1III. Extract and Commentary Printed in the New York Minerva, [2 May 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
“Our political situation is prodigiously changed since you left us. Instead of that noble love of liberty, and that republican government, which carried us triumphantly thro the dangers of the war, an Anglo-Monarchico-Aristocratic party has arisen.—Their avowed object is to impose on us the substance , as they have already given us the form , of the British government. Nevertheless, the...
2Address to the Senate, [4 March 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
Entering on the duties of the office to which I am called, I feel it incumbent on me to apologize to this honourable house for the insufficient manner in which I fear they may be discharged. At an earlier period of my life, and through some considerable portion of it, I have been a member of legislative bodies, and not altogether inattentive to the forms of their proceedings; but much time has...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Madame de Chastellux, 5 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I am at a loss my dear Sir to find words to express what I felt at the reception of your very friendly letter! So much kindness has filled my heart with gratitude and believe me when I assure you this Sentiment will last as long as my own existence. I can easily conclude from what you tell me that I can entertain little or no hopes of obtaining from Congress any kind of assistance for my Son:...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Edwards, [6 March 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
I have received from our Freind Doctor Rush the Letter you did me the favor to write of the 22nd: of Jany: last—my Name is Enoch Edwards, and that was directed to John Edwards—which was the Reason of its laying with him so long. I send you the Papers I mentioned from Mr: Monroe . If you would do me the Favor to take breakfast with Me on Wednesday Morning, at 9 or 10 oClock (or your own hour) I...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Enoch Edwards, 9 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The best Receipt for the Sausage—is to send you one which I wish you to take home and try. In the Autumn at the time you kill Hogs— take all the Skin off of the leaf Lard—and in every one wrap up as much sausage Meat—as will Make about the size and Shape of a neats Tongue (which can be done by a little Practice) —it requires no sewing—just slap it over while wet and it will stick. Mrs: Edwards...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 11 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with great pleasure your letter from Varina, and though I never had a moment’s doubt of your love for me, yet it gave me infinite delight to read the expressions of it. Indeed I had often and always read it in your affectionate and attentive conduct towards me. On my part, my love to your sister and yourself knows no bounds, and as I scarcely see any other object in life, so would I...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours has been duly recieved , and the clover seed goes tomorrow in the schooner Industry, Capt. Green bound for Richmond. It is addressed to Chas. Johnston, and is in 3. casks containing 3 1/8 bushels each, of which 4. bushels are for yourself and the rest for me. It will be desireable to have it forwarded immediately, and of preference by waggon. I shall be at home the 19th. or 20th. and...
8From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 12 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved no letter from you since that which you wrote on your departure from Madrid . That gave me reason to believe you would come over early in the spring, and having been ever since in the daily expectation of your arrival I had suspended writing to you. Having come on here for a few days to qualify into office, and being now on my return again, I avail myself of the opportunity by...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Sir John Sinclair, 12 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I take shame to myself at this late acknolegement of the receipt of so many of your favors: but the fact is that while I was here in my former office, it’s unremitting duties obliged me to interdict to myself the pleasure of private correspondence. On return to my farms I felt myself, tho’ an old man, yet too young a farmer to hazard any thing in the line which you are so firmly and usefully...
10From Thomas Jefferson to William Strickland, 12 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been longer in acknoleging the reciept of your favor of May 28. 96. than I would have been but for the constant expectation of procuring the seeds you desired (one kind of which was to be sent for to Kentuckey). This, the Buffalo clover, is in a packet which accompanies this letter: as also the wild pea which you wished to recieve, and I promised to send you. I have added some seeds of...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Volney, 15 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
N’ayant pû avoir l’honneur de Vous revoir avant Votre depart, j’espère que Vous recevrez encore avant toute autre Voye, un Exemplaire de Ma reponse au dr. priestley que je joins ici. Si le français S’imprime comme jai lieu de le croire, Vous ne tarderez pas Non plus de l’avoir. C’est une affaire finie de Ma part. Le Saint-homme N’aura plus de Moi une Virgule. Avant trois Semaines je compte...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Brown, 17 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I beleive I have obtained such information respecting the Freezing Cave as will enable you to find it. It is thirty miles from Winchester, two miles from the Road leading from that town to Romney, on the North River of Cape Capon. Mr. White, who gave Mr. Strickland an account of this curiosity, says he has seen it and examined it with much attention. Impressed, however, with an Idea, that the...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 23 March [1797] (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at home on the 20th. inst. and found the cherry and peach trees in general blossom. They had begun about a week before that. This day our first dishes of asparagus and spinach came to table. This may enable you to compare climates. The price of wheat at Philadelphia and Baltimore was 2.13 D. at Alexandria and Dumfries 1.67 at Fredericksburg 1.16. The merchants of Philadelphia and...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Peregrine Fitzhugh, 25 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeably to my promise I cover you as many Grains of the Cumberland Corn as can be conveniently conveyed in a Letter and I hope they will reach you safe. I have also sealed up very carefully about a Pint of the same Corn and shall request our Friend John Mason to forward it to some Gentleman in Fredericksburg of whom I will give you notice in a P.S. to this Letter that you may direct any of...
