85551To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 17 February 1781 (Washington Papers)
By a Letter from General Greene dated Guilford C. house Feby 10. we are informed that Lord Cornwallis had burnt his own waggons in order to enable himself to move with greater facility & had pressed immediately on. the prisoners taken at the Cowpens were happily saved by the accidental rise of a watercourse which gave so much time as to withdraw them from the reach of the enemy. Lord...
85552From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Pinckney, 26 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
You will perceive by the enclosed affidavits that an act of piracy has been committed by a certain William James Davis, master of the English merchant vessel the Catharine on board an american Sloop called the Rainbow. He afterwards came with his vessel into Newport in Rhode Island, but having some intimation that process of piracy was issuing against him, he slipt his cable in the night and...
85553Thomas Jefferson to William Thornton, 14 January 1812 (Jefferson Papers)
We are all busied in the country with our houshold manufactures of clothing. I do not believe one fifth of the coarse clothing has been bought this year from the importers which has been heretofore bought, and the next year nobody counts on wanting a single yard of coarse goods (blankets excepted) & but little will be wanted of goods of midling qualities. for the fine we must depend on the...
85554From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 20 December 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Attorney general to prepare a proclamation agreeable to the inclosed advice of Senate . he understands the Judges have some cases awaiting this determination . it would be well therefore if they could be certified of the ultimate sanction of the treaty either by the proclamation itself, or by a communication of the advice of Senate on Monday. RC (Privately...
85555From Thomas Jefferson to John Harvie, Jr., 11 January 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
In the year 1773. I obtained an order of council in these words. ‘At a council held March 11. 1773. On the petition of Thomas Jefferson, leave is given him to survey and sue out a patent for 1000. as. of land on the Southwest mountains in Albemarle between the lines of Thomas Mann Randolph, James Hickman, the said Petitioner, Martin Key, and William Watson. Copy. John Blair Cl. Conc.’...
85556From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 22 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the Resolution of the House of Representatives of February 23. 1791, I had prepared to lay before them, at their present meeting, a Report on the commerce and navigation of the United States with foreign nations. A possibility, however, has arisen that the existing state of things to which that Report was adapted, may be changed in several of it’s parts, and may call for a...
85557Thomas Jefferson to Noah Worcester, 29 January 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter bearing date Oct 18. 1815. came only to hand the day before yesterday, which is mentioned to explain the date of mine. I have to thank you for the pamphlets accompanying it, to wit, the Solemn review, the Friend of peace or Special interview, & the Friend of peace N o 2. the first of these I had received thro’ another channel some months ago. I have not read the two last steadily...
85558From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 29 July 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
Before leaving Washington I desired mr Barnes to remit to you before Aug. 10. 700. D. to answer an order in favr. of the Smiths for 433.33 and to pay to the order of Joseph Brand with or without an order from me 250. D. having last night recieved a requisition for 89. D 80 c from the fire insurance company, I have this day desired mr Barnes to add another hundred dollars to his remittance,...
85559From Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 23 May 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
After your refusal of the office of Secretary of the Navy, it was proposed to Capt Jones of Philadelphia who in like manner declined it. Genl. Smith then agreed to perform the duties without being appointed or recieving any reward. he has nearly compleated the requisitions of the law . on a surmise that Capt Jones might give a different answer on a second application, I proposed it to him...
85560Thomas Jefferson to Emile de Vendel, 30 January 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
Th:J. begs leave to inform m r M. de Vendel in answer to his lre of the 5 th that the University of this state is as yet little more than in embryo, and that the time of it’s opening is distant and uncertain & he prays him to recieve his respectful salutns. FC ( DLC: TJ Papers , 219:39059); on verso of de Vendel to TJ, 5 Jan. 1821
85561From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Cary Randolph Bankhead, 8 November 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having heard of your departure from Albemarle I address this letter to you expecting it will find you at that place. it covers one from Jefferson to mr Bankhead. in a letter I recieved yesterday from Jefferson he says ‘I am pleased with my situation and feel (contrary to my expectation) as happy here as I ever was, when I hear often from home.’ I hope this will stimulate yourself & Ellen...
85562Thomas Jefferson to John Jacob Astor, 9 November 1813 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 18. has been duly rec d and I learn with great pleasure the progress you have made towards an establishment on Columbia river . I view it as the germ of a great, free & independant empire on that side of our continent, and that liberty & self government spreading from that as well as this side will ensure their compleat establishment over the whole. it must be still more...
