Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Volume 43 The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 43: 11 March to 30 June 1804 9781400890491

Table of contents :
FOREWORD
Acknowledgments
Editorial Method And Apparatus
Illustrations
Jefferson Chronology
From Thomas Newton
From Robert Maxwell
From Edward Richards
From Levi Shepherd & Sons
Appendix I: List Of Appointments
Appendix II: List Of Candidates For Office In Louisiana
Appendix III: Letters Not Printed In Full
Appendix IV: Letters Not Found
Appendix V: Financial Documents
I N D E X

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THE PAPERS OF THOMAS JEFFERSON JAMES P. Mc CLURE

general editor

T H E PA P E R S O F

Thomas Jefferson Volume 43 11 March to 30 June 1804 JAMES P. Mc CLURE , EDITOR

elaine weber pascu, senior associate editor tom downey, martha j. king, and w. bland whitley, associate editors andrew j. b. fagal and merry ellen scofield, assistant editors linny schenck, editorial associate linda monaco, editorial assistant john e. little, research associate

princeton and oxford princeton university press 2017

Copyright © 2017 by Princeton University Press Published by Princeton University Press, 41 William Street, Princeton, New Jersey 08540 In The United Kingdom: Princeton University Press, 6 Oxford Street, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1TR All Rights Reserved ISBN 978-0-691-17772-4 Library of Congress Number: 50-7486 This book has been composed in Monticello Princeton University Press books are printed on acid-free paper and meet the guidelines for permanence and durability of the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council on Library Resources

Printed in the United States of America

dedicated to the memory of ADOLPH S. OCHS publisher of the new york times 1896-1935

who by the example of a responsible press enlarged and fortified the jeffersonian concept of a free press

ADVISORY COMMITTEE DAVID A. BELL

JAN ELLEN LEWIS

LESLIE GREENE BOWMAN

J. JEFFERSON LOONEY

ANDREW BURSTEIN

JAMES M. McPHERSON

PETER J. DOUGHERTY

ROBERT C. RITCHIE

JAMES A. DUN

SARAH RIVETT

CHRISTOPHER L. EISGRUBER

DANIEL T. RODGERS

ANNETTE GORDON-REED

JACK ROSENTHAL

HENDRIK HARTOG

HERBERT E. SLOAN

RONALD HOFFMAN

ALAN TAYLOR

WILLIAM C. JORDAN

SEAN WILENTZ

STANLEY N. KATZ

GORDON S. WOOD

THOMAS H. KEAN

CONSULTANTS FRANÇOIS P. RIGOLOT and CAROL RIGOLOT, Consultants in French SIMONE MARCHESI, Consultant in Italian

SUPPORTERS This edition was made possible by an initial grant of $200,000 from the New York Times Company to Princeton University. Contributions from many foundations and individuals have sustained the endeavor since then. For their unprecedented generous support, we are also indebted to the Princeton University History Department and Christopher L. Eisgruber, president of the university. The Packard Humanities Institute (through Founding Fathers Papers, Inc.), the National Endowment for the Humanities, and the National Historical Publications and Records Commission have been crucial to progress on the edition. Support has come from the Florence Gould Foundation, the National Trust for the Humanities and the Cinco Hermanos Fund, the New York Times Company Foundation, the Dyson Foundation, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, and the Pew Charitable Trusts. Other contributors have been the Ford Foundation, the Lyn and Norman Lear Foundation, the Lucius N. Littauer Foundation, the Charlotte Palmer Phillips Foundation, the L. J. Skaggs and Mary C. Skaggs Foundation, the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, Time, Inc., Robert C. Baron, B. Batmanghelidj, David K. E. Bruce, and James Russell Wiggins. Benefactions from a greatly expanded roster of dedicated individuals have underwritten the volumes: Sara and James Adler, Helen and Peter Bing, Diane and John Cooke, Judy and Carl Ferenbach III, Mary-Love and William Harman, Frederick P. and Mary Buford Hitz, Governor Thomas H. Kean, Ruth and Sidney Lapidus, Lisa and Willem Mesdag, Tim and Lisa Robertson, Ann and Andrew C. Rose, Sara Lee and Axel Schupf, the Sulzberger family through the Hillandale Foundation, Richard W. Thaler, Tad and Sue Thompson, the Wendt Family Charitable Foundation, and Susan and John O. Wynne. For their vision and extraordinary efforts to provide for this edition, we owe special thanks to John S. Dyson, Governor Kean, H. L. Lenfest and the Lenfest Foundation, Rebecca Rimel, and Jack Rosenthal.

FOREWORD suffered a great loss in the spring of 1804. His Jefferson daughter Mary Jefferson Eppes, the younger of the two surviv-

ing daughters from his marriage to Martha Wayles Jefferson, was 25 years old, the mother of a young son, and had given birth in midFebruary to a baby girl. In March, a problem in Mary’s breast developed into a general infection of her system. Her husband, John Wayles Eppes, describing her as “a mere walking shadow,” moved her to Monticello, but her father, detained in Washington until Congress adjourned, was not able to reach home until 4 April. A few days later he reported to James Madison: “I found my daughter Eppes at Monticello, whither she had been brought on a litter by hand; so weak as barely to be able to stand, her stomach so disordered as to reject almost every thing she took into it, a constant small fever, & an imposthume rising in her breast.” Mary, known in the family as Maria or Polly, did not improve, and she died on the morning of 17 April. “How the President will get over this blow I cannot pronounce,” his other son-in-law, Thomas Mann Randolph, confided to Caesar A. Rodney (see Jefferson’s letter to Madison at 17 April). Jefferson informed Madison that “a desire to see my family in a state of more composure before we separate” would prevent him from returning to Washington right away. He had already begun to seek means by which members of the cabinet, individually and as a group, could decide some matters without him. But he did not stay idle. He wrote a legal document known as a declaration of trust to establish his relationship with Craven Peyton, who acted as his agent in acquiring property in and around the town of Milton from the heirs of Bennett Henderson. He collected information relating to the transactions with the Hendersons and composed a bill in chancery, an extensive claim to be presented in equity court. That filing was in Peyton’s name, with no mention of Jefferson. Jefferson also acted under cover when he wrote a piece in the guise of “A Bystander” for the Virginia Argus in response to an attack in the Washington Federalist about a contention over a parcel of land. For both the “Bystander” essay and the bill in chancery, Jefferson went to considerable effort to present his position without revealing his involvement. He returned to Washington in mid-May. As he resumed his attention to public affairs, he hoped, as he had earlier, for concurrence of opinion among the officers of government. That alignment was not always to be had. With Madison and Albert Gallatin, he worked to  vii 

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resolve the expense claims of Edward Stevens, who during John Adams’s presidency had gone to Saint-Domingue as consul. In the chaotic state of affairs on the island, Stevens had made expenditures for which there was no prior authorization. “I think we had better endeavor at some such modification of the principle as, uniting practicability with legal authority and constitutional safety, may enable us to act in union,” Jefferson wrote to Gallatin in April. The president found, however, that his advisers were not in agreement on the subject. Gallatin held to a restrictive interpretation, while Madison thought that the circumstances in which Stevens had found himself called for some flexibility. Each wrote a detailed explanation, but neither could convince the other to change his mind. “I have always been in hopes that you and he would by discussion come to a common opinion,” Jefferson wrote to Gallatin on 9 June. “I suppose however this has not taken place: and the views of our constitution in preferring a single Executive to a plurality having been to prevent the effect of divided opinions, and to ensure an unity of purpose and action, I presume I must decide between the opinions, however reluctantly.” Gallatin responded by stating that although he still held to his position, he would not stand in the way. Jefferson in turn accepted some of Gallatin’s points in his decision of the case, along with some of Madison’s. After Henry Dearborn became involved in countering slanders from New England against Dolley Madison and her sisters, he felt that he should offer to leave the cabinet if the president thought that his actions had caused the administration any embarrassment. Jefferson assured him that their “mutual satisfaction of reciprocal confidence” was unchanged. As Jefferson and Benjamin Henry Latrobe worked out architectural and decorative details of the Capitol, Latrobe and William Thornton, the building’s original designer, continued their feuding. Jefferson thought that the Republicans in Philadelphia presented “a jumble of subdivision.” From Baltimore he received an anonymous epistle that, in fewer than 120 words, called him a “Son of a Bitch” three times and made reference to the color of his hair four times. (Jefferson dryly labeled the letter, which is printed below at 13 June, “scurrilities.”) It was a contentious world also beyond the nation’s borders. James Monroe, the American minister to Great Britain, wrote from London on 15 March that the British “view the rapid advanc’ment we have made & are making with no very favorable eye. They seem to consider our prosperity not simply as a reproach to them, but as impairing or detracting from theirs.” Jefferson believed that Britain was “a  viii 

FOREWORD

living example that no nation, however powerful, any more than an individual, can be unjust with impunity.” It was important to him that other nations take the United States seriously. When he learned that France, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire might intervene on behalf of the captured officers and crew of the frigate Philadelphia in Tripoli, he did not welcome the aid. Rather, he lamented that European diplomacy might preempt what he had planned to accomplish by a show of force to validate the course taken by the United States when other nations ceased their armed resistance to Tripoli’s demands. As he declared to Madison, “we were free to beg or to fight. we chose the latter.” In May, he received the satisfying news that earlier in the year an American raiding party under Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., had managed to destroy the Philadelphia (although the ship’s company were still prisoners). Fulfilling a longstanding request by Robert R. Livingston to step down as minister to France, Jefferson appointed Livingston’s brother-in-law, John Armstrong, to the post. He would not learn until summer that France had transformed itself into an empire with Napoleon as its ruler. From St. Louis in May, William Clark and Meriwether Lewis sent a first load of specimens: maps, minerals, a live horned lizard, a hairball from the stomach of a bison. Yet Jefferson, with a limited appropriation from Congress, had to postpone his plans for multiple new expeditions into the trans-Mississippi west. He must settle, at least in the short run, for just one probe to explore the Arkansas and Red Rivers. But he had the great boon of a visit to Washington by the Prussian natural scientist and geographer Alexander von Humboldt, who was on his way back to Europe after extended travels in Spanish America. Humboldt, calling Jefferson a philosopher statesman (“un Magistrat philosophe”) whom he had admired for as long as he could remember, shared the president’s eagerness to talk and exchange information. Jefferson was particularly interested in learning what Humboldt knew about the Spanish provinces that adjoined Louisiana. Although perfect political harmony may have been lacking, John Tyler assured Jefferson on 10 June that “you have brought peace to our Country and comfort to our Souls.” Jefferson wrote a long reply on the 28th, affirming that “amidst the direct falsehoods, the misrepresentations of truth, the calumnies & the insults resorted to by a faction to mislead the public mind, & to overwhelm those intrusted with its interests, our support is to be found in the approving voice of our conscience and country, in the testimony of our fellow citizens that their confidence is not shaken by these artifices.” He avowed that “no experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying,  ix 

FOREWORD

& which we trust will end in establishing the fact that man may be governed by reason and truth.” Tyler was not the only American who thought that the president was a source of comfort to the citizenry. In May, after news of the burning of the Philadelphia reached the United States, Jefferson received a memorial from Charles Biddle, James Gamble, and John Douglass, prominent Philadelphians whose sons were among the mariners still held captive in Tripoli. It was “a request dictated by the strongest feelings of paternal Concern,” and he was able to assure them that the government was doing everything possible to get the captives back. Writing from New York City, Margaret Mitchell, a “bereaved & afflicted Mother,” addressed him as “Chief Magistrate of my Country,” as a philosopher, as “a Man & a Gentleman,” and “more powerfully, than all—as a Parent!” She recounted how her teenage son had been abducted in England, enrolled in the British army, and shipped off for service in India. Jefferson instructed the State Department to investigate. John Freeman, an enslaved man hired from his Maryland owner to work on the President’s House staff, had a unique and special request of Jefferson in April. Having accompanied Jefferson to Monticello, Freeman felt the need in the immediate aftermath of Mary Jefferson Eppes’s death to ask the grieving president what would become of Melinda Colbert, one of Mary’s slaves. Freeman and Colbert intended to marry, and Freeman was compelled to take the matter up with Jefferson. His letter (at 18 April) is a rare example of a letter from an enslaved person to Jefferson. The loss of Mary brought condolences from old friends, including John Page and Wilson Cary Nicholas. And more—Abigail Adams, after some hesitation, wrote on 20 May. She explained that “reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst through the restraint.” She and her husband had had no contact with Jefferson for some time; but she had formed a bond with Mary in 1787. The Adamses hosted her in London for a few weeks that year when, as a girl of nine, she made the journey from Virginia in the company of Sally Hemings to join her father and sister in France. In reply, Jefferson wrote that Mary’s regard for Abigail Adams had been equally strong: “in giving you this assurance I perform a sacred duty for her.” He was so impressed by the letter from Quincy that he forwarded it to Mary’s husband and hoped that his daughter Martha might see it also. He thought that the ice between him and the Adamses was thawing. Yet although they exchanged a few more letters in 1804, she did not care for his explanations of their political differences. “I will not Sir,” she would write in October, x

FOREWORD

“any further intrude upon your time.” True reconciliation would have to wait. Mary’s death wrought a tremendous change in his life. As he wrote to Nicholas on 3 May, the loss “is the more felt as it leaves, whatever of comfort remains, hanging on the slender thread of a single life.” The representation of frail human life hanging suspended by a thread came from the Roman poet Ovid (Epistulae ex Ponto, 4.3.35). Jefferson employed the allegory again in a letter to Page on 25 June: “my evening prospects now hang on the slender thread of a single life.” That thread was his daughter Martha, the remaining survivor of the family he had had with his wife. He had surely not forgotten his grandchildren, who included Mary’s son and infant daughter, but he did not put them in the same category as he did his daughters. As Annette Gordon-Reed has noted, Jefferson’s allusion overlooked other threads. The Washington Federalist commentary to which he replied as “A Bystander” contained a reference to the influence of a “mahogany-colored Jezebel.” In January 1805, Sally Hemings gave birth to a son she named, at Dolley Madison’s request, after James Madison. Sixty-eight years later in a long recollection for an Ohio newspaper, Madison Hemings identified Thomas Jefferson as his father and the father of his older brother and sister, Beverley Hemings and Harriet Hemings. They were about six years old and three years old, respectively, at the time of Mary’s death. They were, by a preponderance of evidence if not by their father’s acknowledgment, his children, as Martha Randolph and Mary Eppes were; but they, like their mother, make no appearance in Jefferson’s papers in the period spanned by this volume (Annette Gordon-Reed, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family [New York, 2008], 591-2; Annette Gordon-Reed, Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemings: An American Controversy [Charlottesville, 1997], 245-8). From Connecticut on 26 March, in a letter that Jefferson received a day before his daughter’s death, a former slave and Revolutionary War veteran named Thomas Harris described his wish to give a “humble tribute of respect” to the president as the “defender of freedom and sheild of the oppressed.” Harris paid that tribute by naming his twin sons—“black twin boys,” he emphasized—Thomas and Jefferson. “The consideration that my boys, (should I be able to support them in existance) are under your Excellency’s government, a government which at once secures to all, whithe rich or poor, white or black, thier equal rights and priviliges, is comforting and encouraging,” Harris declared. “I cannot find words to express the pleasure I feel, that under your Excellency’s government and the prevalence of  xi 

FOREWORD

your principles, my boys are safe from slavery, if not from cold and hunger.” With this volume we say farewell to three long-serving and extraordinarily accomplished members of the editorial team. For two decades Linda Monaco played an essential role in getting our work to the printed page. She had to learn a succession of technical systems, most notably PageWright and later XML, and mastered in each of those environments the requirements for formatting complex and idiosyncratic documents for publication. Along with her expertise, she has shared with us her boundless goodwill. John Little joined us after his retirement from a career as an associate editor with the Papers of Woodrow Wilson. Superbly educated at Harvard and Princeton, he has combined meticulous attention to detail with a keenly intelligent historian’s assessment of sources, fact, and explanation. We are privileged to have had him as our colleague for 16 volumes and grateful that he chose to spend his second career with us. Elaine Weber Pascu came to this project as, among other accomplishments, an expert on the papers of Albert Gallatin. Like Gallatin, she has taken on a wide range of subjects, and like Gallatin, she has done extraordinary work on all of them. She has been a leading member of the editorial team from the beginning of her service with this project, approaching big issues of editorial policy and minute problems of detail with equal energy and insight. It is fitting that she was the 2014 recipient of the Lyman H. Butterfield Award of the Association for Documentary Editing. She is incomparable, and it has been our pleasure and honor to work with her, John, and Linda.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

M

any individuals have given the Editors the benefit of their aid in the preparation of this volume, and we offer them our thanks. At Princeton, we are grateful to William C. Jordan, Judith Hanson, and Debora Macy in the Department of History; in the libraries, Karin A. Trainer, university librarian emeritus, and Elizabeth Z. Bennett, Colleen M. Burlingham, Maria DiFalco-Orofino, Tracy Mincher Hall, Stephen Ferguson, Eugene Kaganovich, Peggy Kehrer, Daniel J. Linke, Deborah T. Paparone, AnnaLee Pauls, Ben Primer, and Don C. Skemer; in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, Assistant Dean Lisa M. Scalice; and for administrative and other support from various offices, Mary Ferlise, Ann Halliday, Rand Mirante, Thomas Roddenbery, Steven Semenuk, Gary Tesler, Janet Upperco, and Barbara Zlotnik. We owe much to the skill of Gretchen Oberfranc in reading each volume. For assistance with language translations, we thank Professor Jordan, Valeria Escauriaza-Lopez Fadul, and Neil Ann Stuckey Levine. We are indebted to Lucia C. Stanton for sharing her wisdom and knowledge. Those who helped us use manuscript collections, answered research queries, or advised in other ways are Julie Miller, Jeffrey Flannery, and their colleagues in the Manuscript Division of the Library of Congress; Peter Drummey, Anna Clutterbuck-Cook, Elaine Heavey, and Nancy Heywood of the Massachusetts Historical Society; Anna Berkes and Endrina Tay of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello; Molly Kodner of the Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center; Paige Newman of the Virginia Historical Society; Nicole Bouché, Christina Deane, Regina Rush, and Penny White at the University of Virginia Library; Beatriz Hardy and Susan A. Riggs of Swem Library at the College of William and Mary; John Deal and Brent Tarter, Library of Virginia; Patrick Spero, librarian and director, the American Philosophical Society; Carolyn Vega and Kaitlyn Krieg of the Morgan Library & Museum; Holly Snyder of the John Hay Library at Brown University; the staff of the Huntington Library; the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History and the New-York Historical Society; the American Antiquarian Society; Charles M. Harris of the Papers of William Thornton; and our friends and fellow editors at the Thomas Jefferson Retirement Series at Monticello, the Adams Papers at the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Papers of James Madison and the Papers of George Washington at the University of Virginia, the James Monroe Papers at the University of Mary Washington, and the Papers of  xiii 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Benjamin Franklin at Yale University. For assistance with illustrations, we are indebted to Alfred L. Bush and Martha A. Sandweiss of Princeton and to Jaime Bourassa at the Missouri History Museum; Susannah Carroll of the Franklin Institute; Debra Hashim, Smithsonian Institution; Connie S. Griffith Houchins at the Andalusia Foundation; Marilyn Ibach, Library of Congress; James Stimpert, Sheridan Libraries, Johns Hopkins University; and Emily B. Snedden Yates at the Mütter Museum, College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Jason Bush, Paul Hayslett, and Helen Langone of IDM provided essential technical support. We are grateful to have the continuing benefit of the advice of Kathleen Williams and Darrell Meadows of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission and Lydia Medici of the Division of Research Programs of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Our collaborative partners at Princeton University Press have our deepest admiration and appreciation, especially Peter J. Dougherty, director, and Lauren Lepow, senior editor. We also appreciate the contributions of Carmina Alvarez-Gaffin, Leslie Flis, Adam Fortgang, Meghan Kanabay, Dimitri Karetnikov, Neil Litt, Erin Suydam, and Brigitta van Rheinberg. At the University of Virginia Press, we are indebted to Mark Saunders, director, and David Sewell, manager of digital initiatives. We mourn the loss of Joyce Appleby, who played an important role as a member of the edition’s Advisory Committee for Volumes 24 through 42. Those volumes spanned some of the most interesting years of Jefferson’s career, from 1792 into 1804. Professor Appleby’s contribution was especially valuable as we considered how best to handle the papers of Jefferson’s presidency. She was an esteemed scholar and a great friend to this edition.

 xiv 

EDITORIAL METHOD A N D A P PA R AT U S 1. RENDERING THE TEXT

Julian P. Boyd eloquently set forth a comprehensive editorial policy in Volume 1 of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Adopting what he described as a “middle course” for rendering eighteenth-century handwritten materials into print, Boyd set the standards for modern historical editing. His successors, Charles T. Cullen and John Catanzariti, reaffirmed Boyd’s high standards. At the same time, they made changes in textual policy and editorial apparatus as they deemed appropriate. For Boyd’s policy and subsequent modifications to it, readers are encouraged to consult Vol. 1:xxix-xxxviii; Vol. 22:vii-xi; and Vol. 24:vii-viii. The revised, more literal textual method, which appeared for the first time in Volume 30, adheres to the following guidelines: Abbreviations will be retained as written. Where the meaning is sufficiently unclear to require editorial intervention, the expansion will be given in the explanatory annotation. Capitalization will follow the usage of the writer. Because the line between uppercase and lowercase letters can be a very fine and fluctuating one, when it is impossible to make an absolute determination of the author’s intention, we will adopt modern usage. Jefferson rarely began his sentences with an uppercase letter, and we conform to his usage. Punctuation will be retained as written and double marks of punctuation, such as a period followed by a dash, will be allowed to stand. Misspellings or so-called slips of the pen will be allowed to stand or will be recorded in a subjoined textual note. English translations or translation summaries will be supplied for foreign-language documents. In some instances, when documents are lengthy and not especially pertinent to Jefferson’s concerns or if our edition’s typography cannot adequately represent the script of a language, we will provide only a summary in English. In most cases we will print in full the text in its original language and also provide a full English translation. If a contemporary translation that Jefferson made or would have used is extant, we may print it in lieu of a modern translation. Our own translations are designed to provide a basic readable English text for the modern user rather than to preserve all aspects of the original diction and language.  xv 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S 2. TEXTUAL DEVICES

The following devices are employed throughout the work to clarify the presentation of the text. [. . .] [  ] [roman] [italic]

Text missing and not conjecturable. Number or part of a number missing or illegible. Conjectural reading for missing or illegible matter.  A question mark follows when the reading is doubtful. Editorial comment inserted in the text. Matter deleted in the MS but restored in our text. 3. DESCRIPTIVE SYMBOLS

The following symbols are employed throughout the work to describe the various kinds of manuscript originals. When a series of versions is recorded, the first to be recorded is the version used for the printed text. Dft Dupl MS N PoC PrC RC SC Tripl

draft (usually a composition or rough draft; later drafts, when identifiable as such, are designated “2d Dft,” &c.) duplicate manuscript (arbitrarily applied to most documents other than letters) note, notes (memoranda, fragments, &c.) polygraph copy press copy recipient’s copy stylograph copy triplicate

All manuscripts of the above types are assumed to be in the hand of the author of the document to which the descriptive symbol pertains. If not, that fact is stated. On the other hand, the following types of manuscripts are assumed not to be in the hand of the author, and exceptions will be noted: FC Lb Tr

file copy (applied to all contemporary copies retained by the author or his agents) letterbook (ordinarily used with FC and Tr to denote texts copied into bound volumes) transcript (applied to all contemporary and later copies except file copies; period of transcription, unless clear by implication, will be given when known)  xvi 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S 4. LOCATION SYMBOLS

The locations of documents printed in this edition from originals in private hands and from printed sources are recorded in self-explanatory form in the descriptive note following each document. The locations of documents printed from originals held by public and private institutions in the United States are recorded by means of the symbols used in the National Union Catalog in the Library of Congress; an explanation of how these symbols are formed is given in Vol. 1:xl. The symbols DLC and MHi by themselves stand for the collections of Jefferson Papers proper in these repositories; when texts are drawn from other collections held by these two institutions, the names of those collections will be added. Location symbols for documents held by institutions outside the United States are given in a subjoined list. CSmH CtY-BR DLC DeHi ICHi MHi MWA MdAA MeHi MiU-C MoSHi Ms-Ar NBLiHi NHi NIC NNPM NcU NjMoHP NjP PHC PHarH PHi

The Huntington Library, San Marino, California Yale University, Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, New Haven, Connecticut Library of Congress Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington Chicago Historical Society Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston American Antiquarian Society, Worcester, Massachusetts Hall of Records Commission, Annapolis, Maryland Maine Historical Society, Portland William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center, St. Louis Mississippi Department of Archives and History, Jackson Long Island Historical Society, Brooklyn New-York Historical Society, New York City Cornell University, Ithaca, New York Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey Princeton University Haverford College, Pennsylvania Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Harrisburg Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia  xvii 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S

PP PPAmP PWacD RPB ScU THaroL TxU Vi ViHi ViU ViW

Free Library of Philadelphia American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia David Library of the American Revolution, Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania Brown University Library South Caroliniana Library Lincoln Memorial Unversity, Harrogate, Tennessee University of Texas, Austin Library of Virginia, Richmond Virginia Historical Society, Richmond University of Virginia, Charlottesville College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

 The following symbols represent repositories located outside of the United States: RSAS RuAVPRI

Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm Arkhiv Vneshnei Politiki Rossiiskoi Imperii

5. NATIONAL ARCHIVES DESIGNATIONS

Documents in the National Archives have the location symbol DNA, with identifications of record groups and series as follows: RG 11 RG 29 RG 36 RG 42

RG 45

RG 46

General Records of the United States Government RA Ratified Amendments of the United States Constitution Records of the Bureau of Census Records of the United States Custom Service Records of the Public Buildings and Public Parks of the National Capital LRDLS Letters Received and Drafts of Letters Sent Naval Records Collection of the Office of Naval Records and Library LSO Letters Sent to Officers LSP Letters Sent to the President Records of the United States Senate EPEN Executive Proceedings, Executive Nominations EPFR Executive Proceedings, Foreign Relations  xviii 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S

LP LPPM

RG 56 RG 59

RG 75

RG 76 RG 84 RG 94 RG 107

RG 125

RG 233

Legislative Proceedings Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages General Records of the Department of the Treasury General Records of the Department of State CD Consular Dispatches GPR General Pardon Records LAR Letters of Application and Recommendation MLR Misc. Letters Received RD Resignations and Declinations TP Territorial Papers Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs LRIA Letters Received by the Secretary of War Relating to Indian Affairs LSIA Letters Sent by the Secretary of War Relating to Indian Affairs Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State CR Consular Records Records of the Adjutant General’s Office Records of the Office of the Secretary of War LRMS Letters Received by the Secretary of War, Main Series LRUS Letters Received by the Secretary of War, Unregistered Series LSMA Letters Sent by the Secretary of War Relating to Military Affairs LSP Letters Sent to the President MLS Misc. Letters Sent RLRMS Register of Letters Received, Main Series Records of the Office of the Judge Advocate General (Navy) GCMCI Transcripts of Proceedings of General Courts-Martial and Courts of Inquiry Records of the United States House of Representatives PM President’s Messages  xix 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S

RG 353

Records of Interdepartmental and Intradepartmental Committees USA-USSR Records of the Joint USA-USSR Documentary Publications Project on Russian-American Relations, 1765-1815, 1975-81

6. OTHER SYMBOLS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following symbols and abbreviations are commonly employed in the annotation throughout the work. Second Series  The topical series to be published as part of this edition, comprising those materials which are best suited to a topical rather than a chronological arrangement (see Vol. 1:xv-xvi) TJ  Thomas Jefferson TJ Editorial Files  Photoduplicates and other editorial materials in the office of The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Princeton University Library TJ Papers  Jefferson Papers (applied to a collection of manuscripts when the precise location of an undated, misdated, or otherwise problematic document must be furnished, and always preceded by the symbol for the institutional repository; thus “DLC: TJ Papers, 4:628-9” represents a document in the Library of Congress, Jefferson Papers, volume 4, pages 628 and 629. Citations to volumes and folio numbers of the Jefferson Papers at the Library of Congress refer to the collection as it was arranged at the time the first microfilm edition was made in 1944-45. Access to the microfilm edition of the collection as it was rearranged under the Library’s Presidential Papers Program is provided by the Index to the Thomas Jefferson Papers [Washington, D.C., 1976]) RG  Record Group (used in designating the location of documents in the National Archives) SJL  Jefferson’s “Summary Journal of Letters” written and received for the period 11 Nov. 1783 to 25 June 1826 (in DLC: TJ Papers). This register, kept in Jefferson’s hand, has been checked against the TJ Editorial Files. It is to be assumed that all outgoing letters are recorded in SJL unless there is a note to the contrary. When the date of receipt of an incoming letter is recorded in SJL, it is incorporated in the notes. Information and discrepancies revealed in SJL but not found in the letter itself are also noted. Missing letters recorded in SJL are, where possible, accounted for in the notes to documents mentioning them or in  xx 

E D I T O R I A L M E T H O D A N D A P PA R AT U S

related documents. A more detailed discussion of this register and its use in this edition appears in Vol. 6:vii-x SJPL  “Summary Journal of Public Letters,” an incomplete list of letters and documents written by TJ from 16 Apr. 1784 to 31 Dec. 1793, with brief summaries, in an amanuensis’s hand. This is supplemented by six pages in TJ’s hand, compiled at a later date, listing private and confidential memorandums and notes as well as official reports and communications by and to him as Secretary of State, 11 Oct. 1789 to 31 Dec. 1793 (in DLC: TJ Papers, Epistolary Record, 514-59 and 209-11, respectively; see Vol. 22:ix-x). Since nearly all documents in the amanuensis’s list are registered in SJL, while few in TJ’s list are so recorded, it is to be assumed that all references to SJPL are to the list in TJ’s hand unless there is a statement to the contrary V Ecu ƒ Florin £ Pound sterling or livre, depending upon context (in doubtful cases, a clarifying note will be given) s Shilling or sou (also expressed as /) d Penny or denier ₶ Livre Tournois  Per (occasionally used for pro, pre) 7. SHORT TITLES

The following list includes short titles of works cited frequently in this edition. Since it is impossible to anticipate all the works to be cited in abbreviated form, the list is revised from volume to volume. anb  John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes, eds., American National Biography, New York and Oxford, 1999, 24 vols. Annals  Annals of the Congress of the United States: The Debates and Proceedings in the Congress of the United States . . . Compiled from Authentic Materials, Washington, D.C., Gales & Seaton, 1834-56, 42 vols. All editions are undependable and pagination varies from one printing to another. The first two volumes of the set cited here have “Compiled . . . by Joseph Gales, Senior” on the title page and bear the caption “Gales & Seatons History” on verso and “of Debates in Congress” on recto pages. The remaining volumes bear the caption “History of Congress” on both recto and verso pages. Those using the first two volumes with the latter caption will need to employ the date of the debate or the indexes of debates and speakers.  xxi 

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aps  American Philosophical Society asp  American State Papers: Documents, Legislative and Executive, of the Congress of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1832-61, 38 vols. Bear, Family Letters  Edwin M. Betts and James A. Bear, Jr., eds., Family Letters of Thomas Jefferson, Columbia, Mo., 1966 Betts, Farm Book  Edwin M. Betts, ed., Thomas Jefferson’s Farm Book, Princeton, 1953 Betts, Garden Book  Edwin M. Betts, ed., Thomas Jefferson’s Garden Book, 1766-1824, Philadelphia, 1944 Biog. Dir. Cong.  Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774-1989, Washington, D.C., 1989 Bradley, Interim Appointment  Jared William Bradley, ed., Interim Appointment: W. C. C. Claiborne Letter Book, 1804-1805 (Baton Rouge, 2002) Brigham, American Newspapers  Clarence S. Brigham, History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820, Worcester, Mass., 1947, 2 vols. Bush, Life Portraits  Alfred L. Bush, The Life Portraits of Thomas Jefferson, rev. ed., Charlottesville, 1987 dab  Allen Johnson and Dumas Malone, eds., Dictionary of American Biography, New York, 1928-36, 20 vols. dhsc  Maeva Marcus and others, eds., The Documentary History of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1800, New York, 1985-2007, 8 vols. Dictionnaire  Dictionnaire de biographie française, Paris, 1933- , 19 vols. dnb  H. C. G. Matthew and Brian Harrison, eds., Oxford Dictionary of National Biography, In Association with The British Academy, From the Earliest Times to the Year 2000, Oxford, 2004, 60 vols. dsb  Charles C. Gillispie, ed., Dictionary of Scientific Biography, New York, 1970-80, 16 vols. dvb  John T. Kneebone and others, eds., Dictionary of Virginia Biography, Richmond, 1998- , 3 vols. eg  Dickinson W. Adams and Ruth W. Lester, eds., Jefferson’s Extracts from the Gospels, Princeton, 1983, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series Evans  Charles Evans, Clifford K. Shipton, and Roger P. Bristol, comps., American Bibliography: A Chronological Dictionary of All Books, Pamphlets and Periodical Publications Printed in the  xxii 

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United States of America from . . . 1639 . . . to . . . 1820, Chicago and Worcester, Mass., 1903-59, 14 vols. Ford  Paul Leicester Ford, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Letterpress Edition, New York, 1892-99, 10 vols. Gallatin, Papers  Carl E. Prince and Helene E. Fineman, eds., The Papers of Albert Gallatin, microfilm edition in 46 reels, Philadelphia, 1969, and Supplement, Barbara B. Oberg, ed., reels 47-51, Wilmington, Del., 1985 haw  Henry A. Washington, ed., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, New York, 1853-54, 9 vols. Heitman, Dictionary  Francis B. Heitman, comp., Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, Washington, D.C., 1903, 2 vols. Heitman, Register  Francis B. Heitman, Historical Register of Officers of the Continental Army during the War of the Revolution, April, 1775, to December, 1793, new ed., Washington, D.C., 1914 Jackson, Lewis and Clark  Donald Jackson, ed., The Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with Related Documents, 1783-1854, 2d ed., Urbana, Ill., 1978 jcc  Worthington C. Ford and others, eds., Journals of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, Washington, D.C., 1904-37, 34 vols. jep  Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate of the United States . . . to the Termination of the Nineteenth Congress, Washington, D.C., 1828, 3 vols. jhr  Journal of the House of Representatives of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1826, 9 vols. js  Journal of the Senate of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1820-21, 5 vols. Kline, Burr  Mary-Jo Kline, ed., Political Correspondence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr, Princeton, 1983, 2 vols. l & b  Andrew A. Lipscomb and Albert E. Bergh, eds., The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Washington, D.C., 1903-04, 20 vols. Latrobe, Correspondence  John C. Van Horne and Lee W. Formwalt, eds., The Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers of Benjamin Henry Latrobe, New Haven, 1984-88, 3 vols. lcb  Douglas L. Wilson, ed., Jefferson’s Literary Commonplace Book, Princeton, 1989, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series Leonard, General Assembly  Cynthia Miller Leonard, comp., The General Assembly of Virginia, July 30, 1619-January 11, 1978: A Bicentennial Register of Members, Richmond, 1978  xxiii 

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List of Patents  A List of Patents Granted by the United States from April 10, 1790, to December 31, 1836, Washington, D.C., 1872 Madison, Papers  William T. Hutchinson, Robert A. Rutland, J. C. A. Stagg, and others, eds., The Papers of James Madison, Chicago and Charlottesville, 1962- , 39 vols. Sec. of State Ser., 1986- , 11 vols. Pres. Ser., 1984- , 8 vols. Ret. Ser., 2009- , 3 vols. Malone, Jefferson  Dumas Malone, Jefferson and His Time, Boston, 1948-81, 6 vols. mb  James A. Bear, Jr., and Lucia C. Stanton, eds., Jefferson’s Memorandum Books: Accounts, with Legal Records and Miscellany, 1767-1826, Princeton, 1997, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series Miller, Alexandria Artisans  T. Michael Miller, comp., Artisans and Merchants of Alexandria, Virginia, 1780-1820, Bowie, Md., 1991-92, 2 vols. Miller, Treaties  Hunter Miller, ed., Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America, Washington, D.C., 1931-48, 8 vols. Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition  Gary E. Moulton, ed., Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Lincoln, Neb., 1983-2001, 13 vols. ndbw  Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents Related to the United States Wars with the Barbary Powers, Washington, D.C., 1939-44, 6 vols. and Register of Officer Personnel and Ships’ Data, 1801-1807, Washington, D.C., 1945 ndqw  Dudley W. Knox, ed., Naval Documents Related to the Quasi-War between the United States and France, Naval Operations, Washington, D.C., 1935-38, 7 vols. (cited by years) Nichols, Architectural Drawings  Frederick Doveton Nichols, Thomas Jefferson’s Architectural Drawings, Compiled and with Commentary and a Check List, Charlottesville, 1978 Notes, ed. Peden  Thomas Jefferson, Notes on the State of Virginia, ed. William Peden, Chapel Hill, 1955 oed  J. A. Simpson and E. S. C. Weiner, eds., The Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford, 1989, 20 vols. Parry, Consolidated Treaty Series  Clive Parry, ed., The Consolidated Treaty Series, Dobbs Ferry, N.Y., 1969-81, 231 vols. Peale, Papers  Lillian B. Miller and others, eds., The Selected Papers of Charles Willson Peale and His Family, New Haven, 19832000, 5 vols. in 6  xxiv 

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pmhb  Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 1877Preston, Catalogue  Daniel Preston, A Comprehensive Catalogue of the Correspondence and Papers of James Monroe, Westport, Conn., 2001, 2 vols. Prince, Federalists  Carl E. Prince, The Federalists and the Origins of the U.S. Civil Service, New York, 1977 pw  Wilbur S. Howell, ed., Jefferson’s Parliamentary Writings, Princeton, 1988, The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Second Series rchs  Records of the Columbia Historical Society, 1895-1989 Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books  Dunbar Rowland, ed., The Official Letter Books of W. C. C. Claiborne, 1801-1816, Jackson, Miss., 1917, 6 vols. rs  J. Jefferson Looney and others, eds., The Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series, Princeton, 2004- , 13 vols. S.C. Biographical Directory, Senate  N. Louise Bailey and others, eds., Biographical Directory of the South Carolina Senate, 17761985, Columbia, S.C., 1986, 3 vols. Shaw-Shoemaker  Ralph R. Shaw and Richard H. Shoemaker, comps., American Bibliography: A Preliminary Checklist for 18011819, New York, 1958-63, 22 vols. Sowerby  E. Millicent Sowerby, comp., Catalogue of the Library of Thomas Jefferson, Washington, D.C., 1952-59, 5 vols. Stanton, Free Some Day  Lucia Stanton, Free Some Day: The AfricanAmerican Families of Monticello, Charlottesville, 2000 Stets, Postmasters  Robert J. Stets, Postmasters & Postoffices of the United States 1782-1811, Lake Oswego, Ore., 1994 Sturtevant, Handbook  William C. Sturtevant, Handbook of North American Indians, Washington, D.C., 1978- , 15 vols. Syrett, Hamilton  Harold C. Syrett and others, eds., The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, New York, 1961-87, 27 vols. Terr. Papers  Clarence E. Carter and John Porter Bloom, eds., The Territorial Papers of the United States, Washington, D.C., 1934-75, 28 vols. tjr  Thomas Jefferson Randolph, ed., Memoir, Correspondence, and Miscellanies, from the Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville, 1829, 4 vols. Tulard, Dictionnaire Napoléon  Jean Tulard, Dictionnaire Napoléon, Paris, 1987 U.S. Statutes at Large  Richard Peters, ed., The Public Statutes at Large of the United States . . . 1789 to March 3, 1845, Boston, 1855-56, 8 vols. vmhb  Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 1893 xxv 

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Washington, Papers  W. W. Abbot, Dorothy Twohig, Philander D. Chase, Theodore J. Crackel, Edward C. Lengel, and others, eds., The Papers of George Washington, Charlottesville, 1983- , 63 vols. Confed. Ser., 1992-97, 6 vols. Pres. Ser., 1987- , 19 vols. Ret. Ser., 1998-99, 4 vols. Rev. War Ser., 1985- , 24 vols. wmq  William and Mary Quarterly, 1892Woods, Albemarle  Edgar Woods, Albemarle County in Virginia, Charlottesville, 1901

 xxvi 

CONTENTS Fo r ew o r d Ack no w led g m e n t s E d ito r ia l Me t ho d a n d A p pa rat u s I llu st ratio n s Jef f e r so n C h r o n o l o gy

l 1804 l

l l

k

'

From Thomas Newton, 11 March From James Ogilvie, 11 March From John Wayles Eppes, 12 March From Albert Gallatin, 12 March From George Jefferson, 12 March Statement of Account with John March, 12 March To Christopher Smith, 12 March From John Breckinridge, 13 March To William Dunbar, 13 March From Charles Willson Peale, 13 March From Abram Trigg, 13 March From William Findley, [14 March] To Levi Lincoln, 14 March From Anthony New and Robert Brown, 14 March From Thomas Cooper, [before 15 March] From Thomas Appleton, 15 March To John Barnes, 15 March To John Wayles Eppes, 15 March From Albert Gallatin, 15 March From Elbridge Gerry, 15 March To the House of Representatives, 15 March From James Monroe, 15 March From Anthony New, 15 March From John Smith of Ohio, [15 March] From Samuel Tupper, 15 March From Nathaniel Douglas, enclosing From Nathaniel Douglas, [before 16 March] From Joseph Barnes, 16 March From John Wayles Eppes, 16 March From Lafayette, 16 March

 xxvii 

vii xiii xv xliii 2

3 4 4 5 6 6 7 8 9 13 14 15 17 18 18 19 22 22 23 24 25 25 32 32 33 34 38 39 40

CONTENTS To John Page, 16 March To John Barnes, 17 March To James Ogilvie, 17 March From George Reynolds, 17 March To William C. C. Claiborne, 18 March From Richard Farquhar, 18 March To George Jefferson, 18 March From Charles Willson Peale, 18 March From Gabriel Duvall, 19 March From John Wayles Eppes, 19 March From George Jefferson, 19 March From William Kilty, 19 March From Henry Moore, 19 March From John Francis Renault, 19 March From Robert Smith, 19 March From Joseph Anderson and Others, [20 March] From William Barnwell, 20 March From Joseph Crockett, 20 March From Henry Dearborn, 20 March From Thomas T. Hewson, 20 March From Petre Huerne, 20 March From James Jackson, [20 March] From Henri Peyroux de la Coudrèniere, 20 March From Henri Peyroux de la Coudrèniere, 20 March To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 March From John Sibley, 20 March From John Thomson Mason, with Jefferson’s Query, 21 March From John Smith of Ohio, [21 March] From Henry Banks, 22 March From Robert Banning, 22 March To Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 22 March From Henry Dearborn, 22 March From Albert Gallatin, [22 March] From George Jefferson, 22 March To the Senate, 22 March To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 22 March From Thomas Watkins, 22 March From Caspar Wistar, 22 March From Jacob Crowninshield, Ebenezer Seaver, and Richard Cutts, 23 March From John Wayles Eppes, 23 March From J. P. G. Muhlenberg, with Jefferson’s Note, 23 March

 xxviii 

41 42 42 42 45 46 48 49 50 50 51 51 52 53 55 55 56 56 57 58 58 60 60 61 63 64 66 67 67 68 69 70 70 71 71 73 73 74 75 76 76

CONTENTS From Israel B. Parshall, 23 March To John Francis Vacher, 23 March From Henry Dearborn, 24 March From William Eaton, 24 March From William Kilty and Nicholas Fitzhugh, with Jefferson’s Order, [24 March] To the Senate, [24 March] From Jacob Wagner, enclosing Agencies of a Diplomatic Nature, 24 March To Elkanah Watson, 24 March To Caspar Wistar, 24 March From Thomas Worthington, with Jefferson’s Note, 24 March To Thomas Worthington, 24 March From Joseph Barnes, 25 March To Nicholas Fitzhugh, 25 March From Louis André Pichon, 25 March To James Taylor, Jr., 25 March From Henry Banks, enclosing Memorial on Proposed James River Tolls, 26 March To William A. Burwell, 26 March From William Cocke and Joseph Winston, 26 March From Rufus Easton, 26 March From John Wayles Eppes, 26 March From Albert Gallatin, [26 March] From Thomas Harris of Connecticut, 26 March From James Jackson, 26 March To George Jefferson, 26 March From William Kennedy, 26 March From Meriwether Lewis, 26 March From Matthew Lyon, 26 March From Henry Moore, 26 March From John Smith of Ohio, 26 March From John Smith of Ohio, 26 March From Joseph Anderson and Others, [27 March] From David Bard, 27 March To John Barnes, 27 March From Overton Carr, 27 March From William Findley and John Smilie, [27 March] From Nicholas Fitzhugh, 27 March From Joseph Lewis, Jr., 27 March To Benjamin Lincoln, 27 March From John Rhea, 27 March

 xxix 

77 78 78 80 80 81 82 84 84 85 85 86 90 91 91 91 94 95 96 96 96 97 99 100 100 101 103 105 106 107 107 108 109 109 110 111 112 113 113

CONTENTS To the Senate, 27 March From Robert Smith, 27 March To Caspar Wistar, 27 March From John Barnes, 28 March From Henry Dearborn, [28 March] To Albert Gallatin, 28 March, enclosing Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim, 23 March From Albert Gallatin, 28 March From Albert Gallatin, 28 March From James Mease, 28 March From Thomas Mann Randolph, 28 March From Thomas Storm, 28 March From Daniel Carroll Brent, enclosing Memorial of Alexandria Merchants, 29 March From Nicholas Herbemont, 29 March From George Jefferson, 29 March To Jones & Howell, 29 March From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 29 March From Craven Peyton, 29 March From Ninian Pinkney, 29 March To William C. C. Claiborne, 30 March From Henry Dearborn, 30 March To Nicholas Fitzhugh, 30 March To Lafayette, 30 March To Charles Willson Peale, 30 March To Caesar A. Rodney, 30 March From John Archer, 31 March To Henry Banks, 31 March Statement of Account with Thomas Carpenter, 31 March Decision on the Sentence of Henry Muhlenberg, 31 March To William Henry Harrison, 31 March To Benjamin H. Latrobe, 31 March Order for Payment of Newspaper Subscriptions, 31 March From John Page, 31 March To Cato West, 31 March To Henry Dearborn, 1 April From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 1 April From Méry, 1 April From John Condit, 2 April From Edmund J. Lee, 3 April From John Francis Vacher, 3 April From Joseph Yznardi, Sr., 3 April

 xxx 

113 114 114 115 115 116 120 123 123 125 126 126 129 130 130 131 137 137 138 139 139 140 141 142 142 143 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 149 150 151 152 153 153 159

CONTENTS From John Dawson, 4 April From Henry Dearborn, enclosing Apportionment of Expenditures for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition, 4 April From Albert Gallatin, 5 April, enclosing Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 31 March From Arthur Lee, 5 April From James Madison, 5 April From Thomas Munroe, 5 April From William Few, 6 April To George Jefferson, 6 April From Samuel Emery, 7 April From Albert Gallatin, 7 April From Ephraim Kirby, 7 April From Benjamin Lincoln, 7 April To Ninian Pinkney, 7 April To Henry Dearborn, 8 April From Gideon Granger, 8 April From John Barnes, 9 April From Joseph Hinckley, 9 April To Benjamin H. Latrobe, 9 April To James Madison, 9 April To James Madison, 9 April From James Madison, 9 April Notes on Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, [9 April or after] From Caesar A. Rodney, 9 April From William A. Barron, enclosing Memorial of William A. Barron, 10 April From Jones & Howell, 10 April To Ephraim Kirby, 10 April To John B. Magruder, 10 April To Thomas Munroe, 10 April From Arthur O’Connor, 10 April From Oliver Phelps, 10 April From Thomas Stone, 10 April To Thomas Storm, 10 April From Madame de Tessé, 10 April To Marten Wanscher, 10 April From Herman Hendrik Damen, 11 April From John Dawson, 11 April From Ambrose Spencer and Thomas Tredwell, 11 April From Elizabeth House Trist, [11 April]

 xxxi 

160 161 162 175 176 177 178 179 180 180 181 182 182 183 184 185 186 187 188 189 190 192 195 196 198 198 199 199 200 200 204 204 205 208 208 211 211 212

CONTENTS From Henry Dearborn, 12 April From Joseph Dougherty, 12 April From Albert Gallatin, 12 April From James Madison, 12 April From James Nicholson, 12 April From John Page, 12 April From John Binns, 13 April From Isaac Coffin, 13 April To Gibson & Jefferson, 13 April From Jones & Howell, [13 April] To James Madison, 13 April From Robert Maxwell, 13 April From Paul Alliot, 14 April To John Condit, 14 April From Henry Dearborn, 14 April To Samuel Emery, 14 April Instructions for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition, 14 April To George Jefferson, 14 April From Sylvanus Bourne, 15 April From William C. C. Claiborne, 15 April To Henry Dearborn, 15 April To William Dunbar, 15 April To Albert Gallatin, 15 April To Albert Gallatin, 15 April To James Madison, 15 April From James Madison, 15 April To John Page, 15 April From Albert Gallatin, 16 April To Gideon Granger, 16 April To William C. C. Claiborne, 17 April To Henry Dearborn, 17 April To Albert Gallatin, 17 April From Levi Lincoln, 17 April From Levi Lincoln, 17 April To James Madison, 17 April From John Freeman, [18 April] From John Loder, Jr., 18 April From Robert Patterson, 18 April From Pierce Butler, 19 April From Henry Dearborn, 19 April From Albert Gallatin, 19 April

 xxxii 

212 214 214 217 218 218 220 221 222 223 223 224 224 231 231 232 233 238 238 239 241 242 243 245 245 247 249 250 251 253 254 255 255 256 259 259 261 262 263 263 264

CONTENTS From James Garrard, 19 April From Étienne Lemaire, 19 April From James Madison, 19 April From Robert Smith, 19 April From John Barnes, 20 April From John Brown, 20 April From James Garrard, 20 April From John Hollins, 20 April From Ephraim Kirby, 20 April James Madison’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 20 April From Richard Napier, 20 April From John D’Antignac, 21 April From Peter Delabigarre, 21 April From George Logan, 22 April Notes on Lease to Richard Gamble, 22 April To Gideon Granger, 23 April From John S. Hunter, 23 April To James Madison, 23 April To Charles Willson Peale, 23 April From Thomas Rodney, 23 April From Samuel Smith, [23] April From the Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans, 23 April From Guertin Lacoudre, 24 April From Michael Krafft, 24 April From James Madison, 24 April From Robert Smith, 24 April From Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 25 April To James Lindsay, 25 April From George Davis of Mississippi Territory, 26 April From Gideon Granger, 26 April From Francis Mulligan, 26 April From James Scott, 26 April From Thomas Worthington, 26 April From George Cornell, [before 27 April] To Paul Alliot, 27 April From William C. C. Claiborne, 27 April, enclosing Petition of Peter Pedesclaux, April To Henry Dearborn, 27 April To Albert Gallatin, 27 April To James Madison, 27 April To Wilson Cary Nicholas, 27 April To Robert Smith, 27 April

 xxxiii 

265 265 266 268 269 269 271 272 272 274 287 288 289 290 290 292 292 292 293 295 296 297 299 301 302 306 306 308 309 313 315 316 317 317 320 320 324 324 326 327 328

CONTENTS From William Hollis, 28 April From Tadeusz Kosciuszko, 28 April To Robert Patterson, 28 April From Volney, 28 April To Michael Krafft, 29 April From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 29 April From John Lithgow, 29 April From Charles Willson Peale, 29 April To Craven Peyton, 30 April From William C. C. Claiborne, 1 May From Ephraim Kirby, 1 May From John Barnes, 2 May From Wilson Cary Nicholas, [2 May] From William A. Burwell, 3 May From Philip Carrigain, Jr., 3 May From William C. C. Claiborne, 3 May From Albert Gallatin, 3 May To George Jefferson, 3 May To Wilson Cary Nicholas, 3 May Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton, 4 May To Albert Gallatin, 4 May From Richard T. Hanson, [on or before 4 May] Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others I. Notes on Injunction against John Henderson, [after 8 March] II. Notes on Agreement between Elizabeth Henderson and John Henderson, [after 8 March] III. Notes on Henderson Land Deeds, [after 30 April] IV. Draft Checklist of Preparations, [before 5 May] V. Checklist of Preparations, [before 5 May] VI. Draft Bill in Chancery, [on or before 5 May] VII. Bill in Chancery, 5 May From William A. Burwell, 5 May From Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 5 May From Louis Pio, 6 May From Paul Alliot, 7 May From George Clinton, 7 May From John Coles, 7 May From Volney, 7 May To George Jefferson, 8 May From Craven Peyton, [on or before 8 May]

 xxxiv 

329 330 331 332 334 335 341 342 346 346 348 352 352 353 354 356 357 358 359 360 361 362 363 366 367 368 370 372 373 383 392 392 394 396 397 397 398 399 400

CONTENTS To Craven Peyton, 8 May From John Vaughan, 8 May To William A. Burwell, 9 May From Benjamin Ragsdale, 9 May To John Lithgow, 10 May From Margaret Mitchell, with Jefferson’s Order, 10 May From Samuel Emery, 11 May From Albert Gallatin, 11 May From Albert Gallatin, 11 May From Michael Krafft, 11 May From William Henry Harrison, 12 May From Peter Kuhn, Jr., 12 May From Francis Mulligan, enclosing Party Affiliation of South Carolina State Senators, 12 May From François Navoni, 12 May From James S. Smith, 12 May From Aaron Vail, 12 May From John Dawson, 13 May From William Dunbar, 13 May From Michael Fortune, [before 14] May From Rufus Briggs, 14 May From Albert Gallatin, 14 May To Martha Jefferson Randolph, 14 May From Thomas Rodney, 14 May From William West, 14 May From Jean Louis Fernagus de Gelone, 15 May To Wilson Cary Nicholas, 15 May To Charles Willson Peale, 15 May To James Taylor, Jr., 15 May Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 15 May To John Beckley, 16 May To Jones & Howell, 16 May Pardon of James Medcalfe, 16 May From Robert Smith, 16 May Topics for Consultation with the Secretary of War, 16 May From James J. Wilson, 16 May From Robert Banning, 17 May From Joseph Clay, 17 May From Edward Richards, 17 May From William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, 18 May From George Jefferson, 18 May Notes on Salines in the Territory of the Osages, [18 May?]

 xxxv 

401 401 402 403 404 404 409 409 411 412 413 414 415 417 421 422 423 423 425 426 427 427 428 435 436 438 439 440 440 443 443 444 444 445 446 447 447 448 450 454 454

CONTENTS From Robert Smith, 18 May To John Vaughan, 18 May From Dabney Carr, 19 May From Charles Willson Peale, 19 May From Abigail Adams, 20 May From William C. C. Claiborne, 20 May To John Barnes, 21 May From Jean Frignet de Fermagh, 21 May To Henry Fry, 21 May To J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 21 May From Thomas Newton, 21 May To Charles Willson Peale, 21 May Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson, 21 May From Thomas Storm, 21 May From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 22 May Notes on Curing Herring, 22 May From Edmund Searcy, 22 May To John Barnes, 23 May From John Devereux DeLacy, 23 May From Robert Fulton, 23 May From Benjamin Parke, 23 May From Robert Smith, 23 May To Dabney Carr, 24 May To Lewis Deblois, 24 May To James Dinsmore, 24 May From James Fleming, 24 May From Alexander von Humboldt, 24 May From Charles Willson Peale, 24 May From Thomas Rodney, 24 May From Thomas Appleton, 25 May From Charles Biddle, James Gamble, and John Douglass, 25 May From Joseph Nourse, 25 May From John Page, 25 May From Gurdon F. Saltonstall, 25 [May] From William Scales, 25 May To John Armstrong of New York, 26 May From William Lee, 26 May From Peter Lenox, with Jefferson’s Notes, 26 May Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 26 May From George Leaycraft, 27 May From Levi Lincoln, 27 May From Thomas Munroe, 27 May

 xxxvi 

456 457 457 458 458 460 461 461 462 463 464 464 465 469 470 471 471 472 473 474 475 476 476 476 477 478 478 482 483 485 486 487 488 489 489 490 492 492 494 494 495 496

CONTENTS From Benjamin Smith Barton, 28 May From Isaac Briggs, 28 May From Arthur Fenner, 28 May From William Henry Harrison, 28 May To Alexander von Humboldt, 28 May To Thomas Munroe, 28 May From Benjamin Rush, 28 May From Thomas Seymour, 28 May From William C. C. Claiborne, with Jefferson’s Note, 29 May Memorandum on Appointments, 29 May From James Patton, 29 May From Robert Smith, 29 May From John Vaughan, 29 May From Caspar Wistar, 29 May To Charles Biddle, 30 May To Albert Gallatin, 30 May From Albert Gallatin, 30 May From J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 30 May Proclamation Establishing the District of Mobile, 30 May From Robert Smith, 30 May To Samuel Barron, 31 May From Gabriel Duvall, 31 May From Louis André Pichon, [31 May] From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 31 May From Robert Wright, 31 May Memorandum from Albert Gallatin, [after 31 May] Notes on Edward Turner, [before 1 June] From Henry Dearborn, 1 June From William Dunbar, 1 June From Theodore Foster, 1 June To Albert Gallatin, 1 June From John Page, 1 June From James B. Richardson, 1 June From Robert Smith, 1 June From John Armstrong of New York, 2 June From John Forbes, 2 June From Hore Browse Trist, 2 June From William C. C. Claiborne, 3 June To Nicholas Collin, 3 June To Henry Dearborn, 3 June From Charles Willson Peale, [3 June] From Henry Dearborn, 4 June

 xxxvii 

499 499 499 500 501 501 502 503 504 506 507 508 508 509 510 510 511 513 513 514 514 516 516 517 518 518 519 520 523 524 525 525 526 527 527 528 528 529 531 531 532 533

CONTENTS To John Wayles Eppes, 4 June From John Hill, 4 June Instructions on Architectural Ornaments for George Andrews, 4 June From George Jefferson, 4 June From Robert Smith, 4 June From Caspar Wistar, 4 June To Isaac Briggs, 5 June From David Gelston, 5 June To John McAllister, 5 June From Archibald Stuart, 5 June From Charles Biddle, 6 June From Nathaniel Chapman, 6 June To Henry Dearborn, 6 June From Albert Gallatin, 6 June From Albert Gallatin, 7 June From Albert Gallatin, 7 June From David Gelston, 7 June To Gideon Granger, 7 June From Bentinck Hastings, 7 June To James Taylor, Jr., 7 June To Caspar Wistar, 7 June From Henry Dearborn, 8 June From Anthony Fothergill, 8 June To Albert Gallatin, 8 June To John Page, 8 June From Theodorus Bailey, 9 June From Henry Fry, 9 June To Albert Gallatin, 9 June To Alexander von Humboldt, 9 June Memorandum from Alexander von Humboldt, [on or after 9 June] To Mustafa Baba, Dey of Algiers, 9 June From Robert Smith, 9 June To Theodorus Bailey, 10 June From J. F. Girod & Chol, 10 June From John Tyler, 10 June To Isaac Briggs, 11 June To Joseph Donath, 11 June From Albert Gallatin, 11 June To Thomas Leiper, 11 June To Thomas Mann Randolph, 11 June To Henry Sheaff, 11 June

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534 535 536 537 537 538 539 540 540 541 541 541 542 543 544 544 546 547 547 548 548 549 550 550 551 551 552 554 554 555 557 559 560 561 564 568 568 569 571 571 572

CONTENTS From James Wilkinson, enclosing Wilkinson’s Queries on Texas and Mexico, 11 June To Nathaniel Chapman, 12 June To Albert Gallatin, 12 June Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 12 June To Abigail Adams, 13 June From Anonymous, [on or before 13 June] From Isaac Coffin, 13 June To James Dinsmore, 13 June From John Wayles Eppes, 14 June To Albert Gallatin, 14 June From Albert Gallatin, 14 June From Albert Gallatin, 14 June From William C. Jenckes, 14 June To Charles Willson Peale, 14 June From Caesar A. Rodney, 14 June From the State Department, [on or before 14 June] To Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 15 June From William C. C. Claiborne, 15 June From Jonathan Dayton, 15 June To Albert Gallatin, 15 June From John Hyndman, 15 June To James Madison, 15 June From Philip Mazzei, 15 June From François Navoni, 15 June From Charles Willson Peale, 15 June To Tompson J. Skinner, 15 June To Robert Smith, 15 June To Archibald Thweatt, 15 June From James W. Wallace, [before 16 June] From Theodorus Bailey, 16 June From James Belsches, 16 June To Albert Gallatin, 16 June From Albert Gallatin, [on or before 16 June] From David Gelston, 16 June To Francis Peyton, 16 June From Thomas Rodney, 16 June From Amos Stoddard, 16 June From Theodorus Bailey, 17 June To Henry Fry, 17 June From Robert Smith, 17 June To James W. Wallace, 17 June

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573 574 574 575 578 580 581 581 582 584 585 585 587 588 589 589 590 592 593 594 594 595 595 600 601 602 602 603 604 605 606 607 607 608 608 608 609 610 611 612 613

CONTENTS From Thomas Worthington, 17 June From John Page, 18 June From Charles Willson Peale, 18 June From Francis Peyton, 18 June To Albert Gallatin, 19 June From James Wilkinson, [on or before 19 June] To Benjamin Smith Barton, 20 June From Joseph Bloomfield, 20 June To Richard Cutts, 20 June From Joseph Donath, 20 June To David Gelston, 20 June To Gibson & Jefferson, 20 June From John Innes, 20 June From Lafayette, 20 June From Levi Lincoln, 20 June To Charles Willson Peale, 20 June To Theodorus Bailey, 21 June To the President of the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington, enclosing Demand for the Delivery of Two Fugitives, and Authorization to Take Fugitives into Custody, 21 June To John Page, 21 June From Christiana de Hanstein, 22 June From William Keteltas, 22 June From “An American Citizen,” [23 June] To Henry Dearborn, 23 June From Albert Gallatin, 23 June To James Dinsmore, 24 June To Joseph Donath, 24 June From William Henry Harrison, 24 June To Levi Lincoln, 24 June To James Madison, 24 June From Charles Willson Peale, 24 June From George W. Erving, 25 June From Levi Lincoln, 25 June From Philip Mazzei, 25 June To John Page, 25 June From John Page, 25 June From Theodorus Bailey, 26 June From Joel Barlow, 26 June From William C. C. Claiborne, 26 June To Albert Gallatin, 26 June

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613 614 616 616 617 617 618 618 619 619 620 620 621 622 623 625 625

626 627 628 628 632 635 635 638 639 640 642 644 644 646 646 650 652 653 654 654 655 657

CONTENTS To Henry Dearborn, 27 June From Henry Dearborn, 27 June To Albert Gallatin, 27 June From Albert Gallatin, 27 June From Alexander von Humboldt, 27 June To Lafayette, 27 June From Charles Willson Peale, 28 June From Robert Smith, 28 June From William Thornton, 28 June To John Tyler, 28 June To John Armstrong of New York, 29 June From David Leonard Barnes, 29 June Statement of Account with Isaac Cooper, 29 June To Henry Dearborn, 29 June To Christopher Ellery, 29 June To Bishop James Madison, 29 June To Napoleon, Emperor of the French, 29 June From Jonathan Russell, 29 June, enclosing Memorial from Providence, Rhode Island, 28 June To Markes Vandewall, 29 June Memorandum from Thomas Munroe, 30 June From James Parker, 30 June From Levi Shepherd & Sons, [30 June]

657 658 658 659 660 661 663 664 664 666 667 667 669 669 670 670 671 672 675 675 676 676

APPENDICES Appendix I: List of Appointments, [12 March-30 June] Appendix II: List of Candidates for Office in Louisiana, [ca. March-June] Appendix III: Letters Not Printed in Full Appendix IV: Letters Not Found Appendix V: Financial Documents

679

Ind ex

697

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682 690 691 695

ILLUSTRATIONS Following page 406 ALBERT GALLATIN

Gilbert Stuart painted this portrait of Albert Gallatin between late 1803 and mid-1805, during the artist’s interim in Washington. According to Henry Adams, Hannah Nicholson Gallatin complained that Stuart had “softened and enfeebled” her husband’s features until their character was lost. Adams agreed that the artist had depicted a “feebleness of the mouth” that hid Gallatin’s keen observation and “habitual caution,” but he praised Stuart for an otherwise insightful rendering. Here, wrote Adams, sat a man of repose and intellect, distinguished by his capacity for abstraction and concentration, and only just able to contain what was justifiably a “sense of personal superiority.” Adams’s grandmother, Louisa Catherine Adams, who knew Gallatin well, wrote that he possessed “a mind of the highest order; blended with a brilliant wit,” a man so “Shrewed, subtle, and penetrating” that “many of the purdent and sagacious in society thought it necessary to be on their guard when brought into contact with him—as subtlety is a dangerous characteristic.” Gallatin bequeathed the Stuart portrait to his daughter. It passed through family hands until 1908, when a Gallatin grandson presented it to the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting is in oil on canvas, measuring approximately 29 by 25 inches (Henry Adams, The Life of Albert Gallatin [Philadelphia, 1880], 301; Judith S. Graham and others, eds., Diary and Autobiographical Writings of Louisa Catherine Adams, 2 vols. [Cambridge, Mass., 2013], 1:199; John Caldwell and Oswaldo Rodriguez Roque, American Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2 vols. [Princeton, 1994], 1:189; Vol. 42:xliv). Courtesy of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. “THE ACQUISITION OF LOUISIANA”

Songwriter Michael Fortune, who in 1801 deemed it the “Province of the Poet to promote Union by Means of harmony,” wrote patriotic songs such as “Jefferson and Liberty” before composing this “national song” in 1804. An advertisement for the song announced that “The Acquisition of Louisiana” marked a “great and glorious event which reflects high honor on our patriotic chief and the present administration.” Fortune filed for copyright with the district court of Pennsylvania on 9 May and probably arranged for publication the following day, in time for a festive celebration in Philadelphia on 12 May. The event, marking the newly acquired territory, consisted of an oration, procession, bell ringing, toasts, music, and firings of salutes from guns on the shore and vessels on the river. Fortune enclosed a copy of the song in his letter to the president of 14 May. His lyrics included a repeating three-line chorus at the end of each stanza. The song’s second stanza, with lyrics praising Jefferson, read:

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I L LU S T R AT I O N S  The disdainful may foam, and the malecontents rail At thy measures, O Chief, fram’d in wisdom & zeal Pro publico bono—so fam’d in old Story For the welfare of all—or the Whig or the Tory! We admire the calm Sage, who presides o’er a Nation Of Freemen (no titles) each man in his Station. Without Arms—without dread— Or a drop of blood shed— Great JEFFERSON adds to the wealth of a Nation. George Willig, the song’s publisher, was one of the few American printers and publishers of the period who owned the expensive musical fonts required for typographical music printing. The song was printed at Willig’s Musical Magazine, his music store and business. Willig was among the first publishers and sellers to issue separate music catalogues (Harry Dichter and Elliott Shapiro, Early American Sheet Music: Its Lure and Its Lore, 1768-1889 [New York, 1941], 244; Jeffrey H. Jackson and Stanley C. Pelkey, eds., Music and History: Bridging the Disciplines [Jackson, Miss., 2005], 84, 92; Donald W. Krummel, “Philadelphia Music Engraving and Publishing, 1800-1820” [Ph.D. diss., University of Michigan, 1958], 37, 86, 94-5, 109-16; Richard J. Wolfe, Early American Music Engraving and Printing: A History of Music Publishing in America from 1787 to 1825 with Commentary on Earlier and Later Practices [Urbana, Ill., 1980], 39, 42-5, 69-71, 226-7; Kirsten E. Wood, “ ‘Join with Heart and Soul and Voice’: Music, Harmony, and Politics in the Early American Republic,” American Historical Review, 119 [2014], 1088-9, 1093, 1100; Philadelphia Aurora, 9, 14 May 1804; Vol. 33:xlvii-xlviii; Vol. 34:417-18; Fortune to TJ, 14 May 1804). This two-page score consists of five stanzas. The music measures approximately 13 by 9½ inches. Courtesy of the Lester S. Levy Collection of Sheet Music, Sheridan Libraries, Johns Hopkins University. A DORIC DESIGN FOR THE HALL OF REPRESENTATIVES

Benjamin Henry Latrobe, Jefferson’s handpicked superintendent of the public buildings in Washington, collaborated well with the president. Jefferson’s knowledge of architecture and commitment to the building projects in the capital were no doubt an advantage for Latrobe. Yet Jefferson’s ideas did not always correspond with those of the professionally trained architect and engineer. Upon taking the job of superintendent, Latrobe raised objections to the existing plan for the south wing of the Capitol, where the House of Representatives was to have its chamber. The elliptical design for the chamber was not to his liking, and he could not abide its placement on the ground floor, which would leave little room for offices. Jefferson eventually yielded on the latter objection, but would accede only to a modification of the ellipse, a design that had been approved by George Washington. Moreover, Jefferson suggested the Roman Doric order as the appropriate schema for the chamber. In a letter of 29 Mch., Latrobe, who preferred Greek styles, suggested the Attic order, based on the Tower of the Winds, a monument found in The Antiquities of Athens, a work of Greek revivalism. He argued that the use of the ellipse made it impossible to achieve the proportional requirements of the

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I L LU S T R AT I O N S Doric order. In his response, Jefferson acknowledged that the “Doric order for the Representatives chamber must be given up,” but demanded the Corinthian order as a solution, ignoring Latrobe’s suggestion of the Attic (Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:443-9, 466-73; Vol. 40:129-31; Vol. 42:563-7; Latrobe to TJ, 29 Mch.; TJ to Latrobe, 9 Apr.). Enclosed in Latrobe’s letter were a number of sketches illustrating his ideas. The only one that has been found is the one illustrated here, a “Sketch of a Section of the South Wing of the Capitol of the United States at Washington, of the Doric Order, Roman Style,” which Latrobe noted as for the “consideration of the President.—U.S.” Probably after the sketch had been returned to him, and likely to alert others that it should not be considered a viable design, Latrobe added a note in the top left corner: “This section, is a mere answer to the question of the President as to the propriety of a Doric colonnade.” Although Latrobe primarily intended to illustrate what he considered to be the unworkable proportions of the Doric order within an elliptical room, he included a number of design details that he had proposed to Jefferson, such as an office and welcoming area for the speaker (items B and C on the illustration), an office for the clerk on the basement level (A), and a lobby and vestibule for the House (F and G). Latrobe’s sketch is in ink, graphite, and watercolor on paper that measures approximately 12½ by 19¾ inches (Jeffrey A. Cohen and Charles E. Brownell, eds., The Architectural Drawings of Benjamin Henry Latrobe [New Haven, 1994], 349-51, 374-7). Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. A POLYGRAPH WRITING MACHINE

Jefferson began using a polygraph, or double-penned writing machine, in February 1804, when he borrowed the one owned by Benjamin Henry Latrobe. The English inventor responsible for the device, John Isaac Hawkins, sold manufacturing rights to Charles Willson Peale, who continued to refine the machine. After testing Latrobe’s polygraph, Jefferson did not hesitate to order one for his own use, which he received in March. Thus began a multiyear period of experimentation, during which Jefferson sought a polygraph best suited to his needs. Jefferson’s first polygraph had “some advantages” over the one he had borrowed from Latrobe, but was “very stiff” and lacked an “adjusting screw for the pen.” He made several suggestions for a customized model that he described in a letter of 23 Apr. to Peale. In that and other communications, Jefferson stressed the need to reduce the size of the machine without sacrificing utility. He wanted fine adjustability of the screws that held the pens in place and improvements to the pen bar and spring, which helped control the action of the pens. Peale personally delivered the model based on Jefferson’s specifications during a visit to Washington in June. Jefferson wasted no time in ordering a similar model for his use at Monticello. He continued to acquire refined models, and ordered several others as gifts. In 1806, he obtained one based on a new Hawkins design that he retained for the rest of his life, never losing confidence in what he termed “a most precious invention” (Silvio A. Bedini, Thomas Jefferson and His Copying Machines [Charlottesville, 1984], 59-133; Vol. 37:224n; Vol. 42:532-3; TJ to Latrobe, 31 Mch.; TJ to Peale, 23 Apr., 15, 21 May, 14 June, 19 Aug.; Peale to TJ, 3 June).

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I L LU S T R AT I O N S  The polygraph in the illustration bears a brass plate labeled “Hawkins & Peale Patent Polygraph No. 37.” It is believed to have been one of several that Jefferson used before exchanging it for a different model. The mechanism consists of two sets of hinged, metallic parallelograms, or rhomboids as Jefferson called them, which enable the movement of the pens from the tops to the bottoms and across the sheets of paper. A pen bar linked the two pen tubes that held the pens, while a spiral spring connected to the top of the frame enabled the user to press the pens into the paper with varying degrees of force. Ink wells were placed in the middle of the machine, while a brass plate held the writing paper in place. A storage compartment could hold pens and other accessories. This particular model could be folded up and locked, enabling greater portability. Jefferson distinguished desk models, which were intended to stay in the same place and which he may have initially favored, from portable models. Eventually, he seems to have settled on portability and the ability to write on octavo sheets of paper, thus making it a priority to have the most compact machine possible (TJ to Peale, 23 Apr. 1804, 9 Apr., 9 June 1805, and 19 June 1806). Courtesy of the Franklin Institute, Philadelphia; photograph courtesy of the National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. JEFFERSON’S ROUTE BETWEEN MONTICELLO AND WASHINGTON

This detail from a contemporary map of the United States shows the relationship between the two centers of Jefferson’s life and activity during his presidency. Monticello was located between Charlottesville and Milton, in the lower left corner of the area shown in this illustration. Washington, D.C., is in the upper right. The map shows the roads by which Jefferson traveled from one locale to the other. In 1804, that journey took at least three full days. On the first day of his trip home to Monticello in early April, Jefferson went only as far as Richard Fitzhugh’s place in Fairfax County, about 10 miles east of Centreville. The following day’s travel took him to Fauquier Court House (Warrenton on the map), where he spent the night at an inn. The third day he traveled through Culpeper Court House to reach another county seat, Orange Court House, where he again took lodging at an inn. The next day he reached Monticello. On his return to the capital city in mid-May, he spent only two nights on the road, at Orange and Fauquier Court House. He was able to reach Washington on the third day of the journey, yet as he described in a letter to his daughter Martha on 14 May, constant rains and deep mud made the trip an ordeal. He finally had to leave his coach and servant, John Freeman, behind and complete the journey on horseback, arriving at the President’s House late and exhausted after traveling, as he calculated, 55 difficult miles on that day. Although he might alter the locations of his stops and explore local variations for some sections of the road, in this period his primary route was always through Orange Court House, Culpeper, and Warrenton (mb, 2:1071-2n, 1123-4, 1126-7, 1133-4, 1136-7). The detail is from “A Map of the United States of North America” by the English cartographer Aaron Arrowsmith, whose maps were known for their accuracy and utility (dnb). He first published this map in London in January 1796. The version shown here, which was the third issue of the map, includes additions made in 1802, and was printed sometime after Arrowsmith had become the hydrographer to the Prince of Wales about 1810. The map

 xlvi 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S was hand colored after printing. To make a chart of the United States with so much detail, Arrowsmith divided the country into four segments, creating an engraved printing plate for each quadrant. With the four sheets put together, the map was about 48 inches high and 55½ inches wide. It depicted the nation according to the information Arrowsmith received up to 1802, with the Mississippi River as its western limit. The new state of Ohio is labeled on the map, but has no western boundary, and there is no indication of the formation of Indiana Territory or Mississippi Territory (Henry Stevens and Roland Tree, “Comparative Cartography,” in Ronald Vere Tooley, ed., The Mapping of America [London, 1985], 99-100; Tooley, “Aaron Arrowsmith,” The Map Collector, no. 9 [1979], 19-22). Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. “MIDSHIPMAN BIDDLE IN TRIPOLI PRISON”

In October 1803, 20-year-old midshipman James Biddle (1783-1848) was among the sailors captured on board the frigate Philadelphia by the Tripolitan navy. This event understandably produced much angst among the parents of the prisoners. In a letter to Jefferson dated 25 May 1804, Pennsylvanians Charles Biddle, James Gamble, and John Douglass expressed concerns over their sons’ “personal safety” during their captivity in Tripoli. Jefferson’s reply assured the parents that his administration was doing all in its power to free the sailors, but cautioned Biddle not to make this information publicly known, lest it fall into the wrong hands and thus influence the outcome. After Biddle obtained his freedom in 1805, he remained in the U.S. Navy until his death. For the remainder of Jefferson’s presidency, Biddle commanded various gunboats and took a leave of absence from the navy to join a merchant vessel on a trade mission to China. Biddle served with distinction during the War of 1812. Over the next 30 years, he held a number of commands, his final one seeing him in charge of a ship of the line on a mission to exchange a commercial treaty with China, open trade negotiations with Japan, and eventually wrest the west coast of North America away from Mexico. It was during this final voyage, in 1845-8, that Biddle commissioned Edward C. Young, a sergeant in the Marine Corps, to prepare a book of sketches documenting his service in the navy. It is possible that Young had been an apprentice chair painter in Baltimore, who ran away from his employer in 1827. In the early 1830s, while he served in the Mediterranean Squadron, Young produced a quarto album entitled “Costumes of the Mediterranean” for Matthew C. Perry, one of Biddle’s immediate subordinates. In preparing the sketchbook for Biddle over a decade later, Young first produced pencil drawings, which he would later copy into a blank book in ink. Young’s drawings in the sketchbook depicted Biddle’s long career, from his entry into the service in 1800, and had a heavy focus on his cruise in the Pacific Ocean. There are 80 drawings in the sketchbook, of which 41 are original depictions by Young of Biddle’s career. The remainder are copied from Charles Wilkes’s Narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition during the Years 1838, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842 (5 vols., Philadelphia, 1845). The ink-on-paper drawing entitled “Midshipman Biddle in Tripoli prison, 1803-4-5” is 5¼ inches tall and 6¼ inches wide, and appears on page 105 of the sketchbook. The scene likely depicts an incident that occurred early in the

 xlvii 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S sailors’ captivity. After their initial internment in the former American consulate occupied by James Leander Cathcart, a large group of the Philadelphia’s crew was imprisoned at the pasha’s castle. Biddle described the experience thus: “We were crammed into the same room with all our ship’s company— how well calculated to contain such a number, you may be enabled to judge, when I tell you that the place was about eighty feet by twenty-five. How comfortable, when I tell you that the only place to admit the air was through a small aperture in the top of the house, grated over, with no floor, nor a single article of furniture, so that, when we were tired standing up, we were obliged to lay down on the ground.” The image, like the others in the sketchbook, takes care not to show Biddle’s face. Rather, it depicts a guard in North African dress standing watch over the stone prison containing Biddle and his shipmates (anb, s.v. “Biddle, James”; Nicholas B. Wainwright, “Voyage of the Frigate Congress, 1823,” pmhb, 75 [1951], 170-88; Wainwright, “Commodore James Biddle and His Sketch Book,” pmhb, 90 [1966], 3-92; Edward C. Young, “Costumes of the Mediterranean,” 1831-1832, in CtY-BR; Matthew L. Davis, Memoirs of Aaron Burr: With Miscellaneous Selections from his Correspondence, 2 vols. [New York, 1837], 2:255-8; Baltimore American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 26 Nov. 1827; Portsmouth Journal of Literature & Politics, 6 Sep. 1856; Charles Biddle, James Gamble, and John Douglass to TJ, 25 May 1804; TJ to Biddle, 30 May; Biddle to TJ, 6 June). Courtesy of the Andalusia Foundation, Andalusia, Pennsylvania. ALEXANDER VON HUMBOLDT

Charles Willson Peale painted this portrait of the Prussian explorer and scientist Alexander von Humboldt near the end of June 1804. Humboldt had been in the United States for a little over a month, making contacts with members of the American scientific community before his return to Europe. Shortly after his arrival in Philadelphia in May, Humboldt, who had read and admired Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia, indicated a desire to meet with the president. Jefferson was certainly aware of Humboldt’s explorations in Latin America, and did not hesitate to extend an invitation. Accompanied by Peale and some other members of the American Philosophical Society, Humboldt spent about a week and a half in Washington. He and Jefferson met several times during the visit. In addition to dinner parties, at which the 34-year-old Prussian seems to have charmed everyone, Jefferson and other members of the administration hosted a number of private meetings at which Humboldt shared information he had gathered during his time in New Spain. Back in Philadelphia, Peale got Humboldt to agree to sit for a portrait. Peale had not painted a portrait in quite some time. He took only three days to complete the work but was gratified with the result. It offered proof “that at the age of 63 I could paint as good a portrait as I could at 50 years of age.” Indeed, one observer praised the likeness and asked Peale how he had achieved a “more natural colouring” than in other portraits hanging in his museum. Peale credited his commitment to sobriety: “Sir, I am a water drinker, and do not live so fast as to wear out my faculties.” The portrait remained at Peale’s museum until 1854, when it was sold at an auction of the gallery’s portraits. By 1887, it had been added to the collection of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. The painting is in oil on

 xlviii 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S canvas and measures approximately 21 by 17 inches (Julie S. Berkowitz, The College of Physicians of Philadelphia Portrait Catalogue [Philadelphia, 1984], 81-3; Charles Coleman Sellers, “Portraits and Miniatures by Charles Willson Peale,” Transactions of the American Philosophical Society, new ser., 42 [1952], 107; Philadelphia Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 13 Aug. 1804; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:725-6, 728-9; Humboldt to TJ, 24 May; Memorandum from Alexander von Humboldt, [on or after 9 June]; TJ to Humboldt, 28 May, 9 June; Peale to TJ, 3 June). Courtesy of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. PLAN OF ST. LOUIS

Founded in the 1760s at a location well-calculated to draw produce from the upper Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, St. Louis emerged quickly as a trading center, attracting French citizens disenchanted with British authority on the east side of the Mississippi River. Competition from English and Canadian fur traders retarded its growth under Spanish governance. Still, a relatively cosmopolitan population of just over 1,000 resided there by 1800. It was here in March 1804 that Amos Stoddard accepted the cession of the region on behalf of the United States and American authority first extended its reach across the upper Mississippi. Meriwether Lewis and William Clark arrived in the area in December 1803, and although encamped on the east bank of the Mississippi, they spent much time in St. Louis, gathering information on the Missouri River for their expedition and building relationships with leading citizens of the town. Lewis departed St. Louis with a local delegation on 20 May, traveling to St. Charles, about 20 miles up the Missouri, where Clark and the rest of the Corps of Discovery awaited him (Patricia Cleary, The World, the Flesh, and the Devil: A History of Colonial St. Louis [Columbia, Mo., 2011], 36-68; Louis Houck, The Spanish Regime in Missouri, 2 vols. [Chicago, 1909; repr. New York, 1971], 1: facing 414; Glimpses of the Past, 2 [1935], 92; Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:240-2; Vol. 42:187-94). “Plan de la Ville de St. Louis des Illinois sur le Mississippi,” made by George de Bois St. Lys in 1796, is a manuscript map drawn at the behest of Victor Collot, a French general who conducted a reconnaissance of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys in 1796. Another manuscript version ended up in the Spanish archives in Seville, and an engraved version appeared in Collot’s memoirs of his American journey. Little is known about George (or Georges de Maillard) de Bois St. Lys, but he evidently also served the French military in Saint-Domingue and elsewhere in the Caribbean, where he produced a number of maps. His image of St. Louis is an idealized portrait of the town, indicating a far more ordered, densely populated village than the one that actually existed. It is essentially accurate in depicting a grid layout of two main streets running parallel to the river, divided into blocks by several shorter roads running from the river to the bluffs that rose above the town. Bois St. Lys, however, added a number of buildings that likely did not exist, as most blocks were occupied by at most two families, and sometimes just one. The unpaved streets, which became unpassable during rainy periods, likely were far less distinct than the map allowed. The map accurately illustrates a palisaded fort to the west of the town, which was erected in the 1790s

 xlix 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S to enclose a stone tower that had served as the town’s primary defensive structure since 1780. The map is also correct in depicting a stone bastion to the northwest of the town, although what appears like a wall extending from there to the river is a fanciful rendition of a rotting wooden stockade. Fields lying west of the town are likewise more impressive on the map than they were in reality, as agriculture languished in St. Louis. In the lower corners of the map are two proposals for a fortification to replace the existing one, an indication of the military interest that Collot and his colleagues took in the town. This map is approximately 12¼ by 16½ inches in size (James B. Musick, St. Louis as a Fortified Town: A Narrative and Critical Essay of the Period of Struggle for the Fur Trade of the Mississippi Valley and Its Influence upon St. Louis [St. Louis, 1941], 28-9, 57, 94-8, 120; Murphy D. Smith, “Realms of Gold”: A Catalogue of Maps in the Library of the American Philosophical Society [Philadelphia, 1991], 40-50; Waldo G. Leland, Guide to Materials for American History in the Libraries and Archives of Paris, 2 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1932], 1:228-9; John W. Reps, The Making of Urban America: A History of City Planning in the United States [Princeton, 1965], 73-8; Records of the American Catholic Historical Society of Philadelphia, 17 [1906], 343; Eric Sandweiss, St. Louis: The Evolution of an American Urban Landscape [Philadelphia, 2001], 23-36; Nicolas de Finiels, An Account of Upper Louisiana, ed. by Carl J. Ekberg and William E. Foley [Columbia, Mo., 1989], 62-3). Courtesy of the Missouri History Museum, St. Louis.

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Volume 43 11 March to 30 June 1804

JEFFERSON CHRONOLOGY 1743 • 1826 1743 1760 1762 1762-1767 1769-1774 1772 1775-1776 1776 1776-1779 1779 1779-1781 1782 1783-1784 1784-1789 1790-1793 1797-1801 1801-1809 1814-1826 1826

Born at Shadwell, 13 April (New Style). Entered the College of William and Mary. “quitted college.” Self-education and preparation for law. Albemarle delegate to House of Burgesses. Married Martha Wayles Skelton, 1 Jan. In Continental Congress. Drafted Declaration of Independence. In Virginia House of Delegates. Submitted Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom. Governor of Virginia. His wife died, 6 Sep. In Continental Congress. In France as Minister Plenipotentiary to negotiate commercial  treaties and as Minister Plenipotentiary resident at Versailles. Secretary of State of the United States. Vice President of the United States. President of the United States. Established the University of Virginia. Died at Monticello, 4 July.

VOLUME 43 11 March to 30 June 1804 12 Mch. 13 Mch. 26 Mch. 26 Mch. 27 Mch. 1 Apr. 14 Apr. 17 Apr. 11 May 18 May 26 May 30 May 2 June 4 June 6 June 15 June 23 June

Remits $435 for hire of slaves from Christopher and Charles Smith. Writes to William Dunbar about calculating the velocity of water in rivers. Congress passes act organizing Orleans Territory and Louisiana District. John Randolph reports articles of impeachment against Judge Samuel Chase to the House of Representatives. First session of Eighth Congress ends. Leaves Washington for Monticello, arriving 4 Apr. Prepares instructions for exploring the Arkansas and Red Rivers. Mary Jefferson Eppes, TJ’s daughter, dies at Monticello. Leaves Monticello for Washington, arriving 13 May. Napoleon Bonaparte proclaimed Emperor of the French. Offers John Armstrong appointment as U.S. minister to France. Writes to Charles Biddle about his son’s captivity in Tripoli. Receives letter of condolence from Abigail Adams. Charles Willson Peale, Alexander von Humboldt, and others dine at the President’s House. Opens account with the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington. Writes to Alexander I, Emperor of Russia. Meets with cabinet to discuss violations committed by British frigate Cambrian.

T H E PA P E R S O F

THOMAS JEFFERSON k

'

From Thomas Newton Dr Sir Norfolk. March 11—1804 I duly received your liberal donation of two Hundred dollars & have placed it in the hands of a Committee, appointed by our corporation for distribution to the sufferers, by the fire, they only shall know from me, that you was the good donor; with a request that no private donations should be published in the news papers. the Conflagration was tremenduous & awful, beyond description, the great quantities of spirits & other combustable matters, in the stores made the flames rage to a great degree; the vessels on fire floating on the river, rendered it more distressing, but it pleased God to interpose in our favor & drove them across the river, where but little damage was done; but Portsmouth was in great danger, not only from them but lighted shingles, from the houses lodged on the houses there; & was prevented from burning by the exertions of the inhabitants. God Grant, no place may ever suffer, such a calamity. tho our loss is great, yet it might have been much increased, if the wind had not set the flames into the river; all that are able are preparing to build better houses, & I hope from industry & our situation, we shall soon reinstate our trade & commerce, the many liberal public & private donations, to the sufferers, will no doubt make a lasting impression on our minds; accept my thanks for your attention, in behalf of our fellow citizens & beleive we shall ever retain a greatful remembrance of it. with every wish for your health & happiness, & a hope that you will command my services, for whatever you may want from this place I am respectfully yr obt Servt Thos. Newton RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

your liberal donation: see TJ to Newton, 5 Mch.

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From James Ogilvie Sir, Richmond March 11th. 1804 You will not I hope think me chargeable with impertinence or presumption when I take the liberty to request your attention to a subject, which altho’ in a great measure of a personal nature, may not in its consequences be altogether unconnected with social happiness.—You have probably heard of an academical institution, which is about to be organised in S. Carolina.—I have announced myself to the Trustees as a candidate for the presidency.—Could I obtain the station to which I aspire & be permitted to pursue the course of instruction I have adopted, I could scarcely desire a more auspicious or extensive theatre of professional utility than this situation seems to present. Having some reason to indulge a hope that you will not regard me as altogether unqualified to discharge the duties of the Office for which I am a candidate, I take the liberty to request, that you will have the goodness to converse on this subject with Colonl. W. Hampton, who is I am informed a member of the Board of Trustees.—I have the honour to be Sir, with profound respect Your very humble servt James Ogilvie RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch.; recorded in SJL as a letter of 13 Mch. received 16 Mch. academical institution: South Carolina College, which had been chartered by the state’s legislature in 1801.

Ogilvie had written Madison on 9 Mch. with a similar request for assistance in securing an appointment as president of the institution. His application was unsuccessful (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:575).

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Monticello March. 12. 1804. Maria continues in the same situation as when I wrote last—If she mends at all it is so little that it cannot be discerned by me— On Thursday her month expires—I shall endeavour to prevail on her to leave her room immediately, to lay aside her phials, & depend on gentle exercise and fresh air for her recovery— The child continues well—It has been I am told uncommonly healthy from its birth—It begins to suffer for the want of a nurse— The post rider has promised to bring my oats if you should send any to Fredericksburg— accept for your health my warm wishes Yours sincerely Jno: W: Eppes 4

12 MARCH 1804  RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 15 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

 when i wrote last: Eppes to TJ, 9 Mch. her month expires: Mary had given birth to her daughter and namesake one month prior, on 15 Feb. (Vol. 42:548n).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 12 March 1804 I sincerely wish something might be done for Mr Hanson. But he is not himself aware of the nature of the duties of the proposed auditor. He is not merely to settle the accounts, but to superintend the collection of the revenue. This, which has heretofore engrossed more than one half of the Comptroller’s personal attention to the detriment of his other duties, requires daily decisions on the revenue laws, upon applications either from the Collectors or from merchants. A single glance at the nature of the business would show that to that office Mr Hanson is not competent. Either a man of very correct mind or of great practical knowledge of the course heretofore pursued should be obtained. I think that it was that part of his duties which Mr Steele understood & performed best. During his absence the whole fell on me; & I am of course well acquainted with the details of the business & the qualifications it requires. Except myself & Mr Duval, there is but one man in the departmt., who understands thoroughly the general system of decisions by which our revenue is governed. It is David Rawn the Comptroller’s principal clerk; but he is so eminently useful in that office that Mr Duval could hardly spare him to the new auditor. Upon the whole, the only difficulty in the proposed arrangt. is to find a proper man for that office— Respectfully Your obt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 12 Mch. and “Hanson” and so recorded in SJL. during his absence: with TJ’s permission, Comptroller John Steele left

Washington to visit his family in North Carolina on 6 Aug. 1802. He submitted his resignation on 30 Sep. and did not return to the seat of government (Vol. 37:680-1; Vol. 38:434-5). For the role of david rawn in the comptroller’s office, see Vol. 38:435n, 542n, 614; Vol. 39:53n.

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From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 12th. Mar: 1804. I was duly favor’d with yours of the 7th. inclosing 40$, and directing me to pay Colo. Harvie on account of John Rogers $41.₁−¹₀−⁰₀ −, which I have done. Very little alteration has taken place in our Tobacco market for some time past; the current price is now, & has been for several weeks, 37/6. for good crops which are seen when inspected, 40/. may generally be obtained—and some few of very prime quality, have sold I am told even so high as 48/.—it is of some such sale as this I imagine, that you have heard. when such take place, it is generally with some particular view; either with that of raising the price by the purchase of a few hhds. in order to sell a large quantity, or with some other, which ought to be equally well understood—for it is thought that a large crop equal in quality might be offered to one of these persons, & they would refuse to give any thing like as much as they had but just given for a single hhd. ’tho crops by shippers are pref The groceries for which you some time since forwarded a bill of loading, were not received until to day. I observe that you propose sending Mr. Craven 1.½ instead of 2.½ bushels of clover-seed. this had escaped my attention until to day. There is no syrup of punch in this place. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. ’tho crops by shippers are pref: Jefferson appears to have added this phrase after starting the subsequent paragraph but ran out of space before completing the thought. He may have been distinguishing between tobacco sold to merchants in the export trade from that sold to local manufacturers, who by this

time absorbed a small but growing percentage of the crop (William Tatham, An Historical and Practical Essay on the Culture and Commerce of Tobacco [London, 1800], 41; Joseph Clarke Robert, The Tobacco Kingdom: Plantation, Market, and Factory in Virginia and North Carolina, 1800-1860 [Durham, N.C., 1938], 161-3). For TJ’s error in the order for clover seed, see George Jefferson to TJ, 23 Feb., and TJ’s response of 28 Feb.

Statement of Account with John March Georgetown

The President, 1804 To John March Jany: 10 To Blank Book, 100 Leaves 8vo: red Leather 25 Domestic Encyclopædia, vol: 4th boards 6

$1.25 2.50

12 MARCH 1804

" " " " Feby:

3 10 16 24 March 10 " 12 "

Binding Grose’s Glossary, 8vo: Calf, gilt Binding Politique Economie, 2 vols: 8vo: gilt Binding Ideologie de Tracey, 8vo: gilt Binding Aristotelis, Logica, &c: 2 vols: thick 12mo Temple of Nature, 8vo Pasting Map of the United States Barlow’s Psalms Small English Bible Binding 2 8vos: Calf gilt;—Philosophy of Jesus—Bacon’s Rebellion Binding Chipman’s Principles of Government, Crown 8vo: elegt. Morocco Binding 22 vols: Encyclopædia Methodique, Calf, gilt,—at $2.25 Binding Fixarum Catalogus, 4o. Calf, gilt

MS (MHi); in March’s hand; endorsed by TJ. grose’s glossary: Francis Grose, A Provincial Glossary; with a Collection of Local Proverbs, and Popular Superstitions (London, 1787). TJ ordered a copy of this work in 1789 from London bookseller Thomas Payne (Sowerby, No. 4871; Vol. 14:512). politique economie: Jean Baptiste Say, Traité d’économie politique (TJ to Say, 1 Feb. 1804). ideologie de tracey: Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy, Projet d’éléments

1.00 2.00 1.00 1.50 2.75 0.50 0.50 6.50 2.00 3.00 49.50 2.25 $76.25

d’idéologie à l’usage des écoles centrales de la Republique Française (Destutt de Tracy to TJ, 21 Feb. 1804). barlow’s psalms: Joel Barlow, Doctor Watts’s Imitation of the Psalms of David, Corrected and Enlarged, a work first published in 1785 and subsequently reprinted many times (James Woodress, A Yankee’s Odyssey: The Life of Joel Barlow [Philadelphia, 1958], 79-80). fixarum catalogus: Franz Xaver von Zach, Fixarum Praecipuarum Catalogus Novus (Sowerby, No. 3799).

To Christopher Smith Sir Washington Mar. 12. 04. I have been tardy in remitting the hire of your slaves for the last year, and am not able to do it now fully. I have this day remitted to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson of Richmond for yourself and mr Charles Smith, one half the sum due you both, to wit 433⅓ dollars for which I inclose you an order, & I will during the next month place the other half in their hands subject to your order. inability to avoid this delay must be my apology, and I pray you to permit this letter to serve for information through your channel to your brother also, & to accept my salutations Th: Jefferson 7

12 MARCH 1804  PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Christopher Smith”; endorsed by TJ. this day remitted: writing to George Jefferson on the 12th, TJ acknowledged Jefferson’s letter of 6 Mch. and enclosed $435 “to cover a draught

this day made in favor of Christopher Smith of Louisa” (PoC in MHi; at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ; notation in SJL: “435. D.”). TJ completed his payment to the Smiths in August (mb, 2:1134).

From John Breckinridge Senate Chamber 13. March 1804.

J. Breckinridge now incloses to the president, the within for his Inspection.—There are two Characters there, perhaps both well known to the president; who I believe have no expectation of the office, and against either of whom, there cannot be a good exception: George Gilpin a man of fair character, a revolutionary officer, & above 60 years of age: & Colo. F. Payton, of good Character, & well qualified to fill the office RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mch. and “Sims Charles. to be removd.” and so recorded in SJL with notation “Alexa.” Enclosure not identified. TJ received an undated and unsigned memorandum on the office of customs collector at Alexandria, Virginia, held by Charles Simms. The report described Simms’s position, which drew a salary of “at least” $4,000, as “a perfect Sinecure, the duties being performed by a Deputy, while he attends his profession as a lawyer in the Courts of Washington, Alexandria and the adjacent counties in Virginia.” Salaries of the deputy, weigher and measurer, gauger, and four inspectors totaled somewhere between $3,100 and $5,100. The collector also appointed “persons to keep a look out boat &ca.” The memorandum concluded: “It is im-

possible to estimate the influence which may be exercised in the collection of the large sums of money payable for duties in a commercial town” (MS in DNA: RG 59, LAR, 10:0287; in an unidentified hand). Congressmen John Smith, Matthew Clay, and Thomas Mann Randolph of Virginia and John Fowler of Kentucky wrote Gallatin on 13 Mch., recommending Dr. Alexander Rose to replace Simms (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; in Smith’s hand, signed by all; endorsed by TJ: “Rose Alexr. to be Collectr. Alexa. Smith & others to mr Gallatin”). As TJ’s appointees, George gilpin and Francis Peyton (payton) both served as justices of the peace and bankruptcy commissioners at Alexandria (Vol. 37:154-5, 618, 699, 705). Peyton was one of 15 Alexandria Republicans who addressed TJ on the subject of the collectorship on 3 Mch.

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To William Dunbar Dear Sir Washington Mar. 13. 04. Your favor of Jan. 28. has been duly recieved, and I have read with great satisfaction your ingenious paper on the subject of the Missisipi, which I shall immediately forward to the Philosophical society, where it will be duly prized. to prove the value I set on it, & my wish that it may go to the public without any imperfection about it, I will take the liberty of submitting to your reconsideration the only passage which I think may require it. you say, page 9.   ‘the velocity of rivers is greatest at the surface, and gradually diminishes downwards.’ and this principle enters into some subsequent parts of the paper, and has too much effect on the phaenomena of that river not to merit mature consideration. I cannot but suppose it at variance with the law of motion in rivers. in strict theory the velocity of water at any given depth in a river is (in addition to it’s velocity at it’s surface) whatever a body would have acquired by falling thro’ a space equal to that depth. if, in the middle of a river we drop a vertical line a.e. from it’s surface to it’s bottom, and (using a perch, or rather a measure of 16.125 f. for our unit of measure) we draw, at the depths b.c.d.e. (which suppose=1.4.9.16. perch) ordinates in the direction of the stream1 equal to the odd numbers, 3.5.7.9. perch, these ordinates will represent the additional velocities of the water, per second of time, at the depth of their respective abscissae, and will terminate in a curve a.f.g.h.i. which will represent the velocity of the current in every point, and the whole mass of water passing on in a second of time.* this would be the theory of the motion of rivers, were there no friction. but, the bottom being rough, it’s friction with the lower sheet or lamina of water will retard that lamina; the friction or viscosity of the * these Ordinates are Arithmetical progressionals, each of which is double the root of it’s Abscissa, plus Unit. the equation therefore expressing the law of the curve is y=2√x+1. that is, the velocity of the water at any depth will be double the root of that depth, plus Unit. were the line a.e. a wall, and bf. cg. dh. ei. troughs along which water spouted from apertures at b.c.d.e. their intersections with the curve at f.g.h.i. would mark the point in each trough to which the water would flow in a second of time, abating for friction.

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13 MARCH 1804

particles of which again with those of the one next above will retard that, somewhat less, the 2d. retard the 3d. the 3d. the 4th. and so on upwards diminishing till the retardation becomes insensible, & the theoretic curve will be modified by that cause as at n.o. removing the maximum of motion from the bottom somewhere upwardly. Again the same circumstances of friction & viscosity of the particles of water among themselves will cause the lamina at the surface to be accelerated by the quicker motion of the one next below it; the 2d. still more by the 3d. the 3d. by the 4th. & so on downwards, the acceleration always increasing till it reaches the lamina of greatest motion. the exact point of the maximum of motion cannot be calculated because it depends on friction, but it is probably much nearer the bottom than top, because the greater power of the current there sooner overcomes the effect of the friction. ultimately the curve will be sensibly varied by being swelled outwardly above, and retracted inwardly2 below, somewhat like a.k.l.m.n.o. in the preceding diagram. Indulging corollaries on this theory, let us suppose a plane surface, as a large sheet of cast iron let down by a cable from a boat, and made to present it’s surface to the current by a long vane fixed on it’s axis in the direction of the current. would not the current below, laying hold of this plate, draw the boat down the stream with more rapidity than that with which it otherwise moves on the surface of the water?   Again at the cross current of the surface, which flows into the Chafalaya, and endangers the drawing boats into that river, as you mention pa. 18. would not the same plane surface, if let down into the under current, which moves in the direction of the bed of the main river, have the effect of drawing the vessel across the lateral current prevailing at it’s surface, and conduct the boat with safety along the channel of the river?   The preceding observations are submitted to your consideration. by drawing your attention to the subject, they will enable you, on further reflection, to confirm or correct your first opinion. if the latter, there would be time, before we print a volume, to make any alterations or additions to your paper which you might wish. We were much indebted for your communications on the subject of Louisiana. the substance of what was recieved from you as well as others was digested together & printed without letting it be seen from whom the particulars came, as some were of a nature to excite ill will. of these publications I sent you a copy. on the subject of the limits of Louisiana nothing was said therein, because we thought it best first to have explanations with Spain. in the first visit, after recieving the treaty, which I paid to Monticello, which was in August, I availed  10 

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myself of what I have there to investigate the limits. while I was in Europe I had purchased every thing I could lay my hands on which related to any part of America, and particularly had a pretty full collection of the English, French & Spanish authors on the subject of Louisiana. the information I got from these was entirely satisfactory, and I threw it into a shape which would easily take the form of a Memorial. I now inclose you a copy of it. one single fact in it3 was taken from a publication in a newspaper supposed to be written by Judge Bay who had lived in West Florida. this asserted that the country from the Iberville to the Perdido was to this day called Louisiana, and a part of the government of Louisiana. I wrote to you to ascertain that fact, and recieved the information you were so kind as to send me; on the reciept of which I changed the form of the assertion, so as to adapt it to what I suppose to be the fact, and to reconcile the testimony I have recieved; to wit that tho’ the name & division of W. Florida have been retained, and in strictness that country is now called by that name, yet it is also called Louisiana in common parlance, & even in some authentic public documents. the fact however is not of much importance. it would only have been an argumentum ad hominem. altho’ I would wish the paper inclosed never to be seen by any body but yourself, & that it should not even be mentioned that the facts and opinions therein stated are founded in public authority yet I have no objections to their being freely advanced in conversation, and as private & individual opinion, believing it will be advantageous that the extent of our rights should be known to the inhabitants of the country, and that however we may compromise on our Western limits we never shall on the Eastern. I formerly acquainted you with the mission of Capt. Lewis up the Missouri and across from it’s head to the Pacific. he takes about a dozen men with him, is well provided with instruments, and qualified to give us the geography of the line he passes along with astronomical accuracy. he is now hutted opposite the mouth of the Missouri ready to enter it on the opening of the season. he will be at least two years on the expedition.4 I propose to charge the Surveyor general N. of Ohio, with a survey of the Missisipi from it’s source to the mouth of Ohio, & with settling some other interesting points of geography in that quarter. Congress will probably authorise me to explore the greater waters on the Western side of the Missisipi & Missouri, to their sources. in this case I should propose to send one party up the Panis river to it’s source, thence along the high lands to the source of the Padoucas river and down it to it’s mouth. another party up the Arcansa to it’s source, thence along the highlands to the source of the  11 

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Red river, & down that to it’s mouth, giving the whole course of both parties corrected by astronomical observations. these several surveys will enable us to prepare a map of Louisiana, which in it’s contour and main waters will be perfectly correct, & will give us a skeleton to be filled up with details hereafter. for what lies North of the Missouri we suppose British industry will furnish that. as you live so near to the point of departure of the lowest expedition, and possess and can acquire so much better the information which may direct that to the best advantage, I have thought, if Congress should authorise the enterprise to propose to you the unprofitable trouble of directing it. the party would consist of 10. or 12. picked souldiers, volunteers with an officer, under the guidance of one or two persons qualified to survey & correct by observations of latitude & longitude, the latter lunar, and as well informed as we can get them in the departments of botany, natural history & mineralogy. I am told there is a mr Walker in your town, & a mr Gillespie in N. Carolina, possessing good qualifications. as you know them both, you can judge whether both are qualified, should two persons go, or which is best, should but one be sent, or whether there is any other person better qualified than either. their pay would probably not exceed 1000. D. a year, to which would be added their subsistence. all preparations would be to be made at Natchez & N. Orleans, & the necessary advances be furnished by the Collector of N. Orleans, on your order. to take this trouble no inducement could be proposed to you but the gratification of contributing to the promotion of science. instructions similar to those of Capt. Lewis would go from here, to be added to by what should occur to yourself, and you would be the center for the communications from the party to the government. still this is a matter of speculation only, as Congress are hurrying over their business for adjournment, and may leave this article of it unfinished. in that case what I have said will be as if I had not said it. There is such a difference of opinion in Congress as to the government to be given to Louisiana, that they may continue the present one another year. I hope and urge their not doing it, & the establishment of a government on the spot, capable of meeting promptly it’s own emergencies. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “William Dunbar esq.” Enclosures: see The Boundaries of Louisiana, printed at 7 Sep. 1803 (Vol. 41:321-40), and Continuation of an Examination of the Boundaries of Louisiana, 15 Jan. 1804 (Vol. 42:280-4).

the chafalaya: Atchafalaya River. For the published digest of communi­ cations on the subject of louisi­ ana, see TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 14 Nov. 1803 (Vol. 41:721).

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13 MARCH 1804  For the publication in a newspaper attributed to Judge Elihu Hall bay that argued for the inclusion of West Florida within the boundaries of Louisiana, see Vol. 41:327, 328n, 619n. i am told: TJ probably referred to a missing letter from Andrew Ellicott, dated 27 Feb. 1804, which he recorded in SJL as received on 1 Mch. from Lancaster with the notation “Walker. Gillespie. Ellicott.” John Peter Walker and David Gillespie had assisted Ellicott on his survey of the southern boundary of the United States. After completing the field work, Walker went with Ellicott to Philadelphia to assist in preparing the maps of the expedition’s findings. Returning to Natchez by

1802, Walker subsequently worked as a surveyor and mapmaker for the Spanish government in Louisiana, Texas, and Mexico (Elizabeth A. H. John, “The Riddle of Mapmaker Juan Pedro Walker,” in Stanley H. Palmer and Dennis Reinhartz, eds., Essays on the History of North American Discovery and Exploration [College Station, Tex., 1988], 102-32; Vol. 42:378, 379n; Dunbar to TJ, 13 May; Appendix ii). 1

Preceding six words interlined. Word interlined. 3 Preceding two words interlined. 4 TJ here canceled “I believe Con.” 2

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum March 13th. 04. Yours of 9th. Instant I received to day, and by the enclosed you will see that I have shiped two Polygraphs for you: No. 2 is Brunelle’s. The Brig is now in the stream, and will sail early tomorrow. The present appearance of the weather promises her a good wind, and I hope she will arrive before your departure for Monticello. The Captain promises me, that as soon as he reaches Alexandria, he will get a permit & with his boat he will immediately go to Washington, and that he has placed the Boxes in a convenient situation for that purpose. I have frequently been disappointed in the use of New inventions which by the Inventors & others, had been highly spoken off, therefore accord with you that “tryal alone can enable one to estimate new and curious inventions.” Brunelle’s is a beautiful piece of workmanship, and a very ingenious invention, yet from my experience and also from the tryals of a great number of Persons who attempted to write with it while in my Possession, I am induced to consider it so unsteady and liable to be deranged as to render it perfectly useless. Mr. Buskie (the Holland agent) and Mr. Chaudron (watchmaker) who also own one, neither of whom can use them. so that there is not the least danger of its being wanted before your return from Monticello. Mr. Latrobe writes me, that he is pleased with the Polygraph I have sent for his use while he is at Newcastle. It has a hollow-brass-penbar instead of the 3 wooden bars, steel pens, &. slate under the cloath the paper rests on, besides some other improvements—however all of  13 

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those Polygraph yet finished must be far short of such as I shall make in future; accuracy of writing, and certanty of never being out of order: The machinery will be more accurately combined, and, the Case or Desk not to be folded up, but make with a continued inclined plane, the Gallows firmly fixed and a sliding cover of a semi-circle form to slide over the machinery. I shall contract the size as much as will be consistant with utility. Some others will be made into a sort Escritoire standing on leggs, with a place for Books or Papers above the writing machinery. It is my wish that you should make use of the Polygraph sent by the Brig, untill you can have one perfectly to your liking—therefore you will oblige me if you will make every objection you can after you have had a tryal, as my object is to perfect the Machine as much as possible, well knowing it is only by a steady perseverance that difficulties can be overcome. And I am not so poor as to regard expence, especially as by perfection only, that a Value can be stampted on such Mechanism. If I had received your last note sooner, I beleive I should have given you the Cost of Stage carriage of them. I might have particularised the parts of improvements and given explanatory sketches, but my letter is already too long, a fault of those of my age, and not to make it longer I will subscribe that I am with greatest esteem your freind C W Peale P.S. I have sent ½ a Ream of Velum paper in the drawer of the Polygraph, but I fear it is not such paper as you wish, it is like what I now write on. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ; recorded in SJL as received 16 Mch. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers). Enclosure not found.

From Abram Trigg Tuesday. March 13th. 1804.

A. Trigg presents his compliments to the president of the United States and requests the favour of him to accept a small bag of lick Salt, as a Sample of the Salt made by Mr. William King in the County of Washington and State of Virginia. At this establishment it takes something less than 3½ Bushels of Water to make a Bushel of Salt and the Works yields between two and three hundred Bushels of salt each day they are worked, and might be extended so as to double that quantity.  14 

14 MARCH 1804  RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Abram (Abraham) Trigg (b. 1750) of Montgomery County, Virginia, was the younger brother of Congressman John Trigg of Bedford County. An officer in the Virginia militia during the American Revolution, Abram Trigg lost a hotly contested congressional election in 1793, but

won a subsequent rematch. He thereafter served continuously in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican from 1797 until 1809 (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 15:676-80; Richard R. Beeman, The Old Dominion and the New Nation, 1788-1801 [Lexington, Ky., 1972], 108-13). For the saltworks of william king, see Vol. 40:593, 594n.

From William Findley [14 Mch. 1804]

When the Constitution of pennsylva. was revised it was believed that many persons held offices that were ill qualified for the trust, and that being appointed either by a single Branch Legislature as a popular Executive consisting of a Member from each County. The appointments were too often conferred in Consequence of Bargains among the Members to serve each others friends, and that the same influence which procured the appointment so generally protected them in it, that few if any removals were made under that Constitution; This Circumstance induced the Convention to abolish all Commissions and promoted the appointing a single Executive whose responsibility would secure good appointments and make removals when necessary easy to be obtained, personal responsibility was then the Idol of the Day and that high responsibility fell on Govr Mifflin who tho, an Excellent president of a public body, had neither talents nor application for the responsibility he possessed. He renewed the Commissions of many whom he ought to have left out, He appointed many whom he ought not and during nine years administration no scrutiny was made nor sureties renewed. The chief Justices station made him well aquainted with many of their faults and their Consciousness of this made them his determined enemies and induced them to Join in the scurrilous attacks on Mr McKains Character which were carried to excess When he was sworn into the office of Govr., he sent for two other old Members and myself to Consult on the subject of removals, appointments &c. He was asked what plan he designed to be governed by. He answered that he designed to remove only bad officers and such as had treated him personally in such a Manner as that he could not in signing a Commission say he had Confidence in them.  15 

14 MARCH 1804

 In his removals he strictly followed that rule for he reappointed many decent federalists who were good officers though they had voted against him, in the then five western Counties but two officers out of 15 were removed, and but three of the thirteen who were Continued were republicans as were known to have voted for him, the two removed were bad officers In the whole state thirty one officers were removed and thirty two were Continued. The land office is an important department of that State, both with respect to titles and revenue, and it had become exceedingly corrupt, even to a proverb and the late Govr could not be prevailed on to purge it. It is divided into three Branches, the heads of which ought all to have been removed but one of them Col Johnston was so detested1 as a defaulter, that he was obliged to resign to prevent prosecution. Another, Mr Hall, resigned his commission on the Govr being elected and was appointed Marshal by the president, so that Mr McKain only removed from the land office Col Broadhead Surveyor Genl. this removal was agreeable to all parties, and he continued F. A Muhlenburgh lately appointed in place of Johnston. I do not in this account, include the Deputy Surveyors, several of whom were removed as defaulters and some were removed by New Arrangements, but they are appointed by the Surveyor Genl. and approved by the Govr. The removals were made agreeable to the rule the Govr had laid down, but did not go as far as they might, except in the German Counties. The leading Germans in many Instances insisted on and procured the removal of all in their respective Counties. I may be mistaken of one or two but it is certain that about one half were retained and not more than five or six of them were Republicans The removals made the Govr no New Enemies, but two many of his early appointments did and many office Hunting Republicans were offended at more not being removed, all the offices in his Gift would have gone short way in satisfying these. It was from the disgusts of bad appointments and disappointments that the design of leaving him out Last Election Originated, this subsided before the election came on MS (DLC); undated; entirely in Findley’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 14 Mch. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “on Govr. Mc.kean’s removals.” When the Pennsylvania constitu­ tion of 1790 replaced the one adopted in 1776, Findley played a role in moderating the demands of the conservatives. He failed, however, in his attempt to have the

governor share power with a council. In 1812, Findley remembered that “Even the old whigs had become so disgusted with the former Council that they without considering that the fault was in the construction of that Council, voted against it” (“William Findley of Westmoreland, Pa., Author of ‘History of the Insurrection in the Western Counties of Pennsylvania’: An Autobiographical Letter,” pmhb, 5 [1881], 446; Harry Marlin Tinkcom, The

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14 MARCH 1804 Republicans and Federalists in Pennsylvania, 1790-1801: A Study in National Stimulus and Local Response [Harrisburg, 1950], 8-15). abolish all com­ missions: the schedule adopted in 1790 called for the commissions of officers appointed under the constitution of 1776 to  expire on 1 Sep. 1791, at which time they could be reappointed by the governor (The Proceedings Relative to Calling the Conventions of 1776 and 1790: The Minutes of the Convention that Formed the Present Constitution of Pennsylvania [Harrisburg, 1825], 285). single exec­ utive: a popularly elected governor replaced the previous executive of a president and executive council. Under the 1790 constitution, the governor alone had the power to appoint, unless otherwise designated by legislation (same, 299; Tinkcom, Republicans and Federalists, 16). chief justices station: Thomas McKean took the oath of office as Pennsylvania’s chief justice on 1 Sep. 1777. He held the office until he was elected governor in 1799 (G. S. Rowe, Thomas McKean: The Shaping of an American Republicanism [Boulder, Colo., 1978], 100, 304-5, 313). subject of removals, appoint­ ments: for a description and evaluation of McKean’s patronage decisions, see same, 320-4. Francis johnston resigned as receiver general at the Pennsylvania land office

after being charged with using public monies for private purposes (Vol. 33:73n, 78-9). John hall served as secretary of the land office from 1796 to 1799, when John Adams appointed him marshal of the district of Pennsylvania. TJ removed him from office in 1801 (Vol. 33:206n, 219, 673, 675). Daniel Brodhead (broad­ head) served as surveyor general from November 1789 until April 1800, when McKean appointed Samuel Cochran in his place (Donna B. Munger, Pennsylvania Land Records: A History and Guide for Research [Wilmington, Del., 1991], 189-90; Rowe, McKean, 331). On 8 Jan. 1800, McKean appointed Frederick A. Muhlenberg (muhlenburgh) receiver general to succeed Johnston. Muhlenberg held the office until his death in 1801 (anb; Munger, Pennsylvania Land Records, 194). design of leaving him out last election: Samuel Bryan, Peter Muhlenberg, and George Logan were rumored to have an interest in the nomination in 1802 (Rowe, McKean, 330; Sanford W. Higginbotham, The Keystone in the Democratic Arch: Pennsylvania Politics, 18001816 [Harrisburg, 1952], 41; Vol. 37:162, 164n). For McKean’s reelection, see Vol. 39:552, 553n 1

MS: “destested.”

To Levi Lincoln Th: Jefferson to the Atty Genl. Mar. 14. 04. The inclosed is a case of the first impression and therefore needs consideration. the Louisianians have been heretofore allowed an appeal from their Govr. to the Govr. Genl. at Cuba. this seems intended as such an appeal. but tho’ Congress have authorised me to give to any person all the powers of the officers of the then existing government, yet I do not know that this includes the Govr. Genl. of Cuba, or King of Spain. when you shall have considered the case a little, it may be a subject of conversation between us—Affectionate salutations. PrC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Baudin’s case.” Enclosure not found, but see Alexandre Baudin to TJ, 14 Feb.

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From Anthony New and Robert Brown Sir Washington—March 14th—1804 We beg leave to recommend to your notice, Mr. Andrew Epple, who solicits an appointment as Clerk to some one of the courts to be established in the Western country; Mr. Epple is a native of Philadelphia, a young Gentleman of unimpeachable charecter, and of respectable family, he has studied, and has for some time been engaged in the practice of the Law—We are Sir your mo: Obt. Servts. Anthony New Robert Brown RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in New’s hand, signed by both; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Mch. and “Epple Andrew to be a clerk of a ct. in Western country” and so recorded in SJL. Anthony New (1747-1833) represented Caroline County in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1789 and 1790. Elected to the Third Congress, he served as a Virginia congressman from 1793 to 1805. New moved with his family and slaves to Elkton, in Todd County, Kentucky, in 1808. He represented that state in Congress for three nonconsecutive terms beginning in 1811 (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Leonard, General Assembly, xxvi, 175, 179; Frances Marion Williams, The Story of Todd County, Kentucky: 1820-1970 [Nashville, Tenn., 1972], 118, 336-7, 433-4; Vol. 29:382n; Vol. 35:182-3). Robert Brown (1744-1823) was a first lieutenant in the Pennsylvania “Flying Camp” battalion in the Revolutionary War. He began representing Northampton County in the assembly in 1783, became a state senator in 1790, and in 1798 was elected to Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Samuel Sit-

greaves. A Republican, Brown served in the House of Representatives from 4 Dec. 1798 to 3 Mch. 1815 (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Francis E. Devine, “The Pennsylvania Flying Camp, July-November 1776,” Pennsylvania History, 46 [1979], 63, 76, 78; Philadelphia Pennsylvania Gazette, 22 Oct. 1783; Philadelphia Pennsylvania Mercury, 19 Oct. 1790; Chambersburg Farmers’ Register, 7 Nov. 1798; Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Commencing on Tuesday the Fifth Day of December, the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety-Seven [Philadelphia, 1798], 4; Vol. 30:85n, 615n; Vol. 40:348n). andrew epple studied law with Joseph Reed and worked in Reed’s law office in Philadelphia. He was admitted to the bar in 1803. Reed recommended Epple, who intended to move to New Orleans, as “a gentleman of information and talents in his profession, who has uniformly distinguished himself by his assiduity & attention to business” (Joseph Reed to unidentified, 17 Nov. 1803, in DNA: RG 59, LAR; John H. Martin, Martin’s Bench and Bar of Philadelphia [Philadelphia, 1883], 266).

From Thomas Cooper Northumberland

Dear Sir March   1804 [before 15 Mch.] Your letter of Ap: 9: 1803 to Dr Priestley and the copy of yr Letter to Dr Rush with a copy of your Syllabus have been preserved by Dr Priestley; but Mr Priestley requests me to say that no public use shall  18 

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be made of them, or any private Communication by which they can be known beyond the circle of your known and immediate friends: indeed even this is not in any way contemplated, nor do I expect they will be seen again by any one, unknown to you. I believe you are a far better Christian than nine tenths of the professors of Christianity and your veiew of the subject is highly honourable not only to your known talents, but to your attention to a subject so unfashionable among the pretenders to Knowledge in the present day. Dr Priestley has left a Ms somewhat on the plan you have suggested. I have not yet perused it, but I have no doubt of its containing like all his other works much interesting matter, and new views on the Subject. I fancy I am not like to agree with either of you. I observe a publication by Mr Granger of the number and situation of the various post offices in the Union, but no price, no publisher, or place of publication is mentioned. It seems to me likely to be very interesting in a statistical view, and I should be very glad to see it. Could you oblige me with a Copy? I very often feel much at a loss for the common documents on public affairs, which I ask for in vain among my friends in Congress, for what there may be “omnibus lippis et tonsoribus notum” may be very good [. . .] very interesting Information here. Mr Priestley desires to join with me in assurances of sincere attachment and respect. Thomas Cooper RC (DLC); partially dated; portion of text obscured by seal; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. In a letter of 24 Feb., TJ requested that Cooper ensure that his letter to Benjamin rush of 21 Apr. 1803 and the enclosed syllabus not fall into unfriendly hands. left a ms: undoubtedly Priestley’s The Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, Compared with Those of Revelation (Sowerby, No. 1528; Vol. 42:368-9).

Cooper likely saw notice of the publi­ cation of List of the Post-Offices in the United States, with the Counties in Which They Are Situated, and Their Distances from Washington City, which was completed in November 1803 and published in 1804 in Baltimore (Shaw-Shoemaker, No. 7538). omnibus lippis: Cooper paraphrases Horace, “omnibus et lippis notum et tonsoribus esse,” meaning, colloquially, known to everyone (Satires, 7.1.3).

From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 15th. March 1804. The two letters you did me the honor to write under date of the 5th. and 15th. of July have both reach’d my hands.—the former on the 27th. of December and the latter on the 14th. of November.— Agreeably to your direction I have employed a friend at Rome, so to  19 

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convey to Madame Ceracchi, that part of your letter relative to her husband, as to correct the error she is in, with regard to her pretensions on the U: States, and at the same time to avoid any suspicions from what quarter this information was received.—In reply I find, she is now on a visit to vienna, and will not return before the opening of the Summer.—The bust of General Washington has been purchased from her by an eminent sculptor of Rome for the price of £20. sterling—the object in giving so exorbitant a sum, was under the idea that the resemblance is perfect, so it now serves him as a model to fabricate others by, either in marble or gesso as may be required.— on the whole I have thought it adviseable to defer imparting to her, the substance of what I have before mentioned, until She returns to Rome.—Your opinion of the wine of Montepulciano perfectly coincides with the prevailing one in this country; for it is here held in the highest estimation among the class of dry wines.—It is universally the custom in Tuscany to preserve their best qualities in flasks, over which is put a Small quantity of oil to keep out the exterior air, and the whole covered with a piece of parchment.—of So delicate a nature do they conceive them to be, as to imagine it impossible to transport them by sea, without a detriment, even from one part of the Coast to another. I am however inclined to think, that whenever this is the Case, it arises more from the mode of Conveying it, than from the great Susceptibility of the wine. I have Shipped on board the Piomingo, Captn. Blagge for New York, and directed to the Care of David Gelston esq. Collector of Customs for that port, three Cases containing one hundred and twenty three black bottles of Montepulciano wine all of which are hermettically sealed with wax.—I think therefore, I have avoided the only inconvenience to which it is exposed, and do not doubt but it will arrive free from injury.—the quantity is less than I intended, but I was deceived in the measure of that part of Tuscany, and the vessel being on the eve of her departure, and no pure wine to be purchased in Leghorn, will necessarily prevent my sending the quantity you were desirous to obtain.—I have by the same Conveyance added a few samples of dry wines of Tuscany, and on each bottle is a label Specifying its kind,—should either of them be approved by you, the quantity you may be desirous of, shall be procured from the spot on which they grow—their prices will vary little from that of Montepulciano, except the Alleatico, which though not a dry wine, is usually sold at three times the price of any other the produce of Tuscany— I have taken the liberty to forward you by the same vessel a barrel containing 225 Vine-Cuttings of 9 different qualities, taken from the  20 

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botanical garden of florence. they were chosen and presented to me by my particular friend the Proposto Lastri, Director of the same, and likewise President of the Society of Agriculture—all these plants produce dry wine (excepting the Alleatico) The tokay has been transplanted into Etruria with the Utmost Success; and the wine so perfectly Similar to the finest of Hungary that the most intelligent cannot discover the smallest difference. Mr Lastri is therefore decidedly of opinion, that it depends on the process observed in making the wine, and not on the soil on which it grows—to this end, he so scrupulously adheres to the mode which is adopted in Tokay, that he has even obtained from thence, every utensil or implement necessary for pressing the grape, or bringing to perfection the wine.—Should you be desirous of making the experiment, I Can procure for you here with much facility every requisite.—My friend has presented me with his treatise on Agriculture, likewise with that of Trinci, both of which I have ventured to inclose for you—this latter work he recommends for the most minute detail that is observed here in making of Wines— in return for these his polite Attentions I have sent him your Notes on Virginia, as he reads perfectly well our language.—Mr. Lastri who possesses an uncommonly cultivated understanding, has expressed to me a desire of opening a correspondence with any society of Agriculture that may be established in the United States, or to exchange any of the great variety of productions of his botanical garden (a Catalogue of which I now enclose you) against the native plants of America— the advantages which might be drawn from this mutual intercourse, or how adviseable it would be to accept his proposals, are circumstances Sir left to your own superior judgment to determine.— Accept Sir the Assurances of the high respect with which I have the honor to be Your most devoted Servant Th: Appleton P.S: I have left open the letter until the moment of the departure of the vessel in order to inclose a Note of the Montepulciano wine but I have not yet received the amount from the Country from which it Came—it shall be forwarded by another Conveyance1 RC (DLC); below signature: “The President of the United States of America Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 June and so recorded in SJL. FC in Lb (DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn); dated 20 Mch., and adding below signature a list of the nine varieties of vine cuttings, connected by a brace with the notation “25 of each description”: “Trebbiano,” “Lachrima Christi,” “S. Giovette,”

“Abrostine bianco,” “idem Rosso,” “Tokai,” “Aleatico,” “Morgiano,” and “Mammola”; at foot of text: “The foregoing was sent by the Piomingo Capte. Blagge.” Enclosures: (1) Marco Lastri, Corso di agricoltura di un accademico georgofilo autore della Biblioteca georgica, 5 vols. (Florence, 1801-03; Sowerby, No. 734). (2) Cosimo Trinci, L’Agricoltore sperimentato (Venice, 1796; Sowerby,

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15 MARCH 1804 No. 736). (3) Catalogo dei semi dell’Orto Agrario Fiorenzino, 1804, in an unidentified hand, an alphabetical listing of approximately 370 Latin plant and tree names (MS in MHi). No letter to Appleton of 15 july has been found or was entered in SJL, although a letter of 13 July 1803, also not found, is listed there. For the efforts of madame ceracchi to settle her husband’s accounts and acquire payment from the United States for his bust of general washington, see Vol. 39:39-46, 107-8, 203-5; Vol. 40:657-9.

 TJ planted the grape varietal vine cuttings contained in the barrel from Florence shortly after a separate shipment of trunks of cuttings from Philip Mazzei arrived at Monticello. In March 1807, TJ reported that all nine varieties remained planted in the northeast vineyard at Monticello (Betts, Garden Book, 333; Vol. 42:194-5, 196, 198n, 353, 354; TJ to Mazzei, 18 July 1804). 1 FC: “P.S. the note of the Montepulciano wine not having been yet sent me, I must necessarily defer sending the Account until another oppy. presents.”

To John Barnes Dear Sir Mar. 15. 04. John, who is to go with me to Monticello, has occasion for some necessaries which I have promised to give him. be so good as to furnish him with them. Your’s affectionately Th: Jefferson RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); addressed: “Mr. Barnes.” Not recorded in SJL.

To John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir Washington Mar. 15. 04. Your letter of the 9th. has at length relieved my spirits. still the debility of Maria will need attention, lest a recurrence of fever should degenerate into Typhus. I should suppose the system of wine & food as effectual to prevent as to cure that fever, and think she should use both as freely as she finds she can bear them. light food & cordial wines. the Sherry at Monticello is old & genuine, and the Pedro Ximenes much older still, & stomachic. her palate & stomach will be the best arbiters between them.   Congress have deferred their adjournment a week, to wit, to the 26th. consequently we shall return a week later. I presume I can be with you by the first of April. I hope Maria will by that time be well enough to go over to Monticello with us; and I hope you will thereafter take up your residence there. the house, it’s contents & appendages & servants are as freely subjected to you as to myself, and I hope you will make it your home till we can  22 

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get you fixed at Pantops. I do not think Maria should be ventured below after this date.   I will endeavor to forward to mr Benson postmaster at Fredericksburg a small parcel of the oats for you. the only difficulty is to find some gentleman going on in the stage who will take charge of them by the way. my tenderest love to Maria & Patsy and all the young ones. affectionate salutations to yourself. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU); addressed: “John W. Eppes Edgehill near Milton”; franked and postmarked. PoC (CSmH).

ventured below: that is, to Eppington or Bermuda Hundred.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 15 March 1804 Conversing with Mr Madison on the subject of Mobile, and of our regulations respecting the Mississippi, he seemed to apprehend some difficulty in justifying our conduct or rather instructions to impartial men. If upon a full consideration of the subject that difficulty shall be obvious, it would follow that we have not taken solid ground. That question you must decide; and I write only to express a wish that you will1 examine it as if it had not yet been decided. For, should you, upon the whole, think it best not to persevere in some one of the rules we had adopted, and especially in that which forbids Spanish vessels ascending the Mississippi to Baton rouge, I will undertake to relieve the Executive from any apparent fluctuation, by writing to Trist, that the President upon full2 consideration of the instructions, which I had given to the Collector, has directed me to alter so much thereof &c— Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 15 Mch. and “Spanish vessels in Misipi” and so recorded in SJL. subject of mobile: for the act authorizing the president to create a collection district for the region around Mobile Bay, see Gallatin to TJ, 14 Feb. 1804, and U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:251-4. In a heated letter to the secretary of state written on 7 Mch., Carlos Martínez de Irujo angrily condemned the authorization as an unjust attempt by the United States to usurp Spanish sovereignty over West Florida. Irujo demanded the revocation

of the offending section of the act, “or at least that part of it which so manifestly violates the rights of His Catholic Majesty” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:548, 549n, 557-63; Madison to TJ, 24 Apr.). rules we had adopted: see Gallatin to TJ, 25 Feb. Writing to Hore Browse trist on 19 Mch., Gallatin informed the collector that under the president’s direction, he was rescinding the rule that prohibited Spanish vessels bound for Baton Rouge or other Spanish ports from proceeding beyond New Orleans. Gallatin instructed Trist to consider Baton Rouge and other settlements yet possessed by Spain as

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15 MARCH 1804 foreign ports “whether on the Mississippi, the Iberville, the lakes, or the sea-coast.” Vessels with manifests for one of the Spanish ports could proceed without paying duties, but Gallatin proposed that an inspector be placed on board each ship until it reached its destination. To prevent smuggling, the Treasury secretary also directed Trist to place inspectors at

the Iberville River and Fort Adams and, if necessary, to station a “barge or boat near the Iberville to watch and examine boats coming down the river” (RC in DNA: RG 36, LR, New Orleans). 1 Word

2 Word

written over “may.” written over “due.”

From Elbridge Gerry Dear Sir Cambridge 15th March 1804 I am this day honored by your letter of the 3d, & “as the unbounded calumnies of the federal party have obliged you to throw yourself on the verdict of your country, for trial,” the United States are under infinite obligations to them, for this their conduct; as it will secure to the republican cause, the only candidate, in whom the public could cordially unite; & in regard to yourself, will have an effect the reverse of what they intended, by adding to the high lustre of your character.— your services therefore, as they have been, must continue to be all important to your country: & the with-holding them at this time, might have proved it’s ruin. Our cases are widely different. you will march, Sir, in triumph to private life, for your ease; I must be active in it, for the benefit of a numerous & charming young family. I have addressed to the Secretary of the Treasury by this conveyance, a letter on the public demand against my brother; in which I am deeply involved. to this subject, I have flattered myself, you will yield a moment’s attention. the source of this misfortune, has been his unpardonable indiscretion, in keeping a secret from me, as well as from the administration of the Treasury the true state of his case. and altho the result has proved, that it was impossible to continue him in office; yet, the extreme unreasonableness of his establishment, under the former administrations, from whatever cause it may have happened, is a real greivance, & if not redressed, must consign him and his family to compleat ruin, & operate very injuriously & unjustly, as I conceive, against me. but having an unbounded confidence in the justice of Government, I will not indulge anxiety for the worst. The elevation to which you have raised your country, & which is almost inconceivable, will, I sincerely hope, flash conviction in the faces of your political adversaries, & oblige them to acknowledge their errors.  24 

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 accept, dear Sir, my unfeigned attachment & wishes for your happiness, & my highest esteem & respect— E Gerry RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. public demand against my brother: for the removal of Samuel R.

Gerry from the collectorship at Marblehead, Massachusetts, for delinquency in  his accounts, see Vol. 36:195-6; Vol. 37:634-5; Vol. 38:21, 180-9, 246-8, 3068, 613n, 682.

To the House of Representatives To the House of Representatives of the United States. Agreeably to the request of the Senate and House of Representatives delivered me by their joint committee of inrolled bills, I now return1 the inrolled bill, intituled ‘An act for the relief of the captors of the Moorish armed ships Meshouda & Mirboha’ to the House of Representatives in which it originated. Th: Jefferson Mar. 15. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a clerk. PoC (DLC). RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); addressed to the Senate; endorsed by a clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “returning incorrect roll of a bill.” return the inrolled bill: on 12 Mch., the House of Representatives passed a resolution instructing the Joint Committee for Enrolled Bills to inform the president of a variance between the engrossed and enrolled versions of a bill authorizing compensation for the captors

of the Moroccan cruisers Meshouda and Mirboka and to request that he return the enrolled bill to the House for correction. TJ had originally signed the bill on 24 Feb. The corrected version was enacted into law on 19 Mch. (jhr, 4:600, 641, 650; js, 3:364, 374, 378; U.S. Statutes at Large, 6:54). For the capture and subsequent return of the Moroccan cruisers, see Vol. 41:282-3n, 490, 491-2n, 508-10, 672-4; Vol. 42:82-4. 1 In the Senate version, “I have returned.”

From James Monroe Dear Sir London March 15th. 1804 I have yours of Jany. 8. by Mr. Baring who arrived lately in the packet. From the view I am able to take of the subject I am of opinion that my appointment to Louisiana will be incompatable with the duties I am to perform in this quarter. To conclude a treaty with this govt., or to make such an experiment as wod. authorise me to say that one cannot be had, to regulate on just principles the points in question  25 

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between the two nations, will require at least two months; to proceed to Madrid thro Paris, conclude a treaty with the minister of Spn., & return here, will consume six more; and to reach the U States perhaps two more. If an experiment is made it ought to be a fair one so as to terminate, in case of success, for ever, all points in controversy or likely to be so between the parties, or in case of failure to put them completely in the wrong. Perhaps it may require less time to adjust the business with both powers, but the presumption is otherwise. Under such circumstances it seems proper that I shod. pursue one or other of the objects only, and being on the ground, already charged with these duties, it is possible that some inconvenience might attend my withdrawing from it, especially in reference to this power at this moment. Several incidents have occurr’d wh. however unimportant, or correct in principle, have nevertheless produc’d some sensation here. The rejection of the treaty lately formed by Mr. King, as is said to be the case; the proposition in Congress of some defensive measure agnst the impressment of our seamen, and the affair of Etiquette with Mr. Merry are of this kind. but the incident which produc’d that state of mind which is susceptible of irritation by light causes, was the adjustment of our affair with France, which this govt. did not expect, & has most probably subjected it to much embarrassment. To remove these impressions, and arrange our affairs with this govt. on just & equal principles, in cases of necessary contact or rather of actual collision, will require more time than the pressure of any other duty will permit, especially one of great expectation, a failure to perform which might compromit my friends as well as myself. I consider the affair with Spain as being likewise of importance, and am not without every sanguine hope of succeeding in it, in case I proceed thither. I have much reason to count on the strong aid of France, independant of wh. I think our present attitude must be an imposing one there. I shall therefore make up my mind to pursue these objects with the attention they merit, and to give them the time they may require. With this power there will be some difficulty, from the nature of the questions themselves, its pretensions & former practice in respect to some of them, and the expectation it has constantly fostered of holding a relation to us more close & connected, than comports with an adjustment which separates us for ever, and leaves the U States to that high career which their destiny seems to promise. They must see distinctly that by separating ourselves from Europe, placing our maritime rights on a just footing, remaining neutral and respected, while they are at war, we must soon become one of the greatest, as we are the most interesting & happiest of nations. Many circumstances have tended  26 

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to convince me that they entertain very false impressions with respect to our growth, and that they view the rapid advanc’ment we have made & are making with no very favorable eye. They seem to consider our prosperity not simply as a reproach to them, but as impairing or detracting from theirs. Without possessing the means of retarding it, but at the hasard of equal perhaps greater danger to themselves, they have not yet attaind that enlarged & liberal state of mind which inspires a desire to promote it. Thus I think that whatever accomodation is obtained, however just and fair the principle may be on which it is claimed, will be yielded with reluctance & slowly. It is not impossible that procrastination will be attempted from the consideration of what is to occur in the U States at the end of the present year, in the hope that something may result from it favorable to their views. In revolving this subject over I have sometimes doubted whether it would not be better for the present to leave the business here untouched, and attempt an adjustment of that with Spain first. It might give time for the passions which have been improperly excited, by light causes, to subside, & in case of a favorable issue of a better prospect of success here afterwards. On the whole however I am led to conclude, that as it would be the most frank and respectful course of proceeding to this power, and at the same time most conciliatory, to commence here, to adopt that conduct, which I shall accordingly do as soon as I am prepared for it. To be thus prepared will not require more than a week or fortnight at most, when I shall ask an interview with Ld. Hawkesbury & open the subject to him. In thinking of an appointment in Louisiana I did not contemplate the idea of having any thing to do with this power, and did hope that the business with Spain might easily be adjusted in time for me to reach the U States in the course of the ensuing autumn. I found soon after my arrival here that it was not a situation in wh. I cod. promise myself any satisfaction, and was therefore desirous of extricating myself from it as soon as I cod. with propriety. The opinion wh. I entertained of the respect due to the office I held, to the govt. & country I represented appeared to be different from that wh. was held on the same subject by this govt. & those in that circle. My visits to the ministers were not returned; I obtained a list of them of Sr. Stephen Cotterel & sent my cards round, as I had been told by some foreign ministers was the usage, but recd. no acknowledgment of the attention. Suspecting that I ought to have gone in person I apologized for the mode to Mr. Addington, when I was presented to him at the levee, as I also did to the Ld. chancellor who assured me that the apology was due from them, since in fact it appeared that they had not known  27 

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in what manner the visit had been made. I visited Ld. H. in person more than once & left my card, without receiving any return. I visited also Ld. Sallusbury the chamberlain to the King in the same manner & with like effect. My visit to Mr. Yorke who succeeded Ld. Pelham after my arrival here, was return’d, as was Mrs. Monroe’s by his Lady. we were invited to dine with Ld. & Lady H., wh. we did; afterwards Mrs. M. called on Lady H. but her visit was not returned; as she had sent us cards to attend a presentation of colours the day before, and it was possible she might construe that visit into an acknowledgment of that civility. Mrs. M. made her another, wh. was also disregarded. All this preceded the affair of Mr. Merry, and had no connection with it. We have lately invited Ld. H. & Mr. Yorke with their Ladies to dine with us in return for a similar attention recd. from them. The first refused on acct. of an engagmt., the second on acct. of a prior one. As the affr. of Mr. Merry was known here when the invitation was given, it is possible that that circumstance & the other intelligence recd. from him by the packet may have occasioned the refusal; tho’ it may be that they were engaged, and I am persuaded Mr. Yorke really was. A second invitation from Ld. & Lady H was declined on acct. of a prior engagement or rather because Mrs. M’s visit had not been returned, with a view also to furnish an opportunity of paying them that attention before we recd. it a second time. At Ld. H.’s table when speaking with his Lady, who appears to me to be an1 amiable woman, on the subject of our climate, of its variety &c. I mentioned that while the northen parts were perhaps in snow, the southern enjoyed the bloom of spring; that in Feby at Charlestown, I understood, they had the course, and, from the want of other topicks of conversation, I added that on such occasions there was always a great concourse of people with gay equipages &c. Ld. Castleray asked me what kind of equipages had they? I cod. not but be surprised at the inquiry, nevertheless replied, such as I saw here. Sir Wm. Scott then remarked, that he had lately seen an acct. of a grand fête at the cape of good hope, wh. concluded with observing that all “the beauty taste & fashion of Africa were assembled there.” This occasion’d some mirth as you will suppose at our expense, in wh. I cod. not well partake, & in justice to Ld. H. it is proper to say that by his reserve he did not appear to think that the remark was made on a suitable occasion. I was really embarrassed what part to take on the occasion. It was disaggreable to me to let it pass unnotic’d, but I cod. not well notice it, without appearing to be hurt at it, nor without throwing the company into some confusion. I was therefore silent. Shortly afterward, in conversing with Ld. Castleray & some other gentlemen on  28 

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the rapid growth of the U States, I observed that I was astonishd to find persons of distinction by their offices & talents so extremely uninformed on that subject, as they were generally in this country: that in truth they knew as little of us as they did of the cape of good hope. At the dinner with Ld. H. Lady Bristol had precedence of Mrs. M. tho she was the wife of Lady H.’s brother, who had been lately undersecretary of state only & then held no other distinction than that of his title. When dinner was announc’d Ld. H. communicated it to Lady Bristol in a whisper who took the lead & Mrs. M. & Lady H. followed, no one leading them. In talking with one or two foreign ministers on these subjects, as matter of enquiry of what I might expect, rather than what had happen’d, I found that they knew as little about it as myself, and was led to believe that there was no fixed rule, & to presume that there was no disrespect intended us. In respect to the ministers of other powers we appear to hold the lowest grade; in a diplomatick dinner at Ld. H’s, precedence was given, & apparently by design, to all the other ministers, and on more occasions than one to the minister of Portugal, evidently by design. By this detail wh. I shod. most probably never have made the subject of a letter, had it not derived sufficient consequence by the affair with Mr. Merry, you will find that I was resolved not to suffer circumstances of the kind, to interfere in any degree, with the good understanding wh. I was very desirous of improving with this country. From what the King & his ministry had told me, wh. was afterwards repeated in a very formal manner by Mr. Merry, as he said by order of Ld. H., of the pleasure with wh. his majesty had recd. me here, I concluded that I stood on the same ground with my predecessors, and thought it better to be satisfied with it, than make it a subject of contestation especially at the present moment. By no act of my own however have I given a sanction to pretentions wh. I considered degrading to my country. In my intercourse with the govt., & with others, it has probably been seen that I neither felt or acknowledged any inferiority in a national or individual sense. Another consideration wh. made me very desirous of withdrawing hence, is the enormous expence attending a residence here. It is a fact that in all those articles wh. a family necessarily consumes a dolr. in the U States is equal to a guinea here. In some articles the ratio does not apply; meats for example are generally not more than double here what they are there; poultry is quadruple what it is in Richmond; groceries are at least in that proportion; tolerable coffee is 7/. per pd.; wine & spirit in the same proportion fruit exceeds it. Be assured that I had suffered enough by the suite of my former appointment to  29 

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France not to have been sufficiently on my guard here. But no precaution can protect one against such charges. It is I fear impossible to live here in a manner, wh. wod. not expose me to reproach, on the salary, and as I owe some money & am advancing in years, it seemed to be a duty wh. I owed to my family to withdraw from a situation wh. threatened to envolve me in greater debt, with a view to devote the remnant of my active life to make some provision for their advanc’ment and my comfort. Having as it were relinquished a second time the bar I saw some hasard in returning to it. The employment adverted to seemed to be one, in which I might continue to serve my country, & in the mode you mention promote also the interest of my family. But that I see is altogether impossible & therefore relinquish the idea of it. Indeed I was not certain that it was practicable at first, of wh. I became more doubtful afterwards, since I perceived many reasons why I shod. remain here thro’ the next winter, as I intimated to Mr. Madison in a subsequent letter. On the subject of the outfit, I thought after the experience I had had, that ½. an outfit to Paris was in itself reasonable, & might with propriety be allowed. There is an actual expense attending such a service wh. the annual compensation will not provide for. There is an equipment wh. the present style of that govt. requires, the want of wh. wod. have been notic’d in me & perhaps done harm, wh. will cost five or six hundred pounds. For an extry. mission ½ an outfit, is a moderate allowance, with a quarters salary to bring him home. It is I presume less by ½ what has been heretofore allowed. Had I been a resident minister with either govt. & transfer’d to the other, ½ an outfit wod. have been allowed. The reason appears to me to be stronger in favor of that allowance to one who leaves his home & affrs., who has to encounter the expense of equipment (I mean personal), after incurring a much greater expense, in a much longer voyage. However on this point I wish nothing that is deemed improper or likely to expose my friends or myself to the slightest impution of departing from a system of œconomy wh. it is indispensably necessary in all future cases to observe. Having accepted a resident appointment here, made it seem necessary that I shod. remain longer than on experience I found comported with my interest or desire. It was that with other considerations wh. induc’d me to suggest the idea to Mr. Madison of protracting my return untill the next year. Should I go to Spain be assured that I will do every thing in my power to execute a comn. wh. is suggested in yours. You cannot estimate too highly the propriety of due attention to that object. I shod. most probably have hinted something on that head heretofore had I not supposed you wod. have obtained due information from  30 

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other quarters. I shall deliver the shortest letter to Mr. Williams & suppress the other. Mrs. M. has not enjoyed her health well here, owing to the moisture of the climate. At present she is better. We are much gratified by the details you have been so kind as give us of our good neighbours, to whom be pleased to present our best regards. The establishment of the family of Trist gives us much pleasure. My recommendation of Mr. Skipwith to the collectorship at N. Orleans was made on the idea that Mr. Trist was provided in another line: I shod. certainly recommend neither of those gentn. to employment at the expence of the other. I hope however that something may be done for Mr. Skipwith in that quarter since he seemed disposed when I left France to move there even in case he failed to obtain an appointment. I shall reconcile him to what has occurr’d. I am Dear Sir very sincerely your friend & servt Jas. Monroe P.S. I took the liberty to mention Mr. Prevost in a letter sometime since to Mr. Madison in the hope that some attention might be shown him, if an opportunity offered. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Dft (DLC: Monroe Papers); incomplete. treaty lately formed: for the convention between Great Britain and the United States, which concerned the boundary with Canada, see Vol. 41:602n. proposition in congress: on 14 Jan., Senator Samuel Smith reported out of committee an “Act further to protect the seamen of the U.S.,” which would have barred persons residing in the United States “from affording aid, succor or provisions” to the commanders of any foreign ships deemed through “sufficient testimony” to have impressed sailors not proven to be in the service of the commanders’ respective armed forces. The bill also authorized the president to prevent ships of offending countries from loading or unloading goods in American ports. Widely recognized as targeted at the British, the legislation drew the attention of Anthony Merry, who reported it to his superiors in London. On 28 Feb., how-

ever, Wilson Cary Nicholas “was authorized” (according to William Plumer) to warn that the bill might scuttle ongoing negotiations between the United States and Britain, and the Senate voted to postpone discussion until the second session (MS in DNA: RG 46, LP, Original Bills; js, 3:338, 367; Everett Somerville Brown, ed., William Plumer’s Memorandum of Proceedings in the United States Senate, 1803-1807 [New York, 1923], 109-10, 146-7; Bradford Perkins, The First Rapprochement: England and the United States, 1795-1805 [Philadelphia, 1955], 174). intimated to mr. madison: see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:335-8. shortest letter: Vol. 41:725-6. James Madison had previously shared with TJ a letter of 8 Aug. 1803 from John B. prevost (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, 9:619-20; endorsed by TJ: “Prevost J. B. to be appointed to N. Orleans. his lre to mr Madison”).

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1 MS:

“to me to an.”

From Anthony New Sir Washington—March 15th—1804 It is with great diffidence I ever undertake to recommend a person to you for an appointment to any office, but Mr. Thomas Claiborne Hoomes (a relation of Colo. Hoomes of Caroline) having requested me to solicit for him, some appointment in the western country, I take the liberty of introducing him as a candidate for the office of Secretary or Clerk to some officer, who may be appointed in any of the western States. My long and intimate acquaintance with Mr. Homes, enable me to speak of him with confidence, and I feel myself Justified in assuring you, that as far as I am capable of Judging of men, he promises fair to be an ornament to his country, and I am persuaided will do credit to any recommendation I could give him. Believe me Sir to be Your mo: obt. Hble. Servt Anthony New RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 22 Mch. and “Hoomes Thos. Claiborne for office in Western states” and so recorded in SJL. thomas claiborne hoomes remained in Virginia, where he resided in

King and Queen County and served several terms in the state senate (Richmond Enquirer, 10 Feb. 1821; Leonard, General Assembly, 288, 292, 296, 301). colo. hoomes: John Hoomes of Bowling Green in Caroline County, Virginia (see Vol. 32:290n).

From John Smith of Ohio Sir Thursday Morn— [15 Mch. 1804] I have this morning met with Major Cutler, from the vicinity of Marietti, who says, Mr Whipple never was known to be intoxicated as he could learn, on his voyge from Ohio (via the West Indies) to Philadelphia, or at any time when employed. On his arrival at Port, he will some times take a little frolic but not to the neglect of business—He says Mr Whipple, has given perfect satisfaction to his employers at Marietti (though he made but one voyge) that he now conducts with propriety—Permit me to remark, that Major Cutler is a Federalist—but I believe him to be a man of good Charecter as I have served with him for some years in the Legislature of Ohio—I managed my enquiry with caution— I pray you to accept the assurance of the high Consideration & respect with which I have the honour to be Sir your very Humble Servt. John Smith  32 

15 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); partially dated; at foot of text: “The President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. 1804 with notation “Whipple   sober.” Recorded in SJL as received 15 Mch. Ephraim cutler was a prominent Federalist from Washington County, Ohio. He had recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to visit his father, Representative Manasseh Cutler of Massachusetts (Andrew R. L. Cayton, The Frontier Republic: Ideology and Politics in the Ohio Country, 1780-1825 [Kent, Ohio, 1986], 77, 139, 141; William P. Cutler and Julia

P. Cutler, Life, Journals, and Correspondence of Rev. Manasseh Cutler, LL.D., 2  vols. [Cincinnati, 1888; repr. Athens, Ohio, 1987], 2:169-70). A naval hero of the American Revolution, Abraham whipple settled in Marietta, Ohio, after the war. In 1801, he commanded the brig St. Clair, a vessel built at Marietta, on its voyage down the Ohio and Mississippi to Havana and thence to Philadelphia (anb; Alexandria Advertiser, 1 May 1801; Gazette of the United States, 5, 8 Sep. 1801). Whipple may have been under consideration for the recently vacated office of receiver of public monies at Marietta (see Gallatin to TJ at 22 Mch.).

From Samuel Tupper sir Detroit 15th March 1804 I had taken the liberty (at a former period) to mention Mr Frederick Bates to Mr Phelps of N York as a Candidate for the Office Secretary, Should a new territory be erected in this part of the Country.—Mr Phelps has requested me to furnish him with additional information on the subject, but will probably leave the seat of Government before it can arrive.— I therefore take the liberty of Submitting immediately to yourself, that information which, no doubt was Originally designd for your Consideration.—Mr Bates is a young Gentleman who is Descended from a respectable family in Virginia, where he received an Academic education.—Since that time his employments have been mostly of an Official nature, in which he has acquired regular and Systematic habits of business, and has accumulated a fund of Speculative and practical information.—In his manners he is modest & unassuming, but firm and Decided in his Opinions.—He is Studious, temperate, and industrious and his moral Character Stands unimpeached His attachment to republican measures is unquestionable.—He is at this time honorably and industriously employed, hold the Office of postmaster in this town, and possesses in a high degree the Confidence and esteem of his fellow Citizens.—Such Sir is the Character of the Gentleman respecting whom information has been asked, and is now respectfully Submitted to Your Consideration.— I have the honor to be with Great respect your Obnt. Servt Samuel Tupper  33 

15 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “His excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 May with notation “Bates Frederick— to be Secretary of new state at Detroit” and so recorded in SJL with notation “Fredck. Bates, Secrety. new territ[y].” Samuel Tupper (ca. 1765-1817) was a temporary resident of Detroit. In 1803, he was living in the Canandaigua region of New York represented by Congressman Oliver Phelps. By 1805, he was back in New York and settled in Buffalo. He and Phelps were active in the local politics of western New York and involved in military contracting. From 1806 to 1811, Tupper was the U.S. Indian factor at the trading house in Sandusky, Ohio. Beginning in 1808, he was a judge in Niagara County, New York (Orsamus Turner, History of the Pioneer Settlement of Phelps & Gorham’s Purchase, and Morris’ Reserve [Rochester, N.Y., 1852], 292, 416-17; Clarence Monroe Burton, Corporation of the Town of Detroit: Act of Incorporation and Journal of the Board of Trustees 1802-1805 [Detroit, 1922], 60, 65; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 3:393; James L. Barton, Early Reminiscences of Buffalo and Vicinity [Buffalo, 1879]; Alden Chester and E. Melvin Williams, Courts and Lawyers of New York: A History, 1609-1925, 4 vols. [New York, 1925], 3:1258; Albany Gazette, 13 Jan. 1818; Dearborn to TJ, 25 Nov. 1806).

 Frederick bates sought the secretarial position on an understanding that Congress would form “our corner in the Indiana Territory” into a separate territory. Michigan Territory, however, was not created until 1805. TJ appointed Bates receiver of public moneys for lands at Detroit in October 1804 and secretary of the Louisiana Territory in 1807 (Thomas Maitland Marshall, Life and Papers of Frederick Bates, 2 vols. [St. Louis, 1926], 1:6-7, 9, 18; TJ to Madison, 4 Oct. 1804). TJ also saw a memorial recommending Solomon Sibley as secretary of the anticipated new territory. On 14 Dec. 1803, James Henry of Detroit wrote Thomas Worthington enclosing the memorial. Addressed to Worthington from Wayne County, Indiana Territory, it was dated 10 Dec. and signed by 17 residents, including six judges of the court of common pleas; the agent for Indian affairs, Charles Jouett; and Matthew Ernest, customs collector at Detroit. Noting that Sibley had resided in the country for several years, the signers praised “his uniform, consistant, and meritorious conduct” and urged Worthington to make their recommendation known to the president (DNA: RG 59, LAR; letter endorsed by TJ: “Sibly Solomon to be Secretary of Michigan”; memorial also endorsed by TJ).

From Nathaniel Douglas [before 16 Mch. 1804]

Thomas Jefferson Esquire. Sir inclosed is a few Sentiments which when you believe you will, I hope enforce by all your authority in order to cause Justice to be immediatly done and payment to be made of my inclosed Claims which are Just and upright, am confident when you candidly consider the case & dangerous Situation America is placed in, who you have Sin’d against and who you have to deal with, that too clear and Strong language cannot be used, that plain truth is infinitly better than low Subterfuge or flattery, that if you desire more prooff or demonstrations of these truths that I affirm, you are guilty  34 

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of inhumanity and criminal against your own Soul as well as fellow creatures, you will perhaps think the charge is high but as you made your terms with me, So allow me to return you the compliment, which I think is little enough, as the most upright will always prevail and as tis Said the remnant of you are abt 4 million, it will not be much more then a Dollar & quarter each which is a Smal Sum to repair the injury. Shew your contrition and repentance and thorough Sensibility of your error, and your desire to act with Justice in this particular towards the God of heaven and true Elect of God and I hope you will induce them to take warning by what has happend to the world even some of your Citys Since I left you how have they been destroyed for their audacity and also what happend to my native country, I went there to recover my money from them who Justly owed me, but they denyd their bargain Swore a false oath threw me 26 days into Prison, tho the obvious display of God was with me, there infinitly Supirior to whatever was Seen on Earth before the dividing the Sea was nothing in Comparision their huge Mounts fell down and Valleys were exalted the earth changed in a moment, before that they were dying by famine eating the dirty draff Sent them from america in their publick kitchens, with their heads coverd with old cloaks to hide their Shame and infamy, but in an instant the whole country was coverd with Strong rich corn of many kinds So that they could get no Sale for it, the best meat for little fish So plenty herrings Sold at 6d p Barrel, but you cannot believe as you did not See it even barren Scotland was capable to Supply her neighbours with corn, but that obstinate nation thru every Stigma on me and robbed me of my Cloths at the instigation of an american So that when I arrived here I was distitute of both Cloths and Money, but the people here did not believe my enemies, but behaved well to me, in my opinion this country and Climate have changed as much Since my arrival for the better as tis possible to conceive on contrary Britain, Since I left them are now all armed in Iron under one mass under wrath and terror, all of them that could be caught on the continent were loaded with chains thrown into Dungeons except those who purchasd freedom with large Sums, their extra Exps are many millions their Ships are Dashed to peeces on Shores of their enemies Some broken and Sunk in the ocean others Struck with red lightnings with many other Visible Judgements I conclude with enforcing again my claims and I hope you will make this letter as publick as possible and by every inducement all your authority and influence cause Speedy payment to be made I am Sir respectfully Nathaniel Douglas  35 

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 PS you must apply the language of this nationaly not to yourself Personaly without you disobey and Shew disrespect for I assure You I do not write this [. . .] for your Sakes not for necessity for I hav[e] [. . .] at a Loss God hath and will Support [. . .] decent way tho america Should never pay but for their disobedience be blotted out from under heaven do not conceal these but make them public as rays of light. RC (DLC); undated; torn; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of United States of America Washington” and “Per Brig Resolution Capt Ross Via N. York”; franked; postmarked Montego Bay, Jamaica, and New York City; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. 1804 and “claim for 4,680,000. Dollars”; notation by TJ: “refd. to Secy. of the Treasury. Th: Jefferson. Mar. 17. 04.” Enclosure: statement of claim on the people of  the United States, in Douglas’s hand and signed by him at Spring Mount, St.  James, Jamaica, 8 Nov. 1803; the claims total £1,040,000 sterling, or about $4,680,000; Douglas claims £600,000 for land “Seized Under a Wrong Comm.” and £10,000 for two houses; he also claims a debt of £114,000 due by the United States to “S Douglas” as well as £300,000 for land and £16,000 for houses in Savannah belonging to the same; Douglas warns that until the people of the United States pay his claim, “the Judgements of God will never be removed from off their Land” (MS in same; endorsed).

Nathaniel Douglas was probably a Charleston merchant of that name who had been declared bankrupt by early 1802. His estate, assigned to Constant Boisgerard, included two houses and stores in Charleston and 5,050 acres of land in the South Carolina lowcountry and backcountry (Charleston City-Gazette and Daily Advertiser, 8 Feb. 1802). He wrote TJ again in 1806 regarding his claim and the debts and property of his “deceas’d Relative,” possibly British merchant Samuel Douglas, formerly of Savannah, whose Georgia property had been confiscated and sold during the American Revolution. Samuel Douglas moved to Jamaica after the war (John Bassett Moore, ed., International Adjudications, Modern Series, Volume III: Arbitration of Claims for Compensation for Losses and Damages Resulting from Lawful Impediments to the Recovery of Pre-War Debts [New York, 1931], 338, 358; Peter Wilson Coldham, American Migrations, 1765-1799 [Baltimore, 2000], 759; Douglas to TJ, 18 Sep. 1806).

e n c l o s u r e

From Nathaniel Douglas [before 16 Mch. 1804] Thomas Jefferson Esquire Sir being unaccquainted with you yet from the public trust reposed in you by the people of america I think proper to enclose you a copy of a letter I have wrote Mr Pringle So. Carolina and Claim I have against america and tho Some of your enemies have said you are a Sceptic disbelieves almighty God having power to controul the Governments of this world yet am induced to think from your years and experience and Sentements of humanity you are Said to posses, will cause you to reflect and history Proves many Biasd have upon due conviction have become Sinceare and Zealous Supporters of truth I have enterd into no points of Law tho easily done to prove the injustice I sustaind which is below the dignity of my car-

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16 MARCH 1804 ecter all I have done is mentioning a few of the most visible judgements that have past to convince you they are direct from the order of the God of heaven with and in my favour which when you are convinced of you will not give yourself truble to Suspiciously1 investigate but willingly and chearfully pay my Claim thinking it the greatest honor ever conferrd on you, if not the Judgements that Shall happen to you Shall be infinitly more examplary and dreadfull than those that have past over, I will add tis a very great pity that notwithstanding all the preparations, light and good education of the world at this day, yet are they so hardned Stupid and Bigoted that it would have been Vain nay Somewhat dangerous to have warned them and told them what Should happen for their Villany against me, untill lamentable to Say So many hundreds of Thousands have been laid low in Dust, and tis Still an enigma and problem whether after all those Just Judgements you will believe and obey now if you compare my Caracter the events that hapned around me in every quarter the time of my appeareance with the writings of the antient prophets you will find that they are perfect true have been fulfilld, so far exactly every title and word of them, now remember then whatsover was not wrote in the book of life and had not a Saving interest with the Elect of God was cast into a lake of fire, have you Seen every word and title fulfild on earth, and do you imagine that omnipotent being who has done all those matchless works, acted over the proud and lofty as if they were a machine and can you disbelieve that God will not fulfill the Spiritual work as well as the temporal which is infinitly the least you knew the Justice and Glorious power of God with what ease God could Smite america with a Sharp Spiritual Spear from off the Earth you would not let your eyelids close nor give rest to your Souls till you had compleatly paid my claim and made reparation this I think is in Such plain language that you can have no excuse if cut off for Disobedience I am Sir with respect Nathaniel Douglas RC (DLC); undated; addressed (clipped): “[. . .] Jefferson Esquire President of United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Mch. 1804 and “insane” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Douglas to John Julius Pringle, undated and unsigned, stating that when Douglas was last in Charleston, Pringle (the attorney general of South Carolina) told him that “Boisgerrard would be of Servise to me meaning he would only be considerd as a help”; Douglas bristles at the supposition that he is unable to conduct his own business and claims that Pringle and the United States have “committed a great Error in respect to me”; Douglas declares that “the most High had Chosen me and given me that high caracter and good name” and warns that

his oppressors have subjected themselves to God’s displeasure; Douglas lauds the healthfulness and pleasant society of his new residence and denounces the United States as “a base nation” that lifted its hand against its “parents” and “embued them in their blood”; Pringle has completed his “wicked purpose,” depriving Douglas of the fruits of his industry and sending him away “as an uncertificated Bankrupt,” and has thereby brought himself “under the interdict of Just Judgement and wrath of the almighty God of heaven”; Douglas will conclude by enclosing his charges against America and wishes Pringle “to enforce it with all your influence” (Tr in same, in Douglas’s hand).

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1 Word

interlined.

From Joseph Barnes Leghorn Mar. 16th. 1804

Tis with much pleasure I embrace the Earliest Opportunity of informing Mr. Jefferson of the Success of the plan of Commodore Preble in having comptely burned the Frigate Philadelphia in the Harbour of Tripoli— On the 12th Instant I recd. a Letter from my Agent who Acts for me during my absence in Palermo, to the following affect: Viz, that on the 16th of Feb. a Brig of War, and the Bombard taken from the Turks, which had been fitted out for the purpose, appeared off the Harbour of Tripoli about the dusk of the Evening—The Bombard enter’d the Harbour as Soon as it was dark under English Colors, and having some Maltese on board Spoke to the Turks in their own Language, Stating, that they had lost their Anchors, were in distress, & requested permission to have a Hauser made fast to the Frigate, which Liberty was immediately granted: at about 7 oclock the Same night, having combustibles ready, they boarded the Frigate, killed a good many of the Turks, Set her on fire, made Sail & the wind being fair they were off Malta in 30 hours—The Bashaw with 6 to 7000. Troops were soon down on the Beach and Saw the Conflagration without the power of extinguishing it—The Forts were ordered to fire, but fortunately from their Confusion they were too Late to do any injury: And I believe no Shot took place. Since I recd. the above mentiond dispatch, a Vessel has arrived here in eight days from Tripoli, which brings the unpleasant information that all our Seamen were put in Chains immediately after this affair, & the Officers confined under a double guard, and even the British Consul, who wished, was not permitted to See, Speak nor write them— I find Commodore Preble wants Mortars & Gun-Boats—from the appointment of deputy agents by the Navy Agent of this place all is in Confusion—had the application come to me directly instead of an Italian who Acts at Syracuse as agent, I could have effected what he wished immediately—My feelings for the Glory of my Country, & the Success of the Operations of the Commodore induced me to write him, Altho’ he made no application to me, by which probably I may offend those who are appointed Agents for the Navy. In my letter of Feb. 4th 1804—I Suggested to Mr Jefferson that General Acton Seemed rather Surprized at my not having recd. any answer from the United States to the overtures of the King of Naples contained in a Letter addressed to me relative to a Treaty of Commercial relations;! a copy of which was forwarded by Mr Mazzei in  38 

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May Last to Mr. Jefferson, and another copy I forwarded Some time after— Should any change take place in Leghorn, & Mr Jefferson Should think proper to1 give me the preference, I Should be, extremely happy, for the reasons which I have given, & Shall give in my next, by a Vessel which will Sail in about 10 days—In haste—I remain with the highest consideration of respect Mr Jefferson your obedt. Sert. J: Barnes  P.S. I am preparing & Shall Set out in about ten days for Naples on my way for Sicily—Should Mr Jefferson honor me with a Letter, as Letters are so very uncertain, he will be kind enough to address to the care of Messrs. Heigelin & co—Danish Consuls Naples, or to A. Gibbs Esqr. Palermo, as I Shall be chiefly in Palermo or Naples— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 20 May and so recorded in SJL. frigate philadelphia: Barnes’s account of the burning of the U.S. frigate Philadelphia is largely accurate. On the evening of 16 Feb., an American raiding party under the command of Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., entered Tripoli harbor in the captured Tripolitan ketch Intrepid. Flying a British flag and carrying crewmen dressed as Maltese sailors, the raiders surprised the Tripolitan guards on board the Philadelphia, killed several of

them, then set the captured frigate ablaze without the loss of a single American life. Leaving Tripoli shortly after midnight, the Intrepid and the U.S. brig Siren, which assisted in the operation, sailed for Syracuse, where they rejoined Commodore Edward Preble and the frigate Constitution on 19 Feb. (Christopher McKee, Edward Preble: A Naval Biography, 1761-1807 [Annapolis, 1972], 189-99; Vol. 42:355, 356n). 1

Preceding four words interlined.

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Edge-Hill March 16. 1804. Maria continues nearly in the same situation as when I wrote last. She walked yesterday for the first time into an adjoining room—She is so extremely weak that her recovery will require I fear a considerable time—She has I hope at present nothing but weakness to contend against—The child continues quite well. I enclose a part of a letter received from Mr. Giles by this post— When I left washington the appointment of Jones I understood was suspended—Although Mr. Giles’s feelings on this subject differ widely from mine, I consider it my duty to forward his letter as I would be the last man on earth to withdraw from your view the opinion of so respetable an individual on an appointment about to be made— Mr Lilly has finished his clearing for Craven and cutting his coal wood—He was on Wednesday last repairing the fence around the  39 

16 MARCH 1804

mountain, & expected during the present week to finish that and some repairs to the Shadwell fence so as to be ready to commence digging out the ensuing week the foundation of the new mill—He has done nothing on the canal since christmas as the parts unfinished have been covered with water—The whole of the ground at Shadwell and Lego in cultivation last year has been sown for you in Oats— Mr. Peyton has fallen short in his contract for corn and has been obliged to purchase at 20 shillings to make it up—He has drawn an order on you in favour of Garland Carr for £100 and another in favour of Mrs. Key for £60 more—for this last sum Mr. Lilly says Mrs Key has agreed to wait until the first day of august— They were preparing at the House at Monticello to lay down the floor of the Hall, which Mr. Dinsmore expected to finish by tomorrow Evening—Mr. Oldham has the framing and cornice for the front portico ready and expected to raise the framing on the lip of the pillar the first good day—Mr. Perrys hands were laying the floor above the Hall. They were manuring the Garden—No other work appears to have been done in it—Goliah was sick on that day and had been for some time before. The weather has been so cold here that few have thought of their gardens—The blue ridge is still quite white with Snow— I enclose a letter from a friend of mine to Colo: Monroe which you will be kind enough to put in a way to be forwarded— Accept for your health My friendly wishes Yours sincerely Jno: W: Eppes RC (MHi); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found, but see below. Although the letter from William Branch giles to Eppes has not been

found, it probably related to the delayed appointment of Meriwether jones as loan commissioner for Virginia; see Vol. 42:541. TJ gave Ann key an order on Gibson and Jefferson on 23 Aug. 1804 in partial payment for the corn (mb, 2:1134-5).

From Lafayette My dear friend La Grange 25th Ventose 16th March 1804 Give me leave to present to You M. L’Herbette a french Citizen of a Respectable family, Great personal Merit, and to Whose Worthy Uncle I am Under Obligations the Nearest to the Heart—I know this introduction will insure to Him Your Good Wishes and kind Patronage—With the Highest Regard and Most friendly Affection I am Yours Lafayette  40 

16 MARCH 1804  RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received “by mr L’Herbette” on 16 July and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (Robert R. Crout, Charleston, South Carolina, 2010); with variations in wording; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Oct. 1808 and so recorded in SJL. l’herbette: possibly John P. L’Herbette, an associate of John Jacob Astor

and the recipient of a 7 Oct. 1808 patent for military knapsacks (Kenneth Wiggins Porter, John Jacob Astor: Business Man, 2 vols. [Cambridge, Mass., 1931], 1:57-9, 309-11; List of Patents, 68; Baltimore American and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 18 Nov. 1808; New York Mercantile Advertiser, 3 Apr. 1809).

To John Page My dear friend Washington Mar. 16. 04 The case described in the inclosed letter is one to which I am an entire stranger. the writer seems really entitled to all the sympathies of our nature. the power of pardon resting with yourself, she should have addressed herself to you directly. I do not know whether she has done this or has counted on your known friendship to me, and that her distresses passing thro’ that channel would reach you with greater force. the crime imputed to her son is so much against nature that he is entitled to all the presumptions against his guilt which the circumstances1 of his case will admit. however, presumptions must yield to positive proof where that exists. whether it does in the present case or not, you will best know; and I inform her that if her son should be found guilty by his jury, no one could have been, more fortunately for her than yourself invested with the power of revising the proofs adduced, the competence & candor of his triers, and supposing all these conclusive of the crime, the considerations which the law still admits of the comparative effects of punishment & pardon. these last are essentially confided to the Executive and the only encouragement I have presumed to give her is that your legal duties will be attempered by all the dispositions which they will admit towards that mercy which she implores. I presume from the letter that she wishes her application to be known no further than is necessary. the near connection of this lady with persons with whom I have formerly acted so much, will I hope apologise for my acquiescing in her desire to be the channel of communicating her distresses to you. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of constant attachment & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (MHi); addressed: “Governor Page Richmond”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by Page as received 20 Mch. and

“Mrs. A: Ranph. Petitn.” PoC (DLC). Enclosure: Anne Randolph to TJ, 11 Mch. 1804 (recorded in SJL as received

 41 

16 MARCH 1804 from Powhatan County, Virginia, on 15 Mch., but not found).

 i inform her: a letter of this day from TJ to Anne Randolph is recorded in SJL, but has not been found. 1 Word

interlined in place of “nature.”

To John Barnes Mr. Barnes. Washington Mar. 17. 04. Pay to Joseph Daugherty for Martin Wanscher eighteen Dollars eight cents for account of Your humble servt, Th: Jefferson  Will mr Barnes dine with us tomorrow? RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. John Barnes”; endorsed by Barnes. Not recorded in SJL.

In his financial memoranda for this day, TJ recorded the payment of $18.08 to Marten wanscher for “lime & Plaister Paris” (mb, 2:1122).

To James Ogilvie Dear Sir Washington Mar. 17. 04. Your favor of the 11th. has been duly recieved, but Colo. Hampton had been gone several days. I hope you will have seen him as he passed thro’ Richmond. I shall with pleasure render you any service I can with such other of the members from South Carolina as may be in connection with the institution there. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. James Ogilvie”; endorsed by TJ.

From George Reynolds Mount Eætna Near Hagers Town,

May it Please County Washington State of Maryland, Your Excellency, March 17th. 1804 At no Period Prior to Your, Excellency’s Administration, have I Presum’d to hope for Success in an Application, for a Tribute long due to me, from my Country for my Personal, Services, during the Revolutionary Contest, Nor, Should I Presume, at this time to Address, your  42 

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Excellency, on the Present Occasion but feel myself Encourag’d, from the Philanthropy, you have, Observ’d on every Occasion,—If My Situation, Shall be of Such, a Nature, as to Share a Claim, of your Patronage, I Shall not Hestitate to doubt of Obtaining that Proportion, which my Situation, Claim or Merit,—I Commenc’d, an Officer in One of the Jersey Regiments in October 1775, And, March’d to Quebeck in the Winter of 1776. I Continued in the Army untill Feby 1778 when Our Regiments, were Reduc’d & I Enter’d, into the Commissary & Quarter Master Department were I Continued, during the War. Congress, having made no Provision for the Depreciation of Pay in Either Capacity—Consequently for all my Services I Reciv’d no other Emolument of Pay then the Nominal Sum in, Continental Currency, at its Depreciated State & Certificates the former of little Consequence, & the latter I was Compell’d to, dispose of at 3/6 & 4/ in the Pound, to Pay those Debts, which my Enthusiasm, Induc’d me to Contract, in behalf of the Publick at a Period when my Personal Credit, Superceded the Continental Currency. the Sacrifice, made, by the Sale of my Certificates, Involv’d my Real & Personal Property to defray those Especial Contracts; Having thus, become, a Sacrifice I Embrac’d an Assylum, at the Iron Works, Still Embarrass’d with a  Remnant of those Publick Engagements And to Provide for the Accomadation of a Family—For 12 years I Continued in this Laborious Employment,—Several, Hundred Pounds during that Period, was Appropriated to Extinguish those, Arrearages,—My Family at Length, Amounted to a Wife, & Seven Children. I Set out, from the State of New York, Intending to Endeavour, to Procure, Some Lands on the Banks of the Ohiho. After Proceeding 250 Miles on my Journey my Wife Departed this Life, this Misfortune with, the Expences that Accrued, Exhausted my Finances & Compell’d me to Desist from Pursuing my Journey. The Iron Works in this Part of Maryland, are (Unfortunately for me) the Property of those Gentlemen who are Oppos’d to the Present Administration Of Course Persons whose Sentiments are Congenial to theirs is Prefer’d, Consequently I Experience a Degree of Persecution, for Advocateing Principals, which, were Impress’d an Early Period of my Life And Notwithstanding, Vassalage & Poverty, has been the Result. I Shall Never Regret as being one Among the Many who Experienc’s—the Consequences of Implicit, faith—Not being Accustom’d, to Hard Labour, & my Eldest Children Daughters, I am Compell’d, to the Necessity of Teaching a Country School, which, is barely Sufficient, to Procure the Necessary’s of Life,—I was born in the year 1757, Serv’d part of my Apprenticeship in Charles Town, So. Carolina, to a Gentleman, who, was  43 

17 MARCH 1804

Collector of the Port, or Customs—his Death, taken place, I Serv’d In the Mercantile Line, untill the War Commd—I am at Present in a Good State of Health, & would be as Capable, to do any business in the Line in which I have been Accustom’d to as Ever (& Perhaps more so) being at Present of an Age, that Naturally, Supercedes those Impropriety’s which Youth are too frequently Subject to,—Had the Fatility, in my Family, Happen’d 150 Miles either to the East or West from where it did, I Should have had Friends to Apply’d to, for Releif, but in my Present Situation Among Intire Strangers, without Finances, to Enable me to Return or Proceed, & for the Reasons, I have before, Observ’d Prevented from Employment, which, would Enable, me to Provide, for myself & Family, thus Situated I have Ventur’d, to Assume the Priviledge of the Present Address, Not Doubting, but your Excellency, will Digest the Composition as Proceeding from a Person, Overwhelm’d with the Sad Visscissitudes, Incident, to Human Nature,—I shall now furnish your Excellency with a Summary Detail of Facts, the Authenticity of which I have Vouchers, which I Can Produce. My First Commission, as an Ensign in Coll. Maxfeilds Regt. Dated October 1775. I Resign’d, my Commission a 1st Lieut. in February 1778 for the Reasons I before Observ’d, For this 2 years & 4 months Severe Service, I Recd. no other Compensation than the Nominal Sum in Continental Currency. in the Same month of February 1778 I Commenc’d in the Staff Departm and Continued therein, untill the War Terminated, for which Services I Recd. Certificates, for the final Settlement, of Pay and Supplies, which I Prefer’d Selling at the Markett Price to a State of Immediate Bankruptcy,—&ca. And—I have long given up the Idea, of ever Receiving any direct Compensation from Government; Although I must Confess, it Appears an Almost Insupportable Situation, that a Person, Should have Devoted 8 years of the Prime of Life in Actual Service, & not even, to Receive any Part of those Acquisitions, of Pay, or Land, which, others, of his Colleagues, did, Realy Appears Extremely Hard Indeed—but Still, as Great, a Grievance,—Sacrificeing, Real & Personal Property together, with 12 years Vassalage, Excluded from Society in the Mountains, to Pay Arrearages, of those Debts, which were Contracted for & in behalf of the United States,—that an Individual, must, Experience, all the Comcomitant, Effects, of Poverty, for Virtuosly, Serving a Nation of People, the most Wealthy & the most Independant, of any in the Known, World, is destitute of any Precident I have any Knowledge of—this is the first Attempt I have made to Solicit Releif, & I may Say it will be the last, on this Subject directly or Indirectly. I shall therefore Humbly Submit, to your Excellencys Superior, Talents, to  44 

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Determine, the Merits of my present Remonstrance, the Issue of which, I shall Cheerfully Acquiesce to.—Thus far, I have Conceiv’d to be my duty Should the Mode be Indecorus, I doubt not but your Excellency will Pardon, the Digression—dispairing of any direct Relief from Goverment, I should be Perfectly Reconciled to an Indirect Tribute through the Medium of your Excellency, by any Appointment, in the Service of my Country, at any Station or Situation between the Banks of the Ohiho & the Hudson, In my present Situation, I am Prohibited from Visiting the City of Washington, as the Uncertainty of Success, might Still furthure Embarrass me,—Notwithstanding, there is a Number of Members of Congress with whom I was formerly Acquainted with, who in all Probability would be dispos’d to Serve me—I beg leave to Inclose, the Copy’s of two Certificates from two Gentleman, whom you no Doubt have Knowledge of—Necessity will Compell me to remain in my Present Situation, untill I am Releiv’d through some Medium— I am with every Sentiment of Respect for the Perpetuation of your Excellencys Administration yr. Obed. Hble Servt Geo. Reynolds RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) William Helms, testimonial on behalf of Reynolds, 20 Feb. 1801; Helms, a member of Congress, emphasizes Reynolds’s skills as an iron founder and commercial bookkeeper (Tr in same). (2) John Hathorn, testimonial on behalf of Reynolds, 27 May 1801; Hathorn, as a major general of New Jersey militia and former member of Congress, attests to Reynolds’s Revolutionary War service and his economic hardship caused by depreciated currency (Tr in same).

George Reynolds (b. 1757) enlisted as an ensign in the New Jersey Line in October 1775 and later served in the Quartermaster Department until 1783. Following the war, Reynolds moved west and petitioned Congress unsuccessfully for financial relief several times between 1812 and 1820 (William S. Stryker, Official Register of the Officers and Men of New Jersey in the Revolutionary War [Trenton, 1872], 17; Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, 4 vols. [Waynesboro, Tenn., 199092], 3:2854; jhr, 8:196; 9:325, 358, 529; 10:60, 181, 206, 246, 324; 11:114, 368; 12:182, 226; 13:177, 445, 453).

To William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir Washington Mar. 18. 04. It is understood that under the former government of Louisiana there was an appeal in judiciary matters from the Governor to the Governor genl. at Cuba. the writer of the inclosed1 probably presumed that this was now to the President of the US. this is an error. no authority has as yet been constituted paramount that of the Governor.  45 

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while such is the situation I have thought it best in such cases to remand the cases to yourself for a second consideration in the nature of a bill of review. so that instead of the party’s right of appeal to another authority will be substituted a right of reconsideration by the same— in this case the remanding is to be considered as a measure of course, and as not conveying in the slightest degree an opinion or even a suspicion that there is or is not2 error in the first proceedings. with this view I now send you the inclosed papers, & only desire that your ultimate decision may be communicated to the party with such a statement of the grounds of decision as, if he be reasonable, ought to be satisfactory to him. The H. of R. yesterday passed the Louisiana bill with an amendment which is now to go back to the Senate. it provides for an early admission to representative government in the state of Orleans, and an annexation of the residue of Louisiana to the Indiana government. the dividing line is the parallel of latitude 10. miles North of Natchitoches. the law commences 6. months hence, & till then the present government continues. I think the bill will pass the other house nearly in this form. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Governor Claiborne.” Notation in SJL: “Baudin’s case.” Enclosure not found, but see below. writer of the inclosed: TJ was likely forwarding the same material from Alexandre Baudin that he enclosed in his letter of 14 Mch. to Levi Lincoln (see Vol. 42:471-3). On 27 Mch., TJ forwarded to Claiborne a subsequent communication received from Baudin with the following note: “Th: Jefferson sends the inclosed papers of M. Baudin to Governor Claiborne with the views expressed in his letter of Mar. 18. they were received by last

night’s post and seem to be something more than duplicates” (PoC in DLC; recorded in SJL with notation “Baudin’s case”; enclosing Alexandre Baudin to TJ, 7 Feb., not found but recorded in SJL as received 26 Mch. with notation “inclosd papers to Govr Claiborne referrg. to Mar. 18”). For the louisiana bill, see Vol. 42:31-6; James Jackson to TJ, 26 Mch. 1 Notation added by TJ in margin: “Baudin.” 2 Preceding three words interlined.

From Richard Farquhar May it Please Your Excellency Malta 18th. March 1804 I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that theer is every appearance of bringing the Bashaw of Tripoli to moderate terms this Summer  46 

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 but should the United States think of sending three or four Frigates and three Small Brigs or Schooner with six feild Peaces and Artillery men &c Tripoli can be taken with the Assistance by Land of His Excellency Side Hamet Caromanli, Brother to the Present Bashaw of Tripoli, who is now marching towards Derna to Cooperate with Commodore Preble who has Promised him Assistance &c. As Side Hamet Caromanli, has Promised to repay all the Money &c advanced to him or on his Account and to remain at Peace forever with America, and to put them in Possesion of one of the Principal Forts in Tripoli untill the Expences is repaid but this is of less Consequence to America than the Effect it will have with the other Barbary States. and if Tripoli is taken in this manner, I am convinced America will be at Peace with those States for many years, for Should the Present Bashaw make Peace with his Brother or America seperatly, he will then be more revenged with the other, for I can Prove to your Excellency that I prevented him from making Peace with his Brother who had not knowledge to see, that he would only make Peace with him untill he did so with America, & after wards he would go to war with them Seperatly, but I am happy to think I was the Cause of him commencing Hostilitys with his Brother untill America had made Peace, and also to prevent him from Poisoning his Brother which he had in contemplation by offering his Docter (who is now in Syracusa and in the Service of America by my recomendation) a reward of ten Thousand Dollars to go to Derna to Poison his Brother, he has Murdered an other Brother some years ago and in the Presance of their Mother— therefore it is better for America to be at the first expence to make a lasting Peace with all the Barbary States for they only go to war with those who are afraid of them, and should a patched up Peace be made with him, he says & will make war against Denmark or Sweeden and in rotation with the United States again, therefore this is the time to make along Peace with them all. I have in closed one of the Official Letters to me when I was in Tripoli for the Attention I paid to the American Officer there, by a Letter I recd. the other day from the English Consul that the Bashaw will write to Sir. A. Ball about my assisting the Americans with Plans of Tripoli and Pilots one of which was in my Employ as a Capn of a Small Vessel who had been in Tripoli often and who Piloted in the Vessel which Burned the Philadelphia and also my having procured thirty Seamen & has been at Expence & troble with Pleasure and I will be at more which I hope will prove advantageous to America in a few weeks I could wish to hold a Situation under the American Government which would prevent the  47 

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English Government from Procuting me hear, which I am afraid they will when ever the Letter arrives from the Bashaw which I think will come with his Consul who is expected hear soon from Tripoli I have the Honor to be your Excellencys Most Obet and Humble Servant Richd Farquhar RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Tripoli); at foot of text: “To His Excellency The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Aug. and so recorded in SJL with notation “S”; also endorsed by TJ: “to be filed”; endorsed for the State Department with notation “Affairs of Tripoli.” Enclosure not found. Richard Farquhar, an English merchant on Malta trading with Tripoli and Derna, also acted as an intermediary for Ahmad (Hamet) Qaramanli in his efforts to secure American cooperation in overthrowing his brother, Yusuf, as bey of Tripoli. Farquhar had written the president on 15  Nov. 1803 to forward a request from Ahmad for money and military supplies from the United States, but TJ received neither Farquhar’s letter nor Ahmad’s appeal. Shortly after his arrival in the Mediterranean in late 1803, Edward Preble met with Farquhar at Malta and briefly expressed interest in Ahmad’s scheme, but subsequently withdrew his support. By the end of 1804, Farquhar was in Alexandria acting as commissary and quartermaster for the force that William Eaton

gathered for his overland assault on Tripoli. Eaton dismissed Farquhar from these duties in March 1805, however, accusing him of embezzlement and misapplication of funds (Christopher McKee, Edward Preble: A Naval Biography, 1761-1807 [Annapolis, 1972], 187-8, 204, 210-12; ndbw, 3:222, 259, 314, 390-1, 471; 5:856, 229, 342, 344, 360, 371-2, 382, 388; Farquhar to TJ, 15 Nov. 1803, in DLC: Edward Preble Papers; Vol. 39:494-5n; Vol. 42:384-92). american officer: in his undelivered letter to TJ of 15 Nov., Farquhar stated that he had advanced three hundred Spanish dollars to William Bainbridge, the captive commander of the Philadelphia (ndbw, 3:222, 536). Sir Alexander John ball was the British civil commissioner at Malta (Vol. 39:194-5n). vessel which burned the phila­ delphia: the Intrepid, whose Sicilian pilot, Salvador Catalano, had previously commanded one of Farquhar’s trading vessels and spoke Arabic (McKee, Edward Preble, 189-90, 196-7; ndbw, 3:380).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Mar. 18. 04. I recieved last night & now inclose to you the Manifests for the 2. hhds of tobo. No. 867. & 907. compleating my former list. mr Griffin assures me you will have recieved the tobo. by the time I recieved the manifests. I have just heard of the arrival of the coal here. I sent yesterday to Alexandria about 15. packages to which some will be added there, making in all upwards of 20. which consisting chiefly of things for my use while at home, I must pray you on reciept to forward without delay, as I shall be at Monticello in a fortnight and shall not stay there more than three weeks. Accept my affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson  48 

18 MARCH 1804  PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “2 manifests.” last night: a letter of 8 Mch. from Burgess Griffin, recorded in SJL as re-

ceived from Poplar Forest on 17 Mch., has not been found. former list: TJ to Jefferson, 27 Feb. For the shipment of coal, see Vol. 42:588.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum March 18th. 04. A french-man; an Indian trader from new Orleans, brought here in the sickly season last summer a Grisley-bear to exhibit. enclosed is one of his Bills—he expected to make a fortune by the Animal, but he was disappointed, altho’ it differed considerably from the common, yet nevertheless it was a Bear, & as such did not excite much curiosity. I bought his Bear, and intended keeping him untill he should get his full groath. The Cage of late was too small for him & last friday evening he broke the Cage & the Collar by which he was chained— fearful that some accident might happen in our attempts to confine him again, I prefered shooting him. Please to accept a hind quarter which I have sent by the Mail Stage, directed for you. With others I feel my obligations for your successfull treaty which gives to my Country a new sourse of Wealth, and our Philosophers so extensive a range to acquire various knowledge. The above Animal being the first of the species brought into the United States, I feel myself honored in making this tribute. I much suspect that this Species of Bear has not been described, and therefore I shall shortly write some observations & give a drawing of it, which I mean to send to you. I am Dear Sir with great esteem your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqre.”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: PealeSellers Papers). Enclosure: The Famous Grisly Bear (broadside in DLC: TJ Papers, 139:24013); with emendations by Peale adding his museum as the place of exhibition and altering the price of admission from half a dollar to 25 cents, and half that for children, then canceling those charges and adding notation: “NB. I gave the french-man Liberty to exhibit the Bear two weeks in the Hall of the State-House.”

Advertisements identical to the enclosed broadside appeared in October 1803 for the exhibition of the grizzly bear. The notices described the bear as having been born near the sources of the Missouri River. Its habits and size marked the species as “the most formidable wild beast of the continent of America.” In a letter of 29 Mch. to his sons Raphaelle and Rembrandt, Peale noted that he had preserved the bear and that a sample of its meat awaited them: “you may on your return taste of a Ham which is prepairing to be smoked, the other hind

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18 MARCH 1804 quarter I sent to Mr Jefferson, I have not yet heard how he liked it—perhaps its being very bloody may on sight of it have

been disgusting to him” (Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 13 Oct. 1803; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 1:616n, 650).

From Gabriel Duvall Dear Sir, Washington, 19 Mar. 1804. Dr. Rogers of this place will accompany the Marines who are about to depart hence for New-Orleans, where he intends to fix his residence. He has just been informed by a friend of Dr. Bache, the physician, who, at present, attends the Marine hospital there, that he means to quit that service; and Dr. Rogers has requested me to mention to You that he wishes to succeed Dr. Bache in case of his resignation. Presuming that You are not unacquainted with Dr. Rogers’s character & merit as a physician, I deem it unnecessary to mention my opinion. He has been several years a practitioner, & served as Surgeon on board one of the armed vessels of the United States. His character is unblemished, & his competency, it is believed, will not be questioned. I am with great respect & esteem, your obedt. Svt. G. Duvall RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The president of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. and “Rogers Doctr. Wm. for hospital N.O.” and so recorded in SJL, where it is connected by a brace with the letter from William Kilty of this date. On this date, Duvall recommended William rogers to Gallatin as well (RC

in same; endorsed by TJ: “Rogers Dr. for hospital N.O.”). one of the armed vessels: Rogers served on the Enterprize in the Mediterranean from 1802 until May 1803, when he resigned his position as surgeon’s mate and returned to the United States. Rogers reentered the navy as a surgeon in March 1804 and was stationed at New Orleans until August 1807 (ndbw, Register, 47; Vol. 36:397, 488).

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Edge-Hill March 19. 1804 Knowing how anxious you would be as to Maria I have written you a few lines by every post since my arrival here—I find however from your letter of the 15. received this morning that only one of my letters has reached you. I am sorry I cannot say that I think Maria much better—She has been threatened within the last two days with a rising of her breast—She took before this scarcely any nourishment and now takes still less—This has thrown her back—I feel dreadfully ap 50 

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prehensive that the great debility under which she labours may terminate in some serious complaint— I think with you that after this attack it will not be safe for Maria to pass any time down the Country—For the offer you make us I return my thanks, and shall consider any little benefit to my affairs in the lower country from my presence, as not to be considered while Marias health can be restored by remaining here— accept for your health our warm wishes—Yours sincerely Jno: W: Eppes RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 22 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. only one of my letters has reached you: Eppes to TJ, 9 Mch.

Mary suffered from an abscessed breast. She experienced similar episodes after childbirth in 1800 and 1801 (Vol. 31:368, 389-90, 440; Vol. 35:510-11; Vol. 36:20).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 19th. March 1804 I should sooner have acknowledged the receipt of your favor of the 12th. inclosing 435$.— I have likewise too long delayed informing you, that I do not suppose you could get groceries here on as good terms as you can in Alexandria; as our Grocers do not themselves import, but are supply’d from Norfolk Philadelphia & New York—where, or in Alexandria, I suppose you can procure them on as good terms as they get them on, & will consequently save the profit which they would make. I am Dear Sir Your Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Mch. and “435. D.” and so recorded in SJL.

your favor: see TJ to Christopher Smith, 12 Mch.

From William Kilty Sir Washn March 19th 1804 Doctor William Rogers of this place who is going as Surgeon with the detatchment of Marines to New Orleans, has been inform’d that the place of Surgeon to the Marine Hospital there would probably be Soon Vacant, and has requested that I would give him a letter to you on the Subject.  51 

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 Doctor Rogers is the Son of Mr Rogers, formerly Chancellor of Maryland and, on the death of his Parents, was placed under my Guardianship. He Studied Medecine with a Physician in Maryland and afterwards Attended the Lectures in Philadelphia—From thence He went a Voyage to Batavia and has Since been with Lt Sterret to the Mediterranean Having been appointed by the Secretary of the Navy in consequence I presume in some degree of my recommendation I have taken the liberty of particularicing these Circumstances, as tending to shew that He has had some experience in that Kind of Practice which is most Suited to the Station which He now holds, and to the one which He Wishes to obtain—And I have reason to beleive that the Secretary of the Navy if referred to will give him a favorable report From my own Knowledge I Can State that He is a young man of Strict integrity and of uniform Republican Principles and that for his age, He possesses a very Considerable degree of Medical ability I am Sir With great Respect Yr obt Servt Wm Kilty RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Th: Jefferson Esqe”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. and “Rogers. Doctr. Wm. to be for hospital at N.O.” and so recorded in SJL, where it is con-

nected by a brace with the letter from Gabriel Duvall of this date. my recommendation: 36:397.

see

Vol.

From Henry Moore Sir, Alexandria 19th. March 1804 A Report has been in circulation here for several days; that you mean shortly to remove from office the Collector of this Port Colo. Charles Simms; should such a step take place, permit me to recommend to you as a proper person for that office, an old War Worn officer resident in this place who was at the Battles of German Town, Brandy Wine and all the other hard fought Battles, and received in the most pointed Terms, marks of the highest approbation from our departed Fellow Citizen George Washington—in one day he received three severe Wounds, the effects of one thro’ his Body he very often feels at this distance of time—He has never received any compensation for his services in any way, and now only holds the office of Notary Public for this place which barely produces enough to provide his large Family with the common necessaries—he is now in the Decline of Life being fifty Six years old; and has a just claim upon his Country for some compensation.—He has every qualification for such an  52 

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office—and would by no means accept of the appointment unless the present Holder of the office should be previously removed, not wishing to deprive any Man of his office—He knows nothing of this application—such is his Turn of mind, he would rather starve than make Interest for any office. The Present Holder of it, has a Handsome Fortune, and his Children are every day, spending in Extravagance that which if properly applied would contribute to the comfort and happiness of four times as many persons—I request you not to communicate this to any person but weigh it well, and act as you may judge right and proper— Accept I pray, assurances of the high respect and consideration with which I subscribe myself Your Obt. Servt. Henry Moore The person alluded to is Cleon Moore, who is personally known to you, and I can venture to say he would be more approved of than any person in this place. Excuse bad Writing—My wrist is sprained— Pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you so often RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire President of the U.S. Washington City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and “More Cleon to be Collector Alexa” and so recorded in SJL.

In 1801, TJ appointed cleon moore register of wills for Alexandria County (Vol. 33:451, 452n, 675).

From John Francis Renault Monsieur Le Président, Washington le 19 mars 1804. Pénétré de votre amour pour les Arts et les Sciences que vos lumieres ornent d’un éclat nouveau, j’ai cru qu’il était de mon devoir de vous présenter un ouvrage, dont le but est de consacrer à la postérité la mémoire des Hommes Illustres de votre Nation, qui ont glorieusement versé leur sang, et sacrifié leurs vies pour la défense de la Liberté de leurs Concitoyens. Si c’est par les Sciences et les Arts que les Peuples les plus policés ont acquis ce caractère de prééminence qui les distingue des autres, c’est sans doute sous un gouvernement éclairé comme le vôtre, quelles ont fait le plus de progrès; oui, Monsieur Le Président, la généreuse protection que vous voulez bien accorder aux Sçavans et aux Artistes, échaufe en eux cette ardeur créatrice, ce noble enthousiasme, ce feu sublime auxquels toutes les nouvelles productions de Génie doivent leur Enfance.  53 

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 Non seulement, Monsieur le Président, les Artistes trouvent en vous un protecteur, mais le Peuple un bon Pere; je ne me permettrai pas d’aspirer à la félicité dont jouïssent vos Compatriotes, quoique je ne voie partout que la plus grande prospérité, la plus parfaite satisfaction, et que ce Bonheur soit votre ouvrage, Je suis étranger . . . et n’ai d’autre recommandation que de très faibles Talents (si c’en est une) mais je me glorifierai infiniment et me croirai trop heureux, si votre Excélence veut bien les regarder dun œil favorable et daigner accepter la dédicace du Tableau dont j’ai l’honneur de lui offrir la vue, pourvu qu’il n’y ait rien de contraire à sa Sagesse. Permettez moi d’etre avec le plus profond Respect de votre Excélence, Monsieur Le Président, Le très humble et très obéissant Serviteur Jn. Fis. Renault dessinateur en Histoire. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, Washington, 19 Mch. 1804 Imbued with the love of arts and sciences that your light has adorned with new brilliance, I felt impelled to present you with a work that seeks to immortalize your illustrious citizens who have heroically shed their blood and sacrificed their lives to defend the freedom of their countrymen. If through arts and sciences the most law-abiding peoples acquire the preeminence that distinguishes them from others, it is surely under an enlightened government like yours that they make the most progress. Yes, Mister President, the generous protection you have graciously granted to artists and scholars inspires the creative ardor, noble enthusiasm, and sublime fire to which all new works of genius owe their birth. You are not only a protector of artists, Mister President, but a good father for your people. I would not presume to aspire to the happiness that your compatriots enjoy. Everywhere I observe only the greatest prosperity, the most perfect satisfaction. This happiness is your work. I am a foreigner . . . and do not have anything to recommend me except very modest talents (if that is a recommendation) but I would be overjoyed and infinitely honored if your excellency looked favorably on the tableau I have the honor of presenting here and, if nothing in it is inconsistent with wisdom, allowed me to dedicate it to you. With the deepest respect for your excellency, permit me, Mister President, to be your most humble and obedient servant. Jn. Fis. Renault historical artist RC (DLC); ellipses in original; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see enclosure described at Renault to TJ, 20 Nov. 1803.

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From Robert Smith Sir, Navy Dep. March 19. 1804 To send two additional frigates into the Mediterranean would require an appropriation of about 125000 Dol. Rt Smith RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 Mch. and “approprn for Meditern.” and so recorded in SJL.

From Joseph Anderson and Others Sir— Federal City [20 Mch. 1804] We the Undersignd being Sensibly impress’d, with the importance of haveing a proper Character for Governor of Orleans—and believeing it to be our duty, to bring to your View Such a one as we believe will so Conduct—as to promote the best interests of the United States—and possess the Confidence of the Western people whose interests will be Verry greatly concernd therein—and believeing that the person, who shall be appointed to that office—ought to possess in an eminent degree—Zeal and inflexible integrety—perspecuity of mind and Soundness of Judgment—promptitude in decision, in emergent cases—and firmness in their Execution; Such a knowledge of the Human mind, as to Manage its foibles, its follies, and its Vices so as to conciliate them—to Obedience to the Laws; or to punish them With Such discretion, as to leave no cause for murmur—and yet Command Submission—Easy of access to all who may have business to transact—and yet so deport himself—as to preserve the proper dignity of the Office—Such qualities do we Recognize in the Honble Andrew Jackson—now one of the Judges of the Superior Court— and Major General of the State of Tennessee—and do therefore recommend him, as a proper Charecter for that appointment— with Sentiments of Very high consideration— Jos: Anderson Wm Cocke G: W: Campbell Wm Dickson John Rhea M Lyon RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; in Anderson’s hand, signed by all; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Mch. 1804 and “Jackson Andrew to be Govr. of Louisiana” and so recorded in SJL.

George Washington Campbell (17691848), a native of Scotland and a graduate of the College of New Jersey, served in Congress as a representative from Tennessee from 1803 to 1809 and was a

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20 MARCH 1804 reliable ally of TJ’s administration. His later public service included terms as a U.S. senator, secretary of the Treasury, and minister to Russia (anb; J. Jefferson

Looney and Ruth L. Woodward, Princetonians, 1791-1794: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1991], 341-51).

From William Barnwell Honoured Sir Philadelphia March 20th 1802 [i.e. 1804] Your very liberal offer of Executive Patronage to our Philosophical Society encourages me again to address you. Doctor Wistar by whose advice this is wrote, has lately informed me that Doctor Beach is about to resign his appointment at New-Orleans these and similar considerations have induced me again to offer my Professional Service in that Place. I have long wished for an opportunity to give an account of the Physical state of that important Acquisition; of its diseases and their remedies. this would be still the more agreeable to me, if obtained through a Scientific Chief Magistrate. the honour of the nomination would merit the exertion of my utmost diligence. as similar pursuits have been the principal occupation of my life, my success of late in the curative part has been such as to excite a desire for more employ. Please to accept of my most sincere respects, and believe me to be Your Excellencys Most devouted Servant William Barnwell RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 20 Mch. 1804 received 23 Mch. and “to be   of hospital of N.O.” and so recorded in SJL.

again to address you: see Barnwell to TJ, 26 Jan. 1802 (Vol. 36:432). doctor beach: William Bache.

From Joseph Crockett Sir, State of Kentucky Lexington March 20th 1804 Mr. John Clay informs me that he is an applicant for the office of Register or Prothonotory in new Orleans I beg leave to recommend him to you as a person well qualified for the discharge of the duties of either of those offices; and as a person of real merit. He is a native of Virginia and about twelve years ago removed to this Country, where he resided untill eighteen hundred, since that time he has been living in New Orleans, and while there has acquired a knowledge of the  56 

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French Language. This circumstance together with his acquaintance with the inhabitants of that City and their manners afford additional reasons in favour of his fitness for the appointment solicited. I have the honour to be Sir your H,ble. Servt. Joseph Crockett RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Apr. and “Clay John to be Register or Prothony. N.O.” and so recorded in SJL. john clay, the eldest brother of Kentucky legislator Henry Clay and a brotherin-law of William C. C. Claiborne, returned from Louisiana to Lexington for a  visit in the winter of 1803-4. He later married a daughter of Martin Duralde. In 1804 Clay served as a merchant’s clerk

and inspector for flour, salt, provisions, and hemp in New Orleans, all the while hoping his brother and friends would procure for him “an appointment of more importance & which will be more congenial with my feelings” (Robert V. Remini, Henry Clay: Statesman for the Union [New York, 1991], 17; James F. Hopkins and others, eds., Papers of Henry Clay, 11 vols. [Lexington, 1952-99], 1:134n, 13940, 144, 159-60, 546, 575; 11:16-17).

From Henry Dearborn Sir, War Department March 20th. 1804 I have herewith the honor of presenting a General Return of the Militia of the United States—excepting the States of Delaware, Maryland & Tennessee, from which no returns have been received. Accept, Sir, the assurances of my high respect & consederation— H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 20 Mch. and “roll of Militia” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP); in a clerk’s hand. Enclosure: “Return of the Militia of the United States,” dated War Department, 20 Mch. 1804, compiling into tables returns made by each state and territory for general and field staff, field officers and regimental staff, artillery, cavalry, grenadiers, light infantry, riflemen, infantry, “Catawbaw Warriors” (from South Carolina), and arms, ammunition, and accoutrements; returns from New York, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Kentucky are for 1802, the remaining returns for 1803; returns from Delaware, Maryland, and Tennessee are blank and marked with an asterisk connecting them to the following statement: “By direction of the Presi-

dent of the United States, Letters were written by the Secretary of War, to the Governors of each State on the 8th day of December 1802 requesting their attention to the 10th Section of the Law of Congress, respecting Annual Returns of the Militia being made to the President of the United States, passed on the 8th day of May 1792, and on the 31st day of December 1803 similar letters were written to the Governors of the States of Delaware, Maryland and Tennessee, but no Returns of the Militia of the last mentioned States have been Received at this Office” (MS in DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 1st sess., in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; asp, Military Affairs, 1:16872; Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting to Congress the Last Returns of the Militia of the United States. 22d March, 1804 [Washington, D.C., 1804]).

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20 MARCH 1804  In a circular letter dated 31 Dec. 1803 and written by direction of the president, Dearborn reminded governors David Hall of delaware, Robert Bowie of mary­ land, John Sevier of tennessee, and Edward Tiffin of Ohio of the 1792 act re-

quiring each state to send a militia return annually to the president. He requested that each governor submit a return “as early as convenient” (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS).

From Thomas T. Hewson Sir, Philada March 20th, 1804 The American Philosophical Society join with you in congratulations on the acquisition of Louisiana, and have directed me to express their grateful sense of your offer of patronage and assistance. The Society receive from the chief magistrate of their country, with peculiar satisfaction, this mark of your attention to their interest, and to that of science in general; and assure you of their most cordial cooperation in your benevolent and patriotic views. I have the honour to be, Sir, with great respect, Your most obedient humble servant, Thos T Hewson, Secy. A.P.S. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. At its meeting on 17 Feb., the ameri­ can philosophical society assigned

Hewson to draft a response to TJ’s letter to him of 20 Jan. On 16 Mch., the organization ordered Hewson’s letter sent to the president (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 348-9).

From Petre Huerne Jonhstown Mongomery Conty

Monsieur. Etat de New-york. le 20 Mars 1804. Je Lhonneur de prende La libertee de madresser a vous et vous prier de rende service a une malheureuse famille, je suis un Colon de Ste. Domingue; après quinze annees d’Experience sur la Culture de cette Colony, après avoire perdu toutes mes proprietées par les Incendies, depuis dix ans je me suis retiré avec mon Epouse et un Enfant dans l’Etat de Newyork, et depuis ma famille est augmente jusqu’a Cinq, En 1796 J’ai été Naturalissé Citoyens des Etats-Unis, il y a Sept ans que je demeure a Jonhstown Mongomery Conty, Je Suis particulierement Connu de Monsieur Thomas Sammons, representant de Mongomery Conty au Congrès de présent a Washinton. Ayant perdu tout esperantes sur mes proprietés a st. Domingue, je desirerois me rendre avec ma famille a la Louisianne; mes facultés Sont très petites et insufiseante pour la depense du Voyage, Jai re 58 

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cours a vous Monsieur pour vous prier de me de macorder et a ma famille le passage Gratuit; si mes faible tallens dans les bureaux de L’administration de La Louisianne pouvoit vous être agreable et que vous Voulies maceorder quelques offices je Laccepterès avec une eternelle réconnoissance. Je me repose Sur votre humanitée et sur le dessire que vous manifesté journellement a Secourire les Malheureuses familles—mon Caractere, ma situation; ma Conduite peuvent vous être detailler par lorganne de Monsieur Thomas Sammons. Si je suis assés heureux que ma réquête puisse obtenir quelques faveurs, je me renderez avec ma famille a la Ville qu’il vous plaira m’ordonner. J ai L’honneur d’être avec Respect. Monsieur Votre très humble Obeissant Serviteur Petre huerne N.B. Je me rend à Newyork avec ma famille pour y rester, Barlay Street No. 6. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Johnstown, Montgomery County, Sir, New York State. 20 Mch. 1804 I am taking the liberty of pleading with you to help a misfortunate family. I am a colonist from Saint-Domingue with fifteen years experience farming the colony. After losing all my possessions to the flames, I left Saint-Domingue ten years ago with my wife and child and settled in New York State. Since then my family has grown to five. In 1796, I became an American citizen. For the past seven years I have been living in Johnstown, Montgomery County. Mr. Thomas Sammons, Montgomery County representative to Congress, who is now in Washington, knows me very well. Having lost all hope for my property in Saint-Domingue, I wish to settle my family in Louisiana, but my humble resources are insufficient for the journey. My recourse, Sir, is to beg you to give me and my family free passage. If my modest talents could be useful to you in administering Louisiana, and if you were willing to give me a position, I would accept it with eternal gratitude. I trust in your humanity and the desire you show each day to help families in need. Mr. Thomas Sammons can vouch for my character, circumstances, and conduct. If I should have the good fortune of having my request granted, I would take my family to whatever city you designated. I have the honor, Sir, of being your respectful and very obedient servant Petre huerne N.B. My family and I are going to stay in New York at 6 Barclay Street. RC (DLC); at head of text: “Mr Thomas Jefferson President des United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Apr.; recorded in SJL as received 9 Apr.; TJ recorded Huerne’s name as Hickerik.

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From James Jackson Tuesday Morng. [20 Mch. 1804]

Genl Jackson respectfully informs the President it is Mr. John Couper of St Simons Island Georgia RC (DLC); partially dated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 21 Mch. 1804 received that day.

From Henri Peyroux de la Coudrèniere Monsieur Nouvelle Madrid le 20 mars 1804. Avant d’accepter le commandement de la Nouvelle Madrid, en 1798, J’ai eu l’honneur d’écrire à V.E. sur des sujets d’histoire Naturelle et  sur l’origine des usages, coutumes, et industrie des indiens de l’amérique. J’étois alors a la Nle. Orléans, et j’ai Confié ma lettre a M. Héraut qui m’a promis de vous la remettre, en partant pour Philadelphie. C’étoit la seconde lettre que j’avois eu l’honneur de vous écrire; mais je présume présentement qu’elles ne vous ont pas été remises. M. Ménard, Major de milice aux Cascakias, m’a fait savoir, il y a quelques mois, que M. Le Capitaine Luis, Votre Neveu, et le Capitaine Clarck étoient porteurs d’une recomandation de V.E. a mon adresse. N’étant plus Commendant du District de Ste. Geneviéve, depuis dix ans, et me trouvant à la Nouvelle Madrid, je n’ai pu Voir M. Votre Neveu. Tout ce que j’ai sçu depuis C’est que Monsieur Lassus, ci-devant Lieutenant Gouverneur de la haute Louisiane, a réussi a se procurer une Copie de cette recommandation de V.E. et l’a envoyé au Gouvernement Espagl. de la Capitale, croyant par cette piéce prouver que j’entretiens une corespondance avec les puissances Etrangéres sur cette Province. C’est ce que lui et son Pére n’ont cessé de dire, depuis mon retour de Philadelphie, pour me rendre suspect: mais j’ai toujours méprisé leurs basses et tortueuses Maneuvres. Je suis bien afligé de n’avoir pas eu l’honneur de Voir M. Votre Neveu; J’aurois fait mon possible pour lui procurer dans ce Poste tous les Agrémens qui auroient dépendu de Moi, ainsi qu’a ses amis. Je Vais partir sous trois jours pour la Nle. Orléans, oû je compte Voir M. Le Governeur Claiborn. Si V.E. jugeoit a propos de m’adresser une reponse en cette Ville cela me flatteroit infiniment. J’ai l’honneur d’être tres respectueust. Monsieur, De Votre Excélence Le trés humble et Obéissant serviteur, Henri Peyroux

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Sir, New Madrid 20 Mch. 1804 Before accepting the command of New Madrid in 1798, I had the honor of writing to your excellency about topics related to natural history and the origins of American Indians’ activities, customs, and practices. At the time, I was in New Orleans, and entrusted my letter to Mr. Héraut, who was leaving for Philadelphia and promised to give it to you. That was the second letter I had the honor of sending you, but I now presume that neither reached you. A few months ago, Mr. Menard, a major in the Kaskaskia militia, informed me that your nephew, Captain Lewis, and Captain Clark were bringing me a recommendation from your excellency. Since I am in New Madrid and have not been commandant of the Ste. Genevieve district for the past ten years, I was not able to see your nephew. What I have since learned is that Mr. Lassus, former lieutenant governor of upper Louisiana, managed to obtain a copy of your excellency’s recommendation and sent it to the Spanish government in the capital, believing the evidence would prove that I am engaged in correspondence with foreign powers in this province. Since my return from Philadelphia, he and his father have been spreading that word to incriminate me. But I have always disregarded their underhanded, tortuous schemes. I am dismayed not to have had the honor of seeing your nephew. I would have done everything possible to obtain whatever amenities were within my power for him and his friends. I am leaving in three days for New Orleans, where I plan to see Governor Claiborne. If your excellency should see fit to send a reply there, I would be infinitely flattered. I have the honor, Sir, of being your excellency’s very humble and obedient servant Henri Peyroux RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); at foot of text: “Sn. Excélence, M. Le Président Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 May and so recorded in SJL with notation “2. letters.” recomandation: Vol. 40:653-4. When Peyroux returned from Philadelphia in 1793, Pierre-Charles de Hault

de lassus de Luzières, an aristocratic French émigré and father of Charles Dehault Delassus, reported his suspicions that Peyroux was an agent of revolution (Carl J. Ekberg, A French Aristocrat in the American West: The Shattered Dreams of De Lassus de Luzières [Columbia, Mo., 2010], 135-7).

