1From Thomas Jefferson to Ebenezer Hazard, 30 April 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 23. 1774 and Proposals for collecting and publishing the American state papers I have received. It is an undertaking of great utility to the continent in general, as it will not only contribute to the information of all those concerned in the administration of government, but will furnish to any historical genius which may happen to arise those materials which he would...
2From Thomas Jefferson to William Small, 7 May 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the pleasure by a gentleman who saw you at Birmingham to hear of your welfare. By Capt. Aselby of the True-patriot belonging to Messrs. Farrell & Jones of Bristol I send you three dozen bottles of Madeira, being the half of a present which I had laid by for you. The captain was afraid to take more on board lest it should draw upon him the officers of the customs. The remaining three...
3To Thomas Jefferson from St. George Tucker, 8 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I must apologize to you for the Liberty I take in addressing you as a Member of the General Congress , but the Importance of the Occasion I hope will excuse it. I shall therefore without further prelude proceed to the Occasion of this Letter. The Island of Bermuda, by it’s detached Situation, by the Number of it’s Inhabitants, by its inconsiderable produce, and by the small progress made there...
4From Thomas Jefferson to St. George Tucker, 10 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknoledge the receipt of your letter, and to scribble a line in answer, being just in the moment of setting out on my journey. The situation of your island is truly hard, and I should think deserves a relaxation of our terms if I may trust my first thoughts on the subject. I also think it probable it might be mutually beneficial to us. Should I continue of that opinion I will...
5Virginia Resolutions on Lord North’s Conciliatory Proposal, 10 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved , that it is the Opinion of this Committee that an Address be presented to his Excellency, the Governor, to inform him that we have taken into our Consideration the joint Address of the two Houses of Parliament, his Majesty’s Answer, and the Resolution of the Commons which his Lordship has been pleased to lay before us. That wishing nothing so sincerely as the perpetual continuance of...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 26 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
You will before this have heard that the war is now heartily entered into, without a prospect of accomodation but thro’ the effectual interposition of arms. General Gage has received considerable reinforcements, tho’ not to the [wh]ole amount of what was expected. There has lately been an action at the outlet of the town of Boston. The particulars we have not yet been able to get with...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Ebenezer Hazard, 30 June 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Your very obliging Letter of 30th. April did not come to hand before a few Days ago, or it should have been answered sooner. I am happy that you coincide with me in Sentiment respecting the Utility of my Undertaking, and, judging of the whole from the Materials I am already possessed of, I cannot help thinking the Collection will be vastly more important than I at first imagined. The polite...
8Jefferson’s Annotated Copy of Franklin’s Proposed Articles of Confederation, [June–July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Articles of confederation and perpetual Union proposed by the delegates of the several colonies of New Hampshire &c. in General Congress met at Philadelphia May. 10. 1775. The Art. I. name of this confederacy shall henceforth be ‘The united < colonies > states of North America.’ The Art. II. said united colonies hereby severally enter into a firm league of friendship with each other binding on...
9Financial and Military Estimates for Continental Defense, [June–July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
souls dollars New Hampshire 100,000 82,713 2 Massachusets 350,000 289,496 Rhode island 58,000 47,973 Connecticut 200,000 165,426 New York 200,000 165,426 New Jersey 130,000
10From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 4 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, nothing new has happened. Our accounts of the battle of Charleston have become clear, and greatly to our satisfaction. Contrary to what usually happens, the first accounts were below truth; it is now certain that the regulars have had between 1200 and 1400 killed and wounded in that engagement, and that of these 500 are killed. Major Pitcairn is among the slain, at which...
11From Thomas Jefferson to George Gilmer, [5 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The battle of Charlestown I expect you have heard, but perhaps not so as you may depend on. The provincials sustained two attacks in their trenches, and twice repulsed the ministerial forces, with immense slaughter. The third attack, however, being made with fixed bayonets, the provincials gave ground, retired a little way, and rallied ready for their enemy; but they, having been pretty...
12I. Jefferson’s Composition Draft, 26 June–6 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The large strides < advances > of late taken by the legislature of Great Britain towards establishing < in > over the colonies their absolute rule, and the hardiness of their present attempt to effect by force of arms what by law or right they could never effect render< s > it necessary for us also to change < shift > the ground of opposition and to close with their last appeal from reason to...
13II. Jefferson’s Fair Copy for the Committee, 26 June–6 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
< We > A Declaration < of > by the representatives of the United colonies of America now sitting in General Congress, < to all nations send greeting > < of > setting forth the causes & necessity of their tak[ing up arms]. The large strides of late taken by the legislature of Great Britain towards establishing over these colonies their absolute rule, and the hardiness of the present attempt to...
14III. John Dickinson’s Composition Draft, 26 June–6 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United Colonies of North America now < sitting > met in General Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms. If it was possible for < Beings endued with Reason to believe, that the Divine Author of their Existence > < who > < entert >< feel a proper Reverence for > Men who exercise their Reason in...
15IV. The Declaration as Adopted by Congress, [6 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration by the Reprensentatives of the United Colonies of North-America, now met in Congress at Philadelphia, setting forth the Causes and Necessity of their taking up Arms. if it was possible for Men, who exercise their Reason to believe, that the Divine Author of our Existence intended a Part of the human Race to hold an absolute Property in, and an unbounded Power over others, marked...
16Second Petition from Congress to the King, 8 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
We your Majesty’s faithful subjects of the colonies of Newhampshire, Massachusetts-bay, Rhode island and Providence plantations, Connecticut, New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, the counties of New Castle Kent and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina, in behalf of ourselves and the inhabitants of these colonies, who have deputed us to represent them in...
