1From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 14 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved last night your favor of the 10th. and am thankful to you for the prompt dispatch of the wine, every day’s delay counting during a session of Congress. the wines are Champagne & Burgandy . so soon as you will be so good as to let me know the amount of the duties & charges, they shall be immediately remitted to you. accept my friendly salutations & assurances of respect. P.S. I have...
2From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 14 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I now communicate a digest of the information I have recieved relative to Louisiana, which may be useful to the legislature in providing for the government of the country. a translation of the most important laws in force in that province, now in the press, shall be the subject of a supplementory communication, with such further and material information as may yet come to hand. RC ( DNA : RG...
3I. To David Williams, 14 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the volume on the Claims of literature which you did me the favor to send me through mr Monroe, & have read with satisfaction the many judicious reflections it contains on the condition of the respectable class of literary men. the efforts for their relief made by a society of private citizens are truly laudable. but they are, as you justly observe, but a palliation of an...
4II. To David Williams, 14 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved the volume on the Claims of literature which you did me the favor to send me through mr Monroe; & have read with satisfaction the many judicious reflections it contains on the condition of the respectable class of literary men. the efforts for their relief, made by a society of private citizens, are truly laudable: but they are, as you justly observe, but a palliation of...
5From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 11 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
During the last recess of the Senate, I have granted commissions for the offices, and to the persons following: which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I therefore nominate the same persons to the same offices for reappointment, to wit. James Monroe of Virginia, Minister Plenipotentiary of the US. to the government of Great Britain, vice Rufus King...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The memoranda you inclosed me from mr Clarke deserve great attention. such articles of them as depend on the executive shall be arranged for the next post. the following articles belong to the legislature. the administration of justice to be prompt. perhaps the judges should be obliged to hold their courts weekly, at least for some time to come. the ships of resident owners to be naturalized,...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 9 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 4th. with a P.S. of the 8th. being delivered to the Captain of the vessel, the object of the present is to inform you that the reports of both those days prove to be unfounded, and that it is questionable whether the marriage spoken of is to take place. you will therefore depend on future evidence as to the fact, & only use the apology if the issue should render it necessary....
8From 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...
9Notes on Governing Louisiana, 8 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Hospital provision for administration of justice to be prompt. shipping to be naturalised. Slaves , importation of religion support of it to be explained . Ursuline Nuns . their landed property secured. debts from Spain to the inhabitants . 500,000. D the powers of the Administrator, Treasurer & Contador to be exercised by Collector of Natchez. power to suppress useless offices, to suspend all...
10Notes on Spanish Expenditures for Louisiana, 8 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Louisiana . Executive 8996. Judiciary. 3600. Revenue officers 16,600. Custom house 10,430. navigation 9,600 hospitals 30,546 Posts 9,810 miscellaneous 9,234 Clergy 11,484
11From Thomas Jefferson to James Jones Wilmer, 8 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Wilmer & his thanks for the pamphlet he was so kind as to send him, which he shall read with pleasure the first moment of leisure he has: his present situation rarely presenting him that enjoiment, & especially during the session of the legislature. PrC ( DLC ); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. pamphlet : see Wilmer to TJ of 15 Sep.
12From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
So constant, my dear daughter, have been my occupations here since Congress met, that it has never been in my power to write any thing which could admit of delay at all: and our post now passing but once a week, lessens the opportunities, tho the rapidity is increased to 24. hours between this place & Charlottesville. I recieved by mr Randolph the frills & a pair of stockings. it will be...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Jones & Howell, 6 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Be pleased to send two tons of nailrod assorted from 6 d. to 20 d. sizes to Richmond addressed to messrs. Gibson & Jefferson for me, & with as little delay as possible. the suspension of intercourse by the fever has occasioned my nailery to be nearly out & it will be quite so before this supply arrives. mr Barnes will remit you immediately 45 D. 81 c the amount of the last bill now due. Accept...
14From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 6 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Oct. 25. from Prestwood came to my hands last night. it is the first knolege of your motions I have had since you set out for Kentucky: and having long expected you were on the road back, I knew not how to write to you. this has been the cause of my keeping a letter recieved for you from France a considerable time ago: & I do not send it now lest you should have left Richmond, where...
15From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 5 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Bell being the lowest bidder for the saltsprings has on that ground the first claim for preference. his character moreover, & the moderation of his views recommend him: but there seems just reason to apprehend he is too moderate, and that he has erred against himself in his calculations, being perhaps too sanguine. it is never the interest of a landlord to break his tenant. in this case it...
