1Enclosure: President of the Commune of Paris to the President and Members of Congress, 29 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
We have learned that Franklin, the man of all nations, is no more—having enlightened them all, and in every species of knowledge, they ought to share in a loss, which is common to them all. The august Legislators of our nation have hastened to set the example; but the assembly of representatives of the Commons of the Capital believed it their duty to add to this universal mourning a new...
2Enclosure: Stephen Hallet’s Description of His New Plan for the Capitol, [ca. 15 March 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
Succinct description of a new Plan of a Capitol by Mr. Hallet. The principal front is in a direct line of 320. feet in length, having in the middle a circular projection of 105. feet diameter, very nearly of the proportions of the Pantheon, and crowned in the same taste, the same Cornish, surmounted by a balustrade, crowns the whole edifice which is proposed to be covered in terrasses. The...
3Agenda for Commissioners of the Federal District, [ca. 5 March 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates &ca. are sent to shew the views &ca. of Majr. LEnfant. MS ( DLC : Washington Papers); in the hands of both TJ and Washington, as indicated in notes below; undated, but certainly written after 1 Mch. and on or before 6 Mch. 1792. It is very probable that TJ wrote the first part of the agenda and sent it or left it with Washington on 5 Mch. 1792 (see Washington to TJ, 4 Mch. 1792 ) and...
4George Washington to the Senate, with Jefferson’s Note to Washington, 28 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I was led, by a consideration of the qualifications of Patterson of New Jersey to nominate him an associate justice of the Supreme court of the US. It has since occurred that he was a member of the Senate when the act creating that office was passed and that the time for which he was elected had not yet expired. I think it my duty therefore to declare that I deem the nomination to have been...
5VI. Draft of a Message from the President to the Senate, [4 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
The ‘Act for the admission of the state of Vermont into this union’ having fixed on this, as the day of it’s admission, it was thought that this would also be the first day on which any officer of the Union might legally perform any act of authority relating to that state. I therefore required your attendance to recieve nominations of the several officers necessary to put the federal...
6From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington and the Virginia Delegates in Congress, 10 May 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
The papers of the Executive having been almost wholly lost in the visit which was made by General Arnold to this place, we are endeavouring to procure Copies of as many of them as we can. As the Correspondence with your Excellency is among the most important I am to solicit the Favor of you to permit the Bearer hereof Mr. Granville Smith to take Copies of any Letters with which you have been...
7From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to enclose you a statement of the expenditure of the monies appropriated to our intercourse with foreign nations to be laid before the legislature according to the requisitions of the law . The account of the Secretary of state commences July 1. 1792. where that rendered at the last session ended; and is brought down to this time. In the two preceding years of this...
8VIII. Secretary of State to the President, 18 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson is sorry to present a long letter to the President to be read at so busy a moment: but the view which it presents of our commercial matters in France is too interesting to be unknown to the President.—The circumstances presented to view in the 2d. page of the letter induce Th: J. to think it may be well to commit to Mr. Short and the M. de la Fayette to press our settlement with...
9From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 12 Feb. 1781. This letter is identical in substance with TJ’s letter of this date to Samuel Huntington , q.v. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 2 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed by TJ; endorsed (in part): “recd 28u. Ansd. 21st March.” PrC of Tr ( DLC ). Printed from Tr in HAW Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson , Washington, 1853–1854
10Memorandum to George Washington, 22 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Taking them up in their order, they appear susceptible of answer in the following way. The 1st. and 2d. by a concurrence of sentiment for the maintenance of the constitution, and preservation of peace, and the pleasure with which the President recieves their assurances of support in these objects. 3. Notice of the expressions of their personal respect . 4. Approbation of their expressions of...
11Cabinet Opinions on the Republican and the Catharine, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 12. 1793. The President having required the opinions of the heads of the three departments on a letter from Governor Clinton of the 9th. inst. stating that he had taken possession of the sloop Polly, now called the Republican, which was arming, equipping and manning by French and other citizens to cruize against some of the belligerent powers, and desiring to know what further was to be...
