1Memorandums to Henry Remsen, Jr., 31 August 1790 [document added to digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandum. Letters received for me at N. York before the last day of September, to be forwarded to me, by the Richmond post , at Monticello. not meaning newspapers however, which mr. Remsen will know by their covers. of newspapers I wish to receive Fenno’s only, while absent. those letters &c recieved after the last of Sep. to be retained. I must get mr Remsen to decide whether it will be...
2From Thomas Jefferson to James B. M. Adair, 1 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been favored with your letter from New York, [and I] am very thankful for your care of the letters from Mr. Pinckney and particularly so also for your attention to the threshing machine, which, if it answers what I have heard of it will be a vast acquisition to the states of Virginia and North Carolina. If you should not be coming on yourself to Philadelphia in the course of the present...
3From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 1 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In consequence of the information I received from you on the first Wednesday in January that the list of votes for President and Vice President were received at the seat of government from all the states except that of Kentuckey, I sent a special messenger to the District judge of Kentuckey for the list of the votes of that state lodged in his custody, and by the return of the messenger...
4From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 10 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine of Jan. 14. yours of Jan. 2. and Mar. 1. have been handed to me; the former by Mr. Jones, whom I am glad to know on your recommendation and to make him the channel of evidencing to you how much I esteem whatever comes from you.—The internal agitations of this country and the inactivity to which England is reduced by the state of imbecillity in which the madness of the king has...
5From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
From a letter received from the President Mr. Lear is satisfied he cannot be here to-day and doubts even the possibility of his arrival tomorrow. Of course our expedition of to-day would be certainly fruitless, and is therefore laid aside agreeably to a message I have received from Genl. Knox and the attorney General. Your’s affectionately & respectfully, RC ( MHi : AM ); addressed: “The...
6VIII. Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have a dozen times taken up my pen to write to you and as often laid it down again, suspended between opposing considerations. I determine however to write from a conviction that truth, between candid minds, can never do harm. The first of Paine’s pamphlets on the Rights of man, which came to hand here, belonged to Mr. Beckley. He lent it to Mr. Madison who lent it to me; and while I was...
7XII. Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 30 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved some time ago your favor of July 29. and was happy to find that you saw in it’s true point of view the way in which I had been drawn into the scene which must have been so disagreeable to you. The importance which you still seem to allow to my note, and the effect you suppose it to have had tho unintentional in me, induce me to shew you that it really had no effect. Paine’s...
8From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
The time which has intervened between the receipt of your favor , covering D’Ivernois’ letter, and this answer, needs apology. But this will be found in the state of the case. I had received from him a letter similar to that you inclosed. As the adoption of his plan depended on our legislature, and it was then in session, I immediately inclosed it to a member with a request that he would sound...
9From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 9 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed information relative to ransom and peace with the Algerines, being newly come to hand, I take the liberty of communicating it to you, and through you to the Senate. It concurs in some facts and opinions with what we had before learnt thro other channels, and differs in some others, so as, on the whole, to leave us still in considerable uncertainty as to interesting points.—I have...
10From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 May 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter from our friend D’ Ivernois according to his request expressed in it. Our geographical distance is insensible still to foreigners. They consider America of the size of a garden of which Massachusets is one square and Virginia another. I know not what may have been your sentiments or measures respecting the transplantation of the science of Geneva to this country. If not...
11From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 February 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you, my dear Sir, for forwarding M. D’Ivernois’ book on the French revolution. I recieve every thing with respect which comes from him. But it is on politics, a subject I never loved, and now hate. I will not promise therefore to read it thoroughly. I fear the oligarchical executive of the French will not do. We have always seen a small council get into cabals and quarrels, the...
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that the first Consular convention agreed on with France, and not ratified by Congress, may explain as well as account for some articles in that which was last agreed on and ratified, I take the liberty of inclosing, for the members of the Senate, copies of the two conventions as they were printed side by side, to shew where they differed. These differences are not as great as were...
13From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 25 April 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you for the book you were so good as to transmit me, as well as the letter covering it, and your felicitations on my present quiet. The difference of my present and past situation is such as to leave me nothing to regret but that my retirement has been postponed four years too long. The principles on which I calculate the value of life are entirely in favor of my present course....
