1XII. Jacob Isaacks to the Secretary of State, 19 March 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved Yours with the Report, and was sorry to find You was so Hastity in Making the same so soon Publick, As it has proved greatly detrimental to my Interest. Altho’ you were not in possession of my secret which I am fearful wou’d have shared the same fate, you must be thoroughly senceable of the injury that report has done me by making it of Publick use without any advantage to the...
2XI. Secretary of State to Jacob Isaacks, 23 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 1st. instant did not come to hand till yesterday 3. aclock. Unfortunately I had that very morning given in my report, which had been read in the house, and of which I inclose you a printed copy. That the discovery was original as to yourself I can readily believe. Still it is not the less true, that the distillation of fresh from seawater, both with and without mixtures, had...
3X. Jacob Isaacks to the Secretary of State, 1 November 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty to address You on the subject of taking the fresh water from the Sea Water, notwithstanding I met not with the encouragement by Some that attended at the time I made the tryall before you, tho’ they were pleased to tell me that my method was not New, still it was their Oppinion that I was entitled to have some gratuity allowed me even for renewing the same, but I can say...
4III. The President to James Seagrove, 20 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The confidence, which your character inclines me to place in you, has induced me to commit the enclosed letter, from the Secretary of State to Governor Quesada, and the negotiation which will be consequent thereon to your care and management. The letter which is under a flying seal, to be closed before it is delivered, will inform you of the import, and serve to instruct you in the mode of...
5IX. Secretary of State to Isaac Senter, 10 May 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved in due time your favor of April 13. together with Dr. Lind’s book, which I now return you with many thanks. I had been able to get here the editions of 1774. and 1788. but not that of 1762. which was most important, as it was the best evidence of the time of his first publishing his idea of distilling seawater without any ingredient. The other peices you have been so kind as to...
6VIII. Isaac Senter to the Secretary of State, 13 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving a letter from you yesterday, dated 26th March, desiring me to send you some writings of Dr. Lind’s which you could not procure elsewhere, upon the subjecting of Distilling fresh water from that of the Ocean. It is Sir with the greatest pleasure that I embrace the first opportunity, by the post to comply with your request, as far as is in my power. All the writings...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Pierpont Edwards, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me to resume the subject of my circular letter of Aug. 12. which had the double object of procuring from all the states 1. a statement of their proceedings as to British property, and 2. a complete collection of their laws to be deposited in my office for the use of the general government. As to the first I am to thank you for the papers and observations you...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The publication of the laws of the U. S. and the purchase of those of the several states call on us immediately for about five hundred dollars, for which sum I must ask a warrant from you to be accounted for. The contingent expences of my department to the 1st. inst. are now stated and will be settled with the Auditor tomorrow. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect Sir Your most...
9To Thomas Jefferson from David Humphreys, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Mafra, 31 Mch. 1791. He received packet last night from Mr. Bulkeley and information of a vessel departing for Alexandria in a few days, hence he sends this by a servant to Lisbon. Having accounts from America as late as 10 Feb. and not being advised by “the Department of foreign affairs” of receipt of any of his letters, he fears their detention or miscarriage. He gives their dates to show it...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am happy to have a letter of yours to answer. That of Mar. 6. came to my hands on the 24th. By the bye you never acknowlege the receipt of my letters, nor tell me on what day they came to hand. I presume that by this time you have received the two dressing tables with marble tops. I give one of them to your sister and the other to you. Mine is here with the top broke in two. Mr. Randolph’s...
11From Thomas Jefferson to William Lewis, 31 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress permits me now to resume the subject of my letter of Aug. 12. and to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Sept. 14. Nov. 25. and Jan. 1. with respect to British debts and property. It was thought possible then that they might come forward and discuss the interests and questions existing between the two nations; and as we knew they would assail us on the subject of...
12XIII. The Proclamation by the President, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
By the President of the U. S. of A. a Proclamation Whereas by a proclamation bearing date the 24th. day of Jan. of this present year, and in pursuance of certain acts of the states of Maryland and Virginia, and of the Congress of the U. S. therein mentioned, certain lines of experiment were directed to be run in the neighborhood of George town in Maryland for the purpose of determining the...
13To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On my arrival here a few days ago I found your letter of the 23d. of January. The statement which you there give me of the reciept of my several letters is truly mortifying. They must necessarily have lost their principal merit by arriving so long after their contents had become known and given place to other matters of more recent date and greater interest. I had however followed the same...