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose a note for some more sashes to be made by Mr. Trump, as we have put up those he furnished before, and find them well made and according to directions. I would wish these now ordered to be made as early as possible so as that payment may not be due till the 1st. of July; for tho’ I shall immediately order my tobacco to be sent on to you, yet it will not produce cash till July 1. I am...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Timothy Pickering, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose a copy of the President’s proclamation for convening the Congress of the United States at this city on the 15th of next May; and to be with great respect your most obt. servant RC ( NNPM ); at foot of text: “The Vice-President of the United States.” FC ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, DL ). Recorded in SJL as received 8 Apr. 1797. Enclosure: Proclamation by President Adams...
17To Thomas Jefferson from John Trumbull, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Friends Mr. and Mrs. Church with their Family, are on the point of embarking for America where they hope to pass the remainder of their time in a tranquillity of which Europe and especially this Country appears to have little to hope for many years to come. Among the many friends whom they will find happy and impatient to receive them on their Return, there are few whom Mrs. and Miss...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Elbridge Gerry, 27 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit me, with great sincerity, to congratulate you on your appointment to the office of Vice-President of the United States. It was in my mind a very desirable object, and a wish which I ardently expressed at the meeting of the electors; but, as we were unanimously of opinion that Mr. Adams’ pretensions to the chair were best, it was impossible to give you any votes without annulling an...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William Vans Murray, 27 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
After congratulations on your appointment to represent us with the new Batavian republic, I take the liberty of solliciting your care of a letter to Messrs. Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst and Hubbard of Amsterdam, who will of course make themselves known to you on your arrival. I think you will find them of characters considerably and advantageously distinguished from the herd of...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 27 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to Mr. Randolph two or three days ago, but I imagine he will recieve the letter at Richmond on his way up: for we expect he will of course come up this week. He has a more dangerous competitor in Billy Wood than had arisen before. But I hear little about it. I arrived in good health at home this day sennight. The mountain had then been in bloom ten days. I find that the natural...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 27 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of Apr. 24. 96. since which I have recieved your favors of the same year of Jan. 5. and 27. Apr. 11. May 21. and Oct. 21. For that of May 21. I am particularly to thank you, as well as for it’s effects which came in due time to answer my object. I recieved the sum of two thousand dollars from Harrison & Sterett in the months of October and November, for which I gave them two...
22Enclosure: Bond to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 26 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Jefferson of Monticello in the county of Albemarle in Virginia am bound unto Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorsts and Nicholas Hubbard of Amsterdam in the United Netherlands in the sum of two thousand Dollars of the United States of America, to the paiment whereof to themselves, their executors administrators or assigns, I bind myself, my heirs,...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 28 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of yesterday’s date I acknoleged the reciept of all yours which have come to hand since my last of Apr. 24. This is intended to answer yours of Oct. 10. 95. which never got to hand till Sep. 16. 96. Our legislature being then shortly to convene, I made timely applications to them, and obtained their act making you citizens of this state, which act duly authenticated I now inclose...
24To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 30 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
If I resume my pen once more to address you from this side of the Atlantic it is more that I may not let Colo. Monroe go without carrying some sign of life from me, than from any hope I retain of being able to add by it either to your instruction or amusement. You will recieve from him viva voce, all and every kind of information that I could give you of a public nature—and as to myself I hope...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The first certain accounts we had of your arrival were conveyed by your letter to Mr. Randolph which would as you suposed have met on his way up had we not previously determined upon having the children innoculated. But every circumstance of season health &c. conspiring to make the present opportunity favorable Mr. Randolph thought no interest of his could excuse his letting it slip. I have...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Permit us to congratulate you, on your election to the high and honorable Office of Vice President of the United States, in the discharge of which We most sincerely and ardently wish you the Success that our personal knowledge and experience assure us your exertions, Zeal, and perseverance to promote the Honor, Interest, and Prosperity of your Country will most amply merit. The warm part We...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 3d. inst. did not get to Philadelphia till I had left it, and therefore came to hand here only this day week. I have bestowed on it’s subject the earliest attention I could. When on a former occasion the Executive were pleased to apply to me (being then in France) for a plan of a Capitol, they at the same time desired one of a prison. An architect of Lyons had in 1761...
