1IV. Madison’s Observations on Jefferson’s Draft of a Constitution for Virginia, [October 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Senate . The term of two years is too short. Six years are not more than sufficient. A Senate is to withstand the occasional impetuosities of the more numerous branch. The members ought therefore to derive a firmness from the tenure of their places. It ought to supply the defect of knowledge and experience incident to the other branch. There ought to be time given therefore for attaining the...
2To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 20 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 31 ult: came to hand yesterday. As the reason which chiefly urged my departure for Virga. has ceased I have been led to protract my attendance on Congress by the interest I felt in some measures on foot, and the particular interest which my Constituents have in them. Two of these were the territorial cession and the permanent seat of Congress. The former was a few days ago...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Walker, 25 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed are part of some papers I wrote in answer to certain queries sent me by Monsr. de Marbois in 1781. Another foreigner of my acquaintance, now beyond the water, having asked a copy of them, I undertook to revise and correct them in some degree. There are still a great number of facts defective and some probably not to be depended on. Knowing nobody so able as yourself to set me...
4Bond to James Currie, 30 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Know all men by these presents that I Thomas Jefferson of Albemarle in Virginia am bound unto Dr. James Currie of Richmond in the same state in the full sum of four hundred and thirty one pounds fifteen shillings current money of Virginia to be paid to the said James, his attorney, his executors administrators or assigns: to which paiment I bind myself, my heirs, executors and administrators...
5To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 30 September 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was written on the supposition that Mr. Jones and myself would be on our way to Virga. by the middle of Ocr. and that my best chance of an interview with you might be at Alexandria at the time of the races. On further thought I fear that you may be led by that suggestion to suspend your setting out longer than you proposed, and that I may not find it practicable to leave this place...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Archibald Cary, 12 October 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yours by Doctor Currie but to late to send to Mr. Eppes. I am sorry I have not been more attentive to the Waights of Many Wild Anamals for except a Ber; an elk and several Bucks I never waighd any. I saw in England a Panther sayd to be from the Cost of Gania, and a Wolf sayd to be from Germany both full Grown, and I Can assure you I have seen of both Kinds in Virginia much larger; I...
7Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 25 October 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much disappointed in not receiving a letter from you by the last post, as we are all anxious to know where Congress means to fix its permanent residence, reports say it is to be in the woods near Princeton or on the delaware a little below Trenton. I think it impossible that either can be true. If I should be mistaken it will fix this state in an opinion that there is a decided majority...
8Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 30 October 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The two last posts brought no letters from you which I am really sorry for as a full account of the proceedings of Congress on the place of their permanent residence was expected. There are not yet a sufficient number of members to proceed to business. I am &c. FC ( Vi ); caption reads: “Delegates in Congress.”
9From Thomas Jefferson to Isaac Zane, 8 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
By Colo. Bland who is returning to Virginia in a carriage I send you a thermometer, the only one to be had in Philadelphia. It appears to be a good one. You must do me the favour to accept of it from me. The following are the observations which I would trouble you to make and transmit to me. The temperature of the cave at different distances from the mouth. The temperature of your ice house....
10From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 10 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at this place, not hearing till I had almost reached it that Congress had determined to remove for a time to Annapolis. Being engaged in some necessary business and knowing that the first day of the new Congress at Princetown would be emploied in chusing their president and other formalities of no public consequence, I did not join them there till the second day, and that evening...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Reed, [10? November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
The Esteem of the wise and virtuous is the most desirable Acquisition in human Life, but the wise and virtuous as well as weak and vicious are liable to Imposition and Mistake. Considering the active Industry of the Partizans of this City I should not wonder if the many Slanders propagated against me should sometimes have made Impressions. Under this Idea I was induced to publish a small...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 11 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Excellency’s letter of the 25th. Ult. on the determination of Congress as to their future residence has been duly received. You would doubtless soon after have heard of their subsequent determination on the same subject. As all this had taken place before my arrival I can give you an account only from the information of others. Congress, it seems, thought it best to generalize their first...
13[From Thomas Jefferson to John Key, 11 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 11 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “J.Key. to provide clothing and blankets.” Not found. On Key see Account Book under date of 24 Sep. 1783: “Agreed with John Key to serve me as steward another year for £80.”]
14Benjamin Harrison to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at last received a letter from you which with its important enclosures were immediately laid before the Assembly. They came in the most critical time, the subject of the impost being then under consideration. Mr. Adams’s letter silenced the opposition and I have now no doubt of its obtaining. I earnestly wish Congress had entered into some general recommendations for counteracting the...