14To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 30 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 24th. (private) accompanied that of the 23d. and was received here on my return from Amsterdam. The commissions you there charge me with shall be attended to. Mr. Fenwick writes me that he shall ship the wine you ordered, on a vessel bound to Charleston, despairing of finding an immediate conveyance before the warm weather.—Vernon was still there and he thinks has no...
15From Thomas Jefferson to William Channing, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me to take up the subject of my former letter to you and to acknowlege the receipt of yours of Nov. 24. in answer, together with the laws you were so kind as to send forward. The M.S. copies of laws relating to British property, which you mention to be in hand, will be acceptable, as that subject will probably come under discussion some day. The perpetual...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Christopher Gore, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress now permits me the honor of acknowleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 27. together with the copies of the laws you were so kind as to send, for which be pleased to accept my thanks. Our collection now stands thus. The only chasm in this seems to be from 1772. to 1780. to which I will continue to ask the attention you are so kind as to promise, as occasions arise...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Fenwick, Mason & Company, [29 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Bordeaux, 29 Mch. 1791 ] Enclose duplicate of theirs of 10 Feb. and invoice for 14 cases of wine for TJ and 14 for the President as ordered by TJ 6 Sep. 1790, shipped on Eliza , Capt. Tilden, via Charleston, to Robert Hazlehurst & Co. with request to forward by first packet. “The proprietors of the Mirosmenil Estate … declined shipping the wine of Segur order for the President. We therefore...
18To Thomas Jefferson from William Jackson, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Georgetown, 29 Mch. 1791. The enclosed papers “from the Secretary of the Western territory” were received by the President last evening. “His engagements with the Commissioners not permitting him to peruse them during his stay here, he commands me to transmit them to you for your consideration, and he requests, if you should think it necessary, that they may be reported on.” RC ( DNA : RG 59,...
19To Thomas Jefferson from James Monroe, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Charlottesville, 29 Mch. 1791. When he left for Philadelphia last November he sought to place his brother “in a quiet good family and where he might pursue his studies to the best advantage.” From general opinion of his friends he engaged lodgings for him with James Kerr, the more so because Monroe “had render’d him services, and had a claim to his attention.” But to his astonishment he...
20From Thomas Jefferson to William Nelson, Jr., 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favours of Nov. 22. and that of Feb. 4. came to hand during the session of Congress, and making part only of a very extensive subject, I was obliged to postpone it till Congress had risen. The laws also which you were so kind as to send have been received. Our collection stands thus at present. Laws of 1775. Dec. 1783. Oct. 1776. May and Oct. 1784. May and Oct. 1777. May. 5. 1785.Oct...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Samuel Sherburne, 29 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The recess of Congress permits me now to acknowlege the receipt of your favor of Oct. 20. and also of the laws of New Hampshire from 1696 to 1773 and from 1776 to 1787. Should there be any other printed laws not in these collections I will avail myself of your kind promise to procure them for the use of my office, as it is very desireable to possess a compleat collection of every law that was...
22From 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...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Anthony Gerna, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Dublin, 28 Mch. 1791 . “It would be an insult to your goodness to apologize” for introducing the bearer, Robert Stafford, a skillful young apothecary, lately married, who is resolved to settle in America. Stafford will deliver “a small Parcel containing a new publication of the Dublin newspapers of this date.” TJ’s advice to him will “be an additional proof of that humanity and benevolence...
24From Thomas Jefferson to James McHenry, 28 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having sent your letters to Mr. Short with a desire that he will, as far as is right, patronize the applications which shall be made to the minister on your demand, instead of destroying your first letter to Messrs. Le Couteulx, I have thought it better to return it to you, in proof that your desires have been complied with.—A murder of some friendly Indians a little beyond Fort Pitt is likely...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 27 Mch. 1791 . Before receipt of TJ’s letters of 17 and 23 Dec. Purdie had told him of Capt. Young’s mistreatment, but at the same time he found Purdie “more violent if possible against Mr. John Brown Cutting, charging him with motives that I was sensible never actuated Mr. Cutting, and making use of threats violent and dishonorable against him.” He tried to get Purdie to return to...
26From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 27 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been again to see Mr. Barclay on the subject of his mission and to hasten him. I communicated to him the draught of his instructions and he made an observation which may render a small change expedient. You know it had been concluded that he should go without any defined character, in order to save expence. He observed that if his character was undefined they would consider him as an...
