481To Thomas Jefferson from John Barnes, 27 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent to the B. at W. for the Cashiers draft in favr. of D. Gelston Esqr: on B. B. NYork for $55.62 and shall write him of the Wines safe arrival—the depy: Collector of Alexa also advises of their being forwarded to Washingn. have wrote him for his a/c of expences, by Mr Dougherty you will $25 in 5 dolr notes, I am most Respectfully Sir Your Obed H St RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “The...
482To Thomas Jefferson from David Campbell, 27 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The acquisition of Louisiana will be of great and lasting importance to the United States. In its magnitude it approaches to a second Declaration of Independance. We may now form, on the surest foundations, a general System of politics, on principles and rules, which the circumstances of different conjunctures may appropriate to the eternal advantage of the Western Country, and consequently of...
483To Thomas Jefferson from Elbridge Gerry, 27 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The message, which You did me the honor to transmit, I have read with great pleasure. it exhibits to my mind, respectful, friendly, firm, & vigilant conduct towards foreign powers—acquisitions of territory, by purchase & cession, inestimable, as they respect the wealth, security, & happiness of our western sister states, the fiscal resources of the nation, and the excision of a fertile source...
484To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Mann Randolph, 27 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Rawlings who hands you this having a desire to render service to the U.S. upon the Mississippi in some civil capacity has applied to me among others to certify to the proper authority what we know of his fitness and pretentions to be so employed. So long an interval has happened in my acquaintance & intercourse with Mr Rawlings that it is not proper for me to pronounce as decisively with...
485To Thomas Jefferson from William C. C. Claiborne, 28 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
About 20 minutes since, I received a Letter from my friend Docter Sibley, enclosing me a Map of the Country West of the Mississippi, which I hasten to forward to you:—The Doctor’s Letter contains much useful Information, & therefore I have taken the liberty to transmit it for your perusal & must beg you to receive it in confidence.— The Northern Mail is now closing, and the Post-Master allows...
486To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Digges, 28 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The Bearer is Mr Wm Byrne an ornamental stucco worker & Plasterer whose good Conduct, sobriety, and rectitude I think I can answer for, having known Him as a respectable Tradesman in Ireland as well as in the City. If you have not engagd one for Monticello, I make no doubt but He will ansr. your purpose and be full as reasonable in Charges, & perhaps moreso, than others of His trade...
487To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 28 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have conversed with most of the Western members of Congress respecting the possibility of raising volunteers to assist the force already prepared for occupying New Orleans; I think that I have seen thirteen out of the seventeen who compose the delegation of the three western States ; and I believe that they have all conferred on the subject. Not only do they Appear to be strongly impressed...
488From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very much pleased to find that the Choctaws agree to sell us their country on the Missisipi, and think we ought to accept it to any extent they will agree to, only taking care the price be not too high. they are poor; and will probably sell beyond what will pay their debts, so as to be entitled to an annual pension, which is one of the best holds we can have on them. their strength & the...
489From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I must ask the favor of you to meet the heads of departments here tomorrow at 12. aclock & afterwards to dine with us. the object is to decide definitively on the arrangements which are to be dispatched Westwardly the next day. Genl. Dearborne & myself had concluded to submit to the meeting a plan little different from that suggested in your letter of yesterday. towit. to send orders to...
490To Thomas Jefferson from William Henry Harrison, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In the month of May last I received the letter you did me the honour to write by Mr. Parke and at that time I also received from the Department of State a renewal of my Commission as Governor of the Indiana Territory For this mark of your Confidence permit me to make you my most grateful acknowledgements—It has indeed ever been & shall Continue to be my Chief Aim to Conduct the Administration...
491To Thomas Jefferson from John Langdon, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You’ll please accept my Acknowledgements for the Message, and permit me in the most sincere manner to Congratulate you on the unparalled prosperity and Happiness of the United States, which surpasses any thing that has ever been seen or heard of, under any other government on earth. You Sr. can much better concieve then I can possably describe the feelings of all true friends to our Country on...
492From Thomas Jefferson to Levi Lincoln, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of the Attorney General to meet the heads of departments here tomorrow at 12. aclock & to dine with him on the same day. RC ( MWA ); addressed: “Levi Lincoln esq. Atty Genl US”; Lincoln later wrote notes relating to land sales and payments on verso.
493To Thomas Jefferson from William Marshall, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I do myself the honor of presenting you, with an accurate Chart of the Coast of West Florida and Louisiana, including a survey and soundings of the Mississippi river, extending, considerably above New Orleans. It was sent to me, a few days ago, by a gentleman who married the widow of Mr. Gauld, by whom the Chart, was made. I hasten to send It to you, as, If there be none such in possession of...
494To Thomas Jefferson from Wilson Cary Nicholas, 29 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Rawlins the Gentn. who will deliver you this letter, is anxious to obtain an appointment in the Custom house at New Orleans. This Gentn. formerly lived in Virginia in a mercantile house engaged in extensive business, I have not had such an acquaintance with Mr. Rawlins as woud justify me in asking an office for him, I can only speak of him, as to his having been regularly brought up to the...
495From Thomas Jefferson to Louis André Pichon, 29 October 1803 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Pichon. he meant to be understood the other evening as asking the favor of him to dine here to-day with messrs Soult & Delile. he did not know till the last night that mr Pichon did not so understand him. he hopes, if he has no engagement, he will do him the favor of dining here to-day at half after three. RC (University Archives, Westport,...