12III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have formed an opinion, quite satisfactory to myself, that the adjournments of Congress may be by law, as well as by resolution, without touching the constitution. I am now copying fair what I had written yesterday on the subject and will have the honor of laying it before you by ten aclock.—The address to the President contains a very full digest of all the arguments urged against the bill...
13From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 November 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the inspection of the President a set of copper promisory notes, and coins, made by Boulton, the superiority of which over any thing we can do here, will fully justify our wish to set our mint agoing on that plan.—They are obscured by the sea-air. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same,...
14From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The accounts of the last week from Lisbon, announcing an actual declaration of war by France against England and Holland, when applied to the preceding note of the British court ordering the French minister to leave London (which is generally considered as preliminary to a declaration of war) now render it extremely probable that those powers are at actual war, and necessary in my opinion that...
15III. Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 28 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the intimation the other day, and indeed according to my own wish in a question, if not difficult, yet very important, I have the honor to inclose you a written opinion on the question Whether the US. ought to declare their treaties with France void, or suspended? This contains my answer to the 2d. 3d. 4th. 5th. and 6th. of the written queries . The 1st. had been before answered...
16John E. Howard to George Washington, 5 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Annapolis, Md ., 5 Nov. 1790. Agreeably to the Act of Assembly for regulating elections, he encloses a certificate of the late election of representatives for the state. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed at foot of text in TJ’s hand: “The above certificate was delivered to Mr. Beckley, clerk of the house of representatives by Th: Jefferson .” Washington acknowledged Howard’s letter and said he...
17From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 March 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Before your departure, it becomes necessary for me to sollicit your orders on the Treasury for the third year’s allowance under the act concerning intercourse with foreign nations . This act commenced July 1. 1790. Two years allowance have been furnished and a sum of 500. Dollars over. Nine months of the 3d. year are now nearly elapsed, and according to an estimate I had the honor of giving in...
18From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 13 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President a sketch which he has submitted to a gentleman or two in the legislature on the subject of Indian purchases. He sends him also two letters received last night from Mr. Gouverneur Morris. The correspondence referred to in one of them, is in French, and being improper to go into the hands of a clerk, Th:J. is translating it himself for the use...
19From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I received from Mr. Gore by yesterday’s post the evidence on the aggression committed by Mr. Duplaine Vice Consul of France at Boston, and it appears fully to establish the fact against him. I have therefore prepared and countersigned a Revocation of his Exequatur, with letters on the subject to him, to Mr. Genet, and Mr. Morris; as also instructions to Mr. Bankson in what way to make up their...
20From 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...
21From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 16 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the copy of a Report he proposes to give in to the H. of Representatives on Monday on the subject of a Petition of John Rogers referred to him. The President will see by Mr. Hammond’s letter, now inclosed, that he has kindled at the facts stated in Th:J’s report on commerce. Th:J. adds the draught of an answer to him, if the President should...
22Enclosure: Observations on the French Debt, [ca. 17 October 1792] (Jefferson Papers)
Quotation from Fenno’s gazette of Sep. 19. 1792. a peice signed Catullus ‘I proceed now to state the exact tenor of the advice which Mr. Jefferson gave to Congress, respecting the transfer of the debt due to France to a company of Hollanders. After mentioning an offer which had been made by such a company for the purchase of the debt he concludes with these extraordinary expressions. “If there...
23From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 2 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson with his respects to the President has the honor to inclose him three copies of the Proclamation and of the Rules. Having only heard the speech read, he cannot recollect it perfectly enough to decide by memory what documents it requires from his office, and therefore is obliged to ask of the President if any more be requisite? RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Presid[…]”;...
24IV. Secretary of State to the President, 14 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inclose you the copy of a paragraph from the report of the proceedings of the Executive of the North-Western government, which may perhaps need the attention of the Secretary at war.—I am, with the most profound respect & attachment Sir Your most obedient & most humble Servant, PrC ( DLC ); at foot of text: “the President of the U.S.”; entry in SJPL reads: “Winthrop Serjt....
25From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 July 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
I some time ago inclosed to you a printed copy of an Order of Council, by which Governor Hamilton was to be confined in Irons in close Jail. This has occasioned a letter from General Philips of which the inclosed is a Copy. The General seems to suppose that a prisoner on capitulation cannot be put into close confinement tho his capitulation shall not have provided against it. My idea was that...
