211To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 11 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A letter which I received by the last post from my Secretary in Paris informs me that the national assembly have changed their decree with respect to the American oils imported into France. On the representation of the committees they have reduced the duty from 12.₶ to 6.₶ the quintal. I do not find this circumstance mentioned in the journals of the assembly, but he gives it to me as having...
212To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Barclay, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia ], Saturday, 12 Mch. 1791 . Only his inability to sit up kept TJ from hearing from him sooner. He has reflected a good deal on what TJ said about “a Voyage to Africa, which I have concluded to undertake on such Conditions as the President or yourself shall think adequate to my services and expences.”—The House some time ago passed a bill granting $2,000 for making the Treaty...
213From Thomas Jefferson to William Blount, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of Feb. 17. as I had been before with that of Nov. 26. both of which have been laid before the President. Within a few days the printing the laws of the 3d. session of Congress will be compleated, and they shall be forwarded to you the moment they are so. As the census of all the rest of the union will be taken in the course of this summer, and will not be taken...
214From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Hamilton, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The President has thought proper to appoint Colo. David Humphreys, minister Resident for the U.S. at the court of Lisbon, with a salary of 4500. dollars a year, and an outfit equal to a year’s salary. Besides this, by a standing regulation, he will be allowed his disbursements for gazettes transmitted here, translating and printing papers where that shall be necessary, postage, couriers, and...
215To Thomas Jefferson from Daniel L. Hylton, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, Virginia, 12 Mch. 1791 . TJ’s of the 1st received three days ago. Has inquired name of vessel and captain carrying vis-à-vis and finds she was forced to go to New York because the Delaware was closed. Bill of lading for vis-à-vis is enclosed; he hopes it has arrived safe and in good order. Not till three days ago could he ship TJ’s tobacco, the merchants having generally engaged the...
216To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 12 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned to you in my letter of yesterday sent by the way of England, the reduction made by the assembly in the duty on oils. The post which arrived last night, after the departure of that letter, brought a journal which contained the decree. It is so concise as to oils that it would appear to me obscure if I did not find that the secretary whom I left at Paris considers it as a...
217From Thomas Jefferson to James Brown, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
A former letter to Mr. Andrew Donald having miscarried, perhaps from a wrong address, as I know not his residence, I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under cover to you and asking the favor of your care of it as it is of some importance.—My information from Marseilles is that wheat finds a good market there, and will do so till harvest. I am Dear Sir Your most obedt. servt, PrC ( MHi...
218From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Donald, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved your favour of Feb. 15. 1791. Of the many others you say you have written, none have ever come to hand but that of 1790. which finding me at New York, it was impossible for me to answer it till I could return to Virginia where all my papers were. On my return there, I wrote you an answer dated [7 Nov. 1790] and, as you had not informed me where to address the letter to you, I...
219From Thomas Jefferson to James Innes, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Feb. 20. came to my hands only four days ago, and I have taken the first moment in my power to prepare my answer, which I now inclose. It is in fact a copy of what I had prepared while in Virginia, when I had the subject under contemplation, except that some useless asperities are rubbed off. I am in hopes either Mr. G. Carr, or Mr. Anderson of Richmond has given you a copy of...
220Editorial Note: The Great Collaborators (Jefferson Papers)
The subject of that day’s dinner conversation—the French protest against the tonnage acts of 1789 and 1790 and its impact on the political contests that were dividing the government —was indeed important. But not a word exchanged between the Virginia Congressman and the Secretary of State on that winter day has been preserved. What Madison—and of course Jefferson—gained then and later in their...
221I. Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
What say you to taking a wade into the country at noon? It will be pleasant above head at least. The party to finish by dining here. Information that Colo. Beckwith is coming to be an inmate with you, and I presume not a desireable one, encourages me to make a proposition, which I did not venture as long as you had your agreeable Congressional society about you, that is, to come and take a bed...
222II. James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, [13 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
Your first proposition having been arranged, I have only in answer to your last to acknowledge that I feel all the inducements you suggest and many more to be in a situation where your society would make a part of my hourly enjoyments. In making the sacrifice therefore you will be assured that the circumstances which determine me are unaffected. My stay here is so uncertain and limited that a...
223To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Montgomery, 13 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Alicante, 13 Mch. 1791 . Refers to his of 21 Aug. 1790 and encloses letter from Algiers received yesterday. All is quiet in this quarter. Situation of Turks becomes daily more critical, according to best accounts from Constantinople. A very large Turkish vessel bound from Algiers to Constantinople captured lately by Russian cruiser. She was loaded with military stores and very large sum of...
224To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, [14 March 1791] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 14 Mch. 1791 ]. As result of conversation with Attorney General this morning, he submits to the Patent Board an advertisement George Parkinson is willing to publish. It places before all affected by his patent “the several objects, and the most minute information can be obtained from the drawings, model and descriptions which remain in the office of State.”—He was again so...
225To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Richmond, 14 Mch. 1791 . Introducing his particular friend Col. [John] Hamilton, British consul in Virginia, “who with his Lady and pleasing female friend Miss Coxe are on their way to Philadelphia.” Relying on TJ’s friendship, he takes liberty of enclosing two bills of exchange of John Tayloe Griffin drawn on Richard Potter of Philadelphia. “After they have been presented by you or under your...