15[To Thomas Jefferson from William Jones, 18 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Bristol [ England ], 18 Nov. 1783 . Entry under 10 Apr. 1784 in SJL reads: “received W. Jones.’ Bristol. Nov.18.1783. Richd. Hanson will bring a letter.” Not found.]
16From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th . came to hand yesterday and relieved us from the fear that sickness or some other accident had detained you. I am very particularly obliged to you for the attention you have been so good as to pay to my accomodation; several circumstances had prevented my taking measures for this purpose so early as I wished. I had ultimately relied on Mr. Carrol, who left this place two...
17Oliver Pollock to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 20 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
The Inclosed Copy has no less Astonished than Chagrined me. Indeed it has been almost more than I could support and has required the whole of my fortitude and resolution particularly when received at the time I am surrounded by my Creditors as you will find by the sequal. The only consolation that I have now left is that (thank Heaven) I have all the orriginal Bills at new Orleans, where I...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Harrison, 21 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for your favor of the 11th. instant. It very fully explains the views and interests of the several states as to the future residence of Congress, tho’ it is to be lamented that either should have any weight against the justice due to the whole confederation, which calls on them to fix on the most central place that can be made convenient which is certainly at or near...
19[From Thomas Jefferson to John Key, 26 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 26 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “J.Key to sell grey horses for £50. and give me notice. Use of books to Mr. Madison.” Not found.]
20[From Thomas Jefferson to Jacquelin Ambler, 27 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jaquel. Ambler. Mad’s bill—impost—cession—meeting and separation of Congr.” Not found.]
21[From Thomas Jefferson to Mann Page, 27 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “M. Page. Meeting and separation of Congr.—cession without alterations.” Not found.]
22[From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 27 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “W. Short. Foreign arrangement—Skelton’s affairs—Martin—Western cession—importance of establishing interest in Congress-residence of Congress-instructions on that head—Patsy’s situation.” Not found.]
23[From Thomas Jefferson to John Tyler, 27 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 27 Nov. 1783 . Entry in SJL reads: “Speaker H. D. Impost. Western cession. Seat of Congress. Instructions to require cession from others.” Not found.]
24Francis Hopkinson to Robert Bremner, 28 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Philadelphia, 28 Nov. 1783 . “Mr. Jefferson of Virginia” having consulted Hopkinson “respecting the Importation of a Harpsichord for his Daughter,” the matter is referred to Bremner’s judgment and care. “He wishes to have an Instrument of the very best kind—a double Harpsichord with Merlin’s forte-piano Stop and such other modern Improvements as you may think advantageous … also all necessary...
25From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 28 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
After four days journey I arrived here without any accident and in as good health as when I left Philadelphia. The conviction that you would be more improved in the situation I have placed you than if still with me, has solaced me on my parting with you, which my love for you has rendered a difficult thing. The acquirements which I hope you will make under the tutors I have provided for you...
26I. Notes by Madison, [October 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
Permanent seat of Congress North River—recommended for the permanent seat of Congress chiefly by its security against foreign danger. Falls of Potowmac—By 1. geographical centrality—2. proximity to western Country already ceded—3. inducement to further Cessions from N.C. S.C. and Georgia. 4. remoteness from the influence of any overgrown commercial city. Falls of Delaware—By 1. centrality with...
27II. Notes and Calculations by Jefferson, [November? 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
1. It requires 9. states to appropriate money, and only 7 to adjourn. There cannot therefore be buildings erected at Georgetown without the concurrence of 9 states, a number [whic]h I fear we shall never obtain. Yet if the buildings were erected, 7 could adjourn us there, and this number is within [hope], but not within certainty. Obj. it is then but a speculation by which the state may throw...
28III. Analysis of Votes of 7 October 1783, November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Absent N. Hampshire and Georgia N. Hampshire } for any place in preference to Philadelphia. the further North however the more agreeable to them. Massachusets Rhodeisland Connecticut New York. for the most Northern situation New Jersey. the same. Pennsylvania. for Germantown, next Lamberton Delaware. for Wilmington. but for Georgetown in preference to Lamberton or any other situation which...
29IV. Comparative Table of Distances, [November–December? 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
Phila Trenton George Town. 146 from P. N. Hampshire 429 399 575 Massachusets 365 335 511 Rhode island 317 287 463 Connecticut 245 215 391
30VI. Resolution on the Privileges and Immunities of Congress, [ca. November–December 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Resolved that the object of the several states in appointing delegates to meet in General Congress being that they may therein transact for the good of the Union in general and their State in particular those matters which the Confederation has submitted to the direction of Congress, the said delegates ought to be invested in the place where they may be sitting with such privileges and...