85563From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 14 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with yours of Aug. 31 . and am happy to hear that my dear Polly will come the next summer and by a good opportunity. If she comes to London, address her to Mrs. Adams who will receive her and advise me of her arrival. If to any port of France, the Agent of the United States at the port will do the same.—A dislocated wrist, not yet at all reestablished, obliges me to be very short....
85564Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Trist, 10 June 1814 (Jefferson Papers)
My visits to this place, considered as a halfway-house, rekindle the desire of bringing myself to your recollection, and afford me at the same time more leisure to do so. I left all your friends at Monticello well, and the happier that mr Randolph had resigned his military commission. at Farmington not so much health: mrs Divers generally indisposed; and mr Divers has been all the winter, and...
85565From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, [25 April 1796] (Jefferson Papers)
I have not written to you by the last posts expecting you would be on the road. Your last seems to suppose you may still recieve this at Richmond. The lad whom you mention to have eloped from Varina is at Edgehill. My groceries, and rope are arrived at Charlottesville. We had in the mean time fallen on an easy and quick method of taking down our columns, which was but the work of one day. I...
85566From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 9 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been so closely engaged ever since the meeting of Congress as never to have had a moment to write to you. I think it might be well to advertize my lands at Elkhill for sale, and therefore inclose you the form of an advertisement, in which you will observe I have omitted the name of the proprietor, which as long as I am in public I would wish to keep out of view in every thing of a...
85567From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 11 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been very unfortunate in my endeavors to see more of your brother who was so good as to call on me with your letter. I wrote to ask him to come and dine with me. Unfortunately there was an American in the same hotel whose name had some resemblance to that on the superscription of my letter, and a French porter delivered my note to him instead of your brother. A sickness then confined me...
85568From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 13 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It has long since been observed that of the three millions of livres given by the court of France to aid us in the commencement of our revolution, one million was unaccounted for by the hands into which it was paid. The date of the paiment is fixed to have been the 10th. of June 1776. but to whom it was paid has never been known. Suspicions are that it was to Beaumarchais; and that with this...
85569From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 6 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which I had the honor of addressing you on the 13th. of the last month informed you that I had forwarded to you a couffe of Egyptian rice by Capt. Shewell who was to sail from Marseilles directly to Charlestown, and another by the Juno, Capt. Jenkins sailing from Havre to New York. This last was addressed to the care of the S. Carolina delegates in Congress and bills of lading for...
85570From Thomas Jefferson to Tompson J. Skinner, 15 June 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
After waiting the time which had been concluded as proper from the rising of Congress, I directed your commission to be made out. but mr Gallatin represented that if the predecessor was so disposed, he might embarras his successor much, on an appointment so near the end of the quarter, when all the calculations are to be made in the shortest time possible, or the creditors delayed & rendered...
85571Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, [ca. 12 May 1823] (Jefferson Papers)
The warrant to you on the treasury treasurer of Virga from the Pr. & Dir. of the Literary fund & the Auditor shall be considered as for the payment of the sum of 40,000 D. to the Rector & Visitors of the sd
85572From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Sterett, 11 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
After your departure I learned that Mr. Brailsford no longer lived in Charleston. I must therefore beg the favor of you to address the casks of olives &c. to Mr. Vanderhorst at Charleston. I am with great esteem Dear Sir Your most obedt. humble servt., PrC ( MHi ). Sterett (1758–1833) served in Congress as a representative from Maryland from 1791 to 1793. The concern of Brailsford and Morris...
85573Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 8 April 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege your two favors of Feb. 16. & Mar. 2. and to join sincerely in the sentiment of mrs Adams , and regret that distance separates us so widely. an hour of conversation would be worth a volume of letters. but we must take things as they come. You ask if I would agree to live my 70. or rather 73. years over again? to which I say Yea. I think with you that it is a good world on...
85574From Thomas Jefferson to Gaudenzio Clerici, 31 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter finds me with only three Louis and six livres in the world, nor any means of commanding more for several days to come. My situation here exposes me to expences and advances which keep me constantly distressed for money, so that I assure you there is not a poorer person than myself. I send you all I have, being seventy eight livres and wish it was ten times as much, since no use I...
85575From Thomas Jefferson to Oliver Evans, 6 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
In the interval between your 1st. & 2d. patents, a mill was built for me in Virginia, the whole construction of which was left to the builder. I did not know whether he had used your machinery or what part of it, and the patent being then out, I presume he thought it unnecessary to note it to me particularly. by a letter from mr John Moody who says he acts for you, I am informed I am indebted...