From Henri Peyroux de la Coudrèniere Monsieur Nouvelle Madrid le 20 mars 1804.— Aprés avoir procuré a l’Espagne deux mille acadiens qui ont porté leur industrie à la Louisiane, je ne Soupçonnois pas qu’on me laisseroit dix huit ans Capitaine, sans me donner aucun avancement. il y a douze ans que M. Le Baron Carondelet promettoit de m’obtenir un Brevet de Colonel; mais, dans toutes les Promotions d’Officiers militaires, j’ai eu le désagrément de voir des inférieurs devenir mes  61 

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Supérieurs, quoiqu’ils n’eussent rendu aucun Service au Gouvernement. Voyant cet abandon, non mérité, je profite de la cession de cette Colonie aux Etats-unis pour remercier le service Espagnol. C’est dans cette intention, et pour régler mes Comptes, que je pars pour la Nouvelle Orléans; ainsi je crois que dés ce moment je puis offrir a V.E. mes respects et mes Services. J’ai toujours servi l’Espagne avec Zéle et fidélité, J’en ferai de même pour les Etats unis si V.E. Veut bien agréer mes Services. Je connois parfaitement cette colonie et les abus d’administration qui ont retardé son accroissement. Je puis indiquer les moyens de la rendre florissante, sans de grandes dépenses, et sans mécontenter personne. Puissai-je sous la protection de V.E. contribuer au bonheur d’une grande Nation qui s’annonce par des Commencemens aussi brillans. J’ai l’honneur d’être tres respectueusemt. Monsieur Votre trés humble et obeissant serviteur Henri Peyroux e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, New Madrid 20 Mch. 1804 After arranging for two thousand Acadians to bring their services to Louisiana, I did not suspect that I would spend eighteen years at the rank of captain without a promotion. It has been twelve years since Baron Carondelet promised me a colonel’s commission, but in every promotion of military officers I have been pained to see my inferiors become my superiors, even though they had rendered no service to the government. Given this undeserved neglect, I am resigning from the service of Spain as the colony transfers to the United States. To do so and to settle my accounts, I am leaving for New Orleans. I am now in a position to offer your excellency my allegiance and services. I have always served Spain with zeal and loyalty, and will do the same for the United States if your excellency accepts my services. I have a total grasp of this colony and the administrative abuses that have hindered its growth. I can show how to make it flourish, without great expense and without displeasing anyone. If only I could contribute, under your excellency’s protection, to this great nation whose brilliant beginnings augur such success. I have the honor, Sir, of being your very humble and obedient servant Henri Peyroux RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); at foot of text: “S. E. M. Le Président Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 May and so recorded in SJL with notation “2. letters.”

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To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United states. I communicate to Congress a letter recieved from Capt. Bainbridge Commander of the Philadelphia frigate informing us of the wreck of that vessel on the coast of Tripoli and that himself, his officers and men had fallen into the hands of the Tripolitans. this accident renders it expedient to increase our force and enlarge our expences in the Mediterranean beyond what the last appropriation for the Naval service contemplated. I recommend therefore to the consideration of Congress such an addition to that appropriation as they may think the exigency requires. Th: Jefferson Mar. 20. 04 RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. FC (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand. Notation in SJL: “Bainbridge’s lre.” Enclosures: (1) William Bainbridge to Robert Smith, dated Tripoli, 1 Nov. 1803, reporting the loss of the frigate Philadelphia; after an  unsuccessful pursuit of a Tripolitan cruiser near Tripoli, the Philadelphia ran aground on an uncharted shoal; all efforts to refloat the ship failed and its guns could not be brought to bear against enemy gunboats; after withstanding gunboat fire for four hours, and with enemy reinforcements approaching from Tripoli, Bainbridge was left with no alternative “but the distressing one of hauling our Colours down and submitting to the Enemy whom chance had befriended”; the Tripolitans took possession of the Philadelphia shortly after sunset; Bainbridge, his officers, and part of his crew were taken into Tripoli and questioned by the bey; they then gave their parole and are being confined in the former residence of American consul James Leander Cathcart; Bainbridge is to provide for the officers “by such ways and means as I can best adopt,” while the crew will be supported by the Tripolitans; the Danish consul, Nicholas C. Nissen, has been very attentive to the American prisoners; Bainbridge suffers much “anxiety of mind” and wishes

to learn the government’s opinion of his conduct (Trs in DNA: RG 233, PM, and DNA: RG 46, LPPM). (2) Undated statement signed by Lieutenant David Porter and 24 other officers of the Philadelphia, declaring their complete approbation of Bainbridge’s conduct regarding the unfortunate loss of the ship; charts and soundings justified the ship’s approach to the shore and every exertion was made to refloat and defend it, “which either Courage or Abilities could have dictated” (same). (3) “List of Officers & men quartered at the American Consular House at Tripoli,” undated, which includes 43 names; another “264 Men & Boys” are noted as being held at the bey’s palace (same). Lewis Harvie presented TJ’s message and its accompanying papers to Congress on 20 Mch. The Senate ordered them to lie for consideration, while the House of Representatives referred them to the Committee of Ways and Means (js, 3:386; jhr, 4:666). They were subsequently published as Message from the President of the United States; Communicating to Congress, a Letter Received from Capt. Bainbridge, Commander of the Philadelphia Frigate .  .  . 20th March, 1804 (Washington, D.C., 1804). increase our force: on 21 Mch., Robert Smith ordered Captain John Cassin at the Washington Navy Yard to prepare the frigates President and Congress

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20 MARCH 1804 for sea “with all practicable dispatch.” On the same day, Smith sent orders to navy officers in New York, Philadelphia, and Baltimore “to use your most strenuous exertions” to recruit several hundred seamen for service on the President, the Congress, or the John Adams. “The occasion imperatively demands your every exertion,” added Smith. “Let not one moment be lost” (ndbw, 3:509-10). enlarge our expences: on 21 Mch., the Committee of Ways and Means presented a bill “further to protect the commerce and seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers,” which met unanimous approval in the House on 22 Mch. and passed the Senate on the 26th by a vote of 20 to 5. The new act established a distinct “Mediterranean Fund” to defray the cost of protecting American commerce and prosecuting “warlike op-

erations” against Tripoli or other hostile states. The fund would be supported by an additional ad valorem duty of 2.5 percent on all foreign goods imported after 30 June 1804, with an extra 10 percent added on goods imported in foreign vessels. Collection of the duty would cease three months after the ratification of a peace treaty. The act also authorized the president to purchase or construct two vessels of war, not exceeding 16 guns each, and to hire or borrow gunboats in the Mediterranean. Finally, the act permitted the expenditure of up to $1 million in public funds not otherwise appropriated to defray the expenses incurred by the act during the present year, or the president could borrow the sum from the Bank of the United States or other sources (jhr, 4:666-7, 674-6; js, 3:389, 393, 395, 3978; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:291-2).

From John Sibley Sir, Natchitoches March 20th. 1804. I reside at present at Natchitoches on Red River in Louissiana am a Native of Massachusetts, have liv’d some years in Fayetteville North Carolina; was bred a Physician, the Practise as such I now Persue. Since I have been on Red River which is about ten Months, amongst a Variety of Botanical observations have found here in almost exhaustless quantities a yellow wood the French call it Boi d’Arc; or Bow wood, I have heard it Call’d Saphira, it has a beautiful fine grain, takes a polish like a Varnish, when it is Nearly the Patent yellow Colour.— it is more elastic than any other wood; the Indians use it for Bows, and the Inhabitants sometimes for Ax helves and handles for other Tools, I think it would be highly esteem’d by Cabinet makers for Innlaying & Fineering, and by Turners.—But probably would be more Valuable as a dye wood; a few days ago I had some experiments made in colouring with it, and have taken the Liberty of Inclosing to you some samples of colours it produc’d Nos. 1, 2 & 3 are what a decoction of the wood made without any thing else being added, the difference in the Shades are from the article remaining a little longer or shorter time in the dye. No. 2 is sheeps wool. all the other colours from 3 to 12 were made by the addition of Salt of Tarter, Blue Vitriol or Logwood in small quantities and a Variation of proportions—I have no doubt by a person Skill’d in dying a very numerous Variety  64 

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of Colours might be produc’d from this Wood as the Basis; from an experiment I beleive the Colours will Neither Wash out; nor fade by Washing. I have not seen the Tree in foliage therefore can give no account of it in that respect; some of them grow to the size of two or three feet in diameter, not tall, but somewhat resembling an Appletree Many other woods, shrubs & herbs grow here that I have Never seen in any of the United States, their particular uses will no doubt be found out.—did I not with almost every body else look up to you as the Patron of arts and usefull discoveries I should not have address’d you on this Subject, I hope you will have the goodness to pardon any presumption. and while I intreat you to accept of my best wishes in your private as well as public capacity, beg Leave to make you a tender of my services in whatever manner you may think proper to command them In the mean time I am Sir with the Greatest respect & Esteem Your Most Hble Servt. John Sibley. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL. John Sibley (1757-1837) served as a surgeon’s mate during the Revolutionary War. In Fayetteville, North Carolina, he practiced medicine and operated a newspaper. After settling in Natchitoches, he became a valuable informant for William C. C. Claiborne, who brought him to TJ’s attention. Despite widely circulated rumors that he had abandoned his family in North Carolina, he retained the confidence of the president, who named him an Indian agent for Orleans Territory. He remained in this post until 1815 and also served as doctor to the American military post near Natchitoches. Sibley prospered as a cattle rancher, cotton planter, and operator of a saltworks (anb; Terr. Papers, 9:352-3, 515-16; Daily National Intelligencer, 8 May 1837; Vol. 41:618-20; TJ to William C. C. Claiborne, 26 May 1805).

Maclura pomifera, known as Osage Orange or Bois d’Arc (boi d’arc), is a tree native to the area of eastern Texas, southeastern Oklahoma, and southern Arkansas. The hunting bows that Osage and Caddo Indians made from its wood became valuable trade items among Plains Indians. TJ would later receive descriptions of it from the southwestern explorations of William Dunbar and Peter Custis (Jeffrey L. Smith and Janice V. Perino, “Osage Orange [Maclura pomifera]: History and Economic Uses,” Economic Botany, 35 [1981], 24, 28-9; Trey Berry, Pam Beasley, and Jeanne Clements, eds., The Forgotten Expedition, 1804-1805: The Louisiana Purchase Journals of Dunbar and Hunter [Baton Rouge, 2006], 67n; Dan L. Flores, ed., Jefferson & Southwestern Exploration: The Freeman & Custis Accounts of the Red River Expedition of 1806 [Norman, Okla., 1984], 169-70, 260).

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From John Thomson Mason, with Jefferson’s Query 21st. March 1804

John Duffy of the County of Alexandria who now stands committed to the Jail of that County was tried and convicted at the last term in the month of December for keeping a disorderly house, for the fine then imposed he then was committed and has ever since remained in Jail. I know not the man or his situation in life, the witnesses on the trial were respectable persons, they deposed that he was a very troublesome man, kept a very disorderly house, and sustained no character for honesty, they also deposed that he was very poor and had a family. The situation of his family seemed to excite some commeseration in the people of Alexandria who I heard speak of him, his situation certainly excited none. I understood that it would be very pleasing to the town if he could be pardoned upon the condition of his leaving the District for ever J. T. Mason [Query by TJ:] The judges in their former certificate stated that Duffy was under a 2d. indictment (not then determined) for recieving stolen goods. has this been decided, and what the issue? will mr Mason be so good as to say? Th: Jefferson [Reply by Mason:] We have had no Court in Alexandria since the representation made by the Judges in this Mans case. That second indictment still remains untried. The principal Witness relied on for supporting the prosecution is an itenerate person, and at the last Court had sailed for Europe, whether with an intention to return could not be ascertained J. T. Mason RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); with TJ’s query and Mason’s reply at foot of text. For the case of John Duffey (duffy) and the former certificate of William Kilty and Nicholas Fitzhugh, see Duffey’s petition at 6 Jan. 1804 and Fitzhugh to

TJ, 27 Mch. TJ pardoned Duffey on 29 Mch., remitting his fine and court costs and ordering his release from jail “Provided he be detained for no other cause” (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR; TJ to Fitzhugh, 30 Mch.).

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From John Smith of Ohio Sir Wednesday Morn [21 Mch. 1804] I am sorry, that I have it in my power to inform you that the bill requiring the next meeting of Congress to commence on the first monday of november, has passed the Senate by a large majority— I have the honour to be Sir very respectfully your most obedt Servt. John Smith RC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of text: “The President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Mch. 1804 and so recorded in SJL.

On 23 Mch. the House of Representatives passed the brief bill that set the date for the next meeting of congress, and three days later TJ signed the measure into law (jhr, 4:680-1; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:283).

From Henry Banks Sir Richmond March 22d. 1804 I have been this day employed by several persons to prepare a Memorial, to be forwarded to you, the design of which will be to postpone your Ratification of an act of Congress which has been passed in conformity to an act of the Assembly of Virginia for establishing a Company to open the Navigation of James River to this City. The Memorial will set forth, that the Law deprives trading Vessels of natural advantages, and exposes them to toll without affording the smallest advantage, which Toll will be payable to a private Company;— that all the Shares of the Company were subscribed for within a few Minutes after the Subscription was open’d; & that a Company at whose house the Business was done, subscribed for one fourth of the Shares I have great Reason to believe that the Virginia Legislature were misled in the passage of the Law, and that it would not have passed, in its present form if proper representations had been made I have not as yet had it in my power to compare the Law with the facts, & therefore, can not at present undertake to say more than I am desired by those who have employed me. Other applications are made to members of Congress to make a similar Representation to you for the purpose of procuring Delay, until the Next Sessions of Assembly, & Congress, before which time the facts & the Merits may be fully ascertained & understood, which is intended by those at whose Instance this letter is written I have the honor to be your most obedient humble Servant Henry Banks  67 

22 MARCH 1804  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esqe: President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. The act “declaring the assent of Congress to an act of the General Assembly of Virginia” was approved on 16 Mch. (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:269). The as­ sembly had passed “An Act for improving the navigation of James River” on 23 Jan. The legislation incorporated the Richmond James River Company with an

operating capital of $50,000 and empowered the company to fund improvements to the river’s channel by collecting tolls from boats drawing at least five feet of water (Samuel Shepherd, ed., The Statutes at Large of Virginia, from October Session 1792, to December Session 1806, 3 vols. [Richmond, 1835-36], 3:79-82). Early meetings of the company were held at the counting house of Pickett, Pollard & Johnston. Robert Pollard served as the company’s treasurer (Richmond Virginia Argus, 7 and 28 Mch. 1804).

From Robert Banning Honor’d Sir Collector’s Office Oxford 22nd, March 1804 Yesterday receiving a letter from the Honble The Comptroller of the Treasury informing me of my being remov’d from office induces me at this time to take the liberty of addressing you, being fully convinc’d of your laudable love of justice emboldens me in the1 business I now undertake— I have no doubt but that information has been given you of some misconduct of mine which I am at present a perfect stranger to,—if so how happy I should feel my self in appearing personally before you with my accusers to answer the charges alledg’d against me, when I flatter my self it would be fully to your satisfaction and that you would do me the justice of replacing me again—I beg leave to refer you to the officers of the Treasury Department where my returns I hope were always regularly made and the public money by me receiv’d regularly deposited according to the direction of the Honble The Secretary of the Treasury to them I will together with yourself most chearfully submit my conduct—if I have’n’d I feel a degree of pleasure within my self that it was not intentionally but for want of judgment and in order to vindicate my self would immediately appear before you—In the mean time I shall as directed deliver up to my successor the books and public property in my hands— I have the Honor to be Sir with the highest Respect—Your most Obt and humble Servt. Robt. Banning late Coller RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); dated “22sd”; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

Robert Banning (1776-1845) assumed the collectorship at Oxford, Maryland, upon the retirement of his father, Jeremiah Banning, in 1795. He represented Talbot County in the Maryland House of

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22 MARCH 1804 Delegates for several terms between 1812 and 1827. An active member and trustee of the Maryland Agricultural Society for the Eastern Shore, he often hosted meetings at Isthmus, his residence (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 17:415; Edward C. Papenfuse and others, eds., Archives of Maryland: An Historical List of Public Officials of Maryland, new ser., 1 [Annapolis, 1990], 260; Easton Gazette, 10 Apr. 1824; 10 Sep. 1825; 2 Dec. 1826; 12

July 1828; 26 July 1834; 20 Sep., 8 Nov. 1845). remov’d from office: see TJ to Gallatin, 22 Feb. For petitions and letters of complaint charging Banning with mis­ conduct, see Vol. 37:387-8 and Gallatin to TJ, 20 Feb. my successor: John Willis (Gallatin to TJ, 20 Feb.). 1 MS:

“the the.”

To Stephen Cathalan, Jr. Dear Sir Washington Mar. 22. 04 You remember how anxious I was, when with you at Marseilles, to get the admirable olive of your canton transferred to my own country, and how much trouble you were so kind as to take to effect it. it did not happen that any one of those among whom the plants were distributed took up the plan with the enthusiasm necessary to give it success, and it has failed. Mr. John Couper of St. Simon’s island in Georgia now proposes to undertake it; & being led to it by inclination, and a gentleman of property, in the most favorable situation, he will give the culture a fair trial, and I trust it’s favorable issue is beyond a doubt. he has been informed of the superior excellence of the olive of Marseilles, and knowing your friendly dispositions to our country I have taken the liberty of advising him to address himself to you to put his commission into faithful & careful hands. I ask the favor of you to give such aid to his operations as you can with convenience, and will deem it a great personal obligation rendered myself. Accept for yourself & your respectable family my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem and consideration. Th: Jefferson RC (Mrs. Thomas Dunham, Miami Beach, Florida, 1946); addressed: “M. Cathalan, fils Consul des E. U. d’Amerique à Marseilles.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. TJ had shown interest in the admira­ ble olive since Philip Mazzei’s attempts in 1773 to introduce the crop to Virginia. In 1787, while in Paris, he contacted William Drayton, chairman of a committee promoting South Carolina’s agriculture, about shipping olive trees to that state for the purpose of introducing commercial

production. After multiple delays, in 1792, “40. young olive trees of the best species” were delivered to South Carolina. Thirty years later, TJ reported that, although a few of the trees still survived, neither South Carolina nor Georgia showed interest in growing olives commercially. It was a circumstance TJ lamented, because he was convinced that olives could be as lucrative as cotton, yet less dependent on slave labor and less taxing on workers (Robert J. Taylor and others, eds., Papers of John Adams, 18 vols. to date [Cambridge, Mass., 1977- ], 9:483n; mb,

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22 MARCH 1804 1:710n; Vol. 11:648-50; Vol. 20:332-3; Vol. 24:344-5; TJ to Nicholas Herbemont, 3 Nov. 1822). john couper of Cannon’s Point gave olive production its fair trial, although not immediately. In 1825, he purchased 200 olive trees from Provence. A severe frost in 1835 “destroyed those trees leaving nothing but stumps and wrecks.”

Although the grove recovered, it never produced enough olives for anything but private use by the Coupers (Southern Agriculturist and Register of Rural Affairs [1828], 304-5; The Farmers’ Register, 3 [1836], 246; Macon Weekly Telegraph, 9 Oct. 1868; see also T. Reed Ferguson, The John Couper Family at Cannon’s Point [Macon, Ga., 1994]).

From Henry Dearborn Sir March 22d. 1804— I have the honour of enclosing as correct a list of the officers (above the grade Lieut.,) who served in the Army of the United States in our revolutionery war, as I have been able to collect. with respectfull consideration I am Sir Your Obedt Servt H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at head of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 23 Mch. and “list of officers for Dr. Vacher”; recorded in SJL as received from the War Department on 22 Mch. and “roll of militia.” Enclosure not found.

list of the officers: on 30 Apr. 1803, John Francis Vacher requested a list of the officers in the Continental Army for the year 1777 (Vol. 40:289-91).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Thursday [22 Mch. 1804] I enclose the land office recommendations. The result seems to be 1. Benjamin Tupper of Marietta Receiver of public monies at Marietta—vice—Backus resigned 2. Willys Silliman of Ohio Register of the land office at Zanesville 3. Thomas Van Swearingen of Ohio Receiver of public monies at Zanesville The office at Zanesville was established by a law of the last session of Congress, but had not yet been organised. Griffin Greene recommended by Mr Mansfield is already Collector &, I am told, Post master of Marietta Mr Worthington would certainly have joined Mr Morrow in recommending Mr Van Swearingen; but he is his brother in law. Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin  70 

22 MARCH 1804  RC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 22 Mch. 1804 and “Recievers & Register of Ohio” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Thomas Worthington to Gallatin, Senate Chamber, 21 Mch., recommending the appointment of Wyllys Silliman as register at Zanesville and Benjamin Tupper as receiver at Marietta, and informing Gallatin that John Smith and Jeremiah Morrow will name a person to fill the office of  receiver at Zanesville (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Tupper Benj. Recievr. public monies Marietta”). (2) Jared Mansfield to Gallatin, Marietta, 13 Feb., stating that his friend Griffin Greene, the postmaster at Marietta, wishes to be considered as a candidate “for some place under the Genl.

Government”; Mansfield knows Greene to be “warmly Attached” to TJ’s administration and “very active in the Republican cause” (same; endorsed by TJ: “Greene Griffin to be Reciever or Register, Ohio”). (3) Probably Jeremiah Morrow to Gallatin, 21 Mch., recommending Silliman and Thomas Van Swearingen for appointment as register and receiver, respectively, at Zanesville; Morrow knows both men personally and believes they will discharge the duties of their offices with propriety (same). law of the last session: Congress authorized the establishment of a land office at Zanesville as part of an omnibus law regulating military land grants enacted on 3 Mch. 1803 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:236-7).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 22d. Mar. 1804 Your favor of the 18th. inclosing manifests for two hhds Tobacco is received. the Tobacco has arrived. Mrs. R’s letter is sent to her. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

The letter was likely TJ to Anne Randolph, 16 Mch. (not found, but see TJ’s letter of the same day to John Page).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States I nominate William Johnson of South Carolina to be an associate justice of the supreme court of the US. in the place of Alfred Moore resigned. John Samuel Sherburne of New Hampshire to be District judge of the district of New Hampshire. Jonathan Steele of New Hampshire to be Attorney for the US. in the district of New Hampshire. Joseph McIlvaine of New Jersey to be Attorney for the US. in the district of New Jersey.  71 

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Jonathan Russell of Providence in Rhode island to be Consul for the US. at Tunis. William H. Burr of New Jersey to be collector of the district and Inspector of the revenue for the port of Burlington vice Moses Kempton. Joseph Winner of New Jersey to be collector of the district and Inspector of the revenue for the port of Great egg harbour vice Alexr. Freeland. William Fisher of Virginia to be Collector1 for the district of South Quay. Benjamin Tupper of Ohio reciever of public monies at Marietta. Willyss Silliman of Ohio Register of the land office at Zanesville. Thomas Van Swearingan of Ohio, Reciever of public monies at Zanesville. Th: Jefferson Mar. 22. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk, with an “x” added at each entry except Swearingen’s. PoC (DLC); check mark added by TJ at each entry. Notation in SJL: “nominations civil.” Joseph mcilvaine of Burlington replaced William S. Pennington as U.S. attorney for New Jersey after Pennington resigned to accept an appointment to the state supreme court (Pennington to Madison, 8 Mch., in DNA: RG 59, RD; endorsed by TJ: “resigns office of Distr. Atty. N.J.”). Writing to Madison from Washington on 19 Mch., Ebenezer Elmer and other members of New Jersey’s congressional delegation recommended McIlvaine as “cordially attached to the

present administration.” Their letter also enclosed a statement from several members of the state legislature, dated Trenton, 1 Mch., that declared McIlvaine to be “decidedly in favour of the present Administration” and asked that their recommendation be communicated to the president (both in DNA: RG 59, LAR; 1 Mch. letter endorsed by TJ: “McIlvaine Joseph. to be Distr. Atty N. Jersey v. Pennington resd.”). Lewis Harvie presented TJ’s nominations to the Senate on 22 Mch. The Senate consented to the first eight nominations on 24 Mch. and to the remaining three on the 26th (jep, 1:466-7). 1 Word written over “Inspector of the revenue.”

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To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the US. I lay before Congress the last returns of the militia of the US. their incompleatness is much to be regretted and it’s remedy may at some future time be a subject worthy the attention of Congress. Th: Jefferson Mar. 22. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “militia return.” Enclosure: see Dearborn to TJ, 20 Mch. Lewis Harvie presented TJ’s message and the accompanying returns to the Sen-

ate and House of Representatives on 22 Mch., where they were read and ordered to lie on the table (jhr, 4:673; js, 3:388). The papers were subsequently printed as Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting to Congress the Last Returns of the Militia of the United States. 22d March, 1804 (Washington, D.C., 1804).

From Thomas Watkins Sir Virginia Halifax County March 22 1804 by Examineing Congressenal proceedeings on the Subject of Louisiania as Stated in the Publick prents I find a Resolution directing the presedent to appoint persons to Examine and Explore the Cuntry of Louisiania and make Memerandoms of the Same in order I suppose to form an Accurate Map—the Better to Enable Government to have a full View of this newly acquired Teretory and to form Governmental proceedeings on Matter of fact as I wish to be one of those Men appointed to Carey this Resolution into Compleate affect beg Leave to Come fored as a Candadate and be assured if I am forchinate Enought to Succeede nothing on my part Shall be Wanting to Render Satisfaction and Carey into Compleate affect any instructions I may Receive in this or any other appointmen your Honour may think proper to intrust to my perticular Care and attention as I have no intimate acquaintence with you it may not be thaught a miss to State that I am about fifty foure years old and have Served Six or Seven years in the Legislator of Virginia and am friendy disposed towards this purchase but in all provabilety you Can be better informed as to my abileteys integrety and uprightness by  73 

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Mr. Abraham B Venable in the Senate of the U States to whom I beg Leave to Refer for any information you may Lack—any Communication by way of the post and Lodged at Halifax Cort house in the State of Virginia Shall be Amediately attended to I wish you a Long Life and health that you may injoy the fruits of your well Earnt Labours while I beg Leave to Subscribe my Self your Cincear friend and Hble Servt— Thos Watkins RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and “to explore Red river” and so recorded in SJL. Thomas Watkins represented Halifax County in the Virginia House of Delegates for seven terms between 1788 and 1814 (Leonard, General Assembly, 169, 180, 184, 188, 192, 232, 274). On 18 Feb., a House resolution instructed the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures to examine the expediency of authorizing the president to employ persons to explore such parts of Louisiana “as he may deem proper.” Reporting on 8 Mch., the committee considered it “highly desirable” that “intelligent men” should explore portions of Louisiana, es-

pecially the Arkansas and Red Rivers, and recommended that Congress make “some public provision” for ascertaining the extent and boundaries of the territory. On the final day of its session, 27 Mch., in a section of an act concerning lands south of the state of Tennessee, Congress authorized an appropriation of $3,000 “for the purpose of extending the external commerce, and exploring the limits of the United States, in the new acquired territory of Louisiana” (jhr, 4:586, 629; Report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, Who Were Instructed, by a Resolution of this House, on the 18th Ult. .  .  . 8th March, 1804 [Washington, D.C., 1804]; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:305).

From Caspar Wistar Dear Sir, Philada. March 22d. 1804 I have the pleasure of informing you that I have received from Mr Livingston at Paris, the Natural History of Fishes, by the Celebrated La Cepede, which the Author delivered to him to be presented to you—it composes six Quarto Volumes—I ought not to trouble you with the enquiry how to send it, but as I know of none but the circuitous rout by Sea—I believe it will be best to wait for your advice— Have you met with a work of the Ci devant Count de Segur (who I believe was the French Minister at Berlin when you were in France) entitled A History of the principal events of the reign of Frederic William 2d. It has been much commended by several very intelligent Gentlemen here— The Bill before Congress, for removing to Baltimore, has taken us by surprize, & the fact is scarcely credited altho there is no room for doubt— With the greatest respect I beg leave to subscribe myself your grateful & affectionate friend C Wistar Junr  74 

23 MARCH 1804  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur (segur), served as the French minister to Russia from 1784 to 1789 and as a special envoy to Prussia from 1791 to 1792 (Tulard, Dictionnaire Napoléon, 1556; Vol. 22:470; Vol. 23:70-1, 107). An English translation of his three-volume history of contemporary Europe, entitled History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II. King of Prussia, was published in London in 1801 (Sowerby, No. 267). bill before congress: on 17 Mch., Senator Robert Wright of Maryland introduced a bill for the temporary removal of the seat of government to the city of Baltimore. Read a second time on 19 Mch., the bill provoked a spirited debate

in the Senate. Wright explained that he did not intend that the bill should pass, but rather that it should act as “a spur to the inhabitants of Washington to effect a more complete accommodation of Congress.” Other senators condemned the proposal as unconstitutional and liable to undermine confidence in the national government. A motion to postpone further consideration of the bill until the first Monday in May was defeated by a vote of 24 to 3, and an ensuing motion to pass it to a third reading lost by a vote of 19 to 9 (js, 3:380, 382-3; Annals, 13:282-8; National Intelligencer, 21 Mch. 1804; Everett Somerville Brown, ed., William Plumer’s Memorandum of Proceedings in the United States Senate, 1803-1807 [London, 1923], 178, 180). TJ’s papers contain a transcript from the Senate journals of the 19 Mch. votes on the bill (DLC: TJ Papers, 139:24048; in an unidentified hand, attested and signed by Samuel A. Otis).

From Jacob Crowninshield, Ebenezer Seaver, and Richard Cutts Sir Washington 23d March 1804 Should you think it necessary to remove Mr. Hodge the surveyor for Newbury port Massachusetts, we beg leave to recommend Francis Carr Esqe as his successor.— We have reason to believe, from the best information we have been able to collect, that Mr. Hodge does not conduct himself in the most prudent manner. We have understood from good authority that he is a high party man, generally very active in all the elections, and using his influence against the republicans. We have no personal knowledge on these points but we can not doubt the facts. We have known Mr. Carr for several years, he is a worthy man, of correct republican principles, and every way suitable for the place in question, and we are of opinion that his appointment will be agreeable to the people in the district, who are friendly to the Administration, and render essential service to that cause which we all so highly prize.— We have the honor to be Sir with the highest respect Your Most Obedt servts Jacob Crowninshield Ebenr. Seaver Richd Cutts  75 

23 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Crowninshield’s hand, signed by all; at foot of text: “T. Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Mch. and “Carr Francis to be Surveyor of Newbury port v.   Hodge” and so recorded in SJL. Ebenezer Seaver (1763-1844) graduated from Harvard College in 1784. He

served in the Massachusetts House of Representatives from 1794 to 1802 and again after he left Congress. In 1802, he was elected as a Republican representative to Congress, as were Crowninshield and Cutts. Seaver continued in office until 1813 (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Newark, N.J., Centinel of Freedom, 16 Nov. 1802; Boston Evening Transcript, 4 Mch. 1844).

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Edge hill March 23. 1804 Since my last Maria has had a return of her puking—She is again recovering—Her breast is still somewhat inflamed but not I hope in much danger of going further—Mrs. Lewis to whose care and attention we already owe so much is again with her—We have prevailed on her to ride out twice and she will ride again to day—On monday we intend to go over to Monticello as I think change of air and of scene May be beneficial to Maria—She is extremely thin a mere walking shadow, but as debility is now her only complaint I have the pleasure of feeling that the recovery of her health although slow is absolutely certain— Accept for your health my sincere wishes Yours sincerely Jno: W. Eppes RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

From J. P. G. Muhlenberg, with Jefferson’s Note Sir Philadelphia March 23d. 1804. I have the Honor to inform the President of the United States, that I have this day Shipp’d, (subject to His orders); for Alexandria, on Board the Sloop Unity Captn. Hand, Six Boxes, forwarded to me by Wm. Lee, Esqr. of Bordeaux, said to contain almonds, prunes, & preserved fruit—Likewise a small Box, reciev’d from New Orleans, without any directions, Contents unknown, but said to contain samples of different kinds—  76 

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The Duties on the Almonds &c amount Freight paid Gurney & Smith Porterage &c.

$8.91 14.91 .66 $.23.57 I have the Honor to be with Perfect Respect Sir Your Obedt servt P Muhlenberg

[Note in TJ’s hand:] there are 7. packages, of which 4. are for Th:J. and 3. for mr Madison: consequently this bill, and that of Capt Hand will be to be divided between mr Madison & myself in this proportion Th:J. RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in TJ to John Barnes, 27 Mch. William lee reported shipping foodstuffs intended for TJ and Madison the previous December. A letter of 30 Dec. from Lee to Muhlenberg, possibly en-

closed here, alerted the collector to three boxes intended for Madison and three for TJ and requested that Muhlenberg “do me the favor to send them by some safe conveyance.” The box from New Orleans may have contained sugar sent by Hore Browse Trist (Lee to Muhlenberg, 30 Dec., in MHi; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:193; Vol. 42:212, 589).

From Israel B. Parshall Sir/ New York 23d March 1804 I wrote your Excellency Some few days past and not having Recd an answer from You, I Presume you have not Recd. my letter, or Buss. of more Importance has Engaged Your Attention which has obliged Your Excellency To Neglect the Petition of a poor Mechanic— I will state the Bussiness to Your Excellency in as precise A manner as I can—viz—I Began the Bussiness in the Shoemaking Line Last Summer Just as the Epidemic began here, and as I was one of the Unfortunate persons Which were obliged to Remain in the City During Said Epidemic, and as my Wife and Self were both afflicted with the fever, we were Reduced To almost Nothing; as during that period no Bussiness was done of any Importance—What I have To Beg of Your Excellency is the Loan of Five hundred dollars at the Comman Interest of 7 pr. Cent Al. If your Excellency can Spare It I would not be averse To allowing you as much as you think It is worth To Your Excellency If You can anyways Spare this Sum You will be So good as To appoint Some person in this City To Receive at Bill of Sale of all the Property I May have at the Expiration of 2 Years (the  77 

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time I would [. . .] Your Excellency To hire it To me) as I would wish To Secure you as much as I can (as You are A Stranger To Your petitioner) I would wish Your Excellency To give me an answer To This Petition as Soon as Is Convenient To Your Excellency— By doing Which you will forever Oblige Your most obdt. Servt. Israel B. Parshall RC (DLC); torn; below signature: “No. 75 Nassau St. New York”; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe. President of the United States Washington City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed

by TJ as received 26 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. some few days past: Parshall to TJ, 8 Mch.

To John Francis Vacher Sir Washington Mar. 23. 04. I am late in acknoleging the reciept of your favor of Apr. 30. and in returning you thanks for the extracts of your poem which you were so kind as to communicate, and which I have read with great pleasure. but believing that no one can be sensible of those delicacies of language in a foreign one which are the charm of poetry I have not the presumption to declare it’s merit nor to anticipate the judgment of those better qualified. the delay has proceeded from the difficulty experienced at the war office in making out the list you desired, and which has never been delivered to me till two days ago. I now inclose it with my salutations and assurances of respect Th: Jefferson RC (PWacD: Feinstone Collection, on deposit PPAmP); at foot of text: “Mr. Vacher.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found, but see Dearborn to TJ, 22 Mch.

your favor: Vacher to TJ, 30 Apr. 1803.

From Henry Dearborn Sir, War Department March 24th. 1804 I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following list of Promotions & appointments in the Army of the United States— Promotions— Capt. James Bruff to be promoted to the rank of Major in the Corps of Artillerists, vice, Majr. Richard S. Blackburn—deceased—  78 

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First Lieut. Richard Whiley to be promoted to the rank of Capt., vice, Capt. James Bruff promoted— Second Lieut. Simon Owens to be promoted to the rank of first Lieut. in the First Regt. of Infty., vice, first Lieut. G. W. Stall—Resigned— Ensign James Porter to be promoted to the rank of second Lieut., vice, 2d. Lieut S. Owens, promoted— First Lieut. Peter P. Schuyler to be promoted to the rank of Capt. in the 2d. Regt. of Infty., vice, Capt George Salmon, deceased— Second Lieut. Richard Buck to be promoted to the rank of first Lieut. in the 2d. Regt. of Infantry, vice, first Lieut. Benjamin Wilkinson, Resigned— Second Lieut. Henry R. Graham to be promoted to the rank of first Lieut., vice, first Lieut. Peter P. Schuyler—promoted— Ensign William P. Clyma to be promoted to the rank of 2d. Lieut., vice, 2d. Lieut. Richard Buck—promoted— Ensign Reuben Chamberlin to be promoted to the rank of 2d. Lieut., vice, 2d. Lieut. Henry R. Graham—promoted— Appointments— Samuel Gates of Massachusetts and William Clark of Kentucky to be appointed Second Lieuts. in the Corps of Artillerists— John Roney of Pennsylvania & Hezekiah Johnson Jur. of Maryland to be appointed Ensigns in the first Regt. of Infty.— Robert Peyton of Virginia, John R. N. Luckett, & Benjamin S. Smoot of Maryland, James Bloodworth & Anthony Forster of North Carolina, Alfred Sebastian of Kentucky & George W. Sevier of Tennessee to be appointed Ensigns in the second Regt. of Infty.— Francis De. Masson to be appointed a teacher of the French language in the Corps of Engineers— Dennis Claude of Maryland, Richard Davidson & Hanson Catlett of Kentucky, Cornelius Baldwin of Virginia, George Hall of South Carolina & Hugh M. Hull of Georgia, to be appointed Surgeons Mates in the Army of the United States— Accept Sir, the assurances of my high respect & consideration— H. Dearborn RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, closing and signature by Dearborn; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War

Department on 24 Mch. and “military nominations” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

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From William Eaton March 24. 1804

E.— will go forward in the first frigate to the Mediterranean. After an interview with the Commodore, will proceed, in one of the small vessels, to Derne to aid the motions of the legitimate Bashaw of Tripoli in order to bring him in the rear of the enemy—Thence to Naples and negociate a convention as the President shall direct—Then be at the rendezvous, on the arrival of a re-enforcement, to assist the Commodore in any expedition which may require, on shore, a coup de main, at Tripoli—or at Tunis in case of hostilities commenced. Or to sieze any favorable opportunity to treat of peace with either of those regencies. E— still believes the project of dethroning the usurper practicable, if suitable advantage be taken of actual positions.— RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Eaton’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “Eaton Wm. emploimt. in Meditn.” e.— will go forward: Robert Smith appointed Eaton navy agent for Morocco, Algiers, Tunis, and Tripoli on 26 May.

He departed for the Mediterranean in July in the frigate President (ndbw, 4:120, 243). commodore: presumably Edward Preble. legitimate bashaw: Ahmad Qaramanli. the usurper: Yusuf Qaramanli.

From William Kilty and Nicholas Fitzhugh, with Jefferson’s Order [24 Mch. 1804]

United States ⎪⎫ ⎬ Presentment for Keeping a Billiard Table without ag ⎪ License—December Term 1803 James Moore ⎭ In this Case the defendant Submitted to the Court, which Submission amounted to a Confession of the fact Charged And He was fined as the Law directs in the Sum of 150 dollars The Court at the defendants request heard Testimony on his behalf for the purpose of determining Whether they Should recommend a remission of his fine or any part thereof The result of this Testimony was, that the defendant had taken some Steps to procure his Licence which on the first application He was prevented from obtaining by a Misapprehension of the Law, and Altho He did not proceed to use all the Means in his Power, that his  80 

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Neglect or omission was not so great as to Merit so high a fine—But, inasmuch as He would have had to Pay 50 dollars for his Licence, it is Considered Just that He Should Still be liable for that Sum and for the Costs of the Prosecution—The Undersigned Judges do therefore respectfully recommend to the President of the United States a remission of One Hundred dollars part of the aforesaid fine W Kilty N Fitzhugh [Order by TJ:] a pardon to be issued to the extent recommended by the judges Th: Jefferson Mar. 25. 04. RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); undated; in Kilty’s hand, signed by both; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Mch. 1804 and “More James. his case” and so recorded in SJL.

On 29 Mch., TJ remitted $100 of James Moore’s fine, letting stand the remainder of the judgment against him (FC in Lb in same).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States of America. I nominate James Bruff, now a Captain, to be Major in the corps of Artillerists, vice Richard S. Blackburn decd. Richard Whiley, now a 1st. Lieutt. to be a Captain vice James Bruff promotd. Simon Owens, a 2d Lieutt. to be 1st. Lieutenant vice 1st. Lieutt. G. W. Stall resignd James Porter, an ensign, to be 2d. Lieutt. vice 2d. Lieutt. Owens promoted Peter P. Schuyler, a 1st Lieutt. to be Captain vice George Salmon deceased. Richard Buck, a 2d Lieutt. to be 1st. Lieutenant vice 1st. Lieutt. B. Wilkinson resignd.1 Henry R. Graham, a 2d. Lieutt. to be 1st. Lieutent. vice 1st. Lieutt. P. P. Schuyler promotd William P. Clyma, an ensign, to be 2d. Lieutent. vice 2d. Lieutt. Richd. Buck promoted. Reuben Chamberlin, an ensign, to be 2d. Lieutt. vice 2d. Lieutt. H. R. Graham promotd. Samuel Gates of Massachusets to be a 2d. Lieutt. in the corps of Artillerists.  81 

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William Clark of Kentucky to be a 2d. Lieutt. in the corps of Artillerists. John Roney of Pensylvania to be an Ensign in the 1st. regimt. of infantry. Hezekiah Johnson junr of Maryland to be an Ensign in the 1st. regimt of infantry. ⎫ Robert Peyton of Virginia ⎪ John R. N. Luckett of Maryland ⎪ ⎪ Benjamin S. Smoot of Maryland ⎪ to be ensigns in the 2d. regimt James Bloodworth of N. Carolina ⎬ ⎪ of infantry Anthony Forster of N. Carolina ⎪ ⎪ Alfred Sebastian of Kentucky ⎪ ⎭ George W. Sevier of Tennissee Francis de Masson to be teacher of the French language in the corps of engineers. Richard Davidson of Kentucky ⎪⎫ ⎬ to be Surgeon’s mates in the army Hanson Catlett of Kentucky ⎪ of the US. ⎭ George Hall of S. Carolina Th: Jefferson [Mar. 24. 04.] RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); undated, supplied from PoC; endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); date and brackets added by TJ. Notation in SJL: “Military nomns.” Lewis Harvie delivered TJ’s list of military nominations to the Senate on 24

Mch. The Senate read this message the same day and ordered it to lie for consideration. The chamber considered TJ’s nominations on the 26th and confirmed all of the promotions and appointments (jep, 1:467-8). 1

MS: “reignd.”

From Jacob Wagner 24 March 1804.

J. Wagner has the honor, by the direction of the Secretary of State, to enclose a Statement relative to agencies of a diplomatic nature which have heretofore taken place. It is not meant to be understood that it contains all that have existed: it is merely a collection from memory. RC (DLC).

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e n c l o s u r e

Agencies of a Diplomatic Nature Gouverneur Morris was appointed to London by a letter from Genl. Washington to enquire into the objections to the execution of the treaty of peace and on what terms G. Britain would enter into a treaty of commerce. Mr. M. was expected to be in London at or near the time when the letter would arrive there. I once enquired at the Auditor’s office, out of what fund he was compensated; but was informed that it did not appear he had any allowance. I conjectured however that the answer was given before due search was made. John Q. Adams was ordered from the Hague to London to exchange the ratifications of the Br. treaty. He was allowed his expenses. Samuel Sitgreaves, one of the Commers. under the 6th. article of the Br. treaty, was sent to London to assist Mr. King in stating and removing the difficulties which had occurred at the Board. I do not find upon record, after the slight search I have made, that his allowances are specified, but I think I cannot be mistaken in stating them to be a continuance of his salary as Commissioner and repayment of his expenses. Mr. Dawson’s mission is so fresh in memory as not to need a statement. In our barbary affairs, frequent instances have occurred of special agencies and of powers in their nature diplomatic being vested in persons holding consular commissions; such as The appointment of Joel Barlow by an arrangement between Messrs. Monroe and Humphreys to assist in conducting the Barbary negotiations; in consequence of which he exercised personally and by substitution very important and costly diplomatic functions. Messrs. Eaton, OBrien & Cathcart were authorised by the President to negotiate alterations in the treaty with Tunis, in pursuance of which Eaton & Cathcart proceeded to that city and executed the charge. The case of Mr. Davis at Tunis, without any commission, is well understood. The expenses of these barbary negotiations are paid or payable out of the fund appropriated for Barbary purposes. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 236:42378); undated; entirely in Wagner’s hand. George Washington sent gouverneur morris to Britain as an unofficial envoy in 1789 (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 4:179-83). In 1795, Washington asked John Quincy adams, who was then the U.S. minister in Holland, to go to London for the exchange of ratifications of the Jay Treaty (Syrett, Hamilton, 19:112-13n). For the journey by samuel sitgreaves to Britain in 1800-1 in connection with Article 6 of the Jay Treaty, see John Bassett Moore, ed., International Adjudications, Modern Series, Volume III: Arbitration of Claims for Compensation for Losses

and Damages Resulting from Lawful Impediments to the Recovery of Pre-War Debts (New York, 1931), 350. John dawson’s mission was to deliver the ratified Convention of 1800 to Paris (Vol. 33:232, 348-9). joel barlow served as commissioner for negotiations with Algiers and Tunis in 1796 and 1797 (asp, Foreign Relations, 1:553-4; 2:123-6). alterations in the treaty with tunis: for the instructions to William Eaton, Richard O’Brien, and James L. Cathcart in December 1799, see same, 2:281-2. Richard V. Morris gave surgeon George davis temporary charge of U.S. affairs at Tunis in March 1803 (Vol. 40:647).

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To Elkanah Watson Washington Mar. 24. 04

Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to mr Watson for the copy of his travels which he was so kind as to send him, and which he shall peruse with pleasure at his first moments of leisure, & he tenders him his salutations & respects. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. copy of his travels: see Vol. 41:568-9. TJ did not receive Watson’s

letter and enclosure of 18 Oct. 1803 until 17 Mch. 1804.

To Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Washington Mar. 24. 1804. I inclose for communication to the Philosophical society a paper from mr Dunbar of Natchez, on the subject of the Missisipi river which will be found a valuable addition to what we have already recieved from him relative to the lower country on it’s banks. At the request of mr Lewis also of Campbell county Virginia, I inclose a paper which was accompanied by the specimens it refers to. tho’ they are in this city I have not yet recieved them, but will forward them when recieved. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem and respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Doctr. Wistar”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “Dunbar’s & Lewis’s communicns.” Enclosures: (1) William Dunbar’s description of the Mississippi River and its delta; see Dunbar to TJ, 28 Jan. 1804. (2) William J. Lewis to TJ, 7 Mch. 1804. For the actions of the American philo­ sophical society on William Dunbar’s

contribution, see Vol. 42:360n. At its meeting on 6 Apr., the APS read William J. Lewis’s paper in its entirety. Two weeks later, it assigned the paper to accompany the mineral specimens, which were to go to Charles Willson Peale for his collection (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 350-1; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 1:661n).

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From Thomas Worthington, with Jefferson’s Note Sir Senate Chamber 24th of March 1804 I recd. the enclosed letter a few days since I do not know the writer but consider it my duty send1 it to you I have the honour to be with Esteem & Respect your obt St T Worthington [Note by TJ:] Mar. 24. 04. gave ord on J. Barnes for 12.62½ on acct of Genl. Kozsciuzko. RC (MHi); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ: “Kosciuzko.” Enclosure: probably Samuel H. Smith to Worthington, Newark, Fairfield County, Ohio, 26 Feb., stating that last summer he did survey work for Louise Françoise Felix, who had purchased Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s lands in Ohio; Smith has been informed that TJ, as Kosciuszko’s agent, was to pay his expenses, and he accordingly forwarded his

bill to John Armstrong at Cincinnati, who in turn sent it to the president for payment; in his reply to Armstrong, TJ stated that he would give Smith’s payment to Worthington; Smith asks Worthington to pay him the money upon his return to Ohio; the bill was “about 11 or twelve Dollars” (RC in same). 1 Thus

in MS.

To Thomas Worthington Mar. 24. 1804.

Th: Jefferson presents his respects to1 Colo. Worthington & sends him an order on John Barnes in Georgetown, the real agent for Genl. Kozciusko, & holder of his funds. is any thing due on account of taxes on these lands to Colo. Worthington himself? if there is, Th:J. will put it into the order on recieving it back. PrC (MHi). Enclosure: Order on John Barnes for payment of $12.62½ to Worthington, Washington, 24 Mch., “on account of Genl. Kosciuzko, & for surveying done for him” (MS in same, in TJ’s hand and signed by him, signed by Henry Tims acknowledging payment, endorsed by Barnes as paid 27 Mch.; PrC in same). On 27 Jan. 1804, TJ sent an order on Jonathan Smith, cashier of the Bank of Pennsylvania, to pay john barnes the half-year dividend on Tadeusz Kosciusz-

ko’s 20 shares of the bank’s stock (MS in NjMoHP; in TJ’s hand and signed by him as attorney for Kosciuszko; note on verso by Barnes: “pay the within to the Order, of Mr Edwd Penington”; signed by Thomas Pope acknowledging receipt of payment on behalf of Penington, 1 Feb.). Barnes’s statements of Kosciuszko’s account with him from 15 May 1802 to 1 June 1803 and from the latter date to 5 July 1804 are in TJ’s papers at MHi.

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1 MS:

“&.”

From Joseph Barnes Leghorn Mar. 25th. 1804

On the 16th. Instt. I had the pleasure of addressing Mr Jefferson, Via Bourdeaux, to care of Mr Lee, communicating the agreeable intelligance of the destruction of the Frigate Philada. in the Port of Tripoli; of which Mr Jefferson will have recd. the particulars from Commodore Preble.—I have now the Satisfaction, previous to my departure for Naples in my route for Sicily, of Explaining the Motives which induced me first to Suggest in my Letter of Feb. 4th, that, Should any change take place, I should prefer Leghorn—1st— My friend Mr Mazzei having mentioned to me that he had written plainly to Mr Jefferson, the Political necessity, for the reasons he had given, of removing Mr Appleton to Some other place, which the good of his Country and even his own Interest demands, and warmly Solicited me to Consent to Accept. Should the event take place, I replied, knowing the Public Weal to be the predominent Motive of Mr Jefferson, I Should be happy to be instrumental in promoting his views in any arrangement or change which he may judge expedient.— I certainly co-incide with my friend in this: that however I esteem & wish to serve Mr Appleton, and tho he has never done any thing to merit his office to be withdrawn, yet from mistaken principles he has unfortunately rendered himself so generally disrespected not only by the People of the place, but by his Countrymen: That ’tis impossible he can ever be esteem’d here; but from a different Line of conduct may command all the respect due in another place; particularly in France; for which he is best qualified—or, even in any of the Barbary States, where a Salary is attached, as he does not understand Commercial affairs: nor has he I believe much property.— 2ndly—Considering Leghorn the Great place of commerce for the United States in the Mediterranean; my friend Mr Mazzei presumes, from my general Knowledge of the Commerce in the Mediterranean, having personally visited most of the principal ports thereof, and his general knowledge of the Political affairs, being in correspondence with most of the Courts of Europe, knowledge of Mankind, and power of the Languages, Great good would result from our joint Council and efforts, were I near him.— A few general Remarks on the Commerce of the Mediterranean, and the causes which operate to render Leghorn the Chief Emporium, will I hope not be thought intrusive.— In Sicily, notwithstanding the great number of its Natural productions, its connection with the Levant, Archipelago, &c &c yet from the  86 

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want of Capital, Confidence in the Government, and indolence of the People, & &c ’tis more difficult to dispose of one American Cargoe in Sicily, than Ten in Livorno.—As the Sicilians Send a great portion of the produce of the Island, as well as the Articles they receive from the Levant &c &c to Livorno, and generally draw for ½ or ⅔rds of the first cost, by this means, Sicilian, & Levant produce are generally as reasonable nearly in Livorno, as in Sicily. In Livorno 8 or 10 or even 20 Cargoes may be disposed of with more facility, than 2 or 3 in Messina: because the City of Livorno supplies the greatest part of the North of Italy, from Milan to Venice, by the Po, to which ’tis but 70 Miles Land carriage from the Arno; by this mode the goods are conveyed to Florence; The Roman States are almost entirely Supplied from Livorno thro’ the indolence of the inhabitants caused by those pests of Mankind the Priests.—Indeed that part of the Neapolitan State adjoining the Roman State depend on Livorno for most of the West and East India Articles.—The Tyrol & South of Germany even to Venice, used to receive Supplies chiefly from this place, but at present Trieste Supplies a Small portion.— The Blockade of Genoa, & the duties imposed by the French in Piedmont & the Italian Republic, amounting to a prohibition, having almost ruined that City, Livorno therefore Supplies chief part of Piedmont, Savoy & even Switzerland. The reason is obvious. Public confidence exists here with all parts of Europe: And, London, which is at present the Banking house for almost the whole World, oblige those who Sell their Bills on Naples and different parts of Italy to make them payable in Livorno, because here they pay in Gold.1 The Government of Tuscany Scarcely interferes with any Commercial regulation—There are about 15,000 Jews in this City, and where the Jews reside there is generally a great quantity of Specie—In Naples the Government has too often interfered with the Commerce, by which means they have destroyed the public confidence: Two months Since the Bank paper of Naples Lost 11 or 12 pr cent! at present however ’tis at only 1½ pr cent disct: in consequence of the good Management they Say: but in my opinion more probably thro’ the Maneuvres of a new Financier; or, the credulity of the Majority & the Stratagem of a few Merchants & Bankers concerned with the Government: there being but few men in these Govts. capable of leading, the Majority of Necessity must follow blind fold.— In Trieste Commerce can never rise to a great point on Account of the Long, & often perilous, voyage up the Adriatic, and the only circulating medium Vienna Bank paper, which at present Loses near 30 pr cent and, will, I have no doubt at Some moment when Least  87 

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expected be of the Same Value the Continental paper was once in America.— The Black Sea, is a great field of Commerce Shut as yet to us; Therefore, an object worthy the attention of the United States—The Commission which is, or will no doubt be Appointed to make a Treaty of Commercial relations with his Sicilian Majesty, may be Authorized to effect one also with the Grand Seigneur, at Little additional expence to the U.S.; which would Open this grand Source of Commerce to our Flag. This object would, in my opinion, be much facilitated by attaching Mr Mazzei to Said Commission; Especially from his influence with the Court of Russia, whose influence with the Ottoman Court is well known.—Should Mr Jefferson, however, from Political Motives not think proper to name him Publicly, query, may he not be privately Authorized to Act? As to his Mental facuties, they are as clear as ever, & as to his Muscular power, his Late journey to St. Petersburg is full demonstration; in regard to his zeal for the Liberty & happiness of Mankind generally, but especially in the United States, ’tis not Surpassed by any: And, I am Sensible his highest Ambition, is, to be further useful to the U.S. and his fellow Citizens either at home or abroad— Tis with the highest gratification I Learn from the American Papers recd. up to Feb. 10th. the happy and cheerful manner in which Louisiana had been Transfered by the Spanish Govt. to the French, and from the French to the Commissioners of the United States, amidst the general acclamation of the Inhabitants; this news must have given great Satisfaction to all good Citizens. I am also happy to find the Amendments proposed by Congress to the Constitution relative to the Election of Present and Vice President, (“by designating who for President & who for V.P.,”), were Likely to be adopted by the States; & I only wish they had gone so far as to Supercede the Electors; and caused the Election of President & V.P. to be made in the Same manner, & at the Same time of the Election of the Representatives to Congress: In which case even the possibility of Corruption would be avoided; as the Electors would Necesarily be too numerous.— In fine; so highly do I approve, & so ardent is my zeal for the principles & measures of the present Administration that were my efforts necessary, and were it possible, I would waft myself on the wings of friendship & esteem to Ensure the re-election of Mr Jefferson— however I am happy in the Opinion there will be but a feeble Opposition made especially as the Federalist party, from the general advice I receive, Seems daily to decline.—  88 

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 Notwithstanding I regret to find that many of the Officers of the  Navy are tinctured with the Aristocracy of our Late despotic President.— I have written to the Secretary of State, Mr Madison, by this conveyance, relative to Some inconveniences our commerce Suffers in Sicily,2 as well as in regard to other Arrangements which would promote our Commerce in Italy &c &c most essentially.— The French Govt. notwithstanding the Plot in the interior, are pressing all the Genovese common Sailors to Send them to Toulon, as well as Collecting Biscuit in Livorno for a voyage of Six months at Least—Tis believed here from good Authority, that the grand intention of Buonaparte at this moment, having been disappointed in other objects, is, to Strike a blow at the East Indies, there exists the greatest hope of Success with the Least risk, and the Toulon fleet can never be Suspected of Such a destination.— In many of my former Letters I Stated to Mr Jefferson, that, independent of Mr Mazzei, the means I proposed thro’ friends who enjoy power, talents & inclination to Serve the United States in this part of the World were very great—I only wish I was placed in a Situation to convince Mr Jefferson of the Services I could render, Should a change be made, were I appointed to Livorno: & the consuls in the Mediterranean requested to correspond with me, and that I had orders to exert myself in any arrangements with the Italian Govts. which should be deem’d mutually advantageous; I will be answerable there should be no more complaints, in regard to Quarantine, nor inattention; & that many beneficial objects would accrue to the Commerce of the U.S.—I would attend to the whole concerns of Italy & for mere travelling expences; a Salary is no object to me—I shall conclude this Epistle by Simply observing, that I Leave it entirely to Mr Jefferson to place me in any Situation or order me to any Part of the World in which I can be Actively Useful to my Country. In Sicily the Squadron being in the hands of other People; delicacy forbid me troubling Commodore Preble with Letters ’till I was applied to. Consequently, I have been deprived of rendering the Little Services which otherwise I could have done: previous to some arrangement being made with the Neapolitan Govt.— I have the honor to be with the highest consideration & Respect— Mr. Jefferson your most obedt. Sevt. J: Barnes P.S. To give Mr Jefferson an Idea of the extent of the Commerce in Leghorn, over any other Port in the Mediterranean, I need only State  89 

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that 26—Vessels of the United States have entered the Port of Leghorn within Six months Past, 24 of which have Sold their Cargoes here, and taken returns.—In Sicily, during the same period, but 7. Vessels have touched in the Ports of the Island; 4 of which only Sold part of their Cargoes.— In Naples but the Same Number have Sold & one of these was forced into port by Stress of weather, having been order’d for Livorno, originally.— Mr Cathcart will set off for Naples on the 27th. to join Commodore Preble, I wish he may be more successful in War, than he has hitherto been in Negotiation.—I have taken the Liberty of enclosing Mr Madison’s Letter, thinking it more Safe in one packet RC (DLC); at head of text: “H.E. Thos. Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably Barnes to Madison, 28 Mch., reiterating Naples’s interest in a commercial treaty with the United States and its offer of naval assistance in the war against Tripoli; Barnes laments his lack of official authority to act in these and other matters and suggests the benefits of appointing a chargé d’affaires at Constantinople

as well as a commercial agent or chargé with whom all U.S. consuls in the region should correspond (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:625-7). plot: the recently uncovered conspiracy to assassinate Bonaparte (see Vol. 42:549, 550n). 1 2

Barnes here canceled “& Silver.” Preceding five words interlined.

To Nicholas Fitzhugh Dear Sir Washington Mar. 25. 04 I propose to set out on Thursday or Friday for Monticello, and being afraid to touch the great market roads at this season, I propose to go through Ravensworth. I think you told me there was a better way through that tract than the one I went. will you be so good as to drop me a line of direction how to find it? I am determined also to find some road from Songster’s to the Redhouse without going by Centreville, or touching the public road more than is unavoidable. I have heard there is such a road. perhaps in Alexandria you may meet with somebody who can give me the outlines of it. any information on this subject which you can add to your letter will be thankfully recieved. accept my salutations & assurances of esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Nicholas Fitzhugh esq.”; endorsed by TJ.

ravensworth was a Fitzhugh family tract in Fairfax County (Vol. 35:569n).

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From Louis André Pichon G. Town 25th. March 1804.

Mr. Pichon presents his respects to the President of the United States & regrets exceedingly that notwithstanding his anxious Sollicitations to the Consul at Baltimore on the Subject of the wine—he has not yet been able to learn whether and how much wine he was to expect. Therefore, Mr. Pichon recommends to the President to order from Norfolk the quantity he chuses without reference to the other Source, as Mr. P. is afraid that thro’ the neglect of Mr. Sotin the other Supply is very precarious. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. consul: Pierre Jean Marie Sotin de la Coindière (Vol. 42:235, 236n).

from norfolk: TJ had likely been trying to decide whether or not to purchase champagne from James Taylor, Jr. (Vol. 42:340, 381; TJ to Taylor, 25 Mch.).

To James Taylor, Jr. Sir Washington Mar. 25. 04. The pipe of Madeira and box of Champagne have been duly recieved. the latter has been tried and is approved and I shall be glad to take eight cases more, say 480. bottles of it, to be forwarded to this place at any time before the 1st. of May till which time I shall not be returned from Monticello. only be so good as, on reciept of this, to inform me by post if I may rely on that quantity, directing the letter to Monticello. Accept my salutations and respects Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. James Taylor”; endorsed by TJ.

From Henry Banks Sir Richmond March 26th. 1804 On the 22d. Instant I had the honor of addressing you concerning an act for incorporating a Company “for improving the Navigation of James River.” Since that time a number of persons have subscribed to the Memorial which is now enclosed. It is reported here that Congress will rise before this can reach you. If there was a little more time, I apprehend that not a man in this City, who is not interested, who would not subscribe. If the reasons  91 

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alleged are sufficient to authorise a delay until the next Session, the application will then be strengthened, not only by many more names, but by an accurate examination of the Channel. I have the honor to be Your most humbl Servt Henry Banks N.B. a Copy of the Law is enclosed also. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esquire President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure:

Virginia act of 23 Jan. for improvement of navigation of James River; see Banks to TJ, 22 Mch.

e n c l o s u r e

Memorial on Proposed James River Tolls To Thomas Jefferson esquire President of the United States The Memorial of sundry Merchants, traders, Masters, and owners of Vessels and other persons who reside at or trade at the City of Richmond Sheweth, That the legislature of Virginia, at the last session, thereof passed a Law with the following Title. An Act for improving the navigation of James River. It was generally believed, and held out, while this project was going on, that the sole design was to establish a Company for the purpose of improving the Navigation of James River, upon reasonable and just principles, and that compensation should be made by reasonable Toll upon such Vessels as might be benefitted thereby. In consideration whereof no objections or difficulties were thrown in the way. And the Law passed in the form, which your Memorilists believe would not have obtained the approbation of the legislature if proper Representations had been made. The Law contains the following words. “In consideration of the expenses which may be incurred by the said Company, in deepening the bed of the said river, and keeping the same open, the members of the said Company, their heirs and assigns, shall be entitled to the tolls herein after mentioned for ever, as tenants in Common, in proportion to their respective Shares; and the same shall be deemed real estate, and be for ever exempt from the payment of any tax or imposition whatever. It shall be lawful for the said Company to demand and receive, at the place called Warwick, on James River, or at such other place as the President and Directors shall appoint, tolls from vessels drawing five feet of water and upwards, for their passage by or through the said places, at the rate of six cents per ton; which toll are rated in money and may be discharged in gold or silver coin, at current value. The tolls herein before mentioned, shall be paid on condition only that the said river shall in any season admit vessels drawing thirteen feet water from Warwick to Rockets landing; and from Rockets landing to the said Rock Landings, a little below Colo. John Mayo’s bridge, vessels six and a half feet Water. and in case the same Company shall not begin the work

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26 MARCH 1804 within two years, and not complete the same in seven years after passing of this Act, the said Company shall not be entitled to any benefit or privilege under this act.” It appears by the extract just quoted, that the Company have a right, according to the Law, to demand a toll of six cents per ton upon all vessels which draw more than five feet of water before they can be allowed to come to Rockets Landing, and the same for returning, whereas it is well known that vessels which draw twelve feet of water, can and may continue to come to Rockets Landing without the assistance of the contemplated improvements; therefore, all vessels which draw twelve feet of water and less, according to the Law, will be compelled to pay a high toll without deriving any equivalent benefit, which your Memorialists consider will be extremely burthensome and oppressive. According to the Law as it has passed, a coasting vessel of one hundred tons, which may probably make eight trips per year, will be required to pay ninetysix dollars, when the same vessel will be obliged to pay no more than six dollars to the United States, and when also no adequate advantage will be derived by anything which the Company may or can do. It is true that the channel may be made something deeper than it is now. The Law requires the Channel to be deepened so little that the contemplated improvement will not exceed one foot. There would be no impropriety in exacting from such vessels as may be benefitted by the improvement an adequate compensation for the Benefit which they may derive. Even at this time it is declared by some skillful pilots that vessels may be brought to Rockets which draw thirteen feet Water, but without descending to this nicity it is very evident to every body that the channel of the River will not be deepened more than one foot, and that, for the small advantage, the company will be allowed to derive a Toll as if the Channel should be deepened all the difference between five feet and thirteen feet. An Error so manifest and an Evil so great, could not have been contemplated by the virginia Legislature. As the Law now stands all vessels being compelled to pay according to their Tonnage, the Company will become Rich at the expence of those who cannot obtain adequate compensation. It is also true that considerable advantages may be gained by improving the navigation from Rockets to the Rock Landing, which is contemplated by the Law. This at the best, after it is improved to the extent of the Law, will be used only, by small craft. It therefore seems that the Law ought to apply, only to such small vessels as may come to the Rock landing. Your Memorialists further shew, that the advantages which are held out by the Law are so great and alluring, that all the shares were subscribed for in a few minutes—one house alone engrossed one fourth part of them, and at this time, before the subscribers have advanced a single dollar, or before any is demanded, some of the subscribers hold their shares at more than one hundred per cent advance. Your Memorialists have been always led to believe that the free use of the River was a natural and common right, and altho it is good policy to encourage and make compensation for improvements by tolls, yet they humbly conceive that no toll, should be imposed upon those, whose business can be as well carried on without alteration or improvement, of any sort. Your Memorialists admit, that some compensation ought to be made, even by vessels which could navigate the River without any other improvement,

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26 MARCH 1804 but surely there ought to be a very material difference between such vessels, which can navigate the River in its present state, and such as without further improvements are unable to come to Rockets. The Law does not make the smallest destinction, nor does it compel the Company to open the Channel to a reasonable width. Your Memorialists humbly pray that the Law of the United States may be suspended, until the merits of the Case can be more fully heard and understood, and your Memorialists will pray &c. RC (DLC); undated; in a clerk’s hand, signed by David Lambert, Henry Banks, and 37 others. In addition to Lambert, who had served as a commissioner under the previous bankruptcy law, and Banks, signers included the printers Samuel Pleasants, Jr., and Augustine Davis, and the merchant Moses A. Myers (Richmond Virginia Argus, 12 Feb. 1803; Vol. 37:510-11; Vol. 40:571n).

Located several miles downstream from Richmond, warwick was a port that had formerly served as a substantial shipping and manufacturing center. TJ once wrote that vessels of 250 tons could go to Warwick, while Rocket’s Landing, Richmond’s chief port, could only accommodate vessels of half that capacity (Scott David Arnold, comp., A Guidebook to Virginia’s Historical Markers, 3d ed. [Charlottesville, 2007], 107; Notes, ed. Peden, 6).

To William A. Burwell Dear Sir Washington Mar. 26. 04. Mr. Harvie, my present secretary, proposing now to commence the practice of the law, and Capt. Lewis’s enterprise being likely to prevent his resuming his station for two or three years to come, it has become necessary for me to fill up the vacancy. not knowing whether it might not be acceptable to you to take such a stand for a time in preference to your retirement in the country, I take the liberty of proposing it to you, and shall be really gratified by your acceptance of it. the office itself is more in the nature of that of an Aid de camp, than a mere Secretary. the writing is not considerable, because I write my own letters & copy them in a press. the care of our company execution of some commissions in the town occasionally, messages to Congress, occasional conferences & explanations with particular members, withe the offices, & inhabitants of the place where it cannot so well be done in writing, constitute the chief business. the salary of 600. D. a year serves for clothes & pocket money. a servant of the house to render you the offices you may need, & a horse in the stable always at your service unless attachment to a particular servant or horse of your own should induce you to prefer bringing them, in which case they will be taken into the family. I pass the months of March or April and of August & September at Monticello, & consequently you would be  94 

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free to employ them in visits to your estate & concerns or otherwise as you please. I leave this on the 30th. for Monticello and shall be there till the 25th. of April, and should be glad to recieve an answer from you directed to that place as soon as it is convenient: as it will be necessary for me to have a Secretary in place early in May, & to look out another should you decline. I pray you to accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & attachment. Th: Jefferson RC (CSmH); at foot of text: “Mr. Burwell.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. William Armistead Burwell (17801821) was born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, to one of the state’s leading families. In 1798, he attended the College of William and Mary, where he was a classmate of Lewis Harvie, his predecessor as secretary to the president. In addition to serving as secretary from 1804 to

1806, he represented Franklin County, where he had established a plantation, in the Virginia House of Delegates. Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1806, he remained in that body for the rest of his life and maintained a close personal and political connection to TJ (Gerald W. Gawalt, “‘Strict Truth’: The Narrative of William Armistead Burwell,” vmhb, 101 [1993], 103-9; dvb, 2:439-40; rs, 2:105-6n).

From William Cocke and Joseph Winston Sir Washington 26th March 1804 The undersign’d beg leave to Recommend John Williams Esqr of the State of Tennessee as a Genteelman of Legal abilities Undoubted integrity and well qualified to fill the Office of a Judge in the district of new Orleans he is a firm friend to the present Goverment of his Country and we beleave that if he Should be honour,d with the Appointment he will make a prudant and upright Judge Wm Cocke Jos. Winston RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Mch. and “Williams John to be judge of Orlean” and so recorded in SJL. Joseph Winston (1746-1815) moved in 1766 from his native Virginia to North

Carolina, where he served as an army major during the Revolutionary War. He was an intermittent member of the North Carolina Senate and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1793, 1803, and 1805 (Biog. Dir. Cong.).

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From Rufus Easton Sir, Washington March 26th. 1804 Should the result of my application prove favorable, I will thank you to communicate the same to my friend Mr. Granger, when you shall have made up your determination and opinion— It is always agreeable to know one’s fate on an interesting subject, that arrangements may be prudently made— I have the honor to be Sir, with high consideration your most obedt. servt. Rufus Easton RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

my application: see Vol. 42:177-8.

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Edge-Hill March 26. By a letter from Mr Randolph we hear that you will probably leave Washington on Thursday—In case any accident should detain you it may be acceptable to hear that Maria is not worse—I am sorry I cannot say she is better— Accept for your health our best wishes Yours sincerely Jno: W: Eppes RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Monday morning [26 Mch. 1804] I will loiter to day about Congress to attend to some bills, vizt that respecting lands south of Tenessee, and that laying specific duties, to which last an important clause has been added giving to the Govr., until the new Govt. shall be in operation, the powers of a district court in revenue cases, & also that of remitting forfeitures usually exercised by the Secy. of the Treasury: that clause will not only assist in securing the revenue but tend to conciliate the people by granting immediate relief in cases where, from ignorance, the forms of our laws shall not have been adhered to by merchants &a.—A single veto may destroy both bills in the Senate. As I will not be in the office, please  96 

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to have the goodness to write in case any thing should require my attendance at your house— Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); partially dated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 26 Mch. 1804 and “revenue laws N.O.” and so recorded in SJL. lands south of tenessee: for Gallatin’s cooperation with Joseph H. Nicholson to design legislation to meet the requests of the land commissioners in Mississippi Territory, see Gallatin to TJ, 4 Jan. 1804. Section 7, the last paragraph

of a bill “for imposing more specific duties on the importation of certain articles,” gave the governor of Orleans Territory the powers of a district court in revenue cases, along with the powers vested in the secretary of the Treasury to remit fines and forfeitures. On 27 Mch., the last day of the session, the House agreed to both bills as amended by the Senate (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:299300, 303-6; Annals, 13:304, 305, 306, 1241-2).

From Thomas Harris of Connecticut Sterling Connecticut, March 26th. 1804.

May it Please your Excellency: Encouraged by the consideration of the benevolence and philanthropy of your character, which induces you to consider as children of one common parent, all the human race; and that amazing greatness of mind by which you are enabled, and induced to look down with contempt on the distinctions of colour, birth and wealth, among men: I, Thomas Harris, a free black man, of Sterling in the State of Connecticut, have presumed thus to address your Excellency. I was for many years a slave, fought for American freedom, and by that mean obtained my own; married a woman of my own colour, and had had by her five children, (a family as large as by my labour I thought I could maintain), when in the 53d. year of my age and on the third of March instant, my wife presented me with a pair of twin boys. A pair of black twin boys, are Sir, I belive no common sight, such a pair however claim protection and support from me, which I fear I shall not be able to afford them. But Sir, as a testimony of my gratitude, for those principles of Justice and humanity by you so boldly advanced and ably advocated; and of the very great respect in which I hold the Father of his Country, the friend of freedom and equal rights, the benefactor of mankind, and of people of colour in particular; I have named one of my twins Thomas, and the other Jefferson. Deign Sir to accept this humble tribute of respect, trifling indeed, but the greatest in my power to offer. The consideration that  97 

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my boys, (should I be able to support them in existance) are under your Excellency’s government, a government which at once secures to all, whithe rich or poor, white or black, thier equal rights and priviliges, is comforting and encouraging. I cannot find words to express the pleasure I feel, that under your Excellency’s government and the prevalence of your principles, my boys are safe from slavery, if not from cold and hunger. It shall be my study to instill into the minds of my children, that veneration for your Excellency’s person; character; and government; which the most disinterested exertions for the good and happiness of the distressed and enslaved of all mankind, demand. For the many benefits our race in particular have received from your Excellency, I as an individual of them, have only my gratitude to offer and when so fair an opportunity presented of expressing it, I thought it a duty so to do. But the reward of conceous virtue is your Excellency’s and the only one you seek. Be pleased to pardon this trespass on your Excellency’s patience, by the Humblest of all your Humble Servants, whose earnest wish and prayer is, that your Excellency may long live the defender of freedom and sheild of the oppressed. Thomas harris RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Harris; at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson Esqr., President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ (torn); recorded in SJL as received 16 Apr. Thomas Harris appeared in the 1810 U.S. census as living with his free black family in a seven-member household in Sterling, Windham County (Marcella Houle Pasay, Full Circle: A Directory of Native and African Americans in Windham County, CT, and Vicinity, 1650-1900 [Bowie, Md., 2002], 234). one of my twins thomas: a Thomas J. Harris, born in Sterling about the time of this letter, became a farm laborer and leader of the “Colored Class” of Moosup Methodist Church (same). my boys are safe from slavery: under Connecticut’s gradual emancipation laws, because Harris enlisted during the Revolution and became a free man, his sons were free at birth. Although the legislature did not pass enlistment laws which automatically manumitted slaves during the American Revolution, courts

upheld the freedom granted to those who provided military service with their masters’ consent (Acts and Laws of the State of Connecticut [New London, 1784], 233-5; Edgar J. McManus, Black Bondage in the North [Syracuse, N.Y., 1973], 155, 158, 169; Joanne Pope Melish, Disowning Slavery: Gradual Emancipation and “Race” in New England, 1780-1860 [Ithaca, N.Y., 1998], 66-7). reward of conceous virtue: “And conscious virtue, still its own reward” is a line in Alexander Pope’s translation of the first book of the Thebaid by the Roman poet Statius. Other writers borrowed or modified Pope’s line, which was first published in 1712, for use in poetry or as a maxim (Herbert Davis, ed., Pope: Poetical Works [London, 1966], 199; Stuart Gillespie, “Statius in English, 1648-1767,” Translation and Literature, 8 [1999], 165; John Tapner, The School-Master’s Repository: Or, Youth’s Moral Preceptor [London, 1761], 6; George Canning, An Epistle from William Lord Russell, to William Lord Cavendish, 2d ed. [London, 1763], 11).

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From James Jackson Sir, Washington, March 26h, 1804. As the Louisiana Government bill, has now passed, I take the liberty of recommending a single Officer from Georgia, for that territory— An Attorney of the United States, is to be appointed for the New Orleans division, with a salary of six hundred dollars, per annum— Thomas, U, Pulaski, Charlton, of Savannah, a Gentleman at the bar of Georgia, of legal, and scholastic talents—a determined Republican, & friend of the present administration, which he has manifested on all occasions; and who understands the French language, is desirous of removing to that Country, and of going in some publick character—if appointed, I will vouch for his conduct, and be answerable to you Sir, for it—If you should see Mr Baldwin, I refer to him the propriety of his appointment—The Louisiana bill has been a tough job—in which Mr Baldwin & myself, have had almost to work double tides in resisting the wild notions of elective franchise to govern men, who know not the meaning of the term.— I feel grateful for your attention to Mr Couper—I expect to drink your health, at his house, this spring, in Wine of his own making— I shall remember your peaches on my return; and beg leave to assure you, that I am unfeignedly Your attached Friend & Servt Jas Jackson I concur in the above recommendation RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); below Jackson’s signature: “The President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and “Charlton Thos. U. Pulaski. to be Distr. Atty of Orleans” and so recorded in SJL. louisiana government bill: as enacted, the law “erecting Louisiana into two territories, and providing for the temporary government thereof” divided Louisiana on the western side of the Mississippi River at the 33d parallel, with the northern part named the Louisiana District and placed under the jurisdiction of Indiana Territory. Indiana’s governor, with the advice of the president, was to parcel the district into militia divisions, and Indiana’s judges were to extend their jurisdiction over the area. Orleans Territory, the main focus of the act, was established south of the 33d parallel and in-

Abr Baldwin

cluded all of Louisiana on the eastern side of the Mississippi River. The president possessed the power of appointment over all the new territory’s major executive, legislative, and judicial offices. Other provisions extended a series of U.S. laws to the territory, granted habeas corpus and trial by jury to its citizens, banned the importation of slaves other than by slaveholders relocating from other parts of the union, voided Spanish grants of land made since the Treaty of San Ildefonso, and authorized the president to exchange Indians’ land east of the Mississippi River for western lands to be held under the protection of the United States. The law was to commence on 1 Oct. (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:283-9; Vol. 42:34-5n). For Thomas U. P. charlton, see Vol. 33:479. tough job: the House of Representatives had amended the bill so that after one

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26 MARCH 1804 year the 13 appointed members of the legislative council for Orleans Territory would yield to a council chosen by elec­ tive franchise. After the conference committee met, Joseph H. Nicholson, the lead manager for the House, recommended that the House recede from its amendment because of the strong objections of the Senate managers. The main objection, Nicholson explained, was the likelihood that the settlement pattern in Orleans would produce a body “composed of persons of different languages.” There

existed also “other reasons, of a very powerful nature, which it was not necessary for him to state.” By a vote of 51 to 45, the House receded from its amendment but noted for the record that the bill was “limited in duration to one year from the first day of October next, (when it is to take effect) and thence to the end of the next session of Congress.” On 23 Mch., both the House and the Senate accepted the conference committee’s report (Annals, 13:296-7, 1229-30; Vol. 42:35n).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Mar. 26. 1804. I mentioned on a former occasion that I could only take all this month to dispose of my tobacco to the best advantage. if not already sold, I must pray you to sell it immediately and to remit the proceeds (deducting your balance) to mr Barnes the first or second week of April. I shall then be at Monticello, for which place I set out on the 30th. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson P.S. the vessel which brought my coal took back 20 odd packages for Richmond for which she sailed three days ago. they are groceries &c wanting while I am at home, so to be forwarded by the first boat PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ.

former occasion: Vol. 42:418.

From William Kennedy Sir Washington 26h. March 1804 notwithstanding I am convinced that the numerous applications for office which of course results in the rejection of many is as mortifying and disagreeable as any other occurence in the exercise of your functions—yet the duty I owe a constituent urges me to this communication and which I hope you will receive as a sufficient apology; enclosed I have sent you a letter from Mr. Smallwood directed to myself requesting that I would endeavour to procure for him an office either civil or military in Louisiana. Mr. Smallwood is a lawyer by profession—and has acted in the capacity of brigade inspector of the militia for several counties in the state of North Carolina from which  100 

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circumstance I am inclined to suppose he has some knowledge of military discipline I am with great respect your Obedt. Servt. William Kennedy RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and “Smallwood Charles for emploimt. civil or military. Louisa.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Charles Smallwood to Kennedy, Bath, North Carolina, 23 Nov. 1803, commenting on the Twelfth Amendment, exalting the potential of Louisiana—“that Elysium or paradise of never ending Sweets”—and expressing his willingness to accept any office there (RC in same).

William Kennedy (1768-1834) won election to the Eighth and Eleventh Congresses as a Republican representative from North Carolina. Although unsuccessful in his reelection bid for the Twelfth Congress, he gained a seat after an 1813 special election to fill a vacancy (Biog. Dir. Cong.; William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 vols. [Chapel Hill, 1979-96], 3:352; New Bern Federal Republican, 16 Jan. 1813).

From Meriwether Lewis Dear Sir, St. Louis March 26th. 1804. I send you herewith inclosed, some slips of the Osages Plums, and Apples. I fear the season is too far advanced for their success. had I earlyer learnt that these fruits were in the neighbourhood, they would have been forwarded at a more proper time. I would thank you to send a part of them to Messrs. John Mason, & William Hamilton. should they not succeed, Mr. Charles Gratiot, a gentleman of this place, has promised me that he would with pleasure attend to the orders of yourself, or any of my acquaintancies who may think proper to write him on the subject. Mr. Gratiot can obtain the young plants at the proper season, and send them very readily to Mr. Trist if requested to do so. I obtained the cuttings, now sent you, from the garden of Mr. Peter Choteau, who resided the greater portion of his time for many years with the Osage nation. it is from this gentleman, that I obtained the information I possess with respect to these fruits.— The Osage’s Plum appears to be a native of the country bordering on the vilages of that nation, situated on the Osage river, a south branch of the Missouri, about two hundred and sixty miles west from St. Louis. the shrub, which produces this fruit is remakably small, seldom rising to a greater hight than five feet; it is much branced, and the smaller boughs are armed with long thorn-like or pinated twigs; in their native state they grow very thickly together, and I think from their appearance, might with a little attention, be made to form an ornimental and usefull hedg. they produce their fruit every year, and generally in great abundance. the fruit is a large oval plum, of a pale  101 

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yellow colour and exquisite flavor. with other fruits of this family it’s matrix is comparitively small; it comes to maturity about the begining of July, and continues to ripen in succession on the same plant untill the 20th. or last of that month.— The Osage Apple is a native of the interior of the continent of North America, and is perhaps a nondiscript production; the information I have obtained with respect to it is not so minute as I could wish, nor such as will enable me to discribe it in a satisfactory manner. Mr. Peter Coteau, who first introduced this tree in the neighbourhood of St. Louis about five years since, informed me, that he obtained the young plants at the great Osage vilage from an Indian of that nation, who said he procured them about three hundred miles west of that place. the general contour of this tree, is very much that of the black haw, common to most parts of the U States, with these diferences however, that the bark is of a lighter colour, less branced, and arrives to a larger size, somtimes rising to the hight of thirty feet. it’s smaller branches are armed with many single, long, & sharp, pinated thorns. the particular form of the leaf or flower I have been unable to learn. so much do the savages esteem the wood of this tree, for the purpose of making their bows, that they travel many hundred miles in quest of it. The particulars with respect to the fruit, is taken principally from the Indian discription; my informant never having seen but one specimen of it, which was not fully ripe, and much shrivled and mutilated before he saw it. the Indians give an extravigant account of the exquisite odour of this fruit when it has obtained maturity, which takes place the latter end of summer, or the begining of Autumn. they state, that at this season they can always tell by the scent of the fruit when they arrive in the neighbourhod of the tree, and usually take advantage of this season to obtain the wood; as it appears not be a very abundant growth, even in the country where it is to be found. an opinion prevails among the Osages, that the fruit is poisonous, tho’ they acknowledge that they have never tasted it; they say that many anamals feed on it, and among others, a large species of Hare† which abounds in that country. This fruit is the size of the largest orange, of a globular form, and a fine orange colour. the pulp is contained in a number of conacal pustules, covered with a smooth membranous rind, having their smaller extremities attatched to the matrix, from which, they project in every direction, in such manner, as to form a compact figure. the form and consistancy of the matrix, and germ, I have not been able to learn.—the trees which are in the possession of Mr. Choteau have as yet produced neither flowers nor fruit.—  102 

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 †From the discription of this anamal, it is in point of colour, figure, and habbits very much the same species with the European Hare, and is as large, if not larger than that anamal. this large hare of America, is found on the upper part of the Arkansas River, and in the country lying from thence South, and West, to the mountains which seperate us from New Mexico, it is said to be remakably fleet, and hard to be overtaken on horseback even in their open plains.—  I have the honour to be with sincere esteem Your Obt. Servt. Meriwether Lewis. Capt. 1st. U.S. Regt. Infty. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U’States”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 May and so recorded in SJL. The cuttings of Osage plums came from either the wild American plum (Prunus americana) or a variety known as the Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia), and the cuttings from the Osage apples were from the Osage orange tree,

also known as the bois d’arc (Jackson, Lewis and Clark, 1:172n; Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:210n; George A. Petrides, A Field Guide to Trees and Shrubs: Northeastern and North-Central United States and Southeastern and South-Central Canada [Boston, 1986], 194-5). hare: the white-tailed jackrabbit (Jackson, Lewis and Clark, 1:172n).

From Matthew Lyon Sir— Washington March 26th. 1804 It is some time since I took the liberty of mentioning the name of John Emmerson Esqr of Green County, Kentucky as a suitable person for a Judge in one of the Territories of the US, and that I had been solicited by many of his neighbors & acquaintance to recomend him as such to the notice of the cheif Majistrate of the Union— Amoung the many recomendations of Mr Emmerson I have received I must beg leave to recite the following, The honble Allen Wakefield one of the Judges of the General Court of Kentucky & presideing Judge in the Circuits of Barren Cumberland Greene & Adair, Liveing in the same County with Mr Emmerson says in his letter to me “Mr Emmerson has acted for some years as a justice of the peace in the County of Green and as far as my knoledge extends has faithfully discharged the duties arriseing out of that office, Mr Emmerson is a licenced attorney to pratice in any Court in the State in the distribution of Offices if any one is conferr’d on Mr. Emmerson which may be worthy of his attention it will be filled with punctuality by him”  103 

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 John E King Esqr Colonel of the County of Cumberland clerk of the Circuit Court & a practiceing attorney of eminence in all the neighboring Counties in his letter expresses him self thus, “I have been acquainted with him five or six years and he hath conducted himself in such a manner as to acquire the good opinion and confidence of his Countrymen & acquaintance, he is a man of benevolence & hospitality with a high sense of honour & very enterpriseing a man of popularity & a great judge of Mankind, A man of reading, a good judge of Law very liberal & honorable in his profession as a Lawyer, he has a fine family an amiable woman & a number of active & promiseing Children, any preferment bestowed on Mr Emmerson would be of considerable advantage to any Country to which he might remove” The opinions of Major Robert Allen & James Allen Esqr one an attorney at Law the other Clerk of the County of Green—as well as many others of the first respectability in that quarter corroborate with that of Col King, one of them gentlemen in his letter says “his natural solidity of judgment & knoledge of the law merrit notice which would gratifie a number of citicens,” the other says “I think him a Man of firmness of good judgment, a man who possess’s a strong mind & well acquainted with the manner of setling a new Country.” Samuel Brents Esqr A practiceing attorney in them Counties a man highly respected in his letter says “he is certainly deserveing any office or appointment which the United States can conferr in a territorial goverment,” Col Trabue of Adair County uses nearly the same Words. I shall conclude this string of recomendations with an Extract of letter from Isaac Taylor Esqr Clerk of the County Court in Cumberland County who is a patriot himself & much beloved—“John Emmerson Attorney at law whose patriotic zeal for the good of his Country early induced him to espouse the cause of Liberty & take up arms as a brave officer in its defence, his Steadiness, Sobriety, & strict principles of honour has gained him the respect of the respectable, his abilities, to your judgment I submit, but hope his merit will meet an appointment suitable to his dignity”— My personal acquaintance with Mr Emmeson is but little more than haveing spent five weeks mostly in his company last summer, often hearing him at the bar & noticeing his practice & his manners which made a Strong impression on my mind in his favor, the observations of his friends which I have quoted I have reason to believe are well founded and it is with pleasure I forward the wishes of a large number of my constituents when I recomend Mr Emmerson as a Gentleman Worthy & capable of the Office I solicit for him—if it be consistent with the general & extended views of the Executive of the  104 

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Nation which views I am perfectly sensible are always directed to the public good— I am with great respect your Very hble Servt— M Lyon RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and “Emmerson John to be a Western judge” and so recorded in SJL. John Emerson (emmerson) was admitted to the bar in 1794. He served sev-

eral terms in the state legislature (William B. Allen, A History of Kentucky: Embracing Gleanings, Reminiscences, Antiquities, Natural Curiosities, Statistics, and Biographical Sketches of Pioneers [Louisville, 1872], 347-8; Frankfort, Ky., Argus of Western America, 17 Mch. 1808).

From Henry Moore Sir, Alexandria 26th March 1804 Since I had last the pleasure of addressing you, I have understood that several Subscription Papers have been handed you from this place relative to the present Collector of this port Colo. Charles Simms; My own opinion is his office is properly attended to; but nobody will deny there are not others who are equally well calculated for the discharge thereof, and who ought to be preferred for many reasons, one is, that Colo. Simms is very wealthy, as he owns property worth at least ten thousand pounds, and his practice as a Lawyer is worth twenty five hundred Dollars a year which is enough with his Rents which are about £200—to support his family, another is there is a Man here who is in Indigence, who has rendered more much more essential services to this Country, and who would devote his whole time to the office. without employing a Deputy—as the one now in Colo. Simm’s office is very obnoxious on account of his pride and overbearing conduct, and is besides remarkably deaf—Should you for any cause, find it necessary to remove the Colonel, you will find upon enquiry that the person mentioned in my last, would be generally approved of here—Again I pray you excuse the freedom I take in thus addressing you, without being personally known to you; and attribute it entirely to that wish which pervades the Human Heart, to render all our aid to assist those who are in distress—And I assure you I would recommend the person I have mentioned, with the same warmth were he a stranger to me; on account of the great services rendered his Country in that Glorious Struggle which terminated in our Independance—accept assurances of my high respect and Consideration, and believe me Yours very truly Henry Moore  105 

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Should you deem this unworthy of notice please commit it to the flames— HM RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire Presidt. of the U.S. of America Washington City”; also in Moore’s hand: “on private Business, to be opened by himself only”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and “Moore Cleon. to be Collector Alexa” and so recorded in SJL.

i had last the pleasure of ad­ dressing you: Moore to TJ, 19 Mch. For two subscription papers, see Alexandria Republicans to TJ, 3 Mch., and the enclosure at Daniel Carroll Brent to TJ, 29 Mch. Charles T. Chapman signed as deputy collector at Alexandria in 1804 (Gallatin, Papers, 9:639).

From John Smith of Ohio Sir Washington March 26—1804 I feel an insuperable reluctance, in adding to the number of applications to you for offices, or appointments to office, as I am Certain, the manner in which they have already multiplied, has been very irksome to you—But, as their are a number of Appointments to make, permit me to mention two or three names, and ask the favour of you Sir, to add them to the list of Candidates. First, Col. Francis Mentges, formerly, federal in his politics, but latterly pleased, quiescent & recumbent on the present administration. His Character no doubt is known to you—I personally knew him in the Western Army, And I  have ever understood, that he behaved well, that he was a good officer, and that he was brave in the Revolutionary war. He has Spent the 3d Session with Congress, for the adjustment of an old Claim, which at this late period of the Session, there is no Chance of having done. For him my sensibility is excited. He is a man of temperate &  industrous habits, Speaks the Garman, the French and with his knowledge of the Latin, he may in four months speak the Spanish language with Correctness. He is a good Desciplinarian—And I am induced to believe that he would be a1 very proper person as Commandant to reside in upper Louisiana to superintend our Militia. 2d Mr Michael Jones of Cincinnati is a Candidate for the office of Receiver or Register in the Indiana Territory—A Man of competent ability, correct in his principles & unimpeachable in his reputation— Mr Daniel Symmes I believe would be pleased with either of those Offices in the said Territory—but of this more hereafter—I fear you will think me troublesome,—But Sir, I want no office for myself, nor have I (thank God) a relation on earth to trouble you with. I shall do myself the honour to Call on you before I leave the City—Mean while,  106 

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accept the assurance of the high Consideration & respect with which I am— Sir your most obedient & devoted Servant John Smith of Ohio RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and “Jones Michael. Symmes Danl. Reciever or Register. Indiana” and so recorded in SJL. michael jones received a recess appointment as register of the land office at

Kaskaskia on 9 Apr. (see Appendix i; Terr. Papers, 7:185n). Smith had recently recommended dan­ iel symmes to Gallatin for an appointment as register of the land office in Cincinnati (Vol. 42:443). 1

MS: “a a.”

From John Smith of Ohio Sir March 26—1804 I herewith send the papers of Col. Mentges for your inspection, as well respecting his Claim as his Charecter which I must beg the favor of Receiving when I call. I am Sir Respectfully your most obedt Servt. John Smith of O RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Mch. and “Mentges Colo. for emploimt.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found.

From Joseph Anderson and Others Sir [27 Mch. 1804] We the Undersigned do recommend John Kennedy Esquire—of the State of Tennessee—Attorney at Law—as a Candidate for the appointment of Secretary of the District or Territory of New Orleans, or as Attorney for that District—for either of which appointments his talents and integrety well qualify him—and Shou’d the President think proper to Honor him—with either of the appointments—We feel Confident he will discharge the duties of the office, with honor to himself—and Satisfaction to his Government— Jos: Anderson Wm Cocke John Rhea Wm Dickson G: W: Campbell  107 

27 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; in Anderson’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Mch. 1804 and “Kennedy John. to be Secretary Attorney Orleans” and so recorded in SJL.

 john kennedy, a native of Virginia, represented Washington County, Tennessee, in the state general assembly from 1803 to 1807 (Robert M. McBride and Dan M. Robison, Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, 2 vols. [Nashville, 1975-79], 2:425).

From David Bard Sir. City Washington 27th. March 1804— In a letter received on last Saturday, Mr. Hugh Ferguson of Philadelphia, requested me to mention his name to you, in hopes that you would please to consider him as a candidate for one of the Offices in that City, when ever a vacancy should occur—He has not mentioned any particular Office to me— I have been intimately acquainted with Mr. Ferguson for Some Years—He is temperate, honest, and attentive to business His political principles are republican,1 and his attachment to the republican administration is uniform and firm—If he should have the honor of an appointment under the Executive, I trust his conduct would justify the confidence that may be placed in him— Please to pardon this interruption, and to accept the high consideration of Yr. Mo. Obdt. Servt David Bard RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and “Ferguson Hugh. Phila. for office in Phila.” and so recorded in SJL. David Bard (1744-1815) graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1773, studied theology, and became a Presbyterian minister, serving in congregations in Virginia and Pennsylvania. In 1788, he settled in Blair County, Pennsylvania. A Republican, he served in Congress from

1795 to 1799 and from 1803 until his death. In the Eighth Congress, he spoke out against slavery (Richard A. Harrison, Princetonians, 1769-1775: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1980], 266-9; Daily National Intelligencer, 23 Mch. 1815; Biog. Dir. Cong.; Stephen W. Brown, Voice of the New West: John G. Jackson, His Life and Times [Macon, Ga., 1985], 60-1; Vol. 42:401n). 1 MS:

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“repulican.”

To John Barnes Mar. 27. 04.

Will mr Barnes be so good as to make remittance immediately to Genl. Muhlenberg according to the inclosed, and divide the charge between mr Madison & myself as therein noted? Th:J. RC (DLC); addressed: “Mr. Barnes”; endorsed with calculations by Barnes (see below). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosure: J. P. G. Muhlenberg to TJ, 23 Mch. Adding the cost of duties charged at Philadelphia with the cost of transport-

ing boxes to Georgetown, Barnes calculated a total of $28, which he divided evenly between TJ and madison. He also enumerated charges on TJ’s account for an additional smaller box and for the transport of two boxes to Philadelphia, which totaled 11 shillings and 9 pence.

From Overton Carr Dr Sir, March 27th 1804 This will be presented to You by my Son who is desirous of obtaining a birth in the Navy and whose views permit me to hope you will promote by speaking to the Secretary in his behalf. He has been well educated, and having served a regular apprenticeship in a Merchants Compting House in Baltimore, is capable of transacting any Business in that line; but such is the difficulty of getting into Business particularly to one who has no Capital to begin with & so utterly is it out of my power to advance Him one, even ever so small, as to induce Him to try to get into the Navy, as the best prospect which at present presents itself, of enabling him to earn a livelihood—In Baltimore it is true He can get credit for any amount of Goods He might choose to take, but never can think of setting out in Business entirely on a borrowed Capital, when if any accident shoul’d befal Him on any loss he sustained, He has not a Shilling with which to make it good. This being his situation, I will make no apology for thus recommending Him to your friendly Protection being convinced, that shoul’d it be in your power to assist Him, you will do so, & if it shoul’d not I shall rest perfectly satisfied—a most painful complaint (the Rheumatism in my Head) has confined me to the House for almost four Months & prevented me from paying my respects occasionally to yourself & Family during the Winter which both duty & inclination prompted me to do. With sincere wishes for your prosperity & happiness I am Dr Sir yr obliged H Servt Overton Carr  109 

27 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Mch. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “Carr to be employed in Navy”; notation in SJL: “His son to get into Navy.” my son: Overton Carr, Jr., was commissioned a midshipman on 2 Apr. (ndbw,

Register, 9; Philadelphia Aurora, 9 Apr. 1804). a most painful complaint: Carr died on 22 Aug. in Prince George’s County, Maryland, after sustaining a “tedious and painful malady with the utmost patience and resignation” (Washington Universal Gazette, 30 Aug.).

From William Findley and John Smilie [27 Mch. 1804]

The Subscribers have for a number of years past been well acquainted with John Badolet Esqr, Associate Judge for the County of Green in the state of pennsylva, have a high opinion of his Integrity and talents and with Confidence recommend him to the president of the United states as a suitable person to be appointed for Register of the land office to be established at Vincenes we being persuaded that in addition to his talents his prudence and Industry will do honor to the appointment Wm Findley John Smilie P.S. I have myself done public bussiness in connection with Mr Badolet with Great Satisfaction Wm Findley RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Findley’s hand, signed by both; undated; at foot of text: “The president”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. 1804 and “Badolet John. to be register Ld. office Vincennes” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Gallatin to TJ, 28 Mch. (first letter). A native of Ireland, John Smilie (17411812) sailed from Belfast to Philadelphia in 1762 and settled in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He served in the American Revolution and represented Lancaster in the general assembly from 1779 to 1780. He then moved to western Pennsylvania and established a 300-acre farm in Fayette County. He continued to be elected to public office, serving in the state legislature and the executive council. An Antifederalist, Smilie, along with William Findley, voted against the ratification of the U.S. Constitution at the Harrisburg Convention in 1787. Both were members of the state constitutional convention of

1790. Smilie was elected to the Third Congress and cast his vote for TJ as an elector in 1796. Elected as a Republican to the Sixth Congress, he served in the House from 1799 until his death (Deirdre M. Mageean, “Emigration from Irish Ports,” Journal of American Ethnic History, 13 [1993], 11-12; Michael J. Faber, “Democratic Anti-Federalism: Rights, Democracy, and the Minority in the Pennsylvania Ratifying Convention,” pmhb, 138 [2014], 149-57; R. Eugene Harper, The Transformation of Western Pennsylvania, 1770-1800 [Pittsburgh, 1991], 111, 162-3; Philadelphia Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser, 21 Oct. 1779; National Intelligencer, 31 Dec. 1812, 2 Jan. 1813; Merrill Jensen, John P. Kaminski, Gaspare J. Saladino, and others, eds., The Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution, 27 vols. [Madison, Wis., 1976- ], 2:639, 728, 732; Biog. Dir. Cong.).

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From Nicholas Fitzhugh Dear Sir Alexandria March 27. 1804 I was yesterday honored with your favor of the 25th. Instant & agreable to your desire, endeavoured to collect information respecting a way from Songster’s to the Red-house avoiding Centreville. I am pleased to find that the rout is not only practicable but there will be a saving of distance to the amount of 7 miles as you will discover from the enclosed Memorandum. The road through Ravensworth is about half a mile nearer than the one you have heretofore used; but the principal Advantage contemplated is that you escape a bad Bridge and a steep Hill near my Brother Cooke’s Meadow. After passing Minors Lane, you cross a River; then ascend a Hill & passing through a short Lane of Mr Whiting’s; you enter an old field, a Barn & several houses on the left a short distance off & a fence to the right. After passing the Barn, you enter the first Gate on the right, pursuing a Road, not much beaten, through my Brother Cookes Quarter to the Alexandria or Court-house Road opposite my Brother Giles’s, where you cross it nearly at right angles going through a Gate on each Side of the Alexandria Road. The way is then the one to which you have been accustomed. I have taken the liberty to sketch off a little platt of the Road. The dotted way is the one you have used which falls into the Alexandria or Court-house road in a wood near a pond & forms a junction with the proposed Road nearly opposite to my Brother Giles’s which is a small white House surrounded by trees. I would have answered you sooner had not my attendance at our Court prevented my getting the necessary information respecting Songsters Road. If Mr Kilty can be prevailed to relieve me in my Session at Court, I will do myself the pleasure to wait on you early on Friday Morning or Thursday Evening & will accompany you as far as the Red-House. The Court will certainly rise at the End of the week & if it will not be very inconvenient to you to postpone your journey until Sunday there can be no obstacle in the way of my waiting on you Saturday Evening or Sunday Morning. My Brother Richard (who lives near the Road, on Ravensworth) desired me to present his Respects to you & request that you will dine & spend the Evening with him. The Court while sitting in Washington made a Representation to you of the Case of John Duffy who had been convicted on an Indictment for keeping a disorderly house in this place. The Jury amerced him in so large a Sum that the Court being satisfied from Evidence exhibited, that he was not worth property enough to pay it, granted a new trial; but Duffy not being able to give Security to comply with  111 

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the Terms, was committed to prison where he now is. The object of this inquiry is not to add any thing to the official Statement of the Court or to represent Duffy as having any particular Claim on your indulgence; but only to know whether this paper reached you. If it has been mislaid by those who ought to have transmitted it to you, the Court may now be able to represent the Circumstances again. The extreme importunities of his Wife for his Liberation & the dependance of a family (as I am told) on his Exertions for their Support, will be I hope the best Apology for the trouble I now give you. I have the Honor to be with sincere Esteem Your mo obt. Servt. N. Fitzhugh RC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as received 29 Mch. Enclosure: map, in Fitzhugh’s hand, of a route between the Leesburg Turnpike and “The Road from Alexa. to the Court House,” indicating landmarks along the way and showing by

a dotted line the route “you have traveled” (MS in same). richard Fitzhugh lived at Oak Hill, one of several plantations on the Ravensworth tract (mb, 2:1071n, 1123n; rs, 6:86).

From Joseph Lewis, Jr. March 27. 1804

J. Lewis presents his respects to Mr. Jefferson, and assures him of his particular attention to the Letter from Germany—He has some recollection of the Family alluded to, and will take the earliest opportunity after his return to Loudoun of waiting upon them RC (MHi); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not identified, but see below. Joseph Lewis, Jr. (1772-1834), of Clifton in Loudoun County, Virginia, was a Federalist member of Congress from 1803 to 1817. He had previously served in the Virginia House of Delegates (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Leonard, General Assembly, 290; Alexandria Gazette, 5 Apr. 1834; Vol. 40:335n). letter from germany: TJ possibly conveyed to Lewis a letter of 18 July 1803 from Sofia Hartman, which has not been found but is recorded in SJL as re-

ceived from Brunswick on 25 Sep. 1803, with a duplicate of the same date, also not found, recorded as received on 21 Mch. 1804. She probably inquired about the status of her brother, George Frederic Charles Hartman, a former soldier with the Brunswick troops in America. In 1787-88, TJ received correspondence about similar efforts to locate the man (William A. Weaver, ed., The Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States of America, from the Signing of the Definitive Treaty of Peace .  .  . to the Adoption of the Constitution, 3 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1837], 3:577-8; Vol. 11:397n; Vol. 12:523-4, 599; Alexander McClean to TJ, 18 May 1805).

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To Benjamin Lincoln Sir Washington Mar. 27. 04 You were so kind as to pay the duties & some other expences of some articles which came last fall for me to Boston. not having yet recieved a note of the amount according to a former request I take the liberty of recalling it to your memory, that I may be enabled to remit it to you, which shall be done with many thanks for your attention to the subject. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson RC (King V. Hostick, Chicago, 1951); at foot of text: “Genl. Lincoln.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

some articles: see Vol. 40:458n; Vol. 41:229, 381.

From John Rhea Sr/ Washington March 27th. 1804 I have been for some considerable time past well acquainted with Mr John Williams of the County of Hawkins and State of Tennessee—he is a practizing Lawyer—and I believe of Legal abilities—of honesty and integrity possessed—and a firm friend to Republican principles and attached to the constitution of the United States. he will, in my Opinion, perform with uprightness and fidelity, the duties of a Judge in any of the territories of the United States—if the President of the United States would think proper to nominate him for that purpose. I am with every Sentiment of Respect and Esteem for the President of the United States—his Obt Servant John Rhea RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. and “Williams John. to be judge” and so recorded in SJL.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate Dennis Claude of Maryland Cornelius Baldwin of Virginia Hugh M. Hull of Georgia to be Surgeons mates in the army of the US. Th: Jefferson Mar. 27. 1804.  113 

27 MARCH 1804  RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 1st sess.); signature and date clipped, supplied from PoC; endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Medical nominns.”

 Lewis Harvie presented TJ’s message to the Senate on 27 Mch., and the nominations were approved the same day (jep, 1:468).

From Robert Smith The President Navy Deptmt March 27. 1804 The motion for abolishing the office of Lt. Colo. Commdt. of the Marine Corps having been rejected, I take the liberty to enclose a nomination for that office. The Gentleman proposed is now the senior officer of the Corps. Robt. Smith FC in Lb (DNA: RG 45, LSP); in a clerk’s hand. Enclosure: suggested message to Senate, “Gentlemen of the Senate, I nominate Franklin Wharton, now Senior Officer in the Corps of Marines, to be Lieutenant Colonel Commandant of the Marine Corps” (FC in Lb in same, subjoined to letter). motion for abolishing the office: following failed attempts by the previous Congress, Michael Leib of Pennsylvania introduced a bill on 2 Dec. 1803 that reduced the number of officers in the Marine Corps and eliminated the position of commandant. The House passed this measure on 13 Feb. 1804, and the Senate rejected it the following day. On 23 Feb., the House again attempted to eliminate

the commandant position by amending a bill on the naval peace establishment. The Senate rejected this measure on 14 Mch. By the time Congress adjourned on 27 Mch., no agreement had been reached regarding the elimination of the position of commandant (Annals, 13:252-3, 302-3, 640, 987-90, 1046; js, 3:377; Vol. 39:484, 565-6). the gentleman proposed: on 6 Mch., Marine commandant William Ward Burrows resigned his commission due to ill health and a congressional investigation into his public finances. In the next session of Congress, TJ nominated Major Franklin Wharton to become the commandant (anb; Annals, 13:987-90; TJ to the Senate, 13 Nov. 1804).

To Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Washington Mar. 27. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 22d. and believe it will be as well to send the books from Cepede by one of the vessels which habitually ply between Philadelphia & this place. Capt. Hand often brings things for me. I send you by post herewith an interesting volume of Faujas de St. Fond on the great fossil bones, which after reading may be returned either with La Cepede’s or otherwise as you please. I have heard of Segur’s work with great commendation, but never saw it. I should be glad Doctr. Barton could have the reading  114 

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the volume now sent, with my compliments to him. Salutations & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Dr. Wistar”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: the first volume of Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, Essai de géologie, ou Mémoires pour servir a l’histoire naturelle du globe (Paris, 1803).

From John Barnes sir Geo: Town 28th, Mar 1804. I have already-handed Genl Muhlenberg the Amt of his Duties &  frt a/c $23.57—retained Minute thereof as well. Capt Hands acknowledgmt of the packages—an Order to Assertain the several Costs on each, on their Arrival here, to the debit of the President & Mr Madison. With great Respect, I am sir your most Obed. H st John Barnes RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The President U States.”

From Henry Dearborn Sir [28 Mch. 1804] In the rules & Articles of War accompanying this note, I have turned down the leaves where you will find the articles refered to in the sentence of the Court Martial on the trial of Capn. Muhlingburg. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); undated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 28 Mch. 1803 and “Muhlenberg’s sentence”; so noted in SJL, but under 28 Mch. 1804. Enclosure: see below. court martial: at a court-martial held on 7 Jan. 1804 at New Orleans, Captain Henry Muhlenberg of the Regiment of Artillerists stood trial on charges of neglect of duty, disobedience to orders, and conduct unbecoming an officer for

leaving his post without permission and in violation of orders. Finding Muhlenberg guilty, the court sentenced him to be dismissed from the service according to section 18, article 5, and article 20 of the appendix of the rules and articles of war (General Orders, 20 June 1804, in DNA: RG 94, James Wilkinson Order Book; Rules and Articles, for the Better Government of the Troops, Raised, or to be Raised, and Kept in Pay, By, and at the Expence of the United States of America [Washington, D.C., 1800; Sowerby, No. 1987], 29, 38).

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To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington Mar. 28. 04. Since I wrote to you on the administration of the foreign intercourse fund, I have deemed it necessary to take more detailed views of the laws on that subject & the practice under them. the papers I had preserved of what was done in Genl. Washington’s time enabled me to do it pretty fully, and the whole is stated on the paper inclosed. I have thought it best to communicate it to you that you may form an opinion on a full view of all facts. should we finally consider any part of the practice as illegal, it will become necessary not only to draw a line accurately between the appointments and allowances which are legal & those which are illegal, but to consider how we may best get into a correct line of administration? whether we can do it without legislative aid, & particularly without an act of indemnity for all those who have expended any portion of that fund contrary to the intentions of the legislature? Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Notation in SJL: “Stevens’s case.”

since i wrote to you: see TJ to Gallatin, 20 Feb.

e n c l o s u r e

Memorandum on the Edward Stevens Claim The constitution having provided that the President should appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls and all other officers which shall be established by law, the first Congress which met passed a law (1790. July 1.) authorising him to draw from the treasury 40,000. D. annually ‘for the support of such persons as he shall commission to serve the US. in foreign parts, & for the expence incident to the business in which they may be employed.’ with a proviso that, exclusive of an outfit to a Min. Plen. or Chargé1 not exceeding a year’s salary, he should allow to any Min. Plen. not more than 9000. D. a year2 for all his personal services & other expences, to a Chargé not more than 4500. D., or to a Secretary not more than 1350. D. and with a 2d. Proviso as to the mode of settlement. this act, which was temporary, was continued by those of 1793. Feb. 9. 1794. Mar. 20. 1796. May 30. 1798. Mar. 19. till 1800. May 10. when they turned the two provisoes into enacting clauses, & made them permanent, and3 the appropriating clause which made the body of the law before, is now annually inserted in the general appropriating law. see 1800. May 7. 1801. Mar. 3. 1802. May 1. 1803. Mar. 2. and 1804. Mar.  : As Congress, in order to limit the discretion of officers as far as is safe, is in the practice of throwing the objects of appropriations into groupes, e.g. to the Secretary of state & clerks & other persons

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28 MARCH 1804 in that department so much, Secy. of Treasy. &c so much, &c. clothing for the army so much, subsistence so much, pay so much, &c. so they might have analysed the foreign appropriation by allowing for Outfits of ministers so much, salaries of do. so much, contingent expences so much, &c. but they chose to throw it all into one mass, only providing that no outfit should exceed a year’s salary & no salary of a minister be more than 9000. D. of a Chargé 4500. D. Secretary 1350. D. &c.4 leaving the President free to give them less if he chose, and to give to Ambassadors, Envoys & other agents what he thought proper. From the origin of the present government to this day the construction of these laws and the practice under them has been to consider the whole fund (with only the limitations beforementioned) as under the discretion of the President as to the ‘persons he should commission to serve the US. in foreign parts, and all the expences incident to the business in which they may be employed’ the grade consequently or character in which they should be employed, their allowance &c. thus Gouvernr. Morris was appointed by Genl Washington informally & without a commission to confer with the British ministers and was allowed for 8. months (I think) 1000. D. Colo. Humphreys was appointed in 1790. to go as an Agent to Madrid, and was allowed at the rate of 2250. D. per ann. Dumas was kept at the Hague many years as an Agent at 1300. D. a year. mr Cutting was allowed disbursements for sailors in London in 1791. 233.33 presents were made to the Chevalier Luzerne on taking leave, worth 1062. D Van Berkel 697. Du Moustier 555. in 1791. mr Short was sent to Amsterdam as an Agent in 1792 and allowed 444.43 D James Blake was sent as Agent to Madrid in 1793. & recieved an advance of 800. D. I know not how much afterwards as I left the office of Secy. of State at the close of that Year. in 1794. mr Jay was appointed Envoy extraordinary, a grade not particularly named in the constitution, or any law. yet Genl. Washington fixed his allowance. during the present administration mr Dawson & Lieutt. Leonard5 have been sent on special agencies. from the beginning of the government it has been the rule when one of our ministers is ordered to another place on a special business, to allow his expences, on that special mission, his salary going on at his residence where his family remains. mr Short’s mission from Paris to Amsterdam, from Paris to Madrid, mr Pinckney’s from London to Madrid, mr Murray’s from the Hague to Paris, & others not recollected by me are instances of this. these facts are stated to shew that it has been the uniform opinion & practice that the whole foreign fund was placed by the legislature on the footing of a contingent fund, in which they undertake no specifications, but leave the whole to the discretion of the President. the whole is but from 40. to 60. or 70. thousd. dollars. After the establishment of the general fund for foreign intercourse Congress found it necessary to make a separate branch for the Barbary powers. this was done covertly in the beginning, to-wit in 1792. they gave 50,000. D additional to the foreign fund, in 1794. 1,000,000. additional without limiting it to Barbary. yet it was secretly understood by the President and his discretion was trusted. in 1796. they gave 260,000 D for treaties with the Mediterranean powers. in 1797. 280,259.03 D for the expences of negociation with Algiers. they did not undertake a more minute analysis or specification, but left it to the President. the laws of 1796. May 6. 97. Mar. 3. 99. Mar. 2. give sums for specific purposes, because these purposes were simple

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28 MARCH 1804 & understood by the legislature. but in general in this branch of the foreign expences, as in the former one, the legislature has thought that to cramp the public service by too minute specifications in cases which they could not foresee, might do more evil, than a temporary trust to the President, which could be put an end to if abused. In the Barbary department Joel Barlow was appointed by Monroe & Humphreys to make the treaty with Tripoli. Joseph Donaldson was appointed by Humphreys to make the treaty with Algiers. Davies is now at Tunis as an Agent appointed by Commodore Morris, confirmed by the Executive.6 In our Western governments heretofore established, they were so well understood by Congress, that they could & did specify every item of expence, except a very small residuum for which they made contingent appropriations. but when they came to provide at this session for the Louisiana government with which they were not acquainted, they give 20,000. D. for compensation to the officers of the government employed by the President and for other civil expences, under the direction of the President, and their first step towards the acquisition of that country was to confide to the President 2. millions of D under the general appropriation for foreign intercourse. these facts shew, that so far from having experienced evil from confiding the 40,000. D. foreign fund to the discretion of the executive without a specific analysis of it’s application, they have continued it on that footing and in many other great cases where analysis was difficult or inexpedient they have given the sums in mass, and left the analysis to him, only requiring an account to be rendered. This statement has been made in order to place on it’s true ground the case of Doctr. Stevens. he was employed by mr Adams as Agent to St. Domingo and was to be allowed his expences; tho’ these were not limited, yet the law limits them in such case to what were reasonable. doubts have arisen at the treasury whether the Executive had a right to make such a contract & whether there be any fund out of which it can be paid? some doubt has been expressed whether an appropriation law gives authority to pay for the purpose of the appropriation without some particular law authorising it? if this be the case, the 40,000 D. fund has been paid away without authority from it’s first establishment; for it never has been given but by a clause of appropriation. the Executive believed this sufficient authority, and so we presume did the legislature, or they would have given authority in some other sufficient form. and where is the rule of legal construction to be found which ascribes less effect to the words of an appropriation law, than of any other law? it is also doubted whether the estimate on which an appropriation is founded does not restrain the application to the specific articles, their number & amount as stated in the estimate? were an appropriation law to come before a judge would he decide it’s meaning from it’s text, or would he call on the offices to produce their estimates as being a part of the law? on the whole, the following questions are to be determined. 1. Whether the laws do not justify the construction which has been uniformly given, either strictly, or at least so ambiguously, that, as in judiciary cases, the decisions which have taken place have fixed their meaning & made it law? 2. whether they are so palpably against law that the prac-

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28 MARCH 1804 tice must be arrested? 3. whether it shall be arrested retrospectively as to monies engaged but not yet actually paid, or only as to future contracts? 4. whether any circumstances take Dr. Stevens’s case out of the conditions & rights of other foreign agencies? Mar. 23. 1804. PoC (DLC). Recorded in SJL with notation “Steven’s (Dr.) case.” For the legislation passed by the first congress on 1 July 1790, entitled “An Act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations,” which was continued by acts passed in 1793, 1794, 1796, and 1798, see U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:128-9, 299-300, 345, 487, 541. enacting clauses: the act of 10 May 1800 reiterated the salaries of public ministers and enumerated the procedure for the settlement of accounts. The act called for an annual accounting of charges under contingent expenses. The president, however, had the right to issue certificates for expenditures he thought it “advisable not to specify” in public accounts (same, 2:78-9; Vol. 24:569n). Congress included funds for intercourse with foreign nations in a 7 May 1800 appropriations act and, subsequently, an­ nually inserted that provision in general appropriations acts (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:62, 66, 120, 188, 214-15, 269). construction of these laws: TJ quoted from the first section of the 1 July 1790 foreign intercourse act (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:128). In December 1790, TJ as secretary of state sent Gouverneur morris a draft for $1,000, noting “this business must at times have interfered with your private pursuits, and subjected you also to additional expenses.” George Washington later certified that $2,000 had been allowed for Morris’s mission (Vol. 18:303-4; Vol. 27:653n). For the amount allowed to David humphreys for his secret trip as courier to Madrid through London and Lisbon, see Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 9:502, and Vol. 19:583. On 11 Aug. 1790, TJ advised: “Thro’ the whole of this business it will be best that you avoid all suspicion of being on any public business.” Humphreys was to “appear as a private traveller” (Vol. 17:125-7). For the unofficial character of both missions, see Vol. 36:433-4.

TJ’s estimates and statements on the foreign fund for 1790 to 1793 included $1,300 for C. W. F. Dumas at the hague. In his estimate for 1790 to 1791, TJ entered $233.33 for John B. Cutting’s disbursements for sailors in lon­ don. TJ supported Cutting’s attempts before Congress to gain reimbursement for over $7,000 expended for relief of American seamen in 1790 (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 9:502; Vol. 19:583; Vol. 23:104-6; Vol. 24:510; Vol. 33:619n). presents were made: TJ had a formula for calculating the worth of the gold medal with chain to be presented to a departing foreign diplomat, based on time in office. Chevalier de La Luzerne served as French minister to the United States for over eight years; F. P. Van Berckel, as Dutch minister, for about five years; and Elénore François Elie, Comte de Moustier, as French minister, for over four years (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 9:503; Vol. 16:90, 367; Vol. 19:583; Vol. 26:479n). short was sent to amsterdam: see TJ’s October 1792 statement of State Department salaries and disbursements for the payment of $444.43 to William Short for the expenses of his mission to Amsterdam and $320 toward his mission to Madrid (Vol. 23:10-11n; Vol. 24:20, 510). For the total reimbursement for Short’s various missions, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:236n. On 12 July 1793, james blake received an $800 advance for his mission as a courier to Madrid (Vol. 26:483; Vol. 27:654, 659, 660). John jay received $12,000.36 for expenses incurred as envoy extraordi­ nary to Great Britain in 1794 (Syrett, Hamilton, 16:328n; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 15:619-20; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:236). mr pinckney’s from london to madrid: regarding the $7,737.49 paid to Thomas Pinckney for expenses during his 1795 mission as envoy extraordinary to Spain, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of

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28 MARCH 1804 State Ser., 6:236n; Vol. 28:119n, 490, 623-4. this was done covertly: for the 1792 act that included an appropriation of $50,000 “to defray any expenses which may be incurred in relation to the intercourse between the United States and foreign nations,” the 1794 act that authorized an additional $1,000,000 to be applied “under the direction of the President,” and the 1796 act that allocated $260,000 for treaties with the med­ iterranean powers, see U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:284-5, 345, 487. sums for specific purposes: in an act of 3 Mch. 1797, Congress appropriated $280,259.03 for negotiations with Algiers in addition to funds for past-due annuities. An act of 6 May 1796 allowed $24,000 per year for expenses of the treaty with Algiers. Additional appropriations of 2 Mch. 1799 included $78,700 for “contingent expenses of intercourse

with foreign nations” (same, 1:460, 5056, 723-4). By an act of 19 Mch. 1804, Congress appropriated $20,000 to be expended under the direction of the president for the civil government of louisiana “and to be accounted for as other public monies” (same, 2:272). For the appropriation of $2,000,000 that enabled the acquisi­ tion of that country, see Vol. 39:584. 1

Preceding two words interlined. Preceding two words interlined. 3 TJ here canceled “instead of.” 4 TJ here canceled “without.” 5 Name interlined in place of “Nicholson.” 6 TJ wrote these comments about the three Barbary appointments perpendicularly in the margin, probably after he received Jacob Wagner’s communication of 24 Mch. 2

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir March 28 1804 Under the law providing for the sale of lands in the Indiana territory, three new land offices are to be established vizt. at Vincennes for the tract around it, at Kaskaskias for the new purchase on the Mississippi and Ohio, and at Detroit for such lands as are public property in that quarter; and the Register & Receiver are made commissioners to examine existing Claims to lands in each district respectively and to report to Congress. The first step to be taken in relation to the Detroit district is to ascertain whether the title to any vacant lands has been extinguished, & to authorize some line of demarcation between the Indians and the United States. Until that shall be done, it is not practicable for the Secy. of the Treasury to give any directions to the Surveyor general respecting the surveys. It is also necessary to ascertain whether no other Indian tribe but the Kaskaskias has any claim to the large purchase on the Mississippi and Ohio, before the indian boundary line can be run with safety. I will only observe that in relation to this and the other district, it will be important that the indian boundary lines should be run under the  120 

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direction of the Surveyor general and not by any special agent appd. for that purpose by the War department. The powers of the Surveyor General now extend to the whole Indiana territory, and those indian lines being the outlines of the public lands, it will create much confusion unless the whole shall be done by direction of one person: the Surveyor general would, of course, receive on that subject the instructions from the War Department if any shall be found necessary. The indian boundary line of the public lands in the State of Ohio was run in that manner, and serves to connect all our surveys: and I expect that the Surveyor of the Mississippi territory will have as much trouble & incur as much expense1 in tracing Gen. Wilkinsons boundary lines as if he had run them originally himself. The indian boundary line of the Vincennes tract being ascertained, the Surveyor General will be instructed immediately to survey, and every endeavour used to have the claims there examined and reported to Congress next fall, so that the public lands may be ready for sale early in 1805. In each of the three districts a register & receiver will be necessary to act as commissioners on the claims; but as they will not meet in that character & as a board till Septer., there is time enough to find proper characters for receivers. The Registers however, as they are to receive, file, and record all the claims of individuals, should be appointed as early as possible in order that they may have opened their offices & received the claims before the meeting of the board. This is especially necessary at Vincennes where every thing else is ready. At neither of the three places do I know any person fit for the office; there will be more found, however, at Detroit than in either of the other two. A Mr Bates, brother of the Prothonotary of Pittsburgh has been highly recommended. Mr Jouett, unless his present office is better, would be the best qualified from what he has already done there. For the office of Register at Vincennes, permit me to recommend to you John Badollet of Greene Cy. in Pennsylvania. I know no man of more strict integrity or better qualified for that office; and he has long been desirous to remove to that place where his tried republicanism would I think be useful. There is but one objection to him, which is that of being my intimate personal friend, having been brought up at college with me and removed to the U. States a short time after me. As to language he speaks English better than I do, and has been for 12 years the only2 efficient associate judge of his County. A letter on that subject is enclosed which Mr Smilie put in my hands yesterday and has induced me though reluctantly to make this application.  121 

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 A Doctor Gano of Kentucky was recommended for receiver at the same place, but he is liable to intoxication—Mr Morrow has recommended a Mr Michael Jones for either of the offices; and Mr Worthington a Mr Hoffmann of whom I have heard Holmes & others speak highly and who is now clerk of their legislature. There is also an agent to investigate claims and defend the United States against frauds in that respect in the Mississippi territory, who should be appointed immediately. There is already one applicant, a Mr Easton of New York who appears to me, from his looks & conversation, an amphibious character; and one person has been recommended whose appearance in point of talents &c. is prepossessing, a Mr John Tayloe Lomax of Port royal in Virginia. A surveyor of customs is to be appointed at Marblehead, but Crowningshield requests that we may wait till we hear from him on that subject. A collector at Mobille should also be appointed. If Mr Nicholas is to be the man there will be no difficulty and the district may be erected at once. It would have the good effect to prove to Spain, by making Fort Stoddert the port of entry, that we have no intention to exercise jurisdiction under the 11th Sect. of the revenue law, within the territories in her possession. These do, I believe, constitute all the subjects immediately pertaining to the Treasy. Dept. which may require your attention before your departure— Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 28 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: William Findley and John Smilie to TJ, [27 Mch. 1804]. Congress enacted the law providing for the sale of lands in Indiana Territory on 26 Mch. (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:277-83). For the new purchase of lands from the Kaskaskia Indians, see Vol. 41:535, 642-3. brother: Tarleton Bates (Vol. 33: 95n). On 7 Apr., Gallatin informed john badollet of his appointment as register of the land office at Vincennes, an office he held until 1836, a year before his death (Gayle Thornbrough, ed., The Correspon-

dence of John Badollet and Albert Gallatin: 1804-1836 [Indianapolis, 1963], 21, 25-6). Christopher Greenup wrote Madison to recommend Kentucky jurist and physician Isaac E. gano for a judicial appointment at Detroit, deeming Gano to be “a man of strict honour.” TJ’s endorsement of the letter, however, described Gano as “a drunkard” (Greenup to Madison, 6 Jan. 1804, in DNA: RG 59, LAR; Vol. 37:564n). Jeremiah Morrow wrote to Gallatin on 27 Mch. to recommend michael jones for an appointment as register of one of the land offices in Indiana Territory, describing Jones as a firm Republican, a good clerk, “and a man of sound understanding” (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Jones Michael. to be Register in Indiana”).

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28 MARCH 1804  The act of 27 Mch. on disposition of lands south of Tennessee authorized the secretary of the Treasury to appoint an agent to investigate claims for land in Mississippi Territory (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:304; Gallatin to TJ, [26 Mch.]).

 1 Preceding four words and ampersand interlined. 2 Word interlined in place of “most.”

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir March 28 1804 The enclosed letter was sent to me open by Majr. Claiborne the clerk of the board of Commissioners at Natchez, with a request to read it. As it throws some light on the public transactions connected with that board I send it, but request that it may be returned to be delivered to Mr Williams on his arrival Respectfully Your obt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 28 Mch. and “R. Claiborne’s lre.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

From James Mease Dear Sir Philadelphia March 28. 1804 I had no sooner finished my labour upon the Domestic Encyclopadia, than I put in execution the intentions I expressed in my letter of last summer, to superintend the making of a mouldboard upon your plan.—I accordingly employed an ingenious pattern maker, and saw with great pleasure the gradual progress of the work from the formation of the tail piece, to the last operation. Tho’ the day I had fixed for this business, was certainly the coldest we felt this winter, yet I assure you I have never spent one more to my satisfaction; I promise myself however still greater pleasure in witnessing the superiority of the implement over the many which are now in use, and I shall feel great pride in being the instrument of their introduction into general use in this great farming state.— Having used the models of the mould board belonging to the Amer: Phil: Soc:, and kept them before me as a check upon the progress of the work, I exhibited the mouldboard when finished to the Society, but as there are none of the attending members, who think a moment on the importance of the subject, it did not excite that interest which it deserved, and which I hope to see expressed when a  123 

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public experiment shall have been made, before men who are practical judges of the merit of a good plough. As I have this business much at heart, I hope you will not think it amiss, when I request you to undertake the trouble of having a mould board pattern made sufficiently thin to cast from, in order that there may be no objection as to the accuracy of the form.—Foxall could, no doubt cast the mouldplate, or if he does not find it convenient, I will do myself the pleasure to visit Washington whenever you will say you have leisure to attend to the workman I shall employ, and bring up the pattern to this City where I can have them cast without difficulty.—I could wish to have a pattern also made agreeably to the modification expressed in the Phil: Trans: and to that described in your letter to me of August last for the purpose of trying the comparative merits of the several forms, and of ascertaining the kind of soils in which a particular pattern may answer best.— Should you conclude to have one or more patterns made and will send them up to me, I will attend to the casting without delay, or attend you at Washington for the purpose, of receiving them.— Mr Thos Butler has just returned from a visit he made last summer to England.—As he had wisely resolved to prefer the sure tho’ slow cultivation of clover and Timothy in Pennsylvania, to the rapid but disagreeable and uncertain Southern Agriculture, he attended, during his short stay in England, to the various farms which he had an opportunity of visiting. He speaks in high terms of the beauty, and general good qualities of the Cattle, but reprobates the various ploughs which he saw working.—He describes them as heavy unwieldy implements, which are drawn by several horses or oxen, making irregular furroughs; and declares that a common American plough is far preferable. I am not surprised at this information, for the Beverstone plough, which is given in the trans: Board: of Agric:, as the ultimatum of perfection in ploughs, corresponds with it. It is apparent, at first sight, that it is by no means calculated to throw off the sod neatly, and is very liable to get out of order. I gave a plate of this plough in the Encya., on purpose that the Citizens of this Country might contrast it with the simple and powerful Jefferson plough.— I remain with profound esteem, your truly obliged humble Servt James Mease RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President U: States”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. my letter of last summer: Mease to TJ, 9 Aug. 1803.

your letter to me: TJ to Mease, 19 Aug. 1803. Mease’s brother-in-law, Thomas but­ ler, was a son of Pierce Butler (Malcolm Bell, Jr., Major Butler’s Legacy: Five Generations of a Slaveholding Family [Athens,

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28 MARCH 1804 Ga., 1987], 202-3, 206-7, 484-6; Vol. 33:381-2n).

 For the beverstone plow, see Mease to TJ, 5 Dec. 1803.

From Thomas Mann Randolph Dear Sir, Elk-run church 4 oClock 28th March 1804 I have reached this place with so little fatigue to my horses or myself that I shall go on immediately to Strodes in order to fullfill my promise to Martha in my last letter to be at home tomorrow tonight.1 I beg you to excuse my not going by the Red-house and writing thence an account of the road you wish to try in coming on this time. Something which I did not foresee and could not control happened after I parted with you to put it entirely out of my power. I have made myself thoroughly acquainted with the rout you have in view by a diligent and fortunate inquiry on the road today. That which the Mulatto boy at Fairfax C. House is acquainted with is not the true one, it passes through New-market while the true road you want leaves both that place and Centreville to the right very considerably. To find it, pass Songsteer about ½ mile turn to the left as usual and proceed till you arrive at two ill looking log cabins on the right edge of the road allmost touching each other, about two miles south of Bull run take the right hand, it carries you through Captain Hooes lane and in 3 miles of distance into the main road from Centreville to Dumfries, turn to the left and go down it two or three hundred yards, leave it by taking a right hand road, this carries you through Robert Hooes lane and afterwards through Grahams which has a great bend in it and is very long, with a brick-kiln in view, in about 3 miles you come in sight of a meeting House called Charity Chapel at about ½ mile distance; turn to the left, before you reach it in 7 miles without any other fork you arrive at the Red house. This account was taken from an old waggoner, a white man, who has traveled it long to avoid the worn roads, allso from Ferguson who married Mrs. [. . .]erter and rides it every week to a plantation near the meeting house and is confirmed by an intelligent old Negroe thoroughly acquainted with the part next the Red house. It is said by all to be little frequented by waggons, to be a good road except the part next Songsteer which you know is a little broken: the latter part is said to be fine. The post for Fredericksburg from Fauquier C. House passing this today I hope you will get my letter before you leave the City. From the present appearance the roads must have been really good before last nights rain and will be so again when you come on.  125 

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 with most sincerely affectionate attachment yr &c. Th: M. Randolph FC (DLC); torn; endorsed by Randolph.

1 Randolph altered the text, perhaps with the intention of writing “tomorrow night.”

From Thomas Storm New York. March 28. 1804.

I have the honor to enclose a Letter for your Excellency, from Messrs. Kuhn Green & Co. of Genoa directed to my care, together with Some articles addressed to your Excellency. Viz 50. ℔ Naples maccaroni, and 50 Wt. Pates de Genes—these articles arrived yesterday at this port, on board the Schooner Aurora Capt Hammond. And I shall do myself the pleasure to take them under my particular care, until I have the honor to hear from your Excellency—to what place, and in what manner I shall forward them—Waiting your Excellencys command,—I have the honor to be very Respectfully, Yr Excellencys most obt & most humble Servant Thomas Storm RC (MHi); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr President U.S.A”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Kuhn, Green & Co. to TJ, 24 Dec. 1803. Thomas Storm (ca. 1748-1833) was a New York City merchant and politician who was elected as a Republican to several terms in the state House of Representatives. During the 1802 and 1803 sessions, he served as speaker. In 1807, he ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor as the candidate for the Republican faction

supporting Morgan Lewis (New York Greenleaf’s New Daily Advertiser, 19 Apr. 1797, 15 Aug. 1798; New York Minerva, & Mercantile Evening Advertiser, 1 June 1797; New York Daily Advertiser, 14 July 1798; New York American Citizen, 26 Apr. 1800; New-York Gazette and General Advertiser, 10 Apr. 1801; Albany Gazette, 28 Jan. 1802, 27 Jan. 1803; New York Morning Chronicle, 22 Dec. 1806; New York Public Advertiser, 12 June 1807; New York Mercantile Advertiser, 4 Jan. 1814; New York Commercial Advertiser, 5 Aug. 1833).

From Daniel Carroll Brent Sir— Alexandria March 29th. 1804 I expected to have been in the City before this, but am detained by the Court now sitting here. I therefore now enclose you, from hence, the paper you put into my hands the other day—The federalists are marked F. the republicans R—I have endeavourd to mark them faithfully, & correctly, it is possible I may be mistaken in some few  126 

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characters—the sound republicans are, I believe, Geo: Gilpin, Samuel Croudson, & William Dunlap, those others marked R have not been so decided—permit me while writeing to say, that my personal esteem for Col. Sims, will make me regret, that you shou’d find it necessary, or proper to remove him—I have been requestd to say that both Doct. Walter Jones, and Genl. Thomson Mason, the late State Senator from the Counties of Fairfax & Prince William, wish the appointment, if Col. Sims shou’d be removed—the worth and talents of the former gentleman are well known to you Mr. Mason is highly respected & esteemed; is much interested in the rise and progress of this place, as his residence and property are about six miles from it—he is a man of business, and accuracy, was tutured to it by his father; & as to money matters, there is no man, in whom greater confidence can be placed—I am authorized to state he will remove to town if he shou’d be appointed. I am Sir with the highest & esteem yr. Obt. Sert. Daniel C. Brent  NB. a few are markd d I know not how to State them. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Mch. and “Syms Mason Jones” and so recorded in SJL. esteem for col. sims: Brent sent the president other correspondence against the removal of Charles Simms. On 22 Mch., Alexandria merchant John Thomas Ricketts informed Brent that the efforts to remove Simms originated with Federalists determined “to wreck their Vengence on Simm, Close in with some Restless Democrats” who backed other candidates for the office. Ricketts, who had once served as surety for Simms when they were “pointed Political Enemies,” declared “that The Removal would be disgusting to the merchants generally whether Democrat Federalist or what you please, Including almost Every man of wealth in the place” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Symms not to be removed. Ricketts to D. C. Brent”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:91n). On 23 Mch., George Gilpin informed

DCB

Brent of a petition being “handed about” secretly to have Simms removed. He thought the collectorship was “well conducted” under Simms. The merchants of Alexandria, Gilpin maintained, did not want a change (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Simms not to be removed”). Robert Young, whom TJ appointed in 1802 as consul at Havana, wrote Brent from Alexandria on 23 Mch. that Simms had informed him of a memorial being privately circulated (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Symms not to be removed”; Vol. 35:388n). TJ also acquired a letter written by A. Harrison at Fairfax Court House on 22 Mch. According to TJ’s endorsement, the letter was to Brent’s brother, Richard Brent. Harrison noted that Simms’s family would suffer “want and poverty” in the event of his removal. Simms was “greatly tortured” by anxiety (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Syms Charles. not to be removd. mr Harrison to Richd. Brent”; Vol. 33:345n).

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e n c l o s u r e

Memorial of Alexandria Merchants To his Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire, President of the United States The undersigned Merchants of the Town of Alexandria, having understood that an address or memorial has been secretly handed about for signatures, requesting the removal of the Collector of the Customs for this Port from office; consider it to be a duty, which they owe to your Excellency as well as to themselves respectfully to make Known to you, that the Business of the Custom House at this Place ever since the appointment of the Present Collector, has been conducted in all respects to their satisfaction and they believe with vigilance and strict attention to the faithfull collection of the duties in this District; And believing that the removal of the Present Collector would neither Promote the Public good nor facilitate the Transacting Business at the Custom House, but that the appointment of a Person in his place, unacquainted with the revenue laws, and the established forms of Proceeding in the Collectors office, would most probably subject them to embarrassments and diffeculties, in their mercantile Pursuits They most respectfully and earnestly, request your Excellency to continue the Present Collector in office. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; in an unidentified hand, signed by 102 individuals or firms; with Brent’s notation “F,” “R,” or “d,” indicating Federalist, Republican, or undetermined, next to each signature. undersigned: Brent indicated that four of the signers—George Gilpin; Samuel Croudson, who was an applicant for a consulship at New Orleans in 1801; Robert Gray, a bookbinder; and William Dunlap, retail merchant and bottler—were Republicans. He placed a “d” alongside the signatures of Charles Slade, a hardware merchant and nail manufacturer; Abraham Hewes, who in 1799 operated an auction house with Mordecai Miller, who signed this memorial and was identified by Brent as a Federalist; and Joseph Mandeville, Jr., of Douglass & Mandeville, retailers of liquor and groceries on King Street. Brent made indeterminate marks next to the signatures of Joseph M. Perrin, a merchant who operated under the name Perrin & Brothers, and Mathurin Perrin, and he placed no mark by one illegible signature. He identified the remaining 92 signers as Federalists. Jacob

Hoffman, William Fitzhugh, Cuthbert Powell, Jonathan Swift, Richard Conway, and Lewis Deblois had received “midnight” appointments from John Adams as justices of the peace. John Janney and three other members of the Janney family, as well as two Janney firms, signed the memorial and were all marked “F.” by Brent. John G. Ladd handled consignments for TJ at Alexandria in 1801. John Dunlop and William Oxley were directors of the branch Bank of the United States. William Hodgson, James Kennedy, James Patton, Hezekiah Smoot, Nathaniel Wattles, William Hartshorne, and James B. Nickolls were among those elected as officers and directors of the Marine Insurance Company between 1798 and 1811, as were Conway, Swift, Hewes, Janney, and Miller. Signers who were directors of the Bank of Alexandria at various times included William Wilson, John Dundas, Thomas Irwin, Hugh Smith, Anthony C. Cazenove, Ferdinand Marsteller, Miller, Dunlop, Conway, Janney, Patton, and the Republican Gilpin. Charles Simms became a director of that bank in 1800 and a director of the insurance company in 1808. Along with Hoff-

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29 MARCH 1804 man, Fitzhugh, Swift, Nickolls, and Cazenove, Simms and signer George Deneale, clerk of the Alexandria court, founded the Washington Society in 1800 “to pay homage to the memory of George Washington” (Miller, Alexandria Artisans, 1:19-20, 119-20, 168-9, 202, 226-7, 320-1; 2:127, 232-3; Donald Jackson and Dorothy Twohig, eds., The Diaries of George Washington, 6 vols. [Charlottesville, 1976-79], 4:200; Columbian Mirror

and Alexandria Gazette, 16 Jan. 1800; Alexandria Times, and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser, 23 Jan. 1800; Alexandria Advertiser and Commercial Intelligencer, 1 Mch. 1803; Alexandria Expositor, 5 Dec. 1804, 21 Nov. 1805; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 5 June 1805, 24 Feb. 1807; Vol. 33:173n, 282-3, 546n; Vol. 35:136n, 734, 740, 746; Vol. 36:133-4, 314-17, 417n; Vol. 37:170).

From Nicholas Herbemont Sir Charleston S.C. 29th March 1804 If, from enquiry you Should think me fit to be one of the persons whom you may appoint to ascertain the extent & boundaries of Louisiana, & make Surveys on the Red river & Arcansas, or Such parts of Louisiana as you may think proper, I would with the greatest pleasure afford my adopted country all the Services in my power, either as a Surveyor, Secretary, or assistant to the person you may chose to be at the head of the expedition. I could also Serve as an interpreter in the french language as occasion might require. I am a native of france, & have been these fourteen years in different parts of the United States of which I have become a Citizen, induced Solely by my Sincere attachment to the Government. I have lived as a tutor in the family of the late General Everard Meade of Amelia County in Virginia to whose friendship I owe my acquaintance with Messrs John Randolph, Joseph Eggleston, Governor William C. C. Claiborn & others. Although I cannot boast of profound knowledge, Natural Philosophy is my delight, & Should my Services be acceptable, my best endeavours will be to promote, either by my exertions or writings, the wellfare of this country. I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Sert. N. herbemont RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and “to be Surveyor Louisa.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Certificate written and signed by Joseph Purcell, South Carolina land surveyor and state geographer, Charleston, 16 June 1803, attesting to Herbemont’s “knowledge and skill” as a surveyor (MS in same).

Nicholas Herbemont (1771-1839), a native of the Champagne district of France, settled in South Carolina as of 1800. His English translation of Jean Louis Dubroca’s biography of Toussaint-Louverture was published in 1802 in Charleston, where he widely advertised his French language evening school and his services as a tutor. In 1807, he became a professor

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29 MARCH 1804 of French at South Carolina College in Columbia. A gardener who experimented in viticulture, he established a successful vineyard, popularized a Madeira grape that bore his name, became a founder and curator of the Agricultural Society of South Carolina, and published his writings in various agrarian journals (The Life of Toussaint Louverture, Late General in

Chief and Governor of the Island of Saint Domingo, trans. Nicholas Herbemont [Charleston, 1802]; Charleston City Gazette, 7 Oct. 1801; Charleston Courier, 25  Nov. 1803, 14 Jan. 1805; David S. Shields, ed., Pioneering American Wine: Writings of Nicholas Herbemont, Master Viticulturist [Athens, Ga., 2009], 9-15, 282-3).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 29th. Mar. 1804 Having been about to leave Town for two or three weeks and having been desirous previously of disposing of your Tobacco—I was to day induced to offer it at 42/., altho’ I did once hope, I might have done something better with it. even that however I could not obtain— partly I believe in consequence of late advices from England, which are somewhat unfavorable; those from France however I did suppose, would at least have counterbalanced them. P. P. & J. who bought your crop last year give rather an unfavorable account of it—they say the Tobo. generally was good, and ought to have been prime, but, that it was very badly assorted, some having been put in which should have been thrown away. this account will doubtless operate against the present crop—they offer only 40/. for it. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

p. p. & j.: Pickett, Pollard & Johnston (Vol. 41:141).

To Jones & Howell Messrs. Jones & Howell Washington Mar. 29. 04 Be pleased to send immediately for me to the address of Gibson and Jefferson in Richmond 2. tons of nail of the sizes from 6d. to 20d. as you have usually furnished. I have just recieved information that my nailery is entirely out of rod & the hands unemployed, my manager having failed to give me notice. accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “2. tons rod.”

as you have usually furnished: for previous orders of nailrod from Jones

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29 MARCH 1804 & Howell, see Vol. 40:197 and Vol. 41:677. The manager of the nailery, Gabriel Lilly, wrote a letter to TJ on 22 Mch.,

recorded in SJL as received on 28 Mch., which has not been found. TJ’s response to him of 29 Mch. also has not been found.

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir, Newcastle March 29th. 1804 I herewith transmit to you, a separate Roll containing drawings:— being the plans & sections of the South Wing of the Capitol according to the ideas which I explained to You when I had the favor of seeing you last.—I fear however that these and any other preparations for proceeding with the public Works may be useless,—for by a letter from Mr Lenthall I learn, that the appropriation bill has passed the Senate with an amendment, enjoining the removal of Congress to the President’s house.—This amendment must either be fatal to the bill when returned to the house of Representatives, or divert the expenditure of the appropriation from the Capitol, to I know not what sort of an arrangement for Congress and for the President.—if it should pass into a Law.— However, as it is impossible to think or speak with legal respect of the Yeas in such a measure or to suppose that such a law should pass both houses,—I will take the liberty to explain the drawings as concisely as I can. No. I. Fig. 1. is an exact copy of the plan proposed by Dr. Thornton for the arrangement of the Ground floor into Offices & Committee rooms, from the plan given to me by You, which is too large for the Roll, or I should have sent it back. It is liable to these remarks.—1.) The author had forgotten that the space enclosed by the Elliptical Wall becomes a dark Cellar; the Hall of Legislation being raised in to the story above. Therefore 2.) The doors leading into it are useless if not absurd. 3.) None of the rooms can be furnished with fireplaces excepting in the outer wall, and it is  now too late to open them there, on account of the solidity of the  Work & the size & hardness of the Stones of which it is composed.—4.) No Staircase to the Gallery can be carried up behind the speaker’s Chair between the outer Wall & the Eliptical enclosure, for want of room, and there is besides not heigth enough to admit a revolution & a half so as to land right in the Gallery.—I wave other very numerous objections. Fig: 2. shows that the arrangement of Columns either of 32 or 24 in number, has no possible reference to the piers & windows either  131 

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considering them according to the lines of true eliptical radiation, which are laid down, or according to perpendiculars from the line of the Wall.— Fig. 3. Shows the distortion which the bases & Capitals of the Columns would undergo in perspective if made truly square, and in regularity of form if made perpendicular upon the lines of eliptical Radiation To avoid all the inconveniences arising from the Eliptical form,— with the additional expense resulting from them;—to obtain the means of carrying up flues for fireplaces wherever required;—to add many conveniences to the domestic comforts of the legislative Hall;—to give decision of character to the place appropriated to the Chair,—and yet to preserve the principle, and the great feature of the original design,— I have ventured to convert the elipsis, into two semicircles abutting upon a parallelogram, in the manner more distinctly seen in No III than in the plan of the Ground floor,—No II.—I beg however to add,— that should you deem this change inadmissible, the Elipsis may be restored without altering the Office floor, as represented in No. II.— The great difficulty in arranging the Office floor arises from the immense space inclosed by the Wall supporting the Colonnade above,— the exclusion of direct light from this part of the building,—and from the narrowness of the irregular area which surrounds it. The manner in which I have endeavored to conquer this difficulty is best explained by the Plan itself. The Clerks office is a very roomy apartment, & will be perfectly well lighted even in its second range,—for the windows are opposite to large & high arcades. The Colonnade above rests either on the piers themselves, or on the short & stout arches between them, where they are capable of carrying any conceivable burthen. Behind the second range are Vaults for Records.— The only places where there is room for the Gallery stairs is in the angles. Two spiral staircases of 10 feet diameter occupy two of the angles. Through the Center of the building from East to West, a wide Corridor borrows a strong light from the two Common Antichambers to the Committee rooms. There are three Committee rooms on each side, well lighted and warmed.— To all these Offices a wide Coridor leads from the North, borrowing a very sufficient light from the Clerks office. On each side of this Coridor are Cellars for fuel, communicating by staircases with the lower Cellars. It was impossible to light this part of the building from the North, and indeed the use to which I propose to convert it, will render the Office floor very convenient, as to its domestic arrangement.—  132 

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 The privies are spacious & borrow a very excellent light from the stairs. I propose to construct them on your plan with an air drain.— The light is so high that those who ascend the stairs cannot look into the privies The total want of light in those parts of the Building, which lie behind the Recesses, and between the Corps de Logis and the wings, has produced all the bad arrangement, & the waste of room which is found in the plan of the North wing. In the South it seems to have been proposed to fill up this space with four Spacious Staircases all leading only to the Gallery, and with a room, which though measuring 50 feet each way, seems to be of no possible utility & which can be lighted, by only one Window in a Corner.— I have taken the liberty to alter the whole of this part of the plan, by placing a handsome Vestibule, the scenery of which will be very striking, on the East front. This Vestibule will be amply lighted by the Skylight of the staircase with which it communicates.—The staircase leads up to the Hall of Representatives. On the other side the stairs communicate with, and light the Vestibule and Corridor of the Offices. The residence of the Doorkeeper, or of some officer of the house within the building has always appeared to me to be a matter of very great importance: and the practise of Europe points out its advantages. I have therefore appropriated the dark part of the house to this purpose, and by introducing two Courts on each side of the house for the admission of light and air, I think the healthiness of the building is promoted,—For I must observe,—that no opening what soever is intended to be made in any part of the building on the West side between the two Wings:—The space occupied on the East by the two Recesses, being filled up on the West by two blank Walls without Pilasters or break of any kind.—The reason assigned for this interruption of the General design is because it is necessary that the Columns of the Rotunda should be three feet longer that1 the Pilasters, in order to get rid of the blocks (Des) on which the Pilasters are raised.—This contrivance which throws the Columns out of all proportion to the Entablature,—is one of the innumerable bad consequences of a design radically defective in the harmony of its exterior decoration, with its internal distribution.— The Ground story being 20 feet high, admits of two excellent stories for the Doorkeepers dwelling. The Windows of this house being placed in the Courts, are not seen externally, & require no proportions agreeing with the external openings.  133 

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 No. III.— Is the plan of the hall of Legislation, & of the surrounding apartments.—The Gallery is raised 7 feet above the floor of the house. The lobby is on a level with the house. The doorkeeper & Sargt. at Arms have their separate rooms. The Speaker has a handsome Chamber, & the Members a retiring or drawing room.—The access from what is called the Grand Vestibule is through a circular Apartment which distributes light to the door of the House. The arrangement upon which it may be necessary particularly to remark, is the Closet and Gallery behind the Speakers Chair. Independently of the convenience of this apartment and of the Gallery, for the admission of Ladies, & persons of distinction,—the arrangement is useful and even necessary,—1.) To strengthen the long south Wall of the house, 2.) to carry up the flues of the fireplaces on each side of the speakers Chair,—3., To give a Center to the room marked by distinct features:—On the opposite side, the same arrangment carries up two other flues from fireplaces on each side of the door of entrance.— Without some such contrivance, it is impossible to place a single fireplace within the Area of the house the Columns not being of a diameter sufficient to carry up a 14 inch flue without being discolored by the Heat and Steam of the fire.— No IV Is a Section from East to West exhibiting the length of the room, with the effect of the Alteration from the Eliptical form—The Columns are of the Attic order, a very beautiful specimen of which is to be found in the Clepsydra at Athens, commonly called the Temple of the Winds, (see Stuart’s Athens). The bells of the Capitals may easily be cast in one piece in Iron with the upper row of plain leaves. The lower may be cast separately & fixed with Copper rivets.— No. V. Exhibits a Section of the Room from North to South, of the Doric order.—The specimen of the Doric Order which you showed to me was in a work which I do not possess,—but it is so similar to Vignola’s representation of the Doric of the Theatre of Marcellus, that I shall use his proportions in speaking of it. 1.) Heighth of the Columns.— The Pilasters externally are 30 feet high. The architrave of the attic windows is 3 f. 10 i below the soffit of the external architrave.— Therefore the internal Columns,—to allow an architrave of the same width to the upper windows,—cannot be lower than 26 f. 2 i.— 2. Diameter.—If the Columns be Eight Diameters high, the Diameter must be 3 f. 3 i.—But they may be stretched so as to be only 3  134 

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feet in diameter.—The Module then will be 18 inches & the minutes 1½ inch each.— 3. Entablature.—The Entablature is always 2 Diameters or 4 Modules,—and as the Columns have an extraordinary proportion in length, it cannot be compressed.—It must be 6 feet high.—  The Architrave 1 Mod.   feet 1 f. 6 i. inches  The Frieze 1½ 2. 3 i  The Cornice 1½ 2. 3 4.0 6. 0 Width of the Triglyph 1 Mod 1. 6 Of the Metope to be square 1½ 2. 3 Therefore the Intercolumnation with one Triglyph would be = 2 Triglyphs (3 ft.) 2 Metopes (4 f. 6 i.)—in all 7.6 from Center to Center:— and deducting one Diameter leaves 4 f. 6 i for the Intercolumniation.— Again. The Intercolumniation with 2 Triglyphs = 3 Triglyphs (4 f. 6 i)—3 Metopes, (6 f. 9 i.)—in all 11 f. 3 inches,—deduct one Diameter,—leaves 8 feet 3 inches for the Intercolumniation.— Now the distances of the Centers of the Columns either on the Eliptical plan, or the plan now proposed, will fall out to be very nearly 10 feet. To enlarge or diminish the diameter of the Area one foot will always make only 4 inches difference of distance between the Centers of the Columns.—No great advantage can therefore be gained for the better arrangement of the Triglyphs & Metopes by such an expedient. And it so happens that the distance of 10 feet from Center to Center is very unfavorable in this respect:—For with one Triglyph the Metopes are too long by much, being 2 f. 3 by 3 f. 6 i.,—and with two, much too high being 2 f. 3 i by 1 f. 10 i. I fear these are fatal objections to the Doric order in this place, as the irregularity is too great to be hidden by any moderate enlargement or diminution of the highth of the frieze.— The roof as designed is, I think as flat as it can be made so as to give sufficient slope to the Sashes. I should make them narrower in a design for execution.— Could all the Windows of the Walls be stopped up, the effect of this building would be indeed beautiful,—but as it is, I fear the building is to much a la lantherne. The flutter of light which is so exceedingly injurious to the effect of paintings, is equally, if not more so, to the effect of architecture. Upon the whole,—I have to solicit your favorable opinion of the industry which has produced them if you cannot give it to the merit of these drawings.—It is a greater labor to correct errors in Art, than to avoid them by beginning a new design:—If the same liberties are  135 

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allowed pictoribus atque poetis they ought to be governed by the same laws in the construction of their works. A poet who after writing down his sentiment, were first to work at the metre, and then settle the Grammar of his lines, would not be more unskilful, than the Architect, who having conceived the purpose of his building, were to make two separate labors of the arrangement, & construction of his work;—and yet the whole design of the Capitol may be compared to the work of a poet, in which you never find sense, metre, & grammar in the same line,—though each of them may be found separately.—In the mind of an Artist who deserves the name,—the operation of the brain which produces a design, is a simultaneous consideration of the purpose, the connection and the construction of his work. I have to beg your indulgence on acct of the extreme length of this letter. I sincerely hope that Congress may not have rendered the whole discussion of the subject entirely useless.— Dr Thornton, after all that has passed, has sent me one of his pamphlets on the subject of Negro emancipation.— With the sincerest & most grateful respect I am Your faithful hble Servt B Henry Latrobe RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Latrobe, “Sketch of a Section of the South Wing of the Capitol of the United States at Washington, of the Doric Order, Roman style” (DLC: Prints and Photographs Division; endorsed by Latrobe: “This section, is a sure answer to the question of the President as to the propriety of a Doric colonnade”). Other enclosures not found, but see below. Latrobe explained his wish to modify the Capitol’s design in a meeting of 27 Feb. and in a subsequent letter (Latrobe to TJ, 26 and 28 Feb.). On 24 Mch., the Senate adopted an amendment to the “act concerning the public buildings at the City of Washington,” which proposed “finishing the President’s house in such manner as will accomodate both Houses of Congress—and for the purpose of renting, purchasing or Building—a suitable House for the accomodation of the President.” After the House of Representatives rejected the amendment and after a failed effort to delay further discussion of the bill to the next session, the Senate, on 27 Mch., receded from its amendment and passed

the appropriation bill in its earlier form (DNA: RG 46, LP, Original Bills, 8th Cong., 1st sess.; Annals, 13:299-300, 305-6). Although only one of Latrobe’s enclosed sketches, the last one he described, has survived, his descriptions of the plans for the ground floor, the hall of legislation, and the section from east to west correspond with drawings he likely sent to John Lenthall (“Plan of the Ground floor of the South Wing of the Capitol,” “Plan of the principal story of the south wing,” and “Section of the south wing, looking south,” all in DLC: Prints and Photographs Division; Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:472n; Jeffrey A. Cohen and Charles E. Brownell, eds., The Architectural Drawings of Benjamin Henry Latrobe [New Haven, 1994], 36974, 377-80). temple of the winds: properly, the Tower of the Winds, an octagonal structure discussed in The Antiquities of Athens, a pioneering work of Greek revivalism (Sowerby, No. 4190). Latrobe appears to have had in mind Plate VII from the chapter on the Tower, which illustrated the capital and entablature of one of the porticos (James Stuart and Nicholas Rev-

 136 

29 MARCH 1804 ett, The Antiquities of Athens, 4 vols. [London, 1762-1818], 1:19-20). The specimen of the doric order that TJ showed to Latrobe may have come from Parallèle de l’architecture antique avec la moderne, which included the Theater of marcellus as a principal example, as well as an example from Albano Laziale, Italy, which TJ had used for the design of the tea room at Monticello (Roland Fréart and Charles Errard, A Parallel of the Antient Architecture with the Modern, in a Collection of Ten Principal Authors Who Have Written upon the Five Orders, 3d

English ed. [London, 1723], 20-1, 24-5; Sowerby, No. 4216; Vol. 39:98-9). pictoribus atque poetis: that is, painters and poets. Latrobe quoted Horace, who continued “quidlibet audendi semper fuit acqua potestas,” setting up a qualified defense of the license enjoyed by poets and artists (Ars poetica, 9-10). William thornton sent Latrobe his Political Economy: Founded in Justice and Humanity. In a Letter to a Friend (Washington, D.C., 1804). 1

Thus in MS.

From Craven Peyton Dear Sir Stump Island 29th March 1804 my bill was at last Court dissolved. I waited on the Chancelor with all the papers. he without any kind of hesitation stopped all further proceeding on my entering into bond with good security which I did. have to ask of you the favour to give your acceptance to Mr. Jefferson of Richmd. for Two hundred Dollars. payable the 10th. Apl. on a/c. of our corn contract. with great Respt. Yr Mst. Obt. C. Peyton RC (ViU); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. my bill: for Peyton’s request for an injunction against John Henderson, which the Albemarle County Court rejected on 8 Mch., see Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others, at 5 May 1804. chancelor: George Wythe.

On 28 Jan., TJ accepted Peyton’s order on George jefferson of $156.67 for his corn contract with Gabriel Lilly and ordered that David Higginbotham be paid the sum on 15 Apr., although the transaction was delayed by two days. TJ also drew $50 on Gibson & Jefferson in favor of Peyton on 8 May “on our corn contract for next winter” (mb, 2:1119, 1124, 1126; rs, 5:425).

From Ninian Pinkney Sir, Annapolis March 29. 1804 The Governor did himself the honor of transmitting to your Excellency some Months since, a Copy of a law respecting the manner of choosing a President and Vice President of the United States. As it received its authenticity under my direction, I will thank you to inform me whether form has been sufficiently attended to, in case that it has not an opportunity may be afforded of transmitting another.  137 

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 I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Excellency’s Most Obed: Servant Ninian Pinkney Clerk of the Executive Council of Maryland RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Ninian Pinkney (1771-1824) was the younger brother of American claims commissioner William Pinkney. He served as clerk of the Maryland Executive Council from the mid-1790s until his death (O.  Hutton, Life of the Right Reverend

William Pinkney, D.D., LL.D., Fifth Bishop of Maryland [Washington, D.C., 1890], 1-3; Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser, 30 June 1796; Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Advertiser, 27 Sep. 1824). For Governor Robert Bowie’s letter to TJ transmitting Maryland’s ratification of the Twelfth Amendment, see Vol. 42:183-4.

To William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir Washington March 30. 04. Congress at a former session gave to the Marquis de la Fayette as his military donation 11,520. acres of land to be located North of the Ohio. by the paper inclosed you will percieve they have changed the location to any unappropriated lands in the territory of Orleans. it is believed to be very important that the location be made on the most valuable lands to be found, inasmuch as it might tempt him to come over with his family and settle there, and it is believed that his presence there & the popularity he would immediately acquire with the French inhabitants would be worth more than an army to us in securing their affections & reconciling them to a free government. under this persuasion I ask the favor of you, without letting the object be known, to inform yourself with the utmost certainty where the locations can be made so as to be of the greatest value. by turning to the two other acts on the same subject you will see in what parcels they may be laid off. there is an idea here that that quantity of sugar lands can be found on the Chafaleya branch and other places the least remote from New Orleans and that these are the most valuable unappropriated lands in the territory of Orleans. of all this you can judge better than we can. what I have to pray is that that quantity of the most valuable lands in the territory may be found. if you will be so good in the progress of your enquiry as to inform me from time to time of the prospects you acquire, I shall be able by an interchange of observations to get the thing closed to advantage1 PoC (NjP: Straus Autograph Collection); clipped; endorsed by TJ. Enclo-

sure: probably an extract from “An Act supplementary to the act intituled ‘An act

 138 

30 MARCH 1804 regulating the grants of land, and providing for the disposal of the lands of the United States, south of the state of Tennessee,’ ” passed by Congress on 27 Mch., section 14 of which authorized Lafayette to locate his land grants “on any lands the property of the United States, in the territory of Orleans” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:303-6). congress at a former session: see U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:236; Vol. 40:386-7.

 chafaleya: Atchafalaya River. TJ’s papers contain an undated transcript, in Gallatin’s hand, of sections 13 and 14 of the act of Congress cited above, pertaining, respectively, to an appropriation of $3,000 for western exploration and the location of Lafayette’s lands in Louisiana (Tr in DLC: TJ Papers, 137:23717). 1 Remainder

clipped.

From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department March 30th. 1804 I have the honor to propose Doctr. John Sibley for your approbation as Surgeon Mate in the Army of the United States Accept Sir the assurances of my high respect &c FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). TJ and Dearborn intended john sib­ ley to be surgeon’s mate for the army garrison at Natchitoches, but he declined

the appointment (Dearborn to Sibley, 2 Apr. 1804, FC in DNA: RG 107, LSMA; Sibley to Dearborn, 12 Sep. 1804, recorded in DNA: RG 107, RLRMS).

To Nicholas Fitzhugh Dear Sir Washington Mar. 30. 1804. Friday Your favor of the 27th. came to hand last night. I could by no means consent to your taking the trouble of riding with me. the paper you were so kind as to send me will enable me to find my way through Ravensworth, and I have no fear of doing the same from Songster’s. I am trying hard to get off tomorrow evening, but doubt whether it will not be Sunday morning or perhaps Sunday evening, but whenever I set off it will be either in the morning early, or in the afternoon, & will accept mr. Richard Fitzhugh’s friendly offer of a breakfast or a bed, as the case may be. Duffey’s pardon was signed yesterday, so far as related to the case stated to me by the judges. they seemed to think there was a second indictment against him for recieving stolen goods. the pardon does not touch that. accept my salutations and respects Th: Jefferson  139 

30 MARCH 1804  PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The honble N. Fitzhugh”; endorsed by TJ. sunday: TJ departed from Washington on 1 Apr., arriving at Monticello on the 4th. In his financial memoranda, he

recorded paying a dollar in “vales,” or tips paid on his departure, at richard fitz­ hugh’s on 2 Apr. and total expenses for the trip of $20.86. He stayed at Monticello until 11 May (mb, 2:1123-4, 1126).

To Lafayette Washington Mar. 30. 1804.

I formerly, my dear friend, mentioned to you my wish that we might be able to get the value of your lands here1 increased by a permission to locate them in some more favorable position. but I feared to represent this to you as any thing more than a wish, that no false hopes might be excited. you understand yourself how little we can answer for the determinations of numerous bodies of men, of independant minds, every one deciding according to his own judgment and his own conscience. the whole session of Congress had passed over to the last day, without offering an opportunity of making any proposition of this kind under circumstances which could ensure it. on the last morning of the session a member of the Senate calling on me to take leave, we happened to speak of N. Orleans and the uneasiness which mr L. is exciting there. I told him there was a measure which would place that country in entire tranquility and safety: that if they would permit your lands to be located in the territory of Orleans they would be so valuable that they might induce you to come over with your family and establish yourself there: and that I had rather have your single person there than an army of ten thousand men for the purpose of securing the tranquility & preservation of the country; that you would immediately attach all the antient French inhabitants to yourself and the US. and would reduce to nullity the disorganising foreign adventurers who were flocking thither. it ended in a promise on his part to introduce an amendatory clause in a bill which was to be read in the Senate for the 3d. time that morning. I immediately gave information to mr Dawson and some other friends in the lower house that such an amendment would be sent by the Senate to the H. of R. and recommended attention to it. it passed both houses without a dissenting voice. I inclose an authenticated copy of the clause. I this day write to Governor Claiborne at New Orleans to get the best information in his power for locating them on vacant parts the most fertile & nearest to N. Orleans which can be found. my present expectation is that the whole may be laid on sugar lands on  140 

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the Chafaleya branch of the Missisipi the value of which would not be easily calculated. in saying that they would be of more than five times the value of what they would have been under the former location, I am far below my idea of them. I know no reason why they should be estimated lower than the same quantity in a West India island. and can it be only a wish that it may induce you to come over and plant your family in a country where every circumstance will give them eminence & prosperity? this may be wished, but can be properly weighed only by yourself, Made. de la Fayette & your friends. it is not for us to decide between the eminence which rests on the affections of a self governing nation, and that which is raised on other circumstances. you have an acquaintance with both. when Governor Claiborne shall have reported the positions in which your lands may be located, mr Madison, mr Gallatin & myself will decide for the best, & inform you, and if a proper power comes, the lands shall be surveyed & a grant immediately signed. present me respectfully to Made. de la Fayette, M. and Made. de Tessé and be assured yourself of my affectionate friendship. Th: Jefferson RC (NIC: Dean Lafayette Collection). PoC (Christie’s, New York City, 1982); at foot of first page: “M. de La Fayette”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: see TJ to William C. C. Claiborne, 30 Mch.

mr l.: Pierre Clément Laussat, the former French prefect at New Orleans (Vol. 42:441n). 1

MS: “her.”

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington Mar. 30. 1804. Tomorrow I set out for Monticello, and very fortunately I recieved last night the two polygraphs. this morning I tried them. I was charmed with the ingenuity and beautiful workmanship of Brunel’s, and proportionably mortified on trial to find I could not produce a copy of a single letter distinct, altho’ I perfectly understood the action of all it’s parts, and saw that there was nothing deranged in the least except perhaps that the pen frames did not hang exactly in the same vertical. I gave it up therefore as a beautiful bagatelle, and I have repacked it, and with the one which mr Latrobe lent1 me have desired mr Barnes, my agent here, to send them by the first safe vessel to Philadelphia, paying their freight here. to him also be so good as to address a note of the cost of the one of yours which you have sent me, and he will immediately remit it. with this one I am now writing. I find it considerably improved on that of Mr. Latrobe: but it is exceedingly stiff. I am afraid to attempt to remedy this by loosening the  141 

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screws at the joints. indeed I suspect the stiffness proceeds from the great strength of the long spiral cord. the greatest desideratum in it is the adjusting screw. for after setting the pens by the gage, they still want a hair’s breadth adjustment which it is difficult to make by the hand. Brunel’s has that screw. I like your idea of making them not to shut up as a box, but to lie in one piece on the table and have a moveable lid to cover it, the gallows being fixed. I think in this way it might be reduced 4. Inches one way and 6. or 8 I. the other. the great surface it occupies is very objectionable, as the smallness of Brunel’s is one of it’s beauties. should any other criticisms on it occur on further trial I will communicate them according to your desire, it being easier to object than solve. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (TxU); at foot of text: “Mr. Peale.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

1

Word interlined in place of “left.”

To Caesar A. Rodney Dear Sir Washington Mar. 30. [1804] I am very happy to be able at length to return you at length the paper we sought so long and so vainly. sorting away a mass of papers the other day, I found it misplaced in a bundle where I should never have sought it. I return it with pleasure, and to congratulations on the addition to your family add my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem Th: Jefferson P.S I leave this tomorrow for Monticello where I propose to pass two or three weeks. RC (DeHi); partially dated; addressed: “Caesar A. Rodney esq. Wilmington Del.”; franked and postmarked. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as a letter of 30

Mch. 1804 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. paper we sought so long: see Vol. 40:677-8; Vol. 41:48-9, 124.

From John Archer Sir, George Town March 31st 1804 I would beg leave to recommend to your Consideration & Notice two Gentn of Ceecil County Maryland who each wish an Appointment to some Office in the western Country especally in that Part of Louisiana attached to the Indiana Territory—Either of them would  142 

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accept of the Office of Register of the Land Office in some one of the Districts—Mr: Richard Mansfield is the Postmaster at Elkton Cecil County he is a Gentn of Respectibility has a young Family & a Friend to the present Administration The other Gentn Mr: John Wherry has attended to the Study of Law & from the Representation of Jas Macky Esqre. his Neighbour on whom I place entire Confidence Mr Wherry is a Gentn of Integrity & Ability— I am with the greatest Respect & Esteem John Archer RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Apr. and “Mansfield Richd Wherry John” and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “to be Register Westward.”

To Henry Banks Sir Washington Mar. 31. 04 Your letter of the 26th. was recieved last night, and that of the 22d. on the evening before Congress rose: but the act to which it referred had been already passed, and consequently it was too late for the representations then promised & recieved last night to have effect. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Banks”; endorsed by TJ.

Statement of Account with Thomas Carpenter Thomas Jefferson Esq.  Dr. 1803 October 17th.   To Thomas Carpenter " To a pr of twilled Corduroy Breeches $ 6.50 " a Black Crape 50 " To 2 pr fustain drawers 4.50 " To a scarlet super. Cloth embroidered Waistcoat 9.50 Decr. 1 To making 4 Livery Coats & all materials, as before 18.27 To making 4 Waistcoats & Do —— 9.60 To making 4 pr of Pantaloons & Do —— 8.80 8 yds Silver Lace 4.80 8 yds blue Cloth @ 5$ 40.— 2¾ yds of Scarlet Do. for Waistcoats & facings 13.75  143 

31 MARCH 1804

1804 Jany. 16   "   24 March 11    "   31

To a pr of Sattinette Sheravaloes Putting new Collars & hand facings to two Coats To a pr of best twilled Corduroy Breeches Putting pockets to a surtout Coat Repairing a surtout for John

to wit for myself servts.

32. 101.22 133.22

5.50 3.50 6.75 75 50 $133.22

Mr. Barnes will be pleased to pay the above to Thomas Carpenter or order Th: Jefferson Mar. 31. 04. MS (CSmH); in Carpenter’s hand, words and figures in italics added by TJ; with acknowledgment of full payment signed by Carpenter on 6 Apr. 1804.

sheravaloes: sherryvallies, or overalls (Vol. 40:276n). john: John Freeman.

Decision on the Sentence of Henry Muhlenberg The sentence against Capt. Muhlenberg appears1 to be of an extraordinary degree of severity. desirous of 2 a short absence, & at a small distance, from his post, he asked Capt Gregg, his commanding officer, if there was any necessity for his attending roll-calling? Capt. Gregg replied there was not, as there would be no roll-calling with arms.3 No particular form of words being prescribed for a permission to be absent, whatever words in common understanding amount to that, are sufficient. and are not these words, to every common understanding, equivalent to a permission?4 and had they not been so, of what was he guilty? of going 9. or 10. rods to get a supper when he had neither breakfasted nor dined,5 leaving a commissioned officer in his place, and himself within call of a centinel. The general order delivered by Lieutt. Bomar appears not to affect the case; because it was neither formally published, nor substantially disobeyed by an absence at 50. yards distance only,6 and that opinion generally and previously delivered by those present; and it seems on his return to have been followed by an express permission from Capt Gregg to leave the fort7  144 

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 Dismission therefore & the dishonour flowing from that appear a rigorous8 punishment indeed. the9 disproportion between the fact & the sentence may excite10 a supposition that there was something in the case not appearing in the record which led to this severity. but the record is all we have to go by, and on that I cannot in my conscience direct the sentence to be carried into execution, but must disapprove of it. Th: Jefferson Mar. 31. 04. PoC (DLC). Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 130:22549); undated; endorsed by TJ: “Muhlenberg Capt’s case.” Recorded in SJL as a letter received. capt gregg: Aaron Gregg (Heitman, Dictionary, 1:476). lieutt. bomar: Joseph Bowmar (same, 235). must disapprove of it: Dearborn informed the commanding officer at New Orleans of TJ’s decision on 2 Apr. and ordered that Henry Muhlenberg “be released from arrest” (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSMA). 1

In Dft TJ here canceled “to me.” In Dft TJ here canceled “occasion for.” 3 In Dft TJ interlined the preceding two sentences in place of “having neither breakfd. nor dined he wishes to go to a house not more than 50. yds distant to get a supper & capt Gregg his superior 2

officer tells him his presence will not be necessary at roll calling, as there will be no arms.” 4 In Dft TJ first wrote “and will not 9  men out of 10. pronounce that these words were equivalent to a permission” before altering the sentence to read as above. 5 In Dft TJ here canceled “in a moment of tranquility.” 6 Dft: “disobeyed by being 50. yds distant only from the post, .” 7 In Dft TJ inserted this paragraph in place of “would there remain an officer in any army on earth, were every one dismissed who had ever done as much as this?” 8 Dft: “heavy.” 9 In Dft TJ here canceled “extraordinary.” 10 Word interlined in Dft in place of “induce.”

To William Henry Harrison Washington Mar. 31. 04.

The act of Congress erecting Louisiana into two territories, & providing for their government annexes the upper one by the name of the district of Louisiana to the Indiana government. as you will see the act shortly in print, I shall only observe generally that it does not come into force till the 1st. of October, but it provides that the upper territory shall be divided into districts by the Governor of Indiana under the direction of the President, as the convenience of the settlements shall require; the inhabitants of each, between 18. & 45. to be formed into a militia, with proper officers &c. this division being the basis of the government, it must be prepared, & ready to be declared  145 

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on the 1st. day of Oct. and, as we are far apart, we must immediately commence the enquiries necessary, & the mutual intercommunication of sentiment on the subject. I must therefore pray you without delay to inform yourself of the different settlements existing in the country, their numbers black & white, their distance from each other the ease or difficulty of intercourse between them, and to communicate this to me with your first ideas as to the number and divisions of the districts we should lay off. as something to begin upon I will barely mention that on the imperfect information I have, I suppose we may throw the settlements together so as to make three or four districts, something like our frontier counties in Virginia. but to decide on this further information is necessary, and this I shall hope to recieve from you. Accept my salutations [and] assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “Govr. Harrison.”

To Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Washington Mar. 31. 04. Congress having appropriated another sum of 50,000. D. for the public buildings it becomes necessary to settle the plan of operations for the summer. the following are my ideas on the subject. Capitol. The walls to be completely finished this summer. for ensuring this every effort must be exerted from this day forward, the supplies of stone pushed with all the energy possible, and the cutting & laying to keep pace with the supplies. The roof to be prepared in the course of the summer, so that it shall be ready to put on the walls on the 4th. of March of the next year. The columns, entablature, & inside house-carpentry in general to be compleated this summer ready to put up. as I shall be returned by the beginning of May, I suppose that will be in time to decide finally on the order of the columns & entablature. The roof of the North wing to be thoroughly repaired. is it necessary to aim at something like a symmetry with the roof of the South wing? or is that practicable at all? perhaps this may lie a month till my return President’s house. during my absence they may finish the roof and rectify the gutturs so as to put an end to the ruinous leaks. large glass may be provided for compleating the glazing of the house. flooring boards be procured for laying the floors of the great room and the  146 

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rooms above it. by the time they are in place I shall be returned & can direct the construction of a kiln for seasoning them. There are some other small matters which may await my return. No new appropriation being made for the highways, we must turn every expence we can (past as well as future) relating to the buildings1 on the new fund, and reserve what remains of the old one for the roads to which they are applicable. I have packed your Polygraph in a box and delivered it to mr Barnes to be sent by a trusty captain to Philadelphia to the care of mr Peale. I recieved Brunell’s, which indeed was a beautiful thing, but I found at once it was ineffectual & returned it with yours. I am now writing with one I recieved from mr Peale, which has some advantages over yours, but is very stiff, and wants the adjusting screw for the pen. Brunell’s had that improvement. with my thanks for the use of your machine accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Latrobe”; endorsed by TJ.

For the appropriation for the public buildings, see U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:298. 1

Preceding four words interlined.

Order for Payment of Newspaper Subscriptions Mar. 31. 1804. Newspapers to be paid for. D ✓ the Salem Register. Carleton. 3. ⎪⎫ ✓ Boston Chronicle. Adams & Rhodes 3. ⎬⎪ 13. D. to be pd to mr Lincoln ✓ Democrat. Williams 4. ⎪⎪ ✓ Worcester Aegis. Blake. 3. ⎭ ✓ Hartford. the American Mercury. Babcock. 2.50 ⎪⎫ 6.50 to be pd to mr ⎬ ✓ Hudson. the Bee. Holt 1. ⎪ Granger. ⎭ ✓ Albany Register. John Barber 3. ⎫ New York. American citizen 10. ⎬ to be remitted to mr Cheatham 19. Evening post 9. ⎭ Morning Chronicle 8. to be remitted to mr Irwin. e[ditor]. ✓ Philadelphia. American Daily advertiser 8. D. to be remitted to mr Poulson. ✓ Baltimore. the American & Baltimore gazette. 5. to be remitted to the Editor Alexandria Expositor. 6. D. to be sent to mr Dinsmore.  147 

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✓ Frederic town. Republican Advocate. 5. D. to be remitted to mr Colvin. postage of letters to be paid here & charged to Th:J.  70. D 50 c in all. [On verso:] 1804. Nov. 24. pd Winter for 1. year Rights of Man 3. D. PoC (DLC); faint; endorsed by TJ: “Newspapers. Mar. 1804.” TJ anticipated that Levi lincoln would convey the payments for Massachusetts newspapers: to William Carlton for the Salem Register, to Thomas Adams and Ebenezer Rhoades for the Boston Independent Chronicle, to John Williams for the Boston Democrat, and to Francis Blake for the Worcester National Aegis (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:288, 307-8, 401-2, 418-19). Gideon granger was to take care of Connecticut and upstate New York subscriptions: to Elisha Babcock for the American Mercury, to Charles Holt for the Hudson Bee, and to John Barber for the Albany Register (same, 1:19, 539, 585; mb, 2:1015; Vol. 37:312). TJ expected James Cheetham (cheat­ ham) to handle the payments for New York City subscriptions, including his own American Citizen and the Federalistleaning New-York Evening Post edited by William Coleman (Vol. 37:308). mr irwin: Peter Irving was the proprietor and sometime editor of the New York Morning Chronicle from 1802 to 1807 (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:667). baltimore: in 1804, the publishers of the Baltimore American were Wil-

liam Pechin and Leonard Frailey (same, 1:223-4). For the Alexandria Expositor and the Columbian Advertiser, published by Richard Dinmore (dinsmore) and his partner, James Lyon, beginning in 1802, see Vol. 36:352-3. In Frederick, Maryland, John B. col­ vin edited the Republican Advocate from December 1802 to December 1806 (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:265). 70. d 50 c in all: TJ probably sent the MS of this document to John Barnes. TJ copied the list into his financial memoranda under 31 Mch. with the heading “Desired Mr. Barnes to pay for the following newspapers” (mb, 2:1122-3). Barnes gave Lincoln and Granger the money for the New England and Hudson Valley newspapers on 6 Apr., but had to hold off paying the remaining $51 (Barnes to TJ, 9 Apr.). Also in Frederick, John winter published the weekly Rights of Man from January 1794 to November 1800. In September 1802, Winter submitted an invoice to TJ for £1.2.6 for an 18-month subscription at $2 per year. As TJ noted on the verso of the document printed above, he paid Winter in November 1804 (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:266; mb, 2:1140; Vol. 38:690).

From John Page Dear Sir Richmond March 31st. 1804 I have to apologize for delaying so long to acknowledge my receipt of your favour of the 16th. instant, inclosing Mrs. Ann Randolph’s pathetic address to you. She is indeed “entitled to all the Sympathies of our nature.” It shall be laid before the Council if her Son shall be found guilty by his Jury.  148 

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 Accept my thanks for the honor you have done me in your reply to her petition, and my Assureances of that high respect & Esteem with which I am dear Sir your most obedient Servant John Page RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

To Cato West Sir Washington Mar. 31. 04. I have duly recieved your favor of Feb. 13. wherein you express a wish to know whether certain exertions, not immediately within the line of your duty, but called for by the necessities of the Tennisee militia, had met the approbation of the government. the distance from hence was great, the country not perfectly known to us, and the call sudden. it was to be expected therefore that the provisions made here would prove defective in some points. it is in such cases that the voluntary zeal of our citizens becomes a valuable resource, and dictates their not letting the public cause suffer, but to go beyond the line of strict duty and to rely on the liberality and the thanks of their country. on this view of the subject I have seen the exertions you made to supply the wants of the militia which lately visited your place, with great satisfaction, and I take a pleasure in assuring you that as far as they have been known to me, they have met my approbation and merited the acknolegements which I take this occasion of making to you with assurances of my great consideration and respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. West.”

To Henry Dearborn Th: Jefferson to Genl. Dearborne Apr. 1. 1804. Will you be so good as to consider & direct how the 3000. D. may be apportioned in the details of the Arcansa expedition? to wit how much for pay, for instruments & other articles of outfit which cannot be furnished from the military fund, & how much may be laid out in light articles for barter & presents to the Indians. this last article should be made as large as the fund will admit. relying on your giving all the specifications of expence, I shall insert nothing about them in my instructions, but refer to yours. affectionate salutations.  149 

1 APRIL 1804  RC (PHi); addressed: “Genl. Dearborne”; draft of estimates by Dearborn on same sheet (see Dearborn to TJ, 4 Apr.). Not recorded in SJL.

 arcansa expedition: see note to Thomas Watkins to TJ, 22 Mch.

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir, Newcastle April 1st. 1804 Since my last letter accompanying the designs for finishing the South Wing of the Capitol I have received an account of the passing of the appropriation Law for the completion of the public buildings. Although I did not expect this event I have lost no time in preparing the drawings, & giving the directions which are now become necessary; and I presume that Mr Lenthall is already engaged in preparations to make spirited progress in the Work. I now wait the favor of your decision on the sketches I have sent to you. The principal point on which I have to request Your decision is as to the Eliptical form of the Hall of Representatives, or its alteration to the shape proposed by me. As soon as I have received your instructions in this respect, I shall put the drawings of every part of the future Work into hand, from the skeleton of the house to its minutest detail.— When I appeared before the Committee of the house on the public buildings, and read to them my report,—in which I had pressed in language as strong as I could speak, the necessity of removing the earth about the public Offices, and generally of regulating the levels about the public buildings,—I was expressly desired, (after having been requested to withdraw for a few minutes),—to report separately on the removal of Earth.—I did so; & I presume the Committee did not put that part of the call for money (10,000$) into the appropriation bill.—I do not know how the appron. bill is worded, and whether any part of the sum of 50,000$ can be laid out upon the highways. In this doubt, I have written to Mr Munroe, and requested him to pay all bills on acct. of the building out of the New Fund, leaving the balance still in hand,—which is liable to the highroads,—as a fund for the ensuing season. Should this plan be necessary, or should you approve it, there will be a sufficiency in hand for all possible demands of the Roads.— It has also occurred to me, that as a considerable number of bricks will be wanted for the Capitol, encouragement might be held out to some brickmaker to remove the Earth in front of the War Office, on a great scale; by offering a liberal price for the bricks made out of it,  150 

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& binding him by conditions as to the Earth out of which he should make them.—The present Wall will yield a large quantity but I much doubt whether they will be fit to turn Arches.— I am with the truest respect Your faithful hble Serv B Henry Latrobe RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. last letter: Latrobe to TJ, 29 Mch. For Latrobe’s report to the House of Representatives, see Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:443-9; Vol. 42:564-7.

Latrobe was anticipating TJ’s preference for funding the highways in Washington out of the remainder of the previous year’s public buildings appropriation (TJ to Latrobe, 31 Mch.).

From Méry Monsieur Francford. 1. avril 1804. Je prends la liberté de m’adresser á vous dans ma triste position et Je le fais avec confiance persuadé qu’on ne peut vous importuner en vous fournisant occasion d’obliger l’infortune. J’ai deja mis Monsieur, sous vos yeux le malheur que J’avois eprouvé de perdre mes papiers en venant dans ce pays. circonstance qui m’a mis dans le plus grand embaras, l’eloignement et le peu de sureté de la correspondance m’ayant empeché de recevoir des secours de ma famille. Je reclame, Monsieur, de vôtre humanité d’appuyer près nôtre chargé d’affaires la demande que Je lui fais de mon retour a bord la fregâte francaise arrivée nouvelt. l’eloignement ou Je suis et la persuasion qu’un seul môt de vôtre bouche vaudra mieux que tout ce que Je pourois dire sur un froid morceau de papier peuvent seuls excuser la liberté de ma demande. ce service sera le plus grand qui l’on puisse rendre & rien ne l’egalera que ma reconnoissance. recevez Monsieur, l’assurance du plus sincere respect avec lequel J’ai l’honneur d’être, Vôtre très humble serviteur Méry e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Frankford, 1 Apr. 1804 Given my unfortunate plight, I take the liberty of writing to you, convinced that offering you a chance to assuage affliction will not be an imposition. I have already described, Sir, the misfortune of losing my papers on arriving in this country. This has generated enormous difficulties. Long distances and uncertain mail service have kept me from receiving help from my family. I appeal to your humanity, Sir, to endorse my request to our chargé d’affaires to return on the French frigate that arrived recently. Forgive my taking the liberty to make this request, which can only be justified because of

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1 APRIL 1804 distance and because of my conviction that a single word from you would carry more weight than anything I might write on an impersonal piece of paper. This service will be the greatest that could be rendered, and nothing will equal it but my gratitude. Accept, Sir, this assurance of the most sincere respect with which I have the honor of being Your very humble servant, Méry RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

ma triste position: see Vol. 41:46970, 478.

From John Condit Respectd. Sir, New Ark N. Jersey April 2d 1804 I regret that so great a delay has taken place, respecting the Cyder you wish’d—but no Vessel could be found going to Alexandria, Washington, or George-Town—Untill last week, when it was shipped— and if no accident happens will be at Washington by the time this letter will be recieved—the Barrels were Numbered, & Marked, with J.C. in Black, all but one, and that in red—And Directed to my Care the Delay for want of a Vessel and my sudden and Unexpected Departure from Washington has disappointed the preparation in that respect—I have however Written and enclosed the Bill of Lading to Mr. Thomas Dunn—And requested him to give you the earliest Notice of their Arrival, that they may be taken from the wharf, soon after they are Landed, as their lying in the Sun any time may Injure the Cyder I hope it will turn out to be very good, if I am correctly informed, it is of the finest quality—The Barels Marked in Black, were all made by One Man, the One Marked with red, by another person, both Claiming the preference in making good Cyder—the different marks Are for the purpose of knowing which keeps the best through the summer—Mr. Stelle is furnished with a few Barels of the Same Quality— I am Sir, with the Greatest Respect your Obt. Servt. John Condit RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

Pontius D. stelle owned Stelle’s Hotel in Washington (rchs, 7 [1904], 86-7).

the cyder you wish’d: for TJ’s order of eight barrels of Newark cider, see Vol. 41:456-7.

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From Edmund J. Lee Sir Alexandria 3d. April 1804 On behalf of Francis Murray a prisoner now in confinement in this place I take the liberty of inclosing to you the petiton of the Said Murray, with the recommendation of the Court— I was appointed by the Court to defend him on his trial, he being unable to employ Counsel for himself—I Know nothing myself of his circumstances, & can only state my beleif that he is unable to pay the fine imposed on him or the costs of the prosecution, nor am I able to say any thing as to his character— I am with great respect Your mo: Obd Sert. Edm: J Lee RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Murray’s case.” Enclosure: Petition for pardon of Francis Murray, 3 Apr., stating that he was convicted of grand larceny at the November term of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia and sentenced to “thirty nine Stripes at the Publick whipping post” and a fine of $10; he has been confined since 15 Dec. 1803 for “not having yet paid the said Fine & costs”; his income relies on daily labor, which his confinement precludes; he served his nation faithfully aboard a frigate in the Mediterranean and, when discharged, intends to  reenlist; below Murray’s petition are

signed statements from jailer James Campbell and Deputy Marshal Lewis Summers, both dated 3 Apr., certifying Murray’s inability to pay fines and costs; followed by a recommendation of clemency from William Kilty and Nicholas Fitzhugh, dated 3 Apr., citing the public expense of Murray’s confinement and his  intention to reenlist in the navy; with  order in TJ’s hand at foot of text: “Apr. 10. 1804, Let a pardon issue Th. Jefferson.” TJ issued a pardon on 1 May, remitting the fines and charges incurred by murray (FC in Lb in same).

From John Francis Vacher Sir Bottle Hill near Morristown. Jersey 3d. April 1804 The packet containing the list of the general and field-officers, and Captains of the revolutionary army was delivered me yesterday per post; and to my astonishment found therein enclosed a letter dated 23d last march from Your Excellency. this mark of attention, and very uncommon urbanity towards a private Individual, is very Seldom to be met with in Europe from Men in like Capacity; and here it surely Corroborates the expectation they had from Your Youth; and which nothing could Inspire in You, but the unbounded love for human nature; and which I fear will never be experienced again to the same Supreme degree hereafter and in every respect: and particularly as in my adress to Your Excellency, I did not require that the President of  153 

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the United States should take the least trouble, excepting an order to the Honorable H. Dearborn on that Subject, which, candor alone I thought after my calling on almost every Gentleman of my acquaintance from the revolutionary war, would finally make me obtain; those necessary documents, the list of those brave men, who with an incredible degree of persevering virtue, have given life, to the grandest Empire the world ever witnessed. It is an undeniable truth that the bounds Nature has sat on human understanding, are such, that men and few of them, can attain a perfect knowledge of several languages: they require a particular study, & when they come to the Spirit of their poetry, there they find fourfolded difficulties, but when Youth as well observed in notes on virginia is well tutor’d in the learned languages, with the english or german, I think it an easy task to attain any one of the living. Mr Michaud, botanist seen in america, who travell’d and botanised in persia, told me there is much analogy from the persian to the german and english.—aldeja (if well spell’t) is both spanish and portuguese, and east Indian for a village. meskin is in arabic a poor, in ancient toscan and finally in french Mesquin, is niggardly. the provençal language has Yet many greec words, its verbs are conjugated as the Greec, the latin, the toscan; the Greec was spoken Yet under augustus, at Marzeilles at frejus &c. thus Mr de Voltaire is right when he says that languages have made from one into another. thus possessing the learned with two or three of the living european languages, they may enter into the dark recesses of eastern antiquities, where the greecs, the hordes from the Caucasus to beyond the vast regions of the Caspian, have from time to time pour’d their Swarms south or west & drop’t part of their dialects. And this acquirement is Yet but one of the secondary lustres which adorn Your great mind, your known modesty wishes to convey a contrary Idea of; whilst it is known that You are master of several ancient and modern languages, and particularly the one (if I be not mistaken with the publication of a letter, which breathed the elegance so peculiar to voltair’s and which no one could write unless possessor of it in all respect) the harmony of which, is I think even beyond the latin, and which no living one possess with its manlike-Character.    Extrait d’une piece fugitive Charles quint vous l’a dit, qu’a la divinité, L’on doit du castillan, sonner la Majesté. Que le parfait toscan, du sexe est le langage. Que l’anglais, des oiseaux imite le ramage.  Pardonnez bons Germains, si de vos plus grands maux,  154 

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L’allemand fut formé, pour parler aux chevaux.  Concluons en de là, tout autant que nous sommes, Que le français fut fait, pour haranguer les hommes. What beauty of sounds, of smoothness, with their strength and perspicuity are there not in the superb stanzas of Corneille, of racine, of voltaire’s works. Indeed it is to them the french owes its fortune, & which are in the mouth of all the learned of europe. add to the Immortal works of those three extraordinary men, moliere’s inimitable comédies; with the writings of hundreds of excellent authors, with the liberty that language daily receive it bids fair to live many ages (if not annihilated by the powers of europe what does not appear at present probable) with superior eclat. whilst this letter of thanks affords me the opportunity to adress your Excellency, I wish’t to intimate You that since the notes on virginia fell into my hands; I was indeed very desirous, to communicate observations I made on the beardlessness* of the aborigines of america, which I think coincide with Your’s. with Indians have I travell’d and hutted enough during the late war: when they neglected the twizers I could perceive several pretty thick hairs on their chin and upper lip shooting forth. Coll. Lewis# (Huron) part black in truth, to what shade, or what little part white he might perhaps have, I cannot ascertain, but as he was growing old, he neglected the twizers; and beard, he had enough of. (I cannot stretch much on this subject in the short content of this letter; I have extended it a little more after a Quotation from the same book, on the Imported whites’ Generations, in a note of a pamphlet on the Causes of the New York Yellow fever, which the Editor of the american Citizen approved of and promis’d to print since last fall. but know not by what fatality he delays. that fever is nothing but the Causus of the ancients, either under its distinct Character, or as a forerunner of the malignant, and have seen it very common indeed whilst very young and a surgeon’s mate in the military hospital of Toulon, then a deposit of the sick from Corsica during its war, & for the Course of three summers. fever which will be more or less common in these same latitudes as those of the borders of the mediterranean when summers grow warmer by the clearing of the back Country, with the enormous use of animal food, population will encrease &c. not only Mr de Buffon blunders; but L’abbé Raynal * Imberbité. Il est assez surprenant que Mr de Buffon dont l’eloquence est d’autant plus reconnue, que son sublime Genie embrassait toute la nature n’ait pas du moins inventé de termes, de substantifs surtout, pour l’exprimer avec aisance, et éviter des circonlocutions qui sont toujours Genantes dans la proffondeur de l’esprit des Sciences. # c’etait

un fier homme que ce colonel loüis.

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about the future population of the united states, and also Mr de Voltaire who puts Mariland to the north of Pensylvania, appendage common in men, who write on Countries or objects they never saw) that when I was living at new York I saw two Chinese tartars of perhaps of the age of twenty five to thirty Years, who had some and pretty long beard, their features their Eyes, their skin; their long, black, and thick hair; exactly the same as those of our Indians. the proximity of that tartary to the Jeso Islands, to the kurily, to Kampschatka, to Berhings, to Cape oonemak; besides shocks either by earth Quakes, or the meeting of a celestial body, as observed by Raynal, and so beautifully illustrated in Milton’s paradise lost book VI verse from 305 to 315 Ou comme si du choc, que recevrait la terre, par l’affreuse rencontre avec un corps des cièux. Ou celle des titans, avec le chef des dieux. Gaitiade chant VII as mythology is founded besides superstition, acts of heroism, passions; on reason, on truth. is it not probable that the war of the Giants against the great Jove, was nothing but the horrid Concussion from one of the aforesaid Causes, which might have sunk part of the Continents or Islands big or small, in the north pacific, which in very remote ages Indeed, afforded a freer communication, from tartary to this Continent. I may be mistaken in my Conjectures, but the features of those tartars seemed to me to be so exactly the same as those of our Indians, and about the same quantity of the beard supposing our aborigines should let theirs grow to the same length; what may be easily observed since their* civilisation has been brought about, what will finally settle the difference of opinion, those two tartars had the hair of their beard pretty much scattered. What will make me think untill convinced to the Contrary, that our Indians are of the same race of men as some of the races from that Immense tract of land (Tartary). the very humane, learned, and much lamented Mr Dela perouse, makes the same observation on the Inhabitants des Îles du massacre the same I think as in english maps, Islands of danger. in the south seas; as proceeding from some of the south parts of asia. As I am well provided with documents, the General and field officers of which will be mixed in the poem, and the whole of the list to serve as an appendix, it remains therefore nothing More for me to do, than to keep on, redouble my exertion, although it has been far * read thus. Since the civilisation of part of them has been &c—

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from having been suspended in this kind of very slow work, since the present presidency. for before, the mind was too much agitated, where its Calmness is so much required; and in doing Justice to Your wise administration; and to the virtue of the late army with Impartiality: (for if men differ with us in opinion and ours prevail, let us still look on vengeance and tiranny with horror, and let us be the first to give the example, not only of tolerance, but even of Generosity, in helping our enemies; and never lose sight of the ties we owe to humanity. this I think is to be the duty a well thinking man must follow, for it is in vain that Intrigue with its horrid attendants should strive to blast his reputation, and what good or evil does it do to him who thinks a little, wether he receives or not, the scraping with the toes, the mincing; from a set of Sycophants, of speculators in the swet, the miseries, the blood! of the soldiers of the revolutionary army; of a trader who perhaps has defrauded his Creditors three or four times. or has experienced the roughness of men in power. & what is all this? uprightness moves on with a bold and steady step. the celestial Daughter of truth prevails, & he dead or alive, makes finally the admiration even of his Ennemies.) and Deserve thereby, Inspired by the same divinity as Doctr Priestly, to have my name mixed with the president of the present and hope of many to come american olympiads; and to this nothing in the world would have induced me more than Your unexpected favor. May the Supreme being grant you a long life, for happy You ought to be, to see the miracles virtue has finally exhibited: the poinards of the Discord thrown, in the bottomless abyss of the ocean, the dried up wrinkles of the Eumenides’s faces, changed for the smiling features of social enjoyments; and if there be few discontented, who keep barking through the dissonant organs of prostituted presses; they ought to look on them, as on rank and disapointed libertines, who unable by their vile practices, to pollute the Sacred Temple of Modesty,* vainly strive to debase her celestial and earthly Charms. I am with Respect of Your Excellency Your Excellency’s most obedient and very humble servant John F. Vacher * le mot pudeur manque dans la langue anglaise—qui signifie tout a qu’on pourrait exprimer, dans la possession dans lexistence de cette vertu chez les hommes. Je sais aussi que Chastity pourrait peut être mieux convenir. mais ce doute! et c’est dans ce doute qu’un homme merite de l’indulgence. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “his Excellency Th. Jefferson Esqr President of the

united States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

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3 APRIL 1804  extrait d’une piece fugitive: that is, extract of a fugitive piece. Translation: “As the Emperor Charles V told you, use Spanish to proclaim God’s majesty; Italian for sex; English to imitate chirping birds. German, I say with apologies, was designed for talking to horses. But French was created for addressing the human beings that we are.” beardlessness: Vacher’s note translates as “Beardlessness. Since Buffon’s genius spanned every aspect of nature, his eloquence was all the more acclaimed. It is surprising, therefore, that he never coined words, especially nouns, to convey his knowledge with ease and avoid the circumlocutions that are always cumbersome in the deepest scientific inquiry.” During the American Revolution, Vacher most likely knew and hutted with Indians during his service with the 4th New York Regiment, which participated in a campaign against the Iroquois (Joseph R. Fischer, A Well-Executed Failure: The Sullivan Campaign Against the Iroquois, July-September 1779 [Columbia, S.C., 1997], 62; Frederick Cook, Journals of the Military Expedition of Major General John Sullivan against the Six Nations of Indians in 1779 with Records of Centennial Celebrations [Auburn, N.Y., 1887], 328; Vol. 40:291). coll. lewis: Vacher’s note translates as “Colonel Lewis was, indeed, a proud man.” He likely referred to Louis, or Lewis, Cook, a Caughnawaga of partial African descent who received an officer’s commission for his efforts on behalf of the American Revolution (Franklin B. Hough, A History of St. Lawrence and Franklin Counties, New York, from the Earliest Period to the Present Time [Albany, 1853], 182-98; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 10:338n, 339-42n). James Cheetham published Vacher’s pamphlet, an address to the citizens of New York on the causes of yellow fever, in early June (New York American Citizen, 2 and 5 June 1804). proximity of that tartary: Vacher posited a land connection from the Japa-

nese island of Hokkaido (Yeso or jeso) to Unimak (oonemak) in the Aleutian Islands. ou comme si du choc: that is, “or as if the earth had been shaken loose by a horrendous encounter with a celestial body, or the Titans’ clash with an almighty god.” The gaitiade was Vacher’s unpublished epic poem extolling Horatio Gates’s 1777 victory at Saratoga (Vacher to TJ, 30 Apr. 1803). much lamented mr dela perouse: between 1785 and 1788, Jean François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse, explored the Pacific Ocean on behalf of Louis XVI. During his time as minister to France, TJ had gathered information on the outfitting of La Pérouse’s ships to determine if the French intended to establish a colony or trading station on the Pacific coast of North America. The voyage was ultimately lost at the South Pacific island of Vanikoro (John Dunmore, Where Fate Beckons: The Life of Jean-François de La Pérouse [Fairbanks, Alaska, 2007], 179-82, 250-8; Vol. 8:339, 373-4, 587-8, 593). Commodore John Byron named the northern Cook Islands the islands of danger during his circumnavigation of the globe from 1764 to 1766 (John Hawkesworth, An Account of the Voyages Undertaken by the Order of His Present Majesty for Making Discoveries in the Southern Hemisphere, 2 vols. [Dublin, 1775], 1:89). poinards of the discord: a dagger (in French, poignard) was a symbol of the Greek goddess Discord (oed; Thomas Broughton, An Historical Dictionary of All Religions from the Creation of the World to This Present Time, 2 vols. [London, 1742], 1:334). sacred temple of modesty: Vacher’s note translates as “there is no word for pudeur in English. It means everything one could express about the existence and possession of that virtue. I know, too, that Chastity might be a better word; but I am not sure. Given my doubt, I beg your indulgence.”

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From Joseph Yznardi, Sr. Honoured Sir. Cadiz 3d. April 1804. I have just received the Letter with which your Excelly. was pleased to honour me on the 26. January last, and hope to learn by your Excelly’s next favour the reception of the Butt of Pale Wine, which hope will be as agreable as the former One. I shall do myself the pleasure of remitting your Excy. another Butt, but something younger, and of course will turn out cheaper, and shall continue doing the same annually till fresh orders from your Excelly. Please to accept my Sincere gratitude for having passed to the Secretary of State the Contents of my Letter to your Excelly. in October last; I have the honour of remitting your Excelly. Copy of the Certificate & Letter of the Original remitted my lawyers at Philadelphia, which Consul James Simpson forwarded me from Tangiers; and which will most clearly convince your Exely. that in acquainting Captn J. Israel not to proceed to Saffy, I only complied with my Duty as Consul, in order to prevent a new Declaration of War from the Emperor of Morroco against the United States, and which in that period might have been attended with the most unhappy events; I have not the least doubt but Justice will be done to me, and have the satisfacton. to say that I only acted as any faithfull Consul would have done in my place. On the 26th. January I remitted the Secretary of State all my Accounts with Government, requesting he would give his orders that the Ballance due so long ago to me should be settled; on the 27th. January I had likewise the pleasure of advising that I had drawn on your Excelly. a Bill for $194.₁−⁸₀−⁵− ₀ favour of Capt. John R. Archer, but as he is still here & your Excelly. advising me of having intentions of making remittance, I have taken back said draft, & of course remains annulled. Give me leave to congratulate your Excy. on the glorious and gallant action of Capt. Decature & volunteers destroying the former U.S. Frigate Philadelphia, which action will be for ever remember’d in the Annals of History. The oppinion which I took the liberty of acquainting your Excelly. in my former Letters that this Country would remain Neutral, is actualy verified, as we do not see the least symptom of it being involved in the actual Contest. Permit me to assure your Excelly. of the high consideration with which I have the honour to be most Respectfully— Honoured Sir: Your most obt. hble Servt. J. Yznardy  159 

3 APRIL 1804  RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Yznardi; at foot of text: “To His Excelly. Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States of America Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received in June and recorded in SJL as received 7 June. Enclosure not found. contents of my letter: Yznardi discussed a number of controversies in which he was embroiled in a letter of 3  Nov. 1803, which TJ recorded as an October letter (Vol. 41:659-64). Yznardi’s long-running legal dispute with Joseph

israel derived from Yznardi’s actions as acting U.S. consul in Cadiz in 1798, when he attempted to prevent the shipmaster from trading with the rebellious city of Safi (saffy), Morocco (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 2:53n; Vol. 32:397n). accounts with government: Yznardi reported a balance in his favor of $6,018.22 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:392). A letter of 27 Jan. 1804 from Yznardi to TJ, recorded in SJL as received 27 Apr., has not been found.

From John Dawson Dear Sir, Baltimore. April 4th. 1804. You will probably recollect that some time ago I took the freedom to mention to you Mr. Nath: Levy of this place as a gentleman willing to accept an appointment on our newly acquird territory—I have been long and well acquanted with Mr. Levy, from which, and from the strong recommendations of the Secretary of the Navy, of General Mason the Messrs Brents and of all who know him I feel myself perfectly justified in recommending him to you as a person capable, and in every respect meriting the confidence of the goverment. I shall leave this in the morning for New york, where a letter will allways find its way to me. Receive an assurance of my highest respect & Esteem J Dawson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “Levy Nathanl. for appmt Louisa.” In a letter of 14 Dec. 1803, Nathan levy was recommended for a revenue post to Albert Gallatin by John mason, who indicated that Levy intended to move to New Orleans and would “acquit himself with credit to himself and advan-

tage to the public.” Levy had previously served as the U.S. naval agent in CapFrançais (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, 7:187-8, endorsed by TJ: “Levy Nathanl. to be employd in Collection at N. Orleans. Genl. Mason to mr Gallatin”; ndqw, Nov. 1798-Mch. 1799, 533; Joseph L. Blau and Salo W. Baron, eds., The Jews of the United States, 1790-1840: A Documentary History, 3 vols. [New York, 1963], 2:325).

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From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington April 4th. 1804 In conformity to your note of the 1st. inst. I have made such an apportionment of the three thousand dollars appropriated for exploring Louisiana as appeared to me most expedient, which I herewith enclose. the scantiness of the fund renders it necessary to calculate on a future appropriation for the pay of the two Gentlemen to be imployed, after the end of the present year.—I had written to Doctr. Hunter to procure under the direction of Mr. Patterson, the necessary Instruments. I have now requested him to procure and take with him, the articles proper for Indian presents, and several other articles necessary for the expedition. I will write again to Mr. Dunbar and inform him of the arrangements made, and authorise him to draw on this department for such part of the fund as may be necessary for him to expend in the outfit, or to receive towards the pay of the persons imployed. I presume that it is intended that the two gentlemen imployed shall be allowed in addition to their pay, the necessary expences for provisions &c. on their tour, a considerable part of which will be included in the outfit.— with the most respectful consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 9 Apr. and “Arkansa & Red river” and so recorded in SJL. FC (PHi); dated 3 Apr.; entirely in Dearborn’s hand; incorporating the itemized allocation of expenditures into the letter, and with variant and additional text; endorsed by Dearborn as dated 4 Apr. Dearborn sent instructions regarding the Arkansas and Red River expedition to George hunter on 30 Mch. and 3 Apr. and to William dunbar on 31 Mch. and

4 Apr. After acquiring the astronomical instruments, presents, tools, gunpowder, flints, lead, and steels, Hunter was to proceed to Natchez and arrive there by 15 June. Thereafter he would receive three dollars per day while engaged on the actual business of the expedition. In addition to apprising Dunbar of his instructions to Hunter, Dearborn informed him that the commanding officer at New Orleans had been directed to supply the expedition with a military escort, boat, rations, and tools. Dunbar’s bills on the War Department were not to exceed $2,500 (FCs in Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS).