496To Thomas Jefferson from Mary Hazard, 30 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vois bien, que vous n’avez pas envie d’entre en correspondence avec moi, mais, je vous dis, que je ne cesserai pas de vous ecrire, jusque les temps que je serai repondue. Vous pensez, peutetre, que je suis homme, qui n’ecrivet que pour s’en faire quelquechose de plaisenterie, mais, en verité, ce n’est pas ausi; je suis femme; et pauvre femme; et si vous ne le croyez pas, venez et voir; et...
497Notes on Preparations to Occupy Louisiana, 30 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Ord. to Claib. & Wilk. write to Laussat & Clarke force or no force. 1. if no force proceed with regulars , & militia at their discretion. treat inhabitants & officers particularly with courtesy take nothing without paying arrange with Laussat manner of delivery. issue proclamation suffer the Govr. &c. to remain in his house get orders from Laussat &c. for delivery of all the posts . take...
498To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Jefferson Randolph, 30 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I was at Monticello yesterday and Mr. Dinsmore had almost finished the cornice in the hall and was to set off for Philadelphia to day. they have almost done the canal and the mill house also. I have read Goldsmith’s grecian history Thucidides & I am now reading Goldsmith’s Roman hitory. give my love to Papa and uncle Eppes. adieu Grand Papa your most afectionate Grand son RC (Mrs. Edwin Page...
499To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio G. Spafford, 30 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A plain man, wishes to lay before you in a plain way, some observations. He chooses to offer to you, Sir, from the consideration of respect which is due to the rank you enjoy, & the fame of your Philosophy. I am also proud of the sentiment, that a respectful duty to the first man of our nation, prompts me to offer to your patronage, an invention, which I am led to believe may be of general...
500To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Tew, 30 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
you will Please to Excuse my Boldness in Addressing you on this Ocasion but by being Assured of the goodness of your hart I am Imbolden to Address you on a Subgect that Much Consarnes me I find a Law was passed the Last Session of Congress that any Person haveing a Clame for Lands are to put in their Clames Some Whare and at a Certain time not Only the Clames they may have on this Goverment...
501To Thomas Jefferson from Philippe Reibelt, 31 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Tout près de l’abime de la misére—dans un paÿs etranger—sans autre recomandation, qu’a Vous—J’ose iterativement implorer Votre protection, de quelque manière, qu’il Vous plaira, de me l’accorder: Ou par la place de maitre de poste, de Chef du bureau de la Vente de terres, ou autre a la Nouvelle Orleans, ou par la recomandation a un grand Proprietaire, au quel je pourrois je pourrois etre util...
502From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 31 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now lay before you the treaty mentioned in my general message at the opening of the session, as having been concluded with the Kaskaskia Indians, for the transfer of their country to us, under certain reservations & conditions. Progress having been made in the demarcation of Indian boundaries, I am now able to communicate to you a Treaty with the Delawares, Shawanese, Poutewatamies, Miamis,...
503From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 31 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Jan. 30. I informed you that the person whom I had employed in this neighborhood had provided such seeds of the list therein stated to you, as the lateness of the season had permitted. I had the mortification to see them remain here till summer without any opportunity occurring to forward them. our only commercial port is Alexandria, five miles distant. by casting your eye on a...
504From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Corny, 1 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favors, my dear friend, of Feb. 15. & June 15. have been duly recieved. the latter was forwarded to me by mr Ledet, who remained himself in London, & whom I should have recieved with great pleasure on your recommendation, had he come here. I learn with joy from yourself that you have good hopes of improvement in your health. my prayers for it are sincere, as the recollections of your...
505To Thomas Jefferson from James Doughty, Jr., 1 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
With all diffidence do I approach the Chief Magistrate of my country; sensible that in averting his attention, but for a moment, from the interest He takes in the general welfare; I set by far too high an estimate on my own particular concerns. But, altho’ under these impressions, I make bold, Knowing the affability of Your Excellency, simply to prefer my suit, and leave the result to your...
506From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 1 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Apr. 6. & June 27. were duly recieved, & with the welcome which every thing brings from you. the treaty which has so happily sealed the friendship of our two countries has been recieved here with general acclamation. some inflexible federalists have still ventured to brave the public opinion. it will fix their character with the world & with posterity, who not descending to the...
507To Thomas Jefferson from Christopher Ellery, 1 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
C. Ellery has the honor to offer his highest respects to the President, and to request his permission to present a little pamphlet, on a subject to be brought before Congress, extremely interesting to the merchants of R. Island, and worthy of attention in a political point of view— RC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Nov. and so recorded in SJL . Enclosure: William Hunter, Observations on...
508To Thomas Jefferson from Albert Gallatin, 1 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The pressure of business & interruption prevents my doing justice to the subject of Louisiana . I have returned his to Mr Wagner; Mr Madison will correct it, that part which relates to revenue & expenditures excepted which I will revise— Respectfully Your obt. Servt RC ( DLC ); undated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department...
509To Thomas Jefferson from Jesse Hawley, 2 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
An obscure Citizen, young in age, in experience, who conceits he possesses a small share of observation & of feeling for the civil & political interests of his Country, so far presumes on your wisdom as to take the liberty of suggesting some ideas which occurred to him on the perusal of your Excellency’s late message to Congress, which has just came to hand— The previous possession of large...
510To Thomas Jefferson from Jean Baptiste Say, 2 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Daignez recevoir l’hommage que je vous fais de mon Traité d’Economie politique, comme une marque de la haute considération que j’ai pour vos qualités personnelles et pour les principes que vous professez. Puissiez-vous y reconnaître quelques traces de cet amour eclairé de l’humanité et de la liberté qui vous rend si recommandable aux yeux des hommes qui pensent bien. Le bonheur dont jouit...