61Resolution for Introduction of Constitutional Amendment, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Resolved by the Senate and House of Repr. of the US. two thirds of both houses concurring, that the following amendment to the constitution of the US. be proposed to the legislatures of the several states; which, when ratified by three fourths of the said legislatures shall be valid to all intents & purposes as a part of the sd constitution. Louisiana , as ceded by France to the US. is made a...
62To Thomas Jefferson from Robert Leslie, 18 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I should have taken the liberty of writeing you sooner, but wished to have got some farther information conserning the mint , and waited for that purpose till I could with safety go into the City, which was not the case till a few days ago on account of the Fever, I find myself disappointed however in that respect, as I cannot with properiety make inquirey of any of the persons imploy’d in the...
63To Thomas Jefferson from Craven Peyton, 24 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Johnson who tends your lower feald in corn this year, was to see me for the purpose of putting all the feald in wheat & to pay one fourth. the land is much exausted. & on a supposition it woud meet your approbation, I toald him that I expected he might undar certain restrictions, the kind of wheat & the time of seeding woud be requird. Sheckle who occupies your uppar feald I think ought not to...
64From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Smith, 10 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have heard of your misfortune and lament it, but will say nothing, ha[ving] learnt from experience that time, silence, & occupation are the only medicines such case. I should have regretted the necessity of writing to you on a subject of business, did I not believe it useful to withdraw the mind from what it is too apt to brood over, to other objects. You know the importance of our being...
65To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 11 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
You will receive inclosed your last quarterly account, from which you will find there is a balance due you of £224–7–7. The things for which the Waggoner omitted to call, I am sorry to inform you, are not yet forwarded. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. RC ( MHi ); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson esquire Washington”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Oct. and so recorded in...
66To Thomas Jefferson from J. P. P. Derieux, 9 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Monroe ayant eu la bonté depuis le 1er. Mai der de voulloir bien m’appointer pour vous apporter ses Dépêches, j’ai L’honneur de vous informer que je viens ce jour de débarquer a New-york, d’ou suivant ses ordres je dois me rendre a Washington-City dans la plus grand diligence; mais comme il m’a très particulierement recommandé de ne les remettre qu’a vous ou Mr. Madison, et quon vient de...
67From Thomas Jefferson to William Dunbar, 21 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor in answer to my queries came to hand a few days ago, and I thank you for the matter it contains & the promptness with which it has been furnished. just on my departure from this place, where I habitually pass the sickly months of Aug. & Sep. I have time only to ask information on a particular point. it has been affirmed by respectable authority, that Spain on recieving the East &...
68To Thomas Jefferson from George Jefferson, 10 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I am very sorry that I was so remiss, as to delay looking out for the wood screws until I had an opportunity of sending them; as I ought to have foreseen there was a possibility at least; of my not being able to procure such as you required and so it has turned out—there are none at all in the whole City with round heads except some few of brass, and they are much too large. I found some few...
69To Thomas Jefferson from James Gamble, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In taking the liberty of transmitting a private letter to the President of the United States, I wished that I had nothing of my personal interest to mention, and that it were dictated only to discharge the duty of my private homage to the best friend to our Country, This we all cherish by native inclination and to the other, every one of us must at last feel much indebted, with confidence...
70From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 31 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you the petition of Samuel Miller with the pardon signed. mr Kelty had spoke to me on this subject and told me that he and mr Craunch should join in a recommendation . I wish mr Wagner would obtain this before he delivers the pardon. I return also mr King’s letter which has really important matter, especially what respects the Mare clausum , the abandonment of the colonial system , &...
71To Thomas Jefferson from Samuel Broome, 12 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to make many Apologies, for addressing your Excellency so often, on my private Concerns, but having a desire to be appointed Collector for the District of New Haven, I think it proper to make my Standing in Society known, on a determination to offer myself as a Candidate for Said office, I wrote to several friends, amongst the number is the Hon’ble Elbridge Gerry Esqr with whom I have...
72To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Jeffn.—as to Catlett—& my land to be rented &c.—& to write to me at Richd. if not too inconvenient—if not dissuaded by him shall rent—as to the report of Strobels failure FC ( DLC : Short Papers); partially dated; entirely in Short’s hand, consisting of an entry in his epistolary record. Recorded in SJL as received from “Prestwood” on 5 Nov. On his return from Kentucky, Short stopped off at...
73Memorandum to James Madison, 12 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Commissions to be made out: Thomas Rodney of Delaware to be judge of Missipi. vice S. Lewis Thomas Rodney of Delaware } to be Commnrs. &c West of Pearl river. Robert Williams of N. Carolina Ephraim Kerby of Connecticut } to be Commnrs. &c East of Pearl river. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky a blank commission for the Register East of Pearl river. Tenche Coxe of Pensylvania to be Purveyor....
74From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 13 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. is now before me. mr Mendenhall wrote to me in Feb. last, asking the communication of a paper against him which he understood had been delivered to me. I wrote him in answer Feb. 25. that I did not remember ever to have recieved such a paper: that tho’ I might ascertain the fact by a recurrence to my files, yet it was unnecessary for another reason, which was, that as it...
75To Thomas Jefferson from Benjamin Lincoln, 25 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I just now received your letter of the 19h instant the articles mentioned have been received are now in the public store and will be held there untill an opportunity shall offer of sending them to Washington or Alexandria I have the honour of being with very great consederatn your most Obedient & most humble servant. RC ( MHi ); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ...