16From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I have recieved several letters from you, my dear friend, since I last wrote to you. that by mr Foncin is delivered this morning. you know my situation too well not to be sensible that I cannot be a punctual correspondent, and you will ascribe the rarity of my letters to it’s probable cause, & not to the impossible one of a want of friendship for you. in the affair of your lands be assured we...
17From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A report reaches us this day from Baltimore (on probable, but not certain grounds) that Mr. Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the first Consul, was yesterday married to miss Patterson of that city.* *Nov. 8. It is now said that it did not take place on the 3d. but will this day. the effect of this measure on the mind of the first Consul, is not for me to suppose: but as it might occur to him, primâ...
18From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
By the copy, now communicated, of a letter from Capt Bainbridge, of the Philadelphia frigate, to our consul at Gibraltar , you will learn that an act of hostility has been committed, on a merchant vessel of the United States, by an armed ship of the Emperor of Morocco. This conduct on the part of that power is without cause, and without explanation. It is fortunate that Capt Bainbridge fell in...
19From Thomas Jefferson to Aaron Vail, 4 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The schooner Citizen, capt Lawson, being employed by our government to carry some gun carriages to the Emperor of Marocco, and to touch at Lorient, in going, in order to deliver there the ratification of our late treaty with France, I take the benefit of your cover for a letter to mr Livingston, our Minister Plenipotentiary, accompanied by a small box of about 8. or 9. inches cube addressed to...
20From 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...
21From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 3 November 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Gallatin, on his arrival at his office, to call & accompany him to the Secretary of State’s office, where a matter of moment & urgency is to be considered. RC ( NHi : Gallatin Papers); addressed: “Mr. Gallatin.” Not recorded in SJL . matter of moment & urgency : on this day the State Department learned that on 17 Aug. a Moroccan cruiser had captured the brig...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24Draft of a Proclamation for the Temporary Government of Louisiana, on or before 31 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
By H.E. W.C. Commandant & Intendant of the Province of Louisiana A Proclamation Whereas by treaties entered into between the governments of France and Spain on the 1st. day of Oct. 1800. at St. Ildefonso & on the 1st. day of March 1801. at Madrid the latter ceded to the former the colony & province of Louisiana, with the same extent which it had at the date of the first mentd treaty in the...
25From 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,...
26From 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...
27Notes 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...
28From 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...
29From 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...
30From 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.
31From 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,...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 27 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Barnes to have the inclosed paid to mr Gelston . he will thank him also for 20. D. in 5 dollar bills. RC ( MHi ); endorsed by Barnes. Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: see enclosure printed at David Gelston to TJ, 22 Oct. 1803 . In his financial memoranda at 27 Oct. 1803, TJ recorded his request that Barnes pay David gelston $55.62 “for freight & duty of 300....
33From Thomas Jefferson to Jonathan Faw, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The case, which is the subject of the letter you handed me yesterday, s[eems] so perfectly understood by yourself, what the law is, & what the remedy, and that that remedy, the Habeas corpus, is always within your own reach, that no information respecting it seems necessary from me, or to be required. indeed it appears altogether a family misunderstanding, in which the exercise of paternal &...
34From Thomas Jefferson to John Randolph, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson being informed of the question which occupied the H. of R. yesterday, and of the argument founded on the English expression ‘engages to cede .’ altho’ he knows it has been decided, yet for mr Randolph’s satisfaction incloses him the following extracts from the French originals on the paper herein sent. the 2d. treaty , which was in all our newspapers, tho’ never authentically...
35Memorandum on the Cession of Louisiana from Spain to France, 25 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The treaty of St. Ildefonso, dated Oct. 1. 1800. between Spain & France, Article 3d . is in these words, in French, the language in which it was written. “Sa Majesté catholique promet et s’engage de son coté a retroceder a la republique Française, six mois aprés l’execution pleine et entiere, les conditions et stipulations cy-dessus, relatives a son Altesse Royale le Duc de Parme, la Colonie...
36From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate, 24 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I lay before you the Convention signed on the 12th. day of May last, between the United States and Great Britain, for settling their boundaries in the North Eastern & North Western parts of the United States, which was mentioned in my general message of the 17th. instant; together with such papers relating thereto as may enable you to determine whether you will advise & consent to it’s...
37From Thomas Jefferson to Caleb Bickham, 22 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
I recieved yesterday your letter on the subject of the tides. my partiality for subjects of that kind in preference to all others, endangering a neglect of duties of a higher order, and which occupy me without intermission, I have been obliged to lay it down as a law for myself to decline corresponding on philosophical subjects generally. the generality of this rule must be my apology in any...