14I. To John Adams, 28 December 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The public and the public papers have been much occupied lately in placing us in a point of opposition to each other. I trust with confidence that less of it has been felt by ourselves personally. In the retired canton where I am, I learn little of what is passing: pamphlets I see never; papers but a few; and the fewer the happier. Our latest intelligence from Philadelphia at present is of the...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Adams, 18 December 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
I received by the post of the day before yesterday a letter from Colo. Skipwith, covering one from you on the subject of a judgment recovered by Mr. Short against Dr. Griffin, and which you advise him may be recovered out of a debt due to Dr. Griffin at Baltimore. Being appointed by Mr. Short his Attorney in fact, and being totally uninformed of the ground on which this demand rests, I must...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Auguste Adet, 14 October 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved with pleasure your letter of the 9th. Ult. by post, but should with greater pleasure have recieved it from your own hand, that I might have had an opportunity of testifying to you in person the great respect I bear for your character which had come to us before you, and of expressing my obligations to professor Pictet, for procuring me the honor of your acquaintance. It would have...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Roger Alden, 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this moment your favor of to-day. Tho’ I shall ever be pleased with every event which may promote your interests, yet I cannot be without regret altogether that one of the consequences of the advantageous propositions you embrace is that they deprive me of the continuance of your assistance. I have been too short a time in the office to know as yet it’s duties myself. It was on the...
18From Thomas Jefferson to William Alexander, 26 July 1796 (Jefferson Papers)
The large and constant remittances of cash which I am obliged to make to Philadelphia for nailrod for the supply of my nailery, constrain me to expect short paiments for the nails I furnish. I have lately even found it necessary to require ready money instead of the three months credit I formerly gave. I have therefore taken the liberty of drawing on you for £16—10—3 the amount of the nails I...
19From Thomas Jefferson to William Alexander, 29 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire expressed in your note by Dr. Currie I have now lodged at Colo. Bell’s in Charlottesville 3. casks of nails to be forwarded to Staunton to the care of Gamble & Grattan by any waggon which may be passing, or to be delivered or otherwise disposed of at your order. The contents of the casks, and cost carried to your debet are noted below. As it is impossible to make casks...
20From Thomas Jefferson to David Allison, 4 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry that my absence last night prevented the immediate answer to your favor which was desired. All demands for money, be their nature or purpose what it will, must be addressed to the Treasury department, which alone can decide on them. Judge Turner from the N. Western territory has had occasion lately to make application in a case similar to yours. I would advise you to apply to him...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Jacquelin Ambler, 13 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commissioners of the Federal buildings having desired the President to draw on you for the monies unpaid and payable on the part of the state of Virginia towards those buildings, the President has this day drawn on you in their favor for the second instalment of those monies. He has been obliged so to express it, without specifying the sum, because it happens that no copy of the act...
22Enclosure: George Washington to Jacquelin Ambler, 13 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to pay to Messrs. Johnson, Stuart and Carrol Commissioners of the Federal buildings on the Patowmac, or to their order, or the order of any two of them, the second instalment of the monies granted by the state of Virginia towards the said buildings. RC ( Vi ); in TJ’s hand except for Washington’s signature; at foot of text: “The Treasurer of Virginia”; endorsed on verso in David...
23Circular to American Consuls, 26 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I expected ‘ere this to have been able to send you an Act of Congress, prescribing some special Duties and Regulations for the Exercise of the Consular Offices of the United States; but Congress not having been able to mature the Act sufficiently, it lies over to their next Session. In the mean while I beg Leave to draw your Attention to some Matters of Information which it is interesting to...
24Circular to American Merchants, 27 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Complaint having been made to the Government of the United States of some instances of unjustifiable vexation and spoliation committed on our merchant vessels by the privateers of the Powers at War, and it being possible that other instances may have happened of which no information has been given to the Government, I have it in charge from the President to assure the merchants of the United...
25From Thomas Jefferson to the American Philosophical Society, 28 January 1797 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of the 7th. inst. informing me that the American Philosophical society have been pleased to name me their President. The suffrage of a body which comprehends whatever the American world has of distinction in philosophy and science in general is the most flattering incident of my life, and that to which I am the most sensible. My satisfaction would be complete...