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Apportionment of Expenditures for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition two thirds of one years pay to the two Gentlemen to be imployed at 3 dol pr. day each for Instruments & tools for outfit for presents to Indians money to take with them. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 137:23731); undated, entirely in Dearborn’s hand. Dft (PHi); written on RC of TJ to Dearborn, 1 Apr. two thirds of one years pay: in his draft figures, Dearborn initially allowed

$1460 500 300 600 140 $3000

$2,190 for the full year’s pay, $400 for instruments, $200 for outfit of provisions, and $210 for presents. He then recalculated to allow for a deferral of one-third of the pay and for larger amounts in the other categories, finally arriving at the figures shown above.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington 5th April 1804 I sincerely hope that you have, on your arrival, found Mrs. Eppes in a fair way of recovering. The weather and city have been gloomy enough since your departure; and Mrs G. is anxious that I should take her to New York. If I can possibly complete in time the business and arrangements resulting from the laws of last session, I will try to do it early enough to be back here when you shall return. Messrs. Duponceau, Barnwell & Lomax have been written to. Nothing new in this dept., beyond the mere routine of business. I enclose some very lengthy, though crude and ill arranged observations on Dr Stevens’s claim. Yet the argument drawn from his mission not being to the authorised Govt. of a foreign nation, appears to me conclusive to prove the impropriety of applying to that object, the monies appropd. for intercourse with foreign nations. And the more I have considered the case, the more have I been convinced that it was a claim Sui generis, a decision on which could affect no other; that none of a similar kind in all its parts had ever been admitted by mere executive authority, and that it seemed to be in a peculiar manner, one that wanted legislative sanction. He called on me last Sunday and I mentioned my opinion to him, he rather acquiesced except in that which related to the evidence of a contract. On that part of the subject I might have added some further observations.  162 

5 APRIL 1804

 With sincere respect and attachment Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin  Enclosed you will also find copies of all the papers in the Treasury which relate to Dr. Stevens’s claim. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 9 Apr. and “Dr. Stevens” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Edward Stevens to Madison, Philadelphia, 2 Apr. 1802, submitting his claim against the government for expenses incurred during his mission to Saint-Domingue, including expenses for passage on the ship Kingston, the hire of vessels to carry dispatches, travel expenses for public business, advances to American seamen, house rent and living expenses, and the salary of a secretary; and enclosing a statement of his account with the United States, from 10 Mch. 1799 to 25 Sep. 1801, totaling $27,325. (2) William Thornton as justice of the peace for Washington County, District of Columbia, 7 Jan. 1804, certifying that Stevens appeared before him and testified under oath that the 2 Apr. 1802 statement of accounts “is just and true, except that the household expences are herein much under-rated” and that he had received no reimbursements for any part of the account. (3) Timothy Pickering to Stevens, Danvers, Massachusetts, 23 Mch. 1802, enclosing a statement encouraging the acceptance of Stevens’s claim, noting that he transmitted intelligence and made “voyages and Journies to different Ports & places of the Colony, to negotiate & transact affairs that were highly interesting to the United States;— the very nature of those cases precludes, in my view, all doubt as to the propriety and justice of his claim”; Pickering explains that while Stevens “was to superintend & protect the Commerce of the Citizens of the United States with St. Domingo; yet from the peculiar circumstances of that Island, his duties were ever considered as essentially Ministerial.” (4) Deposition by James Yard, who appeared before Clement Biddle, notary public, in Philadelphia, 2 Apr. 1802, and swore that he had formed an agreement with the U.S. government on Stevens’s behalf with the un-

derstanding that the mission “must of necessity be accompanied with very heavy personal expences” that would be reimbursed by the government; to Yard’s inquiry as to the necessity of an appropriation by Congress, Pickering replied that there was an annual sum of some $20,000 “granted to the President out of which the said expences might be paid.” (5) Receipt signed by J. Selle, Cap-Français, indicating that on 7 May 1799, Stevens paid him $2,000, by a bill of exchange on William Cramond, for the charter of the schooner Esperance to carry dispatches to Philadelphia. (6) Receipt signed by Pierre Jarnan, Cap-Français, 4 June 1799, acknowledging Stevens’s payment of $2,000, by a draft on Yard, for the charter of the schooner Liberty to carry dispatches to Philadelphia. (7) Certificate signed by Stephen Minor, commander of the schooner Sophia, Cap-Français, 8 Oct. 1799, acknowledging that Stevens had paid him $2,050, by a bill of exchange on Cramond for $2,000 and $50 in cash, to compensate for losses sustained by the condemnation of his vessel and cargo in April 1799; Minor agrees to reimburse Stevens as soon as he receives compensation as promised from Toussaint-Louverture. (8) Statement by Stevens, Washington, 10 Jan. 1803, describing the circumstances that led to the $2,050 payment to Minor; he notes that the suit was not settled before he left the island; he includes an account of the value of the Sophia and its cargo when taken 15 Apr. 1799, totaling $5,521.91. (9) Minor to Stevens, CapFrançais, 8 Oct. 1799, with instructions in case his property is restored. (10) Minor to Stevens, Wilmington, Delaware, 18 Aug. 1800, requesting that Stevens pressure Toussaint to fulfill his promise and restore his property. (11) Karrick & Percival to Stevens, undated, requesting passage money due on a voyage. (12) Receipt signed by Karrick & Percival, 24 Sep. 1801, acknowledging Stevens’s payment of $600 “in full for Passage of himself &

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5 APRIL 1804 Family” from Cap-Français. (13) Receipt signed by John Thomas Carré, in French, 14 Aug. 1801, acknowledging payments by Stevens of $1,600 for salary. (14) Pickering to Yard, Philadelphia, 5 Nov. 1801, noting that he cannot recollect the agreement cited by Yard that the expenses of Stevens’s mission “should be defrayed by the Government”; “Two things are certain,” Pickering notes: that Stevens’s agency “was rather ministerial than Consular” and that the arrangements “were concerted with the Government by you”; he recalls that Stevens “seemed to me to be the most suitable person, and indeed the only one to be found, to whom the important and difficult mission to St. Domingo could be entrusted”; Pickering reviews Stevens’s qualifications and accomplishments because of “the numerous slanders to which this mission to St Domingo has given rise”; he again expresses regret “that I have not a recollection of the stipulations, or assurance, relative to his expences”; he hopes the government will reimburse Stevens. (15) Pickering to Stevens, Washington, 16 Dec. 1803; he reviews the strained relations between the United States and France in 1798 and 1799, which led to Stevens’s mission to restore commerce with Saint-Domingue; the uncommon mission “demanded sagacity, firmness, address, a knowledge of the French language—in a word, the very talents & qualities which you appeared exclusively to possess”; frequent conferences with Toussaint were indispensable; public duties engrossed all of Stevens’s time; in the settlement of accounts with the United States, Pickering notes, “you ought to be considered, what you were in fact, as their Minister; and as such entitled to receive the amount of all your expences incurred in your mission,” including living expenses, “as your Office rendered indispensable a style of living, and a hospitality, suited to a public Minister”; but with regard to salary, Pickering advises, “you ask none: the chance of emolument from Commercial transactions came in its place.” (16) Stevens to Richard Harrison, auditor of the Treasury, Washington, 7 Jan. 1803; submits his testimony under oath, along with that of his private secretary in Saint-Domingue, who “was

perfectly acquainted with the nature and content of my expenses there,” to be included with the other documents recently submitted. (17) John N. D’Arcy to Stevens, Philadelphia, 1 Jan. 1804; D’Arcy, who was secretary to Stevens at SaintDomingue, encloses a certificate of the various expenditures incurred by Stevens during his residence in Saint-Domingue; it does not include all of the expenditures, which exceeded $9,000 per year; he does not include expenditures for wine, which could not have been less than $4,000, as his “hospitable house was the daily resort of public Characters as well as of private Citizens.” (18) Deposition by D’Arcy, given before Biddle, Philadelphia, 2 Jan. 1803 [i.e. 1804], testifying that Stevens “expended for his Journeys on account of the American Government and in his household expences in St Domingo” not less than $7,241 in 1799, $8,216 in 1800, and $7,751 to August 1801, according to the record kept by D’Arcy; the expenditures included $450 for the hire of a French schooner to carry dispatches to General Thomas Maitland, $400 for sea stores on the outward passage in the ship Kingston, and $1,200 per year for house rent; D’Arcy also notes the $2,000 payment to Captain Minor “by order of Genl. Toussaint,” which had not been repaid as promised. (19) Harrison to Madison, 7 Jan. 1804, submitting Stevens’s papers and inquiring “whether the depositions of Dr. Stevens & his private Secretary may be received in lieu of the vouchers generally required, & which it is not usual to dispense with at the Treasury without authority from the head of the proper Department” (see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:315). (20) Madison to Harrison, 9 Jan. 1804, replying that as “these Depositions constitute an higher grade of proof than has been admitted in some other instances of a similar nature, they seem to be sufficient to establish the reality of the expenditures for which they are produced” (see same, 6:326). (21) Harrison to Gabriel Duvall, comptroller of the Treasury, 11 Jan. 1804; he has examined and adjusted Stevens’s accounts from 10 Mch. 1799 to 25 Sep. 1801, and finds that the United States owes him $27,325, including $2,125 for the relief and protec-

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5 APRIL 1804 tion of American seamen; he encloses for the decision of the comptroller the statement and documents on which the report is based, including “A dissection of the account of Doctor Edward Stevens,” itemizing $17,800 in “Household & personal expenses,” $7,400 in “Travelling & Contingent expenses,” including the secretary’s salary, and $2,125 for relief of American seamen, noting that the money advanced to Minor “was in reality (according to the Statement of Doctor Stephens) to relieve him from debts incurred by his detention and to enable him & his

crew to get home, & without which they would have Suffered extreme distress, &  perhaps have perished.” All Trs in DLC, consisting of a single transcript in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by Gallatin: “Documents”; endorsed by TJ as received “Apr.   04.” and “Stevens’s case.” duponceau: TJ was considering Philadelphia attorney Peter S. Du Ponceau for a judgeship in Orleans Territory (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:301-2; Appendix ii).

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Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim Observations on Dr. Stevens’s claim. Dr. Stevens was appointed, in Feby.-March 1799, Consul General at the Island of St. Domingo. This appointment was made by the President of the United States with the advice & consent of the Senate in the manner pointed out by the Constitution. The fees & emoluments of Consuls being fixed by law, no other permanent compensation, whether as salary or as reimbursement of his household expences, can in that capacity be allowed to him. It appears, however, that Dr. Stephens was, at the same time, invested with extraordinary powers, not of a Consular nature, by the President of the United States; and it is alledged by him that he was promised, on that account, a reimbursement of all his expences during his mission. He, therefore, states an account under the following heads vizt. 1. Expences of himself & family including house rent at the rate of 1,200 dolls. a year 16,600 2. His Secretary’s salary at the rate of 800 Dollars a year 1,600 3. Sea stores for passage to & from St Domingo and passage money on his return 1,200 4. Travelling expences on public business whilst at St. Domingo 950 5. Hire of Vessels for carrying dispatches to the U. States & to Jamaica 4,850 6. Advanced to Capt. S. Minor to prosecute a suit for the recovery of his Vessel & Cargo libelled at Cape Nicholas la Mole 2,050 7. Advanced to American Seamen in distress. 75 27,325 The 6th. & 7th items properly belong to Dr. Stevens’s account under his Consular functions. So much as he may have expended, & can support by regular vouchers, for the relief of Seamen in distress and for the law expences of prosecuting suits in case of Captures, must be allowed, both of those expences being authorized by law. The greater part of the advance to Capt. Minor appears, however, to be of a different nature, for which Dr. Stevens’s recourse is against Capt. Minor whose vessel was insured as appears by the

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5 APRIL 1804 account. Claims of that kind by Consuls have been and must be considered as Commercial transactions. If they were not repelled the Treasury would be unable to meet the demands on that account. See Consul Fenwick’s account. There may be cases in which the Legislature will think proper to interfere: this may be one of them. How far the legality of the 5th. item may depend on the decision which shall be made on the three first, need not at present be discussed; but, supposing no difficulty to exist for that reason, the claim should be strictly investigated, because it appears extraordinary that no demand should have been made at the time from the Department of State. No receipts appear for the hire of Vessels to carry dispatches to Jamaica; but the 4000 dollars paid for the charter of the two vessels which brought the Dispatches to the United States were paid by Dr. Stephens in two drafts of 2000 dollars each on the house of Crammond and on Mr. Yard respectively. Why were not the drafts on the Dept. of State? And Why, having been drawn in that manner, was not the reimbursement asked by Mr. Yard who was Dr. Stephens’s Agent and on whom one of the bills was drawn. To elucidate that point, it will be necessary 1st. to examine the Correspondence of Dr. Stevens, and ascertain whether when he sent the said dispatches, he advised the Secretary of State that such expence had been incurred on public account—2dly To ascertain by enquiry at the Custom house of Philadelphia whether the two vessels came & returned altogether in ballast. If they did not the transaction was at least partly commercial and the claim would thereby be invalidated in whole or in part. It must be remarked that the account has been passed by the Auditor without any enquiry whatever on that subject. If the mission was legal, the 4th. item, provided it shall be supported by vouchers, is admissible even if there was no proof of a Contract to re-imburse the expences of Dr. Stephens, the travelling expences here stated not being personal, but on account of his mission. The three first items, however, are those which have given rise to the present investigation and require particular consideration: and they seem to present three distinct questions, vizt.—1st. As to the legality of the Mission and the Authority of the Executive or of any Department to pay the amount of the claim—2dly. As to the evidence of the engagement on the part of Government to make the allowance claimed—3dy As to the proof given that the expences were incurred. I. The object of Dr. Stephens’s mission, not connected with his proper Consular functions, is fully explained by the Correspondence in the Office of the Secretary of State. He was to co-operate with Gen. Maitland in forming an Agreement or Convention between the United States and Great Britain on the one part and the actual Government of St. Domingo on the other part; and afterwards to remain in the Island as a Ministerial Agent for the purpose of carrying the Convention into effect and of preserving the good understanding between the United States & the Government of St. Domingo. A Convention was accordingly made to which the United States became a party, though it was not signed on their part; and Dr. Stevens remained in the Island in the Character of an Agent under the Convention to both the British & the American Government. His correspondence with the Secretary of State is principally of a diplomatic nature, and relates in a great degree to the prospect of the permanent independence of San Domingo. His duties are by the

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5 APRIL 1804 former Secretary of State in his Certificate of 23. March 1802, designed as essentially ministerial; Mr. Yard in his deposition speaks of the mission as being of a diplomatic nature; and the same idea has been preserved by the Auditor & the Comptroller. It is, indeed, on that ground alone that the claim is supported. It is provided by the Constitution that the President shall have power, by & with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and (that) he shall nominate and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of the United States whose appointments are not herein otherwise provided for, and which shall be established by law.” The only distinction, as it relates to the power of appointment vested in the President, between foreign agents, and other officers of the United States, is that the first description is recognized by the Constitution, without limitation either as to number or grade, and that they may be appointed in the manner directed by the Constitution, without the necessity of a previous law establishing the office: and such as are appointed pursuant to the constitution may be paid so far as the appropriations will reach, and under such limitations in respect to Salary as may be fixed by law. The sums generally appropriated for the expences of foreign intercourse may, under the limitations which may exist in respect to Salary, be legally applied to the payment of the compensations allowed to the officers appointed pursuant to the constitution, and of the expences incident to the missions of such officers; in which last class the expenses incurred for the transmission of their dispatches, and of treaties or ratifications constitutionally made, appear to be properly included. But neither the making of a Treaty under the sole authority of the President, by whatever name and in whatever manner such treaty may be disguised, nor the appointment of foreign ministers, by the sole authority of the President, to the exclusion of the constitutional approbation of the Senate, whether such ministers shall be disguised under another ostensible appointment or shall act as ministeral agents, are recognized or authorized by the Constitution Should such species of treaties or ministerial agents be introduced, the Constitution might in every instance be evaded, and a system of double or secret diplomacy, similar to that of France, be established on the ruins of the Constitutional mode of carrying the intercouse with foreign nations. The laws making the ordinary appropriations for foreign intercourse, do not authorize any payment for purposes not previously, or by some particular mode of expression in such laws themselves, authorized either by the law or by the constitution. Thus an appropriation for the pay, subsistence, &ca. or even contingencies of the army does not authorize the raising of an additonal regiment not otherwise authorized, nor the payment of the expences incident to such unauthorized Regiment. Thus the law to regulate and fix the compensation of clerks, having fixed the whole amount of the compensation to Clerks in the Office of the Accountant of the Navy at 6,900 dollars, and the general appropriation law of 1801. having only appropriated a larger sum for that object, without specially authorizing a greater compensation, the additional compensations allowed in that office by reason of the appropriation

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5 APRIL 1804 were, as a matter of course, disallowed by the Accounting Officers; and a special provision was made to authorize that additonal compensation, by the 3d. Section of the Act of February 23d. 1802. Which last instance is most in point to prove that an appropriation law, unless especially worded for that purpose, does not authorize an expence otherwise unauthorized. But, at all events, such law never can cover the expences incident to an appointment made contrary to the Constitution, and not any where authorized by law. The act providing the means of intercourse between the United States and foreign nations, of 19th. March 1798, which was in force when Doctor Stevens was appointed, appropriates the annual sum of 40,000 dollars for the support of such persons as the President shall commission to serve the United States in foreign Parts, and for the expence incident to the business in which they may be employed: Which confines the expenditure to persons appointed pursuant to the Constitution, and to the expence incident to the legal mission of Such Persons. But the same act, which remained in force ’til 10th. May 1800, had, as well as every preceding act on the same subject, provided that a certificate of the President, or of the Secretary of State, of the amount only of such expenditures (for the purposes of treaty or intercourse with foreign nations generally) as he (the President) might think it adviseable not to specify, should be deemed a sufficient voucher for the sums therein expressed to have been expended. Under that provision, a power was vested in the President which may be considered as having, by implication, authorized him to expend the monies appropriated for foreign intercourse as he thought fit, and free of any of the restrictions in respect to appointments which had been imposed by the Constitution. It certainly released him from any legal restrictions otherwise imposed in respect to the expenditure of money. The operation of that provision being, since 10th. May 1800, limited to the expenditure of monies appropriated for contingent expences (eo nomine) of foreign intercourse, and no such appropriation having, unless in relation to the intercourse with the Barbary Powers, been made since that time, the additional and extraordinary authority thus vested in the President can no longer be exercised: and no inference can be drawn from that provision in favor of Doctor Stevens; except that, as it was in force at the time of his appointment, the expences incident thereto might, at that time, have been legally defrayed by virtue of such provision. Yet it is remarkable that it is stated in Mr. Yard’s affidavit, the only evidence adduced in support of the supposed engagement of Government to defray Doctor Stevens’s expences, that Mr. Pickering, then Secretary of State, considered the annual appropriation of 20,000 dollars for the contingent expences of Government, as the proper fund to defray the expences of that mission. If, as may be thence inferred, he did not think even the provision by which a certificate of the President was sufficient to cover any expence in relation to intercourse or treaty with foreign nations, as sufficient to cover the expence of that mission, it must have been because he did not consider the intercourse with the Government de facto of St. Domingo as an intercourse with foreign nations. And from that view of the subject, another strong argument can be drawn against the application of monies, especially appropriated to the intercourse with foreign nations, to an expenditure incident to the in-

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5 APRIL 1804 tercourse with the Officer of a foreign nation, not authorized by his Government to carry such intercourse. In that view of the subject every objection to the construction given by the Secretary of the Treasury to the laws respecting foreign intercourse, is avoided; as, on that ground alone, the claim of Doctor Stevens may be disallowed without any possible inference in relation to other cases which have arisen in the course of the regular intercourse with the recognized Government of foreign nations. The President of the United States may, therefore, have inferred from the provisions of the act suspending the commercial intercourse with France, that he was authorized to take, alone, the necessary steps for opening the intercourse with St. Domingo, at the same time that he did not believe that the monies appropriated for intercourse with foreign nations could, even under the provision which authorized him not to specify the expences, be applied to the expence incident to that particular measure. But it may at the same time have been supposed that the expence either would afterwards be provided by the Legislature which had authorized the measure, or might be defrayed from the fund which, without limitation or restriction, is left at the disposal of the President for discharging any unforeseen contingent expences of the Government. The conclusions drawn from the preceding observations are,—that if Doctor Stevens’s ministerial agency was with a foreign nation, his appointment as ministerial agent ought to have been by the President and Senate, and that such appointment not having been made he cannot be recognized nor his expences allowed as such:—that if his agency was only with the Officer of a foreign nation, not authorized by that nation to carry such intercourse, nor recognized as independent by the United States, the expences of his mission cannot legally be paid out of the monies appropriated for intercourse with foreign nations:—that if his mission and agency were authorized by the Act suspending the commercial intercourse with France, the President may direct a reasonable allowance to be paid from the fund appropriated for the contingent expences of Government:—but that the most regular and eligible mode will be an application to the Legislature. Was there any evidence on the records of the Department of State, of an agreement to make a compensation, the application might come from the Executive; but under the particular circumstances of the claim, it seems that the claimant himself ought to apply. Before the second question, that of the existence of an agreement, be examined, a few remarks on the cases which have been stated as affected by a decision on this claim, may not be improper; repeating, however, that, at all events, it is not necessary to ground that decision on reasons which can affect any other case resulting from the regular and authorized intercourse with a foreign nation. Lieut: Leonard’s mission, to carry the Stock to France, could not, it is believed, have been regularly paid from the expences incident to foreign intercourse, unless it had been considered as necessarily resulting from the Treaty with France. It never was intended to charge it to that fund; and it has been paid by virtue of a specific appropriation made by Congress for the printing and transmission of the Stock. Mr. Dawson was neither a public minister, nor a ministerial agent: he accordingly preserved his Seat in the House; and it was not therefore necessary

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5 APRIL 1804 to have a Senatorial confirmation of his appointment. In fact he had neither appointment nor agency: he was the bearer of a Treaty. The expences incident to the transportation of the dispatches of duly appointed ministers, or of treaties made in pursuance of the Constitution, being for objects authorized by the Constitution, may be paid from monies appropriated for intercourse with foreign nations. Mr. Davis was appointed Consul in lieu of Mr. Eaton. That was a case of vacancy which the Executive had a right to fill, as well as any other vacancy whatever; and in conformity with the rules uniformly adopted at the Treasury in relation to the salaries of all other Officers, his salary will be allowed from the time when he entered in the functions of the Office, to the time when a successor shall enter in the same functions; provided, however, that two salaries shall not be paid at the same time for the same Office; that is to say, Mr. Eaton’s salary must cease when that of Mr. Davis commences, and that of Mr. Russel must commence when that of Mr. Davis shall cease. This is an invariable rule in relation to all officers whose Salary is fixed by law, as that of the Consuls on the Barbary Coast. The cases of the outfit to Barbary Consuls, and of expences beyond an outfit, and outfits to foreign ministers, appear doubtful. Their legality depends on the question whether the laws fixing the compensations of Ministers and Consuls forbid any allowance beyond that compensation. A decision on that question, cannot affect Dr. Stevens’s case, unless the allowance to be made to him be given as an addition to his consular emoluments, and for his consular Services; which is not the case; as his claim is not, like the extra allowances to foreign minister’s and Barbary Consuls, for services rendered in his official capacity, but as private ministerial agent, in which character he cannot be legally recognized. As to the question itself, it is believed that for the same reason which rendered an application to the Legislature for a salary to the Barbary Consuls, proper, it would be more eligible to obtain a legislative sanction for outfit and any extra allowance of a permanent nature; though perhaps these may be covered by the general appropriations for intercourse with Barbary Powers. The expences of foreign ministers going from one mission to another, may certainly be allowed; provided that they shall not exceed the amount of an outfit. Thus Mr. Munroe might legally be allowed, exclusively of salary, 27,000. dollars; vzt. 9000 dollars for outfit from America to France, 9000 drs for ditto from France to England, and 9000 dollars for ditto from England to Spain. The practice has, it is believed, been to allow half an outfit, after the first, for each succeeding mission; and any thing less than the whole amount which may legally be allowed, may certainly be allowed for expences. This is a question of propriety in the exercise of a legal discretion, and not of the discretion itself. Mr. Morris’s appointment was certainly of a diplomatic nature, and could not, in the view which has been taken of the subject, be legally made, or the expence defrayed, except under the provision authorizing the President to give a certificate of the expence without specifying it. The early time at which this appointment was made, may also be plead in justification: it was perhaps owing to it that the law was expressed in the manner in which it was, and that the extraordinary power of granting a certificate without specifying the expence, was given. And it may be generally observed that, since every former instance, even if irregular,

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5 APRIL 1804 is brought as a precedent to justify similar or greater irregularities, great care should be taken not to introduce precedents and admit claims which it is believed would hereafter be plead in justification of every possible deviation from the ordinary course. At least it is not perceived what limits could ever be supposed to exist in respect to Executive discretion in the expenditure of monies for foreign intercourse, if Dr. Stevens’s claim shall be admitted without legislative sanction. IId. Of an engagement on the part of Government, to allow for Dr. Stevens’s expences, no trace is to be found in the records of the Department of State. The then Secretary of State declares that the fact is not in his recollection. No application for payment was made by Doctr. Stevens, or by Mr. Yard, until after it was known that a change of administration would take place; vzt. in February 1801. Not even an allusion to such an agreement appears in the lengthy correspondence of Doctor Stevens with the Secretary of State. The vessel which carried him to St. Domingo was permitted to take a cargo there, in direct contravention of the existing law; and that privilege was, at the time, considered as an equivalent for some species of Services. The advantages, in a commercial view, which Doctr. Stevens derived or might have derived from his situation were peculiar; he arrived in the Island several months before its ports were opened to the United States:—he knew with certainty, what to others both in the Island and in the United States was unknown, that the intercourse would again and soon be restored: and during that period he might purchase, and it is said did purchase produce at it’s then depreciated value to a large amount. It has also been asserted, and even on the floor of Congress, that he derived advantages, which no other person did enjoy, from the circumstance of two ports only in the Island being opened to the American Merchants. How far any actual profits were derived from those circumstances is neither known nor important: they are mentioned only to shew that the prospect was such as might easily induce a Man of talents & enterprize, & connected with Merchants of extensive credit, to accept, without any other emoluments but those attached to his Consular appointment, the mission to St. Domingo. The only evidence of an Agreement is found in Mr. Yard’s deposition. No doubt is entertained of the truth of what he attests: it is not necessary to object to the loose manner in which such important stipulation was expressed: nor will even the presumed commercial connection between the Witness & the Claimant be adverted to, although the fact, whether Mr. Yard had or has any interest in the allowance for the household expences of Dr. Stevens, ought certainly to be investigated before his evidence should be finally admitted. But strong doubts are entertained whether such evidence could, under the circumstances of the case, be admitted by a Court of law: and, at all events, it is considered as inadmissible in the Treasury settlement of a claim against the United States. When an Individual is employed by another for a compensation fixed by a written Contract subscribed by both parties, it is not believed that evidence of a verbal Agreement can be admitted to show that the compensation differed from that stipulated by such Contract. In this instance, the compensation allowed to a Consul is fixed by law: & the Appointment of a person to that Office, together with the acceptance of the Office by such person, constitute

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5 APRIL 1804 that positive Contract, which, it is not believed, can be affected by the evidence of the Agent of the Consul of a verbal Agreement between the Officer of Government & that Agent. Whatever may be the force of that objection, no claim has ever been admitted by the Executive Officers of Government on such evidence. They act only on positive Contracts acknowledged by the Officers who had the authority to contract: it is not necessary to point out the dangers which would result from a different principle. The Office of the Secretary of State is an Office of record of the highest grade: the papers on record in his Office are the only evidence that can be admitted of a Contract made by that Department. It is not believed that the evidence of even a Secretary no longer in Office could be admitted to substantiate a Contract of which no evidence appeared on record, or different from what did appear. But when the fact is not even in the recollection of such Secretary, if the evidence of a third person was thought sufficient, the most unjust claims might be supported, and a system of favouritism & partiality introduced, without any person being held responsible for the result. In this very instance to whom will the responsibility of the Contract attach? Not to the former Secretary of State who says that the fact is not in his recollection. Not to the present Secretary who did not certainly make the Contract. Not to the Accounting Officers of the Treasury, one of whom at least has been careful not to lay the burthen on himself. The Legislature may as a Court of Equity take the extraordinary services, and the evidence of a Contract which is offered in consideration, and direct, if they shall think proper, a settlement of the account, in the same manner as they have done in  cases where the evidence of a Contract, though much stronger than in this, instance, was not presumed sufficient to be within the competence of the Accounting Officers. (Amongst innumerable instances See Comfort Sands claim, General Hazen half pay, Charles Pettits’s Commission as Quart. Mast. Gen. &ca) III. On the question of vouchers, it is intended only to point out an irregularity which might have been avoided. The Auditor states that the vouchers generally required have not been offered & applies to the Secretary of State for his authority in order to admit the Depositions of Dr. Stephens & of his Secretary in lieu of such vouchers. The Secretary of State gives his opinion that the said depositions seem sufficient to establish the reality of the expenditures. And the Auditor in his official Statement of the Account (No 15,066) expressly states that “the within credits are admitted on the Depositions of Dr. Stephens & of his Secy & Cash Keeper Mr. D’Arcy, pursuant to a letter herewith from the Secretary of State dated the 9th. instt.” By the law of 10th. May 1800, the power of giving a Certificate which shall be deemed a sufficient voucher for the sums therein expressed to have been expended is confined to the case of monies expended under appropriations for contingent expences of foreign intercourse: and that provision precludes the power of substituting any Certificate or Opinion in lieu of the usual vouchers. In this instance, if the ministerial Agency of Dr. Stevens rested on a constitutional Appointment, if the Appropriation for intercourse with foreign Nations was deemed applicable to the expences of intercourse with any but the authorized Government of a foreign nation, and if the evidence of a contract was positive, the proper and regular course would be to give a quantum meruit or reasonable allowance in lieu of expences not susceptible of proofs;

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5 APRIL 1804 and the Secretary of State would undoubtedly be the proper officer to fix that allowance. Supposing, therefore, no other objection to exist, it is only the mode adopted by the Auditor in order to obtain the decision of the Secretary of State which is liable to objection. Upon the whole, the Secretary of the Treasury respectfully submits as his opinion;1 That the President may, if he is satisfied that a promise to pay the expences was made, direct a proper allowance, to be fixed by him, to be made to Doctor Stevens, out of the fund appropriated to defray the contingent expences of Government; on the ground, not only that that fund is, without limitation or restriction, left at his discretion, but that the mission of that gentleman being the result of a measure authorized by a special Act of Congress, (though no expence was contemplated or authorized by that Act) the contingent fund may, with propriety, be applied to defray expences incurred by reason of said mission. That Doctor Stevens not having been in his ministerial agency, appointed, in the mode pointed out by the constitution, minister to transact business with a foreign nation, and his mission not being in fact to the Government of a foreign nation, but to a subordinate Officer not authorized to carry such intercourse, no part of the expences incident to that mission, and including the five first items of his account, can be paid from the monies appropriated for the intercourse with foreign nations. That the evidence of a contract on the part of Government to defray his expences, is not such as can or ought to be admitted by the Executive Officers of Government. And that no claim of so doubtful a nature, in every respect, and in all it’s details, having ever been allowed, to the knowledge of the Secretary, without legislative sanction, the claimant ought to apply to Congress, as the proper Tribunal to grant relief in extraordinary cases.— Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin Treasury Department 31. March 1804 RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signature and “Treasury Department” of dateline in Gallatin’s hand; endorsed by Gallatin: “Observations.” Enclosed in TJ to Madison, 13 Apr. For Gallatin’s comments on Joseph fenwick’s account as consul at Bordeaux, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 2:252-4. charter of the two vessels: in an 1802 memorandum to the secretary of state, John Steele, then U.S. comptroller, noted: “It seems extraordinary that if the vessels charged at $2000 each were employed solely for the purpose of bringing despatches to Government that he shd. not have drawn at the time for payment.” Steele speculated that perhaps the vessels

“came to the United States for the purpose of obtaining supplies of military stores for the Chief of the Island, and that the expense was, or shd. have been paid by him” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:563-4). British general Thomas Maitland and Stevens cooperated to form an agree­ ment or convention with ToussaintLouverture that reestablished trade with Saint-Domingue (see Vol. 37:457n). provided by the constitution: Gallatin quoted from Article 2, Section 2. The act of 2 Mch. 1799 fixed the com­ pensation of clerks in the Navy Department at $11,100, with $6,900 allocated for the office of the accountant. The third section of the appropriations act of 23 Feb. 1802 authorized the extra allowance

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5 APRIL 1804 of $1,900.31 to the accountant of the Navy Department for payments to clerks in 1801 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:730-1; 2:131). The act of 14 Mch. 1804 included a specific appropriation of $1,500 for the printing and transmission of the Louisiana stock certificates (same, 2:264-5). vessel which carried him to st. domingo: the Kingston, an armed ship owned by Cramond & Co., was hired to carry Stevens to Saint-Domingue. Timothy Pickering noted that it “was a stout Ship, armed with upwards of twenty guns, and well manned.” In compliance with Toussaint’s request, the ship also carried provisions to the island to facilitate negotiations. “It was necessary,” Pickering stated, “that this supply, though under the controul of Government, should be a commercial operation.” To avoid charges of “partiality or favoritism,” the owners of the Kingston were to receive a “fair indemnity” for a “hazardous and precarious undertaking.” Stevens was responsible for the disposal of the provisions on the vessel. With this in mind, Pickering did not think Stevens should request a salary or compensation for services, but only reimbursement of expenses. The “chance of emoluments from Commercial transactions came in its place” (Pickering to Stevens, 16 Dec. 1803, Enclosure No. 15 above). For charges that Stevens derived unfair advantages from his situation and that Pickering also benefited, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 1:127-32. before its ports were opened: on 26 June 1799, John Adams issued the proclamation signaling that two ports, Cap-Français and Port-au-Prince, were opened to U.S. trade (ndqw, Apr.-July 1799, 408-10; Vol. 37:457n). The charges against Stevens spread to the floor of congress. In February 1800, as the bill to continue the suspension of trade with France was being considered, the Senate struck out the section that called for the consul or agent of the United States to be “prohibited and wholly restrained from engaging directly or indirectly in any commerce” and, instead, to receive an annual salary not exceeding $3,000. In the ensuing debate in the House, it was charged that Stevens had

entered into trade with the island’s planters “previous to public notice having been given that the trade was opened, and had monopolized a large portion of the produce.” Samuel Smith described other complaints against Stevens but noted that the “agent was allowed to trade—he had no compensation from the government— and it was what every merchant in a similar situation might and would do.” He wanted to keep the section in the bill. Gallatin, at the time a Pennsylvania congressman, concurred with the Senate and wanted the section removed. He argued that if “our agent has been guilty of the misconduct imputed to him this section would not prevent him—All that could be done, would be to remove him, and this no doubt would be done upon a representation from the merchants to the executive.” The House concurred with the Senate and deleted the section (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 27 Feb. 1800; Annals, 10:558). presumed commercial connection between the witness & the claim­ ant: on 27 July 1799, the Aurora printed an account of the close relationship between James Yard, his brother-in-law Stevens, William Cramond, an owner of the ship Kingston, and Cramond’s “confidential clerk” John N. D’Arcy, a young Irishman who went as supercargo on the vessel, “with a large quantity of gold, and a credit at discretion to purchase up before the American vessels could arrive, all the coffee and produce he could in the island at a low rate.” The writer pointed out that since Congress had appropriated no money for Stevens’s mission, “an officer of government undertook to compensate him, by granting, in lieu of freight money, the privilege of shipping certain articles of merchandise.” The author charged that to ensure the success of his extensive speculation, Cramond “linked himself” with Yard, who had procured Stevens’s appointment (Aurora General Advertiser, 27 July 1799; Alexandria Times; and District of Columbia Daily Advertiser, 2 Aug. 1799). Gallatin sent the Treasury Department’s opinion on the comfort sands claim to the House on 29 Mch. 1802. Steele advised that while officers of the

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5 APRIL 1804 Treasury were competent to settle all claims against the United States that had “a legal existence,” where “no legal claim exists, (if relief be intended by the Legislature,) it is respectfully conceived that it should be given in the form of a grant for so much money, with directions to pay it” (asp, Claims, 1:263-8). general hazen half pay: Moses Hazen sought indemnification for the British half-pay he lost when he became a colonel in the Continental Army in 1776. In January 1805, Congress granted his widow, Charlotte Hazen, a $200 annual pension. Decades later, after repeated petitions to Congress, his heirs received compensation (same, 729-30; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 14:51; anb; U.S. Statutes at Large, 6:56). charles pettits’s commission: see asp, Claims, 1:242-8, for a discussion of the contract that allowed a commission of one percent for services in the quartermaster general’s department.

 authorized by a special act of congress: the 9 Feb. 1799 act to further suspend commercial intercourse with France gave the president power to discontinue the “restraints and prohibitions” with the French Republic “or to any island, port or place belonging to the said Republic, with which a commercial intercourse may safely be renewed.” The act of 27 Feb. 1800 that continued the suspension of trade had a section on SaintDomingue, which noted that the whole “island of Hispaniola” was to be “considered as a dependency of the French Republic,” but nothing was meant to revoke the proclamation of the president that permitted trade with certain ports of that island (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:614-15; 2:7-10). 1

MS: “opion.”

From Arthur Lee Dear Sir Norfolk April 5th 1804 It has been suggested to me that it is the intention of the Executive to remove Col Davies from the office of collector of the Customs for this port—if such a measure be in contemplation I take the liberty to request your friendly inter position in behalf of my father, it would be improper in me to say any thing of his claims or his qualifications for the office, your long acquaintance with him will best enable you decide whether or not he possesses the necessary qualifications. This application is made by me without his knowledge, nor do I believe that but for some recent misfortunes which have swept away, in a moment, the hard earnings of his laborious industry, it would ever have been made with his consent. I hope, Sir, you will excuse the liberty I have taken and will duly appropriate the motives which have influenced my conduct— I am Dr Sr your’s With Respect Arthur Lee RC (MHi). Arthur Lee (1779-1828), son of Richard Evers Lee of Norfolk, attended the College of William and Mary. He represented Norfolk County in the Virginia As-

sembly from 1801 to 1805 and again from 1821 to 1824, and became the colonel of a regiment (wmq, 2d ser., 17 [1937], 525-6; Leonard, General Assembly, 224, 228, 232, 236, 310, 315, 320; Daily National Intelligencer, 17 Jan. 1828). In 1801,

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5 APRIL 1804 Monroe introduced young Lee to TJ (see Vol. 35:354-5). my father: in October 1803, Richard  E. Lee resigned his commission as

bankruptcy commissioner at Norfolk (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:587; Vol. 40:580, 581n).

From James Madison Dear Sir Washington. Apl. 5. 1804 Inclose the Commission for Kirby according to your parting request; also three others for Indian Comssrs. in blank, which you will be so good as to return. The last communications from N. Orleans are also inclosed. They are in several respects interesting. We have recd nothing from abroad since you left us, and every thing here remains as at that date. With respectful attachment I remain yrs. James Madison RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures were probably: (1) William C. C. Claiborne to Madison, 18 Feb., stating that good order continues in the province, although the inhabitants, as well as Claiborne, eagerly await the establishment of a regular government; Claiborne warns that speculators from the Mississippi Territory have been surveying lands in Concord District; he has sent word to Natchez declaring such surveys to be without legal basis; Spanish and French officials and troops are still in New Orleans; Claiborne and James Wilkinson intend to close their commission once the archives of the province have been delivered in full; Claiborne wishes to know whether Pierre Clément Laussat and the Spanish commissioners should still be treated as foreign ministers once the transfer of the territory is complete and the commission has ceased. (2) Claiborne to Madison, 18 Feb.; the northern mail brings no dispatches from the State Department; merchants in New Orleans are anxious for news of a “revenue act for Louisiana”; speculators in Natchez have raised a “terrible clamour” against Claiborne. (3) Claiborne to Madison, 20 Feb.; Louisiana citizens passing by water to the United States or Europe have requested passports or letters of protection from Claiborne; he

has received no instructions on the subject, but forwards “an instrument of writing” that he has provided to applicants who swore they were citizens of Louisiana on or before 20 Dec. 1803; Claiborne wishes to know if he has acted properly. (4) Claiborne to Madison, 26 Feb.; Claiborne has still not received any dispatches from Washington and worries that the postal service is unreliable; the French brig Argo has left New Orleans with some French officers and will carry away the French troops at Fort Plaquemine; the Marqués de Casa Calvo informs Claiborne that Spain continues at peace with the other European powers and that he is now the sole Spanish commissioner in Louisiana; Governor Manuel de Salcedo has retired to the Canary Islands; Claiborne is informed that Spanish military forces will evacuate New Orleans in about 20 days and that Spain is now reinforcing Pensacola and Texas; Wilkinson intends to depart for Washington in 12 or 14 days; Laussat still has not delivered the provincial archives to the American commissioners; emigration from the French West Indies to Louisiana is “considerable,” with several hundred newcomers already on the Mississippi and more expected daily. (5) Claiborne and Wilkinson to Madison, 27 Feb., repeating much of the same information contained in Claiborne’s letter of the 26th; more French refugees from Saint-Domingue are ex-

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5 APRIL 1804 pected, and Claiborne and Wilkinson recommend that the government “keep this Circumstance in View” when making permanent arrangements for Louisiana; Spain has begun dismounting its cannon in New Orleans, but “No other Symptom of their Departure has yet appeared”; Claiborne and Wilkinson suppose that Spain may be calculating upon a “Rupture” with the United States over West Florida. (6) Claiborne to Madison, 1 Mch.; discontent has appeared in some parishes and districts; Claiborne has asked Dr. John Watkins to visit these places and create a more favorable impression of the change of government in Louisiana; Watkins is from Kentucky, but has married a native of the province, resides in New Orleans, speaks French and Spanish, and is well informed and honest; Claiborne encloses copies of Watkins’s instructions and credentials, as well as a copy of his report, which states the “wishes of the people on several subjects highly interesting to Louisiana”; the “prevailing opinion” among residents opposes a ban on slave importations; a provision for a delegate to Congress would “give general Satisfaction here.” (7) Claiborne to Madison, 2 Mch.; Claiborne still has received no dispatches from Washington; the burdens of the temporary government are “at present peculiarly hard upon me,” he complains, and he has exercised his authority reluctantly and only in cases involving the interests of society and at the invitation of the inhabitants; Claiborne has established a court to consider debt claims that debtors consider too zealous, so he has prescribed certain rules to accommodate the debtors; he has also established a night watch in New Orleans

to protect against fire “and the designs of evil disposed persons” (RCs in DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, all written at New Orleans and all endorsed by Jacob Wagner as received 4 Apr.; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:493-4, 497, 512-13, 516-17, 524-6, 532-3; 7:5, 22-3). Other enclosures not found, but see below. commission for kirby: see TJ to Ephraim Kirby, 10 Apr. three others: probably for David Meriwether as commissioner to treat with the Creek Indians and for Return Jonathan Meigs and Daniel Smith as commissioners to treat with the Cherokees (TJ to Dearborn, 8 Apr.; Dearborn to TJ, 14 Apr.; Appendix i). Sometime before TJ departed for Monticello, Madison probably forwarded additional letters for his perusal. On 5 Mch., Congressman James Gillespie wrote Madison recommending Roger Moore of  North Carolina for an appointment. Moore “stands high in the estimation of all who know him” and would be willing to relocate to any place to which he was appointed (DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Moore Roger of N.C. for office”; see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:549). The following day, 6 Mch., inventor Benjamin Dearborn wrote Madison from Boston to express his interest in standardizing weights and measures throughout the states. Dearborn believed few people had studied the subject more thoroughly than himself, and he wished to offer his services to the country (DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Dearborn Benjamin. to be empld. about weights & measures”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:551-2).

From Thomas Munroe Sir, Washington 5th April 1804 I have the honor of enclosing for your signature a requisition for the payment of the Interest due 1t. Instant to the State of Maryland on the Loan of $200,000 to the City.— I very reluctantly trouble you with any thing concerning City matters during your absence but Mr Barry is so importunate for the  177 

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removal of the old buildings which were lately occupied by Mrs Fenwick the mother of Mr Danl Carroll of Dud, & which were valued at so much more than it is supposed they were worth, or than our funds enable us to pay, that I pray, Sir, you will be pleased to give me directions on the subject. Mr Barry says these buildings (being in the street) are great nuisances, put him to much inconvenience and prevent the improvement of his adjacent Lots which he wishes to do immediately, and that according to the Deeds of Trust it has become necessary to remove them, upon which principle Mr. Carroll claims immediate payment of the Amt of the valuation to wit $1700. especially if removal is ordered— You may recollect, Sir, that Mr. Masons Opinion was in favor of payt being made to Mr Carroll long since—The valuation is certainly four or five times as much as the buildings would sell for, and Mr Duncanson (one of the Appraisers) tells me it was rather an ex-parte valuation, and that they did not know of the provision in the deeds of Trust respecting the removal of houses in the streets or that the Appraisement would not have been so high as it is—. I have forwarded Mr. Latrobes plans & letters to Monticello by the last & present mails—. I have the Honor to be with the most respectful Consideration Sir Yr mo Obt humble Servt Thomas Munroe RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see TJ to Munroe, 10 Apr.

For the efforts by Washington developer James barry to remove buildings in the possession of Mary fenwick, see Vol. 36:541-2.

From William Few Sir Albany April 6th 1804 The Office of Commissioner of Loans in the State of New York will probably become vacant by the Resignation of Mr Nicholson I take the liberty of offering myself as a Candidate for that Office. Believing that it would not be necessary to forward a number of Recommendations of Respectable persons, which I could procure, I have only applyed to the Governor the Speaker of the Assembly the Judges and a few other Gentlemen generally known who have given me a few lines on the subject which are enclosed and will I hope be sufficient to shew how far I possess the confidence of the people of this State or may be deemed worthy of such appointment I am Sir with great Respect Your most Obdt Servt W Few  178 

6 APRIL 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and “to be Commr. loans N.Y. v. Nicholson resd.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: George Clinton to TJ, 5 Apr., recorded in SJL as received from Albany on 20 Apr. with notation “Wm. Few to be Commr. loans,” but not found. Other enclosures not found. A son-in-law of James Nicholson, William Few (1748-1828) was a former U.S.

senator from Georgia. He moved to New York City in 1799 and was a member of the state assembly from 1802 to 1805. A prominent member of the city’s business community, he served as a director of the Manhattan Company and later as president of the City Bank of New York. He served as commissioner of loans for New York from 1804 to 1816 (anb).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Monticello Mar. [i.e. Apr.] 6. 1804 I inclose you the manifests of 14. [hhds. of tobo.] weighing 20,615 ℔ nett, made on my lands at [this place] by my tenant John H. Craven, to be sold on his account, & the proceeds to be placed by you to my credit, for discharge of his rent. the [tobaccos] [. . .] here have been always of the finest quality, and I am [. . .] will find no difficulty in comprehending this in the sale of mine formerly sent you; or in selling it to equal advantage. we have heard that tobo. has sunk a little. if so, & 40/ cannot be [got] for it I would rather it should wait a more favorable time, as I should not chuse to injure my tenant by pressing a sale. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson No. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 205. 206. 207. 208. 209. 210. 211. 228.

146. 144. 140. 143. 127. 150. 161. 160. 159. 158. 162. 152. 163. 150.

1534. 1552. 1460. 1435. 1295. 1362. 1555. 1610. 1519. 1392. 1450. 1660. 1591. 1200. 20615.

PrC (MHi); faint; in ink above dateline: “by mistake for Apr. 6”; at foot of text in ink: “G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Notation in SJL: “Craven’s 20,615 ℔ tobo. by mistake Mar. 6.” Enclosures not found.

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From Samuel Emery Sir Philadelphia 7th April 1804 I have the Honor to inform your Excellency that by the Ship Hannah Captn Yardsly this day arrived from Leghorn I have received from Mr Appleton Consul there, a Bill of Lading for two Cases and an Earthen Vessel containing Vines & Plants for you—They are not yet Landed but as the season advances and by Information from the Captn some of them are in a decayed state you will please to give order respecting them—The expense if any thereto arise shall be paid agreably to request from Mr Appleton and an order therefor forwarded with the Plants I have the Honor to be very respectfully Yours Samuel Emery RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Samuel Emery (ca. 1750-1838), the brother-in-law of the American consul at Leghorn, Thomas Appleton, was a Philadelphia merchant and ship broker (Cornelius William Stafford, The Philadelphia

Directory, for 1801 [Philadelphia, 1801], 48; Philadelphia Inquirer, 3 Mch. 1838; Vol. 42:317-18). arrived from leghorn: on 28 Dec. 1803, Philip Mazzei shipped to TJ two small cases and strawberry plants. The Hannah left Leghorn on 7 Feb. and arrived in Philadelphia on 6 Apr. (United States Gazette, 9 Apr. 1804; Vol. 42:194-9, 317-18).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Treasury Departmt. 7th April 1804 It appears by the enclosed note that a misnomer has taken place in the nomination of the inspector of Indian town N.C.—The question is whether permanent commissions, altering so much of the nomination as will rectify the mistake, or temporary commissions, (on a supposition that such mistake cannot be rectified in the commission, and that the permanent commission must, necessarily, litterally conform with the nomination) shall be sent. As soon as your pleasure shall be known, the commissions will be transmitted to the officer in conformity with your directions. I have the honour to be with sincere respect your obedient Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States at Monticello Milton”; endorsed by TJ as received from

the Treasury Department on 13 Apr. and “misnomer of the Inspector of Indn. town N.C.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclo-

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7 APRIL 1804 sure: Jacob Wagner to Gallatin, 6 Apr., enclosing commissions of a person whose nomination to the Senate listed him with a “different intermediate initial than that he uses, viz. C”; there appears no means of correcting the mistake except by issuing temporary commissions and then making a new nomination at the Senate’s next session; the secretary of state has advised

sending the commissions to the president for his view on “the propriety of issuing them” (RC in same). Thomas C. Ferebee was nominated as surveyor and inspector for Indiantown, North Carolina, with the middle initial “T” (jep, 1:460; Vol. 42:96-7).

From Ephraim Kirby Sir Fort Stoddert April 7th. 1804 I had the honor of addressing to you several letters which I fear have miscarried, as I have received no communications from the seat of government since my arrival in this territory. The Board of Commissioners at its first formation adopted a system of rules for the government of its proceedings, which were published to the people.—This led to regularity in the preparation and presentment of the claims, and facilitated the investigation of their respective merits. It also induced peaceable, orderly and respectful behaviour among those who attended on the Board, and a spirit of accomodation among interfering and conflicting claimants.—The business has progressed very favourably, and will in a short time be closed (it is believed) with general satisfaction, and we hope with justice to all concerned. In a former letter, I took the liberty to suggest the expediency of establishing the Land-Office at Fort St. Stephens, as being the most eligible position in respect to the population of the country, the general convenience of the people, the healthiness of the place, and the advantage of suitable buildings for the accomodation of the office.— The result of subsequent inquiries have confirmed me in a belief of the propriety of this measure; indeed, I may say of the necessity of it.— The place in this county assigned for the seat of Justice, and where the Courts now sit, is low and unhealthy, neither in the centre of population nor in the vicinity of old settlements. Whether the conflict of parties, the influence of individual interest or what cause led to the designation of this place I am not informed: but it appears not to correspond with the present convenience of the county. It will be impossible to commence the business of the Land-Office in this place until suitable buildings are erected for the purpose. Fort Stoddert annually becomes unhealthy when the waters fall, which is commonly about  181 

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the first of June.—A removal to some other place by that time will be very desirable. The Register is solicitous to know the Presidents determination of this question as early as may be. His letter to me on the subject is enclosed. I am most respectfully Sir Your Obedt. Servt Ephm Kirby RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the U. States Washington City”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 May and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (DNA: RG 49, Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Letters Received from Board of Land Commissioners for District East of Pearl River, 1803-1806); at head of text: “Copy”; endorsed by TJ: “to be filed in Departmt. of Treasy.”; endorsed by a clerk as received from Kirby, “one of the Comm. for investigating the Titles to

lands enclosing Letter of protest of Joseph Chambers on conduct of the Spanish Officer at Mobille in demanding & exacting paymt. of duties on peltries belonging to the United States”; enclosed in Kirby to TJ, 20 Apr. Enclosure not found, but see asp, Foreign Relations, 2:678-9. several letters: Kirby to TJ, 14 and 16 Dec. 1803, 5 Feb. 1804.

From Benjamin Lincoln Sir.— Boston April 7th. 1804 Your esteemed favour of the 27h: ulto. has been received—Capt. Spear master of the Ship Fair American declined receiving any pecuniary consideration for freight of the packages which I received & forwarded to you; they were stored in the public store & reshipped by the public boat men so that the only expence was the duties the Amount of which is $20.34 I am sir with very great consideration and esteem your most obedient & humble servant B Lincoln Coll. RC (MHi); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with notation “20.34.”

the only expence: on 25 Apr. TJ recorded in his financial memoranda a remittance of $20.34 to Lincoln for the duties on wine which arrived in Boston on 2  Aug. 1803 (New-England Palladium, 5 Aug. 1803; mb, 2:1125).

To Ninian Pinkney Sir Monticello Apr. 7. 04. Your favor of Mar. 29. finds me here, which will account for your recieving the answer later. the letter covering an act of the legislature of Maryland ratifying the proposed amendment to the constitution relative to the election of President & Vice president was recieved in  182 

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due time and deposited in the office of the Secretary of state. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson RC (NjP: William Pinkney Papers); at foot of text: “Ninian Pinckney esq.” PrC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 8. 04. Just as I was leaving Washington, I received the inclosed letter from Colo Matthew Lyon, the suggestions of which I think well worthy our attention, as it is certainly better to prevent Squatters on the lands in the district of Louisiana (as yet it is upper Louisiana) than to have them removed after they shall have firmly established themselves. at present the Spanish laws are in force there. I presume that they gave to their government a power to prevent & remove intruders on the public lands, and that the removal was made by the military, as that was their common instrument. if so, we have the same power, and may instruct the commanding officer of every post to attend to this duty with rigour, through every part of the territory which is nearer to him than to the commanding officer of any other post. this would be the best definition of the extent of his patrole which we could give. and I presume he should prevent settlements not only on the ungranted lands, but on those claimed under grants made since the treaty of St. Ildefonso (however antedated) taking for his guide the 14th. section of the act erecting Louisiana into two territories. as this procedure requires mature consideration, I will ask the favor of you to communicate this letter, to each of the heads of departments, with the inclosed notes, as I have asked from them a written opinion, from which & your own, if you will be so good as to give it to me, I will form the result & communicate it to you. I think before I left Washington, we had decided to take immediate measures for endeavoring to purchase of the Cherokees all their lands in Tennissee, or so much of the most interesting to that state as they would be willing to sell, and to name Meigs & Daniel Smith, Commissioners. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson RC (MHi: Dearborn Papers); “Monticello” in dateline interlined in place of “Washington”; signature clipped, supplied from PrC; notation by Dearborn: “The signature of T. Jefferson cut out to

give to a friend”; at foot of text: “The Secretary at War.” PrC (DLC). Tr (DNA: RG 59, MLR); enclosed in an undated, brief covering note from Dearborn to Madison stating that he is sending the

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8 APRIL 1804 copy at TJ’s request (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:36). Tr (NHi: Gallatin Papers); with a similar cover letter from Dearborn to Gallatin. Recorded in SJL as a letter to the War Department with notation “squatters Louisa. Cherokee treaty.” Enclosures not found. The letter from matthew lyon about squatters has not been found and is not recorded in SJL. The 14th section of the 26 Mch. act dividing Louisiana declared null and void most grants of land in the territory made after the Treaty of San Ildefonso of 1800, by which Spain ceded Louisiana to France. Exceptions were made, however, for lands granted to actual settlers and not exceeding one square mile in size. The section also imposed fines of up to $1,000 and imprisonment for up to 12 months

for those found guilty of settling on or surveying lands in Louisiana belonging to the United States. The president was authorized to employ military force to remove such intruders (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:287-9). Dearborn wrote to Return Jonathan meigs and Daniel smith on 4 Apr., informing them of their appointment as commissioners to treat with the Cherokees and instructing them to negotiate for such land cessions in Tennessee, Kentucky, or Georgia “as can be done on reasonable terms,” especially the territory in central Tennessee and the unauthorized settlements on Cherokee land in the vicinity of Currahee Mountain, Georgia, by William Wofford and others (in DNA: RG 75, LSIA; asp, Indian Affairs, 1:699; Vol. 39:381n, 493).

From Gideon Granger Dr Sir. Washington Apl. 8th. 1804. Sunday Afternoon. I have this moment received returns of the election in New Hampshire for 171 Towns. They are as follows— For Langdon 11,973. Gilman 11,633 There are 28 Towns from which no returns have been recd. but as so general a change has taken place we may safely conclude we have not lost ground The Stood last year as follows 493. 626 12 466. 12,259 12 259. 207. ballance in favor of Langdon. We may therefore rest assurd he is elected and with him a Republican Legislature. With the highest Esteem Your Sincere friend Gidn Granger RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

Granger’s predicted outcome of the election in new hampshire was only half correct. In the final tally, John Lang-

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9 APRIL 1804 don fell short in his bid to unseat Federalist incumbent John Taylor Gilman as governor by only 150 votes out of almost 25,000 cast. Republicans, however, won a majority in the state legislature for the

first time. Langdon would be elected speaker of the state house of representatives in June (Concord Courier of New Hampshire, 13 June 1804; Keene NewHampshire Sentinel, 16 June 1804).

From John Barnes George Town. 9th. April 1804—

J Barnes, Currt. statemt. (this 7th April) for Reciepts & Expenditures since his Genl. a/c delivered The President US. 27th March 1804. Viz 1804. April 6 By Treasury Warrt: recd this day already Crd. 2000. May 6 do. do. to be recd 2000. 4000. April To deduct for Notes payable at Bank 1500. May do. for do. do. do. 2250. 3750. leaves only 250 to meet the residue of mo. March & April disbursemts. say . . . to the 7 Aprl. already paid viz— March 28 To Genl Muhlenberg 23.57 31 John Freeman 2.— Apl. 2 John March 76.25 6 Thos: Carpenter 133.22 L Lincoln 13.— G. Granger 6.50 19.50 7 Mr L’Maire 19th March 133.24 Mr Do 26 do 77.25 Mr Do 1st Apl 195.33 405.82 660.36 the following remains of April list vz. US a/c for househd furniture Mr L’Maire 136.28. Mr Harvie 70.— . Mr Peale abt. 50.— . Balance of News papers 51.— . Mr Short 500.— . to pay 807.28. exclusive of watch Keys and sadlery a/c—EE 7 Apl. 1804. John Barnes. such sir, being nearly a correct state of my poor Resources they empress upon me many Anxious forebodings least thro accident—or  185 

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misconduct I might fail—in acquiting myself with Honor. I could not withhold from the Presidents immediate View, and to beg His excusing any Apparent irregularity—in this appeal—that Unless the expected aid from Richmond arrives in time (my sole dependence) it will not be possible for me, (however Anxious) to afford either Mr Short his $500—or Mr. L’Maire his $136.28—is $636.28. with the highest—Respect & Esteem I am Sir—your very Obedt. huml servt. John Barnes. RC (ViU: Edgehill-Randolph Papers); addressed: “The President of the U States at Monticello—Virginia”; franked and postmarked; ellipsis in original; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. already paid: TJ issued three orders on Barnes for Étienne Lemaire, the first on 19 Mch. for $133.24 and recorded as payment of Lemaire’s accounts from 11 to 17 Mch. for provisions, groceries, and wood (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 7 Apr.; mb, 2:1122); the second on 26 Mch. for $77.25 and recorded as payment

of Lemaire’s accounts from 18 to 24 Mch. for provisions and groceries (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 7 Apr.; mb, 2:1122); and the third on 1 Apr. for  $195.33 (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 7 Apr.; mb, 2:1124). On 31 Mch., TJ recorded another order for payment to Lemaire of $136.28 for furniture in the President’s House from 5 Oct. 1803 to 28 Jan. (mb, 2:1122). The expected aid was to come from proceeds of the sale of TJ’s tobacco crop (TJ to George Jefferson, 26 Mch.).

From Joseph Hinckley Dear Sr. Marblehead Apl 9th 1804 I See by an Act of Congress passed the last Session, that provition is made for a Surveyor for this port, when this Appointment was to be asked for Coll, Lee, who had the Honour of the Appointment of the Collectorship att Salem, an Old friend and Neibour, and Mr. Wilson who had the Appointment here, both Applyed To me To take the Surveyership Should Such appointment take place, Consequently I wrote the Hon,ble Secretary of State on the Subject— doubtless, applycations will be made for this Office, and as one I wish To be enrol,d as a Candidate, Should your Exelency See fitt To make any enquirey respecting me and what Claim I have To ask Such Office, I beg To refer you To the two Gentlemen Above Mentiond who will give you any information, the Nature of the Case may require, I having thier permition To Say this, Should I have the honour of the Appointment, Nothing, Shall be wanting on my part, To discharge the trust reposed in me, with fidellity and good faith—  186 

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 Am with esteem your Exelencys Most Obediant Humble Servat Joseph Hinckley RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “His Exelency, Thoms Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States Washington”; postmarked Boston; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and “to be Surveyor for Marblehead” and so recorded in SJL.

act of congress: see U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:301. For the appointments of William R. lee as collector at Salem and Joseph wilson as collector at Marblehead, see Vol. 39:313-16.

To Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 9. 04. I recieved, three days ago, your favor of Mar. 29. and have taken the first leisure moment to consider it’s contents & the drawings they refer to, and I approve generally of [the internal] distribution of both the floors, with some exceptions which shall be noted below. but [we] must for the present defer whatever is external [to] the North [wall] of the South wing, that is to say, the Vestibule, the Speaker’s chamber, the withdrawing room for the members and the corridor & staircase between them; 1st. because all our efforts will be not more than sufficient to finish the South wing in 2. summers & 2dly. for a more absolute reason, that the object of this appropriation is to finish the wing, there having been [no idea] in the legislature of doing any part of the middle building. for the present, a temporary staircase may be put up in the place of the Vestibule [& upper corridor]. I percieve that the Doric order for the Representatives chamber must be given up, on account of the difficulty of accomodating it’s metop & triglyph to the intercolumnations resulting from the periphery of the room: and as the Senate chamber is Ionic, we must make this Corinthian, & do the best we can for the capitals & modillions. I [suppose] [. . .] will be the best. the following are the exceptions, or rather the doubts, as to some of the details of the plans. [. . .] [appropriated?] the Speaker’s chamber & Drawing room for the members would it not be better to assign for the former the Serjeant’s room, & for the [latter] the Doorkeeper’s? on the lower floor,1 would it not [also] be better to convert the lobbies of [the galleries and representatives?] rooms, opening from the Ante-chambers, and let the entry to the staircase [. . .] be directly [thro’] the corner window adjacent to it? [. . .]2 I think less than the semicircle would be enough. I return you the Drawing and pray you to push the works with all the force which can be emploied, in the order proposed in  187 

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my last letter to you. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. Latrobe.”

1 Preceding 2 Multiple

four words interlined. words illegible.

last letter: TJ to Latrobe, 31 Mch.

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 9. 1804. I wrote yesterday to Genl. Dearborne on the subject of intruders on the public lands in Louisiana, inclosing a note to each of the heads of department asking them to give me their opinions thereon separately. I did this by way of beginning the practice of separate consultation, which a host of considerations satisfy me is a very salutary & useful one to be resorted to occasionally. the inclosed letter to you presents another form,1 inasmuch as it requests the head of the department to which the subject relates2 to make up a result, either by separate or common consultation, & to act on it without recurrence to the President. all these modes of determining on measures may be useful according to the special occasion. I found my daughter Eppes at Monticello, whither she had been brought on a litter by hand; so weak as barely to be able to stand, her stomach so disordered as to reject almost every thing she took into it, a constant small fever, & an imposthume rising in her breast. the indulgence of her friends had permitted her to be uninformed of the importance of strict attention to the necessity of food, & it’s quality. I have been able to regulate this, and for some days she has taken food enough to support her, and of the kind only which her stomach bears without rejection. her first imposthume has broken, but there is some fear of a second: if this latter cause does not more than countervail the effect of her present regimen, I am not without hopes of raising her again, as I should expect that restoring her strength by wine & digestible food, her fever would wear off. her spirits and confidence are favourably affected by my being with her, and aid the effects of regimen.   Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson P.S. will you be so good as to endeavor, in an unsuspected way, to observe to the other gentlemen the advantages of sometimes resorting to separate consultation? to mr Gallatin may be remarked the incipient indisposition which we noted in two of our brethren on a late  188 

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consultation; and to the others may be suggested the other important considerations in it’s favor. RC (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Collection); addressed: “The Secretary of State Washington”; franked. PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the State Department with notation “mode of consultn.” Enclosure: see the following document. brought on a litter by hand: according to an 1856 recollection by TJ’s granddaughter Ellen regarding the final

illness of her aunt, a group of men bore the ailing Mary Jefferson Eppes on a litter on the four-mile journey from Edgehill to Monticello (Sarah N. Randolph, The Domestic Life of Thomas Jefferson, Compiled from Family Letters and Reminiscences by His Great-Granddaughter, 3d ed. [Cambridge, Mass., 1939], 300). 1 2

TJ here canceled “of consultation.” Preceding five words interlined.

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 9. 04. Will you be so good as to consult with the other members of the administration on the allowance to be made to Govr. Claiborne? there are several elements of consideration to be attended to, towit, as to his character 1. as Governor of Missisipi. 2. Commissioner for the receipt of Louisiana. 3. as Governor of Louisiana: as to the funds from which his compensation is to be taken, to wit 1. the appropriation for the expences of the Misipi territory. 2. that for taking possession of Louisiana. 3. the 20,000 D. for the expences of the civil government of Louisiana: the epochs too at which these funds will respectively become chargeable or discharged of his compensation.   this will of course settle the term at which Genl. Wilkinson’s authority as Commissioner ceased, (since both his & Claiborne’s must have ceased at the same instant) and will ascertain the point of time at which the 2d. fund above mentioned became discharged of his expences. when the result of your consultation shall be settled, it will of course be necessary that Claiborne & Wilkinson should be apprized of it.   Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Collection); at foot of text: “The Secretrary of State.” PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the State Department with notation “Claiborne’s allowce.” In a letter of 1 May, Madison informed William C. C. Claiborne that his com­ pensation would consist of his salary as Mississippi governor and the expenses he accrued as commissioner, “not exceeding

the rate of $400 per month,” from the date of those two commissions through 20 Dec. 1803. From that date forward, his pay would be based on an annual salary of $5,000, “exclusive of expences other than personal, such as those of Secretary, printing, translating, expresses &c. whether incident to your office of Governor or Commissioner” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:124-5).

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From James Madison Dear Sir Washington Apl 9. 1804 I recd. last night the inclosed letters from Mr Livingston, which afford another proof that the French Government, however deficient it may be in other attributes is an enlightened one. It would be better no doubt if our objects could be attained by our own means only, but friendly interpositions of other Govts. in such a case ought not only to be accepted but to be acknowledged with respect & sensibility. And I shall presume so far on your concurrence in this idea, as to authorise Mr. Livingston to make such an acknowledgment. I have recd. also by the last mail letters from Mr. Pinkney down to Jany. 24. The principal one being long & in Cypher cannot be forwarded by this opportunity. It appears from the others that he is teazing the Spanish Govt. on the subject which was not to be touched without the presence or the advice of Mr. Monroe. Under the prohibition to make & the permission to accept offers, he is continually offering to accept. And it is pretty evident that he is spurred on from intermediate quarter from motives sufficiently obvious. I hope to be able to forward the communications by the next mail. The Annual register for 1764 contains the orders of the French Govt. to Abbedie to deliver Louisiana to Spain, referring to the 3 of Novr. as the date of the Cession by France, & to the 13 of that Month for the acceptance of Spain; and observes that these acts accompany the orders. It being probable that they remain among the archives of the Province I write this day to Claibourne, to search for & transmit copies with copies of any other documents applicable to the question.1 I have taken up the subject of our title to the Perdido with some particularity since your departure, and shall substitute what I have written in place of the brief observations which I read you in the letter to Mr. Livingston. I thought it proper that he should be furnished with all our ideas, considering the importance of the French Govt. in the question, and it only anticipated the task which would be incident to the instructions to Mr. Monroe. No answer has yet been recd from Russell. With respectful attachment yrs James Madison P.S. I inclose herewith an Exequatur for a French Consul whose case is explained by communications from Mr. Pichon also inclosed. Under the circumstances of the case it appears to me expedient to grant the exequatur. It has been granted on slighter grounds. And I am assured  190 

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by Mr. P. that the appt. to Kentucky was made solely with a view to give him his salary as Consul which is 12,000 livres a year. Mr. P. expects that he will be appd. to N. Orleans, & would have sent him thither instead of to Natches, if Mr. Laussat had not interposed a functionary at the former port. The idea of a Consul for Kentucky was suggested it seems by an Exequatur formally granted to a Spanish Consul whose Commission comprehended Virginia & Kentucky. The Leyden Gazette will be worth your reading for the sake of the comment on the Rept. of the Committee of Congress touching the acquisition of N.O. & the Floridas RC (DLC); at foot of page with signature: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 13 Apr. and “Bonap’s offices with Tripoli— Louisa.—Fr. Consul a[t] [. . .]” (torn) and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Probably Robert R. Livingston to Madison, 18 Jan. 1804, from Paris, enclosing a copy of Talleyrand’s letter to the French commercial agent at Tripoli, Bonaventure Beaussier, dated 25 Nivôse (16 Jan.), informing him of the first consul’s concern for the imprisoned crew of the Philadelphia and instructing him to use his office to secure their release and to promote the establishment of a mutually advantageous peace between the United States and Tripoli; Livingston adds his opinion that the rank, powers, and instructions of the American minister at Paris should be extended to courts where the United States has no resident minister; Livingston does not make this suggestion with himself in mind, however, “because I do not intend to Stay here So long as to receive any new power or new instructions, but as a consideration that Should influence the choice & power of my Successor” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:357-9; ndbw, 3:332; see also Vol. 42:396-7, 398n). (2) Louis André Pichon to Madison, 7 Apr. 1804, from Georgetown, enclosing a commission from the first consul naming Paul Marie Louis Martel commercial agent for Kentucky and asking that the president issue an exequatur; the commission omits naming a place of residence, but Pichon assumes the post will encompass the Mississippi Territory and asks that the exequatur permit Martel to reside at Natchez; the commis-

sion is largely intended as a reward for Martel’s previous service as commercial agent at Norfolk and Baltimore (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:10-11). Other enclosures not identified. letters from mr. pinkney: see Madison to TJ, 12 Apr. An extract of the 21 Apr. 1764 orders to Jean Jacques Blaise d’Abbadie regarding the transfer of Louisiana to Spain appeared in the Annual Register for 1765. Madison enclosed a copy in his 9 Apr. letter to William C. C. Claiborne and instructed him to search the archives in New Orleans for copies of the 1762 treaty ceding Louisiana to Spain and Spain’s act of acceptance, as neither had ever been made public and they might have “an interresting application” to the administration’s claim that West Florida should be included in the territory ceded to the United States (The Annual Register, or A View of the History, Politicks, and Literature, For the Year 1765 [London, 1766], pt. 1, 271-2; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:22-3; Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:140-3). letter to mr. livingston: Madison to Livingston, 31 Mch., which detailed the administration’s claim that the Perdido River constituted the eastern boundary of Louisiana (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:636-48). Writing to Jonathan russell on 22 Mch., Levi Lincoln informed him of his nomination as consul at Tunis, an office “peculiarly important at the present moment,” and hoped that Russell would accept in time to take passage in one of the frigates preparing for the Mediterranean.

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9 APRIL 1804 Writing again on 30 Mch., Lincoln enclosed Russell’s commission and added that his duties would also include negotiating “some business at the court of Naples, in reference to some proposed navel operations on Tripoli.” Lincoln hoped to receive Russell’s answer by the return of the mail, which he would forward to the president at Monticello (RPB: Jonathan Russell Papers). Sylvanus Bourne, the U.S. consul at Amsterdam, enclosed the leyden ga­ zette for January 1804 in a 2 Feb. dispatch to Madison. “The late report of Congress on the Subject of Louisiana & the Floridas,” Bourne stated, “appears to have excited no small degree of attention here & even of comment as betraying symptoms of undue ambition in our Country” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser.,

6:424-5). The “report” was the confidential report of a House committee appointed on 12 Jan. 1803 to consider a $2 million appropriation for the acquisition of New Orleans and the Floridas. Due to an injunction of secrecy on the subject, however, the report was not made public until 22 Oct., when the House lifted the injunction and ordered the report to be printed. It appeared in the National Intelligencer four days later (Report of the Committee, To Whom Was Referred on the 12th Ultimo, A Motion for Appropriation of Two Millions of Dollars .  .  . 11th February, 1803 [Washington, D.C., 1803]; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:202; Annals, 12:370-4; 13:383-5; Vol. 39:584; Vol. 40:201-2n). 1

Preceding ten words interlined.

Notes on Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim [9 Apr. 1804 or after]

Dr. Stevens’s case. Heads of mr Gallatin’s observations. he was appd Feb. Mar. 1799. Consul. genl. at the isld. of St. Domingo with approbn of the Senate. the fees & emolumts. of Consuls being fixed by law, no other permanent compensn, either as salary or reimbursemt of houshold expences can, in that capacity, be allowed him but he was also invested with other extraordy. powers, not Consular, & claims a promise of reimbursement on that acct. amounting to 27,325. D. to wit 1. Houshold expences @ 7,200. D. a year 16,600. 2. Secretary @ 800. D. 1,600. 3. passage to & from the isld. 1,200. 4. travelling expences on public business 950. 5. Hire of dispatch vessels 4,850. 6. advance to a Capt Minor to recover his vessel 2,050.  7. advance to American seamen in distress 75. 27,325. so much of the 6th. article as are for law expences, & the 7th. article are allowable by law in his Consulr acct.  192 

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as to the 5th. art. it is extraordinary that no demand was made at the time of the Depmt of State. no rects. produced. they were pd by drafts on the houses of Crammond, & of Yard, in moieties. why not on Dep. State. why was no reimbursemt asked of Depmt of State by Yard, who was the Agt of Stevens with that depmt. has Dr. Stevens’s correspondce at the time notified this? did the vessels come & return in ballast? the 4th. item, if vouched, is admissible. the lst. 2d. & 3d. are the principal, and give rise to the following questions I. as to the legality of the mission, and paiment for it. II. as to the evidence that the government has engaged to allow the claim. III. as to the proof produced that the expences were incurred. I. Stevens was authorised to cooperate with Maitland in a convention1 with the actual govmt. St. Doming and to remain in the isld as a Ministerial agent to carry it into effect, and act betw. the govmts he remained as Agent for both the American & British govmts. his claim is brought forward on the ground that he was a ministerial or diplomatic agent. to that character the approbn of the Senate is required by the consititution. foreign agents may be appd. by Presidt. & Senate, undr constn, witht limitn of number, grade, or salary, (except where a law has limited the salary) & without previous establmt of the office by a law. so the expences incident to foreign missions, may be pd out of the approprn for forn intercourse. e.g. transmission of dispatches, of treaties, ratificns. but neither a treaty can be made, nor a ministerial agent appd. however disguisd, but with Senate otherwise the constn might be evaded, & a system of secret or double diplomacy establd. unknown to it. Approprns authorise paimts. but for purposes previously authorised by some law or by the constn, or by some particular mode of expression in the appropriation itself. thus approprns for pay subsistence, & contingencies of army, do not authorize raising an additional regimt. the law fixing compensn of clerks, having fixed those of Navy accountt. at 6,900. D & the general approprian law having  193 

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 only appropriated a larger sum, additional compensns were disallowed: & a subseqt law provided for it which proves that an approprn law, unless specially worded for it, doesnt authorise an expnce othwise unauthorised but at all events does not cover expences incident to an appmt, unauthorisd by law, & contrary to the constn. the foreign intercourse law of Mar. 19. 98. is that which was in force when Stevens was appointed. Pickering then supposed (accdg to Yard) that the contingent fund of 20,000. D. was to furnish the money. his opn inferrd hence, viz that intercourse with the govmt de facto of a colony, not authorised by the sovereign, not within legl. approprn for forn. intercourse. a rejection of his claim on this ground would not affect other cases, as a precedent. these cases. Leonard’s not paiable out of foreign fund, but paid out of specific approprn for printg. & transmittg. stock Dawson, not an agent, but only a messenger. this expence incident to an authorised object. Davis a Consul, a case of vacancy which the Exve might fill per se, vel per alium, se. by Morris. but Eaton’s salary must cease when Davis’s commences, & Davis’s when Russell’s commences. this is the case of all officers whose salaries are fixed by law. outfits to Barbary Consuls, & forn. ministers, & expences beyond Outfit doubted, but tht is nt. Stevens’ case. Expences of forn. ministers going from one mission to another allowable if not exceeding an outfit. e.g. Monroe might be allowed 9 . D. for outfit to France, 9. . to England. 9 . to Spain. but the practice has been to allow half an outfit, after the 1st. Morris’s was a diplomatic appmt. an early case, & not legal. II. as to evidence of an engagement by the govmt to allow expenses. no trace of it in the department of state. the then Secretary of state docs not recollect it. no applicn made by Stevens or Yard till Feb. 1801. when known tht admin was changed.  194 

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no allusion to such an agreemt. in the lengthy correspdce of Stevens with depmt of state. the vessel carryg him to St. Domingo, was permd. to take cargo there agt law, & considd. as an equivalt. for some services. what?   Dr. Stevens had views of great mercantile advges from his station & the times. he actually availed himself of it. these sfft. to a mercht. connectd with powerful houses, to acccept witht any emoluments but Consular Yard’s evidence the only proof of agreement. the partner of Stevens. perhaps interested in bearg his houshold exp. where compensn fixed by written contract, no evidence of a verbal contract, different from that, admissible. the compensn to a Consul is fixed by law: the acceptance is the party’s agreement to that. the Exve officers have never admitted such evdce. the record of the depmt is the only evdce admitted. not even ex-secry. otherwise a system of favoritism might be establd. & no one responsible. who wd be responsble in the prest case? the Legislature the proper Court of Equity to supply defective evidence. III. Vouchers. those generally required are not produced. the act of May 10. 1800. specifies the case in which a certificate shall be recd for a voucher. consequently excludes other case the Secy. of state may give a quantum meruit, or reasonable allowance, in lieu of expences unsusceptible of proof. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 141:24443); undated, but see below; entirely in TJ’s hand. TJ received Gallatin’s 5 Apr. letter, in which the Treasury secretary enclosed his

observations on the Stevens claim, on 9 Apr. per se, vel per alium, se: that is, either directly or through someone else. 1 Word

interlined in place of “treaty.”

From Caesar A. Rodney Honored & Dear Sir, Wilmington April 9. 1804. I received with great pleasure & satisfaction your friendly & affectionate communication enclosing the paper we have so anxiously sought after, as it will effectually seal the lips of slander itself. We have not much news with us or much of local importance. Burr’s pamphlet has been republished here, at the Federal press. What madness or folly prompted to this I am at a loss to conceive. It  195 

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will have a very different tendency from that, which they expected. I applaud & admire the decision which has marked the conduct of the administration in reference to the late unfortunate affair at Tripoli & I flatter myself it will win the approbation of every good man in the community: I find the impeachment of Chase is a popular thing even with some Federal lawyers who can not but admit its justice & propriety. Permit me to remark if there be negotiations pending with England, that provision should be made for cases of capture subsequent to jay’s Treaty similar to what was made in that instrument for cases occurring before its execution. If you recollect the neglect of this was one of the charges agt. Jay. I hope we shall be able to preserve our preponderance at the next State election. Bayard declines taking the field & they are at a loss what to do. It is whispered, that he means to take Well’s place in the Senate Yours Most Affecy. & Sincerely C. A. Rodney RC (PP: Carson Collection). Recorded in SJL as received 16 Apr. communication: see TJ to Rodney, 30 Mch. In March 1804, Wilmington’s Federal Ark advertised the pamphlet by Aristides “In Vindication of Col. Burr”— William P. Van Ness’s Examination of the Various Charges Exhibited Against Aaron Burr, Esq.—for 31 cents (Federal Ark, 3 Mch. 1804; Vol. 42:150-1n). On 26 Mch., the day before the close of the congressional session, John Randolph brought the articles of impeachment against Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase before the House of Representa-

tives (Annals, 13:1236-40; jhr, 4:68990, 696; Vol. 40:372-3). The seven articles appeared in the Wilmington Mirror of the Times, & General Advertiser on 7 Apr. The same newspaper carried an article on 31 Mch., which argued that no  one “having the least pretentions to impartiality” could read the documents presented before the House “without, at once agreeing that the conduct of Judge Chase” not only demanded “an enquiry, but deserved an impeachment.” For Madison’s instructions to Monroe on negotiations with England, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:282308; Vol. 42:250-1n.

From William A. Barron Sir, West Point, April 10. 1804. I have the honor to enclose a Memorial. Permit me, sir, to subscribe, Sir, With the highest respect, Your Most Obedient servant, Wm. A. Barron, Captain of Engineers. RC (PHi); addressed: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with nota-

tion “W”; also endorsed by TJ: “referrd. to Secretary at War. Th:J.” Enclosed in TJ to Dearborn, 27 Apr.

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10 APRIL 1804  Massachusetts native William Amherst Barron (1769-1825), a Harvard graduate, taught mathematics there until 1800, when he accepted a commission as a captain in the U.S. Army. In 1802, Barron was transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he

served as a mathematics instructor. Between June 1803 and April 1805, Barron was the acting superintendent at West Point (George W. Cullum, Biographical Register of the Officers and Cadets of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, 5 vols. [Boston, 1891-1910], 3:487).

e n c l o s u r e

Memorial of William A. Barron West Point, April 10. 1804. Wm. A. Barron begs leave Respectfully to represent, That, in Capacity of Captain in the Corps of Engineers, in the service of The United States, he has, from the twelfth day of June, Eighteen Hundred and Three, to this date, commanded the said Corps; and, has superintended, and, instructed, the Military Academy, during this interval, at West Point: That, the necessary extra Expenses of his Command have been, he presumes, at least, as great as those of any Command in the Army exercised by an Officer of equal grade; and, his Duties, at least, as arduous: That, he has not received any extra Emoluments, which by Law are attached to a Command: That, he humbly conceives, that, all the reasons of extra allowances to Commands do, most rationally, apply to the description of Command which he has Sustained: Wherefore, He, respectfully, solicits The President to order him such an allowance of extra rations and fuel, during his exercise of the Command as aforesaid, as The President may deem to be just and proper. Wm. A. Barron, Captain of Engineers. RC (PHi); at head of text: “To the President of The United States.” Enclosed in TJ to Dearborn, 27 Apr. On 10 Feb. 1804, John Quincy Adams, Barron’s Harvard classmate, introduced the officer’s memorial petitioning the Senate for travel expenses and extra rations. On 8 Mch., a committee headed by Adams reported that Barron should receive his travel expenses, but would need to refer

his request for rations to the executive branch. The Senate approved the committee’s resolution on Mch. 17. The House then passed a bill for Barron’s relief on 20 Mch. but later postponed the bill until Congress reconvened in the fall (Cullum, Biographical Register, 3:487; March 8th, 1804. Mr. Adams, from the Committee to Whom Was Referred the Petition of William A. Barron .  .  . Reports [Washington, D.C., 1804]; Annals, 13:250, 291, 1232).

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From Jones & Howell Respected Friend Phila. 10th April 1804 Your favor of 29th Ulto Came to Hand in Course and would have been replyd to before this but we waited for A Vessel for Richmond one has at length offerd and will sail sometime next week by which opportunity shall send you the Rod Iron as orderd we are Very respectfully Your Friends Jones & Howell RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

To Ephraim Kirby Sir Monticello Apr. 10. 04. I have recieved several letters from you in the course of your journey to Tombigbee, but having left them at Washington (on a short absence) I cannot acknolege them by their dates except the last which was of Dec. 24. Congress having fixed the commencement of the new government of Louisiana to the 1st. of Oct. next, the appointment of it’s officers will be made only in time for them to be assembled there by that day. it is probable we shall ask your services there in some way useful to the public and not unacceptable I hope to yourself. in the mean time they have authorised the immediate appointment of an additional judge of the Missisipi territory to reside at or near the Tombigbee settlement, and as we cannot conveniently make that appointment permanently till the general appointment for the Orleans territory shall be made I have hoped it would not be inconvenient for you to recieve the commission & act in it until that time. I therefore now inclose it. I was in hopes Congress would have authorised me to establish a direct post road from Washington to Franklin C.H. the last post office of the US. in that direction, & thence to open a road direct to New Orleans by Tuckabatchee, the Tombigbee settlement & the mouth of Pearl river. it failed but will probably be agreed to at the next session, in which case a weekly post, & probably a stage will pass from Washington to N. Orleans, in a line of about 1000. miles, not crossing the mountains at all. I hope soon to hear from you on the strength of ours & the Spanish settlement and forts on the Mobille and it’s waters, and I will pray you to keep me advised of any reinforcements or new works taking place at Mobile & Pensacola. Accept my salutations and assurances of esteem & respect Th: Jefferson  198 

10 APRIL 1804  PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “Ephraim Kirby esq.” Enclosure not found, but see Madison to TJ, 5 Apr.

 letters: see Kirby to TJ, 7 Apr. TJ may have mixed up the dates of 14 and 24 Dec., as there is no letter of the 24th recorded in SJL.

To John B. Magruder Sir Monticello Apr 10. 04. I am in immediate want of 500. f of flooring plank 1½ I. clear of the saw, to be cut thirded and free from knots, in any lengths from 12. to 18. feet, of the finest pine, which I would pray you to secure for me without delay, if you have it not ready [seasoned]. my plaisterer will be here in 2. or 3. weeks, & the plank is to be seasoned & laid, before he can begin.   Also 500. f. of [beech] clear of the heart, 4¾ I. clear of the saw, & in any [lengths] you please; of the thickness before ordered1 it should be cut instantly, as the sap is now be[ginning] to rise. be so good as to inform me how soon I may count on these articles. Accept my good wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. Macgruder”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso with notation “not sent.”

1

Preceding five words interlined in ink.

To Thomas Munroe Monticello. Apr. 10. 04.

Th: Jefferson with his compliments to mr Munroe incloses him the order for a quarter’s interest on the Maryland loan. the demolition of mrs Fenwick’s houses having awaited years can await a month longer when I shall be returned to Washington and be in a situation to act more understandingly on the subject. PrC (DLC); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Enclosure not found, but see below. On 17 Apr., Munroe, who had enclosed the order in his letter to TJ of 5 Apr.,

transmitted a draft for $3,000 to Thomas Harwood, the treasurer of the Western Shore of Maryland (Dft in DNA: RG 42, LRDLS).

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From Arthur O’Connor Au Quartier-Général de Brest

Sir le 20 Germinal an 12 de la Republique [i.e. 10 Apr. 1804] If I had the talent to write any thing worthy the attention of the great & good, to whom should I so readily address it, as to the Man who fills the Office of first Magistrate of the freest Nation upon earth, with the talents & integrity that have assurd him the admiration & esteem of every true Republican Imperfect as are the few pages I have written upon the present state of Great Britain, I cannot refuse myself the pleasure of offering them for your perusal, in the hope that you may find some principles congenial to those you practice with so much benifit to America & so much consolation to the Republicans in the rest of the world Permit me, with that Veneration & affection which your principles, talents & Virtues inspire every lover of liberty, to assure you how sincerely I wish you long life & happiness A OConnor RC (MoSHi); English date supplied; on printed letterhead of the armies of France, with blanks for place and date filled by O’Connor; at head of text: “Le Général de Division Ô Connor To Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Arthur O’Connor, The Present State of Great-Britain (Paris, 1804; Sowerby, No. 2868, inscribed by O’Connor to TJ). (2) O’Connor, État actuel de la Grande-Bretagne (Paris, 1804; Sowerby, No. 2851, inscribed by O’Connor to TJ). Arthur O’Connor (1763-1852), a political writer and member of the Society of United Irishmen, was the former editor of the Dublin newspaper The Press, a primary organ of the Irish nationalist move-

ment. Arrested for treason in 1798, he was acquitted of the charge but remained incarcerated until 1802, when he was exiled. He settled in France, where in 1804 Napoleon Bonaparte gave him the rank of général de division, charged with raising an Irish brigade. He was not attached to a command after September 1805. O’Connor later married the daughter of the marquis de Condorcet and became a French citizen in 1818 (dnb; James McGuire and James Quinn, eds., Dictionary of Irish Biography: From the Earliest Times to the Year 2002, 9 vols. [Cambridge, 2009], 7:226-9; Georges Six, Dictionnaire biographique des généraux & amiraux français de la Révolution et de l’Empire [1792-1814], 2 vols. [Paris, 1934], 2:263; Vol. 31:165n).

From Oliver Phelps Sir New York 10th: April 1804— When I had the honor of an interview with you previous to my leaving the city of Washington and conversed respecting the political divisions among the republicans of this state, it was foreign from my wish to draw from you any thing that it would have been improper to  200 

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communicate. I sincerely and without disguise stated to you the true situation of the parties and assured you that the friends of Mr. Burr had been much misrepresented and that many who would support that gentleman for govenor were among the warmest friends to the administration of the general government. I assured you of my own attachment which by all those best acquainted with me, I presumed was not doubted.—You will recollect that I stated the object of my interview was to ascertain in what point of light I should be considered by the administration if I should support Col. Burr’s election.— I understood you in reply as taking that high and honorable ground of being superior to an interference in party dissensions, which is stated in my annexed letter, to which I take the liberty of referring you.—I am more confirmed in my statement being substantially correct by letters from General Thomas and Col. Root which I have in my possession, relative to a conversation between them and yourself on the same subject after my departure from Washington. In conversation, both at Washington and in this city, I, in consequence of this interview, mentioned that the President would take no part in the election of the state of New York, as he considered it a dispute in which republicans would be engaged on both sides— I never insinuated any thing stronger than that—whatever Messrs Cheetham and Duane or any federal printers may have asserted to the contrary. And, in saying this, I felt fully confident that I uttered nothing which would be considered improper by the executive.— The substance of my conversation on this subject after passing through several hands found its way in an incorrect form into one of the federal papers of this city—without my agency or knowledge. In noticing that publication, Cheetham took the unwarrantable liberty of quoting my name on the occasion & in the grossest manner charging me with falsehood. I had still a delicacy in bringing before the public a conversation between myself and the President & therefore remained silent. But the charge being repeated and a reply appearing necessary, I was induced to write the annexed statement, which was already with the printer when the further statement of Cheetham this morning made its appearance.—This statement being so different from that made by Genl. Thomas, Col. Root & myself, induces me to write this letter, that you may see the situation in which I am placed. Nothing can give me greater uneasiness than the idea of a misunderstanding between us relative to that conversation. Any error must have been of memory not of design.—I was also extremely cautious in my endeavour at being correct & examined with  201 

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particular attention the letters of Genl. Thomas and Col. Root previous to writing mine for publication.—I take this opportunity of again assuring you that a great number of influential and active republicans, warm and decided friends to the administration support Col. Burr—and among them are the most uniform and zealous of those who formed the republican party previous to our success over the federalists—while the Cheetham faction, which talks so largely, contains, among its leading men, some of whom were totally inactive at that time, and others in decided hostility to us.—That Col. Burr will be elected I think most probable and am confident that his republican friends will furnish a steady and honorable support to the administration.—You will have seen that I have been prevailed on, though with extreme reluctance, not to withdraw my name from nomination as Lieutenant Governor.—I again assure you of my zealous friendship for the administration, and that I would not, for an instant be connected with a party that should adopt measures hostile to it.—The uneasiness I feel at the idea of any misunderstanding between us relative to the conversation I have mentioned, and the manner in which my veracity has been questioned induce me to request the honor of a line from you in reply to that part of this letter.—Your letter will be considered confidential to any extent you may direct, and you will oblige me by directing it to me at this city to the care of Amasa Jackson. Oliver Phelps  On application of the printer to Mr Phelps he has authorised him to state, that having heard that the advocates for the election of Judge Lewis to the office of Governor, had insinuated that Mr Jefferson would veiw the friends of Mr Burr as being hostile to himself and to the Republican cause, he sought an interveiw with him for the purpose of ascertaining his opinions on the subject. At the interveiw he mentioned that such insinuation had been circulated in the State of New York, and that as the Republicans in that state, had unhappily divided into two parties, he wished to know, in which point of veiw he should be considered by the administration were he to attach himself to the friends of Col. Burr, to this the President in substance replied— that, he had been led to expect, that the Republican majorities in the various states, when they had become large and powerfull would split into divisions—that considering it improper on such occasions to take an active part, he had made up his mind not to interfere in such unfortunate disputes—that he regretted the existing dissentions between the Republicans of New York—but that as he considered both Candidates would be supported by Republicans he should take no  202 

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part in the contest—nor would he veiw the republicans who should support Col. Burr as evincing, by so doing any hostility to the administration of the General Government, nor give a preference to either of the two parties unless the one or the other should hereafter oppose the administration—and that the President added, that from a few peices which had appeared in the Morning Chronicle, and from some passages in Aristides, he was apprehensive that some of their supporters entertained sentiments hostile to the administration RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Phelps; postscript in a different clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. The annexed statement was printed, with some variations noted below, in the pro-Burr newspaper the Morning Chronicle on 18 Apr. Prior to that publication, supporters of Aaron Burr had tethered their assertions of TJ’s neutrality in the New York elections to the account that appeared in one of New York’s federal papers, the Commercial Advertiser, which on 3 Apr. rebutted charges that support for Burr constituted an attack on the Jefferson administration. Citing “unquestionable authority,” the Advertiser quoted TJ as having informed “two distinguished democrats” that “he should not view those who should advocate the election of Col. Burr, as being hostile, either to himself, or to the genuine principles of republicanism” and that the election was for him “a matter of indifference.” Three days later, James Cheetham’s American Citizen identified Phelps as the source for the Commercial Advertiser’s account and accused him of having “misrepresented the fact.” A further statement, printed by Cheetham on the 10th and later identified as a letter from New York congressman Beriah Palmer, related a conference held by Palmer and Thomas Sammons with the president. Palmer claimed that TJ confirmed his statement to Phelps of his neutrality in cases of Republican division, but added, “remember, Mr. Phelps, that I do not consider the Little Band as making any part of the real Republican interest; nor can those who support such

a paper as the Morning Chronicle, or such a pamphlet as Aristides, expect our countenance.” U.S. senator John Smith also apparently met with TJ for clarification, and reported that although the president reiterated his neutrality in contests among Republicans, he denounced any coalition deriving support from Federalists. As published in the Chronicle on the 18th, Phelps’s account substituted the first person for the third and included a few minor changes in phrasing. The most substantive changes were the replacement of the phrase would be supported by republicans with “for the office of Governor as,” thereby implying that TJ considered Burr a Republican in good standing, and the exclusion of the last few lines, which indicated TJ’s worries about sentiments he had read in the Chronicle and in the pro-Burr pamphlet by William P. Van Ness, writing under the pseudonym aristides. In addition to Phelps’s statement, the Chronicle printed the supportive letter of David Thomas and an affidavit bearing on the testimony of Erastus Root, another Burr supporter. Thomas’s letter appeared also in a handbill proclaiming TJ’s neutrality in the elections (New York Commercial Advertiser, 3 Apr.; New York American Citizen, 6 and 10 Apr.; New York Morning Chronicle, 18 Apr.; Charles R. King, ed., The Life and Correspondence of Rufus King: Comprising His Letters, Private and Official, His Public Documents, and His Speeches, 6 vols. [New York, 1894-1900], 4:357; undated broadside, Jefferson & Burr, Against the Clinton & Livingston Combination, Shaw-Shoemaker, No. 6153; Kline, Burr, 2:852-4n; Vol. 41:672n).

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From Thomas Stone Sir Rue des 4t. fils No 27. Paris april 10th: 1804 I beg you will do me the Honor of accepting the inclosed Publications, I am emboldened to take this Liberty from the great attention you give to the Science of Agriculture, in the Practice of which, I have devoted the most considerable part of my Life; I most heartily wish you Health to pursue the objects, which so happily for your Country, you have adopted. I have the Honor to be Sir, Your most devoted & very Humble Sert Thos Stone RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 9 Aug. Enclosures were probably: (1) Thomas Stone, General View of the Agriculture in the County of Huntingdon (London, 1793; Sowerby, No. 761). (2) Thomas Stone, A Letter to the Right Honourable Lord Somerville .  .  . Late President of the Board of Agriculture, with a View to Shew the Inutility of the Plans and Researches of That Institution .  .  . By a Society of Practical Farmers (London, 1800; Sowerby, No. 720).

Thomas Stone (d. 1815) was an English land surveyor and agricultural promoter. As a critic and contemporary of Arthur Young, Stone argued strongly in favor of the enclosure movement (British Farmer’s Magazine, new ser., 23 [London, 1853], 402; John G. Gazley, The Life of Arthur Young, 1741-1820 [Philadelphia, 1973], 421-4).

To Thomas Storm Sir Monticello Apr. 10. 04. Your favor of Mar. 28. found me at this place, where I recieved it only yesterday. if you will be so good as to send the articles recieved from Messrs. Kuhn, Greene & co. by the first vessel which shall be going from your port to Washington, Georgetown or Alexandria, it would be most convenient. if there be no communication by sea with those places, then if addressed to Norfolk to the care of mr James Taylor mercht. there, they will be forwarded; the freight to be paid at the place of delivery. as you will have had to pay freight, duties & other small charges to & at New York, if you will have the goodness to address a line, noting their amount to mr Barnes at Georgetown, by post, he will immediately have the money reimbursed you by his correspondent (mr Ludlow) in New York: or, which would be shorter, mr Ludlow has occasionally paid for me such small articles on application, & delivered them to mr Barnes, & will do so on your application. Accept my thanks for your attention to this matter & my respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson  204 

10 APRIL 1804  PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Thomas Storm New York”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

From Madame de Tessé a Paris 20 Germinal. 10 avril. 1804.

Jai Reçu Monsieur, peu de tems après La lettre que vous m’avés fait L’honneur de m’ecrire La belle caisse quelle m’annoncoit. je n’ai pas seulement joui du plaisir de la Reconnoissance envers un homme qu’il est si flatteur pour moi d’interesser, mais de mon admiration pour cette bonté qui s’est conservee si parfaite et si pure, qu’elle est encore capable de descendre avec complaisance aux details de la vie domestique en eprouvant dans les premiers emplois de La Republique L’ingratitude qui L’accompagne. ceux dont La Tombe sera couverte de fleurs en voient Rarement de Repandues sur leur passage. je hâterois de tous mes voeux le moment de votre Retraite a Monticello si la foiblesse de ma sante et L’age de mr. de Tesse nous eut permis de chercher un asyle en amerique dans les fureurs de notre Revolution car il eut surement eté peu eloigné de votre demeure et mes infirmités mauroient interdit de Repasser en France Lorsque nous y avons ete toléres. vous auries La bonté de m’expliquer quelquefois des passages de Shakespear et de milton. je gouterois avec vous les beautés de Racines et nos Revolutions ne seroient pour nous que des morceaux d’histoire Reservés pour Les jours les plus graves du sombre hiver. le sort en a autrement ordonné et je ne puis me plaindre de ma situation. jai Retrouvé a peu prés le 20eme. de ce que j’avois autrefois et j’en ai asses. je dirois presque que j’en ai autant. L’usage n’exige plus Rien de nous, et la nature ma amplement accordé La faculté de mettre mes Gouts en proportion avec ma fortune. jai honte de le dire a un vertueux americain, mais il faut L’avouer je dedaignois ci complettement la culture des Legumes avant la Revolution que jignorois a quelle epoque on plantoit des choux et semoit des carottes. aussitot que jai ete hors de france obligee de soigner les moindres details de mon menage pour procurer une existence passable a mes compagnons d’infortunes—je nai lu que des Livres de jardinage vulgaire. jai emploiee la moitie du jour dans mon jardin potager et suis arrivée en fort peu de temps a prendre beaucoup de plaisir a sa culture, je dirois presque a tirer une sorte d’orgueil de mon economie et dy borner tout L’amour propre dont je suis susceptible.  205 

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 Rendue a un etat plus prospere jai Retrouvé mes anciens Gouts, mais dans la proportion de ma fortune et 20 arpens suffisent a mes occupations comme le 20eme. de ma fortune a mes besoins de citoyenne. je perdrai quelques uns de vos plans mais j’en sauverai plusieurs. jespere beaucoup des semences que vous m’aves envoiees a L’exception de celle de Liriodendron ou Tulipier. elles etoient presque toute vuides. jen ai ete un peu attristée. il nen manque pas en amerique et L’arbre manque presque totalement en France—on na pas un Tulipier bien formé aujourd’huy a moins d’une Guinée. il seroit un objet de Fortune pour un homme auquel je dois beaucoup dans la Revolution. Si vous avies la bonte de m’en envoyer trois ou quatre Boisseaux tous les ans en ordonnant quelles fussent Recoltées avec soin vous m’aideries a acquitter une de mes plus cheres obligations et je serois bien sensible a cette marque de votre constante bonté pour moi. jai attendu La fin des orages de Léquinoxe pour avoir L’honneur de vous ecrire et de vous Remercier. il me semble que tout ce quon vous adresse est un peu hazardé car nous sommes bien privés des nouvelles de mr. Short. daignés donc me faire assurer la Reception de cette lettre par un de vos secretaires. mon Respect pour vos occupations m’engage a vous supplier de ne pas prendre cette peine vous même. mr. de La Fayette ne sort de sa demeure champetre que pour les affaires les plus urgentes et comme sa fortune aneantie ne lui en donne plus a Paris il ny est pas venu dans les trois mois que je viens d’y passer. mr. de Tessé vous supplie d’agreer Le Respect L’attachement et la Reconnoissance dont il sera a jamais penetré pour vous comme je vous conjure de Recevoir L’assurance des sentimens de veneration et de tendre attachement avec les quels j’ai L’honneur detre, Monsieur, votre tres humble et tres obeissante servante. Noailles de Tessé  j’hesite a vous demander une Grace qui me seroit bien precieuse. Le cy devant Vte. de Noailles a ete tué en passant de St. domingue a Cuba. jamais il na instruit sa famille de ses affaires. ne pourriés vous savoir a Philadelphie si elles etoient bonnes, mauvaises, ou seulement embarassées? e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Paris, 20 Germinal, 10 Apr. 1804 I received, Sir, the beautiful box soon after the letter in which you kindly announced it would arrive. I had the pleasure not only of being grateful to a man whose attention is so flattering to me, but also of admiring your good-

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10 APRIL 1804 ness, which has remained so pure and perfect that it is still able to attend to the details of domestic life while managing the thankless tasks of leading the Republic. Those whose tombs are covered with flowers rarely had them strewn along their paths. I would have fervently hoped for you to retire early to Monticello if my frail health and Monsieur de Tessé’s age had allowed us to seek asylum in America from the furors of our Revolution. We would surely have settled near your home, and my frailty would have prevented me from returning to France when we were permitted to do so. You would have graciously explained passages of Shakespeare and Milton. I would have showed you the beauty of Racine. And our Revolutions would have been mere fragments of history relegated to the darkest winter days. Fate decreed otherwise, and I cannot complain about my situation. I have regained about a twentieth of what I had before, and that is enough. I could almost say that I have as much as before. Social obligations are no longer demanding, and nature has given me an ample ability to calibrate my desires to my means. I am ashamed to say this to a virtuous American, but I must admit it. Before the Revolution, I had so little interest in farming that I did not even know at what time of year one planted cabbage and sowed carrot seeds. Once I was out of France and forced to oversee every household detail to provide a decent life for my comrades in misfortune, I read books about basic vegetable gardens. I spent half my time in the garden and soon took great pleasure in it. I can even say I was proud of my planting and channeled all my pride into it. Once I regained prosperity, I reverted to my earlier tastes, but in proportion to my wealth. Twenty acres of land are as adequate to my needs as is the twentieth of my fortune to my needs as a citizen. Several of your seedlings will die, but several will survive. I have high hopes for the seeds you sent me, except those of the Liriodendron or tulip tree. They were almost entirely empty. I was a little sad. There are so many tulip trees in America and almost none in France. We do not have any wellformed ones today for less than a guinea. A man who helped me enormously during the Revolution could profit greatly from this. If you would be kind enough to send me three or four bushels every year, specifying that they be collected carefully, you would help me fulfill one of my deepest obligations, and I would be very touched by this sign of your ongoing kindness to me. I waited until the end of the equinoctial storms to write this thank-you. I have the impression that all mail to you is uncertain since we have no news of Mr. Short. Please ask your secretaries to confirm that you received this letter. My respect for your work prompts me to beg you not to take the trouble yourself. Monsieur de Lafayette does not leave his country house except for the most urgent business, and since his fortune has been destroyed, he no longer has business in Paris and has not come during the three months I have been here. Monsieur de Tessé begs you to accept the respect, fidelity, and gratitude with which he will always be filled. I in turn beseech you to accept this assurance of the devotion and tender attachment with which I have the honor of being, Sir, your very humble and obedient servant. Noailles de Tessé

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10 APRIL 1804  I hesitate to ask a favor that would be very precious to me. The Viscount of Noailles was killed while traveling from Saint-Domingue to Cuba. He never told his family about his financial situation. Could you find out in Philadelphia whether it was good, bad, or in between? RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); portions of text transcribed interlineally by TJ; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Sep. and so recorded in SJL. belle caisse: the box of seeds and plants that TJ shipped to her on 1 Nov. 1803 (Vol. 41:644-5). demander une grace: Louis Marie, Vicomte de Noailles, was the nephew of

Madame de Tessé through his marriage and a resident of Philadelphia from 1793 until approximately 1802. In December 1803, while serving as a French naval officer, Noailles was mortally wounded in a battle against English forces off the coast of Cuba (Francis Wharton, Revolutionary Diplomatic Correspondence of the United States, 6 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1889], 1:413; Vol. 25:664).

To Marten Wanscher Sir Monticello Apr. 10. 1804. The lime arrived here yesterday, and we are this day beginning to get laths. I shall therefore be glad that you would set out as soon as possible for this place, that I may see every thing in a good way for you before I leave the place. the Parlour & Hall are ready. the dome room will soon be ready, and, after that the three rooms & passage in the roof will be ready. according to your desire I send you an order for fifteen dollars on mr Barnes, out of which you can bear your expences. I shall be in hopes of seeing you here in less than a fortnight from this time. Accept my good wishes. Th: Jefferson P.S. no plaister of Paris came; but there is plenty here of that. PrC (MHi). Enclosure: Order on John Barnes, Monticello, 10 Apr. 1804, requesting payment of $15 to Wanscher “for value received” (MS in DLC, in TJ’s hand and signed by him, signed by Charles Lacey acknowledging payment, endorsed by Barnes on verso as paid on

28 Apr.; PrC in MHi, on same sheet as cover letter). In his financial memoranda, TJ noted the order as covering “expences on road” for Wanscher. On 8 May, TJ recorded the plasterer’s arrival at Monticello (mb, 2:1124, 1126).

From Herman Hendrik Damen Sir! Amsterdam 11 Aprill 1804 Personal acquintance, and the Concerns I take in the wellfare of the United States, dos me take the Liberty to writ you this, Since I had the Honor to See you here in Amsterdam I allways have Interested  208 

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me for the American trade and Navigation, Twice I had the honor in absence of the Consul Sylv. Bourne to represent the Commercial Concerns of the U.S. of America, allways with the best Succes for the American trade and Navigation. Inclose I take the Liberty to Send you a Translate1 of the last act from the Batavian Gouvernement, Concerning the quarantien Regulations dated 17 Jany. 1804. as this is a matter of great Importance for the two Countrys, and as we have no American Minister at the Hague, and the Consul General not Very Good Calculated for this Country While he is rather to much Angloise & not Republican enough; has to little deplomatiq wit, and to much proud, all this has caused that in one meeting after his return from American he has done more hurt, as I had been able to do good for a long while, in this Situation I was Obliged to make a Petition to our Gouvernement Sign’d by Mess. W & J Willink and all the Princepal Marchants of Amsterdam, with good Succes, and upon which the Resolution of Governement No. 1. was follow’d. So that the american Ships Can not be longer detain’d as three days in quarantine provided they have neat Patents, or Bills of Heath, in which time the Papers are Send up to Amsterdam or Rotterdam for Examination, but Ships Coming from a Place where Contagious Sickness reign’s in this Case they are to lay quarantine, and for which Ships a Very good quarantine Place Shall be prepared. In this State you’ll please to give the necassary orders to the Costumhouse Officers, or Such appointed Collegie as giv’s Bills of Heath, to furnish all the American Ships, bount to this Country; with Bills of Health. Inclose I take the Liberty to Send you lickewise2 a Translation of a Resolution by which the Exportation of Chees is Prohibitad except to French and Spain. but it is with great Satisfaction to me that with the assistance of Mr Levingston & Schimmelpenning at Paris I have the pleasure to Inform you that America is lickewise excepted and the exportation permitted to the U. States, as you will See by the inclosed Original3 Resolution with Translate, and Copie4 of the Letter of the Secretarie of State to me. as I expect a Great many Germains will come down from Germany for America, please to Imform me if it will be for the best of the New Province Louisiane, the give them encouragement to go there. I have the Honor to make you my Compliment with this Brillant acquisition. I am Just now imformed that Mr. Bourne has desired our American Captains to make a Petition to him for to appoint a Consular Agent at the Helder, and for which Honarable Charge he had appointed a man of a very indifferent Carractar, who has been a Bankrupt for Several  209 

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time, if at the Helder which is a Sea Vilage Shall Reside a American Consular Agent, it odd to be a man of Reputation and property, who is able to defent the Americans her Cause with respect, and he must be of property for the Considerable advances for the Ships. Please to keep the Contents of this letter a Secret, as I have no other intention as the General wellfare of the two Country’s. I have the Honor to be Sir your m. Obeid. Servant Herm: Hend. Damen RC (DLC); at head of text: “To the President of the United States of America Th. Jefferson Esqe.”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Translation by Damen of an extract of a 17 Jan. 1804 resolution by the Council of Marine of the Batavian Republic, made in response to a petition from Wilhem and Jan Willink and other Amsterdam merchants trading with North America requesting a relaxation of quarantine restrictions; the resolution authorizes the establishment of a more convenient place of quarantine for vessels from America and eases quarantine restrictions on the delivery of letters and other papers from vessels arriving from America and “places where no contagious Sicknesses reign” (Tr in DNA: RG 59, CD, Amsterdam; in Damen’s hand). (2) Translation of an extract of a 29 Aug. 1803 resolution by the Council of Marine ordering the enforcement of a 25 Aug. decree by the Directory of State prohibiting the exportation of cheese to all neutral countries or places except for France and Spain (Tr in same; in Damen’s hand). (3) Resolution of the Directory of State of the Batavian Republic, 5 Apr. 1804, made in response to a letter from Rutger Jan Schimmelpenninck, the Batavian minister to France, and a petition from Damen; the resolution authorizes the exportation of cheese to the United States under the same terms as to France and Spain (MS in same; in Dutch, with English translation by Damen). (4) Maarten van der Goes, secretary of state for foreign affairs, to Damen, 10 Apr., The Hague, informing

him that the Directory of State on 5 Apr. deliberated on his petition for the exportation of cheese to the United States, and enclosing their resolution on the subject; Van der Goes considers the resolution to be “a new proof” of the Batavian Republic’s “constant Zeal” for strengthening the ties of friendship with the United States (Tr in same; a translation in Damen’s hand). TJ met Herman Hendrik Damen in March 1788 during his tour through Holland and the Rhine River valley, describing him as a “merchant-broker of Amsterdam” and a native of Germany. Damen had offered to arrange for the emigration of German laborers to the United States, a proposal that TJ promoted to the commissioners of the Federal District in 1792. From 1802 to 1803, Damen served as the acting U.S. consul at Amsterdam during Sylvanus Bourne’s absence (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 3:320, 341; 9:380n; Walter B. Smith II, America’s Diplomats and Consuls of 17761865 [Washington, D.C., 1986], 73, 263; Vol. 13:10; Vol. 23:321; Vol. 24:45, 47-8, 348; Vol. 25:468n). For Bourne’s dispatches regarding the need for a consular agent at Den Helder, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:497; 7:4, 32. 1 In

margin: “No. 1.” margin: “No. 2.” margin: “No. 3.” 4 In margin: “No. 4.” 2 In 3 In

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From John Dawson Dear Sir, Chester April 11th. 1804 Mr. Madison some time ago communicated to you my willingness to act as the Governor of New Orleans, from which appointment it was understood that I was excluded by the constitution. I have lately learnt, that it is in contemplation to send a person to Naples, to arrange our affairs in that quarter—Shoud this be the case, and the appointment such a one as I ought to accept, I shall have no objection to undertake the mission. To you and to my country my political character, principles and services are well known— I shall proceed immediately to New York. With the highest Esteem Your friend & Sert J Dawson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and “Mission to Naples” and so recorded in SJL with notation “P.O.” communicated to you: no letter from Madison recommending Dawson

has been found or is recorded in SJL. On 7 Aug. and 29 Oct. 1803, Dawson informed Madison of his interest in serving in New Orleans (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:286, 588; Appendix ii).

From Ambrose Spencer and Thomas Tredwell Sir, Albany April 11th. 1804 It having been intimated to us, that Stephen Thorn, Esq. is a Candidate for the Office of Commissioner to settle certain claims of our citizens under the late Treaty with Spain—We cheerfully recommend him as a gentleman well qualified for that Commission. His integrity and fidelity to the true interests of his country, we have no doubt may be implicitly relied upon. We are, Sir, With the highest respect, your very obed’t Serv’ts. Ambrose Spencer Thomas Tredwell RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Spencer’s hand, signed by both; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and “Thorn Stephen to be Commr. to Spain” and so recorded in SJL.

A native of Long Island, Thomas Tredwell (1743-1831) graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1764, after which he practiced law in Suffolk County, New York. He became a strong supporter of the revolutionary cause and aligned with the political faction led by George

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11 APRIL 1804 Clinton, a connection he maintained in a variety of judicial and political offices, including New York’s ratification convention and the Second and Third Congresses. Having acquired a large parcel of land near Lake Champlain, Tredwell relocated to Clinton County late in the 1790s. He represented that county in the

state senate and served as county surrogate from 1807 until his death (Albany Argus, 24 Jan. 1832; James McLachlan, Princetonians, 1748-1768: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1976], 468-72; Biog. Dir. Cong.). For the commission, see Vol. 38:208n.

From Elizabeth House Trist My Dr Sir Wednesday Morng [11 Apr. 1804] I snatch a moment to return you my most Sincere and devout thanks, for all your acts of benevolent friendship to my self and family, to express the sensations they have occasion’d wou’d be impossible I shall therefore not attempt it. Henry Browns detention was occasion’d by his having been attack’d the day after he saw you with a Bilious fever which confined him to his bed for three days, he arrived last Evening and we set out immediatley after breakfast. as no disappointment has taken place in our Finances we shall not have occasion to trouble you on that score if any accident shou’d happen as to make assistance necessary I shall with confidence accept your kind offer—The hope entertain’d of our being yet in time for a Passage from Baltimore makes it necessary for us to lose no time. we must therefore forego the pleasure and pain of a visit to Montecello as we promised Mr Randolph. with the tenderest Solicitude for the return of health to Mrs Epps the United wishes of the family for the health and happiness of all that are united to you I bid you all My Very Dear and affectionate Friends Farewell E Trist RC (NcU: Nicholas Philip Trist Papers, Southern Historical Collection); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Apr. 1804 and so recorded in SJL.

henry Brown of Washington, D.C., was a brother-in-law of Hore Browse Trist (Vol. 41:554, 585).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington April 12th. 1804 The Agent of the Chocktaw factory has requested instructions on a subject of so delicate a nature as to require your opinnion, as to what steps ought to be taken. I have stated the subject fully to Mr. Madison and he advises me to write to you.—it appears that the Comman 212 

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dant of Mobile has introduced a practice of demanding a duty of 12½ persent on all exports from the Territory of the United States bordering on the waters of the Mobile, and it is presumed that a like duty will be demanded on the peltry & furs to be remitted from our factory on the Tombigby.—the Agent wishes to be instructed whether the property of the United States is to be subjected to a duty or not by the Spanish Government at Mobile, or what steps will be proper for him to take, he has a considerable quantity of peltry & furs on hand which ought to be immediately sent to New-Orlians to be shiped for Philadelphia. would it be expedient for him to send a small quantity down the river by way of experiment, with directions not to pay any duties but to abandon the property if not allowed to pass free of duties, or return, or would it be proper for the Agent to make a personal application to the Commandant on the subject, for the purpose of ascertaining his intentions generally as to the navigation of the Mobile, and perticularly as relating to the passage of the public property of the United States. In the spring of 1803 Genl. Wilkinson had a conversation with the Govr. of Louisiana on the subject of the navagation of the Mobile and ask’d the Govr. whether there would be any objection on his part to the passage of a small armed vessel twice a year up & down the mobile for the purpose of conveying stores & goods to our Garrison & factory up that river, the Govr. observed that he had not authority for granting such permission and could not do it without instruction from Spain, but observed there would be no objection to the passage of our stores & goods up the river in common boats or shallops. It was presumed of course that there would be no objection to the passage of our peltries & furs from the factory down the river, and I conceive it possible that the public property will be permitted to pass free of duties, but it would be imprudent to risk a large quantity before the intention of the Spanish Officer shall be ascertained. with sentiments of respectfull consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 16 Apr. and “duties demanded at Mobille” and so recorded in SJL. the agent of the chocktaw fac­ tory: Silas Dinsmoor had been the federal agent to the Choctaw since March 1802 (Vol. 37:447). commandant of mobile: in March 1804, Claiborne consulted with Vicente

Folch y Juan, the Spanish governor of West Florida, on the issue of duties placed on federal property moving through the port of Mobile. Folch responded that he would refer the issue to the king of Spain, but that in the meantime American property would have to pay the duty levied on all foreign goods entering Mobile (David Hart White, Vicente Folch, Governor in Spanish Florida, 1787-1811 [Washington, D.C., 1981], 77; asp, Foreign Relations, 2:678).

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12 APRIL 1804  On 8 Mch. 1803, Wilkinson enclosed letters to Dearborn detailing his con­ versation with Manuel de Salcedo, the governor of Louisiana, presumably regarding navigation on the Mobile River to Fort Stoddert and the Indian trading post on the Tombigbee River. That summer Wilkinson addressed Juan Ventura Morales, the intendant of Louisiana, on

the issue of the “free Navigation” of the Tombigbee, Alabama, and Mobile Rivers. Wilkinson later informed Dearborn that Morales would allow the passage of federal property to Fort Stoddert and the Choctaw trading post only “via New Orleans” (Wilkinson to Dearborn, 8 Mch. 1803, in DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; Terr. Papers, 5:220, 237).

From Joseph Dougherty Sir Washington Apl. 12 1804 I have the pleasure to inform you that the family is all well and lives tranquil The inclosed letter I recd. today from Captn Hand Sir your Hble. Servt Jos. Dougherty RC (MHi); addressed: “The President of the U. States Monticello”; franked; postmarked 13 Apr.; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see J. P. G. Muhlenberg to TJ, 23 Mch.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Treasury Department 12th April 1804 The enclosed letters from Govr. Claiborne to Mr Madison were communicated to me with a request that they should be transmitted to you. On the subject of the seamen, Mr. Trist will receive the proper instructions as soon as Dr. Barnwell’s answer shall have been obtained. But Mr Claiborne’s conduct respecting the establishment of a Bank appears inexplicable; for you will find by the enclosed paragraph of a New York paper that, without waiting for an answer, he has already authorised the institution. In so doing, he appears to me to have exceeded his powers; and he has thereby, without his knowledge it is true, acted contrary to the intention and even to an act of Congress, and will probably defeat the establishment of a Branch Bank which we considered of great importance, to the safety of the revenue and as a bond of union between the Atlantic and Mississippi interests. His powers were no greater than those of a Spanish Governor or Intendant, and these were confined to temporary ordinances and not to the making of laws of a permanent nature, much less to granting  214 

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charters which could not be revoked by a successor. The argument indeed of the Governor, drawn from the general power of passing ordinances for the improvement of the Province, shows that only temporary ordinances and such as might be revoked could have been meant; otherwise it would have been a complete transfer of the legislative authority. But Mr Claiborne knew also that the powers vested in him were so loosely defined through necessity alone and on account of the urgency of the case; he knew that they were given for a short time and that every mail might supercede them by the arrival of a law establishing a permanent form of Government; he must have been fully aware that an executive charter was unknown to our Government; and he should have felt that, of all acts of Govt., none perhaps was more delicate, none required greater discretion & caution to guard it against improper speculations than the granting of a bank charter. It seems inexcusable that he should, under all those circumstances, have abused the confidence vested by the Legislature in the Executive, and by the Executive in him, by doing an act of the highest legislative nature and one which, (except by himself) cannot be revoked, without even consulting the President or Secretary of State; and I cannot account for this strange conduct in any other way than by ascribing it to the arrival and influence of Edward Livingston. The speculations shall have been forcibly pressed on the Governor, and he has unfortunately yielded. I wish that, at least, he may not be personally concerned but have been informed, through Lyon’s channel, that Gen. Wilkinson was interested in it. That the Legislature had in view the establishment of a Branch of the Bank of the United States is evident from their acts; and the law which extends to the ceded territories the operation of all the acts concerning the Bank of the United States, precludes, during the continuance of its charter, the establishment of any other bank in the said territories. The establishment of a branch was so advantageous to the revenue, and, on account of the distance, so inconvenient to the Bank of the United States, that it is with great difficulty and by making arrangements for the sole purpose of surmounting the difficulties in the way, that I was able to prevail on that institution to assent to the measure. Much do I apprehend that they will seize this opportunity of refusing to proceed: and it is truly vexatious that the plans of this Department carried under the sanction of a law, should be defeated by such unexpected and unauthorised interference. I will write to Govr. Claiborne, but can only write a private letter, as there is no connection between  215 

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his office and the Treasury. My idea is that he should, by virtue of the same authority which granted, revoke the charter, leaving the Louisiana Bank on the footing of a private association. With sincere respect & attachment Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 16 Apr. and “seamen at N.O.— bank at do.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) William C. C. Claiborne to Madison, 9 Mch., from New Orleans, reporting that two vessels are removing Spanish military stores to Pensacola and that Spanish soldiers and arms will soon follow; he has received notice from Pierre Clément Laussat that the archives will be delivered in a few days; he reports that merchants in the city express frustration that the U.S. revenue system has yet to be extended to Louisiana; export duties and the paucity of registers for vessels are “spoken of as a serious injury to the mercantile interest”; in order to placate local opinion, Claiborne has issued a number of ordinances that he will send to the secretary of state; a petition for a bank has been “signed by I believe almost every respectable man in the city and its vicinity,” and Claiborne, despite much “inquietude” as to his power and authority in such a matter, has decided to accede to this wish, which he believes consistent with the previous regime’s authorization “to pass all Ordinances for the improvement of the Province” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:574). (2) Claiborne to Madison, 10 Mch., from New Orleans, informing the secretary of state that former U.S. consul Daniel Clark is no longer authorized to expend sums for the relief of American seamen in the city; Claiborne hopes that the authority will be once again vested in Clark or some other individual, as the unhealthfulness of the locale, particularly in the summer, makes the provision of adequate relief an essential responsibility of the general government (same, 6:577). Other enclosure not identified, but see below. establishment of a bank: on 12 Mch., Claiborne signed an ordinance char-

tering the Louisiana Bank, which was to have a capital stock limited to $600,000, divided into 6,000 shares. The 16 men named to superintend the stock subscription included Evan Jones, Benjamin Morgan, Hore Browse Trist, Jean François Merieult, and Pierre Sauvé. Upon a full subscription, the bank would be authorized to increase its capitalization to $2 million. The ordinance was to remain in force from 16 Mch. for up to 16 years (Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:2934; Madison to TJ, 24 Apr.). A paragraph on the bank, listing ed­ ward livingston first among the superintendents, appeared in the 6 Apr. edition of New York’s Evening Post, and brief accounts, also noting Livingston’s involvement, appeared the following day in the Morning Chronicle and Mercantile Advertiser. lyon’s channel: probably a reference to James Lyon, who founded the Union; or, New-Orleans Advertiser and Price Current in December 1803. He was the son of Congressman Matthew Lyon (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:192; Vol. 32:261n). legislature had in view: by an act approved on 23 Mch., Congress authorized the Bank of the United States to establish branches in U.S. territories and dependencies (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:274). For Gallatin’s efforts to prevail on the president of the bank to accept the idea of a New Orleans branch, see Vol. 42:106-7. i will write to govr. claiborne: Gallatin’s letter has not been found, but in a letter of 23 May, Claiborne responded to “yours of the 16th of April,” justifying the measure as the most expedient means of placating local merchants, who at the time were discontented over the slow pace of congressional action and the proposed prohibition of slave importation. Although Claiborne had himself harbored doubts as to his authority, he issued the ordinance on the advice of Hore

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12 APRIL 1804 Browse Trist, Robert Williams, and Isaac Briggs. He added that the bank had managed to subscribe only about $140,000 in stock and thus would likely not become a  rival to a branch of the Bank of the

United States. Gallatin also wrote Trist, who in a letter of 9 June agreed to remove his name from the list of superintendents (Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:1604; Terr. Papers, 9:226n).

From James Madison Dear Sir Washington Apl. 12. 1804. Inclosed herewith are the letters last recd from Mr. Pinkney, with some communications from the Mediterranean, and from the Comissrs under the 7th. art: of the British Treaty. The capture by Capt: Preble was in some respects very apropos; but is there not danger that it may give umbrage to the Grand Seignor? I have nothing to add but assurances of my respectful attachment. James Madison  Not knowing the address of Derrieux, I take the liberty of inclosing it. The address can be ascertained doubtless among some of his friends About Charlotesville RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 16 Apr. and “lres” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: John Trumbull and others to Madison, 23 Feb., from London, informing Madison that the board formed to adjudicate claims under the Jay Treaty has completed its duties; the authors enclose an extract from the board’s journal and two orders of the board concerning copies of the board’s journal and the return of surplus funds to Great Britain and the United States (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:505-6). For other enclosures, see below.

Madison was likely enclosing letters of 12 Dec. 1803 and 10 and 24 Jan. 1804 from Charles Pinckney. All three primarily concerned Pinckney’s efforts to smooth over difficulties with Spain arising from the cession of Louisiana to the United States and to prepare the way for negotiations over Florida. Pinckney also enclosed communications related to the loss of the Philadelphia (same, 6:161-2, 316, 3323, 379-85; 7:37). For the seizure by Edward preble of a ketch bound for Constantinople, see Vol. 42:354-6; TJ to Madison, 15 Apr. Madison likely needed the address of J. P. P. Derieux in order to forward two letters sent from France (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:506-7).

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From James Nicholson Sir Greenwich Lane April 12th. 1804. Finding my health and constitution greatly impaired by long indisposition I am induced to beg leave to Resign the Office of Commissioner of Loans for the State of New York which you were so Kind as to confer on me. I am Sir with Sincere Respect and Gratitude your most Obedt. Servt. James Nicholson I am informed by William Few that it is his intention to become a Candidate for said Office, and believing that his integrity and abilities are sufficiently Known I will only take the liberty of Adding that he is now a Member of the Legislature of this State and possesses the Public confidence and Respect— RC (DNA: RG 59, RD); endorsed by TJ as a letter of 15 Apr. received 20 Apr. and “resigns office of Commr. loans” and so recorded in SJL. James Nicholson (ca. 1736-1804), the father-in-law of Albert Gallatin, was the

senior captain of the Continental navy during the American Revolution. He settled in New York City after the war and became an influential Republican. TJ appointed him commissioner of loans for New York in 1801 (anb; Vol. 35:283-4).

From John Page Sir, Richmond April 12th. 1804. It is ascertained here on unquestionable testimony that Thomas Logwood of Buckingham county in this Commonwealth has been guilty of counterfeiting the notes of several of the branch banks of the United States, particularly those of Boston, Charleston, Savanna and Norfolk. The manner in which this business has been detected is as follows: Information was given to a member of the Council of State in the month of February last, by an Engraver of the name of Samuel Brooks, who came to this place from Norfolk in the course of the last year, that a certain mr. Ryan, a Glass cutter, had exhibited to him the said Brooks some time in the month of October 1803, a letter from Logwood containing a desire to obtain an Engraver capable of engraving maps of the Western Country. In the course of the same month or early in November the said Logwood came to Richmond and was introduced to Brooks by Ryan. After Ryan had retired, and upon a solemn injunction of secrecy, on masonic principles, by Logwood on  218 

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Brooks, Logwood exhibited to Brooks specimens of counterfeit twenty, ten and five Dollar bills of the branch banks aforesaid, and observed that they were not well enough executed, and that he wanted better plates; desiring that Brooks would come up to his house in Buckingham County to engrave them for him. Brooks declined going with him immediately for reasons which were deemed satisfactory, and a correspondence between them ensued which is secured. On a communication of the foregoing information to the Council collectively by the member to whom it was given by Brooks, it was deemed expedient to advise him to give into the measure, and to inform Logwood, that he was now ready to repair to his house for the execution of the object contemplated: Upon which a certain Peter Patteson who appears to be concerned with Logwood came to Richmond, bringing a letter from Logwood to Brooks, stating, amongst other things, that he, Patteson, might be fully confided in. On the 8th. of the last month, Brooks, according to the advice of the Executive, and on their assurance of interference for his personal safety, accompanied Patteson to Logwood’s, where he has engraved three plates for the purpose of counterfeiting twenty, fifty and one hundred dollar bills principally of the branch banks aforesaid, and this day returned here with specimens of these notes, which do credit to his skill as an engraver. The signatures and numbers were wrote by Logwood himself in the presence of Brooks. The paper was made by Brooks from materials furnished by Logwood, who stated that he had procured them from the mill which furnishes the paper for the bank of the United States. Patteson is gone to Kentucky with about 2200 Dollars of the notes struck from the plates engraved by Brooks and about 200 Dollars of an impression from plates which had been considered as too imperfectly executed. He resides near Frankfort in Kentucky. Among the various circumstances stated by Logwood to Brooks to convince him of the practicability of his scheme; and certainty of its success, one was, that the counterfeited bank notes were received by the person, in the city of Washington, under whose direction the notes from the bank of the United States were transmitted to its different branch banks, and by him exchanged for the true notes which were divided between him and the partners of his guilt, and therefore whilst they were enjoying the use of genuine notes, several branch banks were issuing those counterfeited by Logwood. At the instance of the Attorney of the United States for this District, who was consulted and had approved of the plan for procuring the desired testimony, and on the affidavit of Brooks, a Warrant has been issued for the arrest of Logwood: And the Governor of Kentucky is  219 

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written to, informing him of the residence of Patteson, and the mischief likely to result from his being permitted to carry the object of this horrid association into effect. Several persons of considerable respectability in Georgia and North Carolina are mentioned as being concerned with them or engaged in a similar project. That such measures may be taken by you as may appear necessary to put a stop to the further progress of this Evil, I am advised, Sir, to give you this circumstantial detail of the information collected here from Brooks. I am Sir with the highest respect & esteem &c. John Page. FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook); at head of text: “To the President of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as received 15 Apr. with notation “T.” Enclosed in TJ to Albert Gallatin, 15 Apr. 1804 (second letter). On 16 Apr., authorities in Richmond arrested thomas logwood, a “man of considerable wealth,” and sent him to jail to await federal trial. A search of Logwood’s home turned up $18,800 in counterfeit paper, a number of “base” coins, and the machinery and apparatus for conducting the “nefarious practices.” The public was warned that other notes were thought to be in circulation. Logwood was tried on five indictments, convicted on

three, and on 1 June sentenced by John Marshall to 10 years in prison and fined $500 (Richmond Virginia Argus, 25 Apr.; Richmond Enquirer, 2 June; Herbert A. Johnson, Charles T. Cullen, Charles F. Hobson, and others, eds., The Papers of John Marshall, 12 vols. [Chapel Hill, 1974-2006], 6:287-91). Peter Patterson (patteson), identified as Logwood’s associate, was brought before a magistrate in Green County, Kentucky, on 31 May and charged with passing counterfeit notes on the Bank of the United States. While being remanded to custody for transport to a different county, he escaped (Bardstown, Ky., Western American, 22 June).

From John Binns Sir, Northumberland Pennsylvania April 13, 1804. The Governor of this State having done me the honour to authorise me to print, in the Republican Argus a newspaper printed by me in this town, all the laws of a public or general nature passed during the late session of the Pennsylvania Legislature: I presume to acquaint you with the fact and take the freedom respectfully to solicit the honour of your approbation to my printing the laws of Congress. It would be impertinent in me to say any thing of the Principles or Character of the Republican Argus, the approbation which it has received from the Executive of this State is its best eulogium and its best recommendation. With sentiments of the highest respect and admiration I Remain Sir, Your most obedient Servant John Binns.  220 

13 APRIL 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, Miscellaneous Letters Received Regarding Publishers of the Laws); at foot of text: “Hon’ble Thos. Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with notation “to print laws there. S.”; endorsed by a clerk. John Binns (1772-1860) was the editor of the Northumberland County Republican Argus and later the Philadelphia Democratic Press between 1802 and 1829. Born in Ireland, Binns became a member of the Dublin Society of United Irishmen and the London Corresponding Society during the 1790s. After two years’ imprisonment, Binns emigrated to the United States and settled in Pennsylvania near fellow exiles Thomas Cooper and Joseph Priestley. As a newspaper editor, Binns played a key role in the emergence of Pennsylvania’s Republican “Quid” faction and the election of Governor Simon Snyder in 1808. Binns was a firm proponent of industrialization, a position that helped shape his political evolution from Jeffersonian Republican to Whig. During the 1820s, Binns bitterly opposed An-

drew Jackson, served as a Philadelphia city alderman, and eventually published his autobiography in 1854 (anb; James Quinn, “Binns, John,” in James McGuire and James Quinn, eds., Dictionary of Irish Biography [Cambridge, 2009]; Jeffrey L. Pasley, “The Tyranny of Printers”: Newspaper Politics in the Early American Republic [Charlottesville, 2001], 222-3; John Binns, Recollections of the Life of John Binns [Philadelphia, 1854]; Andrew Ellicott to TJ, 1 Dec. 1803). governor of this state: on 23 Mch., Thomas McKean authorized the Northumberland Republican Argus to print Pennsylvania’s laws, and on 22 July 1805, the treasury of Pennsylvania paid Binns for this service (Samuel Hazard and others, eds., Pennsylvania Archives. Selected and Arranged from Original Documents in the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, 119 vols. [Harrisburg, 1852-1935], 9th ser., 3:2012; Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Which Commenced at Lancaster, the Fourth Day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Four [Lancaster, 1805], 102).

From Isaac Coffin Dear Sir Nantucket April the 13th: 1804. I now take the Liberty to Address a few lines to you to enquire after your welfare—I had the honour to be Introduced to your Excellency by my Freind Doctor George Logan when I was at the City of Washington with a Petition from the Inhabitants of the Island of Nantucket to Congress in Feb’y AD. 1803. I have been Elected again a Senator for Nantucket and Dukes County in our State Legislature. In the Year 1798. There was only two Republican members belonging to the Senate of Massachusetts which were John Bacon Esqr: and Myself, and the last year we had increased to Thirteen who were firm Republicans; and I am in hopes before long to see a Republican majority in our Senate, and throughout the State—The purport of this Letter is to inform you the situation we are in respecting a Collector of the Customs Stephen Hussey Esqr: our Collector is very unwell and I don’t expect he will ever be any better and hearing that some amongst us were about to Recommend Mr: Daniel B Hussey Son of  221 

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the said Stephen to fill the said office and I suppose Mr: Thomas Jenkins of Hudson in the State of New York who is Unkle to the said Daniel will Recommend him to you but I think him a person not fit for that station in the first place he is not a Man of sufficient Abilities for to do the duties of the Office and in the next place he is a Rigid Federalist, and in every Instance has Opposed the Republican Ticket to the utmost of his Power— The Man that I would wish to Recommend to you for Collector is Daniel Coffin, a firm Republican and a Man of the first Abilities amongst us. I Expect (should) Doctor William Eustis and some others will write you on the subject the foregoing is a statement of fact.— If Stephen Hussey Esqr: should Recover his health I think him very Unsuitable to hold the Office of Collector any longer as his faculties are Impaired and his Politics are Federal, he always has done all in his power to Oppose the Republican Ticket but all that the Federalist can do here at Nantucket is but little for we have a decided Republican Majority always, should you think proper to displace the said Stephen Hussey Esqr: and Appoint the said Daniel Coffin I think it would be very satisfactory to all the Real Republicans on Nantucket and will greatly oblige Dear Sir your most Obedient Servant Isaac Coffin RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqe: President of the United States of America Washington City”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Apr. and “Coffin Dan-

iel to be Collector Nantucket v. Hussey” and so recorded in SJL. feb’y ad. 1803: for Coffin’s previous visit to Washington and the Nantucket petition, see Vol. 40:220-1.

To Gibson & Jefferson Monticello Mar 13. for Apr. 13.

Th: Jefferson asks the favor of messrs Gibson & Jefferson to procure from mr Collins the underwritten seeds and send them by the first boats, packed in a box or keg. 3. gallons of dwarf marrow fat peas. if he has none of these, send the best he has for common sowing. 3. oz. radish seed. scarlet preferred 3. oz. lettuce seed. the Roman preferred 1. oz. Endive seed (not the curled) PrC (MHi); date corrected in ink; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

In an advertisement dated 28 Feb., Minton collins announced the arrival

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13 APRIL 1804 of a shipment from London of “peas, beans, cabbage, lettuce, radishes, &c.” for

sale from his seed store in Richmond (Richmond Virginia Argus, 7 Mch.).

From Jones & Howell Respected [. . .] [Phila.] [. . .] 1804. [i.e. 13 Apr.] On Board [. . .] [Schooner] Edward & Edmund. have [. . .] Say  80 Bundles Nail [. . .]0.0.0 at 124$ $248.33 porterage 1.33 $249.33 the Schooner is to sail in three days from this and we hope will be at Richmond early we are Very Respectfully Your Friends Jones & Howell RC (DNA: RG 59, Appointment Papers); mutilated; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson [Esq]”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 13 Apr. received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with notation “249.33.”

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 13. 04. I recieved by last post mr Gallatin’s observations on Dr. Stevens’s case. his outworks are stronger than his main citadel: that is to say, on the 1st. and great question which involves important principle, he yields a good deal, and presents no views of the residue which are new and difficult. but on his 2d. & 3d questions relative to evidence he is truly strong, and his preliminary observations on the 5th. 6th. & 7th. heads of account have weight. you will certainly find it necessary to give it a serious consideration. will you favor me with the view you shall take of the subject? Our spring is remarkeably uncheary. a North West wind has been blowing three days. our peach trees blossomed the 1st. day of this month; the poplar began to leaf, so as to be sensible at a distance, about the 7th. asparagus shewed itself about 5. days ago; perhaps we may have a dish to-day or tomorrow. but my beds are in a state of total neglect, & therefore not a fair measure of the season. my daughter exhibits little change. no new imposthume has come on, but she rather weakens. her fever is small & constant. Affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Collection); at foot of text: “The Secretary of State.” PrC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Stevens.” Enclosure: Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 31 Mch., enclosed in Gallatin to TJ, 5 Apr.

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From Robert Maxwell Sir New Castle County Middletown April 13th. 1804. I perceive from Acts passed at the late Session of Congress; that you are to make a vareity of appointments in the newly acquired Territory, as well as some in the M.T. that being the case—I am impel’d by that confidence that jenuine Republicanism inspires, to solicit you in behalf of a young Man, my Brother in Law, Wm. Bayard Shields, who went out last fall with Judge Rodney to Natchez—That he may be appointed Secretary to the Govr. of Orleans District; Attorney for the same D—or advocate in the Territory, where he at present is, would, to be sure, prefer the most lucrative; but submit the nomination to yourself—After makeing the necessary inquiry—& for brevity’s sake, refer you to the Judge (Rodney) or to our Representative, with whom he read Law—But if other or more, recommendation was wanting, I pledge myself to obtain, the most satisfactory that could possibly be desired, & that from the most respectable of our Republicans— My own judgement is that he has few equals, of his age, in all points, taken together— With respect to the politics of Delaware, I see no prospect of a change to any effect—Old Torys, & the descendants of such, are bad stuff, out of which to make Republicans. With all the respect due to worth, & to merit, I beg to subscrible myself, your friend, and Obdt. Servt. Robt. Maxwell RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and “Shields Wm. Bayard to N.O. or Misipi territy.” and so recorded in SJL.

For William Shields’s career in Mississippi Territory (m.t.), see Vol. 40:642-3. our representative: Caesar A. Rodney.

From Paul Alliot Monsieur le president a Neuveyork ce 14 avril 1804 j’ay L’honneur de vous envoyer un manuscrit qui a pour titre, reflexions historiques et politiques sur la Louysiane en deux parties. n’ayant fait ce petit ouvrage que dans de bonnes vues, et vous l’ayant dedié; j’espere que vous l’acceuillerez. je souhaitte ardemment qu’en le lisant, vous puissiez par votre sagesse, par vos grands talens, et par vos vertus qui font aujourdhuy l’admiration de toute l’europe, donner a ce bon pays dont vous avez fait l’acquisition ce dont il a besoin pour devenir un jour ce qu’est la mére patrie que vous gouvernez si bien.  224 

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monsieur le president. je vous envoye aussi un memoire de faits qui vous prouvera la persecution et les grands malheurs que ma femme, mes enfans et moi avons éprouvé a la nouvel Orleans. le gouvernement français devant lequel nous avons été conduit comme de grands criminels, a reconnu mon innocence, a improuvé la conduite de son agent, m’a rendu la liberté et m’a permis par un passeport que j’ai en main de retourner avec ma femme et mon enfant aux etats unis de l’amerique. L’attentat commis dans ma maison et sur ma personne a la nouvel Orleans le dix huit mars dix huit cent trois a onze heures du soir par l’alcade Meirieux son greffier et quelques chirurgiens qui etaient de la bande est une de ces atrocités ignorées, dieu merci, aux etats unis, même avant leur independance. pourquoi ces hommes sont ils la cause de ma ruine, et de l’etat deplorable de mon epouse. pour deux raisons. la premiere, parce que je suis patriote et que je mourrais plutôt que d’embrasser le parti de l’aristocratie ou de la monarchie. la seconde parce qu’a la Nouvel orleans j’exercais avec des talens superieures mon état de medecin. c’est donc leur opinion politique, c’est donc la jalousie des medecins qui les a determiné a violer pendant la nuit mon azile, a me voler, et a etre cause du grand malheur arrivé a Lorient a mon epouse, qui n’en reviendra peut etre jamais, parcequ’elle a encore aujourdhuy de tems en tems de ces crises qui annoncent la perte de sa raison. Comme un tel attentat ne peut et ne doit rester impuni, que ceux qui m’ont arrêté, enfoncé mes portes pendant la nuit, incarceré et persecuté et volé demeurent encore a la nouvel Orleans qui est aujourdhuy gouvernée par les lois americaines, et que je ne puis les poursuivre en reparations, domages, et interets devant la puissance espagnole, ny devant la puissance des francais parceque leur loix n’y ont aucune force, et que demeurant sous celle des etats unis de l’amerique je ne puis et ne dois les poursuivre devant d’autres que devant elle, en consequence je vous en demande la permission j’espere, vu mon affligeante situation vous me l’accorderez et que j’obtiendrai une prompte justice. il m’est encore du par differens particuliers que j’ai traité et medicamenté environ quatre mil francs qu’ils se sont refusé de me payer, lorsqu’ils ont eu connaissance de notre deportation, je demande encore a etre autorisé à poursuivre mes debiteurs. s’ils ne m’avaient pas privé de cette somme, nous n’aurions pas été obligés en france de vendre jusqu’a nos chemises pour pouvoir passer et arriver dans le pays de la liberté ou nous sommes decidé ay finir nos jours  225 

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Monsieur le president. Comme j’ai des talens dans la medecine, j’ai L’honneur de vous envoyer par ecrit le nom de toutes les maladies que je traite avec succés et que je gueris, a fin qu’en votre qualité de chef de la grande nation que vous gouvernez, vous puissiez annoncer mon nom et les differentes maladies que je traite, à tous vos administrés. je traite et gueris les maladies suivantes Les cancers ou chancres seraient ils cangrenés. Les coliques en general le charbon. La dissenterie et le tenesme le plus opiniatre. L’escorbut. Les ecrouelles ou glandes scrophuleuses. Les dartres quand même elles seraient rentrées L’epilepsie, ou le mal quaduc quand il n’est point de naissance Les esquinancies ou maux de gosier les fluctions de poitrine les fistules en general la goute la gravelle et la pierre L’hidropisie les hemorodides la jaunisse les maladies veneriennes les plus inveterées sans mercure les loupes le lait repandu les blessures de toute espece meme les nerfs coupés la paralisie la peste la piquure des betes venimeuses. la phtisie. les retentions durine la perte d’urine involontaire la Sourdité la Suppression des regles la teigne toutes sourtes de tumeurs seraient elle aux parties naturelles et genitalles Le vers solitaire la verete et pour en empecher les progrés. Le mal d’yeux tayes ou dragons.  226 

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Si je m’etais trouvé dans les etats unis au moment de la fievre jaune, je suis presque certain que j’aurais pu en suspendre les progrés et rendre a la vie des milliers de citoyens qui n’existent plus. ne voulant plus porter le nom francais et voulant mourir homme libre, et voulant etre util a mes Semblables, je vous declare que je professerai mon etat, et afin de vous donner une idée de ce que je suis et de ce que je scais faire, je vais vous mettre sous les yeux la maniere dont je definis la fievre jaune, et vous connaîtrez par la si depuis que cette maladie s’est manifestée dans les états unis, on en a donné une telle definition. definition de la fievre jaune Cette fievre est aigue, accompagnée de pourpre et de vers qui sont des signes assurés d’une grande corruption: un feu brulant qui seche la langue et la charge de suie; le poux lent et le coeur en continuele deffaillance. cette maladie est ordinairement mortelle et plus dangereuse en été qu’en hiver, parce qu’au premier abord de la chaleur les humeurs corrompues offensent par leur venin toutes les parties nobles. C’est aussi pour cela que je me crois obligé de pourvoir a la conservation des personnes, en leur prescrivant dans la suite Lorsque j’aurai reussi dans le traitement de quelques personnes, des memoires pour les instruire des choses necessaires et de les tirer de l’ignorence ou ils sont des remedes contre ces sortes d’afflictions. je compte Sur votre justice, votre bonté, et Sur votre protection. je suis en attendant la reponse de votre excellence avec respect Monsieur le president Votre trés humble et trés soumis Alliot medicin e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, New York, 14 Apr. 1804 I have the honor of sending you a manuscript entitled “Historical and Political Reflections on Louisiana,” in two parts. I hope you will accept this modest work, which I wrote with good will and dedicated to you. I ardently hope that, by reading it, you will, through your wisdom, exceptional talent, and the virtues that are admired throughout Europe, give the great country you have acquired what it needs so that it can someday resemble the mother country you govern so well. Mr. President, I am also sending you an account of facts that document the persecution and misfortunes my wife, my children, and I have suffered in New Orleans. The French government, before whom we were brought as if we were criminals, has acknowledged my innocence, disproved the conduct of its representative, freed me, and authorized my return to the United States of America with my wife and children. I have a passport in hand.

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14 APRIL 1804  Among the atrocities of a kind unknown in the United States, thankfully, even before its independence, is the attack that took place in my house and to my person in New Orleans on 18 Mch. 1803, at 11:00 in the evening, by the alcalde Jean François Merieult, his clerk, and a few surgeons who were part of his gang. Why are these men the cause of my downfall and my wife’s woeful state? For two reasons. First, because I am a patriot and would rather die than embrace the party of the monarchy or aristocracy. Second, because in New Orleans I excelled at my profession as a doctor. Their political views and medical jealousy impelled them to attack my home during the night, plunder, and cause the great misfortune in L’Orient to my wife, who may never recover. To this day she still has periodic crises that signal insanity. Such an attack cannot and should not remain unpunished. Those who arrested me, broke down my doors during the night, imprisoned, persecuted, and pillaged are still in New Orleans, which is now governed by American law. I cannot press charges against them before the Spanish authorities for damages and reparations, nor before the French, since neither has jurisdiction there. Living under American legislation, I cannot and should not pursue the attackers under any authority but yours. I therefore ask your permission to do so. Given my afflictions, I hope you will grant it and that justice will be swift. I am also owed 4,000 francs from various patients whom I diagnosed and treated. When they heard about my deportation they refused to pay me. I ask your additional authorization to pursue my debtors. If they had not deprived me of this sum, we would not be forced to sell even our shirts, in France, in order to travel to the free country where we have decided to live out our days. Mr. President, since I have medical training, I have the honor of listing the names of all the illnesses I can successfully treat and cure, so you can tell your fellow citizens my name and the different conditions I treat. I treat and heal the following illnesses: Growths and cankers, including gangrene Colic of all kinds Anthrax The most resistant dysentery and tenesmus Scurvy Scrofula Scurf in all forms Epilepsy and non-congenital epileptic symptoms Throat ailments Pulmonary congestion Fistulas of all kinds Gout Kidney stones Edema Hemorrhoids Jaundice The most recalcitrant venereal diseases, treated without mercury Lupus Postpartum inflammation All kinds of wounds, including severed muscles

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14 APRIL 1804  Paralysis Plague Poisonous insect bites Tuberculosis Bladder retention Incontinence Deafness Missed menstrual periods Ringworm All kinds of tumors, including genital tumors Tapeworm Treating other worms and stopping them from spreading Eye ailments, leukoma If I had been in the United States at the time of the yellow fever epidemic, I am almost certain I could have stopped its spread and saved the lives of thousands of citizens who perished. I no longer wish to be called French. I seek to die a free man and to be useful to those around me. For these reasons, I assure you that I will exercise my profession. To give you an idea of who I am and what I can do, I shall explain my definition of yellow fever. You will be able to judge whether anyone has described it this way since the sickness first appeared in the United States. Definition of Yellow Fever This fever is acute, accompanied by: purpura and worms that are sure signs of major infection, a raging fever that burns the tongue and covers it with black marks, and slow pulse and weak heartbeat. The disease is typically fatal and more dangerous in summer than winter because at the first sign of warm weather, the corrupted humors infect the noble parts of the body with their venom. This also impels me to treat people right away, to try to save them. After I have succeeded in healing some patients, there can be manuals to bring them out of their ignorance and describe the remedies for these afflictions. I count on your justice, goodness and protection. In anticipation of your excellency’s response, I am respectfully, Mr. President, your very humble and obedient Alliot, doctor RC (DLC); at head of text: “Alliot medecin de present a Neuveyork avec sa  femme et son enfant a son excellence monsieur Gefferson president des etats unis de l’amerique”; following signature: “Logé a Neuveyork chez mr halsey tenant auberge no 125 prés les boucheries et  le marché des legumes fly Market” (residing in New York at the inn of Mr. Halsey, No. 125 Fly Market near the butcher shops and vegetable market). Recorded in SJL as received 23 Apr. Enclosures: (1) Paul Alliot, “Reflexions historiques et politiques sur la Louysiane, en deux parties,” dated L’Orient, 1 July 1803, and New York, 13 Apr. 1804; with dedicatory address to TJ (see below);

printed with English translation in James Alexander Robertson, ed., Louisiana under the Rule of Spain, France, and the United States, 1785-1807: Social, Economic, and Political Conditions of the Territory Represented in the Louisiana Purchase as Portrayed in Hitherto Unpublished Contemporary Accounts by Dr. Paul Alliot and Various Spanish, French, English, and American Officials, 2 vols. (Cleveland, 1911), 1:32-143. (2) Paul Alliot, Alliot, médecin, propriétaire en nègres et en terres de St.-Domingue, déporté de la Louysiane; Aux habitans de la commune de Lorient et à tous les Français (L’Orient, [ca. 1803]; in DLC: TJ Papers, 110:18861-4).

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14 APRIL 1804  By his own testimony, Paul Alliot lived for a time in Saint-Domingue, where he likely owned land and slaves and where he claimed to have suffered a four-month imprisonment in Cap-Français in 1792 for the “cause of men of color.” Returning to France, he became embroiled in political controversies and spent at least the next two years alternating between stints in prison and service in minor offices, including a revolutionary commission in the embattled Lyons area. At the end of the decade, he advised the consular government against attempting to reimpose slavery in Saint-Domingue. By December 1802, Alliot had settled in New Orleans, where he practiced medicine and continued his penchant for making political enemies. He was arrested on 18 Mch. 1803 for practicing without a license. Local authorities accused him also of fomenting rebellion and convinced the incoming French prefect, Pierre Clément Laussat, to exile him to France. Alliot eventually returned to New Orleans, where he advertised his medical services in 1807 (Paul Alliot, à ses con’citoyens [Ville-Affranchie (Lyon), ca. 1793]; Page, commissaire de Saint-Domingue à Paul Alliot, maire de Levroux [Lille, ca. 1793]; Louis Vignon, ed., Annales d’un village de France: CharlyVernaison en Lyonnais, 5 vols. [Vernaison, France, 1978-93], 5:282, 305-6, 624-5; Philippe R. Girard, “Napoléon Bonaparte and the Emancipation Issue in Saint-Domingue, 1799-1800,” French Historical Studies, 32 [2009], 596-7; Jeremy D. Popkin, A Concise History of the Haitian Revolution [Malden, Mass., 2012], 105-6; Gabriel Debien and René Le Gardeur, “The Saint-Domingue Refugees in Louisiana, 1792-1804,” in Carl A. Brasseaux and Glenn R. Conrad, eds., The Road to Louisiana: The Saint-Domingue Refugees, 1792-1809, trans. David Cheramie [Lafayette, La., 1992], 172-3). reflexions: Alliot wrote his two-part manuscript while imprisoned in New Orleans. The first part focused mostly on that city and presented Alliot’s highly critical view of Spanish governance and his observations on the area’s social, cultural, and economic characteristics. The second part encompassed other areas of Louisiana—along the Gulf Coast and up

the Mississippi and Red Rivers, with discussions of Mobile, Pensacola, Pointe Coupee, Natchitoches, and St. Louis, among other noteworthy locales. vous l’ayant dedié: in a dedication to TJ dated 1 July 1803 from a L’Orient prison but likely revised upon Alliot’s arrival in New York, Alliot praised the purchase of Louisiana as evidence of TJ’s wisdom, noted Spanish administrators’ failure to develop properly the colony’s resources, and hoped that American rule would make New Orleans “unrecognizable” from its present state. Alliot also included a preface that offered advice on rendering New Orleans more healthful, an analysis that he had likely sent to Laussat from the New Orleans jail. Appended to the manuscript was an additional address to TJ, dated 13 Apr. 1804, which explained that his original manuscript had been damaged during the voyage by sea, making it necessary for him to produce a new manuscript, which unfortunately contained some erasures and orthographical errors. Alliot trusted that TJ would overlook these flaws and “take into consideration all that I have said as good and useful for a country which without exaggeration, is going to become under your rule the best country in the world” (Robertson, Louisiana under the Rule of Spain, France, and the United States, 1:32-143; GillesAntoine Langlois, “La Nouvelle Orléans: État Sommaire des Espaces Urbains et Sociaux à l’Époque de Pierre Clément Laussat [Mars 1803-Avril 1804],” French Colonial History, 5 [2004], 121). mémoire de faits: in his other enclosure (cited above), Alliot detailed his imprisonment and expulsion from New Orleans. The judicial examination he faced before a New Orleans alcalde, reproduced in the pamphlet, indicated concerns that he had been attempting to spread revolutionary ideas to the city’s black population, charges that Alliot denied vehemently. He secured an affidavit signed by a number of citizens in his defense and also appealed to the recently arrived Laussat, but opposition from the chief doctor in the city led to his exile on 17 Apr. 1803 (partial translation and summary printed in Robertson, Louisiana under the Rule of Spain, France, and the United States, 1:147-9).

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To John Condit Sir Monticello Apr. 14. 04 Being here for about a fortnight longer, I recieved at this place yesterday your favor of the 2d. inst. and immediately wrote to Wash­ ington to have the cyder recieved & bottled. you have not mentioned the price. be so good as to do it, & the money shall be immediately remitted, with many thanks for your kind attention to this matter. I have just recieved information that Capt. Preble has taken a Tri­ politan vessel with 70. men, and hope when the 4. frigates ordered there as a reinforcement shall get to the place, they will render us a good account of our captives. Accept my respectful salutations & esteem. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “Dr. Con­ dit”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. wrote to washington: TJ to John Barnes, 14 Apr. (not found, but see Barnes to TJ, 20 Apr.). price: TJ paid $100.685 for eight barrels of New Jersey cider (mb, 2:1152). TJ received Joseph Barnes’s letter of 4 Feb., which contained a report of the cap­

ture of a tripolitan vessel, on 13 Apr. (Vol. 42:396, 397n). The four frigates were the President, the Congress, the Constellation, and the Essex. A fifth frigate, the John Adams, was being prepared for use as a transport (ndbw, 4:88, 114­15; TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 Mch.; Madison to TJ, 19 Apr.).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington April 14th. 1804 I have been duly honoured with your letter of the 8th. inst. and have presented a copy to each of the heads of Departments.—I think there can be no doubt of the propriety of directing the commanding Officers of the respective posts in uper Louisiana to remove any per­ sons who have set down on lands without titles since the twentieth of Decemr. last, and to prevent by all the means they respectively pos­ sess any new settlements or surveys, except under titles derived from actual settlers, legally obtained previous to the cession from Spain to France.—I have doubtes as to the propriety of vesting any consider­ able discretionery powers to the present commanding Officers, for removing any actual settlers except in very clear & indisputable cases. when the Militia Districts as contemplated by the Act of Congress shall have been designated and the commandants appointed, more ample powers may be confided to them, than may be expedient to vest in the present commanders, and in the meantime new settlements may be prevented.—  231 

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 Genl. Daniel Smith with Col Meigs have been appointed for hold­ ing a conference or Treaty with the Cherokees in conformity to your directions, and they are to hold the Treaty at such time & place as will in their opinnion be most expedient. With respectfull consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn P.S. I am happy to find from Mr. Brigs & Mr. Williams who have arrived here from New Orleans, that Govr. Claiborn is very popular at New Orlians except with Mr. Clark & a very few warm high toned men, and that his genl. conduct has been discreet and firm, as well as accommodating & pleasing. H. D— RC (DNA: RG 75, LRIA); lacks post­ script; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 20 Apr. RC (DLC); postscript only; en­ dorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 20 Apr. and “Squatters in Louisa.—Cherokee treaty—Claiborne” and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “1824. Apr. 24. the preceding leaf of

this lre is torn off and sent to the Secre­ tary at war.” TJ forwarded this letter, without the postscript, to Secretary of War John C. Calhoun in 1824 in response to a query regarding the 1804 treaty with the cherokees (Vol. 38:113n; Calhoun to TJ, 19 Apr. 1824, in DLC; TJ to Cal­ houn, 25 Apr. 1824, same).

To Samuel Emery Sir Monticello Apr. 14. 04. Mr. Appleton of Leghorn informs me he has sent [. . .] to your ad­ dress a box closed, and another open, both of them containing plants. as the season is advancing I have thought it best, without waiting, [to] take the liberty of asking the favor of you to forward them with­ out delay to Alexandria, Washington or Georgetown by the first ves­ sel. he informs me the open box will [. . .] little attention in watering, to keep the plants alive, which I am in hopes the Capt will be kind enough to [do]. a line being addressed to mr John Barnes of George­ town, noting the freight & other expences you have been so good as to pay, he will immediately reimburse them. I shall probably be at Washington myself before their arrival there. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson PrC (MHi); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. Samuel Emery Philada.”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

mr. appleton of leghorn informs me: see Thomas Appleton to TJ, 20 Jan. 1804.

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Instructions for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition To The government of the US. being desirous of informing itself of the extent of the country lately ceded to them under the name of Louisiana, to have the same, with it’s principal rivers, geographically delineated, to learn the character of it’s soil, climate, productions, & inhabitants, you are appointed to explore, for these purposes, the in­ teresting portion of it which lies on1 the Arkansa and Red rivers, from their confluence with the Missisipi to the remotest source of the main stream of each,2 and the high lands connecting the same & forming a part of the boundary of the province You will recieve from the Secretary at war information & instruc­ tions as to the provision to be made of men, arms, ammunition, med­ ecine, subsistence, clothing,3 covering, camp utensils, instruments of observation & of measuring, boats, light articles for barter & presents among the Indians,4 & other necessaries, all of which are to be col­ lected at Natchez, which is to be considered as the point of departure. From Natchez you are to proceed to ascend the Red river, taking observations of longitude & latitude at it’s mouth, at all remarkable points in it’s course, & especially at the mouths of rivers, at rapids, islands, & other places & objects distinguished by such natural marks & characters, of a durable kind, as that they may with certainty be recognised hereafter. the courses of the rivers between these points of observation may be supplied by the compass, the log line, & by time, corrected by the observations themselves. the variations of the com­ pass too, in different places, are to be noted.5 In this way you will proceed to the remotest source of the main stream of the Red river, and thence to that of the Arkansa, along the high lands which divide their waters from those running into the Rio Norte, or the Pacific ocean, ascertaining by the chain & compass (with due corrections for variation) the courses & extent of the said high lands, and, by careful & multiplied observations, the longitude6 of the said remotest sources of the main stream of each river. you are then to descend the Arkansa from it’s source to it’s mouth,7 ascertain­ ing, by like observations, all remarkeable points in the said river, sup­ plying it’s courses between these points by the compass, the log line, & by time, as directed for the Red river; and using peculiar care to fix with accuracy the latitude & longitude of the mouth of the river. Although we have before said you are to ascend8 the Red river, & descend the Arkansa, on a presumption that the former is the least  233 

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rapid, yet if the fact be known to be otherwise, or any other circum­ stances over weigh this, you are at liberty to reverse this order, and to ascend the Arkansa & descend the Red river, observing in all other points the instructions before given. Your observations are to be taken with great pains and accuracy, to be entered distinctly, & intelligibly for others as well as yourself, to comprehend all the elements necessary, with the aid of the usual ta­ bles, to fix the latitude & longitude of the places at which they were taken, & are to be rendered to the War­office, for the purpose of hav­ ing the calculations made concurrently, by proper persons within the US. several copies of these, as well as of your other notes, should be made at leisure times, & put into the care of the most trust­worthy of your attendants, to guard, by multiplying them, against the accidental losses to which they will be exposed. a further guard perhaps would be that one of these copies should be on the paper of the birch, as sup­ posed less liable to injury from damp than common paper. The following objects in the country adjacent to the rivers along which you will pass, will be worthy of notice. the soil & face of the country, it’s growth & vegetable productions, especially those not of the maritime states. the animals of the country generally, & especially those not known in the maritime states. the remains & accounts of any which may be deemed extinct. the mineral productions most worth notice, but more particularly metals, limestone, gypsum, pit coal, salt petre, rock salt & salt springs, and mineral waters, noting the temperature of the last, & such circumstances as may indicate their character. Volcanic appearances. Climate, as characterised by the thermometer, by the proportion of rainy, cloudy & clear days, by lightening, hail, snow, ice, by the access & recess of frost, by the winds prevailing at different sea­ sons, the dates at which particular plants put forth or lose their flower, or leaf; times of appearance of particular birds, reptiles or insects. most of these articles may be entered in a Calendar or Table so as to take little room, or time in entering.9 Court an intercourse with the natives as extensively as you can. treat them on all occasions in the most friendly & conciliatory manner, which their conduct will admit: allay all jealousies as to the object of your journey; make them acquainted with the position, extent, char­ acter, peaceable & commercial dispositions of the US. inform them that their late fathers, the Spaniards, have agreed to withdraw all their troops from10 the Missisipi & Missouri, & from all the countries wa­  234 

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tered by any rivers running into them; that they have delivered to us all their subjects, Spanish & French, settled in those countries, to­ gether with their posts & territories in the same:11 that henceforward we become their fathers & friends; that our first wish will be to be neighborly, friendly & useful to them, and especially to carry on com­ merce with them on terms more reasonable and advantageous for them than any other nation ever did: confer with them on the points most convenient, as mutual emporiums, for them and us. say that we have sent you to enquire into the nature of the country, & the nations inhabiting it, to know their wants, & the supplies they will wish to dispose of; and that after you shall have returned12 with the necessary information, we shall take measures, with their consent, for settling trading houses among them, at suitable places: that in the mean time, the same traders who reside among, or visit, them, and who are now become our citizens, will continue to supply them as usual, & that they will find us in all things just & faithful friends & patrons.13 You will endeavor, as far as a diligent pursuit of your journey will admit, to learn the names & numbers of the nations through which your route lies; the extent & limits of their possessions; their relations with other tribes and nations; their language, traditions, monuments; their ordinary occupations in agriculture, fishing, hunting, war, arts & the implements for these; their food, clothing, & domestic accomodations; the diseases prevalent among them & the remedies they use; moral & physical circumstances which distinguish them from the tribes we know; peculiarities in their laws, customs, & dispositions; and articles of commerce they may need or furnish, & to what extent. And considering the interest which every nation has in extending and strengthening the authority of reason and justice among the peo­ ple around them, it will be useful to acquire what knolege you can of the state of morality, religion, & information among them; as it may better enable those who may endeavor to civilize & instruct them, to adapt their measures to the existing notions & practices of those on whom they are to operate. As it is impossible for us to foresee in what manner you will be recieved by those people, whether with hospitality or hostility, so is it impossible to prescribe the exact degree of perseverance with which you are to pursue your journey. we value too much the lives of citizens  235 

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to offer them to probable destruction. your numbers will be sufficient to secure you against the unauthorised opposition of individuals or of small parties. but if, at any time,14 a superior force, authorised or not authorised by a nation, should be arrayed against your further pas­ sage, & inflexibly determined to arrest it, you must decline it’s farther pursuit, and return. in the loss of yourselves, we should lose also the information you will have acquired. by returning safely with that, you may enable us to renew the essay with better calculated means. to your own discretion therefore must be left the degree of danger you may risk, and the point at which you should decline; only saying we wish you to err on the side of your safety, and to bring back your party safe, even if it be with less information. As far up the rivers as the white settlements extend, an intercourse probably exists with Natchez or New Orleans: and as far as traders go, they may furnish a conveyance for your letters to either of those places; beyond that, you may perhaps be able to engage Indians to bring letters for the government, on promising that they shall recieve, at either of those places, such special compensation as you shall have stipulated with them; and measures will be taken there to ensure a fulfilment of your stipulations. avail yourself of all these means to com­ municate to us, at seasonable intervals, copies of your journal, notes & observations of every kind. Doctr. George Hunter of Philadelphia will accompany you as a fellow­laborer, & counsellor in the same service, while the ultimate direction of the expedition is left to yourself. he is to make observa­ tions, to note courses, & to enquire into the same subjects recom­ mended to you, but separately, as it is supposed that the two different accounts may serve to corroborate or correct each other. he is to par­ ticipate with you in the conveniences & comforts provided, and to re­ cieve from you whatever aid and facility you can yield for his pursuits consistently with due diligence in the prosecution of your journey. should the accident of death happen to you, he is to succeed to the direction of the expedition, and to all the powers which you possess. should he also die, the officer attending you, & subject to your orders, will immediately return with his party in the way he shall deem best, bringing the papers & other effects belonging to the mission.15 As the great distance between this & the point of your departure leaves it impracticable for these instructions, or those of the Secretary at war to go into all the details which may be necessary to prepare & expedite your departure, I have requested16 William Dunbar esquire of the Natchez, to take on himself the direction of everything supple­ mentory and additional to our instructions, to superintend & take  236 

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order in whatsoever may be further necessary in the course of your preparations, departure, going, and returning. you will therefore consider his further instructions, & proceedings as emanating from myself, and conform to them accordingly: and you will make him, during your journey, the center of communication between yourself and the government: and on your return and arrival at the Natchez, you will report yourself to him, and recieve from him the information and instructions proper for the occasion, and which shall have been furnished by the government. these shall particularly provide for the immediate paiment to yourselves of what shall be due to you, and of all arrearages to the officer & men which shall have incurred since their departure: and such as shall have faithfully and obediently per­ formed their duty during the tour shall be recommended to the lib­ erality of the legislature for the grant of a portion of land, to each in proportion to his grade or condition. Given under my hand and seal at Monticello this 14th. day of April 1804, and of the independance of the United States the twenty eighth. Th: Jefferson MS (DLC: Miscellaneous Manuscripts Collection, Thomas Freeman Papers, 1796­1807); salutation completed in Wil­ liam Dunbar’s hand: “Thomas Freeman Esquire.” PrC (DLC). Dft (DLC). FC (PHi); in a clerk’s hand, endorsed by Dearborn: “Letter from the P. of the U,S to Mr. Dunbar, & instructions for explor­ ing Louisiana” (see TJ to Dearborn, 15 Apr.). Enclosed in TJ to Dunbar, 15 Apr. you are appointed to explore: TJ’s instructions for exploring the Arkan­ sas River and Red River closely resemble, in places almost verbatim, his instruc­ tions to Meriwether Lewis in the spring of 1803 for the expedition to the Pacific (Vol. 40:176­83). engage indians to bring letters: on 23 Apr., Dearborn instructed Dunbar to place $50 each with the commanding officers at Natchitoches and Arkansas “for the purpose of paying any Indian ex­ presses who may be employed to convey dispatches from the exploring party” (in DNA: RG 107, MLS). An 1859 transcription of these instruc­ tions in the Peter Force Collection in DLC is printed in Dan L. Flores, Jefferson & Southwestern Exploration: The Freeman & Custis Accounts of the Red River Ex­

pedition of 1806 (Norman, Okla., 1984), 319­25. 1 In Dft, TJ first wrote “The govern­ ment of the US. being desirous of hav­ ing certain portions of the country lately ceded to them by the name of Louisiana explored, the rivers geographically sur­ veyed, it’s extant productions and inhab­ itants made known, you are appointed to perform this service through the extent of” before altering the passage to read as above. 2 Remainder of sentence interlined in Dft. 3 Comma supplied from Dft (end of line in MS). 4 Preceding nine words and ampersand interlined in Dft. 5 In Dft, TJ first wrote “should be no­ ticed” before altering the phrase to read as above. 6 Dft: “longitude & latitude.” 7 In Dft, TJ first wrote “In this way you will proceed to the remotest source of the main stream of the Red river, and thence along the high lands which divide the waters of the Rio Norte, or Bravo, or  Grande, and those running into the Pacific ocean, from those of the Red & Arcansa rivers, ascertaining by the chain

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14 APRIL 1804 & compass (with due corrections of the variation) the courses & extent of the said high lands, to the remotest source of the main stream of the Arcansa, which source, as well as that of the Red river is to be ascertained with the utmost care by mul­ tiplied observations of longitude & lati­ tude, and in descending the Arcansa to it’s mouth” before altering the passage to read as above. 8 In Dft, TJ first wrote “Altho’ you have been directed to ascend” before altering the passage to read as above. 9 Sentence interlined in Dft. 10 Here in Dft TJ canceled “all the wa­ ters & country of.”

 11 Preceding four words interlined in Dft in place of “lands.” 12 In Dft, TJ first wrote “as soon as you return” before altering the passage to read as above. 13 Word interlined in Dft in place of “protectors.” 14 Preceding three words interlined in Dft. 15 In Dft, TJ first wrote “will then re­ turn in the way he shall deem best, with the papers & other effects belonging to the enterprize” before altering the passage to read as above. 16 Word interlined in Dft in place of “charged.”

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 14. 04. I have just recieved a letter from mr Barnes by which I learn he will be in great distress if he does not recieve, by the day he has [fixed] the remittance I had provided for in your hands. be so good as to make it 2500. D. which will be about the amount of the first parcel of tobo. probably and the second parcel will pay your advances for me, and answer other purposes. if you can let mr Barnes hear from you, it will comfort him. accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (MHi); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Notation in SJL: “2500. D. to mr Barnes.”

letter from mr barnes: John Barnes to TJ, 9 Apr.

From Sylvanus Bourne Sir— Amer. Consulate Amster. April 15 1804 Thirteen years residence abroad in foreign Countries having in no degree diminished the affection I bear my own, nor impaired the obligations I owe to its Govt, it is with heartfelt Satisfaction that I have heard of the late acquisition of Louisiana by the U: States, through means equally temperate as they are honorable to the Agents of this important negotiation. It affords indeed a source of laudable triumph to every Liberal & well informed American to reflect that while in Europe & other parts of the World, not even the most trifling aditions of territory are made but with torrents of blood, an extensive  238 

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& flourishing Country has been added to ours thro the medium of Compact & a just equivalent— Permit me therefore Sir to tender you my sincere Congratulations on an event so auspicious to the future Interests & Welfare of the U: States & to hope that while other nations may learn & proffit of the noble example of enlightened policy exbited by our Govt in this transaction, our own Citizens may be found capable of duly improv­ ing the advantages it presents & long enjoy them in social peace & prosperity. In these sentiments & with those of the highest respect I have the honor to be Yr Ob Servt S. Bourne RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 7 July and so recorded in SJL, but as re­ ceived from New York.

residence abroad: Bourne had served in several consular capacities in Hispaniola and Amsterdam since 1790 (jep, 1:49; Vol. 35:402n).

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir New­Orleans 15th. April 1804. A few Days ago, near 300 Spanish Troops were embarked for Pen­ sacula; about 70 Spanish Soldiers are yet in this City & between 12 & 16 officers; the former it is said will be removed in a short time and many of the latter contemplate resigning and settling in Louisiana. The Liberality of Congress in extending Register to Vessels owned by Citizens of Louisiana, has given great satisfaction, & put down one source of discontent. I am sorry to inform you, that the prohibiting the Importation of Slaves into Louisiana, will be viewed by the Citizens as a great Griev­ ance; on this subject much irritation is manifested, and the general opinion seems to be, that the Territory cannot prosper without a great encrease of Negro’s.— I have offered such Reasons against the African Trade, as I thought best calculated to reconcile the Inhabitants to its abolition, and fre­ quently instanced the Horrors of St. Domingo, & reminded them of the just cause for apprehension of similar Horrors in this Province at some future Day:—But the opinion of the Inhabitants remains the same, and nothing will satisfy them on this point, but an uninter­ rupted Trade to Africa, for three or four years. If however Congress in its wisdom, should deny to Louisiana a participation in this unjust & inhuman trafic, the people will I trust, in a short time be convinced of the Justice and policy of the measure.  239 

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With respect to the African Trade, I have greatly to regret the con­ duct of some Americans who are here; they readily fall into the senti­ ments of the Louisianians, and are clamorous in favour of the trafic, & inveigh against a prohibition.— There are many adventurers here from the U. States in search of Wealth & popular favour; among which, there are some, who instead of seeking a permanent good standing by a prudent line of Conduct, aim only at acquiring a temporary eclat, and accommodate their senti­ ments and actions to the prejudices and whims of those of the people, who are most noisy; there are however many others whose Conduct I highly appreciate, and who must eventually hold high Rank in the esti­ mation of good Men.—Of this Class is Doctor John Watkins formerly of Kentucky; He unites to great integrity of character, a well informed Mind, a correct Judgment, and a benevolent, friendly disposition.— Doctor Watkins is now employed in my office, and I find him of great assistance to me; He is well acquainted with the French and Spanish Langauages, and has by his merit (and a marriage into one of the most respectable & numerous families in Louisiana) acquired great influence among the People.—If a Secretary for Louisiana should not have been appointed, permit me the liberty to name Doctor Watkins as meriting your Confidence and qualified for that Office. Some secret attempts have recently been made to urge the Louisi­ anians to Acts of Imprudence and virtue;—A Wicked Incendiary has twice encited this present happy people to Insurrection, and repre­ sented the U. States as a wicked devouring Nation.—The invitation was given in a hand­Bill, which under cover of the Night was posted up at the Market house; the stile of the Writing is such as was used in France during the Revolutionary War, and evinces that these wicked attempts do not originate with any of the Natives of Louisiana.—One of the hand Bills I enclosed to the Secy of State, but another which was taken down from the Market house, early on this Morning, I have not seen.—I attach to these Incidents no importance; they tend only to create some talk here, and may possibly attract more attention in the U. States; But I do not believe that any mischief will arise there­ from, the great Mass of the Louisianians are an amicable people, and I believe well disposed to the U. States; But it is certainly true that Spain has left behind her some friends in Louisiana, & France or rather Bonapart many warm Admirers.— It being uncertain how long I might remain here, and in any event, supposing that I should continue until the fall, I have sent for my family, & expect their arrival in three Weeks.— Accept my best wishes for your health & happiness.  240 

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 With great respect & Esteem I have the honor to subscribe myself your faithful friend Wm. C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 15 May and so recorded in SJL. liberality of congress: a reference to “An Act for laying and collecting du­ ties on imports and tonnage within the territories ceded to the United States,” which among other things extended the privileges of U.S. vessels to anyone who had lived in Louisiana for the previous five years and was willing to take an oath of allegiance to the United States, and to “An Act relating to the recording, regis­ tering and enrolling of ships or vessels in the district of Orleans,” which decreed that ships formerly sailing under a “Span­ ish or French register” and owned by per­ sons residing in the territory at the time

of cession would now be deemed U.S. vessels (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:251­4, 259­60). john watkins was married to Eulalie, the daughter of Zenon Trudeau, former lieutenant governor of upper Louisiana (Jerah Johnson, “Dr. John Watkins, New Orleans’ Lost Mayor,” Louisiana History, 36 [1995], 191­2). In a letter of 8 Apr. to Madison, Clai­ borne enclosed the handbill that had been posted at New Orleans’s marketplace, which consisted of an allegorical poem warning the sheep of Louisiana that the eagle would soon destroy them and prom­ ising that those who would strike a pre­ emptive blow against the aggressor would find support (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:19­20).

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Monticello April 15. 1804. As soon as I possibly could after my arrival here, I prepared the general instructions for our mission up the Arkansa & Red rivers, but could not make a fair copy of them in time for the last post. they are inclosed in the letter to mr Dunbar which I send open for your pe­ rusal, and then to be forwarded to him. it will enable you to see and to supply what is deficient, and to alter whatever on consideration you shall think had better be altered. you will observe I have desired mr Dunbar to supply whatever both of us may leave unprovided & necessary for carrying the object into effect. you will of course retain in the office copies of the inclosed letter & instructions. a letter to myself from Leghorn of Feb. 4. informs me Preble had taken a Tripo­ line vessel & 70. men bound with presents to Constantinople for the Grand Seignior. Accept my affectionate salutations, and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (PHi); at foot of text: “The Secre­ tary at War”; endorsed by Dearborn. PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the War Department with notation “Arkansa mission.” Enclosures: (1) TJ to William Dunbar, 15 Apr. (2) Instructions for Ar­

kansas River and Red River Expedition, 14 Apr. letter to myself from leghorn: Joseph Barnes to TJ, 4 Feb.

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To William Dunbar Dear Sir Monticello. Apr. 15. 04. In my last letter I informed you that I expected Congress would authorise me to take measures for exploring the principal Western waters of the Missisipi & Missouri. this measure was however ne­ glected till near the close of the session, and then very inadequately provided for in a bill on it’s passage, from a want of previous enquiry & consideration of the sum necessary. 3000. D. only were appropri­ ated to that purpose. as this is a very scanty provision, even for a single party, I have concluded to apply it to the most interesting part of the country, the Arkansa & Red rivers. this is exactly the portion, relative to which, from your vicinity to it comparatively with ours, I proposed to ask your aid and superintendance. altho’ time has not permitted me to await your permission, yet, presuming on your attachment to science, & attainments in it, and the dispositions to aid it necessarily flowing from these, I have made out the instructions now inclosed, for the person who is to direct the mission, on the ground of your con­ sent to become our co­operator. a blank is left at the head of the in­ structions for the name of the person, to be filled up by yourself. I had suggested the names of mr Walker of Natchez, & mr Gillespie of N.C. as persons who had been proposed to me as competent to our object. but as both of them are personally known to you, I have thought it best to leave to you to select either, or to reject both, if you are able to insert the name of any one preferable to them. to these will be added by the Secretary at war the general provisions for the execution of this enterprize, referred to in the 2d. paragraph of my instructions, and to both I shall ask the favor of you to add supplementorily, whatever you may deem advantageous, and whatever may be necessary to expedite the mission with the least delay possible, taking such measures, and giving such directions to all persons concerned, as the state of things on the spot may call for, so as to supply in every case the necessity of recurrence to us. such a recurrence would, from our distance, defeat the object for one year, a portion of time we wish not to lose. You will percieve by the instructions that a Doctr. George Hunter of Philadelphia is appointed to go as a coadjutor & successor in case of accident to the principal. his fort is chemistry. in the practical part of that branch of science he has probably no equal in the US. and he is understood to be qualified to take the necessary astronomical obser­ vations. the thing to be guarded against is that an indulgence to his principal qualification may not lead to a degeneracy of our mission to a search for gold and silver mines. these are but an incidental object,  242 

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to be noted if found in their way, as salt, or coal or lime would, but not to be sought after. referring therefore what now remains to be done to your kind assistance, I tender you my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Wil­ liam Dunbar esq.” FC (PHi). Enclosure: Instructions for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition, 14 Apr. Enclosed in TJ to Dearborn, 15 Apr. my last letter: TJ to Dunbar, 13 Mch. blank is left at the head of the instructions: Dunbar inserted the name “Thomas Freeman Esquire” at the head of TJ’s instructions for the expedition.

Dunbar probably made this insertion a considerable time after he received the document. Dearborn did not inform Dun­ bar of Freeman’s appointment to take charge of the Red River expedition until November 1805, and Dunbar did not ac­ knowledge Freeman’s arrival at Natchez until March 1806 (Dearborn to Dunbar, 8 Nov. 1805, in DNA: RG 107, MLS; Dunbar to TJ, 17 Dec. 1805, 18 Mch. 1806).

To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 15. 1804. According to the letter of mr Wagner inclosed in your’s of the 7th. inst. on the subject of the misnomer of the Inspector for Indian town. a commission should have been inclosed, but none came. neither of those letters mention either the real or mistaken name, nor does my memory help me to either, & I have no papers here which can recall the case to my mind. I can only observe generally therefore that if the name given to the Senate was true as far as it went, but defective in an intermediate initial only, I should doubt the necessity of a renomi­ nation to them: because, altho the name is the usual & best means of designating1 a person, yet the law allows it to be supplied where de­ fective, or even corrected where wrong, by any other evidence suffi­ cient to establish the identity. it is probable that circumstances of residence, or of character, or of some other definite mark, would shew that both the Executive & Senate had the same individual in their mind, on whom they meant to bestow the office. however till I know the degree of misnomer, and whether there exists any other person to whom the designation of name & other characteristics would apply, I cannot say what had best be done. I presume the commissions will come in both forms. it may be added that to fill by a temporary com­ mission an office which became vacant during the session of the Sen­ ate, tho’ sometimes done in cases of unavoidable necessity, is yet against the letter of the constitution, and as much an irregularity as to disre­ gard a literal error in a name.  243 

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 I have read with attention your observations on Doctr. Stevens’s case, but have not as yet had time to weigh them fully: primâ facie, I think your outworks stronger than your main citadel. the want of the best evidence which the nature of the case admits, and the illegitimate character of that adduced, are circumstances to which my attention had not been drawn by any thing which had preceded. should they ultimately prove a bar, the case may go off without a decision on the principle which had been in question. tho’ still I think we had better endeavor at some such modification of the principle as, uniting prac­ ticability with legal authority and constitutional safety, may enable us to act in union. W.C.N. called on me two days ago. he had not compleatly made up his mind, and mentioning that he proposed to go to the spot to satisfy himself, expressed a wish that he could recieve the commission there, and accept or decline it according to the judgment he should then have formed. I told him that was impossible because we held ourselves in duty bound to permit the incumbent to resign, which would require probably to the end of May before a new commission could be in his hands. on that consideration, which he approved, he declined his journey, and I told him I would ask the favor of you to take immediate measures to wind up the present commission with as little delay as should be consistent with a resignation. we may therefore now con­ sider his determination as fixed, and awaiting only your movements. A letter from Leghorn of Feb. 4. informs me Preble had taken a Tripoline vessel with 70. men, bound to Constantinople with pres­ ents to the Grand Signior. I wish he had had the boldness to send the presents in a vessel of ours to the grand Signior, as an offering of our respect. perhaps (as they must still exist in form) we should do well to order it now, accompanying them with a letter from the Secretary of state to their minister of foreign affairs. Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). PrC (DLC); at foot of first page in ink: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Notation in SJL: “misnomer Survr. Indian to.—Ste­ vens.—Nicholas v. Davis.” letter of the constitution: for the argument that a temporary commis­ sion should be issued only when the Sen­ ate was in recess, see Vol. 36:433­4.

w.c.n.: Wilson Cary Nicholas, to whom TJ had offered the collectorship at Nor­ folk in place of William Davies (Gallatin to TJ, 19 Apr.). letter from leghorn: Joseph Barnes to TJ, 4 Feb. 1 Word interlined in place of “fixing the identity of.”

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To Albert Gallatin Sir Monticello Apr. 15. 1804. I have this moment recieved by express from the Govr. of Virginia the inclosed letter giving an account of a combination to injure the public by the fabrication & circulation of counterfiet notes of the branch banks of the US. as it alledges a cooperation of a person in trust in Washington, and an explosion of the confederacy will im­ mediately follow the arrests here & in Kentucky, I doubt not you will see the expediency of instantaneous measures to probe the fact of a con[spira]tor at Washington, & to secure him. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Notation in SJL: “forgery bank notes.” Enclosure: John Page to TJ, 12 Apr.

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 15. 04. Your favor of the 9th. was recieved on the 13th. and can only be answered by tomorrow’s post, the ordinary course requiring 9. or 10. days from writing a letter to the reciept of it’s answer. I return you the exequatur unsigned, but have signed a blank paper to submit to your consideration the port which shall be inserted in it. the one filled up with Natchez admits that a consulship for Kentucky cannot be established within that state, but must be in one nearer the sea. I think it a question requiring great consideration whether we ought ever to permit a foreign Consul in interior positions. the sea­ port towns are the only places where they are permitted in Europe. our Consuls general at Paris & Madrid are the only exceptions I know of there, & that at Paris at least, is peculiar to us, no other nation hav­ ing a Consul there. here the only places where they have ever been permitted are Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore &c what may be deemed the ports of first access in the US. even Philadelphia, which seems to be an exception, is in substance the first port made in the Delaware, in practice. in Louisiana I would be more rigorous than any where else, & with the French & Spaniards more than any other nation. I should therefore be for denying a Consul in that river but at the sin­ gle port of N. Orleans. when mr Pichon mentioned to me mr Martel’s Consulship of Kentucky, I told him plainly his residence could only be permitted at N. Orleans; that I thought we might give him an Exequatur for that port. he acquiesced in it, only saying it must be  245 

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our act, not his; & the rather as Laussat expected that place. I told him I thought it a happy occasion of procuring an additional obstacle to Laussat’s coming there, for that I really thought we must object to his residence there in any capacity. he appeared sensible we had rea­ son for this. I leave it to you on these considerations to determine whether the blank should not be made an Exequatur for New Or­ leans, where whether he confines himself to Kentucky cases or not, is no question of ours. I think at the same time we should instruct mr Livingston to enter into candid explanations with mr Taleyrand against Laussat’s appointment there. but mr Livingston, I suppose from an expression in his letter, is coming away in all haste, as he says ‘he does not intend staying there so long as to recieve any new power, or new instructions.’ this is singularly inconsistent with his late let­ ters. on this subject however1 we shall be in time to consult on my return. I cannot blame absolutely his asking the interference of France with Tripoli, & yet I am very sorry for it. I am afraid her mediation may be interposed against the just severities we contemplate, but in consideration of the readiness of the first Consul to interpose, & that he had reason to think we wished it, I cannot but approve of sincere acknolegements to him. at the same time perhaps it might be well he should understand that we wish to make them feel us sensibly before we offer them our peace. in general I am mortified at the consterna­ tion which most of our public agents abroad have manifested at the loss of the Philadelphia. it seems as if they thought on the loss of one frigate, that every thing was lost. this must humble us in the eyes of Europe, and renders it the more indispensable to inflict on Tripoli the same chastisement of which the two most powerful nations of Europe have given the world repeated examples. You will percieve by the inclosed letter from Joseph Barnes, that Preble had taken a Tripoline vessel with 70. men, bound to Constan­ tinople with presents for the Grand Seignieur. as these presents, for want of condemnation, may perhaps remain untouched, I wish to re­ serve for decision on my return, and your consideration in the mean time, whether it does not furnish us a happy occasion of producing favorable dispositions in the Porte towards us, by sending one of our vessels to Constantinople with the presents, as an evidence of our respect for the Grand Seigneur, and with a letter to his Minister of foreign affairs, avoiding at the same time all overtures of any nature whatsoever. it might aid us, if, after bringing Tripoli to terms, we should find it expedient to get on the footing with the porte, on which it appears lately to have placed Prussia. I inclose Barnes’s letter to shew the necessity of silencing the empty babbler, and of making him  246 

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sensible that however praiseworthy may be the volunteering zeal of an individual in cases where the government has fixed the line of ac­ tion, yet that it is equally reprehensible to entangle them by officious overtures with foreign nations where the plan of the government has not been manifested nor it’s views made known. his forwardness & medling disposition are by no means justifiable on any grounds we have furnished him. to whole volumes of his letters for 7. years past, I have never written one single scrip of an answer.   Will you be so good as to have Gibson’s commission as Secretary of Indiana, renewed & sent to him immediately? his present one expires early in May. I can say nothing favorable of my daughter’s situation; not even that she is as well as at the date of my last, because she still weakens. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (DLC: Madison Papers, Rives Col­ lection); at foot of first page: “The Secre­ tary of state.” PrC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Fr. consul Kentucky. Livingston— Tripoli: Jos. Barnes Grand Seigneur. Gibson Secy. Indiana.” Enclosure: Jo­ seph Barnes to TJ, 4 Feb. TJ and Madison signed Paul Marie Louis Martel’s exequatur as commis­ sary of commercial relations for Kentucky on 27 June, but designated New Orleans as his place of residence because no port of foreign entry was named in his commis­ sion (FC in DNA: RG 59, Exequaturs). Pierre Clément laussat did not receive another appointment at New Orleans. In late November 1803 he learned, under an order of secrecy, that the French govern­ ment had directed him to assume the co­ lonial prefecture of Martinique once the transfer of Louisiana was complete. He departed from New Orleans on 21 Apr. (Pierre Clément Laussat, Memoirs of My Life, trans. Sister Agnes­Josephine Pastwa,

ed. Robert D. Rush [Baton Rouge, 1978], 74, 106). sincere acknolegements to him: in his 15 July instructions to John Arm­ strong, the new U.S. minister to France, Madison included the president’s direc­ tions for acknowledging Bonaparte’s in­ terposition on behalf of the American prisoners in Tripoli. Armstrong was to express “the sensibility with which so dis­ tinguished an act of benevolence has been received” and the desire of the United States to reciprocate “those kind and friendly offices” in the future. If Bona­ parte’s intervention secured the voluntary release of the prisoners, then it was to be made known to Yusuf Qaramanli that only the first consul’s favor had restrained the president from employing the “ample” U.S. naval force in the Mediterranean against Tripoli (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:453­4). 1 Word interlined in place of “I suppose.”

From James Madison Dear Sir Washington Apl. 15. 1804. Your favor of the 9th. with its inclosures has been duly recd. and will be duly attended to The inclosed communications from Mr. Merry are as satisfactory as they are important. On the return of them, it will be proper I presume  247 

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to acknowledge the impression made by the promptitude of the inter­ position, and the evidence it affords of a disposition to cherish the amicable relations &c. of the two Countries. From Sr. E. Nepeans letter it seems that the decisions of the British Courts on the law of Nations are prescribed even by the Board of Admiralty. The letter from Skipwith shews as we always supposed that the French Govt. took no particular interest in the application of the fund of 20 Mils: farther than it might affect the sum chargeable on them­ selves. It shews also that Mr. L. had not disclosed at that date the instruction sent him, to suspend & prepare the way for remodifying the payments under the Convention. It appears by his correspon­ dence with the Comissrs. heretofore recd. that he had notified your sanction to his choice as early as the 23 of Decr. and this sanction was conveyed in the same letter with that instruction. The letter from Moses Young is inclosed at his request. He has not yet decided whether he will return to Madrid. Perhaps it may depend on the event of the settlement he makes with the public. Like all other claimants, tho’ represented as a moderate, as well as an honest man, he is for getting all he can within the limits at least of what he thinks not unfair. Nothing has occurred, beyond the information of the newspapers, that deserves to be mentioned. The next mail will probably give the result of the Election in N.H. In Massts, the progress becomes less unfavorable to Sullivan, who will not be left so far behind as his pre­ decessor in the competition with Strong. From N.Y. nothing is heard but general reports on which no dependence can be placed. You will see the indelicate introduction of your name into the contest. Yrs. with respectful attachment James Madison RC (DLC); at head of text: “To the President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 20 Apr. and “Merry—Livingston— Young” and so recorded in SJL. Enclo­ sures: (1) Anthony Merry to Madison, Washington, 12 Apr., enclosing a copy of  a letter from Evan Nepean, secretary of  the Admiralty, to George Hammond, 5 Jan., specifying the relaxation of Brit­ ish blockades of Martinique and Guade­ loupe and a more selective blockade pol­ icy moving forward; Merry trusts that the swift action of the British government in redressing the grievance expressed by the United States will offer evidence of the king’s desire to allay any misunderstand­

ings between the two countries (Madi­ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:37­8). (2) Merry to Madison, 12 Apr., convey­ ing information that the British navy has  converted the siege of Curaçao into a  blockade of the island; Merry assures Madison that the blockade will be con­ ducted along the more limited basis dis­ cussed in his earlier communication (same, 7:38). (3) Fulwar Skipwith to Madison, Paris, 1 Jan., transmitting a statement of claims made under the 1803 convention with France; Skipwith has classified the claims under two “heads, by separating the doubtful from the clear”; he has sent to the commission reports on 107 cases, but can render only speculative assess­

 248 

15 APRIL 1804 ments of 115 remaining cases; he advises that the convention has made appeals difficult for prize claims that otherwise would have had the benefit of the Con­ vention of 1800 and that should have the “particular Solicitude of our Govern­ ment”; he calls into question the approval by Robert R. Livingston of the “Conjec­ tural Note” that has thus far guided ne­ gotiations and excludes many claims from immediate adjudication; Skipwith encloses letters he sent to Livingston, as well as a statement alerting the minister to claims excluded from the approved list; he trusts that the president and “every impartial man” will regret that the money allocated for settling claims will not “be equally divided among” claim­ ants; he adds that he received personal assurance from François Barbé de Mar­ bois that the French government is will­ ing to make modifications to the conven­ tion (same, 6:271­3). Other enclosure not found, but see below. Nepean’s letter to Hammond indicated that policies developed for previously blockaded Caribbean islands had been conveyed to judges of the vice­admiralty courts in the West Indies (asp, Foreign Relations, 3:266). In a letter of 9 Nov. 1803, Madison sent Livingston a specific instruction to delay any determinations on claims and also indicated TJ’s sanction of the American commissioners. Livingston con­

veyed information to the commissioners on the president’s approval in a letter of 23 Dec., but did not inform them of any other instructions. The commissioners enclosed correspondence between them and Livingston in a letter to Madison of 26 Dec. (William Maclure, To the People of the United States [Philadelphia, 1807], 26; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:24­6, 227­8; Livingston to TJ, 11 Jan.). moses young had recently been awarded $2,000 per annum for his past service as secretary to David Humphreys, then the American minister in madrid, where Young also served as consul. He was making a second claim for service per­ formed in Holland during the American Revolution. That claim was not settled until 1810. Young returned to his con­ sular post in 1805 (asp, Claims, 1:307­8; U.S. Statutes at Large, 6:55, 89­90; Na­ tional Intelligencer, 24 Apr. 1805). less unfavorable to sullivan: early returns from 47 towns in the Mas­ sachusetts gubernatorial election reported Caleb Strong, the Federalist incumbent, with a majority of 1,692 votes over his Republican opponent, James Sullivan. In the previous year’s election, the same towns gave Strong a majority of 3,247 votes over Elbridge Gerry. A subsequent statement of returns from 80 towns re­ ported 10,040 votes for Strong and 7,503 for Sullivan (New­England Palladium, 6 Apr. 1804; National Intelligencer, 16 Apr. 1804).

To John Page Sir Monticello April 15. 1804. I have this moment recieved your letter of the 12th. instant giving information of the combination formed for counterfieting & circulat­ ing forged notes of the Branch banks of the United States, and will immediately take such measures, within the limits of the authority of the General government, as may most effectually cooperate with your endeavors to arrest and punish this practice so dangerous to private as well as public interests. with my just acknolegements for this com­ munication Accept my salutations and assurances of great consider­ ation & respect. Th: Jefferson  249 

15 APRIL 1804  RC (Vi); addressed: “John Page esquire Governor of Virginia Richmond”; en­ dorsed by a clerk. PrC (DLC).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington 16th April 1804 I enclose a correspondence with Mr Merry respecting the mode of collecting duties in Canada, and a letter concerning Commodore Whipple which I presume to be the result of some enquiries on your part. The subject of the Louisiana intruders is very delicate. The law will not be in force till October; and the first question is whether the Governors or any other inferior authority of Louisiana had, under the Spanish Govt. the power to remove persons settling on the public lands without leave. Without having any positive knowledge of the fact, I take it for granted that they had. If so it seems better to prevent than to exclude. Power might be given & instructions transmitted to remove immediately all those who would settle on public lands after the date of the proclamation to be issued on the subject: the procla­ mation to give a certain time to all intruders who might have settled between the   Decer. last and the date of the proclamation. With vigilance the officers may be strong enough to drive one by one every person who shall intrude on the land subsequent to the day pro­ claimed; and perhaps they might fail in an attempt to remove those who were intruders previous to that date. Perhaps some discretion might be given to the officers. If the settlements are on the river, a boat going up and down might be useful. The small force of the United States did actually prevent any settlement on the north of the Ohio, except on lands purchased from Congress from 1783 till 1795. From 1783 till 1786 the Indians were not dangerous and repeated attempts were made to settle. A company was kept going up and down the Ohio from the Pennsylvania line down to Cincinnati: they had to burn every cabin; in some instances though not generally they laid down or burnt the fences: the men generally absconded, and the women & children were taken across the river to the next settlement which usually were just opposite. But it was necessary to repeat the operation; and I know persons whose cabins were burnt & settlement destroyed three times. No blood was shed & the perseverance of the troops gained the point. There is, however, here a greater difficulty. In the case I have mentioned every person found north of the Ohio was an intruder and liable to be removed: now it will be more difficult to  250 

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discriminate. At all events, I think that a general proclamation from yourself should precede military expulsion: it would certainly have a powerful effect. Mr Duponceau declines going to Louisiana—Dr. Barnwell will go. With sincere respect & attachment Your obedient Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 23 Apr. and “Merry on duties on the lakes—Louisa. squatters—Whipple” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Gallatin to Anthony Merry, Washington, 5 Apr., transmitting his observations on the com­ plaint of Forsyth, Richardson & Co. of Montreal that collectors in the “Northern Districts” of the United States are charg­ ing higher duties on European goods im­ ported from Canada in violation of the third article of the Jay Treaty; Gallatin states that the practice of the collectors is  in conformity with the collection law regarding the calculation of ad valorem rates of duty and that it is a mistake to suppose that the Jay Treaty obliges col­ lectors “to affix on the same goods, the same value, as well as the same rate of duty on that value”; Gallatin deems this rule “just & necessary” and points out that,

under this means of ascertaining value, merchandise brought from England to Montreal would pay the same amount of duty whether imported from thence into Vermont by inland navigation or into one of the Atlantic ports by sea (Gallatin, Papers, 9:459­61). Other enclosure not found. barnwell will go: Gallatin wrote to Hore Browse Trist on 14 Apr., informing him of William Barnwell’s appointment as director of the marine hospital at New Orleans. Barnwell was to receive an an­ nual salary of $1,000 and would depart from Philadelphia “shortly.” He arrived at New Orleans by early August, but illness prevented him from immediately com­ mencing his duties (Gallatin to Trist, 14 Apr. 1804, William Brown to Gallatin, 1 Sep. 1804, in DNA: RG 56, Correspon­ dence of Secretary of Treasury with Col­ lectors of Customs, New Orleans).

To Gideon Granger Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 16. 1804. Your favor of the 8th. came to hand on the 13th. and will suggest, by the date of your recieving this, a subject of consultation when we meet again. that is to say how to incorporate into your general ar­ rangement such a course between Washington & Charlottesville, as giving 2. posts a week at intervals of 3. & 4. days, shall make the mail pass, viâ Fredericksburg, from the one place to the other between 6. A.M. of the 1st. day & 6. P.M. of the 2d. leaving a night at each place, or a day & 2. nights for answering. in that way a letter might be writ­ ten & it’s answer recieved in 4. days, or 5. days, whereas it is now 9. days & 11. days. Fredericksburg is the best way because it gives the benefit of that establishment so far, and avoids watercourses after­ wards till you get to Milton where there is a boat. such an establish­ ment would give an advantageous outset to the great Western mail,  251 

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and would render any extra provision unnecessary in our autumnal recess. but it’s bearings on the general establishment are such as to call for great consideration. I wish your information as to the N.H. election may be verified; but the latest accounts give reason to apprehend a small majority against Langdon. however his success another year will be certain, & there is hope of a republican legislature this year. In our last conversation you mentioned a Federal scheme afloat of forming a coalition between the federalists and Republicans of what they called the 7. Eastern states. the idea was new to me, and after time for reflection I had no opportunity of conversing with you again. the Federalists know that as nomine, they are gone for ever. their object therefore is how to return into power under some other form. undoubtedly they have but one means, which is to divide the Repub­ licans, join the minority, and barter with them for the cloak of their name. I say, join the minority; because the majority of the Republi­ cans, not needing them, will not buy them. the minority, having no other means of ruling the majority, will give a price for auxiliaries, and that price must be principle. it is true that the federalists, needing their numbers also, must also give price, and principle is the coin which they must pay in. thus a bastard system of federo­republicanism will rise on the ruins of the true principles of our revolution. and when this party is formed, who will constitute the majority of it? which major­ ity is then to dictate? certainly the federalists. thus their proposition of putting themselves into gear with the republican minority, is ex­ actly like Roger Sherman’s proposition to add Connecticut to Rhode island. the idea of forming 7. Eastern states is moreover clearly to form the basis of a separation of the Union. is it possible that real Republicans can be gulled by such a bait? & for what? what do they wish that they have not? federal measures? that is impossible. re­ publican measures? have they them not? can any one deny that in all important questions of principle, republicanism prevails? but do they want that their individual will shall govern the majority? they may purchase the gratification of this unjust wish, for a little time, at a great price; but the federalists must not have the passions of other men, if after getting thus into the seat of power, they suffer themselves to be governed by their minority. this minority may say that when­ ever they relapse into their own principles, they will quit them & draw the seat from under them. they may quit them indeed, but in the mean time all the venal will have become associated with them, & will give them a majority sufficient to keep them in place & to enable them  252 

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to eject the heterogeneous friends by whose aid they got again into power. I cannot believe any portion of real republicans will enter into this trap: and if they do, I do not believe they can carry with them the mass of their states, advancing so steadily as we see them, to an union of principle with their brethren. it will be found in this, as in all other similar cases, that crooked schemes will end by overwhelming their authors & coadjutors in disgrace, and that he alone who walks strait & upright, and who, in matters of opinion, will be contented that oth­ ers should be as free as himself, & acquiesce when his opinion is fairly overruled, will attain his object in the end. and that this may be the conduct of us all, I offer my sincere prayers, as well as those for your health & happiness. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Mr. Granger.”

as nomine: that is, by that name or so called.

To William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 17. 1804. As before you recieve this, you will have seen the act for the gov­ ernment of Louisiana, I need give no account of it. altho’ it is not to come into force ’till Oct. 1. yet it will be necessary for us to have every thing prepared to go into action on that day, and as the legislative council is to be appointed by me, it is necessary I should be informed beforehand who will be the proper persons to be appointed, & our distance from the place makes that a work of time. it should be com­ posed I think of men of integrity, of understanding, of clear property and influence among the people1 well acquainted with the laws, cus­ toms & habits of the country, and drawn from the different parts of the Orleans district in proportion to their population. will you be so good as to take immediate measures for informing yourself in the best manner possible of proper characters, & communicate their names to me, with short sketches of the material outlines of their characters. I think a mere majority should be Americans, & the rest French or Spaniard. Being here for a very short time, I recieved yesterday your letter to mr Madison informing him you had established a bank at N. Orleans under a charter. you could not then have known that Congress passed a law authorising the Bank of the US. to establish a branch there, & by their charter no other bank can be established there under the authority of the general government. your act therefore & charter  253 

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being against this must be a nullity. the Secretary of the treasury has already written to you on this subject; and the Secretary of state will do so officially. this notice by myself is merely private, to induce you immediately to suspend all proceedings, as you will have to revoke it in form on the ground of it’s opposition to the law of Congress. I percieve in the list of directors several names who will probably be on the list of the branch bank. A young man, of the name of Charles Lewis, a nephew of mine, has gone it is said, to New Orleans, against the consent of his parents. I believe he is of age. I pray you to consider as entirely private & confidential, my guarding you against being led to do any thing for him, as a connection of mine. his [conduct?] is too incorrect to give him titles on that ground. lest yourself or mr Trist, from consider­ ations respecting me, should be led into error, I have thought it my duty to put you on your guard, & to pray you to do the same as to mr Trist, both however considering this intimation not to be mentioned as from me. I inclose you another letter from M. Baudin with the same views as the first, & tender you my friendly salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); torn; at foot of first page: “Govr. Claiborne.” Enclosure: see Alex­ andre Baudin to TJ, 14 Feb. your letter: see Gallatin to TJ, 12 Apr. The final section of the 1791 act au­ thorizing the Bank of the United States

barred the general government from chartering any competing banks (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:196; 2:274). For charles lewis, see Vol. 35:346. 1

Preceding five words interlined.

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 17. 04. I recieved yesterday your favor of the 12th. the duties proposed to be levied on us by the Spanish Government at Mobille, require cer­ tainly very serious attention. their bearings on what we had deter­ mined to do at Baton rouge, must come into consideration at the same time. the want of papers here to remind me exactly of the regulations we had established, and the distressing situation of my daughter, dis­ able me from forming any opinion on the subject. I must ask the favor of you to have a consultation with the heads of departments at Wash­ ington, and to do whatever is there concluded on, without waiting any thing further from me. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson  254 

17 APRIL 1804  RC (MHi); signature clipped, supplied from PrC; at foot of text: “The Secretary at War”; notation by Dearborn: “The signature of T. Jefferson cut out to give to a friend.” PrC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “duties at Mobille.”

 whatever is there concluded on: on 24 Apr. Dearborn ordered Choctaw agent Silas Dinsmoor to transport federal property from Fort Stoddert to the trad­ ing post at St. Stephens on the Tombig­ bee River in order to avoid the question of Spanish duties (Dearborn to Dinsmoor, 24 Apr., in DNA: RG 75, LSIA).

To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 17. 04. I recieved yesterday your favor of the 12th. and have this day rec­ ommended to mr Madison to apprise Govr. Claiborne of the nullity of the charter for a bank granted by him, on the ground of it’s being opposed by a law of Congress, and that it should be revoked. I hap­ pened to be writing to Govr. Claiborne on another subject, & infor­ mally stated to him this also, in order to induce him to suspend im­ mediately further proceedings. the extreme situation of my daughter obliges me to add only my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Notation in SJL: “Claiborne’s bank at N.O.”

From Levi Lincoln Dear Sir Washington April 17—1804— By the inclosed, from Mr Russel you will perceive the situation in which he places himself—I have written him no answer. Nothing of importance has ocurred in the city since you left it—The maritime court have closed their enquiries into the conduct of Commodore Morris. The result altho but on a part of his conduct, from a deficiency in the evidence, will undoubtedly prove useful to Govt.—The issue of the elections in NH is not known here, excepting that the change has been very great, in favor of the republicans—The returns from Massachusetts so far as they have reached us, convince me that union & effort among the leading republicans, would soon revolutionize that State—But they act either without concert, or, with it, against each other. The struggle in NY. is violent in the extreme. Nothing can ex­ ceed its heat & outrage on paper—The election over, it is to be hoped they will return to moderation & decency—I have but little doubt of Lewis’s election, yet many Gent here beleive in Burr’s success, &  255 

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such is the cast of many of the letters recd at this place—My confidence is in the people, for I am losing it in some of their leaders— I am Sir with the highest consideration of esteem & respect yours Levi Lincoln RC (DNA: RG 59, RD); at foot of text: “Presidt of the US.”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Russell”; also endorsed by TJ: “Russell declines Consulship Tunis.” Enclosure: probably Jonathan Russell to Lincoln, from Providence, 5 Apr., declin­ ing the appointment as consul at Tunis and offering explanations for his decision;

besides the unpleasant climate and state of society of Tunis, Russell admits that the diplomatic requirements of the post “are much above my talents” (Dft in RPB­JH: Jonathan Russell Papers). conduct of commodore morris: see Robert Smith to TJ, 19 Apr.

From Levi Lincoln Sir Washington April 17th 1804. I have considered the subject of the letter, referred to by your note of the 8th, with which I have been honored. The 3d. Art. of the treaty of cession secures to the Inhabitants of Louisiana, from the Govt. of the U.S. the protection of the ‘free enjoyment of their liberty property & religion.’ The act of the 31st. of Octo last, providing for, the taking possession, and the temporary Govt. of that country, is not to be in force untill the first day of Octo. next. Untill then, the act of the 26th. of march for erecting Louisiana into two territories & providing for their Govt. is to have no operation. The authority exercisable by the Presidt. in that country must therefore be looked for in the first­ mentioned act. The power from thence derived, being a general del­ egation for particular objects, expressed in general terms in respect to the extent of its application, the principles of its limitation, and the mode of its being exerted, must exist in the subject matter, and the special circumstances of the particular case. The restraining expres­ sions in the last act, were it in force, prohibiting the exerise of a power, inconsistent with the constitution could have little, or no prac­ tical meaning, in reference to a country for which this constitution was never made. Executive, or Legislative acts, in reference to Loui­ siana, however different, or the reverse, of what, the laws & the con­ stitution tolerate, enjoin, or forbid, in the United, or the respective States, imply no militancy or inconsistency. The Question is not, what is the extent of the power of the U.S. in the New Territory, as against its inhabitants, or France; That power, appears to me, by the terms of the cession, to be unlimitted, with a saving of the rights of individuals  256 

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to their property & religion. Liberty they had none—Nor can they, at present, claim any under the Constitution of the U.S—The real ques­ tion is, what is the power delegated by law, to the Presidt. of the U.S, & how is it to be executed; as distinguished from that which as1 not been delegated. By the act of the 31st. of Octo. 1803 the Presidt. is authorised to take possession of, and occupy the territories ceded by France to the U.S. and for the purpose & in order to maintain the authority of the United States therein to imploy any part of the army & navy of the U.S. &c— The 2d Sec. of the said act provides, untill a farther provision for the temporary2 Govt. of the territory shall be made, all the mili­ tary, civil, and judicial powers exercised by the officers of the existing Govt. of the same, shall be vested in such person & persons and shall be exercised in such manner as the Presidt. of the U.S. shall direct for maintaining & protecting the inhabitants of Louisiana, and the free enjoyment of their liberty, property, and religion. The powers given by this last paragraph, are more limitted & particular in their objects, than those contained in the first. They have a primary reference to the protection of the inhabitants, & the regulation of their meums & tuums among themselves; are different from the powers given in the preceeding sec: yet are concurrent with them, & do in no degree limit them. Independent of the Presidts. right to exercise the military Powers of the former existing Govt. or exercised by France which is given to him under the 2d Sec. of the 31st of Octo., he is authorised to take possession of and to occupy the territory, and to maintain the author­ ity of the U.S therein. This possession & occupancy, in behalf of the US. & maintaining their authority therein, necessarily implies, such a protection of the rights of the public & extention of its right of pos­ session, or to exclude individuals or companies from the occupancy of lands, to which they have no right, & yet claimed by them under the authority of Spain or France. The general and obvious intent of the law being an immediate & summary redress & prevention of wrongs, & the recovery & establishment of the Govt’s rights in the territory, I can have no doubt of the Presidt.’s authority to cause any part of the lands belonging to the public to be taken possession of, & of course to expel intruders therefrom— If the power is given, another question is, in what manner shall it be executed? The principal means furnishd by the law are military. The instrument thus put into the hands of power, points out the mode of using it. The US. are now in possession not only as sovereigns, but as proprietors, of all the soil not the property of individuals by lawful  257 

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grants. And being thus in possession, their servants may be directed to keep off, or expel wrong doers. Surely the President has the author­ ity to cause any particular part of the territory exclusively belonging to the U.S to be taken the actual possession of, & to be occupied at pleasure by their troops—The very condition of this military occu­ pancy will be the expulsion of squatters— Difficulties may result from an indiscrete use of the military power by the immediate commanders. Its difficult previously to decide on all the cases in which it may act, or the manner of action. It would be desirable that the opposers of the measures of the Govt should be taken & delivered over to civil justice. But they may be obstinate, desperate, combine, and produce bloodshed. The treaty of cession, excepts from its grant of soil, the then existing rights of individuals. There must be some mode of knowing what the public rights, lots, squares, vacant lands & edifices were in the sense of the treaty, as dis­ tinguished from the excepted private property. The arrangement for determing where, and what those were in reference to the mode, is left to the discretion of the US. In doubtful cases, the burden of proof should be with the private claimant, and Govt. be considered as com­ petent to suspend his possession, untill he shall have established his right—This must be correct, as applied to such, who may claim a right to possess, without actual instruments of conveyence, or who may have obtained such instruments since the cession by Spain to France, and which appear, to be such on the face of them. If the deed bears a date prior to the treaty of Ildefonso, will it be safe under the existing laws to presume fraud, or to trust the decision of such a ques­ tion to a military commander? Would it not be best in all suspicious cases of this kind, and in all instances where the public records or documents which have been handed over to the American Govt. shall not authenticate the titles which individuals in actual possession may produce, to leave them to enjoy their existing settlement but to pre­ vent their extention, untill their title can be properly investigated, and even to warn them of the consequences of remaining & making further improvements, unless their rights should be eventually estab­ lished. Such a system with a report of the cases to the Executive with their special circumstances, would probably check the present evils, & may prevent new ones. I can see no objection to the preventing, or removing recent squatters, without titles, in the manner proposed— and also all future entries & possessions under titles of a post­treaty date or otherwise apparently defective on the face of them— Accept Sir assurences of the esteem with which I have the honor to be most respectfully your most obt. Servt. Levi Lincoln  258 

18 APRIL 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); dateline al­ tered from 16 Apr.; at head of text: “The Presidt. of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and “Louisiana Squat­ ters” and so recorded in SJL.

 your note of the 8th: see TJ to Dearborn, 8 Apr. their meums & tuums: that is, their ownership of property. 1 Thus 2 MS:

in MS. “temporay.”

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 17. 04. I recieved yesterday your letter of the 12th. and now return the let­ ters it covered. I recieved also thro’ mr Gallatin, Govr. Claiborne’s information to you that he had chartered a state bank at N. Orleans. as the act of Congress for a bank there, & the Charter of the Bank of the US. renders Claiborne’s charter a nullity, he should revoke it on that ground, as given before information was recieved of the act of Congress. I imagine this notification to him must go officially from you. the extreme situation of my daughter renders me incapable of adding more than my affectionate salutns. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Sec­ retary of State.” Notation in SJL: “Clai­ borne’s bank at N.O.” Enclosures: see Madison to TJ, 12 Apr. extreme situation of my daugh­ ter: Thomas Mann Randolph recounted the somber situation from Monticello on 16 Apr., concluding “we have no longer ground left whereon to build the fond­ est  and most phantastic hope of Mrs. Eppes’ recovery.” Resigned that “her fate is decided,” he added his concern for his father­in­law. “How the President will get over this blow I cannot pronounce: I will not conjecture from my knowledge of the firmness of his mind or the recollec­

tion that he has past forty years in the constant practice of a rigid control over his feelings; for I do not believe his un­ derstanding has strengthened at the ex­ pence of his heart. I can tell you how he bears it now. He passed all last evening with his handkerchief in his hand.” In his financial memoranda for 17 Apr., TJ re­ corded, “This morning between 8 & 9. aclock my dear daughter Maria Eppes died” (Thomas Mann Randolph to Cae­ sar A. Rodney, 16 Apr. 1804, in NjP: Andre De Coppet Collection; mb, 2:1125; Thomas Jefferson’s Prayer Book, ed. John Cook Wyllie [Charlottesville, 1952], plate 11).