226From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. came to hand two days ago. I heartily congratulate you on the success of your sale. It will determine me to make a decisive stroke in the same way next winter. I will banish the idea of making two bites at a cherry . I had desired Mr. Lewis to give Dobson an order on Wilson for about £160 of the money in his hands, which with Bannister’s debt I supposed would pay off...
227To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Altho the letter carrier between Charlottesville and Richmond is continued in his employment, the conveyance is extremely irregular. He has no fixed day of departure from his own habitation which is about 15 miles from Charlotteslle. but sets out as it suits him on Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, and keeps the letters in his hands frequently 3 days after his return. When the Weather is bad he...
228From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 14 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
I am really ashamed to be so late in acknowleging the reciept of your favor of Jan. 10. which came to hand the 2d. of February. But during the session of Congress the throng of business was such as to oblige me to suspend all my private correspondence. Their recess now enables me to resume them. I think the allusion to the story of Sisamnes in Mr. West’s design is a happy one: and, were it not...
229Editorial Note: Search for a European Concert on Navigation Law (Jefferson Papers)
In March 1791 the anxiety that Hamilton and his supporters felt about the threatened enactment of a navigation bill at the next Congress was matched by Jefferson’s fear that the sheet anchor of the commercial connection with France was about to give way. On both sides the apprehensions were fully warranted. Also on both sides preparations for the coming contest were under way. For his part,...
230I. The Secretary of State to William Short, 15 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of Jan. 23. I acknoleged the receipt of your letters from No. 29. to 48. inclusive except 31. 44. 45. 46. Since that I have recieved No. 45. and 50. The former in 3. months, 7 days the latter 2 mo. 17 days by the English packet which had an uncommonly long passage. Nos. 31. 44. 46. 47. 48. 49. are still missing. They have probably come through merchant vessels and merchants who will...
231II. The Secretary of State to David Humphreys, 15 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letters No. 1. to 6. from England, No. 7. 8. from Lisbon and No. 9. from Madrid are all recieved. The President has nominated you minister Resident for the U. S. of America at the court of Lisbon, which was approved by the Senate. You will consequently recieve herewith your Commission, a letter of credence to the Queen, sealed, and an open copy of it for your own information, and a letter...
232III. The Secretary of State to William Carmichael, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The term of the first Congress having expired on the 3d. inst. they separated on that day, much important business being necessarily postponed. New elections have taken place for the most part, and very few changes made. This is one of many proofs that the proceedings of the new government have given general satisfaction. Some acts indeed have produced local discontents; but these can never be...
233To Thomas Jefferson from James Swan, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 16 Mch. 1791. Requested by Littlepage to forward enclosed letter “by a safe opportunity,” he has delivered it to a passenger in a Philadelphia ship and hopes it arrives “in Season.” RC ( DNA : RG 59 , MLR ); endorsed by TJ as received 21 June 1791 and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: Littlepage to TJ, 5 Mch. 1791 .
234To Thomas Jefferson from Gouverneur Morris, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 16 Mch. 1791 , Since his of the 26th “the Assembly have taken another Step in the same disagreable Road” described there, depriving all ships other than those built in France of the privilege of French bottoms. This, added to the other decrees already noticed, produces much sensation among the few Americans settled in French ports.—He encloses copy of the note he gave to Lafayette. “He...
235Enclosure: Notes respecting Tobacco, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC : Gouverneur Morris Papers); at head of text: “Copy of the Paper referred to in the above letter.” Morris’ cogent observations about tobacco culture were obviously framed to impress Lafayette, being far more explicit than the generalized statement he presented to Montmorin on 19 Feb. 1791 on behalf of Americans then in France (see note, Morris to TJ, 26 Feb. 1791 , and enclosure). For...
236From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 16 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your private letter of June 5. by Dr. Bancroft came to hand Feb. 12. that of Oct. 25. was received Jan. 27. and that of Dec. 23. four days ago. If in consequence of my former letters Petit cannot be prevailed on to come, I will beg the favour of you to enquire about Mde. de Corny’s Maitre d’Hotel, who I know understood his business well, and if she considers his character as an honest one, and...
237From Thomas Jefferson to William Brown, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 11. was received yesterday. You will pardon me if I adhere to the price of my tobacco, because I know that I am justified in it’s quality established for at least fifty years back. You will have observed that Capt. Woodford had ensured @ £11. sterl. the hhd. so that I could have had £12. sterl. for it at the time had I sold it in Virginia; less than I could have sold it for...
238From Thomas Jefferson to John Lamb, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Since the reciept of your favor of Feb. 17. two paper packages from New York have been left here, containing newspaper and pamphlets. I was not at home and therefore do not know whether they were those committed to Capt. Bayley, and which were the subject of your letter. Should any others come, containing dutiable articles you may be assured of information of it from Sir Your very humble...
239From Thomas Jefferson to Adam Lindsay, 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 4th. inst. has been duly recieved, as also the box you were so kind as to take care of and send hither. It was from Mr. W. Nelson and containd books for public use. Accept my thanks for your attention to it. Your friendly offer of service at Norfolk induces me to trespass on you by asking the favor of you to procure for me about 100℔ of myrtle wax candles, which I understood...
240From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 17 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Feb. 8. and 21. have both come to hand. The former not till 4. or 5. days ago. I am made happy by learning that my daughter is so well as also the little stranger . According to your desire expressed in the letter first mentioned, tho’ last recieved, I take the liberty of proposing for her the name of Anne , a name which must be very dear to you, and belongs also to Patsy’s...