76From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you Clarke’s memoranda. the following articles seem proper for Executive attention. an instrument vesting in the Collector of Natchez the powers of the administrator, Treasurer & Contador. Instructions to Claiborne to suppress useless offices to remove any existing officers. to appoint others it would be well these could go by next post. would it not be well to send in what documents...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 18 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 8th. inst. yesterday I recieved your two favors of the 11th. there ought to be no further hesitation with E. Livingston. the importation of negroes from the French islands ought to be vigorously withstood: but I think we should not tread back our steps as to the reduction of the size of our revenue cutters on bare supposition that they will be resisted. when such a...
78To Thomas Jefferson from John Page, 3 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I left Wmsburg the first day that the weather & my little Son’s state of health would permit, & had he not relapsed into a dangerous Illness, I should have pushed on alone, to spend if it were only a day with you at Monticello, even though Mr. Harvey informed me that you were on the point of setting out to Washington. My dear little boys illness, which ’till today scarcely gave us any hopes of...
79To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 10 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Jeffn.—ansr. his of 6.—as to land—Catlett &c.—shall employ Price & consult with Mr G. Jeffn.—hope he will also give his directions when at Monti.—as to [Britony]—Durrets lease—Mr Barnes I shall stop at Semmes’s—letter to be still kept for me—shall leave this in a few days & only stop at [Mt. Vernon]—anxious to get into winter quarters before the cold sets in—as to the vessel going to France, I...
80To Thomas Jefferson from Thomas Munroe, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of enclosing for your Signature a warrant for $10,000; the balance in my hands, towit about $1000 of the $20,000 heretofore drawn being insufficient to meet the Expenses of the present month which will be demanded in a few days.— I also enclose Sketches of the Expenditures since the Account last rendered , which was up to the first of July.— The Expenses on the Streets will I...
81From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 3 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Dinsmore is arrived here from Monticello on his way to see his brother at Baltimore, and asks for 40. Dollars in Philadelphia bills if to be had, which I must pray you to accomodate him with. he will call on you to-day. affectionate salutations. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by Barnes: “Mr Dinsmore 3d Nov 1803 $40.” Not recorded in SJL . TJ noted in his financial records that on this day he gave...
82Poem by Daniel Waldo Lincoln, 31 August 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
—————“Homo sum. Nil humani a me alienum puto .” Benevolence Ere any social intercourse began, Ere arts subdued, or culture modelled man; Ere law had learnt his fierceness to restrain; Ere the rude savage stooped to wear a chain; He roamed the desart, trod the pathless wild, And nature catered for her simple child. With tigers fell he shared the rocky den, Or chummed with serpents in the...
83To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 3 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mi mas venerado Señor: desde mi llegada á esta hé cumplido como devy dandole cuenta de la gratitud de mi reconocimiento a sus distinciones y parece hé tenido la desgracia de que no hayan llegado a sus manos segun el contenido de su ultima apreciable. Bajo fha 22. del Corriente hallará V.E. mi carta remitiendole la Bota de Vino que há costado á mi ver mui caro, sin embargo de ser su calidad...
84To Thomas Jefferson from Horatio Gates, 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Let the Land rejoice, for you have bought Louisiana for a Song. never was a happier moment Seized, for concluding so Glorious a Negotiation: I took the Liberty to write you about a Week ago; in that letter I introduced Colonel Wm: Smith to your Future Notice, when the necessary appointment of Officers for your new acquisition shall take place, though I mention’d him, & gave my Reasons for it,...
85To Thomas Jefferson from Henry Dearborn, 1 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding it necessary to remove my family from this place for the recovery of thier health, I have concluded to retire about twenty miles into the country, for two or three weeks, and as billious complaints are becoming prevalent in the City, & will probably increase until Octobr. permitt me to advise you not to return until the first of Octobr; your present situation being a high & healthy...
86To Thomas Jefferson from Elkanah Watson, 18 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
As few Americans have tho’t proper to Submit their observations & travels in other Countries to the press; my Short Tour in Holland was on that account Considered Interesting, & I Submitted to its publication Several years ago, without however being at that time Known as the Author. But Since the fact has become Notorious, will you Sir, do me the honer to accept, the Inclosed little essay as a...
87To Thomas Jefferson from Caspar Wistar, 18 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I beg leave to trouble you with the inclosed for Captain Lewis , they do not include many points, because his instructions have really anticipated every thing which occurred to me, & of course admitted of no additions but in detail. I have also avoided several subjects which I expected would be fully detailed by Dr Barton , as being particularly within those departments of Science to which he...
88To Thomas Jefferson from William Branch Giles, 2 September 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr Chevalier , the Gentleman who will probably present you this letter, in passing through your part of the Country, is desirous of making his Respects to you at Monticello.—He is the son in Law of Judge Lions, and formerly had some transactions with you as agent for Beaumarchais, although he is doubtful whither they were of such a nature, as to entitle him to your recollection,—Under these...
89To Thomas Jefferson from William Clark, 24 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of receiving thro’ Captain M: Lewis an assureance of your Approbation & wish that I would Join him in a North Western enterprise. I will chearfully, and with great pleasure Join My friend Capt Lewis in this Vast enterprise, and shall arrange my business so as to be in readiness to leave this Soon after his arrival. May I request the favour of you to forward the inclosed letter...
90Queries on Pearl River Settlements, 15 July 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Queries. 1. What are the settlements of citizens on the East side of Pearl River? stating their geographical position, extent & numbers. 2. are there good lands adjoining them to render them capable of enlargement 3. have they encroached on the Indians? 4. are the settlements in a course of enlargement by persons settling down on lands without title? 5. the general character of the inhabitants...