From John Freeman Sir [18 Apr. 1804] I am sorye to trubel you with a thing of this kind tho tho I am forced to do it: for I have been foolish anofe to in gage myself to me­ lindors and I was in hops of when i came to Virginia this time to get hir Misstress consent with yours I have got the Consent of hir parence  259 

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Tho I fear the deth of hir mistress: will make us meresibel unless you will be so good as to keep us botch: as to what I spoke to you about some time ago I am verye willing to doe anye thing in reasion I am willing to bound myself by my word to serve you faithful: I have un­ doutlye been treated with a great deal of hospilitie in your familye and you yourself more pertickeler infenaitlye more then i have any reason to expect i am Your humbel Servant John F RC (DLC); undated; at foot of text: “to the presidant”; endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 18 Apr., recorded in SJL as re­ ceived 17 Apr. John Freeman (ca. 1781­1839) had worked for TJ since 1801, hired out as a paid servant by owner William Baker, a  physician in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Described by an observer as “straight and well made,” with a “very pleasing countenance,” Freeman estab­ lished himself as a capable and trusted servant, in charge of the dining room and hall at the President’s House and often accompanying Jefferson or his family on their trips between Washington and Mon­ ticello. In response to Freeman’s plea, TJ paid $400 to purchase him from Baker on 23 July 1804, agreeing to the doctor’s stipulation that Freeman be manumitted in 1815 and adjusting his former monthly pay of $8, plus $2 for drink, to a $4 monthly gratuity. When TJ retired to Monticello in 1809, he sold Freeman’s deed to James Madison. As he had with TJ, Freeman proved himself an able ser­ vant to the Madisons, acting as the family butler and occasional courier. After his manumission, he continued on at the ex­ ecutive residence until at least 1816. The Washington directory of 1827 listed him as a waiter at Gadsby’s Hotel in Alexan­ dria. In 1829, he was hired as a State De­ partment messenger, and in 1830, as a waiter for Secretary of the Treasury Sam­ uel D. Ingham. Freeman owned a home on K Street, a few blocks northwest of the President’s House, and in the 1820s, he purchased his sister­in­law Mary Colbert from TJ’s estate for $50 and then freed her (Dorothy S. Provine, District of Co­ lumbia Free Negro Registers 1821­1861, 2 vols. [Bowie, Md., 1996], 1:140, 209;

Paul Jennings, A Colored Man’s Reminis­ cences of James Madison [Brooklyn, N.Y., 1865], 11; David B. Mattern and Holly C. Shulman, eds., The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison [Charlottesville, 2003], 195, 209; Nicholas Philip Trist to Virginia Randolph Trist, 27 Jan 1829, in NcU: Nicholas Philip Trist Papers, Southern Historical Collection; National Intelligencer, 5 Apr. 1817; S. A. Elliot, The Washington Directory: Showing the Name, Occupation, and Residence, of Each Head of a Family and Person in Business [Washington, D.C., 1827], 33; Elliot, Washington Directory [Washington, D.C., 1830], 12; Lucia Stanton, “Those Who Labor for My Happiness”: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello [Charlottes­ ville, 2012], 168, 339; will of John Free­ man, 10 Aug. 1839, in District of Co­ lumbia Office of Public Records, box 14; mb,  2:1043, 1056, 1137; rs, 1:155­6; Vol. 33:508n, 605; Vol. 37:463; Vol. 39:309­10; Contract of Sale of John Free­ man, 23 July 1804; TJ to John Wayles Eppes, 7 Aug. 1804). melindors: Melinda (Malinda) Col­ bert was born in 1787 to Betty Brown, half sister of Sally Hemings and a long­ time house servant at Monticello. In 1797, Colbert was among the 31 slaves deeded to TJ’s daughter Mary at the time of her marriage to John Wayles Eppes. Shortly after Mary Eppes died, John Eppes con­ sented to John Freeman taking “Melinda for a wife.” TJ, however, refused to buy her, writing to his son­in­law that he al­ ready had too many servants left to idle in Washington when he was away. Eppes sent Colbert to Martha Randolph with instructions that she find employment as  a house servant “in Charlottesville or Milton.” By 1809, she had been manu­ mitted and was living in Washington as

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18 APRIL 1804 Freeman’s wife. A civil ceremony was registered in 1818. TJ’s retirement in 1809, and his intent to relocate Freeman, threatened to separate the couple because Virginia laws prevented Melinda Freeman from living at Monticello permanently without risk to her freedom. A letter from her husband to his master resulted in Freeman’s sale to Madison and allowed him to remain near his family. At that time, the couple had at least two children, and another eight were born by 1831. Melinda Freeman survived her husband by 21 years, living in their two­story brick home on K Street until her death in 1860. Her first name was spelled “Me­

linda” in the 1840 federal census and by the Jefferson and Eppes families, but the 1850 federal census, her 1818 marriage license, her 1831 certificate of freedom, and her husband’s will referred to her as “Malinda” (Provine, District of Columbia Free Negro Registers, 1:209; United States Census Schedules, DNA: RG 29; Betts, Farm Book, 31; Stanton, “Those Who Labor,” 168­9; Vol. 29:549­50; Eppes to TJ, 16 July 1804; Freeman to TJ, 2 Mch. 1809). In his financial memoranda, TJ re­ corded giving John Freeman five dollars on 20 Apr. (mb, 2:1125).

From John Loder, Jr. Sir Sandeston. Sussex County New Jersey 18th of april 1804 That I who am but a private Citizen Should attempt to address a few Lines to one of So eminent Charactor and Station, to one who is the head and ruler of a nation is to me a Considerable task. yet what is more Reasonable than for a Child to Look to his parents for such things as he needs. I therefore in Like manner and with the Same Revrence Look up to you as the parent or head ruler of this nation for what I Concieve to be absolutely necessary. at the early period when the Constitution was formed it was thought necessary to appoint one Representative in Congress for every thirty thousand inhabitants which might perhaps been necessary at that time. but the number of inhabitants has increased so rapidly that there is a much greater number in the house of Congress than is necesary to enact Laws for the united States at this day and the increas will Still be greater for years to Come which will raise the number to a great amount, by Reason whereof the expences has increased and Still are increasing to a much greater degree for the greater the number the Less progress and the greater the expence and whereas it is a principle object in a Republican government to Save all unnecessary expences I therefore request you to take it into Consideration wheither it will not be expe­ dient for you to recommend to Congress to amend that part of the Constitution I Shoud suppose that one half the number that are now in the house would be Sufficient to enact Laws for the united States but perhaps it may be said that the united States have increased in wealth in the Same proportion as it has in number of inhabitants be that as it may I am sure that expence might be saved and the money  261 

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appropriated toward our publick Debt. if then one half the number is Sufficient the other half might be at home improving their farms or employed in their differen occupations which would be much more benefit to the publick then to Live on Six Dollars a day at the publick expence I am with the deepest Sense of gratitude your faith­ ful Subject John Loder Jur. RC (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collection); at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson President of the united States”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 May and so recorded in SJL. John Loder, Jr., of Sandyston Town­ ship, New Jersey, was appointed one of 13 justices for Sussex County in 1818 and became a candidate for the state assembly

the following year (James P. Snell, His­ tory of Sussex and Warren Counties, New Jersey: With Illustrations and Biographi­ cal Sketches of Its Prominent Men and Pi­ oneers [Philadelphia, 1881], 417; Wash­ ington City Weekly Gazette, 8 June 1816; Newark, N.J., Centinel of Freedom, 17 Feb. 1818, 21 Sep. 1819; Morristown, N.J., Palladium of Liberty, 2 Mch. 1820).

From Robert Patterson Sir 18th. Apr. 1804 Understanding [. . .] from the Secretary at War to Dr. Hunter of this [. . .] expedition is fitting out for the purpose of exp[. . .] [. . .] of the rivers &c of Louisiana, I hope it will not be [. . .] as officious in me to recommend to your notice [a ge]ntleman, who I am persuaded would do no dishonour to any appointment which you might think proper to give him, either in this or in any other similar undertaking. The gentleman I allude to is Dr. Jonathan Moore, a son of the late Col. Da[vid] Moore, a distinguished patriot of of N. Jersey—Dr. Moore is [an un]married man, of about 30 years of age, of unblem­ ished character, a skillful surgeon and physician, and has been in that capacity two voyages to the E Indies.—He is well acquainted with the use of such instruments, and with such astronomical calculations, as are necessary to determine the latitude & longitude of places by celestial observation; which he constantly practised while at sea. He has been sundry times employed by a [charitable] institution in this city (The Widows fund) in exploring, making [. . .], & giving de­ scriptions of their lands in some of the back counties of this State, which service he executed in a very able and satisfactory manner— Since his last return from the E. Indies, he has not engaged in the regular [practice] [. . .] but is now settling the estate of lately [. . .]. On mentioning, [. . .], the subject of this present application, I received [. . .] which I take the liberty of enclosing; from which you [. . .] that his services are at your command.—  262 

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 Relying on your goodness to excuse this freedom, I remain, with the most perfect esteem, your obedient servant— Rt Patterson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); damaged; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and “[Moore Jon]athan to explore Louisa.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Jon­ athan Moore to Patterson, 14 Apr., reply­ ing to Patterson’s letter of 6 Apr. and de­

claring that the exploration of Louisiana has been “a favourite object with me”; if Patterson is willing to recommend him to the president, Moore would be “pleased with the Appointment” (same).

From Pierce Butler Dear Sir Philada. April 19th. 1804 It is said here that you purpose to remove the Naval Agent or Pur­ veyor of this City. Should the report be correct I recommend to you Doctor James Mease to succeed the Naval Agent. I do believe that Doctor Mease is equal to discharge the duties of the office. If any Security is required he can give it. I have the honor to be with great consideration Dear Sir yr. Most Obedt. Servt. P.B. FC in Lb (PHi: Pierce Butler Letterbooks, 1787­1822); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esqr.” Recorded in SJL as received 27 Apr. and “James Mease to be Navy Agent Phila.”

From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington April 19th. 1804 I have been duly honoured with your letter of the 15th. inst. to­ gether with the letter to Mr. Dunbar and the instructions for explor­ ing the interior of Louisiana, concerning which, your directions will receive prompt attention. There is reason for believing that the result of New Hampshire election will be more favourable than our most sanguine friends had contemplated, that the Legislature will be republican is I believe be­ yond a doubt, and the election of Mr. Langdon is at least probable.— from the accounts received from Massachusetts it appears that Mr. Sullivan will run much closer to Mr. Strong than Mr. Garry ever did.—In New York I fear the indiscretion of a few individuals, on the one part, and the duplicity intrigue industry & falshood on the other, has placed the election of that State in a hazardous situation. I cannot yet believe that mere intrigue and management can succeed, but the  263 

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friends of Mr. B. appear to be very sanguine, and the sound republi­ cans are allarmed. with the highest respect I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn P.S. it would afford myself & family great pleasure to hear that Mrs. Epes is on the recovery. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 23 Apr. and “Arkansa mission—news” and so recorded in SJL.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington 19 Ap. 1804 I have received this moment your two letters of the 15th instt., and immediately sent Govr.’s Page letter to the President of the office of disct. & deposit here, and a copy to the President of the Bank at Philada.—They understand the manner in which the business is car­ ried on within the Bank & its offices, and will take the best steps to ascertain the facts. On the subject of the collectorship at Norfolk, no previous move­ ment here, nor time is wanted for winding up Mr Davies’s business; but, on being informed of Mr W. C. Nicholas’s intention to accept, I will at once write to Mr Davies that he may resign, and to Mr Nicho­ las the time when he may repair to Norfolk. Until I hear from him or from you I will continue silent. The commissions for Indiantown may remain till you re­ turn.   Mr Lomax declines going to Natchez. I will enquire but not appoint any person till your return. With sincere respect your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 23 Apr. and “Logwood’s forgeries—Davies & W.C.N.—Indian town.—Lomax” and so recorded in SJL. In 1801, Joseph Carleton was elected president of the office of Discount and Deposit, the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States, and an 1803 report on the election of the bank’s directors listed Carleton first among the 13 men chosen. In a letter of 29 June to Thomas Willing, president of the national bank, Gallatin implied that previous com­ munications concerning the ring of coun­

terfeiters suggested that the conspirators had likely fabricated ties to employees of the Bank of the United States. It “has been usual with the members of the com­ bination,” Gallatin wrote, “to pretend . . . that their connections with Officers of the Bank . . . would secure them against the danger of discovery.” He also requested help from Willing in the ongoing efforts to find “legal evidence” against conspir­ ators in North Carolina, a possibility mentioned in John Page’s letter of 12 Apr. (Philadelphia Gazette, 28 Nov. 1801; Washington Federalist, 7 Feb. 1803; Gal­ latin, Papers, 9:798).

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From James Garrard Sir Kentucky Frankfort April 19th. 1804 Being informed that part of Loisiana for its better government, will be divided into districts to be governed by a military officer, to be ap­ proved and appointed by your self; I will take the liberty of naming for a commandant of one of these districts Majr. John Hunter of this place. I have been intimately acquainted with Majr. Hunter for three years past in which time he has been imployed in an office of impor­ tance under this government, which he has discharged with fidelity and very general Approbation he is a man of good information and experiance in the military line; he is a man of uncommon dilligence and perseverance, and from my own knowledge of him can say he has my confidence as a man & publick officer, and if he should be so happy as to meet with your approbation to an appointment to the command of one of these districts, I have very little doubt but he will merit your confidence by a faithfull discharge of the duties of the office. with perfect respect I am Yr Most Obt Servt. James Garrard RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL with notation “John Hunter to be Commdt. Louis[a].”

From Étienne Lemaire Monsieur, Washington Sity 19 avril, 1804 Jé lhonneur de vous Saluer Et vôtre Respectable famille. Jespaire que la presente vous troúve une éureûse Sentez Ces ce que Je desire,— Je Recûe plusieur article Entr’aute Le Sidre, que je mi En Boutteille Bien, ficellé Et mi Entere a Vecque due gravié, il, Sera Bien exelleant Et d’une Belle Couleur;—Ébrenne a quiter vôtre Service ver, le 15. due Coureant pour aler abord une fregate. Croÿant mïeux fair, Cettoit un paûvre Suget,—Wilam de pui l’apsence de m’onsieur est tougour de or. Cela est Bien Redicul, que qu’ante des famille, Etranger, pâsse Et qu’il dimande a visiter la maison, D’ue president que Rarement le portiez Si trouve—ille Me Repond for, m’al, qu’ante je lui, fait quelque reproch Je voudroit être exant de ne me j’amais leur en faire aûcûne Mes Ces inpôssible—le frere de daugherty Se proposse D’e Ren­ placer, ÉBrenne, il, m’a l’air Bien N’aufes mais Cependent avec, la Bonne volontez il, promet de fair Ce qu’il pourra. Je le Croit un Bon garcon Bien, tranqu’il, Et honnête. toute la famille Se porte Bien,— Monsieur je vous prie de recevoir Mes Respecque a Sai dâmes, Et  265 

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mesieurs je fini avec Sincer atachemente, votre tres, afectionné, Ser­ viteur Et Lemaire e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Dear Sir, Washington, 19 Apr. 1804 I have the honor of greeting you and your esteemed family. I hope this let­ ter finds you in good health; that is my wish for you. I have received several goods, including the cider, which I bottled, securely tied, and placed in rocky soil. It will be excellent, with a fine color. Abraham resigned around the 15th of the month to board a frigate, thinking this would be better for him. He was a mediocre worker. Since you left, William is always out. It is preposterous that when families come and ask to visit the President’s House, the porter is rarely there. He answers rudely when I criticize him. I would prefer not to have to criticize the staff, but that is not possible. Dougherty’s brother has asked to replace Abraham. He seems a little slow­witted to me, but is full of good will and promises to do what he can. I think he is a nice lad, good, calm, and honest. The family is in good health. Please accept, Sir, my respect for those around you. I conclude with my sincere attachment. Your devoted servant, Et Lemaire RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Lemaire bottled eight barrels of New Jersey cider (sidre); see TJ to John Con­ dit, 14 Apr., and Barnes to TJ, 20 Apr. ébrenne: Abraham Golden had re­ ceived $12 per month in wages plus a $2 drink allowance. He was replaced in September by John Pernier. William Fitz­

james, hired by Lemaire in 1802, re­ mained on the President’s House staff until 1807. Coachman Joseph Dough­ erty’s brother Robert was hired in 1807 after Pernier left to work for Meriwether Lewis (Lucia Stanton, “‘A Well­Ordered Household’: Domestic Servants in Jeffer­ son’s White House,” White House His­ tory, 17 [Winter 2006], 6, 8, 21, 23n; mb, 2:1118, 1137; Vol. 37:492).

From James Madison Dear Sir Washington April 19. 1804. The Mail of last evening brought me your favor of the 15th. with the papers sent back with it. I shall forbear using your Blank for an ex­ equatur till I can again confer with Mr. Pichon who is at Baltimore. The sending on the intercepted presents to the Porte would cer­ tainly be a handsome & politic expression of respect for the Grand Seignor, who otherwise may be thrown by his displeasure into an unseasonable patronage of Tripoli. It is even to be wished that Preble may have thought1 of and undertaken the measure himself. The impression made on our public agents abroad by the loss of the Philada. and the2 effect they give to it are both remarkable. So  266 

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extravagant a solicitude tends not only to sink us in the eyes of the European Govts. but may excite calculations in the Bashaw which will in some measure balance the advantage of the friendly interposi­ tions with him. The Communication from our Consul at St. Peters­ burg on this subject now inclosed, is more remarkable than any thing that has occurred, not so much for the proceeding of the Consul, as for the result of it; which is to be explained only by an uncommon character in the Emperor Alexander, and some particular interest he has been led to take in the career of the U. States. It reminds me of his education by la Harpe, and of some communications thro’ Dr. Priestly which you once shewed me, but which my memory does not distinctly retrace. It certainly will be proper to make the acknowledg­ ment due thro’ some more respectful channel than instructions to the Consul. Whether any thing beyond a letter from the Dept. of State here to the Russian Minister be recommended by the occasion, will depend on circumstances which you can much better appreciate. Barnes may receive the proper check by the oppy. which will be afforded by the Adams. Mr. Lincoln has recd a letter from Russel which he will forward to you. The lengthy communications for Mr. L. Mr. P. and Mr. Monroe, with the resources required for them, & other business of the office have prevented me from taking up the case of Doctr. Stephens, and the intrusions west of the Mississippi. With respect to the latter, it does not at first view strike me that any doubt or objection can lie agst. a military expulsion, if authorized by law, as is presumed,3 and in cases sufficiently clear. The only question that occurs is how far the officer should be allowed to decide an antedate to be a forgery; unless indeed records in his possession should disclose it. With respectful attachment Yrs. James Madison RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as  received from the State Department on  23 Apr. and “Consul of Kentucky.— Grand Seignr.—Tripoli.—Emperor Rus­ sia Barnes—Russell—Louisa. squatters” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Lev­ ett Harris to Madison, St. Petersburg, Russia, 7 Feb., enclosing copies of his correspondence with the Russian foreign minister, Count Aleksandr Romanovich Vorontsov, regarding the American pris­ oners at Tripoli; when news of the loss of the Philadelphia had been authenticated, Harris immediately contacted Vorontsov to solicit Emperor Alexander’s assistance;

in response, Vorontsov informed Harris that Alexander, guided by his friendly disposition toward the United States, di­ rected the Russian minister at Constanti­ nople to urge the Ottoman Porte to send a firman to the bey of Tripoli ordering the release of the American crew and the Philadelphia; Harris has acknowledged the emperor’s magnanimous action, which he is certain will arouse feelings of grati­ tude and obligation in America; Harris will send copies of one of Vorontsov’s let­ ters to the American ministers in Europe, the commander of the American naval squadron, and the American consuls in the Mediterranean (DNA: RG 59, CD,

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19 APRIL 1804 St. Petersburg; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:453­4; Nina N. Bashkina and others, eds., The United States and Russia: The Beginning of Relations, 1765­ 1815 [Washington, D.C., 1980], 391­3). confer with mr. pichon: writing on 23 June, Madison informed Louis André Pichon that the president would find it more agreeable to have Paul Marie Louis Martel’s exequatur fix his residence at New Orleans rather than Natchez. Pichon agreed to the substitution three days later, and Martel’s exequatur as the French commissary of commercial relations for Kentucky, to reside at New Orleans, went into effect on 27 June (Madison, Papers,

Sec. of State Ser., 7:355, 377; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 27 Oct. 1804). For the influence of educator Frédéric César de la harpe on Alexander I of Russia, as described in communica­ tions sent to Joseph Priestley, see Vol. 38:550­64, 598­600. the adams: the frigate John Adams was preparing for sea as a transport to carry supplies to the Mediterranean squad­ ron (ndbw, 3:356­7; 4:54, 88). 1

MS: “though.” Madison here canceled “stile in which they convey it.” 3 Madison here canceled “to be the case.” 2

From Robert Smith Sir Navy Department 19th April 1804 I have the honor herewith to transmit to you, for your consider­ ation, a copy of the opinion on the conduct of Capt. Richd. V. Morris, formed & pronounced by the Court of Enquiry instituted agreeably to your directions for that special purpose I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, yr mo: ob: st Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and “Morris’s case” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Enclosure: opinion of the court of enquiry, 13 Apr., appointed to exam­ ine the conduct of Richard Valentine Mor­ ris as commander of the Mediterranean squadron from January to June 1803; in the opinion of the court, Morris failed to conduct himself during this period “with the diligence or activity necessary to exe­ cute the important duties of his station” and “is censurable for his inactive and dilatory conduct of the squadron under his command”; the frequent and lengthy

detention of Morris’s squadron at Malta and Gibraltar, and its sailing to Tunis and other Mediterranean ports “without ne­ cessity or any adequate object,” had left Tripoli unblockaded and American com­ merce unprotected (Defence of the Conduct of Commodore Morris during His Com­ mand in the Mediterranean [New York, 1804], 11­13; ndbw, 2:528­9). In March 1804, Smith called the court of enquiry to discern the reasons for Morris’s “disobedience and neglect.” Con­ sisting of Samuel Barron, Hugh G. Camp­ bell, and John Cassin, the court convened in Washington on 3 Apr. (ndbw, 2:527­8; 3:484­5).

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From John Barnes Sir George Town 20th April 1804. I am this Instant Honor’d with your Esteemed favr 14th. Accept Sir my sincere thanks for the very favorable supply remittance, via Mr Jefferson at Richmond. the result of which I have to hope will not have pressed him to any material disadvantage or inconvenience in his Tobo. a/ Sales &c.— a moiety of which, at lest a $1000. of it, I lately advised Messrs. G. & J. to invest on my Account, in subscribing for forty Bank Shares— the 8 bbs. Cyder Arrived last week, and Mr Dunn paid for them— $12  bb: exclusive of freight and holeage Mr L’Maire was busily employed on Saturday in Bottling—have this moment sent him a Note to designate the bbs. mark’d Rcd, (if not too late)—the several packages &c. expected from N York, Philada. & Baltimore shall have due Attention paid to them— I am indeed much concern’d to learn Mrs Eppes continues so low. as the fine warm season Approaches, it is to be hoped Mrs Eppes will gradualy regain her strength & spirits so ardently wished & pray’d for by the best of parents, Relatives & friends, whose happiness is so immediately concentered in Her Welfare— with great Respect & Esteem I am Sir your very Obedt: Hble Servt: John Barnes RC (ViU: Edgehill­Randolph Papers); at foot of text: “The President of the U States—at Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. esteemed favr: a letter of 14 Apr. to Barnes is recorded in SJL but has not

been found. See, however, TJ’s letter of that day to George jefferson. several packages: probably some expected shipments of foodstuffs via New York, vine cuttings and fruit stones via Philadelphia, and Italian wine via Balti­ more (Thomas Appleton to TJ, 20 Jan.; Philip Mazzei to TJ, 27 Jan.; Thomas Storm to TJ, 28 Mch.).

From John Brown Sir— Frankfort 20th. April 1804 You probably may recollect that previous to my leaving Washing­ ton I spoke to you in favor of Major John Hunter of this place who wished to obtain the appointment of Commandant of a Post in upper Louisiana. Since my return home Maj’r Hunter has since renewed his applications to me on that subject & informs that it will be per­ fectly agreeable to him to be transferred to the Army at the expiration  269 

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of his Services in Louisiana should he be honored with an Appoint­ ment. He would prefer a situation high up the Missouri, & will be contented with the rank & emoluments of a Major but would not ac­ cept of less. Having resided for some time in Louisiana he possesses some Knowledge of customs, manners, & habits of the People of that Country, & being a man of conciliatory manners Strict integrity, & great attention to Business I think him well qualified to fill the Office he solicits.— Since the rejection of the Bill providing for the division of the In­ diana Territory Mr. Toulmin has directed his views to the Mississipi Territory & is now very anxious to obtain the appointment of addi­ tional Judge for that Territory should that office be still vacant. At his request I take the liberty to state his wishes to you & in Justice to his merit will Just observe that I really think him well qualified for that appointment— This portion of the Union enjoys at present a state of uninterupted peace & tranquility. We have the greatest abundance of the necessar­ ies of Life for home consumption but very little to spare for expor­ tation; a great part of the last Crop of Wheat having been distroyed by the Weevil. Eight or ten Vessels ready for Sea are now lying at the rapids of the Ohio waiting for a rise of the Water to enable them to descend the River—One of them a Ship of about 350 tons built at Pittsburg. I am with the greatest respect Sir Your very Humble Sert. J. Brown RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 7 May and “Hunter Toulmin} for office” and so recorded in SJL. On 6 Dec. 1803, the Senate passed a bill providing for the division of the indiana territory into two sepa­ rate governments, which proposed the formation of a new territory from the land lying north of a line running from the southernmost extreme of Lake Michigan east to Lake Erie and west to the Missis­ sippi River. Two days later the House of Representatives referred the bill to a select committee, which issued an unfavorable report on 30 Dec. The House rejected the bill on 21 Feb. (printed bill, 4 Nov.,

Shaw­Shoemaker, No. 5259; js, 3:306, 321; jhr, 4:481, 506, 590­1; Annals, 13:1040­2; Terr. Papers, 7:163­4; 10:5­7). Harry toulmin had expressed his willingness to accept an appointment in the proposed “territory on the lakes” in a letter dated 9 Dec. 1803 from Frankfort, Kentucky, to an unidentified recipient, although he would prefer a position in either Louisiana or Florida (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Toul­ man. appmt Detroit”). Toulmin commu­ nicated similar sentiments to Madison in a letter dated 20 Dec. from Frankfort, adding that he was interested in a com­ mission to explore Louisiana if no other appointment was forthcoming (same; en­ dorsed by TJ: “Toulmin Harry for appmt Detroit”).

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From James Garrard Sir, Frankfort April 20th. 1804— It is sometime past since I did myself the honour of addressing you in favor of Mr. Harry Toulmin, the present Secretary of State for Kentucky, soliciting his appointment to some respectable Office in one of the newly erected Territories, either in Louisiana or on the Lakes. At that time I had no expectation of troubling you again on the same subject, for I then said of Mr. Toulmin, what in justice I ought to say of him at all times, that he is a Man of Talents and In­ tegrity, and that he merits public confidence. Mr. Toulmin is prepar­ ing to remove either to Louisiana, or to the Mississippi Territory; and as I have just received a Letter from him, stating his particular wish, as well as his hopes, I am induced once more to mention his name to you, as a person worthy to fill some office under the govern­ ment of the United States, that requires talents and respectability to fill: and that you may be acquainted with Mr. Toulmins particular views I send herewith his Letter directed to me. I am fully persuaded that any confidence which you may be pleased to place in Mr. Toul­ min will not be abused, and that the duties of any office you may think proper to confer on him will be discharged with promptness, fidelity and correctness. Accept Sir, the expressions of my perfect respect, James Garrard RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Garrard; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esqr. P.U.S.”; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 7 May and “Toulmin judge Misipi tery.” and so re­ corded in SJL. Enclosure: Harry Toul­ min to Garrard, 19 Apr. from Frankfort, Kentucky, expressing his unwillingness to again trouble the president; but, ob­ serving that Congress has made provi­ sion for the appointment of an additional judge in Mississippi Territory, he is em­ boldened to offer himself for the office; Toulmin assumes the remote location of the office may reduce the number of ap­ plicants; if Toulmin is unable to secure “any permanent office of importance,” he is willing to accept an appointment to ex­ plore the Red and Arkansas Rivers; Toul­ min trusts that Garrard will inform the president that he has fulfilled the duties of

his current station with fidelity; he notes that even in the worst of times he has been an open advocate of the republican cause (same). honour of addressing you: Gar­ rard to TJ, 4 Nov. 1803. Writing to Madison on 1 May, harry toulmin enclosed recommendations from John Breckinridge and Caleb Wallace and conveyed his interest in an appoint­ ment as “judge in the Tombigbee settle­ ment.” He also reiterated his earlier will­ ingness to undertake an exploration of Louisiana “if no one more suitable should come forward” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Toulmin Harry to mr Madison to be judge of Tom­ bigby”; see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:92­3, 128­9).

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From John Hollins Sir Balto. 20th: April 1804 Being informed that R. Etting Esqr the present Marshal is about to resign, I use the freedom to address a few lines in favor of a very deserving & worthy Citizen—Major Thos. Rutter,—I shall only add that I am fully convinced upon enquiry you will find this Gentleman worthy of the Appointment, & shd. he be so fortunate as to get it, I shall feel very happy I have the Honor to be Sir yr. mo. obdt Jno. Hollins RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thos Jefferson Esqe President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and “Rutter Thos. to be Marshl. Maryld. v. R. Etting. resd.” and so re­ corded in SJL. In a letter of 22 Apr., Reuben etting informed James Madison that due to the low pay of the office, he was resigning as

marshal of the Maryland district and would be moving to Philadelphia “in the ensuing month.” Thomas rutter re­ ceived a recess appointment as marshal on 29 May and was subsequently con­ firmed by the Senate (RC in DNA: RG 59, RD, endorsed by TJ: “Etting Reuben to mr Madison resigns office of Marshal of Maryld”; jep, 1:473­4; Memorandum on Appointments, 29 May).

From Ephraim Kirby Sir, Fort Stoddert April 20th. 1804 I presume I need offer no apology, for taking the liberty to com­ municate to the chief executive magistrate of the United States, such circumstances respecting this remote and secluded district, as are supposed not to be fully known at the seat of government. The people inhabiting this section of the Mississippi Territory, are peculiarly cut off, from all communication with other parts of the United States.—It is about as easy, to pass by land from hence, to Georgia, as to Natchez. In either case, the traveller must go through several hundred miles of wilderness, possessed by savages, and be compelled to encamp in the woods, and swim unfordable streams.— It follows that these people can have no commercial intercourse with any part of the world, but by descending the River, and gaining the Ocean, through the Bay of Mobile.—This pass is commanded by the Spanish government of West Florida.—By recent orders, no article, whether it be the produce of the country, or of foreign production or manufacture is permitted to go by the post of Mobile, either to or from this country, without paying twelve per centum, on its value, as estimated by the Spanish Officers of the revenue. An exaction so ex­ orbitant and unreasonable, amounts in effect to a prohibition of exports  272 

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or imports of every description.—Thus situated the condition of these people is truely distressing. A strong American settlement on this river, will afford an excellent barrier, against the approach of a foreign enemy at the southwestern point of our territories. Upon any emergency, succour might be thrown into New Orleans, with more ease from this place, than any other, particularly if the Bay of Mobile, should be at command. So long as these people continue in their present insulated condition, it cannot be expected that they will possess that degree of moral or political vir­ tue, which is essential to the existence of a free government.—Indeed, they will naturally become a banditti, fugitives from justice, and dis­ turbers, of the peace, of our frontiers. Hence, it becomes a matter of primary importance to our government, that such a degree of protec­ tion and encouragement should be extended to this quarter, as will lead to industrious habits, increase of population, and the introduc­ tion of regular society.— Another grievance of a serious nature to these people, ought not to be forgotten. The inhabitants on the west bank of the Tombigbie River, have for more than seventeen years past, been permitted to cultivate and raise their crops on the east side.—This practice is said to have commenced under Spanish permissions, warrants or orders of survey, and to have continued without interruption, until a principal part of the cultivation of the whole county is now effected in this man­ ner. By a treaty made at Fort Adams on the 17th. of October 1802, these lands have been confirmed to the Choctaw nation of Indians, who have lately refused to the inhabitants, the indulgence heretofore granted.—Many of the best planters have not other lands in cultiva­ tion, sufficient to subsist their families and negroes. For a time the county seemed to be threatened with famine.—Permission, has how­ ever been eventually obtained to cultivate during the present season only, upon payment of a stipulated rent. The lands on the east side of the River are fertile, not subject to in­ undation, and in all respects suitable for the most extensive operations of husbandry. From the best information I can obtain, the native right may be extinguished (with mutual advantage) to all the land lying on the east or left bank of the Tombigbie River, beginning directly op­ posite the mouth of Sintee Bogue or Snake Creek, thence in a straight line until it strikes the ridge of land which divides the waters of the Tombigbie from the Alabama; and thence with this ridge of land until it intersects a line established by General Wilkinson in the year 1803. A valuable population in this country can hardly be expected until the United States are possessed of this tract. As it embraces no Indian  273 

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settlement, and the game principally driven off & no longer useful for hunting ground, it is presumed that the Indian proprietors will read­ ily listen to reasonable terms for the extinguishment of their right. The present situation of the inhabitants of this district is in every respect so distressing as to invite the early attention of the gov­ ernment.— The proceedings of the Spanish government at Mobile have been such as to render it necessary for Mr. Chambers to descend the River with the public property collected at the Choctaw trading house—The irritated state of the public mind in this vicinity, as well as a due re­ spect to the important rights of the United States induced him to enter an official protest against those proceedings—He has been pleased to transmit to me a copy of his doings, with a request that I would com­ municate it to the President of the United States.—It is enclosed to­ gether with his letter on the same subject.— Being uncertain as to the safety of the conveyance of my letter of the 7th. instant I have enclosed a copy, and am, with great respect Your Obedt. Servt Ephm Kirby RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 7 Apr. received 11 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Dupl of Kirby to TJ, 7 Apr. Other enclosure not found, but see below. by recent orders: see Dearborn to TJ, 12 Apr.

treaty made at fort adams: see TJ to the Senate, 7 Jan. 1803. Joseph chambers issued a formal pro­ test against the Spanish duty upon fed­ eral property passing through the port of Mobile on 13 Apr. (asp, Foreign Rela­ tions, 2:679; Dearborn to TJ, 12 Apr.).

James Madison’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim Case of Doctr. Stephens Dr. S. went in the year 1799 to St. Domingo under a Consular ap­ pointment, with additional services to be performed of a nature not consular. For expences incurred in this Mission he claims reimburse­ ment, on the ground of a promise from the Executive, on the faith of which he undertook the Mission. 1. Is the claim legally allowable, particularly from the fund appro­ priated to intercourse with foreign nations? 2. Is the contract sufficiently proved? 3. Are the expenditures supported by admissible vouchers?  274 

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 The first question is to be decided by the scope of the laws relating generally to intercourse with foreign nations, and of those relating particularly to intercourse with St. Domingo. The general Act of Congress in force at the time when Dr. S. was sent to St. Domingo, pursuing the tenor of a temporary act which had been regularly continued from the original act passed in the year 1794.   appropriated 40,000 dollars annually for the support of such persons as the President should commission to serve in foreign parts, and for the expence incident to the business in which they might be employed, under certain limits to the compensations allowable for all personal services and expences to Ministers Plenipotentiary Char­ gés and the Secretaries of the former; with a further appropriation of 25,650 dollrs. for defraying the expences of intercourse between the U.S. and foreign nations, during the current year viz. 1798. The act further provided that all monies issued for the purposes of intercourse or Treaty with foreign nations, in pursuance of any law, should be annually accounted for, as the President might decide1 ei­ ther specifically, or by a certificate of the amount of the expenditures from the President, or with his sanction from the Secretary of State. The authority here given to the President, for maintaining inter­ course with foreign nations, is conveyed to him by the appropriation of money to the support of such persons as he should commission to serve the U.S. in foreign parts, and to the expence incident to the busi­ ness committed to them. The guards provided against the abuse of that authority consist 1. of the limitation of the entire sum. 2. of that of compensations to particular classes of agents in foreign parts, to whose support the greater part of the fund was likely to be applied, and whose measure of compensation would be a guide to that of oth­ ers. The rule laid down for the settlement of the accounts, in permit­ ting a Certificate of the President, or the Secretary of State, to take the place of a specification & verification of the expenditures was an enlargement of the Executive Authority If the appropriation had been made without limiting the compen­ sations to Plenipotentiaries, Chargés and their Secretaries, the Presi­ dent might have regulated them as he pleased2 within the general limit of the appropriation. He might consequently allow to other Agents serving in foreign parts, whatever compensations he pleased within that general limit: unless it could be said that the authority to give compensations in those particular cases was derived not from the ap­ propriation itself, but from the proviso limiting their amount; which proviso gave the authority by implication. This however can not be  275 

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said 1. because the fairer implication from the proviso is that without it, Ministers Plenipotentiary, Chargés & Secretaries might have re­ ceived higher than the limited compensation. 2. because the Presi­ dent could not under a construction deriving the power merely from the proviso, have ever employed any other grades of Legation; which could the less have been meant by Congress, as they are not only ex­ pressly authorized by the Constitution, but one other grade, that of Resident, was at the time serving the U. States in foreign parts, and must have been known to be so by Congress. Nor can it be said that the appropriation is limited to Foreign Agences specified in the Constitution or authorized by law. For, under that construction, besides that it would be an assumed, not a necessary one, and that the agency of Dr. S. in his Consular capacity was known both to the Constitution & to the law, the President, whilst more money was often appropriated to foreign intercourse than was likely to be required for such agences, would have been without authority to apply any part of it for any other purpose of foreign inter­ course, and would consequently be under restrictions equally incon­ sistent with the public interest & the presumable intention of the Leg­ islature. It must have been known also, that the provisions in the same words in former Acts, have in practice, been otherwise understood. It appears to have been decided by practice also, that the term “Commissioned” by the President was not to be taken in the techni­ cal sense of an appointment with the sanction of the Senate and under the seal of the U.S.; but as applicable to persons authorized by the President in any form to serve the U. States in foreign parts.3 e.g. John Q. Adams’ mission to London. He went under the authority only of a letter from the Secretary of State, to receive the British Ratification in exchange for that of the U.S. and was allowed his ex­ pences, in addition to his salary as Minister at the Hague In the case of Dr. S. then, a promise of reimbursement, whether made to him in his consular capacity or as charged with services not consular, must be considered as within the Executive authority. If made to him as Consul it was made to a functionary recognized in the Constitution & the law, as well as appointed and commissioned in due form; and litterally4 within the Act making appropriation for the support of such persons as the President should commission to serve the U.S. in foreign parts. The allowance of certain fees to Consuls would not, invalidate such a promise; in as much as the law has not declared that no other allowance should be made, as declared in the case of Plenipos: Chargés &c, and in as much as it has been the prac­ tice to re­imburse even to these functionaries expences incurred in  276 

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official, tho’ in other than ordinary services. If the promise was made to him as charged with services not Consular, it was within the legal authority of the Executive, unless the extra services were in their nature incompatible with the Consular offices, of which there is no appearance. It has been familiar in practice, to employ regular func­ tionaries abroad, particularly Consuls, in extra services with reason­ able allowances for them. Mr. Erving & Mr. Skipwith are examples. The authority of the President, in applying the money appropri­ ated to foreign intercourse, without regard to the question whether the Agent receiving it, was or was not at the time in an office with legal emoluments annexed to it, may be further illustrated by the construction given by constant practice to the appropriations to inter­ course with the Barbary powers, these being made in like terms with the appropriations to intercourse with foreign nations. By an Act of Congress in 1794. one million of dollars, well known5 to be meant for a Treaty with Algiers, was appropriated without any particular refer­ ence to Barbary, “to defray expences to be incurred in relation to the intercourse between the U. States and foreign nations,” and under that general appropriation was applied as far as was requisite to Barbary purposes. Consuls to the Barbary powers, altho’ expressly allowed salaries by law, have all of them recd. or been promised, reimburse­ ments of expence, in some cases for extraordinary services in their Consular character in others for agencies superadded to that charac­ ter. The negociation of peace with Tripoli, committed first to Mr. Cathcart, and latterly to Mr. Lear are explicit examples. The Usage of national intercourse on the Coast of Barbary may indeed be different from usage elsewhere, and may be thought to countenance a greater latitude in6 the means of intercourse there than elsewhere. Still how­ ever it is certain that in carrying on intercourse among other foreign nations, agences and services are in use, of kinds sufficiently various & informal to sanction any latitude that has been taken by the Execu­ tive in the intercourse with them. In examining the state of the law at the time Dr. S. went to St. Domingo, it may be proper to observe that in an Act of Congs. passed Mar. 2. 1799. there is, besides an appropriation of 21,000 dollrs. in addition to the 40,000 drs. a further appropriation of 78,700, for the “contingent expences of intercourse with foreign nations.” This is per­ haps the only instance in which the term “contingent” appears in this branch of appropriations. If it was meant to give an increased latitude to the authority of the President, as the term might be construed, it wd decide at once the question whether it was applicable to the case of Dr. S. and consequently whether a promise such as he alledges was  277 

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legally valid. But it is more probable that nothing more was meant by “contingent expences,” than what is called in the appropriation act of June 1. 1796, extraordinary expences, by which appears to have been meant merely expences additional to those previously contemplated; and as likely to arise within the year7 for purposes not different in kind from those annually provided for, but greater in number or extent. In one sense all the common expences of foreign intercourse are “contin­ gent” since they depend on the will of the President & the course of events; and are consequently uncertain or contingent. Thus stood the law untill Mar. 10. 1800, when instead of a con­ tinuation of the last temporary act which included the annual appro­ priation for foreign intercourse, a permanent act was passed in a form somewhat different. It simply provided that the allowances to Plenipo’s & Chargés & the Secretaries of the former should not exceed a certain rate, and that money drawn under any law making appropriation for the “contingent expences of intercourse with foreign nations,” might be accounted for either specifically or by a certificate &c. as the Presi­ dent might decide; leaving the appropriations for foreign intercourse to be made separately from time to time as they have since been made. And these appropriations, which have uniformly run in the phrase of “appropriations for the expence of intercourse between the U. States and foreign nations,” with the permanent act, constitute & define the authority of the Executive in applying money for that purpose. Whatever expence then is fairly within the idea of intercourse with foreign nations, is legally allowable out of the appropriations; except so far as a limitation results from some general principle, or is spe­ cially provided by the permanent Act. Is it a general principle that an appropriation of money to a general purpose, is applicable only to particular cases designated by the Con­ stitution or the law; and does not of itself legalize any other applica­ tion. Such a construction is founded in no apparent necessity; and would narrow the authority of the Executive more than would con­ sist with the public interest, with the probable intention of the Leg­ islature, or with the uniform course of practice. It would in fact ex­ clude from the support of intercourse with foreign nations, some of the modes & expences most convenient for the purpose, and which have been found so by the experience of the present & every preced­ ing administration. Is it a general principle that when an allowance is expressly made by law, it is a bar to all extra allowance, on extra considerations to the same person; notwithstanding a general authority to the Executive to make allowances on such considerations? This construction also is  278 

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apparently without necessity, as it would also be highly inconvenient, and contrary to the course of practice. Does the permanent Act above cited impose any limitation on the power given by the Appriation Acts, equivalent to such general principles? The permanent Act is entitled “An Act to ascertain the compen­ sations to public Ministers.” The Body of the Act however does not strictly correspond with this limited title. The first section provides, as already observed that no salary exceeding particular rates, should be allowed to particular grades of public Ministers & the Secretaries of one of those grades, as a compensation for all personal services & expences. As the Act gives no positive authority to the President to allow salaries at all, it implies that the authority is given elsewhere; and no where else is it given, unless it results from the general ap­ propriation of money for foreign intercourse; and if it so results, the authority must extend to all other cases of foreign intercourse. Were it admitted that the limitation of the salaries, is, by implica­ tion, the source of the authority to allow salaries in the cases where they are limited, the construction would be subject to another impli­ cation, which can not be admitted, viz. that the fund could be applied in salaries to no other functionaries than to those whose salaries are expressly limited. Or were it even admitted, that other functionaries particularly recognized in the Constitution or the laws, might be al­ lowed compensations, an implication would still remain equally in­ consistent with the public service & the constant practice, as well as with the intention of the Legislature to be inferred from its knowl­ edge of both; namely that no part of the fund would be applicable to any other purpose than to compensations for all personal services & expences; and consequently to none of those occasional agences or even incidental expences which are so often indispensable means of intercourse with foreign nations: For it is to be recollected that the permanent Act omits the provision contained in the preceding tem­ porary acts for “the expence incident to the business in which persons serving in foreign parts might be employed,” authorizing only, and that by a questionable implication, compensations “for personal ser­ vices and expences,” to officers named in the Act itself, & at most to such as are designated in other acts, or in the Constitution. It is proper to remark that on the supposition that the foreign fund is applicable to such offices or Agencies only as are found in the Con­ stitution or the law, no salaries could be allowed to the Secretaries of public Ministers these not being found in the Constitution, nor authorised by any law creating the office: Or on the supposition that  279 

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salaries might be allowed to Secretaries of Plenipos., as implied by the legal proviso that Salaries to their Secretaries should not exceed a fixt rate, still no salary could be allowed to the Secretaries of any other public Ministers not even to the Secretaries of Chargs d’Affaires. A construction leading to this consequence can not easily be admitted. It is certainly a much more rational construction that the law in limit­ ing the salaries to Secretaries implies that the Salaries would be oth­ erwise at the discretion of the Executive; & that the service & expence of a Secretary, tho’ not personal to the public Minister, being within the meaning of, as being incident to “intercourse with foreign na­ tions,” every other expence & service incident to that intercourse are equally within the appropriations to it. The effect of the other & only other section in the permanent Act, on the authority of the Executive, depends on the question whether “the Contingent expences referred to” as to be settled in the way pre­ scribed, be included in the expences generally appropriated of foreign intercourse, or are not included & consequently to be provided for by a distinct appropriation. It is perhaps not very easy to say precisely what is to be understood by contingent expences of foreign intercourse as distinct from those which are not contingent. In one sense, as has been already observed, all the expences of foreign intercourse, even those incurred for the salaries of the Diplomatic functionaries, are contingent; as they are not positively required by law, but to be incurred or not at the pleasure of the Executive. But the object of the enquiry does not make it neces­ sary to undertake a critical discrimination between expences contingent and not contingent. This object is satisfied by the single consideration that whatever may be the meaning of the expression “contingent ex­ pences,” the most reasonable, or rather the necessary construction of the law requires that they should, the former as well as the latter,8 be considered as within the general appropriation for the general ex­ pences of foreign intercourse. There has not, in a single instance since the permanent Act passed, been a distinct appropriation for the Contingent expences of foreign intercourse, and consequently, if they are not included in the general appropriation for the expences of for­ eign intercourse, no provision has been made for any part of the ex­ pences of foreign intercourse, even for those on the Coast of Barbary, so far as they are to be denominated Contingent. Now it is certain that taking “contingent expences” in any sense the words will bear as distinct from other foreign expences, they constitute a considerable part of the annual & necessary expences, particularly on the Coast of Barbary; So that if no provision has been made for them, the Legis­  280 

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lature have equally failed in their duty, and their object; and the Ex­ ecutive has been every year drawing money from the Treasury for purposes to which no money has been appropriated by law. And this has been the case not only since the date of the permanent Act, but throughout the period prior to it; except in the instance of the ap­ propriation in 1799 “for the contingent expences of intercourse &c.” In all the other instances, the appropriation has been in terms which would not provide for contingences, unless they be included in the general terms of appropriation for intercourse with foreign nations. There is another construction, which the 2d section may be thought to bear. The section may be considered merely as providing for the settlement in a mode to be decided on by the President, of such con­ tingent expences and such only, as may be provided for by laws mak­ ing a distinct & express appropriation for contingent expences of for­ eign intercourse. As this meaning of the act would not exclude from the general appropriation for foreign intercourse, contingent as well as other expences, but only take from the President the power over the mode of accounting for contingent expences incurred under that general appropriation, it is not liable to all the objections which con­ demn the construction just examined. There are other objections how­ ever which require that it should be rejected. 1. No appropriation, as already observed, has ever been made, since the law passed, in dis­ tinct & express terms, “for the contingent expences of intercourse between the U.S. and foreign nations.” The effect of the act therefore would be not to provide a requisite mode for settling contingent ex­ pences, but to forbid the discretionary resort to that mode. This is not to be presumed. 2. Prior to the permanent act the like discretion was given to the President by every temporary act preceding it, with re­ spect to monies drawn under the common appropriations for foreign intercourse, which never specified contingent expences as to be dis­ tinguished from expences not contingent. 3. The construction which has prevailed since the passage of the permanent act has been that the monies drawn under the general appropriation for foreign intercourse and used for contingent expences, might be accounted for in the man­ ner presented by the permanent act, and consequently that the gen­ eral appropriation comprehended the contingent as well as the other expences. Mr Ellicot was paid under a certificate from the President which could only be on the ground that the expence was contingent, and was comprehended by the general appropriation to foreign intercourse.9 From this view of the subject it appears that the authority given to the Executive by the annual appropriations for intercourse between  281 

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the U.S. & foreign nations is co­extensive with the “term” intercourse, limited however by one exception10 provided by the permant act viz. that salaries to Ministers Plenipos. & their Secretaries, to Chargés des Affaires shall not exceed certain rates; and extended11 in one in­ stance by that Act, viz in providing with respect to the Contingent portion of the expences in foreign intercourse that the President may dispense if he thinks proper,12 with the ordinary mode of accounting for monies drawn from the public Treasury, and substitute a certificate of the amount of the expenditures. With such a latitude to the Authority of the President, the case of Dr. S. must be within its competency, unless it should be decided that the intercourse with St. Domingo in which the expences charged by him, were incurred, was not an intercourse between the U States & a foreign nation. Altho’ St. Domingo, is to be regarded at the time as a Dependency or Colony of the French Republic, being expressly so declared by Sect. 7. of the Act of Feby. 27. 1800, as well as being such by implica­ tion from other sources; still as part of a foreign nation, the local au­ thorities there must be regarded as authorities of the French nation; and an intercourse with them, consequently as a national intercourse.13 This view of the matter seems to be confirmed by the clauses, in the Acts for suspending commerce with the French Dominions, which exempt from the suspension, vessels employed by the President, for the purposes of “national intercourse.” As the Acts authorize the Presi­ dent to take off the suspension, in reference to any of the Dependences of France, as well as to France herself; as Hispaniola is particularly noticed in one of the Acts, and was well understood to be principally if not exclusively the object of the exempting discretion vested in the President, and consequently the very Dependency in relation to which the vessels permitted to be employed for purposes of national inter­ course would be needed, and be actually employed, the conclusion seems not to be avoided, that the intercourse with St. Domingo, was in the contemplation of the Legislature, a national intercourse, in other words, an intercourse with a foreign nation. On the second question whether the contract be estabd. by adequate proof, the considerations on one side, are the silence of the records of the Department of State, and of the correspondence of Docr. S.—the want of recollection of the fact by the then Secy. of State,—the inter­ est which the sole witness may have in his own testimony,—the lapse of time previous to the presentment of the claim—the improbability of such a contract drawn from the opportunities of sufficient profit otherwise incident to the mission,—and the presumption that the priv­  282 

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ileged cargo in the vessel might be meant as recompence for extra services—finally the want of a precedent for admitting a contract on parol evidence, and the danger of establishing one. On the other side it is alledged by the claimant that the silence of the records, if a fault is chargeable on14 the Department, and ought not to injure the claimant whose confidence in the Department was natural and proper—that the silence of his correspondence and the delay in presenting his accounts, proceeded from his finding it not necessary to draw for his advances, & from his expectation of an earlier return—that the contract is positively sworn to by a credible witness; and altho’ the Head of the Department who made the con­ tract does not positively recollect it, he not only believes it on the testimony & circumstances produced; but recollects & retains im­ pressions which enable him to declare that he thinks it extremely presumable that such a stipulation was proposed, & certain from its reasonableness that if proposed it was agreed to; and moreover that if the claim as now presented had been made whilst those connected with the transaction were in office, there would have been no hesita­ tion15 in allowing it.—that the profits to be made during his mission were precarious as proved by the failure of them; besides that the chance of them was an appurtenance to his consular services—that the amount of his expences imply a stile of living which he can not be supposed to have assumed on his private account, that he has charged less than the real amount, in order to be sure that no expence was included not fairly incident to his public character. He alledges par­ ticularly that he had no interest whatever in the privileged cargo of the vessel, which carryed him to St. Domingo The material questions resulting from these opposite views of the case are 1st. whether a record or some office document of such a con­ tract be the only proof that can be admitted. 2dly, whether if parol or circumstancial proof be admissible, the proof in this case be sufficient. 1. It cannot be doubted that office documents are the most regular & satisfactory evidence of official transactions; but it would seem to be going too far to say that no other evidence whatever could under any circumstances be admitted; especially if the defect of the Archive evidence were the fault of the office, not of the private party to the Contract. Contracts between the Govt. & individuals are of different kinds &  in different forms. Some of them particularly where sureties are required are always in writings mutually executed. Others are left to slighter & less formal evidence on paper. In the Department of State, particularly the foreign branch of it formality seems to have been held  283 

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least essential. A proof that written or even express contract is not absolutely essential, is, that allowances have been so frequently made on the mere ground of a quantum meruit, which is at most nothing more than a contract by implication. Admitting the fact that an individual undertakes a public service on a verbal assurance from a competent public officer, that he shall receive a recompence, that he confides in that assurance, and in the attention of the officer to every circumstance of the duty, and in that confidence performs the services undertaken; and that the fact be es­ tablished agst. the public by proof sufficient in private cases; it would seem that the laches of the officer ought not to invalidate an establish­ ment of the fact by parol evidence, in any case where no law requires written in exclusion of every other evidence. Were the Govt. constitutionally suable like an individual, or were a form prescribed by law for giving to Courts a cognizance of such cases, it would seem that a Court would be bound to admit the ordi­ nary proof of the bargain, especially if performed on one side and the performance accepted on the other; altho’ there might not, thro’ the laches of the officer making the contract, or other cause, be no written memorial of it in the Office. If such would be the decision of a Court having cognizance, the same decision would seem to be due from the cognizance of the Ex­ ecutive, which in usage is less restricted in many cases than Courts, in its rules both of justice & of evidence. 2. As to the particular proof of contract offered in the case of Dr. S. it consists so essentially of the testimony of Mr. Yard, that it seems not necessary to weigh & compare the several circumstances & pre­ sumptions in favor of & against the claim. If unwritten proof be ad­ missible at all, that testimony seems to be sufficient; unless discred­ ited by the interest of the Witness himself in it. If there be just ground for presuming or supposing this, the point ought to be decided by requiring the usual oath of purgation. As it does not appear from the accts. which have been settled in cases within the Dept. of State where no written contract or promise existed, how far they may have turned on other evidence of contract than that of official documents, or on the principle of quantum merit as implying a contract, it is not easy to trace how far precedents may or may not have existed of the admission of evidence other than that of Official documents. From recollections in the Office of State it may be inferred, that precedents of that sort have not been very unfre­ quent: and taking into view all the ingredients entering into the claim in the present case, particularly the interposition and decided opinion  284 

20 APRIL 1804

of the ex Secretary of State who was party to the transaction, the prec­ edent would be marked with peculiarities rendering it less liable to be drawn into injurious consequence than many others which are in force. In general it seems certain that in the course of foreign agences & transactions, settlements & allowances have been made on more slender grounds than those which support the claim of Dr. S.; and highly probable that the same may be found just & expedient in fu­ ture practice. On this consideration & in order to avoid where it can be properly done the appearance or the imputation of partialities & prejudices, it might be advisable for the Executive to settle the claim if deemed admissible, rather than by rejecting it to turn the claimant over to the Legislature. Another consideration is that if the claim be considered as turning on the question of fact whether the alledged promise was or was not made, it seems to be a question more fit for Executive, than for Legislative investigation & decision. The last question is whether the vouchers for the expenditures are such as ought to be admitted. With respect to some of the charges the usual regular vouchers may justly be required. With respect to such as the Houshold expences other than the rent, and the travelling ex­ pences, regular vouchers have generally not been required in settling the accounts of foreign Agents. And it was judged by the Department of State, on the application of the Auditor, as practised in such cases, that the proof offered being stronger in the case of Dr. S. than had been admitted in others, the reality of the expenditures appeared to be sufficiently established. In order to explain this participation of the Department of State in the settlement of accounts, it may be proper to remark that it is the effect of an arrangement which took place soon after the commence­ ment of the present administration. Prior to that period the accounts connected with the Department of State were liquidated under the superintendance & with the sanction of the Head of it; after which they passed thro’ the forms of 16 the Treasury Department. Since that period the accounts go in the first instance to the Treasury Depart­ ment, the Accounting Branch of it, referring, in the progress of the settlement, to the decision of the Department of State, questions, de­ pending on transactions, circumstances or usages, concerning which this Department might be supposed to have the better means of judg­ ing; and according to its decision, the practice has been to pass sus­ pend or reject the articles in question. The preceding observations have been confined to the general en­ quiry whether the expences charged by Docr. Stephens, so far as not specially authorized by Acts of Congress, be legally allowable and  285 

20 APRIL 1804

ought to be allowed. If it be decided that they are of a nature not le­ gally allowable, it will be unnecessary to go into the particular items: it being conceived, that they must be equally disallowed, (at least out of the fund for foreign intercourse) those for the hire of vessels as well as his personal expences, and his travelling as well as his station­ ary expences. Should it be decided that an allowance may and ought to be made, the merits of the several items may claim a particular consideration in the progress of the settlement. Respectfully submitted to the President James Madison Department of State April 20. 1804 MS (DLC); entirely in Madison’s hand. Enclosed in TJ to Gallatin, 9 June. further appropriation of 25,650 dollrs.: the additional amount appro­ priated by the act of 19 Mch. 1798 was $28,650 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:541). George W. erving was the London agent for American claims and appeals before the board of commissioners under Article 7 of the Jay Treaty. Fulwar skip­ with, U.S. commercial agent at Paris, served as agent to the board of commis­ sioners appointed to settle claims of Amer­ ican citizens against France under the Convention of 1803 (Vol. 37:57­60, 245; Vol. 41:158­60). further appropriation of 78,700: see U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:723. ellicot was paid under a certifi­ cate from the president: see Vol. 39:281­2. sworn to by a credible witness: for James Yard’s 1802 deposition, see Enclosure No. 4 listed at Gallatin to TJ, 5 Apr. While Timothy Pickering could not positively recollect the con­ tract, he believed that Stevens’s claim was valid (Enclosures No. 14 and 15, at same). Stevens sent Yard’s deposition and other documents to Madison on 2 Apr. 1802 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 3:96­7). For the judgment of the State Depart­ ment on the application of the au­ ditor, see same, 6:209, 315, 326; and Enclosures No. 19 and 20 at Gallatin to

TJ, 5 Apr. For a description of the new procedure for participation of the de­ partment of state in the settle­ ment of accounts, see Vol. 35:629, 630n. 1

Preceding five words interlined. Remainder of sentence interlined. 3 Remainder of paragraph inserted in margin. 4 Word interlined in place of “ex­ pressly.” 5 Word interlined in place of “under­ stood.” 6 Word interlined in place of “of expen­ ditures to.” 7 Remainder of sentence interlined. 8 Preceding seven words interlined. 9 Paragraph inserted in margin. 10 Madison first wrote “under two ex­ ceptions” before altering the phrase to read as above. 11 MS: “extented.” 12 Preceding four words interlined. 13 Madison here canceled “In any other view than this the mission of Consuls thither would have been improper, & the exercise of their functions there illegal.” 14 Madison here canceled “the officers of,” and he made a similar change in the next clause. 15 MS: “hesition,” Madison having omitted a syllable as he hyphenated the word at the end of a line. 16 Preceding five words interlined in place of “went to.” 2

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From Richard Napier Dickson County (State Tennessee)

Honourable Sir April 20th 1804 The happiness I have had in a former Acquaintance with you will I hope be a Sufficient Apology as well as a Justification on my part for the Liberty I have taken in troubling you with those few lines You will think it less presumptuous when you take into View the Remote Situation in which I am placd. and the Difficulties we labour under in Acquiring the Necessary Information Relative to publick Affairs It has now been Almost Nineteen years Since I left the State of Virginia during which period I have with assiduity Explored Differ­ ent Countries and Climes within the Limits of the United States at length have Settled in that Tract of Country Calld Cumberland within the State of Tennessee—With which I am well pleasd. and have been fortunate Enough to Acquire a Sufficient Body of Fertile Lands to Settle all my Children Comfortably. But I feel much at a loss for the want of that Agreeable Society which my native Country so Copi­ ously Abounded in—yet I Still have the pleasure of a Communication at times with my Connections the Claiborne family whose private Characters as well as political you no doubt are Acquainted With I shall now Address you on the Object of my present Communica­ tion . . . permit me Sir to have the Singular favour of you to honour me with a line Stating the Existance (if any Such thing there be) of the Mountain of Salt in that new Acquision of Territory which you have with Immortal Honour to yourself as well as Inesteemable Benefits to greater part of the Citizens who has the Honour to be Governed by your Wisdom in Executive Authority Added a New Emporum to the Sons of Liberty to possess . . . At the Same time does Such a phenonema Exist I shall ever feel myself under the great­ est Obligations would you be so good in Condescention as to let me know where it is Situated the Nature and Various Concomitant Cir­ cumstances Relative thereunto . . . Your Compliance with the same Shall Sir ever be Rememberd. and Gratefully Acknowledgd by your Cordial friend and Most Obt Hb St Richard Napier RC (MHi); ellipses in original; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL. Richard Claiborne Napier (1773­1834) was from Albemarle County, Virginia. His

mother was a Claiborne, and William C. C. Claiborne was a first cousin. By 1798, Napier lived in Tennessee, eventually settling in Dickson County. He married Charlotte Robertson, whose father, Gen­ eral James Robertson, founded Nashville.

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20 APRIL 1804 Napier served in the Tennessee militia during the War of 1812, rising to the rank of colonel. In 1817, he established the Laurel Furnace, which he operated with slave labor. According to his tomb­ stone, he died one of the “Oldest Iron Masters of Middle Tennessee” (John Warner Barber and Henry Howe, Our Whole Country; or The Past and Present of the United States, 2 vols. [New York, 1861], 2:880; Federal Writers’ Project,

Tennessee: A Guide to the State [New York, 1949], 201, 455; John Bennett Boddie, Virginia Historical Genealogies [Redwood City, Calif., 1954], 40­1; La­ vinia R. [Hill] Brown, “The Family of Gen. James Robertson,” American His­ torical Magazine, 1 [1896], 177). For accounts of a mountain of salt, see Nashville Tennessee Gazette, 4 Jan. 1804; Vol. 42:54­5; Thomas Rodney to TJ, 14 May.

From John D’Antignac Sir/ augusta 21th april 1804 under an impression, that a man who has devoted the most usefull portion of his Days, in the Service of America, has Some Claim, on the patronage of a president of the united States, I beg leave, with Every possible deference, to address you this letter A frenchman by Birth, I Entered the american service on the first day of May 1777, with the Commission of a Captain, then Brigade Major of General Rochefermois, at Ticonderoga, before the Taking of Bourgoine these, Sir, are on record, in the war office, and May be Confirmed by General wilkinson, and General gates. Colonel Samuel Hammond, a menber from Georgia, has put My name, in nomination, for Marshall, of the district of New Orleans—If his friendship, strengthened, by that of general wilkinson, will have weight in recommending me, to your Goodness, I flatter Myself they wil not be wanting I have lived in South Carolina, About ten years where I have been a menber of the legislature, and a justice of the peace, during the best part of My residence there Now I live in the City of augusta, in Georgia, where I am a justice of the peace for the City, but a poor Subsistance, for an old veteran with a large familly to Support family affairs and An opposition to the Measures of the late Ad­ ministration, prevented me, from Comming forward sooner— With a wish, that you May long retain that Station, in the Affec­ tions, of your fellow Citizens, which you at present hold, I have the honor, with Sentiments of respect, to remain Sir your most obedient and humble Servant John D’antignac  288 

21 APRIL 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received from “D’antignal” on 14 May and “to be Marshal of Orleans” and so recorded in SJL. John D’Antignac (1748­1827) was born in Auvergne in France and emigrated to the West Indies in the late 1760s. He joined the Continental Army in 1777 and was present at both the Battle of Sara­ toga and the siege of Yorktown (Savan­ nah Daily Georgian, 21 Apr. 1827). general rochefermois: in Novem­ ber 1776, Congress appointed Alexis Matthias Roche de Fermoy a brigadier general in the Continental Army. He re­

signed his commission after the British capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1777 (jcc, 6:927; 10:97, 105). On 20 April 1804, samuel hammond recommended D’Antignac to Dearborn for the marshal’s position in New Orleans. Hammond emphasized D’Antignac’s Revolutionary War record and his ser­ vice as a Republican legislator in South Carolina (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; en­ dorsed by TJ: “Hammond Colo. to Genl Dearborne”). Five days later, D’Antignac also wrote to Dearborn regarding an ap­ pointment (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “D’antignac. to Genl. Dearborne to be Marshal or something in Orleans”).

From Peter Delabigarre Sir Philadelphia April 21th 1804 from The Balise the 4th do. I have the honor to inform you that on monday next I will forward to washington city per stage a box containing 200 Loaves of refined sugar of the Louisiana produce, which was intrusted to my care by Governor Claiborne. permit me, Sir, to present you with my mite of those grateful ac­ knowledgements already offered to you by every well minded indi­ vidual in the united states, upon the acquisition of Louisiana: this, I trust, among the other acts of Wisdom, Cannot fail to immortalise your name and to spread a New lustre upon the reign of the true philosopher. during a Visit of 3 months to the said country, I found it surpasses the most flattering accounts which have ever appeared & I may assure you that I have discovered in the Vicinity of Orleans many more Lands fit for the Cultivation of sugar Canes than are actually Known to the inhabitants and proprietors of the soil itself, besides other invaluable advantages equally ’ere unobserved. All of which, under your blessed Government, will soon bring forth the most as­ tonishing wealth that any Country Can Wish for. a steady friend of your administration I feel proud of its glory . . . And I pray you to beleive me with a profound respect, Sir, your most obedient and most humble servant Peter Delabigarre of New York RC (DLC); ellipsis in original; at foot of text: “His excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the U.S. of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

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From George Logan Dear Sir Stenton April 22: 1804 Agreeably to the request of my friend Capt: Montgomery of Phila­ delphia, I forward the enclosed Letters: which will explain to you the wishes of the applicant, who is his Brother. I have not the pleasure of being acquainted with him, but the opinion I have of the integrity & honor of Capt: Montgomery, who has interested himself on this occa­ sion, leaves me no doubt of his qualification to fill the office. I am with sentiments of respect Your Friend Geo: Logan RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 May and “Montgomery John to be Consul Barcelona” and so re­ corded in SJL. Enclosures not found. Robert montgomery was the Amer­ ican consul at Alicante, Spain. His

brother, John Montgomery, who some­ times substituted during Robert’s ab­ sences, wrote to Madison soliciting the consular position in Barcelona (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 4:334; 6:430­1; Vol. 25:238).

Notes on Lease to Richard Gamble Heads of a lease to Richard Gamble. 5. fields North of the road, of 40 acres each. to wit 4. on the Shadwell tract now leased to J. Perry, and one on the Lego tract, adjoining to the Upper field of Shadwell, including the ground already open there & about Reynolds’s house, & as much more to be opened adjacent as will make up 40. acres. the lease to commence Oct. 15. 1804. (being John Perry’s yearly day) and to continue 5. years. each of the said 5. fields to be in Indian corn but once in the 5. years, & to rest from culture & pasture 2. of the 5. years unless it be well in clover; and neither of the years of rest to be next after a year of Indian corn. the tenant to have free use of the woodlands North of the road for fire, fencing & repairs, and of all the uninclosed Woodlands for the range of stock. to keep all houses built or to be built in repair, except against the gradual decays of time; and to keep fences & gates in constant repair the lease not to be assigned to any person to whom the landlord objects.  290 

22 APRIL 1804

the rent 200. D. a year, payable at the end of the year to­wit Oct. 15. and if not paid by Christmas the landlord to have a right of reentry in aid of his right of distress. in clearing the Lego field, the land­lord to cut down the trees, & maul the rails, & the tenant to clean up, grub, and put up the fence; and this clearing to be done the next winter & the winter following. the names of the fields are the Chapel ridge. Mountain field Middle field t Upper field Lego field. the course of their culture, according to these conditions will be as follows1 1805 1806 1807 1808 1809. Lego field nothing nothing small grain corn small grain Upper field small grain clover clover small grain corn Middle field corn small grain clover clover small grain Mountain field small grain corn small grain clover clover Chapel ridge nothing small grain corn small grain clover by reading the column of each year downwards, it will be seen that the tenant has every year 2. fields of small grain, 1. of corn, & 2 of clover, and in which fields they are. by reading the lines horizontally, it will be seen how each field will be cultivated for 5. years successively, so as that each will rest or be in clover twice, not following corn, that each will be in small grain twice and each in corn once. Th:J. Apr. 22. 04. MS (MHi). Richard Gamble was a Richmond mer­ chant who rented Albemarle County lands from TJ and William Short (Margaret Bayard Smith, The First Forty Years of Washington Society, ed. Gaillard Hunt [New York, 1906], 317; rs, 4:198). John Perry leased the shadwell tract in 1802­3 (mb, 2:1023, 1106). course of their culture: earlier, probably for Craven Peyton, TJ made a crop rotation table for five numbered lots

with sequences of corn, wheat, rye, and perhaps clover (designated by an aster­ isk) from 1800 to 1804 (MS in ViU; un­ dated; at foot of text: “the above proposed by Th:J.”; endorsed by TJ: “Peyton Craven”). 1 TJ made a table of crop rotations for the five fields from 1805 to 1809 that, after making multiple emendations, he can­ celed in its entirety, substituting the ver­ sion that follows.

 291 

To Gideon Granger Monticello. Apr. 23. 04.

Th: Jefferson asks the favor at the General post office at Washing­ ton, that all letters & papers recieved there for him after the 26th. inst. may be retained there, till his return to that place. PrC (DLC); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso: “Postmaster Genl.”

From John S. Hunter Sir Frankfort Apl 23d. 1804 Having been honored with a Recommendation to Your Excellency by John Brown Esq and I believe Some Other Members of Congress from Kentucky, To Receive the Command of one of the districts in Louisiana, Permit me to present to you the inclosed Certificates— I am Sir with Respect your Excellys Most Obt. Servt John S. Hunter RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 14 May and “to be a commandt. Louisiana” and so recorded in SJL. En­ closures: (1) Statement of Thomas Todd, 20 Apr.; he has been acquainted with Hunter for nearly 17 years and can assert that he is “a man of integrity, Sobriety, firmness & perserverence undaunted Courage & great strength of mind” (MS in same). (2) Statement of George Muter and nine others, including Harry Innes and Harry Toulmin, 20 Apr.; declaring that they have known Hunter for several years and certify him to be well qualified to discharge the duties of military com­ mandant in the Louisiana District (MS in same; in Muter’s hand, signed by all).

John S. Hunter (1760­1823), born and raised in Pennsylvania, clerked in a retail store and studied medicine before moving to Kentucky in 1783. After failing in busi­ ness in Louisville and serving as a sur­ geon’s mate in the state militia, Hunter settled in Scott County. He served briefly as a clerk in the state legislature before accepting an appointment as keeper of the state penitentiary at Frankfort in 1800. Resigning the office in 1806, Hunter re­ turned to Scott County, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until his death (William C. Sneed, A Report on the His­ tory and Mode of Management of the Ken­ tucky Penitentiary, from Its Origin, in 1798, to March 1, 1860 [Frankfort, Ky., 1860], 27).

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 23. 04. I return by this mail the letters &c recieved with yours of the 15th. I think with you that a cordial answer should be given to mr Merry on the orders he communicated, altho’ they were merely the correc­ tion of an injustice. would to god that nation would so far be just in  292 

23 APRIL 1804

her conduct; as that we might with honor give her that friendship it is so much our interest to bear her. she is now a living example that no nation, however powerful, any more than an individual, can be unjust with impunity. sooner or later public opinion, an instrument merely moral in the beginning, will find occasion physically to inflict it’s sentence on the unjust. nothing else could have kept the other na­ tions of Europe from relieving her under her present crisis. the lesson is useful to the weak as well as the strong. On the 17th. instant our hopes & fears here took their ultimate form. I had originally intended to have left this towards the end of the present week. but a desire to see my family in a state of more compo­ sure before we separate, will keep me somewhat longer. still it is not probable I shall be here to answer any letter which leaves Washing­ ton after the 26th. because those of the succeeding post (the 30th.) could not be answered till the 7th. of May, when I may probably be on the road. not having occasion to write to­day to the other heads of departments, will you be so good as to mention this to them? Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Secretary of State.” Recorded in SJL as a letter to the State Department with notation “Merry on blockade.” Enclosures: see Madison to TJ, 15 Apr.

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 23. 1804. Your Polygraph gave me so much satisfaction that I thought it worth while to bestow some time in contriving one entirely suited to my own convenience: it was therefore the subject of my meditations on the road, and on my arrival here I made the drawings which I now send you. I have adopted your idea of having it in the form of a desk to sit on one’s writing table, & not that of a box to shut up. I have reduced the size, by getting rid of all useless space, which was chiefly the margins on the outside of the machinery: but as I had not your’s present, it is possible the reduction especially in the North & South dimension, may be greater than can be admitted without reducing the size of the parallelograms, or the space they work in, neither of which would I venture to do, lest it might injure the action of the machinery. for I well know that hypothesis is one thing and experi­ ence another. if therefore I have not given as much field for the paral­ lelograms to move on, as they have in yours, my drawings must be altered in that particular. as I know the principal defect in yours is the  293 

23 APRIL 1804

liableness of the writing bed, under the brass frame, to warp, I have here suggested a method of guarding against that, without resorting to slate. in this I have very considerable faith. but these triangular boards, with the necessary breadth of the drawer (from which not an hair’s breadth can be spared) by pinching the two sidepieces in two, leave not, I am afraid, a sufficient bond between the fore & the aft part. the bottom board to be sure offers a considerable means of bind­ ing them together. so would the top board which forms the bed under the parallelograms, if 1 clamped to the triangular boards with thin plates of iron screwed on. it would be important in this case that the grain of the top & bottom boards should run North & South. should this not be a strong enough connection, then by letting the triangular board opposite the separation of the drawers run through to the back it might form the spine and main strength of the whole machine, & would only add one inch to the dimension from East to West, making it 20½ I. instead of 23. I. should I also have made it so short from North to South (to wit 23. I.) as not to leave as much room for the play of the parallelograms as yours have, so that it may be necessary to enlarge it in that direction, then, by keeping the breadth & height of the drawers to what I have drawn them, the side pieces will not be so nearly pinched in two and will be considerable strengthners of the junction of the fore and aft parts. in some, or all of these ways, or bet­ ter which will occur to yourself or your workman, this difficulty may be perhaps got over. instead of the cover sliding over the machinery in a semicircle as you propose, which including unnecessary space would look too bulky, I have proposed a light cover to take off and on, which you will see described. the screw for adjusting one of the pens (the right hand one which is most convenient for the copying one) to a hair’s breadth after it has been generally adjusted by the gage, is indispensible. it will only require 3. tubes, one within the other, in­ stead of the 2. you use. the outer one you know is fixed to the machin­ ery, & the one within that holds the pen & lets it turn to it’s proper square for writing. but an inner one still might be inserted in this and have a few threads of a screw to adjust it to a hair’s breadth, the pen being held in this inner one. in this case by turning the inmost tube within the middle one the pen would be raised or depressed by the thread of the screw, & by turning the middle one within the outer one, it would be placed square with the line of writing. the outer fixed tube would of course be to be enlarged. As you were so kind as to say that when you should have made one on the improved plan, you would exchange it for the box­one which you sent me, I have now to ask the favor of you to have one made im­  294 

23 APRIL 1804

mediately on the plan I here propose, and forwarded to me at Washington by water. I desired mr Barnes to enquire of you the price of the former, and remit you the money, which I hope he has done. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (TxU); at foot of first page: “Mr. Peale.” PrC (DLC). Enclosures not found, but see below. Although the drawings TJ enclosed have not been found, TJ’s papers include other sketches related to the polygraph that could date from this period. One may illustrate TJ’s ideas on the machine’s pen bar, with particular attention to the screws, mentioned above and also in TJ’s letter of 30 Mch. to Peale. Another shows half of a rectangle, with dimensions of 23 along the top and 32 along the right side, contained within half of an ellipse or oval. To the right, TJ wrote: “I I Peale’s polygraph is 32½ by 22¾ but may be reduced to 26. by 18½ the thickness of his stuff is 6½ eighths, & of the drawer stuff ⅜ [but the drawer

stuff may be only ⅜ and − ₁³−₆ and there is no cross partition between the drawers.] copying paper is 8½ by 10½ I the height of his box behind is 6⅞ in front 1⅜ size of the brass frame 18⅜ by 11⅜ it’s breadth 1₁−¹−₆ height of the gallows above the inclined plane 15. I. at right ∠ to the inclination. the sides of his pentagraph from center to center 8⅝ breadth of stuff − ₁⁵−₆” (MSS in CSmH, both undated and in TJ’s hand, including brackets; Silvio A. Bedini, Thomas Jefferson and His Copying Machines [Charlottesville, 1984], 66, 74-6). 1

TJ here canceled “connected.”

From Thomas Rodney Washington, Mississippi Territory, 23 Apr. 1804. Rodney sends TJ a detailed account of the western country, including descriptions of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers and their respective valleys. He has received only imperfect information regarding the west side of the Mississippi. The business of the land office is progressing, but he awaits the supplementary act from Congress before proceeding further. The people of Mississippi are greatly apprehensive about their land titles, but Rodney believes economic improvement will be rapid once titles have been confirmed. He feels that Indians may still be a threat to settlers. Slaves are numerous in the territory and “are never to be trusted if any Opertunity Offers in favor of their Liberation.” Rodney has observed hundreds of Choctaws in a starving condition, who beg and steal food to the consternation of white settlers. Local politics have been marked by moderation since Rodney’s arrival and the land commissioners treated with respect by the inhabitants. Rodney has been informed of two young surveyors, Lewis and Fenton, who made extensive explorations of the western country beyond the Missouri River and perhaps as far as the Columbia River. He believes Meriwether Lewis will explore nearly the same country “much more amply and correctly.” Rodney recommends William Dunbar, Isaac Briggs, and John Girault for appointments in Louisiana. Rodney provides descriptions of the numerous Indian mounds and fortifications in Mississippi

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23 APRIL 1804 and offers his own speculations of the builders and their eventual fate. Robert Williams and Briggs left New Orleans on 12 Mch. and Rodney plans on re­ turning to Delaware once the business of the land office is complete. He has seen fossils and speculates that two large quadrupeds, one elephant­like and the other carnivorous, once occupied the western country. In a 28 Apr. post­ script, Rodney notes the arrival of the act of Congress extending the time for submitting land claims, which will undoubtedly extend his stay. He expects that Meriwether Lewis has informed TJ of the “large & Curious bones” he collected on his journey down the Ohio River and forwarded to Natchez. Unfortunately, Rodney did not learn of their arrival until after many were “broken and taken off or otherwise lost for want of Care.” Ferdinand L. Clai­ borne has taken charge of the remainder. RC (PHi); 27 p.; addressed: “The President of the United States Washing­ ton City”; notation by Rodney on address sheet: “one nearly in Substance the same sent.”

TJ probably never saw this letter, for it is not recorded in SJL and there is no version in his papers.

From Samuel Smith Dr Sir/ Balt [23]d April 1804 The Resignation of the Marshal for this District of Maryland, leaves a Vacancy, which I am more than Commonly Anxious Should be filled by Major Thomas Rutter. Major Rutter was educated in the Sheriff’s Office & has himself filled the Office of High Sheriff of this County for three Years, with honor & Integrity—His Connection in the City & County are extensive and very respectable, himself invari­ ably Republican, & all his Relations—his Appointment will give uni­ versal Satisfaction, his Rejection would distress his friends and None more than Your Obedt Servt S. Smith RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; en­ dorsed by TJ as a letter of 23 Apr. re­ ceived 27 Apr. with notation “[Rutter] Thos. to be Marshal Maryld. v. R. Etting resd.” and so recorded in SJL. On 23 April, Smith also recommended thomas rutter to Madison (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Rutter Thomas to be Marshal Mary­

land S. Smith to mr Madison”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:102). On 21 May, Smith informed Madison that an appointment was necessary as the cur­ rent marshal declined “to Serve any New Process” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; en­ dorsed by TJ: “Rutter Thos. to be Mar­ shal Maryld.”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:238).

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From the Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans Sir New Orleans 23d. April 1804 Emboldened by the favourable mention you have been pleased to make of their order, the Nuns of St. Ursula at New Orleans, take the liberty of addressing you on a subject highly interesting to their insti­ tution! they believe that without any direct application, the treaty of cession, and the sense of Justice which marks the character of the United States, would have secured to them the property they now possess, but considering a sacred deposit, they would fail in a duty they deem essential were they to ommit requesting, that it may be formally confirmed to them, and their successors, and that you may be pleased to communicate this request to the Legislative body1 in such a manner as you may deem proper,—It is dictated by no wish of personal gratification or private agrandizement, secluded from the World, its luxuries and vanities, wealth and the enjoyments it brings, would to them have no attraction.—devoted to religious duties, tem­ poral advantages are not the objects of their pursuits but bound by a solemn obligation to employ their revenue in charitable uses, & their time in the education of Youth, they cannot but be anxious to know that the property which is to enable them to fulfil these duties will be secure to them,—it is not therefore their own cause but of the Publick which they plead—it is the cause of the Orphan, of the helpless child of Want, of the many who may be snatched from the paths of Vice & infamy under their guidance, & be trained up in the habits of Virtue & religion to be happy and useful—of Society which will be spared the burthen of the indigent & the depredations of Vice—of their Country itself, which cannot but acquire honour in fostering & pro­ tecting such benificent purposes. These considerations, they know Sir, will have weight with you— they anticipate your support, because they are concious they deserve it—and they conclude with their ardent prayers for your personal happiness, & the prosperity of the Country whose affairs you direct, & have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir, yr. most obedt. humble Serts Sr. Therese de Ste Xavier Farjon Superieure Sr de Ste Marie Olivier Assistante Sr de Ste Felicité Alzas Zelatrice Sr. Christine de St André Madier Sr. Charlote de Ste Therese de Mouÿ Sr Emélie de St François Jourdan Sr Rosalie de Ste. Scolastique Broûtin  297 

23 APRIL 1804

Sr. Marie de Ste Madelaine Rillieux Sr Margerite de St charle carrier Sr. Marthe de St. Antoine Délattre Sr Marie Joseph Braux Sr Félicité de St Jean Nicola Novice Marie Blanc agregée pour Servir la communaute RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); in a clerk’s hand, signed by all; at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States of America!”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 June and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (DLC); dated 13 June; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Farjon and others, with exception of Marie Blanc; endorsed by TJ: “Ursula nuns of St.”; enclosed in William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 15 June. FC (Lb in Ursuline Academy, New Or­ leans); dated 21 Mch.; in French, with English translation. In 1727, 12 French nuns of the Order of St. Ursula founded a convent in New Orleans under the auspices of the Com­ pany of the Indies to run a military hospital and provide education for young women. At the time of the retrocession of Louisi­ ana from Spain to France, the convent numbered about 25 sisters, but several who had ties to Cuba returned to Havana, leaving the convent exclusively in the hands of French and French Creole nuns. In December 1803, William C. C. Clai­ borne reported after a visit to the convent: “There is an Abbess and eleven nuns, the Sole object of whose temporal Care is the education of female youth. They at pres­ ent accommodate 73 boarders, and 100 day scholars, each of whom contribute to the support of the house in proportion to the means and condition of the respective parents: and many receive tuition gratis.” The Ursulines’ school accounted for the majority of the convent’s income by 1802, with other funds deriving from property rents and the labor of slaves owned by the order (Emily Clark, Masterless Mistresses: The New Orleans Ursulines and the Devel­ opment of a New World Society, 1727­1834 [Chapel Hill, 2007], 267­70, 273; Emily Clark, “Peculiar Professionals: The Finan­ cial Strategies of the New Orleans Ursu­ lines,” in Susanna Delfino and Michele Gillespie, eds., Neither Lady nor Slave:

Working Women of the Old South [Chapel Hill, 2002], 200, 204; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:231). Thérèse Farjon (ca. 1753­1810), also known as Sister Saint Xavier, was one of three French nuns recruited by the New Orleans Ursulines from the convent at Pont Saint Esprit, France, in 1785. In the 1790s, she was elected sister supe­ rior. During an 1805 ecclesiastical schism within the New Orleans Catholic church, the Ursulines under Farjon sided with Patrick Walsh, the former vicar general under Spanish rule (Heloise Hulse Cru­ zat, “The Ursulines of Louisiana,” Loui­ siana Historical Quarterly, 2 [1919], 20; Clark, “Peculiar Professionals,” 198; Clark, Masterless Mistresses, 136­7, 232­3, 269). favourable mention: during Clai­ borne’s “visit of Ceremony” to the convent in December, as he informed Madison, “In the name of the President of the U.S. I undertook to give the nuns a solemn as­ surance that they would be protected in their persons, property, and Religion & they in return expressed the highest con­ fidence in the government.” The gover­ nor went to the convent again on 8 Apr. with Walsh and other clergymen and re­ peated his assurance that “Under the free and mild Government of United America, you may with certainty calculate on the uninterrupted enjoyment of your present tranquil and hallowed retreat, and the exercise of the Honorable avocation to which your temporal cares are directed.” According to an account of the April meeting that was published in the Moni­ teur de la Louisiane and widely reprinted, the views expressed by Claiborne con­ firmed that “there can be no doubt that under the government of the United States, this valuable institution will con­ tinue to prosper, and become more exten­ sively useful” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:231; 7:32­3; Rowland, Clai­

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24 APRIL 1804 borne Letter Books, 2:86; Philadelphia United States Gazette, 26 May). agregée pour servir la commu­ naute: that is, joined to the convent to serve the community of sisters.

 1 Dupl: “to the Congress of the United States.”

From Guertin Lacoudre Monsieur A Savannah Le 24 ávril 1804 Les Sommes de mal’heurs qui n’ont cessé de maccabler depuis Le Commencement de la Revolution Jusqua present, et notament La derniere Evacuation de la ville du cap français, Lieu ou j’ai perdû ma cinquieme fortune qui consistait én cinq habitations, et deux mai­ sons, ce qui ma Jetté dans La plus grande detresse, et me met hors détat de pouvoir Soutenir ma pauvre famille, J’e Suis árrivé ici ávec mon épouze trés maladeé et prête d’accoucher, Sans áucuns moyéns, Le peû qui me restait, ma été volé a bord de la goelette La citoyenne de Baltimore, qui consistait én instruments de mon árt, én árgent árgenterie, et bijoux, Se montant á plus de trois cents gourdes; il me Restait á new­york pour Seule et derniere ressource cinq domistiques negresses tant grande que petitte, que j’avais Laissé èn Surveillance à une de mes ámis, quelques téms aprés, elle fut áppellée èn france pour des áffaires de famille, álors elle én chargé a une áutre qui S’est noyée malheureusement, depuis cet accident ils nont été Surveillés par personne et Sans doute quelqu’un Leur á donné Le conseil de quitter cette ville, et daller á philadelphie, lieu ou ils Seraient Libres; J’ai L’honneur de madresser á vous, Monsieur, Reclamant votre justice, Et En vous priant vouloir bien maccorder, ou me faire ác­ corder La permission de Reprendre mes Domistiques, nimporte dans quelle partie du continent ou ils Soient, pour Les ámenner ici, áfin qu’en les faisant travailler, j’e puisse éncore une fois procurer Lexis­ tence á mon Epouze, et á mes énfans, vous connaissant une áme cha­ ritable, et compatissante particulierement pour les malheureux français colons ruiné par la revolution Daignez je vous prie, Monsieur, Jetter un oëil de pitiè Sur une honnête famille malheureuse, Eplorée, et désesperée, én lui áccordant quelques Secours, manquant Dans ce moméns des objets de premiere necessités; Ce faisant vous nous renderez La vie, mon épouze, mes énfans, et moi vous én áuront une éternelle reconnaissance, et nous ne césserons de prier Lêtre Suprême pour quil vous àccorde un long regne, et la conservation de vos precieux jours;  299 

24 APRIL 1804

 J’ai L’honneur de vous prevenir que j’ecris par Le même courier à Mr. John Waughant Negotiant front, et walnut Street, que je prie pareillement de faire Son possible, pour me procurer quelques Se­ cours, áyant eû l’honneur dêtre parfaittement connû de lui, pendant Les cinq ánnées que j’ai resté á philadelphie, Epoque ou j’ai eté áu moméns dêtre votre locattaire dans une maison qui vous àppartient, Située mulberry Street, èntre front, Et Second Street c’est dans ce même téms que j’ai éû L’honneur de vous voir, et de vous parler dans votre áutel; Jai Lhonneur dêtre avec Le plus profond Respect Monsieur, Votre tres humble et tres obeissant Serviteur Guertin Lacoudre doctor e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Savannah, 24 Apr. 1804 Misfortunes have heaped upon me from the beginning of the Revolution until now, especially the recent evacuation of Cap­Français, where I lost my fifth fortune, consisting of five dwellings and two houses. This has plunged me into the greatest distress and prevents me from supporting my poor fam­ ily. When I arrived here, with no means, my wife was ill and about to give birth. My meager resources—the instruments of my profession in silver along with some jewelry, totaling all together more than 300 gourdes—were stolen aboard the schooner Citoyenne from Baltimore. My only remaining resources were five black female servants of different ages in New York, whom I had placed in the care of a friend. Summoned to France for family matters soon afterward, she entrusted the servants to another, who unfortunately drowned. Since this accident no one has watched over them and they have undoubtedly been advised to leave New York for Philadelphia where they would be free. I have the honor of writing, Sir, to appeal to your justice. Knowing that you have a generous, compassionate soul, especially toward unfortunate French colonists ruined by the Revolution, I ask your permission to recover my do­ mestic servants, wherever on the continent they may be. By bringing them here and having them work, I can once again support my wife and children. I beg you, Sir, to look with pity on an honest family that is destitute, mournful, and desperate. Provide some help to a family that is lacking the most basic necessities. By doing this, you will give us back our lives. My wife, children, and I will be eternally grateful and will not cease praying that the Supreme Being grant you a long reign and a long life. I have the honor of informing you that I am writing by the same mail to Mr. John Vaughan, a merchant on Front and Walnut Streets whom I am also asking to do whatever he can to help me, since he knew me during the five years I spent in Philadelphia. For part of that time, I was your tenant, in a house you owned on Mulberry Street between Front and Second Streets. During that period I had the honor of speaking to you. With deepest respect, Sir, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Guertin Lacoudre

 300 

24 APRIL 1804  RC (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collec­ tion); at head of text: “Mr. Thomas Jef­ ferson president des états unis”; endorsed by TJ as received from “Lacoudre” on 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Guertin Lacoudre was listed as a doctor, sometimes with both of those surnames, sometimes with the last name “Lacou­ dre,” “Lacondre,” or other variants, in advertisements or directories in Cap­ Français in 1793, Philadelphia from 1794 to 1797, and New York City in 1798. He may also have been the Dr. Guertin ap­ pearing in advertisments in Charleston in

1812 (Cap­Français Moniteur General, 11 Mch. 1793; James Hardie, Philadelphia Directory and Register [Philadelphia, 1794], 86; Thomas Stephens, Stephens’s Philadelphia Directory for 1796 [Phila­ delphia, 1796], 106; Cornelius William Stafford, The Philadelphia Directory, for 1797 [Philadelphia, 1797], 108; Benjamin Schultz, An Inaugural Botanico­Medico Dissertation, on the Phytolacca Decandra of Linnaeus [Philadelphia, 1795], 27; New York Gazette Francaise, 19 Jan. 1798; Charleston City Gazette and Daily Adver­ tiser, 4 July 1812).

From Michael Krafft Sir Bristol (Pennsa.) 24 April 1804 Tho’ personally unknown to you Sir, I assume the liberty of ad­ dressing myself to you, on a presumption that I have the strongest hope of meeting with that Countenance in this application, which your patriotism has warranted me to expect, under the Character of an enthusiast in search of Philosophy & the Sciences. From the politi­ cal persecution of 98: I found it necessary to forsake an honorable and ample Subsistence under the then existing Administration. Since that period my whole attention has been devoted to the Sci­ ences in an immured Situation. For three Years last past I have been diligently employed in experi­ menting (under weighty expence) principally on Subjects immediately interresting to my Country such as that of our Domestic Distilleries &c. facts proved, and final results from which I have the strongest Conviction must ultimately tend to facilitate the rising Interests of Community. These together with the general system of Domestic Distillery I have arranged in the form of an 8o. volume of about 400 pages entitled The American Distiller, of the first part of which the enclosed are proof sheets (as a sample) and although it Cannot boast of elegance of Language, Yet I trust it will be found Replete with Usefull matter Having no pecuniary Interest in the sale of this work, save that which may arise, from the Voluntary tribute of esteem of my Fellow Citizens May I claim your Excys. permission to dedicate this work to you, as a safeguard against its falling into the general wreck of obliv­ ion which the Discountenance of envy may wish to Consign it, which  301 

24 APRIL 1804

favour will be greatfully acknowledged, by Sir Your Most devoted Servant Michl Krafft RC (DLC); at head of text: “His Excy. Thomas Jefferson Esqre.”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Michael August Krafft (b. ca. 1775) of Bristol, Pennsylvania, received a patent for an improvement in the “construction of stills” on 28 Oct. 1801. Shortly there­ after, Krafft began leasing his invention, and within three years it was used by over 217 distillers across the United States. Krafft dedicated his 1804 book, The Amer­ ican Distiller, to TJ (List of Patents, 26; Newark, N.J., Centinel of Freedom, 17 Nov. 1801; Michael Krafft, The American

Distiller, or, the Theory and Practice of Distilling, according to the Latest Discov­ eries and Improvements, including the Most Improved Methods of Constructing Stills, and of Rectification [Philadelphia, 1804]; Sowerby, No. 1208; Krafft to TJ, 11 May, and enclosure). the political persecution of 98: in 1798, Krafft applied to, and was re­ jected by, McPherson’s Blues, a Federal­ ist volunteer militia company in Philadel­ phia (Albrecht Koschnik, “Let a Common Interest Bind Us Together”: Associations, Partisanship, and Culture in Philadel­ phia, 1775­1840 [Charlottesville, 2007], 119­20).

From James Madison Dear Sir Washington Apl. 24. 1804. I reced. this morning your favor of the 17th. instant. Among the papers inclosed from N. Orleans is a copy of the Charter issued by Govr. Claibourne. From the date it appears to be prior to the Act of Congress, and not to be nullified thereby, unless the Act of Congress have a repealing effect. How far this may be the case, how far the authority of the Govr. may have been sufficient to grant such a char­ ter, or how far it may be so to set it aside, are questions which will claim attention, but on which I am unwilling to say any thing to Govr. Claibourn without knowing your decision on them. Mr. Galla­ tin in a private letter has expressed sentiments which I have no doubt will induce him to halt in his course if a halt can be made. If I add any thing officially it must be in very general terms. I inclose herewith besides the letters from N. Orleans a letter from Mr. Livingston, one from Mr. Pinkney, one from Mr. Monroe and one from a Candidate for Office at Baltimore, to which are added several private letters from Monroe, Mazzei & Claibourne. The letter from Pinkney with the communication to him from Ce­ vallos shews that he was kept without notice of the relinquishment by H.C.M. of his opposition to the transfer of Lousiana, from the 31st. of Decr. to the 10th. of Feby. The letter from Mazzei throws light on the ready & cordial interposition of the Emperor of Russia in behalf the Frigate & Crew at Tripoli.  302 

24 APRIL 1804

 The Marquis d Yrujo left Washington two or three days ago, with­ out calling on me either at the Office or at my House, and even with an Apology thro’ the Marchioness to Mrs M. for not taking leave of her, from which he was1 precluded by what had passed between him & me. He & the Marchioness together called at the Houses of my Colleagues. From hints dropt, it would seem that he expects to be sent to London, where an opening may be made by the removal of the Spanish Ambassador now there to Paris where an opening is made for him by the death of Azzara. You will learn from Mr. Lincoln that Russel has returned the Commission for Tunis. The business allotted to him at Naples, must, in consequence, I suppose be committed to Degan with a Consular Commission. With affectionate & respectful attachment Yrs. James Madison RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent”; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 27 Apr. and “N.O. bank. lres of Livingston, Pinckney, Monroe, Claiborne. Yrujo.—Russell” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures were probably: (1) William C. C. Claiborne to Madison, 16 Mch. from New Orleans, enclosing copies of three ordinances that he recently issued: one of 12 Mch. char­ tering the Louisiana Bank, one of 13 Mch. regulating attorneys, and one of 15 Mch. regulating Mississippi River pilots; Clai­ borne asserts that the bank is popular and will allay public discontent over the change of government; he trusts the mea­ sure will be approved on the grounds of political expediency; the ordinance re­ garding pilots was passed on the advice of Hore Browse Trist; a lighthouse is much wanted at the Balize and could be erected in two or three months if Congress makes the necessary appropriation (Madi­ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:594­5). (2) Claiborne to Madison, 15 Mch. from New Orleans, reports the conviction and execution of John Sutton and James May in the Mississippi Territory for piracy and felony; they were two of Samuel Mason’s party of banditti that terrorized travelers on the Mississippi River and the “Wilder­ ness road”; Claiborne believes the United States should cover the cost of their con­ finement and trial and asks the Treasury Department to advise him on the subject

(same, 6:589­90). (3) Claiborne to Mad­ ison, 16 Mch. from New Orleans, report­ ing on the proceedings of a recent meet­ ing of private individuals in the city; Mayor Jean Etienne Boré chaired the meeting and many farmers and New Or­ leans merchants, mostly French, attended; Jean Noël Destréhan, a sugar planter, called for the election of district deputies to choose commissioners to Congress and to create a permanent committee to con­ vey instructions to the said commissioners from time to time, especially regarding the slave trade and “the present commercial embarrassments”; Benjamin Tupper, who called the meeting, made “an inflamatory and foolish Speech” in favor of Des­ tréhan’s proposals and expounded on the burdens under which Louisiana suffered, the “unfortunate consequences” that might attend the suppression of the slave trade, and Congress’s neglect of their interests; several French gentlemen disapproved of Tupper, an American, speaking for their interests; John Watkins then addressed the assembly and called for temperance in speech and prudence in decision, and voiced his disapproval of Destréhan’s prop­ ositions; Watkins pointed out that the concerns regarding the slave trade had already been conveyed to Congress and that a decision had undoubtedly been made; he moved to form a committee of three to prepare a memorial to Congress, to be transmitted to Washington by the

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24 APRIL 1804 governor; the motion was unanimously approved, and Watkins, John Francis Merieult, and Pierre Petit were chosen to draft the memorial; Claiborne considers Tupper “a troublesome man,” whose ob­ ject for calling the meeting was to secure the appointment as commissioner to Con­ gress; Claiborne repeats his observation that the inhabitants consider the continu­ ation of the slave trade for a few years to be vital to their interests and that no act of Congress would create more discon­ tent than the immediate prohibition of that trade; he trusts the commercial com­ plaints of the merchants will be speedily removed and suggests that the citizens of  Louisiana would be well pleased in having a say in their local government; although Claiborne does not regret the recent meeting, he is not in favor of oth­ ers, citing the present unsettled state of affairs and the presence of “so many char­ acters” in the territory; good order pre­ vails in the city (same, 6:590­4). (4) Clai­ borne to Madison, 24 Mch. from New Orleans, acknowledging the receipt of Madison’s letter of 20 Feb., which is the first communication he has received from the secretary since arriving at New Or­ leans; the letter arrived with a broken seal and had undoubtedly been read by “some abandoned person”; Claiborne considers the postal service between New Orleans and Washington to be “very precarious and unsafe”; a copy of the law regarding commerce and navigation has not been received; Spanish forces have not yet withdrawn from New Orleans, although preparations to do so continue; Pierre Clément Laussat proposes leaving the city in a few days, and Claiborne will rejoice when all foreign agents and their depen­ dents are withdrawn; he believes James Wilkinson will not depart until the Span­ ish forces have gone and the public build­ ings have been delivered (same, 6:617­18). (5) Charles Pinckney to Madison, 12 Feb. from Madrid, enclosing a 10 Feb. letter from Pedro Cevallos, which states that Carlos Martínez de Irujo has been in­ structed to inform the U.S. government that the king of Spain has given no or­ ders to resist the transfer of Louisiana to  France and has ceased his opposition to the cession of Louisiana to the United

States, despite the valid reasons upon which his opposition had been founded (same, 6:469­70). (6) James Monroe to Madison, 25 Feb. from London, report­ ing that the king has been very ill for sev­ eral weeks, which has revived calls for a regency; if the Prince of Wales comes to power, a change of ministry is expected, presumably with Charles James Fox at its head; an association of Fox and Wil­ liam Pitt is doubtful; Monroe has received no reply from Lord Hawkesbury to his recent note regarding the impressment of American seamen; Monroe believes there is “a strong motive” for an equitable and amicable arrangement on impressment, neutral rights, and trade with the West Indies; unfortunately, the United States must contend with British prejudice on these subjects; Alexander Baring has not yet arrived (same, 6:510­12). (7) Robert R. Richardson to Madison, 19 Apr. from Baltimore, seeking an appointment as marshal for Maryland should the present marshal resign; Richardson can obtain recommendations from General John Mason, the treasurer of the United States, and others if necessary (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Richardson Rob. R. to be Marshl. of Maryland. his lre to mr Madison”). (8) Monroe to Madison, 26 Feb. from London, reporting that he has received complaints from “some of our friends” regarding the provision made in the Louisiana treaty and conventions for the settlement of American debt claims, which they fear may “embarrass our trea­ sury”; when negotiating the conventions, Monroe thought it best to pay claims as they were liquidated, to an amount not exceeding 20 million francs, since this was the highest amount France was will­ ing to appropriate; Monroe believed this arrangement would satisfy all parties; in regard to the price paid for Louisiana, he had no reason to expect it would have been reduced had the United States agreed to pay $2 million in cash; he has expressed these sentiments in a recent letter to John Randolph and will also do so in reply to letters received from oth­ ers, copies of which he will send (Madi­ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:513­14). (9) Monroe to Madison, 2 Mch. from London, enclosing letters from Lafayette

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24 APRIL 1804 regarding his land grant; from John Mur­ ray Forbes recommending a “Mr. Hough­ ton” for appointment as consul at Hull; from Edward C. Nicholls seeking an ap­ pointment in Louisiana and recommend­ ing a “Mr Snowden” of Philadelphia to Monroe’s attention; and from Henry Preble seeking appointment as commer­ cial agent at Le Havre; Forbes is a wor­ thy man whose opinions merit attention; Nicholls had been recommended to Mon­ roe by Daniel Carroll Brent; Preble is a “good kind of man” but “not altogether in political sentiment with the admn.”; Monroe also recommends the appoint­ ment of a “political agent” in Holland for the benefit of American commerce and suggests George W. Erving as a suitable candidate (same, 6:531­2; Forbes to Mon­ roe, partially dated “Thursday Morng.,” RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Houghton   to be Consul at Hull. Forbes’s lre to Colo. Monroe”; Nicholls to Monroe, 14 Dec. 1803 from Liverpool, RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Snowden for appmt. at N.O. Edwd. C. Nicholas’s lre to Colo. Monroe”; Preble to Monroe, 2 Jan. 1804 from Le Havre, RC in same, en­ dorsed by TJ: “Preble Henry to be Con­ sul at Havre. his lre to Monroe. M. says he is a federalist”). (10) Philip Mazzei to Madison, 28 Dec. 1803 from Pisa; Mazzei has not written Madison for many years; he has written the president often, espe­ cially on the subject of American consuls, whose reputation is lowered in Europe due to the failure of the American gov­ ernment to acknowledge their dispatches; Mazzei has also forwarded items for the Monticello gardens; he has received no reply from the president to any of his let­ ters since that of 6 Dec. 1800; Mazzei has been to Russia and offers his opinion on the current conditions there; the emperor has an excellent heart, and his closest cur­ rent advisers, Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, Nikolai Novosiltsov, and Paul Stroganov,

are young men of talent and wisdom; Mazzei has known Czartoryski since 1787 and became acquainted with the others through him; Mazzei credits these four men with the unexpected and excel­ lent government reforms instituted last year (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:240­4). (11) Claiborne to Madison, 24 Mch. from New Orleans, replying to Madison’s private letter encouraging the departure of Juan Ventura Morales from Louisiana; Claiborne states that the Mar­ qués de Casa Calvo is the enemy of Mo­ rales, and a hint from Claiborne to Casa Calvo would effect the object; Claiborne considers Morales to be an “intrigueing, designing, base man”; Laussat will un­ doubtedly support Morales’s recent ap­ plication to be the Spanish consul at New Orleans; Claiborne believes Louisi­ ana will continue to suffer from the “mis­ chiefs” of the previous government, espe­ cially the love of “wealth and luxurious dissipation”; it will be many years before “integrity, industry, and economy become generally prevalent” (same, 6:618­19). (12) Claiborne to Madison, 25 Mch. from New Orleans, enclosing information re­ ceived from Stephen Minor in support of his accusation that Cato West was in­ volved in a land fraud in the Mississippi Territory; Claiborne does not agree with Minor’s view, but believes that Congress did not intend for holders of land under Spanish patents to drop them in order to get larger tracts from the United States (same, 6:619). Other enclosure not iden­ tified. what had passed between him & me: see Gallatin to TJ, 15 Mch. José Nicolás de Azara (azzara) had been recalled as the Spanish minister to France in late 1803. He died in January 1804 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:156, 406). 1 Madison

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here canceled “prevent.”

From Robert Smith Sir Nav Dep 24 April 1804 I have the honor to enclose for your signature 30 blank Warrants— they are wanted for midsn—boatswains, gunners, sailmakers & car­ penters—When you shall have signed them, I beg the favor of you to have them returned to me. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir, yr mo ob Sr. Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived from the Navy Department on 27

Apr. and “warrts for midshipman &c.” and so recorded in SJL. FC (DNA: RG 45, LSP); in a clerk’s hand.

From Stephen Cathalan, Jr. Dear Sir Marseilles the 25th. April 1804. I had the honor of paying you my respects on the 18th. August last—I hope you will have received one Case containing naples mac­ caronny, & Genoa Paste which as r. Invoice, & Captn. Wm. Ham­ mon’s Receipt here, I caused Messrs. Kuhn Green & Co. of Genoa to be shipped on the 26th. Dber. last for New York to be consigned to Thos. Storm Esqre. at New York to be forwarded to you; amounting to £76–5. money of Genoa making at 94 S. r. Dar. of Genoa f62–33 Cents of France which I have passed on your debit; as r. invoice here inclosed. I apprehend I have too much delayed in sending you a Fresh supply of provisions & fruits—I hoped daily I should receive a line from you, with your kind remarks on the 1st. Invoice, in order to be able to Satisfy you as well as possible;—the American vessels who frequented this port last winter, were all bound to Boston, or the northern States, calling at Cette to compleat their cargoes; only one purchased at Toulon by Mr. Bn. Connor was bound to Norfolk vir­ ginia, and sailed directly from that Port;—at first I apprehended I should not have time to collect the whole, & by your forseen accident she was from a day to another detained 6 weeks after being dispatched at my office; I have then found not a more favorable opportunity than the Brig Albion of Boston John Doggett master now ready to sail for Boston on which I have shipped as r bill of loading, & invoice here inclosed nine Boxes or Jars containing sundries to be consigned to the collector of the Custom house, & after safe arrival be forwarded to you by him.—you will please to give me credit for their amount r. F578–40 Cts.  306 

25 APRIL 1804

 the season was too far advanced to send you figs & prunes, but you may be assured that next octobr. or novber I will not fail to send you a fresh supply of all what may be procur’d of the best quality.— I have now the pleasure of acknowelging you receipt of you respect’d favor (a copy) on the 13th. instant of Novber 20th. last with a letter from P. Butler Esqre. a Senator dated Philada. 29th. Decber. desiring me to procure him, the very best white Hermitage virgin wine and I observe by your letter that it is only that quality 1795 of the crop of Jourdan which you fond delicious; I will then procure for him such a quality of wine, & I’m sorry the other wine I send you, was not at all suitable to your taste.—I received at the same time a remittance from Mr. Butler to whom I have not the time to write, the Albion the bearer of this letter being under Sail—I would at the same time send you a supply of that virgin wine, but I observe your wish is to wait till I hear from more particularly on the subject. My old father & mother Mrs. Cathn. and Daughter all in good health presents you their respectful compliments & best wishes The young Mr. Julius Oliver whom I took particularly the liberty of recommending to you, a Citizen of the U. States is just arrived from Philada. without having undertaken the journey I wished he had done thro’ America, I will employ him for a while in this chan­ cery & than send him back for that purpose. he is the secratery of this letter. It would be a high favor if I could obtain the citizenship of the U. States—but I dont know if it is to you, Sir, has president, or to con­ gress that I must make my humble petition.—by my holding this U.S.’s agency I am long here no more a Citizen of France—it is true I never was into the U.S. but since 1775 my father, & I being in their service, & 1790 in the consular house would not be consedered equivalent has to a real residence in America? and more so, has my duty in this office may have prevented me as I long wished to go there myself, and pay you personaly my respects? I have the honor to be very respectful of your excellingcy Dear Sir The most obedient & dutiful Servant. Stephen Cathalan Junr. P.S. I have not the time to write to the Secratery of State I beg your refference to the inclosed intelligence. RC (MHi); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cathalan; at head of text, affixed seal of the United States for the commercial agency and naval agency at Marseilles; above postscript: “his excellingcy Ths. Jefferson President of the U. States”; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 21 July and so

recorded in SJL, but as a letter of 21 Apr. Enclosures not found. s. r. dar. of genoa: Cathalan was tabulating exchange rate figures from Genoese lire, soldi, and denari. The “S” may have denoted French sous (P. Kelly,

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25 APRIL 1804 The Universal Cambist and Commercial Instructor: Being a Full and Accurate Treatise on the Exchanges, Coins, Weights, and Measures, of All Trading Nations and Their Colonies .  .  . [London, 1831], 61; Markus A. Denzel, Handbook of World Exchange Rates, 1590­1914 [Farnham, Eng., 2010], 107). 1st. invoice: TJ enclosed a list of de­ sired Mediterranean foodstuffs, intended as a year’s supply, in a letter of 7 Feb. 1803 to Cathalan (Vol. 39:468­70). For Cathalan’s actions on behalf of Ju­ lius Olivier (oliver), see Vol. 31:107­8 and Vol. 41:32­3.

 Cathalan was likely enclosing intel­ ligence concerning rumors that Tunis was preparing for war against the United States. He also sent messages to other U.S. consuls about the rumors. In a letter to Robert R. Livingston, Edward Preble likewise reported hearing that the bey of  Tunis “is equipping his whole Naval force with the utmost expedition, and it is whispered that the object is the Ameri­ can Commerce” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:101, 203­4, 227­8, 251; ndbw, 3:503­4).

To James Lindsay Sir Monticello Apr. 25. 04. I must apologise for an error of mine in weighing some money delivered me by mr Lilly as recieved from you; and which I made to weigh less than you had done. you were right and I was wrong. I inattentively weighed it as Spanish gold, and it was not, till going to weigh some of it out again to another person, I adverted to it’s being all in Portuguese half joes & Moedas: and calculating anew, found it made up exactly the difference between my former count and yours, and that the sum recieved was precisely £48. as you had noted it. I pray you to accept my apology and assurances of esteem. Th: Jefferson PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. James Lindsay”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. James Lindsay was a nephew of TJ’s Albemarle County neighbor Reuben Lindsay. He resided at The Meadows in Louisa County (Woods, Albemarle, 257; vmhb [1902], 10:203; Vol. 38:397­8n; rs, 1:563n).

On 13 Apr., TJ received £48 from Ga­ briel lilly for nails purchased by Lind­ say (mb, 2:1124). Portuguese half Johannes (half joes), which got their name from King João V, and moedas were gold coins in circula­ tion in America (oed; mb, 1:82; Vol. 1:408n, 512, 513, 517).

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From George Davis of Mississippi Territory May it please Washington Mississippi Territory your Excellency, April 26th. 1804 A man whose walks through life, have been confined within a very humble sphere, presumes, with the greatest respect, to address the first Magistrate of this our happy Country: This, he is encouraged to do, from a belief, that nothing of this kind will be treated with con­ tempt, particularly when he perceives that it originates in, and is dictated by honesty, by a Philosopher, who, in addition to the great talents common to our day, possesses that Singular and amiable one, of being able, with complaisance, to look down upon, and duly to ap­ preciate, the worth of Talents inferior to his own; a Statesman, who, though exalted to the highest Station in the gift of his own, or any other Country—singular as it is in the History of mankind, is capable of retaining his patriotism, and who, having the happiness of a con­ siderable number of his fellow men, in some measure at his disposal, still retains a portion of Humanity and Philanthropy, which eminently distinguishes him from most others in his exalted situation. Having thus stated the ground, on which I have been encouraged to address your Excellency, I shall proceed to state the Intent of the address. I have observed in one of the Numbers of the National In­ telligencer, which I received by the mail before last a “Report of the Committee of Commerce an Manufactures, who were directed to en­ quire into the expediency, of authorizing the President to cause to be explored, certain unknown parts of Louisiana, &c. &c. &c.” which, if it merits the approbation of Congress will, no doubt, open a vast field for the display of such Mathematical talents, as your Excellency may approve and think proper to patronize: The intention, therefore, of my writing, is to make a respectful tender of my services. From a knowledge I have of the nature of our Government, and from the existing congeniality between its principles, and those by which its administration is at present so happily conducted, I do not hesitate to exhibit my pretentions to your Excellency, though not founded on birth fortune or Scholastic Honors:—As to fortune, I have none, nor have I had any other opportunity of Learning, than what, without the least Instruction, except about ten months when a small boy, I have drawn with great application and industry, from books, to which, from the earliest period of life, I have had the great­ est propensity.  309 

26 APRIL 1804

 In pursuits of this kind, though attended with all the difficulties, to which, poverty and a rambling disposition, which I have possessed, is incident, I have been tolerably successful; having made myself mas­ ter of most of the Useful parts of the Mathematics, both Synthetic, and analytic. I was born in Loudoun County in Virginia, which I left when no more than fifteen years of age, and to which, after an absence of ten years, I returned. I made my acquaintance with the Arts and Sciences in the course of my absence. I traveled over almost the whole of the United States and, was nearly three years at sea; in this last situation I made myself acquainted with Navigation, Nautical Astronomy, Spherics and Algebra, having acquired a knowledge of Land Survey­ ing, previous to my entering upon that life. On Returning to my native country, I found it entirely changed. But few persons held their lands in fee­simple in the neighborhood where I had lived, one man holding a whole settlement, generally, which he let out on Lease, or frequently, by more precarious tenures: The consequence was, that most of my old acquaintance who had orig­ inally improved those lands, had been turned out of doors during my absence, and on my return the Country was overrun with negroes. In vain, with tears in my eyes, did I endeavour to find the spot, on which the house had stood, in which I was born; no mark remained by which I could recognize it. I was never in a better frame of mind for reading Goldsmiths “Deserted Village” I found my aged parents at the distance of a few miles from the place where I had left them, laboring under all the distresses of old age and poverty. My father who seemed to have lived only to see me again, died in a few months after my return, and left my mother a dependent on me for support, but so far from being able to render that assistance which she required, that wretched country would afford me no business by which I could gain a tolerable competency for myself; I therefore left it for this country with a determination that if I could procure business adopted to my humble talents, I would make remit­ tances for the Relief of my aged and distressed mother. I arrived in this Territory a few months before Mr. Briggs, the surveyor for this place. I fortunately got so far into the good graces of Governor Claiborne, that he not only assisted me in procuring a Dep­ utation, but entered in Bonds of a Thousand Dollars penalty, with me, for the just performance of the work. Upon the whole, I am under such obligations to the Governor and Mr. Briggs, that nothing short of such unmerited ill treatment as I believe them to be incapable of, can ever eradicate the grateful im­  310 

26 APRIL 1804

pression from my mind. On an intimate acquaintance with Mr. Briggs I have found him to be possessed of a disposition, and turn of mind, which is an honor to humanity; and were he a Candidate for the Gov­ ernorship of a state or Territory in which I might live and have a vote, he should from the knowledge I have of his Talents and prin­ ciples, have my Suffrage against the world. Mr. Briggs, as I observed above, appointed me a Deputy Sur­ veyor—nor was the Governor’s recommendation the Sole induce­ ment. He seemed favorably disposed towards me from other causes. He did not seem to think that Science, like masonry, could be dis­ graced by having been received without the usual formalities: on the Contrary he seemed to think that there was a merit in being self­ taught and to that opinion, I probably was in some measure indebted for the appointment. I advised my Mother of my good fortune, and promised her speedy assistance. But alas how have I been disappointed! all my dreams of prosperity were soon destroyed: In consequence of the many diffi­ culties attending the Business of surveying in this Country, the Com­ pensation allowed by law was found so very inadequate, that after fitting out, and following it for three or four months, in the most la­ boreous manner, so hard indeed that it is impossible with out actual experience, to have a tolerable Idea of it, I was obliged to resign my appointment about five hundred Dollars in Debt. The Surveyor­General’s answer, expressive of his approbation of my Conduct in the public service a copy which I beg leave herewith to enclose, in addition to what is above stated from the whole of the pretentions I have at present time to make, to public patronage; But if your Excellency should have any curiosity, to have a more particu­ lar account of my peregrinations, I shall be happy, on a suggestion of the kind, to write, from materials I have on hand, a short narative of my little adventures. I am aware that I have said much more than really concerned the Solicitation I have been making; but having deviated from the com­ mon mode of applying for Executive patronage; I thought it my duty, not having friends to do it for me, openly to explain my situation, which at present would be extremely embarrassing, were it not for indulgencies1 above any thing I have ever seen, which I experience from those who assisted me in fitting out for the public Service. If from what I have said you may think me deserving of an appoint­ ment, such, for which my humble abilities may Qualify me, this your Excellency may rest assured of, that you never did, nor will you ever confer a favor on one who will be more sensible of it.  311 

26 APRIL 1804

 I am May it please your Excellency your Excellency’s very humble Servent George Davis PS To save the trouble of an additional sheet of paper I beg leave to copy the Surveyor­General’s answer to my Resignation below “Washington M.T. 13th. of the 2nd Mo 1804 “George Davis “I have received thy letter of the 2nd. Instant, offering thy resigna­ tion, as a Deputy­Surveyor. I, indeed deeply regret the situation to which thy Employment in my Department has reduced thee “I thank thee with Sincerity, for thy Integrity, diligence, and ability in the Public Service—it would afford me pleasure, were it in my power, to give thee a more adequate reward “I will Represent thy Case to government. In the mean time, I am thy friend “Isaac Briggs” a copy  Your Excellency will I hope pardon any appearance of negligence in my letter, for, from the steady attendance which I have to give to my present temporary Employment it will not allow me the time usu­ ally taken on such occations for transcribing; this therefore is the first rough draft wrote in haste. G.D. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); extraneous quotation marks omitted; above post­ script: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and “to explore Louisiana” and so recorded in SJL. George Davis (d. 1835) served inter­ mittently as a deputy surveyor under Isaac Briggs in the Mississippi Territory between 1803 and 1806, during which time the mathematical skills he brought to his work were more than offset by his volatile personality and questions about his character. TJ considered appointing him to the Red River expedition in 1805, but William Dunbar quickly squelched the idea, citing Davis’s “jealous temper” and repeated “acts of insubordination and presumption.” After Briggs dismissed

him in 1806, Davis accused Briggs of financial misconduct and sent charges against his former employer to Gallatin. Davis eventually settled in New Orleans and was appointed surveyor general for the district south of Tennessee in 1824, but his quarrelsome disposition led to his removal four years later (Malcolm J. Rohrbough, The Land Office Business: The Settlement and Administration of American Public Lands, 1789­1837 [New York, 1968], 165­7; Terr. Papers, 5:399, 483­4, 488­9, 637; jep, 3:378, 599; Daily National Intelligencer, 7 July 1835; TJ to William Dunbar, 25 May 1805; Dunbar to TJ, 9 July 1805; Isaac Briggs to TJ, 27 Sep. 1806; Gallatin to TJ, 11 Dec. 1806). 1 MS:

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“indulgengencies.”

From Gideon Granger Dear Sir. Pittsburg Apl. 26th. 1804— Your favor of the 16th. was duly recd. this Evening. The proposed alteration in the Conveyance of the mail to Charlottesville shall re­ ceive my earliest attention. But I dare not make it without an exami­ nation of the connections at my Office. I yet think that Mr Langdon has at least an equal Chance for the Goverment in Newhampshire and I am so sanguine as not to doubt that State respecting the approaching great Election. I have this mail received a great number of Letters from Connecticut—Our political friends in that State, as far as I have recd Intelligence are making great progress. In the County of Fairfield we have 22 vs. 6. last year the Tories had a majority. In the County of New London and also of Tolland I think we are certain of a majority. Indeed, every thing re­ maining Steady, we shall in a year or two kill the beast in his Strong hold. In relation, Sir, to the coalition reffered to I can only say I was led to propose that question in consequence of having understood, but from what quarter I can’t say at this moment, that Mr: Galatin had given it as his opinion that if they the Tories were brought to suc­ cumb on the part of the opposition, no matter from what Cause, it would prove their certain and lasting destruction and because if it were practicable without a hazard of the principle to produce an unanimous vote at the next election It would be the event to be de­ sired before all Others both in relation to Our Affairs at home and abroad. Yet I allways feared it would work disunion and ruin to the Republicans in the end. On that account I did not believe it prudent or advisable. Considering You Sir the head of the Nation and in a certain sense my father and adviser in room of One of whom it has pleased Providence to deprive me and availing myself of your kind invitations to express my Opinions with frankness on all subjects I have not failed on any single occasion to express my opinions to you or to inform you of what was passing or to be apprehended as far as I had knowledge or reasonable ground of Conjecture—I yet fear that a junction of certain States is approaching. I also fear that this State however chimerical the Idea may appear will also add to the number. For I am in truth mistaken if every thing is not preparing here for an explosion and If three Years pass away before it is manifest to the world. It is, Sir, not because I approve of the proposed Junction—not because I am an abettor of or Advocate for it—but because I foresee  313 

26 APRIL 1804

an endless and incalculable Train of Consequences and possibly if not probably of evils resulting from it, that I have frankly stated to You and to Such Officers of the Administration as I dared the danger of its existence, the probable causes which produced as well as the prob­ able Means of defeating it & avoiding the danger.—It was done, Sir, from a sincere Attachment to this Administration and the principles which produced and Supported it. No Single fact in relation to that event has happened within my knowledge which I have not faithfully reported to you—nor have I directly or indirectly been concerned in any measure of a public nature farther than you know from my per­ sonal communications. I am not Insensible that some may have in­ ferrd from my proclaiming the danger that I was aiding in increasing it. The Information was given to those alone who had, it is to be pre­ sumed, the power of warding it off as well as the disposition to do it. For the Integrity of my views I yield to no man. I have allways be­ lieved that a direct right forward Course led most certainly and in the least distance to the desired Object. Some parts of my life have at least furnished common Evidence of the Truth of this Assertion. To them on common occasions I most cheerfully yield in point of dis­ cernment. But in the Case before Us Experience will determine who has formed the most correct opinions. I recd. last night a Letter from Mr. Phelps in relation to the Con­ versation reported to have passed between You & him on the Subject of the New York Election and Two Copies of Letters from Genl Thomas and Col. Root to him on the Same Subject with a request to have me submit the Same to your perusal: and I shall accordingly present them on my return. I find by private Letters from New York and Connecticut that most unwarrantable and unjust use is made of my name and pretended declarations relative to the pending elections in the former State. The only conversations I have had on that Sub­ ject have been with Mr Phelps and Mr. Vanness. Mr. Phelps never put any question in point. Mr. Vanness did and I was so guarded as to minute the conversation. If one shade of doubt remains on the mind of any person I can remove it as easily as I can prove who put the electors of Virga. on their guard at the last presidential election— Sir I feel it my duty in defense of myself to say as much as this— If my warning had been heeded by those who had the Sway in that State, the Crisis would not have existed. I pray you to reckon me among your most Sincere friends and that you may long live to enjoy and confer happiness Gidn Granger  314 

26 APRIL 1804  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 May and so recorded in SJL. Newspaper accounts of the elections to the state house of representatives in con­ necticut, held on 12 Apr., indicated that Republicans were set to increase their numbers from about 60 to almost 80 members, out of 195 representatives. The county of fairfield polled a Re­ publican majority of 21 out of 28 repre­ sentatives, and new london likely sent 11 Republicans and 10 Federalists. Parti­ san identities in tolland County were less certain, with one Federalist news­

paper indicating that of seven members, two were unidentified and one was a definite Republican (New Haven Con­ necticut Herald, 17 Apr.; Danbury, Conn., Republican Farmer, 18 Apr.; Hudson, N.Y., Bee, 24 Apr.; Salem, Mass., Regis­ ter, 3 May; Michael J. Dubin, Party Affil­ iations in the State Legislatures: A Year by Year Summary, 1796­2006 [Jefferson, N.C., 2007], 33). For the role of Oliver phelps in the New York gubernatorial race and com­ munications from David thomas and Erastus root, all supporters of Aaron Burr, see Phelps to TJ, 10 Apr.

From Francis Mulligan Mizicksborough near Charleston Sou. Carolina.

Sir April 26th. 1804. The kind, and polite, attention, you were pleased to Shew me, dur­ ing my Stay, at the Seat of Government, demands, my most cordial, And Sincere thanks, and will ever Stamp on my mind, the most Heartfelt, Sensations, of Gratitude, and Esteem.— Deeply impressed, as I feel, with those Sentiments, I conceived it A duty, incumbent in me, to make it the first, and principle, object of my enquiries, on my return, into the general Opinions, and Senti­ ments of the best informed, And most influential characters, Amongst us With a View, to Assertain the best possible information in my Power, respecting the probable result, of the Deliberations, of Our Legislature on the Amendment of the Constitution, at their meeting on the 10th. of may next At Columbia, and I am extreamely happy, that An Occasion So favourably presents itself in communicating to you.— That notwithstanding, all the Subterfuges, and wicked machinations, Practiced by the Disorganising Federalists, added to the Writings of an Influencial Senator, opposed to the measure, will avail but little, So Sanguine do I feel, under the Strongest impressions, that the Amendment, with out any manner of doubt, in my mind, Will inevi­ tably be adopted.— The Governor of this State, arrived here on Saturday eveng. last from his Seat, (the hills of Santee,) with whom I had the Honour, of a Friendly Visit, with, this morning, It is I hope, but doing Justice,  315 

26 APRIL 1804

to the goodness of his heart, in communicating to you, the kind and Friendly Enquiries, he has been pleased to make for you, Hopeing That, at Some period, not far distant, he might have it in his power, To realise that, which he had long contemplated, in the pleasure of Seeing you I pray you to accept my most respectful, and Sincere Wishes, for your long life, and happy continuance at the Head of our administra­ tion, and Believe with every Sentiment of respectful Veneration, your Hbe. Obt. Servt. Frs. Mulligan RC (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collec­ tion); at foot of text: “Ths; Jefferson Esqe. President U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Charleston resident Francis Mulligan (ca. 1749­1823) was a former ferry opera­ tor, grocer, and revenue collector who in 1804 owned a brokerage and commission business. He had been pursuing a federal appointment since 1795, applying for the post of naval officer for Charleston or “any vacancy.” In 1802, Mulligan made two appeals to Gallatin for the post of super­ visor of the revenue in South Carolina. A year later, following the recommendation of Governor James B. Richardson, TJ appointed him a bankruptcy commis­ sioner. Traveling to Washington in early

1804, Mulligan sought an appointment as marshal of Louisiana. That summer, he was an applicant for commissioner of loans in South Carolina, but questions had surfaced regarding his integrity. Mulligan continued to seek a federal appointment until at least 1813 (Charleston Morning Post and Daily Advertiser, 26 Feb. 1787; Charleston City Gazette and Daily Adver­ tiser, 18 Jan. 1792; South­Carolina State­ Gazette, 12 May 1794; Charleston Courier, 29 Aug. 1823; asp, Miscellaneous, 1:287; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 18:211­ 12; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 6:409; Vol. 37:711; Vol. 39:585­6; Vol. 42:506; Gallatin to TJ, 23 July 1804, second letter). influencial senator: Pierce Butler. For his opposition to the Twelfth Amend­ ment, see Vol. 42:459­60.

From James Scott Sir New Orleans 26th. April 1804 Mr. John Stroad of Culpeper County inform’d me that he had Apply’d to you for some letters of introduction for me in this place & that you was good enough to say you would forward some for that purpose I am sorry to observe they never have made there apperance— pardon the liberty I now take in making the inquiry to whom they were sent I am Sir With much respect & Esteem Your Mo. Obt. Servt. James Scott RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 10 June and so recorded in SJL. James Scott was a physician who, ac­ cording to William C. C. Claiborne, quickly

attracted “a considerable share of the public notice and respect” by introducing the smallpox vaccine in New Orleans and along the coast in the summer of 1804. Following his standard policy, TJ did not

 316 

27 APRIL 1804 write letters of introduction for him (Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:256; John Duffy, ed., The Rudolph Matas His­ tory of Medicine in Louisiana, 2 vols.

[Baton Rouge, 1958­62], 1:372­4; TJ to Claiborne, 17 July 1804; Claiborne to TJ, 8 Sep. 1804).

From Thomas Worthington Sir Chilicothe April 26th 1804 When I last had the pleasure of seeing you I mentioned Mr George Hoffman a young gentleman of this place to you as a fit person to be appointed to one of the land offices in the Indiana Territory. I was not at that time certain he would serve but since my return have learned from him that he will if appointed register of the land office at Kas­ kaskia May I take the liberty of soliciting that appointment for him. I assure you Sir he is every way well qualified to fill the office and one among the most worthy deserving young men I know. I have not yet obtained sufficient information in relation to the Receiver of public monies at Steubenville but expect I shall in a few days when I will again do myself the pleasure to write you—Our state government appears to operate quite agreeable and so far our affairs present the most flattering prospects The people almost universally are highly gratified with the proceedings of the General Government I beg you to be assured of my most sincere wishes for your health & happiness. T Worthington RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 June and “Hoffman George to be Register of land office Kaskaskia” and so recorded in SJL.

receiver of public monies at steubenville: Zaccheus Biggs (see Vol. 42:572).

From George Cornell May it Please your Excellence [before 27 Apr. 1804] The Memorial of George Cornell of portsmouth On Rhode Island Humbly Showeth—that your Excellencys Memorialist Served in the Canadia war—from april 1758 untill april 1765 from an Ensign to a Capt of a Company and was at the Reduction of all the Country from Moreall to Detroit—in the year 1761 your Excellencys memorialist was appointed Capt of A Company to Be Seperate from the Regiment— and to Do Duty with the British Troops—then Stationed at fort Stanwix and Osswago—and in the month of October 1763 peace was  317 

27 APRIL 1804

proclaimed at fort Stanwix—when your Excellance Memorialist, with his Company was Ordered to move too Osswago and in april 1764 the Indians Broke war at Detroit—and in May Major Delyel first Aid de Camp to Sir Jeffery Amhast the Commander in Chief—arrived at1 Osswago with Orders from His Excellance to Take forward with him Such Troops from the Different forts as he Should Chuse to Go on to Detroite to Chastise the Indians—and Sir Jeffery wrote me By his Aide—to Go On with the Major, with part of my Company—and that On my Return, I Should Be Intitled to three Thousand Acres of Land at pencacola agreeable to his Majestys Generous proclamation for all his Disbanded Officers your Memorialist went On too Detroit—and the very first Battle which was Bloody—Major Delyel was kild By my side, But I Revenged his fall—the Indians Continued their war­ fair all that year and fought almost Every Day—But in January 1765 we Brought them To Terms and peace—and in february 1765 we the provincial Troops Left Detroit and Returned home—we arived at Rhode Island On the 16 of April and found that Sir Jeffery Amhast was Gone home—and that General Thomas Gage Commanded in his Room, and your memorialist had no personal acquaintance with General Gage—he Did not apply for his Lands untill Nearly the Brakeing Out of the war—Between us Briton—and then I Could have it—But under Such Conditions—that Soul abhord—that must have Joined the Britions against my Own Country—from that I made no more applications—many Officers in the merican Service in 1763 that was Disbanded—and while I was On Excursion to Detroit—who had Been half So long in Service as my Self—yet they Drew their Lands— and Some went On and settled there, While Others Sold theirs—But none of the Rhode Island Troops has Ever had any Lands—But Bos­ ton, Conattecut and hampshier and New york, Sold and some settled at the English Bend—But me Your Excellencys memorialist has Never Received any thing at all as yet—altho he has Ever Been Most faithfull—he therefore Most Humbly Begs your Excellence to Give him some place in your Great and Glorious purchace where he may Retire and Dwell with his family and Spend the Remainder of his Days in peace—Your memorialist is in hopes that General Jo­ seph Stanton has Been So kind as to acquaint your Excellence of my Services—as he often wrote me from Congress Concerning my Claim to my Lands—as he has Been Long acquainted with me, and my Services—as Being in the same Regiment with me for some Time—I hope your Excellency Will Take my Services into Serious Consideration—and to help the Distresses of your Excellencys Hum­ ble memorialist—By Giveing him Suchey quantity of Land—that it  318 

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may Be worth his while to Go and Settle them—for which your Ex­ cellenceys Memorialist will Be in Ever Duty Bound— ☞ Your Excellencys memorialist has Not applyed to any person what Ever to Do this for him But has wrote it himself—and if there is any Errors hopes they will Be Excused, as they Come from a most True and faithfull Bosom—O help the Distressed—when in the army I was Imployed often in Engerneering Business in Laying Out affort and in Over Seeing the Building of them—he flatters himself he yet Could Be of Service Should your Excellence Want— RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. George Cornell wrote memorials to President George Washington in 1789 and 1790, in which he stated that after his service under Sir Jeffery Amherst, he “Betook him Self To the Seas,” where he had the misfortune of being “Taken in the Late war.” By 1789, he was a widow’s son in need of the president’s benevo­ lence. Each of his appeals asked Wash­ ington for a different government post: a customs office at Newport, a lighthouse keeper, a dockyard clerk or hospital stew­ ard, or an engineering appointment at West Point. Those letters were signed “George Cornell Son of Clarke” (Wash­ ington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 4:11­12; Cornell to Washington, 5 Nov. 1789, 1 June, July 1790, DLC: Washington Papers, ser. 7). For Cornell’s war record, see Howard M. Chapin, Rhode Island in the Colonial Wars: A List of Rhode Island Soldiers & Sailors in the Old French & Indian War, 1755­1762 [Providence, R.I., 1918], 56­7. Major James Dalyell (delyel) was killed at the Battle of Bloody Run, late July 1763 (John Grenier, The First Way of War: American War Making on the Frontier, 1607­1814 [New York, 2005], 144).

should be intitled: the Proclama­ tion of 1763 empowered colonial gover­ nors to grant land to officers who had served in the French and Indian War. Captains were to receive 3,000 acres. Amherst’s offer of a grant in Pensacola echoed the British government’s call for a  “speedy & effectual Settlement of the Province of West Florida” (Georgia Ga­ zette, 8 Dec. 1763; Florida Historical Quarterly, 54 [1976], 532). For english bend, or more commonly, English Turn, downriver from New Or­ leans, see Vol. 23:305. Representative Joseph Stanton pre­ sented Cornell’s claim to the House of Representatives on 5 Feb. 1806. It was one of several petitions heard that session that related to service in the British army during the French and Indian War. On 9  Apr., the House resolved to postpone indefinitely those petitions, including Cor­ nell’s (jhr, 5:262, 374, 486). engerneering business: Cornell was stationed at Fort Stanwix, New York, from 1761 to July 1763, during its final stage of construction (Chapin, Rhode Is­ land in the Colonial Wars, 57; John F. Luzader, Louis Torres, and Orville W. Carroll, Fort Stanwix [Washington, D.C., 1976], 17). 1 MS:

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“as.”

To Paul Alliot Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. I recieved on a short visit to this place your letter of the 14th. and the papers it covered, and have perused with satisfaction that con­ taining your historical and political reflections on Louisiana. they are replete with views which are benevolent, and which appear to me to be just, altho’, for want of local knolege, I am unable to decide on them competently. in the present stage of government there, nothing can be attempted. but when the governor & legislature provided for them by Congress, shall get into action, I shall certainly commit your reflections to the Governor, that they may produce the good of which they are susceptible, for the people for whose advantage they appear to have been written. With respect to your memoir, & application for leave to prosecute those at New Orleans who have violated the laws, or their engage­ ments to your injury, I have to observe that the laws in force at the delivery of this country to us, were continued by proclamation, that our Governor, instead of deciding causes himself in the first instance, has established a court consisting of some of the more respectable American & French inhabitants of the place before whom contracts & injuries, though [. . .] the [. . .] of the [place?], may be prosecuted by the injured party, without asking the permission of any person. from this court there is an appeal to the Governor [if] the cause of action is beyond a certain amount. minuter [details?] on this subject can only be had by enquiries on the spot, which your agent will of [. . .] [make]. Accept my respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “Doctr. Alliot.”

established a court: see William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 16 Jan. 1804, and Alexandre Baudin to TJ, 14 Feb.

From William C. C. Claiborne Sir New­Orleans 27 April 1804 At the particular request of Peter Pedisclaux, a Recorder of Mort­ gages, and a Notary public in this city I take the liberty to forward to you, the enclosed petition and the documents accompanying it. On my arrival in this city, I found the offices of Mr. Pedisclaux shut, and himself invested with no appointment under the adminis­ tration of M. Laussat the Colonial Prefect.  320 

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 Mr. Pedisclaux was an early applicant for office under my Adminis­ tration, and stated his high pretentions to favor, from his former faith­ ful services, his large family and his former purchase of employment.— I soon found however, that Mr. Pedisclaux’s services had not been very meritorious in the opinions of all the society, for some of the most respectable citizens here, among whom were some Members of the Municipality, represented him as unworthy of my confidence, and stated that his public conduct had heretofore been marked with great impropriety. For some days I was undetermined in what manner to dispose of Mr. Pedisclaux’s application; at last however from the great interest which the Spanish Officers took in his favor, as also several respect­ able citizens of this place, who represented him as a worthy capable man, and the head of a large family I appointed him a Recorder of Mortgages and a Notary­public, offices of some profit, and particu­ larly the latter, which is much sought after. The office of Auctioneer, formerly enjoyed by Mr. Pedisclaux, I confered on another citizen, under the impression that a monopoly of offices was unjust, impolitic and contrary to the genius of our Government. If Mr. Pedisclaux’s right to office be established from the consider­ ation of a former purchase, similar claims will probably be set up by other persons who were formerly in office in this Province. My own opinion is, that Mr. Pedisclaux already holds as lucrative offices under the present Government as his merits entitle him to. With sentiments of the highest respect I have the honor to be— your obedt. servt. William C. C. Claiborne RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 June and “Pedesclaux’ case” and so re­ corded in SJL; endorsed for the State Department. not been very meritorious: in 1802, the municipal council, or cabildo, threatened to fine Pedesclaux, the cabildo’s clerk, for dereliction of duty (Gilbert C. Din and John E. Harkins, The New

Orleans Cabildo: Colonial Louisiana’s First City Government, 1769­1803 [Baton Rouge, 1996], 78). In addition to Pedesclaux’s petition, Claiborne likely enclosed attestations from four leading spanish officers: Juan Ventura Morales of 30 Dec. 1803, Nico­ las Maria Vidal of 29 Nov. 1803, and Manuel de Salcedo and the Marqués de Casa Calvo of 20 Apr. 1804. All asserted Pedesclaux’s diligent service, particularly during times of turmoil in the vicinity (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans).

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e n c l o s u r e

Petition of Peter Pedesclaux To Thomas Jefferson President of the United States— The Petition of Peter Pedesclaux public notary and recorder of Mortgages for the province of Louisiana, residing in the City of New Orleans.— Humbly Sheweth, That how great so ever have been, and are still like to be, the advantages reaped by the inhabitants of the province of Louisiana at large, from their being admitted to the rank of Citizens of the United States, Yet the interests of your petitioner have considerably suffer’d by the political transaction from which that admission has orriginated, an effect as to individuals almost in­ seperable from the Shocks and Collisions attending such transactions. That in the year 1787, the province being then in the possession of Spain, your petitioner, bought from the then incumbent, the offices of Clerk notary of the Government, that of Recorder of Registerer of Mortgages, and also that of Clerk to the Cabildo, the two first extending their exercise to every port within the limits of the said province, for which purchase he paid the sum of twenty five Thousand Dollars including the Duties to the King in such cases, a Sum which he paid out on the Sole consideration that these offices were becoming thereby his personal property, transmissible to his chil­ dren by right of inheritance, or vendible by private or public Sale to any one according to what is generally practised under the Spanish Dominion, where the purchase and Sale of offices is almost universally established.— That in consequence of the said purchase your petitioner took charge and was put in possession of these three offices on the 14th. of March 1788, and had all the archives of the Colony from the time of its being first Settled by the French Nation down to the present epocha deliver’d into his custody.— That when the two great conflagrations that destroyed almost the totality of the City of New Orleans, the first on the 21st. of March 1788, the next on the 8th. December 1794, took place, these Same Archives, as well as all other documents, of every description belonging to the different provinces of these offices, were saved from a general destruction by his active and effectual exer­ tions, at the expense of his personal, and Family Interests; which he sacri­ ficed with real alacrity to what his honor made him consider as his most im­ mediate duty to preserve, every thing he then possessed becoming the prey of the Flames.— That being then left without House, without property of any description,1 the emoluments of his different offices greatly reduced by the public calamity, and his wife, his children, and himself almost destitute of every article of wearing apparel, Your petitioner, to provide for their, as well as for his own Subsistence, Solicited, and obtained from the Spanish administration, a per­ mission or licence, for setting up at public Auction for the Sale of Real as well as personal property; an establishment then unknown in the Country, yet greatly wanted by its Inhabitants, and which was granted to him as a means of compensation for the Loss he had Sustained by visibly sacrificing his own concerns to the public welfare, at the time of the above mentioned confla­ grations, and as a reward for that mark of his Zeal.—

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27 APRIL 1804  That your petitioner remained in that situation till the latter end of No­ vember last, when the cession of the province, by France to the United States utterly put and end to all his hopes of retrieving his affairs by the assistance of time and his own industry, and also anihilated that of reimbursing himself of the sum of 25000 Dollars laid out for the abovementioned purchase, a Capital which employed in any other way would have amply provided for a Father grown aged in the public Service; a Wife grown infirm, and eight young children, who, now, can hope for no other resource for entering the World, but from the Justice you will render their unfortunate Father: to that Father nothing is now left but the precarious office of recorder of Mortgages, greatly circumscribed by the late measures of the Government of the Union for the Administration of Louisiana; and his office of Notary whose emolu­ ments are also reduced by an encrease of offices of that appelation.— Therefore your Petitioner trusting in the Justice of his Claim and in the Strict equity for which the Congress of the United States is so conspicuous— prays that you will take his case under your consideration, and grant him, in what manner or mode, your or the Congress’s high Wisdom will please to order;—1st. That your petitioner may be restored to the exercise of his Said offices, in Case the same should be deemed consonant with the principles of the American Government, or if any thing exists in the Constitution of the United States which forbids such an Arrangment—that at least he may be reimbursed the sum paid for the same, consistent with the Spirit and letter of the treaty of Cession, which secures to the Inhabitants of this country the full enjoyment of their property—the said offices being as much your peti­ tioners private Property as any article in his possession, a property recog­ nized by Law, for which he paid an high price, and of which he could not be deprived unless by forfieture for misfeasance, which has never been laid to your petitioners charge. 2ndly. That you will please to order that the right of holding a public Auction for the Sale of real and personal property, be re­ turned to your petitioner; as the consideration for which that favor was orrigi­ nally granted to him by the late Government; far from having received any dimunition in their Strength, have on the contrary acquired an additional Weight from the manner in which the circumstances and the transactions of the time have operated on your petitioner.— And your petitioner will for ever pray &ca. Peter Pedesclaux New Orleans April 1804 RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Pedesclaux; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 7 June. Peter Pedesclaux (d. 1816) emigrated from San Sebastián, Spain, during the 1780s. He married a native of New Or­ leans in 1789, by which time he was serv­ ing as clerk of the city cabildo and in the related position of notary public. When William C. C. Claiborne removed him as recorder of mortgages in 1807, Pedes­ claux refused to hand over the records to

his chosen successor, forcing Claiborne to take him to court. Pedesclaux lost the case but remained a notary public until his death. One of his sons succeeded him in that position (Earl C. Woods and Charles E. Nolan, eds., Sacramental Rec­ ords of the Roman Catholic Church of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, 19 vols. [New Orleans, 1987­2004], 4:239­40; 5:299; Terr. Papers, 9:735, 746, 837; Salem, Mass., Essex Register, 25 Sep. 1816; Or­ leans Gazette and Commercial Advertiser, 17 Mch. 1820; Gilbert C. Din and John E.

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27 APRIL 1804 Harkins, The New Orleans Cabildo: Colo­ nial Louisiana’s First City Government, 1769­1803 [Baton Rouge, 1996], 77­8). encrease of offices: Claiborne ulti­ mately appointed six notaries public for the territory (Terr. Papers, 9:601, 837). take his case under your consid­ eration: in a letter of 19 June, Madison asked Claiborne to inform Pedesclaux that, “as the admission of his right to compensation would establish a prece­ dent” and as “the President has no room

to act on the occasion,” his sole recourse was to appeal to Congress. Pedesclaux petitioned Congress for relief in January 1805 and again in 1810, when he claimed an estate for life in the recorder of mort­ gages position. Both times, he was asked to withdraw his petition (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:331; jhr, 5:77, 132; 7:193, 355). 1 MS:

“desciption.”

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. I inclose you a letter from Capt Barron at Westpoint, on which be pleased to do what you think right. The object of the kind enquiries in your letter of the 19th. is no more. she left us on the day of the date of my last letter to you. this event will occasion my stay here to be about a week longer than I had originally intended. I suppose it will still be a fortnight before I shall be with you. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson RC (PHi); addressed: “The Secretary at War”; franked; endorsed by Dearborn with notation: “Enclosing two letters From Wm. A. Barron.” PrC (DLC). En­ closure: William A. Barron to TJ, 10 Apr., and enclosure.

On 12 May, Dearborn wrote to act­ ing superintendant William A. barron at West Point with an order on tavern keeper Thomas North to provide addi­ tional rations (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSMA).

To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. I return you the papers concerning the duties payable in the West­ ern ports, and consider the opinion you have given as a sound one. the case of the Louisiana squatters is a serious one from it’s magni­ tude, yet to be touched with a hand as careful as firm. a proclamation must doubtless precede any act of force. the cases may be analysed in the following gradation. 1. Squatters since notice of the Treaty of St. Ildefonso, without any authority.  324 

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2. Possessions taken under regular forms, but of dates subsequent to notice of the Treaty. 3. Possessions, under regular forms, of dates prior to that notice, but liable to suspicion of being antedated as to the 1st. class there can be no doubt; and little, I think, as to the 2d. the 3d. alone will require care. they may be subdivided into set­ tlements already made, & those which may be1 now attempted to be made. the last may be prevented with more boldness; but the former would require judgment & temper. yet they are probably the most material to break up. as we are to appoint Commandants to take place Oct. 1. if we should select the best of those, & send him immediately with the powers of a Lieutt. Govr. of Upper Louisa. but under such a title as their laws recognise, I think we might trust him with this power; either giving him original, or appellate powers from the pres­ ent military officers. among the persons talked of between Genl. Dear­ borne & myself for future commandants, Thomas Blount is the one who I think possesses the most understanding & discretion. I should not fear to trust him. he might accept perhaps, on an assurance of succeeding as Colo. Commandant. as I shall be with you in a fort­ night, it may be thought of till then. I meant to be understood in my former letter that tho’ W.C.N. had wished to be allowed to make up his mind finally after arriving at the spot, yet when I informed him that could not be, he came at once to a decision to accept. he wishes to be there as soon as possible, because he fears the putting the office in order may take considerable time, and detain him there in the sickly season, which he would much dread in the beginning. consequently the sooner the change can now be made & notified to him the better. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of great respect. Th: Jefferson RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury Wash­ ington”; franked. PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the Treasury De­ partment with notation “Western duties. Louisa. squatters. W.C.N.”

my former letter: TJ to Gallatin, 15 Apr. (first letter). 1 TJ

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here canceled “proposed.”

To James Madison Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. Your’s of the 19th. is recieved and the papers accompanying it are returned. I am sorry that Russell declines the Consulship of Tunis, for, as declining it, we must consider the acquiescence under our wishes on the grounds & for the short time he has expressed. whom shall we send? it will be a pity to lose the opportunity of his passage in the frigates; & yet I fear we shall. with respect to the unwarrant­ able commitment of us, by our agents at Paris & St. Petersburg, on the loss of the Philadelphia it is the most serious one which has hap­ pened to the present administration. this sordid disposition to throw upon the charity of others our losses, altho losses of the same kind are daily happening to them, without their having ever sent a brief to us for relief, is a national stain, which unfortunately the nature of the case does not leave us free to wipe off by a disavowal: because on the part of the First Consul, the Emperor, the Grand Seigneur, the hum­ ble1 petitions of our functionaries are granted, the relief has probably been yielded, & carried into execution. if our prisoners are given up on the firman of the Grand Seigneur we cannot replace them in cap­ tivity. on the contrary every moral principle calls for expressions from us to those powers of our grateful acknolegements. to reject their boon after it has been yielded at the request of our own agents, would make them2 our enemies.3 their promptitude to serve us shews they are disposed to cultivate particular friendship with us, and we ought not to lose the occasion of meeting it. but how to combine the senti­ ments of gratitude, of dignity & friendly disposition which the occa­ sion I presume requires should be expressed to the Russian minister of foreign relations, is the great difficulty to be encountered, and I am glad it falls into so good hands, as yours.   another difficulty more embarrassing is presented. in consequence of this interposition, suppose, on the arrival of our squadron, our prisoners shall have been liberated. what is the Commodore to do? to go to beating their town about their ears immediately after their having done us voluntary jus­ tice, would be an outrage which would revolt the world against us, & especially the sovereigns at whose request it was done. they would be in honour bound to take the interests of Tripoli under their care, to demand indemnification from us, and perhaps that we should4 pay a ransom for the prisoners liberated. our expedition then is disarmed, our expences sunk, and the opportunity of vindicating our honor gone. we were free to beg or to fight. we chose the latter & prepare for it. unauthorised agents have taken the business out of our hands, have  326 

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chosen to beg, & executed what they chose. thus two inconsistent plans are going on at the same time, and will run foul of one another in a region so distant, that we cannot decide for ourselves which shall proceed.5 we must therefore enable the Commodore to decide, and furnish him with instructions adapted hypothetically to the different conditions in which he may find things on his arrival. my general idea is that whichever plan of action is found to be ahead of the other, should be carried into execution. if the prisoners have neither been delivered, nor agreed to be delivered, the measures of war may be pursued without just offence to the mediating powers. if they have been delivered, or are delivered to the Commodore on a demand made, we ought then to make as liberal a peace as we would have made after an unfortunate campaign, the ultimatum of which we had before settled. should we, in negociating that peace use the mediation of the three powers? these my thoughts on the subject, are thoughts only, and not decisions. if the squadron does not sail before my return, we will then consider & decide. if it shall be ready before my return, I have written fully to mr Smith on the subject, and desired him to ask a consultation with the other gentlemen, & to frame his instructions accordingly, without waiting for a recurrence to me. my great hope is that Tripoli will not have been as prompt as the noble­minded Alex­ ander. there will be some difficulty in giving a rap of the knuckles to mr Harris, which shall be unseen by the emperor, do justice to the motives of Harris, yet make him sensible of his presumption in com­ mitting us, and the sordid taint with which he has affected the char­ acter of his country. Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of constant attachment & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (DLC: Madison Papers); at foot of first page: “The Secretary of State.” PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the State Department with notation “Rus­ sell. Tripoli.” 1 Word

interlined.

2 TJ first wrote “would make those powers” before altering the text to read as above. 3 TJ here canceled “on the contrary.” 4 Preceding three words interlined in place of “to.” 5 Preceding three words interlined.

To Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. In a letter of Apr. 15. I informed mr Gallatin of what had passed between us here, and desired him to take measures for winding up the commission at Norfolk with as little delay as should be consistent with a resignation. he says in an answer of the 19th. ‘no previous  327 

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movement here, nor time is wanted for winding up mr Davies’s busi­ ness; but on being informed of mr N’s intention to accept, I will at once write to mr D. that he may resign, & to mr N. that he may repair to Norfolk. until I hear from him, or from you, I will continue silent.’ I have this day informed him that he misunderstood my letter, which was meant to say that you had made up your mind to accept, and desiring him to let the change be now made & notified to you as quickly as possible; so that I presume you will hear from him about the 7th. of May, at which time I shall probably be on the road to Washington. but I imagine his letter will enable you to set out im­ mediately for Norfolk. should your commission not have been made out before my arrival at Washington, I will send it, on my arrival, to Warren, or to the care of your brother in Richmond, as you shall advise me. if you do this immediately, I shall recieve your letter here before my departure. Accept my affectionate salutations and assur­ ances of great respect & attachment. Th: Jefferson RC (King V. Hostick, Chicago, 1953); at foot of text, clipped, supplied from PrC: “W. C. Nicholas.” PrC (DLC); en­ dorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

your brother in richmond: Philip Norborne Nicholas (Vol. 31:205n).

To Robert Smith Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 27. 04. I now return you the sentence of the court of enquiry in Morris’s case. what is the next step? I am not military jurist enough to say. but if it be a court marshal to try and pass the proper sentence on him, pray let it be done without delay, while our captains are here. this opportunity of having a court should not be lost. I have never been so mortified as at the conduct of our foreign functionaries on the loss of the Philadelphia. they appear to have sup­ posed that we were all lost now, & without resource: and they have hawked us in formâ pauperis begging alms at every court in Europe. this self­degradation is the more unpardonable as, uninstructed & unauthorised, they have taken measures which commit us by moral obligations which cannot be disavowed. the most serious of these is with the first Consul of France, the Emperor of Russia, & Grand Seigneur. the interposition of the two first has been so prompt, so cordial, so energetic, that it is impossible for us to decline the good offices they have done us. from the virtuous, & warmhearted character of the Emperor, and the energy he is using with the Ottoman porte, I  328 

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am really apprehensive that our squadron will, on it’s arrival, find our prisoners all restored. if this should be the case, it would be ungrate­ ful, & insulting to these three great powers, to chastise the friend (Tripoli) whom they had induced to do us voluntary justice. our expe­ dition will in that case be disarmed and our just desires of vengeance disappointed, and our honor prostrated. to anticipate these measures, and to strike our blow before they shall have had their effect, are ad­ ditional & cogent motives for getting off our squadron without a mo­ ment’s avoidable delay. at the same time it has now become necessary to decide before it goes, what is to be the line of conduct of the Com­ modore if he should find our prisoners restored. I shall be with you about this day fortnight. should the frigates be ready to go before that, I must desire you to have a consultation of the heads of departments as to the instructions, and to give orders to the Commodore in confor­ mity. I would wish at the same time a question to be taken whether the Commodore should not be instructed immediately on his arrival at his rendezvous in the Mediterranean, to send off at our expence the presents destined by Tripoli for the Grand Seigneur & intercepted by us, with a letter from the Secretary of State to their analogous officer, who I believe is called the Reis effendi. I am not without hope Preble will have had the good sense to do this of his own accord. it’s effect will now be lessened, as it will be considered, not as spontaneous, but in consequence of what the porte may have done on the interference of the Emperor of Russia. Accept my affectionate salutations & assur­ ances of attachment. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); at foot of first page: “The Secretary of the Navy.” Recorded in SJL as  a letter to the Navy Department with notation “Morris. expedn to Tripoli. Gr. Seigneur.”

From William Hollis Sir 28th Apl 1804 having the pleasure of being in your Company last year a fiew Minuts—& in conversation about fishing, I mentioned the manner of curing Herring by what we call gobing of them—& you told me if I if I wou’d put you up 20 bbls in that way you wou:d take them—I have them now ready & will deliver them Shortly if you:l please to favour me with a line to be left in the post office Alexa. May Him who has given us the blessing (above all other earthly pow­ ers) grant these may find you in perfect Health — Yr Obt Sincerely Wm. Hollis  329 

28 APRIL 1804  RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the united States.” Recorded in SJL as received 4 May. William Hollis (ca. 1749­1819) resided in Abingdon, Harford County, Maryland. According to a court petition filed in 1802, he owned two fishing vessels from which his crews worked the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay waters. Dur­ ing the spring fish runs, he also worked the Potomac at Alexandria. Hollis em­ ployed slave labor on his farm and on his boats, and advertised large rewards for two runaways in 1817, one a “good water­ man and a great seine knitter” and the other “a good waterman” and “an excel­ lent plantation man.” At the time of his

death, Hollis owned a farm outside of Abingdon, “Houses & lotts” in town, and land along the Bush River and in two other counties (Gaius Marcus Brumbaugh, Maryland Records Colonial, Revolution­ ary, County and Church from Original Sources, 2 vols. [Baltimore, Md., and Lan­ caster, Pa., 1915­28], 2:174; petition of Job Garretson, 3 Jan. 1802, in Garretson v. Hollis [MdAA: Chancery Papers]; will of William Hollis, 22 July 1819, in Har­ ford County Will Book [1811­31], 294­6; Alexandria Herald, 11 Apr. 1814, 5 Apr. 1816; Baltimore American Commercial Daily Advertiser, 14 Apr. 1817). For the gobbing (gobing) method, see TJ’s Notes on Curing Herring, 22 May.

From Tadeusz Kosciuszko Citoyen President 28 avril. Paris Par Mr Foulton allant en Amerique vous recevrez la presante dans la quelle je vous exprime du fond de mon Coeur l’estime Le respect et la mitié sincere; ces Sentiments de Conviction dureront autant que vous fairez bien pour l’humanitê et que vous agirez comme apresent avec l’admiration universelle recevez en meme tems Les Assurences de ma haute Consideration de mon respect et de mon attachement invariable T Kosciuszko e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Citizen President, Paris, 28 Apr. [1804] Mr. Fulton, who is traveling to America, will bring you this letter to con­ vey my most profound esteem, respect, and sincere friendship. These deep feelings will last as long as you continue to strive for the welfare of humanity and work, as you now do, to universal acclaim. Accept, at the same time, the assurance of my admiration, respect, and unwavering attachment. T Kosciuszko RC (MHi); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Aug. 1804 and so re­ corded in SJL. Enclosed in Robert Fulton to TJ, 23 May.

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To Robert Patterson Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 28. 04 I recieved yesterday your favor of the 18th. with Doctr. Moore’s let­ ter inclosed. by a mistake of the member of Congress who proposed the appropriation for the missions to explore Louisiana, 3000. D. only were given instead of 10, or 12,000. which were deemed neces­ sary. for I had proposed to send two such missions. this error reduced me to a single one, & I fixed on that of the Red and Arkansa rivers, as nearest & most important: and mr Dunbar being almost on the spot & better acquainted with the country, I put the management of the business into his hands, leaving to him to appoint the principal conductor of the enterprize, only stating that Dr. Hunter was to go on as an assistant: and I drew up instructions for the party, corre­ sponding with those to Capt Lewis. these arrangements have been1 some time since forwarded to mr Dunbar, and I presume he will have every thing in readiness for the departure of the party by the time Dr. Hunter arrives there. I shall hope the ensuing session of Congress will enable me to send another party to explore the Pani & Padouca rivers of the Missouri. in that case Dr. Moore’s qualifications shall have an impartial com­ parison with those of any other candidates. besides those you mention, firmness of constitution, firmness of mind, prudence, knolege of the Indian character, habits of the life of a woodsman, consiliatory dispo­ sitions towards those about him, & temperance, or as many of these qualifications as can be found united to the proper degree of science, are desireable. I would therefore thank you for a supplement to what you have already said of him, as to these points of character. Captain Lewis had forwarded for me three large boxes of the big­bones & other things collected by himself, two of which were sunk in descend­ ing the Missisipi & the other plundered & destroyed. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson RC (facsimile of an unlocated original, in editorial office files); addressed: “Mr. Robert Patterson Professor of Mathemat­ ics Philadelphia”; franked. PrC (DLC).

1 MS:

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“bee.”

From Volney paris 8 floreal an xii

Monsieur le president 28 avril Cette lettre Vous sera remise ou envoyée par Mr Robert Fulton qui ne me prevint de son depart qu’hier Soir. il Vous entretiendra Mieux que nos journaux des details de Notre grand drame politique. je pense qu’il ne Vous parlera point de paix prochaine, mais bien plutot de l’extension probable de l’activité guerriere qui tourmente L’Europe. c’est dommage de n’avoir pas 25 ans pour partager une si noble ar­ deur; mais Vieux comme je deviens, et un peu imbu de l’esprit calcu­ lateur des americains, je trouve que la depense passe le profit, et que le plaisir ne vaut pas la peine—heureusement dans cette grande Scene historique, le Sort M’a accordé une place en petite loge d’où je puis assez tranquilement contempler le Spectacle. j’avoue pourtant que plus ami du genre comique que du larmoyant, je prefererais à cette grande tragedie quelque petite piece; mais puisque cela était ecrit ainsi je me resigne en bon Musulman ou en bon chrétien concordatiquement. Vous m’eussiez trouvé plus triste, il ya six mois, Monsieur le presi­ dent, alors qu’en Vendemiaire je faisais mon testament, persuadé que sous 5 jours Mon extreme faiblesse touchait à sa fin; Mais depuis que je me Suis debarrassé de mon livre Sur le climat des Etats­unis; depuis que j’ai cessé tout travail de bureau, et que jai fait un tour de notre france, de paris à Hieres, d’hieres à Montpellier, à Narbonne, à Toulouse, à pau, à Bordeaux, à Rochefort, à nantes—Ma santé s’est reparée et Mon Héraclitisme s’est democritisé—je viens de Vous par­ ler de mon livre; et j’ai l’espoir que depuis mars il est dans Vos Mains: dès le mois de Xbre j’en adressai 12 Exémplaires à Mr Lee à Bor­ deaux, et l’un deux in 4o vous etait destiné. j’en attends Votre juge­ ment comme celui qui me donnera la plus exacte mesure de Mon travail. ici Notre journal de paris c’est à dire notre Mr Rœderer, m’a Cobbetisé: la chose est toute Naturelle; il flattait Le Maitre et Mordait le passant. tout etait profit. je prendrai ma reponse dans quelque jour­ nal d’amerique, parce qu’au Moins là on n’est pas epouvanté de la liberté de la presse. ma lettre qui accompagnait les deux Volumes in 4o repondait à la Votre du 6 fevrier 1803; je vois avec regret combien l’eloignement et la captivité de la mer apportent d’obstacles à une Correspondance reguliere que jai tant de raisons de desirer. Cabanis qui dernierement a recu une lettre de Votre Main regrettera de son cote de Ne pouvoir profiter du depart de Mr Fulton—Sa santé con­ tinue dêtre fort delicate et à Montour je suis inquiet pour lui des assauts repétés quelle eprouve—il Vient de publier un Excellent Vol­  332 

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ume sur les Revolutions et la reforme de la medecine—il va se reposer quatre mois en campagne—Sous 15 jours commence le proces public de Georges, pîchegru, Moreau &c les faits averés ont deconcerté et deconcerteront Lopinion publique—cest un tableau Curieux que la conduite de tous Nos grands chefs depuis 12 ans! pas un seul N’a gardé la ligne du devoir et de ses sermens. Vous apprendrez presqu’en même tems que le Senat aura Voté L’herédité, le monde censurera; et il y aura à lui repondre; eussiez­vous préferé le Vote par L’armée? Voilà D’oú en sont les pays à population surabondante et Mercenaire. attendons L’angleterre! j’espere qu’a ce Moment Vous jouissez de touts les agremens de Monticello et je forme tous les Souhaits pour que vous y soyez aussi heureux, aussi content que si Vous Netiez pas homme d’état; puisquavec le Sentiment et la conscience des Devoirs qu’imposent et Votre tâche et Votre caractere, en faisant tout le bien possible L’on craint de N’avoir jamais assez fait. je retourne l’hyver prochain à montpellier où j’ai loué une maison—et si comme je le desire, vous me gratifiyez de quelques lignes, elles m’y parviendraient Soit directement, Soit par la voye de paris. agréez L’hommage de mes sentimens invariables d’attachement et de respect Volney e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Paris, 8 Floreal Year 12 Mr. President, 28 Apr. 1804 This letter will be delivered or sent to you by Mr. Robert Fulton, who told me only last night that he was leaving. He will inform you better than our newspapers about the details of our great political drama. I doubt he will talk about imminent peace but rather about the probable continuation of hostili­ ties that plague Europe. I am sorry not to be 25 years old in order to share such noble ardor, but, in my old age and a bit imbued with the American practicality, I find the cost outweighs the benefit; the satisfaction is not worth the trouble. Fortunately, on this vast stage of history, fate has given me a balcony seat from which to contemplate the spectacle in tranquility. I admit, though, that as a fan of comedies rather than sentimental dramas, I would prefer a minor play to this great tragedy. But since it has been so decreed, I resign myself “concord­ally” as a good Muslim or Christian. You would have found me sadder six months ago, Mister President, when in October I drew up my will, convinced that my extreme frailty would reach its end within five days. Since then I have finished my book on the climate of the United States, and now that I have stopped working at my desk and traveled through France, from Paris to Hyères and then to Montpellier, Narbonne, Toulouse, Pau, Bordeaux, Rochefort, and Nantes, my health is restored and my Heraclitism is democratized. I mentioned my book. I hope you received it in March. Back in December I sent 12 copies to Mr. Lee in Bordeaux. One of the two quartos was for you. I await your opinion, since yours will provide the most accurate measure of my work. Here, our Journal de Paris, that is our Mr. Roederer,

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28 APRIL 1804 Cobbetized me. That is understandable: he was flattering the master and bit­ ing the passerby. It is all about profits. I will respond in an American news­ paper because there, at least, one is not terrified of freedom of the press. My letter accompanying the two quarto volumes responded to yours of 6 Feb. 1803. I see with regret how much the sustained correspondence I so much desire suffers from the obstacles of distance and piracy. Cabanis, who re­ cently received a letter from you, will regret not being able to take advantage of Mr. Fulton’s departure. His health continues to be very fragile and I worry about the repeated assaults it undergoes in Montour. He just published an excellent book on changes and reforms in medicine. He is going to rest for four months in the country. The public trial of Georges, Pichegru, and Moreau begins within two weeks. The facts will continue to disconcert public opinion. What a strange portrait of our leaders’ conduct for the past 12 years! Not a single one has fulfilled his duty and promises. Almost at the same time you will hear that the Senate is voting for hereditary privileges. The world will censure it, and it will be necessary to respond: “Would you have preferred a vote by the army? That is the case in overpopulated mercenary countries. Wait for England!” I hope you are enjoying all the pleasures of Monticello. You have all my wishes that you be as happy and peaceful there as if you were not a states­ man. When one is aware of the duties that are imposed by a position and a character like yours, one fears never having done enough, even after doing everything possible. Next winter I shall return to Montpellier, where I have rented a house. If you gratify me with a few lines, as I hope, they will reach me, either directly or via Paris. Accept the tribute of my unwavering feelings of fidelity and respect. Volney RC (DLC); at head of text: “Mr jeffer­ son”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Aug. 1804 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Robert Fulton to TJ, 23 May. m’a cobbetisé: the Journal de Paris, edited by Pierre Louis Roederer, reviewed Volney’s Tableau du climat in its issues of 9, 10, 11, 15, and 16 Jan., and four days later justified its dissection of the work. In 1798, Volney had received blistering criticism in William Cobbett’s Philadel­ phia newspaper (Porcupine’s Gazette, 22 June 1798; Gilbert Chinard, Volney et

l’Amérique d’après des documents inédits et sa correspondance avec Jefferson, The Johns Hopkins Studies in Romance Lit­ eratures and Languages, 1 [Baltimore, 1923], 161­5). lettre de votre main: Vol. 41:42­3. Pierre Jean Georges Cabanis had recently published Coup d’oeil sur les révolutions et sur la réforme de la médicine (Paris, 1804; Sowerby, No. 862). For the plot to assassinate Napoleon Bonaparte, led by georges Cadoudal, see Vol. 42:549­50.

To Michael Krafft Sir Monticello Apr. 29. 1804. I have recieved your letter of the 24th. and therein the expression of a desire which is acceptable inasmuch as it is a manifestation of your dispositions towards me. I see too with great satisfaction every  334 

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example of bending science to the useful purposes of life. hitherto Chemistry has scarcely deigned to look to the occupations of domestic life. when she shall have made intelligible to the ordinary housholder the philosophy of making bread, butter, cheese, soap, beer, cyder, wine, vinegar &c. these daily comforts will keep us ever mindful of our obligations to her. the art of distilling which you propose to ex­ plain, besides it’s houshold uses, is valuable to the agriculturalist, as it enables him to put his superfluous grain into a form which will bear long transportation to markets to which the raw material could never get. I avail myself of this occasion of presenting you my salutations and assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PrC (DLC); torn; at foot of text: [Mr. Michael Kr]afft.” Not recorded in SJL.

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Newcastle, April 29th. 1804 I had not the honor of receiving your favors of the 30th. March, & the 9th. April, till 5 days ago, having been in the lower parts of the peninsula during the beginning & middle of the Month. My atten­ dance on the Board of Directors of the Ches: & Delaware Canal at Wilmington has since then prevented that immediate attention to them which it was my duty to pay.— Previously to Your approval of the general ideas of the plan, pro­ posed in the designs transmitted to you, I had furnished Mr Lenthall with a rough sketch, which would prevent any thing being done, in­ consistent with what you might approve.—I had also so arranged the construction of the new design, that it became feasible to make great progress in the external Walls, without pulling down the present building immediately. Every thing has accordingly been done under the idea, of permitting this erection to stand for the present. My ideas respecting the best & most rapid means of compleating the South Wing are not in favor of postponing the removal of this part of the work. I shall lay them before you fully,—and with that candor which I owe to your past goodness towards me, & to my gratitude, and duty. In the first place, however, I will answer Your letter of the 9th. April, which relates to the new design & its proposed modifications.— 1./ The suppression, for the present, of the part of the design be­ hind  the recess;—may be made without any detriment,—provided the ends of the Walls which proceed Northward from the long Walls which bound the North Wing on the North side be carried up in the  335 

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two lower stories (i.e the Cellar story & ground floor.—If this is not done, it will be necessary to encrease the thickness of this long wall, which is also 70 feet high, considerably,—to enable it to resist the lateral pressure of the Arches, & espe­ cially of the Roof. This encreased thick­ ness for so great a higth & length would consume more material & labor than the erection of the ends of the Cross Walls of the recessed part of the building.— The temporary stairs will lead up op­ posite to the centre of the North side, where the present covered passage is.— Should you consent to this arrangement which will be both oeconomical, and much the safest & strongest mode of carrying up the Work, the Wall must go up only 3 feet thick, as designed. The opposite South Wall, is 4 feet thick besides the internal & external piers which make it 7 feet between the windows.— 2./ The Doric order being given up,—and the Corinthian adopted,— I must consider in what manner the Capital can best be made: There would be no difficulty whatever in casting the Attic capital of the Clepsydra,—because all the upper plain leaves would be cast with the bell, and the lower, raffled, leaves could be easily rivetted on, being cast either in Brass, or Iron. The capital would, thus, require only 2 patterns & moulds.1 But the Volutes of the Corinthian Capital would require many moulds, & very nice Manipulation,—and besides there are the 1./ thin leaves under the angle volutes, 2 setts, turned opposite ways 2. the husk from which the Volutes & leaves spring. 3./ The long leaves of the second range, & 4./ the short leaves of the lower range, 5./ The short leaves under the center Volutes,—& 6. The rose over the Center Volutes on the Abacus in all 12 different parts requiring separate modelling & separate Moulds.—I conceive therefore that capitals carved, might be as cheap, as if cast. This I submit to your consideration. The Athenian capital I allude to, is of the best Age of Athenian architecture, as is to be found in the 1st. or 2d Volume of Stuart’s Athens. The exterior decoration of the house furnishes a very good specimen of Corinthian Architecture.—Should you however prefer the same order for the Hall of Representatives I  336 

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will immediately proceed to make the necessary drawings, and take the steps to have the Capitals executed during the present season.2— 3./ The Gallery, certainly may be contracted to a much less size.— The floor of the lobby, as of the Gallery is the top of the Arches of the Ground floor. The Seats of the Gallery are raised in Timber upon this level, & may be extended or contracted at pleasure.—A very ca­ pacious Gallery seems in every respect inelligible. That which I had exhibited in the drawings was extended as far as I supposed it would ever be carried.— 4./ The Doorkeepers, & Sargeant at Arms rooms may be appropri­ ated easily & conveniently to the purposes you propose. These Officers may be accomodated with railed boxes at each end of the Gallery, for the purpose of distributing papers & letters to the Members, and of keeping the store of stationary.— The Gallery Lobby might have been converted into a Committee Room in the manner proposed without much difficulty: but I much fear it is now too late, as the construction of the Corner of the Build­ ing is already otherwise adapted, and it is so Massive, and the Stones of which it is composed so large, that considerable expence and de­ rangement of the general operations would ensue were it attempted. The Jaumbs of the Window are now contracted, in order to throw the light into the stairs, and they must both be pulled down to en­ large the opening into a doorway. Independently however of this difficulty,—permit me to submit to You, whether the entrance to the Gallery, would not be too mean, if carried diagonally, in the manner required, if the alteration be made,—the last step being also within a few feet of the external threshold.—The Lobby in bad weather seems necessary as a kind of resting place,—and as the Gallery may possibly,—as in England, be under the regulation of a particu­ lar officer, at the Door, some such apartment as the Lobby appears convenient.— The mode of proceedure proposed in your letter of the 29th. March has been hitherto followed.—But I cannot help thinking that the ul­ timate completion of the building will be very materially retarded, by suffering the present building to stand during the present season. Nothing also is more certain, than that the work will be executed in a manner not entirely safe, unless the whole can be made as much as possible,—to go up together, and get its general settlement gradually & uniformly.— And in order to meet the very serious objections made to removing the House back to the Library,—permit me to state to You,—that  337 

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when I appeared before the Committee on the proposed appropriation, I distinctly explained to them the necessity which there appeared to be, of this removal, and found no opposition to it.—I proposed that the books should be placed in the adjoining Committee room, in the brick part of the House which still would answer the purpose of a Committee room. Their is ample room round the walls of this apart­ ment for the cases, and for any addition to them that is likely to be made within the next two Years.— The Library itself is sufficiently large to contain all the Members of the House, without crouding them, even with the addition of the new Members. Claxton, who is an excellent officer though not a very good contriver was convinced of this fact, last Summer when it was dis­ cussed whether or no the removal should take place. It was the opin­ ion of the Committee, (Mrs Thompson, Coutts, Smilie, Huger, and another member from Baltimore whose name I cannot recollect),— that no uneasiness would arise in the House on this account, nor any ill effect,—but rather the contrary, as to a future appropriation.— Should you be satisfied on this head,—permit me to state to you further the good effect which would result to the work from clearing away the whole of condemned part of the building.— 1./ The Materials would come into immediate use as far as they are good,—and a very large expence would be saved in making the neces­ sary centering, the greatest part of which would come out of the small timbers of the floor & roof,—which cannot again be employed in the new roof & floors. 2./ The whole work could be set out accurately, and carried up regularly.— 3./ Twice as many hands could be employed in forwarding the work, as can possibly be employed on the external Walls alone.—And the external Walls would notwithstanding be carried during the whole season to as great a highth as if built separately.— 4. The workmen employed over so large a space can be so distrib­ uted as to cooperate to the greatest advantage,—while in the very nature of the work to be done on the outer Walls, the Labor which can be employed, on the backing, depends upon the cutting & setting of the freestone;—and that again up the supply and the order of the supply from the Quarries. And it is impossible to avoid irregularity, & of course want of system in the progress of this part of the Work, for it cannot be known,—what number of Masons & Laborers will during any given time balance the Stonecutters & setters employed.— Now if the internal Work could progress at the same time, there would always be a recruit of Masons to be got from within the build­  338 

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ing when the external walls required it,—and whenever the Stonecut­ ters were behind hand, the Masons would find employment below. Under such arrangement, there would be no limits to the number of Workmen which we could employ but the difficulty of procuring them, and the fear of exceeding the appropriation by the expenses.— 5./ Another most important consideration is,—that if the house sit in their present Hall the next Session: more than two Months during which the Work might go on, will most certainly be lost. If the win­ ter even set in early,—we may continue to lay stone till the middle of December, & very probably, the Men need not be discharged till Christmas. But if the present building stand, the work must stop in October.—If our Men have a chance of making a long Season, we shall have the command & choice of them,—if not, they will quit us in August & September, to go to Works, from which they will not be discharged till the frost puts an end to all manner of business. The effect of this last circumstance was felt towards the close of the last season:—and although congress break up on the 3d March 1805, time will be lost even then in making the preparations to begin with the first fair weather.— 6. But the most powerful argument in favor of beginning the whole Work this season is this:—That if there be any possibility of putting the Legislature into their new Hall at the end of the Year 1805 it can only be, by getting all the work up to the floor of the house finished this season:—so as to begin early in 1805 to set the columns which surround the Hall.—Every preparation which can possibly be made this season in procuring & preparing the Carpenter’s work, cannot so forward the business as to place it within the reach of practicability to pull down the present erection & carry up the new one in one Sea­ son. I do not believe that it could be done in Europe,—much less here. But if the Cellar & Ground story can be got so forward this summer, as to begin the next with the upper floor, some hope may be enter­ tained of completing the Work in 1805: although I should not even then be very sanguine.— If therefore, let the mode of proceeding be what it may,—One ses­ sion must almost inevitably be held in the Library,—I most respect­ fully submit to you, whether it would not be better, to ensure the solidity of the Work, by carrying it up throughout regularly than to take the chance of the possibility of compleating it in two Seasons,— a chance which is a very uncertain one,—at the risk of injuring and cracking the Walls by its unequal settlement. Whatever the result of your consideration of this subject may be, the utmost exertions will be made to push the work to the utmost.—  339 

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 I have lately received a letter from Dr Thornton on the subject of the answers, which I gave to the Committee of the House of Repre­ sentatives. In this answer I repressed as much as possible the truth as respected the original plan, and thought I had spoken of it with delicacy.—His letter to me is, among those who admire the fashion,— an unequivocal challenge to the field.—I am however perfectly easy as to matter in controversy,—and apprehensive of nothing but lest the publicity of a regular dispute, which he appears willing to court should be unpleasant to you.— With sentiments of the most grateful respect, I am Your much obliged hble Serv B Henry Latrobe.  P.S. The Work on the Canal to unite the Chesapeake & Delaware bay will be begun this week. I am now engaged assiduously in preparing the plans in detail for the Capitol, which I shall forward gradually, as they are drawn or wanted. Mr Peale has made some important alterations in his Polygraph, by which among other advantages it is very much reduced in size. I desired him to write to You on the subject and to send one improved to the utmost to You at Washington.—I am now so accustomed to the steel pen that I prefer it. The leaden Inkholders however are bad things. The lacker rub of the lead being disolved by the ink dis­ charges the color, for which reason I cannot use my Polygraph till I replace them with Glass.—The 6th. Volume of the Ph. Transactions APS will be out next week.— RC (DLC); with notation added by TJ (see notes below); endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 4 May and so recorded in SJL. of the 30th. march: TJ’s letter of 31 Mch., which Latrobe also referred to as 29 Mch. clepsydra: that is, the Tower of the Winds in Athens (Latrobe to TJ, 29 Mch.). In objecting to Latrobe’s prefer­ ence for the Attic order (see note 2 below), TJ referred to the frieze of the Lantern of Demosthenes, an alternative name for the Monument of Lysicrates, which became the model for the south wing’s Corinthian scheme (Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:485, 490n). Latrobe succeeded in getting TJ’s agreement to tear down the present building used as the House chamber, a

decision that would later cause the presi­ dent some consternation (TJ to Latrobe, 5 Oct. 1804). William thornton informed Latrobe that he found the architect’s characteriza­ tion of the original plan for the Capitol an “Insult” and that “as it respects me, not only ungentlemanly but false.” In a re­ sponse of 28 Apr., Latrobe welcomed Thornton’s “hostility” as “safer, than in­ sidious friendship.” After detailing Thorn­ ton’s many slights and insults during the previous year, Latrobe, comparing him­ self to other architects who had crossed swords with Thornton, promised a spir­ ited defense against any subsequent criti­ cism: “I now stand on the Ground from which you drove Hallet, and Hatfield to ruin. You may prove victorious against me also; but the contest will not be with­

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29 APRIL 1804 out spectators. The public shall attend and judge” (Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:480­2). 1 Sentence

interlined.

 2 Here TJ wrote in pencil, “the capital of the Clepsydra may do, but not the en­ tablature. it has no modillions. the frize of the lanthern of Demosthenes.”

From John Lithgow Sir Philada. April 29 1804 The Society of Artists and manufacturers of Philada have requested me to forward you a Copy of “an Essay on the Manufacturing Inter­ est &ca.” because it is proper that the chief magistrate should, as far as possible, know the Sentiments of every Class in the Nation Notwithstanding what has passed for the last twenty years some of our Society has yet hopes. It was with a view to convince them that there was no rational ground of hope, that I first proposed in the Society a General Memorial to Congress; and, since the curious Re­ port of the Committee, urged the publication of the enclosed Essay. Nothing, I am convinced, but necessity,—poverty staring us in the face, as in Rhode Island 1787, will ever make the Legislature turn their attention to the finer arts. When the money is gone out the Country, the people will blame the Administration and lay the fault on a thousand innocent things till somebody will at last find out, that it would be a great saving to the Nation if the idlers were employed in making Cloths, in making Cutlery Locks keys; nay everything for ourselves within the Nation. The Tide will then run in an opposite direction to what it does at present My wish is to avoid those Ex­ tremes by a timely and judicious excitement of the National industry and although I have no hopes of doing good, I am contented with having done what I conceive be my duty. The Society are to a man friends to your administration & I am Sir yr Humble Servt J Lithgow Secy RC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as re­ ceived 4 May. Enclosure: An Essay on the Manufacturing Interest of the United States; with Remarks on Some Passages Contained in the Report of the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures (Phila­ delphia, 1804; Sowerby, No. 3309). Lithgow served as secretary and John Meer as president of the society of artists and manufacturers in Phil­

adelphia. One of the objectives of the so­ ciety, which acknowledged the support of Congressman Michael Leib, was “to give information to strangers arriving in this city, relative to their several occupations” (Philadelphia Aurora, 29 Oct. 1803, 14 Aug. 1804; Vol. 37:318n). On 9 Dec. 1803, the society presented a general memorial to congress expressing concern about foreign pro­ duction and requesting encouragement

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29 APRIL 1804 of domestic manufacture from raw mate­ rials. The memorial appeared as pages i­xii in the pamphlet enclosed to TJ and was annexed to the essay, often attributed to Tench Coxe, for which Lithgow claimed authorship (jhr, 4:482; Vol. 39:369; Lithgow to TJ, 24 Dec. 1804). report of the committee: on 25 Jan. 1804, Samuel Latham Mitchill pre­

sented to Congress “A report of the com­ mittee of Commerce and Manufactures on various Memorials and Petitions from citizens of New York, New Jersey, Penn­ sylvania, and Maryland, praying for leg­ islative patronage to several domestic Arts, Trades, and Manufactures,” which was also printed as pages xiii­xvii of the en­ closed pamphlet (Annals, 13:946).

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum April 29th. 1804. Your drawings of a Polygraph I received in due time. It was my intention to have wrote, that you might have received the letter soon after your arrival at Monticella, as about that time I made the discov­ ery, that the fault of incorrect writing with the Polygraphs ought not to have been attributed to the boards the paper rested on, but to the incorrectness of the drilling machine. Having made a rough model of common boards, in order to see how much we might contract the size of the Desks with shorter Parellegrams; only of a length just sufficient to reach the extent of Post paper, when I put this machinery togather I was surprised to find it more incorrect than any I had done, although I had taken great pains in the workmanship, It puzled me for some days, and I was almost discouraged from going on with the Manufacture of Poly­ graphs. sometimes I was almost led to believe the principle, not good, yet my reason on it stiffled that opinion, and I then sought for the errors by a comparisson of the distances of the pivot holes, & thus discovered what had cost me infinite trouble, My drilling machine was made thus: A and B drils fixed paralel in a frame, and mooved by the bow C. The form of the shoulders of the drils made in the form D, fitted exactly in holes in brass plates. The

frame holding the piece to be drilled confined between checks mooved forward to meet the drills, made of wood, and put togather with great care of well seasoned Stuff. All my acquaintance who had seen it ad­ mired the contrivance as excellent for correct drilling, Mr. Latrobe  342 

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however once observed that Iron only could be depended on in Ma­ chines where great accuracy was wanted, and that he had often been deceived by wood. I am thus particular, to give you a full view of some of my difficulties in a work, which I presume we accord in opin­ ion, of great importance, i.e. making with ease and expedition correct duplicates of writing. And, that you may now have assurance that it will be in my power to accomplish so desirable an object. Indeed nothing short of the great utility of the Polygraph could have induced me to have persevered so long, as I have done, even contrary to the wishes of many of my friends who appear to set a value on my la­ bours. I flatter myself you will approve of my perseverance in this Instance, and I have a very good proof for that opinion, in veiwing your drawings now before me. The surface you have contrived prom­ ises better, than on the experience I have already had by a tryal of that mode, will justifie, which I shall explain after I have done with the drilling machine. Determined to have correctness in this Tool, I had two frames made of strong bars of Iron, one to moove within the other, without the least lateral shake—they are ground togather with Emery. The movable frame brings the pieces to be drilled, as mentioned before, and in order that the drills may also be steady, they are made with conic shoulders, &c as the drawing explains.

A the conic shoulder which passes through hardened steel, B conic point followed by a Screw to keep the shoulder A close and steady. so that any wearing need not injure the truth of the Drill. The brass plates in my first drilling Machine wearing, as they had square shoulders could not be brought up to fill them, and however small that motion might be, it was sufficient cause of error; for once a drill is a little out of the proper place, it will continue to drill in the same direction—which no doubt happened in the machinery made before, sometimes on one side, and at other times in a opposite direc­ tion, thereby making considerable difference of distance from one pivot hole to another in different parts of the parallel rulers. I believe this explanation will satisfie you that the errors of incor­ rect writing, lay with the machinery and not with the boards under the paper. If a board is made of good wood, and the ends tenanted into clamps, and then screwed on a good bed, it will make a surface sufficiently true for our purpose. The weight of a great body of wood,  343 

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slate or any other heavy substance, should be avoided, if no greater accuracy is obtained. If boards are put togather with the ends to form a flat surface, and the opposite ends enclosed in a box, the outermost ends exposed to moist air, will swell and the surface be then forced into a round form. And if slates, or even Iron unless very thick, or of great strength, be fixed in a frame that is liable to warp, it will make the slate or metal plate twist with it, therefore slate or marble will be useful only in Desks not considered portable and where the slate need have only a bed to rest on. My cabinet­maker has begun your Polygraph, according to your Plan with the Cover to take off, but east and west it is a little longer than you drawing to give room to the machinery—and the upper hinge must also be a little different, to allow room for the perpendicular machinery to moove forward, and upward occasionally; to view what has been written. I wish also to give you a choice, therefore I shall as soon as possible have some that will fold up made of the smallest size; the Gallow 13 Inches high & of course the Box when folded up will be of the same width. A Cover for the front made of small bars as you propose will re­ quire a circular top of at least 6 Ins. diameter, to obtain an easy mo­ tion, and the checks forming said grove must be thick to have suffi­ cient strength and being on the outside of the Gallows will be more clumsey in appearance than your hinged cover. Where the writing desk is not intended for traveling, then the surface from the top where the horizontal machinery is fixed to the bottom of the paper, it is best without a joint—however with substan­ tial hinging, and square workmanship, it may be made sufficiently accurate for good writing. I have some thoughts of contriving conic point hinges, as being more exact in the motion, and will be more out of the way than com­ mon hinges. however if the common kind is well screwed, there is very little danger of derangement from that quarter when the cabinet work is well squared and leveled. and I shall always endeavor to em­ ploy the best workmen. In a machine to write with two Pens, I have one Pen with a screw to moove the Stay­pin & thus regulate the touch, and to those of three Pens, two of them have screws. The Pens have also undergone con­ siderable improvements; the steel pens are better made; are firmly fixed in brass tubes, preferable to wood however hard, or even Ivory, which shrink considerably. The Pen­bar has also undergone an important improvement. It has a steel rod to which the Pen­arms are screwed, this mooving within a small brass tube to the ends of it are arms soldered connecting the  344 

29 APRIL 1804

horizontal machinery, over this Tube is a semicircular tube with ends that also imbrace the steel rod, and, arms connecting the perpendicu­ lar machinery, the whole of this is much lighter then the brass bar to the Polygraph you have; is more correct & has less friction. An important improvement which I have re­ ceived from Mr. Hawkins; is a stay to govern the horizontal machinery, it is connected to the joint at A, and the other end B, is pined to the Desk. This contrivance has enabled me to apply the suporting springs to a bar, instead of having the long spiral attached to the trans­ verve parralells as formerly, it is now attached to an extra piece pinned to the nearest N. and S. parralell on the left hand, whence it has a sweeping motion of which the pin is the centre; this motion rendered smooth & easey by this extra piece terminating with a roller acting against another on the right hand north & south parralell, the extra piece thus running between the double bars of the parralell; by this means we avoid the inconvenience you mention of the strength of the spiral cord, both with respect to its force upwards and downwards; you will easily percieve that when you are writing at the bottom of the page the mechanical force is reduced, in consequence of the acting power having changed its situation. a. is the extra piece which is pinned at b. the center of its motion, a small long roller from a. to c. and another which it touches from d to e. reducing the friction; so that the spiral cord being fastened at a &c acts some­ times near the first and sometimes near to the second parralells. Finding the brass frame holding the paper, have a tendency to make it rise in the middle, to remedy which, I now have only a single piece of strong brass to hold the paper at the top. A heavy ruller is a necessary appendage, to be used at pleasure. And instead of two col­ ours of cloath, I now put two pieces of brass on the left hand to place the paper against, as being easier than placing the paper to a line. I have been thus particular that you might have a comprehensive veiw of the alterations to be made in the Polygraph making for you, and, that if you approve or wish other improvements, that I may im­ brace them as early as possible with the work on hand. I am with the highest respect and reguard your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excel­ lency Thos. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale­Sellers Papers).

your drawings: see TJ to Peale, 23 Apr.

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To Craven Peyton Dear Sir Monticello Apr. 30. 04. I have recieved from mr D. Carr copies of the papers in court re­ specting your injunction against Henderson. they give a serious as­ pect to the case, and render it indispensable that the whole subject should be thrown into a single bill in Chancery before the Chancellor at Richmond. there would be no [end of] changes1 to the suits which detached parts of the subject would give rise to. the bill should be against John Henderson, the widow, and the infant children whose parts you have bought. the object as to the widow should be to estab­ lish your deed, as to John to set aside his claim under her & enjoin his proceeding further, and as to the children to require a confirmation of their conveyances as fast as they come of age, lest they should on com­ ing of age [alien]ate to persons having no notice of your right. this suit will be notice to every body. the bill must be in your name, and must state the specific considerations you gave to each, & with whom the bargains were made. if you gave them lands in exchange, this suit will bind the land to you as a security for the title. I will take time to state the whole matter clearly & fully in a bill. but to do this you must do me the favor to ride [up], bring their deeds & all other papers re­ lating to the title, and give me all the verbal information necessary. I shall need the dates of the death of mr Henderson, the names & dates of birth of all the children, and the names of the husbands of the fe­ males who are [married]. if you could come up on Wednesday morn­ ing (Apr. 2) and breakfast [with me (say] by 7. aclock) we can go over the matter before any body will come [in] to interrupt us. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson PrC (ViU); faint and torn; at foot of text: “Mr. Craven Peyton”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

wednesday morning: TJ mistak­ enly wrote 2 Apr. instead of 2 May. 1 Preceding

two words interlined.

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New­Orleans 1 May 1804 I had the honor to receive yours of the 18th. of March, covering the complaint of M. Baudin, whose goods were siezed in execution at the suit of M. Labie; and I pray you to accept my thanks for this addi­ tional proof of the confidence which you are pleased to repose in me. I have already announced to the Department of State the establish­ ment of a Court for the dispatch of Judicial business in New­Orleans,  346 

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in all suits brought for sums of three thousand dollars and under. The Justices of that Court were selected, to the best of my judgment and information, from among the most intelligent and respectable inhab­ itants of the city and its vicinity. The forms of proceedings, I, in a great measure left to their own discretion; convinced that they would adopt such, as would be most consistent with equity, and the conve­ nience and habits of the citizens; and I am not displeased to find that, they dispensed with much of the routine which seems to have been practised in the Spanish Courts, for the mere purposes of delay and favour, and an excessive accumulation of costs. It is stated to me that the suit in question was brought for the recov­ ery of one thousand dollars, money actually lent, and interest thereon.— M. Baudin the defendant, was summoned to appear, but neglecting to do so, the cause was heard ex­parte, judgment went against him, and his property was seized by order of the Court, I believe in the manner in which he represents. While the execution was pending, M. Baudin solicited me to arrest it, alledging that, the proceedings against him were informal: but as he did not deny the debt, or sug­ gest any substantial merits on which a defence could be grounded, I was unwilling to interfere with the judgment of the Court, and suf­ fered the execution to proceed, only taking care that, the privileges of M. Baudin as a Sugar Planter, under the Laws of the Indies should not be violated. Those laws as I understand them, exempt from the common proces’ of execution, all Sugar works and lands employed in the cultivation of the cane, together with all Slaves, Cattle, and imple­ ments actually used in raising and manufacturing Sugar. But it has been, as I am told, the usage here, that Sugars when made, as well as the other property of the planter, are liable as in common cases, to be seized for the Satisfaction of judgments obtained against him. The seizure was I believe correctly levied, and the suit was afterwards compromised previous to a sale. Agreeably to your wish, I will communicate to M. Baudin and his Creditors (for he has since become a bankrupt) your receipt of his petition and your instructions to me thereon, together with the rea­ sons for my opinion in his case; which I hope may be satisfactory. With Sentiments of great respect and sincere esteem I have the honor to be Your most obdt. Servt. William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL.

For the appeal of Alexandre baudin, see Vol. 42:471­3. i will communi­ cate: in a letter of 12 May to Baudin, Claiborne explained that, insofar as the New Orleans court’s procedure did not

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1 M AY 1 8 0 4 violate the “substance and general prin­ ciples of the Law of the Land,” which had made sugar subject to forfeiture, he

saw no “just reason you have to com­ plain” (Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:144­5).

From Ephraim Kirby Sir Fort Stoddert May 1st. 1804 In your letter of the 15th. of July last, you was pleased to say, that “the number, nature, and extent of our settlements east of Pearl River was yet but imperfectly known,” and to request that during my con­ tinuance in this part of the country, I would endeavour to obtain full and faithful answers to certain queries, which were at the same time proposed. My attention has been turned to this subject, since my first arrival in the Territory, but have delayed to make any communication until this time, that my information might be as full and correct as possible.—The following is the result of my inquiries. “Quer: 1. What are the settlements on the east of Pearl River, their geographical position, extent, and numbers?” On the Chickasawhay, a principal water of the Pascagoula, are about seven families recently settled; all the other american citizens are settled upon the Mobile and Tombigbee Rivers, from the 31st. de­ gree of north latitude to the mouth of Sintteebogue or Snake Creek (a northern boundary between the United States and the Choctaw nation) a distance of about ninety two miles by water, and about sixty by land. This settlement may be computed at about two hundred fam­ ilies; fifty or sixty of which are on the east side of the Mobile, called the Tensaw settlement, and extends upwards to a place called the cut off about eight miles above the confluence of the Alabama with the Tombigbie.—This is much the most opulent and respectable settle­ ment in the country.—The remaining inhabitants are very equally distributed within the limits abovementioned, on the west side of the Mobile and Tombigbie, and on the Creeks which flow into them. “2. Are there good lands adjoining the settlements to render them capable of enlargement It is said there is good land on the Chickasawhay, sufficient to admit a considerable settlement.—The country on the west side of the Mo­ bile and Tombigbie is generally a Pine­baren of great extent, and will not for a considerable length of time become otherwise useful, than as range for cattle and healthy positions for habitations.—The princi­ pal cultivations of the inhabitants has always been on the east side.— As we ascend the River, the land on the west side becomes better, and  348 

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when we arrive at the hilly country, it is said to be universally good on both sides, and from the superior quality of its water, and the sa­ lubrity of its air, will, when the Indian title is extinguished, admit a vast population. “3. Have they encroached on the Indians?” The Inhabitants have taken their residence without the Indian lines, but for want of good land, have effected most of their cultivation upon ground where the native right remains unextinguished.—To this practice there has been no objection by the Indians until lately. “4. Are the settlements in a course of enlargement by persons set­ tleing down on lands without title?” At this time the settlements do not appear to be in a course of en­ largement by people of any description. The embarrassments experi­ enced from the Spanish Government at the mouth of the River, will discourage the regular population of the country, as well as the indus­ try of its inhabitants.— “5. The general character of the inhabitants and from whence they are?” This section of the United States has long afforded an assylum to those who prefer voluntary exile to the punishments ordained by law for heinous offences.—The present inhabitants (with few exceptions) are illiterate, wild and savage, of depraved morals, unworthy of public confidence or private esteem; litigious, disunited, and knowing each other, universally distrustful of each other. The magistrates without dignity, respect, probity, influence or authority.—The administration of justice, imbecile and corrupt.—The militia, without discipline or competent officers. The most antient inhabitants of the country, are French people who resided in it previous to the peace of 1763, and have continued under the several successions of government since that period.—These with their descendents are few in number, and generally peaceable honest, well disposed citizens.—The next most antient class is composed of emigrants from the Carolina’s and Georgia, who were attainted and proscribed for treasonable practices during the revolution.—These not only hate the american government, but having long lived without any restraint, committing many enormities against society are now hostile to all law and to every government.—Another class who emi­ grated generally from the States last mentioned, at a later period, are almost universally fugitives from justice, and many of them felons of the first magnitude.—The last and most meretorious class are also generally emigrants from the States already named, since the organi­ zation of government here, and are mostly poor people who have come  349 

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hither to avoid the demands of creditors, or to gain a precarious sub­ sistence in a wilderness. “6. A special list by name of all such individuals worthy of appoint­ ment to such offices as may be necessary among them, and characters so particularized, as that we may know for what each is fit?” From the foregoing observations, it follows that the list of individu­ als worthy of appointment to office must necessarily be small.—These people have no confidence in each other—they prefer strangers for office to any one among themselves; and very few selections from among themselves can with any appearance of propriety be made.— Indeed I forbear1 to say any thing respecting individuals, lest I should be the cause of misleading, rather than of assisting the judgment of the executive on this subject. “7. A general account of the Spanish settlements in the adjacent country, stating all material circumstances relative to them, particu­ larly their geographical position and numbers. Those on the Chata­ houchy, Escambia, Mobile and Pascagoula Rivers especially?” No certain information respecting the Spanish settlements on the Chatahouchy has been obtained. On the Escambia there is no other settlement but the Post of Pensacola, which needs no description. From thence to Fish River on the Bay of Mobile there are none except a few scattering cabins of fishermen and fowlers.—From Fish­River following the southeastern shore of the Bay and River Mobile to the 31st. degree of north latitude there may be twenty families scattered along the coast. The River Mobile, (which name it takes below the junction of the Alabama and the Tombigbie) flowing through a level country, dis­ charges into the Bay (like the Mississippi) by several channels. At the head of the Bay, on the northwestern channel, in Lat. 30°–40 N. stands the Town of Mobile.—It is a compact village on a handsome site, containing about sixty families, and a greater number of dwellings.— It was once much larger and more flourishing.—It now presents the gloomy appearance of a depressed colonial establishment.—The gov­ ernment having authorized a manopoly of the whole trade of the place in one favourite house, all commercial enterprize is annihilated, and the natural efforts of industry in the various branches of business connected with commerce, effectually paralysed.—Nature has how­ ever designed this position for a great City.—It is at the mouth of one of the finest navigable waters in the United States, which, at some future time, will float down the produce of an extensive and fertile interior country  350 

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 From the Town of Mobile to the Pascagoula there are about eigh­ teen families settled along the shores of the Bay and at the mouth of the River; and from thence to Pearl River, and upon the same are about thirty families. These settlements compose the dependencies of Mobile, within the limits of which are two organized Companies of Militia, but they are said to be rather nominal than effective. “8. Their military posts, the position and strength of each, and especially on the Mobile.” There are no military Posts in this vicinity, except at Pensacola and Mobille—Of the first nothing need be said—its position and strength is generally known. The Fort at Mobile is an antient work, constructed on correct mili­ tary principles, sufficiently large to contain five hundred men, but is in a decayed condition.—It has been commanded by a Captain until, within a few weeks past, a Coll. was sent to the command from Pen­ sacola, with a reinforcement of men, and additional supplies of ord­ nance and military stores.—The works are now undergoing consid­ erable repairs, but cannot easily be sufficiently strengthened to resist the assault of a brave and determined force. It has been reported that the Govr. of West Florida, when on a late visit at Mobile, ascended the River for the purpose of selecting a posi­ tion for a new Fort, on the Tensaw­branch, a little below the present American line. Whether it was determined that this place should be fortified is not yet ascertained. The Spaniards are daily becomeing more troublesom at the mouth of this River.—The inhabitants above, although sorely oppressed, have been hitherto prevailed upon to wait patiently for a redress of grievances by the General Government.— How long a rude people, who have been in the habit of redressing themselves on all occasions, will, under such circumstances continue quiet and peaceable, is uncertain. I have received no communication, direct or indirect from the seat of government, since my arrival in this Territory.—About four weeks will probably close the business of the Board of Commissioners in this District; after which I shall spend a short time visiting the upper country, and then return to New Orleans. I have the honor to be with great respect Your Obedt. Servt Ephm Kirby RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 June and so recorded in SJL.

For objection by the indians and embarrassments caused by the Span­ ish, see Kirby to TJ, 20 Apr. 1 Word

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interlined in place of “hesitate.”

From John Barnes Sir, George Town, 2d May. 1804. Your esteemed favr. 25h. ult. I had the Honor of recieving late last Evening—The $20.34 will be remitted Genl. Lincoln in a post or two.—Messrs. G & J. have already advised me of your Tobo. a/ sales, &c. the $2,500 to be retained on my a/c: $1000, of which, I have requested those Gentlemen to reserve for forty Bank shares intended to be subscribed for my use &c. The proceeds of the residue to be transmitted to me here, at their first convenient leisure—on its Ar­ rival will be Applied to Mr Short, Mr LeMaire & others unadjusted claims— The consoling tear! of a friend’ (however sincere) adds but little comfort, to the lacerated wound of the afflicted Parent! Husband! &c. &c.— it is—in the greatness of Mind—and submissive dependence on the goodness of a Kind unerring Providence, we are to look up to— to sooth & Calm the agitated afflicted Bosom, which time will by degrees allay—but not obliterate.— with the greatest, respect & Esteem—I am Sir your most Obedt. & very humble serv. John Barnes. I omitted sending—Monday paper expecting its arrival would be too late for your recieving it at Monticello. RC (ViU); at foot of text: “The Presi­ dent of the U States—at Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 May and so recorded in SJL.

your esteemed favr: TJ to Barnes, 25 Apr., recorded in SJL but not found.

From Wilson Cary Nicholas My Dear [Sir] Warr[en] [2 May 1804] If the most ardent hopes and wishes of your countrymen, cou’d have availed you wou’d have been spared that most cruel affliction that has fall upon you; you so fully command their affections that they participate most warmly in every thing that can interest you. in you their best affections and dearest hopes are concentrated. If the condolence and sympathy of a friend can in any manner alleviate dis­ tress, that of Millions will I hope have a proportionate effect. pardon me for this intrusion—My heart dictated it. I will only add, it is my most anxious hope, that in tenderness to your family, to your numer­ ous personal friends, and to your country—that your own life may be  352 

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long preserved and that the remainder of it may be unchequered by events that can excite an unpleasant pang. I this day received your favour of the 27th. of Apl. upon the subject of my appointment to the place of collector at Norfolk. I understood when I was at Monticello, that the appointment wou’d be made in [. . .] have it in [. . .] to Nor­ folk, [. . .] place, and [. . .] before I decided [. . .] only consider­ ations that cause me to hesitate, are those that I mentioned to you: and I cannot be fully satisfied upon those points without being there in person. I will take the liberty to state the manner in which it wou’d be most convenient and agreeable to me, that this appointment shou’d be made. If Mr. Gallatin will write to Mr. Davis, that he may resign, and send his letter with a commission for me under cover to my brother, I will be in Richmond on friday or saturday in the next week, and will go on from thence immediately for Norfolk, in a day or two my determination will be made, if it is to accept, I will have Mr. Davis’s letter delivered in a proper manner, and instantly enter upon the du­ ties of the office. If on the contrary I cannot undertake the business, I will immediately return the papers to you at Washington. My present impression is, that I shall take the office, but if I do not, it will be best on every account, that it shou’d not be known it was offered to me. If there is any thing improper in this course, I will go first to Norfolk, and will write [you from thence] whether [I can undertake the em­ ployment or not]. I should [prefer the former mode] as it wou’d save time and trouble, [and] wou’d be least likely to be misinterpreted. I will in all things proceed agreeable to the directions I may receive from you by the bearer, who I have directed to wait for an answer. if you expect to hear from Mr. Gallatin by the mail of tomorrow, you will be pleased to detain my servant until you have received your letters I am Dear Sir with the greatest respect your hum. Serv. W. C. Nicholas RC (ViU); torn; for text within final four sets of brackets, see TJ to Gallatin, 4 May. Recorded in SJL as a letter of 2 May 1804 received the same day.

From William A. Burwell Dr Sir May 3d 04 (Richmond) I have made every exertion to Reach Washington; by the time specified in Your letter—Some delay was unavoidable, the difficulty of procuring suitable persons to manage my affairs in my absence, the necessity of closing some transactions which were understood only by myself—I shall rest this day & proceed immediately to W—The  353 

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selection you have made of me in my retirement; will if possible at­ tatch me more strongly to your Interest—perhaps you will be con­ vinced that I feel sincerely grateful—Accept my best wishes— William A Burwell RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Honorable Thomas Jefferson PUS”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL.

From Philip Carrigain, Jr. Sir, Concord New Hampshire May 3d. 1804 I percieve by a newspaper of this date, that Mr. Jonathan Steele declines accepting the Office of Attorney of the U.S. for the District of New Hampshire—The vacancy in that Office occasioned by the appointment of the Hone. John S. Sherburne Esqe. to that of District Judge not being yet supplied I take the liberty with all due respect to solicit for myself the Office of Attorney of the U.S. for this District. As it respects the weight or justness of the claim that I may have to it founded on my moral, professional, and political, reputation, you will hear from others, as it is more proper that you should, than from myself. As it respects my political character however I will venture to premise, for I feel proud in the reflection, that since the commence­ ment of your Administration, my humble abilities have been steadily devoted to its support and previous to that were uniformly and pub­ lickly exerted in the diffusion of those correct principles that produced that happy event. And I trust that you will be informed that my exer­ tions have not a little contributed to place the Republican Interest on the flattering ground, on which it now stands in this State. For Sir the Day star has already risen in this heretofore dark quarter, and I trust that the next day of our Public Elections will be a proud one for New Hampshire. I would observe that I can procure the recommenda­ tions of all the Republican Represtvs. and Senators in our Legislature, and under that denomination I flatter myself a majority of that body will be comprized, a circumstance the more pleasing from the duties that will devolve upon it at the ensuing session. The Legislature however does not convene till the first wednesday in June. I presume that I shall be recommended by my friends Col. John Langdon, the Republican and I hope the successfull Candidate for Governour, Col. Whipple the Collector of the Revenue, and Col. Sherburne the pres­ ent District Judge. I only wish that the appointment should corre­ spond with the wishes of a majority of the Republicans throughout this District. If in the expression of those wishes I should be desig­  354 

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nated and honoured with the appointment, I should endeavour to support in the discharge of the duties of the Office the dignity of that Government to which I have heretofore been so much devoted, and to which as far as I was able I have directed the veneration and confidence of the Citizens of this district. The enclosed Essay# I take the free­ dom to transmit [. . .] humble testimony of the support that I have been in the habit of contributing through the papers to your Admin­ istration. The residue of the Essay was on subjects more local. By this opportunity and under impressions of the most profound respect I entreat You to accept my most fervent wishes for your health and happiness and that you may long be indulged in a succession of the highest satisfaction which the political and literary honours and other enjoyments of this world can afford, and that you may be long contin­ ued to promote the prosperity of this happy Country, and finally meet the reward reserved for the Benefactors of Mankind—With these sen­ timents I remain your obedient and devoted Servant Philip Carrigain Junr #

The Constitutionalist.

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and “to be District Atty v. Steele de­ clin” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Philip Carrigain, Jr. (1772­1842), a New Hampshire lawyer, has been de­ scribed both as a “light trifling character” and as one of Concord’s most influential local Republicans. He served as New Hampshire secretary of state from 1805 to 1809 and was for several years clerk of the state senate. In 1816, Carrigain pub­ lished New Hampshire’s most celebrated state map, a “handsome piece of cartogra­ phy” entailing 13 years of research, sur­ veying, and drawing. Carrigain is also credited with proposing New Hamp­ shire’s official nickname, the Granite State (J. M. Opal, “The Politics of ‘Industry’: Federalism in Concord and Exeter, New Hampshire, 1790­1805,” Journal of the Early Republic, 20 [2000], 660­1; James

Grant Wilson and John Fiske, eds., Ap­ pleton’s Cyclopedia of American Biogra­ phy, 11 vols. [New York, 1887­89], 1:535; Frank C. Mevers and Mica B. Stark, “The Making of the Carrigain Map of New Hampshire, 1803­1816,” Historical New Hampshire, 52 [1997], 79, 92; John M. McNeill, “Historical Maps and Charts,” Scientific Monthly, 50 [1940], 441). steele declines: for Jonathan Steele’s nomination as U.S. attorney and his decision to decline the appointment, see Vol. 39:368, 423n, 491­2 and Vol. 40:261­2. One of those who had recom­ mended Steele to TJ was John Langdon. On 16 May, he wrote to Madison about a new candidate, Daniel Humphreys, the brother of David Humphreys (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Humphreys Danl. to be district Atty N. Hampshire”). Humphreys received the appointment and served until his death in 1827 (Dover New Hampshire Republi­ can, 2 Oct. 1827; Memorandum on Ap­ pointments, 29 May 1804).

