you, as I do sincerely, for all the kindnesses and attentions you were so good as to exercise towards me during my residence in Paris. I hope that by this time the...
85376From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 4 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
My absence from this place during the last month & part of the preceding occasioned the remittance of 144. D 47 to be overlooked which ought to have been made to you. I now inclose you a draught of the bank of the US. here on that of Philada for that sum. Be so good as to forward for me to Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond the articles below stated, by the first vessel. Accept my friendly...
85377From Thomas Jefferson to P. Canfield, 18 March 1826 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors of Feb. 25. and Mar. 11. have been recieved. age and ill health rendering me unequal to the care of my own affairs they have been for some time committed to the management of my grandson Thomas Jefferson Randolph. to him therefore the matter of the Lottery has been so entirely confided, that I am uninformed of the measures taken in it. he is now absent on a journey but is...
85378From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 13 October 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you 240. Dollars which be pleased to pay as follows. D c to Hancock Allen 92. 80
85379From Thomas Jefferson to Theodorus Bailey, 21 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. is this moment come to hand, having been so long retarded by the effects of the great rains on the roads. altho’ the Champaigne on which I have troubled you is not of the first quality, and is dearer than it would cost to import it, yet considering the blockade of the French ports, the delays, uncertainties & trouble of importation I have concluded on the whole rather...
85380From Thomas Jefferson to James Buchanan and William Hay, 13 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of March 20. came to hand the 14th. of June, and the next day I wrote to you acknowleging the receipt, and apprising you that between that date and the 1st. of August it would be impossible to procure and get to your hands the draughts you desired. I did hope indeed to have had them prepared before this, but it will yet be some time before they will be in readiness. I flatter myself...
85381From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Appleton, 29 April 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was of May 4. 05. since which I have recieved yours of Feb 25. Mar 16. & 22 May 1. July 6. Aug. 8. Sep. 28. & Nov. 18. and at different times have come to hand safely the several articles accompanying them, to wit, packages of trees, cuttings, plants & seeds, for your attention to which I pray you to accept my thanks. in November I recieved the 473. bottles of...
85382From Thomas Jefferson to Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 19 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having appropriated the sum of 40,000 Dollars annually to the department of state in the transaction of it’s foreign business, I inclose you the Treasurer’s bill on you for 90,000 florins supposed equivalent to the beforementioned sum of dollars. You will be pleased to open an account therefore with ‘the Secretary of state for the United states of America’ wherein you will credit him...
85383From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, with Report on Conversations with Vergennes, 2 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Several Conferences and Letters having passed between the Count de Vergennes and myself on the Subject of the Commerce of this Country with the U.S. I think them sufficiently interesting to be communicated to Congress. They are stated in the Form of a Report and are herein inclosed. The Length of this Despatch perhaps needs Apology. Yet I have not been able to abridge it without omitting...
85384Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Bacon, 30 July 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you two draughts on mr Gibson , the one in favor of mr Woods for 174.70 and the other in favor of yourself for 63.85 this last is to enable you to pay 48.85 to mr Maupin and 15.D. to mr Stout . the two former sums include interest from last court. I am afraid it may not be convenient to mr Lietch to advance money for these draughts, and that it is merely an accomodation to me that he...
85385From Thomas Jefferson to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 9 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my letter of the 6th. I received Information that two Parcels of Medicines marked C V (which we construed Commonwealth of Virginia) were consigned on private Account to Monsieur Coulaux la Vigne, and with other Parts of the Cargo of Le Comité were considered as ours; Be so good as to cause Delivery of them to be made to Monsr. Coulaux la Vigne, he paying all reasonable Charges. I am &c.,...
85386From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 13 October 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
You know my doubts or rather convictions about the unconstitutionality of the act for building piers in the Delaware, and the fears that it will lead to a bottomless expence, & to the greatest abuses. there is however one intention of which the act is susceptible & which will bring it within the constitution; and we ought always to presume that the real intention which is alone consistent with...
85387Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Chisholm, 18 June 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
We yesterday got up the wooden frame of our Pier-head compleat, and this morning mr Salmonds begins the stone-work. he will get to the spring of the arch this evening, or tomorrow morning before you can reach this from mr Madison’s . I must pray you therefore to be with us tomorrow forenoon, the earlier the better. on arriving at the Pier head you will find your attendants on the spot, the...
