41From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 21 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
After sealing my last letter to you we received an account of the capture of St. John’s which I wrote on the letter. What I there gave you was a true account of that matter. We consider this as having determined the fate of Canada. A Committee of Congress is gone to improve circumstances so as to bring the Canadians into our Union. We have accounts of Arnold as late as Octob. 13. All well and...
42To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 24 [November 177]5 (Jefferson Papers)
I was not a little disappointed to find that you still complain of my not writing to you, when I have written twice since the Norfolk and Hampton Affairs. Your not mentioning those Letters greatly discourages me—not that I care who sees what I write, but that I stil should write and write again And you of my Neglect complain. The Affair of Princess Ann mentioned in your joint Letter to our...
43From Robert Carter Nicholas to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 25 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
As the Committee of Safety is not sitting, i take the Liberty of addressing you on the Subject of the unhappy Situation of our Country. Former Occurrances you are unquestionably acquainted with. A few Days since was handed to us from Norfolk Ld. D’s infamous Proclamation, declaring the Law martial in force throughout this Colony and offering Freedom to such of our Slaves, as would join him....
44From Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 29 November 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to give you the melancholy intelligence of the death of our most worthy Speaker which happened here on the 22d of the last month. He was struck with an Apoplexy, and expired within five hours. I have it in my power to acquaint you that the successes of our arms have corresponded with the justice of our cause. Chambly and St. John’s have been taken some weeks ago, and in them the whole...
45From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, [ca. 10 December 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
De rebus novis, ita est. One of our armed vessels has taken an English storeship coming with all the implements of war (except powder) to Boston. She is worth about £30,000 sterling as General Washington informs us, and the stores are adapted to his wants as perfectly as if he had sent the invoice. They have also taken two small provision vessels from Ireland to Boston; a forty gun ship blew...
46From Robert Carter Nicholas to the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 12 December 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
Referring you to a former Letter , in which amongst other Things, I mentioned the Necessity we should be under of having a large Quantity of Paper to make up the Sum of Money voted by the last Convention, besides the 2/6 and ⅓ penny Bills, which I have immediate Occasion for, I must repeat my request that the whole may be provided and forwarded with all Expedition. The Committee of Safety...
47Draft of Report on the Powers of a Committee of Congress to Sit during Recess, [15 December 1775] (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed to consider and prepare instructions for a committee who are to sit during the recess of Congress have agreed to the following Resolutions: Dft ( DLC : PCC , No. 23); in TJ’s hand; endorsed by Thomson: “Report made 15 Decr. 1775 … . No. 2. Report of the Comee app. to prepare instructions to the Comee. in Recess … .” Written on the back of the top half of a broadside...
48Report of Committee to Ascertain Unfinished Business before Congress, 23 December 1775 (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed to examine the journals and state what business remains still before Congress unfinished, have agreed to the following report. Dft ( DLC : PCC , No. 23). Endorsed by Charles Thomson: “No. 1. Report of the Comee appointed to examine the Journal. Decr. 23. 1775.” The paper underwent several stages of amendment, which could not be fully represented except by a facsimile....
49Draft of a Declaration on the British Treatment of Ethan Allen, [2 January 1776] (Jefferson Papers)
A Declaration by the Representatives of the United colonies in Congress. When necessity compelled us to take arms against Great Britain in defence of our just rights, we thought it a circumstance of comfort that our enemy was brave and civilized. It is the happiness of modern times that the evils of necessary war are softened by refinement of manners and sentiment, and that an enemy is an...
50Refutation of the Argument that the Colonies were Established at the Expense of the British Nation, [after 19 January … (Jefferson Papers)
Queen Elizabeth by letters patent bearing date the 11th. of June 1578. granted to Sr. Humphrey Gilbert license to search for uninhabited countries, and to hold the same to him and his heirs, with all jurisdiction and royalties by sea and land, reserving to the crown of England his allegiance and the fifth part of all the oar of gold and silver which should be gotten there. He had moreover...