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From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New­Orleans May 3rd. 1804. I was last evening honored with the receipt of your Letter of the 30th. of March.—It would personally be a source of great satisfaction to me, to see the Marquis de la Fayette a Citizen of Louisiana, and I  believe his permanent residence therein, would be a great public Benefit.—I shall hasten to make the enquiries you solicit, and to com­ municate to you, the Result: My present Impression is, that there would be no difficulty in locating the Land granted to General Fa­ yette in situations the most elligable in lower Louisiana; perhaps the greater part of it, on the Island of New­Orleans:—But I will inform you more particularly by the next Mail. The 30th. April, being the Day on which our late Treaty with France was signed, I presented an elegant Standard to the Battalion of Orleans Volunteers; It was received with much enthusiasm, and will I am persuaded have a happy effect.—I have another Standard for the Regiment of City Militia, and a third for the Battalion of free people of Colour, which I shall shortly present—The two former, I obtained from General Wilkinson; they were formerly attached to the 4th. Regiment, & had been little used;—I solicited them from the General in order to avoid the expense of purchasing new ones; The Ensign for the people of Colour I had made here. The most perfect harmony continues to prevail in this City.— With sentiments the most respectful—I have the honor to sub­ scribe myself—Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL. The presentation of a standard to the orleans volunteers was part of a day­long celebration in New Orleans on 30 Apr. commemorating the anniversary of the Louisiana Purchase. Following a military review, Claiborne presented the commanding officer of the battalion, Eu­ gene Dorsière, with a U.S. flag “beauti­ fully adorned with the American Eagle, and other appropriate embellishments,” while a military band played “Yankee Doodle” and a 17­gun salute was fired. Claiborne had intended to present a stan­ dard to the city militia as well, but its

commanding officer, Joseph Deville de Goutin Bellechasse, was indisposed. The presentation instead occurred during the Fourth of July celebrations in New Or­ leans. At Bellechasse’s request, the cere­ mony took place in a Catholic church, where the standard received a benedic­ tion (National Intelligencer, 15 June 1804; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:421­3). On 21 June, the free Colored Battalion received its flag made of “white silk, Ornamented with fifteen Stripes (al­ ternately red and white).” According to Claiborne, the standard “was thankfully received & apparently excited a great share of Sensibility and gratitude.” The governor had recently appointed two white officers to command the battalion, Michel Fortier and Lewis Kerr (Rowland, Clai­

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3 M AY 1 8 0 4 borne Letter Books, 2:199­200, 217­19; Erin M. Greenwald, “To Strike a Bal­ ance: New Orleans’ Free Colored Com­ munity and the Diplomacy of William Charles Cole Claiborne,” in Gene Allen

Smith and Sylvia L. Hilton, eds., Nexus of Empire: Negotiating Loyalty and Identity in the Revolutionary Borderlands, 1760s­ 1820s [Gainesville, Fla., 2010], 123­7).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington 3d May 1804 Finding your return somewhat retarded, my anxiety to take Mrs. Gallatin to her father & to place my children at school induces me to go now, as I presume I could not have left this city for some weeks after your return. I expect to be absent three weeks from this day, and hope I shall not be wanted during that time. Finding the business of the supervisor of Massachusets brought to a close, I have anticipated your decision & written to him that his office was suppressed. I was prevented from doing the same in Tenessee & Virginia only on ac­ count of the provisions enacted last session respecting the redemp­ tion of lands sold for non­payment of taxes. The necessary arrange­ ments have been made to carry into effect the land & revenue laws of last session with two exceptions, vizt. the appointment of a register at Detroit & of an agent at Natchez. For the first office there are two characters at Detroit—Bates & Lewis Bond. The first is preferable, so far as I can judge; but may be wanted for Receiver. For the other office Mr Poindexter attorney general of the territory is recommended by Mr Briggs & by Mr Williams. The remittances for the Dutch debt are paid for & made so as to meet all demands there till 1 June 1805 & the istalmt. of Septer. 1805 will be anticipated & paid this year. In every arrangement not connected with this department which may be adopted, I have but one observation which is to request that the trea­ sury may not be pressed this year beyond our former calculations. The Norfolk act will cause some defalcation this year. I allow 300,000 dollars to the Secretary of the Navy for the equipment of the four ad­ ditional frigates; he wants four hundred thd.; but that is too much as he pays them only four months pay & about 8 months provisions. Those together make a considerable sum beyond the estimates of last year; and although the revenue exceeds our calculations, the exporta­ tions & debentures this winter & spring are very large. But it is not only on account of the Treasury that I wish an abstainance of ex­ pences; it is on account of the prodigious drain of specie principally dollars which has taken place and continues. There are not at present one hundred thousand dollars in dollars in Philadelphia, New York  357 

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& Boston, put together. More than three millions of dollars have been exported within six months from the vaults of the Bank of the United States alone; and our 2d instalment to Great Britain will in July take nearly nine hundred thousand dollars more. The principal cause of the drain is that no specie has been last year or is now imported either from the British & Spanish american colonies. Under those circum­ stances, it is highly desirable to leave as large deposits with the Bank as the public service will permit. If we press them hard, they must curtail their discounts suddenly to an extent equally injurious to com­ merce and to our revenue. With sincere attachment & respect Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Trea­ sury Department on 7 May and “Super­ visor Mass. Virga. & Tennissee” and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed: “register Detroit agent Natchez. Bates. Poindexter. Dutch debt. State of finances.” On this day, Gallatin wrote to Jonathan Jackson, the internal revenue super­ visor for Massachusetts, and informed him that his office was “discontinued by direction of the President.” By an “Act further to amend the act intituled ‘An act to lay and collect a direct tax within the

United States,’” tax collectors had three months to deliver to revenue supervisors any transcripts of lists of land tracts sold for nonpayment of taxes prior to the passing of the act (Gallatin, Papers, 47:1188; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:262). former calculations: Vol. 41:497­ 500. For the norfolk act, which sus­ pended for one year bond payments from residents of Norfolk and Portsmouth, Virginia, see TJ to Thomas Newton, 5 Mch. The second installment to great britain was for the settlement of prewar debt claims (Vol. 33:277n).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Monticello May 3. 1804. I have purchased from mr John Henderson a pair of five feet Burr millstones, every stone of which he represented to be of the first qual­ ity, and the price is to be ascertained by what mr Holloway of Rich­ mond shall certify to be the proper price of such a pair at that place. will you be so good as to obtain from mr Holloway such a certificate & inclose it to mr Henderson, & to me a copy of it. I shall then be at Washington. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson approved Jno Henderson

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3 M AY 1 8 0 4  PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr George Jefferson”; approval signed by John Henderson; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. In his financial memoranda, TJ re­ corded on 1 May a payment to hender­ son of £20, or $66.67, as a partial install­ ment for the purchase of a five­acre lot adjoining TJ’s land along the Rivanna River, for which he was to pay $40, the “bail & screw of his millstones,” also val­ ued at $40, and “his pair of 5. f. Burr millstones for which I am to give him £80. and as much more not exceeding £100. as they shall be valued at.” Two days later, TJ recorded giving Hender­

son his “note for £42. paiable 1st. week of June; also my note for £42. paiable 1st. week in July, both at Charlottesville.” An indenture for the sale of the land, dated 3  May and witnessed by James Dins­ more, William Stewart, and John Wine­ berger, was recorded by the county clerk on 4 June. TJ sent payments of $140 on 7 June and $173.33 on 5 July intended for Henderson. In a letter of 25 Feb. to Craven Peyton, TJ had explained his will­ ingness to purchase mill implements from Henderson in order to “consolidate the possession.” He was still using the mill­ stones in 1817 (mb, 2:1125, 1129, 1131; Albemarle County Deed Book No. 14:484­5; rs, 11:200­1).

To Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Monticello May 3. 1804. Your kind sympathies in my late loss are a mark of your great friendship to me, and of the interest you are so good as to take in my happiness. it is indeed an inexpressible loss, and which, at my years, can hardly wear away. it is the more felt as it leaves, whatever of comfort remains, hanging on the slender thread of a single life. in the affections of our friends there is always great consolation. on that of a public at large I have never suffered myself to count with confidence. if it should in the end be obtained by unremitting endeavors to pro­ mote the public prosperity and secure it’s liberty, if it should at length surmount that deadly hatred of some which circumstances preceding my administration, mere measures of misrule1 in others, obliged me to encounter, I shall carry it into retirement as my greatest treasure, as the reward of a life of public cares. I will write by tomorrow’s post to mr Gallatin to place the matter of the commission, if it be not too late, on the footing which you ex­ press as most eligible to you. and in that case you will recieve at Richmond at your brothers on Friday or Saturday next the letter to Davies & commission. but I fear it is too late for this, because my let­ ter of Apr. 27. which he recieved on the 30th. desired an immediate application to Davies. should this have been thus put out of our power, your second course shall be observed; that is we will wait to hear from you from Norfolk. but surely you are aware that no one can form a judgment whether he will like a place or people by a few days stay among them. circumstances disheartening in the first impression wear  359 

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away & disappear on being better seen. however in this follow your own inclination, for whether there, or in your present position we shall derive solid aid from your services. the republicanising so im­ portant a place as Norfolk is an object. I shall set out on Sunday or Monday for Washington. Accept my affectionate salutations & assur­ ances of great respect. Th: Jefferson P.S. I presume you are acquainted with Bedinger at Norfolk. he can give you the best information as to the office, & I suppose it will be disinterested, as he declared in a letter to R. Smith he would rather retain his present office himself than be the collector; and he recom­ mended the sending some person of weight of character sufficient to form a center of rallying for the republicans. PrC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “W. C. Nicholas esq.”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Daniel bedinger had served as the first surveyor and inspector at the collec­ tor’s office in Norfolk (Vol. 42:455n). retain his present office: the secre­

tary of the navy appointed Bedinger navy agent at Norfolk in April 1802 and, in December 1803, superintendent of the navy yard (ndbw, 2:135; 3:303). 1 Preceding four words written over an illegible erasure.

Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton This indenture made on the 4th. day of May 1804. between Craven Peyton of the one part and Thomas Jefferson of the other, both of the county of Albemarle, witnesseth that Whereas the said Craven hath, at various times, and by various contracts deeds & other instruments, purchased from the widow & representatives of the late Bennet Hen­ derson all their rights & interests in a tract of land held by the said Bennet on the Rivanna river in the sd county, adjacent to & sur­ rounding the town of Milton, containing by estimation 1162¼ acres, with certain exceptions as to the warehouses, distillery, the mill then standing and a mill site, which exceptions are specified in the said several instruments, and also with the exception of the five acre and two acre lots assigned to John one of the representatives as part of his property, for which several rights and interests, the several sums specified in the several deeds were paid, Now the said Peyton does declare that the property of Sarah one of the representatives having been purchased on his own account was afterwards sold by him to the said Thomas & paiment for it recieved, and that all the purchases of the other parts and proceedings respecting the same since made or had by the said Craven have been in trust for the said Thomas & his  360 

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heirs, and all the paiments have been made by him the said Thomas1 and fully made to the whole amount of all the said purchases: & that the agreements & conveyances made or to be made respecting the same are and will be in trust for the said Thomas & his heirs, & are so to enure without any claims or pretensions of title of him the said Craven or of any person claiming under him, as absolutely as if the legal estate in feesimple were conveyed directly by the vendors to the said Thomas; & the said Craven covenants for himself & his heirs that he and they2 will at all times be ready to convey to the said Thomas & his heirs at their proper expence, such portions of the said rights & interests as have been or shall be conveyed to the said Cra­ ven. in witness whereof he sets his hand & seal hereto on the day and year above written. C. Peyton MS (ViU); in TJ’s hand, signed by Peyton and witnesses; inserted by TJ at foot of text: “The words ‘the said Thomas’ and the words ‘and they’ interlined be­ fore attestation” (see notes 1 and 2 below); in TJ’s hand at foot of text: “Signed sealed & delivered in presence of,” signed by James Dinsmore, James Oldham, John Perry, and William Stewart; indented and sealed; endorsed by TJ: “Peyton to Jefferson Declaration of Trust.” property of sarah: by a deed of 7 June 1803, Sarah Henderson Kerr and her husband, John R. Kerr, conveyed to Peyton her share of the rights in her fa­

ther’s lands, except the warehouse and distillery, for a sum between $400 and $500. She had also inherited a dwelling on the property known as Thorpe’s house, the value of which had been distributed in portions to her siblings, for which Pey­ ton paid £84 to John Henderson and James L. Henderson. In addition, Peyton paid her for her share of her deceased brother William’s apportionment from their father’s estate (rs, 1:460; Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others, at 5 May 1804). 1 2

Preceding three words interlined. Preceding two words interlined.

To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Monticello May 4. 04. I have recieved from mr Nicholas a letter in which is the following passage. ‘if mr Gallatin will write to mr Davis that he may resign, & send his letter, with a commission for me, under cover to my brother, I will be in Richmond on Friday or Saturday in the next week (the 11th. or 12th. inst.) and will go on from thence immediately for Nor­ folk. in a day or two my determination will be made. if it is to accept, I will have mr Davies’s letter delivered in a proper manner, & in­ stantly enter on the duties of the office. if on the contrary I cannot undertake the business, I will immediately return the papers to you at Washington. my present impression is that I shall take the office; but if I do not, it will be best on every account that it should not be  361 

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known it was offered to me. if there is any thing improper in this course, I will go first to Norfolk, and will write you from thence whether I can undertake the emploiment or not. I should prefer the former mode, as it would save time & trouble, and would be least likely to be misinterpreted.’ I have answered to mr Nicholas that I was afraid that the method most agreeable to him was already put out of our power, and that in consequence of my letter of the 27th. to you, you would have already written to Davis; but that I would write to you this day, and if noth­ ing was yet done, I did not doubt you would be so good as to lodge with his brother in Richmond what he desired & by the day he de­ sired: but that if you had already written to Davis, then we should follow his second course, to wit, wait till we heard from him from Norfolk before we should issue a commission. I suppose I must have misunderstood him in supposing he had absolutely made up his mind. my letter of the 27th. was written under that impression: and if not too late I will ask the favor of you to correct it. I shall set out on Sun­ day or Monday for Washington & be there on Wednesday or Thurs­ day. accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury Wash­ ington”; franked; endorsed. PrC (DLC); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. Notation in SJL: “W.C.N.”

following passage: see Wilson Cary Nicholas to TJ, [2 May].

From Richard T. Hanson Sir [on or before 4 May 1804] The following application to your Excellency, comes from a young man, who would not have the boldness to ask the favour he solicits, had not his habits from a very early period of life, not only have qualified him for the office of Marshal for Maryland District, which he now entreats at your Excellency’s hands: but have perhaps ren­ dered him incompetent for any other pursuit in life. Your applicant has spent the whole of his time in a Clerks office, and presumes that he has acquired such a knowledge of proceedings in and out of court, as would enable him to discharge the duties of Marshal of the district above mentioned, without experiencing any of those difficulties which frequently embarrass one whose first experience of its duties may be his introduction into office.—As to your applicants character, he begs  362 

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leave to refer your Excellency to the testimony of the recommenda­ tion of the very respectable Gentlemen, who have done him the honor of soliciting in his behalf, and assures your Excellency that if he is thought worthy of succeeding Mr. Etting, no endeavors shall be want­ ing on his part to discharge the duties attached to the office with at­ tention and fidelity. He has the honor of Subscribing himself Your Excellency’s respect­ ful and very humble Servant Richd. T. Hanson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; at head of text: “To his Excellency the Presi­ dent of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 May 1804 and “to be Marshal of Maryland” and so recorded in SJL.

Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others I. NOTES ON INJUNCTION AGAINST JOHN HENDERSON, [AFTER 8 MCH. 1804] II. NOTES ON AGREEMENT BETWEEN ELIZABETH HENDERSON AND JOHN HENDERSON, [AFTER 8 MCH. 1804] III. NOTES ON HENDERSON LAND DEEDS, [AFTER 30 APR. 1804] IV. DRAFT CHECKLIST OF PREPARATIONS, [BEFORE 5 MAY 1804] V. CHECKLIST OF PREPARATIONS, [BEFORE 5 MAY 1804] VI. DRAFT BILL IN CHANCERY, [ON OR BEFORE 5 MAY 1804] VII. BILL IN CHANCERY, 5 MAY 1804

E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

In late April and early May 1804, in the aftermath of the death of his daughter and with other matters also demanding his attention, Jefferson faced obstacles in his efforts to begin operation of a new flour mill on the Rivanna River. By the end of the summer of 1803, he had determined to ex­ ercise a right given to him by the courts to dismantle an illegally constructed milldam that was part of the estate of the deceased Bennett Henderson. Yet John Henderson, the oldest of Bennett Henderson’s heirs, still hoped to de­ velop and sell his mill site. To get water power there without the dam, Hen­ derson began construction of a millrace that would begin upriver and run across property that had been part of his mother’s dower from her husband’s estate. Craven Peyton, acting as Jefferson’s covert agent, had bought that property in 1802, and in December 1803 he asked the Albemarle County Court to put a stop to Henderson’s mill canal. The court initially granted Peyton an injunction, but after hearing evidence in the matter, the judges

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BILL IN CHANCERY ruled against him on 8 Mch. 1804. Peyton went to see Chancellor George Wythe, the judge of the Virginia Superior Court of Chancery in Richmond, and posted bond so that he could bring the matter before that court. When Jefferson learned of the situation, he decided that the declaration submitted to Wythe should not be against John Henderson alone, but should also in­ clude his mother, Elizabeth Henderson, and several of his siblings as defen­ dants. Moreover, the complaint should encompass more than the right to dig the millrace. Other questions had arisen with regard to property that Peyton had acquired from the Hendersons, and Jefferson thought they should “throw the whole into a single suit in Chancery.” Otherwise, as he wrote to Thomas Mann Randolph on 11 June, “the case between Peyton & Henderson would branch out into endless different lawsuits.” He thought also that he should write the bill of complaint himself. “I will take time to state the whole matter clearly & fully in a bill,” he wrote to Peyton on 30 Apr. (Robert F. Haggard, “Thomas Jefferson v. The Heirs of Bennett Henderson, 1795­1818: A Case Study in Caveat Emptor,” Magazine of Albemarle County History, 63 [2005], 10­11; Vol. 40:541; Vol. 41:348­9, 353, 400; Vol. 42:167­8, 476, 545­6; Pey­ ton to TJ, 29 Mch. 1804; TJ to Peyton, 30 Apr.; Documents iv and v below; note to Document vi). Jefferson immediately stepped into the mode of a legal practitioner, gath­ ering documentation from depositions and deeds, drafting the language of the bill, and coaching Peyton on how to proceed in the complex litigation that would ensue over the disputed land rights. It was not the first time since ceasing to practice law that he had immersed himself in details of equity and property. For example, in 1795 he drew up two bills in chancery, one that resulted in his winning the dispute over the Henderson milldam and another involving the estate of his father­in­law. When his daughter Mary and John Wayles Eppes married in 1797, he prepared the documents that laid out his settlement of property on the couple (Vol. 28:285­91, 480­5; Vol. 29:547­51). He would now once again take up his pen as a lawyer. In his letter to Peyton on 30 Apr., Jefferson arranged for them to meet at Monticello for breakfast on 2 May to discuss and assemble the necessary papers and review the history of the efforts to date. It is unclear precisely when Jefferson began compiling the documents printed below, but all appear to relate directly to the bill in chancery or might have played some role in its preparation. Document i presents the chronology and outcome of Peyton’s injunction against John Henderson in the county court. Jefferson arranged those notes in categories of “Bill,” “Answer,” and “Exhibits.” The key issue was an agreement between John Henderson and his mother in November 1801 that antedated Elizabeth Henderson’s sale of land to Peyton in Septem­ ber of the following year and allowed, according to the Hendersons, the con­ struction of the canal for the mill. The Hendersons could not produce the signed contract of 1801, but argued that Peyton had knowledge of its terms when he made his purchase. Document ii is Jefferson’s compilation of what was known from third parties about the missing agreement. Jefferson also prepared a calendared summary of the dates and amounts of land convey­ ances leading up to and concluding in Peyton’s purchases from members of the Henderson family (see Document iii). To assist in reviewing the actions that he and Peyton needed to take in gathering documents and ensuring that the papers were legally recorded, Jefferson drafted a checklist; after putting

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EDITORIAL NOTE it into finished form, he made a press copy and perhaps gave the original to Peyton (Documents iv and v). Those lists of tasks to be completed indicate that an attorney named Stuart, perhaps Alexander Stuart, was representing Peyton (and thus Jefferson, indirectly) in the legal actions against John Hen­ derson and that George Hay would be brought on to assist. Document vi is Jefferson’s draft of the plea to the court. As he often did when preparing a long and detailed manuscript, he left a wide margin to give himself space to rewrite passages and make insertions. As he was not himself a direct party to the land acquisitions from the Henderson heirs, he framed the bill with Peyton as the complainant (“your orator”). The bill recounted the division of more than a thousand acres of Bennett Henderson’s land in and around Milton in equal shares to his five surviving sons and five daughters. Using the conventional legal vocabulary, Jefferson referred to the Henderson heirs as “coparceners” of the estate and termed as “infants” the heirs who were not of legal age at the time the conveyances of their shares took place. He did not confine himself to dry legal language, however, alleging “that artifices & influence are using or will be used by certain evilminded persons” to undermine Peyton’s purchase of the rights of the underaged heirs. The reason John Henderson could not produce the November 1801 agreement, the bill declared, was that alterations had given the paper “an appearance so obviously fraudent, as to destroy it’s credibility were it produced.” Jefferson retained the strong language of both allegations in the version submitted to the court (Document vii). After composing the draft, he wrote out a fair copy of the final version for his records. Peyton signed the court version on 5 May before Thomas Mann Randolph (in his capacity as an Albemarle County justice of the peace). The day before, Jefferson and Peyton had signed a formal statement covering Pey­ ton’s actions as Jefferson’s agent in the transactions with the Hendersons (see Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton, 4 May). On 12 May, the Superior Court of Chancery received a bill of complaint from Peyton, but it was not the one written by Jefferson. Instead, Peyton’s more limited request, initi­ ated in the county court, for an injunction against John Henderson’s con­ struction of the millrace served to put the matter before the chancery court, following up on Peyton’s visit to Wythe after the Albemarle court dissolved its injunction in March. On 2 June, Wythe allowed Peyton’s counsel to file an amended bill, by which means the complaint framed by Jefferson replaced the earlier, more narrowly construed one. Henderson filed an answer in Au­ gust, and the court authorized the parties to take depositions from witnesses. After receiving the affidavits collected by the two sides, Wythe issued his decision in March 1805. He ruled against Peyton and ordered him to pay Henderson’s costs of answering the complaint. Peyton appealed, but in 1812 the Virginia Court of Appeals upheld the decisions of the county court and chancery court (record of chancery court proceeding, Exhibit No. 1 in tran­ script of TJ v. Michie, ViU; Haggard, “Thomas Jefferson v. The Heirs of Bennett Henderson,” 11­12; Documents iv and v, below; TJ to Randolph, 11 June).

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I. Notes on Injunction against John Henderson Bill.

[after 8 Mch. 1804]

in 1802. purchased the dower of Eliz. Henderson that John Henderson is digging a race thro’ the lands prays injunction. Answer of J. Henderson. in Nov. 1801. he entered into written con­ tract with the sd Elizabeth relative to sundry matters, & among others that it was agreed that he should have all the sd Eliz’s right to so much of her sd dower lands as might be necessary for the purpose of conveying the water of the Rivanna to the mill site of the def. that this contract was afterwds delivd. by the def. to Isham Henderson who lost it. that at the time of this contract he knew nothing of any contract betw. Pl. & sd Eliz. nor has he yet ever seen the deed to the pl. he believes the pl. had full knolege of def’s contact as far as it respected the mill race long before her deed to pl. that the pl. signed an in­ strumt. to the sd Eliz. reserving rights of def. &c [cites verbatim] he also prays that an instrument of writing under the hand & seal of sd Eliz. shewg the terms of the contract betw. her & pl. [to wit her deed to Peyton, which he conse­ quently admits] may be taken as part of his answer. Exhibits. 1802. Sep. 18. Eliz. H’s deed to Peyton & endorsement same date 1804. Mar. 5. Chas. Henderson’s affidavit on notice endorsed on the instrument1 aforsd that it was signed & delivd. by Peyton to El. H. that it is the original contract, & ‘that it was fully understood by sd Peyton that a prior contract had taken place between Eliz. & John Henderson.’    Isaac Miller’s depn. that he saw an instrument of writ­ ing bearing date Nov. 1801. from El. H. to John H. it being signed by the sd Eliz. & witnessed authorising the sd John to run a race thro’ her dower land to the mill contemplated to be built by the sd John.    Elijah Hogg’s depn. that Peyton send El. H’s deed to him to Kentuckey by John Fontrees, which this de­ pont brot back & returned to sd Peyton.     366 

5 M AY 1 8 0 4

Charles Henderson’s depn Jan. 9. 1804. he always understood by El. H. that she had made a written contract with John H. that the sd John shd. be privi­ leged to run a race thro the ground which was laid off to her & comprehended in her dower to his mill seat, & that this was before she removed to Kentucky & prior to Peyton’s contract. 1801. Nov. 21. Charles Henderson’s deed to John Hender­ son. for 400. D. advanced heretofore for support, tu­ ition &c. conveys − ₁²−₀ of a mill & storehouse in & near Milton & the mill seat immediately below the mill, − ₁¹−₀ whereof descended from his father, the other − ₁¹−₀ of the sd mill & storehouse with his proportion of the mill seat aforesaid was conveyed to sd Charles by Isham L. one of the distribees of Bennet 1803. Dec. injunction granted 1804. Feb. motion to dissolve. court divided. Mar. injn dissolved. appeal to High court of Chancery refused MS (ViU); undated, but after county court dissolved the injunction; entirely in TJ’s hand, including brackets; in margin at head of text: “Peyton v. Henderson } in Albem.”

1 TJ first wrote “affadavit endorsed on the deed” before altering the text to read as above.

II. Notes on Agreement between Elizabeth Henderson and John Henderson [after 8 Mch. 1804]

relative to the written agreement between Eliz. & John Henderson the probability is it was only an agreemt instead of a lease of the house. Kemp Catlett was the only witness to it; but he knows nothing of it’s contents, nor does he even remember the appearance of the face of it, having had nothing to do with it but to sign it as a witness. Richard Price saw the instrument soon after it’s execution it was so interlined in the hand writing of John Henderson, in whose hand writing the body of the instrument was also, and so defaced, that Price observed to J. Henderson that he did not think such an in­ strument would be credited by any court or jury whatever. he rec­ ollects but one witness to it which was Catlett. mr Peyton thinks  367 

BILL IN CHANCERY

 Price told him that the part giving J.H. a right to run a race thro’ the lands was particularly interlined. David Higginbotham. sais John Henderson told him that on Pey­ ton’s bill being dissolved, Isaac Miller was to give him a considble sum for the mill site. MS (ViU); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand. lease of the house: for Peyton’s contract with Elizabeth Henderson re­

garding her dwelling and the occupancy of it by her son John after its sale, see Vol. 38:579. sum for the mill site: see Vol. 42:476.

III. Notes on Henderson Land Deeds [after 30 Apr. 1804]

✓ 1799. Dec. 28. James L. Henderson to Tucker Woodson. deed for ‘all his right &c in the lands of his father,’ to wit − ₁¹−₀ & reversion of dower except his interest in the mill now standing, and the lot occupied by Henderson & Connard; but conveys all the other unsold lots in Milton, in considn of a negro man James or £110. & of the relinqmt of a debt of 152. D. due from sd James to Tucker. John Henderson subjoins his un­ dertaking as security that James shall confirm this conveyance when he comes of age. 3. witnesses. not recorded. ✓ 1801. Apr. 25. on the same paper is Tucker Woodson’s assignmt of the above rights to Craven Peyton, who is to run the risk and be at expense of procuring the deed &c. no considn expressed not recorded. 2. witnesses ✓ 1801. Mar. 17. Isham Henderson’s deed to James L. Henderson. for his undivided part of the lands of B. Henderson including his part of the widow’s dower ‘except a mill & lot, warehouse & lot, & store house & lot, for which acknoleges paimt. & obliges himself to make a good deed when of age. 3. witnesses. not recorded. same day. on back of same instrument is endorsed James L. Henderson’s assignmt of all his interests therein & binds himself in penalty of £1000. as security that Isham shall make deed when of age. not recorded. 3. witnesses.  368 

5 M AY 1 8 0 4

✓ 1801. Mar. 18. Charles Henderson’s deed to James L. Henderson all his right in the undivided lands of his father in­ cluding his part of the dower except a mill and seat below said mill, warehouse & lot & storehouse & lot & undivided lots in Milton, acknoleges paimt. & binds himself in £1000. to make deed when of age 2. witnesses Mar. 19. on back of same instrument James L. Henderson assigns the contents to Craven Peyton for value recd. & binds himself in £1000 as security that Charles shall make good deed after he comes of age. 3. witnesses 1804. Jan. 31. on back of same paper, being of full age, ratifies the deed in presence of three witnesses. not recorded. 1802. Sep. 18. James L. Henderson’s deed to Craven Peyton for all the rights &c. of Bennet Hil. Henderson, Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy in the lands of their father, ‘except a mill, warehouse, & storehouse in Milton’ for value recd. and binds himself in £5000. as se­ curity that they shall make good title after age. ‘£650–0–0’ expressed in figures at bottom. 3. wit­ nesses. not recorded. Sep. 23. James L. Henderson’s deed to Craven Peyton mort­ gaging the lands in Boone county Kentucky which be possessed from his father Bennet H. as security that the sd Bennet Hil. Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy shall make good titles to the lands in Alb. when they come of age. he stiles himself in this deed, their guardian. 3 witnesses. not recorded. same day. his reciept for £650. in property at cash price. 1. witness. same day. Eliz. Henderson’s rect. for £250. property at cash price for her dower. 1 witness 1801. Nov. 29. James L. Henderson’s deed to Craven Peyton for the lands before conveyed by him to Tucker Wood­ son, & by Tucker Woodson to C.P. being intended as a ratification of that duly proved & recorded 1803. June 7. John R. Kerr’s deed (Sarah’s name mentd. but she does not sign) to Craven Peyton for all the property divided or undivided of the land of the late Bennett Henderson in Alb. which descended on Sarah (being  369 

BILL IN CHANCERY

− ₁¹−₁ part, that of Wm. not included) & the reversion on the dower, excepting ‘the lots in the town of Milton, the tobo. warehouses, the distillery & the mill in considn 400. D. no witnesses. acknold by Kerr in court & ordered to be recorded 1803. Apr. 3. John Henderson’s deed (et ux.) to Craven Peyton, in considn £140. the following lands drawn by the sd John at the division of Bennet H’s land in Alb. viz No. 1. in the back lands containg. 102. as. & No. 9. in the lower field containing 6¼ as. duly recorded. MS (ViU); undated, but probably after TJ to Craven Peyton, 30 Apr. 1804; en­ tirely in TJ’s hand, including added check marks.

For James L. Henderson’s deed to Pey­ ton of the property rights of his younger siblings in the lands of their father, see Vol. 38:579. For his claim to be acting as the guardian of the minor Henderson heirs, see Vol. 35:455.

IV. Draft Checklist of Preparations [before 5 May 1804]

to be done here. a copy of the plat of partition to be made out & accompany the bill.      a new deed to be prepared & executed by John R. Kerr & Sarah for her share as will descended from her father as from Wm.      Charles Henderson’s ratificn to be recorded // done Kentucky. mrs Henderson’s deed to be proved or acknoleged // done James L’s mortgage do. // done Isham’s deed to be ratified // done mrs Henderson’s decln in writing or before witnesses that the arti­ cles of agreemt between her & John did not give him a title1—no considn James L’s deed of the lands of the 5. infants to be recorded // done. Hill, one of the 5. has confirmed his deed since coming of age, in Ken­ tucky, proved there, & sent on here to be recorded.  Mr. Peyton to inform mr Stuart that on consultation here with his counsel & others he had found that from the variety of interests in the lands of Bennet Henderson still to be settled, and the complication  370 

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of them, it would be better to throw the whole into a single suit in Chancery and put it into the hands of the Chancellor at Richmd. where he has nothing to fear from the combinations of the parties or ignorance or prejudices of the judge: that therefore he had got a bill embracing all the facts drawn here, where they are known in all their minutiae, and was advised to send it to him to get it substituted as an amended bill in place of the mere bill of injunction agt John, and ask­ ing process against other defs. that he has written to mr Hay to aid has James L. any property here which can be attached does not the Canal go thro’ his 2. ac. lot No. 9. on whose land the warehouse? Sarah’s on whose land the distillery? John’s what are the lots in Milton to which we are entitled? answer. the unsold back lots. about 15. or 20. answer. except John’s part in them.2 Dft (ViU); undated; in TJ’s hand on both sides of a partial address cover di­ rected to “His Excellency Thomas Jeffer­ son,” with postmaster’s notation of receipt on 7 Apr. 1804, postmarked Washington, 16 Apr., and franked; TJ also used space on the sheet for an unrelated financial calculation. For the plat of partition showing the four tracts with ten allotments, each distributed among the Henderson copar­ ceners, see Vol. 35:xlvi­xlviii, 382 (illus.), 580­1. According to a later record of his ac­ counts pertaining to the Henderson lands, TJ paid “Stewart,” perhaps Alexander stuart, £5 ($16.67) in cash “for bill in chancery” on 15 Mch. 1804, almost cer­ tainly an error for 15 May. That record also shows payments to a clerk of court for a writ against Henderson ($2); to a Kentucky clerk on 18 June for seals to deeds ($12); to Dabney Carr “in suits v. Henderson” ($38); to James Barbour for the same ($35); a payment toward “Henderson’s execution” ($26.05); and one to the Albemarle County sheriff “for tax on Henderson’s lands” ($10.58). None

of those payments appears in TJ’s per­ sonal financial memoranda, although he did record drawing on Gibson & Jeffer­ son on 8 May 1804 for £5 to George Hay “as fee in the suit Peyton v. Henderson” (rs, 5:426; mb, 2:1126). 1 In margin: “James had made affidavit of it.” 2 Below this text TJ wrote, and then canceled with a single diagonal stroke, “afterd committed to record” followed by “that when the said John shall thus have fraudulenty superseded the just rights of your orator in the sd dower lands, he has still to prostrate your orators feesimple right in the 2. acre lot No. 8. originally assigned to the sd James L. and by him conveyed to your orator by continuing his canal thro’ the same without which it can never get to the site No. 8. claimed by the sd John under the sd Charles, & lying below & adjacent to the sd No. 9. of your orator which wrong neither the pretended agreement of the sd Eliz. nor any other instrument real or pretended could give him authority to commit.”

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V. Checklist of Preparations [before 5 May 1804]

[. . .] [Pey]ton [. . .] [Hender]son’s lands in Albemarle.     in Albemarle. Charles Henderson’s ratification to be proved & recorded. a new deed to be executed by John R and Sarah Kerr, for their part of lands descended from Bennet & Wm. Henderson a copy of the plat of partition to be made & to accompany the bill in Chancery. Mr. Hay is to be employed in aid of mr Stuart. to the last mr Peyton may observe by letter that on consultation here with his counsel & others he had found that from the variety of interests in the lands of Bennet Henderson still to be settled and the complication of them, it would be better to throw the whole into a single suit in Chancery and put it into the hands of the Chancellor at Richmond, where he should have less1 to fear from the combinations of the parties, & nothing from the ignorance or prejudice of the judge: that therefore he had got a bill, embracing all the facts, drawn here, where they are known in all their details, which he sends him to get substituted, as an amended bill, in the place of the former which was merely a bill of injunction as to a particular wrong & against a single party. the present bill makes new defendants, and embraces the whole subject of contest. get order of court to build a mill2 in Kent[ucky.] ⎫ Mrs. Henderson’s deed. ⎪ ⎬ James L’s deed of the lands of the [5. infants] ⎪ [. . .] recorded ⎭ James L’s mortgage ————— Mrs. Henderson’s declaration whether her written agreement with John Henderson gives him permission to dig a canal through the dower lands? if it did, what consideration did she recieve for it? did she mention it to mr Peyton at any time before she executed the deed to [him]? if she will make affidavit as to the above, or declare it in the presence of some person, who can afterwards make affidavit of it, or if she will give her declaration in writing without oath, it will be useful. PrC (ViU); undated; faint and torn.

1 Word

interlined in place of “nothing.” added in ink by TJ.

2 Sentence

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VI. Draft Bill in Chancery [on or before 5 May 1804]

To George Wythe, judge of the High court of Chancery of the dis­ trict of Richmond in the commonweatlth of Virginia.  Humbly complaining sheweth unto your honor your orator Cra­ ven Peyton of the county of Albemarle that Bennet Henderson late of the same county being in his lifetime seized & possessed in feesimple of a tract of land therein on the Rivanna river surrounding & adjacent to the town of Milton, containing by estimation1 1162¼ acres, departed this life in or about the year 1793.2 without will, leaving the def. Elizabeth his widow, and leaving issue eleven children, towit, John, William, Sarah, James Lewis Charles, Isham, Bennet Hillsborough, Eliza, Frances, Lucy, and Nancy Crawford, to whom as his heirs & coparceners descended his said tract of land, and the said William dying soon after without issue, his portion or purparty thereof de­ scended on the remaining ten: that on3 application to the county court of Albemarle the widow’s dower in the sd lands was assigned by per­ sons duly appointed, to wit 262. as. of what were called the back lands & 15. a. on the river including a two story dwelling house erected after the death of the sd Bennet, both by metes & bounds & one undivided third part of the profits of a mill on the said 15 acres any of the4 rents of a warehouse on the lands near the river:5 that the same county court afterwards on behalf of the sd children of the sd Bennet ap­ pointed Commissioners to make partition of the sd lands among them, to wit of the remaining ⅔ in possession & of the dower lands in rever­ sion who accordingly proceeded to do the same in the month of Oct. 1801. and having first divided the said tract into six portions,6 that is to say the back lands of 1020 as. including the 262 as. of dower land7 the Upper field 49. as. the lower field 58¼ as. lands below the town 20. as. the 15. as. and dwelling house of dower lands8 and the mill in the whole 1162¼ as. they then subdivided the said portions,9 except the sd 15. acres & the mill thereon, into 10. lots or parcels each, and numbering them from 1. to 10. as they laid contiguous to one another from South to North, they assigned the same to the sd children sever­ ally & respectively by drawing of lots as follows, that is to say to John Sarah James L. Charles Isham

in the backlands No. 1. 102. as. 4. 102. 2. 102. 9. 102. 10. 102.

Upper field No. 10. 5. as. 3. 5½ 9. 5½ 1. 4½ 4. 5½

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lower field No. 9. 6¼ as. 10. 6¾ 7. 5¾ 5. 5¾ 2. 5¾

below town No. 10. 2 4. 2 9. 2 8. 2 7. 2

BILL IN CHANCERY Bennet H. 6. 102. Eliza 7. 102. Frances 5. 102. Lucy 3. 102. Nancy C. 8. 102. being in the whole, of backlands 1020.

2. 4½ 8. 5½ 5. 5½ 6. 5½ 7. 5½ of the upper field 49.

6. 5¾ 1. 5¾ 8. 6¾ 4. 5¾ 3. 5½ of the lower field 58¼

6. 2 3. 2 2. 2 1. 2 5. 2 below the town 20

and with the 15 as. whereon the house and mill stood not divided into lots, making10 the 1162¼ as. before mentioned, so that each parcener had in immediate & separate11 possession a lot laid off by metes and bounds in the Upper field, the lower field & the lands below the town & in the part of the 102. as. of back lands assigned to such parceners, with a reversion by metes and bounds in the remaining part of the sd 102. as. and an undivided reversion in the said 15. acres after the death of the tenant in dower, and one undivided tenth of two undi­ vided thirds of the mill in possession and of the other third in rever­ sion as tenants in common:12 that the parties being thus severally siesed and entitled and the said Sarah having intermarried with a cer­ tain John R. Kerr, your orator sometime in the year   and before the death of William Henderson13 purchased of the sd John R. Kerr & Sarah his wife all their rights in the sd lands descended on the sd Sarah from the sd Bennet except in the warehouse & a distillery on the premisses, & in the mill, for a sum of between four & five hundred dollars, (the exact sum not being now ascertainable by yr Orator to the sd John R. Kerr in hand paid which rights were accordingly con­ veyed to him by a deed from the sd John R. Kerr bearing date the 7th. day of June 1803, and recorded on his acknolegement and he accounted14 to the said John & James L. Henderson for the further sum of £84. to exonerate the part of the sd Sarah, & particularly a house standing thereon, called Thorpe’s house, of that sum with which it had been charged by the commissioners, to be distributed in certain portions to the other coparceners by way of equalizing all their parts or purparties:15 that after the death of the sd William he purchased from the sd John R. & Sarah their rights descended from the sd William for a further sum to them in hand paid, for which rights the regular conveyance remains still to be made that the sd James L. Henderson in consideration of a certain negro man James agreed to be delivered to him by a certain Tucker Wood­ son or of £110. instead thereof, & in further consideration of a debt of 152. D. due from the sd James L. to the sd Tucker & agreed to be re­ linquished, having by deed bearing date Dec. 28. 1799. duly attested conveyed to the sd Tucker his share in the lands of his father, includ­  374 

5 M AY 1 8 0 4

ing his reversion in the widow’s dower, but excepting his interest in the mill then standing, & a certain lot in Milton, your orator purchased the same rights from the sd Tucker for the sum of £140. to him in hand paid, taking his conveyance thereof by deed attested by two wit­ nesses & bearing date on the 25th. day of Apr. 1801.16 which rights were afterwards ratified & conveyed to your orator by the sd James L. Henderson after he came of age by deed duly proved & recorded & bearing date the 29th day of Nov. 1801. That the sd Charles Henderson for valuable considerations re­ cieved from the same James L. Henderson & acknoleged, having by deed bearing date the 18th. of Mar. 1801 conveyed to the sd James L. all his right in the sd lands of his father in Alb. including his rever­ sion on the widow’s dower, except the mill, & a seat below the said mill, warehouse & lot, & a certain storehouse & lot in Milton & other undivided lots in Milton, your orator for the sum of £128–18–6 to the sd James L. in hand paid purchased the same rights of him by deed duly attested & bearing date the 19th. of March 1801. which rights have been ratified & conveyed to your orator by the sd Charles by deed duly executed, proved & still to be recorded, since he came of age, to wit on the 31st. day of Jan. 1804. That the sd Isham Henderson for valuable considerations recieved from the sd James L. Henderson and acknoleged, having by deed bearing date the 17th. day of March 1801. conveyed to the sd James L all his undivided part in the lands of the sd Bennet Henderson his father, including the reversion on the widow’s dower ‘except a mill & lot, warehouse & lot, & a certain storehouse & lot in Milton, your ora­ tor purchased the same rights from the sd James L. for the like sum of £128–18–6 to him in hand paid which was accordingly conveyed to him by the sd James L. by deed duly attested & bearing date the same day & year last mentioned. That the sd John Henderson in consideration of the sum of £140. to him paid by Walter Key, having covenanted to convey to him the lot or parcel No. 1. in the back lands containing 102. as. & the lot or parcel No. 9. in the lower field containing 6¼ as. which had been drawn by the sd John as aforesaid at the division of the sd land of his father in Albemarle, your orator for the like sum of £140. which he paid to the sd Walter Key purchased of him the same rights, which rights were accordingly conveyed to him by the sd John by deed duly proved & recorded & bearing date the 3d. of April 1803. That some time in the year 1801. the said Elizabeth Henderson the widow removed to the state of Kentucky to settle on certain lands which17 the said Bennet had held there & which had in like manner  375 

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vested in herself & her children by rights of dower & descent, carrying with her the said Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy Crawford then in­ fants under the age of 21. years, and being followed thither afterwards by the said Bennet Hilsborough also an infant, and that in Sep. 1802. your orator being in Kentucky, a consultation was held between the sd Elizabeth & James L. Henderson who acted there as guardian of the sd infants, & a conclusion formed that it would be more advanta­ geous to the sd infants to sell their interests in the lands in Albemarle for a reasonable price, & to have others of equal value procured for them convenient to their lands in Kentuckey, whereupon in consider­ ation of £650. paid & satisfied by your orator to the said James L. as guardian of the sd infants, he executed deeds bearing date the 18th. & 23d. of Sep. 1802. duly attested, conveyed to your orator all the rights of the sd Bennet Hilsborough, Eliza, Frances, Lucy, & Nancy Craw­ ford Henderson, in the sd lands in Albemarle except in the mill, and warehouse, & a certain storehouse in Milton binding himself in the sum of £500018 and further mortgaging certain lands in Boone county in Kentucky which he possessed from his father the said Bennet Hen­ derson as security that the said infants should on their attaining full age, make full conveyance of their rights to your orator accordingly: and the sd James undertook for the behoof of the sd infants to19 lay off lands adjacent to those which each of them held of their fathers said lands in Kentuckey equal in value to the portion of the sd £650. accruing to them respectively.20 all of which several deeds and instru­ ments beforementioned your orator prays may be considered as ex­ hibits in this cause, and as making part of this his bill in like manner as if they were distinctly repeated therein. That the said Elizabeth expressing a willingness to dispose of her rights of dower also in the sd lands in Albemarle your orator agreed to give her for the same the sum of £250 current money, whereupon for that sum paid & satisfied to her on the spot she by deed duly ex­ ecuted & attested & bearing date the 18th. day of Sep 1802. did con­ vey to your orator all her right title and interest in the county of Al­ bemarle in Virginia which she possessed as of her dower in the estate of her deceased husband there, except the mill, warehouse & improved lots in Milton, which deed is in the following words to wit, ‘Know all men &c [here insert the deed verbatim]21 but at the same time the said Elizabeth declaring that by articles of agreemt between her & her son John she had rented the dwelling house on the premisses to the sd John, and that she meant he should keep the house as long as he should think proper agreeable to the sd articles, paying the rents after the then present year to the said Peyton, who was therefore to  376 

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be bound by the said articles of agreement, your orator thereupon signed an instrument of writing in the following words to wit, ‘it is understood that whereas &c [here insert the instrument verbatim]22 and your orator does expressly declare that neither at that time, nor at any time previous did he hear the least intimation from the said Eliza­ beth or from any other person that the articles of agreement spoken of concerned any thing but the lease of the house, and does particu­ larly protest that the only obligation which it was expressed by either party, or meant by himself, or as he verily believes by the widow, that he should be under23 from the said articles was that of permitting the said John to occupy the said dwelling house as long as he should chuse paying the rents to the sd Peyton, which permission he accord­ ingly enjoyed without interruption until he voluntarily left the said house: But now so it is, may it please your honor, that notwithstanding the persevering and reiterated efforts of your orator to have the said deed of the sd Elizabeth to your orator, either proved by the witnesses or acknoleged by her & duly certified to be recorded, your orator never has been able to procure either to be done, and that altho’ he is at this time using the best means in his power to obtain either the proof or the acknolegement, yet from the departure of one of the witnesses from the state of Kentucky, the insufficiency & inattention of the other two, the failure of the widow to make her acknolegement, and the expiration of the term allowed by law for that purpose now near at hand, he may be entirely disappointed in procuring a record of the deed: that equal24 difficulties have prevented a record of the mortgage of the said James L. beforementioned: that he has reason to believe that artifices & influence are using or will be used by certain evil­ minded persons25 to prevent the sd Isham Bennet H. Eliza, Frances, Lucy, & Nancy C. Henderson from ratifying when they shall come of age the conveyance of their parts or purparties of the sd lands to your orator: that the sd John Henderson26 is also setting up a claim to the two acre lot No. 9, conveyed as aforesaid by the sd James L. to the sd Tucker Woodson & by him to your orator & ratified by the sd James L after he came of age and this under colour of a pretended convey­ ance from the sd James L. while an infant to the sd Charles, & never ratified, and of a deed from the sd Charles to the sd John: that the said John also pretending that the articles of agreement between the sd widow & himself provided that he should have & possess all the said Elizabeth’s right to so much of her said dower lands as might be nec­ essary for his use for the purpose of conveying the water of the river to & from his 2. acre lot No. 10., which he pretends to call a mill seat  377 

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altho’ it does not touch the river nor approach within many rods of it in any part, did actually begin to cut a canal thro’ the sd dower lands in the actual seizin & possession of your orator, and was proceeding in that violation of right until27 stopped by injunction28 first from the county court of Albemarle & then from this honorable court; whereas it is the firm belief of your orator that the sd articles went to no such object that your orator was induced to give the extravagant sum of £250. for the widow’s life estate in the sd Dower lands chiefly be­ cause they connected the upper & lower end of a water fall, & enabled him29 to lead a canal thro’ them to the two acre [lot] No. 9. conveyed by the said James L. to your orator, being the proper mill seat;30 that it is not to be believed that the sd Elizabeth should have expressly mentioned the minor 31 right of the sd John to the occupation of the house & provided for his enjoiment of it according to the sd articles and been silent & improvident as to the all­important right of occupy­ ing the grounds themselves by a canal, and of thus disappointing the main object of your orator; that the agreement of your orator to be bound by the articles was meant only in reference to the subject mat­ ter expressed in the writing he signed, to wit the permitting the said John to occupy the house, paying rent, that common sense will not suffer it to be supposed he meant thereby to subject himself blind­ fold to conditions unspecified, unrestricted by time, place, person or subject & totally unknown to your orator;32 and your orator does sol­ emnly deny that he had notice of or meant to be bound by any other article in the sd agreement, if any other there were; he declares it to be his firm belief that the sd articles, as originally written as he is informed & believes by the sd John & signed by the sd Elizabeth, gave no such right respecting a canal; he believes & thinks he shall be able to prove that the provision for that purpose was interlined in the handwriting of the sd John, that the interlineations and erasures defaced the instrument so much and gave it an appearance so obvi­ ously fraudulent,33 as to destroy it’s credibility were it produced, that afraid therefore to produce it the pretence of it’s being lost has been recurred to, and it is thought more advantageous for the said John that it’s import shall be taken from the vague terms in which he chuses to express it,34 & in all the latitude they will admit rather than subject them to the correct expositions & restrictions of their meaning which would be made by this court were it produced, and to have it’s con­ siderations examined, enquired into & brought to the test of truth:35 that he believes it will appear that the sd instrument was attested by a single witness only, who knew nothing of it’s contents: and he sup­ poses it never can affect [a] bonâ fide purchaser, for valuable consid­  378 

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eration farther than he had notice of it’s contents nor further restrain the effect of a deed fairly, openly, and duly executed and attested, & still within the legal term for being committed to record. In tender consideration whereof, and forasmuch as your orator is without rem­ edy in the premisses but by the interposition of this honorable court; to the end therefore that the said Elizabeth, John, James L. Charles, Isham, Bennet Hilsborough, Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy Crawford may true and perfect answer make to the premisses and36 particularly that they may on oath declare whether they did not severally execute the deeds & instruments before stated to have been executed by them37 and for good & valuable considerations actually paid as before stated: and that (this court acting herein by virtue of it’s jurisdiction over the subject matter of this complaint) the said Elizabeth may be com­ pelled by it’s decree to acknolege her deed aforesd to your orator in such legal manner as that the same may be committed to Record; that the sd James L. may be decreed to acknolege his mortgage aforesd in like manner, to lay off lands adjacent to those of the sd infants Bennet H. Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy C. in Kentucky equal in value to the portion of the sd £650. accruing to each, to give them on their attain­ ing age their option respectively to take the sd lands in Kentucky in38 exchange for those in Virginia aforesd, and on their making that op­ tion, that they may be decreed to ratify the conveyance of their pur­ parties of the lands in Virga to your Orator, or on their refusing the exchange, that the sd James to the extent of his personal obligation for £5000. and as holding the mortgaged premises may be compelled to indemnify your orator for the injury sustained by such failure in his engagement; that the pretended conveyances of the two acre lot No. 9. by James L. to Charles & by Charles to the said John, and the agreement of the sd Elizabeth with the said John may be for ever enjoined, and the sd John decreed to surcease the exercise of all pre­ tended rights in the sd dower lands, in the said two acre lot No 9. of the sd James L. and in the two acre lot No. 8. of the sd Charles other than in so much of this last as may be sufficient to seat a millhouse on whenever and only when and while he shall occupy the same in con­ structing and using a mill thereon; that the sd John having since sold & conveyed away his 5. acre lot No. 10. of the upper field, and your orator being as before detailed owner in feesimple of all the residue of the sd tract of the sd Bennet except the39 mere area of a mill on your orator’s two acre lot No. 8. claimed under Charles, and to which no water can ever be brought but thro’ your orator’s two acre lot No. 9 and except the 2 acre lot of the sd John No. 10. of the lands below the town between which however and the river, intervenes the body of  379 

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the sd [15 acs. of dower lands] as by a plat of the said tract of land and of the partition made of it, exhibited with this bill, will more definitely appear, that your orator 40 being thus so nearly the whole & sole pro­ prietor of the tract & owning particularly the grounds adjacent to which the whole of the water fall is made, & comprehending both it’s upper & lower ends may have the privilege of building a mill on the prem[isses],41 rather than the said John [who owns] not one foot of land at the head of or adjacent to the sd waterfall or to the river in [any] part of it except the mere area for a house on No. 8 to which he can not bring water but thro’ your orator’s lot No. 9. as beforemen­ tioned42 that all of the [sd] defendants and all others may be decreed to quiet the possession of your orator [in] the site of the antient mill, the soil or ground whereon it stood having made a part of the 1162¼ acres which were compleatly and in their [wh]ole amount divided and allotted in dower & parcenery as herein before stated and having been particularly a part of the 15. acres assigned in dower & conveyed to your orator 43 while the occupation only of the soil by the mill so long as the same should be continued was allotted in an undivided state to the dowress and parceners as tenants in common, & by them reserved in their several conveyances to your orator; and the sd mill and the dam across the river, whereon it depended for it’s supply of water, having been originally erected by the sd Bennet without legal authority, and the dam therefore, under the decree of this honorable court demolished in the month of Sep. 1803 by the owner of the mill seat next above, to whose injury it had been erected, (since which time it has ceased to work, has been entirely without water, can never again have water brought to it, is now begun to be dismantled by the proprietors themselves,44 and is entirely in ruins) the possession & use of the soil, now that it can no longer be occupied for a mill, has justly reverted to your orator, who consents nevertheless that the said defendants shall be free to take away for their own benefit all the materials of the said mill of every kind whatsoever, a reasonable time being limited for that purpose: and that this bill may be considered as notice to all persons whatsoever of the rights & claims of your orator [in] all the premises, insomuch that no act done or to be done pending the same by any of the defs or any other persons may [en]ure to the injury of diminution of the rights of your orator [in] the premisses, May it please your honor to grant to your orator the writs of this court of subpoena & injunction to be directed to the sd Elizabeth, John, James L. Charles, Isham, Bennet [Hils]borough, E[liza], Frances & Nancy Crawford Henderson & to each of [them, their agents] & others concerned in the premisses, commanding [th]em to be and  380 

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appear in this court on a certain [day] & under a [ce]rtain penalty therein to be named, then & there [to an]swer the premisses, and to abide such decree as shall be there[in] made and in the mean time enjoining them & particularly, the said John from all acts whatsoever contrary to the rights of your [ora]tor in the premises, & granting to your orator such further & [oth]er relief as to this court shall seem reasonable, & your orator, a[s in] duty bound, shall ever pray &c Albemarle county, to wit. This day appeared before me a justice of the peace for the said county the said Craven Peyton in this bill named and made oath that all & sundry the allegations in this his bill of injunction & complaint set forth, so far as they relate to his own actings & doings are true, and so far as they relate to the actings & doings of others he believes them to be true. certified under my hand this   day of May 1804. Dft (ViU); torn, with some text sup­ plied from Doc. vii; in TJ’s hand, includ­ ing two sets of brackets (see notes 21 and 22 below); endorsed by TJ: “[Peyton] v. Hendersons. Bill.” here insert the deed verbatim: Elizabeth Henderson’s 18 Sep. 1802 deed, which Craven Peyton sent to TJ in Octo­ ber of that year, is printed in Vol. 38:578. The deed was for all of her “right, title and interest” in her dower “except the mill, warehouse, and improved lots in the town of Milton.” here insert the instrument ver­ batim: Elizabeth Henderson’s contract with Peyton, also dated 18 Sep. 1802 and sent by Peyton to TJ, is printed in Vol. 38:579; see also Document vii, where TJ inserted the text of the agreement. demolished in the month of sep. 1803 by the owner of the mill seat next above: in response to legal action initiated by TJ in 1795, the chancery court issued a decree to enable him to have the Hendersons’ milldam torn down. TJ did not exercise that option until 1803 (Vol. 28:474n, 480­5; Vol. 40:304­5, 318­19, 541; Vol. 41:353). 1 Preceding two words interlined in place of “by estimate as is understood.” 2 TJ left a blank for the year, which he later filled in lightly in pencil. 3 Text from here to “in reversion who accordingly” inserted in margin in place

of “application to the county court of Al­ bemarle, Commissioners were on behalf of the sd Widow and children Commrs were appointed by the sd court to assign the dower of the widow in the said lands, & to make partition among the sd chil­ dren: that they accordingly.” 4 Preceding six words and figure inter­ lined in place of “on the same.” 5 Preceding four words interlined in place of “same tract of land.” 6 Preceding two words interlined in place of “five parcels.” 7 Preceding six words and figure inter­ lined. 8 Preceding eight words and figure in­ terlined in place of “& the lands those around a dwelling house erected after the death of the sd Bennet 15. a.” 9 Preceding six words interlined in place of “they assigned to the widow for her dower 262. acres by metes & bounds of the back lands the said dwelling house & 15. acres of land around it both by metes and bounds and an undivided third part of the mill; and dividing each of the said parcels.” 10 TJ first wrote “and the 15 as. adja­ cent to the house & not divided into lots, making all together” before altering the text to read as above. 11 Word interlined in place of “actual.” 12 TJ here canceled by a single diagonal stroke: “that the parties being thus sever­ ally seised and entitled, and the said Sarah having intermarried with a certain John R.

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BILL IN CHANCERY Kerr, your orator by deed duly proved & recorded purchased of the sd John R. Kerr & Sarah his wife for the sum of £150”— TJ here interlined “£234”—“all the rights of the sd Sarah therein, except in a cer­ tain warehouse, & distillery on the prem­ isses & in the mill; and the said James L. Henderson having sold and conveyed all his interests aforesaid except in the sd Mill to a certain Tucker Woodson, your orator by deed bearing date   duly proved and recorded, and for the consid­ eration of £140. in hand paid, purchased of the sd Tucker the same rights; that in like manner your orator by deed duly proved & recorded & bearing date   in consideration of the sum of £128–18–6 purchased the rights of the said Charles in the premisses, excepting in the ware­ house, the mill, and as much of his lot of 2. as. No. 8. of the lands below the town as should be necessary for a mill seat; and by deed duly proved & recorded & bear­ ing date   in consideration of a like sum of £128–18–6 purchased the rights of the sd Isham in the premisses, except­ ing in the mill & warehouse: that the said John Henderson having conveyed to Walter Key in feesimple all his rights in the premisses ex­ cept his 5. as. No. 10. of the upper field, & 2. as. No. 10 of the lands below the town, your orator by deed duly proved & recorded & bearing date   in consid­ eration of the sum of £140. purchased the said rights of the said Walter Key: that some time in the year 1801. the  said Elizabeth removed to the state of  Kentucky, carrying with her the said      then infants under the age of 21. years, and that in Sep. 1802. your orator being in Kentucky.” 13 TJ first wrote “by deed duly exe­ cuted proved & recorded & bearing date the   day of” and substituted “by deed bearing date the 29th day of Nov. 1801.” before altering the text to read as above. 14 TJ first wrote “purchased of the sd John R. Kerr & Sarah his wife all their rights therein except a certain warehouse & distillery on the premisses, & in the mill,

for the sum of £150. to the sd John R. Kerr in hand paid, and that he paid at the same time” before altering the text to read as above. 15 Remainder of paragraph interlined and in margin. 16 Remainder of paragraph interlined and in margin. 17 TJ here canceled “her deceased.” 18 Preceding six words and figure inter­ lined, and TJ first wrote “binding him­ self in an obligation of the sum of £5000.” 19 Preceding nine words interlined in place of “did declare that he would.” 20 Remainder of paragraph interlined and in margin. 21 TJ’s brackets. 22 TJ’s brackets. 23 TJ altered the text to read “obliga­ tion to which . . . he should be bound” but then canceled the changes. 24 Word interlined in place of “the same.” 25 Preceding five words interlined. 26 The text from this point through “said John also” is a marginal insertion that TJ wrote in place of another inser­ tion that read: “is also setting up a claim to the purparty of the said Charles under colour of a deed purporting to have been executed by the sd Charles to him and which if genuine, was posterior to the first deed aforesaid of the sd Charles to the sd James L. Henderson, which first deed tho voidable at full age, was not void, nor could be avoided by any act during his infancy; and which said first deed of the sd Charles, was duly ratified by him on attaining his age of 21. years as before stated: that the said John also.” TJ either composed and revised the insertion after he made the fair copy of the bill of com­ plaint or he initially overlooked it when he copied from his draft, as the passage is lacking in the fair copy (see Document vii, note 2) but appears in the text of the bill as Craven Peyton filed it with the court (in transcript of record of TJ v. Michie, ViU: Carr Papers). 27 TJ first wrote “conveying the water of the Rivanna to a mill site of the sd John did actually begin to cut a canal thro’ the said lands in the possession & seizin of your orator, and was proceeding in that violation of right until,” which he

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5 M AY 1 8 0 4 altered in stages before interlining text to read as above. 28 TJ here canceled “in chancery.” 29 Preceding 15 words interlined in place of “with a view.” 30 Preceding 19 words and figure inter­ lined in place of “one of the lots he has acquired himself in the lands below the town proper for the erection of a mill house on”; TJ continued the interlinea­ tion, but canceled, “and lying next above the lot No. 8. purchased by the sd John of Charles.” 31 Word interlined in place of “inferior.” 32 Passage beginning “blind­fold” in­ terlined in place of “to any obligations whatsoever & relating to any subject whatsoever in no wise connected with the occupation of the house, unmentioned by any person whatever & unknown to your orator.” 33 Preceding eight words interlined. 34 TJ first wrote “in which he expresses it” before altering the text to read as above. 35 TJ first wrote “expositions & restric­ tions of this court” before altering the text to read as above.

 36 From this word to “stated” interlined. 37 TJ here canceled “selves & whether their guardian of the sd five youngest did.” 38 TJ here canceled “lieu.” 39 TJ interlined the text from this word through “lot No. 9 and.” 40 TJ first wrote “below the town, which lie off from the river, are detached from every thing relative to a mill, and the mere area of a mill on the 2 acre [lot] conveyed to your orator by the sd Charles: your orator the owner of [. . .]” before altering the text to read as above. 41 Preceding 11 words interlined in place of “[. . .] contiguous to the same grounds.” 42 TJ first wrote “to the sd waterfall or any thing but a mere area for a house below the site of your orator which is at the lower end of the sd Waterfall” before altering the text to read as above. 43 Preceding 17 words and figure inter­ lined. 44 Preceding four words interlined in place of “of some of it’s stones & other parts.”

VII. Bill in Chancery To George Wythe, judge of the High court of Chancery of the dis­ trict of Richmond in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Humbly complaining sheweth unto your honor your orator Craven Peyton of the county of Albemarle that Bennet Henderson late of the same county being in his lifetime siesed & possessed in feesimple of a tract of land therein on the Rivanna river, surrounding and adjacent to the town of Milton, containing by estimation 1162¼ acres, departed this life in or about the year [1793.] without will, leaving the def. Elizabeth his widow, & leaving issue eleven children to wit John, William, Sarah, James Lewis, Charles, Isham, Bennet Hilsborough Eliza, Frances, Lucy and Nancy Crawford, to whom, as his heirs & coparceners descended his said tract of land, and the said William dying soon after without issue, his portion or purparty thereof de­ scended on the remaining ten: that on application to the county court of Albermarle the widow’s dower in the sd lands was assigned by persons duly appointed, to wit 262. acres of what were called the  383 

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backlands, & 15. as. on the river including a two story dwelling house erected after the death of the said Bennet, both by metes & bounds, & one undivided third part of the profits of a mill on the said 15. as. & of the rents of a warehouse on the lands near the river: that the same county court afterwards on behalf of the said children of the sd Bennet, appointed Commissioners to make partition of the said lands among them, to wit, of the remaining ⅔ in possession, & of the dower lands in reversion, who accordingly proceeded to do the same in the month of Oct. 1801. and having first divided the sd tract into six por­ tions, that is to say, the back lands of 1020. as. including the 262. as. of dower land, the upper field 49. as. the lower field 58¼. as. lands below the town 20. as. the 15. as. & dwelling house of dower lands and the mill in the whole 1162¼ as. they then subdivided the said portions, except the sd 15. acres and the mill thereon into 10 lots or parcels each, & numbering them from 1. to 10. as they laid contigu­ ous to one another from South to North, they assigned the same to the said children severally & respectively by drawing of lots as fol­ lows, that is to say to

lands below in the backlands Upper field lower field the town John No. 1. 102. as. No. 10. 5.½ as. No. 9. 6¼ as. No. 10. 2. as. Sarah 4. 102. 3. 5.½ 10. 6.½ 4. 2. James L. 2. 102. 9. 5.½ 7. 5¾ 9. 2. Charles 9. 102. 1. 4½ 5. 5¾ 8. 2. Isham 10. 102. 4. 5.½ 2. 5¾ 7. 2. Bennet H. 6. 102. 2. 4½ 6. 5¾ 6. 2. Eliza 7. 102. 8. 5½ 1. 5¾ 3. 2. Frances 5. 102. 5. 5½ 8. 6¾ 2. 2. Lucy 3. 102. 6. 5½ 4. 5¾ 1. 2. Nancy C 8. 102. 7. 5½ 3. 5½ 5. 2. being in the whole upper of the lower below the of back lands 1020. as. field 49.½ field 58¼ town 20.

and with the 15. as. whereon the house and mill stood not divided into lots, making the 1162¼ acres before mentioned, so that each par­ cener had in immediate & separate possession a lot laid off by metes & bounds in the upper field, the lower field & the lands below the town, & in the part of the 102. as. of back lands assigned to such parcener, with a reversion by metes and bounds in the remaining part of the sd. 102. as. and an undivided reversion in the said 15. as. after the death of the tenant in dower, and one undivided tenth of two undivided thirds of the mill in possession, and of the other third in reversion, as tenants in common. that the parties being thus severally  384 

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siesed and entitled, and the sd Sarah having intermarried with a cer­ tain John R. Kerr, your orator, sometime in the year   and before the death of William Henderson, purchased of the sd John R. Kerr and Sarah his wife all their rights in the sd lands descended on the sd Sarah from the sd Bennet, except in the warehouse, and a distillery on the premisses, and in the mill, for a sum of between four & five hundred dollars (the exact sum not being now ascertainable by your orator) to the said John R. Kerr in hand paid, which rights were ac­ cordingly conveyed to him by a deed from the sd John R. Kerr bear­ ing date the 7th. day of June 1803. and recorded on his acknolege­ ment, and he accounted to the said John and James L. Henderson for the further sum of £84. to exonerate the part of the sd Sarah, & par­ ticularly a house standing thereon, called Thorpe’s house, of that sum, with which it had been charged by the commissioners, to be distrib­ uted in certain portions to the other coparceners, by way of equalising all their parts or purparties: thus after the death of the sd William he purchased from the sd John R. and Sarah their rights descended from the sd William a further sum to them in hand paid, for which rights the regular conveyance remains still to be made. That the said James L. Henderson in consideration of a certain negro man James, agreed to be delivered to him by a certain Tucker Woodson, or of £110. instead thereof, and in further consideration of a debt of 152. D. due from the sd James L. to the sd Tucker & agreed to be relinquished, having by deed bearing date Dec. 28. 1799. duly attested, conveyed to the sd Tucker his share in the lands of his fa­ ther, including his reversion in the widow’s dower, but excepting his interest in the mill then standing, & a certain lot in Milton, your orator purchased the same rights from the sd Tucker for the sum of £140. to him in hand paid, taking his conveyance thereof by deed attested by two witnesses, & bearing date on the 25th. day of April 1801. which rights were afterwards ratified & conveyed to your orator by the sd James L. Henderson after he came of age by deed duly proved and recorded & bearing date the 29th. day of Nov. 1801. That the sd Charles Henderson for valuable considerations recieved from the sd James L. Henderson, & acknoleged having by deed bear­ ing date the 18th. of Mar. 1801. conveyed to the sd James L. all his right in the sd lands of his father in Albemarle including his rever­ sion on the widow’s dower, except the mill and a seat below the said mill, warehouse & lot, & a certain storehouse & lot in Milton & other undivided lots in Milton, your orator, for the sum of £128–18–6 to the sd James L. in hand paid purchased the same rights of him by deed duly attested & bearing date the 19th. of Mar. 1801. which rights have  385 

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been ratified & conveyed to your orator by the sd Charles by deed duly executed, proved and still to be recorded, since he came of age, to wit on the 31st. day of Jan. 1804. That the sd Isham Henderson for valuable considerations recieved from the said James L. Henderson, and acknoleged, having by deed bearing date the 17th. day of Mar. 1801 conveyed to the sd James L. all his undivided part in the lands of the said Bennet Henderson his father, including the reversion on the widow’s dower ‘except a mill and lot, & a certain storehouse & lot in Milton,’ your orator purchased the same rights from the sd James L. for the like sum of £128–18–6 to him in hand paid which was accordingly conveyed to him by the sd James L. by deed duly attested & bearing date the same day & year last mentioned. That the said John Henderson in consideration of the sum of £140. to him in hand paid by Walter Key, having covenanted to convey to him the lot or parcel No. 1. in the back lands containing 102. as. and the lot or parcel No. 9. in the lower field containing 6¼. as. which had been drawn by the sd John as aforesd at the division of the sd lands of his father in Albemarle, your orator, for the like sum of £140. which he paid to the said Walter Key, purchased of him the same rights, which rights were accordingly conveyed to him by the said John by deed duly proved & recorded and bearing date the 3d. of April 1803. That sometime in the year 1801. the sd Elizabeth Henderson the widow removed to the state of Kentucky to settle on certain lands which the sd Bennet had held there, and which had in like manner vested in herself & her children by rights of dower & descent, carry­ ing with her the sd Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy Crawford, then infants under the age of 21. years and being followed thither by the sd Bennet Hilsborough also an infant: and that in Sep. 1802. your orator being in Kentucky, a consultation was held between the said Elizabeth & James L. Henderson, who acted there as guardian of the said infants, and a conclusion formed that it would be more advanta­ geous to the sd infants to sell their interests in the lands in Albemarle for a reasonable price, & to have others of equal value procured for them convenient to their lands in Kentucky: whereupon in consider­ ation of £650. paid & satisfied by your orator to the said James L. as guardian of the said infants, he executed deeds bearing date the 18th. & 23d of Sep. 1802, duly attested, conveying to your orator all the rights of the sd Bennet Hilsborough Eliza, Frances, Lucy, & Nancy Crawford Henderson in the sd lands in Albemarle, except in the mill and warehouse, & a certain storehouse in Milton, binding himself in the sum of £5000. and further mortgaging certain lands in Boone  386 

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county in Kentucky, which he possessed from his father the said Ben­ net, as security that the said infants should, on their attaining full age, make full conveyance of their rights to your orator accordingly: and the sd James undertook, for the behoof of the sd infants, to lay off lands adjacent to those which each of them held of their father’s sd lands in Kentucky equal in value to the portion of the sd £650. accruing to them respectively.   all of which several deeds and instruments beforementioned your orator prays may be considered as exhibits in this cause, & as making part of this his bill in like manner as if they were distinctly repeated therein. That the sd Elizabeth expressing a willingness to dispose of her rights of dower also in the sd lands in Albemarle, your orator agreed to give her for the same the sum of £250. current money, whereupon for that sum paid & satisfied to her on the spot, she, by deed duly executed & attested & bearing date the 18th. day of Sep. 1802. did convey to your orator all her right title & interest in the county of Albemarle in Virginia which she possessed as of her dower in the estate of her deceased husband there, except the mill, warehouse, & improved lots in Milton, which deed is in the following words to wit ‘Know all men1 but at the same time the sd Elizabeth declaring that by articles of agreement between her and her son John she had rented the dwelling house on the premisses to the sd John, and that she meant he should keep the house as long as he should think proper agreeable to the sd articles paying the rents after the then present year to the sd Peyton, who was therefore to be bound by the sd articles of agreement, your orator thereupon signed an instrument of writing in the following words to wit ‘It is understood that whereas I Elizabeth Henderson have this day sold to Craven Peyton of Virginia my own dower in certain property in Albermarle county Virginia including the house I formerly lived in and Know ye that whereas I rented the sd house to John Henderson of sd county & state & that there is nothing to be so construed in my sale of sd house to said Peyton as to damage me, but if sd Henderson agrees to keep sd house he does so as long as he thinks proper agreeable to our article but sd Peyton is to recieve sd rents after this year. sd Peyton to be bound by the articles of agree­ ment between sd Henderson & myself; I said Peyton doth bind my­ self to the above writing as witness my hand & seal this 18th of Sep. 1802 test James L. Henderson. Charles Henderson.’ and your orator does expressly declare that neither at that time, nor at any time previous  387 

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did he hear the least intimation from the said Elizabeth or from any other person that the articles of agreement spoken of concerned any thing but the lease of the house, and does particularly protest that the only obligation which it was expressed by either party, or meant by himself, or, as he verily believes, by the widow, that he should be under from the said articles was that of permitting the sd John to oc­ cupy the said dwelling house as long as he should chuse, paying the rents to the said Peyton; which permission he accordingly enjoyed without interruption until he voluntarily left the said house. But now so it is, may it please your honor, that notwithstanding the persevering and reiterated efforts of your orator to have the sd deed of the sd Elizabeth to your orator, either proved by the witnesses, or acknoleged by her, & duly certified to be recorded, your orator never has been able to procure either to be done; and that altho’ he is at this time using the best means in his power to obtain either the proof or the acknolegement, yet from the departure of one of the wit­ nesses from the state of Kentucky, the insufficiency & inattention of the other two, the failure of the widow to make her acknolegement, and the expiration of the term allowed by law for that purpose, now near at hand, he may be entirely disappointed in procuring a record of the deed: that equal difficulties have prevented a record of the mort­ gage of the said James L. beforementioned: that he has reason to believe that artifices & influence are using or will be used by certain evilminded persons, to prevent the sd Isham, Bennet H. Eliza, Fran­ ces, Lucy & Nancy C. Henderson from ratifying, when they shall come of age, the conveyance of their parts or purparties of the sd lands to your orator: that the sd John Henderson2 pretending that the articles of agreement between the sd widow & himself provided that he should have and possess all the sd Elizabeth’s right to so much of her sd dower lands as might be necessary for his use for the purpose of conveying the water of the river to and from his two as. lot No. 10. which he pretends to call a mill seat altho it does not touch the river, nor approach within many rods of it in any part, did actu­ ally begin to cut a canal thro the said dower lands in the actual seisin and possession of your orator, and was proceeding in that violation of right until stopped by injunction first from the county court of Albe­ marle and then from this honorable court: whereas it is the firm belief of your orator that the sd articles went to no such object; that your orator was induced to give the extravagant sum of £250. for the wid­ ow’s life estate in the sd dower lands chiefly because they connected the upper and lower end of a water fall, and enabled him to lead a canal through them to the two acre lot No. 9. conveyed by the sd  388 

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James L. to your orator, being the proper mill seat: that it is not to be believed that the sd Elizabeth should have expressly mentioned the minor right of the said John to the occupation of the house and pro­ vided for his enjoiment of it according to the sd articles & been silent and improvident as to the all important right of occupying the grounds themselves by a canal, and of thus disappointing the main object of your orator; that the agreement of your orator to be bound by the articles was meant only in reference to the subject matter expressed in the writing he signed, to wit the permitting the sd John to occupy the sd house paying rent; that common sense will not suffer it to be supposed he meant thereby to subject himself blind fold to conditions unspecified, unrestricted by time, place, person or subject, & totally unknown to your orator; and your orator does solemnly deny that he had notice of, or meant to be bound by any other article in the said agreement, if any other there were: he declares it to be his firm belief that the said articles, as originally written, (as he is informed & be­ lieves by the said John) and signed by the said Elizabeth, gave no such right respecting a canal; he believes and thinks he shall be able to prove that the provision for that purpose was interlined in the hand­ writing of the sd John, that the interlineations & erasures defaced the instrument so much, and gave it an appearance so obviously fraudu­ lent as to destroy it’s credibility were it produced, that afraid there­ fore to produce it the pretence of it’s being lost has been recurred to & it is thought more advantageous for the sd John that it’s import shall be taken from the vague terms in which he chuses to express it & in all the latitude they will admit, rather than subject them to the correct expositions and restrictions of their meaning which would be made by this court, were it produced, and to have it’s considerations examined, enquired into and brought to the test of truth: that he be­ lieves it will appear that the said instrument was attested by a single witness only, who knew nothing of it’s contents; and he supposes it never can affect a bonâ fide purchaser, for valuable consideration, far­ ther than he had notice of it’s contents, nor further restrain the effect of a deed fairly, openly, & duly executed and attested, and still within the legal term for being committed to record. In tender consideration whereof,3 and forasmuch as your orator is without remedy in the premisses but by the interposition of this hon­ orable court, to the end therefore that the sd Elizabeth, John, James L. Charles, Isham, Bennet Hilsborough, Eliza, Frances, Lucy & Nancy Crawford may true and perfect answer make to the premisses, and particularly that they may on oath declare whether they did not sev­ erally execute the deeds & instruments before stated to have been  389 

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executed by them? and for good & valuable considerations actually paid as before stated? and that (this court acting herein by virtue of it’s jurisdiction over the subject matter of this complaint) the sd Eliz­ abeth may be compelled by it’s decree to acknolege her deed aforesd to your orator in such legal manner as that the same may be commit­ ted to record: that the said James L. may be decreed to acknolege his mortgage aforesaid in like manner, to lay off lands adjacent to those of the sd infants Bennet H. Eliza, Frances, Lucy and Nancy C. in Ken­ tucky, equal in value to the portion of the sd £650. accruing to each, to give them on their attaining age their option respectively to take the said lands in Kentucky in exchange for those in Virginia afore­ said, & on their making that option that they may be decreed to ratify the conveyance of their purparties of the lands in Virginia to your orator, or on their refusing the exchange that the sd James, to the extent of his personal obligation for £5000. and as holding the mort­ gaged premises, may be compelled to indemnify your orator for the injury sustained by such failure in his engagement: that the pretended conveyances of the two acre lot No. 9. by James L. to Charles & by Charles to the sd John, and the agreement of the sd Elizabeth with the sd John may be for ever enjoined, & the sd John decreed to sur­ cease the exercise of all pretended rights in the sd dower lands, in the sd two acre lot No. 9. of the sd James L. and in the two acre lot No. 8. of the sd Charles, other than in so much of this last as may be sufficient to seat a mill house on whenever, and only when, and while, he shall occupy the same in constructing and using a mill thereon; that the sd John having since sold and conveyed away his five acre lot No. 10. of the upper field & your orator being, as before stated, owner in feesim­ ple of all the residue of the sd tract of the sd Bennet except the mere area of a mill on your orator’s two acre lot No. 8. claimed under Charles, and to which no water can ever be brought but thro’ your orator’s two acre lot No. 9. and except the two acre lot of the sd John No. 10. of the lands below the town between which however and the river intervenes the body of the sd 15. as. of dower lands as by a plat of the sd tract of land, and of the partition made of it with this bill will more definitely appear, that your orator being thus so nearly the whole and sole proprietor of the tract and owning particularly the grounds adjacent to which the whole of the water fall is made, and comprehending both it’s upper and lower ends, may have the privi­ lege of building a mill on the premisses rather than the sd John, who owns not one foot of land at the head of, or adjacent to the sd water­ fall or to the river in any part of it, except the mere area for a house on No. 8 to which he cannot bring water but thro’ your orator’s lot  390 

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No. 9 as beforementioned; that all of the sd defendants and all others may be decreed to quiet the possession of your orator in the site of the antient mill, the soil or ground whereon it stood having made a part of the 1162¼ as. which were compleatly, and in their whole amount divided and allotted in dower and parcenery as herein before stated, & being particularly a part of the 15. acres assigned in dower and conveyed to your orator while the occupation only of the soil by the mill, so long as the same should be continued, was allotted in an un­ divided state to the dowress and parceners as tenants in common, and by them reserved in their several conveyances to your orator; and the sd mill and the dam across the river, whereon it depended for it’s sup­ ply of water, having been originally erected by the sd Bennet without legal authority, and the dam therefore, under the decree of this hon­ orable court demolished in the month of Sep. 1803. by the owner of the mill seat next above to whose injury it had been erected (since which time it has ceased to work has been entirely without water, can never again have water brought to it, is now begun to be dismantled, by the proprietors themselves & is entirely in ruins) the possession and use of the soil, now that it can be no longer occupied for a mill, has justly reverted to your orator, who consents nevertheless that the said defendants shall be free to take away for their own benefit all the materials of the said mill of every kind whatsoever, a reasonable time being limited for that purpose: and that this bill may be considered as notice to all persons whatsoever of the rights and claims of your orator in all the premises, insomuch that no act done or to be done pending the same by any of the defs or any other persons may enure to the injury or diminution of the rights of your orator in the prem­ isses. May it please your honor to grant to your orator the writs of this court of subpeona and injunction to be directed to the sd Elizabeth John, James L. Charles, Isham, Bennet Hilsborough, Eliza, Frances & Nancy Crawford Henderson, & to each of them, their agents and others concerned in the premisses commanding them to be and ap­ pear in this court on a certain day, and under a certain penalty, therein to be named, then & there to answer the premisses, and to abide such decree as shall be therein made, and in the mean time enjoining them, and particularly the said John from all acts whatsoever contrary to the rights of your orator in the premisses, & granting to your orator such further and other relief as to this court shall seem reasonable, and your orator as in duty bound, shall ever pray &c. (signed) Craven Peyton Albemarle county to wit  391 

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 This day appeared before me a justice of the peace for the said county, the said Craven Peyton in this bill named, and made oath that all and sundry the allegations in this his bill of injunction & com­ plaint set forth, so far as they relate to his own actings & doings are true, & so far as they relate to the actings and doings of others he believes them to be true. certified under my hand this 5th day of May 1804. Th: M: Randolph FC (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand, in­ cluding signatures and brackets; endorsed by TJ: “Peyton v. Hendersons } Bill.” 1 Here TJ left a gap of more than half a page in the MS. For the text of the deed, see Vol. 38:578.

2 See Document vi, note 26, for a pas­ sage that is lacking here. 3 TJ wrote the preceding four words in a larger script.

From William A. Burwell Dr Sir; Fredericksburg May 5th 04— When I arrived at this place, on my way to Washington, I was in­ formed you were still at Monticello—I now consider myself at your Service & shall be prepar’d to Receive & execute your orders on all occasions—permit me to wish you health & happiness— William A Burwell RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 10 May and so recorded in SJL.

From Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours Monsieur le Président, Paris 5 May 1804. Vos lettres me pénétrent de reconnaissance. Je suis bien fier d’être l’Ami d’un homme qui fait, qui veut, qui peut faire tant de bien au monde. Je vous remercie de songer à mettre des barrieres entre votre Pa­ trie et la Terre d’argent qui ferait déserter vos citoyens. Je vous remercie de ce que vous vous occupez de rendre les Loui­ sianiens capables de désirer et d’exercer leurs droits politiques. C’est la partie de votre Pays oû je puis le mieux concourir au succès de vos vues, à l’etablissement de l’éducation, à celui des bonnes insti­ tutions, à la formation de l’Esprit public: c’est même la Seule où je le  392 

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puisse, parceque c’est la seule dont je sache bien la langue, et où l’on puisse avoir promptement droit de Cité. J’espere conferer avec vous là dessus dans un an. Mes affaires ne peuvent être terminées en Europe avant le mois d’octobre. Je craindrais d’exposer encore une fois ma Femme à une traversée d’hiver. Je ne puis donc partir qu’après l’équinoxe du Printems. Mais au quatre Juillet je pourrai faire avec vous la Fête de votre durable indépendance. J’aurais désiré, d’après ce que vous me marquez de Mr Harvie, faire sa connaissance et lui être bon à quelque chose. J’ai taché du moins d’être aimable à Mr Leonard. Conservez moi votre bienveillance. Etendez là sur mes Enfans. Je prie Votre Excellence de leur faire parvenir les Lettres ci­jointes. Madame Du Pont vous remercie de votre obligeant Souvenir. Nous invoquons tous deux les bénédictions du Ciel sur vous, sur votre ad­ ministration et pour vos sages projets. Salut et respect. Du Pont (de Nemours)  J’espere que vous ne faites pas faire votre Poudre, ni raffiner votre Salpêtre ailleurs qu’à ma fabrique. 1o. Elle est sans comparaison la meilleure qu’il y ait aux Etats unis: et l’une des meilleures du monde. 2o. vos vieilles Poudres doivent avoir besoin d’être rebattues. 3o. elle est à votre fidelle ami. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, Paris, 5 May 1804 Your letters fill me with gratitude. I am very proud to be the friend of a man who wishes to accomplish so much good for the world, who can do so, and who does. Thank you for thinking to place limits between your country and the land of silver, which tempts your citizens to desert. Thank you for helping educate Louisianans to desire and exercise their political freedom. Louisiana is the part of your country where I can most readily see the suc­ cess of your vision: the establishment of schools and solid institutions, the cultivation of civic spirit. In fact, it is the only part of the country where I can, since it is the only one where I know the language and could quickly receive rights of citizenship. I hope to confer with you about this in a year. My business in Europe cannot be concluded before October. Since I fear imposing another winter crossing on my wife, I cannot leave until after the

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5 M AY 1 8 0 4 spring equinox. But on the Fourth of July, I will be able to celebrate your lasting independence with you. After what you told me about Mr. Harvie, I would have liked to meet him and be useful to him in some way. I tried, at least, to be helpful to Mr. Leonard. Continue your good will toward me, and extend it to my children. I ask your excellency to forward the enclosed letters to them. Madame Du Pont thanks you for your kind wishes. We both implore heaven’s blessings upon you, your administration, and your wise projects. Greetings and respect. Du Pont (de Nemours)  I hope you do not make your gunpowder or refine your saltpeter elsewhere than in my factory. 1. It is, without comparison, the best in the United States, and one of the best in the world. 2. Your old powder must need to be retreated. 3. The factory belongs to your faithful friend. RC (DLC); at head of text: “a Son Ex­ cellence Thomas Jefferson, Président des Etats Unis”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Aug. and so recorded in SJL with no­ tation “W.” Enclosures not found, but see below. vos lettres: TJ to Du Pont, 1 Nov. 1803 and 19 Jan. 1804. mes affaires ne peuvent être terminées: between 1803 and 1804, Du Pont assisted in the drafting of the Napoleonic Commercial Code as the ex officio president of the Chamber of Com­ merce and edited the papers of Anne Robert Jacques Turgot, which, despite Du Pont’s hopes to finish by October (le mois d’octobre), were eventually pub­

lished between 1808 and 1811 (Ray­ mond F. Betts, “Du Pont de Nemours in Napoleonic France, 1802­1815,” French Historical Studies, 5 [1967], 193­4; Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, ed., Œuvres de Mr. Turgot, ministre d’état, précédées et accompagnées de mémoires et de notes sur sa vie, son administration et ses ouvrages, 9 vols. [Paris, 1808­11]). les lettres ci­jointes: Du Pont likely enclosed a letter of 4 Apr. 1804 to his sons, Victor and Éleuthère Irénée du Pont, which included a postscript from his wife (Bessie Gardner du Pont, trans. and ed., Life of Eleuthère Irénée du Pont from Contemporary Correspondence, 11 vols. [Newark, Del., 1923­26], 6:305).

From Louis Pio Veneratissimo Signore Parigi 6 Maggio del 1804. Lodato sia il cielo, se ò tutto perduto in questo mondo, mi resta nell’altro un tesoro, e voglio dire costì. Sì, Signore; La di Lei Lettera del 31. Gennaio scorso portatami fino a casa dal Sigr. Leonard, à colme tutte le mie speranze, e mi à fatto dimenticare tutto ciò, che ò sofferto finora in questa Rivoluzione. Dirò di più; mi servirà, di scudo contro tutti i disastri avvenire. Ella dee sapere, che noi siamo tuttavia a mille miglia da quella pace, che si gode negli Stati­Uniti, ed alla quale non si perverrà certo per questo poco tempo che mi resta da vivere. Fino a tanto che avrò salute mi procaccerò un tozzo di pane  394 

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correndo Parigi da un pelo all’altro per insegnar la mia lingua natu­ rale, in cui prendo la libertà di scriverle non ignorando quanto le sia cara. Se frattanto ne la inutilissima mia sfera posso in qualche maniera meritar l’onore de’di Lei comandementi La prego, La supplico a non privarmene; troverà in me zelo e sincerità; le due sole cose, che le posso promettere. Se l’età non mi pesasse sul dorso varcherei corag­ gioso L’Atlantico, ma se la mia anima non invecchia, la spoglia si risente troppo dei tanti lustri, che ò chiusi. Mi raccomando et ma­ jorem in modum al di Lei padrocinio; mi mandi un po’ del suo italiano alla coda de’dispacci diplomatici ebdomadari; lo riceverò per mano di questo Sigr. Livingston. Oh! a quanti de’di Lei concittadini ò di già fatto assaporare originalmente il nostro gran Macchiavelli! Parlo li­ bertà a’ miei allievi, ma dando lezioni di lingua, e niente più. Io sono e sarò finche vivo tutto, e poi tutto suo. Vale, Optime Vir! Pio e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Most Venerable Sir, Paris, 6 May 1804 I praise heaven, because although I have lost everything in this world, I still have a treasure in the other, and I mean over there by you. Yes, sir; your letter of 31 Jan., which Mr. Leonard delivered to my home address, has fulfilled all my hopes and made me forget all I have thus far suffered in this revolution. I say more; it will be my shield against all adversities in the time to come. You must know, we are still a thousand miles away from the peace that is enjoyed in the United States, and we will certainly not reach it in the short time I still have to live. For as long as my health will allow me, I will find the way to earn a piece of bread, running from one end of Paris to the other to teach my natural tongue, the same in which I take the liberty of writ­ ing to you, knowing how much you cherish it. If, in the meanwhile, in my most useless sphere I may in any way deserve the honor of receiving your commands, I entreat and beg you not to deprive me of them. You will find in me zeal and sincerity, the only two things I am in a position to promise you. If I were not burdened with age, I would bravely cross the Atlantic. While my soul does not age, however, my mortal body does feel the many decades I have completed. I entrust myself especially to your patronage: do send me some of your Italian, tacked at the end of the weekly diplomatic dispatches. I will receive it from the hand of Mr. Livingston himself. I have already helped so many of your fellow citizens to savor our great Machiavelli in the original! I speak freedom to my pupils, but while teaching language, nothing more. I am and will be, for as long as I live, completely and absolutely yours. Farewell, best man! Pio RC (DLC); below dateline: “Rue St. honoré, prés S. Roch, no. 144, maison du Li­ brarie” (Saint Honoré Street near the Church of Saint Roch, no. 144, at the bookseller’s shop); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Aug. and so recorded in SJL.

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From Paul Alliot Monsieur le president Neuveyork ce 7 mai 1804 La marche que vous m’indiquez pour poursuivre mes ennemis a la Louysiane serait d’une grande utilité si je trouvais ou si je connaissais des hommes capables de me Servir; car il ne faut pas vous dissimuler que ce Sont des hommes riches, et c’est tout dire dans un pays ou la fortune commande tout; qui m’ont nui, et qui ont persecuté ma femme et mes enfans. il est bien vrai que dans quelques années les lois ame­ ricaines ayant pris la place des lois venales. les hommes qui seront etablis pour la rendre, feront leur devoir et ne jugeront que les actions et non la fortune. cependant j’ecris dans ce moment a un habitant de ce pays a qui j’envoye des pouvoirs pour poursuivre mes debiteurs et pour m’informer de l’etat des hommes qui ont tout fait pour m’aneantir. je suis on ne peut plus Sensible a ce que vous m’ecrivez touchant mon petit ouvrage Sur la Louysiane. a la lecture de votre lettre, des larmes ont coulé de mes yeux. heureux pour moi, mil fois heureux si le plan que je trace peut produire un bon effet. et Si les habitans peuvent y vivre long tems et heureux. je ne Sçais point Si auprés des tribunaux americains il est comme en France des agens qui prennent la deffense des orphelins, des mineurs, ou absens. Si cela etait, j’aurais adressé mes pieces a ce magistrat qui aurait reclamé en mon nom une prompte justice. je Suis avec respect Monsieur le president Votre trés humble et trés devoué Alliot medecin demt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, New York, 7 May 1804 The steps you outlined for pursuing my enemies in Louisiana would be very useful if I knew or could find men able to serve my cause, since one can­ not overlook the fact that it is rich men who harmed me and persecuted my wife and children. That says it all in a country where everything is ruled by wealth. It is true that in a few years, when American laws have replaced venal ones, those who have been named to enforce legislation will do their duty and judge actions rather than wealth. I am writing nevertheless to a resident of that country, giving him the authority to pursue my debtors and report on the men who did everything to ruin me. I am especially touched by your comments concerning my little book about Louisiana. When I read your letter, tears flowed down my cheeks. How happy I would be, a thousand times happy, if the plan I drew up could achieve suc­ cess, if the inhabitants there could live long happy lives. I do not know whether in America, as in France, there are court officials who defend orphans, minors, and those who are not present. If so, I would send

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7 M AY 1 8 0 4 my documents to one of those magistrates who would demand speedy justice in my name. With respect, Mr. President, I am your very humble and devoted Alliot, doctor RC (DLC); at head of text: “Alliot me­ decin. a son excellence Monsieur Geffer­ son”; following signature: “demt fley mar­ ket no 116”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL.

la marche que vous m’indiquez: TJ to Alliot, 27 Apr.

From George Clinton Dear Sir Albany May 7th. 1804. I have now the pleasure to inform you that from the Returns I have seen from several Counties of this State and accurate informa­ tion received from others our republican Candidates for Governor and Lt Governor, to wit, Chief Justice Lewis and Mr. Broome, will be elected by a majority of at least 8000, notwithstanding their Op­ ponents were supported by the united and vigorous Exertions of the Federalists in every quarter of the State; and that in the next Con­ gress there will not be more than three & probably only two Federal Members from this State—The anxiety I have felt myself for the Event of this Election must be my Apology for troubling you with this Communication. Yours Sincerely Geo: Clinton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; en­ dorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL.

From John Coles Dear Sir Enniscorthy May 7th 1804. It had been so long since the Cherry was sawed and put away, that I could give you but a very imperfect account of the quantity now on hand, I have had it examined and find as you will see below I am with esteem Yrs. John: Coles. 8 plank 10 feet long 14 by 1¼ Inch. 5 pieces. 9 feet long 12. by 3½ Inches RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 7 May and so recorded in SJL.

Merchant and farmer John Coles (1745­ 1808) owned Enniscorthy, one of the

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7 M AY 1 8 0 4 largest landholdings in Albemarle County. His business and social relationship with TJ dated back to the 1770s. Martha Wayles Jefferson and Coles’s wife, Re­ becca Elizabeth Tucker Coles, were friends, and hundreds of grafts from the Enniscorthy fruit trees helped stock Mon­ ticello. In 1781, it was to the Coles home that the Jefferson family first fled after es­ caping Monticello ahead of British troops. Later, Enniscorthy’s location between Monticello and Poplar Forest, and Coles’s friendship, made the estate a convenient stopping point for TJ as he traveled to his retreat. Coles’s son Isaac A. Coles became TJ’s private secretary in 1805 (J. Jefferson Looney and Ruth L. Woodward, Prince­

tonians, 1791­1794: A Biographical Dic­ tionary [Princeton, 1991], 256; Elizabeth Langhorne, K. Edward Lay, and Wil­ liam D. Rieley, A Virginia Family and Its Plantation Houses [Charlottesville, 1987], 17, 22; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:34n; mb, 2:1160, 1187; Vol. 1:65). the cherry was sawed: TJ and Coles worked out a system of bartering nails for cherry plank. Coles delivered “88 feet of cherry plank & 53 Ditto of Scantling” to Monticello in September 1804. In exchange, he received five loads of nails from TJ, beginning in August 1805 (John Coles Ledger, 1770­1807, in ViU; Vol. 40:389­90; Coles to TJ, 18 Sep. 1804).

From Volney Monsieur le president paris 7 Mai 1804 j’eûs l’honneur en 9bre dernier de Vous adresser au Sortir de la presse un Exemplaire in 4o de Mon tableau du climat et du Sol des Etats­unis. Mr Lee a qui je l’envoyai à Bordeaux m’a dit, à mon pas­ sage par cette Ville, en fevrier, qu’il n’avait pu Vous l’expedier que tard, ainsi que Ma lettre en remerciement de la Votre du 16 fevrier 1803, et du Volume de transactions qui l’accompagnait: aujourdhui que Mr Livingston me propose une occasion directe et sûre pour Washington; je M’empresse d’en profiter pour vous envoyer une Se­ conde copie in 4o, afin qu’elle supplée à la premiere, au cas où elle ne vous serait point parvenue; et que si vous L’avez reçue, je vous prie de disposer de celle ci en faveur de la Bibliotheque du congrès. Mr Fulton parti depuis peu pour Boston vous adressera une lettre dont il s’est chargé et qui sera un commentaire de celleci: Nos papiers pu­ blics Vous apprendront Nos grandes nouvelles théâtrales, en attendant celles d’angleterre qui, je pense, finiront par être d’un genre plus tragîque. nous sommes aux grandes scenes de L’histoire—quoique ma part n’y soit pas mauvaise, j’aimerais autant être de l’expedition de Vos Voyageurs à L’ouest; quel dommage que Votre climat ne Vaille pas celui de monterey, ou de mexico ou de Caracas! Mais Vous avez procuré, vous procurerez encore tant d’indemnités à Votre pays qu’il faut bien par justice qu’il lui manque quelque chose. à moi, il me manque aussi de Vous assurer de Vive Voix de tout mon attachement et de tout Mon respect Volney  398 

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Mr. President, Paris, 7 May 1804 In November I had the honor of sending you a quarto copy of my Tableau du climat et du sol des États­Unis as soon as it was published. Mr. Lee, to whom I sent it in Bordeaux, told me when I visited the city that he had not been able to send it to you until late, along with my letter thanking you for yours of 16 [i.e. 6] Feb. 1803 and the volume of Transactions that accom­ panied it. Today, Mr. Livingston offered me safe, direct communication with Washington. I hasten to take advantage of it to send you a second quarto copy, in case the first one did not reach you. If this is a duplicate, please give it to the Library of Congress. Mr. Fulton, who recently left for Boston, will send you the letter that I entrusted to him, which provides commentary on this one. Our newspapers will inform you about our dramas, while we await England’s. I think hers will end up being of a more tragic genre. We are on the vast stage of history, and although my own role is not bad, I would just as soon be part of the ex­ pedition of your travelers to the west. What a shame that your climate is not as good as that of Monterrey, Mexico City, or Caracas! But you have procured and will continue to procure so many advantages for your country that it is only fair for it to lack something. What I lack is the ability to assure you in person of my fidelity and respect. Volney RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Aug. and so recorded in SJL.

exemplaire: for Volney’s Tableau du climat et du sol des États­Unis d’Amérique, see Vol. 40:351­3.

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Monticello May 8. 1804. Your favor of the 25th. Apr. came to hand only yesterday. I am contented with the sale of my tobacco at 41/. but am uneasy at the account given me of it’s quality by mr Craven. if you think it’s quality was such as ought not to have commanded the price, I authorise you to make whatever abatement you think just to the purchaser. you are to place 19,000. ℔ of the tobacco made here by Craven at my order.1 I sent you the manifests. 1615. ℔ of it are to be at his disposal. per­ haps it would be well to set apart for him the hhd No. 206. 1610. ℔ nett, as it is so near his part. I have given him 6½ D. for the 19,000. ℔. so we must wait till I shall sell so as that I may not be loser. he assures me it is very fine. I shall write to my manager in Bedford on the manner of handling his tobacco. I am to pay you 200. D. for Cra­ ven Peyton. he wrote to me some time ago, but his letter went to Wash­ ington after I had left it, & came here but lately. I set out tomorrow  399 

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for that place. the mistake as to the surplus quantity of mr Macon’s hams is very acceptable. a store of them is no sore. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson P.S. I have this moment been obliged to draw on you in favor of Cra­ ven Peyton for [50] dollars. should there be no prospect of reim­ burs[ing] yourself this and the balance due before [in] a short time by a sale of the tobacco I will [rem]it the sa[. . .] [. . .] Washington. PrC (MHi); faint; at foot of text: “Mr George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso. George Jefferson’s favor of 25 Apr., recorded in SJL as received 7 May, has not been found. sent you the manifests: TJ to Jef­ ferson, 6 Apr. To the list of hogsheads of tobacco raised by John Craven, which TJ recorded in his financial memoranda at 6 Apr., he added that the hogshead num­ bered 206 was to be “set apart for J. Cra­ ven himself.” TJ appended to this note

calculations indicating his purchase of the remainder of Craven’s tobacco at the rate of 39 shillings per hundredweight, or £370–12, and Gibson & Jefferson’s sub­ sequent sale of it at a rate of 40 shillings, a profit of £9–10 (mb, 2:1124). TJ’s letter of this day to Burgess Grif­ fin, his manager in bedford County, has not been found. 200. d. for craven peyton: see Pey­ ton to TJ, 29 Mch. 1 Preceding three words interlined in place of “to my credit.”

From Craven Peyton Dear Sir. [on or before 8 May 1804] Enclosed is a rough coppy of the partition, which I just Obtained. aftar examining of it, any instructions you may give shall be strictly attended to. if it woud. be entirely convenient for you to spare a little Money & that to be deducted out of this years corn contract with the interest allowed on it untill the time of payment. I shoud. be glad as I propose starting the last of this week & am rather fearfull Money may be scarce with me. the difficulty of collection being very great. with great Respt. C Peyton RC (ViU); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 8 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. TJ wanted a plat of the partition of Bennett Henderson’s lands to accompany

the bill of complaint against members of the family; see Documents iv and v of the group of documents on the bill in chan­ cery, at 5 May above.

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To Craven Peyton Dear Sir Monticello May 8. 1804. I had yesterday paid to mr Lilly every dollar I had, more than suf­ ficient to carry me to Washington, to enable him to make some pai­ ments he had engaged. the only resource in my power is to draw on Gibson & Jefferson. I send you therefore a draught on them for 50. Dollars for which I am in hopes you may be able to obtain money in Milton. in my opinion there can be little doubt that the property of the warehouses went to mrs Kerr, unless there be other evidence than the mere report of the Commissioners. it would be well to enquire of them what they did, or meant to do as to the warehouses. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (Private collection, 1973); addressed: “Mr Craven Peyton Stump island.” PrC (ViU); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

From John Vaughan Dear Sir, Philad: 8 May 1804 The Certificates of Election for the members admited into the American Philosophical Society, to which your signature had been affixed as President, having been all used; I have sent on a number by post for your signature seven are immediately wanted to be sent to members chosen since the others were used—You will therefore oblige the Society by an attention to them as early as convenient— The 1t. pt. of 6th Vol will be out in a very few days Miss Aitken has undertaken it out of her great Zeal to succeed her father as printer to the 3 first Volumes, but I fear from her want of knowledge in the business of Book Selling, she may find it heavy on her hands, altho’ there is more popular matter in it than in any volume we have printed—As Individuals therefore the members endeavor to take as many as they think they can probably place amongst their friends—I was in hopes she would have had it out before congress adjourned, but it was impossible—It will contain from 200 to 210 pages—after this vol. is completed in 4to the future publications will be in 8vo. & great exertions will be made to have it annual. I remain with the greatest respect, Your ob Serv Jn Vaughan

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 Would it be agreeable to you that I should subscribe for & forward One or More Copies when it appears

David Humphreys—Newhaven Cevallos Minister of foreign affr ⎫ ⎬ Madrid Joshua Gilpin—Phila. Prince of Peace ⎭ Edward Jenner—London Cavanillos. Botanical profess Webber, Math. Prof. Cambrid, Mass. RC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Thomas Jefferson President of the UStates”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Philadelphia printer Jane aitken pre­ sented a “Fine Copy” of the first part of the sixth volume of the American Philo­ sophical Society’s Transactions at the

⎫ ⎪ ⎬ Members Chosen ⎪ ⎭

group’s meeting on 18 May (aps, Pro­ ceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 358). The society elected david humphreys and Joshua Gilpin members on 20 Jan. and Edward Jenner, Pedro Cevallos, Man­ uel de Godoy (prince of peace), the Spanish botanist Antonio José Cavanilles (cavanillos), and Harvard professor of mathematics Samuel Webber on 20 Apr. (same, 347, 351).

To William A. Burwell Dear Sir Monticello May 9. 04. Mr. Harvie, my late Secretary having concluded to enter shortly on the practice of the law, and found it necessary to fix himself in the Study of a practising lawyer to learn the rules of pleading, I took the liberty, in the latter end of March, of addressing a letter to you, on the supposition that you might by possibility be willing to take his place & exchange your country residence for that of Washington. tho’ the emoluments are not considerable enough to be an object (being 600. D. a year, board of course &c) yet the labours of it are inconsid­ erable also. I do my own writing in a great degree, & copy with the machine, so that I give a Secretary little to do in that way. the duties indeed resemble more those of an Aid de camp, to wit, to take care of the company, and sometimes transact matters in the city which require personal conference. these are so inconsiderable as to be no obstruction to any course of reading a gentleman wishes to pursue. a servant of the house would attend you, and a horse always at your service, unless you had a partiality for any particular1 horse or servant of your own. as I expected to return to Washington the beginning of this month, I asked the favor of an early answer, and if you should determine to accede to my wishes, I asked your meeting me either here or at Washington by that time if convenient. having recieved no answer, I presume my letter must have miscarried, & trouble you with another, requesting a more speedy answer inasmuch as I set out to­ morrow for Washington & shall be alone there. with assurances of  402 

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the pleasure it will give me, should this overture be acceptable, I pray you to recieve my friendly salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson  RC (Frederic R. Kirkland, Philadel­ phia, 1944); at foot of text: “William Bur­ well esq.” PrC (MHi); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

 letter to you: TJ to Burwell, 26 Mch. 1 Word

interlined.

From Benjamin Ragsdale Sir, Petersburg. Va. 9 May 1804 By the mail which arrived last evening from Savannah in Georgia I recd. the inclosed extra Sheet, and supposing the conduct of Judge Bowen to be of a very extraordinary nature, have taken the liberty of transmitting the Sheet to you for your perusal, and am Sir with sentiments of esteem Yr friend & fellow Citizen Ben: Ragsdale RC (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collec­ tion); endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Geor­ gia Republican Extra, Savannah, 25 Apr. 1804, publishing a letter from editor Sam­ uel Morse to Judge Jabez Bowen, Jr., explaining his refusal to print Bowen’s 23 Apr. charge to the Chatham County grand jury and condemning the judge’s comments as “uncommonly fraught with evil, its language disrespectful and inflam­ matory, and wholly extrajudicial”; also in­ cluding the resolutions of a 25 Apr. meet­ ing of Savannah citizens, Joseph Clay, chairman, unanimously declaring their approbation of the actions of the grand jury that Bowen has imprisoned and their opposition to the publication of his charge; a subscription is to be opened in support of the incarcerated jurors; the citizens call on the state legislature to investigate Bowen’s conduct and will confer with a committee of attorneys to secure the ju­ rors’ release; they also condemn Bowen for drawing a pistol in court and using “indecent and profane language,” which has “prostituted” the dignity of his office and the respectability of the government (printed broadside in DLC: Rare Book and Special Collections Division; Sow­ erby, No. 3310).

conduct of judge bowen: a native of Rhode Island, Jabez Bowen, Jr., had been appointed a judge of the superior court for the eastern district of Georgia in 1802. On 23 Apr. 1804, in his charge to the grand jury of Chatham County, Bowen delivered a vehement condemnation of the institution of slavery and called on the legislature to introduce a plan of gradual emancipation in the state. Appalled by Bowen’s comments, the grand jury is­ sued a presentment on 25 Apr. condemn­ ing the judge’s address and refused to conduct further business. The jurors fur­ ther recommended that Bowen’s charge not be published, but that a copy be sent to the governor and legislature for their consideration. In retaliation, Bowen jailed the grand jury and quelled unrest in his court by presenting a pair of loaded pis­ tols. That evening, Bowen was arrested for attempting “to excite domestic insur­ rection.” The grand jury was released the following day. In May, Bowen was re­ moved from office, and he returned to Rhode Island the following month (Prov­ idence Phoenix, 4 Dec. 1802; Columbian Museum & Savannah Advertiser, 28 Apr., 26 May 1804; New­York Herald, 4 July 1804). The text of Bowen’s charge ap­ peared in the Providence Gazette, 7 July 1804.

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To John Lithgow Monticello May 10. 1804.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Lithgow and acknol­ eges with thanks the reciept of his pamphlet which he shall peruse with attention. the interests of the Agriculturalist, the manufacturer, the merchant & the navigator are so intimately blended together, that to keep them all in just balance, by giving encouragements to some which shall not be encouragements to them, requires a knolege of facts, as well as possession of sound principles rarely to be found. this justifies a legislature in intermedling with great caution, and never taking a measure till all it’s bearings are understood. it accounts too for all the differences of opinion honestly entertained, not only among legislators, but the individuals of these different sections. there is no doubt but that the interests of all of them, when [well understood], are in perfect harmony, and that no act can ultimately benefit the one branch which injures the others. little doubt can be entertained that the legislature of the union will proceed in the just patronage of the whole as [fast] as it can do it [understandingly]. PrC (DLC); faint; endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

reciept of his pamphlet: see Lith­ gow to TJ, 29 Apr.

From Margaret Mitchell, with Jefferson’s Order Honoured Sir New­York May 10th, 1804 Pearl St No. 177. As the Chief Magistrate of my Country, I approach you with rever­ ence; and concious pride, in that Country, that grants to all its Citi­ zens protection & redress—and in that freedom, that repels not the aggrieved, from the Chair of Justice, with frown severe. As a Philoso­ pher, I address you with confidence, encouraged by the persuasion, that you feel yourself equally the Father & Protector, of all your Peo­ ple, independant of splendour of fortune, or Pomp of Power. As a Man & a Gentleman, I appeal to your sensibility & that condescend­ ing attention to our Sex—so Charracteristic. More peculiarly; & more powerfully, than all—as a Parent! I claim your simpathy & aid, in re­ covering a lost Child, for a bereaved & afflicted Mother. Great Sir! How to introduce myself farther, I know not. Misfor­ tunes that have reduced my Husband from oppulence as a Merchant to the scanty ability of supporting eight Children—together with un­  404 

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ceasing grief, for the loss, of the Eldest Son, the promissing hope, & prop of declining Life . . . has sunk my spirits & depressed even my hopes—in recurring however to the past—I shall ever, with peculiar satisfaction, value myself, on the intmacy & friendship of Governor Clinton & his truely Amiable, regretted Lady—Many years a near Neighbour—not from the distinction of Birth or Rank . . . but for thier more marked distinction, of superior virtue as the approbation of the Virtuous, ever tends to raise me in my own Esteem, While at the same time, it gives an acceptance, with the World. But that loved & respected friend is dead, & the Governor, with the seat of Govern­ ment is removed far from us; and tho generally acquainted with the most of the inhabitants of the City—from our extreme domestic re­ tirement, for above eight years; can scarcely give a refference to any, who move in the Circles of fashion. But my only claim to your notice & favour, independant of relative merit is—Most Respected Sir! that I am unfortunate & afflicted! deeply afflicted! and that the Means & Power, are abundantly Yours, to dispel the Gloom & sooth the Anguish of My Grief! Near four Years since, Our Eldest Son, a lad of about fifteen, at College, finding his time not fully Occupied, obtained access to the Libraries of Novels, with which he became highly fascinated, added to an Ardent vivid immagination, quick sensibility (& from a blameable indulgence in his Father) an impetiossity in obeying the impulse of the moment— he became impatient at the tediousness of his Education, concieved the desire of becoming “the Hero of Events”: too soon, Poor fellow! he had an opportunity of putting his plans into exicution—by dis­ guising himself, he obtained a passage to England. Having an Uncle in London, he was entertained a few months, when his Uncle David Galbreath Esqr. my Brother in law, took a Passage for him to New­ York—but Andw. “Wishing to see more of the World” Eloped— since that time, have never heard of the poor unfortunate Child—till last Winter—When the Captain of the Ship Manhattan, having died in Calcutta, the Mate who succeeded him, found a letter from Andw. among his Papers, imploring with most pathetic supplication the Captains interference for his release, as an American, from the gald­ ing and degrading thraldom, severe & killing hardships, and worse than Slavery—the Life, of a Common Brittish Soldier!!! which let­ ter, the Mate gave us, who knew him personly & was likewise ap­ plied to, for release—he the Mate made application to the Officers but the Coll, one Coll, Mercer—would not even hear him. Since then, Several Ships belonging to this Port, have returned from Calcutta— and some of our most respectable Citizens & Merchants . . . knowing  405 

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him & us his Parents, have interceeded, singly, and a number of them collectively—but in Vain, they begged that the Coll. would name a Ransom for him—& they would make it up, & redeem him—The Coll. replied, “he would take no Money, & if he did, the sum he would name, would be more than they could afford.” Mr. Andw. Smith, Owner of the Ship Alleghany, discovered an old acquaintance in the Major, (who was his Townsman) & interceeded for Andw., who would have granted him Andw.’s Enlargment—but was obliged to consult the Coll. Who refused. Since then, Mr. Alexander Bleecker & Cap­ tain Elison, who were several years our Opposite Neighbours, in the same house, previously Occupied, by the Governor, on thier Arrival in Calcutta found Andw. Very Ill! Mutch in thier opinion, from his distress of mind—tho essentially from the barbarous manner of kid­ napping him—having adminestered to him, some violent intoxicat­ ing draughts, in the first instance intruded themselves on his intimacy as Gentlemen & Officers, Abusing the simple credulity of a Child, Who in the hilarity of Spirits drank with them, some fatall potion no doubt prepared on purpose—finding himself overcome he essayed to walk being near Hyde Park—but was obliged to set down—growing worse, he aimed at reaching the Gate, when he was accosted by one of his convivial Companions with an offer of assistance—he asked for a Hack, at the same time giving a shilling to pay for it, & begged for a drink of Water—both of which was procured—he observed when he drank the Water, it had an ill smell—he remembered getting in the Coach with this Officer, who asked to wait on him home to his Lodgings—but remembered no more—for he does not know how long, till he found himself in a wretched Garret—he was again asked his Name, which he declined telling before—on his again refusing he was told, that he had enlisted, he replied if he had, he knew nothing of it—and threatned, with the resentment of his Friends there & in America, as he would appeal to the American Ambassadar. They then took every Means to intimidate him, Which they effected so mutch that he dared scarcely to look at an officer—being totally in thier power & in a weak state of inteelect from a violent fever—the effect of the potion—all his desire was for cold Water, of which they gave him plenty & from that time was totally insensible till he found himself in the Coldstream Ship, on his way to Indea—observing, the Effect of what he had taken—had so compleatly Stupified him—that both Officers & Men, took him for an Idiot, for nearly the whole Passage, from which time, tho he has recovered his sences—he has never had his health.—When he was compelled to answer to a Name, he chose  406 

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not to disgrace his family—and called himself Edward Bellville or Belville The Poor unfortunate Child—He add’s to the above scircumstances, he has payed too dear, for his experience, allmost with Life itself— and begs Captain Elisson to Claim him—that in the remainder of his life, he might attone for his general imprudencies, by his affection & obedience to Parents, he deplores having grieved & whose tenderness he laments in­vain greatly needing as he does, the common offices, of Cold humanity, almost without receiving them—his letter to Mr. Ellisson, I sent to Mr. Galbreath in London—with an affidavit, to apply to the Commander­in Chief for his enlargement. But Oh! Sir. Is there no redress? he may too, refuse—and delay! will be fatal to my Child—before Mr. Bleecker & captain Ellison sailed, they were sent for, to see him die, they found him in a burning fever—but by thier encouragement, he revived. Oh! Sir! on my bended knee, do I implore your Authority, in behalf of my Son, my long lost Son. Do not My Honoured Chief! consider my boldness an unbecoming temerity . . . but in Nobly daring! to appeal to the head & Sourse of American Power, let a weak woman recieve countenance & support from Your dignity; & prove, the affections of an injured Mother can soar beyond the limmits of Etti­ quet, in quest of an injured Child, that would appal her, perhaps, in any other scircumstances. Let me prove, to these petty Tyrants they shall not inthral an American, with impunity, & treat with Contempt all the american interest, in thier Port—by your Magnanimity in at­ tending to the voice of a Female—My request, is Sir, That you will condescendingly favour me, With instructions, to our Ambassador to Claim Andw. Mitchell Jun., known by the assumed name of Edward Belville, a Private Soldier, in the 22d’ Regt, of Foot, under Command of Coll’ Mercer—quartered in Calcutta . . . Should You Grant this, earnest Petition Sir! it will have to go to England, and there wait a precarious Passage out, to that far, far! distant spot when the joyfull News! arrives—perhaps no Vessel for America—& no subsistance— for Miss­Fortune hath nearly chased her Dame entirely from us— Then Sir, permit me, to go still farther, and ask, concious of the Power to grant, in the Character I address and Solicit the Favour of a Letter to the Governor General, or Commander in Chief—in antici­ pation of the Official Demand, which I may send direct for Calcutta, as a Ship will sail from this harbour, in 8 or 10 days.—Captain Ellis­ son observed, all there, was done by interest—and he presumed, had there appeared, any interference of Power, the matter would have  407 

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been setled at once.—but what makes them, so tenacious is, that all the Regt, are mere Children quite Boy’s (supposed to be kidnapped in the same way) that there may be a better Chance of their living in that fatal Climate Pardon the prolixity or rather tediousness, of this ineligant Epistle, in an unlettered female—let the anxious Solicitude, the grief! the affection’s of the Woundd Maternal heart, plead an excuse for Your Humble Petetioner Margaret Mitchell [Order by TJ:] the party is reclaimable as being an infant incapable of binding him­ self. refd. to Secy. of state Th:J. RC (DNA: RG 76, Claims against Great Britain); ellipses in original; ad­ dressed: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Margaret Mitchell (ca. 1766­1834) was the daughter of John Stites, a Loyalist merchant. In 1781, Margaret married Andrew Mitchell, Sr., a New York City merchant and founding member of the Tontine Coffee House. Four years after their marriage, her younger sister, Corne­ lia, married New York merchant David Galbreath, who then relocated to England in 1791. In 1808, Mitchell again wrote to TJ, this time seeking the president’s help in obtaining a divorce (New York Royal American Gazette, 24 July 1781; New York Daily Advertiser, 14 Oct. 1785; New­York Daily Gazette, 4 July 1791; New York Commercial Advertiser, 16 Aug. 1834; John D. Crimmins, Irish­American Historical Miscellany [New York, 1905], 108­9; Walter Barrett, The Old Mer­ chants of New York City, 3d ser. [New York, 1865], 218­26; Mitchell to TJ, 12 Aug. 1808). respected friend is dead: prior to her death in 1800, Cornelia Tappen, the

wife of George Clinton, resided on Pearl Street in New York City (New York Daily Advertiser, 17 Mch. 1800; Alfred F. Young, The Democratic Republicans of New York: The Origins, 1763­1797 [Chapel Hill, 1967], 36). The ship manhattan arrived in New York from Batavia on 31 Oct. 1803 (United States Gazette, 1 Nov. 1803). Colonel James mercer commanded the 22d Regiment of Foot while it was stationed in India. One contemporary observer remarked that Mercer’s soldiers “were for the most part very young lads” (Augustus Debonnaire John Monson and George Leveson­Gower, eds., Memoirs of George Elers: Captain in the 12th Regi­ ment of Foot, 1777­1842 [New York, 1903], 164). The ship alleghany, owned by An­ drew Smith, arrived in New York from Calcutta on 19 Apr. (Commercial Adver­ tiser, 21 Apr. 1804; United States Gazette, 23 Apr. 1804). with instructions, to our ambas­ sador: on 14 June 1804, Madison sent a copy of Mitchell’s letter to James Mon­ roe, requesting him to seek her son’s dis­ charge (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:318­19).

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From Samuel Emery Sir Philadelphia May 11h 1804 Agreably to your direction I shipped to Georgetown to the care of Mr Barns the two Boxes and an Empty vase as I received them from the ship Hannah Captn Yardsley—In the vase there was not the least trace of plant or root, I thought it best to forward the vase as it was to you, the Captn assuring me he would charge no freight—The plants I understand from the Captn were just taking root when they came on board that he put them into the Hold of the ship where they died immediately for want of Air or Moisture—The only method that I could ever transport plants over Sea was by placing them in a Box, or vase in a Chest similar to those the sailors use, the front side lower than the back, so as to make the water readily run off; the Ends thick & peirced with Holes to admit the Air but prevent the entrance of Water, by being bored from the inside downwards these chests placed on Deck the Lid opened when the weather will permit, a little water sprinkled carefully over the plants or shrubbs will transport them a long distance and they will often improve on their Passage—An op­ portunity offering for Leghorn in a few days from this place, any dispatches committed to my care shall be safely forward by the Cap­ tain with whom I am personally acquainted— I am Sir very respectfully Yours Samuel Emery RC (MHi); at foot of text: “T. Jefferson Esquire President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL.

agreably to your direction: see TJ to Emery, 14 Apr.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir New York 11th May 1804 On receipt of your letter of the 27th ulto., which was I think on the 2d instt., I had immediately a commission issued in Mr Nicholas’s name & transmitted to him at Warren; and by same mail wrote to Mr Davies that his resignation would be accepted. It is not practicable to recall the proceedings. I never had thought Mr Nicholson equal to the office of Commissr. of loans, and on hearing of his long sickness repeatedly urged a res­ ignation. I find him so weak & so incapable to attend to the duties of the office, that I consider him as having been at the mercy of his clerks for several months: he informs that he has sent a resignation to  409 

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you. Permit me, from public & personal motives, to urge the neces­ sity of an early appointment. I enclose a letter from Mr Crowninshield recommending a proper person as surveyor of Marblehead, a new office created last session. I presume that his recommendation may be considered as unexception­ able. Two commissions are necessary vizt. Surveyor of the   of Marblehead; and Inspector of the revenue for the port of do.— I dislike so much the appointment of military commandants in Upper Louisiana, and, perhaps for that reason, think so probable that the system will soon be repealed, that the choice of proper per­ sons has not appeared to me to be of first rate importance. Yet the reputation of the administration seems to require that public opinion in North Carolina should have pronounced in favour of Thomas Blount in relation to the unfortunate land business in which his name was connected with that of his brother. I do not know how that fact stands, but would like to know Macon’s & Franklin’s opinion. I feel friendly disposed and strongly prejudiced in his favour and have no doubt of his being qualified. Another man, Seth Hunt, has been men­ tioned. I know nothing of him; but I discovered that he was so ob­ noxious to all our southern friends, and he is so much so to the east­ ern federalists, that if his appointment depends on a confirmation of the Senate, I would doubt its being ratified. It is generally believed that this State will return 15 republican members and only 2 federalists, Renssalaer & Livingston. M’Cord under an unjust suspicion of Burrism has lost his election, and Thomas by recanting has escaped. Root & Patterson are both turned out; but Palmer has also lost his election; his opponent is however a firm re­ publican named Sailly, a french canadian settled since the war on Lake Champlain. All the returns are not however complete & as there are ten new members, the politicks of some may not be fully under­ stood. Unfortunately there is very little accession of talents. Tompkins & Sailly are said to be the best. Hardly expecting to see again Mr Nicholson, it is with difficulty I can immediately leave this place; but will not however exceed the time I mentioned, and expect to be at Washington on the 24th. With great attachment & sincere respect Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Trea­ sury Department 14 May and “W.C.N.— Commr. loans—Prentiss—Blount—Hunt” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Eli­

sha Strong, Benjamin Knight, and six others to Jacob Crowninshield, Marble­ head, Massachusetts, 23 Apr., recom­ mending Joshua Prentiss as surveyor; he has always been “a consistent firm and decisive republican: of promptitude & in­

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1 1 M AY 1 8 0 4 telligence in business; & of strict & un­ impeachable integrity”; for many years Prentiss has been a Marblehead repre­ sentative to the state legislature (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR). sent a resignation: James Nichol­ son to TJ, 12 Apr. proper person: Jacob Crownin­ shield recommended Joshua Prentiss as a candidate for bankruptcy commissioner in 1802 (Vol. 38:199­200). new office: an act of 27 Mch. 1804 “relative to the

compensations of certain officers of the customs” called for the appointment of a surveyor at Marblehead (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:300­1). In the 1790s, thomas blount specu­ lated in western lands and represented North Carolina in Congress at the same time that his brother, Tennessee senator William Blount, was impeached and ex­ pelled for conspiring with the British, with the aid of the Cherokee and Creek In­ dians, to invade Spanish Florida and Lou­ isiana (Vol. 29:472­4; Vol. 41:142­3n).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir New York 11th May 1804 I enclose a letter from Mr Trist which does not give a very flattering account of our official prospects in New Orleans. I think we must take our officers from the many candidates who migrate there. Mr Nicholas may be one of them. The Rhode Island delegation very strenuously recommended a person, not Russel, whose name I have forgotten, but whom you may find in your file. Affectionately & respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 14 May and “Morgan & Garland decline” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Hore Browse Trist to Gallatin, 1 Apr. 1804 from New Orleans, stating that Benjamin Morgan and William G. Garland have declined their respective revenue appointments; Trist doubts that another candidate of sufficient ability and integrity and who is willing to quit private business can be found in New Orleans; William E. Hul­ ings is an exception, but he is shortly to depart for Philadelphia; Trist has made many inquiries regarding French inhab­ itants who are competent in English, but finds that they all lack sufficient intelli­ gence or integrity to be trusted with a rev­ enue position; they have all been taught since birth, Trist observes, that it is “mer­

itorious to cheat the King, in any public employment,” and they generally have “so little respect for their oaths, that they are wholly unfit to be trusted under a free and virtuous government”; Pierre Der­ bigny is a good linguist and respectable, but Trist does not think him suitable for a revenue appointment; Trist considers Andrew Porter, who is acting temporarily in Garland’s place as customs supervisor, to be a deserving man but ignorant of his duties; the general ignorance of the sub­ ordinate offices in the custom house has made Trist’s situation “doubly arduous” (RC in same, at head of text: “Private”; Terr. Papers, 9:218­19). recommended a person: Peleg S. Thompson (Vol. 42:114, 121­2).

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From Michael Krafft Sir Bristol 11 May 1804 I have again presumed to intrude on your Exclys. condescention. That innate fear of Committing myself to censure thro’ inexperience, so natural to persons of my age (29) has emboldened me to trouble you again, for your opinion of the enclosed dedication which will be put to press on the 1st. of June next (the whole work being finished except the plates) Your silence on that head, untill that period will be construed favorably. When I ask your opinion I only mean that in case sentences or sentiments injurious to your feelings or wishes may have crept in, that they may be noticed These several objects being accomplished I shall not give your excellency the Uneasiness of calling me troublesome without your approbation. Could your Excy. propose to me any object of science to investigate which may appear usefull to my Country either at home or abroad? You will not construe that I mean by this any exertion to set up a claim or hope of reward, I am only impelled, by the sacred flame of love for my Country to hope that I may be an humble instrument in Common with thousands of my fellow Citizens to enable this rising Fabric to vie with the dazzling pageantry of Monarchs, the riches & gems of agriculture, set against the baubles of Heraldry. I embrace the moment to present You My thanks for the favor al­ ready granted and acknowledge Myself Your much obliged. Sincere Friend & humble Servant Michl. Krafft RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To His Exy. Tho. Jefferson Pr US”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: book dedication in Krafft’s hand, undated and unsigned; at head of text: “Dedication” and “To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqre. Pres­ ident of the U States of America &c”; stating, “Sir In soliciting your excellencys acceptation of a request to you for leave to dedicate this work I had two important objects in View, I was anx­ ious to avail myself of the protection which the illustrious name of a Jefferson so eminently distinguished as the father of his Countrys welfare & the Munificient patron of the sciences could afford to a work of this kind, as under the fostering care of a parent who is looked up to for a safeguard against its falling into the gen­

eral wreck of oblivion which the frowns of envy or Neglect may wish to Consign it, I was also desirous under your excellencys patronage to Recommend the investiga­ tion & pursuits of the objects Contained in this Treatise to the immediate atten­ tion of the Patriotic & the scientific as opening a vast field to the agriculturalist to transport his superfluous grain to a market to which the raw Material Could never get—I have the honor to be &c” (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25399; printed, with some variations of wording and dated 25 May 1804 at Bristol, Penn­ sylvania, in Michael Krafft, The Ameri­ can Distiller [Philadelphia, 1804]). again presumed to intrude: Krafft to TJ, 24 Apr., and TJ’s response on 29 Apr.

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From William Henry Harrison Sir Vincennes 12th. May 1804. As soon as I had the honour to receive your letter of the 31st. of March I wrote to such Gentlemen of my acquaintance in Upper Lou­ isiana as I thought best acquainted with the Subject for information relative to the Situation & population of the Several Settlements in that District. My own Knowledge of that Country is very imperfect but from my present impressions I think that it might be conveniently devided into four or five Districts or Counties by lines drawn nearly at right angles to the General Course of the Mississippi as laid down in the rough Sketch herewith enclosed and the Seats of Justice for those Districts might Continue where they now are, at St Louis, St Genevieve Cape Gerardo & New Madrid.—Unless it is the case with one Village on the Missouri, there is no Settlement more than 35 or 40 Miles from the Mississippi. I am not sufficiently informed of the Strength of the Settlement upon the Arcansa River to determine whether it ought to form a dis­ tinct District or be connected with that of New Madrid—I believe however that it is too inconsiderable for the former & the distance to New Madrid is so great as to render it very inconvenient for its in­ habitants to be connected with that Town. I observe by the law providing for the Government of Louisiana that it is in contemplation to exchange with the Indians lands in that province for their possessions to the east of the Mississippi—If the measure is intended to be effected in the Course of this year I take the liberty to suggest that no time ought to be lost in commencing the negotiation. The Indians are remarkable for deliberation in all their Councils & they are still more so when ever the subject before them relates to their lands. A proposition to purchase them, abruptly made, discomposes & agitates them extremely & is very rarely successful— On the Contrary if sufficient time is taken to possess them fully of the terms of the purchase or exchange & occasional opportunities sought to point out the advantages which they would derive from the Mea­ sure, before a decision is pressed upon them the wishes of the Gov­ ernment would be seldom disappointed. The tracts of Country in this Territory which it appears to me would be most desireable for us to obtain are 1st. that which is occupied by the Delawares & bounded by the line running from the Mouth of the Kentucky River to Fort Recovery on the east the White River on the North the Ohio on the South & the Vincennes Tract, lands of the Piankashaws, & Clarks Grant on the West & 2ndly. the said tract of the Piankashaws lying  413 

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below the Vincennes Tract & Clarks grant & between the Ohio & the Wabash Rivers. It will however be necessary previously to the mak­ ing of any propositions to the Delawares that their Title to the above described tract should be clearly & explicitly declared by the other Tribes in a General Council to be held for that purpose. A part of the Miamis have indeed recognised the title of the Delawares but the Ouiactanons & Piankashaws contend strenuously against it & have frequently expressed their apprehensions of the Delawares selling it to the United States & then removing to the West Side of the Missis­ sippi to join the part of their Tribe already settled there—This I Know has been for some time the object of the Delawares who are settled about Cape Gerardot & the war which they have been preparing to carry on against the Osages was intended for the purpose of intro­ ducing their friends into the delightful Country occupied by that Na­ tion. On this subject I have communicated fully with the Secretary of War. If it is an object with the Government to obtain the lands which I have described as being in the possession of, & claimed by the Dela­ wares it will be an unfortunate event if they should remove to the West side of the Mississippi before the land is secured—We should be then obliged to negotiate with the other Tribes who are more te­ nacious of their lands & who set a higher value on them from their ancestors having resided on them for many generations—Whereas the Delawares who have emigrated from the Shores of the Chese­ peake & Delaware have no particular attachment to the Country they occupy— I shall communicate as soon as possible the result of my enquiries relative to the Population &c. of U. Louisiana— I have the Honour to be with perfect Respect, Dr Sir Your Huml Servt. Willm. Henry Harrison RC (PHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received on 5 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Enclosed in TJ to Dearborn, 6 June.

settlement upon the arcansa river: Arkansas Post (Vol. 41:177n, 326). ouiactanons: Wea Indians (Sturte­ vant, Handbook, 15:689).

From Peter Kuhn, Jr. Sir Genoa 12 May 1804 In Novemr. last I took the liberty to make application through my friends in the united States, for the appointment of Consul for Genoa, since which the Blockade of the Port has been Kept up with so much  414 

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rigour as to have produced a perfect stagnation in trade, this, together with the encrease of the business of my House at Gibraltar have deter­ mined me to leave my establishment here, under the entire direction of my Partner Mr. T. H Storm, and remove myself and family again to Gibraltar The politeness I received from your Excellency when at Washing­ ton in October 1802 in the mention you were pleased to make on the score of the recommendatory letters I dilivered you (at the time of my applying for the Gibraltar Consulate) would be so placed, as to claim your attention in the event of a change being contemplated in that office; calls for my grateful acknowledgements, and I pray that in such case I may still be considered as a Candidate therefor.— It is well Known to most of my Countrymen who adventure to the Meditteranean, that my House at Gibraltar render them more essen­ tial Services, than any other in that quarter, and in many instances they would be extended, but for the delicacy of our Situation with Mr Gavino the American Consul, to whom we should not wish to give umbrage, having been always upon friendly terms together.— Begging excuse for this trespass on your Valuable time, I remain Your Excellency’s Most Obt Hl Servt Peter Kuhn Jur. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Aug. and “to be Consul Gi­ braltar” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Peter Kuhn, Sr., to TJ, 2 Aug. 1804.

took the liberty: Vol. 42:84­6. For Kuhn’s visit to washington, see Vol. 38:640­1.

From Francis Mulligan Sir Charleston May 12th. 1804. It is with deep concern, at a crisis So important, As the present, where the fate, and prosperity, of Our country, and the Happiness, of Our present administration, So much depends on the Exertions, of every real republican, I behold with pain, in reading Over the list of Senators, to find So many decided Federalists, who are no doubt mak­ ing use, of every Artifice, in their power, to oppose the question of amendment, which is to come before them. From my Own Knoledge, and the best information that possibly can collected, you will find, out of Thirty Six Senators; fifteen, decided Federalists and five doubtful, out of the remaining Sixteen republicans, there are as yet, Three, of the most influential Members, remain be­ hind. Capt Smith, Jn Gailliard, and James Hibbens, of Christ church  415 

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Parish, from a Serious of intimacy, and Friendship, with these Gen­ tlemen, I have taken the Liberty of calling on them, to use my utmost endeavours, to impress them with the necessity, of their going for­ ward, on So momentous, an Occasion. The death of Mrs. Smith, which happened a few days, ago, prevents Capt. Smith. The Courts now Sitting prevents Mr. Gailliard, and Mr. Hibbens from his domistick concerns, it is not even now too late, if they can be prevailed on, for which purpose I have Just Sent my horse across the ferry And will pass my self in a Short time, in order to See Mr Hibbens I donte think, that a House, can be made, before the middle, of next Week, Owing to the badness of the roads, from the great falls of water, we have had lately. I believe there is little doubt, entertained, about the Lower House, nor would there be Any risk in the Senate, if Our members were all present. This day being the 12th. is brought forward at the Instance of a few Republicans, and fixed upon to celebrate, the great event of the Cession of Louisiana, and an appropriate Oration to be delivered by Doctr. Ramsay at the request of the meeting. And may you, who have been placed, the happy Instrument In the hands of an all wise providence, to bring about those great attain­ ments, Long live, to enjoy the heartfelt gratitude, of your country, is the Sincere Wish of Sir, your Most Obt. Servt. Frs Mulligan RC (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collec­ tion); at foot of text: “Ths. Jefferson Esqe. President U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 May and so recorded in SJL.

The 12 May oration by David Ram­ say was subsequently published as An Oration, on the Cession of Louisiana, to the United States (Charleston, S.C., 1804). TJ acquired a copy for his library (Sow­ erby, No. 3474).

e n c l o s u r e

Party Affiliation of South Carolina State Senators Names of the Senators of Sou. Carolina Those marked R. are Republicans, D. are doubtful, and F. are Federals Jno. Gailliard President, R J Blake R R Barnwell F J Blasinghame D Josh. Calhoun R Levy Casey—R Wm. A Deas—F Elias Earl—R

R Marion R Jno. McPherson F C. C. Pinckney F R Pinckney, F J. Postell Senr. F B Rogers—F Arthur Simpkins R

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1 2 M AY 1 8 0 4 Ths. Farrar R C Godwin R J Ward F J Hibben, R M. Hutchinson F J James—R J. Ladson F Andrew love, absent F S. Mainer—F T. McFadden D Richd. Montgomery D

OBrian Smith R Js. Saxon R T Taylor R J. Threewitts R J Wickham D H. D. Ward—F Saml. Warren R Wm. Washington F Thos. Wells D. Thos. Young F, Absent.

16. Republicans 15. Federalists 35. Doubtful 36. MS (ViW: Tucker­Coleman Collec­ tion); entirely in Mulligan’s hand. c godwin: Charles Goodwin. j wick­ ham: Thomas T. Wickham. s. mainer:

Samuel Maner. thos. wells: Henry Wells. richd. montgomery: Robert D. Montgomery (S.C. Biographical Direc­ tory, Senate, 3:1828­9).

From François Navoni Monsieur Caillery le 12. May 1804. Jusqu’au moment je n’ai pas eté honnoré de reponse á touts mes De­ peches, que trés respectueusement j’avais humilié a Sa grandeur et Justice, le dernier du 12. Xmbre. passé, et par les mêmes je me Suis fait un devoir de lui exposer le plus convenable, et de lui attester mon empressement, et fidelité, que de pouvoir meriter de plus les graces du Puissant Gouvernement. je repette par la presente mes offres autant plus pour etablir le Commerce de notre bon Sel selons les instructions et details que je me suis fait un devoir de lui humilier, annimé par Monsieur le Com­ mandeur Maurris, que presentement j’ai appris qu’il se trouve a la Capitale, et certainement aura donné des informations de ma per­ sonne, qu’il m’a bien connu, lui ayant donné des preuves d’un vrai impressement, que de lui rendre toutes politesses bien dües a son Caractere et personne; je me flatte de reussir dans mes desirs, que de rendre quelque utilité au Commerçe avec les Carguaison de Sel, que tout autre article de ces parages. Ces joûrs passés arriva un Battiment de Tunis et apporta l’heureuse nouvelle que Monsr. le Consul General des Etats Unis destiné pour Alger, qui se trouvoit a Tunis, en compagnie du chargé Monsieur Dewize mon intime ami, chercha la maison ou demeuroit la Demoiselle  417 

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Annete Porcile et sa Mere Esclaves a Tunis depuis quelques années, la quelle Demoiselle, par un acte de grandeur et de generosité de Monsr. Weillam Eiton egalement que j’etois en correspondance, allors Consul des Etats a Tunis, a voulu se rendre garant porté de la Charité pour l’humanité, du rachat de laditte fille de la Somme de 5000. Pi­ astres d’Espagne, et livrer des embarras, et des Vexations des Turcs une Fille; Dont le Consul destiné a Alger fit sentir a la ditte famille, que la Soùveraineté, et Clemence du Puissant Gouvernement des Etats, avoient cedé a la ditte Somme de 5000. Piastres d’Espagne, et qu’elle pouvoit se rendre chés elle dans cette Ville, et plus qu’il espe­ roit de les faire conduire avec une Fregatte de l’Etat. Monsieur, ne pourra jamais croire l’Eclat que cette nouvelle a fait içi, vraiment se peut dire un coup du Ciel qui a penetré la même grandeur d’un Gouvernement sans egal, que le bon Dieu benira des actes aussi Eroïques, et presque sans exemple. Ce Gouvernement a vraiment aplaudi une si belle Charité, et j’ai appris que le Royal Prince le Vice Roy en donnera part a S.M. Sarde actuellement a Rome, ainsi que le Pere de la Fille, qui est venu chés moi, me repettant les remerciments les plus Sinceres, et les obliga­ tions, et que par Son même devoir il a Ecrit a vous, Monsieur, une Lettre de remerciments par la voye de Monsr. Dewiz a Tunis. De mon cotté aussi j’avance mes graces et reconnoissence autant plus que par ma derniere j’avois recommendé la ditte fille a la gran­ deur des Etats; affaire qui m’a procuré toute consideration. Au moment qui arriveront des Fregates de l’Etât, ou Battiments Marchands, je continuerai a donner des mêmes preuves d’empresse­ ment, et de me procurer les graces que le Gouvernement Jugera que Je puisse meriter. Je continue ma correspondance avec les Consuls, pour tacher d’Etablir quelque Commerce, comme aussi Monsieur, vous aurés la bonté d’annimer de ma part les Messieurs de la Cham­ bre du commerce de prendre en consideration le tout, leur ayant deja Ecrit precedemment avec l’uni projet du Sel &a. L’Escadre Anglaise Amiral Monsr. Nelsson frequente toujoûrs ces parages ors d’un coté, ors d’un autre, e quelquefois il arrive içi des Fregates les quelles n’abbandonnent pas le Canal de la Corse qu’il est presque comme bloqué. Nous avons la nouvelle qu’une Escadre Russe de 24. Voiles a passè l’amer noire, et que presentement se trouve a Corfou, on dit qu’ils viendront dans ces mers, se divisant par la Ciçile, Messine, et Sar­ daigne, a son tems je l’informerai de tout ce qu’il pourra arriver. Le Commerçe dans ces parages lenguit toujoûrs a l’Excés, les Cor­ saires Anglais le ruinent, ils ne font qu’arreter des Battiments de  418 

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queconque nation et les conduire a Malte pour juger leur chargement, ou pour prise ou pour arret, toujoûrs ils embarrassent la Navigation et ruinent le Commerce; le plus etonnant est qu’il n’y­a pas des Cor­ saires Français dans ces parages, personne ne peut pas comprendre une tele lenteur. De S.M. le Roy de Sardaigne, il ne s’en parle pas, il est toujoûrs a Rome sans aucune decision, ni de Ses Etats, ni indemnisation, touts ces inconvenients produisent a cette pauvre Sardaigne des effets qui ne peuvent pas se Suporter. De l’Escadre des Etats dernierement j’ai appris qu’elle se trouvoit dans les parages de Tripoli, qui croise dans ses environs, si j’aurai des nouvelles interessantes je les communiquerai a l’instant. Pardon Monsieur, si je suis Ennuyeux; c’est un vrai acte de mon devoir; vous pouvés librement disposer de moi qu’avec empressement vous serés obbeï; et avec le plus humble respect, et Veneration je suis. Monsieur. Le Trés Humble Le Trés obbeissant et Très Fidele Ser­ viteur et Sujet— François de Navoni Agent. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Cagliari, 12 May 1804 I have not yet been honored with a response to all the reports I respectfully submitted to your greatness and justice. In the most recent one, last 12 Dec., and in the others, I felt it my duty to write and show my attentiveness and faithfulness in order to warrant favor from your powerful government. I am reiterating my offers to establish trade of our excellent salt according to the guidelines and details I felt it my duty to send you. I am encouraged by Commodore Morris, who, I have learned, is currently in the capital and will have provided information about me. He knows me well for having given all the signs of cordiality and courtesy fitting his character and rank. I am confident of succeeding in my goal, which is to further trade through ship­ ments of salt and other related goods. A ship arrived recently from Tunis bringing the happy news that the United States consul general, who was in Tunis en route to Algiers, sought out, with my close friend, Mr. Davis, the house where Miss Annette Porcile and her mother were staying. This young woman had been a slave in Tunis for several years when the United States consul in Tunis, Mr. William Eaton, with whom I have also been in correspondence and who was inspired by a love of humanity, generously and magnanimously proposed to pay a ransom of 5,000 Spanish piastres to free her from the trials and humiliations inflicted by the Turks. The consul, who was headed for Algiers, informed the family that the mercy and sovereignty of the powerful American government had paid the sum of 5,000 Spanish piastres and that she could return home. More­ over, he wished to take Annette and her mother on a government frigate. Sir, you cannot imagine the effect of this news here. One could say an act of heaven had penetrated the munificence of a government without equal, which God will bless for such heroic and almost unprecedented acts.

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1 2 M AY 1 8 0 4  My government applauded such wonderful generosity. I learned that the royal prince viceroy will inform the king of Sardinia, who is currently in Rome, as well as the young woman’s father, who came to see me, repeating his sincerest thanks and indebtedness. These sentiments have prompted him to send you a letter of appreciation through Mr. Davis in Tunis. I add my own gratitude, especially since, in my last letter, I had recom­ mended this woman to the magnanimity of the United States. This affair brings me great satisfaction. Whenever government or commercial ships arrive, I shall continue to be assiduous and earn whatever favor the government deems warranted. I am pursuing my correspondence with the consuls to try to establish trade. Please be good enough to urge the members of the chamber of commerce to con­ sider the request I sent them about the salt project. The British squadron of Admiral Nelson is still in the area, sometimes on one side, sometimes on the other. From time to time frigates arrive and do not leave, so the Corsican Channel is almost blockaded. We learned that a Russian squadron of 24 sail came from the Black Sea and is now at Corfu. It is said that they will come into these waters, between Sicily, Messina, and Sardinia. I will inform you of whatever happens. Commerce is languishing here, ruined by British privateers. They stop all nations’ ships and take them to Malta to assess their cargos for blockage or seizure. They disrupt navigation and destroy trade. The most extraordinary thing is that there are no French privateers in the area. No one can under­ stand why they are so slow in coming. No one talks about the king of Sardinia. He is in Rome, and there has been no decision about his states or about indemnification. All these disruptions have unbearable consequences for poor Sardinia. I learned recently that the American squadron was near Tripoli. If I hear anything interesting, I will immediately let you know. Forgive me, Sir, if this is tedious. It is a sign of my dedication. You may dispose of me as you wish, and I shall obey. With the most humble respect and devotion, I am, Sir, your very humble, obedient, and faithful servant and subject. François de Navoni, Agent RC (DLC); at head of text: “François de Navoni honnoré Agent des Puissants Etats unis de L’Amerique dans le Roy­ aume de Sardaigne A Monsieur Le Pre­ mier Presidant des dits Etats Unis à Wasingthon” (François Navoni, honored agent of the powerful United States of America in the Kingdom of Sardinia, to the first president of the said United States at Washington); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Oct. and so recorded in SJL. le dernier du 12. xmbre. passé: no letter from Navoni of 12 Dec. 1803 has been found or is recorded in SJL. A member of a prominent family of the island of San Pietro, near the southern tip

of Sardinia, Maria Anna porcile was 12 when she was among hundreds of people captured in a massive Tunisian raid in 1798. Anna’s grandfather, the Conte di Sant’Antioco, who had experience nego­ tiating with Tunis, spent months there in 1799 seeking the return of the hostages. He obtained the release of his son Anto­ nio, Anna’s father, and subsequent diplo­ macy secured the ransoming of many of the other captives in 1803. The Tunisians demanded an especially large ransom for Anna, however. Her father borrowed 17,000 Tunisian piastres to purchase her freedom, but the girl could not leave Tunis until the sum had been repaid. When the bey of Tunis demanded imme­

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1 2 M AY 1 8 0 4 diate payment of the debt in 1800, Wil­ liam Eaton, the U.S. consul, agreed to act as surety. After Porcile defaulted, Tuni­ sian law permitted Eaton to retain Anna until her ransom was repaid. When Eaton left Tunis in 1803, Anna and her mother came under the protection of the acting consul, George Davis. Eaton and Commo­ dore Richard V. Morris instructed Davis to detain the women in Tunis until Por­ cile reimbursed Eaton. Uncertain about how to proceed and about whether he was acting in his official capacity as consul or merely as Eaton’s private agent, Davis sought advice from the secretary of state and from Tobias Lear, the U.S. consul general at Algiers. Lear declared his opin­ ion that Anna ought to be redeemed, leav­ ing what would happen to her to Davis’s discretion. Replying to Davis on 26 Dec., Madison stated that, regardless of Eaton’s individual claim, the United States pos­ sessed no right or claim to hold the young woman and had no wish “to enforce any claim involving the disposal of her per­ son.” Davis must decide how far he should act as Eaton’s friend or agent. Davis allowed Anna and her mother to depart and secured a tiskara, or passport, for them from the bey. By June 1804, they had returned to Sardinia (Cronache inedite o poco note di alcuni fatti avvenuti in seguito all’invasione Tunisina sull’Isola di San Pietro: 1798­1803 [Cagliari, Italy, 2003], 8, 13­19, 36, 56­7; Gin Racheli, L’Arcipelago del Sulcis e la sua storia [Calasetta, Italy, 1981], 146­50; Giorgio Pinna, Sant’Antioco: Ricerca e storia dell’identità [Sestu, Italy, 2007], 131­2; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 4:118­

20; 5:142­3, 409; 6:221, 238­9, 264n; 7:208; ndbw, 1:327; 3:264; asp, Claims, 1:324­9; Navoni to TJ, 15 June 1804; Antonio Porcile to TJ, 22 July 1804). le royal prince le vice roy: Prince Charles Felix, duke of Genevois, governed Sardinia from Cagliari as viceroy during the absence of his elder brother, King Vic­ tor Emmanuel I (John Sugden, Nelson: The Sword of Albion [New York, 2012], 611­12). l’escadre anglaise: the British naval squadron of Admiral Horatio Nelson used Sardinia as a forward base of operations for its blockade of the French port of Toulon and as a defense against a possi­ ble French attack from neighboring Cor­ sica (Roger Knight, The Pursuit of Vic­ tory: The Life and Achievement of Horatio Nelson [London, 2005], 460­3; Sugden, Nelson, 611­23). une escadre russe: in late 1803, Russia began reinforcing its land and naval forces in the Ionian Sea, especially on the island of Corfu (Norman E. Saul, Russia and the Mediterranean, 1797­1807 [Chicago, 1970], 183­4; Vol. 40:484n). indemnisation: a provision in a se­ cret 1801 convention between France and Russia called for the indemnification of the king of Sardinia for the loss of Pied­ mont and other territories to the French. Bonaparte’s failure to fulfill the terms of the convention, despite the urging of Em­ peror Alexander, contributed to the dete­ rioration of relations between France and Russia (Parry, Consolidated Treaty Series, 56:231­7; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:523, 524n; 8:43, 44n, 70; Vol. 38:562n).

From James S. Smith Thos. Jefferson Esqr, Sir, New Orleans 12h. May 1804 Genrl: Wilkison, will do me the honour to make application to the President, for an appointment in the Army of the United States, if my recommendations are such as may be approved off, I must take the liberty to solicit the appointment of a Lieuftennancy in the recruit­ ing service, however this must be alone submited to your Honour to direct—  421 

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 The President will please pardon the liberty I have takeing by ad­ dressing those line to him, and do me the justice to belive I shall feel myself Honoured in the dicharge of that trust which may be reposed in me by the govrment— I have the Honour to be With sentiments of the greates Attach­ ment your most Obed, a Hum ser— James S. Smith RC (PHi); endorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL with no­ tation “to be Lieut.”; endorsed by a clerk. James S. Smith of New Jersey received a commission as second lieutenant of ar­ tillery. He rose to first lieutenant in 1806

and resigned his commission in 1808 (Heitman, Dictionary, 1:899; Baltimore American and Commercial Daily Adver­ tiser, 19 May 1807; Dearborn to TJ, 27 June, 9 Nov. 1804; TJ to the Senate, 13 Nov. 1804).

From Aaron Vail Sir L’Orient 12 May 1804 I take the liberty to recommend to your Excellency the bearer hereof Mr. James Vail my nephew, and to solicit your appointment of him to the place of commercial agent for the United States at1 in case of Mr. Pattersons declining to fill that office,   I have determined to establish him in a commercial house at that place in addition to mine here, and willing to pledge myself for his filling the office with zeal and respectability. I recommend him to your protection, and re­ main with great respect Your Excellencys Mt Obt Hble Sert. A. Vail Dupl (DNA: RG 59, LAR); on printed letterhead, “Commercial Agency of the United­States of America”; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos Jefferson Presi­ dent of the United States”; at head of text: “Duplicate”; endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 1 Oct. and “Vail James. to be Con­ sul at  v. Patterson” and so recorded in SJL. For Thomas T. Gantt’s resignation as commercial agent at Nantes in 1802 and the appointment of William Patter­ son, see Vol. 38:374­6. Vail also wrote to Madison on 12 May, repeating the rec­ ommendation of his nephew and adding that the absence of a commercial agent in

Nantes had caused “frequent complaints from our countrymen.” The deputy agent left in charge, “being a foreigner, and having become a bankrupt, is unable to attend to the office with that credit it de­ serves” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, post­ marked New York, 31 July, and endorsed for the State Department as received 3 Aug., endorsed by TJ: “Vail James to be Consul at Nantes,” enclosed in Madison to TJ, 13 Aug. 1804; Dupl in same, post­ marked New York, 24 Sep., endorsed by TJ: “Vail James to be Consul Nantes v. Patterson”). 1 Thus

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in MS.

From John Dawson Dear Sir Bristol. May 13. 1804 Our old friend McElory is here and has the principles of 75—he is much hurt at the conduct of his son Archibald—and at the situation in which he has been plac’d in consequence thereof— May I request that you will look into his case and do to him that justice due to his country, and which will afford much pleasure to a parent who is a good republican. health & friendly salutations! J Dawson. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 17 May and so recorded in SJL. mcelory: probably Pennsylvania inn­ keeper Archibald McElroy, proprietor of the Cross Keys tavern in Bristol. TJ pa­ tronized McElroy’s establishment in 1783 and 1798 (mb, 1:538; 2:983; Aurora, 27 Feb. 1806). In 1797, the State Depart­ ment informed McElroy that his son Ar­ chibald, who had been impressed by the Royal Navy, had subsequently accepted

the king’s bounty and was a petty officer on a British warship. The son later served as an officer in the U.S. Navy during the Quasi­War with France, but was dis­ charged under the Peace Establishment Act in 1801. The following year, he made an unsuccessful application to TJ for re­ appointment (Jacob Wagner to McElroy, 15 Nov. 1797, in Frederick S. Allis, ed., Timothy Pickering Papers, microfilm ed., 69 reels [Boston, 1966], 7:438; Vol. 34:296, 300n).

From William Dunbar Dear Sir Natchez 13th. May 1804 I am honored with your favor of the 13th. March. I am extremely obliged by your condescension in communicating your remarks on some part of my imperfect sketch of the Missisippi: from what you have written I see the necessity of a short appendix, which I shall consider in the light of an apology for dissenting from the opinions of so many eminent mathematicians, who have written on the theory of rivers: It was not without due reflection that I have said, that ‘the velocity of rivers is greatest at the surface and gradually diminishes downwards.’ It is long since I have found myself obliged to abandon the theories of Mariotte, Varignon and Guglielmini, believing them contrary to fact and observation, and unsupported by true Philoso­ phy or even the plainest hydrostatical laws; but I will not here ob­ trude my ideas, reserving them for a short paper I am now preparing, which, if it cannot go by this mail, will probably be ready for next, when I shall take the liberty of submitting it to your inspection. I have attentively perused the examination into the boundaries of  Louisiana: the arguments respecting the Perdido as an eastern  423 

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boundary seem unanswerable, and if the french Govt. agree that such was also their understanding of the treaty of St. Ildefonso, they must be conclusive: the general idea of the Govt. and people of Louisiana, seems to have been that the portion of W. Florida lying between the Iberville and Perdido was not yet actually transferred, but soon must follow, being no longer of use but rather an incumbrance to Spain; hence those extensive sales which have been lately made by the Span­ ish Govt. within that District: the Intendant had been heretofore au­ thorised by the King to sell Lands, under certain regulations, within Louisiana; this measure was adopted only since the cession of the Missisippi Territory by Spain to the U.S. perhaps in imitation of the mode generally used by the U.S. for the disposal of their vacant land; few or no sales were made under the new regulations, untill after the treaty of the 30th. of April last was made known here, when it was supposed, probably, that the Circumstance was favorable. The Surveying and exploring expeditions to be undertaken at pub­ lic expence must be gratifying to all lovers of Science and of natural research: it would have been much to be wished that Congress had been more liberal with respect to pecuniary provision, for certainly the number & even talents of the Gentlemen to be employed must be greatly circumscribed by the very moderate fund appropriated to this object: the report of the Committee of Congress which preceded the Law, seems to have contemplated services to be rendered to the pub­ lic by the patriotism of men of Science and genius, I presume not to doubt that there are many such, but it ought to be recollected that Young Men of talent, but of small fortune, who engage in such enter­ prises, however flattering to the ardour of their youthful minds, can­ not serve their Country but by a great Sacrifice of most precious time, and when a Great Empire talks of compensation, this ought to be adequate to the importance of the undertaking & honorable both to the Government and to the selected Individuals. It will give me the highest satisfaction to contribute every thing in my power to promote the proposed expedition on the Red and Ar­ cansa Rivers; of the two Gentlemen Gilespy and Walker, I conceive the first to have been best qualified by education, the last perhaps superior in natural genius &c but he is not now here. I understand he has taken a commission in the Spanish service at St. Antonio in new Mexico: I presume that neither of those Gentlemen possessed talents (fitted for the Expedition) beyond a knowledge of surveying & a little taste for drawing, and not greatly qualified for making the lunar ob­ servation: so far as I had occasion to observe neither of them had ac­ quired knowledge in general Natural history, botany or mineralogy.  424 

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It will be no easy task to discover here persons moderately qualified to conduct the expedition, I do not know any one possessed of such talents as I should require, who could be expected to engage in this enterprise: if circumstances require that they should be selected here, we must endeavour to make choice of such as are well qualified to go thro’ the geographical duty & if other talents are united in the same persons, we may account ourselves fortunate. With the highest respect I have the honor to be Dear Sir Your Obedient Servant William Dunbar RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL. Dft (Lb in Ms­Ar: William Dunbar Papers). moderate fund: Congress appropri­ ated $3,000 intended primarily for the exploration of the Red and Arkansas Riv­ ers. The provision responded to an earlier committee report (Thomas Watkins to TJ, 22 Mch.). On this day, Dunbar also wrote Henry Dearborn, making similar observations on the difficulty he would face in finding

individuals moderately qualified to conduct the proposed expedition and ad­ vising that the administration might be better off finding someone trained in sci­ ence. He added that the government should allocate some additional funds for a few soldiers to accompany the party, rather than the “despicable class of hire­ lings” to which the expedition would oth­ erwise have to resort. A military officer, in that case, might be an appropriate choice to help lead the group (Lb in Ms­Ar: William Dunbar Papers).

From Michael Fortune Sir Philadelphia—Walnut Street. [before 14] May 1804 I have the honor of inclosing you the first Copy of my Song (termed National) on the great event of the Acquisition of Louisiana, so hap­ pily effected through your Wisdom and Patriotism. As the expression of a Nation’s Joy, I am persuaded, you will chearfully receive it. For my own part, Sir, from my high Veneration for your public and private Character, I cannot describe the pleasure I feel, in contribut­ ing, in any degree, to the Celebration of an event, which reflects such Splendor on your admired Talents and illustrious Situation. With the greatest respect and Consideration, and the most cordial wishes for your Health and Happiness, I have the honor to remain Sir your very obedient Servant Michael Fortune RC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Michael Fortune, “The

Acquisition of Louisiana: A National Song” (Philadelphia, [1804]). Michael Fortune advertised his latest na­ tional song in five verses “set to animated

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1 4 M AY 1 8 0 4 music” by “an Amateur.” His advertise­ ment, like his letter to TJ, declared the song to be an expression of a nation’s joy. The sheet music was available for sale from his residence at 39 Walnut Street as well as from the Philadelphia printers and booksellers Mathew Carey, John Conrad & Co., William Duane, Henry & Patrick Rice, and George Wil­

lig (Aurora, 14 May 1804; James Robin­ son, The Philadelphia Directory for 1804 [Philadelphia, 1804], 55, 193, 254; Kir­ sten E. Wood, “‘Join with Heart and Soul and Voice’: Music, Harmony, and Politics in the Early American Republic,” American Historical Review, 119 [2014], 1093; Vol. 34:417­18).

From Rufus Briggs Sir Washington 14th May 1804 your goodness will readily excuse my thus addressing myself to you, when I inform that I have that unhappiness within which sur­ passes all shew. Owing to my unhappy pecuniary situation. Nothing but Stearn necessity could compell me thus to address you the much honoured Chief of happy America. My Friends live in Berkshire Massachusetts, they are neither Nay­ bobs nor dependants, but live esteemed by their fellow Citasens, and unhappily for me I am at this time, when both in Constitution and frame a bankrupt. I am absent from them, I have been the year past in the south endeavouring but in vain to regain my former health, I am truly unhappy and can only say with the Poet—“Light griefs are plantive, but the great are dumb.” I Lodge at Miss Dashields Penn­ sylvania Avenue, if not too presuming I would happy to wait on you, honoured sir pray let me hear from you Sir all of to morrow untill then I am your Most. Obt. Huble. Sert. Rufus Briggs RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson P. of the U.S.”; at foot of text: “Monday afternon”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 May and so recorded in SJL. Rufus Briggs (1779­1816) grew up in Adams, Massachusetts, the son of a black­ smith and the eldest of 12 children. By 1810, he was living in Clermont, New York, and acting as agent for Robert L. Livingston, from whom he assumed own­ ership of a Saugerties flour mill in 1813. The following year, Briggs and Living­ ston partnered with six other men to es­ tablish the Woodstock and Saugerties General Manufacturing and Mining Com­ pany. By the time of his death, Briggs owned several small parcels of land in

Ulster County, was married with four sons, and acted as benefactor to his younger brother George Nixon Briggs, later governor of Massachusetts (Samuel Briggs, The Archives of the Briggs Family [Cleveland, 1880], 217; William C. Rich­ ards, Great in Goodness: A Memoir of George N. Briggs, Governor of the Com­ monwealth of Massachusetts, from 1844 to 1851 [Boston, 1867], 15, 39­40; Albany Balance, & New­York State Journal, 12 June 1810; Kingston Ulster Gazette, 7  Dec. 1813; Kingston Ulster Plebeian, 1  Oct. 1816; Laws of the State of New York Passed at the Thirty­Seventh Session of the Legislature [Albany, 1814], 122). say with the poet: Seneca, Hippoly­ tus, line 607.

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1 4 M AY 1 8 0 4  Briggs lodged at Miss Sally Dashields’s boardinghouse on pennsylvania ave­ nue, adjacent to Samuel Harrison Smith’s printing office. Dashields’s boarders in 1804 and early 1805 included John Ran­ dolph, who called his lodgings “Miss Dashiels in the swamp,” and Rembrandt

Peale, who set up a “painting room” in his quarters for those “desirous of ob­ taining copies of the Portrait of the Pres­ ident” (National Intelligencer, 11 Feb. 1805, 13 Apr. 1810; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:786n).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir New York 14th May 1804 I enclose a formidable recommendation in favour of Th. Newton as Collector for Norfolk; also the letters of resignation of Morgan & Garland. The last is mistaken as the office of surveyor, in N. Orleans, will be better than that of naval officer. Considering the difficulty of making appointments there, and that it was your original intention to appoint him naval officer, might it not do to give him that commis­ sion, and to Mr Nicholas that of surveyor. Nothing new here. With great respect & attachment Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 17 May and “Morgan. Garland. R. C. Nich­ olas. Newton” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Benjamin Morgan to Ga­ briel Duvall, 20 Mch. from New Orleans, declining the appointment as naval officer for the district; Morgan is grateful for the offer but is too extensively engaged in business to accept (RC in DNA: RG 59, RD; endorsed by TJ: “Morgan Benj. declines Navl. officer’s place”). (2) Wil­ liam G. Garland to Duvall, 31 Mch. from

New Orleans, stating that it is “inconve­ nient” for him to accept an appointment as surveyor of the customs and inspector of the revenue; Garland appreciates this mark of confidence but feels that the du­ ties would have interfered with his pri­ vate concerns; because he intends to re­ tire from mercantile affairs, he would have willingly accepted an appointment as naval officer (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Garland Wm. G. de­ clines surveyor. but will accept Navl. officer”). Other enclosure not found.

To Martha Jefferson Randolph My dear Martha Washington May 14. I arrived here last night after the most fatiguing journey I have experienced for a great many years. I got well enough to Orange C.H. the first day. the 2d. there was a constant heavy drizzle through the whole day, sufficient to soak my outer great coat twice, and the roads very dirty and in places deep. the third the roads became as deep as at any season, & as laborious to the horse. Castor got into ill temper  427 

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and refused to draw, and we had a vast deal of trouble & fatigue with him and obliged to give him up at last. I was from day light to sunset getting from Fauquier C.H. to Colo. Wren’s where I left John with the carriage, mounted my horse and arrived here at 9. oclock in the night more sore & fatigued than I ever remember to have been with a journey. with the circuitous routs I was obliged to take it made about 55. miles, of as deep & laborious road as could be travelled. a night’s sleep has a little rested me, but I am yet extremely the worse for my labour. I hope a day or two more will entirely relieve me. cer­ tainly I shall never again so far forget my age as to undertake such another day of fatigue.—I have written you this long chapter about myself, because I have really nothing else to write about, having as yet not seen any body but of the house. I picked up by the way some ice­lettuce seed, which I inclose you to enable you to raise seed for yourself this year. my affections to mr Randolph and kisses to the young ones. to yourself my tenderest love. Th: Jefferson RC (NNPM); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph.” PoC (ViU: Edgehill­Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ.

i arrived here: TJ departed from Monticello on 11 May and arrived in Washington on 13 May. His expenses for  the journey totaled $19.25 (mb, 2:1126­7).

From Thomas Rodney Washington Misisipi Territory

Dear President May 14th 1804. In respect to the Land business here, I will not Trouble you with any details, as I presume this is done by the Register in his Commu­ nications to the Secretary of the Treasury as often as necessary, but I will Just Mention that it is progressing as fast as can be expected Considering the number of Claims and Nature of the business—Had not the Time for bringing in Claims been extended, we expected to have made our report Early Enough to be laid before the next Session of Congress, but this can hardly now be expected—Yet the Legisla­ ture seems to have forgot to Extend the Time of making that report althou they have Extended the Time of bringing in claims untill the last day of November next, and the primary Law requires our Report the next day which will be impossible for the Board to Comply with— but this may be remedied at the next Session—The Board notwith­ standing the Latitude of adjournment allowed them will pursue the business constantly and expedite it as soon as possible—  428 

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 Several reports have been propagated from time to time among the Claimants tending to Agitate them with unnecessary apprehensions about their Titles, but on being better informed they have now be­ come quite Tranquil, and wait with confidence the Dicisions of the Board. The Commissioners Considering, rectitude of Conduct, the Best means of Obtaining the Confidence and respect of the People, as well in, and Towards, the General Government, as well as in, and Towards, the Board, have thought it their duty to hold themselves impartial, and to Treat all the Inhabitants of the Territory, with due respect & politeness; and they have had the pleasure of seeing hith­ erto the good Effects of this conduct, and of hearing from many of them That an Unusual degree of Moderation, and social intercourse has prevail’d among the people since their arrival, and a More Chear­ ful Acquiescence in the Measures of the General Government, by those who were heretofore considered as Adverse to the Present Administration. Having observed in some of the Federal papers an Attempt to ridi­ cule some Accounts that had been given by you of a Salt Mountain in Louisiana, I beg leave to Communicate to you what I was lately told by a Mr. Bullen of this Territory. He says that while he was a young man, about fifteen years ago, he went with his Father, who was a great Hunter, up the Red­river—That after going up it about seven hundred miles They came to where it passes Over, and partly through, the South End of a ridge of high Mountain, Which they were in­ formed by the Indians, runs a great way Northward, and in some places was very high, and which the Indians called the back­bone of the world—That in passing over the first part of the Mountain, the River falls about fifty feet, and then Cuts through the remainder, where the Gap rises in pretty high bluffs on Each side, all of pure Rock Salt—That he frequently, with his Ax, knocked Off great blocks of Salt, from the Mountain, that would have Made a hundred bush­ els, to see them fall in the River—That the bed of the River at this place, is all a bed of Salt—That large Rocks of it grow up in the Middle of the River, in the form of Loves of Sugar—That he has sev­ eral times knocked off the tops of them, that were above the water, and that they would soon grow up again. That all the neighbouring Tribes of Indians got Salt at that place; and that there is a general Law among them, even in war time, that no one shall be Mollested within Twelve Miles of that place—That the Water of the Red­river below that place, for some distance, is Salter than Sea Water; That below the Mountain the River desends through a plain of high Level  429 

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Land, a great way, Which Land is all of a very red soil like Paint, and very rich—It is well known here that the Water of the Red­river is too Salt or brackish to drink quite down to where it falls into the Misisipi—Bullen says further That he and his Father Encamped near the Salt bed afsd. near three years & hunted often beyond said ridge of Mountain among a small Tribe of Indians called the Kenis­ tinex Indians who were remarkably large in Statuture, and strong and dextrious so That One of them Could Shoot an arrow through the Largest Buffollo—Which his father could not do, tho’ a Strong Man—That the Oas­Arkes Indians, Extend from the Misisipi to the Ridge of Mountain afsd. and say they can raise 25,000 warriors— This however seems to be an exageration, Tho’ it is generally said They are pretty numerous, Yet Other accounts do not make them thus formidable, and Bullen says they were beaten in a war with the Kenistinex Indians, while he was in that part of the Country. Since I heard Bullens Story I mentioned it to Mr. William Dunbar of this Territory, who says he knows Bullen, but never heard his Story before, but that he has had information of the Salt Mountain afsd. from So Many Hunters, that he has no doubts of its existence, and added what he had heard respecting it in other parts of the ridge beyonnd the heads of the Washataw, & Arkisaw, Rivers— I have also been informed of Two young men Surveyors now in West Florida who have Travelled on the west side of the Misisipi, One of the Name of Fenton, the other named Lewes—The late Judge Lewes Told me he had Talked with Fenton—and was informed by him that he Crossed the Misouiri and Travelled on Westward and saw no Indians after passing the Misouiri—He went on till he Crossed the Mountain before mentioned, and saw in the Wilderness the ruins of a very large Castle or Fortification, The foundation of which was brick, That it was Overgrown with wood and large Trees, and that he discovered the foundation by opening the ground &c. Mr. Wm. Dunbar also Told me he had Seen and Talked with Fenton, Who informed him that he Set off from the South End of Lake Michigan and endeavoured to keep a west course, and Crossed the Misisipi in that line, and then the Misouiri about a hundred miles above its mouth—That he Crossed a ridge of Mountain which was not very high, and afterwards a Small River, running N.W. and after That a large River runing Southward or S.W.—That he saw no Indian Huts after passing the Misouiri, and very few Indians—Said he saw plenty of a kind of bird, in the west part of his Travels, like Dunghill Poul­ try, but something different and a little like the English Pheasant— but did not mention the Castle or Fortification afsd.—  430 

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 Mr. Mahon & Mr. Conner, Gentlemen of the Barr, told me that they had Seen and Conversed with Lewes, who seems to have gone West, on a line North of the Tract of Fenton—and had been in­ formed by him, that he Crossed a Great Prarie where there were no Indians, but great Plenty of wild Horses, Buffello &c. &c. and that he saw no Indians afterwards—That he Travelled on Westward till his Companions would go no further, and Encamped, While he went on Ten days longer alone—That on the nineth day after leaving them he Crossed a Great River, running Southerly, and lodged on the west Side of it; In the night, he heard numerous Cocks Crowing, & thought he was near Some Settlement; but next day found the woods full of wild Poultry, all of the black kind or Specie—The next day he pursued his course and ascended to the Top of a Ridge of Mountain Where he lodged; but in the night heard great noises of Indians On the west Side, of a hostile nature—and thinking it danger­ ous to go further, returned to his Companions, and thence home—He was gone three years & Fenton Only 14 months—Thinking it would not be disagreable to you to hear this much, I have related these sto­ ries as they came To me, but am Sorry I had not an Opertunity of seeing the Young men myself, as I should have had an Opertunity Of Obtaining more particular information from them. I will now Take the Liberty of Mentioning What probably may be more Interesting to the Philosopher, the Historian, and the Anti­ quarian—It appears Evident to me that all the Western Country which is Watered by the Misisipi and its branches, has been Settled by a nation or People prior to the Present Indians—Their Tombs or Mounds, and Fortifications are Scattered over all the Country, and are so Antient that Even all the bones of the persons Intered in the Mounds, are dissolved and gone, in Most of them; but not in all; and large Trees of Two hundred years old, grow on most of them and also on the Fortifications; as I discovered by Counting the growths of Such as were Cut down—There is a peculiar kind of Earthen ware too, found about them, and in other places; and other things that distinguish a people that had arrived to some Considerable degree of Civilization. But the most important Evidence of the Antiquity of those People, that I saw, was at the Saline Spring in the Wilderness on the N.W. Shore of the Ohio—This Spring rises in a Small, grav­ elly bason at the foot of a ridge of Mountains, on the West Side of the Saline Creek, about 20 miles from its Mouth, & Ten or twelve Miles from the Ledge of Rock on the Ohio, called the Shawne­Towns—The lower side of the bason is formed by a hill, or Mound, about 20 or 30 feet high—On this hill the present Salt works are placed—In diging  431 

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the furnace for the Salt Works, after giting three feet below the Sur­ face they came to a Stratum of Old broken Earthenware Salt Kettles, and found this Stratum Seven feet thick before they got below it— Which Shews That the Spring had been Wrought a long time, for the purpose of Making Salt; and that it has been a long time since the Making Salt there, had Ceased—The Composition of the Vessels appears to be a mixture of pounded Shells and Earth or pulverised Stones, and no doubt was Calculated in a peculiar Manner to bare the fire: perhaps better than any known at the present day, and might probably be useful now if known for Crusibles &c. &c—and if so the knowledge I presume may be Easily regained—In digging a well to find another Spring near the same place, after gitting 14 feet below the Surface, they dug up the Complete Skelleton of a Large Man, with a pipe made of the Same Composition of the Salt vessels, lying by his Gaw bone. Many other human bones were found on a hill a little way below the Salt Spring, in digging to find other Springs. The Fortifications mentioned are all Circular, and all That I saw had an Open Space or Gateway Toward the East; They were about Ten to fifteen feet high; Some of them Inclose Ten, some five hun­ dred, acres—and all appear Very antient, and not of the Structure of any European Fortification—The Mounds Too, wherever there is a group of them, are placed Circularly—There were Twelve at White apple Villiage Col. Hutchins place That form a Complete Circle, placed nearly at Equal distances from each other—There is also five on a hill 5 miles from this place, placed in the Same Manner—and there is five large ones at the falls of Ohio placed in the Same Manner, all but One Very large One, Which Stands in same Measure alone— This is a hundred yards long Sixty wide and 30 to 40 feet high— These are certainly the work of a People or Nation now Extinct, Who have probably been distroyed by some General calamity or perhaps by the Indians—Yet the Indians say they know not how those Mounds & Fortifications came to be in the Country—Indeed the many large animal bones found in Various parts of the Country, and which are now Extinct, Testify That some General Calamity has overwhelmed it, a long time ago; perhaps at the same time that the Northern parts of Asia experienced a like Calamity, When Siberia was rendered a Wilder­ ness, after having flourished under the civilized hand of Cultivation—I will now beg leave to say a few words respecting those large bones— There was Two kinds of animals which by their bones seem to have been Equally large. One of them appears to me, to have been of the Elephant Kind; The other of the Hog Kind, of Quadrupedes—The Teeth of the former appear calculated for the Maseration of Vegetable  432 

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food, and Indeed look very Much like a Fossil production; but the One I got at the big bone lick, and Which weighed about Ten pounds, the man who gave it, assured me he took it out of the Gaw bone himself—I have seen one of the same kind since, which weighs six­ teen pounds; They are Competent to Maserate the Cane or reed, of this Country, as Easily as those of a Horse, Wheat Straw—The Teeth of the Other Kind are formed more like those of a Hog, than any other animal I know, but all that are on One side of the Gaw, are united, and grow together, forming in fact but one Tooth, deeply Indented from one End of the Gaw bone to the other, with several distinct bunches of roots, running into the Gaw, from Each End, and the Middle; The Whole of one of these Teeth would no doubt Weigh 20 or 25 pounds—a Tusk of One of these animals found at the high­ land Creek salt lick, Two years ago weighed 172 ℔. was simi Circu­ lar, like a Boars Tusk, and Measured fifteen feet round the outside of the bend—and Ten feet a Cross from point to point—and Measured 23 Inches round in the thickest part, which was Towards the root— had also a large hollow in it at that End, like a Boars Tusk—I remem­ ber there was a Hog Killed in Philada. in the year 1773 that weighed 1200, ℔. and I think I Saw an Acct. of one killed since in Baltimore, that was larger—Which shews that there is a kind of Hogs in Eu­ rope, that grow large, and perhaps some are Much larger, than those I have Mentioned, Yet even the largest Hog of Europe must have been a Mere Pig, compaired with the large american hog; if the bones or Teeth last mentioned, belonged to an animal of that kind. You have no doubt received so much information on these subjects that it is probable nothing here communicated, will add much to your knowledge, but it may nevertheless coroborate what others have written to you before—I have the honor to Subscribe Myself with very great respect and regard Your Most Obedient Thomas Rodney P.S. In looking over the appropriations of Last Session I observe that there is an allowance of three thousand Dollars for Exploring Louisiana, but this appropriation appears to me very inadequate to the purpose—Altho Louisiana is out of the Province of our business here yet feeling an Interest in it as Citizens of the U. States Our Cu­ riosity induces an Attention to every thing that is said Tending to make us better acquainted with that hitherto pretty much unknown part of the lately acquired Territory of the U. States—I have men­ tioned in the preceeding Letter that the Red­river had been ascended by a Hunter upwards of Seven hundred miles, another informed Me  433 

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that he had ascended the Washataw Nine hundred miles, tho this is only a branch of the Red­river; it Tends more Northerly—he says that while on that expedition in his hunting Excursions through large Praries he has seen a hundred thousand Buffellos in a Gang &c—Another informed me that he had been thirteen hundred Miles up the White­River which is but a branch of the Arkinsaw—That in ascending it he saw a great deal of good and some very Ordinary Land, and very few Indians any Where near it; That they Extended hunting excursions on both Sides of the River and returned loaded with Furs Especially Beaver—That the Buffello and Deer were also plenty but they met with no Salt—Another informed me he had as­ cended a great way up the St. Francis River but could not Ascertain the distance being but a boy When he went. That there was a Salt Mountain Talked of beyond them, but does not recollect that he saw it—saw several Lakes and large Praries &c These Rivers probably all descend from an head near the Ridge of Mountains before Mentioned; and tho’ the distances mentioned may not be correct yet they Tend to shew that the Lower branches of the Misisipi westward extend fur­ ther than I apprehended. altho you probably have better sources of information (that Such as I have here Communicated are but Trifling) I thought it would be no disadvantage to Mention them. T.R.  I will not take the Liberty of interfering with any Presidential ap­ pointments, but will Just Mention that I am Authorized to say, that Mr. Wm Dunbar of this Territory if appointed would accept any Sci­ entific place of the Mathematcl. or Astronomical kind—and that he is generally considered here as Competent to any thing of that sort. Yet being an Independent Planter, he does not solicit any appointment. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 12 June and so recorded in SJL. As part of a supplement to the act reg­ ulating land grants south of Tennessee passed on 27 Mch., Congress extended the time of bringing in claims for land in the Mississippi Territory west of the Pearl River from 31 Mch. to 30 Nov. 1804 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:230, 303). oas­arkes indians: the Quapaws (Sturtevant, Handbook, 13, pt. 1:ix, 512). fenton: probably Thomas Fenton, who had surveyed and mapped former Indian lands in the Mississippi Territory (Vol. 38:174n).

late judge lewes: Seth Lewis, the former chief justice of the Mississippi Territory (Vol. 40:448, 450n). Samuel C. mahon and William con­ ner were lawyers in the Mississippi Ter­ ritory (Terr. Papers, 5:180, 255). saline spring: the Wabash saline, also called the Illinois saline, along the Saline River in southern Illinois, near Shawneetown. The United States ac­ quired rights to the site in 1803 and leased it for salt production. Rodney vis­ ited the saltworks in late October 1803 during his journey down the Ohio River (John A. Jakle, “Salt on the Ohio Fron­ tier,” Annals of the Association of Ameri­ can Geographers, 59 [1969], 706­7; pmhb,

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1 4 M AY 1 8 0 4 43 [1919], 135­7; Vol. 38:572­3; Vol. 40:591, 593­4; Vol. 41:642­3). Located some 12 miles from Natchez, white apple was a former Natchez In­ dian settlement and the current residence of Anthony hutchins, a former British

officer and pioneering settler in the re­ gion (James F. Barnett, Jr., Mississippi’s American Indians [Jackson, Miss., 2012], 152; Dunbar Rowland, Encyclopedia of Mississippi History, 2 vols. [Madison, Wis., 1907], 1:911­14; Vol. 29:535­6).

From William West Sir, VIRGINIA, RICHMOND, May 14, 1804. AGREEABLE to instructions received from the President and Directors of the Mutual Assurance Society against Fire on Buildings of the State of Virginia, I have to inform you that in consequence of recent and heavy losses, by Fire having taken place in the Borough of Norfolk and in several counties in this State, it becomes necessary to call upon the respective members of the Society for a repartition of payment—your quota from the statement made by the principal Agent examined and approved of by the Board amounts to Eighty nine Dollars and Eighty Cents, which you are required to pay me on or before the first day of August next, under the call of the President, as published in the various news­papers. You will on reflection see the necessity of a punctual attention to this requisition, as in the event of failure, I shall under the instruc­ tions of the Board be obliged to direct motions to be made against all the delinquents. It is necessary however to add, that with all those who neglect to pay their quota’s punctually, under the act of incorpo­ ration, their Insurance ceases until they make such payment; and their property is nevertheless bound for the amount which may be recovered by motion, on ten days previous notice, under an act of the General Assembly. Should you have sold the buildings which you have declared for, please to apprize the actual owner of the aforesaid quota that he may pay the same or else a motion will be made against you. With due consideration, I am Sir, your Humble Servant, W West Cashier General of the M.A.S. RC (MHi); printed broadside, with blanks filled by West rendered in italics; signed and addressed by West: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire Albemarle”; franked; endorsed by TJ as “Fire insurance” re­ ceived 28 July and so recorded in SJL.

William West (d. 1816) was a Rich­ mond­based apothecary who served as cashier for the Mutual Assurance Society from at least 1802 until his resignation in October 1804 (Richmond Virginia Argus, 21 July 1802, 3 Oct. 1804, 1 May 1816).

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1 4 M AY 1 8 0 4  repartition of payment: on 11 Aug., TJ remitted $89.80 to the Mutual Assurance Society (mb, 2:1134). On the broadside, below West’s letter, appeared a new opinion adopted at the meeting of the society’s board of direc­ tors on 8 May. Insurance declarations failing to reveal that the property in ques­ tion was held for life or years, as opposed to in fee simple, were henceforth null and void. Tenants for life or years who had so declared when purchasing their policies could expect coverage only if “the remain­ dermen or reversioner in such interest or

estate, shall also have joined with such tenant for life or years in such declara­ tion.” Individuals with declarations ruled null under this opinion were, upon appli­ cation, to be reimbursed for premiums or quotas previously paid to the society. William F. Ast, the principal agent, added that individuals “who do not own the buildings and land on which they stand in fee simple must make known to the office their titles, specifying in what man­ ner they hold the buildings and land. All letters must be post paid.”

From Jean Louis Fernagus de Gelone Monsieur le Président 15. Mai 1804. Philadelphia Vous êtes le prémier­Magistrat du pays où règne la Liberté. Pourquoi donc un Jeune français, déplorable Victime de la tyrannie du prémier­ Consul Bonaparte, hasarderait­il de se mettre sous la protection des lois des États­Unis? ah! c’est parceque, quoiqu’il soit réfugié à Phila­ delphie, il craint de n’être pas assez à l’abri des coups que pourraient lui lancer sourdement Certains­hommes qui, s’ils ne peuvent éxercer dans ce pays ci, un pouvoir qui serait obéi en France, ont du moins toujours beaucoup d’ascendant sur les Âmes qui Se vendent. J’étais éxilé dans la Guyanne Française, depuis deux ans et demi, lorsque le Ciel a permis que J’échappâsse aux Griffes du Tigre Victor Hugues, Gouverneur de cette Colonie. Le crime que le Ministre de la Police­Générale à Paris, m’a fait en­ tendre que le premier Consul m’imputait (Je n’ai été frappé d’aucun Jugement.) n’est peut­être pas assez énorme pour que J’espère d’intéresser, par là, les vrais Amis de l’humanité. en effet, la source de trois années d’angoisses, de privations, d’humiliations et de travaux toujours très pénibles pour moi, par deux raisons, la prémière, que mon Adolescence s’était passée exclusivement à des voiages et à l’étude des Belles­Lettres, & la seconde, que J’exécutais ces travaux grossiers dans un des climats les plus brûlans de la Zône­torride, et sous les yeux d’un Capitaine­Nègre; la source, dis­je, de tant de misères, ne venait que de la lecture que J’avais faite de quelques satires (bien méchantes, il est vrai) peu satisfaisantes pour la gloire de Bonaparte et l’amour­propre de sa femme, dans un cercle assez brillant à Paris. Ces détails sont, peut être, superflus. Pardonnez les moi, Monsieur Le Président, et croyez que, si Je vous en ai étourdi, c’est parceque  436 

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J’étais persuadé d’avance que mes plaintes trouveraient accès dans votre cœur. Je me suis donc plu a essayer d’exciter ce Cœur Compatis­ sant à une sensation qui doit m’être avantageuse de plus d’une manière. J’ai l’honneur d’être avec la plus haute considération et le plus pro­ fond respect, Monsieur le Président, Votre très humble & trés obéis­ sant Serviteur. J. L. Fernagus Que Je me tiendrais honoré et heureux, Monsieur Le Président, de recevoir une reponse de Vous! e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, 15 May 1804. Philadelphia You are the chief magistrate of the country where liberty reigns. Why then would a young Frenchman, a terrible victim of First Consul Bonaparte’s tyr­ anny, venture to place himself under the protection of the laws of the United States? Ah! It is because, even though he has found refuge in Philadelphia, he fears he is not sufficiently protected from the attacks that could be secretly launched on him by certain men who, if they cannot exercise in this country a power that would be obeyed in France, always have influence over those who can be bribed. After two and a half years of exile in French Guiana, fate allowed me to escape from the clutches of the tiger Victor Hugues, the governor of that colony. The crime of which the first consul is said, by the minister of police in Paris, to have accused me (I was never indicted) may not be serious enough to in­ terest the true friends of humanity. Three years of anguish, privation, humili­ ation, and hard labor were painful for two reasons. First, because I had spent my adolescence almost entirely in travel and literary study. And second, be­ cause I was sentenced to forced labor in one of the hottest climates of the torrid zone, under the eyes of a black taskmaster. The source of so much misery was merely my reading, within a quite brilliant Parisian circle, some (admittedly wicked) satires that were unflattering to Bonaparte’s glory and his wife’s pride. These details may be superfluous. Forgive me, Mr. President, and believe that if I have deluged you it is because I knew in advance that my lament would find access to your heart. It gave me pleasure to try to stir your com­ passionate heart to help me in various ways. Mr. President, with the highest esteem and deepest respect, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. J. L. Fernagus I would be so honored and happy to receive a reply from you! RC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Mon­ sieur T. Jefferson, Présidt. des États­ Unis”; below dateline: “Corner of Brwz alley & North fourth Street, Sign of red Lion, 71”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 19 May.

Jean Louis Fernagus de Gelone (b. ca. 1782) was imprisoned by French police in early 1802 for reading and distributing pamphlets critical of Napoleon Bonaparte. Subsequently exiled to French Guiana, he escaped his imprisonment in 1804 and

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1 5 M AY 1 8 0 4 made his way to Philadelphia. While in the United States, Fernagus opened a store that specialized in foreign books, and in 1812, he translated into French and published Alexander von Humboldt’s po­ litical essay on Latin America. In January 1815, Fernagus petitioned James Monroe for permission to visit British ships blockading the coast so that he could seek safe passage to France. After the War of 1812, Fernagus opened a new store in New York City and authored a guide for immigrants to the United States. Al­ though no record exists of a reply by TJ to Fernagus’s 1804 letter, TJ purchased books from him between 1817 and 1820. Following the Panic of 1819, the book­ store went out of business, and Fernagus relocated to Port­au­Prince, where he offered his services as a tutor in the arts and applied sciences (Jean Louis Ferna­

gus de Gelone, Relation de la déportation et de l’exil a Cayenne d’un jeune français, sous le consulat de Buonaparte, en 1802 [Paris, 1816], 5, and Manuel­guide des voyageurs aux États­Unis de l’Amérique du Nord [Paris, 1818]; Alexander von Humboldt, Notes statistiques, physiques et politiques sur l’Amérique Espagnole [Philadelphia, 1812]; Preston, Catalogue, 2:526; Baltimore American and Commer­ cial Daily Advertiser, 5 Aug. 1811; New York Columbian, 7 Dec. 1816; Port­au­ Prince Le Télégraphe, 26 May 1822; rs, 11:127­8, 152; mb, 2:1331, 1335, 1337, 1350, 1360; Fernagus to TJ, 19 May 1821, 10 Jan. 1822, RCs in MHi). ministre de la police­générale: Joseph Fouché (Peter de Polnay, Napo­ leon’s Police [London, 1970], 48; Vol. 35:193, 194n; Vol. 38:215n).

To Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Washington May 15. 1804. I arrived here the night before last. mr Gallatin being absent I en­ quired of mr Madison as to the commission of Collector, & found it had been forwarded to you at Warren by mr Gallatin. I found it too late also to enjoin secrecy, as, mr Gallatin not having intimated that, it had not been attended to. I am afraid I omitted to recommend this myself, altho’ it’s expediency was so obvious that it ought not to have escaped me. I hope however that your acceptance will render this omis­ sion unimportant. great efforts have been made to obtain this appoint­ ment for mr Newton junr. Bedinger has been opposed to this, tho absolutely refusing to be thought of himself for it. I mention this that you may understand what you may see and hear when on the spot. I am so lately here, and immersed in papers that I am able to give you no news. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU: Edgehill­Randolph Papers); addressed: “Wilson C. Nicholas esq.” and “to be delivered to him at Richmond,” with the delivery instruction canceled and “to be sent to Norfolk. by mail” substi­ tuted in an unidentified hand; stamped; postmarked at Richmond. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

forwarded to you: see Gallatin to TJ, 11 May (first letter). great efforts have been made: on 5 May, Thomas Newton, Sr., noted that he was induced to write to the secretary of state “from the many solicitations & general wish that my Son” should succeed William Davies. He assured Madison that

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1 5 M AY 1 8 0 4 “it is the general wish of the people here that he may be appointed” (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:160). According to SJL, Newton also wrote to TJ directly

on 6 Mch. and 5 May to recommend his son as collector at Norfolk. TJ received the letters on 13 Mch. and 14 May, re­ spectively, but neither has been found.

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington May 15. I arrived here the night before last, and yesterday recieved from the post office your favor of Apr. 29. with others which had been accumu­ lating there for me. I hasten to answer it in order that the polygraph desk you have in hand for me may have the benefit of the improve­ ments you mention. to wit the screw to move the stay pen. the improvement in the pen­bar. Hawkins’s improvement by a stay to govern the horizontal machin­ ery and the consequent improvement of the supporting springs attached to an extra piece. the bar instead of the brass frame, & the heavy ruler, the brass frame being a great obstacle to using the desk for ordinary writing. and the brass pins instead of two colours of cloth. my suggestion as to the manner of making the solid bed was meant to be submitted entirely to yourself & your cabinet maker, and so also was the size, as I had made my drawing from memory only, not having one of your polygraphs before me. I shall be glad to recieve the desk as soon as possible, the one I now use being considerably faulty. I am entirely against the folding into the form of a writing box, because it increases the size, and the hinges are an eye­sore & in the way. as soon as I get one quite to my mind I shall probably desire one or two more, and perhaps recommend them to the offices. mr Barnes tells me you have not yet informed him of the price to be remitted. he will forward it the moment you will be so kind as to name it either to him or myself. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (TxU); at foot of text: “Mr. Peale.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

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To James Taylor, Jr. Dear Sir Washington May 15. 1804. On the 25th. of March I had the pleasure of acknoleging the re­ ceipt of the pipe of Madeira forwarded to me, as also the box of Champagne, and mentioning that the latter was found good, I asked the favor of you to send me eight cases of it, say 480. bottles, request­ ing at the same time as early information as convenient whether I could get that quantity. not having heard from you, and the season for ordering it from France if I cannot get it in the country being now arrived, I beg the favor of a line from you informing me whether the supply desired can be had, and if it can that it may be forwarded here without delay. Accept my salutations and assurances of esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr James Taylor”; endorsed by TJ.

Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments May. 15. 04 State Judge Davies’s enquiries mr Merry’s case Pichon’s memorial he hazards general assertions neither proved nor true the law of nations does not make1 a nation responsible for acts of individuals out of it’s limits. yet friendly nations do watch to a certain degree. does France watch the atrocities of it’s privateers men with & without commissions it to be assurd. on our part of superintendence but also a strong recrimination & requisition reestablish the rules of 1793 question as to right of trading with an independt. nation impressmt of a Frenchman. is Savage still an Agent in Jamaica R.R.L’s successor      War. Gratiot, Choteau’s sons to military academy. Lorimier’s  440 

1 5 M AY 1 8 0 4

  Cherokee permission for Kentucky road. Forbes’s statement of Indian debts. Creeks Cherokees Chickasaws Choctaws

113,512. 2,358. 11,178. 46,091. 173,141.

Spanish refusal to let our goods pass. is Dr. Hunter gone? R. Bland Lee’s proposn to sell lands @ 20. D. Poutawattamees applicn for liquor one moon in the year Jouett’s state of Indians in his departmt. Chippewas Wyandots Shawanees Ottawas Poutawatamis Munseys Senecas the garrison at St. Louis is on land private property MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 140:24332); entirely in TJ’s hand; on same sheet as Topics for Consultation with the Secre­ tary of War, 16 May, and Notes on Dis­ patches from William C. C. Claiborne, 4 July 1804. davies’s enquiries: in a letter to Madison dated 15 Apr., Thomas T. Davis asked for clarification of his duties re­ garding the jurisdiction of the governor and judges of the Indiana Territory over the Louisiana District. Specifically, Davis wished to know if the Indiana judges would receive new commissions or should act under their old ones, and whether they could expect an official act of the presi­ dent. Davis did not wish to commence his new duties before receiving some instruc­ tions from the executive. “General Satis­ faction prevails” among the inhabitants of upper Louisiana regarding their annexa­ tion to the Indiana Territory, he noted. Davis added that the judges believed an increase in salary should have accompa­ nied the increase in their responsibilities (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:66). merry’s case: writing to Madison on 4 and 11 May, Anthony Merry com­

892 606 625 1606 80 309 78 4,196

plained of the seizure on 2 May of a black servant in his household, Henry Scott, by Henry Suttle, the agent of Scott’s mas­ ter.  Suttle took Scott from Merry’s gar­ den without application to Merry or his permission, which the British minister deemed a violation of the diplomatic im­ munities and privileges of his position. Suttle claimed that Scott had hired him­ self to Merry’s household without the permission of his owner. A “Kind of Apology” by Suttle failed to assuage Merry, and Scott remained confined in jail. Replying to Merry on 19 May, Madi­ son stated that his letters had been laid before the president, who wished to as­ sure Merry that the United States re­ spected the immunities granted to public ministers and sought to maintain them “in all their legal Extent.” To prosecute Suttle for violating his household, Merry needed to provide proof of the fact from proper sources, and Madison noted that persons of color were not allowed to act as witnesses against free whites. Because Scott was a slave, he could not return to Merry’s service upon his release from jail without the legal consent of his owner. To do otherwise was a violation of the law,

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1 5 M AY 1 8 0 4 for which both the owner of the slave and the person hiring him were liable. How far Scott’s case violated diplomatic immunity “is a Question not without Difficulty and Delicacy,” but Madison assured Merry that it would receive all the attention “which the Establishment of Facts may require” (same, 7:150­2, 205­7, 231­2). pichon’s memorial: Louis André Pichon wrote to Madison on 7 May re­ garding reports that American vessels trading with Saint­Domingue were arm­ ing themselves in U.S. ports, contrary to the law of nations, in order to thwart the efforts of French cruisers to stop them. These vessels were also carrying contra­ band cargoes to the rebels on the island. In particular, Pichon cited reports that the brig Betsey and the ship Connecticut were being armed in Philadelphia at that very moment. Pichon asserted that Ameri­ can citizens, with the knowledge of their government, were carrying on a private and piratical war (“une guerre privée et piratesque”) with a nation at peace with the United States. He protested those overt infringements on the rights of the French government, which had so re­ cently abandoned its national interests in order to strengthen its friendly relations with the United States. The present con­ tact between the United States and Saint­ Domingue was not the same as in the time of Toussaint­Louverture, who acted under French authority and at a time when the island was under French con­ trol. The current rebel leaders had avowed their independence from France, Pichon asserted, and sought to destroy all that remained French on the island. Americans could not be unaware of this situation, and the law of nations clearly demanded that foreign nations at peace with France should not interfere with its prerogatives or tolerate actions that supported the reb­ els on Saint­Domingue in a private war against French forces combating the re­ bellion (same, 7:185­9). atrocities of it’s privateers: since the French evacuation of Haiti in late 1803, French privateers from Santo Do­ mingo, Guadeloupe, and Cuba had been attempting to block U.S. trade with Hai­ tian ports. While some carried official letters of marque, other French­flagged

vessels, especially from Cuba, operated under questionable authority and with the collusion of Spanish officials, particularly at the port of Santiago. Acting under the pretense of preventing trade with the Hai­ tian rebels, French privateers frequently preyed on American merchant vessels in the West Indies regardless of their cargo or stated destination, carrying their prizes into friendly ports or simply plundering them at sea. Writing Robert R. Living­ ston on 31 Mch., Madison complained that these “highly irritating” depreda­ tions were “laying the foundation for ex­ tensive claims and complaints” against France. Attempting to placate American anger, Pichon informed Madison on 15 May that he disavowed the actions of these privateers as contrary to French in­ tentions as well as the laws governing pri­ vateering. Pichon also pressed the gover­ nor of Cuba to take measures to end such activities in his jurisdiction (Gordon S. Brown, Toussaint’s Clause: The Founding Fathers and the Haitian Revolution [Jack­ son, Miss., 2005], 230­1, 240­4; Madi­ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:643­4; 7:90­1, 120­1, 144­6, 218­20; Vol. 42:609, 610n; Jacob Crowninshield to TJ, 14 July 1804). sons to military academy: Meri­ wether Lewis and Amos Stoddard wrote to Dearborn from St. Louis on 28 Mch. and 2 Apr., respectively, recommending sons of Charles Gratiot, Pierre Chouteau, and Louis Lorimier for appointments to the U.S. military academy at West Point (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; William Henry Harrison to TJ, 28 May). cherokee permission: a 14 Apr. letter to Dearborn from the agent to the Cherokees, Return Jonathan Meigs, en­ closed a message from “a Cherokee Chief” and “a grant for opening a Road from Kentucky to S. West Point” (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). British merchant John Forbes wrote to Dearborn from Georgetown, D.C., on 3 May regarding indian debts owed to Panton, Leslie & Co. and enclosed an ab­ stract of the amounts due (same). For the firm’s efforts to enlist the help of the fed­ eral government in obtaining payment of these debts, see Vol. 39:280n, 380, 381n, 529, 530n; Vol. 40:422; Vol. 42:127­31.

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1 6 M AY 1 8 0 4  Richard Bland Lee wrote to the War Department on 12 May offering to sell a tract of land near the public works at Harpers Ferry, Virginia (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). Replying on 17 May, Dearborn declined the offer, stating that a source of wood for fuel was not needed and that the public already owned more land in the vicinity than it could use (DNA: RG 107, MLS). jouett’s state of indians: writing to Dearborn on 20 Mch., Charles Jouett

enclosed a table “shewing the different Nations of Indians, their Numbers &c, in the neighborhood of Detroit” (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). In another letter dated 2 Apr., Amos Stoddard informed Dearborn that the garrison at st. louis “stands on land Private property” (same). 1 Word

interlined in place of “oblige.”

To John Beckley Washington May 16. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to mr Beckley and incloses him a catalogue just recieved from mr Erving of some books shipped by him lately for the Congressional library, cost £68.2. ster­ ling. mr Irving adds that there remains in his hand an unexpended balance of £63.1.1 sterl. Th:J. has recieved no account yet from mr Livingston of the balance remaining in his hands. perhaps it may be to be settled with mr Duane. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: Invoice for Books Ordered for the Library of Congress, enclosed in George W. Erving to TJ, 8 Mch.

To Jones & Howell Gentlemen Washington May 16. 1804. Your favor of April 13. came to hand in due time, and I have heard of the arrival of the two tons of nailrod at Richmond which are therein announced. the remittance for the same shall be made at it’s due time. on a late visit to Monticello I found that the manager of my nailery had so increased it’s activity as to call for a larger supply of rod quar­ terly than had heretofore been necessary. I must therefore ask the favor of you to send by the first conveyance to the address of Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond two tons more of rod, assorted as usual from 6 d. to 20 d. my future demands will probably be from three to four tons per quarter. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Jones & Howell”; endorsed by TJ.

manager of my nailery: Gabriel Lilly.

 443 

Pardon of James Medcalfe Washington, D.C., 16 May 1804. TJ issues a “full free and entire pardon” of James Medcalfe of Pennsylvania, mariner, who was convicted by a U.S. Circuit Court in Pennsylvania of a misdemeanor violation of an act of Con­ gress entitled “An Act in addition to the act for the punishment of certain crimes against the United States.” Medcalfe had been sentenced to three months imprisonment and fined $100, and was to stand committed until the fine and costs were paid. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR). Medcalfe had been found guilty of vio­ lating the Neutrality Act of 1794 for ille­ gally outfitting the brig Friends for Brit­ ish service against Holland and France. In addition to Medcalfe’s imprisonment and fine, the court ordered the vessel sold at

public auction (Dwight F. Henderson, Congress, Courts, and Criminals: The Development of Federal Criminal Law, 1801­1829 [Westport, Conn., 1985], 55­6; U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:381­4; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 19 Jan. 1804; Mad­ ison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:338).

From Robert Smith Sir; May. 16. 1804. I take the liberty of sending to you the enclosed for Consideration— If you should be of the Opinion, as I am, that Capt Morris ought to be dismissed without the intervention of a Court Martial, you will be pleased to Correct the enclosed letter so as to please yourself— Respectfully Y H S Rt Smith RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 16 May and “Capt Morris’s case” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. Writing to Richard V. morris on 16 May, Smith informed him that the opin­ ion of the recent court of inquiry had “satisfied the President” that continuing Morris in command in the navy was no longer in the public interest. Therefore,

Smith continued, “I have it in charge from him to inform you, that he has revoked your Commission” (DNA: RG 45, LSO). Two days earlier, on 14 May, TJ ap­ proved the sentence of a court­martial in the case of Augustine Serry, a boatswain on the frigate Essex found guilty on 11 May of insolence and disobedience of or­ ders. The court revoked his warrant and barred him from ever holding an office of profit or trust in the navy (proceedings in DNA: RG 125, GCMCI).

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Topics for Consultation with the Secretary of War May 16. Deptmt War. Pichon’s complt of not returng salute to flag at N.O. Presents to Indns. at St. Louis. tobo. Whiskey. Capt. Lewis says 2000 D war between Kickapoos & oth. Indns. E. of Misipi, & Osages Homestubbe’s talk. Poutewatamies have killed the Indian murderers Capt Stoddart. barracks wanted at St. Louis a stone fort intended as only a bastion. gorge wants closing best to erect barracks in that. the side of the bastion 111. f. height of wall 15. f. thickness 3. to 2. f. 250. yds from river Upper Louisa. in 9. districts. from one extreme to another 260. miles the Commandts. have had salary of 100. D. a year. Spain had no treaties with Indians there. presents whiskey. tobo. he is collecting records to one place employ Interpreter of French & Span. @ 1.50 pr day the old confidential Secy. of the Lt. Govr. acts as Interpreter Indian interpreter also necessary @ 200. D. a year has rented house @ 25. D. pr. month. expresses monopoly of Indn. trade. will expire in 2. or 3. years. great sums due to monopolists from Indiana. iron at St. Louis 50 cents pr lb. nails 90. C. boards 6. D. pr. 100 f MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 140:24332); entirely in TJ’s hand; follows, on same sheet, Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 15 May. salute to flag: in an 18 Mch. dis­ patch to Louis André Pichon, Pierre Clé­ ment Laussat reported that American forts on the lower Mississippi River had failed to acknowledge salutes by the French brig Argo, even though the salute of a Spanish corvette had been returned. Pichon forwarded the complaint to Madi­ son on 27 Apr. (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:118). Writing to the com­ manding officer at New Orleans on 8 May, Dearborn instructed him to observe the “strictest impartiality” toward the offi­ cers, citizens, and public armed vessels of

all European nations at peace with the United States (DNA: RG 107, LSMA). capt. lewis says: letters from Meri­ wether Lewis dated 25, 26 Feb., and 24 Mch. are recorded in SJL as received 4 May but have not been found. indian murderers: on 15 May, the War Department received a letter dated 18 Apr. from William Henry Harrison reporting that two Potawatomi chiefs claimed to have brought in the scalp of Turkey Foot, “a leader of a Banditti on Illinois River” (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; Logan Esarey, ed., Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison, 2 vols. [In­ dianapolis, 1922, repr., New York, 1975], 1:506­7). For the 1802 murder of two white farmers by a band of Potawatomis led by Turkey Foot, see Vol. 38:314­15.

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1 6 M AY 1 8 0 4  Writing Dearborn on 17 Mch., Amos Stoddard (stoddart) provided a de­ scription of the fortifications at St. Louis. He estimated the need for up to $11,000 to complete the works and erect a bar­ racks, and provided information on the cost of building materials in the area. Re­ plying on 4 May, Dearborn authorized Stoddard to construct a temporary bar­

racks, to employ interpreters as needed at a reasonable cost, and to draw bills on the War Department for up to $3,000. Dear­ born would order bar iron, glass, and nails for the construction and send to­ bacco and whiskey to be used as presents for the Indians (Glimpses of the Past, 2 [1934­35], 94­5, 99­100).

From James J. Wilson Sir, Trenton, May 16th, 1804. Understanding that Benjamin Parke, Esqr. is an applicant for the appointment of Receiver of the Land­office about to be opened at Vincennes, I take the liberty to trouble you with a few lines in his behalf. This would be unnecessary were he as well known at Wash­ ington as he is here, and were it not that every Candidate for office is at this time particularly liable to have his character discolored and principles misrepresented.—Mr Parke was born and educated in the neighborhood of this place, where he is much esteemed for his ge­ nius, industry, and rectitude. His political principles are perfectly consistent with those measures which have encircled with everlasting glory the head of the present Administration, and so greatly contrib­ uted to the respectability of the Country and the happiness of its Citi­ zens. In a word, as far as I am capable of judging, Mr Parke is every way worthy of the appointment alluded to, and qualified to discharge its duties with honor to the Government, credit to himself, and use­ fulness to the public. Most respectfully, Sir, Yours, James J. Wilson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency The President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and “Parke Benjamin to be Reciever or Register” and so recorded in SJL. Probably enclosed in Benjamin Parke to TJ, 23 May. James Jefferson Wilson (1775­1824) trained as a printer in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and worked for a time for the Wilmington Mirror of the Times, & Gen­ eral Advertiser, a Republican semi­weekly sheet. In 1801, he was hired as printer of a new Republican weekly in Trenton, the True American. Soon elevated to publisher and editor, Wilson became a key figure in

the organization of the Republican party in Hunterdon County and statewide. In addition to his editorial tasks, Wilson held a number of offices, often simultane­ ously: county surrogate, clerk of the state assembly, member of the assembly, and adjutant general of the state militia. From 1815 to 1821, he represented New Jersey in the U.S. Senate, a term marred by his  apparent alcoholism. During the last years of his life, he served as postmaster at Trenton (Carl E. Prince, “James J. Wilson: Party Leader, 1801­1824,” Pro­ ceedings of the New Jersey Historical Soci­ ety, 83 [1965], 24­39; Biog. Dir. Cong.; Vol. 32:597; Vol. 40:324n).

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From Robert Banning Sir— Talbot County 17th. May 1804 It is with reluctance that I take the liberty of addressing you least I should give offence, and finding that I am not capable of expressing myself as I could wish causes a timidity which I cannot avoid espe­ cially to so Great a personage but when the reason is known I flatter myself to be pardon’d. Men I am afraid who I aught to reverence for their grey hairs has attempted to injure me in the opinion of my fellow citizens; but just set out in life my first object was to conduct my self with that propiety and prudence as to obtain their esteem rather than their displeasure; but when youth is attempted to be injured by men of experiance and advanc’d in life, how gloomy must the prospect appear before them. Not knowing for what reason I was remov’d from the office of col­ lector of the Port of Oxford induces me to beleive that some unjust information of my conduct has been represented to you—I Am at a loss to know in what part of it, but am confident they were far, far indeed mistaken—If in my official capacity I acted wrong I hope it may be imputed to my head and not my heart—It would give me much pleasure to appear personally before you in order to justify my­ self could I be admitted to that honor when I flatter myself you would do me the justice of replaceing me, being fully convinc’d of your laud­ able love of equity and justice induces me to be in hope’s that it will be done— I have the Honor to be Sir With the highest respect Your most Obedient and humble Servant Robt. Banning RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “His Excellency The President of the United States”; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 May and so recorded in SJL.

From Joseph Clay Sir Philadelphia 17th. May 1804 I took the liberty when I was at the City of Washington, of recom­ mending as a fit person for a commercial agency, Mr. John D. Lewis Son to the Marshall of the District of Delaware. Mr. Lewis will de­ liver you this letter. His present wish is to be appointed Commercial Agent at Martinique. The present situation of mercantile affairs seems to render an appointment of an agent at that Island necessary. Of Mr. Lewis I can assure you, that he he is an upright Republican and a man  447 

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of unblemished integrity. His acquaintance with Commerce is exten­ sive and practical; and a residence of more than two years in different parts of the West India Islands has peculiarly fitted him for the ap­ pointment which I now beg leave to solicit for him. Should it be thought necessary for any tistimony respecting Mr. Lewis’s qualifica­ tions as a merchant I have no doubt but recommendations would be chearfully given by all the respectable commercial Men in this City. I am, Sir With the sincerest respect Your humble Servant Joseph Clay RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and “Lewis John D. to be Com­ mercl. Agent Martinque” and so recorded in SJL. the marshall: Joel Lewis of New Castle County (Vol. 34:578). appointment of an agent: TJ had last commissioned a commercial agent at Martinique (Martinico) in 1802 (Madi­ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:499­500; Vol. 37:18n).

John D. Lewis had previously been recommended by his brother­in­law, Dr. John Vaughan of Wilmington, Delaware, to be consul at Havana. On 31 Oct. 1803, Vaughan sent his recommendation to George Logan, writing that Lewis, who was at that time in Trinidad on business, had been “bred to mercantile affairs.” He also noted Clay’s personal acquaintance with the candidate (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Lewis John D. to be Consul at Havanna 1803”).

From Edward Richards Sir James River City Point Virginia May 17th. 1804 I hope you will Pardon the freedom I take in troubling your excel­ lency about such an affair as I am about to relate to you, but the Losses I have sustained these 3 years Past prompts me to it. On the 20th. of Novr. I took Command of the Brig ReUnion of Charleston, owned by Harry Grant. who was one of our Consuls at Leith but was mostly at Paris. I arrived at Morlaix in France, Consigned to John Cooper then resident there but now at Hampton Virginia. I was De­ tained there some time by orders from Paris of the Governament until such time as I found an Oppurtunity of writing up unto Major Mountflorence who was then as I understood charged with the affairs of the American Goverment, his letter I inclose to your excellency with Some more of the Letters that I recd. from others afterwards The Letters that Passed from Cooper Mitchell & Grant I got Printed. the Originals I have by me, I was afterwards ordered to give the Brig to my Mate which I did and ordered by them to take charge of a ship they had lying at Brest called the Danae all which I did according to  448 

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their orders, I was afterwards stopt. from sailing from thence untill the Peace of 1801.— when I was chartered by the Republique in the Expedition for St Domingo. this same Cooper forced himself on board of me at Brest with all his family. after my Arrival at Cape Francois (This Cooper is a french Citizen) Cooper took the Ship from me  force aided by General Le clerc and counter Admiral Magon after Admiral Vilaret left the Cape. I according to my orders Protested at Charleston So. Carolina against the government of St Domingo and went on to Paris and delivered my Protests up to Mr. Mitchell at Havre de grace. (Mr. Mitchell is Consul at Havre de grace now) I applied to Mr. Grant for a settlement but he would not give me any because I did not bring the Ship to france. I had about 300 Dollars laying in an American House in London. I was oblidged to come from france and take it up to Sup­ port me and after I came to England I could not obtain a passage to france. I applied to Mr. Rufus King before he left London but he wd. not answer me. he Knows this business perfectly well after Mr. Mun­ roe arrived at London I applied to him he Relieved me, and advised me to come home and make my Situation known, as he understood Cooper had made his escape here. I am a poor man and was trying for an honest livelihood for my family when this unfortunate business took place. I belong to the State of Massachusetts and have not seen my family these Five years, and am intirely distressed for want of a true light of this business the concern owe me about nine thousand Dollars I hope your Excellency will not suffer such an Outrageious crime as this to go unpunished especially as it lies partly in the State of Vir­ ginia, as this Cooper was the whole Perpatrator of it and now has made his escape to Virginia to spend the property of Industrious People here in Luxary and Idleness I should have called or rather gone on to you but I had not the means of travelling so far, as I could make the business appear more clear to you. I wish your excellency would write me to come on to the Federal City I could give you a good Account of Transactions that have been carried on for the last 4 years in Europe. this same Ship is detained in Charleston, as she arrived there shortly after I protested there. If your Excellency would be good enough to order something to be done in this business it will be considered as the greatest Bless­ ing that could be given to your Fellow Citizen I am your Excellencies most Obedient Humble Servant Edward Richards  449 

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P.S. I am on Board the Ship Rebecca Michl. Corran Commander at City Point James River. RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Presi­ dent of United States Washington City”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL; endorsed by a State Department clerk. Enclosures not found.

order something to be done: on 23 May, Madison replied to Richards that TJ had received his letter. Madison re­ turned Richards’s enclosures, informing him that the executive branch could not help and that the claim would be better pursued through the court system (Mad­ ison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:245).