85576Thomas Jefferson to Samuel J. Harrison, 24 October 1821 (Jefferson Papers)
I have but a single acquaintance at Cambridge the University of Cambridge . he is the Professor of Belles lettres there, and with him my intimacy is such that I am sure my recommndn will engage his friendly attentions. I inclose you a letter to him and am happy in the oppy of being useful to you. as mr Towles is to go with your son
85577From Thomas Jefferson to Elize Winn, 21 March 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mrs Winn for the Paccan nuts she was so kind as to send him ; which being recieved here, and in the season for planting, he has immediately committed to the earth. he makes his acknolegements also for the flattering terms in which she is pleased to speak of his political conduct; terms far beyond it’s actual merit. he sincerely desires to direct the affairs...
85578From Thomas Jefferson to James Pleasants, 12 November 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time that the Bursar of the University recieved the sum of 40,000. D. the first part of the last loan of the Literary board to the University, the Proctor had estimated that that sum would be sufficient for all purposes until the end of the year. if falls short however, and there is now a pressing call on him for a sum of 4000. D. which he has not funds to answer. it is of great...
85579From Thomas Jefferson to James Lyle, 12 February 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Oct. 25 came to hand in due time. Your [manner] of charging interest on my bonds is I believe the usual one. Being prepared for my departure to Philadelphia, I am not able to examine the particulars of the paiments. As far as my memory serves me I thought the overpaiment of the first bond by Mr. Donald’s bill was a few pounds more than you make it. But I may misremember, or there...
85580From Thomas Jefferson to George Logan, 4 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. Logan, and is sorry that a great mass of business just come on him will prevent him the pleasure of waiting on him tomorrow. The hope of dryer roads is some consolation for postponing his visit a while. RC ( PHi : Dickinson-Logan Papers); addressed: “Dr. Logan”; with penciled note by TJ, presumably intended for the bearer of the letter: “inquire at...
85581From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Tax for Albemarle County, 26 March 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The law requiring that the tobacco notes received by you in payment of the two per cent. tax, under the act of October 1780, for recruiting our quota of continental troops, should be transmitted to the Executive, you will be pleased to transmit them accordingly, so soon as they shall be received, the tobacco being much, and immediately wanted, to provide clothing for the soldiers. Any...
85582From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, [ca. 12 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson in writing to Mr. Short forgot to mention that the present occasion by Mr. Blake will be a happy one to receive from him the Letters of Fernand Cortez published by the Archbishop of Mexico (afterwards Toledo) as mentioned in 3d. Borgoyne’s travels 303. which he so much wishes to get. If Mr. Short will send it by Mr. Blake and note the price it shall be added to the first...
85583From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Thompson, 9 December 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I rec d yesterday your favor of Dec. 1. informing me that you had rec d & forwarded for me to Col o B. Peyton 11. boxes & packages from Mess rs Dodge & Oxnard of Marseilles, and had paid for me freight, duties E t c. 37. D 72 c and I this day desire Col o Peyton to remit you that sum. In running my eye over the items of the acc t I thought I discovered a small error. 96 ℔ Maccaroni charged in...
85584From Thomas Jefferson to United States Senate, 27 December 1808 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the request expressed by the Senate in their resolution of Nov. 14. I now transmit a report of the Secretary of the Treasury, and Statement, shewing, as far as returns have been recieved from the collectors, the number of vessels which have departed from the United States with permission, & specifying the other particulars contemplated by that resolution. DNA : RG 46—Records of...
85585From Thomas Jefferson to Victor Marie du Pont, 10 May 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to M. duPont is thankful to him for the accomodation of his bill of exchange, and offers of notice when there shall be a conveyance. to save him this trouble he gives him that of recieving his letter to mr Skipwith and forwarding it by any conveyance he approves. RC ( DeGH ). Enclosure: TJ to Fulwar Skipwith, 4 May.
85586From Thomas Jefferson to St. George Tucker, 9 May 1798 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your friendly letter of the 2d. inst. and your attention to mr Martin’s libels on the subject of Logan, the first only of which I have ever read: for when I found by his stile that truth was not his object, but to gratify party passions, I determined to read no more, but to make proper enquiries into the fact he questioned, & in due time publish it. I turned to the papers...
85587From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 11 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The reasons of the bank against importing coin seem good under their views of the subject, which perhaps are not broad enough. I think Congress should renew the tender of foreign coins. but whether any alteration in the comparative value of Spanish gold should be made admits of question. I imagine Colo. Hamilton had assays made wherein he founded his rates of foreign coins. indeed I think I...