17From Thomas Jefferson to the President of the Virginia Convention, 11 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The continued sitting of Congress prevents us from attending our colony Convention: but, directed by a sense of duty, we transmit to the Convention such determinations of the Congress as they have directed to be made public. The papers speak for themselves, and require no comment from us. A petition to the king is already sent away, earnestly entreating the royal interposition to prevent the...
18I. Jefferson’s Draft Resolutions, [25 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The Congress proceeding to take into their consideration a resolution of the House of Commons of Gr. Br. referred to them by the several assemblies of New Jersey, Pennsylva. and Virga., which resolution is in these words ‘that it is the opinion &c.’ are of Opinion That the colonies of America possess < an > the exclusive < right > privilege of giving and granting their own money; that this...
19II. The Resolutions as Adopted by Congress, 31 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
THE several Assemblies of New Jersey , Pennsylvania and Virginia , having refered to the Congress a resolution of the House of Commons of Great Britain , which resolution is in these words, viz. Lunae , 20° die Feb. 1775. The House in a Committee on the American papers. Motion made, and question proposed . That
20Virginia and Pennsylvania Delegates in Congress to the Inhabitants West of Laurel Hill, 25 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
It gives us much concern to find that disturbances have arisen and still continue among you concerning the boundaries of our colonies. In the character in which we now address you, it is unnecessary to enquire into the origin of those unhappy disputes, and it would be improper for us to express our approbation or censure on either side: But as representatives of two of the colonies united,...
21From the Virginia Delegates in Congress to George Washington, 26 July 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
With the most cordial warmth we recommend our Countryman Mr. Edmund Randolph to your patronage and favor. This young Gentlemans abilities, natural and acquired, his extensive connections, and above all, his desire to serve his Country in this arduous struggle, are circumstances that cannot fail to gain him your countenance and protection. You will readily discern Sir, how important a...
22To Thomas Jefferson from George Gilmer, [26 or 27 July 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 5th Inst. this instant came to my hands in our encampment in Wallers Grove , the account of the battle at Charles town is pleasing, I wish it is true. It appears astonishing to me that some armed Vessel has not attempted to bring in powder &c. it certainly is practicable and wants proper encouragement only to put it in execution. Do order some of those Privateers to all the...
23To Thomas Jefferson from St. George Tucker, 12 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Were I certain that a Letter I addressed to you a few Weeks ago, by way of Virginia had been delivered to you, I should not have intruded on Business of greater Importance in which you may be at present engaged, a second Time. But lest any Accident should have happened thereto, I take the Liberty of enclosing you the Plan for continuing the Exports from America to foreign Markets, which I...
24From Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 25 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your message by Mr. Braxton and immediately gave him an order on the Treasurer for the money, which the Treasurer assured me should be answered on his return. I now send the bearer for the violin and such musick appurtaining to her as may be of no use to the young ladies. I beleive you had no case to her. If so, be so good as to direct Watt Lenox to get from Prentis’s some bays or...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Edmund Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
No new Occurrence at Cambridge can justify an Intrusion on the well-employ’d Moments of a Delegate. I must, however, urge you, to assign a Reason for the Supineness of Virginia, amidst the Robberies, and other Violations of private Property, said to have been committed by Lord Dunmore. He plunders Custom-Houses, and reviews his Body-Guard at Gosport, unarrested. What is the Conclusion from...
26To Thomas Jefferson from John Randolph, 31 August 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved ten Guineas of the Treasurer and have left the Violin with Mr. Cocke of Wmsburg. I wish I had had a Case for it. Tho we may politically differ in Sentiments, yet I see no Reason why privately we may not cherish the same Esteem for each other which formerly I believe Subsisted between us. Should any Coolness happen between us, I’ll take Care not to be the first mover of it. We...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Walker and Others, 13 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
After a very disagreeable, wet and fateagueing Journey, we got here on the 10th Inst. the day appointed for opening the Treaty, but found scarcely any Indians here. We have dispatched runners to meet them and hope they will be in soon. We are told that the Shawnese and Delawares are on their way, but can not hear a tittle of the Wiandotts, from which circumstance ’tis feared that they have...
28Commission as Lieutenant of Albemarle, 26 September 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The COMMITTEE of SAFETY for the Colony of VIRGINIA To Thomas Jefferson Esquire By Virtue of the Power and Authority invested in us, by the Delegates and Representatives of the several Counties and Corporations in General Convention assembled, we, reposing especial Trust and Confidence in your Patriotism, Fidelity, Courage, and good Conduct, do, by these Presents, constitute and appoint you to...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 10 October 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Patty on my arrival here, and there being then nothing new in the political way I inclosed her letter under a blank cover to you. Since that we have received from England news of much importance, which coming thro’ many channels we beleive may be confidently relied on. Both the ministerial and provincial accounts of the battle of Bunker’s hill had got to England. The ministry were...
30Memoranda on the Connecticut-Pennsylvania Boundary Dispute, [17 October 1775?] (Jefferson Papers)
Connecticut is bounded Westward 1. by the N. W. line of Virginia. 2. by the Proviso in the Plymouth grant in favr. of the Southern colony. 3. by the decision of Nicholson & al. pa. 14. declard Western boundary , to which Connecticut assented. 4. by the grant of Pensylvania. N ( DLC ). These notes on the protracted dispute between Pennsylvania and Connecticut over the Wyoming Valley are...