From William Clark and Meriwether Lewis Sir, Saint Louis, May 18th. 1804 The following is a list of Articles forwarded you by Mr. Peter Chouteau. Minerals. No. 1. A specimen of Silver Oar from Mexico No. 2. ditto of lead, supposed to contain a considerable quantity of Silver, from Mexico. No. 3. An elegant specimen of Rock Chrystal, also from Mexico— Nos. 4. & 5. Specimens of led Oar from the Bed of the Osage River. Nos. 6, 7—8—9—10—11—12 14— & 15.—Specimens of led Oar from the mine of Berton, Situate on the Marimec River, now more exten­ sively wrought than any other led mine in2 Louisiana. Miscellanious Articles.3

⎫

These were presented me by Mr. Peter Chouteau, who received them from the Osage Indians— They having collected them in some of Their War excursions into that Country1           

⎪

⎬ ⎪

⎭ ⎫ ⎪

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⎭ ⎫

⎬ ⎭

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presented by Mr. Boilevin and Mr. Peter Chouteau. ⎪

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⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎭

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No 13.—Taken from the Stomach of a Buffaloe, which I suppose has been formed by the Animal’s lick­ ing itself and thus collecting and swallowing the hair of its old coat, which from the motion, warmth and moisture of the Stomach has been4 reduced to the shape and consistance of the sample— Miscellanious Articles 5— A horned Lizzard, a native of the Osage Plains, on the Waters of the Arkansas River, from five to six hundred miles West of Saint Louis, in a small Trunk— A Specimen of Salt formed by con­ cretion, procured at the great Sa­ line of the Osage Nation, situate on a Southern branch of the Arkansas River, about six hundred miles West of St. Louis.— Maps &c. A chart of the Mississippi, from the mouth of the Missouri, to New Orleans compiled from the obser­ vations of Mr. August Chouteau,6 mad7 with a marinors Compass, dis­ tance being computed by his own estimate and that of many other French traders, accustomed to as­ cend and descend this River, the same being drawn by Mr. Soulard, late Surveyor General of Upper Louisiana.— Continued }

⎫ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

presented Sograine.

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by

Doctr.

Anthony

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⎪⎪⎫ ⎪

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presented by Mr. Charles Gratiott ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎭

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presented by Chouteau—

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Mr.

August

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Presented by Chouteau—

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Mr.

August

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A Map of a Part of Upper­Louisiana, compiled from the best information that Capt. Clark and myself could collect, from the Inhabitants of Saint Louis, hastily corrected by the information obtained from the8 Osage Indi­ ans lately arrived at this place. The Country claimed by the Osage Nation is designated on this Map, by lines doted with red ink. The Country lying between those lands claimed by the Osage Nation, and the Mississippi, imbraces all the Settlements at present established in Upper­Louisiana,9 except the Settlement near the mouth of the Arkansas and those below it10—there are no settlement beyond the St. Francis river and I think it would be good policy to prohibit any settlement being made beyond it; the country between this river and White river which lies West of it, is said to be a delightful tract of land, and there appears to be no Indian claim to it— I have designated by lines doted with red ink, the manner in which I concieve it would be most proper to district Upper Louisiana for govern­ mental purposes.11—this map has but small claims to correctnes, but I hope it will furnish some general ideas of the country which may be servicable. M. Lewis. Continued } Two plans of the town of St. Louis, you’l find on examination that they do not perfectly correspond—the small one is that which I believe to  be correct—the deviation from which, observeable in the large one may properly in my opinion, be at­ tributed to the late unauthorised Sales of land in this quarter.12— RC (DLC); incomplete, consisting of a portion of the sheet, with writing on both sides, cut to separate it from the remain­ der of the document (see notes below); in William Clark’s hand with one emenda­ tion by Lewis (see note 4); endorsed by TJ: “Lewis Meriwether.” RC (MHi); incomplete; consisting of the remainder of the document; in Clark’s hand with an emendation by Lewis, concluded and signed by Lewis, with addendum by Clark (see notes 8, 10, and 12); in Lewis’s hand alongside his signature: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by Lewis: “A List of Articles forwarded by Mr. Peter Chouteau.” The composition of this list of arti­ cles appears to have been a collaboration

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The Smallest of these was drawn and presented by Mr. Soulard— the largest was more recently drawn in part by the same gentle­ man, and completed by Capt. Clark.— ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

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between William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, likely written at different times, mostly in Clark’s hand but in Lewis’s voice. They probably folded over a large sheet of paper to make two leaves, with the inventory of geological and animal specimens occupying most of the first leaf and the descriptions of the maps and charts beginning at the bottom of the first leaf’s verso and continuing on the second leaf. Lewis probably enclosed the list in a  letter of 19 May, recorded in SJL as received 26 June but not found. TJ ap­ pears to have torn or cut the sheet along the fold and across the first leaf to sepa­ rate the listings of ore samples (and the text on the verso of the leaf) from the rest of the document. He may have enclosed the remainder, including the descriptions

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1 8 M AY 1 8 0 4 of the maps, in his letter of 29 June to Dearborn (Jackson, Lewis and Clark, 1:192­5). The items traveled with Pierre chou­ teau, who accompanied a delegation of osage leaders. They left St. Louis on 17 May and arrived in Washington on 11 July. Chouteau, along with “22 Indians,” met Lewis and Clark at their encamp­ ment near the mouth of the Missouri River on 21 Apr., and they all went that day to St. Louis. Clark returned to camp on the 25th, with Lewis remaining in St. Louis until his departure on 20 May for St. Charles, where he joined the expedi­ tion, which had broken camp and started upriver on 14 May. In a letter to Clark of 2 May, Lewis requested the “case with the Maps, and the specimines of salt.” Clark sent them two days later (same, 1:177; Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:206, 211, 227, 240; Rich­ mond Enquirer, 4 July 1804). Mine à Breton (berton) was part of a large tract of land containing lead depos­ its. Located about 60 miles west of St. Genevieve, it developed a reputation for yielding exceptionally rich ore, and its operations had recently been upgraded by American émigré Moses Austin (Jede­ diah Morse, The American Universal Ge­ ography, 6th ed., 2 vols. [Boston, 1812], 1:599; William E. Foley, A History of Missouri, 6 vols. [Columbia, Mo., 1971­ 2004], 1:59­60). The horned lizard, also called a horned toad or horned frog, attracted a good deal of attention from observers. A widely circulated account from Lexing­ ton, Kentucky, described the animal as a “very curious species,” similar in form to a “land tortoise, very flat, covered with scales, of a dark grey colour, a short tail, and a head formed like that of a buffaloe” with six horns. The correspondent added that the reptile, while in the possession of Chouteau for four months, had taken no nourishment other than a “little water.” TJ later sent it to Charles Willson Peale (Richmond Enquirer, 4 July 1804; Don­ ald Jackson, “A New Lewis and Clark Map,” Bulletin of the Missouri Historical

Society, 17 [1961], 119n; Charles Willson Peale to TJ, 24 July 1804). The chart of the mississippi River, map of a part of upper Louisiana, and plans of St. Louis have not been found, but the map was copied by a cartogra­ pher at the War Department after the del­ egation’s arrival at Washington in July. Known as the Lewis and Clark Map of 1804, it illustrates an area extending northwest along the Missouri River as far as the Platte River and west beyond the territory claimed by the Osage Indians. The map does not extend much east of the Mississippi River and depicts that river as far south as the Chickasaw Bluffs and as far north as the Iowa River. It contains fairly detailed information on the Osage River basin and on some of the tributar­ ies of the Arkansas River, and delineates administrative divisions for New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, St. Genevieve, and St. Louis (Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 1:7, 17n, map 6). 1 Clark wrote this and the other nota­ tions about the sources of the specimens vertically in the margin. 2 Canceled: “Upper­.” 3 Text to here from MS in DLC. The next portion is from MS in MHi. 4 Preceding two words interlined by Lewis in place of “is.” 5 Beginning with this heading, text is from MS in DLC. 6 Remainder of text, beginning with this word, is from MS in MHi. 7 Thus in MS. 8 Preceding eight words interlined by Lewis in place of “or from the.” 9 Clark here canceled “is also compre­ hended in.” 10 Text to this point is in Clark’s hand. The remainder of this paragraph, the paragraph that follows it, and the signa­ ture are in Lewis’s hand. 11 Lewis originally ended the letter here and signed it. He then partially erased his signature and wrote the remainder of the paragraph. 12 This paragraph and the explanation of it alongside are in Clark’s hand.

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From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 18th. May 1804 I have since my last received your favors of the 3d. & 8th—Holloday to whom you allude has been dead for some time. If Henderson were a person in whose correctness I placed confidence, I would without waiting to hear from you again have the mill­stones valued; but know­ ing him as I do, I apprehend if he were pleased with the valuation he would abide by it, and if not, would say, he had not consented to their being valued by any other than Holloday—so that you might lose but could not gain. I am sorry you have purchased Cravens Tobo. the current price I suppose may now be called 33/ tho’ I have of late heard of very little being sold—his I expect would not command at the outside more at this time than 36/. I hope and rather expect it will revive. Our letter having reached Norfolk in time to stop a part of the hams, only 94 I find were forwarded to you—the Capt. having either lost or used a part. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jef­ ferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL. A receipt dated 23 May indicated a payment of 5 shillings and 7½ pence by Joseph Dougherty to a workman for haul­ ing hams from the Washington Navy Yard to the President’s House (MS in

MHi; endorsed by John Barnes: “75 Cents”). A receipt of 19 May indicated a  payment of $7.25 from Dougherty to Jesse Smith “for the freight of 96 hams of Bacon from Norfolk” (MS in same; in Smith’s hand and signed by him; en­ dorsed by John Barnes as payment of $8 for freight and hauling).

Notes on Salines in the Territory of the Osages [18 May 1804?]

Refered to by the Map  No. 1  At about three hundred miles from the village of the Plan. great Ozages in a west direction, after having passed many branches of the River Arkansas, is found a low ground, sur­ rounded with Hills of an immense extent, having a diameter of about fifteen Leagues.—The soil is a black sand, very fine, & so hard, that Horses hardly leave their tracts upon it; in warm and dry Weather, there is exhaled from that swamp, vapours, which being afterwards condensed, fall again upon  454 

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the black sand and cover it with a bed of salt very white and very fine of the thickness of about half an inch. The rains distroy this kind of Phenomenon.—  No. 2.  At a distance of about fifteen Leagues from the Swamp of Plan. which we have spoken, and in a South direction, there is a second mine of mineral salt of the same nature as the other, these two differing only in their colour, the first inclining to the white, and the second approaching to the red, lastly much farther south, and always upon the branches of the Arkansas, there is a salt Spring which may be considered as one of the most interesting Phenomenea of nature.  On the declivity of a little hill, there are five holes of about a foot and a half diameter, by two of depth always full, with­ out ever overflowing a drop. very salt—If we take away this salt water, it fills immediately; and at about ten feet lower, there comes out of this same Hill, a strong Spring of pure & Sweet Water.—  No. 3.  At a distance of about 18 Miles from this low land are Plan found mines of meneral Salt, almost at the surface of the Earth. the Savages who know it perfectly, are found to em­ ploy leavers to break it and get it out of the Ground MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 136:23575); un­ dated; in an unidentified hand. refered to by the map: the descrip­ tions of salt deposits in lands claimed by the Osage Indians correspond in some respects with deposits marked on the map that Meriwether Lewis and William Clark executed sometime before beginning their journey up the Missouri River and that accompanied a delegation of Osages who reached Washington in July (see Clark and Lewis to TJ, 18 May). The deposit lying three hundred miles west of the main Osage village appears on the map as the “Grand saline,” and the de­ posit 15 leagues south of that saline likely appears as “Mine of salt.” The mines al­ most at the surface of the earth may correspond with the “mine de sel” at the Arkansas River tributary labeled “Nis­cu Cro­cra” (Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 1: map 6).

Lewis took similar notes, dated 6 May, based on information he obtained about salines from an informant named Étienne Cadron. In addition to details about salt deposits on the easternmost tributary of the Arkansas, which appear in Lewis’s notes and on the map as pot salines, Ca­ dron discussed the “Great saline” and two other deposits in that general vicinity. The geographical details in Lewis’s notes, however, are not identical to those in the notes that ended up in TJ’s papers and are printed above. Some scholars have suggested that the latter document may have come to TJ from William Henry Harrison. The president also received in­ telligence on salt deposits in the Red River basin from James Wilkinson (Jack­ son, Lewis and Clark, 1:140­1, 180­3; James Wilkinson to TJ, [on or before 19 June]).

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From Robert Smith Sir, Navy Department 18. May. 1804 I have the honor to enclose for your signature Commissions for the following gentlemen, ⎧ Captain in the Navy. ⎪ Charles Stewart— ⎪ ⎫ Isaac Hull ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Andrew Sterett ⎪ ⎪ John Shaw ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ to be Masters now Lieutenants ⎨⎪ Isaac Chauncey ⎬ ⎪ John Smith ⎪ Commandants ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Richard Somers ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Stephen Decatur & ⎪ ⎪ ⎩ George Cox ⎭ ⎧ ⎫ ⎪ Arthur St. Clair ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ H. J. Reed ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ S. Vanschaick ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ C. Gadsden ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Jas. T. Leonard ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ J Maxwell ⎪ ⎪ Jno. Trippe ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Edwd. N. Cox ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ O. H. Perry ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ to be Lieutenants ⎨ ⎬ now Midshipmen ⎪ Jos. Bainbridge ⎪ in the Navy ⎪ Robert Henley ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Jno. Mc.P. Gardner ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Wm. Crane ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Rt. Stewart ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ S. G. Blodgett ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Jas. Gibbon ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ A. C. Harrison ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Danl. T. Patterson ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎩ Danl. Murray ⎭ All these gentlemen have been in the service for a considerable period of time—and we know that they are meritorious—They are wanted for the expedition against Tripoli. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir, Yr. mo ob. servt. Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; notations on left side of list written vertically; at foot of text: “Presi­ dent United States”; endorsed by TJ as

received from the Navy Department on 18 May and “for commissions” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Enclosure: commission to Isaac

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1 9 M AY 1 8 0 4 Chauncey as master commandant, 18 May 1804 (MS in ICHi; printed form with blanks filled by a clerk, signed by TJ and countersigned by Smith). Other enclo­ sures not found. On 9 Nov. 1804, TJ sent the Senate an abbreviated list of these commissions that included only the promotions for captain and masters commandant. The promotion to captain went to Stephen Decatur, Jr., instead of Charles Stewart in recognition of Decatur’s meritorious actions in destroying the frigate Philadel­

phia. During the conflict with Tripoli, the navy needed more lieutenants than au­ thorized by law; that restriction, coupled with a difficult promotion exam, resulted in no midshipman being commissioned a lieutenant until 1807. Instead, the mid­ shipmen listed above served as acting lieutenants in the Mediterranean (Chris­ topher McKee, A Gentlemanly and Hon­ orable Profession: The Creation of the U.S. Naval Officer Corps, 1794­1815 [Annapo­ lis, 1991], 278­80; Smith to TJ, 23 May; TJ to the Senate, 9 Nov.).

To John Vaughan Dear Sir Washington May 18. 04. On my arrival here I found your favor of the 8th. instant, and now return you the Diplomas signed. I will thank you to subscribe for three copies of the volume of transactions now coming out. I am glad to learn they will in future be in 8vo. it is certainly the most conve­ nient form, and pedantry alone ever introduced the folio and quarto formats. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (MeHi); at foot of text: “Mr. John Vaughan”; endorsed by Vaughan as received 21 May and “orders 3 Copies Vol. 6. Pt 1 Transs.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

From Dabney Carr Dear Sir. Charlottesville: May 19th 1804 You requested that I would get a copy of the costs in the qui tam vs Johnson—I suppose you wanted only Johnson’s costs—they amount to fifty one dollars, & twenty one cents.—Johnson has applied to me to day on the subject, & I told him that I should write to you imme­ diately & expected that you would make arrangements to pay him the money in a very short time All your friends in this quarter are well. yrs &C D Carr RC (ViU: Edgehill­Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL.

TJ had lost a qui tam action, in which a private individual charges another with violation of a statute under the expectation

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1 9 M AY 1 8 0 4 that any fines would be divided between the plaintiff and the state, against Rich­ ard johnson, who had sued TJ for pos­ session of a 100­acre portion of land that TJ also claimed. TJ was ultimately suc­

cessful in retaining possession of the land (mb, 2:1003; Vol. 29:42­3; Vol. 32:418­ 19; Vol. 40:342n; Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson, 21 May; Edmund Randolph to TJ, 16 Sep. 1804).

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum May 19. 04. Yours of the 15th Instant received yesterday. The Cabinet work of your Polygraph is nearly complete, it is a neat and good piece of work but without any ornaments of fineering. I am now making tryal of the machinery and finding some advan­ tage by a different length of the horozontal part. I have ordered such to be made as I think will best suit the desk; something shorter than that you have in use. In1 writing to the bottom of the Paper you will find it necessary to place a book under your hand—as the paper reaches to bottom of the Desk. I have keept too closely to your drawing in the North & South view—was puzzled to get room for the Ink­holders, however that is got over by making the body of the Desk something deeper, & cuting off the top of the S.W. corner of the drawer a small part, yet leaving a sufficient space for 4 or 5 quires of Paper It is my wish to make sufficient tryal of the machine before I pack it up, and, which shall be done with all convenient speed. I have not wrote to Mr. Barnes for money because it is my intention first to supply you with such a machine as will please you in every respect. I am with great esteem your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excel­ lency Thos. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 May and so recorded in

SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale­Sellers Papers). 1 MS:

“I.”

From Abigail Adams Sir Quincy May 20th 1804 Had you been no other than the private inhabitant of Montecello, I should e’er this time have addrest you, with that sympathy, which a recent event has awakend in my Bosom. but reasons of various kinds withheld my pen, untill the powerfull feelings of my heart, have burst  458 

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through the restraint, and called upon me to shed the tear of sorrow over the departed remains, of your beloved and deserving Daughter, an event which I most sincerely mourn. The attachment which I formed for her, when you committed her to my care; upon her arrival in a foreign Land: has remained with me to this hour, and the recent account of her Death, which I read in a late paper, brought fresh to my remembrance the strong sensibility she discovered, tho but a child of nine years of age at having been seperated from her Friends, and country, and brought, as she ex­ pressed it, “to a strange land amongst strangers.” the tender scene of her seperation from me, rose to my recollection, when she clung arround my neck and wet my Bosom with her tears—saying, “o! now I have learnt to Love you, why will they tear me from you” It has been some time since that I conceived of any event in this Life, which could call forth, feelings of Mutual sympathy. but I know how closely entwined arround a parents heart, are those Chords which bind the filial to the parental Bosom, and when snaped assunder, how agonizing the pangs of seperation I have tasted the bitter cup, and bow with reverence, and humility before the great Dispenser of it, without whose permission, and over ruling providence; not a sparrow falls to the ground. That you may derive comfort and consolation in this Day of your sorrow and afflic­ tion, from that only source calculated to heal the wounded heart—a firm belief in the Being, perfections and attributes of God, is the sincere and ardent wish of her, who once took pleasure in Subscribing Herself your Friend Abigail Adams RC (NNPM); endorsed by TJ as re­ ceived 2 June and so recorded in SJL. FC (MHi: Adams Papers); in Adams’s hand. Enclosed in TJ to John Wayles Eppes, 4 June, and Eppes to TJ, 14 June. when you committed her to my care: after the death of his daughter Lucy in 1784, TJ had been determined to bring his youngest surviving daughter Polly (Mary) from Virginia to join him and her sister, Martha, in Paris. Polly, who was attended by Sally Hemings in the trans­ atlantic voyage, stayed with the Adams family in London from late June until early July 1787, when TJ sent an escort to accompany the girls to France. Abigail Adams acknowledged that she had “never

felt so attached to a child in my Life on so short an acquaintance,” and her husband confessed he had never seen “a more charming Child” (Vol. 7:441; 8:451; 10:621; 11:501­3, 514, 572­4, 575; 12:112; 15:620). Notice of Mary’s death appeared in the Boston press in early May (Boston Commercial Gazette, 3 May). tasted the bitter cup: Abigail and John’s son Charles had died in 1800. “I sincerely wish you may never experience any thing in any degree resembling it,” wrote John Adams to TJ of the loss (Vol. 33:426). not a sparrow falls to the ground: Matthew 10:29.

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From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New-Orleans May 20h, 1804. Since my last Letter, I have endeavoured to inform myself of such vacant Land which from quality and situation was the most valuable. I have sought information upon this subject, from several old Inhabitants, but more particularly from Don Carlos Trudeau late Surveyor General of Louisiana, a man of some Science, great integrity of Character, and possessing much local knowledge.— Mr. Trudeau states, that in lower Louisiana, vacant Lands may be found in the following positions. 1st—On the Island of New Orleans in the vicinity of Galvez Town, near the River Ibberville, and in various other places not distant from New-Orleans upon the small Bayou’s or Forks which form a Communication between the Gulph of Mexico & the Mississippi.— 2—Upon the Chafaleya—But the Land there is subject to inundation, and in his (Mr Trudeau’s) opinion, not very valuable— 3—Upon the Red River in various places, but particularly in the vicinity of the Post called the Rapids, where the Land is fertile, free from inundation and the Climate remarkably healthy. 4. On the Bayou or River Bœuf which makes out of the Red River some considerable distance below the Rapids, and falls by the way of the Appalousas into the Chafaleya. The Land on Bœuf River is described as being very fertile and well adapted to cultivation.— In some of the situations above mentioned, there are vast Tracts of vacant Land, but in any one, Mr. Trudeau is of opinion, there may be located to advantage 11 or 12 thousand Acres, in different parcels.— In order however, to give an accurate Account of the quality, quantity, advantages &c. of these Lands, I would deem it advisable to authorize an intelligent Person acquainted with the Country, to go upon the premises, and make the necessary examinations. I have the pleasure to inform you, that good Order continues in this City, and as far as I can learn thro’out Louisiana.—It has already become very warm here, but I am happy to learn, that the health of the City is unusually good for the Season of the year. Tho’ much confined, and somewhat harrassed with a multiplicity of public Business, I have hitherto had the good fortune to enjoy my health, without any material interruption:—I am not however without apprehensions for my family; Mrs. Claiborne is now on her passage from Nashville in Tennessee, to this City, and I very much fear that the warmth of the Weather and long Confinement to a Boat, may occasion Indisposition—  460 

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But I indulge a hope, that in six or seven Days I shall meet my family in perfect health. With sentiments the most respectful—I have the honor to subscribe myself Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Th: Jefferson President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 June and so recorded in SJL. my last letter: Claiborne to TJ, 3 May. A former Spanish outpost, galvez town was located near the confluence of

the Iberville River (Bayou Manchac) with the Amite River (Harry Hansen, ed., Lou­ isiana: A Guide to the State, rev. ed. [New York, 1971], 531). the appalousas: that is, the Opelousas River, or Bayou Cortableau (Carl A. Brasseaux and Keith P. Fontenot, Steam­ boats on Louisiana’s Bayous: A History and Directory [Baton Rouge, 2004], 43).

To John Barnes May 21. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Barnes. he has bought of the bearer mr Hollis 10. barrels of fish, cured particularly, @ 3½ D. the barrel, which he will thank mr Barnes to pay for and have warehoused. he will have to get 10. barrels more, and would willingly have taken them of mr Hollis, but he is not willing to part with more at so low a price. perhaps on delivering them he may consent to furnish the whole quantity, which would save me the trouble of applying elsewhere. RC (MHi); addressed: “Mr. John Barnes”; signed by William Hollis acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid 21 May.

barrels of fish: on 22 May, TJ recorded his payment to Hollis of $35 “for 10. barrels herring gobbed” (mb, 2:1127).

From Jean Frignet de Fermagh President, Alexandrie le 21 may 1804 Il y a quelques mois passé que J’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire; je voue éxposois en abregé ma position et mes malheurs, et je me recommadois a vous pour de l’occupation Soit de mon état d’arpenteur, d’architecte, Ingénieur ou tout autre, ici ou à la louzianne Si cela étoit en votre pouvoir. Je n’ai réçu aucune reponse de vous, president; C’est un père de famille mal’heureux un artiste qui reclame Votre protection.  461 

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 Dans ma précédente J’avais l’honneur de vous éxposer que j’avais travaillé aux nivellemens de Votre Cité, et que j’etois Connu de Mrs. Carol, Yongue, Law, Masson, &ca. Si Vous ne pouvez m’ocuper ici President, et qu’il y ait chanse de L’ètre a la Louzianne je reclame Votre recommendation ainsi que pour mon passage que je Suis hors d’etat de payer. Je compte Sur votre empressement ordinaire a Secourir les mal’heureux pour croire que vous me tirerer de L’inquietude ou je Suis de trouver les moyens d’exister, Soit en me donnant de l’occupation ou me recommandant. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec respect Président Votre très humble & obéissant Serviteur Jn frignet e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

President, Alexandria, 21 May 1804 A few months ago I had the honor of writing to you. I gave you a summary of my situation and misfortunes and offered my services for a position, if such were in your power, as surveyor, architect, engineer, or anything else, here or in Louisiana. I did not receive a response, Mr. President. It is a father and skilled worker who begs for your protection. In my earlier letter, I had the honor of explaining that I had worked on surveying Washington and was known to Messrs. Carroll, Young, Law, Mason, etc. If you cannot employ me here, Mr. President, and if there is a possibility of employment in Louisiana, I beg you to recommend me and to provide the travel costs, which I cannot pay. I count on your usual attentiveness in helping the unfortunate to believe that you will assuage my anxiety about finding a living, either by offering me a position or giving your recommendation. I have the honor, Mr. President, of being your respectful, humble, and obedient servant. Jn frignet RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 23 May and “to be Surveyor” and so recorded in SJL.

j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrie: Frignet de Fermagh to TJ, 6 Mch.

To Henry Fry Dear Sir Washington May 21. 04. When I had the pleasure of seeing you at your own house you expressed a wish to see Priestly’s corruptions of Christianity. finding them in a bookstore here on my return I was happy in the opportunity of gratifying your wish. I meant on my late journey here to have had the pleasure of asking personally your acceptance of them. but  462 

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the morning I passed you was so rainy, and the necessity so urgent for my being here the next day, that meeting with mr Maury in the road I was glad to leave them with him to be presented to you in my behalf. the candor & learning of the author render every thing he writes estimable. at the time of his death he had just finished a work which I am anxious to see printed. it was a comparative view of the morality of Jesus & of the antient philosophers. but it is not yet committed to the press. Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Henry Fry esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Henry Fry (1738-1823) lived about 35 miles northeast of Monticello. His father, Joshua Fry, was an Albemarle County surveyor and politician who in 1750 was commissioned with TJ’s father, Peter Jefferson, to produce what became known as the Fry-Jefferson map, considered “the most accurate record of Virginia in the eighteenth century” and the basis for TJ’s own map in Notes on the State of Vir­ ginia. As a young man, Henry Fry was deputy clerk of Albemarle, but when poor health created a growing dependency on “spirits,” he resigned the post and retreated to his estate south of Culpeper. Several years of fighting alcoholism led him to religion and a zealous commitment to Methodism. From the mid-1770s until his death, Fry worked to establish a

Methodist following in the Culpeper area, first hosting and preaching at revivals and later serving as a guest minister to established congregations (Philip Slaughter, Memoir of Col. Joshua Fry, Sometime Professor in William and Mary College, Virginia, and Washington’s Senior in Command of Virginia Forces, 1754, Etc., Etc., with an Autobiography of His Son, Rev. Henry Fry, and a Census of Their Descendants [Richmond, 1880], 9, 20, 85-91, 111; Susan R. Stein, The Worlds of  Thomas Jefferson at Monticello [New York, 1993], 384). wish to see: Joseph Priestley, An History of the Corruptions of Christianity, in Two Volumes (Birmingham, 1782). TJ was anxious to see printed Priestley’s Doctrines of Heathen Philoso­ phy, Compared with Those of Revelation (Thomas Cooper to TJ, [before 15] Mch.).

To J. P. G. Muhlenberg Dear Sir Washington May 21. 04. Mr. Lee of Bordeaux on the 23d. of February shipped some books for me on board the Bordeaux packet Capt Jacobs bound for Philadelphia. should they be arrived, or whenever they arrive I will ask the favor of you to forward them to this place by water, should the packet be too large to come conveniently by the mail stage. I know not it’s size or contents, the capt’s reciept only saying it is covered with linen, by which I suppose it is not very large. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Genl. Muhlenberg”; endorsed by TJ.

some books for me: see Vol. 42:46-7, 580-1.

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From Thomas Newton Dear Sir Norfolk 21—May 1804 Yrs. to Mr Js Taylor who is at N York came to my hands this day. he inform’d me that the Champagne was disposed of before your letter got to him, & that he had wrote you it could not be obtaind but expect his letter must have miscarried.— No good Champagne can be purchased here at present that I can hear of, or I should have bought it & sent it on. we are full of French Soldiers from Havana they are orderly for the present & many of them at Common daily labour for wages, I suppose many of them will disperse through the Country as they appear well pleased to be here. I sincierly condole with you on yr late loss & am with my best wishes most respectfully Yr. Obt Servt Thos Newton RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and so recorded in SJL. yrs. to mr js taylor: letters of 25 Mch. and 15 May.

On 19 May, the transport ship Ha­ vaneza arrived at Norfolk carrying 300 french soldiers after a 32-day voyage from Havana (New York Gazette, 23 May).

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington May 21. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 19th. and am sorry you have paid so much respect to my dimensions as to puzzle yourself with them, and still more to alter the writing machinery. they were meant to be entirely subject to your correction, & they are still so. I made1 the drawing from memory, & have seen since I returned here and have had a polygraph under my eye that I had not left room enough for the horizontal rhombuses to move on. whether they will perform their functions equally well if made only rhomboidal you will be able to judge, and to yourself I leave it entirely. as soon as the desk is ready I shall be glad to recieve it, because, after trial, I shall wish a second and perhaps a third to be sent to Monticello in time to meet me there by the latter end of July. the danger of dislocating the machinery by the jolting of the stage will render a conveyance hither by water safest. accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson P.S. would it not be worth while to endeavor to provide a regulator for the degree of tension and resistance which the long wire cord or spiral spring shall give, so as to adapt it to the writer’s particular hand,  464 

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whether strong or weak. it is a too great degree of resistance of this spring in the polygraph I now use, which makes it very fatiguing to the hand, and gives a cramped and disguised appearance to the writing. RC (TxU); at foot of text: “C.W. Peale esq.” PoC (DLC); postscript added separately to RC and PoC; endorsed by TJ.

1 Word

interlined in place of “drew.”

Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson Albemarle

In the Washington Federalist of May 18. a person,1 well known here, has undertaken to give a report of an action at law lately tried in the district court of Charlottesville, wherein the President of the US. was pl. and one Johnson def. the tendency of this statement is to mislead the public by presenting one part only of proceedings at law, instituted for the establishment of a right to lands, in contest between the parties; and so much only of that part of the proceedings as looked favorably for the def. on that spirit which can excite men to enter the sanctuary of private concerns, and display them before the public with all the colourings of falsehood and malice, to pry into the transactions of private life, not to seek for truths, but for incidents which, by the distortion of some, and suppression of other circumstances may be imposed on the world for truths, I shall make not a single observation. the public are sensible that it is their esteem and confidence in the Pr. which draw on him this unrelenting persecution from a party whose views and conduct are before them, and who finding no resource in his official proceedings, which are known to the public, resort to those which are private and unknown, & can therefore be misrepresented. having been present at the trial beforementioned, and particularly attentive to it,2 I will give a brief and faithful statement of the outlines of the whole case. It appeared that the father of the pl. had sold an hundred acres part of 400. acres of land to a person of the name of Spiers who lived adjacent to it; and in his will dated 17573 directed his executors to make a conveyance of it. whether the conveyance was witheld on their part, or never sollicited by Spiers under a consciousness that it had not been paid for, did not appear. no application was pretended to have been ever made to the pl. for a conveyance. the purchaser died. his son4 William treated with the pl. for a sale of the lands, but before a  465 

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conclusion he conveyed his right to his son John Spiers sold the adjacent lands on which his father had lived and removed to Carolina. no further step was taken in this business till 1790. after the return of the pl. from Europe which was 33. years after the death of the testator; when John Spiers applied to the pl. informed him of the conveyance by his father, which however had been accidentally lost, but would, as he said, be renewed by his father whenever desired, and offered to sell the lands to him. after some exchange of propositions, the purchase was concluded for the sum which the father had offered to take, & interest on that sum from the date of the offer to the present day, with a relinquishment of upwards of 30. years quitrents and taxes, which had been paid by the pl. the price was paid and a conveyance executed. a tenant of the name of Sneed had been settled on the 400. acres by the father of the pl. who had continued on it between 20. & 30. years rentfree, and had raised a family on it, one of whom was a son of the name of John. this son, after the pl’s purchase from John Spiers, went to Carolina, to Spiers the father, represented to him that the lands were still in possession of the pl. and proposed to purchase them. the mother, who heard the proposition, reminded her husband that he had given the lands to their son John, & ought not to sell them again. but Sneed offering to give him 50. D. for the chance only of recovering them from the pl. he accepted the offer & executed a deed. on Sneed’s return he sold the lands to the def. Johnson, who, with full knolege of the whole transaction, brought a suit in the Chancery court of Richmond to compel the pl. to make a conveyance. he was immediately warned that, knowing as he and Sneed did, the pl’s prior purchase & possession, if they persevered in a combination so fraudulent & unwarrantable, the pl. would not be merely defensive, but would put into exercise all the means of opposition which the laws had given him, & particularly would enforce that statute of the Virginia legislature which makes it penal to disturb the titles of persons in possession of lands, by buying and selling pretended rights to them from persons not in possession. that the possession had never been out of the pl. was notorious not only by the occupation of his tenant Sneed, but by constant paiment of taxes and repeated legal processionings by neighbors, named by the court as usual: and their deeds on record were proofs of their having bought and sold. they persevered. the pl. then brought a cross suit in the chancery of Richmond to establish the deed from Wm. Spiers the father to his son John, and to vacate the fraudulent conveyances to Sneed & Johnson: and on the proceedings in this suit all the preceding facts were fully & regularly established. but all these are carefully5  466 

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kept out of view by this faithful reporter. he finds it answer his purpose better to say nothing about the pl’s right to the land by prior purchase. he is silent as to the fraudulent proceedings of Sneed and Johnson. he would rather it should be believed that the pl’s opposition proceeded from sheer6 unwillingness to part with what his father had sold. to represent him as a mere common informer, he says not a word but of the penal actions which, as had been notified to Johnson, were brought at the same time in the district court of Charlottesville against him & Sneed for the offence of buying and selling lands, the prior right & possession of which were in the pl. it had certainly been believed that the law being explicit, and the evidence of it’s breach recorded in the same court, under their own hands, no jury would undertake to find a verdict directly in the face of both law & fact. but the proceedings in the court of Chancery having in view a different object from that of the action at law in Charlottesville, the whole case could not, by the rules of the court be given in evidence before the juries.7 they could not therefore couple the equity of the suit in Richmond with the strictness of that in Charlottesville. they viewed the latter prosecution, not as a part of the general means which the law had given the pl. for maintaining his right, but as an insulated proceeding to recover a penalty. the 1st. & 2d juries, altho’ they saw that both the law & fact were palpable, & were so advised by the judges, could not, in their repugnance to penal actions, agree on a verdict. the 3d. found for the def. altho equally counselled by the judge, whom our reporter states to be a federalist & therefore without prejudices in favor of the pl.) that their verdict was in the face of both law & fact. no reflection is meant to be cast on them for so doing. they doubtless, in opposition to the admonitions of the judge, and to the terms of their oath which were that they should decide ‘according to law and evidence,’ were persuaded to believe that they might find ‘against law and evidence,’ if they disapproved of the law. and it remains to be seen whether in the trial between the same pl. & Sneed, not yet come on, another jury can be found who shall be equally made to believe they have a power to dispense with law & evidence. certainly this is the first time we have seen a federal partizan take the side of a jury against the judge, and a federal judge too; and we congratulate the jury on their coincidence of sentiment with their new friends. yet knowing them well, I think they will themselves be led to doubt of their former views of this subject, and to exclaim with the Psalmist ‘Lord what have I done that the wicked should praise me?’ This candid reporter seems to have viewed the case of Naboth, as he has done that of Johnson, all on one side. Naboth was unwilling  467 

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‘to give up the inheritance of his fathers.’ while ‘two men, sons of Belial’ rose up against him to wrest it from him by fraud and falsehood. the public will apply this authority more impartially than this false Tishbite has done. In imitation of our reporter I shall add that any one who doubts the correctness of the facts herein stated, may find them established in the records of the Chancery in Richmond. before that court the question of right will be finally decided, and by a judge to whose integrity and science all hearts & heads subscribe. An apology is due to the public, and still more to the President for carrying into a public paper, matters of mere domestic concern. but it should come from him who first entered that field with them. if they are to be communicated to the public at all, it should be in all their truth. A Bystander. May 21. 04 MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 140:24347-8); entirely in TJ’s hand. Recorded in SJL with notation “Johnson ads. Jefferson.” TJ’s response to the piece in the wash­ ington federalist was printed in the Richmond Virginia Argus on 2 June. Other than the addition of a footnote (see note 1 below), a few lines near the end of the first paragraph (see note 2), the dateline “Albemarle, May 27th, 1804,” and the salutation “Mr. Pleasants,” the printed version was essentially identical. The Baltimore Telegraphe and Daily Advertiser reprinted it in its issue of 7 June. TJ may have enclosed the response in a letter of 22 May to Dabney Carr, which is recorded in SJL but has not been found. Running under a short paragraph warning against Republican tryanny and the line “Very singular law case!—Qui tam,” the lengthy account in the Wash­ ington Federalist informed readers of a “certain GREAT PERSON’s” efforts to “deprive two poor and unskilled neighbors of a miserable pittance of barren lands.” well known here: the author of the account was likely John Nicholas, Jr., the Federalist clerk of the Albemarle County Court. Nicholas, who probably once used the pseudonym “Americanus” (see note 1 below), had tried to fuel controversies involving TJ in the past and was obviously well placed to comment on

court proceedings in Albemarle County (Washington Federalist, 18 May; V. Dennis Golladay, “Jefferson’s ‘Malignant Neighbor,’ John Nicholas, Jr.,” vmhb, 86 [1978], 306-19; Vol. 16:139-41n). trial beforementioned: the Wash­ ington Federalist account, bearing the date 1 May, informed readers that the court proceedings had taken place “a few days ago” and noted that it was the third trial on the case, the first two juries having hung. At issue was TJ’s accusation that Richard Johnson had knowingly purchased a false deed to a 100-acre plot of land that legally remained a part of TJ’s Pouncey’s tract. TJ’s qui tam action appealed to a statute of the virginia legislature “against conveying or taking pretensed titles.” Passed in 1786, the act was identical to that drafted by the General Assembly’s 1770s-era committee of revisors, of which TJ had been the leading figure. As the Federalist account took pains to point out, the law subjected parties to a false deed to forfeiture of the full value of the land, with one half sacrificed to the state and the other half to the “informer or person bringing suit.” Repeating the characterization of TJ as a common informer two other times, the account indicated that the jury rejected TJ’s action despite the court’s ruling that “actual possession” was in TJ, not Johnson. Both the Federalist account and TJ’s

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2 1 M AY 1 8 0 4 response implied that the juries had rejected TJ’s action out of discomfort with his resort to penal actions. TJ’s nemesis took special aim at the “most abstruse” statute employed in the action. If, the reporter surmised, TJ’s claim to title was good, the president had no need for such measures. If, “peradventure, his title should not prove the best, then the excessive damages contemplated, with the heavy costs of suit, might have operated as some inducement to the defendant to relinquish his right” (Washington Fed­ eralist, 18 May; William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; Being a Col­ lection of All the Laws of Virginia, 13 vols. [Richmond, 1809-23], 12:335; Vol. 2:520-1n; Vol. 29:42-3). federal judge: that is, Federalist. District courts at the time were served by members of the state’s General Court. For the early spring terms in 1804, the court had assigned Joseph Prentis and Paul Carrington, Jr., to the district courts meeting in Staunton, Charlottesville, Fredericksburg, and Haymarket. Prentis had acted as TJ’s intermediary in the “Walker affair” (Richmond Virginia Ga­ zette and General Advertiser, 30 Nov. 1803; Vol. 40:283-4, 325). The candid reporter compared the land dispute with the biblical story of naboth, who owned a vineyard coveted by Ahab, King of Samaria. Ahab’s wife, Jezebel, had the sons of belial bear false witness against Naboth, who was stoned to death. Elijah the tishbite subsequently confronted Ahab with God’s displeasure (1 Kings 21). “That the defendant Johnson,” the reporter added, “has not been condemned by false witnesses, packed juries, and subservient time-serving judges, and stoned to death

as was Naboth of old, is a mercy greater than any common man in the present glorious republican times, has any right to calculate or expect—Whether any mahogany-colored Jezebel of modern sway had any hand in devising the above scheme for possessing Johnson’s land, is not actually known” (Washington Feder­ alist, 18 May). in imitation: the Federalist’s account closed by informing any doubters that “they know where they may be furnished with a correct copy of the public Record” (same). 1 In the printed version appearing in the Virginia Argus, an asterisk next to this word alerted readers to the following footnote: “The same who formerly, with true poetic rage inspired, produced the Ghost of Fame!!!—who in later days figured in the political world under the signature of Americanus, &c &c—Should the reader with wondering eyes enquire, where are now those monuments of his fame? miserabile dictu, they have already paid the debt of nature—they rest in the family vault of the Capulets.” 2 The Argus version here has “having seen also and examined the record of a case, depending in the chancery court of Richmond, between the same parties, (which record was hauled about at the bar during the trial, and free to be seen by all,)” before continuing with the remainder of the sentence. 3 Preceding word and year interlined. 4 Argus: “his eldest son and heir at law.” 5 Word interlined. 6 Argus: “their.” 7 TJ here canceled “they were obliged therefore.”

From Thomas Storm Dear Sir New York May 21 1804 I have to apologize for not forwarding the Case from Kuhn, Green & Co, ere this; the reason was, that no opportunity has offered till now.—I have this day put it on board the Schooner Citizen, Capt. Lawson, addressed to Mr. Barnes of George Town—the vessel sails  469 

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the first fair wind—I have written Mr Barnes  Post, requesting his attention to forwarding the same—After begging you to accept my future Services, in any Commands your excellency have at this place, I am very Respectfully Yr Excellency’s Most Obed & most humble Servt Thomas Storm PS. I received the freight, duties &c from Mr Daniel Ludlow, of this place T Storm RC (MHi); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 May and so recorded in SJL.

Storm may have confused daniel lud­ low with Charles Ludlow, John Barnes’s correspondent in New York City (Vol. 40:554-5n; TJ to Storm, 10 Apr.).

From Wilson Cary Nicholas My Dear Sir Norfolk May 22d. 1804 I arrived here on friday last, after all the information I have been able to collect I have determined to accept the place of collector of this port. I have had very great doubts whether I ought to do it, or not, there are strong reasons why I shou’d not, but it seems to be thought, by the republicans that I shou’d be able to do some service to the cause and I am sure if I do not, you wou’d be subjected to the solicitations of a great number of people who want the office. these considerations have determined me against my own judgement, as to what my personal interest wou’d dictate. I shall immediately enter upon the discharge of the duties of the office, and by the next mail make the necessary communications to the treasury department. I have only time to assure of the high sense that I entertain of the obligations that I am under to you and that I am your devoted W. C. Nicholas RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and so recorded in SJL. people who want the office: on 7  May, Littleton W. Tazewell wrote to Nicholas asking “for any assistance” he could provide in bringing Tazewell’s name before the president regarding the collectorship. Tazewell urged that measures “must be taken quickly—The number of

applicants will probably be numerous” (RC in MHi). In December 1803, Tazewell had written to Madison soliciting the appointment. Francis S. Taylor of Norfolk also sought the collectorship, noting that he “could get the recommendation of every Merchant in the Borough” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:220-1, 314; 7:243).

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Notes on Curing Herring Hollis —Hollis near Bushtown Maryland, comes every year to fish in the Patowmac opposite Alexandria. he says that it is best to leave the head on the fish, because when taken off the fish becomes much drier. he considers what is called gobbing them as much the best method, that is to take out the gills & entrails, & leave the row and head. he has sold this year @ 3⅓ D. the barrel he will furnish me next year with 15. or 18. barrels gobbed. this method is not generally understood, and not so readily sold as with the entrails left in, therefore not higher charged. May 22. 1804. he furnishes me 10. barrels @ 3.50 which he says he cannot afford & therefore, if he furnishes another year they will be dearer. they are so large that he thinks there are not more than 500. in a barrel. he cures shad for himself, whole, not split, & so large that 46. fill a barrel. in the common way 100. will sometimes go into a barrel. he asks 8. D the barrel. MS (MHi); entirely in TJ’s hand, on verso of address sheet in Dearborn’s hand: “The President of the United States.”

The first portion of the notes may date from 1803, when TJ and William hol­ lis talked about methods of curing fish (Hollis to TJ, 28 Apr. 1804).

From Edmund Searcy Sir Kentucky Woodford County May 22nd: 1804 I have for some time been desirous to explore Louisiana since it has been ceded to the United States, particularly that part which is Watered by the Red and Arkansas Rivers. I have ventured to address you on the subject, having seen the Copy of a Report of a Committee on that subject recommending to Authorize the President to have a full and compleat Geographical Report made from Actual Survey, of the Rivers and and other observations; But I am told by Mr Breckiridge that the friends to the Measure could not procure an appropriation for the purpose; that the only fund that could be Applied that way, is three thousand Dollars put in the power of the President to extend the foreign intercourse of the Nation and was intended by the Western Members, and friends to the Measure to be used in that way.  471 

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 Was I certain that you would Apply that money or a considerable part of it to that use, I would have inclosed you letters of recommendation and Solicited an Appointment to explore one or both of those Rivers particularly the Red River, I am willing to undertake the tour upon any reasonable terms, that may enable me to fit out the expedition; if it is your pleasure to procure for Government such information; and if the arrangements are not already made, I hope you will be so obliging as to Write me as soon as convenient and give me a sketch of your intentions and I doubt not but I shall be able to satisfy you by recommendations from your Acquaintances here, of my Qualifications to perform the duty to your satisfaction and the good of my Country— I am Sir! with very cincere Esteem your Mo. Huml Sert Edmund Searcy RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ with notation “to explore Red river” and so recorded in SJL, with date received 25 June. Edmund Searcy (1767-1825) was the sheriff of Woodford County and a captain in the local militia. He had experience as a surveyor, and in 1813, the state legislature appointed him a commissioner to oversee the planning of a road from New-

castle to the Licking River. In 1820, Searcy stood as a candidate for the state legislature from Henry County (Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, 26 [1928], 179; Acts Passed at the First Session of the Twenty Second General As­ sembly, for the Commonwealth of Ken­ tucky [Frankfort, 1814], 210; Frankfort Argus, 20 Apr. 1820; Searcy to TJ, 2 July 1804, and enclosure).

To John Barnes 30. Dollars to Alexander Perry, Queen street Alexandria, to wit 20. D. for himself and 10. D. for mrs Wanscher on account of Martin Wanscher D C 51.21 for Monticello 30.21 81.21 May 23d. 1804 RC (MHi); in TJ’s hand, with text in italics in Barnes’s hand; written on a scrap from an address cover, probably from Robert Smith to TJ, 16 May, postmarked at Baltimore that day and with remnant text “Presiden” in Smith’s hand; endorsed by Barnes.

In his financial memoranda under 23 May, TJ recorded the receipt of the $81.21 from Barnes (mb, 2:1127). For the payments on behalf of Marten wanscher and for legal costs, recorded here as for monticello, see TJ’s letters of 24 May to Lewis Deblois and Dabney Carr.

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From John Devereux DeLacy The petition of John Devereux DeLacy Humbly sheweth That your petitioner prays as he heretofore has prayed that you sir would take cognizance of his case personally and make therein such order as to you Sir shall appear Just and expedient. That your petitioner having been Atty in fact for William Blount late of Tennessee Decd who was Executor to and a surviving partner of David Allison Decd. late Philada. and being in the prosecution of matters connected with the estates of the aforesaid Allison Blount &c as well as of the immediate concerns of your Petitioner and of Peter Lohra of Philadelphia who was Jointly concerned and interested with your petitioner in certain debts of Record in the supreme Court of Pennsylvania all which shall in due time be fully and faithfully stated to you Sir. Your petitioner was arrested & seized on Board a British vessel wherein he was passenger and was transmitted to a spanish prison without even the charge against him being made known to him tho demanded by him and was there kept twenty two months tho long known to the spanish Government to be an American Citizen and Recd by them as such, and was deprived of all his papers some of which are of the last importance to himself as well as to very many worthy citizens of the U.S. namely all those concerned in any wise with the estates of Allison Blount &c &c. Wherefore your petitioner earnestly prays you Sir to instruct the Governor of New Orleans to procure from the spanish Commissioners the papers Relative to Blount & Allison as well as the letters of Lohra to your petitioner which were intercepted by the spanish Government and of which papers and letters Required Governor Claiborne has a statement Your petitioner has been reluctantly obliged to protest against Genl. James Wilkinsons having any matter or thing to say or do in any affairs that related to or in which your petitioner was or is interested, the motives for which protest delicacy prevents your petitioner assigning at the moment A compromise having been entred into by the Commissioners of the U.S. with the commissioners of his most Catholic Majesty by which a number of prisoners were liberated and a condition imposed upon your petitioner previous to his release, and he obliged to enter into Bond for the performance of said condition Your petitioner begs leave with humility to appeal to you Sir for your decree upon the said Bond to obtain which he does hereby protest the said Bond and appeal to you thereon, praying you Sir to place it in Your petitioners  473 

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power to collect all the proofs upon the subject to lay before you Sir before you proceed to decide and also praying and beseeching you Sir to make such order therein when the proofs shall have been collected and laid before you (Sir) as to you shall seem meet Just and expedient for which your petitioner as in duty bound will gratefully pray &c &c John Devx DeLacy Balize May the 23d. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans); at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 June and so recorded in SJL with notation “S.” he heretofore has prayed: DeLacy had last written to TJ in December 1801, before his arrest and confinement at New Orleans. He discussed the matter in a letter to Madison in October 1803, noting that he had sent “a full statement of the affair” to William C. C. Claiborne (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:521-2; Vol. 35:559n; Vol. 36:135-57). his case: writing to Claiborne on 26 June, Madison enclosed DeLacy’s petition to the president and asked him to procure the desired papers if it was convenient and if there was no reason for withholding them. He also asked Claiborne to  supply any relevant information on DeLacy’s case. Replying on 30 July, Claiborne stated that the papers requested by DeLacy had never been in his possession,

nor did he recall receiving the statement mentioned in his petition, even though DeLacy’s communications to Claiborne during his confinement were “frequent and voluminous.” Claiborne knew little about DeLacy, whose “fame” had given him a “bad name” in New Orleans. The Spanish had charged him and “31 or 32” others, mostly English sailors, as accomplices of William Augustus Bowles and for committing an offence against the Spanish flag on the high seas. Spain considered them state prisoners, but agreed to turn them over to the U.S. commissioners at New Orleans on the condition that DeLacy and a man named Thomas be compelled to leave Louisiana. Upon his release, DeLacy gave bond to the sheriff and left the city. Claiborne stated that he would discuss the recovery of DeLacy’s papers with the former Spanish secretary of Louisiana, Andrés de López de Armesto (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:373-4, 542-3; Vol. 26:120; Vol. 35:559-60n).

From Robert Fulton Sir London May the 23d, 1804 On Arriving in England I find I Shall be detained some weeks longer than, I at first calculated I therefore forward your letters committed to my care in Paris, I am Sir with profound respect your most Obedient Robert Fulton RC (DLC); at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Tadeusz Kosciuszko to TJ, 28 Apr. (2) Volney to TJ, 28 Apr.

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From Benjamin Parke Sir, Philadelphia 23d. May 1804. A friend was so good as to apply to your Excellency on my behalf for an appointment in the Land-office to be opened at Port St. Vincennes. Having lived some time at Vincennes and intending to make that place my residence in future, either the office of Receiver or Register would be convenient and acceptable to me. But Sir you would not have been troubled with this address had I not just been informed that my character has been very much misrepresented—I understand that it has been stated that I am, in the common acceptation of the word, a federalist. With whatever hypocricy I may have acted in the common ordinary concerns of life, with regard the administration of our Government, I never acted with duplicity. It is a censure I never merited. And from the candour with which I have invariably expressed my sentiments, I suppose I would sooner have been suspected for the commission of all the vices of the present profligate and depraved age, than for being a federalist. I take a pleasur in correcting the misrepresentation; particularly when it is imposed on those for whom I have always entertained the highest respect. I therefor take the liberty of forwarding the enclosed, & am with sentiments of the greatest consideration and Esteem your Excellency’s obt. Humbl. sert. B. Parke RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and “to be Receiver or Register Port Vincennes” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Statement by Peter Gordon, treasurer of New Jersey, at Trenton, 18 May, certifying that, through his “friendly correspondence” with Parke, he has no doubts that Parke is a “firm & decided friend to the present Administration” and possesses “true genuine Republican principles” (same, 9:240). (2) Statement by Joseph Bloomfield, Trenton, 18 May, concurring with opinions of Gordon and James J. Wilson as to Parke’s qualifications for patronage (same, 9:241). (3) Probably Wilson to TJ, 16 May.

Benjamin Parke (1777-1835) moved to Kentucky about 1797 and studied law under James Brown. In 1801, he relocated to Indiana Territory and aligned himself with William Henry Harrison, who appointed him attorney general. He was elected to the territorial legislature and served also as the territory’s delegate to Congress. TJ appointed him a territorial judge in 1808, and after Indiana achieved statehood, Parke became the U.S. district judge. A militia officer, Parke negotiated several treaties with Indians on behalf of the United States (anb; Terr. Papers, 7:219-20; Vol. 39:596-7n). friend: James J. Wilson.

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From Robert Smith sir, Nav Dep 23rd May 1804 I have the honor herewith to send, for your signature, a Commission for Stephen Decatur junior, to be a Captain in the Navy of the United States. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect sir, y mo ob servt. Rt Smith RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 23 May and “Decatur” and so recorded in SJL with notation “post Captn.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). On 23 May, the National Intelligencer published an official letter from Edward

Preble to the secretary of the navy dated 19 Feb., which described the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia by stephen decatur, Jr. In another dispatch to Smith, also dated 19 Feb., Preble recommended that Decatur receive the rank of captain, as his actions “would in any Navy in Europe insure him instantaneous promotion” (ndbw, 3:441).

To Dabney Carr Dear Sir Washington May 24. 04. Your’s of the 19th. came to hand yesterday and I now inclose you fifty dollars for Johnson’s costs. this is 1. D 21 c short of the amount, because the U.S. bank here issuing no bills under 10. D. I cannot come nearer with paper. mr Lilly will pay you the difference or I will do it when I come home. I cannot give up the expectation that Sneed’s jury may have their consciences so far excited as to find a special verdict. affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “D. Carr”; endorsed by TJ. sneed’s jury: TJ had brought the same action against John Snead that he  tried unsuccessfully against Richard Johnson. In the case of a special ver­

dict, the jury would have relinquished final determination to the judge or judges (Bryan A. Garner, Black’s Law Diction­ ary, 8th ed. [St. Paul, Minn., 2004], 1593; Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson, 21 May).

To Lewis Deblois Sir Washington May 24. 1804 A vessel being about to sail immediately from this place for Richmond she will be desired to call on you for the syrop of punch, which therefore it is necessary for me to ask you to have got ready without delay.  476 

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 A plaisterer of the name of Wanscher, a resident of Alexandria, tho now at work for me at Monticello, has desired me to send the inclosed letter to his wife who is at Alexandria, with ten dollars, and to pay twenty dollars for him to Alexander Perry, Queen’s street of the same place. fearing that from their not being known letters addressed to them directly thro’ the post office might not find them, I take the liberty of inclosing thirty dollars and of asking the favor of you, of putting them into their hands as you may occasionally pass them. accept my apologies for this trouble and my assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (MHi: Amory Family Papers); addressed: “Mr. Lewis Deblois Mercht. Alexandria”; franked and postmarked. PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found. Boston-born Lewis Deblois (17601833) moved to Washington from Philadelphia in 1794 as an agent of speculator John Nicholson and eventually established a mercantile business in Alexandria. His wife was a daughter of Massachusetts politician Tristram Dalton, and the couple were on friendly terms with a number of prominent political families. By 1804, TJ was using Deblois as an intermediary for handling small Alexandria accounts. Burdened by debts after the War of 1812, the Deblois family left Alexandria for Massachusetts, where Tristram Dalton had been appointed surveyor

of the port of Boston. When Dalton died in 1817, Deblois expected to succeed his father-in-law as surveyor, but was appointed instead to a lesser post as weigher and gauger at the Boston Custom House, a position he held until the Jackson administration, when he lost both his place at the custom house and a longstanding commission as navy purser (Arthur Wentworth Hamilton Eaton, “Old Boston Families: Number One, The De Blois Family,” New England Historic Genealogical Society, 67 [1913], 16; John Nicholson Papers in PHarH; Miller, Alexandria Artisans, 1:100-1; Madison, Papers, Ret. Ser., 1:121-2; National Intelligencer, 2 Feb. 1815; Boston Daily Advertiser, 28 May 1829; Ruth Hooper Dalton Deblois to Abigail Smith Adams, 16 June 1817, in MHi: Adams Papers; js, 19:459).

To James Dinsmore Dear Sir Washington May 24. 04. Yours of the 18th. is recieved and I have this day inclosed to mr Deblois of Alexandria 20. D. for Alexander Perry and 10. D. for mrs Wanscher. mr Duncan shall have 20. D. a month and his washing done. you will be so good as to give directions for the latter. I presume he engages to continue till all the work is ready for mr Wanscher. I will thank you to keep me informed of your progress, of mr Wanscher’s and of J. Perry’s as I am anxious to have the information. I desired mr Stewart to make Joe draw off the water from the icehouse twice a week. I at the same time supposed that mr Wanscher taking his water from thence might keep it always down. I will thank you to remind mr Stewart if necessary. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson  477 

2 4 M AY 1 8 0 4  RC (ViU); addressed: “Mr. James Dinsmore Monticello near Milton”; franked and postmarked. yours of the 18th: recorded in SJL as received 22 May, but not found.

 William duncan worked as Marten Wanscher’s assistant for “2 months & 1.  day” plastering rooms at Monticello (mb, 2:1134, 1142).

From James Fleming Dear Sir Petersburg Virginia 24th. May 1804 For some time I have had a wish to bee on board of one the United States Frigets and now take this liberty of addressinge you on that part. you have some vessels allmost ready for Sea I expect. and if by your good Will I should be happy if posseable to git in one of them. If you think that it will answer, I am ready at any time and will be happy if you will informe me, and by so dowing you Will much oblige Your obt. St. James Fleming RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 27 May and “to go on board a frigate” and so recorded in SJL.

From Alexander von Humboldt Monsieur le President, à Philadelphie ce 24 Mai, 1804. Arrivé depuis le Mexique sur le sol heureux de cette Republique dont le Pouvoir executif à été confié a Vos lumieres, c’est un doux devoir pour moi de Vous présenter mes respects et l’hommage de la’haute admiration que Vos écrits, Vos actions et la liberalité de Vos idées m’ont inspiré dès ma plus tendre jeunesse. Je me flattais de pouvoir Vous les exprimer de bouche en Vous remettant le paquet ci-joint dont mon ami, le Consul des Etats Unis à la Havane, a bien voulu me charger. Le débarquement de mes herbiers me retenant ici, et retardant mon voyage à Washington, j’ai osé préférer la voye du courier. L’horrible tempête qui s’est fait sentir en Georgie a rendu notre Navigation aussi dangereuse que longue (de 24 jours) et je suis faché que le paquet vienne si tard à Vos mains. Le désir de me rendre utile aux sciences physiques et d’étudier l’homme dans ses differens états de barbarie et de culture m’a fait entreprendre, à mes propres fraix, en 1799: une Expédition aux Tropiques. Par une réunion de circonstances heureuses et de confiance personnelle le Gouvernement Espagnol m’a donné des permissions plus amples que celles dont la Condamine et l’Abbé Chappe ont  478 

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joui. J’ai trouvé dans un ami le Citoyen Bonpland, élève du Musée de Paris, des connaissances distinguées, du courage et cet enthousiasme qui doit animer tous ceux, qui par de grands sacrifices tendent a des vues morales. Nous avons parcouru pendant cinq ans la Nouvelle Andalousie, les Missions caribes et des Indiens Chaimas, les Provinces de Barcellone, de Caraccas, de Varinas et toute la Guayane. Nous avons fait près de 1000 lieuex nautiques en canot sur l’Orenoque, le Guaviare et le Rio Negro, passant deux fois les grandes et belles Cataractes de Maypure et Atures et fixant par nos montres de Longitudes et des Satellites la position du Casiquiare, bras de l’Orénoque qui communique à l’Amazone et par lequel nous pénétrames àux limites du Grand Parà. C’est dans ces déserts, ces forets antiques du Casiquiare a 2° de lat. bor. que nous avons vu des rochers couverts d’hyerogliphes qui prouvent que cette partie reculée du monde, habitée aujourd’hui par quelques Indiens nuds, épars et anthrophages, fut jadis le séjour d’un peuple cultivé. De retour du Rio Negro à Cumana nous passames à l’Isle de Cube, de là au Rio Sinù, à Carthagene et à S. Fe. Nous parcourumes le Royaume de la Nouv. Grenade, Popayan et Pasto. Nous fimes pendant un an nos operations dans les Andes de Quito, portant des Instrumens au Chimborazo à 3036 toises de hauteur donc 500 t. plus haut que jamais home est parvenu avant nous. Pour étudier les Cinchona nous passames à Loxa, à la Prov. de Jaen et à l’Amazone. Nous observames le Passage de Mercure à Lima et partant de là par Guayaquil pour Acapulco nous parcorumes pendant un an le Royaume de la Nouv. Espagne qui nous a offert un vaste champs d’observations. Malgré les dangers du Climat pour un jeune homme né dans les frimats de la ultima Thule— la Prusse—malgré le manque de nourriture et d’abris auquel j’ai été exposé pendant plusieurs mois de suite, ma santé ne m’a jamais manqué un seul jour. Malgré le désir ardent que j’ai de revoir Paris, ou j’ai travaillé longtems avec les C.C. Vauquelin et Chaptal, et où nous comptons publier nos travaux (fruits de cette Expedition.) je n’ai pas pu résister a l’interêt moral de voir les Etats unis et de jouir de l’aspect consolant d’un peuple, qui sait apprécier le don précieux de la Liberté. Puisse-t-il m’etre permis de Vous présenter personnellement mes respects et d’admirer en Vous de près un Magistrat philosophe, qui reunit les suffrages des deux Continens! Daignez excuser, Mr. le Président, la confiance et la longueur de cette lettre. J’ignore si mon nom Vous est connu par mon ouvrage sur le Galvanisme ou par les Memoires de l’Institut National de Paris. Ami des sciences, Vous recevrez avec indulgence les hommages de mon dévouement. J’aimerais Vous parler encore d’un objet que Vous  479 

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avez si ingenieusement traité dans Votre ouvrage sur la Virginie, des  dents de Momot que nous avons découvert dans les Andes de l’Hemisphere austral à 1700. toises de hauteur sur l’Ocean Pacifique. Mon ami le C. Cuvier en donera la description anatomique. Ce serait abuser de Vos bontés que de Vous entretenir plus long tems et je me borne à Vous repéter les assurances de la profonde vénération avec laquelle je serai toute ma vie, Mr. le Président Votre t. h. et. t. o. Serviteur Le Baron de Humboldt de l’Academie des Sciences de Berlin. Si Vous voulez m’honorer de Vos ordres, daignez les addresser à Mr. Le Gouverneur M’Kean. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Philadelphia, 24 May 1804 Having arrived from Mexico on the happy soil of this republic whose executive power has been entrusted to your lights, I have the pleasant duty of paying my respects to you and testifying to the great admiration your writing, actions, and breadth of ideas have inspired in me since childhood. I thought I could convey my feelings in person when I delivered the enclosed package that my friend, the United States consul in Havana, entrusted to me. But since I have been delayed here by the delivery of my herbaria and have postponed my trip to Washington, I decided to send it by mail. Our sea journey was long (24 days) and dangerous because of the terrible storm that was felt all the way to Georgia. I am sorry this package has taken so long to reach you. The desire to be useful to science and to study mankind in its different states of primitivism and culture prompted me to undertake an expedition to the tropics in 1799, at my own expense. Through a set of happy circumstances and personal trust, the Spanish government gave me broader authorization than La Condamine and Father Chappe had received. My friend, Citizen Bonpland, a student at the Paris Museum, provided valuable knowledge, encouragement, and the kind of enthusiasm that is necessary to all those who seek moral values through great sacrifice. For five years we traveled around New Andalusia and the missions of the Carib and Chaima Indians, the provinces of Barcelona, Caracas, Barinas, and all of Guayana. We canoed almost 1,000 nautical leagues on the Orinoco, Guaviare, and Rio Negro, twice passing the huge, beautiful Maipures and Atures rapids. Using our longitude watches and celestial observations, we established the position of the Casiquiare, the branch of the Orinoco that flows into the Amazon, through which we reached the edge of Grão-Pará (Brazil). It is in this wilderness, in these ancient forests of the Casiquiare at two degrees north latitude, that we saw rocks covered with hieroglyphs, proving that this remote part of the world, inhabited today by a few scattered, naked, man-eating Indians, was once the home of a civilized people. Returning from the Rio Negro to Cumaná, we went by the island of Cuba and from there to the Sinú River, Cartagena, and Santa Fe. We traveled through the New

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2 4 M AY 1 8 0 4 Kingdom of Granada, Popoyán, and Pasto. For a year we pursued our work in the Andes of Quito, carrying our instruments to Chimborazo, at an altitude of 3,036 fathoms, 500 fathoms higher than anyone had previously climbed. To study cinchona we went to Loja in the Jaén province and to the Amazon. In Lima we observed the transit of Mercury. From there, traveling to Acapulco via Guayaquil, we spent a year crossing the Kingdom of New Spain, which allowed for a wide range of observations. Despite the rigors of the climate for a young man born in the ice of the last reach of the far north— Prussia—and despite the lack of food and shelter to which I was exposed for several months on end, my health did not flag for a single day. Notwithstanding my ardent desire to see Paris again, where I worked for a long time with Citizens Vauquelin and Chaptal and where we expect to publish our work (the fruits of this expedition), I could not resist the moral interest of seeing the United States and benefiting from the consoling nature of a people who know how to appreciate the precious gift of liberty. I hope I can have the good fortune of paying my respects to you in person and admiring at close range a philosopher-magistrate who is admired on two continents! Please excuse the personal nature and length of this letter, Mister President. I do not know whether my name is familiar to you from my book on galvanism or the reports of the National Institute of Paris. As a friend of the sciences, you will accept with indulgence the signs of my devotion. I would also like to speak to you about a topic you so cleverly treated in your work about Virginia: the mammoth teeth we discovered in the Andes of the southern hemisphere, 1,700 fathoms above the Pacific Ocean. My friend, Citizen Cuvier, will provide an anatomical description. It would impose on your goodness to keep you any longer. I will limit myself to assuring you, once again, of the profound devotion with which I shall always be, Mister President, your very humble and obedient servant. Le Baron de Humboldt of the Berlin Academy of Sciences If you wish to honor me with your instructions, please address them to Governor McKean. RC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as received 27 May. Enclosures: a letter of 28 Apr., with enclosures, from Vincent Gray, the U.S. consul at Havana, to Madison (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:1213, 247-8). Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) was the son of a widow of Hugenot descent and a Prussian military officer and courtier. During the course of his education, Humboldt embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment and trained in such fields as geology, botany, mineralogy, and economics. During the 1790s, he worked for the Prussian mining service, but an inheritance from

his mother freed him to leave civil employment. After a trip through part of Spain, he gained permission to conduct a scientific exploration of Spain’s American colonies. From 1799 until 1804, he and his colleague, the French botanist Aimé Bonpland, conducted a dangerous and arduous tour of northern South America, Cuba, and Central America, recording the natural features, flora and fauna, and political and social characteristics of these lands. They gathered some 60,000 botanical specimens, many previously unknown to Europeans. In addition to other scientific treatises, Humboldt published Voyage aux régions équinoxiales du nou­ veau continent, fait en 1799, 1800, 1801,

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2 4 M AY 1 8 0 4 1802, 1803, et 1804, a 34-volume series divided into six subject groups, presenting a narrative of his American tour, scientific findings, and political observations. Although he was never able to fulfill a planned expedition to south Asia, he did conduct another major trip through Siberia. His work informed the development of geography and ecology as scientific studies. TJ received portions of the Voy­ age and corresponded with Humboldt a number of times (dsb, 6:549-55; Sowerby, No. 4157; rs, 1:24-5n). During the 1730s and 1740s, French mathematician Charles Marie de La con­ damine was part of an Andean expedition that confirmed Isaac Newton’s theory that the Earth is flattened at the poles and subsequently completed the first scientific exploration down the Amazon River. Jean Baptiste chappe d’Auteroche observed the transit of Venus in southern California in 1769 (dsb, 15:269-73; 3:197-8; Sowerby, Nos. 4089, 4146).

 et à s. fe: at this time, Bogotá’s full name was Santa Fe de Bogotá (Frank Safford and Marco Palacios, Colombia: Fragmented Land, Divided Society [New York, 2002], 105; Allan J. Kuethe, “More on ‘The Culmination of the Bourbon Reforms’: A Perspective from New Granada,” Hispanic American Historical Review, 58 [1978], 477-80). ouvrage sur le galvanisme: Humboldt published Versuche über die greitzke Muskel­ und Nervenfaser, nebst Vermuth­ ungen über den chemischen Process des Lebens in der Thier­ und Pflanzenwelt in 1797 in Berlin. The French-language version with some additions, Expériences sur le galvanisme, et en général sur l’irritation des fibres musculaires et nerveuses, was published in Paris two years later (Ingo Schwarz, ed., Alexander von Humboldt und die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika: Briefwechsel [Berlin, 2004], 613).

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum May 24th. 1804. Your Polygraph was nearly finished before I received your favor of the 21st. Instant, and your improvement to command the pull of the spiral Spring shall be made to it. The Machine appears on a short tryal of it, to perform with great accuracy & considerable freedom. The joints are made to fit close without being stiff, and I have thought it best, not to use a single drop of oil in puting it togather, under the Idea, that oil may make the moovements easy at first, yet when it becomes thickened by the friction of the metals, that, it is then a disadvantage. The question is, whether smooth steel & brass well fitted togather, by use, shall acquire so high a polish as not to require the aid of oil? The experiment is deserving of tryal. Oil may be put at any time to the points with a feather, & if limpid, will flow through every part, without the machinery being taken to pieces. I am anxious you should receive this Polyraph as early as possible, and therefore I will endeavor to get it sent by the mail Stage. taking care to put it up in such a manner as it shall not be injured by the jolting of the Cariage.  482 

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 I now write with it, will make further tryal tomorrow, and then complete all the appendages. I shall try to find some Passenger who will be so obliging as to take charge of it & will write again to make further remarks on the construction of it. I wish Philada. had greater charms, that we might have the pleasure of seeing you; all the members of the Philosophical Society would rejoice, but none more than your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 May and “Museum” and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers).

From Thomas Rodney Washington Misisipi Territory

Dear President May 24th. 1804. Yesterday I paid a Visit Which I had long promised to Old Col: Green of this Country Who was formerly Sent, Towit in the year 1785. by the State of Georgia to demand this Country of the Spainards— On that Occasion, as he informs me, When he Demanded the Country of the Spainish Commandant at Natchez—He replied that it was more than his life was worth to deliver it up, but that he would write to the Governor of Orleans; and after hearing from him, answered Col Green, “That this Country was part of Louisiana and that they had conquered it with their Arms and would Defend it with their Arms.”—The Col. Asked him how far Louisiana Extended? He replied “That it Extended to the River Pardigo and up that River to the head and thence Northward to Tennessee.” I have Noticed this because This demand and reply being in Some Measure official May perhaps have Some weight if not Too late in Discussing the Question respecting the bounds of L— Eastward as the declared limit Comes from the Spainards themselves—Col. Green also says, That from his Acquaintance with the Choctaw Chiefs he has little doubt but they Will be Willing to Exchange their Country on the East Side the Misisipi for a Country on the West Side, and thinks that he could have some Influence with them if he had any Opertunity or Authority to use it but Suspects that there are Many White People among them Who Will dissuade them from Such a Measure—That he has heard their old King Say That, Their Hunting had so much declined, and that The Indians being Too Idle To work must Soon leave their Country— for Said he in this case, What Else can they do? but this Old King is  483 

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Since dead—however the Colonel says Many of their Chiefs were of the Same Opinion—Since I have been here I have Seen numbers of them Travelling Through the Settlements beging—And have heard Several complaints of their Killing the Planters Cattle to Eat—Yet Some of them bring in Venison To Sell; and many of them last Winter went on the Western Side of the River to Hunt Whom I Saw returning with Skins and furs in the Spring. I must beg leave to relate another Tale Old Colo: Green Told me— He Says a hunter Who some years ago was Taken Prisoner by the Huzaw Indians Told him that they carried him To the Misouiri Where it runs along the foot of a Salt Mountain Which Contains an inexhaustable fund of Rock Salt—That on that River near that place he saw a nation of White Indians (as White as any body) Who lived in Towns Composed of Good Houses and regularly laid out with Streets and were under regular Government, practised Many arts Cultivated the Earth and lived Comfortably and were Very quiet and peaceable &c This agrees with the acct. of Evans Which I heard at the Saline Spring from a Man Who Said he helped to Row the boat on his return down the lower parts of the Misouiri—As every thing That respects that part of our Country Seems Interesting you will excuse My Communicating Such accounts of it as Casually fall in My Way—Hunters indeed are almost the Only Persons That have Traversed that side of the River Extensively and altho their Accounts may not be altogether Correct they may be of Some use in acquiring a knowledge of it— I am with great respect and regard, Your Most Obedient Thomas Rodney RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 June and so recorded in SJL. old col: green: Thomas Green, patriarch of a politically influential family in the Mississippi Territory (Vol. 42:470n). old king: the Choctaw leader Franchimastabé (Vol. 41:48n).

huzaw indians: probably the Osages, whose name some early European accounts rendered as Huzau, Huzaa, or Huzzaw (Sturtevant, Handbook, 13, pt. 1:494). white indians: for the legend of the White, or Welsh, Indians and the efforts by Welsh mapmaker John Thomas Evans during the 1790s to find them, see Vol. 42:325-6.

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From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 25th of May 1804 I had the honor of addressing you on the 20th of March by the ship Piomingo to the care of Mr. Gelston Collector for New York, and forwarding by the same conveyance the Montepulciano wine you had directed.—it was likewise accompanied with some Vine-cuttings, and a treatise on the cultivation of them, both of which were presented me by Mr. Lastri Director of the King’s gardens, and President of the society of Agriculture at Florence. the extreme desire this gentleman has so frequently manifested to me of opening a Correspondence with some similar society in the United States, induced me in my last respects to communicate to you his wishes.— Notwithstanding Sir the unceasing vigilance and precaution I observe at all times with those who apply to me for passports as citizens of the U: States, I have lately been imposed on in a most daring manner by a certain Henry Benson, native of the State of Massachusetts, and lately resident trader in Boston; from which place he last came. on his arrival in Leghorn.—he applied to me for a passport for himself and servant; being destined to Hambourg on commercial objects— upon inquiry, (though I did not make it from any unfair appearances in the character of Benson but from a general principle of precaution) I found in effect he brought with him from America a citizen of the U: states in the capacity of a servant, I therefore no longer hesitated to comply with his request.—my watchfulness however was altogether unavailing, for under the garb of a servant when he sett forward for Hambourg, he had Concealed a british subject by the name of Richards, then a prisoner of war, as all the English were considered such in this part of Tuscany. they had proceeded on their route as far, as Ferrara, when from the familiarity in which they lived, became suspected, and were arrested. as the U: States has no Agent accredited in the Italian Republick, I had resort to the mediation of Mr. Tassoni minister from that government at florence; with whom I had been long intimate.—he forwarded my letter to Mr. Melzi the Vice President, and after an interrogation of the prisoners, and examination of their papers, Benson was liberated.—I now forward to Mr. Madison, copies of the letters I have written to, and received from Mr. Tassoni on this business by which you will perceive Sir, that it is from the distinguished sentiments that his government bears towards you, that it has generously overlooked this flagrant breach of good faith in one of our citizens.—and it must be remembered, that this has happened at a time when every exertion of the police of France was put  485 

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into action, in order to discover the conspirators against the life of the first Consul.— I now enclose the note of the Montepulciano wine which I necessarily omitted in my last.—my brother:in:law Samuel Emery of Philadelphia manages my little concerns in America.—Accept Sir the assurances of the unfeigned respect with which I am your devoted Servant. Th: Appleton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Sep. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn). Enclosure not found. honor of addressing you: see Appleton to TJ, 15 Mch.

forward to mr. madison: on 26 May, Appleton wrote to Madison regarding the arrest of Henry Benson and Richards by the Italian Republic and enclosed copies of his correspondence with Giulio Cesare Tassoni regarding the matter (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:256-7).

From Charles Biddle, James Gamble, and John Douglass Sir Philada. May 25. 1804 We are urged by our feelings, to address you on a Subject, which is to us most interesting and important we had each a son on board the late United States’ Frigate Philadelphia, at the time of her capture by the Tripolitans, and by the latest intelligence received from them, we have too much reason to feel an extreme solicitude and apprehension for their personal safety—under these Impressions we are induced to request your Excellency to give such information of the intentions of Government, in regard to the mode of procuring the liberation of this unfortunate crew as it may be thought proper to communicate. We confidently believe, that the measures pursued by the Government, whatever they may be, are such as will conduce most to the general good, and that at all events it is not for us to question or interfere with the arrangements which they may make—But as our view is neither to interfere with the designs of Government nor to ask any information which the Government may think proper to keep secret, we trust we shall be indulged with the information we desire and that your Excellency will not think it improper on this Occasion to Comply with a request dictated by the strongest feelings of paternal Concern. which, if not gratified, will at least we hope be an apology for the present application  486 

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 With the highest respect. we are your Excellencys. Most Obedt. Servts. Cha Biddle James Gamble John Douglass  P.S. By letters from Tripoli we are informed that on the appearance of our armd Vessells off there all the Americans except those with Capt. Bainbridge were Obliged to serve in their Batteries RC (DLC); in Biddle’s hand, signed by all; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 May and so recorded in SJL. Born in Philadelphia, Charles Biddle (1745-1821) went to sea at the age of 17 and became a shipowner and captain. Elected to the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council in 1784, he was its vice president from 1785 to 1787, prothonotary of the common pleas court of Philadelphia from 1791 until 1809, a frequent member of the state legislature, and a longtime director of the Bank of Pennsylvania. Biddle was a close friend of Aaron Burr and the father of Nicholas Biddle, last president of the Second Bank of the United States (John W. Jordan, ed., Colo­ nial Families of Philadelphia, 2 vols. [New York, 1911], 1:165-9). John Douglass (1750-1840) was a lifelong resident of Philadelphia who served

as a city alderman beginning in 1802 and later as high sheriff. Douglass was a veteran of the American Revolution and also served in the War of 1812. His military experiences were such that a “large concourse of citizens” attended his funeral, including Vice President Richard M. Johnson (same, 2:1631-2; John C. Lowber and Clements S. Miller, Digest of the Ordinances of the Corporation of the City of Philadelphia; and of the Acts of Assem­ bly Relating Thereto [Philadelphia, 1822], 270; Philadelphia North American and Daily Advertiser, 13 July 1840; Lineage Book: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 39 [1902], 321). For James Gamble, see Vol. 41: 606-7n. each a son: midshipmen James Biddle and Robert M. Gamble, and sailmaker Joseph Douglass (ndbw, Register, 5, 16, 19-20).

From Joseph Nourse Sir. Treasury Department Register’s Office May 25th. 1804 I have the honor to transmit herewith two copies of the receipts & expenditures of the United States for the years 1801 & 1802. I have the honor to be with great respect Sir Your Obedient Servt. Joseph Nourse Rr RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nourse; at foot of text: “William Burwell Esqr:”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 25 May and “Rects. & expend.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) An Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of the United States, For the Year 1801. Stated in Pur­

suance of the Standing Order of the House of Representatives of the United States, Passed on the Thirtieth Day of Decem­ ber,  One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety­One (Washington, D.C., [1802]; Sowerby, No. 3166). (2) An Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of the United States, For the Year 1802. Stated

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cember, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety­One (Washington, D.C., [1803]; Sowerby, No. 3166).

From John Page My dear Friend Richmond May 25th. 1804 Judging from my own feelings, that Condolance might be offered too soon to Griefs like yours, I have refrained thus long from obtruding upon that part of your precious time which parental tenderness could not but devote to bewailing the inexpressible loss of an inestimable Daughter! But I should be void of sympathetic Feelings, were I any longer to refrain from mingling my Grief, & that of my Family, with yours! Sincerely do we condole with you! But permit me my Friend, now, to entreat you to be comforted with the consoling reflection that she is happy! and that our unavailing grief for lost happiness is to be unhappy indeed. Let us no longer be selfish, and make ourselves unhappy, because we could not detain her in this Vale of Sorrow, ’till we should leave her behind us a prey to Grief for the Loss of you her beloved Father, & possibly of other dear Connections! Be comforted, and encrease not the distress of her numerous Friends by your Grief: They can never cease to sympathize with you, and must feel their Sorrow embittered by yours. Mrs. Eppes was too dear to every one who had even once seen her, not to leave on their minds a long recollection of her, & a lasting impression of Grief for her loss. And all who knew you both, and your paternal delight in her, must be greatly afflicted ’till they can know, or hope at least, that you have found that Consolation which they wish you to receive. Be comforted then my dear Friend, and be happy in the Enjoyment of the amiable Family which Heaven has yet preserved for your comfort. Mrs. Page most sincerely deplores your loss! She unites with me in cordial wishes to console you: accept them, and be assured of our high respect & Esteem, and of my warmest Friendship John Page RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 May and so recorded in SJL.

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From Gurdon F. Saltonstall [. . .] and Respected Sir— [May] 25th. 1804— With Profound Respect to your high Official Capacity as a Statesman and Philosopher, I submit tho’ with the greatest diffidence in my Own Judgment the enclosed plan of my Improved Air Pipes and bellows for supplying families with Pirfumed and Salubrious Air for Respiration—Perhaps it might be of service in large Cities and even in private families. If you think so and it is aproved by You, Meeting with your Patronage and Signature, I will truly esteem it as the highest Encomium that Can be Confer’d, and at the same time Consider myself under a lasting Obligation to you. I am Sir with True Respect Your Humbl. Servt. G. F: Saltonstall Please cause to be handed the enclosed plan of my improved air pipes to Samuel H. Smith— RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); torn. Recorded in SJL as a letter of 25 May received from Fayetteville on 1 June. Enclosure not found, but see below. Gurdon F. Saltonstall (1760-1836) was a chairmaker and inventor who resided in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Originally from Connecticut, Saltonstall served in the Revolutionary War and afterward relocated to North Carolina. Between 1801 and 1817, Saltonstall received several patents for inventions relating to ginning cotton, and in 1805 he advertised a device in local newspapers for “rendering the common air more salubrious for respiration.” By the 1830s, Saltonstall had purchased land in Kentucky and received a

patent for an improvement in inland navigation that was intended to “preserve the lives and property” of steamboat passengers (Virgil D. White, Genealogical Abstracts of Revolutionary War Pension Files, 4 vols. [Waynesboro, Tenn., 199092], 3:3002; James H. Craig, The Arts and Crafts in North Carolina, 1699­1840 [Winston-Salem, 1965], 157, 159, 165; Quincy J. Scarborough, Jr., North Caro­ lina Decorated Stoneware: The Webster School of Folk Potters [Fayetteville, 1986], 19; List of Patents, 25, 31, 33, 184, 654; Wilmington Gazette, 4 June 1805; Washington Daily National Intelligencer, 14 July 1835; Richmond Enquirer, 17 July 1835; New­London Gazette, 24 Feb. 1836).

From William Scales May it please his Excellency, Thomas Jefferson May 25 1804 Suffer a word Honored Sir, sine the supreme law, Salus Populi require it and the expence of the execution, shall be on the Side of the author, The Memorialist, has brought forth in a Roll clear demonstrations against Locke and Newton, the two grand pillars of the learned world, and of all modern theology, metaphisicks, and philosophy: It  489 

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is therefore proposed to his Excellency to attend to the demonstrations for the publick emolument, present and to come, Now if His Excellency judges proper to attend to the demonstrations signify it, by a line, to the Post in Brunswick, M. and his Excellency shall have the demonstrations without expence, and a curious method to perform navigation & to take the longitude by observation1 into the bargain. If his Excellency declines, please to lay the proposition before the Congress, and let them manifest a decline also, if they please. William Scales RC (MiU-C); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States, Federal City or elsewhere”; franked; postmarked Quincy, 28 May; endorsed by TJ as received 2 June and so recorded in SJL.

For Scales’s earlier demonstrations against locke and newton, see Vol. 34:41n. 1 Preceding six words and ampersand interlined.

To John Armstrong of New York Dear Sir, Washington May 26. 04 We find it of advantage to the public to ask of those to whom appointments are proposed, if they are not accepted, to say nothing of the offer, at least for a convenient time. the refusal cheapens the estimation of the public appointments and renders them less acceptable to those to whom they are secondarily proposed. the occasion of this remark will be found in a letter you will recieve from the Secretary of state proposing to you the appointment to Paris as successor to Chancellor Livingston. I write this private letter to remove some doubts which might perhaps arise in your mind. you have doubtless heard of the complaints of our foreign ministers as to the incompetency of their salaries. I believe it would be better were they somewhat enlarged. yet a moment’s reflection will satisfy you that a man may live in any country on any scale he pleases, and more easily in that than this because there the grades are more distinctly marked. from the Ambassador there a certain degree of representation is expected. but the lower grades of Envoy, Minister, resident, Chargé have been introduced to accomodate both the sovereign & missionary as to the scale of expence. I can assure you from my own knolege of the ground that these latter grades are left free in the opinion of the place to adopt any stile they please, & that it does not lessen their estimation or their usefulness. when I was at Paris two thirds of the diplomatic men of the 2d. and 3d. orders entertained nobody. yet they were as much  490 

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invited out and honoured as those of the same grades who entertained. I suspect from what I hear that the Chancellor having always stood on a line with those of the first expence here has not had resolution enough to yield place there, & that he has taken up the Ambassadorial scale of expence. this procures one some sunshine friends who like to eat of your good things, but has no effect on the men of real business, the only men of real use to you, in a place where every man is estimated at what he really is. but this subject requires more detail than can be given but in conversation. if you accept, I think it will be necessary for you to come and pass some days here in reading the correspondence with the courts of Paris, London & Madrid, that you may be fully possessed of the state of things on that side the water so far as they concern us. the Chancellor being extremely urging in his last letters to be immediately relieved, we are obliged to ask all the expedition in departure which is practicable. the state of affairs between us & France as they respect St. Domingo is somewhat embarrassing & urgent. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Genl. Armstrong.” John Armstrong (1758-1843), a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, attended the College of New Jersey at Princeton for two years before joining the Continental Army in 1776. He served as an aide to Hugh Mercer and Horatio Gates with the rank of major and was the anonymous author or scribe of the document circulated in the camp at Newburgh, New York, in 1783 that expressed discontent with Congress and was the focal point of what is known as the Newburgh conspiracy. Returning to Pennsylvania after the war, he served as secretary of the state’s Supreme Executive Council and adjutant general (hence TJ’s practice of calling him General Armstrong). Following his 1789 marriage to a sister of Robert R. Livingston, Armstrong moved to New York

to oversee his newly acquired Dutchess County estate. He remained active in politics, however, and aligned with the Democratic-Republican interest. He represented New York for two partial terms in the U.S. Senate from 1800 to 1802 and 1803 to 1804, resigning his seat to accept TJ’s appointment as minister to France. Returning to the United States in 1810, Armstrong served as secretary of war from 1813 to 1814. Retiring from public life, he focused his remaining years on writing and agricultural pursuits (anb; Biog. Dir. Cong.). from the secretary of state: a letter from Madison to Armstrong of 27 May, informing him of his appointment as minister to France and suggesting that he visit Washington for briefing, has not been found (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:260, 272).

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From William Lee Bordeaux May 26: 1804.

I have the honour to forward to the President of the United States the Moniteur of the 19 & 20th of May containing the Organization of the Imperial Government of France. William Lee RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: Gazette Na­ tionale ou le Moniteur Universel, 19 and 20 May. Lee’s note with its enclosure of the moniteur was likely the first correspondence concerning the imperial government of france to reach the Jefferson administration. The issue of 19 May printed the proclamation of Napoleon Bonaparte as emperor, which had occurred the previous day. The issue of 20 May printed the constitution for the new government. Divided into 16 sections or “titres,” the document did not alter many of the state structures that had governed France under the Consulate. Other than styling Napoleon the Emperor of the French, its most significant change was to create a line of succession,

with Joseph and Louis Bonaparte declared first and second in line in the event that their brother did not have a legitimate son. It also paved the way for the reinstitution of a nobility and placed reorganized police institutions under greater central control. TJ had anticipated the move and doubtless read news of it before receiving Lee’s communication. A preliminary decision to have Bonaparte proclaimed emperor began appearing in American newspapers early in July, and the official change was reported near the end of that month (Georges Lefebvre, Na­ poleon, from 18 Brumaire to Tilsit, 1799­ 1807, trans. Henry F. Stockhold [New York, 1969], 182-5; Philip Dwyer, Citi­ zen Emperor: Napoleon in Power [London, 2013], 124-8, 140-1; New Bedford Co­ lumbian Courier, 6 July; National Intelli­ gencer, 25 July; New­York Evening Post, 26 and 28 July; Vol. 38:19).

From Peter Lenox, with Jefferson’s Notes Mr Thos Jefferson Eqr Washington 26th May 1804 Sir the blinds will Cost if the laths stand: fast − ₁²₀−⁷₀ −  foot & if moveable − ₁³− ₀³₀ −  foot the average − ₁³₀−⁰₀ −  foot, blinds 3 feet 3 by 3 feet 3 I = 10 feet 6 at − ₁³₀−⁰₀ −– $ 3.15⅓ Painting will be − ₁³₀−⁷₀ −  yard, 3 f 3 by 3 f 3 = 2 yards 3 feet 86⅓ $4.01⅓ Peter Lenox [Notes by TJ:] Mr. Lenox is desired to make 6. pr Venetian blinds with fixed laths, folding together with a rabbet at the meeting 6. pr do. with laths moving on 2. pivots. do.  492 

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the stiles & rails are to be 2¼ I. deep or thick, measured horizontally the pair when shut are to be 3. f. 3. I. square accurately to be painted All at the prices given in by mr Lenox Th:J. May 30. 04. the above are for the N. 8gon. N. book room Cabinet

1. window 1. 1. 3. 6. windows

June 11. ordered the following pr fixed pr movble for the chamber 1 2 Parlour 2 4 Tea room  2   2  5 8 but as mr Bryan had undertaken 1 pr of moveable, but 7. pr were ordered from Lenox. Oct. 5. 04. desired him to make 2 pr with fixed laths 4. pr with laths on 2. pivots for the  2. windows of Bow of Parlour RC (MHi); addressed: “Presedent of United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ with notation “price of Venetian blinds.” Originally from Williamsburg, Virginia, Peter Lenox (1771-1832) was among the carpenters who helped construct the President’s House under Benjamin Henry Latrobe. TJ later commissioned him as construction foreman on several projects, including the building of a custom frame for holding the Mammoth Cheese. After the War of 1812, Lenox became clerk of works, first at the executive mansion and then, in 1817, at the Capitol. He owned a successful lumber business in Washington, invested in local real estate, and served frequently on the town council (Glenn Brown, History of the United States Capi­ tol, 2 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1900], 1:96-7; Allen C. Clark, “Walter Lenox, the Thirteenth Mayor of the City of Washington,” rchs, 20 [1917], 167-8; rs, 5:178-9n).

Several undated documents in TJ’s hand relate to venetian blinds for rooms at Monticello. Perhaps at an earlier stage of the house’s renovation, TJ listed 21 blinds on hand that he had obtained from Paris, New York, and Philadelphia. Eight additional blinds were needed at that point for the entrance hall and south end of the house. TJ later added to that document some dimensions for blinds intended for the porticos (“Monticello: Remodelling Notes, [begun 1796],” in MHi; Nichols, Architectural Drawings, No. 149b). A copy of plans and sketches for 16 blinds that were to be hinged together in pairs, similar to the order of 5 Oct. listed above, was delivered to “mr Lenox” and indicated that Lenox had charged $25.30 for 76⅔ feet of blinds, with an additional $3.19 for painting (MS in MHi; Nichols, Architectural Drawings, No. 147q).

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Notes on a Cabinet Meeting 1804. May. 26. Present the Secretaries and Atty Genl. What terms of peace with Tripoli shall be agreed to? if successful, insist on their deliverg. up men without ransom, and reestablishing old treaty without paying any thing. if unsuccessful, rather than have to continue the war, agree to give 500. D. a man, (having first deducted for the prisoners we have taken) and the sum in gross & tribute before agreed on.  Shall any thing be furnished to the Ex-bashaw to engage cooperation? Unanimously 20000. D.  Whether we shall prohibit our mercht. vessels from arming to force a trade in St. Domingo, as requested by Pichon? unanimously not. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 131:22677); entirely in TJ’s hand; follows, on verso, Notes on a Cabinet Meeting of 18 Feb. sum in gross & tribute before agreed on: after TJ and his cabinet discussed the subject of buying peace with

Tripoli during their 8 Apr. 1803 meeting, they instructed James L. Cathcart to  offer Yusuf Qaramanli an immediate payment of $20,000 and “8 or ten thousand dollars a year” thereafter (Vol. 40:152-3). ex­bashaw: Ahmad Qaramanli.

From George Leaycraft New Orleans May 27. 1804

Permit a man who servd. the prime of his days in the revelutionary Army of his Country in Obtaining the Independence of the United States of America—over which your Excellency now presides: to Address you with candour & Truth—I was born in the City of New York. my Father Viner Leaycraft who had previous to the revolt of our Country from Brittain been a Ship Master out [of] the Said port of New York, forty Years at the commencment of our Revelutionary war he movd. out of the City with his Family Left his property and Joind. his Country Three Brothers & myself Joind. the Service of our Country myself & Younger Brother in the Second regiment of Artillery Commanded by John Lamb. The other two in the Navy they were lost. I servd. in the Aforesaid Regt from a Second Lieut. to a Prevet Capt. my Brother a Second Lieut. both Throughout the War. with repute—my Youngest Brother is in New York an Inspector of the revenue. myself alone am here & by unforeseen Accidents am reduced I have no Friends that I can Ask for Assistance—This place being the most inhospitable I ever was in—at Present exhibiting and Outward Shew of Loyalty to the United States but are Aiming at  494 

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[. . .] Interests agreeable to the former conduct under the Spanish Goverment—of which they were sworn Subjects— I Therefore Ask your Excellency for imploy. and as I am well Acquainted with the Sea as well as land Service I beg your Excellency shoud you have any revenue Vessels on this extensive Coast which I am well Acquainted with to give me an Appointment to one—or Shoud your Excellency think proper I woud. Accept my Old Commission in a Frontier Garrison of this Country. with Submission to your Excellencys Consideration. I am with the Greatest Respct. Your Excellencys Most Obet Serv Geo. Leaycraft NB. I refer your Excelleny to Genl. Wilkinson who I was with several times at this Place RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; addressed: “His Excellency Thoms Jefferson City of Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 July and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed: “emploiment.” George Leaycraft served in the Second Continental Artillery Regiment from 1777 to 1783. Following the war, Leaycraft returned to New York City, where he became a member of the Society of the Cincinnati. In 1789, he owned and operated a house of entertainment and outdoor garden. During the early 1790s, Leaycraft was one of several New York Continental Army officers who petitioned the federal government for financial relief, and in 1793 he offered his services as a privateer to Edmond Charles Genet. By 1799,

Leaycraft captained a vessel engaged in the domestic coasting trade (Heitman, Register, 344; David Franks, The New­ York Directory [New York, 1786], 72; New York Daily Advertiser, 2 June 1789; Mathew Carey, ed., American Museum, or, Universal Magazine, 2 vols. [Philadelphia, 1792], 2:12; New­York Gazette and General Advertiser, 19 Nov. 1799; William R. Casto, Foreign Affairs and the Constitution in the Age of Fighting Sail [Columbia, S.C., 2006], 103). Leaycraft’s younger brother, William Leaycraft, also served in the Second Continental Artillery Regiment and was the inspector of the customs for the port of New York from the late 1790s through the early 1800s (Heitman, Register, 344; asp, Miscellaneous, 1:270).

From Levi Lincoln Sir Washington May 27—1804 In a letter, by the last evening’s mail, covering the inclosed from a young friend its author, he says, he transmits one copy of an address for my perusals, with a few more, which if it should be thought proper, I might present to such of my friends as would honor them with an acceptance. Mr Brazer is a young man of talents, of firmness, of zeal in the republican cause, and deserves the approbation of its friends—Knowing that it will provoke his ambition, and encourage his exertions to be informed that the Presidt. of the U.S. had received  495 

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and had read, this elegant, spirited, and according to my taste, happily expressed discrimination between the principles and measures of your administration, and those of its opposers and of other countries, I could not deny myself the gratification of asking your permission, that it might find a conspicious place in that volume of political pamphlets which you may put into binding this year. If a similar boldness, severity, and independence was universally exhibited by republicans towards their unprincipled adversaries; If these insulting calumniators of men and measures were to be repaid for their falshood and malignity, in mortifying truths descriptive of themselves and their conduct, the made spirit of federalism would be expelled our country, a spirit of insolence, of haughtiness, and of a lust for domination, a spirit which “goeth not out by fasting and prayer” I have the honor to be, Sir, with the highest esteem most respectfully your obt Sert Levi Lincoln RC (DLC); at head of text: “Presidt. of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably Samuel Brazer, Jr., Ad­ dress, Pronounced at Worcester, on May 12th, 1804, in Commemoration of the Ces­ sion of Louisiana to the United States (Worcester, 1804).

Samuel brazer, Jr., was a Republican orator who edited the National Aegis and later the Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Advertiser (Brigham, American News­ papers, 1:419; Worcester National Aegis, 2 July 1806, 27 Feb. 1811, 12 Jan. 1820; Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Adver­ tiser, 25 Feb. 1823). goeth not out by fasting and prayer: Matthew 17:21.

From Thomas Munroe Sir, Sunday Evening 27th May 1804 Conceiving it to be my duty to endeavor to obtain your opinion and sanction in all matters appertaining to the Appointment which I have the honor of holding under you, the duties where of (altho’ comparatively trivial & unimportant, are to be executed under your immediate direction, I feel a diffidence and reluctance in doing any thing which from its nature may possibly be disapproved by you, Sir—I therefore trust I shall be excused for having so frequently endeavored to know your pleasure respecting City matters before I acted; but I fear my applications have sometimes been deemed troublesome, and have interrupted you when engaged in the important affairs of Government; altho’ I have always endeavored to avoid it as much as possible by enquiring whether you were engaged in conversation with public characters or others, when interruption might be disagreeable & improper; feeling, as was my duty, the utmost desire to conform to  496 

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your wishes in obtaining your directions with all possible convenience to you.— With this apology I will hope for your indulgence in the present application, which I make in writing as it may possibly be less troublesome to you, than being waited on and conversed with.— Mr. Lenthall says he wishes to begin to take the blue stone from the Avenue to the Capitol tomorrow morning, for that, in consequence of further disappointments by the Contractor yesterday & the day before the quantity on hand is very small—I did not know when I had the honor of seeing you last that this stone would be wanted so soon, and therefore did not fully understand your intentions & final instructions as to the gravel foot ways—. We have about $5,500, the unexpended balance of the Appropriation of 1803, which is applicable to the improvement of the Avenue—Lenthall estimates the stone pavement at between 6 & 700 perches which at $2.₁−²₀−⁵₀ − pr perch (the price the other stone costs including drayage) will amt to from $1,200 to $1500—. I cannot exactly ascertain what the two foot ways on the south side cost, but I see the rolls of Carters & Labourers for the two months in which they were made and other things done amount to about $1000. It seems to be the General opinion that those ways are too narrow & are liable to some other inconveniences & objections, and that if the two were shovell’d into one, and a corresponding way made on the north side it would be the best plan that can be adopted—If I understood you Sir, you meant to have two ways on the north side like those on the south side, that is, a gravel way where the stone now is, & another within the first row of trees, or that, substituting gravel for the present stone pavement might suffice for sometime—The ground on which the stone lies is raised with sand &c six or eight inches which would make a gravelled way quite dry, but it is not in a line with either of the ways on the south side; is deemed too narrow; occupies part of the space for the permanent brick pavement and it is thought that its height & the dug ditch on the side would render it dangerous to walk in the night & in rainy freezing weather on a gravelled way laid there and raised in the middle; for which reasons it is supposed it might be better to shovel the sand from its present bed to the space between the rows of trees so as to make a way twelve feet wide or thereabouts to correspond with that proposed to be made on the South side by uniting the two present ways in one—. I yesterday mentioned to Mr King that you had given permission to take up the stone pavement, and that there were to be one or more gravelled ways made—he asked if he should commit to writing some of his ideas on  497 

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the subject, and this morning sent me the enclosed; part of which, perhaps, is unnecessary to be considered at this time, as it relates to permanent arrangements. His remarks and the few I have the honor to make are submitted with the utmost deference and respect in case they may be thought worthy of any attention in giving your directions.— Preparatory to filing a bill to arrest the progress of the wooden building opposite the branch bank, I asked Mr Lenthall if he or Mr Blagdin, or both of them would be so good as to examine & measure it, and report its dimensions, as on some former occasions, to enable me to state in the bill the particulars in which it was contrary to the regulations declared by the President—I yesterday evening recd the enclosed note saying that this House is within the Dimensions allowed; which I did not suppose was the case before they measured it, although the persons employed in building it assured me it was so.— I Have the Honor to be with the utmost respect Sir, Yr mo Ob Servant Thomas Munroe RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 May and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed: “stone foot way—Pensva avenue foot ways.” Enclosures: (1) Nicholas King to Munroe, Surveyor’s Office, 26 May 1804, explaining the difficulties in creating safe, convenient footpaths in a city such as Washington, with its diagonal avenues intersecting with “longitudinal & meridional streets” and its numerous open squares; King supports Munroe’s concerns about the current narrow footways; he argues for paths of “twelve or fifteen feet” that would allow three or four persons to “converse on business with more ease, and will feel more social than when compelled to follow each other”; King encloses with his letter a detailed illustration, dated 26 May, of his proposed footways along Pennsylvania Avenue (RC in DLC; addressed: “Thomas Munroe Esqr. Superintendt of City of Washington”). (2) John Lenthall and George Blagden to Munroe, 26 May 1804, confirming that the “framed house,

now building, nearly opposite the Branch Bank” is within the regulations set by the president in that it “does not cover 320 square feet of ground. and is not 12 feet in height from the Cill to the eve of the Roof and is distant, more than 24 feet, from any Brick building” (same; at foot of text: “To The Superintendant of the City of Washington”). Chips of blue stone “hewed for the Capitol” were used in 1800 temporarily to cover the footpath running alongside Pennsylvania Avenue (William W. Andrews, The Correspondence and Miscella­ nies of the Hon. John Cotton Smith, LLD.: Formerly Governor of Connecticut with an Eulogy Pronounced before the Con­ necticut Historical Society at New Haven, May 27th 1846 [New York, 1847], 205; Worthington C. Ford, “Diary of Mrs. William Thornton, 1800-1863,” rchs, 10 [1907], 149). For TJ’s involvement in the gravel footways, see Vol. 40:64-7, 95-6.

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From Benjamin Smith Barton Dear Sir, Philadelphia, May 28th, 1804. This will be handed to you by Mr. F. A. Humboldt. I am persuaded that I need not offer any apology for introducing to your knowledge and attentions, the explorer of South America, and one of the most intelligent and active philosophers of our times. We all regret that his stay among us is to be so short. With sentiments of the highest respect, I remain, Dear Sir, Your obedient and affectionate friend, &c. Benjamin Smith Barton. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 June and so recorded in SJL. his stay amongst us: Alexander von Humboldt, along with his colleagues Aimé Bonpland and Carlos Montufar, arrived in Philadelphia on 23 May. They were feted by members of the American Philosophical Society, including Charles Willson Peale, who eagerly agreed to es-

cort the explorers to Washington. They departed Philadelphia on 29 May. The society elected Humboldt a member at a  meeting in July (Philadelphia United States Gazette, 25 May; Douglas Botting, Humboldt and the Cosmos [New York, 1973], 167-71; Charles Coleman Sellers, Charles Willson Peale, 2 vols. [Philadelphia, 1947], 2:182; aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 359).

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, Brookeville 28th. of the 5th. Month 1804 I had intended to be in the City this day—but my aged Father having come one hundred and thirty miles on a visit to me, and considering that two days delay would increase the probability of my meeting with the Secretary of the Treasury, I have ventured to remain at home until the day after tomorrow. On that day, I expect to be in the City. Accept my respectful esteem. Isaac Briggs. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Pr: U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 May and so recorded in SJL.

From Arthur Fenner His Excellency The President of the U.S. Providence May 28th. 1804 Hearing that a Minister has been recently appointed to the Court of Spain, if you still hold the appointment of Secretary to the Mission, I take the liberty to recommend Col. Thos. Lloyd Halsey of this town,  499 

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as a candidate for that office—This young Gentleman I have known from his earliest years, his father has bestowed on him the best education this Country & Europe could afford; he has lately returned home & I find from my conversations with him, that he is strongly attached to the present happy Administration & to this Country— From the correctness of his morals & political character, I know of none more worthy to fill any post, of honor, confidence, or abilities, as far as his years will permit—His knowledge of the French & Spanish languages (which is rare to find united with his other qualities) his considerable residence at those Courts, where he was acquainted with many of the Nobility & people of Rank, & his distinguished manners capacitate him for a S[ecy] of the Embassy to Spain—The father of Col. Halsey, his family & fortune are among the first in our State, & from his constant & firm attachment to the Republican system, amid the feuds of dissenters in this town, without seeking any post or place, interests me much in this application for his son, in addition to the regard I feel for this promising young man—Should Your Excellency require further recommendation, Mr. Halsey can with facility procure it from the most respectable citizens in our part of the Country—Col. Halsey mentioned that he had the honor to see you at Washington; it is a satisfaction I have long wished for myself— I can venture to say if your Excellency should be pleased to indicate your approbation of Col. Halsey to Mr. Edwards it will be very agreeable to Mr. E—& would bestow new Obligations On Your Excellencys Very Obedt. & Very Hble Servant A. Fenner RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; endorsed by TJ as received 1 June and “Halsey Thomas Lloyd. to be Secy. legation to Spain” and so recorded in SJL. Rumors that Pierpont Edwards had been recently appointed to the court of spain were false. In November 1804, TJ nominated James Bowdoin

as minister to Spain and George W. Erving as secretary of legation (jep, 1:473; Theodore Foster to TJ, 1 June; TJ to the Senate, 13 Nov. 1804). For earlier recommendations of Thomas L. halsey, Jr., by Fulwar Skipwith and James Monroe, see Vol. 40:146-7; Vol. 41:426.

From William Henry Harrison My Dear Sir Vincennes 28th. May 1804 Of the merits of Mr. Peter Cheateau the bearer of this, you will no doubt be sufficiently informed by Captain Lewis—I have only to say that altho my personal acquaintance with him is of very recent date— I have long known & esteemed his character  500 

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 Mr. Cheateau is accompanied by a son of his & a nephew, the son of Mr. Charles Gratiot of St. Louis—these young Gentlemen possess a very ardent desire to serve in the army of the United States—but as they do not as yet think themselves qualified for actual service it is their object to procure admission into the school established for1 the Corps of Artillerists & Engeneers—if this could be accomplished it would be highly gratifying to their parents who are certainly amongst the most respectable & influencil characters in Upper Louisiana— I am with the Sincerest Regard Dr Sir your faithful Hume Servt. Willm. H Harrison RC (NNPM); at head of text: “Private”; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed

by TJ as received 11 July and so recorded in SJL with notation “by Choteau.” 1

MS: “for for.”

To Alexander von Humboldt Sir Washington May 28. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 24th. and offer you my congratulations on your arrival here in good health after a tour in the course of which you have been exposed to so many hardships and hazards. the countries you have visited are of those least known, and most interesting, and a lively desire will be felt generally to recieve the information you will be able to give. no one will feel it more strongly than myself, because no one perhaps views this new world with more partial hopes of it’s exhibiting an ameliorated state of the human condition. in the new position in which the seat of our government is fixed we have nothing curious to attract the observation of a traveller and can only substitute in it’s place the welcome with which we should recieve your visit, should you find it convenient to add so much to your journey. Accept I pray you my respectful salutations and assurances of great respect and consideration. PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “M. Le Baron de Humboldt.”

To Thomas Munroe Sir Washington May 28. 04. Your favor of last night is this moment recieved. no apologies are necessary for calling on me on business. it is to do business that I am placed here, and I meet the duties of my office not only without  501 

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repugnance but with desire. I recieve yourself particularly with pleasure whenever the business of your office requires it. my hours of greatest convenience are from ten to one. subjects which require a good deal of explanation are easiest explained by word; but propositions from yourself which require only a simple approbation are sometimes better to be in writing for memory & preservation. you are always free to chuse between the two modes as you think will be most suitable to the subject. The pavement of the footway may be taken up immediately. but there will be about 130 to 150. perch of that most convenient to the President’s house which will be wanting for a cellar to be made adjoining it. With respect to the gravelled foot ways to be made, my idea was that those on the North should be exactly similar to those on the South [side] for these reasons. 1. I cannot but expect that considerations of convenience as well as of beauty will some day produce the resolution to conduct the Tyber along the space between the two foot ways. 2. the objection to the narrowness & convexity of the present ways has already very much disappeared by their subsiding & spreading. 3. should however the canal be ultimately abandoned and a single broader foot way be preferred the interior one can be shovelled to the exterior one at any time and room be thereby made for widening the carriage way as proposed by mr King. 4. if the footway were now made 10. or 12. feet wide it would, in the present state of police, be usurped by horses & carriages. 5. when a plan has been begun, even if not the very best, it is better to go streight forward; for by doing and undoing nothing is ever accomplished.—but this shall be further considered. in the mean time the stone may be taken up. Accept my respectful salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); text running off the edge of the paper; at foot of text: “Mr. Munroe”; endorsed by TJ.

From Benjamin Rush Dear Sir, Philada: May 28. 1804 The bearer Dr Anth: Fothergill wishes to do himself the honor of paying his respects to you. He is a relation of the late illustrious Dr John Fothergill, & possesses a large share of his philanthropic disposition. After having acquired wealth & independance at Bath, he has come to spend the evening of his life in our peaceful & flourishing  502 

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country. He is well informed & amiable, and will duly estimate your civilities to him. Health, Respect & Friendship! From Dr Sir yours affectionately Benjn: Rush RC (NjP: Rush Family Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 3 June and so recorded in SJL.

Anthony fothergill was a member of the party accompanying Alexander von Humboldt to Washington (National In­ telligencer, 8 June 1804).

From Thomas Seymour Sir Hartford may 28th. 1804. Tho I have not the honor of a personal acqaintance with your Exelcy., yet am confident that the trouble you may have in the perusal of what follows will be excused.— so far as concerns my private character, principles, or abilities, shall leave them to my Friends.— thro’ the revolutionary war it may be said, that few men in Connecticut did, paid, or made more sacrifices than myself—my House was not shut to the Patriots of 76, either in the Cabinet—or Field— Genls. Gates, Knox, Fayete &c, can witness—I was of the then Govrs. Cabinet Council of Safety, constituted by the Legislature, & with equal powers, for the time being—Speaker of the House of Representatives, until elected to a seat in our Senate—in 1784, chosen Mayor of this City—afterwards Judge of the County, besides various other public betrustments— in addition to these, my eldest Son, not of age, & taken from College, in 1777, was a Leiut.—then a Captn., in Sheldons Regimt. of Dragoons—was with Genl Gates in the northern Army, & escorted Burgoyne & Suit, to Boston, as Prisoners of War—my second Son, lost a limb, above the knee in the defence of the Post at Groton, storm’d by the Brittish in 1781—he is allowed a small pension,— comencing, not till 1795—the necessary & extray. expences incurred, in these two instances, were not small— at the close of the war & orginazation of the general Government, the public favors, & emoluments, in this quarter, were liberally bestowed upon the select Friends & Allies of the men who advocated, created, & then proffited, by the funding System—they are too well known to be named—I was not of that number—they engros’d the whole under the two first administrations—their influence (hapily  503 

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declining) still holds this State in hostile array agst the genl Govert.— its Executive, & Friends—there are two appointments, of consequence, yet held by thier Creatures—the Collectors at New London, & the Loan in this City—from Insolvents at the begining, they have risen to affluence—tho’ these Occupiers effect to be more cautious & covert, than under the last admin–n, yet it is well known, that thro’ the midium of hostile Abettors, they make use of their official influence, to depress the Friends, & increase the number of oppositionists to the Governt, particularly in cases of election— Sir, I am perhaps, too much interested to trouble you with a detail of what has been done by our Legisl–re, now in Session—it will come to you thro’ able hands—it is believed, however, that such a pointed procedure, in which too, the general Gov–t seems to be implicated, will not pass unnoticed— I am with the highest consideration, esteem & respect Your Excelcys Obt Servt Thos Seymour RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “His Excelency The President of the United States City of Washington”; franked; postmarked 31 May; endorsed by TJ as received 4 June and “Collector  at New London. Commr. loans Connecticut.” Thomas Seymour (1735-1829) of Hartford, Connecticut, served in the American Revolution, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel, was a member of the general assembly from 1774 to 1803, and chief

justice of the county court of common pleas from 1798 to 1803. Seymour was Hartford’s first mayor after its incorporation, and remained so until his resignation in 1812. At the time of his death he was “the oldest surviving graduate” of Yale College (Donald Lines Jacobus and others, A History of the Seymour Family: Descendants of Richard Seymour of Hart­ ford, Connecticut, for Six Generations [New Haven, 1939], 153-4; Hartford Con­ necticut Mirror, 1 Aug. 1829).

From William C. C. Claiborne, with Jefferson’s Note Dear Sir, New Orleans 29 May 1804 Since my last letter I have understood, that a half section of vacant land might probably be located adjacent to this City, and immediately bordering on the Canal of Carondelet. This land lies low and is often covered with water, but I learn it might easily be reclaimed, and there can be no question but it will soon become valuable. The public property in New-Orleans is considerable, and would command lucrative sales; but I hope Congress may deem it expedient to present the City with all the unimproved lots belonging to the United States.—They are well calculated for Public Walks, and to ap 504 

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propriate them as such, would not only beautify the City, but contribute greatly to the health and comfort of the inhabitants.— It may also be a matter of consideration, whether it may not be advisable to present to the City, for the benefit of a Free school certain improved lots belonging to the United States; and perhaps it may be proper to appropriate to the same object such public buildings and lots (not of immediate use to the United States) as may be found in the different districts.— I am Sorry to inform you that the citizens here, continue dissatisfied on the Subject of the Slave trade, and I find that many natives of the United States who have emigrated and some of the old Settlers of Louisiana are by no means pleased with the Government, which Congress has prescribed for them. The governing of distant territories has hitherto been an arduous task, and I fear Louisiana will not form an exception.—A State of dependance naturally leads to discontent, and some will be manifested here.—As soon therefore, as the State of Society would permit the change, I should like to see the Representative System in its fullest latitude extended to this Territory: but I shall always think that Congress acted wisely in not immediately confering on these people the privilege of Self-government: a privilege which in a few years would most probably be used with propriety; but at this time, I doubt much whether it would not prove a misfortune to Louisiana.—Some few months ago I have heard certain politicians contend that so far from a Representative System, nothing but a Military Government would do for the Louisianians. To this doctrine I never could consent, nor did I ever hear a good reason in support of such opinions; but these same politicians believing now, that the people would be better pleased with the power of electing their Council, join in censuring the act of Congress.—Such duplicity or inconsistency may answer temporary purposes, and may possibly secure a momentary share of popular applause, but it is impossible that those who practise it, can in the end be benefited. I do not know whether the Characters to compose the Legislative Council have yet been selected,—but should a selection not have been made, I pray the liberty to mention three or four gentlemen who I am persuaded would discharge with fidelity any confidence which may be reposed in them.—The gentlemen I allude to, are, Mr. Julien Poydrass of Point Coupé, Bellechasse Deville Degoutier of the 1st. German Coast, Benjamin Morgan and John Watkins of New-Orleans.— Mr. Poydrass is a wealthy man, of honest reputation, good information, and understands the English language.—Bellechasse, is at  505 

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present Colonel Commandant of the Militia, and is unquestionably the most popular man in lower Louisiana. Mr. Morgan is a merchant of this City formerly of Philadelphia, a man of business and great integrity; and with respect to Doctor Watkins I can only add that, the Opinion I gave of him in a former letter which I had the honor to address you, remains unaltered. I have the pleasure to inform you, that the most perfect good order prevails in this City and as far as I can learn throughout the Territory.— The Louisianians or rather the natives of Louisiana, are a pacific, amiable people, much attached to their country and to peace and good order; but many adventurers who are daily coming into the Territory from every quarter, possess revolutionary principles, and restless, turbulent dispositions;—These men will for some years give trouble more or less to the local Government, and will unquestionably excite some partial discontents, for although the Louisianians are by nature as amiable a people as I ever lived among, yet for the want of general information they are uncommonly credulous, and a few designing, intrigueing men may easily excite some inquietude in the public mind. With Sentiments the most respectful, I have the honor to Subscribe myself your faithful friend. William C. C. Claiborne [Note by TJ:] he cannot have recieved my lre of Apr. 17. RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 July and so recorded in SJL.

my last letter: Claiborne to TJ, 20 May. in a former letter: see Claiborne to TJ, 15 Apr.

Memorandum on Appointments Tomson J. Skinner of Massachusets to be Commissioner of loans for Massachus[ets] William Few of New York to be Commissioner of loans for New York Daniel Humphreys of New Hampshire to be Atty for the US. in the district of New Ha[mpshire] Thomas Rutter of Maryland to be Marshal for the district of Maryland. Joshua Prentiss of Massachusets to be Surveyor of the   of Marblehead and Inspector of the revenue for the port of Marblehead.  506 

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William G. Garland of Louisiana1 to be Naval officer for the port of New Orleans. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky to be Surveyor of the port of N. Orleans and Inspector of the revenue for the same. Commissions to be made out accordingly Th: Jefferson May 29. 04. PoC (DLC); text running off the edge of the paper. Recorded in SJL as “Appointments.” On 9 Nov., TJ forwarded these recess appointments to the Senate for confirmation, except for William G. garland and Robert Carter nicholas. TJ sub-

mitted Garland’s nomination on 30 Nov. Nicholas declined his appointment (John Breckinridge to TJ, 22 Oct. 1804; TJ to the Senate, 9 Nov.; TJ to the Senate, 30 Nov.). 1 Middle initial and “of Louisiana” interlined.

From James Patton Sir Alexandria 29th. May 1804 By this mornings mail, the inclosed Letter for Mr Eppes reached me under cover from Kingston Jamaica—and I have presumed that in taking the liberty of inclosing it to you—was ensuring a safe & certain conveyance, and in so doing, I have ever supposed that it will probably reach Him with more dispatch than by any direction I could give it— I have the Honor to be Sir with great respect, yr most Obedient & very Humble servt. James Patton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excy. Thomas Jefferson Esqr. &c—&c”; address clipped; franked; endorsed by TJ as received 30 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. James Patton (d. 1824) was an Alexandria merchant who served at various times on the boards of directors of the Bank of Alexandria, the Bank of Potomac, and the Marine Insurance Company of Alexandria, and as president of the city’s St.

Andrew’s Society. He had recently signed the petition of Alexandria merchants opposing the removal of Charles Simms as  the collector there. Patton likely later served as British vice consul for the District of Columbia (Miller, Alexandria Ar­ tisans, 1:20-1, 320; 2:22-3, 94; Alexan­ dria Gazette, 22 Apr. 1815, 15 and 20 May 1819, 27 Apr. 1824; Washington United States’ Telegraph, 3 Nov. 1829; Daniel Carroll Brent to TJ, 29 Mch., and enclosure).

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From Robert Smith Navy dept. May 29. 1804.

I have the honor to request your signature to the enclosed Commission for Doctor Hunt as Surgeon’s mate in the Navy. He is intended for the frigate Congress. Rt Smith FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); at head of text: “The President.” On this day, Smith sent to Dr. Joseph G. T. hunt a commission backdated to 19 Apr. From 1804 to 1806, Hunt served

in the Mediterranean squadron on board the frigates Congress and Constitution and the brig Argus (Smith to Hunt, 29 May, in DNA: RG 45, LSO; ndbw, Reg­ ister, 27).

From John Vaughan Dear sir, Philada: May 29. 1804 I received the Certificates safe, & have subscribed for 3 Copies of the Transactions, which I send by Mr Peale, who with Dr Collin, Dr Fothergill, The famous Mr Humbold of the Berlin Acady. who has been so long travelling in South Ama. & his two Companions of his travels, Mr Bonpard a french gentleman & a Spaniard, leave this place tomorrow for Baltimore & Washington—The latter three are on their way to Europe in order to give publicity to their observations & the results of their travels— The Counsellors & officers of the society are now, (for the first time) regularly organised, & it rests with them to suggest objects for premiums, & to them are in the first instance referred all papers from candidates for premiums—Two objects are proposed by them first to select a number of objects which can come within the Magellanic Class, of which several are yet unbestowed, The second, a Class of premiums, which do not come within that Class—Committees are appointed which are expected to report on the 4th fryday in June in a partial manner—& finally on the 3d fryday in July, I take the liberty of mentioning this & joining to it (in common with our associates) my wishes that you will assist us with your suggestions on the subjects; as the usefulness of the Society may be much extended, by attention to this important object—It will have its advantage, even if the public mind is turned towards the desiderata pointed out, should they even prefer patents to premiums Dr James informs me there has been receivd a portion of 20 to 30 lbs Gold at the Mint from North Carolina—which is remarkably pure. If when I see Mr Richardson the Assayor, I find that any important  508 

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observations are attached to it I shall do myself the pleasure of Communicating them I remain with respect, D Sir Your obt. Serv Jn Vaughan RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson Pres. of the US”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 May and so recorded in SJL. certificates: see TJ to Vaughan, 18 May. a spaniard: Carlos Montufar, a native of Quito who accompanied Humboldt and Bonpland after their stay there (Douglas

Botting, Humboldt and the Cosmos [New York, 1973], 151). regularly organised: on 4 May, the American Philosophical Society adopted new bylaws (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 351-7). The magellanic class of awards from the society had been established through an endowment in 1786 (same, 138; Vol. 9:132n).

From Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Philada May 29. 1804 I beg leave to present to you two very respectable travellers who are now on their way to the seat of Government for the purpose of offering their respects to you. It is most probable that you are already well acquainted with the name & great merits of each as Dr. Anthony Fothergill is the Physician of Bath in England who has distinguished himself by so many publications all of which are remarkable for their ingenuity & science combined with active humanity—The Baron Humboldt has just returned from an expedition to South America & to Mexico where he has spent five or six years passing from the height of Chimborasso & Phinchinka to the bottom of the Mines, navigating the Oronoko and the River of the Amazon traversing forests of the Chincona or Peruvian Bark Tree & investigating the history & antiquities of the ancient Mexicans—These Gentlemen will recommend themselves much more than it is in my power to do I will therefore occupy no more of your valuable time than to repeat the sincere assurance of the most affectionate regard of your obliged friend & Servt C. Wistar Junr. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency The Preident of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 June and so recorded in SJL.

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To Charles Biddle Sir Washington May 30. 04. Your letter of the 25th. is duly recieved. while we all feel a just anxiety for the situation of our fellow-citizens in captivity in Tripoli, it is but natural that their immediate relations should feel it with more lively sensibility, and wish to know the intentions of the government respecting them. considering however that it would not be of advantage to the parties themselves, any more than for the public, to have those intentions publicly known, I think it best to give you only the general assurance that the government has not been inattentive to the situation of the captives and has considerable confidence in the measures taken for their relief. yet even this should only be said to yourself and other individuals nearly interested, because were it made known generally, there are dispositions sufficiently wicked to communicate it to the enemy for the purpose of embarrassing us. perhaps it would be better to say nothing on the subject even to the captives themselves, lest expectations should be raised in the minds of the barbarians which might retard their liberation. I ask the favor of you, as the first signer of the letter, & therefore the sole depository of this answer, to communicate it’s contents to mr Gamble & mr Douglass, as may be done to any other persons standing in as near relation to others of the captives. Accept my respectful salutations and best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Charles Biddle.”

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin May 30. 04. Altho’ I know that it is best generally to assign no reason for a removal from office, yet there are also times when the declaration of a principle is advantageous. such was the moment at which the New Haven letter appeared. it explained our principles to our friends, and they rallied to them. the public sentiment has taken a considerable stride since that, and seems to require that they should know again where we stand. I suggest therefore for your consideration, instead of the following passage in your letter to Bowen ‘I think it due to candour at the same time to inform you that it had for some time been determined to remove you from office, although a successor has not yet been appointed by the President, nor the precise time fixed for that purpose communicated to me’ to substitute this, ‘I think it due  510 

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to candour at the same time to inform you that the President considering that the patronage of public office should no longer be confided to one who uses it for active opposition to the National will, had, some time since determined to place your office in other hands. but a successor not being yet fixed on, I am not able to name the precise time when it will take place.’ My own opinion is that the declaration of this principle will meet the entire approbation of all moderate republicans, and will extort indulgence from the warmer ones. seeing that we do not mean to leave arms in the hands of active enemies, they will care the less at our tolerance of the inactive. nevertheless if you are strongly of opinion against such a declaration, let the letter go as you had written it. PoC (DLC). TJ and Gallatin were apparently contemplating the removal of Jabez bowen, the commissioner of loans for Rhode Island since 1790 and an ardent Federalist.

A letter from Bowen to TJ dated 16 May 1804 is recorded in SJL as received 22 May from Providence, but has not been found. TJ replaced him with Christopher Ellery in 1805 (jep, 1:57-8; 2:7; Prince, Federalists, 58-9, 61-2, 153-4).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 30th May 1804 I had selected Dowlf’s name for the very reason you mentioned; having conjectured that his politics were preferable from Fairley’s recommendation, & that Lowell’s were not from being particularly recommended by Lincoln. Otherwise they are so equal that that consideration might reasonably be allowed to give the preference. The doctrine as it respects Bowen had, it seems to me better be understood than avowed. So many local & particular considerations which cannot always be explained &, if explained, may be misunderstood, form exceptions to any general rule on that subject, that I think it safer silently to follow your’s so far as practicable, than to make an explicit declaration which will open a new field of attack against us. Whenever a man of that description is removed, let it be understood generally that he continued actively opposed; & that will for ever justify the act with all our friends without any positive declaration. On the other hand, should the declaration be made, either Gen. Lincoln (not to mention several others) must be removed or an explanation given why after his indecent & outrageous conduct he is permitted to remain in office. The name of Hoffman to whom it is intended to offer the office of register of the land office at Detroit is George.  511 

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 If a commission issues in favour of Gen. Skinner, he should be written to repair immediately to Boston, & to send his bond, in order that we may remit to him in time the sums wanted to pay the dividends on 1st July. Some inconvenience was experienced when M. Jones was appointed, which, had it taken place in Boston & any delay in paying the dividends been the consequence, would have produced a monstrous clamour. Indeed it would on that account be much more eligible to delay the commission till 1st July. For Perkins may throw great difficulties in his way at the end of the quarter; as all the calculations of dividends are made out the last fortnight. This may be explained to Gen. Skinner as the reason of the delay, and I would recommend that mode. Shall I take measures to procure a cutter for New Orleans? If so I would purchase a proper vessel in Baltimore or Norfolk & at once man & send her from thence. Those two ports are those where the swift sailing pilot schooners are built. Your decision respecting the keeper of the light house at Penobscot is also wanted. I enclose the blank form of an act to fix [. . .] land office at St. Stephens. Another is preparing for the erection of Mobile into a district. Respectfully Your most obedient Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); torn; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 30 May and “lre to Bowen.—Skinner—Dowlf.—cutter N.O.” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. dowlf’s name: TJ appointed Ellis Dowlf keeper of the lighthouse on Whitehead Island, Maine, which Congress established in 1803. Dowlf had probably been recommended by Joseph Farley, Jr., the collector at Waldoboro, whom TJ appointed in 1802. On 1 June, Gallatin wrote to Benjamin Lincoln, acknowledging his letter of 11 May regarding the Whitehead appointment and informing him of TJ’s selection of Dowlf. Lincoln’s letter to Gallatin has not been found, but he may have recommended John Lowell, who was appointed keeper of the lighthouse on Franklin Island, Maine, in 1807 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:228, 406; Gallatin, Papers, 9:661; 13:706).

In his 1803 “Fair Play” essay, TJ anonymously criticized the outrageous con­ duct of Benjamin Lincoln, the collector at Boston and a Federalist (Vol. 40:466). More recently, the Independent Chronicle censured Lincoln for presiding at a 24 Apr. dinner honoring Christopher Gore, at which toasts and comments disparaged TJ and his administration. “This is not the first, second, nor third time that Gen. Lincoln has presided,” the newspaper wrote, “where this Junto have openly vilified the First Men in our country” (Boston Independent Chronicle, 30 Apr. 1804; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:432-3). A damaged letter to Madison, the signature and date of which are no longer extant, called on the president to remove Lincoln as well as the supervisor for Massachusetts and the postmaster at Boston. The author, identified by TJ’s endorsement as “Haskell,” stated that Lincoln employed only one Republican in the custom house, as a tidewaiter, and that Federalists in Massachusetts prevented

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3 0 M AY 1 8 0 4 Republicans from obtaining “any Lucrative Post” under the state or federal government (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, 7:255-7; endorsed by TJ: “Lincoln Genl. Haskell to mr Madison to remove him”). For TJ’s recent appointment of Meriwether jones as commissioner of loans for Virginia, see Vol. 42:541. An influential and active Federalist, Thomas H. perkins had been appointed commissioner of loans for Massachusetts in 1798 (Prince, Federalists, 152-3).

 land office: the 3 Mch. 1803 act regulating the disposal of public lands south of Tennessee authorized the president to designate the location of two land offices in Mississippi Territory (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:230). On 1 June, Gallatin sent register Joseph Chambers a copy of the president’s order establishing the land office at St. Stephens for the area east of the Pearl River (DNA: RG 49, Records of the Bureau of Land Management, Miscellaneous Letters Sent by the General Land Office, 1796-1889).

From J. P. G. Muhlenberg Custom House Philadelphia May 30h. 1804.

I have the Honor to inform The President that I have this day Shipp’d on Board the Sloop Harmony, Captn. Ellwood, for Alexandria, a Box containing Books, consignd to me by Wm. Lee Esquire of Bordeaux—The duties paid 95. Cents I have the Honor to be with Perfect Respect Sir Your Most Obedt P Muhlenberg RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The President of The U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 June and so recorded in SJL.

Proclamation Establishing the District of Mobile To all whom these presents shall come. Whereas by an act of Congress, authority has been given to the President of the United States, whenever he shall deem it expedient, to erect the shores, waters & inlets of the Bay and River of Mobille, and of the other Rivers, Creeks, Inlets, & Bays emptying into the Gulf of Mexico, east of the said River Mobille, and west thereof to the Pascaguola inclusive, into a seperate District for the collection of duties on Imposts and Tonnage, and to establish such place within the same as he shall deem expedient to be the port of entry & delivery for such District; & to designate such other places within the same District, not exceeding two, to be ports of delivery only. Now know ye that I Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, do hereby decide, that all the above mentioned Shores, Waters, Inlets, Creeks, and Rivers  513 

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lying within the boundaries of the United States, shall constitute & form a seperate District, to be denominated “the District of Mobille,” and do also designate Fort Stoddert within the District aforesaid to be the port of entry & delivery for the said District. Given under my hand this 30th. day of May 1804. (Signed) Th. Jefferson. Tr (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); in a clerk’s hand. PrC (DNA: RG 46, EPFR, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). Both enclosed in Annual Message to Congress, 8 Nov. 1804.

act of congress: see Gallatin to TJ, 15 Mch. within the boundaries of the united states: this phrase is underlined for emphasis in the text that TJ sent to Congress with the annual message in November.

From Robert Smith Navy Depmt. May 30. 1804

I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant as Midshipman for Mr. Gamble. He belongs to one of the Frigates of the present Squadron and has been some time appointed but owing to his being employed in the recruiting service at New York, has not yet received his Warrant. Rt Smith FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); at head of text: “The President.” Midshipman Thomas gamble served on the frigates Congress, Constitution, and Essex in the Mediterranean squadron between 1804 and 1806. Smith had origi-

nally appointed Gamble a midshipman on 25 Apr. 1804 and had the warrant delivered to him on 30 May upon his arrival in Washington (ndbw, Register, 20; Smith to Gamble, 25 Apr., in DNA: RG 45, LSO).

To Samuel Barron Instructions To Commodore Samuel Barron commanding a Squadron of armed Vessels belonging to the United States: Given at the City of Washington in the District of Columbia this 31 day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred & four, and in the 28th. year of our Independence.— Whereas it is declared by the Act entitled “An Act for the protection of the Commerce and Seamen of the United States, against the Tripolitan Cruisers,” That it shall be lawful fully to equip, officer, man and employ, such of the armed Vessels of the United States, as may  514 

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be judged requisite by the President of the United States, for protecting effectually the Commerce and Seamen thereof, on the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean and adjoining seas: and also, that it shall be lawful for the President of the United States, to instruct the Commanders of the respective public Vessels, to subdue, seize, and make prize, of all vessels, goods, and effects, belonging to the Bey of Tripoli or to his Subjects. Therefore, and in pursuance of the said statute, you are hereby authorized and directed to subdue, seize, and make prize, of all vessels, goods, and effects belonging to the Bey of Tripoli or to his Subjects, and to bring or send the same into port, to be proceeded against & distributed according to Law.— And in virtue of the Act of Congress entitled “An Act further to protect the Commerce and Seamen of the United States against the Barbary Powers,” you will consider yourself hereby further authorized and directed to proceed against any other of the Barbary powers which may commit hostilities against The United States, in the same manner and to the same extent as you have been authorized and directed to proceed against the Vessels, goods, and Effects belonging to the Bashaw of Tripoli or to his Subjects Th: Jefferson President of the United States of America. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, Letterbook, 1799-1807); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; at foot of text: “By Command of the President of the United States of America,” signed by Robert Smith. Samuel Barron (d. 1810) of Virginia, the son of a mariner and the elder brother of Captain James Barron, received a captain’s commission in the U.S. Navy in 1798. Retained under the Peace Establishment Act of 1801, Barron commanded the Philadelphia from 1801 to 1802. TJ placed him in charge of the Mediterranean squadron in 1804, but chronic illness plagued Barron and he spent much

of his tenure as commodore on shore. Returning to the United States in 1805, he oversaw the construction of gunboats in Virginia until 1807. He was appointed superintendent of the navy yard at Norfolk shortly before his death (anb, s.v. “Barron, James”; ndbw, Register, 3-4; Ian W. Toll, Six Frigates: The Epic His­ tory of the Founding of the U.S. Navy [New York, 2006], 225, 259-60; Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger, 31 Oct., 2 Nov. 1810). For the acts cited in TJ’s instruc­ tions to Barron, passed by Congress in 1802 and 1804, see Vol. 36:605 and TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 Mch.

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From Gabriel Duvall Dear Sir, Comptroller’s Office, May 31. 1804. Permit me to lay the inclosed letter before You. I did not certainly know until I received it that Mr. Smyth had been an applicant for an office in the Custom house at New-Orleans. Knowing how justly he is entitled to the friendly aid of all who know him, it is taken for granted, that the recommendatory letters to which he alludes in his letter, are from very respectable Characters, & that they need no addition. I do not hesitate to add my sanction. It is not without reluctance that I at any time consent to an agency of this kind, but knowing Mr. Smyth’s merit & capability, I cannot refuse it.— I have the honour to be, with very great Respect & esteem, your obedt. Sert. G. Duvall. RC (DNA, RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The president, U.S.”; endorsed by TJ: “Duval Gabriel to mr Madison.” Enclosure: Thomas Smyth, Jr., to Duvall, Baltimore, 22 May, stating that he has failed to secure an appointment in Louisiana and is in financial distress; he will accept “any employment,” either in Duvall’s office or perhaps in the State Department; to support his claim to public patronage, Smyth refers to his long ac-

quaintance with Duvall and recommendations sent by others to the president and secretary of state in support of his Louisiana application (same; endorsed by TJ: “Smyth Thos. to mr Duval. for employment”). For the application by Thomas smyth, Jr., for employment in Louisiana, see Vol. 41:679-80.

From Louis André Pichon Thursday [31 May 1804]

Mr. Pichon asks of the President of the United States leave of presenting to him Mr. Esménard, a French Gentleman of Mr. Pichon’s particular acquaintance, intimately connected in Paris with the Chief Consul & family and with Mr. Talleyrand, and one of the most distinguished litterateurs in Paris. Mr. Esmenard was lately Secretary To the Governor of Martinique, admiral Villaret & is last from St. Thomas. He comes from New York where he accompanied Mr. J. Bonaparte from Philadelphia. RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 1 June 1804 received that day and “M. Esménard” and so recorded in SJL.

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From Martha Jefferson Randolph Edgehill May 31, 1804

Pardon me Dearest Father for having so long delayed answering your letter. great was the anxiety I suffered untill it arrived, nor was that any ways relieved by hearing what a horrible journey you had had, although it may ultimately prove fortunate if it serves as a warning against future exposure to cold and fatigue which every day of your life you will be less able to bear. no appology can be necessary for writing lengthily to me about your self. I hope you are not yet to learn that no subject on earth is or ever can be so dear and interesting to me. I speak so entirely without an exception that I do not hesitate to declare if my other duties could possibly interfere with my devotion to you I should not feel a scruple in sacrifising them, to a sentiment which has litterally “grown with my growth and strengthened with my strength, and which no subsequent attachment has in the smallest degree weakened. it is truly the happiness of my life to think that I can dedicate the remainder of it to promote yours. it is a subject however upon which I ought never to write for no pen on earth can do justice to the feelings of my heart. Ann is gone down with Aunt Eppes and I am shortly to join her if they send the carriage for me which my Aunt pressed so warmly that I could not refuse her.1 a letter from Ann informs me of their being all well on the 26th but the baby who continues mending, slowly. we are as usual all well here. I have my self had an attack of something like the cramp in the stomack. the spasm’s were violent and came on with [an attempt]2 to puke which however produced nothing more than an isuportable distention of the breast at the moment and a difficulty of breathing amounting allmost to suffocation I was much allarmed my self Mr Randolph has since affirmed it to have been hysterics but I certainly know him to be wrong there it was occasioned by eating radishes & milk at the same meal both of which are unfriendly to my stomack and the affection of the speech of which I was very sensible at the time proves it to have been some thing more serious than mere3 hysterics I was relieved by pepper mint repeating the doses till my stomack was brought to act again. but it was several hours before I was sufficiently easy to sit or lye down I have been perfectly well since.4 I shall however allways stand in dread of another attack of the same nature and which may not be as easily checked the second time. adieu Dearly beloved Father believe me with a tenderness not to be expressed yours most affectionately M Randolph  517 

3 1 M AY 1 8 0 4  RC (ViU); endorsed by TJ as received 3 June and so recorded in SJL. your letter: 14 May. grown with my growth: “grows with his growth, and strengthens with his strength” (Alexander Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle II, line 136). ann is gone down with aunt eppes: TJ’s 13-year-old granddaughter Anne Cary Randolph accompanied Elizabeth Wayles Eppes to Eppington. With

them was three-month-old Maria Jefferson Eppes (Vol. 35:685n; TJ to John Wayles Eppes, 4 June). 1 Preceding two words written over “evade.” 2 Partially legible, written over blotted text (possibly “a desire”). 3 Word interlined. 4 Remainder of letter and signature in fainter ink.

From Robert Wright Dear Sir Chester Town 31. May 1804 I take the Liberty of introducing to You Mr Raphanisque a young French Gentleman of Science who is making an american botanical Collection, he spent several Days with me, expressed great Desires of being introduced to you, and from my own knowledge of his amiable Despositions and your Attachment to the sons of Science—I have taken this Liberty. I have the Honor to be Yr. sincere Friend & Serv Robert Wright RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ: “by Raphanesque” and so recorded in SJL with date of receipt 18 July. Robert Wright (1752-1826) commanded a company in the Maryland line during the American Revolution, and later served in the state legislature. During the 1790s, Wright aligned himself with the nascent Republican movement and in 1801 was elected U.S. senator for

Maryland. Generally a strong supporter of Jeffersonian initiatives, Wright resigned his seat in 1806 after being elected Maryland’s governor, in which role he endorsed the administration’s embargo policy. He subsequently served several terms in the U.S. House of Representatives (anb; rs, 1:107n). For Constantine S. Rafinesque (ra­ phanisque), see his letter of 23 July 1804 to TJ.

Memorandum from Albert Gallatin [after 31 May 1804]

Boston 31 May 1804 Isaac Coffin respecting expected resignation of — Hussey Collector of Nantucket.  518 

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NB. I. Coffin is the member of Senate, in the Massts. legislature, for the District including Nantucket, in which island he resides— A. G. The resignation has not yet been received— MS (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated, written on a scrap torn from the address sheet of the enclosure and postmarked Boston, 31 May. Enclosure: Isaac Coffin to Gallatin, 31 May, stating that his April letter to Gallatin has gone unanswered so he is again writing to recommend Republican Daniel Coffin as collector of Nantucket to replace Stephen Hussey, who is “about to Resign” and whose “faculties are so Impaired” that he cannot continue to hold office; Coffin warns Gallatin that Hussey’s son, Daniel B. Hussey, is a man of “little learning” and a “most Violent Federalist”; Coffin is convinced that appointing Daniel Coffin will satisfy the Republicans of Nantucket (RC in same). TJ saw a second letter dated 31 May that also anticipated Stephen Hussey’s resignation as collector of nantucket and recommended Daniel Coffin over Daniel B. Hussey. That letter was written by Micajah Coffin to Dearborn, his former Boston acquaintance. He urged the secretary of war to use his “assistance and Influence with the Secretary of the Treasury” to have Daniel Coffin appointed

collector (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Coffyn Danl. to be Collector of Nantucket”; endorsed by Gallatin). Micajah was Isaac Coffin’s half brother and a member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives. His letter to Dearborn was similar to ones that he wrote to Gallatin on 18 Apr. and to Richard Cutts on 5  May. They stressed Daniel Hussey’s known “opposition to the republican Ticket” and Daniel Coffin’s superior reputation as a past schoolmaster on the island and as a “Steady and well behaved Republican” (same; Alexander Starbuck, History of Nantucket, County, Island and Town: Including Genealogies of First Settlers [Boston, 1924], 715-16). On 2 June, Cutts forwarded recommendations to Gallatin, including a letter from John Bacon of 1 June confirming the integrity of Isaac Coffin. Cutts also praised the Coffin brothers as “undeviating Republicans” whose opinion the congressman regarded with the “utmost confidence” (RCs in DNA: RG 59, LAR; Bacon’s letter endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Danl. to be Collector Nantucket John Bacon’s letter to Cutts”).

Notes on Edward Turner [before 1 June 1804]

Edwd Turner 1. he recd. his commn. in the begg. of Sep. 1803 & did not open his office till the last of Nov. 2. in Feb. 1804. he had not recorded more than 11. cases  because, ofering but 4. cents the hundred words, (the law allowg. him 12½) he could not get clerks. on learning that Briggs & Williams were coming away he offered 8. cents 3. he advises claimants that their claims should have a legal form & exactness to which themselves are inadequate, that therefore they  519 

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must employ a lawyer to draw them up: that he himself is a practising lawyer & does that business, & will do it if desired, they paying but that they are free to employ any other lawyer. note he is himself to judge of these very claims in which he acts as a lawyer. 4. he advises claimants not to give in certain claims, but others on which they will get more. 5. he is a practising lawyer, & leaves the business of his office to his clerks. 6. his family connections are deeply interested in a great number of claims. 7. he demands the fees not only for recieving claims, but at the same time for recording, tho that business is not done, & were he to die before done, the right to the fee would be in his successor MS (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; endorsed by TJ. TJ’s notes were probably based in part on conversations with Isaac briggs and Robert williams, who arrived in Washington in April 1804 and who were both critical of Edward Turner, the register of the land office at Natchez. TJ could not

have met with them until after his return from Monticello on 13 May. He likely compiled his notes by 1 June, when he wrote Gallatin about replacements for Turner (Robert V. Haynes, The Missis­ sippi Territory and the Southwest Frontier, 1795­1817 [Lexington, Ky., 2010], 79-81; Vol. 41:350-1; Vol. 42:542-3, 555-6; Dearborn to TJ, 14 Apr.).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington June 1t. 1804 Being persuaded that impressions have been made on your mind by unfair and insidious insinuations or by gross misrepresentations of facts, unfavourable to those who have had any agency in communicating to the persons concerned the contents of a letter received by Mr. Granger from Seth Hunt respecting the gross scandal his neighbour and kinsman had been circulating in New Hampshire, I owe it to my self and my friends to state with frankness and candour what I know of that transaction,—early in the last Session of Congress Mr. Granger shew me the letter from Seth Hunt, I was well aquainted with the writer, whom I esteemed for his tallants, honesty and political principles, and I had no doubt but he had truly stated the infamous conduct of his kinsman, some of the circumstancies interwoven with his other malignant scandal, relating to Mr. Cutts s attentions to his present wife, refering to facts of which I had some knowledge, I was sure the writer of the letter could not have known in that quarter  520 

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of the Country, but from the calumniator himself,—Mr. Cutts was my friend and intitled to my friendly offices, I was unwilling he should continue the subject of malicious ridicule without knowing it,—the groce and abominable slanders against the three Ladies, with other outrages eaqually false and unpardonable, excited my indignation against the author and produced a wish to deprive him of the friendly attentions of the persons he had so shamefully abused, and whose charactors I was sure he would from farther intercourse with more colour continue to traduce, thus excited but not without duly concidering the delicate circumstances attending any measure which might be taken, I advised Mr. Granger to shew the letter to Mr. Cutts, believing that from his being personally interested and from other circumstancies, he would be the most suitable person to decide what steps ought to be taken in relation to himself, the Ladies and all concerned,—Mr. Granger coincided with me in opinnion, and requested me to take the letter and give it to Mr. Cutts, which I did, with our motives for doing it. thus ended any agency Mr. Granger or my self had in the business, except that of requesting Mr. Cutts to return the letter when he had made such use of it as he thought proper,—whether Mr. Cutts s conduct was proper in shewing the letter to the Ladies and to the calumniator, or whether the effect produced was such or could have been reasonably contemplated, I will not undertake to decide, nor shall I at present undertake to pass sentance on the measures taken by the friends of those whose charactors had been most traduced,—although conscious of having acted from the purest motives, I may have erred in Judgment, or if perfectly correct, my conduct may have been thought improper by others, their opinnions however respectible, cannot be substituted for my own in a question of feeling & honour, my reputation is connected with the rectitude and fair intentions with which the other gentlemen acted, or were by me believed to have acted, in this matter. I do believe their conduct was eaqually unexceptionable with my own, that the interference was concidered as a friendly act of duty1 and was so acknowledged to be by those most interested, at the time,—the sole motive was thus of vindicating the exposed charactors of innocent and respectable people,—but as meritorious as were those motives and as simple and as obvious as were the measures which were, or which ought to have been taken, by some strang and to me as unaccountable as unexpected, perversion of things and of principles, a turn has been given to the whole transaction calculated, and probably with design, to sacrifice individuals whose fault has been too much zeal and promptness  521 

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in endeavouring to shield the innocent from the envenumed darts of an assassen.—In the course of the last winter I could but observe many circumstancies which evinced great industry in giving fals colouring and in circulating illnatured comments, for the obvious purpose of exciting prejudice, not to say hatred & contempt against the writer of the letter in question, and his friends who had taken any part in the unfortunate business.—I was afraid efforts would be but too successfull, for I was sure they would be made, to fix on your mind improper impressions, and to induce you to believe we had acted improperly, and from unworthy motives.—no opportunity has been offered me for repelling any such unfair and dishonest representations, subjecting myself & friends to censure and injury,—I have long felt desirous of an opportunity for attempting to correct any improper impression you may have recieved; Your observations in a recent conversation relating to Seth Hunt, confirmed me in the belief that you had been misinformed, and a wish to counteract its effect has induced me to trouble you with this statement.—I should deem myself undeserving your confidence and unworthy of your esteem could any concideration induce me to remain quiett under Joint imputations on the charactors of my friends & my self without any attempt towards their vindication, it is of no importance for me to know the cause, the source, or the particular charactors which have been active to depress the reputation of some gentlemen who have shared in your attentions; on this topic I am perfectly satisfied. It is with peculiar pleasure I recollect the numerous proofs of your confidence and friendship, it has been my endeavour by an open fair and faithfull attention to duty and propriety according to the best of my Abilities to merit these tokens of your esteem,—without proof of them having been in any degree withdrawn or diminished, assuring as a fact that you have been made to believe, as has been bacely represented, that I and my friends have been guitly of a dishonourable and degrading action, it is not to be expected that those marks of esteem can long continue, unless those impressions can be effaced, hence my anxiety to exhibit this statement.— In no condition in life, in no event, can I ever be wanting in a gratefull respect for your person your charactor, the principles of your administration, or in attachment, and exaction to support, the present sistem of Government.—but self-respect obliges me to add, that if from a misrepresentation of my motives or conduct, others should impute to me & my friends disgracefull improprieties, such are my feelings and such my Ideas of propriety, as to render it impossible for me to retain my present situation one moment longer than I shall possess, or believe I possess, your friendship & confidence.  522 

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 with sentiments of the most respectfull esteem I am Sir your Obedt. Huml. Servt. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 June and so recorded in SJL. neighbour and kinsman: Federalist congressman Samuel Hunt of New Hampshire (Biog. Dir. Cong.). his present wife: Richard Cutts married Anna Payne, sister of Dolley Madison, on 31 Mch. 1804. Political opponents accused Cutts of having aligned himself with southern Republicans “who admitted him into their houses, and gave him one of their daughters to wife” (Na­ tional Intelligencer, 4 Apr. 1804; Kennebunk Annals of the Times, 18 Oct. 1804). Three of the Payne sisters, Dolley, Mary, and Anna, married Republicans and had been victims of Federalist slanders since at least 1802, when Mary Payne, “sister of Mrs. Madison, wife of the secretary of

state,” was named as the third party in a breach of promise lawsuit brought against her new husband, John G. Jackson. The press spared sister Lucy, who was married to George Steptoe Washington, nephew of George Washington, and lived on a plantation in Virginia (Oracle of Dauphin and Harrisburgh Advertiser, 4 Apr. 1803; David B. Mattern and Holly C. Shulman, eds., The Selected Letters of Dolley Payne Madison [Charlottesville, 2003], 414). measures taken: Gideon Granger’s reaction to Samuel Hunt’s accusations prompted the latter to challenge Granger to a duel, which he declined (Jeremiah Smith to William Plumer, 1 Jan. 1804, and Plumer to Smith, 16 Jan., New Hampshire State Library: William Plumer Papers; Walpole, N.H., Farmers’ Museum, or Literary Gazette, 14 Jan.). 1

Preceding two words interlined.

From William Dunbar Dear Sir Natchez 1st. June 1804 I am honored with your letter of the 15th. of April, accompanied by the instructions for the person who is to conduct the expedition up the Red river: I have already informed you in my last of the difficulty of finding a person here duly qualified, & should we in the end be obliged to accept of a person of moderate talents, it will probably in that case be proper to reserve the chief command for Doctor Hunter. I have now the pleasure of enclosing you my remarks respecting the theory of rivers: by a letter from mr. Vaughan, I find that my paper on the Missisippi concludes the 6th. Vol: of transactions, I had no idea that it could have appeared so soon, or I should not have been so dilatory in transmitting the apendix; as it now comes too late, you will be pleased to forward it or not as you think proper; Were it not a degree of intrusion on my part, I would solicit, when perfectly at leisure, your opinion respecting my remarks. Understanding that the mail is closing I have been obliged to hurry over this letter. With the highest respect I have the honor to be Your most obedient servant William Dunbar  523 

1 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see below. my last: Dunbar to TJ, 13 May. TJ did forward Dunbar’s appendix to his “Description of the river Mississippi and its Delta, with that of the adjacent

parts of Louisiana.” It was read at the 5 Oct. meeting of the American Philosophical Society and appeared in the second part of the sixth volume of the society’s Transactions (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 362; aps, Transactions, 6 [1809], 191-201).

From Theodore Foster Dear Sir, Providence June 1st. 1804. I have been informed that you have appointed or are about to appoint Pierpoint Edwards Esqre. of Connecticut, Minister from the United States to the Court of Spain.—I have Reason to beleive that it would be agreeable to him that Thomas Lloyd Halsey Junr Esq. of this Town should accompany him as Secretary of the Embassy;—and being well acquainted with Mr. Halsey, I hope not to be considered as unseasonably officious, in the Representations I am about to make in his Favour, if your Excellency should not have already disposed of the Secretaryship. Mr. Halsey is Son of Thomas Lloyd Halsey Esq of this Town,—a Gentleman of Property and Respectability and of Republican Principles. Mr Halsey gave his Son a Public liberal Education, at the College, in this Town, where he graduated (I beleve) about Ten years since.—After he left College he went to Europe for the Purpose of compleating his Education, where he devoted his Time to the Improvement of his Mind and the Attainment of a Knowledge of the French and Spanish Languages—having resided some time both in France and Spain—a Qualification of Weight in his Favour, in Addition to his polite and agreeable Manners,—his Integrity, and Unsullied Reputation, and Maturity of Judgment for one of his Age and those other Accomplishments and Virtues which endear him to his Family and numerous Friends and suit him for public Employment.— I am with Sentiments of the highest Respect and with the sincerest Wishes for your Health & Happiness your Excellencys most Obedient Servant Theodore Foster RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received on 8 June and “Halsey Thos. Lloyd to be Secy. legn to Spain” and so recorded in SJL.

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To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 1. 04. Briggs can tell me nothing of Fitzpatrick, and therefore I suspect we must have recourse to Shields to take the place of Turner. the uncertainty whether Benson can be found & will accept as Collector of Mobille, may render it worth while to listen to Thos. Smyth of Maryland who is known to mr Duval; but it is only in case you think the appointment at Mobile will not admit of uncertainty & delay. Briggs’s account of Poindexter is favorable for the temporary Agency at Misipi. I will do in all these what you shall finally think best. RC (NHi); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury”; endorsed by Gallatin. Not recorded in SJL. Thomas fitzpatrick of South Carolina had been recommended by Thomas Sumter, Sr., Wade Hampton, and Pierce Butler. TJ appointed him register in place of Edward Turner in November 1804 (Vol. 40:250, 722, 723; jep, 1:472). Gabriel benson was described in a 21 Nov. 1803 letter by South Carolina con-

gressmen Wade Hampton, John B. Earle, Thomas Moore, Levi Casey, William Butler, and Richard Winn as “a young man of great integrity, and private worth.” He previously served as a revenue collector in the supervisor’s department and now sought public employment in Louisiana (RC to unidentified recipient in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Benson Gabriel for emploimt in Louisiana”; asp, Miscellaneous, 1:287; Biog. Dir. Cong.).

From John Page Sir, Richmond June 1st. 1804 On receiving information on sunday last, which was relied on as authentic, that Thomas Logwood, who is convicted of felony in the Court of the United States, would attempt escape from prison and be powerfully aided in this attempt, the Executive thought it proper to order a strong guard that night, giving notice to the Chief Justice and the marshal of the District, that a guard would be continued till they should be pleased to give such directions for his safe custody as might be thought proper. On the receipt of this notice in a letter to the Chief Justice he called on me and received a Circumstantial verbal account of the information which had been communicated by letter. He approved of the cautionary measures pursued by the Executive— but said he did not recollect that the Court had any power to direct guards but that he would examine the laws and inform me how far he could act in this business. On the day following (Monday 28th. May) he sent the Marshall with a verbal Message on the subject, which I communicated to the Council at their first meeting which was on the  525 

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30th. on which I was advised “to write to you Sir, and inform you of these Circumstances, and request that the State may be relieved from the farther Care of Logwood and reimbursed the expences which may be incurred until the General Government shall take charge of their prisoner.” On that evening I wrote to the Chief Justice requesting that he would give me in Writing the substance of his verbal message by the Marshal, And this morning I received the inclosed letter from him. I am Sir, &c. John Page FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “The President of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as received 5 June. Enclosure: John Marshall to Page, 31 May from Richmond, informing Page that intelligence related to the prisoner’s possible escape would have “induced me to order a guard,” but that finding “no act of Congress to that effect,” Marshall does not believe he can exercise such an order; he advises Page to apply to the U.S. executive, “where alone the requisite authority exists” (Herbert A. Johnson, Charles T. Cullen, Charles F. Hobson, and others, eds., The Papers of John Marshall, 12 vols. [Chapel Hill, 1974-2006], 6:289).

The conviction of thomas logwood was for counterfeiting. The Virginia council of State recommended that Logwood be confined with a constant guard of six men, with the expectation that the federal government would reimburse the state for any expenses incurred before Logwood’s sentencing. There was also a question as to whether he should ultimately be incarcerated in the state penitentiary; one councillor, Alexander McRae, insisted that a law passed in 1789, which gave the federal government access to the state’s jails, did not apply to the penitentiary, which was built in 1797 (same, 288-9; Page to TJ, 12 Apr.).

From James B. Richardson Sir, Executive Department James Ville June 1: 1804: I herewith transmit you at the request of the Legislature of South Carolina, their ratification of the Amendment proposed by Congress to the Constitution of the United States respecting the Election of President and Vice President. I have the honor to be with high consideration and respect, Your most obedient James B. Richardson FC (ScU); at foot of text: “To The President of the United States Washington.” Recorded in SJL as received 2 Aug. with notation “ratifn.” Enclosure: resolution of the South Carolina legislature, passed by the Senate on 14 May and by the House of Representatives on 15 May, ratifying the Twelfth Amendment, with an additional resolution of 16 May requesting the governor to forward a certi-

fied copy to the president (MS in DNA: RG 11, RA, certified 17 May by D. E. Dunlap, clerk of the Senate, and Richard Gantt, clerk of the House of Representatives, and by Richardson on 1 June; printed in An Act and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South­ Carolina. Passed in May, 1804 [Columbia, 1804], 5-7).

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From Robert Smith Navy dept. June 1. 1804.

I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant for John Mason, Sailmaker. He is intended for the frigate Essex. Rt Smith FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); at head of text: “The President.”

Sailmaker john mason served on the frigates Essex and Constellation in the Mediterranean in 1804 and 1805 (ndbw, Register, 36).

From John Armstrong of New York Sir, Kingston 2d. June 1804. I yesterday received the letter of the 26th. of May with which you were pleased to honor me, and another of the same date from Mr. Madison, proposing to me the mission to Paris as successor to Chancellor Livingston. In a letter of this day to the Secretary of State I have signified my acceptance of this appointment. It is true, that in coming to this determination, I have had my doubts, but they have not arisen from any apprehension of pecuniary loss or embarrasment from dificient sallary. My family and myself have long since found out the secret of living within our income, and have, on this head, no new habits to acquire, and if we do not yet know, we may soon learn how to estimate a meer parade that would secure to us only les amis de table. Had my confidence in my own qualifications to discharge the highly important trust to be committed to me, been at all equal to my assurance of the competency of the sallary to discharge all my necessary expences, I should not have had a moment’s hesitation on the subject. With the highest sense of personal obligation, and sentiments of the most profound respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most Obedient & very humble Servant John Armstrong. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of The United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 June and so recorded in SJL.

For Armstrong’s letter of this day to the secretary of state, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:272.

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From John Forbes Honoured Sir New York 2nd. June 1804 Being formerly acquainted with you and knowing your good Qualifications and Humane Heart in relieving the Distressed I take the liberty of Informing you that from Sickness and Other unforseen accidents that has lately come my way I am reduced to a very low Ebb and Entirely destitute of Cash. I therefore most Humble request that you will please to send me 100 Dollars in Order to Enable me to Get to the City of Washington where I hope to meet you and where I will repay you with Grateful thanks as I have Considerable property near sd. City which I must look after—You will please to Enclose a Note for the amount in a Letter directed to me—Cornor of BroadWay and Magazine Streets and by so doing you will Greatfully Oblige your Obedient Humle. Sert. John Forbes RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 8 June and so recorded in SJL.

From Hore Browse Trist Sir, New Orleans 2 June 1804— I with great pleasure add my opinion to those already transmitted in relation to the very respectable rank which Doctor Oliver H Spencer holds in this City. With acknowledged skill, an extensive & encreasing practice in his profession for three years has doubtless given him a general knowledge of the diseases incidental to this Climate, & his Moral Character has secured to him the confidence & esteem of the community with which he is acquainted—Should it be thought proper to confer on him the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Dr Carmichael, I entertain a belief that he will execute the Trust with honor to himself & satisfaction to the Troops, & that he will add support to the Republican cause among our new brethren— With perfect respect I am your mo: Obedt. Servt Hore Browse Trist RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 July and “Doctr. Spence.” For earlier recommendations of Oliver H. spencer, see Vol. 37:69-70. Writing to Dearborn on 20 May, William C. C. Claiborne enclosed a recommendation of

Spencer from the U.S. Army officers at New Orleans and praised his experience and “Excellent character” (Rowland, Clai­ borne Letter Books, 2:153). John F. carmichael resigned his commission as army surgeon in a 31 May letter to Dearborn (Dearborn to Carmichael, 5 July, DNA: RG 107, LSMA).

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From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New-Orleans 3 June 1804 By a late mail I received from the Secretary of the Treasury a letter concerning the Bank proposed to be established in this Territory, and find with sincere concern; that he is much dissatisfied with the measure. He questions the authority by which the scheme was sanctioned,— expresses apprehensions that it may defeat a project in contemplation, of establishing a Branch of the United States Bank in this city, and suggests the propriety of immediately recalling the Charter of the Louisiana Bank, or in some way arresting its further progress. To that letter, I have already written an answer of some length; but I trust you will pardon the liberty I take in offering to you a few lines on a subject seemingly of so much importance and one in which I have unexpectedly found my political reputation so deeply involved. With respect to the Legislative powers with which I was invested, I thought them as comprehensive as those of the Governor and Intendant who had acted under the Spanish Government;—but I at the same time understood those powers to have been entrusted to me, in full confidence that they would never be exerted to their fullest extent, unless under the pressure of a strong political necessity.—When the Bank Ordinance was passed, that necessity appeared to me to exist in its full force.—The people here, elated to enthusiasm in expectation of rights and privileges and powers, thought Congress unseasonably slow in providing for their Government, & greatly unmindful of their interests in permitting the trade of New-Orleans to languish for want of a revenue System;—The proposed abolition of the Slave trade, had also excited the apprehensions of the farmers; in short every thing at this period wore an aspect of disaffection, which if confirmed, might not easily have been diverted.—The attachment of the citizens to the Government, I thought an object of primary importance, and that it became my duty to do everything in my power to effect it.— The moment was critical, and I felicitated myself in the opportunity which the merchants afforded me, of detaching them from the discontented party. With respect to the advantages arising to the Commonwealth from such institutions, I do not presume to decide; but the merchants whose interests are almost exclusively involved in them, have in this instance and on that point relieved me from all responsibility. When I passed the Ordinance it never occurred to me, that any but Territorial Interests were involved in it, nor am I yet sensible how those of the United States can be effected by the proposed establishment.—It seemed to me, that the merchants of New-Orleans  529 

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might with propriety claim a benefit (a Bank) which did not appear to be denied to any one commercial City on the Atlantic Coast. With respect to my powers I must confess, I thought them somewhat doubtful; but the best informed people here thought them commensurate to the object.—It was represented to me, that the trade of the colony (excepting as to revenue) had occasionally been considered as an object of provincial regulation, and that the Spanish Governors had often granted commercial monopolies, particularly in the Indian trade:—It was further confidently stated to me, that Don André Lopez De Armesto (late Secretary to Louisiana under the Spanish Government) had given an opinion, that the power of the Governor to erect a Bank; if he thought the establishment expedient, was indisputable. Viewing therefore the question as to power, at least doubtful, I yielded to considerations of political expediency. There is one of Mr. Gallatin’s objections to the Louisiana Bank which time will remove.—I mean his fear that it may prove destructive to the Branch Bank of the United States; for it is the general opinion (and which I believe to be correct) that were the Louisiana Bank in full vigour, a Branch Bank might also be established in this City which would completely answer the object, and fulfill the expectations of those who sent it. As to a repeal of the incorporation of the Louisiana Bank, I fear it might involve some questions of difficulty and create some partial discontents here.—Perhaps it is fortunate, (if its suppression is deemed advisable) that the scheme is likely to fall by its own weakness.—The institution has for some time lingered on scarcely a moiety of its incipient capital, and the opinion of the Secretary (which is known) as to its legal existence, will I believe prove fatal to it. I conceived it a duty due my character and feelings to give you this summary of the facts and reasonings which induced, and will go I trust to justify my conduct on this occasion; but should I not succeed, in conveying to your mind, a conviction in my favour I shall consider the establishment of the Louisiana Bank, as the most unfortunate act of my political life;—but this consoling reflection will remain to me, that if I have committed an error, it was one, into which I was betrayed by an honest zeal for the service of my country. If I have exceeded the bounds of my authority, it was not to gratify any little vanity, or idle thirst for power. If I have acted contrary to the wishes or instructions of my Government, it is because I knew them not. If I have thwarted any favorite fiscal arrangement, I sincerely regret it, but I cannot be justly censured for opposing what I never had an intimation of. In sanctioning the establishment of the Louisiana Bank,  530 

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My God knows, that I had no private views to promote, no personal friends to gratify. As far as I am concerned, to an unaccusing conscience I can appeal, and assert, that the measure flowed from as pure motives of innocent and honest patriotism as ever guided a public functionary. I pray you to pardon the liberty I have taken in addressing you this letter, and permit me to subscribe myself With sentiments the most respectful Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 July and so recorded in SJL.

For Gallatin’s frustration over Claiborne’s chartering of the Louisiana bank, see Gallatin to TJ, 12 Apr. In his an­ swer of 23 May to Gallatin, Claiborne defended the charter in terms similar to those above (Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 2:160-4).

To Nicholas Collin Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Dctr Collin to dine with him Tomorrow at half after three, June 3d 04. The favour of an answer is asked. RC (RSAS: Collin Papers); printed form, with blanks filled in a clerk’s hand reproduced in italics.

Collin, a Philadelphia-based Swedish Lutheran pastor, was a friend of TJ through the American Philosophical Society (Vol. 26:631; Vol. 27:118).

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Washington June 3. 04. I recieved yesterday your favor of the day before. with respect to the slanders in which the two mr Hunts were implicated, I assure you on my sacred honour that I never heard one word uttered but from mr Granger and one other person, who does not reside in this part of the country, nor is any way connected with the government; and the sole object of his communicating with me was to engage me to endeavor to prevent the matter being carried into the public papers. from neither of these gentleman did I learn, or ever from any other quarter, that you even knew of the slanders in circulation. your letter  531 

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is the first intimation of your having had any conusance of them. be assured therefore that not a suggestion on the subject has ever been made to me1 to your prejudice; nor would any such make an impression on me. where I have knolege of a character myself, I place more confidence in that knolege than in any suggestions which can be made, and am more apt to look for their source in the character & circumstances of the suggestor. the degree of confidence in you which led me to ask your aid in the administration, has never been diminished; on the contrary it is strengthened by opportunities of knowing myself what I had before taken from the information of others: and by that affection which naturally grows out of a social intercourse with worthy persons.   as to what I mentioned that mr Seth Hunt was stated to me to have rendered himself so obnoxious to some persons as that his appointment would scarcely be confirmed by the Senate, it was mentioned to me by some one since I came here last, but by whom I cannot now recollect. but these are all the words which were mentioned, and not a single particular was added or asked. this frank declaration is made in order to establish that mutual satisfaction of reciprocal confidence which I know to exist on my part, and I entertain no doubt of on yours. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of affectionate respect Th: Jefferson RC (James Cummins and William Reese, New York, 2017); addressed: “The Secretary at War”; endorsed by Dearborn. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

so obnoxious: see Gallatin to TJ, 11 May (first letter). 1

Preceding two words interlined.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Sunday. [3 June 1804] The Baron requests me to present his compliments that he will do himself the pleasure to wait on you with Messrs. Bonpland & Montufar. Doctr Woodhouse also desires me to include his respects that he will also wait on you. Doctr Fothergill is not at present within, but I shall see him this afternoon—& I believe he will isteem your invitation, an honour not to be neglected—& therefore I answer for his attendance— Amediately after I have dined I will remove to the Tavern in your vicinity & there wait on you— with high respect yrs. C W Peale RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ: “Humboldt Baron de. Bonpland

Montufar de Quito, sur la montagne de 1450. toises de hauteur audessus du niveau

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4 JUNE 1804 de la mer, et a 2 lieues de la ligne” (on a mountain of 1,450 fathoms above sea level and two leagues from the equator). Peale, baron von Humboldt, and the rest of the traveling party arrived in Washington on 1 June. Peale called on TJ the following morning to make arrangements for delivering and demonstrating the polygraph that he had brought with him. Later that same morning the visitors called on the president. On the 4th, they saw the Washington Navy Yard and the Capitol before enjoying a “very elegant dinner” at the President’s House. Peale was particularly impressed that “not a single toast was given or called for, or Politicks touched on.” Rather, the animated discussion revolved around natural history, material improvements, and national customs. Subsequently, the party visited Mount Vernon and dined at the Madisons’, the Thorntons’, and a second time at the President’s House. Bonpland and Montufar, who spoke no English, appear to have left little impression and

yielded all attention to Humboldt, with whom, Dolley Madison informed her sister, “All the ladies say they are in love.” He was, she added, “the most polite, modest, well-informed, and interesting traveller we have ever met.” TJ was reported to have been “delighted” by Humboldt, whom he described as the “most scientific man of his age he had ever seen,” and Gallatin, despite finding Humboldt’s excited, multilingual speaking style offputting, characterized the visit as “an exquisite intellectual treat” (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:690-9; Lucia B. Cutts, Memoirs and Letters of Dolly Madison [Boston, 1886], 45-6; Gerald W. Gawalt, “‘Strict Truth’: The Narrative of William Armistead Burwell,” vmhb, 101 [1993], 115; Herman R. Friis, “Baron Alexander von Humboldt’s Visit to Washington, D.C., June 1 through June 13, 1804,” rchs, 60-2 [1963], 26). At their first meeting during the visit, TJ suggested that Peale make Washington’s City tavern his base (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:690).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Washington June 4th. 1804 Your letter with which I was yesterday honoured, has by the unreserved explicit and friendly manner in which you have been good enough to express your sentiments concerning myself, is not only highly grattifying & satisfactory, but lays me under additional obligations, and will excite the greater exertions for securing the continuence of your friendship & confidence,—and I shall feel less solicitude on account of any attempts which may have been made to impress your mind with unfavourable sentiments towards others, whose intentions have been fair & honourable, and whose attachments to your person, character & administration have been ardent and uniform. with sentiments of respectfull esteem, I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 June.

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To John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir Washington June 4. 04. I should much sooner have written to you but for the press of business which had accumulated at my return, and which is not yet entirely got under. we lamented much that you had not staid a day longer at Monticello, as on the evening of your departure the Eppington family arrived, and it would have added much to our happiness to have been all1 together the 4. or 5. days that the weather detained me at home. we consented to consign little Maria to the entreaties of mrs Eppes until August when she promised to bring her back herself. nature’s laws will in time deprive her of all her older connections. it will then be a great comfort to have been brought up with those of her own age, as sisters & brothers of the same house, knowing each other in no other relation, and ready to become the parent of each other’s orphan children. while I live both the children will be to me the dearest of all pledges; and I shall consider it as increasing our misfortune should we have the less of your society. it will in no wise change my views at Pantops, and should considerations, which ought not to be opposed by me in the actual state of things, induce you to change the purpose of your residence at Pantops, I shall still do there what I had always proposed to you; expecting it will some day become the residence of Francis. I may only take more time for it. after Lilly shall have done at the mill, which I suppose will be by the time of my return home, there are then three jobs for him. the levelling at Pantops, the road along the river, and the levelling the garden at Monticello. which of these he first enters on will depend on your views. if they be to get to Pantops as soon as you can; he shall first do that levelling, that it may be in readiness to begin a house the next season. in any other case I should set him about the road first. but I should be happier did the other order of things coincide more with your happiness. but I press nothing, because my own feelings as a parent teach me how to estimate & respect the feelings of parents. on this subject you must give me your wishes with frankness as mine will be most gratified in taking the direction of yours. I inclose you a letter I recieved lately from mrs Adams. the sentiments expressed in it are sincere. her attachment was constant. although all of them point to another object directly, yet the expressing them to me is a proof that our friendship is unbroken on her part. it has been a strong one, and has gone through trying circumstances on both sides. yet I retain it strongly both for herself and mr Adams. he & myself have gone through so many scenes together that all his qual 534 

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ities have been proved to me, and I know him to possess so many good ones, as that I have never withdrawn my esteem, and I am happy that this letter gives me an opportunity of expressing it to both of them. I shall do it with a frank declaration that one act of his life, & never but one, gave me personal displeasure, his midnight appointments. if respect for him will not permit me to ascribe that altogether to the influence of others, it will leave something for friendship to forgive. if Patsy is with you, communicate the letter to her, and be so good as to re-inclose it to me. I think I shall leave this about the 22d. of July, and shall hope to find you in Albemarle, and that you will soon be followed there by the Eppington family. I shall take my trip to Bedford soon after my arrival. present me affectionately to the family at Eppington, keep Francis mindful of me, and give both of them my kisses. affectionately adieu Th: Jefferson PoC (CSmH); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: Abigail Adams to TJ, 20 May. what i had always proposed to you: for TJ’s original proposal to his sons-

in-law regarding the use of Pantops, see Vol. 35:418-20. 1

Word interlined.

From John Hill Honoured Sir Philadelphia 4th. May [i.e. June] 1804 Conscious that every information can be obtain’d from You our cheif Magistrate, the Restorer of our Rights and supporter of our Liberties— I take the Liberty therefore humbly to Request of You to make Known to me through any Channel You may think proper, whether William Duane Editor of the Aurora made Use of the following expressions in Your presence or not Viz That the Members of the Saint Patrick society form’d in this City eighteen Months since were all Federalists and consequently inimical to our present happy Government— Mr William Duane Junr. has made Application to become a Member of this society and I am apprehensive that the above (false I hope) insinuation made to Us by the Members of the Rising Sun faction may Operate so forcibly upon Our true Democratical Members as to cause his Rejection. his Acceptance or Rejection will take place on the 17th. Inst.— Your Acquiescence will be for ever most gratefully Acknowledg’d by the whole of our Members. Wishing You, honor’d Sir long to enjoy  535 

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an uninterrupted state of good health and those deluded persons who wish a change of Government may See their Error, Repent and place implicit confidence in You I have the honor to subscribe myself Your most Obedient humble Servant John Hill RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 4 June received 7 June and so recorded in SJL.

For allegations that william duane questioned the political loyalty of the St. Patrick’s society, see Vol. 42:584-6, 612-13. rising sun faction: see Vol. 38:4078, 421-2.

Instructions on Architectural Ornaments for George Andrews June 4. 1804.

A moulding of eggs and anchors is wanting for 2 pediments to wit Parlour doors ⎪⎧ 20. feet of level moulding of the size & form of the ⎪ Walnut model. ⎪ ⎨ 16. feet of raking do. of the same size, one half, to ⎪ ⎪ wit, 8. feet for the right hand, and one half, to ⎪ ⎩ wit 8. f. for the left hand rake.       Dome cornice 100. feet of egg & anchor moulding of the size & form of the larger model.   Hall ornaments for 2 scrolls of the size of the drawing, to wit for both sides and the soffite of each scroll. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Andrews.” Among TJ’s architectural notes is a similar document in an unidentified hand indicating a need for 20 feet of “level moulding” and 16 feet of raking, or

sloped, molding for pediments. On the same sheet in the same hand is a request for carpentry planes (MS in MHi, endorsed by TJ: “June 4. ordd from mr Ingles”; see Invoice from Henry Ingle, 10 July).

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From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 4th. June 1804 I have the pleasure to inform you that we have made sale of Mr. Cravens Tobo. to Gallego Richard & Co. (we expect for Jackson & Wharton) at 40/—We have given you credit for 13 Hhds of it, & Mr. Craven for one, conformably to your direction. I have omitted I find to say any thing to you respecting the deduction which you authorized me to make to Pollok for your own crop.— Although it certainly turned out to be greatly inferior to what we all expected, I thought he had no right to expect any allowance to be made him, and therefore declined saying any thing to him upon the subject.—It occurs to me however at this moment only, that I ought to have informed him of what you said; and will do it therefore, when next I see him—so that if he blames any one, it may be me.—I am confident however he will not—it is true, he gave more than the customary price in expectation of its good quality—he did not however give the price which it would have commanded, had it been seen, and known to be of the very first quality; and as he would not have made us any additional allowance, had it turned out to be the very best, he certainly cannot expect any deduction to be made in consequence of its being found to be inferior to what was expected. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esq.”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 June and so recorded in SJL.

Jefferson appears to have sold TJ’s own crop of tobacco to one of the Richmondarea firms connected to Robert and Allan pollok (Richmond Virginia Argus, 20 Nov. 1801, 25 Apr. 1804).

From Robert Smith Navy Dept. June 4: 1804

I have the honor to request your Signature to the enclosed Warrant. It is wanted for Mr. Ludlow one of the Midshipmen of the President who has been some time acting but of whose Christian name I am as yet ignorant. Rt Smith FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP); at head of text: “The President.”

Midshipman Augustus C. ludlow served on the frigates President, Essex, and Constitution in the Mediterranean from 1804 to 1807 (ndbw, Register, 32).

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From Caspar Wistar Dear Sir, Philada. May [i.e. June] 4. 1804 I have the pleasure of inclosing Capt. Hand’s Receipt for the box Containing La Cepede’s work upon Fishes—there was a loose paper which accompanied them inscribed for you but no other memorandum— I took the liberty of placing in this box Segur’s Account of Fk. William of Prussia which I believe you will read with great interest—I wish it was generally read, for no one can reflect without horror upon the frivolous motives which induced the most bloody & destructive projects, neither Can they regard with indifference the history of diplomatic industry & mischief—I wish we were as remote from Europe as we are from China & as free from Connection with the Europeans as the Chinese are—This is Sutor ultra Crepidam hominis, & I ought not to occupy your very valuable time with any speculations upon a subject on which you are so much experienced & so infinitely better able to judge. Before this reaches you Baron Humbold & Dr. Fothergill with some Gentlemen of Philada: will probably have arrived. The Baron has been in Mexico within the last few months & I believe is very well acquainted with the present Circumstances of that interesting Country, as well as many facts relating to the Ancient Mexicans. if you Can spare time, you will be much pleased with the information he has to communicate— I avail myself of this opportunity of returning to you a drawing of the teeth which Mr Livingston transmitted to you for the American Philosophical Society—As the teeth are in the possession of the Society, the drawing is not of importance to them, but it may assist you, (when you have leisure to attend to the subject,) in forming an opinion respecting my report to the Society which is, that the teeth in question belonged to the Common Cow or possibly the Buffaloe—I believe the largest teeth marked 1. 2. were the posterior grinders of the lower Jaw & 3 was the tooth next to it—They appear to differ only in size & very little in that respect from the large teeth of the Cow, say one eighth—to judge of them the teeth must be taken from the Jaw— I must beg the further loan of the very valuable work of Faujas which you were so kind as to lend me—I have been particularly occupied since it Came & can not part with it (if you can spare it longer) without a Careful perusal— With sentiments of the most sincere regard I am your obliged friend & servant C. Wistar Junr  538 

5 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 4 June received 6 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Bill of lading for one box of books, received from Caspar Wistar on 14 May; to be delivered to the president in Washington “provided they escape the danger of the Seas” (MS in same: TJ Papers, 140:24296; in Wistar’s hand, signed by John Hand; endorsed by Hand: “Contents unknown”). (2) Four drawings on one sheet of three teeth, numbered and identified by the following notations: “1 Front view of two of  the teeth”; “2 Inside view of one of them”; “3 Front view of another tooth”; and “4 Side view of the same” (MS in same, 140:24297; undated; in unidentified hand).

 sutor ultra crepidam: a variant of the proverb from the Adages of Erasmus, following Pliny (1.vi.16), often given in English as “Let the cobbler stick to his last,” that is, let critics limit themselves to areas of their expertise (Collected Works of Erasmus, 86 vols. to date [Toronto, 1974- ], 32:14; Vol. 37:565n). In March 1801, Robert R. living­ ston sent TJ some drawings and specimens of teeth, which he speculated came from an extinct, carnivorous animal. The American Philosophical Society acknowledged the submission at its meeting held in June of that year (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 312; Vol. 33:200, 323-7, 497).

To Isaac Briggs Dear Sir Washington June 5. 1804. The favor I meant to ask of you was to chuse me two thermometers descending as far below zero as you can get them. the kind preferred is that on a lackered plate slid into a mahogany case with a glass sliding cover, these bearing best an exposure to the weather. I have had so many broke in coming from Philadelphia by the stage that I am authorised to recommend the packing them in a box at least two inches wider and deeper than themselves, and well surrounded in that by cotton hair or fine shavings; and then to be brought inside of the stage. I trouble you also with the delivery of the inclosed note to mr McAlister, and to recieve from him a pair of spectacles & goggles for me, as well as the price of the thermometers, mr Barnes having arranged that matter with him. Accept my friendly salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Isaac Briggs”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to John McAllister, 5 June.

 539 

From David Gelston Sir, New York June 5th. 1804. By the Ship Pyomingo from Leghorn I have received a letter from Mr. Appleton, a copy of which is enclosed—the articles shall be forwarded by the first vessel to Alexandria or Georgetown— I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Thomas Appleton to David Gelston, 17 Mch. 1804, requesting that the shipment containing “seven painted books, a Barrel or Tierce No. 2 of

Vine Cuttings, together with three boxes of Tuscan Wine, No. 3, 4, & 5” that he is sending on the Pyomingo be forwarded to the president without delay as the vines require immediate planting (Tr in same); see also Appleton to TJ, 15 Mch.

To John McAllister Washington June 5. 1804.

Th: Jefferson asks the favor of mr Mc.Alister to send him by mr Briggs a pair of spectacles of the small light kind which mr Mc.Alister has heretofore made on the particular model which was furnished him. and to send with them spare sets of glasses from the youngest to the oldest magnifiers. mr Barnes informs Th:J. that he has arranged with mr Mc.Alister not only the paiment for these, but to mr Briggs also for a couple of thermometers. he presents him his salutations PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Enclosed in TJ to Isaac Briggs, 5 June. John McAllister (1753-1830) was a Glaswegian optician and craftsman who emigrated from Scotland in 1775. Initially working in New York City, he moved to Philadelphia in 1781 and later set up shop at 48 Chestnut Street, where he sold spectacles, whips, canes, and compasses. In 1803, he ended a three-year partnership with James Matthews and worked on his  own until 1811, when he brought his  namesake into the business as John McAllister & Son. TJ ordered eyeglasses

for himself and others from the optician’s company in 1800, 1804, 1806, and 1808. Charles Willson Peale, who was also a customer, shared an interest with TJ and McAllister in improvements to bifocals (Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 17 May 1803, 8 Apr. 1811; mb, 2:1017, 1193; rs, 8:159, 192; Vol. 37:299; McAllister to TJ, 14 Nov. 1806; Peale to TJ, 12 Mch. 1807; TJ to McAllister, 16 Nov. 1808). particular model: according to a letter to Charles Clay of 21 May 1815, TJ may have enclosed a drawing with his letter to McAllister in 1804 (rs, 8:279).

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From Archibald Stuart Dear Sir Norfolk 5th. June 1804 This will be handed to you by Robert B. Taylor Esquire of this place—For the first Time he takes an excursion to the Mountains & promises himselfe the pleasure of giving you a call—. He occupies the first Station at the bar in this quarter & I believe would do so any where—I am sure you will be pleased with the acquaintance of a young man who promises to do so much credit to our Country adieu I am Dear sir yours most affectionately Archd: Stuart RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Aug. and so recorded in SJL with notation “by Robert B. Taylor.” RC (DLC:

TJ Papers, 234:41896); address sheet only; addressed: “The honble. Thomas Jefferson Esqr P. U. States Monticello” and “Robt. B. Taylor Esqr.”

From Charles Biddle Sir Philada. 6 June 1804 I return you my grateful acknowledgments for your communication of the 30h. ultimo. Having lost a son in the Navy, Mrs. Biddle was extremely anxious about the one at Tripoli, which induced me to address you. her mind, and the family is much relieved by your Assurances of the confidence of the Government, in the measures taken for the relief of the Captives. I shall be attentive to your intimation respecting the contents of your letter, in the propriety of which I fully agree. with the highest respect I am Yr. Excellencys much obliged, & most Obedt. Servt. Cha Biddle RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos: Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 June and so recorded in SJL.

From Nathaniel Chapman Sir, Philadelphia June 6th. 1804. I have now the satisfaction of sending to you the Work on Colonial Policy, which has so long been witheld only, by the want of an earlier conveyance. General Wilkenson has promised me to have it delivered to you. The author, by whom it was presented to me, is extremely anxious to receive your approbation of his Book.  541 

6 JUNE 1804

 Any testimony of its merits from you, I shall take great pleasure in forwarding to him. I have the honor to be Sir, very respectfully. Yr Ob Hb St. N. Chapman RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as a letter of 8 June received 11 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably Henry Peter Brougham, An Inquiry into the Co­ lonial Policy of the European Powers, 2 vols. (Edinburgh, 1803; Sowerby, No. 2542). Nathaniel Chapman (1780-1853), originally from Virginia, received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania in 1801 with a dissertation on rabies. Following additional medical training in London and Edinburgh between 1802 and 1803, Chapman received a letter of introduction from his mentor, Benjamin Rush, and met TJ in January 1804. Chapman later sent TJ the prospectus for his own edited volume of British political speeches and corresponded with him on the causes behind “changes of climate.” Chapman opened a private practice in Philadelphia, taught medicine at the University of Pennsylvania between 1810 and

1850, and was a member of the American Philosophical Society. The American Medical Association elected him as the society’s first president in 1848 (anb; Nathaniel Chapman, Select Speeches, Fo­ rensick & Parliamentary, with Prefatory Remarks, 2 vols. [Philadelphia, 1808]; rs, 1:663; Vol. 42:102-3; Chapman to TJ, 13 Jan. 1807). After establishing formal U.S. possession of Louisiana, General James Wilkinson (wilkenson) left New Orleans in April and arrived in New York City in late May. After a brief stay, he traveled to Philadelphia and then on to Washington (Alexandria Advertiser, 11 May; New York Daily Advertiser, 21 May, 2 June; Alexandria Expositor, 16 June). Chapman presumably met the author, Henry Peter Brougham, during his medical studies in Scotland (Robert Stewart, Henry Brougham, 1778­1868: His Public Career [London, 1985], 14-27).

To Henry Dearborn Th:J. to Genl. Dearborne. June 6. 04. The division of Louisiana into districts relating to the military as much as to the civil administration, will you be so good as to consider those proposed by Governor Harrison, and we will then consider the subject. my idea would be not to fix precisely the dividing line between the districts, as we have not information enough for that, but to use such a mode of designation for these as we do for the Consular districts in foreign countries where we are equally uninformed. I would say for instance ‘the post of St. Louis shall be the seat of administration for it’s district, which district shall be composed of all those parts of Louisiana South of the Missouri1 which are nearer to St. Louis than to any other district seat.’ this lays off the whole country at once on the principle of distance, which is the chief ingredient in convenience, modified by the division of a river where that is material.  542 

6 JUNE 1804

 I think the purchases of the Delawares and Piankishaws proposed by Governor Harrison very interesting, and that the Delawares might at once be informed we will purchase with an annuity to be paid to them wherever they shall settle, but before we can offer lands on the other side the Missisipi to any tribe we should be well informed of the title to lands there. would it not be well to charge Governor’s Harrison & Claiborne generally with this enquiry, and the commander of each station specially as far as his opportunity extends, and that this be done & reported to us without delay? Affectionate salutations. RC (PHi); addressed: “The Secretary at War”; endorsed by Dearborn with notation “enclosing a letter from Govr. Harrisson.” PoC (DLC). Recorded in SJL with notation “Louisa. districts. Indian purchases.” Enclosure: William Henry Harrison to TJ, 12 May. lands on the other side the mis­ sisipi: writing on 21 June, Dearborn informed Harrison that it would be improper to exchange lands in upper Louisiana with the Delawares or any other Indian nation until more information on existing claims had been obtained. Tribes

wishing to remove to upper Louisiana must also resolve their current boundaries with their neighbors. The United States had no objection to such land exchanges “as shall be mutually agreed on,” but Indians desiring to settle immediately on the Mississippi would have to “go some distance above the mouth of the Missouri,” or they could probably be accommodated with land on branches of the Missouri or western branches of the Mississippi (DNA: RG 75, LSIA). 1

Preceding four words interlined.

From Albert Gallatin Sir Treasury Department 6th June 1804 I have the honour to enclose the copy of a letter written this day to the Marshal of Virginia respecting the application of the Governor of that State whose letter is herewith returned. I have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir Your most obedient Servant Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 6 June and “Logwood” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Gallatin to Joseph Scott, 6 June, advising Scott that, as an attempted rescue of Thomas Logwood encouraged the executive of Virginia to order a guard for the prisoner, he is authorized “to reimburse the State for the expence incurred on that

account” and to maintain a guard as long as necessary; he requests that the preferred form of a voucher be a certificate from a U.S. judge, but barring that, one from the governor will suffice; “although no power is vested in any of them to order a guard, it has not been unusual for them to certify that, in their opinion, a guard was necessary” (Tr in same, TJ Papers, 141:24406; in a clerk’s hand). (2) John Page to TJ, 1 June.

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From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 7th June 1804 I enclose the copy of an explanatory letter to the Marshal. Whatever relates to that subject is quite loose. We have no prisons of our own; and the States lend us theirs & also their penitentiaries. These being sufficiently safe for States criminals and in some instances as at New York protected by a constant guard in the pay of the State, no application has ever been made, nor, as I am told, any allowance granted for expences of that nature after conviction. On that account & to prevent clamour it would be well perhaps that Mr. Page should be privately informed that such expences not being incurred elsewhere, it would be eligible that, by admission in the penitentiary or otherwise, it might cease as soon as possible. Respectfully Your most obedient Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 7 June and “Logwood” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Gallatin to Joseph Scott, 7 June, notifying Scott that he is now aware that, prior to his letter of the previous day, sentence had already been rendered on Thomas Logwood; he advises Scott that it “has not been customary” for the federal government to defray costs for federal prisoners after sentencing; if, however, Logwood still

poses a flight risk, Scott is authorized to continue keeping a guard, provided he makes “an immediate communication of the expence likely to be incurred, and of the circumstances of the case, to this Department”; Scott should also “take such measures as will be best calculated to prevent the escape of the criminal without the continuance of a guard”; defraying the imprisonment cost for ten years “is inadmissible” (Tr in same, TJ Papers, 141:24410; in a clerk’s hand).

From Albert Gallatin Sir Treasury Department 7th: June 1804 I have the honour to inclose the copy of a letter received from the Collector of Philadelphia, by which it appears that vessels bound to Hispaniola are generally armed, and that he has thought it proper to require bonds & security from the owners that they shall not commit any acts of hostility against the subjects of powers at peace with the United States. As the collector requests instructions on that subject, permit me to submit it to your consideration and decision. It does not seem that bonds unauthorised by law can add any substantial security for the good behaviour of the parties; and the only case in which such bonds can be legally required is that provided by the 3d Section of the Act  544 

7 JUNE 1804

of February 6th 1802. For the Act “to authorize the defence of the merchant vessels of the United States against French depridations,” passed on the 25th June 1798, and by which it had been made a general provision that in no case whatever armed merchant vessels should clear out without having given bond for their peaceable conduct with friendly nations & for the return of their guns & ammunition, has expired ever since the 3d day of May 1802. Both those laws seem, from the language used, to have supposed that, either by the law of nations or by executive permission, merchants might, independent of those laws, arm their vessels. Certain it is that the Executive of the United States has, heretofore, acted as having a discretionary authority in those cases: as early as 1793 and afterwards again in 1797, private armaments, except for the East Indies, were absolutely forbidden by the President, and the order enforced by directing the collectors to refuse clearances to armed vessels; and in 1798, previous to the act of 25 June of that year & to any legislative interference, those orders were revoked by the President, & private vessels permitted to arm generally. The Act of 25 June 1798 then took place, and, on its expiration, the last orders of the President were considered as being in force. On that footing the matter now stands, and vessels are permitted to arm in conformity with the executive instructions of the spring 1798. It is not believed that the discretion which has been thus exercised can be perfectly reconciled to fixed principles. If the law of nations or any municipal statute rendered the instructions of 1793 & 1797 necessary, the instructions of 1798 were given in opposition to that law or statute. If private armaments by neutrals are not forbidden by the law of nations, nor the supposed right directly or implicitly taken from the citizens of the United States by statute, it is not easy to account for the instructions of 1793 & 1797. In order to lay the subject fully before you, I will only add that if it shall be Your opinion that the law of nations forbids neutrals to arm, except in certain cases such as the East Indies, the Mediterranean, &a, but that the situation of Hispaniola is now assimilated to that of the places where they may arm, yet the instructions of 1798 might require some revision as they permit generally to arm. I must acknowledge that I have not been able to form a satisfactory opinion on the subject, although I incline to the belief that the right of arming is in no case forbidden or controuled by the law of nations. I have the honour to be with great respect, Sir Your most obedient Servant Albert Gallatin  545 

7 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 7 June and “Merchant vessels arming” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) J. P. G. Muhlenberg to Gallatin, dated Philadelphia, 4 June, stating that for some time U.S. citizens trading with the West Indies have armed their vessels in his port for the alleged purpose of self-defense; the collector took no particular notice of these actions until Henry White, captain of the brig Betsey, took on board eight guns in addition to the two already carried and doubled the size of the crew; Muhlenberg felt the captain should provide security that his vessel would not undertake acts hostile or contrary to U.S. law; Muhlenberg encloses a copy of the bond and asks Gallatin for directions as to whether he should demand the same security from vessels now preparing in a similar manner (Tr in same). (2) Bond of William and Thomas Newbold, merchants of Philadelphia, and Henry White, mariner, 3 May, for the sum of $10,000,

that the Betsey, with White its master, shall not engage in hostile acts or acts contrary to U.S. law during its voyage to Hispaniola and return to the United States (Tr in same). For the acts of february 1802 and june 1798, see U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:572-3; 2:129-30. as early as 1793: see George Washington’s 22 Apr. 1793 neutrality proclamation and Alexander Hamilton’s instructions to customs collectors of 4 Aug. 1793 (asp, Foreign Relations, 1:140-1; Vol. 25:570-1). again in 1797: see Oliver Wolcott’s instructions to customs collectors of 8 Apr. 1797 (ndqw, Feb. 1797Oct. 1798, 4-5). those orders were revoked by the president: in a 19 Mch. 1798 message to Congress, John Adams stated that “I no longer feel myself justifiable” in continuing the instructions that restrained U.S. vessels from sailing in an armed condition (jhr, 3:228; js, 2:456-7).

From David Gelston Sir, New York June 7th. 1804 The articles mentioned in Mr. Appletons letter, were all yesterday put on board a Sloop bound to Alexandria, commanded by Capt Michael Fisher— I have written to the Collector of that Port, requesting him to forward them—not knowing of the opportunity until late in the afternoon, and the Pyomingo yet remaining in the stream, it has not been in my power to ascertain the charges of the importation, they will be soon known and forwarded— Capt. Fisher sailed immediately after he taken the articles on board— I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir, your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 June and so recorded in SJL.

mr. appletons letter: see Gelston to TJ, 5 June.

 546 

To Gideon Granger Th:J. to mr Granger. June 7. 04. On consideration I think it better not to write to mr Tabor myself, but to ask the favor of you to do it, as you have before had occasion to write on it. he should understand that the whole difficulty which has arisen was as to the place only, and not the person, & that if he can surmount that by a removal we have no hesitation about preferring him to any other person for the office. let him know the proposition is confidential, and a prompt answer asked. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as a letter of 8 June and so recorded in SJL. TJ was considering Constant Taber (tabor) of Newport to replace Jabez Bowen as commissioner of loans for Rhode Island. He also contemplated moving the loan office from Providence to Newport (see TJ to Gallatin, 30 May; David Leonard Barnes to TJ, 29 June; TJ to Christopher Ellery, 29 June; Jonathan Russell to TJ, 29 June). Republi-

cans in Newport and southern Rhode Island complained that too many federal offices in the state had gone to Providence. They also believed Governor Arthur Fenner wielded too much influence over appointments and was too closely allied with the state’s Federalists (Joseph Michael Norton, “The Rhode Island Federalist Party: 1785-1815” [Ph.D. diss., St. John’s University, 1975], 145-50; Vol. 40:644).

From Bentinck Hastings Sire Johnston County N.C. June 7th. 1804 The Petitioner sendeth greeting, having Studied Mechanism for many years and hath made several usefull discoveries and Improvements on different kinds of Machinery, being well acquainted with the principles of Mill work, Steem-Engines, Arkwright’s Carding and Spinning Machines, and most of the manufactures carried on in England &c. (and is Erecting a Cotton Factory in Johnston County N.C.) flattereth himself through the Lenity and goodness of Mr. Jefferson, that he cannot fail to Obtain Patents for Six new Inventions and one Improvement; Viz, first a Bed conductor Iron bedplates with Sacking bottom on a new plan, for destroying of Bedbugs, Second a new construction for packing Cotton far superior to the Mississippi plan, Third a new method for makeing of Cyder, Fourth a Washing Machine, Fifth a Machine for Grinding of Cotton Seed for makeing Oil, Sixth a new Invented Tub-Mill, Seventh an Improvement on the Hydraulical Blast that’s so serviceable for forges foundries and smiths.  547 

7 JUNE 1804

 Models shall be Exhibited when required. My Fellow Citizens are Anxious for my Success. Mr. Jefferson may rely on my exertions in his Interest. I am Sire, your Obedt. Humble. Sert. Bentinck Hastings. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson Presidt of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 July and so recorded in SJL. Originally from England, Bentinck Hastings was in the United States by 1803, when he advertised his services as an expert in British industrial machinery in order to raise capital for a proposed cotton mill. Although Hastings received no patents from the United States, he competed in 1810 for a one-million-franc

reward for the best flax spinning machine from the French government (Richmond Virginia Argus, 2 July 1803; Boston Pa­ triot, 24 Oct. 1810). mississippi plan: Hastings likely referred to a lever press, first developed around 1779, that packed cotton into square bales. In 1801, William Dunbar introduced a screw press that was not widely adopted at the time (Benjamin L. C. Wailes, Report on the Agriculture and Geology of Mississippi [Jackson, Miss., 1854], 173-7).

To James Taylor, Jr. Sir Washington June 7. 1804. I inclose you an order of the branch bank of the US. on the branch bank at Norfolk for 391. D. 57 C. the balance due on the account for the last Madeira & the box of Champagne sent me. I sincerely regret that my order for the large quantity of the latter did not get to hand in time, as it is so much more convenient to buy it in the country, when the quality & price suit, than to have to import it. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. James Taylor”; endorsed by TJ.

To Caspar Wistar Washington June 7. 04.

Th: Jefferson returns his thanks to Doctr. Wistar for the copy of Segur’s Frederic which he shall read with great satisfaction knowing the author to be a man of talents and information. Baron Humboldt, Doctr. Fothergill and their companions arrived here some days ago. the Doctr. was already known by his works, and the emigration of such men as he & Priestly to end their days with us is an honorable testimony for us. we have something to expiate however for the treatment Dr. Priestly experienced from the dominant party. keep Faujas’  548 

8 JUNE 1804

book as long as you please. I have written to him on the subject of the Mammoth and Megalonyx, and inclose you the letter for your perusal, after which you will have the goodness to return it, as I have no other copy. Affectionate salutations. P.S. I have omitted to state above, the extreme satisfaction I have recieved from Baron Humbodt’s communications. the treasures of information which he possesses are inestimable, and fill us with impatience for their appearance in print. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond, 31 Jan. 1804.

From Henry Dearborn Sir, War Department June 8th. 1804 I have the honor to propose Doctor Abraham Edwards for your approbation as Surgeon’s Mate in the Army of the United States Accept Sir the assurances of my high respect &cc— FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). abraham edwards wrote to TJ from Baltimore on 7 May (not found, but recorded in SJL as received 14 May with notation “to be Surgeon’s mate”). That letter was forwarded to the War Department, and on 15 May, Dearborn wrote offering Edwards a post as surgeon’s mate at Fort Wayne, provided that Edwards procured certification of his fitness for the office “from Medical Gentlemen of known respectability” (DNA: RG 107, MLS). On 5 June, Edwards wrote to Dearborn acknowledging his willingness to serve at “Fort Wayne or any place where I shall be most wanted” (DNA: RG 107, LRMS). He enclosed three certifications, one of which was from Isaac Bishop, written on  11 May from Westmoreland, Virginia, and addressed to TJ, although TJ may never have seen the letter, which he neither endorsed nor recorded in SJL. Bishop wrote: “It is from the known goodness of your disposition; that I have

ventured being a stranger to recommend to your notice, a young Gentleman of East New Jersey Dr. Abraham Edwards, who is solicitous to get the post of Surgeon Mate on board of one of the Frigats going up the Mediterranean—I believe him to be adequate to the task, is of good parentage, possesses an unblemished Character, is a firm republican and a warm friend to the present administration— Should your honour see fit to grant him the post sought, I will venture to say that he performs the duties of his station with alacrity and as for assiduity will not be excelled by many” (same; addressed: “Mr. Thomas Jefferson President of the united States At City Washington”). The two other enclosed recommendations, one from New Jersey senator John Condit and the other from a Dr. Pierson, possibly future New Jersey congressman Isaac Pierson, have not been found (Biog. Dir. Cong.). TJ appointed Edwards surgeon’s mate, effective 8 June 1804 (TJ to the Senate, 13 Nov. 1804).

 549 

From Anthony Fothergill City of Washington—Frid: 8th. instt.

Dr. Fothergill cannot leave the City of Washington without offering his grateful acknowledgments to the President of the U:S: for his repeated civilities, & kind hospitality. Wishing him uninterrupted health & prosperity, begs leave to request his acceptance of these little tracts as a slender token of remembrance. RC (DLC); partially dated; addressed: “To His Excellency The President of the United States. By favour of Mr. Maddison”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 8 June 1804. Enclosures: not identified, but see below. Anthony Fothergill (ca. 1737-1813) earned a medical degree from the University of Edinburgh and subsequently gained the patronage of the prominent London physician John Fothergill (no relation). Although unsuccessful in establishing a lucrative practice in London, Anthony Fothergill achieved great success in Bath. The Royal Humane Society awarded him a gold medal for his paper on resuscitating victims of drowning. The American Philosophical Society elected

him a member in 1792, and after retiring to Philadelphia in 1803 he became active in the organization’s activities (dnb; aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1884], 201; Christopher Lawrence, Paul Lucier, and Christopher C. Booth, eds., “Take Time by the Forelock”: The Letters of Anthony Fother­ gill to James Woodforde, 1789­1813 [London, 1997]). Fothergill wrote a number of tracts on subjects such as rabies, temperance, and copper and lead poisoning. TJ owned a copy, possibly already acquired, of the second edition of A New Enquiry into the Suspension of Vital Action, in Cases of Drowning and Suffocation (Bath, 1795; Sowerby, No. 965; TJ to Caspar Wistar, 7 June).

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 8. 04. Being in the habit of filing in the proper offices all papers I recieve which are merely official, so as never to retain among my own any which ought to remain with the public, I send that of Govr Page & my answer to be filed in your office. applications for office, informations, &c. I suppose the writer would not wish to have recorded, and therefore I keep them as confidential. altho’ occasions of remitting papers to the offices of state & War have been frequent, yet not recollecting that I have before had occasion to do this to the treasury, I accompany it with this explanation. PrC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the Treasury Department with notation “distribn of papers.” Enclosures: (1) John Page to TJ, 1 June. (2) TJ to Page, 8 June.

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To John Page Sir Washington June 8. 04 It being incumbent on the marshall for the state to keep his prisoners in effectual safe custody, and, where extra expence is necessary, to take the directions of the Secretary of the Treasury, I immediately communicated your letter of the 1st. inst. to mr Gallatin. he has instructed the marshall to reimburse the state the expence of the guard already incurred, and to provide for the future. at the same time it is my duty to observe that all the states are in the practice of permitting to the general government the use of their jails and penitentiaries,1 the latter defraying the subsistence of their prisoners. in fact this government has cognisance of so few criminal cases, that the expence of building a jail in every state would be very disproportionate to their object. we have therefore to hope that the marshall will be permitted to commit the prisoner Logwood to the jail or the penitentiary of the state at his option. if the standing provisions of the state should not ensure him against rescue, it will become a matter of consideration what measures for that purpose we could propose to persevere in through a course of ten years which the object would justify. Accept the assurances of my high consideration & esteem Th: Jefferson RC (Vi); addressed: “John Page Governor of Virginia Richmond”; franked and postmarked; endorsed in unidentified hand: “Logwood President Letter on the

Subject of Logwood being confind in the pny June 8. 1804.” PoC (DLC). 1 MS:

“penitentaries.”

From Theodorus Bailey Sir, New York 9h. June 1804. I have been honored with your note bearing the post-mark of the 4th inst, & covering a letter from Europe for a Mr. John Anderson, said to be of this City. On enquiry I find, there are four persons now resident here of that name: and a fifth, who has been a merchant in the City for several years past, has within a few days, sailed for Grenoch in Scotland, the place of his Nativity. The letter alluded to is I presume intended for the Gentleman last mentioned. I have not yet been able to see any of his friends; but my exertions will not be intermitted until the letter shall find it’s address; of which you will receive immediate information. I do myself the pleasure to transmit under cover a statement of the result of the late Election for Governor &c in this State, taken from  551 

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the actual canvass of the votes. This Event I conceive must have a happy effect upon the republican Cause generally throughout the Union. our republican fellow Citizens cannot therefore restrain their joyful exultations on this auspicious occasion. With high Consideration & respect, I am Sir, your most Obedt. huml servt. Theodorus Bailey RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: tally of votes in the New York State elections of April 1804, showing that in 32 counties, 52,968 votes were cast for governor, 30,829 of which were for Morgan Lewis and 22,139 for Aaron Burr, giving Lewis a majority of 8,690; of 52,175 votes cast for lieutenant governor, John Broome received 30,643 and Oliver Phelps 21,532, giving Broome a majority of 9,111; Bailey adding comments that “Mr. Burr had small Majorities, only in six, and Mr. Phelps, only in five of the above Thirty: two Counties”; that eight state senators “are elected by large Majorities. all republicans & Anti-Burrites”;

that of the state assembly’s 100 members, “Two Burrites & 14 Federalists only are returned”; and that “Fifteen of the Seventeen Representatives to the next Congress are Republicans” (MS in same, TJ Papers, 140:24244; undated; entirely in Bailey’s hand; at head of text: “Result of the Election for Governor, Lieut. Govr. and Senators in the State of New York”). The note from TJ to Bailey of about 4  June has not been found, nor is one recorded in SJL. For the inquiries regarding New York City merchant john anderson, see Charles Philip, Baron de Hanstein, to TJ, 6 Feb. 1804, and Christiana de Hanstein to TJ, 22 June 1804.

From Henry Fry Dr Sr. Virginia Madison Co: June 9th—4 Your favor of the 21st. last Month and condisention in gratifying my wish respectg Doctr Priestlys Works lay me under obligations better felt than I believe it to be your wish should be express’d—Your time must be precious, the multiplicity of Business and cares1 upon your hands I doubt not engross your attention—deters me from intruding, the testimonies of your regard for an acquaintence of your youth, encourage me at least to express my joy and hope, that thro’ the envy, callumnly and reproach of which your mighty highness is surrounded; The system of which you diservedly have the credit (alias reproach) of being the author, in making void those distinctions in Church & State which deterr’d investigation & freedom in declining sentiments, however congenial to reason, Religion, and common sence, Have opened the way for truth to prevail and I doubt not will, (by fortitude patience and perseverence therein) triumph over every opposition; Wisdom whither term’d philosophic or from grace, I am persuaded cometh from above “various are the dispensations as well as opperations of that spirit, a measure whereof is given to every man  552 

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to profit withall”—We may observe in the School of Christianity, there are various fforms—as in literary Seminaries, Students rise by degrees, and those of ability pursevering thro’ the various dispensations experience in a supereminent degree those Morral and social virtues therein matured—You perhaps among all your fellow students alone progress’d thro’ the fforms of scientific instruction; when you meet with any from the lower Classes, however full, forward & vociferous they may be in displaying their wisdom &c acquired at the same School, you presently discover defects, and can precisely determine to which class they belonged—In the Christian school, degrees of light and knowledge are dispenced, the first principles or degree is denoted by the light of a Star, sencond of the Moon, third dawn of Day, and fourth effulgent brightness of the Sun absorbing all the former, dispelling the mists, clouds, doubts, darkness and infilicities attending them; reveals the source of those corruptions pointed out in the Doctrs Labour’d, learned & candid treatise—and may account for the many absurdities &c remaing in the various Creeds, Modes, & form of worship among Sects professing Christianity, may instruct us to bear with one anothers Weaknesses & infirmities—Many of those errors pointed out by the Doctr. may be seen in the works of Jno. Fletcher—Title Checks to antinomianism in six Vol. American edition—The Spirit and wisdom with which he encounters, confutes, and put to silence his opponents—I cannot but think you will be pleased with—and if you have leasure & inclination to peruse them, may procure the loan of them by applying to any Methodist Minister or Member you may be acquainted with—they are books seldom read or to be found among professors of other denominations—May health attend you and all possible Hapiness in your (envy’d) Station is the prayr of Dr Sr your Weak & unworth Servt. Henry Fry. PS. ffrom long affliction & my reduced state—conclude my time short— Glass almost run out—If I see you no more, receive my acknowledgemts for Genl Services Farewell H. F. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 16 June and so recorded in SJL. given to every man: “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal” (1 Corinthians 12:7). John fletcher was a Swiss-born Anglican minister, aligned with the Meth-

odist movement, who wrote a series of works under the umbrella title Checks to Antinomianism. The six-volume Works of the Rev. John Fletcher was published in Philadelphia in the 1790s (dnb, s.v., “Fletcher, John William”). 1 MS:

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“cars.”