27II. Secretary of State to Edward Telfair, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. of January was received the 4th. instant. The dispositions expressed by the Governour of Florida give reason to hope he will execute with good faith the orders of his sovereign to prevent the future reception within his province of slaves flying from the United States. How far he may think himself authorised to give up those who have taken refuge there heretofore is...
28From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Having in charge to lay before Congress a general statement of all the lands subject to their disposal, it becomes necessary for me, so far as respects the proceedings of North-Carolina, to draw on a map the line which forms the Eastern boundary of the cession of that state to Congress, and then to specify all the private claims within the cession which form exceptions to the general right of...
29From Thomas Jefferson to Mathew Carey, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Carey and incloses him a N Caroli[na] newspaper containing a convention between the two states of Virginia and N Carolina and submitting to Mr. Carey whether it be not worth a place in his Museum. Th: Jefferson has been told that the same convention is complete in the ac[t] of Virginia of about 1786, but he does not possess the act. RC not found but sold at...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Jefferson, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
It is three weeks my Dear Papa since I have had a letter from you. However as it is now my turn I shall not be ceremonious. We are all waiting with great impatience to know the name of the child. Mrs. Lewis was so kind as to give me a Calico habit. Adieu my Dear Papa. I am your effectionate daughter, RC ( ViU ); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Apr. 1791 and so recorded in SJL .
31To Thomas Jefferson from Joshua Johnson, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
London, 26 Mch. 1791. His of 26 ult. sent by Pigou , Capt. Collett.—Preparations here indicate immediate rupture between England and Russia. Upwards of 30 sail of the line lie ready at Spithead and many others have been commissioned in last few days. The King this day issued proclamation offering bounty for seamen. Fearing press warrants will be issued in the evening, he gave warning to all...
32VI. Affidavit of the Secretary of State on the Result of the Experiments, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having referred to me the Petition of Jacob Isaccks praying a reward for a secret he possesses of converting Salt-water into fresh, I procured a Cask of sea-water to be taken up without the Capes of Delaware at flood-tide, and brought to Philadelphia, and asked the favour of Mr. Rittenhouse, President of the American Philosophical Society, of Dr. Caspar Wistar, Professor of Chemistry...
33VII. Secretary of State to Isaac Senter, 26 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having referred to me the petition of Jacob Isaacs setting forth his possession of a secret for facilitating the separation of sea-water from it’s salt, it becomes necessary for me to know exactly the advances which have been already made towards obtaining that desideratum. I have reason to believe no body has carried them further than Dr. Lind. I possess his book on the diseases of...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Delamotte, 25 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Havre, 25 Mch. 1791. Encloses duplicate of his of the 9th ult. by Le Vendangeur , bound for Charleston, in which he erred in saying that several of TJ’s cases remained there. He was thinking of some “Caisses de Marbres” sent last summer shortly after the main shipment. There remain here only “une voiture à quatre Rouës; un Cabriolet, quatre paniers vin de Champagne; une Caisse emballée...
35V. Secretary of State to James Hutchinson, 25 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. [Hutchinson] and sends him the result of the five Experiments which have been made on the sea water. Tr ( DLC ); in clerk’s hand. Although not recorded in SJL , this was obviously a circular report addressed to Hutchinson, Rittenhouse, and Wistar. Enclosure: Tabular statement of the experiments conducted on 14, 21, 22, 24, and 25 Mch. 1791, showing...
36From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 24 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. was delivered to me on Sunday the 20th. I sent on the 21st. (by a person who possesses my confidence) your two notes to Mr. Potter. The intention was merely to prepare him for my calling on him myself, as we were not personally known to each other. His answer was ‘no effects at this time.’ On the 22d. (the day before yesterday) yours of the 15th. came to hand with the...
37From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. P. Derieux, 24 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Intensity of employment will I hope be with you a sufficient, as it is a very real, excuse for my tardiness in acknowleging the reciept of your favors of Nov. 15. and Feb. 5. The letter to M. Le Roy I put under cover to Mr. Fenwick, our Consul at Bordeaux, to whom I wrote very full details of all those circumstances which I thought might tend to interest your uncle, and I desired Mr. Fenwick...