28Enclosure I: Notes on Plan of a Prison, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Notes and Explanations Fig. 1. The Ground plat of the building, which is an octagonal periphery of barracks, two stories high, within a single order, having before them a piazza, or arcade every arch of which corresponds to a lower and upper cell, which recieve their light and air through the arch and their own grated door. The cells are 8 f. wide, 10 f. long and 9. f. high in the clear, as...
29Enclosure II: Table of Estimates, 31 March 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Estimate on the scale of 200. cells and 340. f. diam. of area on the scale of 144. cells & 245. f. diam. of Area. Quantity Dollars Quantity Dollars Bricks. Arcade 1120. feet running measure (for an internal area of 340. f. diam.) 386,000. 278,208 106. cross arches, of half a brick thick. 10,600 7,800 108. vaults at mid height of the Piazza, half a brick thick. 38,016 27,360 200. vaults of...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 1 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Paris about ten days ago and came to this place, intending to take passage in the Dublin Packet for New York, but the Vessel being crouded I shall wait another opportunity. Mr. Monroe, whom I left at Paris, intended going by the way of Bordeaux. Four American Vessels have arrived since I have been here. 1 from Savannah, 1 from Charleston, 1 from Wilmington N.C.—and 1 from N.Y.—which are...
31From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown, 5 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ you thought you had made such progress in your plan that it could not be altered, yet I send you the one I mentioned, as you may perhaps draw some hints from it for the improvement of yours. The method of building houses 2, 3, or 4 stories high, first adopted in cities [where] ground is scarce, and thence without reason copied in the country where ground abounds, has for these 20. or 30....
32From Thomas Jefferson to Peregrine Fitzhugh, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 25. came safely to hand with the grains of [corn it covered] for which accept my thanks. A nephew of mine, Mr. S. Carr who married a daughter of the Mr. Carr near Georgetown, setting out this day for that place, I have sent him some of the peas you [desired] which he will inclose under cover to you, and lodge in the care of Mr. John Thompson Mason. This letter goes...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Alexandre Giroud, [9 April 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
Au Citoyen Jefferson, Vice Président du Gouvernement des Etats unis. Giroud Ingénieur des Mines; Membre de l’Institut National de Paris. Citoyen. Vous vous rappellerez peut-etre d’un francais qui vous fut presenté au Commencement de 1789, et à qui vous donnates des renseignements Sur une Succession provenant d’ ogléthorpe Gouverneur jadis de la Géorgie. Ce francais c’est moi, et je Me rappelle...
34From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yours my dear Martha, of Mar. 31. four days ago. The inoculation at Richmond having stopped that post I send this by the way of Fredsbg. I entirely approve of your resolution to have the children inoculated. I had before been so much convinced of the expediency of the measure that I had taken it for granted before your letter informed me of it. I am called to Philadelphia to a...
35From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Yours of Mar. 31. did not come to hand till the 5th. inst. It is a pity it had not been recieved before the election , as it gave much uneasiness and embarrasment to your friends to be unable to give any account of you. It made a serious impression even on the zealous; and I have this day written a circular letter , with the apologies your letter furnished, addressed to every militia captain...
36From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth House Trist, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
We feel too much interested here in the dispositions you expressed to become our neighbor, not to be attentive to any occasion which may favor it. A Mr. Lewis, my next door neighbor, having determined to remove to Kentuckey this fall offers his lands adjoining me for sale. The tract contains 700. acres, scarcely an acre of it but of first rate quality, tho’ a part of what has been cleared has...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Volney, 9 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 15. came to hand a few days ago. It has been among the greatest of my regrets that I could scarcely see you while in Philadelphia. A thousand visits of ceremony, and some of sincerity, and all these to be returned filled up every moment of my time added to a little business. Since my return home I have been entirely alone, and much [con]fined by the rheumatism. Just now I...
38To Thomas Jefferson from Mann Page, 19 April 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Hugh Mercer, the posthumous Son of the late Genl. Mercer, will do me the honour of forwarding this to you. I will shortly make known to you what have been his persuits in Science, and what is his Object in applying to you. His Education commenced with the Study of the Greek and Latin Languages, in which he made some Progress. His chief Attention has been to the Belles Lettres, in which he...