26Memoir on the Megalonyx, [10 February 1797] (Jefferson Papers)
To the American Philosophical society. In a letter of July 3. I informed our late most worthy President that some bones of a very large animal of the clawed-kind A Memoire On the Discovery of certain bones of an Animal of the clawed kind in the Western parts of Virginia. had been recently discovered within this state, and promised a communication on the subject as soon as we could recover what...
27From Thomas Jefferson to James Anderson, 2 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of April 29. with which you were pleased to honour me, did not come to my hands till the 25th. of October. The plan of the publication it proposes, appears to me judicious, and that such a depository well filled will be very useful. I sincerely wish it all the success which it’s great merit deserves. I am far from presuming that I could in any situation contribute towards it any...
28III. John Vining to Joseph Anderson, 1 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Not being able to lay my hands upon the Letter you have requested, and fearing very much that I inadvertently, together with some other loose papers, threw it into the Fire in changing Papers from one coat Pockett to another, I have nothing now left in my Power but to state to you the principal Fact which it appeared to contain. As I mean however to be perfectly explicit with you, I think it...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Anderson, 4 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am just now favored with yours of May 26th. The neutrality of the US. so far as depends on France is on the f[irmest] ground. Her minister has not only not required our guarantee of the W. India islands, but has declared that France does not wish to interrupt our peace and prosperity by doing it. She wishes [us] to remain in peace, and has opened all her ports in every part [of the] world to...
30From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Anderson, 25 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your two favors of July 12. and 14 . I have a good deal of confidence that Harvie’s lands may be saved to Sam. Carr notwithstanding the suit. It is very interesting to him that every possible delay be used, because it will give more time to be receiving profits and paying off, and because he may come of age in the mean time and make valid engagements for money to save the...
31From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Anderson, 19 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Two or three days before the receipt of your favor of the 11th. inst. (which I received yesterday only) I had received a letter from Colo. Gamble asking me to patronize his proposals to Mr. Genet on the same subject with what is mentioned in your letter. I do not know that I can be of use to either of you in this case, tho I wish to be so in this and every other case. I do not know what will...
32From Thomas Jefferson to the Abbé Arnoux, 19 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Dear Sir Paris July 19. 1789. The above is a catalogue of all the books I recollect on the subject of juries. With respect to the value of this institution I must make a general observation. We think in America that it is necessary to introduce the people into every department of government as far as they are capable of exercising it; and that this is the only way to ensure a long-continued...
33From Thomas Jefferson to the Abbés Arnoux and Chalut, 5 April 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Instead of the pleasure, my dear friends, of meeting you again in Paris, of recounting to you our revolution, and enquiring of you the details of yours, I have now to write you a letter of Adieu. Receive my sincere thanks for the kindnesses beyond number which you rendered me while in Paris, and my regrets that I am now to be cut off from the pleasure of your society and conversation. I shall...
34From Thomas Jefferson to William Frederick Ast, 14 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. inst. conveys to me the first information of your establishment in this country, in which I wish you every success. With respect to the application you propose to Congress on the subject of insurances , I am not able to say what may be it’s effect. We are little habituated to these speculations here, and therefore the less likely to estimate their true value. Instead...
35IV. Secretary of State to Thomas Auldjo, 24 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States desirous of accommodating his views to the convenience of the British Government, has determined to change the Port of your nomination as Vice-Consul for the United States, and to substitute Poole instead of Cowes. I have now the Honor of enclosing you the Commission, and of expressing to you the Sentiments of perfect esteem with which I am Sir Your most...