26From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 January 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately received a call from Congress to pass the Atlantic in the character of one of their ministers for negotiating peace, I cannot leave the Continent without separating myself for a moment from the general gratitude of my country to offer my individual tribute to your Excellency for all you have suffered and all you have effected for us. Were I to indulge myself in those warm...
27Memorandum to George Washington, [11 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
To be read at the President’s leisure. Governr. H. Lee’s letter. June 28. concerning supposed pestilential disease in W.I. The Suckey. Th:J’s letter June 26. to Mr. Hammond. Th:J. to Mr. Hammond. June 25. on insinuation concerning Western posts. do. to do. do. developement of order about privateers arming. Philips’s letter June 7. cannot be received as Consul at Curaçoa....
28Report on the Proceedings of the Northwest Territory, 29 October 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State has had under consideration the Report of the proceedings of the Secretary of the Territory of the U.S. North West of the Ohio in the absence of the Governor from January the 1st. to June 30th. 1792. and Reports to the President of the United States that there is nothing contained therein which requires any thing to be done on the part of the President of the United...
29Report on Edmond Charles Genet and Gouverneur Morris, 11 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President doubtless recollects the communications of Mr. Ternant expressing the dissatisfaction of the Executive council of France with Mr. Morris our minister there, which however Mr. Ternant desired might be considered as informal: that Colo. Smith also mentioned that dissatisfaction , and that Mr. LeBrun told him he would charge Mr. Genet expressly with their representations on this...
30V. Jefferson’s Opinion on the Constitutionality of the Residence Bill, 15 July 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
A Bill having passed the two houses of Congress, and being now before the President, declaring that the seat of the federal government shall be transferred to the Patowmac in the year 1790 [i.e. 1800], that the session of Congress next ensuing the present shall be held at Philadelphia, to which place the offices shall be transferred before the 1st. of December next, a writer in a public paper...
31Cabinet Opinions on Relations with France and Great Britain, 7 September 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
A circular letter from the Secretary of state to the Consuls and Vice Consuls of France, informing them that their Exequaturs will be revoked if they repeat certain proceedings, also one to Mr. Genet covering a copy of the letter of the Secretary of state to Mr. Gouverneur Morris desiring the recall of Mr. Genet, were read and approved. A letter from the Governr. of Georgia to the Secy. of...
32From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 17 February 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 17 Feb. 1781. . This letter is identical in substance with that sent by TJ to Huntington this day , q.v., except that the last sentence in the first paragraph and the last two sentences in the paragraph before the complimentary close in the letter to Huntington are not in the letter to Washington. RC ( DLC : Washington Papers); 4 p.; in a clerk’s hand, signed and with postscript in...
33From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 6 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 3d. is this moment put into my hands, and as the post does not usually stay here above an hour, it leaves me time to scribble a few lines only, scarcely admitting them to be prefaced with an acknowlegement of the pleasure it will give me to be permitted to communicate with you occasionnally. We received dispatches from Europe yesterday, by Capt. Barney. There is no news but...
34From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday the letter you did me the honor to write on the 23d. inst. covering one from the Governor of Vermont. As the question Which party has a right to complain, depends on the fact Which party has hitherto exercised jurisdiction in the place where the seizure was made, and the Governor’s letter does not ascertain that fact, I think it will be better to wait his answer to my two...
35From John Cooke to George Washington, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Tipperary, 28 Mch. 1791 . Understanding that regulation of weights and measures is one object of American government, he sends the enclosed “invention” from “a poor individual, in an obscure corner of a remote nation, as a mark of that universal esteem, which your Excellency’s Merits have excited in all countries, and amongst every class of men.” RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by TJ: “To...
36Report on Proceedings of Executive in Northwest Territory, 29 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of state has had under examination the Records of Proceedings in the Executive department of the North-Western government from the 1st. of Aug. to the 31st. of December 1791. transmitted by the Secretary, and Reports to the President of the United States That finding nothing therein which calls for the attention or interference of the President, he has deposited them among the...
