1To Thomas Jefferson from Tench Coxe, with Jefferson’s Note, 31 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Coxe has the honor to inform Mr. Jefferson that he has purchased of Mr. John Wilcocks a bill on London at 174 ⅌Ct. to the amount of 5000 Drs. Mr. Wilcocks wishes for the Cash this day and will give Mr. Coxe the bills by the time Mr. Jefferson can send a check on the Bank. [ Note by TJ: ] gave instantly an order on the bank for 5000. D. payable to John Wilcocks or bearer. RC ( DLC ); with...
2Translation: From Edmond Charles Genet, 22 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Executive council of the French republic has learnt through my predecessor, the citizen Ternant, the readiness with which the government of the US. of A. attended to the facilitation of the purchases which that minister was charged to make in the US. on account of the French republic, as also the acquittal of the draughts of the colonies for which imperious circumstances obliged it to...
3Translation, 23 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Single against innumerable hordes of tyrants and slaves who menace her rising liberty, the French nation would have a right to reclaim the obligations imposed on the US. by the treaties she has contracted with them and which she has cemented with her blood: but strong in the greatness of her means, and of the power of her principles not less redoutable to her enemies than the victorious arms...
4Cabinet 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...
5IV. Alexander Hamilton’s Draft Report on the American Debt to France, with Jefferson’s Commentary, [5 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The Secy. of the Treasury, to whom were referred by the President of the US. sundry documents communicated by the Min. Plenipy. of the Republic of France, respectfully makes the following report thereupon. The object of the communication appears to be to engage the US. to enter into arrangements for discharging the residue of the debt which they owe to France by an anticipated payment of the...
6Cabinet Opinion on Prizes and Privateers, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That the Minister of the French Republic be informed that the President considers the UStates as bound pursuant to positive assurances, given in conformity to the laws of neutrality, to effectuate the restoration of, or to make compensation for, prizes which shall have been made of any of the parties at war with France subsequent to the fifth day of June last by privateers fitted out of their...
7Rules on Neutrality, 3 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
1. The original arming and equipping of vessels in the ports of the United States by any of the belligerent parties, for military service offensive or defensive, is deemed unlawful. 2. Equipments of merchant vessels by either of the belligerent parties in the ports of the United States, purely for the accommodation of them as such, is deemed lawful. 3. Equipments in the ports of the United...
8VI. Alexander Hamilton’s Addition to His Draft Report, with Jefferson’s Commentary, [6–7 June 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
The President concurring with the Preceeding letter , and so signifying to Colo. Hamilton he erased the words ‘Which is humbly submitted’ on the former report , and added on the same paper as follows. If nevertheless the President should be of opinion that reasons ought to be assigned the following seem to [be] the best which the nature of the case will admit, viz. ‘Two modes of reimbursing or...
9Cabinet Opinion on Consulting the Supreme Court, 12 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
July 12. 1793. At a meeting of the heads of the departments at the President’s on summons from him, and on consideration of various representations from the Ministers Plenipotentiary of France and Great Britain on the subject of vessels arming and arriving in our ports, and of prizes it is their opinion that letters be written to the said Ministers informing them that the Executive of the US.,...
10Cabinet Opinion on Relations with Spain and Great Britain, 20 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 20. 1793. At a meeting this day of the heads of departments at the President’s on summons from him, a letter from Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes dated June 18. and addressed to the Secretary of state, was read: whereupon it is the opinion that a full detail of the proceedings of the US. with respect to the Southern Indians, and the Spaniards be prepared, and a justification as to the...
11Cabinet Opinion on French Privateers, 17 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
June 17. 1793 At a meeting of the heads of departments at the President’s this day, on summons from him, a letter from Mr. Genet of the 15th. inst. addressed to the Secretary of state on the subject of the seizure of a vessel by the Govr. of New York as having been armed, equipped and manned in that port with a design to cruize on the enemies of France, was read, as also the draught of an...
12Cabinet Opinions on Edmond Charles Genet, 23 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At meetings of the heads of departments and the Attorney General at the President’s on the 1st. and 2d. of Aug. 1793. On a review of the whole of Mr. Genet’s correspondence and conduct, it was unanimously agreed that a letter should be written to the Minister of the US. at Paris, stating the same to him, resuming the points of difference which had arisen between the government of the US. and...
13Cabinet Opinions on the Little Sarah, 8 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting at the State house of the city of Philadelphia July 8. 1793. Present the Secretary of state, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary at War. It appears that a brigantine called the Little Sarah has been fitted out at the port of Philadelphia, with fourteen cannon, and all other equipments indicating that she is intended as a Privateer to cruise under the authority of France,...
14Cabinet Opinions on the Roland and Relations with Great Britain, France, and the Creeks, 31 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the Heads of departments and Attorney General at the President’s on the 31st. day of Aug. 1793. A letter from Mr. Gore to Mr. Lear dated Boston Aug. 24. was read, stating that the Roland, a privateer fitted out at Boston and furnished with a commission under the government of France, had sent a prize into that port, which being arrested by the Marshal of the district by process...
15IV. Questions for the Supreme Court, [18 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
1. Do the treaties between the US. and France give to France or her citizens a right , when at war with a power with whom the US. are at peace, to fit out originally in and from the ports of the US, vessels armed for war, with or without commission? 2. If they give such a right , does it extend to all manner of armed vessels, or to particular kinds only? If the latter, to what kinds does it...