38From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Fenwick, 24 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing you a letter for a Monsieur le Roy, of Bordeaux, on the subject of which I must enter into some details. It is from a Monsieur De Rieux, a nephew of M. le Roy’s who is my nearest neighbor in Virginia. Being totally without fortune, and married to a young lady , whom he had become acquainted with in France, but who had lived some time in Virginia, he determined...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 24 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The badness of the roads retards the post, so that I have recieved no letter this week from Monticello. I shall hope soon to have one from yourself to know from that that you are perfectly reestablished, that the little Anne is becoming a big one, that you have received Dr. Gregory’s book and are daily profiting from it.—This will hardly reach you in time to put you on the watch for the...
40To Thomas Jefferson from Lewis Littlepage, 23 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 23 Mch. 1791. TJ will no doubt share his regret in recalling that “we were the principal means of engaging” John Paul Jones to accept Russian proposals in 1788. “Never were more brilliant prospects held forth to an individual, and never individual better calculated to attain them.” Campaign on the Liman in 1788 added luster to Russian arms and ought to have fixed forever the fame and...
41To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Delaire, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
La Rochelle, 22 Mch. 1791. He reminds TJ of his promise that he would be appointed agent of the United States in that Department. The free trade in tobacco and the suppression of duties on leather being favorable to use of whale oil are reasons to expect increased commerce and thus to make agents more necessary. RC ( DNA : RG 59, MLR ); endorsed by TJ as received 19 July 1791 and so recorded...
42To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 22 Mch. 1791. Encloses list of American vessels entering there between June and January. This, especially with regard to outward cargoes, is not perfectly exact but he will try to provide more precise accounts in future.—The National Assembly since his last have adopted commercial regulations affecting trade with United States, imposing duties of 20₶ per cwt. on all foreign salt...
43From Thomas Jefferson to William Murray, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A certain James O’Fallon is, as we are informed, undertaking to raise, organize and commission an army, of his own authority, and independant of that of the government, the object of which is to go and possess themselves of lands which have never yet been granted by any authority which the government admits to be legal, and with an avowed design to hold them by force against any power foreign...
44To Thomas Jefferson from Martha Jefferson Randolph, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
You gave us reason to hope in your last to Mr. Randolph that there was a probability of our seeing you this summer. Your little grand daughter thinks herself entitled to a visit. I hope you will not disapoint us. My house keeping and Polly’s spanish have equally suffered from my confinement. She is beginning again to go on tolerably for so great a habit of idleness had she contracted in one...
45From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, [21 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson sends to Mr. Rittenhouse Bp. Watson’s essay on the subjects of chemistry, which is too philosophical not to merit a half an hour of his time, which is all it will occupy. He returns him Mr. Barton’s papers which he has perused with great pleasure. He is glad the subject has been taken up and by so good a hand. He has certainly done all which the scantiness of his materials would...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have for some time entertained an opinion that it would be an useful Service to the United States to demonstrate to every man of Candor in the British Nation the very great errors and deviations from fact, which are to be found in Lord Sheffields pamphlet. I have also believed that it would inspire confidence in the minds of our countrymen, and of the foreign nations, who are in alliance...
47To Thomas Jefferson from John Paul Jones, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Russia to Amsterdam in December 1789. I wrote to several Gentlemen in America, particularly to the Vice President and to Mr. Secy. Thomson, enclosing some evidence of the treatment I met with in Russia. I wrote at the same time to the President enclosing a Letter from the Count de Segur. Messrs. Staphorsts & Hubbard undertook to forward my Packets by a Ship then ready to sail...
48From Thomas Jefferson to James Maxwell, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty of asking you to send me at the proper season 3. or 4. casks of the best Hughes’s crab cyder, either in casks or bottles as you should think best. As I presume we are now in the proper season for removing it, I shall be in hopes of recieving it soon. Having been disappointed in getting some cyder of a very good kind from Jersey, if you should have found any that is very...
49To Thomas Jefferson from William Playfair, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 20 Mch. 1791. Introducing the bearer, M. de Collaney, who goes to America to take possession of Scioto lands he has just acquired. He bears a letter in English and a statement in French which will explain the liberty taken in introducing him to TJ. As no letter arrives from Scioto and as the families of those who have parents there are given great anxiety because they suspect letters...
50To Thomas Jefferson from William Playfair, 20 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I hope that you will pardon the liberty which I am about to take in writing to you on a subject with which you have not any immediate concern but the Unacountableness of the situation in which I find myself and the Peace of so many individuals is involved in the affair will I hope be my Excuse. Since I had the honour of waiting on you in France the Sale of the Sioto lands and a considerable...