85588Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Knox, 11 December 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Nov. 30. was recieved on the 9 th inst. the institution to which your letter relates, was proposed at first to be established, on private subscriptions, under the name of the Central College . these subscriptions amounting to not more than 50,000.D we expected to employ not more than 2. or 3. professors. on petitioning the legislature for some constitutional regulations for it,...
85589Thomas Jefferson to John Bracken, 23 October 1815 (Jefferson Papers)
In a late letter from mr Mazzei I have recieved inclosed a power of Attorney from the representatives of th e late mr Bellini for the settlement of the administration of his affairs and remitment of the proceeds. my distance rendering it impracticable for myself, I have thought it would be for your convenience also to engage some person in your neighborhood to attend to this. I have therefore...
85590From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 12 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the cases both of Caston and Hibbs are within the spirit of our promise , altho’ they both happen to be out of the letter of it. they have substantially fulfilled the object of the government; and could such cases have been stated to us before hand we should have offered the reward. should you be of this opinion I should approve of giving them the reward as if they were within the...
85591From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 8 July 1806 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you an order of the bank of the US. at this place on that at Philadelphia for five hundred Dollars on the usual account. I shall leave this place about the latter part of the month for Monticello & after a few days rest there proceed to Bedford from which place however I shall be returned to Monticello by the middle of August. this will be before the time by which you expected to...
85592Thomas Jefferson to Dudley Richardson, 11 May 1811 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 4. is at hand. I have recieved no letter from your son Richard since my last communication to you , altho I have no doubt the letters I forwarded to him went safely to him, as I got the Secretary of state to inclose them in his own dispatches to the Agent of the US. in Jamaica . the difficulty of getting letters from thence by private conveyances, and the numbers which...
85593VI. Notes for Reply to Robert Morris, [7–9 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Whether the parts of the Unit had better be a measure of the [curre]nt money of account or of the dollar. Obj. Easy to make any coin circulate at it’s value. Ans. Still it is a duty to make it’s introduction easy as we can to the people. Obj. The dollar is no money of account. No merchant keeps his books in dollars. Therefore the adoption of the dollar as the Unit will not save him the trouble...
85594From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Tingey, 20 June 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Capt Tingey, and having little acquaintance among the directors of the bank , asks the favor of him to consider the inclosed letter proposed to be written to the President, as to the mode of keeping his account, should he open one with them on the departure of mr Barnes who has hitherto been his banker. if there be anything in it, which Capt Tingey...
85595From Thomas Jefferson to George Jefferson, 2 January 1799 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you from Monticello with a statement of my draughts on you. I have this day drawn on you in favor of James Strange agent for the Donalds for £98–5 paiable at 10. days sight. the £500. which you recieved from mr Pendleton were for mr Short. as it was wanting here, & I had money here which it suited me better to transfer to Richmond, I have been able so far to make the exchange within...
85596Thomas Jefferson to Frederick A. Mayo, 28 December 1820 (Jefferson Papers)
I was very sorry to learn that you had suffered in the common calamities of the times, and still more so on seeing your stock in trade advertised by trustees. I have two considerable boxes of books, packed some time ago, containing upwards of 100. vols, which want binding. but not knowing whether you still carry on the binding business, I have suspended the sending them to you, until I can be...
85597From Thomas Jefferson to George Pryce, 14 November 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Barnes of this place, who does business for me will by tomorrow’s post remit you one hundred dollars to be credited to mr John Speer of Charlottesville as paid by Your humble servt MHi : Coolidge Collection.
85598From Thomas Jefferson to Miles King, 30 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The passports for the British flag vessel was by me put under cover to Genl. Phillips and delivered to an Officer appointed by Major Genl. Baron Steuben to carry it in with a flag and to attend the vessel to and from her port of destination. The movements of the enemy and uncertainty with what part of them Genl. Phillips was, prevented the Officer from going on before the arrival of the Major...
85599To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 6 June 1793 (Washington Papers)
I cannot but think that to decline the propositions of mister Genet on the subject of our debt, without assigning any reasons at all, would have a very dry and unpleasant aspect indeed. we are then to examine what are our good reasons for the refusal, which of them may be spoken out, & which may not. 1. want of confidence in the continuance of the present form of government, and consequently,...
85600Thomas Jefferson’s Observations for Calculating the Latitude of Monticello, 30 January–4 February 1816 (Jefferson Papers)
1816. Jan. 30 Jan. 31. Feb. 3 Feb. 4. Observed altitude Jan 30 error of instrum t 68–28–30 68–56– 0 70–39–30 ☉’s semidiam. here & hereafter 70–39–30 true observ d