37From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 8 October 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the second of the present month written in the instant of Colo. Mathews delivery of your letter I informed you what had been done on the subject of Governor Hamilton and his companions previous to that moment. I now enclose you an advice of Council in consequence of the letter you were pleased to enclose me from the British commissary of prisoners with one from Lord Rowden [Rawdon]....
38From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 30 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to inclose to the President French copies of the communications of Mr. Genet on the subject of our debt to France, as they will convey his sense perhaps more faithfully to the Secretary of the treasury should the President think proper to refer them to him.—He has changed the expression in the close of the 2d. paragraph of the letter to Mr. Van Berkel, so as to...
39From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 3 October 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose herewith the following papers. Mr. Genet’s answer with respect to his opposing the service of process on a vessel is singularly equivocal. I rather conjecture he means to withdraw the opposition, and I am in hopes my letter to Mr. Hammond will have produced another effort by the Marshal which will have succeeded. Should this not be the case, if military constraint...
40Enclosure: John Vaughan to George Washington, 14 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
“America and all that belongs to it is Still viewed with Jealousy in England and be assured that if this war of Kings succeeds, Spain and England will jointly quarrel with America, So as to shake your funds to their roots—Be assured the War will daily open cases of Jeopardy and dispute to compromise your peace. The publick is a little Cooled in its rage for War and adverse events would quickly...
41From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 22 October 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this morning received certain information of the Arrival of a hostile fleet of about Sixty Sail in our bay. The debarkation of some light Horse in the Neighbourhood of Portsmouth seems to indicate that, as the first scene of their action. We are endeavouring to collect as large a body to oppose them as we can arm: this will be lamentably inadequate if the Enemy be in any force; it is...
42From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to send to the President the speech of De Coin, written at length from his notes , very exactly. He thinks he can assure the President that not a sentiment delivered by the French interpreter is omitted, nor a single one inserted which was not expressed. It differs often from what the English Interpreter delivered, because he varied much from the other who alone was...
43From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 7 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the passage of the Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign Nations, I desired the Bankers of the United States in Amsterdam to raise an Account with the Secretary of State of the United States to be confined to the Objects of that Act, and requested them and our Ministers abroad to make up their Accounts from July to July annually, and...
44From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 31 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to return to the President the copy of questions which had been destined for the judges. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Tobias Lear. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] , Document IV of a group of documents on the referral of neutrality questions to the...
45From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 23 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honour to subjoin the alteration he suggested in the last paragraph of the President’s speech. Having read Colo. Humphreys’ letters after Mr. Short’s he had been led into an erroneous arrangement of the facts they state. Colo. Humphreys’ letter mentioning the king’s refusal of the constitution is of Aug. 22. while it appears by Mr. Short’s letter of Aug. 30. that it had...
46From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 24 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Thomas Jefferson with his respects to the President incloses a draught of the clause for the letter to Mr. Morris for his consideration. Tr ( Lb in DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Draft of the second paragraph of TJ to Gouverneur Morris, [23] Aug. 1793 .
47From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 18 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President’s approbation the draught of letters to Mr. Genet and the Atty. Genl. on the subject of the prosecution desired by the former to be instituted against Messrs. Jay and King. He also incloses the form of a warrant for Đ 2544.37 for the Director of the Mint for the purchase of copper. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The Pres[…]”;...
48From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor to submit to the President his answer to Mr. Genet on the subject of the French debt. He had prepared it yesterday morning, but unluckily left it at home, which has delayed it a day. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by Bartholomew Dandridge, Jr. Tr ( Lb in same, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ to Edmond Charles...
49From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 1 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to the President a letter he received from Mr. Hammond, with the general sketch of an answer he had proposed to write to him. He will have the honour of seeing the President on the subject to-day. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by Lear. Tr ( DNA : RG 59, SDC ). Not recorded in SJL
50From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 12 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson has the honor of inclosing to the President the opinion on the two cases of vessels referred to the heads of the department, and the letter he has prepared in consequence to the Attorney of the district. Genl. Knox will wait on him with his letter to the Governor .— Symmes’s case is to be considered of tomorrow, as it required some enquiry. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); addressed:...