16Cabinet Opinions on Privateers and Prizes, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
At a meeting of the heads of departments and the Attorney general at the Secretary of state’s office Aug. 5. 1793. The case of the Swallow letter of marque at New York, desired to be sent out of our ports, as being a privateer. It is the opinion that there is no ground to make any order on the subject. The Polly or Republican , in the hands of the Marshal at New York, on a charge of having...
17Cabinet Opinions on Sending an Agent to the Choctaw Indians, 1 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
That an Agent be sent to the Choctaw nation to endeavour secretly to engage them to support the Chickasaws in their present war with the Creeks, giving them for that purpose arms and ammunition sufficient: and that it be kept in view that if we settle our differences amicably with the Creeks, we at the same time mediate effectually the peace of the Chickasaws and Choctaws, so as to rescue the...
18Cabinet Opinion on the Creek Indians and Georgia, 29 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The President of the United States having assembled the heads of the respective departments and the attorney General, laid before them for their advice thereon, sundry communications from the Governor of Georgia, and others, relatively to the recent alarming depredations of the creek Indians upon the State of Georgia. Whereupon after the subject was maturely considered and discussed it was...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, with Jefferson’s Note, [23 July 1793] (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter of Genet’s of July 9. and the draught of an answer to it, which is approved by the other gentlemen but we wish your sentiments on it, and as soon as possible as it is pressing.—The other of June 22. is only under deliberation, and sent to you for your information and consideration against we meet again. [ Note by TJ: ] July 23. 93. E.R. returned this note and the two...
20From Thomas Jefferson to Josef Ignacio de Viar and Josef de Jaudenes, 11 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The Secretary of State presents his Compliments to Messrs. Viar and Jaudenes, and informs them that the government of the United States having occasion to send public dispatches to their Commissioners plenipotentiary at the Court of Madrid, James Blake, a Citizen of the United States is employed as their Courier to be the Bearer of them. He is to embark on board the Ship bound from this port...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 11 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 31. came to hand yesterday. I wish this may get to you in time to ask the favor of you to instruct Tom Shackleford or Jupiter, or whoever brings the horse to Georgetown to ride a mule and lead the horse. He will by that means come the fresher, and the sooner recover for the journey back. Besides, there is a person here who I think will purchase Tarquin; in which case the...
22From Thomas Jefferson to John Harriott, 5 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your […] [pack]ages from Mr. Pinckney for your care of which I return you my thanks. Your object being to settle yourself in this country, you have certainly taken the wisest course, that of going yourself to see the different parts of it, and chuse for yourself. This choice, in order to make it a happy one, depending on the circumstances of climate, soil, cheapness of...
23From Thomas Jefferson to Gouverneur Morris, 24 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Barnes, is, as I understand, the representative of the company concerned in the steam navigation of the late Mr. Rumsey, was the attorney of Mr. Rumsey here, and goes now to Europe to secure the benefit of his discoveries to those entitled to them. In times like these he may need your protection as a stranger, and at all times would merit it as a man of worth and...
24From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Gamble, 18 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having just received information from Mr. Archibald Campbell merchant of Baltimore of the arrival there of 14. cases of claret for me, I have taken the liberty of desiring him to forward it to Richmond to your address, he drawing on me here for the freight to Richmond. I take this liberty because you will best know of the conveyances up to Monticello, to which place I would pray you to send it...
25Agreement with Samuel Biddle, 18 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
It is agreed between Mr. Samuel Biddle and myself that he shall overlook certain parts of my affairs in Virginia as explained in a letter to him of Dec. 12. 1792. for which I am to pay him one hundred and twenty dollars a year. His wages are to begin the 1st. day of September next, and he is to proceed to Virginia about the middle of October. He is to carry his bedding. I promised to provide...
26From Thomas Jefferson to James Wood, 17 July 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 8th. instant and have laid the same before the President of the US. The case of the refugees from St. Domingo is really deplorable, and calls with a loud voice for charitable succours: but it is a case wherein the general government has not been authorised to furnish them. It is therefore hoped that the particular states will come in with liberality to the...
27From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 15 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Your several Memorials of the 8th. instant, have been laid before the President, as had been that of the 2d. as soon as received. They have been considered with all the attention and the impartiality which a firm determination could inspire to do what is equal and right between all the belligerent powers. In one of these, you communicate on the information of the british Consul at Charleston,...
28From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Bell, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with yours of June 12.—Mr. Jefferson my relation had detained the letter to you till he could write back to me and inform me of the difficulty of getting to Charlottesville, and how much more convenient it would be to him to take his goods in Goochld. My business made me late in answering him, and I then repeated my request to him to apply to you, as I observe that from a want of...
29From Thomas Jefferson to George Gilmer, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I give you sincere joy on the physical energies of which you have lately (or rather Mrs. Gilmer for you) produced such a living proof. I hope they will be repeated for years to come. Dumourier was known to be a scoundrel in grain. I mentioned this from the beginning of his being placed at the head of the armies: but his victories at length silenced me. His apostasy has now proved that an...
30From Thomas Jefferson to George Hammond, 24 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Hammond and incloses him a copy of a commission of a Mr. Moore to be Vice-Consul of Gr. Britain for the state of Rhode-island, on which an Exequatur is asked. As it has been our practice hitherto, where there is a Minister from the same nation, to issue Exequaturs only on his authentication of the Commission, Th: Jefferson takes the liberty of...