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 9. 04. Will you give to the inclosed observations of mr Madison as early a perusal as you can? I have always been in hopes that you and he would by discussion come to a common opinion. I suppose however this has not taken place: and the views of our constitution in preferring a single Executive to a plurality having been to prevent the effect of divided opinions, and to ensure an unity of purpose and action, I presume I must decide between the opinions, however reluctantly. I take for granted every thing has been now stated which can affect the case. if you think so after perusal of this I will proceed to consider the case finally, deciding only on principles and leaving to the Comptroller to investigate facts, and apply the principles to them. affectionate salutations. RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Stevens’s case.” Enclosure: James Madison’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 20 Apr.

To Alexander von Humboldt June 9. 04.

Thos: Jefferson asks leave to observe to Baron de Humboldt that the question of limits of Louisiana between Spain & the US is this. they claim to hold to the river Mexicana or Sabine & from the head of that Northwardly along the heads of the waters of the Missipi to the head of the Red river & so on. we claim to the North river from it’s mouth to the source either of it’s Eastern or Western branch, thence to the head of Red river & so on. Can the Baron inform me what population may be between those lines, of white, red or black people? and whether any & what mines are within them? the information will be thankfully recieved. he tenders him his respectful salutations PoC (DLC).

north river: that is, the Rio Grande.

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Memorandum from Alexander von Humboldt [on or after 9 June 1804]

Luisiana. Mr. le Président desire du savoir quelle est la Population, l’area et le produit metallique des Provinces internes esp. cedées au cas que la bouche du Rio bravo del Norte fit la limite de la Luisiane? Le Roi d’Espagne cederait au ce cas plus de ⅔ de l’imense Intendance de S. Luis Potosi; il perdrait un terrain de 11,756 lieuex □ (de 20 à 1.° de l’Equateur) il perdrait toute la Province de Texas. 7006 l. □. la moitie de la Prov. de Nuevo Santander.—1900. l. □ et deux tiers de la Prov. de Cohahuila 2850 l. □ L’ensemble de ce terrain est égal en area à ⅔ de la France. Mais la valeur politique de ce terrain, le considerant avant la réunion de la Louisiane aux Etats Unis est a peu près nulle. Ces 11756 lieuex □ sont la partie la plus déserte d’une Intendance très depeuplée. Ils ne continuent au plus que 42000 habitans la plûpart Blancs descendans d’Européens Espagnols qui vivent de Paturages et du Maïs qu’ils cultivent dans des mêterias éparses. Le Climat est ardent, le sol couvert de formations secondaires calcaires mais très fertile surtout dans le Nuevo Santander. La partie orientale de la Prov. de Texas (par laquelle va le chemin actuel de Potosi à Natchitotches) est en Savannes. La Cote est mauvaise, sans port connu, plein de bas-fond et garnie d’Islots habités par des Indiens indépendans. Mr. Dn Ciriaco Cevallos, Officier de Marine éspagnol conu en France par de belles observations astronomiques, a été envoyé en 1803 au Golphe pour lever le plan de la Cote depuis Huasacualcos aux bouches du Rio Colorado de Texas. Il comencait ses operations par le Sud, mais les allarmes causés par le cession de la Luisiane ont determiné le Viceroi de l’envoyer au Missisipi pour servir de Geographe au Marquis de Casacalvo. Il est chargé de la Cour de voir s’il peut decouvrir quelque port aux environs de la bouche du Rio del Norte. Les villes de Monterey, Linares, Monclova, Mier, et Gigedo restent toutes dans la partie de l’Int. de Potosi située à la Rive droite du Rio del Norte. La partie que Votre Excellence demande n’a que la miserable petite Ville de S. Fernando de Bejar. On y connait des vestiges de Galene (sulfure de plomb) argentifer, du Cuivre et du fer. Mais aucune mine n’y a jamais été exploité, les imenses richesses des Montagnes de Zacatecas, Catorce et Charcas ayant occupé toute l’attention des Indigenes.  555 

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La proximité des Mines de Catorce découvertes en 1773. (mines qui donnent annuellement 3 à 4 million de piastres en argent) pourrait paraitre omineuse. Mais il ne faut pas oublier que Charcas et Catorce sont situés sur le rameau oriental de la Sierra madre dont l’occidental se perd dans la Sonora. Ces riches mines de Catorce, du muriate d’argent, sont au moins à 1400 toises sur mer tandis que les pais, que l’on exige, sont presque au Niveau de la mer, même. Le Tableau des 11756. l. □ que je trace n’est pas brillant, mais considerons qui c’est un pais vierge, et inhabité. Les Espagnols du Mexique peuplant ces centrées septentrionales depuis l’ancien Tenochtitlan n’ont eu aucun motif de s’y étendre et d’abandonner d’imenses terrains plus analogues aux Climats d’Europe et plus metalliferes. Les Indiens au contraire se sont retiré au Nord ou ils vivent comme les Arabes pasteurs et partout ou l’Européen leur a presenté l’esperance du butin, comme des voleurs beduins. Ht. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

[on or after 9 June 1804] Louisiana The president asked for information about the population, size, and mineral resources of the interior Spanish provinces in case the Louisiana border should be set at the mouth of the Rio Grande. In such a case, the king of Spain would cede more than two-thirds of the immense region of San Luis Potosí. He would lose 11,756 square leagues (at 20 leagues to a degree at the equator). He would lose: the entire province of Texas, 7,006 square leagues; half of the province of New Santander, 1,900 square leagues; and two-thirds of the province of Coahuila, 2,850 square leagues. The whole territory is equal to two-thirds the size of France, but its political value, before the return of Louisiana to the United States, is almost nil. These 11,756 square leagues are the most deserted of a sparsely populated region. There are no more than 42,000 inhabitants, mostly white descendants of European Spaniards, growing corn and grazing animals on scattered farms. The climate is brutal; the terrain is covered with limestone formations but very fertile, especially in Nuevo Santander. The eastern part of the province of Texas (crossed by the current route from Potosí to Natchitoches) consists of savannas. The coast is bad, with no known ports, full of shoals and dotted with islands inhabited by independent Indians. Don Ciriaco Cevallos, a Spanish naval officer known in France for his fine astronomical observations, was sent to the Gulf in 1803 to map the coast from Coatzacoalcos to the mouth of the Colorado River in Texas. He began in the south, but the alarm caused by the cession of Louisiana prompted the viceroy to send him to the Mississippi as geographer to the Marqués de Casa Calvo. The court asked him to look for a port near the mouth of the Rio Grande. The cities of Monterey, Linares, Monclova, Mier, and Gigedo are within the Potosí region, on the right bank of the Rio Grande. The area your excellency requests has only the poor little

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9 JUNE 1804 town of San Fernando de Béjar (San Antonio). There are known to be traces of galena (lead sulfide), copper, and iron, but no mines have ever been developed because the inhabitants have concentrated on the immense riches of the mountains of Zacatecas, Catorce, and Charcas. The proximity of the Catorce mines, discovered in 1773 (with an annual production of three to four million piastres in silver), might seem ominous. But we must not forget that Charcas and Catorce are located on the eastern side of the Sierra Madre, the western side of which goes off into Sonora. The Catorce mines, rich in muriate of silver, are at least 1,400 fathoms above sea level, while the territories you are asking for are almost at sea level. The tableau I have drawn of these 11,756 square leagues is not brilliant, but remember that this is an uninhabited, virgin territory. The Spaniards of Mexico who have lived in the northern regions since the ancient Tenochtitlan had no reason to spread out and leave regions that had mineral resources and that more closely resembled European climates. The Indians, by contrast, were forced to withdraw to the north, where they live like Arab shepherds, or like Bedouin thieves wherever Europeans have held out the possibility of booty. Ht. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25357); undated. le président desire: see TJ’s letter of this day to Humboldt. The baron departed Washington on 13 June, and he likely wrote this memorandum before then (Alexandria Advertiser, 16 June). la population, l’area et le produit metallique: Humboldt also shared with the Jefferson administration detailed statistics for New Spain, including the interior provinces described in the document above, New Mexico, and California, but excluding the captaincy general of Guatemala. A title page accompanied 14 dense pages divided into such topics as geology, population, political divisions, economic output, taxation, and the number of soldiers. The tables appeared under the heading “Extrait des Tablas estatisticas del Reyno de Nueva España presentadas al Exc. Sr Virey Dn Josef de Yturrigaray

en Enero 1804,” indicating that Humboldt likely gave the administration a copy of a document he prepared for the viceroy of New Spain, José de Iturrigaray. He also readily permitted the copying of two maps that he had made of Mexico and that Albert Gallatin returned shortly before Humboldt’s departure for Europe (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25355, 25358-64, in French, entirely in Humboldt’s hand; Ingo Schwarz, ed., Alex­ ander von Humboldt und die Vereinigten Staaten von Amerika: Briefwechsel [Berlin, 2004], 95, 100, 484-95; Herman R. Friis, “Baron Alexander von Humboldt’s Visit to Washington, D.C., June 1 through June 13, 1804,” rchs, 60-2 [1963], 26). s. fernando de bejar: the civil settlement associated with the presidio at San Antonio (Ron Tyler, ed., The New Handbook of Texas, 6 vols. [Austin, 1996], 5:841-2).

To Mustafa Baba, Dey of Algiers Great and Good Friend, I have received your letter of the 14th of October last and in it assurances of the continuance of your friendly dispositions towards the United States, and of your attachment to the Treaty which binds us together. These assurances are the more satisfactory as we also are  557 

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disposed to a faithful observance of our Treaty; which, settling, as between friends, a fixed measure of what the one is bound to yield and the other has a right to receive, prevents requisitions out of the provisions of the Treaty, which sometimes it is inconvenient and sometimes impracticable to comply with.1 The materials from which the brass cannon you request are made are not among the productions of this Country: and when we have occasion of any thing of brass we seek it in the countries of your neighbourhood.2 Happening however at present to have on hand a quantity of this metal intended for our own use, such is the earnestness with which you make this request and so great is my desire to accommodate you, that I shall immediately order the cannon and necessary apparatus to be fabricated and sent to you on account of the annual supplies stipulated in our Treaty. I have just learned with great regret the loss of the ship Sally,3 off Cadiz, laden by us with naval stores for you. I regret it not so much for the value to us, as the delay, which our great distance from you will necessarily occasion in supplying the loss. Orders have however been given to forward others without loss of time.4 The Bashaw of Tripoly persevering in the unjust war which he commenced against us three years ago, and one of our ships having fallen into his hands (which however providence did not permit him to keep) to supply this loss we have ordered five more of our frigates, commanded by some of our best Captains, to join the other ships we have in the Mediterranean sea: and we firmly hope that when he is thus convinced of the strength of the nation he has rashly provoked, his heart may be recalled to justice and peace. We rely, that if any of the squadron should stand in need of the accommodations of your ports your frequent assurances of the friendship you bear us will be realized in performing towards them every act which may testify it in the most unequivocal manner. And I pray God, Great and Good friend to have you in his holy keeping. Done at the City of Washington the Ninth day of June in the year 1804. Th: Jefferson FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, Credences); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America, To the Most Excellent and Most Illustrious Mustapha Pacha, Dey of the City and Regency of Algiers”; below signature: “By the President” and “James Madison Secretary of State.” Tr (MiU-C: Tobias Lear Papers). PoC (DLC); dated 27 Mch.

1804; entirely in TJ’s hand; with significant variations noted below. Recorded in SJL under 27 Mch. The ship sally, carrying timber and naval stores as part of the annuity due to Algiers, ran aground near Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, on 20 Nov. 1803. Although the vessel was lost, a portion of

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9 JUNE 1804 the cargo was salvaged and sold (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser, 6:154, 205, 622). orders have however been given: Madison forwarded TJ’s letter to Mustafa in his instructions to Tobias Lear dated 6 June. Writing Robert Smith on 9 June, Madison informed him of the president’s decision to send brass cannon to Algiers and to replace the Sally’s cargo. The cannon could be cast at the Georgetown foundry of Henry Foxall “out of some brass belonging to the public.” Smith subsequently ordered the navy agent at Norfolk, Daniel Bedinger, to assemble the cargo and charter a suitable vessel as soon as possible (same, 7:287-91, 300; ndbw, 4:208-9, 231-2). 1 In PoC, TJ here wrote “of the latter kind is your request of brass field pieces from us.”

 2 In PoC, the remainder of the paragraph reads: “we have here however a mine of iron, the only one perhaps which is known, of such quality as to admit field pieces to be cast as light, and as strong as brass, more durable, and less costly. this we use ourselves for field pieces; & knowing from our own experience it’s superior value, I shall immediately order and send to you those you request, instead of other articles of the annual supplies stipulated in our treaty. I am persuaded that in so doing I shall execute your intentions to your greater satisfaction. adhering substantially to our mutual stipulation, I shall nevertheless take a pleasure in any occasional modifications of them which may suit your convenience & prove our friendship to you.” 3 Name of ship left blank in PoC. 4 PoC ends here with “I pray god, great & good friend to have you in his holy keeping.”

From Robert Smith Sir, Balto. June 9. 1804 I have received with great pleasure the enclosed as it has confirmed me in my favourable dispositions with respect to the young gentleman therein mentioned. I have made accordingly the necessary arrangements about his Rank so far as it could be done consistently with fixed principles. What I have done will, I am confident, be to him perfectly satisfactory. I may have Occasion to remain here about two Weeks perhaps longer—If however there should in the mean time be any kind of necessity for my being at Washington, I can attend at a moments Notice and will hold myself ready to proceed the next day. Accept, I entreat you, my best wishes for your Health & happiness. Rt Smith RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 10 June and “St. Clair” and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “St. Clair Arthur to  obtain his rank.” Enclosure: possibly Bishop James Madison to TJ, received 8 June, not found, recorded in SJL with notation “N. St: Clair.”

young gentleman: Arthur Sinclair. After joining the navy in 1798 as a midshipman, Sinclair was discharged in October 1801. At the height of the conflict with Tripoli he reapplied for, and received, his commission. Sinclair served on the Essex, Siren, and Gunboat No. 3 in the Mediterranean before receiving

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9 JUNE 1804 command of Gunboat No. 10 in April 1806 (ndbw, Register, 50). In a letter to Sinclair dated 9 June, Smith explained the steps taken regarding Sinclair’s rank. Despite his high regard for Sinclair’s abilities and the positive rec-

ommendations on his behalf, Smith could not backdate the commission to 1798. Instead, he included Sinclair’s name among those nominated for promotion to lieutenant (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSO; Smith to TJ, 18 May).

To Theodorus Bailey Dear Sir Washington June 10. 04. Having occasion to have a small commission executed at New York and little acquaintance there, I take the liberty of asking that favor of you. I recieved some time ago information that there was a large batch of Champaigne wine at Norfolk, & recieved a sample which I found fine. but before my letter asking some of it got there it was shipped round to N. York. it was sold at Norfolk @ 62½ cents the bottle and I heard that some of the same, or of a different batch sold at Baltimore at 75. cents. could it be got at N. York now for either of these prices, or any price under a dollar, I would take 400. bottles of it. the inclosed letter from mr Pichon shews it is in the hands of a mr Breánt, whose dwelling if not known, can be obtained from mr Arcambal. the favor I have to ask of you is to negociate this matter for me, but without naming me, because I certainly find that people ask of me generally a much higher than their selling price altho’ for ready money. should you find the wine there within the prices above mentioned will you be so good as to engage me about 400. bottles and on recieving your information of the price & purchase I will remit you the amount by return of post and ask the favor of you to have it shipped for this place, the opportunities for which will be always known at the custom house. it is of importance I should know with as little delay as possible whether I may count on this supply, because if not, I have no time to lose in sending to France for it. excuse the trouble I have been obliged to propose to you, & accept my friendly salutations and assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Theodorus Bailey esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found. On 23 May, TJ signed an exequatur recognizing the credentials of Louis ar­ cambal as French commissary of commercial relations for Baltimore. Arcambal

had filled that role in New York City during the preceding year. That same day, TJ signed the exequatur for Arcambal’s successor in New York, Antoine Gabriel Venance Rey (Tr in MdAA, endorsed by Arcambal: “a true Copy”; FCs in DNA: RG 59, Exequaturs; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:237-8; Vol. 41:598n).

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From J. F. Girod & Chol Nouvelle orleans

Citoyen President des Etats Unis 10 Juin 1804 En quittant la France & venant dans ce pays que je savais Devoir être Reuni aux états unis, J’ai fui le despotisme & les privileges, Jesperois jouir enfin de la liberté à la quelle tout honnête homme dois prétendre, Je n’ai décide ma famille a me suivre en lui promettant cette Jouissance. Une année d’experience ma degouté du commerce de cette ville, & Jai formé le dessein de me fixer au Wachita avec Mr J. F. Girod etabli dans cette ville depuis 1790. La culture est bien notre principal objet, mais notre intention est dy tenir un magasin, d’y pourvoir les habitans cultivateurs de leurs besoins, d’y porter des forces en bras, tant que la loi le permettera, & enfin de trafiquer avec les Indigenes quon dénomine sauvages, parcequils sont completement Libres. Cest sous ce point de vue que nous avons [uni] une Somme assez importante a une acquisition. Nous savions que Mr. Bapstropp qui avoit obtenu du gouvernment Espagnole, qui vend tout, le privilege exclusive de traiter avec les indigenes & même de vendre aux habitans les objets de leurs besoins les plus urgents, avoit été repoussé par Mr. Cleborne dans sa demande d’être maintenu dans les dits privileges. Ne pouvant connaître ni votre constitution ni vos loix faute d’avoir été publiees, & nous appuyant des proclamations dans lesquelles les états unis nous garantissait la liberté & l’egalité, & ayant crus que ce netait pas que des mots comme allieurs, nous avons traités & faits achats & dispositions conformément a ces Bases, à l’abri desquelles tout Citoyen doit pouvoir agir. Prets a partir, nous avons appris vendredi que par suite d’une versatilité qu’on ne peut expliquer, Monsieur Clerbonne Gouverneur à Maintenu Mr. Bapstropp dans son pretendu privilege, d’ou il resulte qu’en sacrifiant tout pour obtenir la tranquilité & [. . .] du droit que tout homme tient de la nature d’exercer librement & sans entrave; l’industrie quelle lui a departie, nous n’avons d’autres perspectives que des chicannes & des proces. Les Gouvernemens Continueront-ils encore longtems a rendre lhomme laborieux la pature des procureurs & avocats par des établissemens contre nature, qui ouvrent des milliers de souries à la chicanne pour la quelle lhomme di bonne foi n’est pas né.  561 

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 Vous n’ignorez pas Monsieur que le resultat des privileges est l’enrichissement d’un individu au détriment de la masse qui vegete fuit son monopole. A l’egard des indigènes le privilege doit le faire fuir, au lieu de l’attirer; car l’ambition du privilégié doit les exposer aux loix le plus dures. D’après notre position Monsieur, D’après les droits que les Citoyens doivent avoir sous un gouvernement véritablement libre nous vous demandons & Esperons de votre équité l’autorisation suffisante pour pouvoir vendre dans notre magasin en concurrence avec tous ceux qui voudront l’etablir aux indigènes appelés sauvages & autres ce qui pourra leur convenir dans notre dit magasin soit contre espece, soit par Echange. Comme Citoyen de cette ville nous traitons journellement avec les indigenes, comment! pouvons nous perdre le droit en embrassant une carriere plus utile à la patrie, une semblable contradiction ne vous paraitra pas sans doute Monsieur moins singuliere qua nous. Le gouvernement Espagnole nous offre concession protection &a &a &a si nous voulions nous porter sur son territoire; Si des vues de fortune étoit notre Boussolle, nous ne vous importunerions pas Monsieur par la présente. Comptant sur votre complaisance a nous faire connaître aussitot que possible sur quoi nous devons compter, Nous vous saluons respectueusement. J F Girod & Chol e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

New Orleans, Citizen President of the United States, 10 June 1804 Leaving France and coming to this country, which I knew had to be reunited with the United States, I fled despotism and privilege. I hoped to enjoy at last the freedom to which all respectable men aspire. I convinced my family to follow me only by promising that they would have this blessing. One year’s experience has put me off from remaining in this city, and I have decided to settle in Ouachita with Mr. J. F. Girod, who has been in this city since 1790. Farming is our principal goal, but our plan is to open a store, to provide for the needs of the local farmers, to supply workers, in accordance with the law, and to trade with the natives, whom one calls savages because they are completely free. With this acquisition in mind, we invested a rather considerable sum of money. Mr. Bastrop had obtained permission from the Spanish government, which sells all these exclusive privileges, to trade with the natives and even to sell

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10 JUNE 1804 goods to meet the inhabitants’ most immediate needs. But we knew that Mr. Claiborne had rejected his request to renew the rights. We have no way of knowing your constitution or laws, since they have not been published, but given the proclamations in which the United States guarantees freedom and equality, under whose protection all citizens should be able to act, and believing these are not merely empty words, we made plans and purchases accordingly. Friday, as we were about to leave, we learned that, in an inexplicable reversal, Governor Claiborne extended Mr. Bastrop’s supposed authorization. As a result, having sacrificed everything to obtain peace and benefit from the universal right to engage freely and without obstruction in one’s chosen business, we are forced into squabbles and lawsuits. How long will governments continue to turn hardworking people into the prey of prosecutors and lawyers in inhuman institutions that open thousands of mice to chicanery that is alien to men of good will? You know, Sir, that privileges end up enriching one individual at the expense of the masses, who, stagnating, flee his monopoly. Privileges repel rather than attract native peoples, who are exposed to the  harshest laws because of the ambition of the person who holds the authorization. In accordance with the rights of citizens under a truly free government, we confidently request you to be fair in granting us authorization to compete with all others who have the right to trade with the natives (known as savages) and others, in selling the goods they may wish to acquire in our store, either through payment or barter. As citizens of this city, we are in daily contact with the natives. How can we possibly lose the right to engage in the career that is most useful to the country? You will undoubtedly find such a contradiction as strange as we do, Sir. The Spanish government proposes to offer us concessions, protection, etc., if we wish to settle in its territory. If money were our compass, we would not bother you, Sir, with this letter. Counting on your kindness to inform us as soon as possible about what we can expect, we send our respectful greetings. J F Girod & Chol RC (DNA: RG 59, MLR); damaged; in a clerk’s hand except dateline and signature; endorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL with notation “S.” In 1804, John F. (Jean François) Girod and James Chol purchased land along the Ouachita River in what became Ouachita Parish, Louisiana. Girod was a brother of New Orleans merchants Nicholas and Claude François Girod. According to the 1810 U.S. census for the parish, Chol was by then deceased and Girod continued the business in partnership with Chol’s widow (asp, Public Lands, 6:153; Glenn R.

Conrad, ed., Dictionary of Louisiana Bi­ ography, 2 vols. [New Orleans, 1988], 1:346; Susan Sirmans, “Pharmacy and Medicine in Nineteenth-Century Ouachita Parish, Louisiana,” Pharmacy in History, 53 [2011], 85, 96). bapstropp: in 1801, the Spanish government granted an exclusive 10-year Indian trading privilege in Louisiana to the Baron de Bastrop, a self-styled Dutch nobleman who had emigrated to Louisiana in 1795. During the late 1790s, Bastrop had undertaken a failed scheme to settle 500 European families along the Ouachita River on land granted by the Spanish governor. He left Louisiana for

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10 JUNE 1804 Texas in 1805 (Charles A. Bacarisse, “Baron de Bastrop,” Southwestern Histori­ cal Quarterly, 58 [1955], 319-30; Kline,

Burr, 2:992-3; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:295).

From John Tyler Dear Sir; Green-Way June 10th 1804 The subjects of this Letter and the familiar address may surprize you, as my acquaintance, although of longstanding does not entitle me to those freedoms which a closer intamacy and friendship wou’d warrant. I rely however that you possess much more philanthropy than the Dean of St Patrick did when he consider’d himself insulted by being address’d in the common stile, “dear Sir” insisting that nothing but an acknowledged friendship ought to excuse such a liberty in any Man. I rely also on your superior goodness for pardon if I have done wrong, or shall do wrong, either by the matter I express or the manner of expression. I have always been one of those obstinate perverse sort of Animals who wou’d avow his Opinions and sentiments in the manner most suitable to his own feelings without meaning to detract from virtue and abilities in the smallest degree; for before the alter of distinguish’d Virtue and talents I am always ready to bow down, as from that Source alone is deriv’d all legitimate distinction. Superior wisdom few attain to, because the God of Nature has not given to every Man the same strength of mental powers, the same clearness of apprehension or comprehension, the same discriminating and penetrating quickness, nor has every one an equal love of improving the mind in all the various branches of literary knowledge which reflect so much honor on man, whether we view him in his private or political Walks, and lastly neither has every one the means and opportunity if ever so much desired to accomplish so high a station in the learnded world. This has been very much my case perhaps in all respects and therefore I have no right to expect the favor of a familiar correspondence with you unless I can found it on some other pretentions, which although not so fashionable in the world are not less valuable. Honor and integrity all men may aspire to and yet unfortunately few possess them in the degree they ought to do—I possess enough I hope to tell you as the feelings of my Heart shall dictate, that I have view’d your political career through all the various paths you have taken, that I have compared your conduct with those who have gone before, and the result has brought me to this opinion that you have brought peace to our Country and comfort to our Souls.  564 

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 I congratulate you on the great acquisition of Louisiana obtain’d not by the sword which stabs to the heart the Individual and the Country for the agrandizement of a few, but by the peacable and honorable means of friendly Negociation, which adds wealth and strength to our Republic, removes from us the bone of contention with all foreign powers, and only gives a vital stab to proud and venal Aristocracy. I congratulate you on the wisdom and fidelity of those about you. I know One* whose integrity and sound understanding cannot fail him. I know the others by reputation—long may they continue to assist you in the arduous task of governing, and add a comfort to your declining years which will crown you with Laurels here and peace and happiness hereafter. And long may you live to establish the true principles of our Constitution beyond the touch of unhallow’d hands and see and enjoy with sublime delight the fruits of your great labors as I greatly hope and trust you may hold the Helm as long as it will be honorable to your self and servicable to your Country— I cannot withhold my canticle of praise in the general chorus although it is coming late, but I have concerns to attend to, both public and private, and I confess I have been delay’d by doubting the propriety of such an address. But as I deal not in Huzza’s and crowds, I conceiv’d that the sentiments of the Heart when clothed in sincerity, and not in the low and dirty garb of mean adulation, cou’d not be unpleasing to one of your disposition however much exalted in Life. Indeed it is by the true and honest approbation of just and virtuous acts, that the glory of a public servant shou’d consist— With a heart full of gratitude I declare to you how much delighted I am with the general Tenor of your Administration as the fruits of it are so productive of peace and Liberty at home and reputation abroad—The People declare the same—the full flowing sails of our political Bark justify the applause—The misled but well meaning are turning away from their deceivers, while the bitter unbelieving, or pretenders to unbelief, are still adding to their Cup a drop which none but the envious, melecious, & slanderous are capable of enjoying. I am now willing to live a little while longer in my native soil, but not long since I was ready to fly to some unknown Region where the base Arts of Man cou’d no more find me; but where was it to be found. America stood fairest of any spot on the Globe to erect the Standard of virtuous Liberty and yet even here was that fair Goddess insulted and almost driven from us—How nearly all was lost; all that we so proudly boasted of, so warmly contended for with so much blood and * Mr M

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Treasure, all that we held so near and dear to our Hearts, not only declared for in our great Code of human “rights,” but which we atchiev’d after a long and dubious struggle, so wond’rous in the Eyes of all Mankind! Even this great and glorious Event was not enough to win the Hearts of those who “longed after the flesh-pots,”: but some other Adventure must needs be try’d: dear Monarchy, that “stupendous work of human wisdom,” and all the paltry, shows, Levees &c &c that belong to its Train must yet be the dazling objects of our social concerns. How sorely have I lamented to see the People busily preparing chains for themselves and posterity; innocently and ignorantly, by the base arts of the most subtel deception, burying themselves and their Liberties in one common grave—But thank God, the mist is wip’d away from the Eye, the cloud which so long hover’d over us, so highly charged, is at length dispel’d without doing us as much mischief as was expected, and again the Son shines forth in tenfold Splendor—These are sublime effects of Patriotism, the true love of Country, which carries back my reflections to Rome & Greece—A few Patriots whose Names are already enroll’d for posterity, by a stedfast and manly courage, an inflexibility which no dangers could soften, shake, or deter, by a bold, energetic and masterly stile1 of language and Eloquence which was as irresistable as the Lightening from Heaven baffled the Arts of Combination design and fraud, brought conviction to the Mind, and turn’d the Scale in our favor—All who contributed to the glorious work have suffer’d their share of general abuse, of low base and contemptible slander, in proportion as they stood foremost in the business. However that was a tax and always will be one which superior Talents and Virtue, have pd. and will pay, however cruel and unjust—and is a sort of equalizing principle in the Eyes of the Envious which they will forever nourish— Heaven be thank’d I have not moved on such elevated ground as to bring much envy down upon me, but I have assum’d the liberty of thinking differently from a Washington and an Adams, and therefore have had my share of abuse also, but upon the whole I feel a gratification in the success of our cause that has almost obliterated from my Mind every injury, every Sentiment of resentment against all our Enemies which induces me to wish them a general amnesty on a sincere Repentance and future good conduct.— I shall now venture on delicate ground; but feeling as a Father, and suffering a Loss not long since in the death of my dear and affectionate eldest Pledge of a Virtuous Mother’s Love (who also I have lost) on whom I never had cause to frown, or give an Angry Word to, on whom I had bestow’d a fine education, and had the pleasing hope of proving  566 

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to the World the advantages arising from female improvements; I sincerely sympathize with you on the Loss of your Daughter. I know how bitter the affliction is, but I know our duty is not to suffer ourselves to grieve beyond what is consistant with the Man and the Philosopher, but submissively to bow to the dispensations of him who gives and him who taketh away. I hope most sincerely you may never meet another stroke as severe as the loss of a good and dutiful Child— I have seven more Children, three of them Sons, who I am educating, but at a great cost, which almost exhausts me, togather with riding over the country half my time for a paltry salery, neglecting my little fortune at home, and my profession. But one knows not how to avoid yieldg. to the call of a country he loves however weak may be his efforts to serve it—I flatter my self that One day or other one of my sons may fall under your kind notice and attention; which wou’d be no obligation from One I less respected than yourself— You will excuse me for mingling in this paper Subjects of little concern to you; but the most elevated among us lose nothing by condescending to move now and then in the private Walks of Life; we regain our fellow feeling, and by relaxation from higher cares, we gain more elasticity, which fits us for the discharge of our public Stations with more promptitude and vigour. I mean not to trouble you often with my communications, because I know how much you have on your hands and how little I can entertain you. When you have beaten the Tripolitons into a sense of national Honor, and more over, raised the Rock from the Sea on which poor Bainbrige fell perhaps I may take another Liberty. I am with every sentiment of sincere Respect, your Excellencys most obt and very huml. Servt. Jno. Tyler. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 16 June and so recorded in SJL. The writer Jonathan Swift was the dean of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in Dublin from 1713 to 1747 (dnb). eldest pledge of a virtuous mother’s love: 26-year-old Anne Contesse Tyler Semple died in June 1803, six years after the death of her mother, Mary Armistead Tyler (Lyon G. Tyler, Letters and Times of the Tylers, 2 vols. [Richmond, 1884], 1:194-5; Richmond Virginia Argus, 6 July 1803). three of them sons: Wat Henry, John, and William Tyler received basic

education at a Charles City County school. In 1804, Wat Henry studied at the College of William and Mary and his father was elected to the board of visitors. John was a student at the college’s grammar school beginning in 1802 (Tyler, Letters and Times, 1:195, 198-200; A Provisional List of Alumni .  .  . of the College of Wil­ liam and Mary in Virginia from 1693 to 1888 [Richmond, 1941], 41, 55). 1 Tyler keyed a footnote here, but wrote the note too close to the bottom edge of the page and it is not legible—perhaps “Mr [. . .].”

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To Isaac Briggs Dear Sir Washington June 11. 04. I mentioned to Baron Humboldt my proposition for taking lunar observations at land without using a time piece. he said there could be no doubt of it’s exactness, but that it was not new, that even De la Caille had proposed it and De la lande had given all the explanations necessary for it, I think he said in his 3d. vol. I have not the book here but presume you can consult it in Philadelphia and will think it adviseable to do so before you address a paper to the P. Society on the subject. altho’ the idea was original with myself, yet if it is already known there is no occasion to repeat it. I would wish to get a gunner’s brass rule, which are to be had in the mathematical shops of Philadelphia. they are 12. I. long, shutting to 6. I. and have points like caliber compasses for taking the caliber of balls and guns. I have seen scales like the 6. I. scales in the surveyor’s case of pocket instruments, which were 12. I. and even 2. f. long all in brass having in every respect the same things engraved on them as the1 common platting scale. I should be glad of one, if you can find one in the shops. the shop keeper will doubtless set these things down to me on an assurance that as soon as I know the amount I will remit it to him. indeed if you could open a correspondence for me with some honest dealer in mathematical instruments, I should be glad to have one to whom I could apply occasionally for what I want in that way. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Isaac Briggs.” gunner’s brass rule: a seventeenthcentury invention, this device helped gunners find the proper range, weight of shot,

and size of charge (Cathal J. Nolan, Wars of the Age of Louis XIV, 1650­1714: An Encyclopedia of Global Warfare and Civi­ lization [Westport, Conn., 2008], 198). 1 TJ

here canceled “survey.”

To Joseph Donath Sir Washington June 11. 1804. Will you be so good as to send for me to Richmond addressed to the care of messrs. Gibson and Jefferson, a box of about 100. panes of strong glass, accurately 12. I. wide, or a little under rather than over. the length must not be less than 14. I. but if not to be found of that length exactly, but a little longer, it need not be cut, as it is for skylights and to be overlapped, so that some superfluity in length will  568 

11 JUNE 1804

produce no inconvenience. it should be clear glass, and strong, it’s quality otherwise not important. send me the amount when the glass has been forwarded, and it shall be remitted to you. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (Joseph Rubinfine, West Palm Beach, Florida, 1994); addressed (clipped): “Mr. Joseph [. . .] Philadelphia”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by Donath. PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Donath”; endorsed by TJ.

panes of strong glass: likely for skylights in the east bedrooms at Monticello (Mesick Cohen Waite Architects, Monticello Roof: Historic Structure Re­ port [Albany, 1990], 62).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 11th June 1804 I enclose the sketch of a letter for Mr Muhlenberg. I do not know whether I understand fully your intention and beg that you will correct. Instead of security being mentioned in the last sentence, ought not the word recognizance be introduced? I do not know the technical phrase. But if Muhlenberg is so answered, should not a circular be written, and, if so, must it be grounded on the Hispaniola armaments, or on a more general cause? Although I believe that the receiver Tupper is not the same man to whom Mr Russel alludes in the enclosed letter, and that swindler Tupper must be the man lately arrived in New Orleans and who has been troublesome in the slave business, yet, as the christian name is the same, and I wish to investigate the subject, I will thank you to have the goodness to lend me the recommendations in his favour. I also return Mr Madison’s observations on Dr. Stevens’s case. I do not perceive that they affect my argument; but do not intend to add a word more on the merits of the case, or to give you the trouble of a formal decision. In the settlement of the account I shall no longer interfere and will leave the Comptroller to settle it in his own way or under the direction of the Secretary of State. The payment, which was the only part of the subject for which a personal responsibility could attach to the Secretary of the Treasury, cannot, at all events, be made until money shall have been appropriated, as the diplomatic fund as it is commonly called (appropriations for foreign intercourse) is so poor that we will hardly be able to pay the current expences of the year with the existing appropriations. The appropriations of 1801, 1802, & 1803 have amounted to 224,612 dollars; the payments from the Treasury to 228,394; and at the end of the year 1803 we were 76,000 Guilders in debt to the Amsterdam Bankers on that account.  569 

11 JUNE 1804

The appropriation for this year is only 46,000 dollars. But to whatever amount this claim may be settled, it may be incorporated in the annual estimate of next year, and there will be no difficulty in obtaining the appropriation.   If, in this business, I have been too zealous or obstinate, I feel a confidence that you will ascribe it to the proper motive and not to want of a due respect for the opinions of others. And I believe that every inconvenience may be hereafter avoided and every objection removed by appropriating annually a certain sum for the salaries of ministers or ordinary expences of foreign intercourse, and another for the contingent expences, which last will, under the terms of the law, be undoubtedly and in every respect under the controul of the President. That contingencies of a description not previously foreseen & specially provided for will happen and ought to be covered by a general power cannot be doubted. With great respect and sincere attachment Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 11 June and “arming vessels.— Tupper—Stevens” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Draft of Gallatin to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 12 June, replying to Muhlenberg’s letter of 4 June; Gallatin states that a supplement to the act establishing the judicial courts of the United States, passed 16 July 1798, grants district judges the power “to hold to security of the peace and for good behaviour” in cases arising under the Constitution and U.S. laws; therefore, whenever vessels shall arm under suspicion of committing hostile acts, especially in cases of vessels bound for Hispaniola, the president directs Muhlenberg to bring the case before the district judge, who may decide whether the “security can and ought to be required” (FC in DNA: RG 56, Correspondence of Secretary of Treasury with Collectors of Customs, Philadelphia; U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:609). (2) Jonathan Russell to Gallatin, 31 May, not found, but acknowledged by Gallatin in his letter to Russell of 25 Sep. 1804 (see

Massachusetts Historical Society, Proceed­ ings, 47 [1913-14], 294-5; Gallatin to TJ, 26 July 1804). (3) Madison’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 20 Apr. Jonathan Russell’s letter to Gallatin apparently confused Benjamin Tupper, the recently appointed receiver at Marietta, Ohio, with the swindler Benjamin Tupper, the former Boston merchant in New Orleans who recently earned the disapprobation of William C. C. Claiborne. In dispatches to Madison of 10 and 16 Mch., Claiborne described the latter Tupper, who arrived in New Orleans from France, as an “adventurer,” a “Swindler,” and “very much of a Parisien in his manners and politic’s.” He died in New Orleans on 13 Oct. 1804 (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:576, 593; New­ York Evening Post, 23 Nov. 1804; Madison to TJ, 24 Apr., Enclosure No. 3). appropriations for foreign in­ tercourse: in 1801, Congress appropriated $85,000 for “the expenses of intercourse with foreign nations”; in 1802, $64,050; and in 1803, $75,562 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:120, 188, 214).

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To Thomas Leiper Dear Sir Washington June 11. 04. A mr John Hill of Philadelphia asks of me whether mr Duane senr. ever said in my presence ‘that the members of St. Patrick society in Phila were all federalists.’ I do not know mr Hill, and the liberties which have been taken in publishing my letters renders it prudent not to commit them to persons whom I do not know. yet a desire never to be wanting to truth and justice makes me wish it to be known that mr Duane never did use such an expression or any thing like it to me either verbally or in writing or any other way, nor utter a sentiment disrespectful of the society. I remember a considerable time ago to have had a letter from one of the society stating that such information they heard had been given me, but not saying by whom, which letter I immediately answered with an assurance that no such suggestion had ever been made to me. I cannot now recollect to whom the answer was given and therefore cannot turn to it. our friends in Philadelphia seem to have got into such a jumble of subdivision that not knowing how they stand individually, I have been at a loss to whom I should address this with a request to repeat verbally the substance of this declaration as on my authority but not letting the letter go out of his hands. I have concluded to ask that favor of you whose justice I am sure will induce you to give the assurance where it may contribute to justice, and whose friendship will excuse the trouble of this request. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of esteem and respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos. Lieper esq.” asks of me: John Hill to TJ, 4 June.

letter from one of the society: Joseph T. Scott to TJ, 5 Mch. 1804, which TJ answered on 9 Mch.

To Thomas Mann Randolph Dear Sir Washington June 11. 04. I believe I mentioned to you at Monticello that seeing that the case between Peyton & Henderson would branch out into endless different lawsuits if left to take it’s course from every occurrence which might arise I had determined to bring the whole case, with every circumstance belonging to it & every party interested, into one bill and a single suit in Chancery; and I drew a bill accordingly containing every  571 

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thing relating to it, and bringing every person into that to recieve a decree of whatever should be found just. this is the bill which Peyton swore to before you, and the Chancellor has permitted it to be filed as an amended bill instead of the very defective bill of injunction before filed by Peyton, & he has refused to dissolve the injunction, permitting however the motion to be made again in September. but if Peyton gets the documents which I recommended I have no fear for the issue. as it is possible he may occasionally consult yourself & D. Carr on his proceedings, I take the liberty of inclosing you a copy of the bill, asking you to read it, & then give it to D. Carr to be kept by him. the object of this is, that both of you understanding, once for all, the whole case in all it’s parts and bearings, you will be at no loss to advise Peyton on any part of it in which he may be engaged, or any new emergence which the mala fides of Henderson may produce. what Peyton has now principally to do is the procuring the recording of mrs Henderson’s deed, & some others. I inclose a letter for Patsy, which it is easy to see comes from mrs Trist. Armstrong, of the Senate goes to France to succeed his brother in law Livingston who desires to return. 4. of the frigates left the Eastern branch about a fortnight ago. the 5th. goes out to day. they were ready for sea, and will get out of the capes as soon as the winds will permit. my tender love to my dearest Martha & the little ones. affectionate salutations to yourself. Th: Jefferson RC (DLC); at foot of text: “T M Randolph”; endorsed by Randolph. PoC (same). Enclosures: Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others, 5 May. Other enclosure not found.

To Henry Sheaff Sir Washington June 11. 1804. Will you be so good as to send me about half a gross of best claret by the first vessel coming to this place. Also to send for me to Richmond addressed to the care of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson a quarter cask of good dry Lisbon (the best of that quality is called Termo.) if you have not Lisbon which is dry and good, send Sherry. accept my salutations and best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Henry Sheaff ”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “½ gross claret to Washn. Qr. cask Lisbon Monto.”

A letter of 10 July from Sheaff, recorded in SJL as received 13 July with the notation “claret Washn. Sherry Monto. 82 + 50.25 = 132.25,” has not been found. TJ

 572 

11 JUNE 1804 received an invoice of 16 July from Sheaff for 98 bottles of claret, 50 of which were priced at $1 a bottle and the other 48 at $8 a dozen, and for a quarter cask of

sherry at $50.25, totaling $132.50. TJ paid the bill several months later (MS in MHi, endorsed by TJ; mb, 2:1141; TJ to Sheaff, 6 Dec. 1804).

From James Wilkinson Sir Monday June 11th. 1804 Your kind invitation to dinner this Day, increases the mortification I experience, from not being able to pay my respects to you—An affection of my Head & Breast, which I have resisted several Days, compeled me last Evening to lose blood & I am now under the operation of medicine—I lament the sudden departure of Baron Humbolt as I feel a strong Interest in having his answers to the quere? which I take the Liberty to inclose you, because by such answers we shall be able to determine the accuracy of His information—I intreat Sir that you may pardon this Liberty, to which I am moved by considerations of high publick moment, and that you may have the goodness to excuse this Trial from obliged, faithful & ready Servant. Ja Wilkinson RC (DLC); at foot of text: “T: Jefferson President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 June and so recorded in SJL.

An invitation to Wilkinson has not been found and was not recorded in SJL.

e n c l o s u r e

Wilkinson’s Queries on Texas and Mexico The population of the Province of Texhas The same of La Calonia or St. Andere The distance from the City of St. Antonio, to the Town of Laredo on the Rio del Norte— From Laredo to the Town of Vallesillo on the Main road to the City of Mexico.— From Vallesillo to the City of Mont* El Rey—From thence to the city of** Saltillo, from thence to the City of St. Louis de potosie, & thence to the City of Mexico.— The Population of the province of Neuva Reyno de Leon, of which Mount El Rey is the capital—and the distance of this last place to the Mine Santa Rosa in the Province quajuila * the population of this City. ** at this City the Roads from St. Afee, & the Capital of the Audience, meet with that from St. Antonio to the City of Mexico—

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11 JUNE 1804  MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25405); undated; entirely in Wilkinson’s hand, including notes inserted in margin and at foot.

 la calonia or st. andere: that is, Nuevo Santander. quajuila: Coahuila.

To Nathaniel Chapman Washington June 12. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr. Chapman, and his thanks for the book on the subject of colonies. running over the table of contents it appears that the author has taken up the subject extensively & distributed the matter judiciously. the subject being very interesting to us, Th:J. will give it the earliest perusal he can, and with pleasure communicate his opinion on it to mr Chapman. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

the book: see Chapman to TJ, 6 June.

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 12. 04. I return your letter to Genl. Muhlenburg which is entirely proper, and the more I have reflected on the subject the more I am convinced the judge has the power to hold the parties to security for the good behavior & ought to do it.   I send you also the recommendation of Tupper by judge Meigs and mr Mansfield. I think it much more probable that Walter Burling should have affirmed the identity of the person inconsiderately or maliciously, than that Meigs & Mansfield should have given such a character to a man so little deserving it. I have no doubt that mr Russel’s Tupper is the scoundrel who has so lately figured at New Orleans. On the subject of Dr. Stevens’s case, I had, before recieving your letter endeavored to form as correct a judgment as I could, & had made some notes, keeping them open till I might see whether any thing further should be added. I have this morning put them into some form. of the purity of the motives of your objections it was impossible I should ever entertain a moment’s doubt. of my opinion of their solidity you will see a proof in the conclusions I have drawn and which will probably condemn more than the half of Dr. S’s claims. I inclose you a copy of my opinion on the subject which may serve as the direction of the department of state to the Comptroller. Accept my affectionate salutations.  574 

12 JUNE 1804  RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); endorsed. PoC (DLC). Recorded in SJL as a letter to the Treasury Department with notation “vessels armg. Tupper. Stevens.” Enclosures: (1) Gallatin to J. P. G. Muhlenberg, 12 June (see Enclosure No. 1 described

at Gallatin to TJ, 11 June). (2) Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 12 June. Other enclosure not found. recieving your letter: Gallatin to TJ, 11 June.

Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim  Doctr. Stevens’s case. I consider the annual act which appropriates a given sum to the expences of intercourse with foreign nations, as a sufficient authority to the President (the constitutional organ of foreign intercourse) to expend that sum for the purposes of foreign intercourse, at his discretion. if he abuses that discretion he is responsible for it in a constitutional way. the legal restrictions on this power are 1. that for outfit or compensation ‘for personal services & expences’ to certain specified grades (which are those chiefly used by the US.) not more than specified sums shall be allowed. 2. that the whole expences shall not exceed the sum appropriated. 3. that an account of the expenditure shall be rendered. the sum on which these restrictions leave the Executive discretion to act is too small to excite any rational jealousy, or to render it useful to restrict it further by rigorous and unusual constructions. the Executive therefore is believed to be free to make allowance to the specified grades for any object other than those ‘for personal services and expences,’ and to employ any unspecified grade on such salary and allowance as he sees proper within the limits of the whole appropriation. nor is any law, or principle of law, known which would forbid the superadding these agencies, & allowances for them, to the ordinary functions of a Consul, minister &c. I consider the appointment therefore & allowance to Dr. Stevens to have been within the limits of the Executive authority. Whenever it is agreed between two parties that certain services shall be performed by the one for the other, and no special compensation is stipulated the law understands their intention to be that a quantum meruit, or a reasonable compensation shall be allowed. such an agreement will therefore be implied by law in the case of Doctr. Stevens. what is that reasonable compensation? not his expences however extravagant, even if a contract could be proved that his expences were to be paid. the law understands such a promise to mean his reasonable expenses only. his functions were, in a certain degree, of a diplomatic nature, yet the government to which he was sent, not  575 

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being independant, he could not be invested formally with any diplomatic grade. if we place him therefore on the level of the lowest grade, that of a Chargé des affaires, and make that the measure of his quantum meruit, we shall do him full justice. no circumstance justifies his assuming a higher place. But shall he be considered as a permanent agent, & therefore entitled to an outfit, or only as an occasional one to be allowed the reasonable expences of his passage, which is the rule with occasional diplomatic agents? his not having been nominated to the Senate clearly excludes him from the character of a permanent agent, if it does not even take from him all legal character, after their first session following his appointment. to draw such a line as will admit the Executive, during the recess of Senate, to dispatch a special agent for a particular purpose, without awaiting their approbation, and yet not enable him, by continuing that agent permanently, to evade the constitutional approbation of the Senate, & to keep up a separate corps of diplomacy of his own, will require great consideration, caution and candour, & until it be done, great attention in the Executive to keep within unquestionable bounds. I do not think however that the right of Dr. Stevens ought to depend on that definition. an indivudual, who is employed by the highest public functionary to do a public service within the line of his authority, is bound to consider him as acting with legal powers, and as alone charged with all the responsibility, if he transcends his powers. Dr. Stevens had a right to expect the Executive would nominate him to the Senate for approbation, if that nomination was necessary. he proceeds in his duty, & supposes the Executive does the same, and ought not to lose his right by the failure of the latter. the public in such case should pay the individual, and take on themselves the measures necessary to prevent similar infractions of the constitution in future. Questions meriting great consideration, have been made, as to the sufficiency of the evidence offered in support of Doctr. Stevens’s claims. the settling by a quantum meruit, the claim ‘for personal services & expences’ gets rid of this question so far. for that the services were performed is notorious; & that it was by public authority, results from the whole correspondence. it has been suspected indeed that there was no contract, nor any other reward intended than certain privileges of commerce. but this is not the way the US. pay their servants. monopolising compensations are among the most fatal abuses which some governments practise from false economy. they are not the usage here, and if suggested, the onus probandi is thrown on the  576 

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party suggesting it. the law will presume a fair and usual contract; but not one which is improper & unusual. The claim for travelling expences, within the limits of his agency, would require proof of positive contract. when an agent, for a limited district, is sent into another, his expences have been usually allowed. but never those of travelling to and from places within his regular care, & for the regular purposes of that care. his general allowance compensates his general superintendance over the whole, & to pay him for visiting each particular part also, would be a double paiment. this would lead to endless claims & difficulties. The hire of dispatch vessels has been attended with such singular circumstances, as excite almost invincible suspicion that they came on the ordinary business of the mercantile house. this means of conveying information is so expensive, that it is not allowed, even to diplomatic agencies, but on great & important emergencies, on each of which, as it arises, the department of state will decide, at the risk of the agent venturing on it. whether these dispatch vessels came purely on public account, and whether the matter they were charged with justified the expence, should be strictly enquired into. Enquiry will doubtless also be made 1. whether mr Yard’s connection in interest with Dr. Stevens will admit him to be a witness in this case; & 2. if it does, his testimony will be estimated, as every other man’s is which is given under circumstances of bias, of which he is not sensible himself. In deciding on these questions of evidence, we are bound to proceed by the same laws of evidence which govern the courts of justice. these are the laws of the land, admitting no exceptions of persons, public or private. the laws in refusing an appeal to the ordinary tribunals, in questions between an individual & the public, & leaving the decision with the Executive department, has changed the judge in this instance, but not the law. it has given judiciary but not legislative powers: and the laws of the land are the inheritance & the right of every man, before whatever tribunal he is brought. for instance, that a contract need not be on record; that it may be by parol as well as in writing, that a written contract may be controuled by verbal agreement or other extrinsic matter, are principles of law to which Dr. Stevens is entitled on the one hand, as it is our duty, on the other, to bring his claims to the test of law, to sift the facts on which they rest by the common rules of evidence, and to decide according to these on every item of his accounts; not weakly to relieve an individual by giving him the public money, nor arbitrarily to withold by public power  577 

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what is justly due to an individual. this investigation can not be better trusted than to the justice & judgment of the Comptroller, to whom therefore it is referred. Th: Jefferson June 12. 04. MS (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand. Recorded in SJL as “Stevens’s case.” judgment of the comptroller: on 21 July, Gabriel Duvall informed the secretary of state that although a decision had not been made on “every item” of Stevens’s account, a warrant not exceeding $12,000 could be issued to him without further delay. At the same time, the comptroller noted that only the State Department could decide on the four charges, totaling $4,850, for hiring vessels to carry dispatches. Duvall also requested Madison’s opinion on the $1,600 charge for a secretary. If the State Department found in favor of these charges, Duvall noted, “I shall have no objection against augmenting the sum for which the warrant shall issue accordingly.” On 17 Sep., Madison requested that Gallatin have a warrant issued in favor of Stevens for $12,000, and on 20 Oct. he requested that the balance found due to Stevens, after deducting the expenses for the relief of seamen, be paid. Both payments were to be charged to the appropriation for foreign intercourse. On 25 Oct., Madison wrote to Duvall that the “importance of the dispatches” justified the hiring of two vessels for $2,000 each. He advised Duvall to get more information from Stevens on the two lesser charges for vessels, of $400 and $450, for

which vouchers were lacking. Madison deemed Stevens’s charge for a secretary “reasonable & admissible” (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:499-500; 8:62, 195, 211). In February 1826, Congress received a petition from Stevens requesting the balance due him for his services from March 1799 to September 1801. He noted that of his claim for $27,325 in expenses, $9,400 remained unpaid “until some additional vouchers could be procured.” Because of the unsettled state of public affairs in Saint-Domingue, however, he had been unable to obtain the documentation. The committee rejected Stevens’s claim, noting that in 1804 “the whole sum appears to have been paid to him which the proper officers then thought the vouchers produced would justify.” The receipts in existence then were subsequently destroyed by fire, and Stevens had submitted no additional vouchers. The committee concluded: “If the vouchers produced in 1804 would not authorize the payment of the sum now claimed, your committee are at a loss to know how they would be justified in recommending a law to be passed which would direct such payment without any voucher whatever” (js, 15:127, 205; Compilation of Re­ ports of Committee on Foreign Relations, United States Senate, 1789­1901, 8 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1901], 3:627-8).

To Abigail Adams Dear Madam Washington June 13. 04. The affectionate sentiments which you have had the goodness to express in your letter of May 20. towards my dear departed daughter, have awakened in me sensibilities natural to the occasion, & recalled your kindnesses to her which I shall ever remember with gratitude & friendship. I can assure you with truth they had made an indelible impression on her mind, and that, to the last, on our meetings after long separations, whether I had heard lately of you, and how you did,  578 

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were among the earliest of her enquiries. in giving you this assurance I perform a sacred duty for her, & at the same time am thankful for the occasion furnished me of expressing my regret that circumstances should have arisen which have seemed to draw a line of separation between us. the friendship with which you honoured me has ever been valued, and fully reciprocated; & altho’ events have been passing which might be trying to some minds, I never believed yours to be of that kind, nor felt that my own was. neither my estimate of your character, nor the esteem founded in that, have ever been lessened for a single moment, although doubts whether it would be acceptable may have forbidden manifestations of it.   Mr. Adams’s friendship & mine began at an earlier date. it accompanied us thro’ long & important scenes. the different conclusions we had drawn from our political reading & reflections were not permitted to lessen mutual esteem, each party being conscious they were the result of an honest conviction in the other. like differences of opinion existing among our fellow citizens attached them to the one or the other of us, and produced a rivalship in their minds which did not exist in ours. we never stood in one another’s way: for if either had been withdrawn at any time, his favorers would not have gone over to the other, but would have sought for some one of homogeneous opinions. this consideration was sufficient to keep down all jealousy between us, & to guard our friendship from any disturbance by sentiments of rivalship: and I can say with truth that one act of mr Adams’s life,1 and one only, ever gave me a moment’s personal displeasure. I did consider his last appointments to office as personally unkind. they were from among my most ardent political enemies, from whom no faithful cooperation could ever be expected, and laid me under the embarrasment of acting thro’ men whose views were to defeat mine; or to encounter the odium of putting others in their places. it seemed but common justice to leave a successor free to act by instruments of his own choice. if my respect for him did not permit me to ascribe the whole blame to the influence of others, it left something for friendship to forgive, and after brooding over it for some little time, and not always resisting the expression of it, I forgave it cordially, and returned to the same state of esteem & respect for him which had so long subsisted. having come into life a little later than mr Adams, his career has preceded mine, as mine is followed by some other, and it will probably be closed at the same distance after him which time originally placed between us. I maintain for him, & shall carry into private life an uniform & high measure of respect and good will, and for yourself a sincere attachment.   I have thus, my dear Madam, opened myself to you  579 

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without reserve, which I have long wished an opportunity of doing; and, without knowing how it will be recieved, I feel relief from being unbosomed. and I have now only to entreat your forgiveness for this transition from a subject of domestic affliction to one which seems of a different aspect. but tho connected with political events, it has2 been viewed by me most strongly in it’s unfortunate bearings on my private friendships. the injury these have sustained has been a heavy price for what has never given me equal pleasure. that you may both be favored with health, tranquility and long life, is the prayer of one who tenders you the assurances of his highest consideration and esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (MHi: Adams Papers); at foot of first page: “Mrs. Adams.” PoC (DLC).

1 2

TJ here canceled “excepted.” TJ here canceled “never.”

From Anonymous Sir [on or before 13 June 1804] I now congratulate to you Sir that I am well & I hope you are the same, you dam Son of a Bitch, you Red-Headed Rascal, I understand that you put Samuel Chase out of office you dam curly bugger, I think you out to get a dam kicking you red Headed Son a Bitch, you are a pretty fellow to be President of the United States of America you dirty Scoundral, you will be so good you red headed villian to give my compliments to Miss Smythered, Miss Johns, & Miss Thomas, & you will oblige you humsent Master you villian, yours &c

NB. you dam curly you Red Headed Son of a Bitch &c RC (DLC); undated; addressed: “Mr Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America Whashington”; franked; postmarked Baltimore, June (date faint);

endorsed by TJ as an anonymous letter received 15 June 1804 and “scurrilities” and so recorded in SJL with notation “postmark Baltimore June 13.”

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From Isaac Coffin Dear Sir. Boston June the 13th: 1804. I wrote you some time ago, but not knowing whither you had Received the Letter, thought I would write to you again on the same subject, I Received a Letter from Nantucket last Mail informing me that our Collector of the Customs there, was very unwell and that some of our people of that Island had Recommended his Son Daniel B. Hussey as a person suitable to succeed him in the said Office and that some other persons had been Recommended to you to fill the said Office, and wishing to have one of the best Men on our Island appointed to fill the said Office, One of firm Democratic Republican Principles, therefore have taken the liberty to Recommend Captn. Daniel Coffin a Man who is not very nigh related to me, but is a Man of sound Republican Principles, and has always retained those principles ever since the year 1775. and I think he is a Man of as great Abilities as any one on our Island and he is a Man of good learning and a Man of a good moral Character, and I think that he would be very Agreeable to the Real Republicans of our Island which are a handsome Majority. The said Daniel B. Hussey above mentioned Son of Stephen Hussey Esquire, is a most Rigid Federalist, and I think him to be a man very unfit for the office; thinking it my duty to write to you on the subject, and this being the needful at this time, shall subscribe myself, Dear Sir with due esteem and Respect your most Obedient Servant Isaac Coffin RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 June and so recorded in SJL; also en-

dorsed by TJ: “Coffin Danl. to be Collector Nantucket v. Hussey.” wrote you: 13 Apr.

To James Dinsmore Dear Sir Washington June 13. 04. Your’s of the 9th. is recieved, and I now inclose you a five dollar bill for mr Wanscher. after you have finished the Dome room, I would rather you should finish the three bed rooms on the same floor that we may have them plaistered & ready for use. if J. Perry has not done the floors of those rooms, he should finish them in preference to every thing else. mr Stewart should finish off the whole of the Hinges for the Venetian blinds, as all the blinds for the whole house are in  581 

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hand here and will be forwarded as soon as done. the composition ornaments are in hand also. mr Culp promised me he would prepare a pump for the ice house. I presume mr Wanscher keeps it clear of water. if he does not, Joe should clear it twice a week. I am trying to engage a painter to go on. accept my best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (Private collection, Miami, Florida, 1995). Dinsmore’s letter of the 9th, recorded in SJL as received 12 June, has not been found.

joe: TJ’s slave, Joseph Fossett, at this time apprenticing as a blacksmith (Stanton, Free Some Day, 131-3).

From John Wayles Eppes Dear Sir, Eppington June 14. 1804. Your friendly letter of the 4th instant I received yesterday—I should earlier have written to you had I followed only the impulse of my feelings. It was not however my wish to add to your other cares anxiety for my poor little Orphans. Francis was extremely ill two days after my arrrival here, and his situation was the more distressing because I had not the sympathy or aid of any friends, the family being all absent—He is again entirely well. The little girl you know was in an unpleasant situation when she left Monticello—On her arrival here I sent for Doctr. Foushee who apprehended from the appearance of the irruption, that it was occasioned by some of the youthful follies of the Nurse—I would immediately have changed her on a suspicion of this kind, but from the recommendation of Doctr. Foushee who thought as the milk agreed perfectly well with the child, it was better to continue the Nurse and to give her medicine which would correct her habit and relieve the child—From the use of Sassaparella by the Nurse and a weak mercurical ointment to the irruption the child is almost well—It grows fast, is quite fat, notwithstanding the irruption, and is becoming daily more interesting— The period I fear will not soon arrive when I shall be able to feel any comfort in a home of my own—In looking forward to any arrangement of that kind the company of my children is the only circumstance which could make it tolerable—As soon as they are of an age to do without other cares than mine I propose either, carrying them to some convenient place for obtaining masters for their Education & making it my residence—Or to employ a person qualified to  582 

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instruct them under my own eye—Until this period arrives my time will be passed principally at Eppington—To have my children with me will be my greatest comfort—For Patsy I have all the affection of a brother, nor is there a human being on earth who more highly estimates her talents, or knows more thoroughly the excellence of her heart and disposition—As visitors it will always give me pleasure to have my children with her as often as possible—While I live however they can never with my consent1 occupy any home but mine— My child at present wants only tenderness and attention—From my mother I am certain she will receive all that the warmest affection can bestow—When you retire from public life if it shall be your wish to have either of the children with you or both I shall consider your claim as equal to my own. They will be to you I hope as dear as to myself and between your house and Eppington my heart will never I hope learn to draw a line— With regard to the arrangements at Pant-ops you must act as you think best for the welfare of my children—I should like the levelling to be done as it would enable me to make some improvement of grass trees &c—As to the House if it would meet your convenience I would rather you would give Francis the value of it in land adjoining PantOps—Or if you would take back the land laid off in Bedford & give to my daughter the value in such part of Lego as it may be equal to the House you proposed building at Pant-Ops and to the Bedford Land?—An arrangement of that kind would be much for the benefit of my children & probably not inconvenient to you—I am not anxious for a House at Pant-ops as such a one as would answer for any portion of the year I shall pass there I could erect without taking any thing from my children—I do not believe it would be in my power to obtain the consent of 2 my Father or Mother for me to settle at that distance from them—What would have rendered any residence delightful to myself is lost for ever, and my own feelings do not I confess at present point to that spot as all the ideas of happiness I had formed for that place would in turn present to my view the miserable wreck that is left me— While my heart remains what it now is I shall always feel for you as a second Father and in passing with you as much of my time as circumstances will permit, shall be following only the impulse of my own feelings—While you continue in public life I shall always be able to pass some time with you during your stay at Monticello and to carry up the children—My mother promises to carry up the little girl in August. Patsy is with us and well—  583 

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 I reenclose to you Mrs. Adams’s letter—If I may judge of its excellence from the sensibility excited by its perusal, it contains the generous effusions of an excellent heart—The successful rival of her husband in public estimation could not under any circumstances excite sympathy in the breast of an ordinary female—A sound heart and a sound understanding could only under such circumstances have produced such a letter—In expressing towards her the sentiments of your heart you will of course know no limit but the extent of your feelings—How far under existing circumstances it may be prudent to indulge in the expression of any private feeling towards Mr. Adams is to me extremely doubtful—No possible event could I imagine excite in his bosom sympathy towards you—The thread of friendship between you is on his part broken never more to be united—He is extremely odious to your warmest friends and admirers, you might wound their feelings by expressions of attatchment, but never in his bosom can you excite more than the groan of disappointed ambition—The mind capable of receiving to its bosom a successful rival with his honours blooming round his brow is not to be found in the man who bore an implacable hatred to the living Franklin, who has not withdrawn that hatred even from his ashes— My father mother and all here Unite in friendly wishes for your health— Yours affectionately Jno: W: Eppes RC (MHi); addressed: “Th: Jefferson Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Abigail Adams to TJ, 20 May. use of sassaparella: extracts from sarsaparilla plants were believed to provide a milder alternative to mercury for

the treatment of syphilis (Joan Sherwood, Infection of the Innocents: Wet Nurses, In­ fants, and Syphilis in France, 1780­1900 [Montreal, 2010], 14-15, 47, 73). 1

Preceding three words interlined. Preceding eight words interlined in place of an illegible cancellation. 2

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 14. 04. I return Russel’s letter respecting Tupper which I had put by among the papers relating to the characters of officers & applicants; but which probably relates to one who is neither.—I had supposed that Skinner’s commission if ordered now would not reach him till towards the last of the month and might even be dated July 1.1 the officer commanding at Fort Stoddert is Capt Peter P. Schuyler, of  584 

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whom Genl Dearborne knows nothing. shall I direct a commission of Collector to be made out for him? RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed (torn): “[. . .] of the Treasury.”

1 TJ

here canceled “the name of.”

From Albert Gallatin 14 June 1804

Whenever a commission is issued to a new Commr. of loans, his predecessor is officially notified by the Comptroller to surrender his papers &a. Provided that notification shall not reach Mr Perkins till after the 1st day of July no inconvenience will arise. Might not Mr Skinner be privately informed that a commission will be sent to him in Boston which he will find there say on 3d July? and the commission &c. may be accordingly prepared & forwarded here. Peter P. Schuyler though unknown may do for the temporary appointment at Mobile, unless the President should prefer to send a blank commission to Mr Kirby or to Mr Chambers— Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 14 June and “Skinner. P. P. Schuyler” and so recorded in SJL.

From Albert Gallatin Sir, Treasury Department June 14th: 1804 The repeated applications made from a number of sea-ports in relation to the hospital money, induce me to submit to you the propriety of extending the provisions heretofore adopted for the temporary relief of seamen to the following ports: vzt. Portland— Maine Portsmouth— New-Hampshire Salem— Massachusetts Middletown— Connecticut New-Haven— ditto Wilmington— Delaware Camden— North-Carolina Washington— ditto.  585 

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As a proper restriction, it might be enjoined on the Collectors of the five first mentioned Ports not to expend more than what is collected in their respective ports from registered vessels, and the Collectors of the three last would be directed not to exceed the whole amount of their collections. I am rather inclined to believe that, on account of the hospital money which will be collected this year from the seamen on board of public ships, the whole amount expended will not, notwithstanding the expensive establishment at New-Orleans, exceed that of the collections. But there is, at all events, an unexpended balance from preceding years which will cover any possible deficiency. The ports to which the expence has heretofore been confined, are Boston Newport New-London New-York Philadelphia Baltimore Alexandria Norfolk ⎫ Edenton ⎪ ⎬ Newbern No. Carolina ⎪ ⎭ Wilmington Charleston Savannah. The expence in Norfolk and Charleston considerably exceeds the amount respectively collected in Virginia and South Carolina. NewYork, Baltimore, Alexandria, and Savannah, expend rather more than is collected in the states and district where they are situated. In the other ports much less is expended than the amount collected. I have the honor to be, with the highest respect, Sir, Your obedt. Servant Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Gallatin; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 14 June and “Hospital money” and so recorded in SJL. hospital money: all U.S. custom houses participated in collecting a special tax from American sailors that was used by the government to provide medical care for sick and disabled seamen, but only designated ports provided services (U.S.

Statutes at Large, 1:605-6, 729; asp, Commerce and Navigation, 1:538-9). expensive establishment at new­ orleans: prior to the purchase of Louisiana, diplomatic arrangements had been made for the United States to establish a medical facility for American seamen in New Orleans, for which Congress appropriated $3,000. When Louisiana came under U.S. government control, the newly appointed collector at New Orleans, Hore Browse Trist, was instructed to begin collecting the hospital tax, “20 cents pr

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14 JUNE 1804 month from seamen,” but was also allowed a $5,000 supplement to help establish medical facilities, supplies, and a resident doctor (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:192; Gallatin to Trist, 14 Apr. 1804, in Gallatin, Papers, 9:500-1). expend rather more: in April, Gallatin wrote Alexandria collector Charles

Simms a terse message about his overspending the port’s relief fund. Simms responded that he had decided it preferable to exceed his budget rather than to discharge men “before their recovery” (same, 9:486, 503).

From William C. Jenckes Sir Baltimore June 14th 1804 From being obliged to leave the City of Washington I fear I have delayed the communication which you had the goodness to promise me upon the subject of my dismission,1 from the service of the U. States, as a Lieutt of the Navy—Permit me to Observe that there can be no circumstance so likely to inflict a lasting wound upon the reputation of any man, as the one to which I have alluded and I am sure you will consider the importance of the Matter to me as a sufficient apology for the trouble I now give—It gave me great pleasure to learn from you that you had given no authority to the secretary to revoke my Commission—and I hope you have had an Oppertunity of making the enquirey you mentioned. Should you discover that the proceedings upon which my dismission was grounded, were precipitate informal and altogether contrary to the spirit of our free government, (which request all persons who are dismised shall have proper notice of the Charges brought against them and also be allowed full time to make there defence) I hope you will not sanction2 a Step which has been taken without your Authority— If Your many great and important engagements will permit you to attend to this subject I shall be highly Obliged if you will inform me of the result by a letter addressed to me at this place— I am Sir Your Obet. humble Servant Wm. C. Jenckes RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 June and so recorded in SJL. William C. Jenckes (d. 1815) received a commission as a lieutenant in the navy in 1799 and served in the Mediterranean between 1801 and 1803 on board the Bos­ ton, Enterprize, Constitution, and Adams. After Jenckes’s commission was revoked following a court of inquiry in May 1804

that found his conduct with a civilian unofficerlike, he entered the merchant marine and captained a privateer during the War of 1812. Jenckes later drowned when his vessel capsized during a gale (ndbw, Register, 28; abstract of proceedings of court of inquiry, 26 May 1804, DNA: RG 45, LSO; New York Evening Post, 8 Sep. 1815). revoke my commission: on 28 May, Robert Smith wrote to Jenckes, “I am

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14 JUNE 1804 instructed by the President to inform you that he has revoked your Commission” (DNA: RG 45, LSO).

 1 MS: “dismssion.” 2 MS: “secretion.”

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington June 14. 04. I send you by this post the drawings for another Polygraph desk. I take for it’s foundation that I am now writing on, which is indeed very nearly perfect. wherever therefore I have not proposed an alteration, I wish the new one to be exactly as the old. I adopt exactly the same length & breadth of desk. the position of the writing machinery is left precisely the same, & the machinery itself. the changes are as follow. 1. the inkholders are moved a little higher up, and placed in a tray. 2. the desk is considerably shallower. this is an essential change for the better. 3. the drawers are consequently shallower, and that for the spare inkpot and pens is independant of the paper drawer. 4. the ledge or rule for holding a book is fixed more out of the way. 5. I propose that all the locks shall open with the same key. having a good desk before my eyes I have been able to draw the improved one without risking any imperfection, & would therefore now pray that the cabinet work may be done to a hair’s breadth according to my drawing. of yourself personally I have one favor to ask which is to be so good as to see to the perfect adjustment of the pens & writing machinery, as on that depends the whole value of the machine, and the one now desired being to go into the country where we have no workmen, any defect or failure in it will be irremediable. when done I will pray you to have it well packed in a box perfectly watertight (as it will be exposed in an open boat many days going up the river) and direct it to me to the care of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson merchts. Richmond, shipping it for that place, & advising me of it, & to be done with as little delay as possible, that it may arrive at Monticello by the time I get there myself. I should be glad to have, in addition to the steel pens, cases for common pens which are best when one wishes to write fairer than common. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson P.S. after trial of the one now desired, I shall probably have occasion for one or two more. RC (TxU); at foot of text: “C. W. Peale esq.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclosures not found.

 588 

From Caesar A. Rodney Honored & Dear Sir, Wilmington June 14. 1804. The political campaign has been opened here. The ensuing election will for a long time at least, decide the fate of this State. If we succeed the malignant dog-star of Federalism & toryism, sets to rise no more. Under this impression Bayard very much to my surprize & against sentiments expressed by letters to me, has again taken the feild. Tho’ I had determined previously to retire, because I felt myself compelled by imperious necessity so to do, I cannot brook the idea of a retreat when pressed as I am by my too partial fellow citizens. Tho’ I should have to live on the herbage of my feilds & the cool water of my spring I would cheerfully submit to it, in order to exterminate the Federal Hydra. A Burrite paper called the “Delaware Museum” is to be set up here, edited by Dr. John Vaughan & James M. Broom. But the Proteus of Federalism will change it shapes in vain the people have seen the cloven foot & felt its rough schod tread, & will long remember it. I stand upon the single & solid ground of being a supporter of you & your administration & if I fail it is in a good cause for which I am at all times ready to lay down my life. Yours Affectionately & Sincerely C. A. Rodney RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 14 June and so recorded in SJL. taken the feild: in 1802, Rodney unseated three-term representative James A. Bayard, who opposed Rodney again in 1804, this time regaining his place in the House of Representatives. After Bayard was appointed U.S. senator that November, a second election for the 1805-1807 term resulted in a win for Federalist

James M. Broom over former Delaware governor David Hall (New­York Commer­ cial Advertiser, 9 Oct. 1804, 9 Oct. 1805; Biog. Dir. Cong.). delaware museum: the Museum of Delaware, published by Joseph Jones as a political and literary weekly, ran for six years beginning in June 1804 (J. Thomas Scharf, History of Delaware: 1609­1888, 2 vols. [Philadelphia, 1888], 1:451).

From the State Department [on or before 14 June 1804]

£50 paid to John Chisholm               Extract from Mr. Kings explanatory remarks”1 “It will be recollected that Chisholm was confederated with Blount and others in a project to invade the Floridas from the Territories of the United States—that he went to England with letters from the  589 

14 JUNE 1804

B. Minister Mr. Liston, introducing him and his project to the English Ministry. Mr. King obtained from Chisholm a full disclosure of his plan, which with the names of his associates was reported to the Secretary of State in his Despatch No. 57 Dated Decr. 10. 1797—To this Despatch Mr. King refers for the motives which influenced him in authorizing the payment of £50 Sterling to Chisholm” The motives appear to have been a desire to obtain the information & Chisholm’s request to be supplied with the money to enable him to pay his debts and the expense of his return. A receipt exists for the money, expressing it as a loan. Major Lenox paid the money for Mr. King RC (DLC); undated; in a clerk’s hand, but closing paragraph in Jacob Wagner’s hand and insertion by Madison (see note 1); endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 14 June 1804 and “Chisolm. King” and so recorded in SJL. For William Blount’s plan to invade the floridas, see Vol. 29:472-4n. Indian agent John Chisholm was a coconspirator (Washington, Papers, Ret. Ser., 1:231). despatch no. 57: see Charles R. King, ed., The Life and Correspondence of Rufus

King: Comprising His Letters, Private and Official, His Public Documents and His Speeches, 6 vols. (New York, 1894-1900), 2:256-8. authorizing the payment: on 6 June 1804, Rufus King submitted to the State Department a list of expenses accrued as minister to Great Britain. Among the claims was a £50 advance to Chisholm (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:293-4). 1 This line and all quotation marks inserted by Madison.

To Alexander I, Emperor of Russia Great and good Friend Washington June 15. 1804. Your friendly interposition for the relief of the crew of an American frigate, stranded on the coast of Tripoli has been recently made known to me. for this act of benevolence, and proof of your disposition to befriend our young1 republic, it’s Secretary of state conveys the official expression of it’s sensibility. but I should illy satisfy my own feelings, did I not add my individual acknolegements for a favor2 directly tending to facilitate the administration of the affairs of my country, with which I am personally charged. To the Barbarians, whose habitual violations of the laws of nature have produced the occasion of this friendly office, we have sent expressions of very different feelings by the squadron which has just left our ports, destined for theirs. should the Commander find that, in consequence of your Imperial Majesty’s3 interposition, they shall already have done us voluntary justice, he will4 let them owe to your favor his abstinence from every act of force. otherwise he will en 590 

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deavor, by the means he is furnished with, to convince them it will be their interest to injure us no more. I see with great pleasure the rising commerce between our two countries. we have not gone into the policy, which the European nations have so long tried, and to so little good effect, of multiplying commercial treaties. in national, as in individual dealings more liberality will perhaps be found in voluntary regulations, than in those which are measured out by the strict letter of a treaty; which, whenever it becomes onerous, is made, by forced construction, to mean any thing or nothing, engenders disputes, and brings on war. but your flag will5 find, in our harbours, hospitality, freedom, and protection, and your subjects enjoy6 all the privileges of the most favored nation. the favorable7 reception of our Consul at St. Petersburg, and the friendly sentiments conveyed through your minister of foreign relations, are8 an earnest that our merchants also will meet due favor in your ports. I avail myself of this occasion of expressing the exalted pleasure I have felt in observing the various acts of your administration, during the short time you have yet been on the throne of your country, and seeing in them manifestations of the virtue & wisdom from which they flow. what has not your country to hope from a career which has begun with such auspicious developments!9 sound principles, pursued with a steady step, dealing out good progressively as your people are prepared to recieve, and to hold it fast, cannot fail to carry them10 and yourself far in the improvement of their condition, during the course of your life. I pray to God that it may long continue for their happiness and your glory; and that he may always have you in his safe and holy keeping. Th: Jefferson RC (RuAVPRI; photostat in DNA: RG 353, USA-USSR). FC (DLC); a fair copy in TJ’s hand, signed; at foot of first page: “Alexander. Emperor of Russia.” Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 141:24459); undated, entirely in TJ’s hand; salutation: “Great & Excellent Emperor & friend.” Alexander I (1777-1825) became emperor of Russia in 1801 following the assassination of his father, Paul I. His grandmother, Catherine II, provided the most formative influence on his early life and education, exposing Alexander to Enlightenment ideals and western cultural influences, especially through the medium of his long-time tutor and confidant, the Swiss educator Frédéric César de La Harpe. Limited reforms marked the early

years of Alexander’s reign, and the emperor reportedly admired TJ and his administration. In turn, TJ believed Alexander’s ascent to be “one of the phaenomena which will distinguish the present epoch so remarkeable in the history of man.” Russia’s deepening involvement in the Napoleonic Wars, however, ended Alexander’s reform impulses, and repression would characterize the final decade of his reign (James R. Millar, ed., Ency­ clopedia of Russian History, 4 vols. [New York, 2004], 1:31-5; Vol. 38:xlix-l, 55064, 598-600; Vol. 39:85-7). recently made known to me: Madison to TJ, 19 Apr. Madison conveyed the official ex­ pression of thanks in a 10 June letter to  Russian foreign minister Aleksandr

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15 JUNE 1804 Romanovich Vorontsov. He enclosed the letter, along with TJ’s to Alexander, in a 26 June communication to Levett Harris, the American consul at St. Petersburg. Harris received the packet on 27 Aug. and handed the letters to Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, the deputy foreign minister (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:303-4, 374-5; 8:39; Vol. 39:540n). 1 In

Dft, word interlined above “infant.” Word interlined in Dft in place of “act.” 3 Preceding two words interlined in Dft. 2

 4 Word interlined in Dft in place of “is instructed to.” 5 In Dft, TJ here canceled “always.” 6 Word interlined in Dft. 7 Word interlined in Dft in place of “friendly.” 8 Preceding 12 words interlined in Dft in place of “is.” 9 In Dft, TJ first wrote “a career but just begun, the first developements of which have opened so much good?” before altering the passage to read as above. 10 In Dft, TJ first wrote “will carry them” and then interlined “must or cannot fail to.”

From William C. C. Claiborne Sir, New-Orleans 15 June 1804 At the particular request of the Superior of the Convent in this city, I have the honor to enclose you a communication from the Ursaline Nuns. These respectable Ladies merit and possess a great share of the public esteem; their conduct is exemplary, and their time is usefully employed in the education of female youth.—During my short residence in this city, I have paid the Nuns very great respect and given them every assurance of the protection and friendly regard of the Government of the United States.—I believe I have succeeded in conciliating their affections, and rendering their minds tranquil: it seems however that, they of late entertain some fears that, their property cannot be secured to them and their Successors without an Act of Congress, and I understand that, it is on this Subject they have addressed you. This city continues healthy, and the American Society increases rapidly. The lady and family of my friend Mr. Trist and several other genteel families from the United States have within ten days past arrived in this city. I have the pleasure to add that Mrs. Claiborne is now with me she reached this city on the 4th. instant after a passage of forty days from Nashville in Tennessee. With sentiments the most respectful I have the honor to Subscribe my self Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text: “Thomas Jef-

ferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 July and

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15 JUNE 1804 so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Dupl dated 13 June of Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans to TJ, 23 Apr.

 given them every assurance: see note to Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans to TJ, 23 Apr.

From Jonathan Dayton Sir, Elizabeth town N. Jersey June 15th: 1804 I take the liberty of transmitting the enclosed two letters lately received from N. Orleans upon the subject of the office, vacated, or about to be vacated, of Surgeon & Physician of the troops & hospital at New Orleans. The approach of the sickly season, rendering it important that such a vacancy should be immediately filled, the desire & expectation of Doctr. Spencer & his friends that I should name him as candidate to the President, & the circumstance of there being no subordinate Department of the Government to which the application could properly be made, must be my apologies for addressing a letter directly to you, Sir, upon this occasion. I am acquainted both with the professional & private character of this young gentleman, & know them to be uncommonly good. He left this his native State, regretted by all who knew him, and I was very much pleased to learn, upon my visit to N. Orleans last year, that as a Physician he was highly approved, & as a man, greatly esteemed. Besides his personal merits, the conviction of his being very acceptable & serviceable in that station, is with me an additional inducement for venturing to recommend him. The degrees or appointments with which he has been already honored, are Doctor of Medicine in the University of Pennsylvania— Member of the medical & chemical societies of Philadelphia, Licensed Physician & Surgeon in that Province, when under the Spanish Government, Surgeon of the Militia in the city of New Orleans, & acting Surgeon to the troops of the U. States, in the absence of Doctr. Carmichael. I hope it will not be deemed improper for me to add, that Doctor Spencer has ever most scrupulously avoided all interference in politics or in parties of any kind, strictly confining himself to the calls and duties of his profession. I have the honor to be Sir with the highest respect & consideration Your most obedient servant Jona: Dayton RC (DNA: RG 107, LRUS); at foot of  text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 June and “Spencer Doctr. O. H. to be

Surgeon & Physicn. to troops at N.O.” and so recorded in SJL with notation “W.” Enclosures not found.

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To Albert Gallatin Th:J to mr Gallatin June 15. 04. Your proposition to extend the hospital provisions to the ports of Portland, Portsmouth, Salem, Middle town, New Haven, Wilmington, Cambden & Washington is approved. I do not recollect whether hospital money has been made paiable on every voiage and at every port on the vessel’s entering it. if it is, every port would exactly maintain itself, if the number of sick are proportioned to the number of seamen frequenting the port. and even if climate made a difference, there could be no objection to a greater hospital tax in sicklier ports.— I will write to Genl Skinner.—I think we had better appoint Schuyler at Mobille because we can more easily get rid of him than of any appointment Kirby might make from the bad subjects there. Affectionate salutations. RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “hospitals. Skinner. Schuyler.”

your proposition: Gallatin to TJ, 14 June (second letter).

From John Hyndman June 15th 1804

Yr. Excellency Must have Known something of My Conduct as an Officer of the Customs Huase Eight Years Past I Never Ventured before To apply To your Excellencey from an Information and indeed a Beliefe that you had Received Informations Respecting Me, Sufficent to Bar all all applycations My Conduct will give the Lie to those Insinuations, and wheether or No My present Applycation is Succesfull I entreate yr. Excellencey To Accept of My Humble Duty And Respects J[ohn] Hyndman RC (DLC); signature partially illegible; addressed: “His Excellency the President of the Unighted States”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received from “Hyndman John (supposed)” on 16 June and so recorded in SJL, where the notation is “(qu.).”

John Hyndman was perhaps the same as John Hindman, who was listed as inspector and measurer at the port of Nanjemoy, Maryland, in 1802 (asp, Miscel­ laneous, 1:273).

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To James Madison Th:J. to mr Madison June 15. 04. Can mr King’s report in his dispatch No. 57. Dec. 10. 97. be seen? The question is whether it was worth £50. sterl. every person who undertakes to expend money for secret service, must take on themselves the risk of being approved or not by the government, on view of the nature of the service, which can only be judged on a knolege of what it was. this kind of expenditure is susceptible of such abuse, that a strict eye should be kept on it. a commission to be issued to Peter P. Schuyler as Collector at Fort Stoddert RC (DLC: Madison Papers); addressed (clipped): “The”; endorsed by Madison. PoC (DLC); lacks postscript. Notation in SJL: “King’s accts.”

On 20 June, Madison approved Rufus King’s expenditure of £50 to John Chisholm for “certain discoveries reported to the Secretary of State” (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:293, 342).

From Philip Mazzei 15 Giugno, 1804.

Io non saprei a che attribuire la total mancanza di sue lettere, dopo quelle del 29 Aprile 1800, e 17 Marzo 1801. Per quanto sento, arrivarono a salvamento nei porti degli S.U. quei bastimenti che portavano le mie lettere, datate come segue. 5 Febbraio, 2 Luglio, 30 detto, 28 7bre, e 15 9bre 1801, 10 Aprile, 17 detto 1802, 15 Febbraio, 15 Aprile, 20 Maggio, 25 8bre 1803, con un aggiunta del 27 Gennaio 1804. A quest’ora spero che avrà ricevuto anche la susseguente del 4 Marzo prossimo passato, spedita col bastimento Bulah, Capn. Gardener, che partì quasi subito per Boston, la copia della quale mandai per il bastimento Piomingo, Capn. Blagg, che fece vela l’otto di Aprile, for New york. Considerando che Ella si degnò di scivermi 13 giorni dopo assunta la Presidenza, e conseguentemente nel tempo più critico, e più imbarazzante per le sue pubbliche occupazioni, son persuaso che Ella mi abbia scritto, e che le lettere sieno state mandate per cattivi canali. Ripeto il mio desiderio di sapere la riescita che avranno fatta le viti, le barbatelle, i Peschi, gli Albicocchi, le fragole d’ogni mese, i noccioli, come pure di avere le sue osservazioni, per mia norma, onde vedere come devo contenermi in futuro.  595 

15 JUNE 1804

 Nel maggior numero della mie lettere ò parlato della necessità di metter le cose sopra un meglior piede nel Mediterraneo, non volendo renunziare ai prodigiosi vantaggi che possono resultarne  gli Stati Uniti mediante il loro commercio in queste parti. La base fondamentale è di averci Agenti capaci e zelanti, e per quanto vedo e sento, segue tutto il contrario. Direttamente, o indirettamente, Irlandesi, Inglesi, Francesi, e Tedeschi inglesati, influiscono in tutto, e sanno mascherare la lor condotta maravigliosamente.‡ Sento che uno di costoro sia andato a Napoli, mentre il Governo Napoletano era già disposto a darci gli aiuti opportuni per acciaccare i barbareschi, e si vanti adesso d’esserne stato il gran negoziatore. È più d’un’anno, che Barnes aveva già incanalato il tutto, conforme avrà veduto nella mia dei 15 Aprile 1803, mentre l’abbia ricevuta; ma egli è uomo da sentirselo anche dir nel muso, e non rispondere. Così gl’intriganti ottengono il loro interesse. È seguito un’altro caso dell’istessa natura. Un certo Sigr: Benson americano, ch’io non conosco, fù arrestato con un’Inglese a Ferrara, mediante una finzione che potè farlo sospettàre di complicità nella decantata cospirazione contro il pmo. Console, ora Imperatore. Dopo molti inutili tentativi da varie parti, fui pregato d’intercedere. Rappresentai il fatto, nel quale condannai la giovenile imprudenza di Benson, e sostenni che non vi era ombra di reità. Il Ministro della Repubblica Italiana mi fece sapere, che la mia lettera aveva prodotto il bramato effetto immediatamente, e soggiunse: “Da questo potete vedere il caso che il Vicepresidente fa della vostra degna persona.” Ora sento, che ci è chi suona la tromba (indotto forse da vanità), per far credere, che si deve a lui la liberazione di Benson. Queste, ed altre simili false relazioni possono esser mandate costà, indurre in errore i più esperti e meglio intenzionati, e produrre sbagli perniciosi. Preble sento che sia un’uomo rispettabile; ma temo che possa far degli sbagli senza sua colpa, essendo mal circondato. Per ovviare a tutti gl’inconvenienti, ripeto (per l’ultima volta) che ci vuole una persona idonea, che abbia la commissione d’approvvisionar le Flottiglie, e la soprintendenza dei Consoli, e Viceconsoli. Per essere idonea si richiedono Probità, Capacità, Patriottismo, e Facoltà. In queste parti non conosco alcuno che le riunisca tutte, eccetuatone Barnes. Ei mi à do. in confidenza, che l’eserciterebbe senza salario, per farsi merito presso la Patria, del che non mi maraviglio, essendo ricco  circa 70,000 talleri. Ci vorrebbe anche uno con carattere Diplomatico ‡ Io conosco un Irlandese in Livorno il quale (benchè ci guadagni molto, e dimostri o per dir meglio vanti di essere un’ardente Americano) esulterebbe in corde se le Flottiglie degli S.U. fossero affondate e prese da barbareschi. Glie lo lessi nel volto al sentir la notizia della fregata perdutasi sulle secche.

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per trattare con i vari Governi, e anche corrispondere con Pietroburgo, e Costantinopoli. Altre volte Le significai, che l’avrei desiderato per patriottismo, e per bisogno, a motivo delle gravi perdite sofferte. Ora, dopo che è rifuso la maggior parte del credito che avevo con Potocki, e che l’Imperatore Alessandro mi à indennizzato amplamente per la sua parte dei miei diritti col Rè di Pollonia, il bisogno è cessato, e posso mantener carrozza come fo. Le notifico dunque (francamente al mio solito) che, attese le idee regnanti, e particolarmente dopo la creazion d’un terzo Imperatore, convenrebbe di averci un Ministro Plenipotenziario, invece d’un Incaricato d’Affari, e che io, senza mio pregiudizi potrei sostenerne il carattere al paragon d’ogni altro col solo salario d’Incaricato d’Affari, e col rimborso delle spese dei necessari viaggi. Mi confermo al solito, colla maggiore stima per i suoi talent e con tutto l’affetto per il solido e virtuoso Patriottismo. F. M.  P.S. Nel rilegger quel che ò scritto vedo che ò parlato troppo superficialmente del Maggior Barnes. Credo dunque di doverle dire, che, oltre l’aver egli ottenuto dal Governo di Napoli le promesse indicate nella sopraddetta mia dei 15 Ap. 1803, ei vi à fatti a sue proprie spese 2 viaggi per ottenerne l’esecuzione, (quantunque non avesse per anche diritto d’impegnarsi a nulla per parte degli Stati) e ne ottenne parimente la promessa, che poi è stata effettuata. È stato 7 mesi qui ad aspettare le tanto bramate e necessarie risposte; vorrebbe ritornarsene in Sicilia; non à coraggio di passar per Napoli senza presentarsi al Governo; ed io gli ò detto, che non mi presentarei prima di poter dare una risposta qualunque. L’ò consigliato d’andare in Sicilia per mare, e di ritornar qua subito che avrà esaminata la condotta del suo sostituto e dati gli ordini opportuni, per evitare il rischio e gli sia fatta qualche domanda per parte del Governo, prima di saper come rispondervi. Da tutto quel che ò finora esposto Ella vede; che il sistema attuale tende a scoraggire e mortificare i galantuomini, e ad incoraggire e fare essultare gl’intriganti. Ella non à bisogno di suggerimenti per prevederne le consequenze. Concluderò con dirle, che non parlerò più su questo articolo. I peschi, gli Albicocchi, i Peri, i Susini, Le uve, e simili, formeranno il soggetto delle mie lettere posteriori, mentre io non sia richiesto di parlar d’altre cose.

 597 

15 JUNE 1804 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

15 June 1804 I would not know how to account for the total absence of letters from you after those of 29 Apr. 1800 and 17 Mch. 1801. From what I hear, the ships that were carrying my letters safely reached port in the United States. These are letters dated as follows: 5 Feb., 2 and 30 July, 28 Sep., and 15 Nov. 1801; 10 and 17 Apr. 1802; 15 Feb., 20 May, and 25 Oct. 1803 (with an addendum of 27 Jan. 1804). By now I hope you will have also received the next letter from 4 Mch. of this year, which I sent with the ship Bulah, Captain Gardener, which left shortly after that date for Boston. I also sent a copy by way of the ship Pyomingo, Captain Blagge, which set sail on 8 Apr. for New York. Considering that you deigned to write me 13 days after having assumed the presidency and thus at the most critical and encumbered time for your public occupation, I am sure that you have indeed written me, but that the letters have been sent through bad channels. I reiterate my desire to know the outcome of the vines and cuttings, the peaches, apricots, strawberries of every month, and fruit stones. Your observations would be welcomed, so that I may take them into account and act accordingly in the future. In the greatest part of my letters I have spoken of how necessary it is to put on a better footing the affairs in the Mediterranean, lest we want to give up the incredible advantages that the United States may derive from the commerce in this region. The essential basis is to have here capable and zealous agents, but, from what I see and hear, exactly the opposite has come to pass. The Irish, English, French, and Anglicized Germans have their hands in everything, directly or indirectly, and they are masters at hiding their behavior. (I know an Irishman in Leghorn who derives great advantages and demonstrates—or, better, claims—to be a fervent American. Yet he would rejoice in his heart if the U.S. flotillas were to be sunk and captured by the Barbary people. I could read it in his face when he heard of the frigate that was lost on the shoals.) I have learned that one of these individuals traveled to Naples, when the Neapolitan government was already inclined to provide us with the necessary aid to squash the Barbary corsairs, and is now claiming he has been the great negotiator of that. Barnes had already put everything in motion, as you will have seen in my letter of 15 Apr. 1803, provided you have received it. But he is the kind of man who would never respond, not even if this were to be said to his face. This is how the schemers obtain their advantage. The same problem has emerged in another instance. A certain Mr. Benson, American (I don’t know him personally), was arrested in Ferrara together with an Englishman. He was framed so as to appear implicated in the celebrated conspiracy against the first consul, now emperor. After many vain attempts from various quarters, I was entreated to plead on his behalf. In representing the facts, I deprecated Benson’s youthful imprudence and argued that there was not even a shadow of criminal activity. The minister of the Italian Republic got word to me that my letter had immediately produced the desired effect and added: “From this you may infer the consideration in which the vice president holds your worthy person.” I now hear that there is someone who, perhaps out of vanity, is sounding his horn so as to have people believe that he is responsible for Benson’s being set free.

 598 

15 JUNE 1804  These or other such false accounts may be sent overseas and deceive even the most competent and best intentioned people into making pernicious errors. I hear that Preble is a respectable person, but I fear he may innocently make some mistake, since he has a bad entourage. To solve all difficulties, I repeat (for the last time) that a suitable person is needed: someone who would be given the commission of provisioning the fleet and overseeing consuls and vice consuls. To be suitable, probity, ability, patriotism, and aptitude are necessary. In this region, I know of no one who possesses them all, if not Barnes. He has told me, confidentially, that he would take the post unsalaried, to acquire merits with the country. I do not marvel at that, since he is rich, in the amount of around 70,000 talers. Another person, with a diplomatic nature, would be needed as well, in order to lead negotiations with various governments and correspond with St. Petersburg and Constantinople. I have intimated to you more than once that I would have desired to be that person, on account both of my patriotism and of need brought about by the grave losses I had endured. At this point, once the greatest part of the credit I had with Potocki has been refunded and Emperor Alexander has amply compensated me for his part in what I was expecting from the king of Poland, the need has ceased to exist, and I can afford to keep a carriage, as I do. Let me express my thoughts to you thus, frankly as is my custom. Given the ideas reigning and especially after the creation of a third empire, I believe that it would be better to have a plenipotentiary minister rather than a chargé d’affaires. Without any prejudice toward myself, I also believe that I would be able to perform those duties as well as any other person, with just the stipend of a chargé d’affaires and the reimbursement of the necessary travels. I remain as always, with the greatest possible consideration for your talents and with all my affection for your firm and virtuous patriotism, F. M.  P.S. In rereading what I wrote I realize that I have spoken too superficially about Major Barnes. I think I have the duty to tell you that, in addition to having obtained from the government of Naples the pledges I outlined in my aforementioned letter of 15 Apr. 1803, he has made two trips there, on his own funds, to make sure that they were delivered (though he had as yet no right to commit to anything on behalf of the United States). He obtained the commitment which eventually has come to pass. He has spent seven months here, waiting for the desired and necessary answers. He would like to go back to Sicily, but does not dare to pass through Naples without presenting himself to the government. I told him that I would not put in an appearance before being able to give an answer either way. I advised him to go to Sicily by sea and to come back as soon as he had reviewed the conduct of his substitute and given the necessary orders to avoid a new risk that questions be asked of him on the part of the government before he knew how to respond. From all I have explained thus far, you may see that the present state of affairs tends to dishearten and mortify the honest and to encourage and embolden the schemers. You need no suggestions to foresee the consequences of this. Let me close my letter by saying that this is the last time I speak about this topic. Peach trees, apricots, pears, plums, grapes, and the like will be the sole subject of my future letters, unless I should be asked to speak about other matters.

 599 

15 JUNE 1804  Dft (Archivio Filippo Mazzei, Pisa, Italy); at foot of text: “NB. This Letter to go—Per The Telemanchus Capn. Gooding,—for Boston”; see Margherita Marchione and Barbara B. Oberg, eds., Philip Mazzei: The Comprehensive Microform Edition of His Papers, 9 reels (Millwood,

N.Y., 1981), 6:923-4. Recorded in SJL as received from Pisa on 9 Oct. 1804. degnò di scivermi: TJ to Mazzei, 17 Mch. 1801 (Vol. 33:328). mia dei 15 aprile 1803, mentre l’abbia ricevuta: TJ received Mazzei’s letter of 15 Apr. on 17 Aug. 1803.

From François Navoni Cagliari, Sardinia, 15 June 1804. Navoni reminds TJ of the numerous letters he has sent him (the last dated 12 May) presenting his offers of service. He also thanks him for paying the ransom to free the young Sardinian woman, Maria Anna Porcile, who was released from slavery in Tunis and returned to Cagliari. As a result, everyone here praises America and will never forget TJ’s generosity. The Sardinian government and the viceroy have asked him to convey their sincere gratitude and to assure TJ of the preferential treatment U.S. warships will always receive. Captain Miles Reddick, who came from Malta to load his ship, the Woodrop Sims, was happy about the quality and price of the salt. He assured Navoni that productive commerce will be reestablished once peaceful relationships with Tripoli are restored. The American chamber of commerce should advise all ship captains that they will find excellent salt in Cagliari at a fair price. Navoni repeats the story about Commodore Richard V. Morris’s visit. Since Morris is now back in Washington, he will be able to attest to Navoni’s integrity and dedication. Navoni again implores the U.S. government not to abandon him and to grant him the license as consul general in Sardinia. Commodore Edward Preble is currently in Naples and is expected to moor in Cagliari soon. He will be welcomed and his needs cheerfully met. Finally, Navoni says he expects a favorable response from TJ and again promises to serve U.S. interests as a true American, always ready to obey orders. RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Cagliari); 3 p.; in French; at head of text: “François de Navoni Consul Garant, et Agent destiné de Monsieur le Commandeur Mauriz Morris Pour les Etats unis de l’Amerique dans le Royaume de Sardaigne—A Monsieur Le Premier Presidant des dits Etats unis residant a Wasingthon” (François

Navoni, consul guarantor and agent appointed by Commodore Morris for the United States of America in the Kingdom of Sardinia, to the first president of the said United States at Washington); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Sep. and so recorded in SJL with notation “S.”

 600 

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Baltimore June 15th. 1804. My Sons here are very desireous of having the outline of your profile taken in the size which the argand Lamp will give on the wall, resting the head against a beer or other long Glass. It will only be the loss of one minute of time to sit, while Mr Burrill might trace the shadow with a Pencil, from which my Son Raphaelle can cut it out, and with his Physiognotrace produce numbers. The Profiles I have generally seen of you are not so critically like as I would wish them. But the best apology I can make for asking this favour, is, that my Sons desire to present them to every visitor of the Exhibition of the Skeleton, which will be a gratification to your numerous friends. Several hundreds taken from Houdons Bust I have dispersed, altho’ I keept them out of sight, and meant to be a favor. The size of that profile was not so good for framing, as my Sons Physiognatrace gives. I mean to set out for Philadelphia in 2 or 3 days, and if your drawing of the Polygraph is there, my workmen shall immediately begin the work. I intend to seek for such Ink-pots as you shewed me, & purchase all I can of them in Baltimore, in a belief that a better and more convenient shape cannot be invented. I hear that several applications have been made in my absence for Polygraphs—I am sure of an extensive sale, if they are made perfect. I will inform Mr. Beckley as soon as I can be assured by tryal of the accurate writing of some one of those made in my absence. With sentiments of high regard your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson Esqr. President of U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 June and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers). argand lamp: invented by the physicist Ami Argand in 1784, these oil lamps used a cylindrical wick, producing a brighter flame. TJ was an enthusiastic adopter while resident in Paris (John E. Crowley, The Invention of Comfort: Sen­

sibilities & Design in Early Modern Brit­ ain and Early America [Baltimore, 2001], 192-4; Vol. 7:505, 518; Vol. 8:599n). houdons bust: Peale had evidently been making silhouettes of TJ from the portrait that Jean Antoine Houdon sculpted in Paris in 1789. One of two surviving plaster casts of the bust was donated to the American Philosophical Society in 1819 (Bush, Life Portraits, 23-6; Vol. 15:xxxvi-xxxvii).

 601 

To Tompson J. Skinner Dear Sir Washington June 15. 04. After waiting the time which had been concluded as proper from the rising of Congress, I directed your commission to be made out. but mr Gallatin represented that if the predecessor was so disposed, he might embarras his successor much, on an appointment so near the end of the quarter, when all the calculations are to be made in the shortest time possible, or the creditors delayed & rendered clamorous: that one occasion of this had before happened. that therefore it would be better the present incumbent should be notified only about the 3d. of July. you will consequently recieve the commission about or a little before that time, of which I thought it might be convenient you should have some previous notice. accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great respect & esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Genl. Skinner”; endorsed by TJ.

gallatin represented: Gallatin to TJ, 30 May.

To Robert Smith Dear Sir Washington June 15. 04. The calls for our gunboats at Charleston, Savanna, Mobille & N. Orleans are very imperious. the late insult to our peace officers at Savannah should never be permitted to be repeated a second time. Capt Casson tells me mr Fox is engaged in making the drawings for the lighter gun boat. but while the drawings are preparing to be sent to the several places of construction, could not your orders go immediately to the constructors to be making all the necessary provisions preparations, and contracts, so that the boats may be got ready as expeditiously as possible? will you be so good as to think of this and give your orders accordingly? in the mean time I have so far anticipated those which may respect the gun-boat here (say No. 1. for that will be the best way of naming them) as to desire Capt Casson to get her ready for sea immediately. they begin on her this day and will expect your orders for their continuance. she will be ready by the time of your return here, when we will consider on her destination. in Coleman’s paper of June 11. is a piece which I take for granted is written by Truxton. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson  602 

15 JUNE 1804  PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Secretary of the Navy.” Notation in SJL: “gunboats. Truxton.” late insult: in early May, the French privateer L’Hazard anchored in the Savannah River with two prizes, one of them the American brig Chance, which it had seized within U.S. waters off Charleston. After the local admiralty court ordered the brig detained, French officers “behaved with much insolence” toward the deputy marshal attempting to serve a writ and the commanding officer of nearby Fort Greene. Such was the “crumbling state” of the fort, however, that local observers doubted its garrison or guns would have been able to retaliate, “notwithstanding the privateer lay immediately under, and almost in the very mouth of its cannon” (Columbian Museum and Savannah Advertiser, 16 May; New­York

Commercial Advertiser, 28 May; New York Spectator, 4 July). Acting captain John Cassin (casson) and naval constructor Josiah fox of the Washington Navy Yard oversaw the design of gunboats Nos. 3 through 10 (Gene A. Smith, “For the Purposes of De­ fense”: The Politics of the Jeffersonian Gunboat Program [Newark, Del., 1995], 77). coleman’s paper: an article in the 11 June edition of the New­York Evening Post, titled “Massachusetts, No. V.,” criticized TJ’s administration for its failure to employ “several distinguished officers” due to their differing political sentiments. As a result, the author declared that “our navy is almost ruined” and that an “honorable Secretary of the navy would have laid down his private resentments, and supported what he knows would be beneficial to his country.”

To Archibald Thweatt Dear Sir Washington June 15. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 11th. and have given the papers inclosed an attentive perusal and consideration. the paiments are certainly applied in the way strictly just & established by usage, and the case of the executors, as prefactorily stated, is done truly, fully & ably. one single fact only I have corrected with the pencil in the 1st. page. the question of a reference to arbitrators depends on the description of the arbitrators chosen. the natural tribunal of the country is a jury. to this kind of arbiter all contracts look ultimately. the gentlemen of the country, of understanding and integrity, when selected as arbitrators, are in truth a jury of the first order. but in a dispute with a merchant, lawyers are exceptionable arbitrators. I speak as having been one myself and participating in the exception. all questions of general principle they invariably determine in the most favorable way for the merchant. e.g. whether interest shall be allowed? the mode of calculating it? whether commission shall be allowed? the sufficiency of evidence &c. &c. it is a prejudice they contract from being habitually employed to maintain these claims for merchants, & the bias produced on their minds, without being sensible of it, by their desire to court the business of the merchants. hence the English  603 

15 JUNE 1804

law, which is our law, on the allowance of interest is totally changed by practice in this country, & all in favor of the merchant. in the present case, if honest, sensible gentlemen of the country who have never been practising lawyers or merchants, can be selected for arbitrators, they would be preferable to a jury: but no other arbiter. but of this mr Eppes will judge for himself. the 12th. article of agreement, by declaring that all the monies paid should be to the credit of the bonds, & consequently no deduction for interest proves no commission was intended. the verbal agreement was explicitly that mr Hanson should have no commission. doubtful words in a written contract may always be explained by averment. the testimony of mr Skipwith, who is disinterested, will be decisive & indispensible. my affectionate compliments to mrs Thweat & the house of Eppington, & friendly salutations to yourself. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Thweat.” Archibald Thweatt (1772-1844), a Petersburg lawyer, married Lucy Eppes, the sister of John Wayles Eppes, in 1802, and the two later inherited Eppington, the Eppes plantation in Chesterfield County, as well as the family’s mill on the Appomattox River. Before shifting his attention to his rural holdings, Thweatt was nominated as a bankruptcy commissioner for Petersburg and was active in the city’s civic and economic affairs. Between 1813 and 1818, he represented Chesterfield for four terms in the Virginia House of Delegates (Martha W. McCartney, “A Documentary History of Eppington, Chesterfield County, Virginia” [unpublished typescript, 1994], 71-2, 83; Norfolk Ga­ zette and Publick Ledger, 1 July 1807; Savannah Republican, 12 May 1808;

Richmond Enquirer, 5 Oct. 1830; Leonard, General Assembly, 273, 277, 285, 289; rs, 2:85n; Vol. 37:510-11, 710). Thweatt’s favor, recorded in SJL as received from Petersburg on 14 June, has not been found. The enclosed papers were likely related to a suit brought in 1801 by Robert Gilliam, representative of the estate of Bathurst Skelton, against the executors of the Wayles estate. Because of TJ’s connection to the Skelton estate through the dower right of Martha Jefferson, who was Skelton’s widow, he was technically on both sides of the suit. Thweatt continued to represent the Wayles executors until the suit’s resolution, which was probably in 1813 (rs, 1:304-5; 2:464; 7:99; Vol. 35:320-1, 445-6). Richard hanson was the attorney of the principal creditor of the Wayles estate (Vol. 15:643).

From James W. Wallace Sir/ Fauqr. [before 16 June 1804] I send you an Indian Pipe found last summer in Kentucky with a petrified fish. the Fish should have accompanied the pipe but is unfortunately broken. with best wishes for your health and happiness. I am Sir respectfully &c James W. Wallace  604 

16 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); undated; at head of text: “Mr Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 June 1804 and so recorded in SJL. James Westwood Wallace (ca. 17691838), a member of the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, lived in Warrenton, Fauquier County, Virginia. TJ’s first notice of Wallace came in 1803, when the young doctor was recommended for a post in New Orleans. The above letter initiated a correspondence that lasted until the president’s death. John Quincy Adams, who knew the doctor in later years, wrote that he was “an eccentric per-

sonage” who could dominate a conversation and had an enthusiasm for snakes. Wallace’s experiments on the medicinal benefits of rattlesnake venom, using himself as subject, were reported in medical journals of the time (James Westwood Wallace, An Inaugural Physiological Dis­ sertation on the Catamenia: To Which Are Subjoined, Observations on Amenorrhea [Philadelphia, 1793]; Charles Francis Adams, ed., Memoirs of John Quincy Adams, Comprising Portions of His Diary from 1795 to 1848, 12 vols. [Philadelphia, 1874-77], 7:41-2; British Journal of Ho­ moeopathy, 163 [1883], 32; Daily Na­ tional Intelligencer, 5 Sep. 1838; Vol. 41:304-5; Vol. 42:452-3).

From Theodorus Bailey Dear sir, New York 16th: June 1804 I was honored with your letter under date of the 10th: instant, on thursday. and shall be very happy, if I can render you any service on this, or any other occasion. my acknowledgment of the receipt of your letter was defferred yesterday by reason of severe indisposition; and I am still so unwell as to be under the necessity of employing my son as my emanuensis; the same cause compelled me to make use of a confidential friend to execute your commission, though in my own name. The circumstances attending the batch of Champaigne wine to which you allude are these; it was shipped at Norfolk by a Mr. Meyer, consigned to Messrs. Isaac Moses & sons of this City as the property of Mr. Bréant and another Frenchman; the price at which it was last sold I could not precisely ascertain, but it was considerably under a dollar the bottle. my friend further informs me that he has seen the Cooper who within a few days past assorted it and put up the full and sound bottles in boxes; and there is about the quantity you wish to purchase. the present selling price is a dollar the bottle; but my agent who is now engaged in treating for the purchase is in hopes it may be had for eighty seven or ninety cents. From all the facts I have been able to collect respecting this wine, I have not a doubt but it is part of the batch shipped at Norfolk to which you refer me. I hope to have it in my power by the Mail of tomorrow, or monday at farthest, to give you the result of my negociation on this subject. With assurances of my high consideration and respect I am Your most obedt. Servt. Theodorus Bailey  605 

16 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, with signature and internal address by Bailey; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 June and so recorded in SJL.

 mr. meyer: probably Norfolk merchant Moses Myers, who was a friend of Thomas Newton (Vol. 34:537). another frenchman: probably Charles DeVille (Bailey to TJ, 5 July).

From James Belsches Sir Gloucester County Virga. June 16. 1804 You will excuse me (I trust) for troubling you with this address when you know the Cause. As your Friend and advocate for your uprightness, together with the duty I owe to my Country, I have been induced to write you on a subject, which probably may involve the Nation and yourself in some difficulty. There is now in the mouth of Severne River (a Harbour in the Bay) two armed vessels man’d chiefly with Blacks bound to the Island of St. Domingo laden’d, as I have been inform’d, with Gun powder & Military Stores, they carry 14 or 16 Guns and from 30 to 40 Men, And I have no hesitation in beleaving that they will if they have it in their power take any Slaves who may inlist with them; The Laws of the Country would I know punish them, but those Renegadoes put all law at defiance. I will not undertake to say whether their Conduct as to their trade is proper or not this I leave to your Superior Judgement to determine I only am apprehensive that we, situated near this Harbour may be Injured by those people carrying off our Slaves in a Clandestine manner. I have also been told that there are two Merchants in Norfolk carrying on the same trade to those Savages. It is my Idea that your enemies might implicate you & Calumniate your Character supposing you Sanctiond this Business. If this Information may be of Sirvice either to you as an Individual or my Country I shall be highly Gratified I am your Friend James Belsches RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 26 June. James Belsches (d. 1821) was the commissioner of wrecks for Gloucester and Mathews Counties (Shelton Thomas

Belsches, Sr., Shendy Tondy Betty: The Belsches Family, From Scotland to Vir­ ginia [Prince George, Va., 1991], 19; Norfolk American Beacon and Commercial Diary, 14 Mch. 1817).

 606 

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 16. 04. I inclose you the recommendations recieved when the Collectorship of Nanjemoy was formerly vacant. Brent’s connections place him on good ground but his politics & character merit enquiry. Jackson’s recommendations make him also worthy of enquiry. I wish Mason, D. C. Brent, Hanson & Kelty could give us his character instead of Genl. Mitchell’s who is only his recommender. will you avail yourself of opportunities of speaking with them? I will do the same. in the mean time I have written to Colo. Peyton. Affectionate salutations. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ with notation “Nanjemoy.” Enclosures not found. For recommendations received in 1802, see Vol. 37:579n. Letters recommending John Brent and William Jack-

son for the post awarded to Alexander Scott have not been found. instead of genl. mitchell’s: in 1801, when John Mitchell was seeking his own collectorship, he gave John Thomson Mason and Samuel Hanson as references (Vol. 33:231).

From Albert Gallatin [on or before 16 June 1804]

Deshon had complained to the Secry. of State. The only question which arises is whether Collectors should be permitted to hold themselves the office of notary public. In the large ports, a son or friend who is notary is allowed a room within the walls of the custom house, the collectors always paying for the rent of sd. house. Mr Madison had raised the doubt. It may be liable to some abuses, but is in many respects convenient. A. G. RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 16 June 1804 and “Hill. collector & Notary” and so recorded in SJL. In November 1803, the British impressed two crewmen off a ship commanded by Captain Daniel deshon. According to U.S. law, shipmasters were to report impressment at the first American port entered after an incident. Deshon did so at Biddeford, Maine, where, he complained, the collector of the port, Jeremiah

Hill, “Oblidged me to Protest before him,” then charged six dollars in notary pub­ lic fees. When Deshon questioned the charge and refused to pay, Hill sued him for recovery of the money. On 18 May 1804, Deshon wrote Madison asking his opinion. Madison responded that shipmasters, when reporting an impressment, did so at their own expense and to any notary they might prefer (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:477-8; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:229, 261).

 607 

From David Gelston Sir, New York June 16th. 1804 The charges paid on the importation by the Pyomingo, amount to thirty five dollars and fourteen cents,  memorandum enclosed— I have the honor to be, very respectfully—Sir your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 June and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

To Francis Peyton Dear Sir Washington June 16. 04. Mr. Scott, collector of Nanjemoy resigns that office, and the persons proposed as his successors are John Brent and Wm. Jackson both living near the place. the latter formerly lived in Alexandria, the former is brother to Robert Brent Mayor of this city. do you know either of them, and can you inform me of their politics and other qualifications for the office? it will be thankfully recieved. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (NjMoHP); addressed: “Colo. Francis Peyton Alexandria”; franked and postmarked; endorsed. PoC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ.

From Thomas Rodney Dear President Washington M. Territory June 16th. 1804. It is not for the sake of Troubling you or out of a propensity to digress from my own Tract of business that I resume my pen respecting Louisiana but because I am persuaded every information respecting that Country that may Tend to the general welfare will be Interesting To you. Yesterday I was informed by Mr. T. Calvit an Old Respectable Planter of this Territory—That it is believed That a Rock or Mine of Silver Ore has been lately discovered near the head of the Washataw River—That Some Samples of the ore were brought into the Territory by a Mr. Minor and Tried by a Mr. Alston who Told This, Mr. Calvit that out of a peice of the Ore about an inch Square he got the weight, of a quarter Dollar and five penny bit, of pure Silver—That as Mr. Foster & Mr. King and others being thus encouraged have  608 

16 JUNE 1804

gone To the Mine Expecting To return with a Boat Load of Ore, and That Several other Boats are now about going on the Same pursuits— Whether there be any Truth in this Story will soon be known on the return of those that are gone there—If it be True it is an Object that will certainly draw the Attention of Government—and there are so manny of the Hunters that Speak of Silver Ore being plenty in that Quarter, That it may perhaps be well for Government to pay some Early Attention to it, as I suppose those Native funds of Treasure would be considered public, not private, property, Since this has been the Custom of all the world. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect and regard your Most Obedient Thomas Rodney P.S. Mr. Gallatin informed me that Mr. Williams and Mr. Briggs were arrived in april at the seat of Government, but none of us here have received a line from Either of them Since they left Orleans— The Board however is Open every day proceeding in Taking Testimony. RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the U. States Washington City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL.

From Amos Stoddard Sir, St. Louis, June 16, 1804. In consequence of a request made me by captain Lewis, before he left this, I now do myself the honor of enclosing you a copy of a dissertation on the Lead Mines in Upper Louisiana, furnished me by Moses Austin, Esq. This gentleman owns an extensive mine, situated about thirty-eight miles back of St Genevieve, which he has worked for some years past; and from his education and experience, I conceive him to be better calculated to give correct information on the subject than any other man in this quarter. I am, sir, with sentiments of high respect, Your very humbe servant, Amos Stoddard, Captain and first civil commandant of Upper Louisiana. Printed as part of Document No. III in Message from the President of the United States to Both Houses of Congress. 8th No­ vember, 1804 (Washington, D.C., 1804); at foot of text: “The President of the United States.” Not recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Annual Message to Congress, 8  Nov. 1804. Enclosure: Memorandum

by Moses Austin, 13 Feb. 1804, on the “number, extent and situation of the Lead Mines in Upper Louisiana” west of Ste. Genevieve; Austin also reports that several additional discoveries have been made in the area, which he believes indicate the existence of “an inexhaustible quantity” of easily obtained lead mineral (printed

 609 

16 JUNE 1804 in same). Stoddard’s letter and Austin’s report were also published separately as A Summary Description of the Lead Mines in Upper Louisiana: Also, An Estimate of their Produce for Three Years Past (Washington, D.C., 1804). Amos Stoddard (1762-1813) was born in Connecticut and raised in Massachusetts. He served in the American Revolution and later practiced law in Maine before reentering the army as a captain in 1798. He represented both France and the United States at the transfer of upper

Louisiana from Spanish control in March 1804, and thereafter served as the region’s interim civil and military commandant. While stationed in the west, Stoddard diligently collected information regarding all aspects of Louisiana, publishing Sketches, Historical and Descriptive, of Louisiana in 1812 (dab; “Transfer of Upper Louisiana: Papers of Captain Amos Stoddard,” Glimpses of the Past, 2 [193435], 78-122; Vol. 42:55n, 491n, 570n; TJ to Dearborn, 29 June; Notes on Upper Louisiana, [before 14 July 1804]).

From Theodorus Bailey Dear Sir, New York 17 June, 1804. I wrote you by the Mail of yesterday, informing you, that I was in treaty for the purchase of the Champaigne Wine refered to in your letter of the 10th. instant—The friend I employed on the occasion, called on me last evening and advised me, that it could not be had at any price under a dollar the bottle—It seems this batch of wine has passed through the hands of Jews from Meyer of Norfolk to Moses of this City, and is now in the possession of Jews of another description, the needy refugees from St. Domingo—This species of Wine is not in such general use here as in the southern States—and there being but small quantities of it in our market it consequently will command a higher price than in the south; especially, as it is generally retailed in boxes of a few dozen bottles each—It is a matter of great mortification to me that I should fail in my first effort to be of use to you; but I beg you to be persuaded that my failure in this instance ought not to be attributed to the want of a sincere disposition to serve you. With assurances of high consideration and respect, I am your most obedt servant Theodorus Bailey Mr Fontaine a french Gentlemen of reputation here, and who is attached to the family of Mr Arcambal, informs me, he has drank some of the batch of Champaigne from Norfolk and thinks it is good but not of the first quality. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 21 June and so recorded in SJL.

 610 

To Henry Fry Dear Sir Washington June 17. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 9th. inst. and percieved in it those liberal sentiments I have ever believed you to entertain. the work of Dr. Priestly which I sent you has always been a favorite of mine. I consider the doctrines of Jesus as delivered by himself to contain the outlines of the sublimest system of morality that has ever been taught but I hold in the most profound detestation and execration the corruptions of it which have been invented by priestcraft and established by kingcraft constituting a conspiracy of church and state against the civil and religious liberties of mankind. at my request Dr. Priestly wrote a comparative view of the moral doctrines of Jesus and of the antient philosophers, which he finished just before his death. it is not yet printed, nor have I seen it. his history of the church I believe is now printed. I am sorry to learn that your health continues declining. I suppose it is from a continuation of the visceral complaint you mentioned to me. I then slightly stated to you what I will now do more fully. I was taken with such a complaint the beginning of 1801. it continued on me with more or less violence near two years. mentioning it to Dr. Eustis of Boston he told me there was but one remedy to be relied on, that which had been discovered by the great Sydenham, which was riding a trotting horse. I immediately recollected that every time I had gone home or returned, it had been cured for a time. I got Sydenham’s book, and observed the numerous instances he mentions of radical cure, when every thing else had failed, by putting his patients on a trotting horse & making them take long journies. I had not time to take journies, but I began to ride regularly 2. or 3. hours every day. it was some time before the effect was sensible, because it takes time to strengthen the bowels, but in about a year I was compleatly cured, & am now perfectly well. “go thou and do so likewise.” Accept my affectionate salutations & respect. Th: Jefferson P.S. you have time. take therefore a long journey at first. PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Henry Fry esq.”; endorsed by TJ. such a complaint: chronic diarrhea (Vol. 39:599-600). sydenham’s book: TJ owned editions in English and in the  original Latin of the works of the seventeenth-century English physician Thomas Sydenham, who advocated riding

on horseback or in a coach for difficult cases of “Bilious Cholick” (The Whole Works of That Excellent Practical Physi­ cian, Dr. Thomas Sydenham, 4th ed. [London, 1705], 145-6; Sowerby, Nos. 902 and 903). go thou and do so likewise: Luke 10:37.

 611 

From Robert Smith Dr Sir, Balt. June 17th: 1804 Your favor of the 15th. I have had the satisfaction of receiving. Before I had left Washington I made all the necessary arrangements for the constructing of the gun-boats. The forms of the letters of instructions have been prepared for the building at Charleston Savanna, Norfolk, Baltimore, Pittsburgh Philadelphia, New York & Boston. We only wait for the drawings which Mr Fox is preparing according to an approved model. It is proposed to make a beginning at the above-mentioned places. Until the drawings be prepared contracts cannot be concluded; neither can any previous arrangements of importance be made. Will not the Boat at Washington with the Revenue Cutters answer our purposes for the present at Savanna & Charleston The requisite preliminary measures have been taken for the building of the Brigs authorised by the Act of the last Session. I have seen and with no small degree of astonishment the piece in Coleman’s paper. The arbitrary dominion which these Oppositionwriters assume over facts publick & private may perhaps impose upon the Credulous of their own party; but beyond this small circle it can surely have no influence. We are to go on in our own course and in our own way, and if our Conduct shall require the approbation of the Republican part of our Country, we ought not to be disturbed for a moment by the observations of men whose regard or disregard is equally below our consideration. I am happy to find that Genl. Armstrong will accept the appointment to France. Be pleased to accept assurances of the high Esteem and very great respect with which I have the honor to be Your Ob. Servt Rt Smith RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 June and “Gun-boats. brigs.” and so recorded in SJL.

act of the last session: for the ships authorized by Congress, see TJ to the Senate and House of Representatives, 20 Mch.

 612 

To James W. Wallace Washington June 17. 04.

Th Jefferson returns his thanks to Doctr. Wallace for the Indian pipe he has been so kind as to send him, & which he recieved in safety. it is a handsome specimen of the Indian arts: and the stone of which it is made is also singular. he tenders him his salutations and assurances of esteem & respect. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

From Thomas Worthington Sir Chilicothe June 17th 1804 Mr Biggs receiver of publick Monies at Steubenville called on me since I last had the pleasure to write you He has by some means been informed of the complaints made against him and declares them unfounded says he has wrote to the Secy of the treasury on the subject you will no doubt have seen his letter before this reaches—I have always considered Mr Biggs as a good kind of man who gave himself very little concern about publick affairs and of course had but little information on political subjects He may however have acted a different part lately he says not and declares as far as he has been able to form an opinion for himself he approves decidedly the course you have pursued and is entirely disposed to support the present administration— I stated to him that I was fully convinced it was painful to you to be obliged to remove any person from office but that it was my opinion that the president of the U.S from the nature of his office was bound by duty to remove from office any officer under his controul who used the influence given him by his office to oppose the administration and that if I had been satisfied he had acted the part ascribed to him I would have done all in my power to promote his removal. He very candidly acknowledged that if the complaints were well founded he ought to be removed from office & that he should consider it highly dishonourable to hold an office under the administration and at the same time oppose it—I have been thus particular to enable you to judge whether it will or will not be proper to remove Mr Biggs—Let me add Mr Biggs is an influentiel man in his own county and so far as I have been able to learn is considered a worthy man If it should be considered best to remove him Mr Elijah Backus late receiver of publick monies at Marietta is an applicant for the office  613 

17 JUNE 1804

Mr Gallatin is I believe better acquainted with Mr Backus than I am—give me leave to refer you to him for information as to his qualifications to discharge the duties of the office If Mr Backus cannot be appointed to this office will you please consider him as an applicant for the office Receiver of publick monies at Kaskaskia—He is at present a member of the State Senate and (I have every reason to beleive) a decided supporter of the present order of things. In a former letter I took the liberty of recommending Mr George Hoffman of this place as a proper person to fill the office of Register of the land office at that place (Kaskaskia) his qualifications excellent morals and so far as I can determine strict integrity all combine in my opinion to fit him for the appointment. Feeling as I do & trust I always shall the deepest interest in whatever may concern you it was truly painful to me to be informed of the decease of your daughter but much respected sir you are not yet to be convinced that we are all to travel the same road and I have no doubt your mind is sufficiently stocked with that genuine philosopy which affords us support under the afflictions of this life but in the honest language of my heart I sincerely sympathize with you in your loss and that you may be as happy here as any mortal can be and entirely so hereafter is the sincere prayer of him Who has the honour to be your sincere friend T. Worthington RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 June and “Backus Elijah for office at Steubenville or Kaskaskia” and so recorded in SJL. last had the pleasure to write: Worthington to TJ, 26 Apr.

Worthington wrote to Gallatin, 12 June, with similar information regarding Zaccheus Biggs and Elijah Backus, adding only that Biggs had been informed of the complaints against him by “some friend” in Washington (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Backus Elijah to be Reciever Kaskas”).

From John Page Sir Richmond June 18th. 1804. By the advice of the Council the inclosed Confessions of Thomas Logwood, and a Communication from Thomas Moore, are submitted to your consideration. So much of Logwoods information as respects Abraham Collins and one of his accomplices, who is said to go by the name of Greenlee, but whose real name is Moore, was transmitted to the Governor of North Carolina; but as no deposition or Witness was sent with it he returned the Answer inclosed herein. And as Logwood was our informant and without a pardon could not be used for that purpose, and the Executive were not disposed to recommend him to  614 

18 JUNE 1804

mercy, and did not think it prudent to let it be known that he was their informant, no further notice has been taken of that letter—but the Governor will be furnished with the names of the persons mentioned in the Communication of Thomas Moore, as honest men who may be relied on if called on to search into the truth of some of Logwoods Charges. I am really sorry to trouble you with such voluminous communications but the Advice of the Council must be my Apology. I have the pleasure to inform you that a few days before I received your letter in reply to mine on the Subject of Logwood’s Confinement he was admitted into the Penitentiary by the Executive in Consequence of information received from the Chief Justice of the United States and the Marshal of the District that the Sentence of the Court could not be so well executed in the Jail of Richmond as in the Penitentiary. As yet no additional expence has been incurred by the State for Guards on his account. But the bold attempts lately made by the prisoners to effect their escape, and the uncommon number of Deserters from the public Guard, may soon render it necessary to make an addition to the Guard at the penitentiary. I am with the highest respect and esteem your obedient Servant John Page RC (DLC); dateline, salutation, and first paragraph in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 26 June and so recorded in SJL. FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook). Enclosure: James Turner to Page, Raleigh, North Carolina, 2 May, responding to Page’s letter of 28 Apr.; Turner promises “to procure testimony sufficient, to prosecute, to conviction, the offenders mentioned”; he suggests that the person who gave information to the Virginia executive be sent to North Carolina to testify against suspects there; Turner has consulted with the federal judge in North Carolina, who agrees that no charges can be brought without an affidavit; Abraham Collins, the chief suspect, is a “very notorious character in this State” but “has been artful enough to evade the vigilance of the law”; Turner again urges Page to send his informant, whose identity will be concealed (RC in Vi: Executive Papers). Other enclosures not found, but see below. The full confessions of thomas log­ wood have not been found, but among

Page’s papers were several statements offering clarification of Logwood’s testimony. One denied that an individual named thomas moore had been an accomplice but identified him as an important source of information and also referred to a connection between some counterfeit notes passed in Baltimore and associates living in Rutherford County, North Carolina. The statement offered descriptions of the associates, one of whom was named Joseph Moore. A separate statement offered information on some of the markings on plates and bills used by the counterfeiters (statements endorsed “T. Logwood’s Information given to Major Coleman for the Executive June 6th. 1804”; see also Edmund Randolph to Page, 7 June, all in same). your letter: TJ to Page, 8 June. In June, Alexander Quarrier, captain of the state public guard, advertised a $20 reward for the capture of two members who had deserted their posts (Richmond Virginia Argus, 9 June; Vol. 42:80).

 615 

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Baltimore June 18th. 1804. Making use of a Polygraph which is placed in the Room of my Sons Exhibition of the Skeleton of the Mammoth, that had one of the steel pens broke (a case which may often occur by philipping them against a table to free them of Ink) and a quill pen having been substituted, it appears to me an improvement. The advantages are, that from the quill which hold more, the ink flows more readily; the steel pen in the hand receiving the whole of your attention will not want Ink and the other cannot. The strength of the steel pen, is a safeguard to the quill, preventing its being split— two quills would be frequently split and give much trouble—two steel Pens may not always so well accord, & certainly by not retaining and yelding fluently the Ink too much divide your attention between the two letters. As soon as I get to Philada. I intend to have executed a quill-pencase with a moovable pin—and I shall try to avoid making the diameter of it less than the usual size, a disadvantage that must be avoided, as common quills of a smaller size are seldom good, I hope to be able to send you one before you leave Washington. None of the Ink-holders I want are to be had in this City. Accept my salutations and believe me your sincere friend C W Peale  N.B. This Letter is an instance of the above observation, for I have scarcely looked on the opposite side. RC (DLC); above postscript: “Thos. Jefferson Esqr. President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 June and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers).

From Francis Peyton Dear Sir, Alexandria 18th. June 1804. In reply to your note of the 16th. inst. I have to observe, that the gentlemen you mention, are both known to me, with Mr Brent I have been intimately acquainted for many years, he possesses an amiable disposition, is a good accountant and a republican, Mr Jackson was formerly concerned in trade in this place, from my present recollection of him, his claims to the office you mention, appear to me by no means equal to those of his competitor  616 

19 JUNE 1804

 I am Dear Sir with great respect Yr. Obt. Servt. Francis Peyton RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 19 June and “Brent John Jackson } Collector Nanjemoy v. Scott” and so recorded in SJL.

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin. June 19. 04. I inclose you Colo. Peyton’s opinion on the two candidates for Nanjemoy. Genl. Mason says Brent is one of the most worthy & amiable men in the world. he is afraid he is a little indolent.   I return the papers in Hill’s case. at present there seems a convenience in permitting an union of the offices of Collector & Notary. should it produce abuse it will then be time enough to separate them. Affectionate salutations. RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of the Treasury.” Notation in SJL: “Nanjemoy. Hill.” PoC (DLC); on sheet that bears text in an unidentified hand: “Monsieur le Président des Etats Unis, je Suis fort reconnaissant” (that is, “Mister President of the United States, I am very grateful”),

evidently a trial of the polygraph (see TJ to Gibson & Jefferson, 20 June); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: Francis Peyton to TJ, 18 June. return the papers: see Gallatin to TJ, 16 June.

From James Wilkinson [on or before 19 June 1804]

about 130 Leagues above the Cado nation & 230 from Natchitoches, we have discovered on either side the Red River, Cliffs of rock Salt— we also find several salt springs above this point & one below it, which discharge themselves into the River, & actually give a brackish taste to its Waters, as low down as the settlement of Natchitoches, during the recess of the floods, or rather before their autumnal elevation— I have this information from several unconnected sources which merit confidence, & it has my implicit beleif. Ja: Wilkinson RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 19 June 1804.

 617 

To Benjamin Smith Barton Washington June 20. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his friendly salutations to Dr. Barton & has this day put on board Capt Ellwood’s schooner bound for Philadelphia a small paper packet addressed to him, containing a copy of mr Volney’s Tableau des E.U. for Dr. Barton, & 2. others for Mr. John Mifflin and the late mr Bordley. Th:J. asks the favor of Dr. Barton to have these last delivered. they were recieved, with many other copies, from mr Volney, with a request to have them delivered according to their address. RC (PHi); addressed: “Doctr. Benjamin S. Barton Philadelphia”; franked and postmarked. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ in ink on verso.

John Beale bordley had died on 26 Jan. 1804 (Poulson’s American Daily Ad­ vertiser, 30 Jan.).

From Joseph Bloomfield Sir, Trenton, New Jersey, June 20th. 1804. The friends of Dr. Oliver H Spencer a native of this state (and of the most respectable connections) now and for some time past residing at New-Orleans, have solicited me to recommend him, for the place about to be vacated, by the resignation of Dr. Carmichael; that of Surgeon and Physician of the Troops and Hospital in the city of New-Orleans. Doctr. Spencer’s talents, as a Professional man are represented to be very eminent, his standing and practice as a Physician very respectable and his private character, most amiable and meritorious. General Wilkinson, in particular, lately on his way to Washington, mentioned Dr. Spencer to me, in terms of the highest approbation, and will give satisfactory information concerning him. It is impossible for me to add to the respect & esteem, with which, I am most truly, Your obedient Servt. Joseph Bloomfield. RC (DNA: RG 107, LRUS); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ “Spence Dr. to be Surgn. & Physician N.O.”; endorsed by a clerk; recorded in SJL as received 25 June.

 618 

To Richard Cutts Dear Sir Washington June 20. 04. I have in my house at Monticello a skylight which I would wish to cover with a single sheet of glass. this must be of 4. feet diameter at the least, but would be still better at 5 feet 6. Inches. I do not know that such a sheet can be cast at all, but if it can, it is only to be had at a glass house on being specially bespoke. I understand there is a glass house at Boston or in it’s vicinity, & having little acquaintance there I have taken the liberty of troubling you, in the hope you would be so kind as to undertake this little commission for me, by ordering two such plates, if they can cast them. the packing should be most particular, and I would avoid in that no expence which bore any proportion to the object: to be forwarded when packed to me to the care of Gibson & Jefferson, Richmond, who will pay freight &c. & forward them to Monticello. the cost of the sheets, packing &c shall be remitted to you by return of the post which brings me information. I do not know whether the plate can be cast without the bull’s eye as well as with. if it can, it would be preferable. the thicker the sheet the stronger, but I believe the more liable also to be broken by frost: but of this the glassmen are the best judges. Mr. and mrs Madison were well yesterday. be so good as to present my respectful compliments to mrs Cutts and to accept yourself my salutations & assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (ICHi); at foot of text: “The honble Mr. Cutts.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

From Joseph Donath Your Excellency Philadelphia 20 June 1804 As I had no glass of the quality and size wanted, nor could procure any in this city, which I could warrant but expecting dayly a parcel, tho’ not of my own importation, I deferred answering Your Excellency’s kind letter of the 11 Inst. Having now received the same, I have the mortification to observe that I find but one box 12 by 15 containing 90 panes, that may answer on a pinch, but as it is not of the thickness requisite for Skylights, to bear the brunt of hail, I do not think myself authorized to forward it without further orders. I am most respectfully Your Excellency’s most Hble servt Jos. Donath  619 

20 JUNE 1804  RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 23 June and so recorded in SJL. thickness requisite for sky­ lights: in 1796, TJ advised Donath that glass purchased for Monticello needed to

be 1½ inches thick to withstand high winds. Even that precaution did not prevent two skylights from being destroyed in an 1801 hailstorm (Vol. 29:212-3; Vol. 34:390).

To David Gelston Washington June 20. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to mr Gelston. he recieved last night his letter inclosing a statement of the disbursements for the books and wines by the Piamingo at 35 D. 14 c which he now incloses him in a post note of the Branch bank of the US. here on that at N. York with many thanks for the trouble he has taken with these articles. PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

his letter: David Gelston to TJ, 16 June.

To Gibson & Jefferson Dear Sir Washington June 20. 04. Your favor announcing the sale of my tobo. @ 40/ is recieved & the sale approved. I inclose you a bill of lading of some groceries sent from this place for Monticello, and below a statement of sundry articles from Alexandria & Philadelphia, for which I have not bills of lading: they are all to be forwarded to Monticello by Craven’s or Higginbotham’s boats. Accept my affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson from Georgetown 5 boxes & barrels as per inclosed bill of lading. by Schooner Sally. Smith Alexandria. 10. barrels of Herring. 1. gross porter 1. cask. syrop of punch Philadelphia. 2. tons nail rod. Schooner Jane. Pearson. 4. kegs white lead ⎬⎫ lately forwarded. 1. barrel linseed oil ⎭ some other packages will be sent from George town in some days, not being yet ready. PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson”; on sheet that, re-

versed, bears text in an unidentified hand: “Monsieur le Président des Etats Unis, je

 620 

20 JUNE 1804 Suis fort reconnaissant,” an exact match of extraneous text on PoC of TJ to Gallatin, 19 June; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found. your favor: George Jefferson to TJ, 4 June. sale of my tobo.: TJ here referred to 14 hogsheads of tobacco raised

by his tenant John H. Craven and purchased from him for 39 shillings the hundredweight. Deducting one hogshead reserved for Craven exclusively, TJ recorded a profit for himself of nine and a half pounds (mb, 2:1124; TJ to Jefferson, 8 May; Jefferson to TJ, 18 May).

From John Innes Sir City of Washington June 20th 1804 I, Take the liberty of writting you this, wishing to inform you, that I have it in contemplation to begin the Cotton Manufactoring business in this city.—I have Carried on this Business near New Haven Connecticut for eight years.—But the cituation which I had there was very Scarce of water in dry seasons and being in aremote part of the Country made it bad for hireing and acomidating work people, these things I have found a great dissadvantage in my Business Also Business in that part of the country is got very dull.—And I have resolved to move my Machinery to some other part And I think the cituation of this place is equal to any that Can be found.—There is a fine Seat for that Business on rock creek, a little above the upper Bridge that leads to Georgetown.—Should this Business meet the approbation of you and the Gentlemen of this City.—And think it proper to grant a lottery or Superscription.—to asist me in going on, I could have the work in full opperation in the Space of three months from this.—so that I could make about one hundred yds. of Cloath pr. day—and I find that goods such as I make Sells much higher here than in the northeren States.—I Begun my business without any capetel and what I have made.—I Chiefly laid out in Machinery and Buildings.—If it is not thought proper to give me any asistance And any Gentlemen in this place wishes to comence that Business, I will sell them the machinery and carry on the work for them at moderate wedges.—I have been in that Business for eighteen years and flatter my self that I understand it in all its various branches.—If required I Can have letters from the first Caracters in N Haven to certify my abilitys character and industry. If this should want time to meditate on.—Please to let me know when to call for an answer—otherwise I should be glade to know the result at present.—Please to excuse my simple adresses and the liberty I have taken Your most obt. Servt. John Innes  621 

20 JUNE 1804  RC (DLC); smudged; at head of text: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 June and so recorded in SJL. John Innes owned the Milford Cotton Factory in Milford, Connecticut. His business partnership with Elias Gilbert dis-

solved in 1802, and in July 1804, Gilbert gave public notice that he was not responsible for “the many debts” associated with the late firm of Innes & Gilbert (New Haven Connecticut Journal, 29 Jan. 1801; New York Gazette, 7 Aug. 1804).

From Lafayette My dear friend Paris 2d Messid. 20h. June 1804 I am Happy in the Opportunity to present to You Mr David Parish a Worthy Member of the Respectable family to Whom I am Attached By intimate ties of Gratitude and Affection. His father, Mr John Parish was Consul of the United States in Hamburgh When My Wife and Daughters Arrived there on their Way to Olmutz. in Him they found Hearty Welcome, friendly Advices, Generous Support—nor did ever cease, during and After our Captivity, His Heart and His purse to Be Oppened to Us—His professed friendship, in Assuming the Character of our Banker, while it Could not Much please our Mighty Geolers, Made Him the only Official and a Necessary Channel of Communication Betwen our prison and the rest of the World— So that His Successive Disinterested Advances to the Amount of Nine Thousand Dollars are Not the Greatest of our Obligations to Him and His Excellent family Now my friend David Parish, Who Has Settled at Antwerp and Became a Citizen of france, is going to Visit the United States—You Will feel for me in the Eagerness I Have to introduce Him More particularly to Your kind Attention—and When He is personally known I am Sure You Will observe that My peculiar Affection to Him is Not the Mere Impulse of Gratitude. I Have the Honor to Offer You, With all My Heart, the Expression of My Affectionate Respect. Lafayette RC (DLC); perhaps misdated, as 2 Messidor was 21 June; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Apr. 1806 and “by mr Parish” and so recorded in SJL. visit the united states: in 1804, David Parish became the head of the American operations of a syndicate formed between Hope & Co. and Baring, Francis, & Co., in order to facilitate the transport of Spanish bullion from Veracruz to the French treasury. Parish arrived in

the United States in January 1806 (Vincent Nolte, Fifty Years in Both Hemi­ spheres: or, Reminiscences of the Life of a  Former Merchant [New York, 1854], 80-2; Philip G. Walters and Raymond Walters, Jr., “The American Career of David Parish,” Journal of Economic His­ tory, 4 [1944], 149-66; Adrian J. Pearce, “The Hope-Barings Contract: Finance and Trade between Europe and the Americas, 1805-1808,” English Historical Review, 124 [2009], 1324-52).

 622 

From Levi Lincoln Sir Washington June 20—1804. In the hasty consideration, which I have been able to give to the verbal communication which I had the honor to receive from you, my first impressions in favor of making a request on the Executive of Virginia have been confirmed. By the Sec. 2. Art 4 of the Const. “The citizens of each state shall be entitled to all the priviledges & immunities of citizens in the several states.”—And if a person charged in any state with treason, felony, or other crime, shall flee from justice, and be found in another State,1 shall, on demand of the Executive authority of the state from which he fled, be delivered up, to be removed to the state having jurisdiction of the crime.” May not the first paragraph of this Sec; be considered as securing to that portion of the citizens of the United States, within the territory over which Congress exercises exclusive jurisdiction all those personal priviledges which are consistent with the local rights of Congress—Previous to the assumption of the exclusive jurisdiction of Columbia by Congress, its citizens having been injured by the crime of any person, had a constitutional right, aided by the cheif majestrate of the place, to demand of the Executive of another State the injurious criminal who had fled there. The exclusive jurisdiction assumed by Congress is local, confined to the district, abridging only the citizen priviledge residing within it, and consistently with his having the benefit of the abovementioned priviledge when out of it— If then, he can consistently with this Exclusive jurisdiction of the Genl. Govt. continue to enjoy his former priviledge in common with the other citizens of the US., it ought not to be considered as taken from him. Could Congress, so assume exclusive jurisdiction, by a law, as to deprive “the citizens of the assumed territory of the benefit which the constitution had previously secured to them, of enjoying priviledges similar to the citizens of the several states—unless the assumption, in its nature, should be considered as inconsistent with such enjoyment?—For instance, could Congress take from a citizen of the district, the right of prosecuting, or being prosecuted, in criminal or civil actions, but within the district? The application to a cheif majestrate of a state or territory, is a mode of prosecution, in particular cases, secured by the Const: & provided for by law. If this is correct, it results of course, that the cheif Majestrate of this district, may aid in this prosecution. The act of Feby 12. 1793. Cap. 7. Sec 1. & 2. cannot be considered as abridging the provisions of the Constitution. If its construction is  623 

20 JUNE 1804

confined to the territories north west, or South of the river Ohio, & to the several states strictly according to its letter; yet as it is affirmative, it leaves the constitutional provisions, in reference to all other places, as they were, before it passed, and as they would have been, in respect to the several states, had it never passed—But this district, being so fully within the reason & spirit of this law, touching the present enquiry, I am inclined to think, it ought to be considered, quasi a State, in its meaning— Admitting there should be some doubts or difficulties on strict legal principles of construction, yet I think there can be none, in practice— A felony, or a very atrocious crime has been committed, the offender is known, his offence is substantiated, he has been advertised, for an offence against the laws of the US. under such circumstances a private person may seise him, detain him, & bring him to justice, in a reasonable manner—They who took him & brought him to his place of trial would do it at their peril. If he should be convicted; they would be justified, if not responsible for their presumption— Indeed I can see no objection in any view of the subject, (the injured party making a complaint on oath, charging the offender particularly with the crime which he has committed) In the Supreme Executive of the District requesting the executive Authority of Virginia to deliver up the culprit, to be removed here for trial—Asking indulgence for forwarding this first hurried draught from the want of time to copy—I have the honor to be most respectfully your most obt Sevt Levi Lincoln RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 June and so recorded in SJL. verbal communication: TJ and Lincoln had evidently discussed the case of Jacob Ray and Philip Williams, who passed counterfeit notes of the Bank of the United States before absconding from the federal district. An injured party tracked them to Fredericksburg and had them committed to the jail there on 14 June. They were reported to be carrying

$600 in forged notes of the branch banks of Charleston, New York, and Baltimore (New­York Commercial Advertiser, 26 June; TJ to the President of the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington, 21 June). For the act “respecting fugitives from justice, and persons escaping from the service of their masters,” see U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:302-5. 1 Preceding

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six words repeated in MS.

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington June 20. 04. I inclose you two essays of mr Burwell at my profile. I also inclose you the receipt of Capt Ellwood for your Polygraph. he sails this day. besides that the small round inkpot of 1¾ I. diam. or square one of 1½ I. and only 1. I. deep, necessary for perfecting your machine, you will find it necessary to throw away the common stopper which rises ½ I. above the top of the pot, and to substitute a cork with a thin plate of brass and ring on the top, lying level with that. thus the ring falling down on the top of the cork. you will perceive that the steel pen with which I write this, sheds it’s ink too fast. how shall I repair it, when it gets out of order? should you find the small black ink pots above described, or glass ones, I should be glad of a set for this polygraph by any safe opportunity. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (TxU); at foot of text: “C. W. Peale esq.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclosures not found. In a letter of 23 June to his sons Rembrandt and Raphaelle, Peale described the two efforts at TJ’s profile as “so

miserably done” that he felt compelled to send them also one made from Houdon’s bust (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:720). In his financial memoranda, TJ recorded paying $50 to Peale in June for his polygraph (mb, 2:1128).

To Theodorus Bailey Dear Sir Washington June 21. 04. Your favor of the 17th. is this moment come to hand, having been so long retarded by the effects of the great rains on the roads. altho’ the Champaigne on which I have troubled you is not of the first quality, and is dearer than it would cost to import it, yet considering the blockade of the French ports, the delays, uncertainties & trouble of importation I have concluded on the whole rather to give a dollar a bottle for it. I therefore inclose a post note of the Branch bank of the US. at Washington on that at New York for four hundred dollars, and will ask the favor of you to take that number of bottles for me, and to have them forwarded by the first vessel bound to Alexandria or George town. tho’ such vessels do not come often, yet they come sometimes, and I am not in a hurry to recieve the wine, provided it is in a very good cellar in New York. I am very thankful for your kindness in this business. the expanded wants of my position oblige me to be more extensively troublesome  625 

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than I could wish. I pray you to accept my salutations & assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Theodorus Bailey esq.”; endorsed by TJ.

To the President of the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington Sir Washington June 21. 04. I now send you a letter to the Governor of Virginia, sealed, and covering the affidavits with which I was furnished, demanding the delivery of the fugitives from justice therein named. Also an open certificate that such demand has been made, which I presume will be a sufficient ground to justify their detention by the person in whose custody they are, or their recommitment by the justice of the country. Lastly an authority to the person who will be the bearer of it to recieve the fugitives and remove them into this district before a proper magistrate. you will be pleased to fill up the blank in the direction of this paper with the name of the person whom you trust with the reciept and removal of the prisoners. Accept my salutations and assurances of respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the branch Bank of the US. in Washington”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to John Page, 21 June.

e n c l o s u r e s

I Demand for the Delivery of Two Fugitives United States. District of Columbia. to wit. Philip Williams & Jacob Ray charged with having committed a felony within the said district, having fled from justice, and being found and arrested as is said in the State of Virginia, I have according to the constitution of the US. and to the laws in such cases provided, on behalf of the said district, demanded in due form, from the Executive authority of the said state that the sd Philip and Jacob be delivered up, to be removed to the said district and proceeded against according to law: of which demand notice is hereby given to all persons having custody of the said fugitives, or having authority in the premisses, in order that they may be detained in custody until the orders of the Executive of Virginia shall be recieved, for the obtaining of which

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21 JUNE 1804 measures are now pursuing with due diligence. Certified under my hand at the city of Washington in the district aforesaid this 21st. day of June 1804 Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC: TJ Papers, 141:24490).

II Authorization to Take Fugitives into Custody To You are hereby authorised to proceed to the state of Virginia, and there to recieve1 Philip Williams & Jacob Ray charged with having committed a felony in the district of Columbia, and them the said Philip & Jacob to remove into the said district there to be delivered to the proper officer to be proceeded against according to law. Given under my hand at the city of Washington in the said district this 21st. day of June 1804. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC: TJ Papers, 141:24488); TJ left blanks that he subsequently filled with the fugitives’ names.

1

TJ here canceled “a certain.”

To John Page Sir Washington June 21. 1804. It appearing that Philip Williams & Jacob Ray charged with having committed a felony within the district of Columbia, have fled from justice, and have been found and arrested in the state of Virginia, it has become my duty on behalf of the said district to demand that the said Philip & Jacob be delivered up in order that they may be removed to the said district to be proceeded against according to law; which demand is hereby accordingly made, the necessary affidavits inclosed, and a person duly authorised to attend and recieve the said fugitives on the order of your Excellency, to whom I tender assurances of my high consideration and respect. Th: Jefferson RC (Bruce Gimelson Catalogue, Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, February 1971, Lot 167); at foot of text: “H.E. the Governor of Virginia.” PoC (DLC); names added separately in blanks on PoC

and RC. Enclosures not found. Enclosed in TJ to the President of the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington, 21 June.

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From Christiana de Hanstein Sir! Unterstein in Eichsfeld near Gottingue Jun 22th 1804. My repeated letter, I have the honour to offer You, is occasionned by the request, if there is still a member of the family of John Anderson to New-York. I am obliged to You, if Ye let know me, as soon as possible, the fate of that family, what seems to be dead, because I have had many a year since no answer to my letters. If Mr. Anderson, his wife, who is my sister, or their childern are dead, then I am the only heiress of their fortune, and therefore I wish to know it; if they live, I pray You, to give them these few lines. And then I intreat You too, You may have the bounty, of sending my an attest, that my father Wilkinson in that pernicious American war has lost all his fortune, consisting of 8000 pounds, a circumstance, which will be known You as good, as hundred others. For these services I would be thankful all my life, and hoping soon an answer I am respectful Sir’s obedient servant RC (MHi); unsigned; in same hand as Charles Philip, Baron de Hanstein, to TJ, 6 Feb. 1804; endorsed by TJ as received from Christiana von Hanstein on 23 Oct. 1804 and so recorded in SJL. Scottish native and New York merchant john anderson married Christiana de Hanstein’s sister, Mary Wilkinson, in

New York in 1780. He died in September 1798 (New­York Gazette, 13 Sep. 1798; New York Commercial Advertiser, 18 Sep. 1798; Edmund B. O’Callaghan, Names of Persons for Whom Marriage Licenses Were Issued by the Secretary of the Province of New York Previous to 1784 [Albany, N.Y., 1860], 7).

From William Keteltas Dr Sir. New York 22d June 1804 I hope Youl. Excuse the freedom I take of Submitting my present Situation and the Causes which have led to it to the presidents Consideration. At the Commencement of the American Revolution, My Father took an Early and lively Interest in defence of the Colonial Rights Which he Concieved Violated by the Brittish Goverment, He was the first patriot in this State who Openly Advanced an Opinion on this Important and Momentious subject. At which period he possessed an Independant fortune, having A family of ten Children Generally helpless Whose fate was involved in the General Contest by the part he took in defence of his Country, He was A Chairman of the first Committee Which Met on long Island for Choosing Delegates to Congress—Was A Member of the Provincial Congress of this State, and Continued with it till the Island and City of New York was taken  628 

22 JUNE 1804

possession by the Brittish Army, All his Estate fell into their hands, Who held possession of the same during the Whole War, having nothing to support A Numerous helpless Family, but what was Obtained by the Precarious And Scanty support procured by his profession as A Clergyman—During the Gloomy period of A seven Years perilous War, his family drank deeply of the Bitter Cup of Affliction, Experiencing Nakedness hunger and Every Other distress (Except death) Incident to A War Carried on with More than Ordinary Violence and ferocity, A situation he bore with fortitude from the Consolatory Reflection that his Losses and sufferings, would be Renumerated in laying the foundation and perpetuating the freedom and political happiness of his Country, and perhaps of Mankind in General to the latest Ages—From the Open and decided part he took Against the Brittish Goverment, his Estate While in possession of the Army from this Circumstance, became A perfect Wreck, for which he Never Received from his Country the least Allowance for his losses, Not even the Expences he was at from his private purse, When Attending as A Member of the provincial Congress, The Goverment of the State having No Resources at the Commencement of the War to pay its servants, What Rendered his sacrifice Complete, by an Article of the Constitution of this State, the Clergy being rendered Ineligible to hold any place of Trust or profit Could Not, Nor Ever did Recieve in this Way or any Other the least Aid from the Goverment he had Sacrificed every thing to Establish, Which ingratitude Was Absorbed in the pleasing Consideration, that the Result of his Sacrifices was the freedom and Independance of his country the Object of his wishes and Efforts, and the Enlivening hope that his Children would Share in Common with Others at least the Enimies of the Country, A portion of that freedom and its Anticipated happy Effects, (suffices it to say) My Father was an Enthusiast in the Cause of Liberty Which passion decended to his son, Regardless of Interest or the fate of My family, I Opposed the Attempts of the federal Goverment to Abridge if Not distroy the Liberty of the people, as appeared to Me, from the Manner in Which the federal Administration was Conducted, till the Goverment was wisely and properly placed in the hands of the Republican party, at the head of Which No person More deservedly Received their Confidence to fill the Office of president of the United States than Yourself, And that of Vice president than Mr Burr, from Whose United wisdom and tried patriotizm Not A doubt Remained in my Mind of Experienceing a fair trial of the denied practicability by the Enemies of A democratic Representative System of Goverment upon pure Republican principals, During my Opposition to the  629 

22 JUNE 1804

federal party in Contributing my Might to produce this Change, I was imprisoned by the Goverment of this State then in federal hands, And Myself and family Ruined During the long period Govr. Clinton held the Administration of this State I Never Applied for An Office though Stood in Need of publick patronage, Every prospect being Cut Of by the War, being so Much of an Enthusiast as to believe that tried patriots Would be Sought After, both from Gratitude and sound policy before places of trust would be Given to the Enimies of Our Country in Open Arms Against her in her Revolutionary Struggle to Obtain her Liberty, but Alass it was A Modesty and Refinement upon political integrity Uncongenial with the Rapid Corruption which preceeded A Glorious Revolution, I saw those Who were in Open Arms Against their Country placed in power under the Administration of Mr Clinton to the Exclusion of the War Worn Veteran, And this Excess Still Carried further Under the Administration of the federal party when in power, which deviations from first principals and Old and tried friends, have Alternately produced Changes and divisions Among the people, till the Great and All important Change took place, which placed the power in Your hands, and the hands of those Whose Views I fear are less pure than Yours, from A late and Unprecedented Conduct in particular towards myself And A Mr Paulding Whose Republicanizm has never been doubted, under Any Circumstances of A political Nature whatever, Which Conduct I have No hestitation in saying, Speakes an Other Language than Your Administration—I Repeat to You Sir, What I have Repeated to these people And to Mr Burr in particular, had the Question turned on my Individual Vote, or was that the Case at this Moment, Between Yourself and Mr Burr I Should have Given It in Your favour for the presidential Chair, My Opinion is Now, what it was when You Was Opposed to Mr Adams, that You Ought to suceed, that You should hold the Goverment for Eight Years, After Which Made No doubt as A Republican, You would Voluntarily decline A Reelection, A period as A Republican I should Not wish fixed as A Standard for the Office of president, But from the deranged State Republicanizm was placed in by the Errors of the federal Administration, the Unmeritted And Unwarantable Abuse heaped upon You Individually, by the friends of that Administration, Endeavouring to Impress the people with an Idea of Your Enemity to the Constitution, and Goverment of the United States, that You would distroy both if Intrusted with the Administration of the Goverment The period of Eight Years would Not be More than sufficient time to Afford You an Opportunity, to prove to the Contrary, and set the Affairs of State to Rights, Equal to my  630 

22 JUNE 1804

Most Sanguin Expectations, I have No Reserve in saying Your Administration thus far, has happily Refuted the predictions of Your Enemies, And Anything Which directly or indirectly tended to interrupt its Course for eight Years, I thought prejudical for the Reasons assigned, to the Welfare of the people Constitution and Goverment of the United States, And that More Especially A division Among the Republican party, would be Striking A fatal blow at All three and the best Interest and Liberties of the people From New desentions and thus Evil Effects I Concieved Sooner or later the Liberty Of America would find the same Common Grave The Ancient Republicks Experienced from the same fatal Causes, As More Recently has been the Unhappy Lot of the French people, after Manfully Riding themselves of A Monarchical Despotizm disgracefully Submitted to1 A Consular and Military one—From those Considerations, and Not being Convinced of Mr. Burrs being the Base Man from the proof offered to the publick, to place him in this light before the World in General, and the Republican party in particular, the Intemperate Indiscrete and Indecent Manner of Attack upon him as the Second Officer in the Union, and from Circumstances which fell within My Own Knowledge, Which led me to suspect the purity of the Motives of some Men Not Necessary at present to detail, I Endeavoured to Effect A Cool and dispassionate Investigation of the Affair Amoung the Republican party. For this I have with A Mr Paulding of Similar Sentiment, been proscribed as A Burrite, and turned out of the little office I held the Only support of My family, And to Aggrivate the Case by A person lately appointed to Office & lately a half pay Brittish Officer, Whoses Whole Connection were Enemies of their Country during her Arduous Struggle for freedom If for An Exercise of the freedom of Opinion on this Case, Republicans as they Call themselves, pursue each Other with such Relentless Cruelty Tyranny and persecution, I ask what hope is left to long Expect the bond of Union to Last, and the Liberties of the people to Remain When thus Ruined with A family After the disinterested Sacrifices Made by A Father to Obtain, and Myself to support the freedom and Independance of Our Country— Such Oppression as this Can Only be Equalled under the Worst of Despotizms, And Unworthy the head of a Civilized State My Unshaken Confidence in Your patriotizm And Entire Approbation of Your Administration from its Commencement to this Moment, My determination to Give it My warmest support Upon the Grounds Stated, Induces Me together with the Ruined State of My Family to look up to the head of that Administration for protection Against the Wrongs done me if Not from Wicked Motives Certainly from a  631 

22 JUNE 1804

Misguided policy in some persons, which has and is dividing the best of Republicans—Having long had A desire of Moving to Washington I Wish An Appointment under the General Govt in that City, that will Afford A support for Myself and family, or in this State should A Vacancy happen, The president will Confer A favour to inform Me as Early as Convenient What Reliance After this Candid Statement I Can place in his friendship and patriotizm for My Relief and family— I Remain with Sentiments of Esteem the Presidents Sincere friend— Wm Keteltas RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 June and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “for office at Washn. or N.Y.” William paulding, Jr., was not reappointed as a judge to New York’s Ten

Pound Court in March 1804. Keteltas was also turned out of the little office he held as a clerk in an inferior New York court (Vol. 35:518; New York Morning Chronicle, 31 Mch. 1804). 1 Preceding three words interlined in place of “in Exchange for.”

From “An American Citizen” Sir [23 June 1804] This letter is written to your Excellency by a person whom you have never Known, nor probably never heard of, upon an object of high importance & most sacred trust. What can be the reason of a communication of this nature between a simple citizen and a man of your Excy’s reputation & station in life, is his perfect confidence in your secrecy, his profound respect for your virtues, & the consciousness that he is doing his duty. Before I proceed to reveal to your Excy a secret which has been a long time lying on my heart, & the disclosing of which will be deemed worth your particular attention, I must, in Justice to myself & for your own satisfaction, say that my character is such as entitles me to your most entire belief, & that if you wish to Know my name (which I have at present omitted for fear that my letter should miscarry) you may enquire from our present Governor for the person who has given him some slight hint of this information. So long as I have been a stranger to the United States, I have Kept within my bosom the transaction which I am about to relate, but now, Sir, that I am for ever a citizen of that happy republick, my honour tells me that I must fulfill this sacred duty: hear then, Sir, & Shudder!  632 

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 A man in a high station, a man in whose hands part of the interests of his country have been placed, betrayed, & I am afraid, still betrays the confidence of his government. How I came to discover this fatal truth, I now will explain. I lived in a post on the Mississipi in the year 1796 or 1797 while a boat came up the river, bound to Cincinnati & sent by the Spanish Government. In this boat was one M. Thomas Power who brought confidential letters from the Governor to the commandant of the post my most particular friend. My intimacy with the commandt. led me into the secret of that mission, & still binds me to keep it, except with your Excy to whom my conscience bids me to open it. T. Power brought a considerable sum of money intended for the man whom I point out; and as it was not prudent to carry it up the Ohio in that open manner, I did myself sell to the commandant as many barrels of sugar & coffee as were necessary to pack it in, & my wife did with her own hands sew a number of bags for the purpose of dividing the weight of the money. That sum was transported to Cincinnaty, concealed in those barrels, & I have been told afterwards that it had come safe to hand. This money, I understood, was intended as a bribe to induce the person, of whom I am speaking, to use all his influence, (which was supposed to be great) for the purpose of persuading the inhabitants of Kentucky to separate themselves from the union, and accept the protection of the King of Spain. This was confirmed to me, since I am here, by a friend of mine, who has been several years employed in the secretary’s office of the former government of this country. He told me that a regular correspondence was carried on between the Spanish Governor & the person in question; but as this correspondence was in cypher, though he copied many a letter & well Knew the object of them, he never had any absolute Knowledge of what they contained. The intention of this communication therefore is not to enter an accusation agst. that person; for matters of this dangerous importance are conducted with such caution, that in spite of the full conviction which I & many others have of the reality of the fact, still it would be impossible, I am afraid, to establish any proof of it; & the consequence would be the ruin of the informers, without any advantage to the community. The object of this private confidential advice is to guard you against the trust which you may have placed in so undeserving a character, & against any future treachery from him; for I have been informed, a few days ago, that when he came lately to this place he was in narrow circumstances, & that he went away with about twenty thousand dollars, part of which he had converted in sugar, for which he paid to a merchant of my acquaintance ten thousand dollars  633 

23 JUNE 1804

cash, in new-milled dollars, apparently untouched. This circumstance having awakened my former suspicions, I thought I could no longer refrain from disclosing to you this awful secret, which I deposit in your bosom as in a sanctuary, where it will be ever burried. I am with great respect for your virtues & talents Sir Your Excy’s most obedt. Servt. An American Citizen P.S. Perhaps it is proper to tell you, that the person alluded to is a perfect stranger to me, & that if there had existed between him & me the least enmity, it would have been a reason for me to be silent. RC (DLC); dateline obscured; at head of text: “To the honourable the President of the United States”; for added notations, see below; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous letter of 23 June 1804 received from New Orleans 11 Aug. and “bribery of a certn. person” and so recorded in SJL. person whom you have never known: TJ speculated that the author of this letter was Pierre Derbigny of New Orleans. In an undated note in TJ’s papers, Gallatin wrote: “This anonymous letter is not in D’Herbigny’s hand writing: the only apparent similarity consisting of letters in the French way. But he may have Used another’s person hand. He is married to the sister of De Luziere who commanded at New Madrid & afterwards at S. Louis in 1796-1797, & was I believe the commandant at the time of the cession.” Below Gallatin’s note, TJ later added, “this has been since acknoleged by Derbigny” (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 141:24500). Derbigny traveled to Washington in the fall of 1804, arriving in December (Jean Étienne Boré and Others to TJ, 1 Oct. 1804). Perhaps to identify handwriting “in the French way,” TJ or someone else used the margin of the “American Citizen” letter to copy the writer’s formation of eight letters of the alphabet and one digit.

man in a high station: undoubtedly General James Wilkinson, who had secretly been in the employ of the Spanish government since the late 1780s, periodically providing intelligence and promoting a Spanish scheme to detach Kentucky from the United States. In 1796, Thomas Power, an agent of the Baron de Carondelet, governor of Louisiana, carried $9,640 in specie for Wilkinson from New Orleans to New Madrid, where the coin was then hidden in barrels of coffee and sugar before being forwarded up the Ohio River. In early 1804, while in New Orleans serving as one of the American commissioners for the transfer of Louisiana, Wilkinson secretly received a payment of $12,000 from the Marqués de Casa Calvo, most of which he used to acquire a cargo of sugar. Although these substantial expenditures aroused suspicion among many in New Orleans, including William C. C. Claiborne and Daniel Clark, no damning evidence against Wilkinson was uncovered at the time (Andro Linklater, An Artist in Treason: The Extraordinary Double Life of General James Wilkinson [New York, 2009], 146, 155-9, 206-9; Bradley, In­ terim Appointment, 316-17; Vol. 31:312n, 469n; Vol. 34:456; Vol. 40:521n).

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To Henry Dearborn June 23d. 04

Th: Jefferson asks the favor of General Dearborn to Meet the heads of department at the Secretary of States Office to day at 10 oclock on the Subject of the infraction of Jurisdiction by the British Frigate Cambrian at New York. RC (THaroL); in William A. Burwell’s hand; addressed: “General Dearborn”; endorsed by Dearborn. infraction: on 19 June, DeWitt Clinton wrote to Madison regarding “serious aggressions” committed by the officers of the Cambrian against “our national rights,” and enclosed correspondence with British consul Thomas Barclay, health officer Dr. John R. B. Rodgers, and Lieutenant John Squire of the revenue cutter service. These letters described an incident between the Royal Navy and American port officials in New York. On 17 June, the Cambrian had stopped the Pitt, a British merchantman, in the narrows between

Staten Island and Brooklyn and impressed a part of its crew. During the impressment in American waters, health and revenue officials attempted to board the Pitt in order to carry out the quarantine laws of the port, but were physically rebuffed by the crew of the Cambrian. In addition to this violation of American sovereignty, these officers were also verbally insulted with “d—n the Cutter, the Revenue officers, and the United States!” On the same day as TJ’s cabinet meeting, Madison summoned Anthony Merry to account for the actions of the Cambrian (New York Republican Watch­Tower, 20 June; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:332-4, 349, 353, 357-60, 369).

From Albert Gallatin Sir, Treasury Department June 23d. 1804. I have the honor to enclose the copy of a correspondence of the Collector of Norfolk with this Department and the Spanish Consul there, respecting a right claimed by Spanish Subjects to relade on board of a different Vessel without securing the duties, the cargo of a Vessel which had put in Norfolk from distress and was afterwards condemned as not being sea-worthy. The 10th. Article of the Spanish Treaty under which the privilege is claimed is in the following words—“When any Vessel of either party shall be wrecked, foundered, or otherwise damaged, on the coasts or within the dominion of the other, their respective subjects or citizens shall receive, as well for themselves as for their vessels and effects, the same assistance which would be due to the inhabitants of the country where the damage happens, and shall pay the same charges and dues only as the said inhabitants would be subject to pay in a like case: And if the operations of repair would require that the whole or any part of the cargo be unladen, they shall pay no duties, charges or fees on the part which they shall relade and carry away.”  635 

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 The sixtieth Section of the collection law, passed March 2d. 1799 provides generally for the case of any Vessel (American or foreign), which may be compelled by distress to put into a Port of the United States, and permits, under the restrictions necessary for the safety of the revenue, to relade the cargo on board the said ship or vessel; in which case the said ship or vessel may proceed free from any other charge than for the storing and the usual fees to the Officers of the Customs. But whether the vessel be american or belonging to subjects of a foreign nation, the cargo cannot, by the general provisions of the law, be exempted from securing the duties, if the cargo shall arrive or be disposed of in any other manner than that designated by the 60th. Section, which is only an exception to the general rule. Thus in case of shipwreck, where the vessel perishes before she enters the port, any part of the cargo which may be saved, must pay the duties though re-exported on board of another Vessel; and in case of condemnation of the vessel as not being sea-worthy, where she perishes after having entered the port, the cargo must likewise pay the duties though re-exported on board of another vessel. The reshipping of the goods on board the vessel which brought them is made by the law a necessary condition to the privilege of exporting without paying or securing the duties. It is proper to add that the inconvenience resulting in that case to the party consists, first in being obliged to find sureties that the goods shall not be relanded in the United States, and 2dly. in paying 13½ Per cent on the amount of the duty imposed on their importation. Thus a cargo imported in that manner in a Spanish Vessel and consisting of articles of 10,000 Dollars in value, and liable to pay a duty of 15 Per cent ad valorem, would be charged with the following duty: Vizt. 15 Per Cent on 10,000 Dollars 1,500. 10 Per Cent addit. on the duty, ⎪⎫ the goods being imported in ⎬⎪ ⎭ a foreign vessel. 150. 1,650. The drawback allowed would be only the item 1,500. (as the 10 Per cent addit. is never returned) subject to a deduction of 3½ per cent. Vizt. 52.50 1,447.50 making the charge payable on the cargo 202.50.  636 

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 The letter of the 11th. instant from the Secretary to the Collector was, as is evident from the date, written and sent before the correspondence between the Collector and the Spanish Consul had been received. The decision of the Secretary was altogether grounded on the law, which did not seem to leave any alternative, and which had never been construed in a different way; and it must be observed that the Legislature in passing that law were fully aware of the existence of treaties with foreign nations, and of the necessity of specific legislative provisions for carrying into effect such articles of those treaties as contemplated privileges and exceptions to the general revenue system, since several sections of that law are expressly introduced for the purpose of sanctioning such privileges and exceptions. Nor does it seem to me that the 10th. Art. of the treaty with Spain provides for greater privileges than those granted by the 60th. Section of the collection law. The only case in which it is declared that no duties or charges shall be paid on the part of the cargo which shall be reladen and carried away, is that where the operations of repair (of the vessel) require that the cargo be unladen. (in the Spanish “and if it shall be necessary para componer el buque). But if the cargo is unladen not for repairing the vessel, but because the vessel is not seaworthy, the case falls no longer within the exception contemplated by this part of the article, but on the contrary, becomes assimilated to that of an absolute loss of the vessel by shipwreck, in which it is only provided that the same charges and dues shall be paid as the inhabitants would be subject to pay in a like case. I have the honor to be with great respect, Sir, Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Gallatin; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 24 June and “goods in a condemned vessel” and so recorded in SJL, but as received 23 June. Enclosures: (1) Antonio Argote Villalobos, Spanish consul in Norfolk, to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 7 June, asking whether the owners of the Spanish brig Nuestra Señora de la Merced, alias Nancy, originally bound for Cadiz but condemned as unseaworthy in Norfolk, are required to pay duties on cargo landed in the United States and later reshipped in a different vessel (FC in ViHi, Papers of the Spanish Consulate in Norfolk, 1795-1846; addressed to “Col.

John Nicholas Collector of the District of Norfolk & Portsmouth”). (2) Nicholas to Argote Villalobos, Norfolk, 8 June, responding that an American vessel in the same circumstances would have to enter the cargo and pay the duties at the custom house before a permit could be granted for reshipment on a different vessel, and that he has forwarded a statement of the case to the Treasury secretary (RC in same). (3) Argote Villalobos to Nicholas, Norfolk, 11 June, detailing his interpretation of the tenth article of the Pinckney Treaty to support the claim that the owners of the distressed Spanish brig do not have to pay any duties or fees on goods landed from a distressed vessel and later reshipped in a different vessel (FC in

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23 JUNE 1804 same). (4) Gallatin to Nicholas, Treasury Department, 11 June, responding to an earlier letter from Nicholas, dated 5 June, informing the collector that the law has been previously interpreted to hold that the exemption to import duties only applies to goods reshipped in same vessel, “But if that construction of the Treaty be thought erronious it can only be altered by legislative interference” (Tr in same). (5) Possibly Nicholas to Argote Villalobos, Norfolk, 14 June, informing the Spanish consul that Nicholas has forwarded their correspondence to Gallatin for further consideration (RC in same). Gallatin quoted the entirety of the tenth article of the 1795 treaty with Spain (Miller, Treaties, 2:325-6). collection law: “An Act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage,” approved 2 Mch. 1799 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:627, 672-3). para componer el buque: for the repair of the ship. On or about this date, TJ received a “List of Warrants issued by the Secretary of the Treasury” for the period 18 to 23 June 1804 inclusive, with information on 12 warrants, Nos. 4915 to 4926, totaling $453,454.80. Five warrants under the category “Domestic Debt,” totaling $443,750, were dividend payments sent to state loan commissioners. Three under “Miscellaneous,” totaling $4,096, were for pension payments to invalids and $30 to William Potts for “Services in relation to impeachmt. of S. Chase.” The remaining warrants included two under “Dutch

Debt” totaling $5,378.61, one for $7.31 under “Civil Departmt.” for stationery, and one for $222.88 under “Domestic Depmt.” for the relief of American seamen at Leghorn (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 141:22498-9; in a clerk’s hand, addressed by Gallatin: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a document of 23 June received from the Treasury Department and “Warrts”). A short time later, TJ probably received a “List of Warrants issued by the Secretary of the Treasury” for the period from 25 to 30 June 1804 inclusive, with information on 12 warrants, Nos. 4927 to 4938, totaling $561,316.14. Seven warrants under the category “Domestic Debt,” totaling $440,093.60, were for dividend payments sent to state loan commissioners, the Bank of the United States, the Office of Discount and Deposit in Washington, and the commissioners of the sinking fund and navy pension fund. Three under “Naval Departmt,” totaling $120,000, were for payroll; navy yards, docks, and wharves; and the “Protection of Commerce agt. the Barbary Powers.” The remaining two warrants included one for $722.54 under “Civil Departmt.” for contingent expenses of the postmaster general’s office and another for $500 under “Miscellaneous” to Isaac Briggs for surveying lands south of Tennessee (MS in same, 141:24536; in a clerk’s hand, addressed by Gallatin: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a document of 30 June received from the Treasury Department and “Warrants”).

To James Dinsmore Dear Sir Washington June 24. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 20th. I am very sorry mr Wanscher has plaistered the cieling of the Hall before the floor above was laid. as to waiting a month or two for the keys of the plaistering to get hard, a century would not make them proof against the effect of putting up the partitions above and laying the floor. let the partitions above therefore be put up immediately & the floors be laid. the cieling of the Hall will probably fall down or be so injured as to render  638 

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it necessary to take it down & do it over again: but for this there is no help. I am certain you have a plan of the partitions of the terras rooms, among the papers which I have given you. it was on a long narrow peice of paper which I remember well. I send you however a copy of my first draught, which will give you measures in feet, but not in inches. you will be obliged to correct it by actual measurement, and to adapt it to that.   I have ordered glass for the skylights from Philadelphia. till it comes they may be covered with boards.   I believe I had not given mr Wanscher particular directions as to the manner of panneling the cieling of the Dome. if it is not too late I would have it done somewhat in the stile of that of the Pantheon, which you will find in Palladio. the pannels from the equator to the pole shorten in proportion as they narrow. on the back of the inclosed paper I have given divisions for the pannels on that plan. I believe the length measured on the curvature of the dome is 18. f. 9. I. if it varies a little my divisions may be varied proportionally.   our passages are to have no cornice. perhaps mr Wanscher in plaistering might join the side & cieling by a cavetto, beaded at each end thus there is to be an arch over the stairs. you and I once agreed on the manner, but without seeing the place I cannot recollect it well enough to describe it. but as I shall be at home in a month, that will be in time. the ten Dollars shall be sent to mrs Wanscher. a painter will go about the time I go. Accept my best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (Mastronet Catalogue, Oak Brook, Illinois, November 2002, Lot 1384); addressed: “Mr. James Dinsmore Monticello near Milton”; franked and postmarked. Enclosure not found.

keys: plaster that fills the voids between laths, holding the plaster to the wood (James L. Garvin, A Building His­ tory of Northern New England [Lebanon, N.H., 2001], 65-6).

To Joseph Donath Sir Washington June 24. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 20th. such is the urgency for the glass for the sky lights that I must pray you to send on the box you mention without delay addressed for me to the care of messrs. Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond. the cost you will be so good as to communicate to me to be remitted hence. Accept my best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU); addressed: “Mr. Joseph Donath Philadelphia”; franked; postmarked 25 June; endorsed by Donath. PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

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From William Henry Harrison Sir Vincennes 24th. June 1804. The result of my enquiries relative to Upper Louisiana fixes the population of that District at 9373 Souls of Whom 7876 are Whites and 1497 blacks. I am still of Opinion that it would answer all the purposes of Civil Government & be sufficiently Convenient to the Inhabitants to lay out the Country into four or five divisions or Counties, whose boundaries might be very nearly the same as those which seperated the principal Districts under the Spanish Government From the best information which I have been able to procure the arrangement of the Districts should be as follows Viz. 1. The Settlement of Arkansaw should form one District, as from its Detached Situation it Could not Conveniently be Connected with any other—it Contains 160 Whites & 12 blacks—there are no Settlements below it that will fall within the Upper Government, & none above it nearer than 300 Miles 2 The lower Settlements of the Little Prairie might form the Southern boundary & a line drawn due West from the Southerly extremity of the Great bend of the Mississippi to the River St. Francis the Northern boundary of the 2nd. Devision or District—The Census of this district was taken in the beginning of the year 1803 & the population (with the addition of five per Centum for increase from that time) is about 800 Whites & 100 blacks 3 The deviding line between the third & fourth Districts should be Apple creek from its junction with the Mississippi to its source & thence by a due West line to the River St. Francis. Adding five per Centum to the Census of 1803. & the District as thus described Contains 1200 Whites & 200 blacks— 4. The deviding line between the 4 & 5th. District ought to Commence at the Mouth of Platen Creek on the Mississippi thence up sd. Creek to its source, thence due West to the fork of the Meremack Called Areneau thence down sd. fork to the Meremack thence up the Meremack to the upper Settlements on that River. The Census of this District has not been taken since the year 1800—the result of that Census & twenty per Centum added for increase gives a population of 1978 Whites & 500 Blacks 5. All the Territory to the Northward of the line last described can conveniently be formed into a 5th. District, & Contains a population (founded on the same calculations as in the preceding) of 3738 Whites & 667 blacks  640 

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 This arrangement of the Districts seems to be the one which is generally expected to be made by the Inhabitants of that Country & I imagine it would give as much satisfaction as any other mode of laying it out unless the number of the Districts was encreased—Some of them are however very extensive & the settlements so widely seperated that it may perhaps be necessary that the County Courts should be holden at Different places—of this I am not at present able to decide upon as I could not procure satisfactory information Respecting the relative situations of the several settlements which Compose a District I have no means of ascertaining Correctly the number of Militia, but from the proportion which that description of persons generally bear to the whole population—If they can be estimated at one fifth the number of men capable of bearing Arms in the several Districts as I have described them will be nearly as follows Viz. In the 1st District 40 Whites & 3 blacks. in the 2nd 200 Whites & 25 blacks in the 3rd. 300 Whites & 75 blacks in the 4th. 494 Whites & 130 blacks, in the 5th. 934 Whites & 166 blacks total 1968 Whites & 399 blacks.—I understand from Captn. Stoddard that he has formed the Whole Militia of the Country into 24 Companies of which there is at Arkensa one—within the bounds of the 2nd District four—in the 3rd. three— in the 4th. five in the 5th. eleven. In making this arrangement he says that he attended not so much to the number of men in each Company as to the Contiguity of the Inhabitants & that in some Companies there are nearly 100 men in others not more than 50. The Militia of Louisiana have never been formed into Battalions or Regiments— Companies were the largest devisions & a Captaincy the Highest grade—This arrangement ought in my opinion no longer to exist— The prospect of promotion is one of the greatest inducements to men of enterprise to accept of Military appointments & the most effectual stimulus to urge them to a prompt & faithful discharge of their duties. I beg leave therefore to recommend that the Militia in the most populous Districts should be formed into Regiments Composed of two or more Battalions with a Colonel for the Regiments & a Major for each Battalion—In such of the Districts as are unable to furnish two Battalions a Major might Command. I am sorry that it is not in my power to give you a more detailed account of the relative Situations of the several Settlements in Louisiana—but the information which I have been enabled to procure on that subject is not as perfect as I Could wish, & I did not think it proper to delay writing to you until it Could be received from a More Authentic Source—  641 

24 JUNE 1804

 The law providing for the Government of Louisiana directs that the Country should be laid off into “Districts”—As the Whole Country is called the “District of Louisiana” it appears to me that the Subdivisions might more properly be called Counties—“The District of St. Genevieve in the District of Louisiana” would sound rather awkardly. There is but one person in Louisiana that I will venture to recommend to you for the Appointment of Military Commandant—it is Mr. Piere Delassus de Luziere an old gentleman of the greatest respectability and of Considerable talents—there can be but one objection to him which is that He was a friend to the former Despotic Government of France—I believe however that he is now in Sentiment an American Republican His Manners His Talents & his destitute Condition have interested me much in his favour & I think I can venture to answer for his good Conduct—He is & has been for a Considerable time Commandant of the District of New Bourbon. I propose to be in Louisiana by the 1st. October & as I also intend to visit All the Districts it will be in my power to give you a more perfect account of the Country than I can possibly do at this time I have the Honour to be with the most perfect Respect—your faithful Sert. Willm Henry Harrison RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 July and so recorded in SJL. areneau: probably Renault’s Fork, or Mineral Fork, of Big River, a tributary of the Meramec River in Missouri named for

French adventurer Philippe Renault, who established one of the first lead mines in the region in the 1720s (Missouri His­ torical Review, 2 [1907-08], 193-4; William  E. Foley, The Genesis of Missouri: From Wilderness Outpost to Statehood [Columbia, Mo., 1989], 16-17).

To Levi Lincoln June 24. 1804.

Extract of a letter from Thos. Barclay British Consul at N. York, to Dewitt Clinton esq. Mayor of the city dated June 18. 1804. ‘His (Capt. Bradley’s) orders from Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell direct him to proceed from hence, on the delivery of his dispatches, on a cruize for the protection of the trade not only of His Majesty’s subjects but of that of the people of these states, and which has lately suffered much from the depredations of several French privateers on this coast. I am led to believe the Admiral was induced to send these ships for the above purpose in consequence of my having transmitted to him the copy of a letter I lately recieved from the Presi 642 

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dent of the Marine insurance company, stating the injury the American commerce had sustained from the predatory corsairs, and requesting that measures might be taken to protect the American as well as British commerce from further losses.’ Thus it seems a citizen invites a belligerent to come on our coast to protect a commerce, in which he is interested, from the other belligerent. another citizen may with equal right, to protect his commerce with the other belligerent, invite him also on our coast, and thus make that the principal theater of the war, and defeat all the measures of the government for the preservation of peace and neutrality. is not this a criminal correspondence under the act of Jan. 1799? is it not unlawful as taking part in a war against a nation in amity with the US.? The opinion of the Attorney general is desired with a view to the prosecution of the offender if it be a punisheable offence. Th: Jefferson RC (MHi); addressed: “Levi Lincoln esq. Atty Genl. US.”; Lincoln’s notes of reply subjoined at foot (see below); endorsed. PoC (DLC). On 19 June, DeWitt Clinton wrote to Madison and enclosed a copy of Thomas Barclay’s 18 June letter (Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:332-3; Barclay to Clinton, 18 June, in DNA: RG 59, MLR). William Neilson was the president of the Marine Insurance Company of New-York and a prominent merchant involved in West Indian commerce. On 11 May, he wrote to the British consul at New York regarding the capture of the brig Chance, which was insured by his company, by a “French cruizer” off the coast of Georgia. The next day, Barclay forwarded copies of this letter to Anthony Merry and Vice Admiral Sir Andrew Mitchell. In August and September 1804, James Cheetham reported on Neilson’s letter in his newspaper and accused him of violating the Logan Act in writing to British officials. Cheetham further suggested that the low insurance rates that Neilson received for his cargo ships were the end result of a “peculiar privilege” granted by the British for his intelligence services (Joseph A. Scoville, The Old Mer­

chants of New York City, 4th ser. [New York, 1866], 142-51; Laws of the State of  New­York, Passed at the Twenty­Fifth Session of the Legislature: Begun and Held at the City of Albany, the Twenty­ Seventh Day of January, 1802 [Albany, 1802], 53-61; George Lockhart Rives, ed., Selections from the Correspondence of Thomas Barclay, Formerly British Consul­ General at New York [New York, 1894], 158, 162-5, 192-3; New York American Citizen and General Advertiser, 22, 25, 27, 28 Aug., 4, 5, 12, 17, 18, 19 Sep. 1804; note to TJ to Robert Smith, 15 June). act of jan. 1799: the Logan Act prohibited U.S. citizens from corresponding with foreign powers with the intent of influencing their conduct and actions (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:613). opinion of the attorney gen­ eral: at the foot of TJ’s letter, Lincoln noted the substance of his reply (see 25 June). After the notation “Addressed,” he wrote: “1 A violation of the law of nations”; “2 controvening the measures adopted by the proper authority to preserve peace”; “3 violation of an article of the Constitution inhibiting states or forbear individuals to make treaty contracts &c.”; and “4 A violation of the law inhibiting individual intercourse Jany. 30. 1799.”

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To James Madison Th:J. to J.M. June 24. 04. The inclosed case respecting the construction of a treaty merits good consideration. can broad words in a treaty be controuled by narrower in a law? and is it certain the law here intended to controul? reason & probability is against it. RC (DLC: Madison Papers); addressed: “The Secretary of state.” Enclosures: probably enclosures to Gallatin to TJ, 23 June.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum June 24th. 1804. I Send enclosed a clumsey pen-case, the want of a clamp machine for making screws (which cannot be had at present in Philadelphia) obliged him to use the Clockmakers screw plate, which has too strong a thread to admit the pieces screwed, to be made thinner. But if this invention is found to be useful I shall then endeavor to get made the proper tools for making fine threads to screws of large diameters. But if a steel pen is used to write with, and a quill pen in the copy, then the screw to the metal pen will be perfectly convenient for adjusting the touch of both. My letter of the 18th. contains the advantages of using the steel and quill pens together, and which may obviate the evil mentioned in yours of the 20th. When I arrived here, I found my Cabinet maker about the Polygraph after your drawings—so that I shall shortly get it finished and sent, with the care to avoid being wet in the rout directed. I have not taken the trouble to make myself acquainted with the composition of the rolling press Ink. but as the making of good Ink is important, especially for records, I send you the directions for making the best Ink as communicated to me by Doctr. Hunter Vizt. take of the best Galls, broken into small pieces, and make a strong decoction of them in Water, by boiling or otherwise, then take coporas and disolves it in water. put such a quantity of this, as is found sufficient to make the colouring matter of the Galls, fall to the bottom, after this is perfectly effected and none of the black matter is suspended in the water, that water may be poured off, and fresh water repeatedly put on the black colour, untill all the coperas is taken away, which may be ascertained by tasting the water. The black matter may be kept dry, to use occasionally, or mixed in quantities. When it is mixed with a due proportion of water, put as much Gum Arabick, or Senegal as it  644 

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found sufficient to suspend the colouring matter. This Chemical process is simple, and what greatly adds to its value, is, the producing the blackest and most durable Ink.   If your steel pens should want varnishing to prevent rust, by dipping into the Aspallum varnish (which the enclosed note will procure) This Varnish adheres well and dries fast.   I have lately thought that my steel-pens, a little above the point, are too slender, that if they are made with a larger concavity to make them hold more Ink, it will be an improvement of the form. No spring is obtained but from the part where the holes is made, and Utility is preferable to the beauty of a fine tapering point. My researches in Baltimore, and since, in Philadelphia to get small fountain Ink holders either of wedgewood or Glass, have been fruitless. None are to be had less than 1¾ Inches diameters, and the higth generally of 1½ Inches. The stopers you propose may easily be made, or the tops of the common stoppers ground down. I do not know the advantage of the Box to hold the Ink pots, if the Ink pots are of a convenient form to be taken out. The sides being perpendicular, a spring case may be made to support them to any higth desired. I have received an offer of the large bones recently brought to Pitsburgh. Jeremiah Reeder, the proprietor, writes me, “I have thought proper here to give you an accurate description of the remains of an Animal termed the Mammoth; some specimens of which are so enormously large as to induce a belief they belonged to a creature whose length was not less than 60 feet, and 27 high, I have the foot of the mammoth entire, with the claws, the length of which is 4 feet 10 Inches, oscansels 12 ℔., cuniformies 4 ℔ each vertebre entire–Tibia entire weighing 27 ℔. two others weighing 16 each Pelvis 27 ℔. scapula not quite entire, also a number of curious tusks one of which weys 88 ℔. 6 feet 9 Inches long 21 Ins. in circumference measured when first taken up 16 feet, also a tusk of the Rhinocerous of surprising magnitude, and is very perfect, under Jaw 88 ℔. upper Jaw not quite entire, I have upwards of 600 ℔. of grinders belonging to four nondescript different species—The mammoth grinders weys from 4 to 10 ℔; and therefore heavier, by some pounds than the largest mammoth grinders hitherto discovered. These remains were procured near Cincinnati, State of Ohio.” In another letter he days “from the description Doctr Hunter gave me of your mammoth I ’cant think is altogether right—the foot or paw in perticular is so different from mine which I found entire.” he says he a few bones of 3 other animals of the Herbivorous kinds, which are equal to the mammoth in Magnitude.—the paw of the mammoth  645 

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which resembles the Panther, is of such a prodigious size, that it will ½ fill a flour barrel. The present occasion ough not be neglected, therefore I have wrote to Mr Reeder, also to Coll. Nevel to get some information by an examination of the bones by some of his medicinal friends, and to inform me what price Reeder expected for them, which if satisfactory I will by the first Stage, visit Pitsburgh. Some of this collection of bones may be of the most interesting kind to me. I am Dear Sir with great respect your friend C W Peale P.S. If the pen tube sent, is too tight, a little scraping will make it easey. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr. president of the united States. Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 June and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers). Enclosure: see below. galls are plant tissue swellings that produce tannin. Combining them with

copperas (coporas), photosulfates of copper, zinc, or iron, was a longstanding method for producing ink (oed; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:724n). The enclosed note was a request by Peale to his nephew Charles Peale Polk to provide TJ with a vial of asphalt varnish (same, v. 2, pt. 2:724n-5n).

From George W. Erving Respected Sir— London June 25th 1804— I have the honor herewith to transmit to you a letter which I have received from Sir John Sinclair.— with sentiments of the most respectful attachment Your very obt St George W Erving RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Sep. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Dupl of Sir John Sinclair to TJ, 1 Jan. 1804 (see Vol. 42:219n).

From Levi Lincoln Sir— Washington June 25th 1804 There can, I think, be but little difficulty in determining on the theory and general principles applicable to the subject matter of your communication, which I had the honor of receiving the last evening. “Taking a part in a war against a nation in amity with us’ or any way to interfere, and favor one party more than the other, must be agreed to be inconsistent with a fair construction of the acknowledged rules  646 

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of neutrality, and a violation of the laws of nations.—Wittingly and deliberately doing any thing to impede, oppose, or defeat such measures of the general Government as are adopted & directed by the proper authority, must be considered, on general principles, as a violation of the duties of obedience and submission to a constitutional power, and a misdemeanor deserving punishment.—A State’s procuring, or inducing a belligerent, gratuitously, for consideration, by contract or otherwise, to send to our coast a part of its national force, to protect our commerce, exclusively, or in common with its own, against the depredations of an enemy, or the ‘predatory corsairs’ belonging1 to nations in amity with us, appears to me, would be substantially a controvening the restrictions of the 10th Sec. of the 1st. Art of the Const. of the US. which provides that “no state shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation,” or “enter into any agreement or compact with another state, or with a foreign power, or engage in war &c.” A double violation of duty, and of the spirit of these salutory restraints would there be, should an individual presumptuously do this. The Protection of the commerce of one nation by the national force of another, and the arrangement for such an object, is among the usual, direct, and important fruits of national treaties. Nations thus to act, place themselves in new situations towards each other, assume new relations between themselves and in reference to the nation against whom this protection force is to be exerted; assume new dangers, new difficulties, new responsibilities, and as the case may be, their ultimate ruin, instead of commercial protection. The general character of this new relation, would be protector, and Protected 2 as in the present Instance; For as we could not protect the british commerce in return against the same corsairs of the french without engaging directly in the war, in this humble and dangerous situation would the execution of the marine insurance project place the U.S.—To prevent such, & similar degradation & peril, the constitution has secured to the general Government, exclusively, the regula­ tion and formation of every species of connection with foreign nations in reference to trade, peace, or war; and has expressly excluded from the agency of States, and, a fortiori, of particular citizens, those transactions by which alone such connections could, in principle or in fact, be produced. Notwithstanding these general principles may be admitted in the abstract, there may be some doubts, when we descend to particulars, in reference to their application, and the mode of inforcing them. There may be instances, as mentioned by writers on national law, were subjects or citizens may reasonable presume on the will of the  647 

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constitutional power, and act in consequence of its tacit & presumed consent. Of such a complexion, may be considered the late applications to the Sovereigns of France and Russia for their kind offices in favor of our countrymen at tripoli, as also some of the measures, which Commodore Prebble may have taken with foreign nations to accomplish the object of his mission. And altho it should be conceded, that the law of nations has been violated in an individual’s inviting to our coast a belligerent, to protect our commerce, by acting against our friend; and that so doing, being an opposition to that known system of fair & impartial neutrality which has been adopted by the proper authority is a misdemeanor; and further, a violation of the principle & spirit of an express article of the constitution; yet some may doubt, as Congress has made no general, or particular provision for the punishment of these specific offences, whether they are the subjects of indictments in our courts of justice. I am aware of the principles, and of their correctness, with qualifications and limitations, from which this doubt may result, yet I am inclined to think, an indictable offence against the Government of the US. may be committed, independent of any statute provision defining the offence, or prescribing the punishment. The old Government directed, prosecutions to be instituted, and sustained them, for offences against the law of nations unaided by any particular law of Congress. Suppose the State of New York in violation of the cited provision of the constitution, had made a treaty with admiral Mitchell, he being authorised for the purpose which provided that in consideration of furnishing him with some marines & military stores, he should imploy the forces under his command in protecting the commerce of N York against the depredations of the french corsairs, and that the President of the marine insurance company had been the minister or agent who had made this treaty forbidden by the constitution. The treaty, as to any binding effects, would have been a nullity. But the supreme law of the land would have been broken. An offence would have been committed, in the person of the individual agent who executed the unlawful act. The State could not be indicted,—could not act but by its agent,— could be guilty of no offence in merely determining to do an unlawful thing; and having no authority thus to determine, could furnish no justification to an individual for doing what the law had forbidden; He alone would be amenable to the justice of his country, for the violation of her laws—This supposed case cannot be distinguished in principle, from the existing case. The supposed doings of the state, being in themselves void acts can make no difference, and the sup 648 

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position of the consideration of a supply of marines & military stores, cannot alter the principle, or the action of law on the case. In either statement the individual acting violates the law, and it being a legal principle to punish by indictment, with fine or imprisonment, the person who does what the law forbids, altho no particular mode of prosecution, or punishment, may be explicitly prescribed, he is of course subject to such a prosecution, if federal laws & state laws are to be executed on the same principles. The act of the 30th. of Jany 1799. appears to me to be pointed in its application to the existing case without the aid of construction. To carry on, without the permission of Govt, directly or indirectly any verbal or written correspondence or intercourse with any foreign Govt. or any officer or agent thereof, with an intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign Govt. or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the US. or to defeat the measures of the Govt. of the U.S. is the offence therein described. That the stated correspondence with an officer of a foreign Govt. was with the intent to influence the conduct of that officer, in the sense of this law, is manifest both from the force of the expressions made use of, & the nature of the transaction. The only question which can be made is, was it in relation to any disputes or controversies with the US, within the meaning of this law? It may be contended, that the controversies here meant were such as should subsist between the United States, and the officer or his Govt. with whom the correspondence might be carried on. But the words “in relation to any disputes or controversies with the US,” are as general and comprehensive as could be used, and from their force extending to all our national controversies, they ought not to be limitted, unless the subject matter or the reason of the thing shall require it. There is the same reason, for preventing a correspondence with an officer of a foreign Govt. with an intent to influence their measures in reference to a controversy between the US and a third Govt. as there is for forbiding it in relation to a dispute between them and his own Government. The mischeif, is the same in both instances—The proviso, in the nature of an exception, of this act is a proof that the legislature considered it as extending to almost every kind of intercourse with foreign nations or their officers by which the US. could be effected. Altho no particular law of Congress can be found making unlawful the stated act, as taking a part in a war, against a nation in Amity with us; would it not be best that the indictment should contain four3 distinct counts predicated on four different principles?  649 

25 JUNE 1804

The 1. For a violation of the laws of nations 2. For opposing & endeavoring to defeat the measures adopted by the Genl. Govt. to preserve peace. 3 For violating the provisions of an article of the Constitution.— and— 4 For unlawful correspondence &c against the statute—  This will bring the matter in various views before the federal courts. What they will do with it, time must disclose. Its evils are great, threatening, & ruinous and if not checked, might prostrate the Govt. I am clearly of the opinion, that it ought to be put into a train for legal investigation, & judicial animadversion—The above ideas are the result my hasty reflection on the subject, should a further attention to the principles of law materially change them, you will indulge me with the liberty of communicating it— I have the honor to be Sir most respectfully your obt Sevt Levi Lincoln RC (DLC); at head of text: “The Presidt. of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 June and so recorded in SJL with notation “Presidt. Insurance co.”; also endorsed by TJ: “Atty Genl.” your communication: TJ to Lincoln, 24 June.

1 MS:

“beloning.” underlined this word and “protector” with two strokes. 3 Here and later in the sentence, Lincoln first wrote “three” and then altered it to “four.” 2 Lincoln

From Philip Mazzei 25 Giugno, 1804.

Avevo mandato a bordo del Telemanchus, Capn. Gooding for Boston, la mia lettera dei 15 del corrente, quando intesi la narrazione contenuta nell’incluso foglio. Desiderai d’averla in scritto, e il Sigr. Lockner si degnò di scriverla, e firmarla. Ò creduto proprio di ritener l’originale, e di farne fare (il meno male possibile) l’inclusa copia. Il Sigr: Lockner è stato Console in Tripoli circa 30 anni, e ora gode una buona pensione, che per grazia speciale il Rè di D: gli à permesso di spendere ove vuole. Sta il Livorno; passa una parte del tempo a Pisa, dove conversa molto con questi Professori dell’Università; è istruito, erudito, e stimato principalmente per il suo eccellente carattere. Sento che quell O Bryan nominato nell’inclusa narrazione sia stato mandato a Tripoli, per trattar col Bey, dal nostro Console Genle: residente in Algieri; che dopo Cathcart sarebbe difficile di trovare una persona più impropria di Lui; e che il Consol genle. sia uomo di buon senso,  650 

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e di ottimo carattere. Ecco dunque un’altro grave sbaglio, prodotto dalla mancanza di persona idonea in queste parti, dall’informazioni della quale sieno diretti i nuovi venuti. Mr. O Bryan, dopo la mancata promessa del carico di legname da costruzione, sarebbe improprio per tale incombenza, quando ancora non vi fossero altri motivi. Se per caso Ella volesse far uso dell’inclusa narrativa, La prego di cancellare il nome Lockner, cosa che ò promesso, persuaso di ottenerne da Lei l’esecuzione. Risapendosi, ciò potrebbe produrgli un’affar personale con Cathcart, uomo pericoloso per troppi motivi. Costui fa pompa della copia d’una lettera, ch’ei dice scritta dal Presidente al Senato, nella quale si legge “that Mr. Cathcart was married in a very respectable family in the City of Washington; that he is a man of strict probity, fearless of danger, &c.” Questa deve considerarsi come un’aggiunta sulla precedente, e partirà pure col Telemanchus, che farà vela domattina. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

25 June 1804 I had sent by the Telemachus, Captain Gooding for Boston, my letter dated 15 of the current month, when I learned about the facts narrated in the enclosed page. I expressed the desire to have the account in writing, and Mr. Lochner was kind enough to write it down and sign it. I thought it best to keep the original and have the best possible copy made, which I attach. Mr. Lochner has been consul in Tripoli for about 30 years and enjoys now a good pension, which, out of special grace, the king of Denmark has allowed him to spend where he wishes. He lives in Livorno and spends part of his time in Pisa, where he converses with the faculty at the university. He is educated, learned, and esteemed especially for his excellent personality. I know that the O’Brien who is named in the enclosed account has been sent to Tripoli by our consul general resident in Algiers, so that he may negotiate with the bey. Now, after Cathcart, it would be difficult to find a less suitable person than him. Yet, the consul general is a person of good sense and of very good character. This is, thus, just one more mistake caused by the lack of a suitable person in this region, of someone, that is, who may direct the newcomers. After the broken promise of the load of construction timber, Mr. O’Brien would be an inappropriate choice for such task, even if there were no further reasons. In case you would like to use the attached account, I would be grateful if you could erase the name Lochner from it. I promised that this was going to happen, confident that I would obtain it from you. If it were to be known, he would have to deal with the personal resentment of Cathcart, a dangerous man for all too many reasons. He is parading around a letter, which he claims is by the Senate’s president, in which one reads “that Mr. Cathcart was married in a very respectable family in the City of Washington; that he is a man of strict probity, fearless of danger, &c.”

 651 

25 JUNE 1804  This letter should be considered a continuation of the preceding one. It too will be sent by the Telemachus, which will set sail tomorrow morning. Dft (Archivio Filippo Mazzei, Pisa, Italy); see Margherita Marchione and Barbara B. Oberg, eds., Philip Mazzei: The Comprehensive Microform Edition of  His Papers, 9 reels [Millwood, N.Y., 1981], 6:925. Recorded in SJL as received from Pisa on 9 Oct. 1804. Enclosure not found. Johan Frederik Lochner (lockner), Danish consul in Tripoli from 1780 to 1799, left Tripoli for Leghorn in August 1800 (J. B. Cathcart Newkirk, ed., Let­ terbook by James Leander Cathcart, First Consul to Tripoli, and Last Letters from Tunis [LaPorte, Ind., 1901], 166, 195; Emil Marquard, Danske Gesandter og Gesandtskabspersonale indtil 1914 [Copenhagen, 1952], 453; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:44-5n).

la mancata promessa del carico di legname da costruzione: in 1802, Mustafa Baba rejected an attempt by the United States to substitute a cash payment for the annuity to Algiers in lieu of naval stores and timber, which, Richard O’Brien reported, Mustafa wanted for the construction of a frigate. The Jefferson administration tried to comply with the dey’s request for the goods rather than money, but the timber and stores were lost in the wreck of the Sally off the coast of Spain in November 1803 (Vol. 40:63, 81-2, 87, 101; TJ to Mustafa Baba, Dey of Algiers, 9 June). mr. cathcart was married: James Leander Cathcart wed Jane Bancker Woodside in Philadelphia, not Washington, in 1798 (dab; Philadelphia Carey’s United States Recorder, 14 June 1798).

To John Page Washington June 25. 04.

Your letter, my dear friend, of the 25th. ult. is a new proof of the goodness of your heart, and the part you take in my loss marks an affectionate concern for the greatness of it. it is great indeed. others may lose of their abundance; but, I, of my want, have lost, even the half of all I had. my evening prospects now hang on the slender thread of a single life. perhaps I may be destined to see even this last cord of parental affection broken! the hope with which I had looked forward to the moment, when, resigning public cares to younger hands, I was to retire to that domestic comfort from which the last great step is to be taken, is fearfully blighted. when you and I look back on the country over which we have passed, what a field of slaughter does it exhibit! where are all the friends who entered it with us under all the inspiring energies of health and hope?1 as if pursued by the havoc of war, they are strowed by the way, some earlier, some later, and scarce a few straglers remain to count the numbers fallen, and to mark yet by their own fall the last footsteps of their party. is it a desireable thing to bear up thro’ the heat of the action, to witness the death of all our companions, and merely be the last victim? I doubt it. we have however the traveller’s consolation. every step shortens the distance we  652 

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have to go; the end of our journey is in sight, the bed wherein we are to rest, and to rise in the midst of the friends we have lost. ‘we sorrow not then as others who have no hope’; but look forward to the day which ‘joins us to the great majority.’ but whatever is to be our destiny, wisdom, as well as duty, dictates that we should acquiesce in the will of him whose it is to give and to take away, and be contented in the enjoiment of those who are still permitted to be with us. of those connected by blood the number does not depend on us: but friends we have if we have merited them. those of our earliest years stand nearest in our affections. but in this too you and I have been unlucky. of our college friends (and they are the dearest) how few have stood with us in the great political questions which have agitated our country. and these were of a nature to justify agitation. I did not believe the Lilliputian fetters of that day strong enough to have bound so many.   Will not mrs Page, yourself and family think it prudent to seek a healthier region for the months of August & September? and may we not flatter ourselves that you will cast your eye on Monticello? we have not many summers to live. while fortune places us then within striking distance, let us avail ourselves of it to meet and talk over the tales of other times. present me respectfully to mrs Page, and accept yourself my friendly salutations and assurances of constant affection. Th: Jefferson RC (MWA); at foot of first page: “Governor Page.” PoC (DLC). we sorrow not: 1 Thessalonians 4:13. joins us to the great majority: from Edward Young’s The Revenge (Lon-

don, 1721), act 4, scene 1. For TJ’s edition of the play, see Sowerby, No. 4548. 1

Preceding nine words interlined.

From John Page Sir, Richmond June 25th. 1804. Your letter of the 21st. instant inclosing the necessary Affidavits, and demanding Philip Williams and Jacob Ray, fugitives from justice, charged with having committed a felony within the district of Columbia, was delivered to me last night by the Postmaster of this place; and in compliance with your demand, and the constitution and laws of the United States, I have issued this day the orders necessary for the delivery of the said fugitives to the person duly authorized to attend and receive them. I am Sir, with great respect, &c. John Page.  653 

25 JUNE 1804  FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “The President of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as received 28 June. philip williams and jacob ray were convicted in Washington of counterfeiting and sentenced to seven years’ confinement and hard labor. It was reported that Ray

would be remanded to the custody of a deputy marshal from Georgia so that he could stand trial for crimes committed in that state, but two years later he petitioned for his release from the Washington City jail (Washington Federalist, 10 Oct. 1804; Petition of Jacob Ray, 16 May 1806).

From Theodorus Bailey Dear Sir, New York 26th. June 1804. By the mail of yesterday, I was honored with your letter of the 21st. instant, covering a post-note on the branch bank of the US. in this City for four hundred dollars—and in obedience to your wishes have secured four hundred bottles of the Champaigne wine, to which you refer me in your letter of the tenth, at a dollar the bottle—The wine is at present in a very good cellar, where I will permit it to remain, until an opportunity offers to ship it to Alexandria or Georgetown;— in the mean time I will transmit a bill of it and a receipt for the purchase money. I am happy of this opportunity of rendering you a small service—If I can be of any use to you in this City on any future occasion, I will thank you to command me— With assurances of high respect and consideration I am your Most obedt. servant Theodorus Bailey. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 June and so recorded in SJL.

From Joel Barlow Dear Sir Paris 26 June 1804.— This will be presented you by your countryman Doctor Upshaw, a young man of superior talents & acquirements, a good republican & perfectly attached to the principles of your administration. He has been two years in Europe to perfect himself in the study of medicine & has lately taken his degree at Montpellier. He is perfectly disposed & I think will be capable of doing much good in our country not only in his profession but in diffusing those moral & political truths on which society ought to be founded, which cannot be too much developed & inculcated in America, if you intend that the rising generation  654 

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shall maintain the ground you have gained and carry on the work our fathers so happily began.— Mr. Upshaw will inform you of the unhappy continuance of the principal cause which has kept me in Europe already 2 years longer than I intended, the ill state of my wife’s health.— I wrote you 3 months ago a long letter by duplicate on a subject that I thought interesting. Your respectful & faithful Sevt. Joel Barlow I recd. your letter of Feb 7. intended to come by Mr. Hervy. RC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Mr. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 29 Nov. “by Upshaw” and so recorded in SJL. your countryman: Virginian William Upshaw.

i wrote you: Barlow to TJ, 11 Feb. 1804. your letter: TJ to Barlow, 19 Jan. 1804. The sending of TJ’s letter was delayed until 7 Feb. after Lewis Harvie declined going to Paris (Vol. 42:315-16).

From William C. C. Claiborne Dr. Sir, New-Orleans, June 26th. 1804. I have this moment understood that Messrs. Girod and Chal, Merchants of this City, have addressed a letter to you, complaining “that I had (to their injury & exclusion) recognized in the Baron of Bastrop, an exclusive right to trade with Citizens at Ouacheta and also with the Indians who might visit that post, which privilege had been heretofore granted to the Baron by the King of Spain”;—The fact is Sir, that I positively refused to acknowledge the Baron’s Claim, and in consequence of which, his Memorial upon the subject, was at his request, forwarded by me on the 7th. instant, to the Secretary of State for his decision thereon. Girod & Chal having heard (as they State) that I had recognized the Baron’s pretensions, wrote me a long letter (and not a respectful one) on the occasion, and as I had neither time or inclination to correspond with private Individuals relative to my official duties, no answer was returned, whereupon their appeal was made to you.—Girad and Chal ought to have made personal application to me for the redress of their supposed grievance; they had no cause to resort to a correspondence, for no person in Louisiana, however obscure or humble he may be, but has free access to me, during my office-hours, which are on every day (Sundays excepted) from eight until two, and from four until Sunsetting.—  655 

26 JUNE 1804

 The Spanish Governor’s heretofore exercised the power of granting Licenses for the Indian Trade to whom they pleased; and without a License no one was permitted to share in the Trade.—I thought myself vested with, and I esteemed it a duty to exercise like authority, and have consequently granted my Licenses (Gratis, which was not formerly the case) to several respectable Citizens.—Were all persons permitted indiscriminately to trade with the Indians, much injustice would be done them, and the peace on the frontiers rendered very insecure. I have taken the liberty to trouble you with this explanation, in order that the Representation of Girod & Chal, should it have reached you, may make no unfavorable impressions.— I am inclined to think that the people of West Florida, particularly those residing on the Waters of the Mississippi, will continue dissatisfied until they fall under the American Government; at present there exists among them much disquietude, and a spirit of disaffection to the Spanish Authorities; but on this point, my official letter to the Secretary of State, will inform you more particularly. With sentiments the most respectful, I have the honor to Subscribe myself Your faithful friend! William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Claiborne; at foot of text in Claiborne’s hand: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Aug. and so recorded in SJL. girod and chal: J. F. Girod & Chol to TJ, 10 June. baron’s claim: Claiborne’s letter to Madison of 7 June enclosed Baron de Bastrop’s petition demanding that the exclusive Indian trading privilege granted him by Spain be recognized under Article 3 of the Louisiana Purchase treaty, which protected the property rights of the inhabitants (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:295). west florida: writing to Madison on 27 June, Claiborne reported on a recent conversation with the Marqués de Casa Calvo regarding West Florida. The com-

mandant at Baton Rouge had informed Casa Calvo of a “recent riot” in the vicinity of his post and stated that the people of West Florida “manifested a seditious spirit” since the transfer of Louisiana. Claiborne replied that the limits of Louisiana would likely be settled by “the friendly mode of Negociation,” and that the United States had nothing “more at heart” than maintaining peace and harmony with Spain. Claiborne asserted that U.S. officers did not encourage the unrest in West Florida. Casa Calvo seemed pleased with Claiborne’s reply and agreed that the eastern boundary of Louisiana would soon be settled by diplomatic means. Most of the public warehouses in New Orleans were filled with Spanish arms and ammunition destined for Pensacola, Claiborne reported (same, 7:379-80).