85388Thomas Jefferson’s Calculations of Latitude of Poplar Forest, 8 November–3 December 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Nov. 8. ° ′ ″ Nov. 9. ° ′ ″ Nov. 12. ° ′ ″ Nov. 13. ° ′ ″ Nov. 15.
85389From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 8 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Doctor Edwards, a citizen of the US. proposing to visit Paris, I take the liberty of presenting him to you as a gentleman of talents, information and worth. He will do ample justice to any attentions you may shew him and merit any services you can render him. His objects being health and information, it is uncertain what stay these may induce him to make in Paris. Should he...
85390From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 30 August 1778 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters of June 16. and Aug. 10. came safely to hand. I am in great pain for the French fleet. Operations by land I have more confidence in. What are we to think of the handbill said to have been circulated by Mr. Mauduit and published in our papers as certified by your brother? Is it genuine? If they really are coming to their senses at last, and it should be proposed to treat of peace,...
85391From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 November 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
Davy arrived last night and will set out tomorrow on his return. by him I send the flower-pot & plant in it which you left here, & a box No. 5. containing a bonnet for yourself. he carries also a cage with a pair of Bantams for Ellen. I must ask the favor of you to have the box No. 4. opened, to take out a piece of linen, & then let the box go on to Monticello. the linen I must ask you to have...
85392From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 24 April 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to procure from old mr Collins or any other faithful seedsman 1. gallon of earliest Frame peas and 2. gallons of Dwarf marrow fats and send them addressed to Gabriel Lilly at Monticello. I have recd yours of the 18th. informing me that you have sent on 9. doz. hams. on conferring with my steward I find he has now on hand 4. doz. which with the 9. doz. coming on he thinks...
85393From Thomas Jefferson to John Taylor, 6 April 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I had just recieved from New York the box containing mr Martin’s model of the hand-threshing machine, & the drill, when your favor of Mar. 25. came to hand, and I had nearly compleated a drawing to be filed in the Secretary of state’s office. I suspend further proceeding till I hear from you. in the mean time mr Bingham had communicated to me a model which he had recieved from England. I think...
85394From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Sumter, 14 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really mortified at the account I am obliged to give you of the fate of the ores you confided to my care. I gave them you know to Count Andriani whose regular chemical education, and his fondness for that study, together with his leisure, induced me to expect an attentive and scientific analysis of them. I enquired of him continually from time to time, and he always told me he was trying...
85395From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 September 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you Munroe’s letter most of the views of which appear to me very sound, & especially that which shews a measure which would engage France to compromise our difference rather than to take part in it and correct the dangerous error that we are a people whom no injuries can provoke to war. no further intelligence being now expected on this subject, & some measures growing out of it...
85396Enclosure: Tobacco Statement, 7 February 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
No. 95. 131. 1527. 96. 131. 1546. 100. 131. 1569. 101. 131. 1607 177 131. 1425 186. 131. 1615 217
85397Thomas Jefferson to Linn Banks and Edward Watts, 20 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners appointed under the act of the last General assembly for appropriating a part of the revenue of the literary fund, and for other purposes, met according to law, at the Rockfish gap , on the 1 st day of August last , and having continued their session by adjournments until the 4 th day of that month , agreed to a Report , which being signed in Duplicates, individually and...
85398Thomas Jefferson to Dominick Barthe, 17 March 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson acknoleges the reciept of a letter and volume from Count Potoski which mr Barthe has been so kind as to take charge of and forward to him; he returns him his thanks for this mark of attention and salutes him with respect & his best wishes PoC ( MHi ); on a small sheet; dateline at foot of text; endorsed by TJ.
85399From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 15 May 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday the inclosed letter from a mr Wood of New York. I should suppose the fruits of Europe stood nearly on the ground of the Dry goods of Europe, not tempting evasion by exorbitant prices, nor defeating the object of the embargo in any important degree, even if a deviation should take place. I send it to yourself for decision and answer, in order that there may be an uniformity...
85400From Thomas Jefferson to John Wilkes Kittera, 24 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Nov. 5 to Mr. Chambers, which was directed to him at Mercersburg and that of Dec. 12. addressed according to his particular directions, and both sent by post, having miscarried, I take the liberty of observing to him, through you, that if he wishes to secure a right to his discovery, relative to firearms, in America, it will be necessary for him to petition the Patent board for...