38From Thomas Jefferson to John Crawford, 22 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 18th. has been duly recieved, and it’s contents perused with deep interest, as every thing is by me on a subject so pregnant of future events as that. but that subject is not within the constitutional powers of the General government. it exclusively belongs to each state to take it’s own measures of justice or precaution relative to it : and it would contravene the duties...
39From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Ware Peacock, 22 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
My business not permitting me to participate in the benefit of the course of lectures proposed in the inclosed paper, and having been obliged moreover to lay it down as a law to myself not to put my name to any subscription paper; I can but return it to you with my wishes for it’s success, both as it regards yourself, and for those whose situations may enable them to attend. certainly the...
40From Thomas Jefferson to Caesar A. Rodney, 22 October 1803 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of The Hon-ble Mr Rodney to dine with him on Tuesday the 25th. inst— at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. Oct. 22 The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Memorabilia Expert, Las Vegas, Nevada, 2008, item 45130); partially dated; printed form, with blanks filled by Lewis Harvie reproduced in italics; addressed by Harvie: “The Hon-ble...
41From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, with Barnes’s Note, 21 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. John Barnes, of Georgetown will always answer my subscription to the Columbian Repository [ Note by Barnes :] Bradford & Burgess paid ⅌ JB. 1st Nov 1803 $2.50 Entd. 193— RC ( MHi ); endorsed by Barnes. Not recorded in SJL . The columbian repository was a weekly newspaper published in Georgetown by Thomas G. bradford
42From Thomas Jefferson to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 21 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In my communication to you , of the 17th. instant, I informed you that conventions had been entered into, with the government of France, for the cession of Louisiana to the United States. these, with the advice & consent of the Senate, having now been ratified, & my ratification exchanged for that of the First Consul of France in due form, they are communicated to you for consideration in your...
43From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Note, 20 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will General Dearborne be so good as to recommend some person? or will it be better for him to retain the papers & consult the republican members from Maine ? [ Note by TJ :] Dudley Broadstreet Hobart of Gardener recommended by Genl. Dearborne, who candidly states that he is his son in law, but the applicn is from many respectable persons of the neighborhood, & the only competiton is a young...
44From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Stoddert, 20 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
The pressure of business & of ceremony at the commencement of a session rendered it impossible for me to peruse the inclosed till yesterday evening. I sincerely wish well to whatever may contribute to give growth to the city, under which term I include Georgetown also: for I consider that & Washington as standing in the same relation to the general government, & as constituting on[ly]...
45From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Bailey, 19 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman here has given me 40. Balsam poplars to send to Monticello, and mr Randolph’s servant , who was to have returned tomorrow, will be detained till the next day, to carry them. as I set much store by these trees which I have been a long time trying to get to Monticello, I wish them to be carefully taken up & packed in bundles for safe transportation. if it would suit you to come...
46From Thomas Jefferson to William Eustis, 19 October 1803 [document added in digital edition] (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Doctr. Eustis to dine with him on Friday the 21st. inst. at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. Oct. 19. 03 The favour of an answer is asked. RC ( MHi : Letters to William and Caroline Eustis); printed form, with blanks filled by TJ reproduced in italics; addressed by TJ: “The honble Doctr. Eustis.”
47From Thomas Jefferson to John Barnes, 18 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson having been obliged to send what pocket money he had to Monticello will thank mr Barnes for 25. or 30. D. in small bills. RC ( ViU : Edgehill-Randolph Papers); addressed: “Mr. Barnes”; endorsed by Barnes. Not recorded in SJL . TJ’s financial memoranda records that he received $25 from Barnes the same day ( MB James A. Bear, Jr., and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum...
48Annual Message to Congress, 17 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
In calling you together , fellow citizens, at an earlier day than was contemplated by the act of the last session of Congress, I have not been insensible to the personal inconveniencies necessarily resulting from an unexpected change in your arrangements. but matters of great public concernment have rendered this call necessary; and the interest you feel in these will supercede in your minds...
49From Thomas Jefferson to Albert Gallatin, 17 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Will you be so good as to enable me this morning to fill up the blank in the following passage of the Message. ‘An account of the reciepts & expenditures of the year ending the 30th. of Sep. last, with the estimates for the ensuing year, will be laid before you by the Secy. of the Treasy. so soon as the reciepts of the last quarter shall be returned from the more distant states. it is already...
50List of Members of the Eighth Congress, 17 October 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
N. Hampsh. 5. Verm. 4. ✓ — Betton, Silas ✓ — Chamberlain ✓ — Claggett. Clifton. ✓ — Chittenden Martin ✓ — Hough David ✓ Elliott James ✓