39To Thomas Jefferson from Jean François Paul Grand, 1 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Je n’oublierai jamais les relations que nôtre maison et moi particulierement avons eu le bonheur d’entretenir avec vôtre Excellence, pendant Sa mission ministerielle à Paris, et je conserverai pour elle les Sentimens de vénération et d’attachement qu’elle m’a inspiré et qui lui Sont Si justement dûs. D’après Cette façon de penser Vôtre Excellence permettra que je lui addresse mes félicitations...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Pierre Auguste Adet, 4 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Agrées, mes remerciements pour Les choses obligeantes que renfermoit Le Billet que vous m’aves envoyé Lors de votre départ de cette ville. Si ma Carriere a été Semée, D’espines, Si en Remplissant Les volontés de mon gouvernement j’ai excité contre moi L’esprit de parti, Si je n’ai Rencontré que des desagréments dans un foule de circonstances, j’ai Esperé d’emporter avec moi L’estime des hommes...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Elbridge Gerry, 4 May 17[97] (Jefferson Papers)
On the 27th of March I had the pleasure of addressing a letter to yourself, and on the 4th of april another to Mr. Monroe, to your care; but having no information of their being received, and having reason to apprehend that some of our post officers are guilty of mal practice and not to be trusted, I wish to be informed whether the letters have arrived, by a line directed to me at New York,...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Edward Rutledge, 4 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
My Nephew leaves me, in a few Hours, to take his Seat in Congress, and furnishes me with a direct opportunity of writing to you. He carries with him all the sincere Friendship which he has fondly cherished towards you, for a series of years, and with Him my warmest Wishes for your Enjoyment of all the Blessings of Life. You richly deserve them, my Friend, for a thousand good Reasons; but most...
43To Thomas Jefferson from William Wirt, with Jefferson’s Notes, 4 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Gilmer directs me to enquire whether you can furnish her with 20,000. 6 penny nails 10,000. 16 penny do. 200. 30. penny do.? In what time they can be got ready? Or, if they be now ready, whether it would suit you to take a draught for the amount on Mr. James Brown of Richmond payable on sight, or to wait for the money until the post from Richmond to Charlottsville gets again in...
44To Thomas Jefferson from “Monitor”, 7 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
A report has reached Virga. that since your V. Presidency you made in the City of Philadelphia a declaration nearly in the following words viz “That war with France might be expected unless america made Compensation and Concessions for injuries alledged to have been received by the former: also resinded the British Treaty, and that your exertions would be to effect those measures before you...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, 7 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Among the multiplicity of things I had to think of on my departure from home I omitted to speak with you on the subject of the cask of beer you were so kind as to put by for me at Hay’s. I will thank you to have it bottled and sent up. At this moment C. Johnston has no money of mine in his hands. Therefore I have given Mr. Hay (whom I met with here) money for the bottles, and immediately on my...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Antonia Reynon Carmichael, 8 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Je profite de l’occasion de Monsieur Joseph Thompson pour vous faire parvenir ce petit paquets que j’ai trouvé dans les papiers de feu Monsieur Carmichael. J’avois chargé un Monsieur de cette Ville l’Eté passé qui alloit en Virginie de vouloir bien vous le remettre. Il s’en etoit chargé mais une Maladie lui est survenu quelques jours apres son depart. N’ayant pû continuer son voyage il me l’a...
47To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 9 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have hitherto delayed acquainting You that Mr. Maddison had obliging forwarded my Letter Book . It was in as good order as you received it. As you should not have seen it, I Inclose you Mr: Erskines pamphlet on the Causes and Consequences of The War. It run through upwards of Twenty Edditions in a Fort night in London. Every True Whigg upon this Continent must adore the Man for the Wisdom of...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 13 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. came to hand yesterday. That of the 4th. of Apr. with the one for Monroe has never been recieved. The first of the 27th. of March did not reach me till Apr. 21. when I was within a few days of setting out for this place, and I put off acknoleging it till I should come here. I entirely commend your dispositions towards Mr. Adams, knowing his worth as intimately, and...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Paine, 14 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote to you by the Ship Dublin Packet—Capt. Clay, mentioning my intention to have returned to America by that Vessel, and to have suggested to some Member of the house of Representatives the propriety of calling Mr. Monroe before them to have enquired into the state of their Affairs in France. This might have laid the foundation for some resolves on their part that might have led to an...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Bee, 16 May 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the Agricultural Society of Charleston takes this opportunity of acknowledging the receipt, by the hands of Mr. Read, of a box containing specimens of rice, for the use of the Society. For this fresh proof of Mr. Jefferson’s attention to the interests of the State of South Carolina, the President, in the name of the Society and in his own, begs to return Mr. Jefferson his and...