36Enclosure F: Charles Long to George Aust, 13 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ London ], Treasury Chambers, 13 May 1791 . Having placed before the Lords of the Treasury Aust’s letter of 20 Apr. transmitting by direction of the Secretary of State Johnson’s memorial renewing his application in behalf of Rachel , he is commanded by them to submit to him a copy of the report of the Commissioners of the Customs and, for the information of Lord Grenville, to say that they...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 29 September 1794 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter from Crosby , office keeper for the Secretary of state, he informs me you expressed some anxiety to receive the gong belonging to Mr. Franklin , the bringing of which here was the subject of a former apology to you. I have the promises of three several persons who went to China in different vessels in 1793. that they would bring me one each, and I presume I may count on their...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 2 June 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
The season being now arrived when all danger of the sea vanishes, I have had Mr. Franklin’s gong packed and shall send it immediately to Richmond with instructions to forward it by some safe and known master of a vessel to Philadelphia. As there is rarely a week without some vessel going from thence to Philadelphia, I hope it will arrive soon and safe. If you can make me up a set of your...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 26 December 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Crosby writes me he has bespoke from you a set of your papers for the present year to be bound up and forwarded to me after the end of the year as usual. Independant of this I shall be glad to become your subscriber from the 1st. day of this month for another set to be forwarded to me by post. As some of these will miscarry, I shall hope that on forwarding to you at the end of the next...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin Bache, 22 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th. Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Bache and sends him three gazettes of Leyden. He will send him five others (coming to Feb. 22) as soon as he has read them. He congratulates Mr. Bache on an observation he has heard very generally made of the improvement of his paper within some time past. He still wishes some means could be found of making it a paper of general distribution, thro’...
41From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Baehr, 14 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be obliged to you to make for me a waistcoat and pair of breeches of best scarlet French cloth, with small plain yellow buttons. Send them if you please by the stage, not by post. I am Sir your very humble servt PrC ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Christian Baehr. N. York.” Tr ( DLC ); 19th-century copy. Word omitted in Tr .
42From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Baehr, 14 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
If either now or at any time hence you can find a superfine French cloth, of the very dark blue which you know I wear, I will be obliged to you to make and send me a coat of it. Furnish me also if you please a pair of black silk and a pair of black sattin breeches. I will take care, on receiving your accounts always to find an opportunity of remitting you the amount. I am Sir Your very humble...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 15 June 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I forward the inclosed letter from Doctr. Witherspoon the moment it comes to my hand, in hopes that I may receive Mr. Robinson’s ultimate determination before I leave this place; as, should it come afterwards his or your letter might remain here unopened and the opportunity be lost. I am with great esteem Dear Sir Your friend & servt PrC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “Jerman Baker esq.” Tr ( DLC...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 12 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Jan. 15. with Mr. Robinson’s letter came to hand Jan. 30. I immediately put them into the hands of a Professor of the college here, in whose recommendations I should have confided. He at first had a hope of engaging one of two good persons who presented themselves to his mind. Both however concluded that the object was not sufficiently enticing, and I have now inclosed the letter...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Jerman Baker, 17 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Dr. Witherspoon came to hand soon after I had written mine of the 12th. to you on the subject. I have only therefore as an appendix to that letter to inclose it to you and ask an explanation on the subject of board as early as you can send it, that it may be forwarded in time to the Doctor. I am to add that the same doubt had arisen here with Mr. Patterson, and was one...
46From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 25 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Expecting to receive by tomorrow’s post a letter from Mr. Trumbull announcing an occasion of getting to America, and that I must leave this place in the same instant I have only time to acknolege the receipt of yours of Aug. 21. in due time after it’s date, to recommend to you the saving my credit as to the bill I drew on you, whenever Mr. Paradise’s remittances shall put it in your power and...
47From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 15 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise calls on me in the moment of the departure of the post, decided to set out to London immediately. I have however prevailed on him to agree to stay to the 29th. instant, when, if his deed is not arrived, he is decided to go and see his creditors openly, and I am not to offer a persuasion to the contrary, even should I be here. Indeed I could offer him no good reason, because the...
48From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 5 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favor of July 21. The measure adopted for reimbursing us will doubtless be effectual. I mentioned to you that my advance had put it out of my power to pay a sum of money in London which I was highly bound to pay. It brought on me a letter from the creditor which permitted me no longer to delay sending him Mr. Paradise’s bill on you. This I did by the...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 12 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise will be arrived in London before this reaches you. He could not determine to await the deed any longer. But he proposed to and at your house in order to know in the first moment whether it was signed. He left in my hands a bill on you for £176. sterling which I have advanced for him and Mrs. Paradise at different times. It was part of a sum of money which I was to have paid in...
50From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 1 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not before acknoleged the receipt of your favor of April 28. because I expected every post to receive Mr. Paradise’s deed. But a letter from Mrs. Paradise by yesterday’s post damps our expectations. I do not doubt but you have urged every spur to hasten Mr. Young. But Mr. Paradise insists on my writing to you on the subject. In fact he is on a gridiron till he can receive these papers...