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To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 26. 04. I return you the papers in the case of the Spanish ship which having put in in distress is condemned as un-seaworthy. I think it clear that the Xth. article of the Spanish treaty intended to provide for relading indifferently in any vessel, otherwise the case of wreck for which it was intended to provide would be left unprovided. but the legislative provision having been deemed more narrow, I see no remedy but to extend all the favor the case admits to the party, and to lay the matter before Congress for a provision commensurate with the treaty, and for indemnification to the party. Affectionate salutations. PoC (DLC). Enclosures: probably enclosures to Gallatin to TJ, 23 June.

To Henry Dearborn Th:J. to Genl. Dearborne. June 27. 04. I inclose you a newspaper with a Lexington article respecting the Osage chiefs. Govr. Harrison in a former letter I think proposed the purchasing all the Piankishaw lands on the Ohio. this would be infinitely preferable to nibbling about the Saline. I doubt the expediency of buying the Pioria lands West of the Missisipi, unless a bargain could be made at the same time with some other tribe to give lands East of the Missisipi for them. I wonder whether it would be practicable in our purchases of the Indians to give them an annuity proportioned to the number of families, so that the annuity might extinguish with the numbers. it may be worth thinking of. Affectionate salutations. RC (PHi); endorsed by Dearborn. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Osages. Indian purchases.” Enclosure: see below. lexington article: appearing in at least two newspapers on the previous day, a widely circulated account of the Osage delegation then en route to Washington discussed the Osages’ desire to enter into treaty with the United States, the “gigan-

tic stature” of the individuals making the journey, their “ferocious” relationships with other tribes, and an attack on the party by members of the Sac and Fox nations (Alexandria Advertiser, 26 June; Baltimore Telegraphe and Daily Adver­ tiser, 26 June; William Clark and Meriwether Lewis to TJ, 18 May). former letter: William Henry Harrison to TJ, 12 May.

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From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department June 27th. 1804 I have the honor of proposing for your approbation the following list of appointments in the Army of the United States. Hannibal M Allen of Vermont to be appointed 2d. Lieut of Artillery vice Lieut Lamkin resigned— James S Smith of New Jersey to be appointed 2d. Lieut of Artillery vice Lieut Brent resigned Joseph Kimball of New Hampshire to be appointed 2d Lieut of Artillery vice Lieut Richard Smith declined— John Brownson of Vermont to be appointed Ensign 1st. Regt. of Infantry vice Ensign Symmes promoted— Johnson Magown of Kentucky to be appointed Ensign 1st Regt. of Infy vice Ensign Warner declined Benjamin Marshall of Massachusetts to be appointed Ensign 1st Regt. Infy vice Ensign Steward declined Doctor John Watkins of New Orleans to be appointed Surgeon Samuel Mabson of North Carolina to be appointed Cadet in Artillery Edward R Campbell of Vermont to be appointed Cadet in Artillery, Accept Sir the assurances of my high respect and consideration H. D. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin June 27. 04. I do not know that we can better dispose of Belsches’s letter than by sending it to W. C. Nicholas, whose zeal & understanding will do what is best with it. what would you think of recommending application to the Chief Justice to bind the parties to good behavior? or would it be better to send the letter at once to George Hay, who being with the Chief justice & other good lawyers, we may get that question fairly examined. I do not know that we can do any thing with the papers from Govr. Page respecting Counterfieters. perhaps if you were to deliver them to the Bank they might think them worth pursuing. Affectionate salutns.  P.S. will you consider mr Lincoln’s opn on the case of the President of the Insurance co. at N.Y.  658 

27 JUNE 1804  RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). PoC (DLC); postscript added separately to RC and PoC. Notation in SJL: “vessels arming. counterfieters.” On 28 June, Gallatin sent a copy of James belsches’s letter to TJ of 16 June to Wilson Cary nicholas. Gallatin instructed Nicholas to investigate the matter and take legal action against the owners or masters of the vessels if they were armed “to force a trade to San Domingo, and to resist the cruizers of one of the belligerent Powers.” Gallatin referred Nich-

olas to a 1798 act that permitted judges to hold parties for good behavior in cases arising under federal law. On 24 July, Nicholas responded that the revenue cutters had not encountered any suspicious vessels in the Severn River at the time Belsches wrote to TJ (Gallatin to Nicholas, 28 June, RC in MHi; Gallatin, Pa­ pers, 9:877-8; U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:609). papers from govr. page: see John Page to TJ, 18 June. For Levi lincoln’s opinion, see Lincoln to TJ, 25 June.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir June 27th 1804 I enclose the copies of some resumés respecting the population, exports (of articles of domestic growth) and navigation of the United States which I prepared for and sent to Baron Humboldt. I supplied him also with several printed documents on revenue, expences &a. with manuscript notes. The summary of exports is better arranged than the usual reports to Congress— Respectfully Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 27 June and “statistical tables” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Statistical tables on the U.S. population divided under two heads, “Territory possessed by whites,” including totals of whites, free blacks, and slaves for the years 1790 and 1800 and measuring population per square mile and square league as well as rates of increase, and “Territory possessed by Indians,” with subdivisions for “Atlantic in Georgia” and “On Western Waters” (MS in same: TJ Papers, 107:18428; in a clerk’s hand, with notations by Gallatin; endorsed by Gallatin: “Population & territory”). (2) Population tables for three territorial subdivisions—the northeast, comprising everything east of the Allegheny Mountains from the district of Maine to Delaware; the southeast, comprising everything east of the Alleghenies from Maryland to Georgia; and the west, comprising the states and territories beyond the Alleghenies—with totals for the

white, free black, and enslaved populations in 1790 and 1800 and measurements of the rate of population increase (MS in same, 107:18429; in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by Gallatin: “Population details”). (3) “A summary statement of the value” of all U.S. exports for the year ending 30 Sep. 1803, divided into categories for fisheries totaling $2,635,000; “The Forest,” with calculations for peltries, ginseng, and timber totaling $4,850,000; agriculture, with calculations for animal products, grain, tobacco, cotton, and other items totaling $32,995,000; manufacturing, totaling $1,355,000; and undefined activities totaling $300,000; for an overall total of $42,135,000 (MS in same, 135:23332; in a clerk’s hand, with notations by Gallatin). (4) Comparative statement of the quantity of cotton of foreign and domestic growth exported from the United States during the years 1800, 1802, and 1803, with undifferentiated totals for the years 1791-2, 1797-9, and 1801 (MS in same, 135:23333; in a clerk’s

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27 JUNE 1804 hand). (5) Statement of the tonnage of American-owned vessels engaged in the coasting trade, fisheries, or foreign trade from 1799 to 1802, paired with a comparative statement of tonnage for Americanowned and foreign ships engaged in trade between the United States and other

countries during the years 1790, 1794, and 1799-1802 (MS in same, 135:23334; in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by Gallatin: “Navigation”; endorsed by TJ: “Statistical tables of the US. June 1804. by mr Gallatin”).

From Alexander von Humboldt Monsieur le Président, à Philadelphie ce 27 Juin 1804. Je Vous avais annoncé dans ma première lettre que j’etais venu en ce pays pour Vous voir et pour Vous témoigner personnellement les sentimens d’admiration et d’attachement respectueux que Vos ecrits, Vos idées et Vos actions m’ont inspiré depuis tant d’années. Mon départ fixé pour demain prouve que j’ai rempli le but de mon Voyage. J’ai eu le bonheur de voir le premier Magistrat de cette grande Republique vivre avec la simplicité d’un Siecle philosophique et me recevoir avec cette bienfaisante bonté, qui attache pour jamais. Je parts parce que ma position l’exige, mais j’emporte avec moi la Consolation, que tandis que l’Europe présente un spectacle imoral et mélancholique, le peuple de ce Continent marche à grands pas vers la perfection de l’état social. Je me flatte que je jouirai un jour de nouveau de cet aspect consolant, je simpathise avec Vous dans l’espérance (que Vous exprimez dans la lettre que Mr. M’kean a bien voulu me remettre) que l’humanité peut s’attendre à une grande amelioration par le nouvel Ordre des choses qui regne ici. Daignez agreer les sentimens de ma haute Vénération et de la reconnaissance respectueuse avec laquelle je serai toute ma vie Monsieur le Président, Votre très humble et très obéissant Serviteur Humboldt. Mes amis Bonpland et Montufar me charges de leurs respects pour Votre Excellence. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mr. President, Philadelphia, 27 June 1804 In my first letter, I told you I had come to this country to see you and convey in person the admiration and respectful kinship that your writing, ideas, and actions have inspired in me for so many years. My departure, which is set for tomorrow, proves that I have fulfilled the goal of my trip. I had the pleasure of seeing the chief magistrate of this great republic live with the simplicity of an enlightened century and welcome me with a generous good

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27 JUNE 1804 will that creates eternal bonds. My responsibilities oblige me to leave, but I take with me the consolation that, while Europe presents an immoral, melancholic spectacle, the people of this continent march boldly toward a perfect society. I am encouraged by the idea that some day I might once again enjoy this consoling sight. I share with you the hope (that you expressed in the letter Mr. McKean gave me) that humankind can expect a significant improvement through the new order of things that reigns here. Please accept this expression of the great devotion and respectful gratitude with which I shall always be, Mr. President, your very humble and obedient servant. Humboldt. My friends Bonpland and Montufar asked me to convey their respects to your excellency. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 June and so recorded in SJL.

première lettre: Humboldt to TJ, 24 May. TJ responded four days later.

To Lafayette Washington June 27. 04.

On the 30th. of March I informed you, my dear friend, that Congress had permitted the location of your lands in the new state called Orleans (formerly Lower Louisiana) and that I had on the same day written to Governor Claiborne to look out for the best possible location. I have just recieved a letter from him dated New Orleans May 3. in which is the following passage. ‘I was last evening honored with the reciept of your letter of the 30th. March. it would personally be a source of great satisfaction to me to see the Marquis de la Fayette a citizen of Louisiana, and I believe his permanent residence therein would be a great public benefit. I shall hasten to make the enquiries you sollicit, & to communicate to you the result. my present impression is that there would be no difficulty in locating the land granted to General Fayette in situations the most eligible in Lower Louisiana; perhaps the greater part of it in the island of New Orleans. but I will inform you more particularly hereafter.’ the inclosed paper having lately come to my hand and containing the best account I have ever seen of the manner of employing lands in that canton, I thought it important to send it to you as it may enable you to form some idea of the use to which you will put your own. as to the importation of slaves from abroad, for which that country is pressing, it never will be permitted. perhaps they may be allowed to draw them from the other states. but you will look to other resources. a colony of labouring French, with a certain portion of the fugitive Creoles from St. Domingo, used to the culture of sugar & cotton, and to take some part in  661 

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the labours, of good character also, might in a short time render your estate there very productive. beginning with about 50. tenants at first, they might be annually increased as experience should teach the best mode of doing it. would it be no gratification to you, my friend, to have a family of this kind to whom you could be a father? and to become in fact the father of the new State? for the whole, American as well as French, would immediately look up to you as their common link of union. New Orleans is a place of wealth & luxury. the manners entirely French, and the language spoken. the people the most quiet and affectionate in the world. leave then, my dear friend, the soil which is trembling under your feet, ready to open & devour yourself & your family, and come to a country where you can do so much good, and which is rising under prospects of tranquility and happiness which scarcely ever beamed on man before. as at the next session of Congress, a land office will be opened to every body, we shall employ this summer, when yourself alone is permitted to recieve a grant, in making the best location possible for you. in the mean time I should be happy to hear from you & recieve your general ideas, which if they come in time will be entirely attended to. but we will not wait for them so as to incur any risks, persuaded that the information on which we shall act will be the best.   I am in hopes this will get to Philadelphia in time to be taken charge of by Baron de Humboldt who is embarking there for Paris. he is a Prussian of great science, & the most amiable character who has been five years in S. America, and goes to Paris to publish the result of his labours. he has made a very short stay with us; yet he will be able to give you some account of us, and will be found worthy of any attentions you may bestow on him. Present me respectfully to Me. de la. Fayette, M. and Me. de Tessé, and accept yourself assurances of my unchangeable affection. Th: Jefferson  P.S. July 11. since writing the above I have letters from Governor Claiborne informing me that he can locate 320. as. of land adjacent to the city of N. Orleans on the Canal of Carondelet, sometimes a little overflowed, but easily banked. a considerable proportion more may be got in the island of N. Orleans about Galvez town near the Ibberville. good locations can be had on Boeuf river, on the Appelousas, uniting the Chaffaleya & red rivers; and most excellent on the Red river near the rapids, where the land is fertile in the extreme, free from inundation, & remarkably healthy. we shall pursue the enquiries, in hopes of hearing from you without delay: but at any rate some if not all the locations shall be made before Congress meets again, lest  662 

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a different disposition should be made of some of them, and especially of that adjacent to the city which is of immense value, and may perhaps, a part of it, answer to be laid off in lots in enlargement of the city, which it will be necessary immediately to enlarge, on a plan already proposed. RC (NIC: Dean Lafayette Collection); at foot of first page: “M. de la Fayette”; enclosed in TJ to John Armstrong of New York, 11 July. Enclosure not found.

letters from governor clai­ borne: William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 20, 29 May 1804.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum June 28th. 1804. My son Rembrandt now at Baltemore exhibiting his Skeleton of the Mammoth, writes me as follows. “Saterday there was a young man here, lately (4 weeks) from Pittsburg, who saw Reeder and his Bones. He gave me a very accurate description of them. He has a very fine thigh bone much like mine, an underjaw not so large as mine but a good deal broken, a great number of back bones of different individuals—none large, most of them broken. A considerable part of the head but not the brain & I believe not the eyes. He has been exhibiting them, 25 Cents each, arranged on the floor of the Assembly Room. He wishes to persuade people that the whole of the backbones belonged to one. He would only shew one Rib & that the largest, because the young man my informer says they do not agree with the size he would wish to make it. “But he certainly has a large foot of some other Animal, my informer says it is not at all like the Mammoths.—a shoulder blade much broken, scarcely any hip bones. small neck bones. He talks of coming on either to Baltemore or Philada. to get models carved & the whole put together, but my informer thinks it will not succeed—from so heterogeneous a collection of bones so broken and mostly petrified. “I am therefore much at a loss what to think of your Journey—and what to fear from the neglect of it. It will certainly be best to immediately write to Col. Nevel even if you were not to Stay for an answer; because in case any accident prevented your going, you might receive it.” I shall wait for an Answer from Coll. Nevel, in order to know what sum Reeder expects for his Bones. The foot is very interesting and if entire, as it is said to be, makes me hope that the whole Skeleton may yet be had. to know where it was found with other particulars  663 

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would be my first enquiry. I must suspect the other bones are of little account. Your Polygraph is in considerable forwardness. I have painted a faithfull portrait of Baron Humboldt. the vessel that is to carry him to Europe goes down the River to Day and most probably he will leave us tomorrow. ever with high reguard your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 29 June and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale-Sellers Papers). The answer Peale received from his Pittsburgh correspondent Presley Neville

confirmed the information his son had obtained about the collection of bones. In a letter of 5 Aug. to Neville, Peale repeated his interest in obtaining the large foot from an undetermined species, but only for a reasonable price (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:745-6).

From Robert Smith Sir, June 28. 1804 I shall this day have the honor of sending to you Warrants for the two young gentlemen recommended by judge Tyler. You will however be pleased to inform him that the Frigates intended for the Medn. have their full Complement of Midshipmen and that the first services to be performed by these young men will probably be on board of Gun Boats— Y.H.S. Rt Smith RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 28 June and “Hardeman & Hill. midshipmen.”

The young gentlemen were Tyler Hardyman and William E. Hill (ndbw, Register, 23, 26; Smith to Hardyman and Hill, 28 June, in DNA: RG 45, LSO).

From William Thornton Sir City of Washington 28th: June 1804. Although, by being totally superseded in whatever concern the former Presidents had confided to my Care in this City, I might be considered as too sensibly affected to have the smallest Solicitude for whatever is now doing, I nevertheless cannot abstract my mind wholly from what particularly relates to myself. My plan of the Capitol being approved I thought no Alteration could have been proposed without stating it to me, & knowing my opinion.—You proposed changes by  664 

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which Committee rooms might be provided. I acquiesced with the utmost pleasure. These Alterations, from the present Arrangement, render it more correspondent to my original Design, from which, in those respects, I had deviated with some reluctance, but by advice which I respected.—You did me the honor of declaring that no material alteration should take place without my concurrence. The Delicacy of your distinguishing mind, I am confident, will not permit you to be inattentive to those points of honor that affect the feelings of sensibility. Your Proposals therefore to make alterations would always meet from me with the highest respect; but I have to lament the Difficulties that will probably arise from subjecting me, in any manner, to the Jealousies of the present Surveyor of the Public Buildings. Mr Latrobe has declared to me in a Letter of the 28th. of April last, that when he was appointed to the management of the Public Buildings “he was informed that he had nothing to do with me or my Plans.” I learnt in the same month that alterations were permitted, but you might not perhaps think them so materially different from those I had several months before agreed to, & sketched in the Ground plan in your Possession, as to authorize a Delay. I had not an opportunity of seeing the Alterations, and had on the 17th: of April written a Letter to you on the Subject. Hearing however of the Situation of your Family at Monticello I with-held my Address, choosing rather to suspend any expression of feelings, than to intrude them at so affecting a time. Mr: Latrobe is a man of Genius, but I cannot suppress a wish that the Delicacy which he would expect from another in similar Circumstances shall be required of him in relation to the Capitol.— I have the honor to be Sir with the highest respect, yr. &c William Thornton RC (DLC: Cass Gilbert Papers); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 June and so recorded in SJL. Dft (DLC: William Thornton Papers). mr latrobe has declared to me: on 27 June, Thornton defended himself

against Latrobe’s charges of 28 Apr. Latrobe responded on 21 July. He expressed no willingness to compromise, referred to Thornton as “an underhand destroyer of reputation,” and suggested that, given the permanence of their disagreement, they should end further correspondence (Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:518-19, 523-4).

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To John Tyler Dear Sir Washington June 28. 04. your favor of the 10th. inst. has been duly recieved. amidst the direct falsehoods, the misrepresentations of truth, the calumnies & the insults resorted to by a faction to mislead the public mind, & to overwhelm those intrusted with its interests, our support is to be found in the approving voice of our conscience and country, in the testimony of our fellow citizens that their confidence is not shaken by these artifices. when to the plaudits of the honest multitude, the sober approbation of the sage in his closet is added, it becomes a gratification of an higher order: it is the sanction of wisdom superadded to the voice of affection. the terms therefore in which you are so good as to express your satisfaction with the course of the present administration cannot but give me great pleasure. I may err in my measures, but never shall deflect from the intention to fortify the public liberty by every possible means, and to put it out of the power of the few to riot on the labours of the many. no experiment can be more interesting than that we are now trying, & which we trust will end in establishing the fact that man may be governed by reason and truth. our first object should therefore be to leave open to him all the avenues to truth. the most effectual hitherto found is the freedom of the press. it is therefore the first shut up by those who fear the investigation of their actions. the firmness with which the people have withstood the late abuses of the press, the discernment they have manifested between truth and falsehood, shew that they may safely be trusted to hear everything true and false, & to form a correct judgment between them. as little is it necessary to impose on their senses, or dazzle their minds by pomp, splendor, or forms. instead of this artificial, how much surer is that real, respect, which results from the use of their reason, and the habit of bringing every thing to the test of common sense. I hold it therefore certain that to open the doors of truth, & to fortify the habit of testing every thing by reason, are the most effectual manacles we can rivet on the hands of our successors to prevent their manacling the people with their own consent. the panic into which they were artfully thrown in 98. the frenzy which was excited in them by their enemies against their friends, and their apparent readiness to abandon all the principles established for their own protection seemed for a while to countenance the opinions of those who say they cannot be trusted with their own government. but I never doubted their rallying: & they did rally much sooner than I had expected. on the whole  666 

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that experiment on their credulity has confirmed my confidence in their ultimate good sense and virtue. I lament to learn that a like misfortune has enabled you to estimate the afflictions of a father on the loss of a beloved child. however terrible the possibility of such another accident, it is still a blessing for you of inestimable value that you would not even then descend childless to the grave. three sons, & hopeful ones too, are a rich treasure. I rejoice when I hear of young men of virtue and talents, worthy to recieve and likely to preserve the splendid inheritance of self government which we have acquired & shaped for them.   The complement of midshipmen for the Tripoline squadron is full; and I hope the frigates have left the capes by this time. I have however this day signed warrants of midshipmen for the two young gentlemen you recommended. these will be forwarded by the Secretary of the Navy. he tells me that their first services will be to be performed on board the gun boats. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Judge Tyler.” RC (DLC: John Tyler Papers); incomplete, consisting of address sheet only; addressed: “The honble Judge Tyler at Green way in Charles

City by the Richmond mail”; franked and postmarked. warrants: see Robert Smith to TJ, 28 June.

To John Armstrong of New York June 29. 04.

Will Genl Armstrong do Th: Jefferson the favor to come & take family soupe with him to-day at half past three? Th:J. will ask the same favor of mr Madison. free conversations with Genl. Armstrong will give him a truer idea of the dispositions of this government towards those of Europe than written instructions can possibly convey. RC (NBLiHi).

From David Leonard Barnes Sir Providence June 29th 1804 Presuming that information as to facts, in cases of importance, will always be acceptable, I take the liberty to trouble you with a few observations respecting the Loan Office in this State—It is said to be in  667 

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contemplation to remove it from this Town to Newport. This report excited an inquiry into the proportions of Stockholders and Pensioners to be accomodated in the different Towns—and the result stands thus— Whole number of Stockholders 407— Amo of Stock 835,000$ County of Newport 78— Do 168,000$ Do. Washington 10— Do 6,000$ The remainder of the Stock & Stockholders, belong to this vicinity, including the neighbouring towns in Massachusetts and Connecticut, except a small comparative amount, which belongs to Foreigners who have agents here. This statement is understood to be correct within a few hundred dollars— There are, as I am well assured, Fifty pensioners now on the list— from two to five are in the vicinity of Newport—the rest are principally in the neighbourhood of this town—During the winter season, the passing to Newport is both difficult & dangerous, and at all seasons the expence is very considerable. The Stockholders in this vicinity have very little occasion to go or send to Newport, and in case the Office is removed, must go or send on purpose to receive their interest—On the contrary the Inhabitants of Newport have frequently occasion to come to, or pass through this Town on their way to Boston or in to the Country—Many of the pensioners have located themselves here, as I am informed, for the purpose of receiving their pensions free of expence; & have obtained employ which enables them to support their families—In every point of view in which the office can be considered, the advantages are greatly in favour of retaining it in this Town—I am not personally a Stockholder, and my principal inducement for troubling you on the subject is, to furnish such information as I conceive to be necessary to decide in such a manner as to secure the approbation of reasonable and discerning men With Sentiments of the highest Respect I am Your Obedient Servant David Leonard Barnes RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 4 July.

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Statement of Account with Isaac Cooper Washington 29th June 1804

His Excellency Mr Jefferson Bot of Isaac Cooper

Dolls one Dozen gilt frames with Glass 12.50 one square Glass 26 by 19 2.50 two Boxes & Packing do 1.50 15.₁−⁵− ₀⁰₀ − MS (MHi); in Cooper’s hand; endorsed and signed by Cooper acknowledging payment on 2 July; endorsed by TJ. Isaac Cooper (1777-1841) was born in Rockland County, New York. In 1803, he opened a carving and gilding shop on Pennsylvania Avenue, where he made cornices and brackets as well as frames. The shop remained in the same location until his death. Cooper, who later advertised himself as a “Looking Glass and Picture Frame Maker and Gilder,” could claim more than one president as his customer. TJ placed an order with Cooper for framing six medals in 1802, and be-

ginning in 1804 bought picture frames from him once a year until 1809 (David Cole and Walter Kenneth Griffin, Records of the Reformed Dutch Church of Kakiat, Rockland Co., New York, 1774­1864 [New York, 1909], 5; National Intelligencer, 22 Apr. 1803; Daily National Intelligencer, 21 June, 14 July 1841; Washington Globe, 14 Oct. 1837; Cooper to Andrew Jackson, 15 Oct. 1837, in DLC: Andrew Jackson Papers; mb, 2:1155, 1182, 1214, 1228, 1242; Vol. 37:134n). gilt frames: on 2 July, TJ gave Joseph Dougherty $15.50 “for Isaac Cooper for picture frames” (mb, 2:1131).

To Henry Dearborn Th:J. to Genl. Dearborne June 29. 04. The inclosed papers came in the letter from Capt Lewis which I sent you: but not having been able to read this till last night they are now sent, and are interesting.—I cannot make out whether the party of Osages who were killed were some of those deputed to us. if they were not, it would carry us farther into Indian concerns, than we would wish to go, to take serious notice of it. if the Kickapoos meditated to attack the Osage deputation while under the care & accompanied by an officer of ours, it may be proper to let them know we should have noticed it very seriously. affectionate salutations. RC (PHi); endorsed by Dearborn with the date 30 June. PrC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Osages. Kickapoos.” Enclosures: see below. A letter of 19 May from Meriwether Lewis, recorded in SJL as received 28

June, has not been found. It may have enclosed the list of articles compiled by Lewis and William Clark that is printed above at 18 May. The articles accompanied the delegation of osages then en route to Washington. Lewis may have also enclosed information related to an attack

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29 JUNE 1804 on a group of Osages who were traveling to St. Louis. In a letter of 3 June to Dearborn, Amos Stoddard reported that warriors of the Sac and Fox tribes fired on a boat carrying some Osages, killing several and taking others captive. According to

Stoddard, the attackers had intended to intercept the Osage chiefs who were to accompany Pierre Chouteau to Washington but “accidentally fell in with the boat already mentioned” (Jackson, Lewis and Clark, 1:196-8).

To Christopher Ellery Dear Sir Washington June 29. 04. When I thought of removing the loan office of R.I. to Newport, the object was to give to that place the participation in the benefits, which it had in the confidence of the government. I did not then suppose that a removal of 30. miles could have produced the serious inconveniences which have been since explained to me. whether these are as considerable as has been said is more than I am willing to undertake to decide. I therefore proposed, as next best, for Newport, the appointing mr Tabor Commissioner. he declines. when I recieved your letter I was just in the act of making the same proposition to you, which I accordingly do on the same condition of removal to Providence. it will answer a further good purpose the more, of placing an additional encourager of republicanism in that place which will be the better of it. altho I set high value on your services in Senate, yet as we cannot have you every where, I am desirous of availing the public of your aid wherever it can be yielded most to your own convenience. be so good as to inform me as soon as you can make up your mind, whether you accept the proposition. I tender you my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The honble Christopher Ellery”; endorsed by TJ. mr tabor: Constant Taber. According to SJL, Ellery’s letter, which has not been found, was dated 20

June and received on the 26th. Also recorded in SJL but not found is a letter from Ellery of 7 July declining the appointment as commissioner of loans.

To Bishop James Madison Dear Sir Washington June 29. 04. I am preparing to get a road established from this place to N. Orleans as nearly in the direct line as the mountains will permit, passing about 20 miles below the blue ridge & parallel with it to Franklin C.H.  670 

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our last post office on the Southern confines of Georgia, & thence in a direct line (as nearly as localities will permit) to the mouth of Pearl river, & thence to N. Orleans. it is certainly ridiculous to be crossing the mountains in going from one seaport to another. this route would in a straight line be about 900. miles but with necessary turns may be raised to 1000, or something more, which the post will travel at 100. miles in the 24. hours, and a stage in something more. there are so many rival interests on the road that it is necessary to produce to Congress demonstration of the best, in order to get it. mr Briggs, surveyor Genl. of the country South of Ohio is repairing to Natchez, and is willing to go on horseback along the route I propose to N. Orleans, and to take the longitude and latitude of all the principal points, so as to give us a projection of the road. but we have no instrument which he could carry with him. I recollect you had a pocket quadrant in brass. would you lend it for this purpose? it can never be applied more usefully. I will undertake that it shall be returned safe, or if injured, to have it replaced by a similar one from England or pay for it at your option; or to purchase it now if that would be as agreeable. the next difficulty is to get it here safely, for it ought to come in the pocket and not in the baggage of a passenger. if you will take the trouble to go to your stage office from whence passengers come daily to Richmond, and get a passenger to take it and deliver it to the postmaster in Richmond, I will write to him to put it into the hands of some trusty passenger from that place to this who will undertake to deliver it safely to me. in this way it may be here in three days after you recieve this. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Bishop Madison.”

To Napoleon, Emperor of the French Citizen First Consul and President. Robert R. Livingston, who for several years has resided with you as the Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States, having desired to return to America, we have yielded to his request. He will accordingly take his leave of you, embracing that occasion to assure you of our friendship and sincere desire to preserve and strengthen the harmony and good understanding so happily subsisting between the two Nations, and which will be further manifested by his Successor. We are persuaded, that he will do this in the manner most expressive of  671 

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these sentiments, and of the respect and sincerity with which they are offered. We pray God to keep you Citizen First Consul and President under his holy protection. Written at the City of Washington, the Twenty Ninth day of June, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and four Th: Jefferson RC (PHC); in a clerk’s hand except signatures; below signature: “By the President,” followed by Madison’s signature as secretary of state; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America. To the First Consul of the French Republic, and Pres-

ident of the Italian Republic.” RC (Raab Collection, Ardmore, Pennsylvania, 2014); in a clerk’s hand except signatures. Enclosed in Madison to Robert R. Livingston, 29 June (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:395).

From Jonathan Russell Sir Providence 29th June 1804 At the request of a number of the citizens of this state I have the honor to transmit to you their memorial relative to the removal of the loan office from this place to New Port—I have annexed to it a paper which contains the data from which the estimations of the relative amount of funded stock and of the number of stockholders and invalids have been made and which I beleive to be very near the truth. You will allow me to profit of this occasion to express to you my very grateful sense of the favour and confidence by which you lately had the goodness and condescention to distinguish me—and to assure you of the great respect and attachment with which I am Sir, Yr Very Obliged & Obt. Servt Jona Russell RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 July and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: statement in Russell’s hand observing that of the $835,000 in funded debt credited to the Providence loan office, $661,000 is held by residents in the Providence vicinity, $168,000 by Newport County residents, and $6,000 by those in Washington County; that of the 407 stockholders, 317 reside in the Providence vicinity, 77 in Newport County, and 13 in Washington County; that of the 51 pensioners who receive payments from the loan office, 33 reside in areas closer

to  Providence than to Newport (MS in same). Other enclosure printed below. Jonathan Russell (1771-1832) of Providence was a graduate of Rhode Island College and collector at the port of Bristol from 1801 until his resignation in early 1804. In 1810, Madison appointed him to  the American legation in Paris, then chargé d’affaires in England. In 1814, Russell helped negotiate peace with Great Britain at Ghent, followed by four years as minister to Norway and Sweden. Upon his return home in 1818, he settled in Massachusetts and was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives for the 1821-3

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29 JUNE 1804 term. Russell’s congressional career was cut short after his public attack on John Quincy Adams’s supposed pro-British bias during the Ghent negotiations was found to be based on altered documents. The annihilation of his accusations was so complete that to be “Jonathan Russelled” became part of antebellum political jargon (anb; Biog. Dir. Cong.; Merrill D.

Peterson, The Great Triumvirate: Webster, Clay, and Calhoun [New York, 1987], 120-1; Vol. 34:144-7). condescention to distinguish me: most likely a reference to Russell’s March nomination as U.S. consul to Tunis, which he declined (jep, 1:466; Vol. 42:238n).

e n c l o s u r e

Memorial from Providence, Rhode Island Rhode Island 28 June 1804 We the undersigned Citizens of the United States and inhabitants of the State of Rhode Island—having good cause to beleive that great exertions have been made by certain citizens of this state—actuated by local prejudices or perhaps by more sordid motives—to obtain a removal of the office of commissioner of loans from Providence to Newport—and apprehending it to be a duty which we owe to you—whose glory we cherish—and to the community whose interests we profess to serve—to portray the evils which would result from such a measure, respectfully submit to you the following considerations. By the length of time which the office has been established in Providence— all persons, who have business to transact with it—have their mode of communication arranged, their correspondents appointed—and all their feelings and habits reconciled and familiarized with the existing arrangement— Nearly four fifths in amount and above three fourths in number of the holders of the public debt, credited in the books of this office, reside in the town of Providence or its vicinity—and of more than fifty invalids who claim their pensions there—seven only are to be found on the whole island of Rhode Island—great therefore must be the additional inconvenience and expense occasioned by the removal of the office to New-Port The insular situation of New Port renders it in the winter of difficult access, the ferries by which alone it can be approached being often at that season of the year tempestuous or partially frozen and thereby dangerous or impassable To send the office to the margin of the ocean would be displacing it from the centre of its concerns & thereby greatly increasing the aggregate distance to be travelled and of course the public inconvenience The probable result from such a location of the office would be the transfer of nearly one half of the stock—now credited in it—to the books of the office in Boston—As motives of convenience would powerfully combine with the injured feelings of individuals to induce such a proceedure—And should afterwards the office here remain with the same expense, but with little more than half the business to perform, we humbly apprehend it would be a departure from those maxims of economy, which have rendered so illustrious the present administration—And on the other hand should the salary be proportionably reduced, the interested promoters of this deprecated removal

 673 

29 JUNE 1804 would be filled with chagrin and disappointment instead of affection and gratitude— Persuaded therefore that the existing & established modes which have long been used by the citizens of this state to receive the monies, due to them from the union, ought not to be deranged or interrupted without any obvious or adequate advantage—that the accommodation of the creditor of the United States and of the soldier wounded in their service ought to be preferred to the mere gratification of those who seek for office (for we conceive the only legitimate end of all offices is the benefit of the many and not of the few—to serve society and not to salary an individual) And finally that above all the public harmony ought not to be hazarded by useless and unpromising changes— we feel an assurance arising from our confidence in your public & private virtue—that whoever may discharge the duties of the office—the office itself will not be removed We remain with sentiments of the most profound respect and of the most lively and affectionate regard Sir Your Very Obt. & Very Hble Servts

Benj. West P.M Ebenezr. Thompson Jno. Mathewson Samuel Eddy Seth Wheaton Saml. Thurber Junr. Levi Wheaton Henry Smith Joel Metcalf Otis Ammidon Philip Martin

RC (ViW: Tucker-Coleman Collection); in Jonathan Russell’s hand, signed by all; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States.” The signers all resided in the Providence vicinity and had cause for protecting its economic well-being. Former Rhode Island College professor Benjamin West, a mathematician and astronomer unrelated to the artist of the same name, served as the city’s postmaster. He and district naval officer Ebenezer Thompson would chair the local celebration of TJ’s second inauguration. Joel Metcalf, John T. Spalding, and Wheeler Martin were justices; James Fenner, son of the governor, was the clerk of the court of common pleas. Henry Smith was a state senator

James Fenner. John C. Bucklin Wheeler Martin John T Spalding Hy P Franklin John Whipple Thomas Sessions Silvanus Martin Stephen Randal James Pettey Jona Russell

and Samuel Eddy was secretary of Rhode Island. Levi Wheaton practiced medicine. Samuel Thurber, Jr., operated a paper mill and, like several of the other signers, was a local merchant. At least half of the petitioners were directors of Providence banks or insurance companies. Most of the men were active Republicans, including party leaders Seth Wheaton, Thurber, Smith, and Fenner (anb, s.v. “West, Benjamin”; Providence Phoenix, 28 Apr., 24 Aug., 5 Oct. 1802, 7 May 1803, 10, 24 Mch., 21 Apr., 12 May, 10 Nov. 1804, 14 Dec. 1805, 3 May 1806; Providence Ga­ zette, 2 Jan. 1802, 2 Apr. 1803, 26 May, 3 Nov. 1804, 13 July 1805; Newport Mer­ cury, 7 Mch. 1812; Providence Patriot, 9 May 1821; Vol. 42:575).

 674 

To Markes Vandewall Sir Washington June 29. 04. We have occasion to get a delicate pocket instrument conveyed from Bishop Madison in Williamsburg to this place. it cannot come safely but in the pocket of a passenger as, if put in his baggage, the jolting of the carriage would derange it. I have asked him to put it into the hands of a careful passenger in the stage from Williamsburg, to be delivered to you: and I have to ask the favor of you to find at the stage office of Richmond some trusty passenger coming on here who will undertake either to deliver it to me, or at the post office here where it will be safe, and that you would be so good as to do this by the first stage after you recieve the instrument from the bishop. it being for a public purpose induces me to give you this trouble. Accept my respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Colo. Vandeval”; endorsed by TJ.

Memorandum from Thomas Munroe Memdm. of Appropriation of 3d March 1803 for repairs or Alterations in the Capitol & other public buildings, and for keeping in repair the High way between the Same Unexpended balance on the 1t. Jany 1804 r Acct. returned to the Treasury $. 3,285.11 Recd. by the Superintendant r warrant 22d. February 1804 being the balance of said Appropriation 10,000.11 Ds 13,285.11 Paid sundries from 1. Jany to 9 march 1804 $ 450. Ditto r vouchers No. 312 @ 321 5136.62 Ditto —Do— 325 @ 363 1841.97 Ditto —Do— 364 @ 369 153.27 7,581.86 Balance unexpended on the 28th. march 1804, and on that day transferred & applied to the Account of High Ways between the Capitol & other public buildings Ds. 5,703.25 Paid on Acct. of High ways from 28 march 1804 to the 31 may 1804 $ 119.65 Do. from 31 may to 30 June 161.09 280.74 In Hand 30th June 1804 applicable to High Ways exclusively Ds. 5,422.51  675 

30 JUNE 1804

estimated Amt. of stone pavement taken up for use of Capitol, say, 500 perches including the Hauling at $2.₁−⁵₀−⁰₀ −  Perch (to be credited to High Way Acct.). Estimated Amount of outstanding claims for the month of June, Instant, including Carters Labourers &c—at most

1,250.51 6,672.51

500.51 Ds. 6,172.51 Thomas Munroe

30 June 1804

MS (DLC); endorsed by TJ: “Capitol & Roads. estimate.”

From James Parker His Excelncy Thos: Jefferson Sauterday 30th June 1804. The humble respects of a disstresed Ireish Officer wate on You he is reduced to the gratest extremity suffered in his place of Netivity on account of the revolution; has a family a stranger & no Imployment for a Support; therfore take the Liberty of Intrudeing on Your Be­ nevolence for sume assistance as he is in want; has seen Better days; but know in adversity— I am Your. Excys: Disstresed Obedt: Servt: Jams: Parker Late Lieut: Carabineers RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 June. Not recorded in SJL. Parker sent a similarly worded letter to Madison on 21 June, explaining that he lost £1,500 “on account of the Revo-

lution” and was reduced “to the lowest Ebb.” He added that Robert Smith, Dearborn, and Gideon Granger had “Contributed most generously to me” (DLC: Madison Papers; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:348).

From Levi Shepherd & Sons [30 June 1804]

We should not presume to direct the attention of your Excellency’s mind from the weighty concerns of government, to a subject of comparatively trifling importance, were it not that we wish to oblige a deserving man, and that the object of our request, if granted, will promote the cause of Republicanism. In a country village, like this, the Post-Office is a place of general resort for people to obtain political  676 

30 JUNE 1804

information; this is in the hands of a Federalist, and is a place of daily resort for a Federal Faction to ridicule and calumniate the officers of our National Government. When Mr. Granger was appointed Post-Master-General, it was expected that he would displace Butler, the Post-Master here, and appoint Daniel Wright, Esq. a man who is much respected and esteemed even by his political adversaries, and has uniformly been a decided friend to the present administration, even in the worst of times. Mr. Granger has been repeatedly requested to make this alteration, by a number of Republicans in this county, and of late by ourselves, as you will perceive by the enclosed letter (of Granger to us)1 but our request has not been granted. Mr. Granger has a number of Friends in this town, who are very high­toned Federalists, who have constantly opposed the alteration we so much wish for, not from any attachment they have to Butler, but to keep down the Republicans. We presume the reason why Mr. Granger has declined displacing Butler is because he is afraid of displeasing his Federal friends in this town; or, as is conjectured here, that he himself is turned Federalist, or third party man. This town is the centre of the large county of Hampshire, containing more than 70,000 inhabitants; it is the native place of Governor Strong, and he resides here about eight months in the year; it is in fact the Strong fortress of Federalism for this State—till of late there never has been a Republican paper printed in the county. We have now at considerable expense established one in this town, which is constantly encreasing in circulation, and have no doubt we shall have the satisfaction of seeing the State of Massachusetts on the Republican side before the expiration of one year. Our Legislature have voted, by a majority of only three, to chuse Presidential Electors by a General Ticket, expecting that the Federal Ticket will be successful, but we are not without strong hopes that the Republican Ticket will obtain a majority. We are of opinion, SIR, considering the situation of this county that a change in the Post-Office in this town will be productive of much good, and we wish that the Federalists here who imagine they can control Mr. Granger, will no longer have reason to boast that we are disregarded and neglected by the General Government, and cannot obtain even the small Office of Post­Master for a man whom they acknowledge 2 is deserving of it. The Republicans in this county will be highly gratified by the change, and though Mr. Granger has denied us, we feel a confidence that you will direct it otherwise. For a knowledge of the subscribers, we would refer your Excellency to the Secretary of the Navy, with whom,  677 

30 JUNE 1804

and his predecessor we have, for a number of years past, made annual contracts for supplying the United States with a quantity of American manufactured Duck. We are with the highest consideration, your obedient servants, Levi Shepherd & Sons. Printed in Northampton, Massachusetts, Hampshire Gazette, 16 Apr. 1806; undated. Recorded in SJL as a letter of 30 June 1804 received from Northampton on 5 July with notation “Wright v. Butler P.M.” Enclosure not found. Established in 1799, Levi Shepherd & Sons was a prominent mercantile concern in Northampton, Massachusetts, consisting of Levi Shepherd and his sons Thomas and Levi, Jr. The partnership disbanded in late 1805 following the father’s death (Smith College Studies in History, 21 [1935-36], 25-6; Hampshire Gazette, 4 Apr. 1799; Northampton, Mass., Republican Spy, 29 Oct., 12 Nov. 1805). Simeon butler was postmaster for Northampton from 1800 until 1806, when daniel wright replaced him (Stets, Postmasters, 149). established one: the letter printed above was sent to the Hampshire Gazette, a Federalist newspaper, by “Bob,” who described it as “a copy of an original letter addressed to the President of the United States.” The document proved, “Bob” asserted, that Levi Shepherd & Sons

introduced the “democratic Press” into Northampton, which had since carried on an “unremitting warfare against private character and reputation.” The following week, Levi Shepherd, Jr., publicly claimed responsibility for the letter, which he asserted had been stolen from his brother’s desk. He also declared that the letter “was never sent to the President,” although TJ’s entry in SJL shows that he did receive a letter from Levi Shepherd & Sons on the subject of “Wright v. Butler” that he referred to Gideon Granger as postmaster general, and there is no other record of correspondence from the firm to TJ. Shepherd stated that his father and brother did not know of the letter at the time it was written, or of the role he played in bringing a Republican newspaper, the Republican Spy, to Northampton in 1804 (Hampshire Gazette, 16 Apr. 1806; Republican Spy, 22 Apr. 1806; Brigham, American News­ papers, 1:389, 409). 1 2

 678 

Closing parenthesis supplied. MS: “acknowedge.”

Appendix I E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

Jefferson kept an ongoing list of appointments and removals that extended through his two terms as president, with entries from 5 Mch. 1801 to 23 Feb. 1809. For the first installment of this list, ending at 14 May 1802, see Volume 33, Appendix i, List 4. Beginning with Volume 37, each volume’s span of the list appears as Appendix i. The segment for the current volume continues at 12 Mch. 1804 with the president’s recording of Meriwether Jones’s appointment as commissioner of loans in Virginia. With the exception of those nominees not requiring Senate confirmation, the names entered after March were recess appointments. The president would formally nominate them in November 1804 (TJ to the Senate, 9 Nov.). This was a working list, which Jefferson updated as he received information, such as when he canceled all or part of his entries for Jonathan Russell, Jonathan Steele, and Peter P. Schuyler, all of whom declined their appointments. It is not always clear why the president dated the appointments on his list as he did, but in many cases he likely entered and dated names when he signed commissions sent to him by the State Department. Meriwether Jones’s nomination was approved by the Senate on 9 Mch., the same date as his commission. Jefferson entered him at the 12th. The commissions for William Johnson, John Samuel Sherburne, and Joseph McIlvaine were dated 26 Mch., but the president entered them on his list at the 30th (FCs of commissions in DNA: RG 59, MPTPC). With the exceptions of Jones and Benjamin Webley, whose appointment did not require Senate confirmation, other nominees with March dates on the list went to the Senate in Jefferson’s communication of 22 Mch. and received approval four days later. Among them was William Fisher, entered on Jefferson’s list at 1 Apr. The names of five other nominees that Jefferson sent to the Senate on 22 Mch. never made it onto his list, an unusual, though not unprecedented, oversight (jep, 1:465-7; TJ to the Senate, 22 Mch.). Jefferson made his April entries out of order. He likely entered Tompson J. Skinner on his list at 5 May, but then added “July,” reflecting Albert Gallatin’s recommendation that Skinner’s commission be delayed (Gallatin to TJ, 30 May).

List of Appointments [12 Mch.-30 June 1804]

12. Meriwether Jones of V. Commr. loans of Virginia, v.   Hopkins removd. for violent opposition 26. Benjamin Webley. Georgia. Master of a cutter v.   Putnam. resigned. Russell of R.I. to be Consul of Tunis.         ✓ 30. Wm. Johnson of S.C. an associate justice of the supreme court of the US. v. Alfred Moore resd.  679 

APPENDIX I

✓

✓ Apr. 9

10. 1.

May. 2. July 5. May 2.

John Samuel Sherburne, of N.H. judge of the district court of N.H. v.   Pickering removd. of N.H. district atty of N.H. v. Sherburne promoted Joseph Mc.Ilvaine Distr. Atty N.J. v.   Pennington resd. ✓ Michael Jones of Ohio, register of the land office at Kaskaskia. ✓ John Badolet of Pensva register of the land office at Vincennes Ephraim Kirby of Connecticut.1 a judge in the Missisipi territory David Meriwether of Georgia a Commr. to treat with the Creek Indians. Return Jonathan Meigs ⎪⎫ of Tennissee Commrs. ⎬ Daniel Smith. to treat with the ⎪ ⎭ Cherokee Indians. William Bache of Pensva Surveyor & Inspector 2 of the port of Philada v. William Jackson removd. for active opposition to govmt Thomas C. Ferebee of N. Carolina Inspector of the revenue & Surveyor for the port of Indian town ✓ Wm. Fisher of Virga Inspector of the revenue for the port of South Quay. Wilson Cary Nicholas of Virga Collector for the district of Norfolk & Portsmouth v. Wm. Davies resigned. Thomson J. Skinner of Massachusets Commr. loans for Mass. v. Thomas Perkins. removd for active opposn. ✓ Wm. Few of N.Y. Commr. loans for N.Y. v. James Nicholson resigned ✓ Daniel Humphreys of N.H. District Atty of N.H. v.   Steele declined. ✓ Thomas Rutter of Maryland Marshal of do. v. Reuben Etting resigned. Joshua Prentiss of Mass. Surveyor & Inspector of revenue for port of Marblehead. new. ✓ Wm. G. Garland of Louisiana Naval officer for the port of New Orleans. Robert Carter Nicholas of Kentucky Surveyor & Inspector of revenue for port of N.Orleans. declined  680 

APPENDIX I

June John Armstrong M.P. to the Republic of France

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 186:33098); entirely in TJ’s hand, including cancellations; being the continuation of a list that extends from 5 Mch. 1801 to 23 Feb. 1809; for the immediately preceding portion of this list, see Vol. 42: Appendix i.

1 Preceding

two words interlined. word and ampersand and “of Pensva” interlined. 2 Preceding

 681 

Appendix II E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

When news of the Louisiana Purchase arrived in America early in the summer of 1803, it did not take long for many to realize the patronage potential of the newly acquired territory. By the spring of 1804, after Louisiana had been officially transferred to the United States and Congress had established a temporary government for its administration, Jefferson had received scores of applications and recommendations for employment in the new territory. Printed below is Jefferson’s list of candidates for office in Louisiana that came to his notice between approximately July 1803 and June 1804. He probably compiled the bulk of it shortly after Congress adjourned on 27 Mch. Laws enacted during the session placed substantial appointment responsibilities for Louisiana on the president. The 24 Feb. act establishing New Orleans as a port of entry directed him to name a collector, a naval officer, and a surveyor there, as well as revenue surveyors at Bayou St. John and up to three other ports of delivery. The 26 Mch. act that established Orleans Territory called on Jefferson to appoint the governor, secretary, marshal, and U.S. attorney; a 13-member legislative council; three superior court judges; and a district judge. Commandants were needed for the military districts of the “district of Louisiana” established to the north of Orleans Territory. The following day, in one of its final acts of the session, Congress appropriated $3,000 for exploring the newly acquired region (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:251-4, 283-9, 305). To manage the task of filling the positions, Jefferson organized his list by office (“Governor,” “judge,” etc.). He placed candidates for appointment in a column on the left side of the page and noted their recommenders on the right. Persons seeking an unspecified appointment in Louisiana were grouped at the end under the heading “emploiment.” Most of those names he arranged alphabetically. In three entries he abbreviated Kentucky as “K.” As additional candidates came to his attention in April, May, and June, he added their names to the list. For example, TJ interlined John D’Antignac and Francis Mulligan among the candidates for marshal after he received their applications on 14 May. By mid-July, he and his cabinet began making appointments to the offices. He had far more applicants than available positions, and the majority of those appearing on this list were disappointed in their efforts to secure employment in Louisiana.

List of Candidates for Office in Louisiana Monroe James.

Lyman William. Mass. Edgar John. Kaskaskia

Governor

[ca. March-June 1804]

Genl. Gates. mr Lincoln  682 

APPENDIX II

Davis Thos. Indiana Claiborne Wm. C. C. Missipi Jackson Andrew Tenissee

Pinkney1 Kirby Ephraim. Connect. Hall Dominic A. S. Carolina    Pensva. Gray Thos. Tennisee Williams John. Tennissee Heath John Virginia. Rodney. Thos. Del. Williams Robert. N.C. Prevost2 Easton Rufus. New York. Charlton Thos. U. Pulaski. Georgia. Gilmer Peachy. Virga. Kennedy John. Tennissee Lomax John T. Virga. Gurley John W.3 Kerns John. Baltimore. Field Joseph C. farmer

D’Antignal Mulligan4 Brown James. Kentucky Prevost John B. Sumpter Thos. Barnwell Wm. Phila.

Danl. Smith. Anderson. Cocke. Campbell. Dickson. Rhea. Lyon judge. Wade Hampton Campbell. Dickson. Rhea. Allston. qu. is he not Atty of E. Ten. [. . .] Cocke. Winston. Rhea.

Attorney N. Williams. Skinner. V. Cortlandt. Phelps. Root. Palmer. Sammons. Verplanck. Genl. Jackson. Baldwin.— Meriwether. Anderson. Cocke. Rhea. Dickson. Campbell. now acting. a Boston cockade federalist Marshall Armstrong & Bailey. Colo. Hammond. Secretary Clinton. Hospital. Wistar.  683 

APPENDIX II

Wallace James Westwood. Virga. Baldwin Cornelius. Virga. Rogers William. Trist Hore Browse. Misipi. Morgan Benjamin. Philada. Garland Wm. G. Custis Edmd. Balt. Godbold John Boston. a revenue officer Hulings Wm. E.

Wythe. Richd. Brent. Thompson. Stuart. Breckenridge. Kinney. Duval. Kilty. Customs.

Irwin John Mifflin Phila. Kinney Alexr. Maryld.—broken mercht. Kinney Charles. Pensva. probably a farmer. a justice Levy Nathanl. Maryld Madison George. Kentucky—an accountant New Robert A. Kentucky

Wistar. Price. Coxe. Shippen. Rush. Cowperthwait. Muhlenbg. Coxe. Shee. Barker. Israel. Mc.lanachan. Proctor. Gamble. Dorsey. S. Smith. Wright. Lowry. Frazier. Nicholson. Isaac Anderson. Genl. J. Mason. Crockett. Todd. Muter. Greenup. Innes. Cosby. Moore. Taylor. Blair. Bullett.

Johnson Pindo. Maryld. bankrupt. probably farmer. Pollock Oliver. Rawlings Benj. L. Baltimore. Simons Robt. S. Carolina. broken mercht. Smyth Thos. junr. Maryld. Nicholson. S. Smith. Wright. military—Major. broken mercht. Thompson Peleg S. R.I. 22. y. Stanton. Potter. old explore Davis George. Misipi tery. [Briggs’s depy.]5 Dickinson James. Pensva. Hunter Dr. George. Phila.  684 

APPENDIX II

Walker John. Natchez. Gillespie   N.C. Ellicott David. Pensva. Searcy Edmund. Virga6 Carter Benj. B. New York. Moore Dr. Jonathan. Pensylvania7

himself. mr Patterson

Surveyor Goforth Dr. Wm. Ohio— drunken Martin Wm. Tennissee. a Rhea. Moore. representative Clark Thomas. Isaac Coles. Hart Jacob. Pensva a Thos. Cooper. prothonotary Buckner Wm. Kentucky. Ewing Baker. Kentucky—a Greenup. surveyor Fitzpatrick. Thos. S.C. of Sumpter. W. Hampton. P. property, industry & great Butler. worth Logan John. Kentucky. nephew Wm. Fleming. of the Treasurer Lynch Edwd. Philada. a mercht. Gregg. & surveyor. Perkins Stephen. Pensva. Stone W. J. Virginia. Walker David. Kentucky. a J. Randolph. farmer. surveyor. competitor of Lyon. Soulard Anthony. French. Muter. Sebastian. Breckenridge. resident. Surveyor. Frignet Jn. Alexa. Herbemont Nicholas. Charleston. Joseph Purcell. Watkins Thos. Virginia commandants. Hammond   Colo. Georgia. Blount Thos. N.C. Meigs   judge. Ohio. Gibs.   Majr. Mass. Hunt Seth. N.H. Claiborne Fer. Capt.  685 

APPENDIX II

Hunter John S. Kentucky

John Brown. Govr. Garrard. but contra is drunkard. Scott John M. Kentucky.8 John Brown. Greenup. Govr. Harrison. a Doctr. has been regulr. officr. is militia Col. justice. 36. silent as to his politics. emploiment Benson Gabriel. S.C. young W. Hampton. Earle. Moore. man. revenue Casey. Butler. Winn. Blake Francis. Mass. a lawyer. mr Lincoln. editor of paper. Bloodworth James. N.C. Timy. Bloodworth. Bradford. James. K. editor of John Brown paper. Brooke Humphrey. Virga. has a Wythe. family Clay John. Kentucky9 Colo. Crocket. Campbell Arthur. Virga. Cooke Wm. Georgia. probably a mercht. Dawson John. Virga. Delafevre B. Maryld. Doughty James. Phila. acqd. with Span. & Fr. lang. mercht. Epple Andrew. Pensva. lawyer. Govr. Mc.kean. Fosset Joseph. mercht. sheriff. Stuart. Coalter. Hanna. Genl. A. Pensva. Hardy Wm. N.Y. military. Capn. Thos. Paine. 60. y. old. republican Henderson J. L. Kentucky. Low James. N.J. illiterate. 26. y. old. schoolmaster. Levy Nathaniel Baltimore10 J. Dawson. Livingston Edwd. Mc.kay James. Capt. Commdt. Muter. Sebastian. Breckenridge. distr. St. André. acts as judge. speaks French Mackey John. Phila. in customs Muhlenbg. Phila. dimsighted has residd. at N.O.  686 

APPENDIX II

Monroe John. Virga. repub. Nicholls Edwd C. England. Page Mann. Virga. a lawyer. repub. Pascalis Felix. Potter Eben. Virga. somewhat of lawyer. sensible. prefers New Madrid. Reed Colo James. N.C. bankrupt. Robertson Wm. Virga. bankrupt. Seymour   Conn. merchant. Span. lang. Shields Wm. Bayard. Delaware. went with judge Rodney11 Shackleford. Benj. K. repub. Sibley Dr. John. Orleans. Skipwith Fulwar. Smallwood Charles. N.C. lawyer. illiterate. no talents. civil or military Snowden   Philada.12 Starke Wm. Ohio. a lawyer. tactics. 28 y. old. probably of N.H. Sterry Robt. R.I. repub. lawyer 21. y. old. Stevens James. Stamford. illiterate Tarver John. S.C. French. & Span. lang. an Englishman. Taylor Waller. Virga. lawyer. Tillier Rodolph. N.Y. Upshaw John. Virga. lawyer. young. Winslow Wm. K. accountt. mathematician. Woodward Augustus. Columbia. Yancey Joel. Virga.

Tim. Bloodworth. Stone. J. W. Eppes. Chr. Ellery. Maxwell of Del. & Isaac Briggs. Fry Joshua Stone Kennedy Edward C. Nicholas

Fenner. Robbins. Govr. Clinton.

Geo. Jefferson Spencer Roane.

 687 

APPENDIX II  MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 119:20570-1); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; text obscured by tape. hall dominic a.: Wade Hampton’s 17 Apr. letter to TJ recommending Dominick A. Hall for a Louisiana judgeship was recorded in SJL as received on 7 May, but has not been found. Hall had previously expressed his desire for a judicial appointment at New Orleans in a 28 Nov. 1803 letter to Pierce Butler (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Hall Dominic A. to be judge at N. Orleans. about 30. or 35. years of age”). heath john: John Heath, a member of the Virginia Council of State, wrote to Madison on 10 Mch. 1804, expressing his desire for a judicial appointment in Louisiana (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Heath John. to be a judge in Louisiana”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:578). kerns john: John Kerns wrote to Madison from Baltimore on 3 Mch. to apply for the office of marshal at New Orleans, listing Samuel Smith, Robert Smith, Robert Wright, and Nicholas R. Moore as references (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Kuns John. to be Marshal N.O.”). kinney charles: on 13 Jan. 1804, Congressman Isaac Anderson of Pennsylvania wrote to Gallatin at the request of Charles Kenny of West Chester, who sought an appointment at or near Mobile, preferably as collector. Kenny, a county justice of the peace and the secretary of the local Republican society, claimed a knowledge of “the business of Collector of Impost” (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Kenney Charles. to be Collectr. N.O.”). new robert a.: Robert Anderson New was the collector at Louisville, Kentucky. In a 10 Oct. 1803 letter to Gallatin, he expressed his desire to be appointed collector at New Orleans, because the acquisition of Louisiana would undoubtedly render his current office unnecessary (RC in same, endorsement by TJ, clipped: “New R. to mr Gallatin. to be [. . .]”). New’s candidacy was supported by a 16 Nov. testimonial signed by Thomas Todd, George Muter, Christopher Greenup, Fortunatus Cosby, James T. Moore, James

Taylor, Jr., James Blair, Alexander S. Bullitt, and Harry Innes, who praised New as honest, sober, and “clever” in his current employment (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “New Robert A. to be Collector N.O.”). johnson pindo: that is, Rinaldo Johnson, a former Maryland legislator and jurist. In a letter to his friend Gabriel Duvall, misdated 7 Dec. for 7 Nov. 1803, he sought a position as naval officer or collector at New Orleans. Johnson lost his estate to the “Sin of Securityship” and now looked for “New beginings” to support himself and his family (RC in same, postmarked 9 Nov., endorsed by TJ: “Johnson Pindo. to be in Customs N. Orleans”; Edward C. Papenfuse, Alan F. Day, David W. Jordan, and Gregory A. Stiverson, eds., A Biographical Dictionary of  the Maryland Legislature, 1635­1789, 2 vols. [Baltimore, 1979-85], 2:493-5). clark thomas: Isaac Coles wrote Madison a brief letter on 20 Jan. 1804 introducing Thomas Clark, who desired a surveyor’s appointment (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Clark Thos. to be a Surveyor”). ewing baker: in a 6 Jan. 1804 letter to Madison, Christopher Greenup recommended Colonel Baker Ewing for a surveyor’s appointment in Louisiana and Dr. Isaac E. Gano for a judgeship at Detroit (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Gano, Dr. Isaac E. to be judge at Detroit. a drunkard. Ewing, Baker. to be Survr. Louisiana”; see also Gallatin to TJ, 28 Mch., first letter). soulard anthony: writing to John Breckinridge on 12 Dec. 1803, Kentucky jurists George Muter and Benjamin Sebastian offered strong recommendations in favor of French surveyor Antoine Soulard for an appointment in upper Louisiana. They also recommended Captain James Mackay, a gentleman of science, explorer, and commandant at St. André on the Missouri River, whom they believed well suited for a judgeship (RC in RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Mc.kay James Captn. Commandant of the District St. André. Soulard Anthony. Surveyor of Upper Louisiana”). Pennsylvania Congressman John B. C. Lucas wrote to Gallatin from Pittsburgh on 25 June in favor

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APPENDIX II of Soulard, citing his experience as a militia officer and surveyor general in upper Louisiana under the Spanish government and his skill as a draftsman (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Soulard Anthony to be Surveyor St. Louis”). blount thos.: Dearborn wrote to Thomas Blount on 31 May, offering him an appointment as a colonel commandant in upper Louisiana. Replying from Tarboro, North Carolina, on 25 June, Blount expressed his gratitude to Dearborn and the president for thinking him worthy of the office, but declined the appointment (RC in same, endorsed by TJ). scott john m: John M. Scott wrote to Dearborn on 1 June 1804 from Frankfort, Kentucky, expressing his desire for a  commandant’s appointment in upper Louisiana. He enclosed letters from William Henry Harrison and Christopher Greenup in support of his application (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Scott John M. to be a Commandt. in Louisiana”). blake francis: citing declining professional opportunities at home and an increasing family, Worcester newspaper editor Francis Blake wrote to Levi Lincoln on 9 Nov. 1803, seeking an appointment in Louisiana (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Blake Francis. to be empld in Louisiana”). cooke wm: William Cooke made an unsuccessful application to TJ for an appointment in 1801. Writing to Madison on 6 Nov. 1803 from St. Marys, Georgia, Cooke requested an appointment in Louisiana, where he intended to fix his residence (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “emploimt. Louisiana”; Vol. 34:104-5). nicholls edwd c: Edward C. Nicholls wrote to Madison on 12 Jan. 1804 from Rixton, near Liverpool, England, informing him of his pending departure for New Orleans and his wish for an appointment (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “for office at N.O.”; see also Madison to TJ, 24 Apr. 1804, enclosure No. 9). potter eben: writing to Madison from Jefferson County, Virginia, on 2

Dec. 1803, Ebenezer Potter expressed a desire for an appointment in Louisiana, where he had formerly resided. He preferred New Madrid, perhaps as a judge, or at the rapids of the Red River. He would have desired a land office appointment in Indiana Territory, but the law prohibiting the importation of slaves there “is a difficulty hard to reconcile to the habits of Virginians.” Potter believed the territory would languish as a result of the prohibition (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “emploimt. at St. Louis or elsewhere in Louisiana”; Madison, Pa­ pers, Sec. of State Ser., 5:116, 128, 346). tillier rodolph: Rodolphe Tillier wrote to Gallatin in French from New York on 8 Nov. 1803, seeking a civil appointment in Louisiana (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “a civil emploimt. Louisa”). upshaw john: in a letter to Madison dated 30 Jan. 1804, Spencer Roane recommended his former law student, John H. Upshaw (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Upshaw John. for apptmt Louisiana”). winslow wm: William Winslow wrote to Gallatin from Frankfort, Kentucky, on 27 Oct. 1803 regarding employment in Louisiana. Claiming to be a good accountant and mathematician, Winslow cited an impressive list of references, including Madison, John Dawson, and several members of the Kentucky congressional delegation (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Winslow Wm. for office in Louisiana”). 1

Entry interlined. Preceding three entries interlined. 3 Preceding two entries interlined. 4 Preceding three entries interlined. 5 TJ’s brackets. Entry interlined. 6 Entry interlined. 7 Entry interlined. 8 Entry interlined. 9 Entry interlined. 10 Entry interlined. 11 Entry interlined. 12 Entry interlined. 2

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Appendix III Letters Not Printed in Full E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

In keeping with the editorial method established for this edition, the chronological series includes “in one form or another every available letter known to have been written by or to Thomas Jefferson” (Vol. 1:xv). Most letters are printed in full. In some cases a letter is not printed, but a detailed summary appears at the document’s date (for an example, see François Navoni to TJ, 15 June 1804). Some other letters, such as brief letters of transmittal or acknowledgment, multiple applications or recommendations regarding a candidate for office, official correspondence that the president saw in only a cursory way, or documents that are nearly illegible, are described in annotation. Such items from the period covered by this volume are listed in this appendix. Using this list, the table of contents, and Appendix iv (Letters Not Found), readers may reconstruct Jefferson’s chronological epistolary record from 11 Mch. to 30 June 1804. To George Jefferson, 12 Mch. Noted at TJ to Christopher Smith, 12 Mch. 1804. To William C. C. Claiborne, 27 Mch. Noted at TJ to Claiborne, 18 Mch.

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Appendix IV Letters Not Found E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

This appendix lists letters written by and to Jefferson during the period covered by this volume for which no text is known to survive. Information about missing letters may be found in Jefferson’s Summary Journal of Letters. For incoming correspondence, he typically recorded the date that the letter was sent, the date on which he received it, the location from which it was dispatched, and an abbreviated notation summarizing the subject of the letter. In addition, his notations sometimes indicate the government department to which it pertained or to which he forwarded it: “N” for Navy, “S” for State, “T” for Treasury, and “W” for War. To John Armstrong of Ohio, 11 Mch. From Anne Randolph, 11 Mch.; received 15 Mch. from Powhatan. To John H. Craven, 12 Mch. To Gabriel Lilly, 12 Mch.; notation: “320. D.” From Marten Wanscher, 15 Mch.; received 16 Mch. from Alexandria. From Alexander Addison, 16 Mch.; received 29 Mch. from Pittsburgh; notation: “P. Mast.” To Anne Randolph, 16 Mch. From Henry Lee, 19 Mch.; received 22 Mch. from Alexandria. From John F. Mercer, 20 Mch.; received 24 Mch. from Baltimore; notation: “Fromentin Academy N.O.” From Thomas G. Pitman, 20 Mch.; received 9 Apr. from Newport; notation: “Crist. Ellery Collector.” From George W. Campbell et al., 21 Mch.; received 21 Mch. from Washington; notation: “Thos. Gray judge Louisa.” From “DeWolf & others,” March; received 22 Mch. from Bristol, Rhode Island; notation: “Christophr. Ellery Collector.” To James Dinsmore, 22 Mch. From Gabriel Lilly, 22 Mch.; received 28 Mch. From Davis Biggs, 24 Mch.; received 7 Apr. from Portsmouth, Virginia. From Christopher Ellery, 24 Mch.; received 25 Mch. from Washington; notation: “to be Collectr. Newport.” From Francis Eppes, 24 Mch.; received 29 Mch. From Meriwether Lewis, 24 Mch.; received 4 May from St. Louis. From Caesar A. Rodney, 24 Mch.; received 26 Mch. from Wilmington, Delaware; notation: “Dr. Stevens Comr. to Spain.” From George Jefferson, 25 Mch.; received 30 Mch. from Richmond. From Anne Randolph, 25 Mch.; received 30 Mch. from Powhatan. From Daniel William Coxe, 26 Mch.; received 31 Mch. from Philadelphia. From Daniel William Coxe, 26 Mch.; received 20 Apr. from Philadelphia. From Theodore Foster, 26 Mch.; received 13 Apr. from Providence; notation: “to be Commr. loans Provdce.” From Theodore Foster, 28 Mch.; received 13 Apr. from Providence; notation: “to be Commr. loans Provdce.”

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APPENDIX IV From George Read, Jr., 28 Mch.; received 31 Mch. from New Castle; notation: “N.” To Gabriel Lilly, 29 Mch. From Thomas B. Davis, 29 Mch.; received 31 Mch. from Philadelphia; notation: “N.” From George Armstrong, 5 Apr.; received 20 Apr. from Greensburg. From George Clinton, 5 Apr.; received 20 Apr. from Albany; notation: “Wm. Few to be Commr. loans.” From Meriwether Lewis, 5 Apr.; received 15 May from St. Louis; notation: “W.” From John Holmes, 6 Apr.; received 28 June from Plymouth; notation: “S.” From J. Guion, 7 Apr.; received 20 Apr. from Raleigh; notation: “S.” From James Jewell, 9 Apr.; received 23 Apr. from Albany; notation: “for emploimt.” To Burgess Griffin, 13 Apr. To John Barnes, 14 Apr. From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 Apr.; received 16 Apr. From Larkin Smith, 16 Apr.; received 7 May from King and Queen County; notation: “to be Collectr. Norfolk.” From Wade Hampton, 17 Apr.; received 7 May from Columbia, South Carolina; notation: “Hall judge Louisa.” From Ferdinando Fairfax, 19 Apr.; received 7 May from Charles Town, Jefferson County, Virginia. To Matthew Maury, 22 Apr. From Louis de Clouet, 24 Apr.; received 8 June from New Orleans. From Richard Gamble, 24 Apr.; received 24 Apr. from Milton. To John Barnes, 25 Apr. From George Jefferson, 25 Apr.; received 7 May from Richmond. From Thomas Martin, 25 Apr.; received 15 May from Lexington, Kentucky; notation: “to keep magazine. W.” To Matthew Maury, 25 Apr. From Matthew Maury, 25 Apr.; received 25 Apr. From Meriwether Lewis, 26 Apr.; received 13 July from St. Louis; notation: “by White hair. W.” From Meriwether Lewis, 26 Apr.; received 13 July from St. Louis; notation: “by Chief Little Osages. W.” To Burgess Griffin, 27 Apr. From Robert Kinnan, 27 Apr.; received 4 May from Petersburg; notation: “(not signed).” From William Moultrie, 27 Apr.; received 14 May from Charleston; notation: “Cheesborough Midshipmn.” To John Barnes, 29 Apr. To Francis Eppes, 29 Apr. From Sylvester Gavit, 30 Apr.; received 14 May from Westerly, Rhode Island; notation: “Ellery Xpher Nichols Wm. Collector.” From Joseph Blyth, 2 May; received 14 May from Georgetown, South Carolina; notation: “Wm. E. Cheesborough. Midshipman.” From David Chalmers, 2 May; received 14 May from Charleston, South Carolina; notation: “Midshipman.”

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APPENDIX IV From William E. Cheesborough, 2 May; received 14 May from Georgetown, South Carolina; notation: “Midshipman.” From Warren Ashley, 5 May; received 18 May from Norfolk. From Thomas Newton, 5 May; received 14 May from Norfolk; notation: “his son Collector.” From John Binns; received 7 May from Northumberland, Pennsylvania; notation: “to print laws.” From Abraham Edwards, 7 May; received 14 May from Baltimore; notation: “to be Surgeon’s mate.” From James Congdon, 8 May; received 18 May from North Kingston, Rhode Island; notation: “Nichols to be Collector.” To Burgess Griffin, 8 May. To George Hay, 8 May. To Robert Kinnan, 8 May. From Samuel J. Potter, 9 May; received 20 May from South Kingston, Rhode Island; notation: “Nichols Collector.” From Francis Taliaferro Brooke, 10 May; received 12 May; notation: “Laurence Muse to be Collectr Norfolk.” From Thomas Lomax, 10 May; received 12 May; notation: “Laurence Muse to be Collectr Norfolk.” From John Minor, 10 May; received 12 May from Fredericksburg; notation: “Laurence Muse to be Collectr Norfolk” From Samuel Strong, 12 May; received 16 Aug.; notation: “on board Thunderer. S.” From Edward Campbell; received 14 May. From Sylvanus Blanchard; received 15 May; notation: “impressd. seaman. S.” From Francis Wood; received 15 May; notation: “impressd seaman. S.” From Jabez Bowen, 16 May; received 22 May from Providence. From John Watson, 16 May; received 22 May from South Kingston, Rhode Island; notation: “Nicholls to be Collector.” From James Dinsmore, 18 May; received 22 May from Monticello. From “Millar”; received 18 May from Alexandria. From Meriwether Lewis, 19 May; received 26 June from St. Louis. To Dabney Carr, 22 May. To Burgess Griffin, 22 May. From Bishop James Madison, 26 May; received 31 May from Williamsburg; notation: “Edwd. Ambler to be midshipman. N.” From Richard Dinmore, 27 May; received 29 May from Alexandria. From Jones & Howell, 30 May; received 1 June from Philadelphia; notation: “2. ton rod.” From Michael Krafft, 1 June; received 2 June from Bristol, Pennsylvania. To Dabney Carr, 2 June. From George Hay, 6 June; received 9 June from Richmond. To Gabriel Lilly, 7 June. From Bishop James Madison, 8 June; received 8 June from Williamsburg; notation: “N. St: Clair.” From James Dinsmore, 9 June; received 12 June from Monticello. From John Perry, 9 June; received 18 June from Shadwell. From Archibald Thweatt, 11 June; received 14 June from Petersburg.

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APPENDIX IV From Dabney Carr, 13 June; received 18 June from Charlottesville. From William H. Buckner, 14 June; received 18 June from Fredericksburg. From Gabriel Lilly, 14 June; received 18 June. From Jean Marie De Bordes, 15 June; received 18 June from Philadelphia; notation: “W.” From Thomas Mann Randolph, 16 June; received 27 June from Edgehill. From Philip Wilson, 17 June; received 21 June from Philadelphia. From Caesar A. Rodney, 18 June; received 21 June from Wilmington, Delaware; notation: “Leirden” (i.e. Lewden) and “Consul Martiniq.” From the Treasury Department, 19 June; received 21 June; notation: “Tybee Lt. H.” From James Dinsmore, 20 June; received 23 June from Monticello. From Christopher Ellery, 20 June; received 26 June from Newport; notation: “Constt. Tabor Commr. loans.” From John Mason, 20 June; received 8 Sep. from Plymouth; notation: “S.” From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 20 June; received 26 June from Norfolk; notation: “Hugh Rose promoted.” From Robert Kinnan, 21 June; received 26 June from Petersburg. From Thomas T. Davis, 22 June; received 13 July from Danville, Kentucky; notation: “Lebert Papin. gunsmith. W.” From Samuel Vernon et al., 22 June; received 2 July from Newport; notation: “Tabor to be Comr. loans.” From Lewis Deblois, 23 June; received 23 June from Washington. From Jared Mansfield, 25 June; received 20 July from Marietta; notation: “Backus. register or reciever.” From John L. Boqueta, 26 June; received 5 July from Philadelphia. From Michael Hope, 28 June; received 3 July. From John Perry, 29 June; received 5 July from Shadwell. From Gabriel Lilly, 30 June; received 5 July from Milton. From Paul Mumford, 30 June; received 7 July from Newport; notation: “Tabor to be Collector.” From Paul M. Mumford, 30 June; received 7 July from Newport; notation: “Tabor to be Collector.”

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Appendix V Financial Documents E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

This appendix briefly describes, in chronological order, documents pertaining to Jefferson’s finances during the period covered by this volume that are not printed in full or accounted for elsewhere in the volumes. Most of the records are orders for payment or invoices. For the most part, orders for payment to Étienne Lemaire and Joseph Dougherty were for expenses associated with running the President’s House. The Memorandum Books are cited when they provide additional information about a transaction. Order on John Barnes for payment of $89.82½ to Joseph Dougherty “for coal, cloverseed, forage &c,” 12 Mch. (MS in CSmH; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Dougherty acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Dougherty’s accounts for forage, smiths, clover seed for John H. Craven, “books for myself,” coal, and contingencies (mb, 2:1121). Order on John Barnes for payment of $129.93 to Étienne Lemaire, Washington, 12 Mch. (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 26 Mch.). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Lemaire’s accounts from 4 to 10 Mch. for provisions, wood, and “miscellanies” (mb, 2:1121). Promissory note to John Barnes, 21 Mch., for $1,000 payable after 60 days (MS in MHi; canceled; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; notation by Barnes: “drawn for J Barnes’s Accomodation Only”; endorsed by a clerk as received at the Office of Discount and Deposit on 20 May). Order on John Barnes for payment of $49.88 to Joseph Dougherty, 26 Mch. (MS in ViU; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; notation by Barnes at foot of text: “Recd paymt—via Mr Le Maire”; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 26 Mch.). Order on John Barnes for payment of $5.50 to Edward Frethy, 26 Mch. (MS in ViU; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; written on invoice from Frethy to TJ, undated, for one month’s dressing hair, two yards of ribbon, and pomatum; signed by Frethy acknowledging payment on 25 Mch.; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 27 Mch.). See mb, 2:1122. Order on John Barnes for payment of $375.63 to Étienne Lemaire, Washington, 14 May (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 25 May). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Lemaire’s accounts from 1 Apr. to 12 May for provisions, servants, wood, coal, furniture, and contingencies; servants’ wages to 4 May; and an overpayment of $16 (mb, 2:1127). Promissory note to John Barnes, Washington, 15 May, for $1,000 payable after 60 days, negotiable at the Bank of Columbia (Tr in ViU; at head of text: “Copy”; in Barnes’s hand with notation: “it will I expect, be discounted, Wednesy. 23d or 24th. and by, its being dated back—I shall have eight days,

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APPENDIX V less disc to pay.—as I can just as well pay it—the 17 July—as 25th.”; endorsed by TJ on verso). Order on John Barnes for payment of $10.62½ to Edward Frethy, 24 May (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; written on invoice from Frethy to TJ, undated, for two months’ dressing hair, one pound of powder, and a cake of soap; signed by Frethy acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 25 May). See mb, 2:1127, where TJ recorded the amount as “10.675.” Order on John Barnes for payment of $49.05½ to Joseph Dougherty, Washington, 28 May (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Dougherty acknowledging payment; endorsed by Barnes as paid on 29 May). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Dougherty’s accounts for forage, smiths, saddlery, and contingencies (mb, 2:1128). Order on John Barnes for payment of $64.48 to Étienne Lemaire, Washington, 28 May (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; signed by Lemaire acknowledging payment). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Lemaire’s accounts from 20 to 26 May for provisions, servants, and contingencies (mb, 2:1128, 1130). Order on John Barnes for payment of $209.92 to Étienne Lemaire, 4 June (MS in MHi; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; note by TJ at foot of text: “June 7. 04. taken in & a check on the bank given”). TJ recorded this transaction as payment of Lemaire’s accounts from 27 May to 2 June for provisions, wood, and President’s House furniture and for servants’ wages to 4 June. On 7 June, he recorded: “Took back the ord. on J. Barnes in favr. of Lemaire for 209.92 ante June 4. and gave him ord. for same sum on the bank.” TJ opened an account with the Washington branch of the Bank of the United States on 6 June (mb, 2:1128-9). Invoice submitted by Edward Frethy to TJ for $5.00 for “one months Dressing” (MS in MHi; undated; in Frethy’s hand and signed by him acknowledging payment on 25 June 1804; endorsed by TJ with date 25 June; recorded in mb, 2:1130, as paid 26 June).

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INDEX Abbadie, Jean Jacques Blaise d’, 190, 191n Abington, Md., 330n Acapulco, 479, 481 Account of Louisiana, Being an Abstract of Documents, in the Offices of the Departments of State, and of the Treasury, 10 “Acquisition of Louisiana” (Michael Fortune), xliii-xliv, 406 (illus.), 425-6 Acton, Sir John Francis Edward, 38 Adams (U.S. frigate), 587n Adams, Abigail: letter to, 578-80; letter from, 458-9; relationship with Mary Jefferson, x, 458-9, 578-9, 584; sends condolences to TJ, x, 458-9, 534; TJ’s continued affection for, x-xi, 534-5, 579-80 Adams, Charles, 459n Adams, Fort, 24n, 273 Adams, Henry, xliii Adams, John: TJ’s continued affection for, x, 535, 579, 584; makes appointments, 16, 17n, 128n; opens trade with Saint-Domingue, 174n; late-term appointments, 535, 579; and arming of merchant vessels, 545, 546n Adams, John Quincy, 83, 197n, 276, 605n, 673n Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson, xliii Adams, Thomas, 147, 148n Addington, Henry, 27 Addison, Alexander: letter from cited, 691 Address, Pronounced at Worcester, on May 12th, 1804, in Commemoration of the Cession of Louisiana to the United States, 495-6 Adriatic Sea, 87 Agricoltore sperimentato (Cosimo Trinci), 21 Agricultural Society of South Carolina, 130n agriculture: viticulture, 20-1, 22n, 130n, 485, 540; agricultural societies, 21, 69n, 130n, 485; writings on, 21-2, 204; olive culture, 69-70; plows, 123-5; in Great Britain, 124, 204; northern compared to southern, 124; in Pennsylvania, 124; enclosure movement, 204n; wheat weevils, 270; distilling, 301-2, 334-5, 412; advice on transporting plants, 409;

tenants, tenancy, 466; statistical tables on, 659n. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Agriculture; sugar; tobacco Aitken, Jane, 401, 402n Aitken, Robert, 401 Alabama River, 214n, 273 Albano Laziale, Italy, 137n Albany Register, 147, 148n Albemarle Co., Va.: courts, 137, 363-5, 373, 468-9n; emigrants from, 287n; Enniscorthy estate, 397-8n Albion (brig), 306-7 alcoholism: among office seekers, 32-3, 122, 685, 686, 688n; among officeholders, 446n, 463n Aleutian Islands, 158n Alexander I, Emperor of Russia: letter to, 590-2; intercedes on behalf of crew of the Philadelphia, ix, 267-8, 302, 326, 327, 328, 329, 590-2, 648; and Mazzei, 305n, 597, 599; reputation as a reformer, 305n; praised by TJ, 327, 328; and indemnification for king of Sardinia, 421n; TJ’s admiration for, 591; identified, 591n Alexandria, Bank of, 128n, 507n Alexandria, D.C.: collector at, 8, 52-3, 105-6, 126-9, 507n, 587n; Republicans seek removal of collector at, 8n; grocers, 51; notaries, 52; register of wills, 53n; courts, 66; roads to, from, 111-12; merchants, 126-9, 477n, 507n; Federalists in, 128-9n; Republicans in, 128-9n; Washington Society, 128-9n; banks, 128n, 507n; insurance companies, 128n, 507n; newspapers, 147, 148n; St. Andrew’s Society, 507n; marine hospital, 586, 587n. See also District of Columbia Alexandria Expositor, 147, 148n Alexandria Merchants: memorial from, 128-9; oppose removal of collector, 128-9 Algiers: J. Barlow’s negotiations with, 83n, 117-18, 120n; appropriation for treaty with, 277; annuity payments to, 557-9, 651, 652n Alicante, Spain, 290n aliens. See immigrants Alleghany (ship), 406, 408n Allen, Hannibal M., 658 Allen, James (Ky.), 104 Allen, Robert, 104

 697 

INDEX Alliot, médecin . . . Aux habitans de la commune de Lorient et à tous le Francais (Paul Alliot), 225, 227, 229n, 320 Alliot, Paul: letter to, 320; letters from, 224-30, 396-7; sends writings, seeks TJ’s intercession, 224-30, 320, 396-7; identified, 230n Allison, David, 473 Alston, Mr. (Miss. Terr.), 608 Alston, Willis, 683 Alzas, Françoise, 297 Amazon River, 479, 480, 482n, 509 Ambler, Edward, 693 American, and Baltimore Gazette, 147, 148n “American Citizen”: letter from, 632-4; reports Spanish payments to Wilkinson, 632-4; identified as Derbigny, 634n American Citizen and General Advertiser (New York), 147, 148n, 203n. See also Cheetham, James American Distiller (Michael Krafft), 301-2, 334-5, 412 American Medical Association, 542n American Mercury (Hartford), 147, 148n American Philosophical Society: receives communications, specimens, 9, 84, 524n, 538, 539n, 568; and Louisiana Purchase, 58; and TJ’s moldboard plow, 123-4; publishes Transactions, 340, 398, 399, 401-2, 457, 508, 523, 524n; elects members, 401-2, 457, 499n, 508, 542n, 550n; and Humboldt, 499n; and award of premiums, 508, 509n; Magellanic Fund, 508, 509n; revises by-laws, 508, 509n American Revolution: black military service in, xi, 97-8; veterans of, 8, 18n, 33n, 42-5, 52, 95n, 97-8, 106, 110n, 218n, 288, 289n, 487n, 489n, 491n, 494-5, 503, 504n, 518n, 610n; Loyalists, 36n, 349; bounty and pension claims, 42-5; inflation, currency depreciation, 43-5; depicted in art, 53-4; list of Continental Army officers, 70, 78, 153-4, 156-7; in Conn., 97-8, 503; campaign against Iroquois, 158n; poetry composed to commemorate, 158n; Continental navy, 218n; and France, 288, 289n; Newburgh conspiracy, 491n; in N.Y., 628-9 Amherst, Sir Jeffery, 318, 319n Amite River, 461n

Ammidon, Otis: signs memorial, 674 Amsterdam, 209, 210n Anderson, Isaac, 684, 688n Anderson, John (N.Y.), 551, 552n, 628 Anderson, Joseph: letters from, 55-6, 107-8; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 107-8, 683 Anderson, Mary Wilkinson, 628 Andes Mountains, 479, 481 Andrews, George: TJ’s instructions to, for architectural ornaments, 536 Annual Register (Great Britain), 190, 191n anonymous letters: convey vulgar, threatening messages, viii, 580 Antiquities of Athens (James Stuart and Nicholas Revett), xliv, 134, 136-7n, 336 anti-Semitism, 610 Antwerp, 622 Apple Creek, 640 Appleton, Thomas: letters from, 19-22, 485-6; and Ceracchi claim, 19-20; forwards vines, plants to TJ, 20-1, 180, 232, 409, 485, 540, 546; and wine for TJ, 20-2, 485, 486, 540; letter to cited, 22n; criticism of, 86; reports misuse of U.S. passports, 485-6 Appomattox River, 604n Arabic language, 48n, 154 Arcambal, Louis, 560, 610 Archer, John: letter from, 142-3; recommends aspirants for office, 142-3 Archer, John R., 159 architecture: Tower of the Winds, xliv, 134, 136-7n, 336, 340-1n; Attic order, xliv-xlv, 134, 336, 340n; Doric order, xliv-xlv, 134-5, 136-7n, 187, 336-7; Corinthian order, xlv, 187, 336, 340n; Theater of Marcellus, 134, 137n; Ionic order, 187; Monument of Lysicrates, 340-1n; Pantheon, 639. See also Capitol, U.S.; Jefferson, Thomas: Architecture; Monticello; President’s House Argand, François Pierre Ami, 601n Argo (French brig), 176n, 445n Argote Villalobos, Antonio, 635-8 Argus (U.S. brig), 508n “Aristides” (pseudonym). See Van Ness, William P. Aristotle: Logica, 7 Arkansas Post, 237n, 413, 640, 641

 698 

INDEX Arkansas River: exploration of, ix, 11-12, 74n, 129, 149-50, 161-2, 331, 424-5, 471-2; wildlife on, 103, 451; TJ’s instructions for expedition on, 233-8, 241, 242-3, 263; salt deposits on, 430, 451, 454-5 Arkwright, Sir Richard, 547 Armesto. See López de Armesto, Andrés de Armstrong, George: letter from cited, 692 Armstrong, John (1755-1816): and Kosciuszko’s lands, 85n; letter to cited, 691 Armstrong, Gen. John: letters to, 490-1, 667; letter from, 527; appointed minister to France, ix, 490-1, 527, 572, 612, 681; and French interposition on behalf of Philadelphia crew, 247n; identified, 491n; instructions for, 667; invited to dine with TJ and Madison, 667; candidate for office in Louisiana, 682; recommends aspirants for office, 683 Army, U.S. See War, U.S. Department of Arno River, 87 Arrowsmith, Aaron: “Map of the United States of North America,” xlvi-xlvii Ars poetica (Horace), 136, 137n art: busts, 20, 22n; patronage for, 53-4; physiognotrace, 601; silhouettes, 601 Ashley, Warren: letter from cited, 693 Asia: land bridge with America, 156 Ast, William Frederick, 436n Astor, John Jacob, 41n Astronomie (Joseph Jérôme Le Français de Lalande), 568 astronomy: calculation of longitude, 479, 480, 490, 568 Atchafalaya River, 10, 12n, 138, 139n, 140-1, 460, 662 Athens: architecture of, 134, 136-7n; Tower of the Winds, 136-7n, 336, 340n attorneys: accused of misconduct, 519-20. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Law Augusta, Ga., 288 Aurora (Philadelphia), 174n. See also Duane, William Aurora (schooner), 126 Austin, Moses: and lead mines in Louisiana, 453n, 609-10; Summary Description, 610n

Auvergne, France, 289n Azara, José Nicolás de, 303, 305n Babcock, Elisha, 147, 148n Bache, William, 50, 56, 680 Backus (Bacchus), Elijah, 70, 613-14, 694 Bacon, John, 221, 519n Badollet, John, 110, 121, 122n, 680 Bailey, Theodorus: letters to, 560, 625-6; letters from, 551-2, 605-6, 610, 654; and John Anderson, 551, 552n; sends results of N.Y. elections, 551-2; and champagne for TJ, 560, 605-6, 610, 625-6, 654; recommends aspirants for office, 683 Bainbridge, Joseph, 456 Bainbridge, William, 48n, 63, 487, 567 Baker, Dr. William (Md.), 260n Baldwin, Abraham, 99 Baldwin, Cornelius, 79, 113, 684 Ball, Sir Alexander John, 47, 48n Baltimore, Md.: proposed removal of seat of government to, 74, 75n; consuls at, 91; merchants, 109; newspapers, 147, 148n, 496n; French commissary at, 560n; marine hospital, 586; construction of gunboats at, 612 Baltimore Patriot & Mercantile Advertiser, 496n Bank of the United States: letter to President of the Branch Bank of the United States in Washington, 626-7; president authorized to borrow from, 64n; Washington branch, 128n, 264n, 626-7; branches will strengthen bonds of union, 214; New Orleans branch proposed, 214, 215, 216-17n, 253-4, 259, 302, 529, 530; supported by Gallatin, 214, 215; counterfeit notes of, 218-20, 245, 249-50, 264, 624n, 626-7, 658; drain of specie from, 358; and small denomination bills, 476; TJ’s account with, 696 bankruptcy commissioners, 176n, 316n banks: in Europe, 87-8 Banks, Henry: letter to, 143; letters from, 67-8, 91-2; opposes incorporation of navigation company, 67-8, 91-2, 94n, 143 Banning, Jeremiah, 68n Banning, Robert: letters from, 68-9, 447; removal of, from office, 68-9, 447; identified, 68-9n

 699 

INDEX Barbary states: diplomatic agents to, 83, 117-18, 170, 194, 277. See also Algiers; Morocco; Tripoli; Tunis Barbé de Marbois, François, 249n Barber, John, 147, 148n Barbour (Barber), James, 371n Barcelona (South America), 479, 480 Barcelona, Spain, 290n Barclay, Thomas (British consul), 635n, 642-3 Bard, David: letter from, 108; recommends aspirants for office, 108; identified, 108n Barinas (Varinas), 479, 480 Baring, Alexander, 25, 304n Baring, Francis, & Company (London), 622n Barker, John, 684 Barlow, Joel: letter from, 654-5; Doctor Watts’s Imitation of the Psalms, 7; negotiations with Barbary states, 83, 118; introduces Upshaw, 654-5 Barlow, Ruth Baldwin, 655 Barnes, David L.: letter from, 667-8; and relocation of R.I. loan office, 667-8 Barnes, John: letters to, 22, 42, 109, 461, 472; letters from, 115, 185-6, 269, 352; provides “necessaries” to John Freeman, 22; handles financial transactions, 42, 85, 100, 109, 115, 141, 144, 147, 148n, 186n, 204, 232, 269, 352, 409, 439, 454n, 458, 461, 472, 539, 540, 695-6; invited to dine with TJ, 42; and Kosciuszko, 85n; personal finances of, 185-6, 238, 269, 352; TJ’s account with, 185-6; letters to cited, 231n, 269n, 352n, 692; handles shipments for TJ, 469-70; TJ gives promissory notes to, 695-6 Barnes, Joseph: letters from, 38-9, 86-90; reports burning of the Philadelphia, 38-9, 86; seeks appointment, 86, 89, 596-7, 598-9; sends news of European, Mediterranean affairs, 89-90; TJ criticizes, 246-7, 267 Barnwell, Robert, 416 Barnwell, William: letter from, 56; seeks, receives appointment, 56, 162, 251, 683; and care of seamen at New Orleans, 214 Barron, James, 515n Barron, Samuel: letter to, 514-15; serves on court of inquiry, 268n; instructions for, 326-7, 329, 514-15, 590; identified, 515n

Barron, William A.: letter from, 196-7; seeks extra rations, 196-7, 324; identified, 197n Barry, James, 177-8 Barton, Benjamin Smith: letter to, 618; letter from, 499; TJ recommends, sends books to, 114-15, 618; introduces Humboldt, 499 Bastrop, Baron de (Philip Hendrik Nering Bögel): claims trading monopoly, 561-4, 655-6 Batavia, Dutch East Indies, 52, 408n Batavian Republic: trade with U.S., 208-10, 305n Bates, Frederick, 33-4, 121, 357 Bates, Tarleton, 121 Bath, England, 502, 509, 550n Baton Rouge, La., 23, 254, 656n Baudin, Alexandre, 17, 45-6, 254, 346-8 Bay, Elihu H., 11, 13n Bayard, James A., 196, 589 Bayou Boeuf, 460, 662 Bayou Manchac. See Iberville River Bayou St. John, 682 bears: grizzly, 49-50 Beaussier, Bonaventure, 191n beavers, 434 Beckley, John: books for Library of Congress, 443; letter to, 443; and polygraphs, 601 bedbugs, 547 Bedford Co., Va. See Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate) Bedinger, Daniel, 360, 438, 559n Bee (Hudson, N.Y.), 147, 148n “Beginning, Progress and Conclusion of Bacons Rebellion in Virginia in the Years 1675 & 1676” (Thomas Mathew), 7 Bellechasse, Joseph Deville de Goutin, 356n, 505-6 Bellville, Edward. See Mitchell, Andrew, Jr. Belsches, James: letter from, 606; reports illicit trade with Haiti, 606, 658, 659n; identified, 606n Benson, Gabriel, 525, 686 Benson, Henry, 485-6, 596, 598 Benson, John, 23 Bering Island, 156 Bermuda Hundred, Va., 23n Betsey (brig), 442n, 546n Bible: purchased by TJ, 7; Matthew, 459, 496; Naboth, 467-8, 469n; Belial, 468, 469n; Ahab, King of

 700 

INDEX Samaria, 469n; Elijah, 469n; Jezebel, 469n; Corinthians, 552-3; Luke, 611; Thessalonians, 653 Biddle, Charles: letter to, 510; letters from, 486-7, 541; requests information on Philadelphia prisoners, x, xlvii, 486-7, 510, 541; identified, 487n Biddle, Clement, 163n, 164n Biddle, Edward (d. 1800), 541 Biddle, James (1783-1848): imprisoned in Tripoli, xlvii-xlviii, 406 (illus.), 487n, 541 Biddle, Mary Scull, 541 Biddle, Nicholas, 487n Big Bone Lick, 433 Biggs, Davis: letter from cited, 691 Biggs, Zaccheus, 317, 613-14 Big River, 642n billiards, 80-1 Binns, John: letter from, 220-1; seeks printing contract, 220-1, 693; identified, 221n; letter from cited, 693 Bishop, Isaac, 549n bison, ix, 431, 434, 451, 538 Blackburn, Richard Scott, 78, 81 blacks: children of, named after TJ, xi-xii, 97-8; in Conn., 97-8; free, 97-8, 260-1n; in militia, 356-7. See also slaves Black Sea, 87 Blagden, George, 498 Blagge, Pascal, 20, 595, 598 Blair, James (Ky.), 684, 688n Blake, Francis, 147, 148n, 686, 689n Blake, James, 117, 119n Blake, John, 416 Blanc, Marie, 298 Blanchard, Sylvanus: letter from cited, 693 Blassingame, John, 416 Bleecker, Alexander, 406-7 Blodget, Samuel G., 456 Bloodworth (Bludworth), James, 79, 82, 686 Bloodworth, Timothy, 686, 687 Bloody Run, battle of, 319n Bloomfield, Joseph: letter from, 618; recommends aspirants for office, 475n, 618 Blount, Thomas, 325, 410, 411n, 685, 689n Blount, William, 410, 411n, 473, 589-90 Blue Ridge Mountains, 40 Blyth (Blythe), Joseph: letter from cited, 692

Bogotá, 479, 480, 482n Boilvin, Nicholas, 450 Boisgerard, Constant, 36n, 37n Bois St. Lys, George de, xlix Bonaparte, Jerome, 516 Bonaparte, Joseph, 492n Bonaparte, Louis, 492n Bonaparte, Napoleon. See Napoleon, Emperor of the French Bond, Lewis, 357 Bonpland, Aimé Jacques Alexandre Goujaud: tours Central and South America with Humboldt, 479, 480, 481n, 509n; accompanies Humboldt on visit to United States, 499n, 508, 532, 533n, 660, 661 bookkeeping, 45n books: bookbinding, 6-7; women as printers, 401, 402n; booksellers, 438n; price of, 443; octavo editions, 457. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Library; Library of Congress Boqueta, John L.: letter from cited, 694 Bordeaux, France, 463 Bordes, Jean Marie de: letter from cited, 694 Bordley, John Beale, 618 Boré, Jean Étienne, 303n Boston: newspapers, 147, 148n; specie shortage in, 357-8; custom house, 477n, 512-13n; marine hospital, 586; glass manufacturing, 619 Boston (U.S. frigate), 587n botany: trees, 64-5 Bourne, Sylvanus: letter from, 238-9; and European responses to Louisiana Purchase, 192n; criticism of, 209; absences of, 210n; praises Louisiana Purchase, 238-9 Bowdoin, James, 500n Bowen, Jabez: removal of, 510-11; letter from cited, 511n, 693 Bowen, Jabez, Jr.: delivers anti-slavery charge to Ga. grand jury, 403 Bowie, Robert, 58n, 137, 138n Bowles, William Augustus, 474n Bowmar, Joseph, 144, 145n Bradford, James M., 686 Bradley, William (British naval officer), 642 Brandywine, battle of, 52 brass, 558-9 Brazer, Samuel, Jr.: Address, Pronounced at Worcester, on May 12th, 1804, 495-6

 701 

INDEX Brazil, 479, 480 Bréant, Mr., 560, 605 Breaux (Braux), Marie Joseph, 298 Breckinridge, John: letter from, 8; recommends aspirants for office, 8, 684, 685, 686, 688n; as reference, 271n; and western exploration, 471 Brent, Daniel Carroll: letter from, 126-7; and removal of C. Simms, 126-7; as reference, 160; recommends aspirants for office, 305n, 607 Brent, John, 607, 608, 616-17 Brent, Richard, 127n, 684 Brent, Robert, 160, 608 Brent, William L., 658 Brents, Samuel, 104 Bréton (Berton), Mine of, 450 bricks, 150-1 Briggs, George Nixon, 426n Briggs, Isaac: letters to, 539, 568; letter from, 499; and Louisiana Bank, 217n; travels to Washington, 232, 296, 520n, 609; recommended for appointment, 295; and George Davis, 310-12, 684; recommends aspirants for office, 357, 687; plans meeting with TJ and Gallatin, 499; advises on appointments, 519, 520n, 525; asked to purchase scientific, mathematical instruments, 539, 540, 568; calculation of longitude, 568; payments to, 638n; surveys post road between Washington and New Orleans, 671 Briggs, Rufus: letter from, 426-7; asks for TJ’s assistance, 426-7; identified, 426n Bristol, Elizabeth Albana Upton, Lady, 29 Bristol, Frederick William Hervey, fifth Earl of, 29 Bristol, Pa., 423n Bristol, R.I.: collectorship, 672n Brodhead (Broadhead), Daniel, 16, 17n Brooke, Francis Taliaferro: letter from cited, 693 Brooke, Humphrey B., 686 Brooks, Samuel, 218-19 Broom, James M., 589 Broome, John, 397, 552n Brougham, Henry Peter: Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers, 541-2, 574 Broutin, Rosalie, 297 Brown, Betty (b. 1759, TJ’s slave), 260n

Brown, Henry, 212 Brown, James (Ky.), 475n, 683 Brown, John (Ky.): letter from, 269-70; recommends aspirants for office, 269-70, 292, 686 Brown, Robert (Pa.): letter from, 18; recommends aspirants for office, 18; identified, 18n Brownson, John, 658 Bruff, James, 78-9, 81 Brunel, Marc Isambard, 13-14, 141-2, 147 Bryan, Samuel, 17n Bryan, Wilson, 493 Buck, Richard, 79, 81 Bucklin, John C.: signs memorial, 674 Buckner, William H., Jr.: seeks appointment, 685; letter from cited, 694 Buffalo, N.Y., 34n Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de, 155, 158n Bulah (ship), 595, 598 Bullen, Mr. (Miss. Terr.), 429-30 Bullitt, Alexander S., 684, 688n Bull Run, 125 Burgoyne, John, 288, 503 Burling, Walter, 574 Burr, Aaron: and Van Ness’s pamphlet, 195-6; seeks N.Y. governorship, 200-3, 255-6, 263-4, 397, 410, 552n; relationship with TJ, 203n; and C. Biddle, 487n; and election of 1800, 629-30 Burr, William H., 72 Burrows, William Ward, 114n Burwell, William A.: letters to, 94-5, 402-3; letters from, 353-4, 392; offered, accepts appointment as TJ’s private secretary, 94-5, 353-4, 392, 402-3; identified, 95n; as TJ’s private secretary, 487n; and profile of TJ, 601, 625 Busti, Paul, 13 Butler, Pierce: letter from, 263; family of, 124n; recommends aspirants for office, 263, 525n, 685, 688n; orders wine, 307; opposes Twelfth Amendment, 315, 316n Butler, Simeon, 677, 678n Butler, Thomas (son of Pierce Butler), 124 Butler, William, 525n, 686 Byron, John, 158n “A Bystander” (Thomas Jefferson). See Jefferson, Thomas: Correspondence

 702 

INDEX Cabanis, Pierre Jean Georges: Coup d’oeil sur les révolutions et sur la réforme de la médicine, 332-3, 334; health of, 332-3, 334 Cadoudal, Georges, 333, 334 Cadron, Étienne, 455n Cagliari, 600 Calcutta, x, 405-8 Calhoun, John C., 232n Calhoun, Joseph, 416 California, 482n, 557n Calvit, Thomas, 608 Cambrian (British frigate), 635 Camden, N.C., 585, 594 Campbell, Arthur, 686 Campbell, Edward: letter from cited, 693 Campbell, Edward R., 658 Campbell, George W.: letters from, 55-6, 107-8; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 107-8, 683, 691; identified, 55-6n; letter from cited, 691 Campbell, Hugh G., 268n Campbell, James (jailer), 153n Canada: boundaries, 26, 31n; Acadia, 61, 62; immigrants from, 61, 62, 410; duties on imports from, 250, 251n, 324 Canandaigua, N.Y., 34n Canary Islands, 176n cannon: brass, 558-9 Cape Girardeau, 413, 414, 453n Cap-Français, Haiti, 174n, 299, 300, 449 Capitol, U.S.: alterations to plan of, viii, xliv-xlv, 131-7, 150, 187-8, 335-41, 664-5; House chamber, xliv, 134, 150, 187, 337-9, 340n; south wing, xliv-xlv, 131-7, 146, 150, 187, 335-9, 340n, 406 (illus.); offices in, xlv, 132, 337; appropriations for, 131, 136n, 146, 150; gallery, 131, 337; W. Thornton’s plan of, 131, 340, 664; walls, 131, 134, 146, 335-6, 339; heating of, 131-2, 134; columns, 131-5, 146, 187, 336-7, 340n; staircases, 132, 187, 336; lighting for, 132-3, 135; entablature, 133, 135, 146; north wing, 133, 146, 335; privies, 133; windows, 133, 135; roof, 135, 146, 336; materials for, 146, 150-1, 338; schedule of work for, 146, 339; Senate chamber, 187; lobby, 337; demolition of portions of, 337-9, 340n; workmen, 338-9; committee rooms, 665; statement of expenditures on, 675-6. See also Library of Congress

Caracas, 398, 399, 479, 480 Carey, Mathew, 426n Carleton, Joseph, 264n Carleton, William, 147, 148n Carlos (Charles) IV, King of Spain, 302, 304n Carmichael, John F., 528, 593, 618 Carondelet, Francisco Luis Hector, Baron de, 61, 62, 634n Carpenter, Thomas: account with TJ, 143-4; payments to, 144, 185 Carr, Dabney (TJ’s nephew): letter to, 476; letter from, 457-8; and C. Peyton’s bill in chancery, 346, 371n, 572; and TJ’s legal action against R. Johnson, 457-8, 468n, 472n, 476; letters to cited, 468n, 693; letter from cited, 694 Carr, Francis, 75-6 Carr, Garland, 40 Carr, Overton: letter from, 109-10; recommends son for navy, 109-10; death of, 110n Carr, Overton, Jr., 109-10 Carré, John Thomas, 164n Carriere, Marguerite, 298 Carrigain, Philip, Jr.: letter from, 354-5; seeks appointment, 354-5; identified, 355n Carrington, Paul, Jr., 469n Carroll, Daniel (of Duddington), 178, 462 Cartagena, Colombia, 479, 480 Carter, Benjamin B., 685 Casa Calvo, Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta y O’Farill, Marqués de: informs Claiborne of news from Spain, 176n; and Morales, 305n; and Pedesclaux, 321n; and Ciriaco Cevallos, 555, 556; payments to Wilkinson, 634n; and W. Fla., 656n Casey, Levi, 416, 525n, 686 Casiquiare River, 479, 480 Caspian Sea, 155 Cassin, John, 63n, 268n, 602, 603n Castlereagh, Robert Stewart, second Viscount, 28 Castor (TJ’s horse), 427-8 Catalano, Salvador, 47, 48n Cathalan, Eulalie (S. Cathalan, Jr.’s daughter), 307 Cathalan, Marie Hugues (Mrs. Stephen Cathalan, Sr.), 307 Cathalan, Stephen, Jr.: letter to, 69-70; letter from, 306-8; and olive trees for

 703 

INDEX Cathalan, Stephen, Jr. (cont.) J. Couper, 69-70; TJ orders groceries, wine from, 306-8; recommends Olivier, 307, 308n; seeks U.S. citizenship, 307 Cathalan, Stephen, Sr., 307 Cathcart, James Leander, xlviii, 63n, 83, 90, 277, 494n, 650-1, 652n Cathcart, Jane Bancker Woodside, 652n Catholic Church: criticism of, 87; in Italy, 87; in New Orleans, 356n, 592-3. See also Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans Catlett, Hanson, 79, 82 Catlett, Kemp, 367 Catorce, 555, 557 Caucasus Mountains, 155 Cavanilles, Antonio José, 402 Cazenove, Anthony Charles, 128n Cecil, James, first Marquess of Salisbury, 28 Centreville, Va., xlvi, 90, 111, 125 Ceracchi, Giuseppe, 20, 22n Ceracchi, Therese, 19-20, 22n Cevallos (Ceballos), Ciriaco, 555, 556 Cevallos (Ceballos) Guerra, Pedro, 302, 304n, 402 Chalmers, David: letter from cited, 692 Chamberlin, Reuben, 79, 81 Chambers, Joseph, 182, 274, 513n, 585 Champlain, Lake, 212n, 410 Chance (brig), 603n, 643n Chapman, Charles T., 105, 106n Chapman, Nathaniel (physician): letter to, 574; letter from, 541-2; sends book to TJ, 541-2; identified, 542n; thanked by TJ, 574 Chappe d’Auteroche, Jean Baptiste, 478, 480, 482n Chaptal, Jean Antoine, 479, 481 Charcas, 555, 557 Charity Chapel, Va., 125 Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, 154, 158n Charles Felix, duke of Genevois, 418, 420, 421n Charleston, S.C.: climate of, 28; merchants, 36n, 316n; French instructors in, 129n; naval officer, 316n; marine hospital, 586; gunboats for, 602, 612 Charlottesville, Va., 251, 465 Charlton, Thomas U. P., 99, 683 Chase, Samuel: impeachment of, 196, 580, 638n

Chattahoochee River, 350 Chaudron, Simon, 13 Chauncey, Isaac, 456-7 Cheesborough, William E.: seeks appointment, 692-3; letter from cited, 693 cheese: exports of, from Batavian Republic, 209, 210n Cheetham, James: pays newspaper subscriptions for TJ, 147, 148n; and Vacher, 155, 158n; and divisions among N.Y. Republicans, 201-2, 203n; reports violations of Logan Act, 643n chemistry, 334-5, 645-6 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, 335, 340 Chesapeake Bay, 330n Chickasaw Bluffs, 453n Chickasawhay River, 348 childbirth. See women children: spoiled, 53; orphans, 297, 534; education of, 298n, 582-3; in military, 404-8; illnesses, 582. See also Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson); Eppes, Maria Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter); Randolph, Anne Cary (TJ’s granddaughter); Randolph, Cornelia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter); Randolph, Ellen Wayles, II (TJ’s granddaughter); Randolph, Mary Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter); Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson); Randolph, Virginia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter) Chimborazo, 479, 481, 509 China, 156 Chipman, Nathaniel: Sketches, 7 Chisholm, John D., 589-90, 595 Chol, Mr., 563n Chouteau, Auguste, 451 Chouteau, Auguste Pierre, 440, 442n, 501 Chouteau, Pierre: garden of, 101-2; appointment of son to military academy, 440, 442n, 500-1; sends specimens, curiosities to TJ, 450, 453n; accompanies Osage delegation, 453n, 670n Christianity: criticism of Christians, 19. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Religion; Jesus cider: Newark, 152, 231, 266n; ordered by TJ, 152, 231, 265, 266, 269; price of, 231n; bottling, storage of, 265, 266, 269; manufacture of, 547

 704 

INDEX cinchona (Peruvian bark), 479, 481, 509 Cincinnati, Ohio: land office, 107n Cincinnati, Society of the, 495n ciphers, 190 Citizen (schooner), 469 Citoyenne (schooner), 299, 300 City Bank of New York, 179n City Militia (New Orleans), 356 Claiborne, Elizabeth W. Lewis, 460-1, 592 Claiborne, Ferdinand L., 123, 296, 685 Claiborne, William C. C.: letters to, 45-6, 138-9, 253-4; letters from, 239-41, 320-1, 346-8, 356-7, 460-1, 504-6, 529-31, 592-3, 655-6; and Baudin’s case, 45-6, 254, 346-8; letter to cited, 46n, 690; family of, 57n, 287n, 460-1; as reference, 129; and Lafayette’s land grant, 138-9, 140, 141, 356, 460-1, 504, 661-3; correspondence with secretary of state, 176-7n, 302, 303-4n; criticism of, 176n, 232; and land fraud, speculation in Louisiana, 176n; and temporary government for Louisiana, 176n, 505; and transfer of Louisiana to U.S., 176n; and withdrawal of French, Spanish from Louisiana, 176n, 239, 304n, 305n; establishes temporary court, 177n, 320, 346-7; and slave trade in Louisiana, 177n, 239-40, 303-4n, 505; salary and compensation for, 189; and Louisiana boundaries, 190, 191n; and Spanish duties on U.S. exports at Mobile, 213n; authority as acting governor, 214-15, 216-17n; and Louisiana Bank, 214-17, 253-4, 255, 259, 302, 303n, 529-31; popularity of, 232; commercial regulations in Louisiana, New Orleans, 239, 241n, 304n; sends news, observations of Louisiana, New Orleans, 239-41, 504-6; and opposition to U.S. governance, 240, 241n; advises on appointments, 253, 505-6, 528; sends sugar to TJ, 289; and Ursuline Nuns, 298n, 592-3; and B. Tupper, 303-4n, 570n; issues ordinances, 303n; and postal service to New Orleans, 304n; and land fraud in Miss. Terr., 305n; and George Davis, 310; and Pedesclaux’s petition, 320-1, 323-4n; appointments by, 321, 324n; presents flags to city militia, 356-7; and

DeLacy’s case, 473, 474n; communications with TJ miscarry, 506; reluctant to exercise executive authority, 529; and Indian affairs, 543, 655-6; and Girod & Chol, 561, 563, 655-6; suspicions of Wilkinson, 634n; and W. Fla., 656; candidate for office in Louisiana, 683 Clark, Daniel, 216n, 232, 634n Clark, Thomas (surveyor), 685, 688n Clark, William: letter from, 450-3; appointed second lieutenant, 79, 82; sends specimens, curiosities to TJ, 450-3. See also Lewis and Clark expedition Claude, Dennis, 79, 113 Claxton, Thomas, 338 Clay, Henry, 57n Clay, John, 56-7, 686 Clay, Joseph (Pa.): letter from, 447-8; recommends aspirants for office, 447-8 Clay, Joseph, Jr. (Ga.), 403n Clay, Matthew, 8n clerks: Treasury Department, 5; applications for appointment as, 18; Navy Department, 173-4n, 193-4; salaries and compensation, 173-4n, 193-4, 519 Clinton, Cornelia Tappen (Mrs. George Clinton), 405, 408n Clinton, DeWitt, 635n, 642-3 Clinton, George: letter from, 397; letter from cited, 179n, 692; recommends aspirants for office, 179n, 687, 692; political faction led by, 211-12n, 630; reports on N.Y. election, 397; and Margaret Mitchell, 405, 408n Clinton, Mr., 683 cloth: corduroy, 143, 144; crape, 143; fustian, 143; lace, 143; price of, 143; satinet, 144; duck, 678 clothing: breeches, 143, 144; drawers, 143; pantaloons, 143; servants’, 143; waistcoats, 143; price of, 143-4; collars, 144; sherryvallies, 144; slaves’, 144; surtouts, 144 Clouet, Louis Brognier de: letter from cited, 692 clover, 6, 291, 695 Clyma, William P., 79, 81 Coahuila, 555, 556, 573, 574n Coalter, John, 686 Coatzacoalcos, 555, 556 Cobbett, William, 332, 334 Cochran, Samuel, 17n

 705 

INDEX Cocke, William: letters from, 55-6, 95, 107-8; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 95, 107-8, 683 Coffin, Daniel, 222, 519n, 581 Coffin, Isaac: letters from, 221-2, 581; advises on Nantucket collectorship, 221-2, 518-19, 581 Coffin, Micajah, 519n coins: half Johannes, 308; moidores, 308 Colbert, Mary (b. 1801; TJ’s slave), 260n Colbert, Melinda. See Freeman, Melinda Colbert Coleman, William, 148n, 602, 612 Coles, Isaac, 685, 688n Coles, Isaac A., 398n Coles, John: letter from, 397-8; exchanges plank for nails with TJ, 397-8; identified, 397-8n Coles, Rebecca Elizabeth Tucker, 398n Collin, Nicholas: letter to, 531; accompanies Humboldt to Washington, 508, 531; invited to dine with TJ, 531 Collins, Abraham, 614, 615n Collins, Minton, 222-3 Collot, Georges Henri Victor, xlix Colombia, 478-82 Colorado River, 555, 556 Columbia, Bank of (Georgetown), 185 Columbia River, 295 Colvin, John B., 148 Commercial Advertiser (New York), 203n Company of the Indies, 298n Concord, N.H., 355n Condit, John: letter to, 231; letter from, 152; TJ orders cider from, 152, 231; recommends aspirants for office, 549n Condorcet, Marie Jean Antoine Nicolas de Caritat, Marquis de, 200n Congdon, James: letter from cited, 693 Congress (U.S. frigate), 63-4n, 231, 508, 514n Congress, U.S. House of Representatives messages to, 25, 63-4, 73; House chamber, xliv, 134, 150, 187, 337-9, 340n; correction of enrolled bill, 25; and indemnification for captors of Moroccan cruisers, 25; division, government of Louisiana, 46, 99-100; and capture of the Philadelphia, 63-4; convening of next

session, 67n; and militia returns, 73; and western exploration, 73, 74n, 424, 425n, 433-4; and slavery, 108n; and Marines, 114n; and public buildings in Washington, 131, 136n, 150, 151n; and land grant for Lafayette, 139; and E. Stevens claim, 174n; confidential report on New Orleans and Floridas, 191, 192n; impeachment of S. Chase, 196n; and W. A. Barron’s memorial, 197n; post road to New Orleans, 198; division of Indiana Terr., 270n; encouragement of manufacturing, 341-2n; collection of taxes, 357, 358n Legislation and western exploration, 11-12, 74n, 139n, 149, 161, 242, 309, 331, 471-2, 682; division, government of Louisiana, 12, 99-100, 118, 120n, 145, 682; and establishment of Mobile customs district, 23n, 122, 513-14; and indemnification for captors of Moroccan cruisers, 25; and militia returns, 57-8n; establishment of Mediterranean Fund, 64n, 612; and navy appropriations, 64n; convening of next session, 67n; and sale of public lands, 70, 71n, 120, 121, 122n; commercial regulations in Louisiana, New Orleans, 97n, 239, 241n, 304n; and Miss. Terr., 97n, 428, 434n; foreign intercourse fund, 116-20, 167-8, 275, 277-8, 286n, 569-70; land grant for Lafayette, 138-9, 140; and public buildings in Washington, 146, 150; payment of departmental clerks, 173-4n; trade with France and colonies, 175n; land titles in Louisiana, 184n; and Bank of the United States, 214, 215, 216n, 253, 254n, 255, 259, 302; and Barbary States, 277, 514-15; and Norfolk fire, 357, 358n; and lighthouses, 512n; establishment of land offices, 513n; arming merchant vessels, 544-6; fugitives from justice, 623-4, 626; collection laws, 636, 637, 638n Public Opinion calls to reduce number of representatives, 261-2

 706 

INDEX Congress, U.S. (cont.) Senate messages to, 63-4, 71-2, 73, 81-2, 113-14; correction of enrolled bill, 25; and boundary convention with Great Britain, 26; impressed seamen, 26, 31n; division, government of Louisiana, 46, 99-100; and capture of the Philadelphia, 63-4; convening of next session, 67; and TJ’s nominations, 71-2, 81-2, 113-14, 243, 507n, 679; and militia returns, 73; removal of seat of government to Baltimore, 74, 75n; and Marines, 114n; and public buildings in Washington, 131, 136n; and land grant for Lafayette, 139; and E. Stevens claim, 174n, 578n; and W. A. Barron’s memorial, 197n; post road to New Orleans, 198; division of Indiana Terr., 270n; encouragement of manufacturing, 341-2n Connecticut: American Revolution in, 97-8, 503; free blacks in, 97-8; Methodists in, 98n; Moosup, 98n; Sterling, 98n; newspapers, 147, 148n; elections in, 313, 315n; Fairfield Co., 313, 315n; Tolland Co., 313, 315n; legislature, 315n; Groton, 503; commissioner of loans, 504; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594; cotton manufacturing, 621, 622n; Milford, 622n. See also Federalists; New Haven, Conn.; Republicans Connecticut (ship), 442n Conner, William, 431, 434n Connor, Benjamin, 306 Conrad, John, & Co. (Philadelphia), 426n Constantinople, 217n, 597, 599 Constellation (U.S. frigate), 231, 527n Constitution (U.S. frigate), 39n, 508n, 514n, 537n, 587n Constitution of the United States: ratification of, 110n; and authority to make treaties, 167, 647; and apportionment of Congressional representatives, 261; provides for a single executive, 554; and fugitives from justice, 623. See also Twelfth Amendment Convention of 1800: conveyance of ratified copy to France, 83, 117, 169-70, 194

Conway, Richard, 128n Cook, Louis (Colonel Lewis, Caughnawaga Indian), 155, 158n Cooke, William (S.C.), 686, 689n Cook Islands, 158n Cooper, Isaac: account with TJ, 669; identified, 669n; payments to, 669n Cooper, John, 448-9 Cooper, Thomas: letter from, 18-19; and TJ’s correspondence with Priestley, 18-19; and J. Binns, 221n; recommends aspirants for office, 685 Corfu, 418, 420, 421n corn, 40, 137, 290-1, 400 Corneille, Pierre, 155 Cornell, George: letter from, 317-19; seeks land grant in Louisiana, 317-19; identified, 319n Corran, Michael, 450 Corsica, 418, 420, 421n Corso di agricoltura di un accademico georgofilo autore della Biblioteca georgica (Marco Lastri), 21 Cosby, Fortunatus, 684, 688n cotton: cottonseed oil, 547, 548n; mills, manufacturing, 547, 548n, 621-2; presses, 547, 548n; statistical tables on, 659-60n Cottrell, Stephen, 27 Coup d’oeil sur les révolutions et sur la réforme de la médicine (Pierre Jean Georges Cabanis), 332-3, 334 Couper, John, 60, 69-70, 99 courts, 320 Courts, U.S. Circuit District of Columbia, 66, 111-12, 153n District appointments to, 71, 680 Supreme Court appointments to, 71, 679 courts-martial, 115, 144-5, 444n courts of inquiry, 268, 328, 444n, 587n Cowperthwait, Mr., 684 cowpox. See smallpox cows, 538 Cox, Edward N., 456 Cox, George, 456 Coxe, Daniel W.: letters from cited, 691 Coxe, Mr., 684 Coxe, Tench, 342n, 684 Cramond, William, 163n, 174n, 193

 707 

INDEX Crane, William M., 456 Craven, John H.: clover seed for, 6, 695; as TJ’s tenant, 39, 179; tobacco crop of, 179, 399-400, 454, 537, 620-1; boats of, 620; letter to cited, 691 crime: fratricide, 47; keeping a disorderly house, 66, 111; receiving stolen goods, 66, 139; unlicensed billiard tables, 80-1; larceny, 153n; arson, 177n; counterfeiting, 218-20, 245, 249-50, 264, 525-6, 614-15, 624n, 626-7, 653-4; thrives in isolated, remote areas, 273; highwaymen, 303n; fugitives from justice, 349-50; kidnapping, 404-8; penal colonies, 436, 437; violations of Neutrality Act, 444n. See also law; murder; pardons; smuggling Crockett, Joseph: letter from, 56-7; recommends aspirants for office, 56-7, 684, 686 Cross Keys Tavern (Bristol, Pa.), 423n Croudson, Samuel, 127, 128n Crowninshield, Jacob: letter from, 75-6; recommends aspirants for office, 75-6, 122, 410-11 crystals, 450 Cuba: French privateers operate from, 442n; Santiago, 442n; and Humboldt, 479, 480. See also Havana, Cuba Culp, Mr., 582 Culpeper Court House, Va., xlvi Cumaná, 479, 480 Curaçao, W.I., 248n Custis, Edmund, 684 Custis, Peter, 65n Cutler, Ephraim, 32-3 Cutler, Manasseh, 33n Cutting, John Browne, 117, 119n Cutts, Anna Payne, 520-1, 523n, 619 Cutts, Richard: letter to, 619; letter from, 75-6; recommends aspirants for office, 75-6, 519n; as committee member, 338; slandered by Federalists, 520-1, 523n; and glass for TJ, 619 Cuvier, Georges, 480, 481 Czartoryski, Adam Jerzy, 305n Daggett, John, 306 Dalton, Tristram, 477n Dalyell, James, 318, 319n Damen, Herman Hendrik: letter from, 208-10; promotes trade between U.S.

and Batavian Republic, 208-10; identified, 210n Danae (ship), 448-9 D’Antignac, John: letter from, 288-9; seeks appointment, 288-9, 682, 683; identified, 289n D’Arcy, John N., 164n, 172, 174n Darwin, Erasmus: Temple of Nature, 7 Dashields, Sally: boardinghouse of, 426, 427n Davidson, Richard, 79, 82 Davies, William: resignation of, 175, 244n, 264, 328, 353, 359, 361-2, 409, 438n Davis, Augustine, 94n Davis, George (surgeon): acting consul at Tunis, 83, 118, 170, 194; ransom, release of Maria Anna Porcile, 417-21 Davis, George (surveyor): letter from, 309-12; seeks appointment, 309-12, 684; identified, 312n Davis, Thomas B.: letter from cited, 692 Davis, Thomas T.: seeks information on jurisdiction of Ind. Terr. judges, 440, 441n; seeks appointment, 683; letter from cited, 694 Dawson, John: letters from, 160, 211, 423; carries ratified convention to France, 83, 117, 169-70, 194; recommends aspirants for office, 160, 686; seeks appointment, 211, 686; and McElroy’s case, 423; as reference, 689n Dayton, Jonathan: letter from, 593; recommends aspirants for office, 593 Dearborn, Benjamin, 177n Dearborn, Henry: letters to, 149-50, 183-4, 241, 254-5, 324, 531-2, 542-3, 635, 657, 669-70; letters from, 57-8, 70, 78-9, 115, 139, 161, 212-14, 231-2, 263-4, 520-3, 533, 549, 658 Indian Affairs and Indian land cessions, 183-4, 232, 657; and Indian debts, 441, 442n; roads through Indian territory, 441, 442n; and presents for Indians, 446n; settlement of eastern Indians in Louisiana, 543; and Osage delegation, 657, 669-70 Military Affairs and militia returns, 57-8; sends list of Continental Army officers, 70, 78, 154; recommends commissions,

 708 

INDEX Dearborn, Henry (cont.)  promotions, 78-9, 139, 549, 658; courts-martial, 115, 145n; and Arkansas and Red River expedition, 149-50, 161-2, 237n, 241, 263, 425n; method of communication with the president, 183-4, 231; squatters in Louisiana District, 183-4, 188, 231-2, 325; and Spanish duties charged at Mobile, 212-14, 254-5; applications to, for appointment, 289n, 440, 442n, 519n, 528n, 689n; and W. A. Barron’s petition, 324; and R. B. Lee’s land offer, 441, 443n; and insults to French flag, 445; and fortifications at St. Louis, 446n; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 494; attends cabinet meetings, 494; and Haiti, 494; negotiations for crew of Philadelphia, 494; and Tripoli, 494; division of Louisiana District, 542; and violations by British frigates, 635; and T. Blount’s appointment, 689n. See also War, U.S. Department of Politics defends conduct regarding Seth Hunt letter, viii, 520-3, 531-2; TJ expresses confidence in, viii, 531-2, 533; and elections in eastern states, 263-4; advises on appointments, 325, 585; as reference, 676n Deas, William A., 416 Deblois, Lewis: letter to, 476-7; signs memorial, 128n; makes payments for TJ, 476-7; identified, 477n; letter from cited, 694 Deblois, Ruth Hooper Dalton, 477n Decatur, Stephen, Jr.: and burning of the Philadelphia, ix, 39n, 159, 476n; promoted, 456, 457n, 476 deer, 434 Degen, Frederick, 303 Delabigarre, Peter: letter from, 289; sends Louisiana sugar to TJ, 289 DeLacy, John Devereux: letter from, 473-4; seeks to recover papers from New Orleans, 473-4 Delaferre, B., 686 Delassus, Charles Dehault, 60, 61, 633, 634n Délattre, Marthe, 298 Delaware: militia, 57-8; elections in, 196, 224, 589; newspapers, 446n,

589; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594. See also Federalists; Republicans De Masson, Francis, 79, 82 Democrat (Boston), 147, 148n Democrat Press (Philadelphia), 221n Demosthenes, 340n, 341n Demouy, Charlotte, 297 Deneale, George, 129n Den Helder, 209-10 Denmark, 47, 650, 651, 652n Derbigny, Pierre (Peter) Augustin Bourguignon, 411n, 634n Derieux, Justin Pierre Plumard, 217 Deserted Village (Oliver Goldsmith), 310 Deshon, Daniel, 607 Destréhan, Jean Noël, 303n Destutt de Tracy, Antoine Louis Claude: Éléments d’idéologie, 7 Detroit: postmaster, 33; collector at, 34n; land office at, 34n, 120, 357, 511; Indian population in vicinity of, 441, 443n Detroit, Fort, 317-18 DeVille, Charles, 606n Dickinson, James, 684 Dickson, William: letters from, 55-6, 107-8; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 107-8, 683 Dinmore, Richard: payment to, 147, 148n; letter from cited, 693 Dinsmoor, Silas, 212, 213n, 255n Dinsmore, James: letters to, 477-8, 581-2, 638-9; housejoiner at Monticello, 40; as legal witness, 359n, 361n; TJ sends instructions to, 477-8, 581-2, 638-9; letters from cited, 478n, 693, 694; letter to cited, 691 Discord (goddess), 158n disease. See illness and disease distilling, 301-2, 334-5, 412 District of Columbia: courts, 66, 111-12; billiard tables, 80-1; Md. loans to, 177, 199; removal of Fenwick’s houses, 177-8, 199; British vice consul, 507n. See also Alexandria, D.C.; Washington, D.C. Doctor Watts’s Imitation of the Psalms of David, Corrected and Enlarged (Joel Barlow), 7 Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, Compared with Those of Revelation (Joseph Priestley), 19, 463, 611 Dog Soldier (Soldat du Chien, Osage leader), 692

 709 

INDEX Domestic Encyclopædia (James Mease), 6, 123, 124 Donaldson, Joseph, Jr., 118 Donath, Joseph: letters to, 568-9, 639; letter from, 619-20; TJ orders glass from, 568-9, 619-20, 639 Dorsey, Nathan, 684 Dorsière, Eugene, 356n Dougherty, Joseph: letter from, 214; makes payments for TJ, 42, 454n, 669n; forwards letter to TJ, 214; family of, 265, 266; stable accounts, 695-6 Dougherty, Robert, 265, 266 Doughty, James, Jr., 686 Douglas, Nathaniel: letters from, 34-6, 36-7; seeks settlement of claim against U.S., 34-7; identified, 36n Douglas, Samuel, 36n Douglass, John: letter from, 486-7; requests information on Philadelphia prisoners, x, xlvii, 486-7, 510; identified, 487n Douglass, Joseph, 487n Douglass & Mandeville (Alexandria, Va.), 128n Dowlf, Ellis, 511, 512n Drayton, William, 69n drowning, 550n Duane, William: and divisions among N.Y. Republicans, 201; bookselling, stationery business of, 426n; books for Library of Congress, 443; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 535, 536n, 571. See also Aurora (Philadelphia) Duane, William J., 535 Dubroca, Jean-Louis, 129n duels, 340, 523n Duffey, John: petition for pardon, 66, 111-12, 139 Dumas, Charles William Frederick, 117, 119n Dumfries, Va., 125 Dunbar, William: letters to, 9-13, 242-3; letters from, 423-5, 523-4; description of the Mississippi River, 9, 84, 423, 523-4; asked to lead western expedition, 9-13, 424-5; sends botanical descriptions, 65n; instructions for western expedition, 161n, 236-7, 241, 242-3, 263, 331, 523; recommended for appointment, 295, 434; and George Davis, 312n; and Louisiana boundaries, 423-4; and “salt moun-

tain,” 430; and T. Fenton, 430; develops cotton press, 548n Duncan, William (plasterer’s assistant), 477, 478n Duncanson, William Mayne, 178 Dundas, John, 128n Dunlap, William (Alexandria, Va.), 127, 128n Dunlop, John, 128n Dunn, Thomas, 152, 269 Du Ponceau, Peter Stephen, 162, 165n, 251, 683 du Pont, Victor Marie, 393, 394 du Pont de Nemours, Éleuthère Irénée, 393, 394 Du Pont de Nemours, Françoise Robin Poivre, 393, 394 Du Pont de Nemours, Pierre Samuel: letter from, 392-4; praises Louisiana Purchase, 392-3; and L. Harvie’s mission to France, 393, 394; promotes family gunpowder business, 393, 394 Duralde, Martin Milony, 57n Duvall, Gabriel: letters from, 50, 516; and auditor’s office, 5; recommends aspirants for office, 50, 516, 525, 684, 688n; and Banning’s removal, 68; and E. Stevens claim, 164-5n, 578n D’Wolf (DeWolf), Mr.: letter from cited, 691 dyes, 64-5 Earle, Elias, 416 Earle, John Baylis, 525n, 686 East Indies, 89, 262, 545 Easton, Rufus: letter from, 96; seeks appointment, 96, 122, 683 Eaton, William: letter from, 80; and Farquhar, 48n; plan to displace Yusuf Qaramanli, 80; returns to Mediterranean, 80; appointed navy agent, 80n; negotiations with Tunis, 83; consul at Tunis, 170, 194; ransom, release of Maria Anna Porcile, 418, 419, 421n Eddy, Samuel: signs memorial, 674 Edgar, John, 682 Edinburgh, 542n, 605n Edinburgh, University of, 550n education: teachers, 43; foreign languages, 154-5; mathematics, 197n; of women, 298n, 566-7, 592; influence of religion on, 552-3 Edward & Edmund (schooner), 223

 710 

INDEX Edwards, Abraham: appointed surgeon’s mate, 549; letter from cited, 549n, 693 Edwards, Pierpont, 500, 524 Eggleston, Joseph, 129 Eldon, John Scott, first earl of, 27 election of 1800, 314, 629-30 election of 1804, 24 Éléments d’idéologie (Antoine Louis Claude Destutt de Tracy), 7 Elizabeth, N.J., 446n Elk Run Church (Fauquier Co., Va.), 125 Elkton, Ky., 18n Elkton, Md., 143 Ellery, Christopher: letter to, 670; and R.I. commissioner of loans, 511n, 670; letters from cited, 670n, 691, 694; recommends aspirants for office, 687, 694; seeks appointment, 691, 692 Ellicott, Andrew: letter from cited, 13n; claim for reimbursement, 281 Ellicott, David, 685 Ellison, Captain, 407 Ellwood, John, 513, 618, 625 Elmer, Ebenezer, 72n Emerson (Emmerson), John, 103-5 Emery, Samuel: letter to, 232; letters from, 180, 409; receives, forwards items for TJ, 180, 232, 409, 486; identified, 180n Encyclopédie méthodique, 7 English language, 154 Enterprize (U.S. schooner), 50n, 587n Eppes, Elizabeth Wayles (Mrs. Francis Eppes, TJ’s sister-in-law), 517, 518n, 534, 583 Eppes, Francis (TJ’s brother-in-law): and Wayles estate, 604; letter from cited, 691; letter to cited, 692 Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson): TJ’s affection for, 534, 535; health of, 582; plans for education, upbringing of, 582-3 Eppes, John Wayles (TJ’s son-in-law): letters to, 22-3, 534-5; letters from, 4-5, 39-40, 50-1, 76, 96, 582-4; and wife’s health, vii, 4-5, 22-3, 39, 50-1, 76, 96; and Melinda Colbert, x, 260n; TJ forwards Abigail Adams letter to, x, 534-5, 584; urged to reside at Pantops, 23, 534, 535n, 583; sends news of politics, family, plantation affairs, 39-40; marriage settlement, 364; letter forwarded to, 507; TJ pledges to care for his children, 534;

wishes to raise his children at Eppington, 582-3; affection for TJ, 583; family of, 604n; recommends aspirants for office, 687 Eppes, Maria Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): health of, 4, 39, 582; birth of, 5n; taken to Eppington, 517, 518n, 534; TJ’s advice on raising of, 534; TJ’s affection for, 535; plans for education, upbringing of, 582-3 Eppes, Mary Jefferson (Maria, Polly, Mrs. John Wayles Eppes, TJ’s daughter): breast infection, vii, 50-1, 76, 188; effect of death on TJ, vii, 259n, 359, 363, 578-9, 652, 667; fever, vii, 22-3, 188, 223; and Abigail Adams, x, 458-9, 578-9, 584; condolences on death of, x-xi, 352-3, 458-9, 464, 488, 534, 567, 614, 665; recovery from childbirth, 4; gives birth to daughter, 5n; travel concerns for, 22-3, 51, 76, 189n; TJ’s affection for, 23; weakness of, 39, 76, 188, 223, 247; lack of appetite, 50-1; taken to Monticello, 76, 188, 189n; impact of health on TJ, 96, 254, 255, 259; friends’ wishes for recovery of, 162, 212, 264, 269; and Melinda Colbert, 259-60; news of death sent to TJ’s cabinet, 293, 324; marriage settlement, 364; living arrangements for children after death of, 534 Eppington (Eppes estate, Chesterfield Co., Va.), 23n, 534, 535, 582-3, 604 Epple, Andrew, 18, 686 Erasmus, Desiderius, 539n Ernest, Matthew, 34n Erving, George W.: letter from, 646; as claims agent under Jay Treaty, 277, 286n; recommended by Monroe, 305n; and books for Library of Congress, 443; appointed secretary of legation, 500n; forwards letters for TJ, 646 Escambia River, 350 Esménard, Joseph-Alphonse, 516 Esperance (schooner), 163n Essai de géologie, ou Mémoires pour servir a l’histoire naturelle du globe (Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond), 114-15, 538, 548-9 Essay on the Manufacturing Interest (John Lithgow), 341-2, 404 Essex (U.S. frigate), 231, 444n, 514n, 527n, 537n, 559n

 711 

INDEX État Actuel de La Grande-Bretagne (Arthur O’Connor), 200 Etruria, 21 Etting, Reuben, 272, 296, 363, 680 Eumenides (Furies), 157 Eustis, William, 222, 611 Evans, John Thomas, 484 Ewing, Baker, 685, 688n Examination of the Various Charges Exhibited Against Aaron Burr, Esq. (William P. Van Ness), 195-6, 203 Expériences sur le galvanisme, et en géneral sur l’irritation des fibres musculaires et nerveuses (Alexander von Humboldt), 479, 480, 482n Fair American (ship), 182 Fairfax, Ferdinando: letter from cited, 692 Fairfax Court House, Va., 125 Fantrees (Fontrees), John, 366 Farjon, Thérèse: letter from, 297-9; seeks confirmation of property rights for Ursuline Nuns, 297-9; identified, 298n Farley, Joseph, Jr., 511, 512n Farquhar, Richard: letter from, 46-8; advises on Tripolitan affairs, 46-8; identified, 48n Farrar, Thomas, 417 Faujas de Saint-Fond, Barthélemy: Essai de géologie, 114-15, 538, 548-9 Fauquier Court House, Va., xlvi, 125, 428 Fayetteville, N.C., 64, 65n, 489n Federal Ark (Wilmington, Del.), 195, 196n Federalists: attack TJ’s private affairs, vii, 465, 467, 468-9n; and Sally Hemings, xi, 469n; removal of, expected, urged, 8n, 16, 75, 126-9, 503-4, 510-11, 512-13n, 613-14, 676-8; in Pa., 16; accused of lies, misrepresentations, 24, 496; and election of 1804, 24; in Ohio, 32, 33n; in Mass., 75, 221-2, 249n, 512-13n, 519n, 581, 676-8, 683; decline, demise of, 88, 252, 397, 410, 589; and navy, 89, 602, 603n, 612; in Va., 112n, 126-9, 468n; in N.Y., 201, 203n, 314, 397, 410, 552n; printers, newspapers, 201, 203n, 589, 678n; in Del., 224, 589; plan to separate eastern states from union, 252, 313-14; seek to divide Republicans, 252-3, 313-14; militia,

302n; in S.C., 315, 415-17; and Twelfth Amendment, 315, 415-16; in Conn., 315n, 503-4; ridicule stories of salt mountain, 429; in R.I., 511, 547n; exclude Republicans from office, 512-13n; monopolize public offices, 512-13n; criticize TJ at public dinners, 512n; in N.H., 520, 523n; and Priestley, 548 Felix, Louise Françoise, 85n Fenner, Arthur: letter from, 499-500; recommends aspirants for office, 499-500, 687; political influence of, 547n Fenner, James: signs memorial, 674 Fenton, Thomas, 295, 430-1, 434n Fenwick, Joseph, 166, 173n Fenwick, Mary, 178, 199 Ferdinand IV, King of Naples (and King of Sicily), 38, 88 Ferebee, Thomas C., 181n, 680 Ferguson, Hugh, 108 Ferguson, Mr., 125 Fernagus de Gelone, Jean Louis: letter from, 436-8; seeks TJ’s protection, 436-8; identified, 437-8n Ferrara, Italy, 485, 596, 598 Few, William: letter from, 178-9; seeks appointment, 178-9, 218, 692; identified, 179n; appointed commissioner of loans, 506, 680 Field, Joseph C., 683 Findley, William: letters from, 15-17, 110; and T. McKean’s patronage practices, 15-17; recommends aspirants for office, 110, 122n fires, 3, 435 fish: curing, 329-30, 471; price, 471; statistics on fisheries, 659n Fisher, Michael, 546 Fisher, William, 72, 679, 680 Fitzhugh, Giles, 111 Fitzhugh, Mordecai Cooke, 111 Fitzhugh, Nicholas: letters to, 90, 139-40; letters from, 80-1, 111-12; and pardons, 66n, 80-1, 111-12, 139, 153n; and road through Ravensworth, 90, 111-12, 139-40 Fitzhugh, Richard, xlvi, 111, 112n, 139, 140n Fitzhugh, William, 128n Fitzjames, William, 265, 266 Fitzpatrick, Thomas, 525, 685 Fixarum Praecipuarum Catalogus Novus (Franz Xaver von Zach), 7

 712 

INDEX flags, U.S.: descriptions of, 356n flax, 548n Fleming, James: letter from, 478; seeks appointment, 478 Fleming, William: recommends aspirants for office, 685 Fletcher, John William: Works, 553 Florence, 21, 87, 485 Florida: W. Fla. claimed as part of Louisiana, 11, 13n, 23n, 177n, 190, 191n, 424, 656n; U.S. seeks to acquire, 191, 192n, 217n; Spanish forces in, 198, 351; land grants to French and Indian War officers in, 318, 319n; Spanish settlements in, 350-1; land sales in W. Fla. by Spain, 424; W. Blount’s plans to invade, 589-90; unrest among Americans in W. Fla., 656. See also Mobile, W. Fla.; Perdido (Perdigo) River flour, 426n Folch y Juan, Vicente, 212-13, 351 Fontaine, Mr. (New York City), 610 Fontainebleau, Treaty of (1762), 191n food and drink: syrup of punch, 6, 476, 620; coffee, 29; comparison of prices in U.S. and Britain, 29; fruit, 29; meat, 29; poultry, 29; bear meat, 49-50; brandied fruit, 76; prunes, 76, 307; almonds, 76-7; ship’s biscuit, 89; plums, 101-2, 103n, 597, 599; macaroni, 126, 306; paste, 126, 306; cheese, 209, 210n; endive, 222; lettuce, 222-3, 428; peas, 222-3; radishes, 222-3, 517; asparagus, 223; peaches, 223, 595, 597, 598, 599; beans, 223n; cabbages, 223n; figs, 307; herring, 329-30, 461, 471, 620; application of science to production of, 334-5; shad, 471; milk, 517; peppermint, 517; apricots, 595, 597, 598, 599; strawberries, 595, 598; grapes, 597, 599; pears, 597, 599; porter, 620. See also cider; corn; hams; wine Forbes, John (charity seeker): letter from, 528; asks TJ for money, 528 Forbes, John (John Forbes & Co.), 441, 442n Forbes, John Murray, 305n Forster, Anthony, 79, 82 Forsyth, Richardson & Co. (Montreal), 251n Fortier, Michel (1750-1819), 356n Fortune, Michael: letter from, 425-6; “Jefferson and Liberty,” xliii; “Acqui-

sition of Louisiana,” xliii-xliv, 406 (illus.), 425-6 Fort Wayne, 549n Fosset, Joseph, Jr., 686 Fossett, Joseph (1780-1858, Joe, TJ’s slave), 477, 582 fossils, 296, 331, 431-3, 538-9, 645-6, 663-4 Foster, Mr. (Miss. Terr.), 608 Foster, Theodore: letter from, 524; recommends aspirants for office, 524; letters from cited, 691; seeks appointment, 691 Fothergill, Anthony: letter from, 550; introductions of, to TJ, 502-3, 508; accompanies Humboldt to Washington, 503n, 508, 532, 538, 548; acknowledges TJ’s hospitality, 550; identified, 550n; New Enquiry, 550n Fothergill, John, 502, 550n Fourth of July. See Independence Day Foushee, William, 582 Fowler, John, 8n Fox, Charles James, 304n Fox, Josiah, 602, 603n, 612 Foxall, Henry, 124, 559n Frailey, Leonard, 148n France Economy Company of the Indies, 298n; Chamber of Commerce, 394n Foreign Relations with Italy, 87, 89; and United Irishmen, 200n; with Russia, 421n National Institute of Arts and Sciences and Humboldt, 479, 481 Politics and Government imperial government established, ix, 333, 334, 492, 597, 599; impressment, 89; freedom of press, speech restricted, 332, 333-4, 436, 437; Napoleonic Commercial Code, 394n. See also Napoleon, Emperor of the French (Napoleon Bonaparte) Science and Learning Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, 479, 480; encouragement of manufacturing, 548n U.S. Relations with and crew of the Philadelphia, ix, 190, 191n, 246-7, 326, 648; U.S. minister to, ix, 490-1, 527, 671-2, 681;

 713 

INDEX France (cont.)  and Louisiana boundary, 26, 190, 191n, 424; emigrants to U.S., 54, 129, 288-9, 349, 436, 437, 464, 561, 562; American debt claims, 248-9, 277, 286n; French as U.S. consuls, 307; French privateers in W. Indies, 442n, 602, 603n, 643n; insults to French flag, 445; French soldiers in U.S. ports, 464. See also Haiti (SaintDomingue); Louisiana Purchase; New Orleans War with Britain preparation of Toulon fleet, 89 Franchimastabé (Choctaw Indian), 483-4 Franklin, Benjamin, 584 Franklin, Henry P.: signs memorial, 674 Franklin, Jesse, 410 Frazier, Mr., 684 Frederick, Md., 148 Fredericksburg, Va., 23, 125, 251 Frederick William II, King of Prussia, 74, 75n, 538 Free Colored Militia (New Orleans), 356-7 Freeland, Alexander, 72 Freeman, John: letter from, 259-61; asks TJ to purchase himself and Melinda Colbert, x, 259-61; travels with TJ, xlvi, 22, 428; clothing for, 144; payments to, 185, 260n, 261n; identified, 260n Freeman, Melinda Colbert: engagement to John Freeman, x, 259-61; identified, 260-1n Freeman, Thomas, 237n, 243n Freemasons, 218 French and Indian War, 317-19 French Guiana, 436, 437 French language: knowledge of, desired in Louisiana appointees, 56-7, 99, 100n, 106, 129, 240; instructors, 79, 82, 129-30; taught in U.S. Army, 79, 82 French Revolution, 205, 207, 631 Frethy, Edward, 695, 696 Friends (brig), 444n Frignet de Fermagh, Jean: letter from, 461-2; seeks appointment, 461-2, 685 Fromentin Academy, 691 Fry, Henry: letters to, 462-3, 611; letter from, 552-3; TJ sends book by

Priestley to, 462-3, 552, 611; identified, 463n; shares thoughts on religion with TJ, 552-3; exchanges thoughts on religion with TJ, 611 Fry, Joshua, 463n Fry, Joshua (b. ca. 1760), 687 Fulton, Robert: letter from, 474; forwards letters to TJ, 330, 332, 333, 334, 398, 399, 474 fur and peltry trade, 213, 659n Gadsby, John: hotel of, 260n Gadsden, Christopher, Jr., 456 Gage, Thomas, 318 Gaillard, John, 415-16 Galbreath, Cornelia Stites, 408n Galbreath, David, 405, 407, 408n Gallatin, Albert: letters to, 116, 243-4, 245, 255, 324-5, 361-2, 510-11, 525, 550, 554, 574-5, 584-5, 594, 607, 617, 657, 658-9; letters from, 5, 23-4, 70-1, 96-7, 120-3, 123, 162-5, 180-1, 214-17, 250-1, 264, 357-8, 409-11, 411, 427, 511-13, 518-19, 543, 544, 544-6, 569-70, 585, 585-7, 607, 635-8, 659-60 Personal Affairs descriptions of, xliii; portrait of, xliii, 406 (illus.); and Lafayette, 141; plans visit to New York, 162; family of, 218n Secretary of the Treasury and E. Stevens claim, vii-viii, 116, 162-75, 192-5, 223, 244, 554, 569-70, 574-5, 578n; advises on appointments, 5, 70-1, 121-3, 264, 357, 409-11, 427, 438, 511-13, 518-19, 525, 569, 574, 584-5, 602, 607, 617; and responsibilities of second auditor, 5; commercial regulations for Louisiana, New Orleans, 23, 96-7; establishment of Mobile customs district, 23, 122, 512, 525, 584-5; navigation of Mississippi River by Spanish vessels, 23-4; and delinquent accounts, 24; applications to, for appointments, 50n, 71n, 160n, 316n, 519n, 614n, 688n, 689n; and Miss. Terr. land commissioners, 96-7; and sale of public lands, 120-1; surveying Indian boundary

 714 

INDEX Gallatin, Albert (cont.)  lines, 120-1; and land fraud in Miss. Terr., 122, 123; correction of names on commissions, 180-1, 243-4; method of communication with the president, 188-9; and Bank of the United States, 214, 215, 216-17n; and Louisiana Bank, 214-17, 254, 255, 259, 302, 529-30, 531n; and Logwood’s case, 245, 264, 543, 544, 550, 551, 658; duties on Canadian imports, 250, 251n, 324; squatters in Louisiana, 250-1, 324-5; discontinuance of the office of supervisor, 357, 358n; discharge of public debt, 357-8; state of public finances, 357-8; warns of specie shortage, 357-8; and Norfolk collectorship, 361-2; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 494, 544-6, 569, 570n, 574, 658-9; attends cabinet meetings, 494; and Haiti, 494, 659n; negotiations for crew of Philadelphia, 494; and Tripoli, 494; and removals from office, 510-11; appointments of commissioners of loans, 512, 679; and revenue cutters, 512; TJ forwards official papers to, 550; marine hospitals, 585-7, 594; collectors as notaries, 607, 617; cargoes of distressed vessels, 635-8, 657; sends lists of Treasury warrants, 638n; prepares statistical tables for Humboldt, 659-60. See also Treasury, U.S. Department of the Gallatin, Hannah Nicholson, xliii, 162 Gallego, Richard & Co. (Richmond), 537 Galvez Town, 460, 461n, 662 Gamble, James: letter from, 486-7; requests information on Philadelphia prisoners, x, xlvii, 486-7, 510; recommends aspirants for office, 684 Gamble, Richard: leases land from TJ, 290-1; letter from cited, 692 Gamble, Robert (midshipman), 487n Gamble, Thomas, 514 Gano, Isaac E., 122, 688n Gantt, Thomas T., 422n Gardener, Capt., 595, 598 Gardner, John McPherson, 456 Garland, William G., 411n, 427, 507, 680, 684

Garrard, James: letters from, 265, 271; recommends aspirants for office, 265, 271, 686 Gates, Horatio, 288, 491n, 503, 682 Gates, Samuel, 79, 81 Gavino, John, 415 Gavit, Sylvester: letter from cited, 692 Gazette de Leide (Leyden Gazette), 191, 192n Gelston, David: letter to, 620; letters from, 540, 546, 608; forwards items for TJ, 20, 485, 540, 546, 608; payments to, 620 General History of the Christian Church from the Fall of the Western Empire to the Present Time (Joseph Priestley), 611 General view of the agriculture in the county of Huntingdon (Thomas Stone), 204 Genet, Edmond Charles, 495n Genoa, Italy, 87, 89, 126, 306, 307n, 414-15 George, Prince of Wales, 304n George III, King of Great Britain, 29, 304n Georgia: St. Simons Island, 60, 69; olive culture in, 69-70; Franklin Co., 198, 670-1; postal service, 198; counterfeiting in, 220; American Revolution in, 349; and Bowen’s anti-slavery charge to Ga. grand jury, 403; Chatham Co., 403n; slavery in, 403n; Tybee Island lighthouse, 694. See also Republicans; Savannah, Ga. Georgia Republican (Savannah), 403 German language, 106, 154 Germantown, battle of, 52 Germany: trade with Leghorn, 87; Brunswick, 112n; importation to U.S. of laborers from, 209, 210n. See also Hamburg, Germany; Prussia Gerry, Elbridge: letter from, 24-5; and government’s claim against his brother, 24-5; candidate for governor, 1803, 249n, 263 Gerry, Samuel R., 24-5 Gibbon, James (midshipman), 456 Gibbs, Abraham, 39 Gibbs, Caleb, 685 Gibraltar, 415 Gibson, John, 247 Gibson & Jefferson: letters to, 222-3, 620-1; handles TJ’s business affairs in Richmond, 7, 137, 222-3, 371n, 401;

 715 

INDEX Gibson & Jefferson (cont.) handles shipments for TJ, 130, 443, 568, 572, 588, 619, 620-1, 639; account with John Barnes, 269, 352. See also Jefferson, George Gigedo, Coahuila, 555, 556 Gilbert, Elias, 622n Giles, William Branch, 39, 40n Gillespie, David, 12, 13n, 242-3, 424, 685 Gillespie, James, 177n Gilliam, Robert, 604n Gilman, John Taylor, 184-5 Gilmer, Peachy Ridgeway, 683 Gilpin, George, 8, 127, 128n Gilpin, Joshua, 402 ginseng, 659n Girault, John, 295 Girod, Claude François, 563n Girod, J. F., & Chol: letter from, 561-4; protest Bastrop’s trading monopoly, 561-4, 655-6; identified, 563n Girod, John F., 563n Girod, Nicholas, 563n Glasgow, 540n glass, 568-9, 619-20, 639 Godbold, John, 684 Godoy y Álavarez de Faria, Manuel de, 402 Goes, Maarten van der, 210n Goforth, William, Jr., 685 gold: coins, 308; for the Mint, 508-9; from N.C., 508-9; gilders, 669n Golden, Abraham, 265, 266 Goldsmith, Oliver: Deserted Village, 310 Goliah (1731-1810, TJ’s slave), 40 Good Hope, Cape of, 28, 29 Gooding, Thomas, 600n, 650, 651 Goodwin (Goodwyn), Charles, 417 Gordon, Peter (N.J.), 475n Gordon-Reed, Annette, xi Gore, Christopher, 512n Graham, Henry R., 79, 81 Graham, Mr., 125 Granada, New Kingdom of, 479, 480-1 Grand Seigneur. See Selim III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Granger, Gideon: letters to, 251-3, 292, 547; letters from, 184-5, 313-15; publishes list of U.S. post offices, 19; as reference, 96, 676n; pays newspaper subscriptions for TJ, 147, 148n; sends election news to TJ, 184-5, 252, 313-15; payments to, 185; postal service to Monticello, 251-2, 292, 313;

coalition of Federalists and Republicans in northeast, 252-3, 313-14; and Seth Hunt letter, 520-1, 523n, 531; challenged to a duel, 523n; and R.I. loan office, 547; urged to remove Federalist postmasters, 677 Grant, Hary, 448-9 Gratiot, Charles, 101, 440, 442n, 451, 501 Gratiot, Charles, Jr., 440, 442n, 501 Gray, Robert (Alexandria, Va.), 128n Gray, Thomas (Tenn.), 683, 691 Gray, Vincent, 478, 480, 481n Great Britain Agriculture Beverstone plow, 124, 125n; Board of Agriculture, 124; enclosure movement, 204 Army accused of kidnapping recruits, x, 404-8; in India, x, 405-8 Foreign Relations and Haiti (Saint-Domingue), 166, 173n, 193 Laws vice admiralty courts, 248, 249n Navy blockades ports in W. Indies, 247-8, 249n; and Sardinia, 418, 420, 421n; interferes with Mediterranean commerce, 418-19, 420; British frigates in U.S. harbors, 635; asked to protect American commerce, 642-3 Politics and Government calls for regency, 304n; change of ministry, 304n U.S. Relations with resentment of U.S. prosperity, viii-ix, 26-7; negotiations on neutral rights, 25-9, 196, 304n; convention on U.S. boundaries, 26, 31n; and Louisiana Purchase, 26; and Merry controversy, 26, 28, 29; interference with U.S. shipping, 196; blockades in W. Indies, 247-8, 249n, 292-3, 304n; duties on imports from Canada, 250, 251n, 324; drain of specie from U.S., 358; resolution of debt claims, 358; immigration to U.S., 548n; violations of U.S. sovereignty, 635; violations of

 716 

INDEX Great Britain (cont.)  Logan Act, 642-3, 646-50. See also impressment; Jay Treaty War with France blockade of Toulon, 421n Greek language, 154 Green, Thomas, Sr., 483-4 Greene, Fort, 603n Greene, Griffin, 70, 71n Greenup, Christopher, 122n, 684, 686, 688n, 689n Gregg, Aaron, 144, 145n Gregg, Andrew, 685 Griffin, Burgess: and TJ’s tobacco, 48, 399; letter from cited, 49n; letters to cited, 400n, 692, 693 Grose, Francis: Provincial Glossary, 7 Guadeloupe, W.I., 248n, 442n Guatemala, 557n Guaviare River, 479, 480 Guayana, 479, 480 Guayaquil, 479, 481 Guertin Lacoudre, Dr.: letter from, 299-301; seeks to recover runaway slaves, 299-301; identified, 301n Guglielmini, Domenico, 423 Guion, J.: letter from cited, 692 gunboats: hire of, in the Mediterranean, 38, 64n; construction of, 64n, 515n, 602-3, 612; No. 1, 602, 612 gunner’s rules, 568 gunpowder, 393, 394 Gurley, John Ward, 683 Gurney & Smith (Philadelphia), 77 Hadfield, George, 340n Haiti (Saint-Domingue): immigrants, refugees from, 58-9, 176-7n, 610, 661-2; secret convention with Britain and U.S. (1799), 166, 173n, 193; U.S. trade with, during insurrection, 166, 171, 173n, 174n, 175n; SaintDomingue insurrection, 230n, 239; as French colony, 282; French evacuation of, 299, 300, 442n; French privateers interfere with trade with, 440, 442n; establishment of, 442n; French blockade of, 442n; French expeditionary force to (1801), 449; as problem in U.S. relations with France, 491; arming of U.S. merchant vessels trading with, 494, 544-6, 569, 570n, 574, 606, 658-9; as threat to U.S.

slave system, 606. See also Stevens, Edward Hall, David, 58n, 589n Hall, Dominick A., 683, 688n, 692 Hall, George, 79, 82 Hall, John, 16, 17n Hallet, Stephen, 340n Halsey, Daniel, 229n Halsey, Thomas L., 500, 524 Halsey, Thomas L., Jr., 499-500, 524 Hamburg, Germany, 485 Hamilton, Alexander, 546n Hamilton, William (of the Woodlands), 101 Hammond, George, 248n, 249n Hammond, Samuel, 288, 289n, 683, 685 Hammond, William, 126, 306 Hammuda Bey (of Tunis), 308n, 420-1n Hampshire Gazette (Northampton, Mass.), 678n Hampton, Va., 448 Hampton, Wade: and South Carolina College, 4, 42; recommends aspirants for office, 525n, 683, 685, 686, 688n, 692; letter from cited, 688n, 692 hams, 400, 454 Hand, John, 76-7, 114, 115, 214, 538, 539n Hanna, John A., 686 Hannah (ship), 180, 409 Hanson, Richard, 604 Hanson, Richard T.: letter from, 362-3; seeks appointment, 362-3 Hanson, Samuel, 5, 607 Hanstein, Christiana de: letter from, 628; seeks information on family, 628 Hardy, William, 686 Hardyman, Tyler, 664, 667 Harmony (sloop), 513, 618 Harpers Ferry, Va., 441, 443n Harris, Jefferson, 97-8 Harris, Levett: and crew of the Philadelphia, 267, 326, 327, 591, 592n Harris, Thomas (Connecticut): letter from, 97-8; names sons after TJ, xi-xii, 97-8; identified, 98n Harris, Thomas J., 97-8 Harrison, A., 127n Harrison, Alexander C., 456 Harrison, Richard, 164n, 166, 167, 172 Harrison, William Henry: letter to, 145-6; letters from, 413-14, 500-1, 640-2; and Louisiana District, 145-6, 413, 542-3, 640-2; and Indian affairs,

 717 

INDEX Harrison, William Henry (cont.) 413-14, 445n, 543, 657; source of information about west, 455n; appointments by, 475n; recommends aspirants for office, 500-1, 642, 686, 689n Hart, Jacob, 685 Hartford, Conn., 503, 504n Hartman, George Frederic Charles, 112n Hartman, Sofia: letter from cited, 112n Hartshorne, William, 128n Harvard College, 76n, 197n, 402 Harvie, John, 6 Harvie, Lewis: delivers messages to Congress, 63n, 72n, 73n, 114n; resigns as TJ’s private secretary, 94, 402; at William and Mary, 95n; payments to, 185; mission to France, 393, 394, 655 Haskell, Mr., 512-13n Hastings, Bentinck: letter from, 547-8; seeks patents, 547-8; identified, 548n Hathorn, John, 45n Havana, Cuba, 127n, 298n, 448n, 464 Havaneza (ship), 464n Hawkesbury, Robert Banks Jenkinson, Baron, 27-9, 304n Hawkesbury, Theodosia Louisa Hervey, Lady, 28 Hawkins, John Isaac, xlv-xlvi, 345, 439 Hay, George: as U.S. attorney, 219; and bill in chancery against John Henderson, 365, 371, 372; and arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 658; letter from cited, 693; letter to cited, 693 Hazard (French privateer), 602, 603n Hazen, Moses, 172, 175n Heath, John, 683, 688n Heigelin & Co. (Naples), 39 Helms, William, 45n Hemings, Beverley (Beverly), xi Hemings, Harriet (b. 1801), xi Hemings, Madison (James Madison Hemings), xi Hemings, Sally: accompanies Mary Jefferson to England, x, 459n; relationship with TJ, xi, 469n; family of, 260n Henderson, Bennett (d. 1793): estate of, vii, 360, 363, 373, 383; date of death needed, 346; division of land of, 365, 370, 373-4, 384; mill of, 380 Henderson, Bennett Hillsborough: and execution of land deeds, 369, 377, 379, 388-9; and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 377, 379, 386, 388-91; and parceling of father’s

estate, 374, 384; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; moves to Kentucky, 386 Henderson, Charles: affidavit of, 366; conveys portion of mill seat to I. Henderson, 367; deed to John Henderson for mill and store house, 367; deposition of, 367; and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 375, 385-6; and execution of land deeds, 370, 372, 379, 389; and parceling of father’s estate, 373, 384; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; and articles of agreement on lease of house, 387-8 Henderson, Elizabeth (daughter of Bennett Henderson): and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 376, 379, 386, 388-91; and parceling of father’s estate, 374, 384; and execution of land deeds, 379, 388-9; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; moves to Kentucky, 386 Henderson, Elizabeth Lewis (Mrs. Bennett Henderson): injunction against her right in mill race, 364; dower of, 366-7, 368, 373, 375-80, 383, 388; agreement with John Henderson, 367, 370, 372, 376-7, 378, 379, 387, 389, 390; dower rights sold to C. Peyton, 369, 381n, 387, 388; moves to Kentucky, 375, 382n, 386; C. Peyton and deeds for lands of, 379, 392, 572; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; and canal rights, 389 Henderson, Frances: and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 376, 379, 386, 388-91; and parceling of father’s estate, 374, 384; and execution of land deeds, 379, 388-9; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; moves to Kentucky, 386 Henderson, Isham: loses contract, 366; is conveyed Charles Henderson’s portion of mill seat, 367; and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 368, 375, 379, 386; deed of to be ratified in Kentucky, 370; and parceling of father’s estate, 373, 384; and execution of land deeds, 379, 388-9; subject of requested writ, 380, 391 Henderson, James L., 383-91; payments to, 361n; and land deeds of minor siblings, 368, 369, 372, 373-80, 383-91; as holder of property, 368-70, 371; and parceling of father’s estate,

 718 

INDEX 373, 384; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; as candidate for office in Louisiana, 686 Henderson, John: C. Peyton’s bill in chancery against, vii, 137, 346, 363-92, 571-2; millstones purchased from, 358-9, 454; refuses to sell land, 360; payments to, 361n; plans to erect mill, 363-5, 377-80, 388-91; agreement with E. Henderson, 364, 366-8, 370, 372, 376-80, 387-90; acts as security for brother John, 368; deed to C. Peyton, 370; and parceling of father’s estate, 373, 384; subject of requested writ, 380, 391 Henderson, Lucy: and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 376, 379, 386, 388-91; and parceling of father’s estate, 374, 384; and execution of land deeds, 379, 388-9; moves to Kentucky, 386 Henderson, Nancy Crawford: and land conveyance to James L. Henderson, 369, 376, 379, 386, 388-91; and parceling of father’s estate, 374, 384; and execution of land deeds, 379, 388-9; subject of requested writ, 380, 391; moves to Kentucky, 386 Henderson, Sally (Sarah). See Kerr, Sarah (Sally Henderson) Henderson, William: land shares apportioned on death of, 361n, 372, 373, 374, 383, 385 Henderson & Connard, 368 Henderson lands: purchased by TJ, vii, 359n, 360-1; mill seat, 358-9, 360, 363-5, 366-8, 370, 371, 373-80, 384-91; distillery on, 360, 361n, 370, 371, 374, 385; warehouses, 360, 361n, 368-70, 371, 373-4, 376, 384-7, 401; Thorpe’s house, 361n, 374, 385; division of, 365, 373-4, 383-5, 400; dower lands, 366-7, 369, 373, 375-80, 383, 385-8, 390-1; house leased on, 367, 368n, 376-7, 387-8; lots in Milton, 367, 368-70, 371, 375-6, 385-7; deeds for purchase of, 368-70, 374-6, 385-7, 572; plat of allotments, 370, 371n; fees relating to, paid by TJ, 371n Henley, Robert, 456 Henry, James (Detroit), 34n Héraut, Mr., 60, 61 Herbemont, Nicholas: letter from, 129-30; seeks appointment, 129-30, 685; identified, 129-30n

Hewes, Abraham, 128n Hewson, Thomas T.: letter from, 58; offers congratulations on Louisiana Purchase, 58 Hibben, James, 415-17 Higginbotham, David, 137, 368, 620 Hill, Jeremiah, 607n, 617 Hill, John: letter from, 535-6; and allegations against St. Patrick’s Society, 535-6, 571 Hill, William E., 664, 667 Hinckley, Joseph: letter from, 186-7; seeks appointment, 186-7 Hispaniola. See Haiti (Saint-Domingue); Santo Domingo (colony) Histoire naturelle des poissons (Comte de Lacépède), 74, 114, 538 History of the Corruptions of Christianity (Joseph Priestley), 462-3, 552-3, 611 History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II (Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur), 74, 75n, 114, 538, 548 Hodge, Michael, 75-6 Hodgson, William, 128n Hoffman, George, 122, 317, 511, 614 Hoffman (Houghman), Jacob (Va.), 128n Hogg, Elijah, 366 hogs, 432-3 Hokkaido, 156, 158n Holland. See Batavian Republic; Netherlands Hollins, John: letter from, 272; recommends aspirants for office, 272 Hollis, William: letter from, 329-30; TJ orders herring from, 329-30, 461, 471; identified, 330n; method of curing herring, 471 Holloday (Holloway), Mr. (Richmond), 358, 454 Holmes, John (Plymouth): letter from cited, 692 Holmes, Mr., 122 Holt, Charles, 147, 148n Homastubbee (Choctaw Indian), 445 Hooe, Captain, 125 Hooe, Robert, 125 Hoomes, John, 32 Hoomes, Thomas C., 32 Hope, Michael: letter from cited, 694 Hope & Company (Amsterdam), 622n Hopkins, John, Jr., 679 Horace: Satire, 19n; Ars poetica, 136, 137n

 719 

INDEX horses: fatigued by muddy roads, 427-8; wild, 431; therapeutic effects of horseback riding, 611 hospitals: marine, 585-7, 594 Houdon, Jean Antoine, 601 Houghton, Mr., 305n household and personal articles: coal, 48, 49n, 100, 695; tweezers, 155; eyeglasses, 539, 540; pens, 588, 616; lamps, Argand, 601; inkpots, 625, 645; ink, 644-5, 646n; frames, 669; pomatum, 695; ribbon, 695; powder, 696; soap, 696. See also clothing; food and drink; polygraphs Huerne, Petre: letter from, 58-9; seeks appointment, 58-9 Huger, Benjamin, 338 Hugues (Hughes), Victor, 436, 437 Hulings, William E., 411n, 684 Hull, England, 305n Hull, Hugh M., 79, 113 Hull, Isaac, 456 Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander, Baron von: letters to, 501, 554; letters from, 478-82, 555-7, 660-1; admiration for TJ, ix, xlviii, 478, 480, 660-1; memorandum on interior Spanish provinces, ix, 554, 555-7; visit to Washington, ix, xlviii, 499n, 501, 503n, 508, 509, 532-3, 538, 548, 573; C. W. Peale portrait of, xlviii-xlix, 406 (illus.), 664; works by, 438n, 481-2n; tour of Central and South America, 478-82; identified, 481-2n; letters of introduction for, 499; elected to the APS, 499n; visit to Philadelphia, 499n; descriptions of, 533n; TJ’s admiration for, 533n, 549; statistics on New Spain, 557n; calculation of longitude, 568; Gallatin prepares statistical tables for, 659-60; departure of, 660-1, 662, 664 Humphreys, Daniel, 355n, 506, 680 Humphreys, David, 83, 117, 118, 119n, 249n, 355n, 402 Hungary, 21 Hunt, Joseph G. T., 508 Hunt, Samuel, 520-1, 523n, 531 Hunt, Seth: unpopularity of, 410, 532; and conduct of Samuel Hunt, 520-3, 531; seeks appointment, 685 Hunter, George: prepares for western expedition, 161, 236, 242, 262, 331, 441, 523; methods of ink manufactur-

ing, 644; candidate for western expedition, 684 Hunter, John S.: letter from, 292; seeks appointment, 265, 269-70, 292, 686; identified, 292n Hussey, Daniel B., 221-2, 519n, 581 Hussey, Stephen, 221-2, 518-19, 581 Hutchins, Anthony, 432, 435n Hutchinson, Mathias, 417 Hyndman, John (custom house officer): letter from, 594; seeks appointment, 594; identified, 594n Iberville River, 11, 24n, 424, 460, 461n, 662 illness and disease: fever, 22, 188, 212, 223; typhus, 22; impact of climate on health, 31; abscessed breasts, 50-1, 188; sprains, 53; rheumatism, 109; impact of diet on, 188; insanity, mental illness, 225, 228; anthrax, 226, 228; bladder ailments, 226, 229; cankers, 226, 228; colic, 226, 228; deafness, 226, 229; dysentery, 226, 228; edema, 226, 228; epilepsy, 226, 228; eyes, 226, 229; fistulas, 226, 228; gangrene, 226, 228; gout, 226, 228; hemorrhoids, 226, 228; incontinence, 226, 229; inflammation, 226, 228; jaundice, 226, 228; kidney stones, 226, 228; leucoma, 226, 229; lupus, 226, 228; menstruation, 226, 229; paralysis, 226, 229; plague, 226, 229; pulmonary illness, 226, 228; scrofula, 226, 228; scurvy, 226, 228; tapeworms, 226, 229; tenesmus, 226, 228; throat ailments, 226, 228; tuberculosis, 226, 229; tumors, 226, 229; venereal disease, 226, 228, 582, 584n; hysteria, 517; stomach ailments, 517; rabies, 542n, 550n; copper poisoning, 550n; lead poisoning, 550n; diarrhea, 611. See also medicine; quarantine; smallpox; yellow fever immigrants: French, 54, 129, 288-9, 349, 436, 437, 561, 562; Scots, 55n, 540n; Saint-Domingue, 58-9, 176-7n, 610, 661-2; Canadian, 61, 62, 410; Irish, 110n, 221n; German, 209, 210n; scientists, 548; British, 548n impeachment: of S. Chase, 196, 580, 638n

 720 

INDEX impressment: efforts to prevent, 26, 31n; by France, 89; by Britain, 196, 304n, 423n, 607n, 635n, 693; negotiations with Britain on, 304n; in W. Indies, 440; reporting of, 607n Independence Day, 393, 394 Independent Chronicle (Boston), 147, 148n, 512n India, x, 405-8 Indiana Territory: division of, 33, 34n, 270; upper Louisiana to be annexed to, 46; Louisiana District placed under jurisdiction of, 99n, 145, 400, 441n; Kaskaskia land office, 107n, 120, 317, 614, 680; Vincennes land office, 110, 120-1, 446, 475, 680; sale of public lands in, 120-1, 122n; secretary of, 247; Clark’s Grant, 413-14; Indian affairs in, 413-14, 445, 657; Vincennes Tract, 413-14; Saline River, 431, 434n; Shawneetown, 431, 434n; Wabash saline, 431-2, 434-5n; Illinois country, 434n; judges, 440, 441n, 475n; attorney general, 475n; and slavery, 689n. See also Detroit; Harrison, William Henry; Republicans Indians Caddos bows, 64, 65n Catawbas serve in militia, 57n Cherokees land cessions sought from, 177n, 183, 184n, 232, 680; debts of, 441, 442n; road through lands of, 441, 442n Chickasaws debts of, 441, 442n Choctaws and fur and peltry trade, 213; trading house, factory, 213, 214n, 274; convention with U.S., 273; land cessions sought from, 273-4, 483; decline of, 295, 483-4; boundaries of, 348; debts of, 441, 442n Creeks (Muskogees, Muscogees) commissioners to treat with, 177n, 680; debts of, 441, 442n Culture collection of information about, 235-6; decline of, 295, 483-4; mounds,

295-6, 431-2; style of treaty negotiations, 413; pipes, 604, 613 Delawares land cessions sought from, 413-14, 543; migratory tradition of, 414; settlements west of Mississippi River, 414; territorial claims disputed by other tribes, 414 Economy bow wood trade, 65n; fur and peltry trade, 213; salt gathering, 429-30; in Louisiana, 561-4, 655-6 Fox attack Osage delegation, 657n, 670n Iroquois (Six Nations) and American Revolution, 158n Kaskaskias land cessions by, 120-1, 122n Kickapoos war with neighboring tribes, 445, 669 Miamis and Delaware territorial claims, 414 Munsees population of, 441 New Spain Indians displaced by Spanish, 556, 557 Ojibwas (Chippewas) population of, 441 Osages bows, 64, 65n; plants obtained from, 102; dispute with Delawares, 414; relations with other tribes, 445, 657n, 669-70; and Chouteaus, 450, 453n; salines on land of, 451, 454-5, 484; map of land claimed by, 452, 453n, 455n; send delegation to Washington, 453n, 455n, 657, 669-70; descriptions of, 657n Ottawas population of, 441 Peorias land cessions sought from, 657 Piankashaws land cessions sought from, 413-14, 543, 657; dispute Delaware territorial claims, 414 Potawatomis application for liquor, 441; population of, 441; murders committed by, 445

 721 

INDEX Indians (cont.) Quapaws range of settlements, 430 Relations with Non-Indians land grants by Indians to whites, 120-1; observations on beardlessness of Indians, 155-6, 158n; Indians compared to Tartars, 156; land bridge between Asia and America, 156; speculations on prehistoric Indians, 295-6, 431-2; encroachment on Indian lands, 349; observations on Indian stature, 430, 657n; murders, 445; legends of Welsh Indians, 484 Sacs (Sauks) attack Osage delegation, 657n, 670n trade of, 441

Senecas

Shawnees population of, 441 South American Caribs (Kariña), 479, 480; Chaima, 479, 480; descriptions of, 479, 480 U.S. Indian Affairs trading houses, factories, 34n, 235; Indians in militia, 57n; relocation of eastern Indians to upper Louisiana, 99n, 413-14, 657; surveying Indian boundary lines, 120-1; annuities, presents, 149, 161, 162, 445, 446n, 657; negotiations with southern tribes, 176, 177n, 680; U.S. seeks land cessions, 183, 184n, 232, 413-14, 483, 543, 657; and Louisiana Purchase, 234-5; promotion of friendly relations, 235-6; availability of alcohol, 441, 445, 446n; roads through Indian territory, 441, 442n; interpreters, 445; protection of Indian delegation, 669-70 Weas dispute Delaware territorial claims, 414 Wyandots population of, 441 Ingham, Samuel D., 260n ink: methods of making, 644-5, 646n Innes, Harry, 684, 688n Innes, John (Conn.): letter from, 621-2; seeks to establish cotton factory, 621-2; identified, 622n

Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers (Henry Peter Brougham), 541-2, 574 insurance, 435-6 Intrepid (U.S. ketch), 38, 39n, 47, 48n Ionian Sea, 421n Iowa River, 453n Ireland, 110n, 221n iron: iron founders, 43, 45n; manufacturing, 43, 45n, 288n; nailrod, 130-1, 198, 223, 443, 620, 693; price of, 445 Irujo, Carlos Martínez de, 23n, 303, 304n Irujo, Sarah (Sally) McKean, 303 Irving, Peter, 147, 148n Irwin, John Mifflin, 684 Irwin, Thomas (Va.), 128n Israel, Israel, 684 Israel, Joseph (master of Trial), 159, 160n Italian language, 394-5 Italy: wine from, 20-2; agricultural societies in, 21, 485; Catholic Church in, 87; Piedmont, 87, 421n; relations with France, 87; architecture of, 137n. See also Leghorn (Livorno), Italy; Naples; Sicily Iturrigaray, José de, 557n Jackson, Amasa, 202 Jackson, Andrew, 55, 221n, 683 Jackson, James: letters from, 60, 99-100; introduces Couper, 99; recommends aspirants for office, 99-100 Jackson, John G., 523n Jackson, Jonathan, 357, 358n Jackson, Mary (Polly) Payne, 521, 523n Jackson, William, 680 Jackson, William (Md.), 607, 608, 616-17 Jackson & Wharton (Philadelphia), 537 Jacobs, J., 463 Jaén, Peru, 479, 481 Jamaica, 36n, 440 James (slave), 368, 374, 385 James, John, 417 James, Thomas C., 508 James River: improvement of navigation on, 67-8, 91-4, 143 Janney, John, 128n Japan: Hokkaido, 156, 158n Jarnan, Pierre, 163n Jay, John, 117, 119n, 196

 722 

INDEX Jay Treaty: and debt claims, 83, 217, 277, 286n, 358; and neutral rights, 196; and duties on European goods, 251n; exchange of ratifications, 276 Jefferson, George: letters to, 48-9, 100, 179, 238, 358-9, 399-400; letters from, 6, 51, 71, 130, 454, 537; handles TJ’s business affairs in Richmond, 6, 51, 269, 358-9, 454; and sale of TJ’s tobacco, 6, 48-9, 71, 100, 130, 238, 269, 352, 399-400, 537, 620-1; letter to cited, 8n, 690; handles shipments for TJ, 48, 100; payments to, 137; and sale of Craven’s tobacco, 179, 399-400, 454, 537, 620-1; letters from cited, 400n, 691, 692; recommends aspirants for office, 687. See also Gibson & Jefferson Jefferson, Lucy Elizabeth (second daughter of TJ), 459n Jefferson, Martha (Patty) Wayles Skelton (Mrs. Thomas Jefferson), 398n, 604n Jefferson, Peter (TJ’s father), 463n, 465 Jefferson, Thomas Agriculture exchanges seeds, plants with friends, 20-1, 22n, 101-3, 180, 205-8, 232, 409, 485, 540, 595, 597, 598, 599; encourages olive culture, 69-70; moldboard plow, 123-5; receives agricultural publications, 204; crop rotation plans, 290-1; and tenants, 290-1. See also Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate); tobacco Architecture and design of U.S. Capitol, viii, xliv-xlv, 146, 187-8, 340n, 341n; footpaths on Pennsylvania Ave., 502. See also Monticello Business and Financial Affairs account with J. March, 6-7; orders coal, 48, 49n, 100; account with T. Carpenter, 143-4; newspaper subscriptions, 147-8, 185; orders cider, 152, 231, 265, 266, 269; salary, 185; orders vegetable seeds, 222-3; assays gold coins, 308; purchases herring, 329-30, 461, 471; purchases millstones, 358-9, 454; barters for plank, 397-8; orders hams, 400, 454; payment of insurance premium, 435-6; prefers

anonymity in business transactions, 560; and Wayles estate, 603-4; orders frames, 669; opens account with Bank of the United States, 696. See also Barnes, John; Gibson & Jefferson; Henderson lands; Jefferson, George; Monticello; Short, William Character and Image children named after TJ, xi-xii, 97-8; praised in songs, xliii-xliv; friend to arts and science, 53-4, 58, 65; publications dedicated to, 224, 227, 230n, 301-2, 412 Correspondence with heads of departments, vii, 183-4, 188-9, 231; writes under pseudonym “A Bystander,” vii, 465-9; receives anonymous letters, viii, 580, 632-4; receives vulgar, threatening letters, viii, 580; wishes correspondence with Priestley to remain private, 18-19; receives letters from the insane, 34-7; writes, copies own letters, 94; declines writing letters of introduction, 316-17n; sends writings, information to newspapers, 465-9; methods of communicating with public officials, 501-2; forwards official papers to executive departments, 550. See also polygraphs Governor of Virginia British attempt to capture, 398n Law marriage settlements, 364; suit against B. Henderson’s heirs, 364; opinion on arbitration, 603-4. See also Johnson, Richard; Peyton, Craven Library TJ pays for bookbinding, 6-7; books obtained for, 7n, 21-2, 84, 204, 416n, 438n, 457, 463, 513, 538, 541-2, 548, 550n, 574, 695; TJ prefers octavo editions, 457; political pamphlets, 496; books borrowed from, 538, 548-9; TJ borrows books, 538 Nailery nailrod and iron stock for, 130-1, 198, 223, 308n, 443n, 620, 693; TJ barters nails for plank, 398n

 723 

INDEX Jefferson, Thomas (cont.) Opinions no nation can be “unjust with impunity,” viii-ix, 293; western exploration for science, not profit, 242-3; seeking charity from European powers a national disgrace, 326, 328; application of science to daily life, 334-5; on affection of the public, 359; public patronage for manufacturing, 404 Patronage and Appointments Supreme Court appointments, 71, 679; sends nominations to the Senate, 71-2, 81-2, 113-14, 507n, 679; corrects names of nominees, 243; difficulties making Orleans Terr. appointments, 253; reply to New Haven merchants, 510; principles regarding removals, 510-11; removals for opposition, 510-11, 679, 680; moderate approach toward, 511; defends patronage policy in “Fair Play” essay, 512n; and “midnight appointments,” 535, 579; applications for office kept confidential, 550 Personal Affairs gives money in charity, 3; sends dinner invitations, 42, 531, 573; grizzly bear quarter sent to, 49-50; strangers ask for money, 77-8, 528, 676; orders wine, 91, 307, 440, 548, 572-3, 605-6, 610, 625-6, 654; private secretary, 94-5, 402-3; and C. Lewis, 254; health of, 428, 517, 611; continued affection for John and Abigail Adams, 534-5, 579-80; purchases eyeglasses, 539, 540; called “Red Headed Son of a Bitch,” 580; horseback riding, 611; plans retirement, 652; laments lost friends, 652-3; barbering, 695, 696. See also President’s House Political Theories strength of republican government, ix-x, 666-7; consuls to reside only in ports, 247n; single executive ensures unity of purpose and action, 554; voluntary regulation preferable to formal treaties, 591; freedom of the press, 666 Politics Federalists criticize TJ’s legal action against Richard Johnson, vii,

465-9; fears divisions among Republicans, viii, 252-3; won’t interfere in divisions among Republicans, 202-3, 248, 314; and Burr, 203n; decline, demise of Federalists, 252; encourages “republicanising” Norfolk, 360; ridiculed about “salt mountain,” 429; criticized at public dinners, 512n; divisions among Republicans, 571 Portraits asked by Peale to sit for profile, 601, 625; Houdon’s plaster bust of, 601, 625n President and E. Stevens claim, vii-viii, 116-20, 192-5, 223, 244, 554, 574-5, 575-8; relations with Britain, viii-ix, 292-3; negotiations for release of Philadelphia crew, ix, x, xlvii, 326-7, 328-9, 494, 510, 541, 590-1; relations with France, ix, 246, 491, 494, 602, 603n, 671-2; relations with Ottoman Empire, ix, 246, 328-9; relations with Russia, ix, 590-2; war with Tripoli, ix, 231, 241, 244, 246-7, 326-7, 328-9, 494, 510, 514-15, 558, 590-1; and western exploration, ix, 11-12, 149-50, 233-8, 241, 242-3, 331; and slavery, xi-xii, 97-8; compiles digest of information on Louisiana, 10, 12n; and boundaries of Louisiana, 10-11, 554; and legal system in Louisiana, 17; temporary government for Louisiana, 46; and militia returns, 57-8n, 73; and loss of the Philadelphia, 63-4, 231, 246, 558; and navy appropriations, 63-4; issues pardons, 66n, 81, 153n, 444; and courts-martial, 115, 144-5, 444n; foreign intercourse fund, 116-20; and Louisiana District, 145-6; and District of Columbia, 146-7, 199, 501-2; Indian policy, 149, 234-6, 441, 442n, 445, 543, 657, 669-70; communications with heads of departments, 183-4, 188-9, 231; squatters in Louisiana, 183-4, 188, 324-5; compensation for W. C. C. Claiborne, 189; establishment of post road between Washington and New Orleans, 198, 670-1; and Logwood’s case, 245, 249-50, 551, 658; and Martel’s exequatur, 245-6, 247n, 268n; and Louisiana

 724 

INDEX Jefferson, Thomas (cont.)  Bank, 253-4, 259; and Spanish duties on U.S. goods at Mobile, 254-5; and R. V. Morris, 268, 328, 444; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 440, 442n, 494, 574, 658-9; and Haiti, 440, 442n, 491, 494, 658; relations with Spain, 441; and diplomatic immunity, 441n; cabinet meetings, 494, 635; establishment of Mobile customs district, 513-14, 584-5; division of Louisiana District, 542; forwards official papers to executive departments, 550; and Algiers, 557-9; relations with Algiers, 557-9; marine hospitals, 594; and R. King’s accounts, 595; and gunboats, 602-3; extradition of Ray and Williams, 624n, 626-7; British frigates at New York, 635; violations of Logan Act, 642-3; cargoes of distressed vessels, 644, 657; and slave trade, 661 Religion views on the doctrines of Jesus, 7, 18-19, 611; separation of church and state, 611 Scientific Interests receives specimens, curiosities, ix, 14-15, 49-50, 64-5, 289, 296, 331, 450-3, 604-5, 613; western exploration, ix, 11-12, 149-50, 233-8, 241, 242-3, 331; calculating the velocity of rivers, 9-10; and “salt mountain,” 287-8, 429-30; chemistry, 334-5; encourages application of science to daily life, 334-5; salines, salt springs, 454-5; curing fish, 471; and Humboldt, 501, 533n, 549; purchases scientific, mathematical instruments, 539, 540, 568; mammoth, 549; megalonyx, 549; calculation of longitude, 568; Argand lamp, 601n. See also American Philosophical Society; Lewis and Clark expedition; polygraphs Slaveholder hires slave labor, 7-8, 260n; gives slaves to Mary Jefferson, 260n; purchases slaves, 260n; payments to slaves, 261n; and slave trade, 661. See also Freeman, John; Hemings, Sally; Monticello

Travel between Monticello and Washington, xlvi-xlvii, 90, 111, 139-40, 406 (illus.), 427-8, 462-3, 517; travel expenses, 140n, 428n Writings Philosophy of Jesus, 7; Continuation of an Examination of the Boundaries of Louisiana, 10-11, 12n; Examination of the Boundaries of Louisiana, 10-11, 12n; Syllabus of an Estimate of the merit of the doctrines of Jesus, 18-19; and E. Stevens Claim, 116-20, 575-8; Decision on the Sentence of Henry Muhlenberg, 144-5; Order for Payment of Newspaper Subscriptions, 147-8; Notes on Gallatin’s Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 192-5; Instructions for Arkansas River and Red River Expedition, 233-8, 241, 242-3, 331; Notes on Lease to Richard Gamble, 290-1; Declaration of Trust with Craven Peyton, 360-1; Bill in Chancery of Craven Peyton against John Henderson and Others, 363-92; Topics for Consultation with Heads of Departments, 440-3; Topics for Consultation with the Secretary of War, 445-6; Notes on Salines in the Territory of the Osages, 454-5; Statement on the Legal Action against Richard Johnson, 465-9; Notes on Curing Herring, 471; notes on cabinet meetings, 494; Memorandum on Appointments, 506-7; “Fair Play” essay, 512n; Proclamation Establishing the District of Mobile, 513-14; Notes on Edward Turner, 519-20; Instructions on Architectural Ornaments for George Andrews, 536; Opinion on the Edward Stevens Claim, 575-8; List of Candidates for Office in Louisiana, 682-9. See also Notes on the State of Virginia “Jefferson and Liberty” (Michael Fortune), xliii Jenckes, William C.: letter from, 587-8; appeals dismissal from navy, 587-8; identified, 587n Jenkins, Thomas, 222

 725 

INDEX Jenner, Edward, 402 Jesus, 463, 611. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Religion Jewell, James: letter from cited, 692 Jews, 87, 610 Joe. See Fossett, Joseph (1780-1858, Joe, TJ’s slave) Johannes (Portuguese coin), 308 John Adams (U.S. frigate), 64n, 231n, 267, 268n Johnson, Hezekiah, Jr., 79, 82 Johnson, Richard: TJ’s legal action against, vii, 457-8, 465-9, 476 Johnson, Richard Mentor, 487n Johnson, Rinaldo, 684, 688n Johnson, William, 71, 679 Johnston, Francis, 16, 17n Johnstown, N.Y., 58, 59 Jones, Evan, 216n Jones, Joseph (Del.), 589n Jones, Meriwether, 39, 40n, 512, 513n, 679 Jones, Michael, 106, 107n, 122, 680 Jones, Walter, 127 Jones & Howell: letters to, 130-1, 443; letters from, 198, 223; TJ orders iron from, 130-1, 198, 223, 443, 693; letter from cited, 693 Jouett, Charles, 34n, 121, 441, 443n Jourdan, Emilie, 297 Jourdan et fils (Tain, France), 307 Journal de Paris, 332, 333, 334n Kamchatka, Russia, 156 Kansas River, 11, 331 Karrick & Percival (Philadelphia), 163-4n Kempton, Moses, 72 Kennedy, James, 128n Kennedy, John, 107-8, 683 Kennedy, William: letter from, 100-1; recommends aspirants for office, 100-1, 687; identified, 101n Kenny, Charles, 684, 688n Kentucky: Todd Co., 18n; militia, 57n, 292n; Green Co., 103-4, 220n; judges, 103-4; Adair Co., 104; Cumberland Co., 104; attorneys, 104-5; French commissary for, 191, 245-6, 247n, 268n; counterfeiting in, 219-20, 245; agriculture in, 270; descriptions of, 270; trade of, 270; Scott Co., 292n; state penitentiary, 292n; Boone Co., 369, 376, 386-7; Highland Creek,

433; salt manufacturing in, 433; roads, 441, 442n, 471n; Henry Co., 471n; Woodford Co., 471n; fossils, 604; potential separation from U.S., 633, 634n; federal arsenal in, 692 Kentucky River, 413 Kerns, John, 683, 688n Kerr, John R., 361n, 369-70, 372, 374, 385 Kerr, Lewis, 356n Kerr, Sarah (Sally Henderson): C. Peyton purchases land of, 360, 361n, 369-70, 372, 373-4, 385; and warehouse, 371, 401; and parceling of father’s estate, 373, 384; and execution of land deeds, 388 Keteltas, Abraham, 628-9 Keteltas, William: letter from, 628-32; declares support for TJ’s administration, seeks appointment, 628-32 Key, Ann, 40 Key, Walter, 375, 386 Kilty, William: letters from, 51-2, 80-1; recommends aspirants for office, 51-2, 607, 684; and pardons, 66n, 80-1, 111, 153n Kimball, Joseph, 658 King, John E., 104 King, Mr. (Miss. Terr.), 608 King, Nicholas, 497-8, 502 King, Rufus, 26, 83, 449, 589-90, 595 King, William (salt manufacturer), 14-15 Kingston (ship), 163n, 164n, 174n Kingston, Jamaica, 507 Kinnan, Robert: letters from cited, 692, 694; letter to cited, 693 Kinney, Alexander, 684 Kinney (Kenney), Jacob, 684 Kirby, Ephraim: letter to, 198-9; letters from, 181-2, 272-4, 348-51; appointed judge for Miss. Terr., 176, 177n, 198-9, 680; land commissioner in Miss. Terr., 181-2, 351; TJ sends queries on Pearl River settlements to, 198, 348-51; describes plight of Tombigbee settlements, 272-4, 349, 351; and Ft. Stoddert collectorship, 585, 594; candidate for office in Louisiana, 683 Knight, Benjamin, 410-11n Knox, Henry, 503 Kosciuszko, Tadeusz: letter from, 330; business affairs, 85; expresses esteem, friendship for TJ, 330

 726 

INDEX Krafft, Michael: letter to, 334-5; letters from, 301-2, 412; dedicates American Distiller to TJ, 301-2, 334, 412; identified, 302n; thanked, encouraged by TJ, 334-5; letter from cited, 693 Kuhn, Green & Co., 126, 204, 306, 469 Kuhn, Peter, Jr.: letter from, 414-15; seeks appointment, 414-15 Kuril Islands, 156 Labie, Mr., 346 La Caille, Nicolas Louis de, 568 Lacépède, Bernard Germain Étienne de La Ville-sur-Illon, Comte de: Histoire naturelle des poissons, 74, 114, 538 La Condamine, Charles Marie de, 478, 480, 482n Lacoudre. See Guertin Lacoudre, Dr. Ladd, John G., 128n Ladson, James, 417 Lafayette, Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles, Marquise de, 141, 622, 662 Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de: letters to, 140-1, 661-3; letters from, 40-1, 622; introduces L’Herbette, 40-1; land granted to, 138-9, 140-1, 304-5n, 356, 460-1, 504, 661-3; urged to settle in Louisiana, 139-40, 661-2; reduced circumstances of, 206, 207; as reference, 503; imprisonment of, 622; introduces David Parish, 622 La Harpe, Frédéric César de, 267, 268n Lalande, Joseph Jérôme Le Français de: Astronomie, 568 La Luzerne, Anne César, Chevalier de, 117, 119n Lamb, Gen. John, 494 Lambert, David, 94n Lamkin, Peter, 658 Langdon, John: candidate for governor, 184-5, 252, 263, 313, 354; recommends aspirants for office, 355n La Pérouse (Lapereux), Jean François de Galaup, Comte de, 156, 158n Laredo, 573 Lastri, Marco: Corso di agricoltura, 21; sends vine cutting, writings to TJ, 21-2, 485 laths, 208 Latin, 106, 154 Latrobe, Benjamin Henry: letters to, 146-7, 187-8; letters from, 131-7, 150-1, 335-41; design, alteration of

U.S. Capitol, viii, xliv-xlv, 131-7, 146, 150-1, 187-8, 335-41, 406 (illus.); dispute with W. Thornton, viii, 340, 664-5; and polygraphs, xlv, 13-14, 141, 147, 340, 342-3; and President’s House, 146-7, 493n; streets and roads in Washington, 147, 150-1; recommends earth removal, 150-1; and Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, 335, 340 Laurel Furnace (Tenn.), 288n Laussat, Pierre Clément: interferes in Louisiana affairs, 140, 246, 305n; diplomatic standing in Louisiana, 176n; and transfer of Louisiana, 176n, 216n; appointments by, 191; and Alliot, 230n; departure from New Orleans, 247n, 304n; and administration of New Orleans, 320; reports insults to French flag, 445n law: corporal punishment, 153n; printing, publication of, 220-1, 693; Law of the Indies, 347; divorce, 408n; legal fees, costs, 457; qui tam actions, 457-8n; fraudulent land titles, 466, 468n; arbitration, 603-4; dower right, 604n; extradition of fugitives, 623-4. See also crime; Henderson lands Law, Thomas, 462 Lawson, William, 469 lead: in Louisiana, 450, 453n, 609-10; mines, 450, 453n; white, 620 Lear, Tobias: negotiations with Tripoli, 277, 650, 651; and release of Maria Anna Porcile, 417-18, 419, 421n; annuity for Algiers, 559n Leaycraft, George: letter from, 494-5; seeks appointment, 494-5; identified, 495n Leaycraft, Viner, 494 Leaycraft, William, 494, 495n Leclerc, Victoire Emmanuel, 449 Lee, Arthur (Norfolk): letter from, 175-6; recommends father for office, 175-6; identified, 175-6n Lee, Edmund Jennings: letter from, 153; forwards petition for pardon, 153 Lee, Henry: letter from cited, 691 Lee, Richard Bland, 441, 443n Lee, Richard Evers, 175-6 Lee, William (1772-1840): letter from, 492; forwards items to TJ, 76, 77, 86, 109, 398, 399, 463, 513; sends news of creation of French empire, 492 Lee, William R., 186, 187n

 727 

INDEX Leghorn (Livorno), Italy: wine from, 20; consul at, 39, 86, 89; trade of, 86-7, 89-90; Jews in, 87; American seamen at, 638n Lego (TJ’s estate), 40, 290-1, 583 Le Havre, France, 305n Leib, Michael, 114n, 341n Leiper, Thomas: letter to, 571; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 571 Leith, Scotland, 448 Lemaire, Étienne: letter from, 265-6; payments to, 185, 186, 352; bottles, stores cider, 265, 266, 269; manages President’s House staff, 265-6; and President’s House accounts, 695-6 Lenox, David, 590 Lenox, Peter: letter from, 492-3; venetian blinds for Monticello, 492-3; identified, 493n Lenthall, John, 131, 136n, 150, 335, 497, 498 Leonard, James T., 117, 169, 194, 393, 394, 395, 456 Letter to the Right Honourable Lord Sommerville (Thomas Stone), 204 Levant, 86-7 Levy, Nathan, 117, 684, 686 Lewden, Josiah, 694 Lewes, Mr. (surveyor), 430-1 Lewis, Colonel. See Cook, Louis (Colonel Lewis, Caughnawaga Indian) Lewis, Charles (son of Charles Lilburne Lewis), 254 Lewis, Joel, 447, 448n Lewis, John D., 447-8 Lewis, Joseph, Jr.: letter from, 112; inquires about letter from Germany, 112; identified, 112n Lewis, Mary Walker, 76 Lewis, Meriwether: letters from, 101-3, 450-3; TJ’s private secretary, 94; sends plant cuttings to TJ, 101-3; servants of, 266n; sends specimens, curiosities to TJ, 296, 331, 450-3; recommends aspirants for office, 442n; and presents for western Indians, 445; letters from cited, 445n, 452n, 669n, 691, 692, 693; notes on salt deposits, 455n; and Stoddard, 609; and Osage delegation, 669. See also Lewis and Clark expedition Lewis, Morgan, 126n, 202, 255, 397, 552n Lewis, Mr. (surveyor), 295 Lewis, Seth, 430, 434n

Lewis, William J., 84 Lewis and Clark expedition: sends specimens, maps to TJ, ix, 450-3, 455n; departure of, xlix, 453n, 455n; preparations for, 11; winter camp on Dubois River, 11; safe conduct passes for, 60, 61; instructions for, 237n, 331; will supersede earlier western expeditions, 295; and Osage delegation, 453n Leyden Gazette. See Gazette de Leide (Leyden Gazette) L’Herbette, John P., 40-1 Liberty (schooner), 163n Library of Congress: as temporary House chamber, 337-9; books for, 398, 399, 443 Licking River, 471n lighthouses: needed at the Balize, 303n; appointment of keepers, superintendents, 512; Franklin Island, Me., 512n; Whitehead Island, Me., 512n; Tybee Island, Ga., 694 Lilly, Gabriel: overseer at Monticello, 39-40, 534; and Shadwell mill, 40; and TJ’s nailery, 130-1, 308, 443; letters from cited, 131n, 691, 694; letters to cited, 131n, 691, 692, 693; corn contract with C. Peyton, 137; payments to, 401; makes payments for TJ, 476 Lima, 479, 481 lime, 208 Linares, Mexico, 555, 556 Lincoln, Benjamin: letter to, 113; letter from, 182; and duties on TJ’s wine, 113, 352; conduct of, criticized, 511, 512-13n; recommends aspirants for office, 511, 512n Lincoln, Levi: letters to, 17, 642-3; letters from, 255-6, 256-9, 495-6, 623-4, 646-50; and legal appeals in Louisiana, 17; pays newspaper subscriptions for TJ, 147, 148n; payments to, 185; and J. Russell’s appointment, 191-2n, 255, 256n, 267, 303; sends election news to TJ, 255-6; and squatters in Louisiana, 256-9; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 494; attends cabinet meetings, 494; and Haiti, 494; negotiations for crew of Philadelphia, 494; and Tripoli, 494; sends political pamphlet to TJ, 495-6; opinion on extradition of fugitives, 623-4; and violations of Logan Act, 642-3,

 728 

INDEX 646-50, 658, 659n; recommends aspirants for office, 682, 686, 689n Lindsay, James: letter to, 308; account with TJ, 308; identified, 308n Lindsay, Reuben, 308n linseed oil, 620 List of the Post-Offices in the United States, 19 Liston, Robert, 590 Lithgow, John: letter to, 404; letter from, 341-2; sends pamphlet on manufacturing to TJ, 341-2; thanked by TJ, 404 Little Prairie, 640 Livingston, Edward, 215, 216n, 686 Livingston, Henry W., 410 Livingston, Robert L., 426n Livingston, Robert R.: seeks to resign as minister, ix, 191n, 246, 440, 491, 527, 572, 671-2; sends books to TJ, 74, 398, 399; and French actions concerning the Philadelphia, 190, 191n, 326; suggests extending powers of U.S. minister to France, 191n; and cheese exports from Batavian Republic, 209; and Laussat, 246; and American debt claims, 248-9; correspondence with Madison, 267; and Pio, 395; and French privateers in W. Indies, 442n; books for Library of Congress, 443; expenditures as minister, 490-1; and mastodon discoveries, 538, 539n lizard, horned, ix, 451, 453n Lochner, Johan Frederik, 650-2 Locke, John, 489-90 Loder, John, Jr.: letter from, 261-2; suggests reducing number of representatives in Congress, 261-2; identified, 262n Logan, George: letter from, 290; and T. McKean’s reelection, 17n; as reference, 221; forwards letters to TJ, 290; receives recommendations for appointments, 448n Logan, John, 685 Logan Act: violations of, 642-3, 646-50, 658 Logica (Aristotle), 7 Logwood, Thomas (counterfeiter), 218-20, 245, 249-50, 264, 525-6, 543, 544, 551, 614-15, 658 Lohra, Peter, 473 Loja, 479, 481 Lomax, John Tayloe, 122, 162, 264, 683

Lomax, Thomas: letter from cited, 693 London: cost of living at, 29-30; banking in, 87; Hyde Park, 406; medical education in, 542n; physicians, 550n London Corresponding Society, 221n longitude: calculation of, 479, 480, 490, 568 López de Armesto, Andrés de, 474n, 530 L’Orient (Lorient), France, 225, 228, 230n Lorimier, Louis, 440, 442n Lorimier, Louis, Jr., 440, 442n Louisiana: transfer of, to U.S., xlix, 149, 610n, 682; boundaries of, 10-11, 26, 190, 191n, 423-4, 483, 554-7, 656n; descriptions of, 10-11, 224, 227, 229n, 230n, 429-31, 454-5, 484, 608-9; W. Fla. claimed as part of, 11, 13n, 23n, 191n, 423-4; exploration of, 11-12, 65n, 73-4, 129, 233-8, 262-3, 263, 295, 309, 331, 471-2, 682, 684-5; maps of, 12, 452, 453n, 455n; temporary government for, 12, 176n, 682; legal system in, 17, 177n, 320, 346-7; Spanish administration of, 17, 45, 183, 250, 322-3, 530, 561-4, 655-6; governor of, 25-6; division of, 46, 99-100; animals in, 49-50, 102-3, 430-1, 434, 451; immigration to, 58-9, 61, 62, 176-7n, 209, 240; Acadians, 61, 62; botanical products of, 64-5, 101-3; sugar production in, 77n, 289, 347-8; bilingual officials, government needed for, 99; removal of eastern Indians to, 99n, 413-14, 657; appropriations for, 118, 120n; surveyors, 129, 685; withdrawal of French, Spanish from, 176-7n, 239; Concord District, 176n; land fraud in, 176n, 183-4, 267; demand for slaves in, 177n, 239-40, 303-4n, 505, 661; discord between French and newcomers, 177n; squatters in, 183-4, 188, 250-1, 256-9, 267, 324-5; transfer of, from France to Spain, 190, 191n; commercial regulations in, 239, 241n, 303n; threat of slave insurrection in, 239; prohibition of slave imporations to, 239-40, 303-4n, 661; opposition to U.S. governance in, 240, 241n; foreign consuls, officials in, 245-6; salt deposits in, 277-8, 429-30, 434, 451, 454-5, 484, 617; fossils, 296; freedom of religion in, 298n; Balize (Balise),

 729 

INDEX Louisiana (cont.) 303n; marshal, 316n; smallpox vaccination in, 316n; notaries public, 320-4; recorder of mortgages, 320-4; purchase of offices in, 322-4; free blacks in, 356-7; militia in, 356-7, 641; Indians in, 429-31; lead mines in, 450, 453n, 609-10; Mine à Breton, 450, 453n; settlement of, 452; inhabitants of, not ready for self-government, 505; newcomers spread discontent in, 506; Indian trade in, 561-4, 655-6; silver in, 608-9; transfer of, from Spain to France, 610n; list of candidates for office in, 682-9. See also Louisiana District; New Orleans; Orleans Territory Louisiana Bank: criticized by Gallatin, 214-17, 529, 531n; chartering of, 216n, 253-4, 255, 259, 302, 303n, 529-31 Louisiana District: establishment of, 99n; placed under jurisdiction of Indiana Terr., 99n, 145, 440, 441n; settlement of eastern Indians in, 99n, 413-14, 543, 657; commandants for, 106, 265, 269, 292, 325, 410, 445, 682, 685-6, 689n; militia, 106, 145, 641; division of, into districts, 145-6, 413, 445, 452, 453n, 542, 640-2; squatters in, 183-4, 188, 231; Indians in, 445, 446n; interpreters in, 445; land titles in, 543; lead mines in, 609-10; population of, 640; blacks in, 640-1; whites in, 640-1 Louisiana Purchase: anniversary celebrations of, xliii, 356-7, 416, 496n; songs composed to commemorate, xliii-xliv, 406 (illus.), 425-6; British reaction to, 26; praise for, 49, 58, 88, 101n, 209, 230n, 238-9, 287, 289, 392-3, 565; creation, transfer of stock for payment of, 169, 174n, 194; comments on, in Europe, 191, 192n; Spanish opposition to, 217n, 302, 304n; impact on Indians, 234-5; accomplished through peaceful means, 238-9, 565; and settlement of American debt claims, 248-9, 304n; and property rights, 297, 323, 656n; criticism of, 304n; negotiation of, 304n; price of, 304n; patronage potential of, 682 Louisiana Territory, 34n Louisville, Ky., 292n, 688n

Love, Andrew, 417 Low, James, 686 Lowell, John (lighthouse keeper), 511, 512n Lowry, Mr., 684 Lucas, John B. C., 688-9n Luckett, John R. N., 79, 82 Ludlow, Augustus C., 537 Ludlow, Charles (N.Y.), 204, 470n Ludlow, Daniel, 470 Luzières, Pierre-Charles de Hault de Lassus de, 61n, 642 Lyman, William, 682 Lynch, Edward, 685 Lyon, James, 148n, 215, 216n Lyon, Matthew: letters from, 55-6, 103-5; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 103-5, 683; and squatters in upper Louisiana, 183, 184n; family of, 216n Lyons, France, 230n Lysicrates, Monument of, 340n Mabson, Samuel C., 658 McAllister, John: letter to, 540; TJ orders eyeglasses from, 539, 540; identified, 540n McAllister, John, & Son (Philadelphia), 540n McClenachan, Blair, 684 McCord, Andrew, 410 McElroy, Archibald, 423 McElroy, Archibald, Jr., 423 McFaddin, Thomas, 417 Machiavelli, Niccolò, 395 McIlvaine, Joseph, 71, 72n, 679, 680 Mackay, James, 686, 688n McKean, Thomas: as chief justice of Pa., 15, 17n; patronage practices, 15-17; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 16, 17n; reelection of, 16, 17n; and printing contracts, 220, 221n; recommends aspirants for office, 686 Mackey, John, 686 Macky, James, 143 Macon, Nathaniel, 410 Macon, Col. William, 400 McPherson, John, 416 McPherson’s Blues, 302n McRae, Alexander, 526n Madier, Christine, 297 Madison, Dolley Payne Todd: criticized in newspapers, viii, 521, 523n; and

 730 

INDEX Sally Hemings, xi; and departure of Irujos, 303; sisters of, 523n; and Humboldt, 533n; health of, 619 Madison, George, 684

Mitchell’s case, 408n; ransom, release of Maria Anna Porcile, 421n; and diplomatic immunity, 441-2n; and seizure of Merry’s black servant, 441-2n; and French privateers in W. Indies, 442n; and E. Richards claim, 450n; and DeLacy’s case, 474n; and H. Benson’s case, 485-6; appointment of John Armstrong, 491n, 527; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 494; attends cabinet meetings, 494; and Haiti, 494; and annuity for Algiers, 559n; and R. King’s accounts, 589-90, 595; collectors as notaries, 607; impressment of American seamen, 607; British frigates at New York, 635; cargoes of distressed vessels, 644; and Bastrop, 655, 656n; and W. Fla., 656; instructions for John Armstrong, 667. See also State, U.S. Department of

Madison, James: letters to, 188-9, 189, 223, 245-7, 259, 292-3, 326-7, 595, 644; letters from, 176-7, 190-2, 217, 247-9, 266-8, 274-86, 302-5 Personal Affairs and J. Ogilvie, 4n; receives items from W. Lee, 77, 109; J. Barnes makes payment for, 115; and Lafayette, 141; and Derieux, 217; and John Freeman, 260-1n; and Humboldt’s visit to Washington, 533n; praise for, 565; health of, 619; strangers ask for money from, 676n Politics comments on elections, 248; as reference, 689n Secretary of State and E. Stevens claim, vii-viii, 163n, 164n, 171-2, 223, 267, 274-86, 554, 569, 578n; establishment of Mobile customs district, 23; Monroe’s salary, 30; applications to, for appointments, 31n, 72n, 177n, 211, 270n, 271n, 272n, 296n, 304n, 355n, 422n, 438-9, 470n, 688n, 689n; and Naples, 89, 90n; and Yznardi, 159, 160n; forwards commissions, communications, 176-7, 217, 302-5; method of communication with the president, 188-9; compensation for W. C. C. Claiborne, 189; Louisiana boundaries, 190, 191n; negotiations for crew of Philadelphia, 190, 191n, 246, 247n, 266-8, 302, 326-7, 494, 590, 591-2n; and Martel’s exequatur, 190-1, 245-6, 247n, 266, 268n; negotiations with Britain on neutral rights, 196n; and capture of the Mastico, 217, 246; British blockades in W. Indies, 247-8, 292-3; American debt claims against France, 248-9; and Louisiana Bank, 259, 302; relations with Ottoman Empire, 266; and Tripoli, 266, 494; squatters in Louisiana, 267; and Irujo, 303; and Pedesclaux’s petition, 324n; and Margaret

Madison, Bishop James: letter to, 670-1; letters from cited, 559n, 693; TJ asks to borrow quadrant from, 670-1, 675 Magon de Médine, Charles René, 449 Magowen (Magown, Magowers), Johnson, 658 Magruder, John B.: letter to, 199; TJ orders flooring plank from, 199 Mahon, Samuel C., 431, 434n Maine: Penobscot River, 512; Franklin Island lighthouse, 512n; Waldoboro collectorship, 512n; Whitehead Island lighthouse, 512n; Portland, 585, 594; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594; Biddeford, 607n Maitland, Thomas, 164n, 166, 173n, 193 Malta, 48n mammoth, 432-3, 480, 481, 549. See also mastodon “Mammoth Cheese,” 493n Mandeville, Joseph, Jr., 128n Maner, Samuel, 417 Manhattan (ship), 405, 408n Manhattan Company, 179n Mansfield, Jared: considered for Mississippi River expedition, 11; recommends aspirants for office, 70, 71n, 574, 694; letter from cited, 694 Mansfield, Richard, 142-3 manufacturing: salt, 14-15, 431-2, 434-5n; boots and shoes, 77; iron,

 731 

INDEX manufacturing (cont.) 288n; use of slave labor, 288n; promotion of, 341-2, 404; flour milling, 426n; textiles, 547, 548n, 621-2; encouragement of, in France, 548n; flax spinning, 548n; ink, 644-5, 646n; statistical tables on, 659n “Map of the United States of North America” (Aaron Arrowsmith), xlvi-xlvii maps: of roads between Monticello and Washington, xlvi-xlvii, 406 (illus.); pasting of, 7; of United States, 7; of N.H., 355n; of Mississippi River, 451, 453n; of Louisiana, 452, 453n, 455n; Fry-Jefferson, 463n Marblehead, Mass.: collectorship, 25n, 186, 187n; surveyorship, 122, 186-7, 410, 411n, 506, 680 March, John: account with TJ, 6-7; payments to, 185 Marietta, Ohio: residents, 32-3; land office, 33n, 70, 71n, 72, 613-14; offices at, 70 Marine Insurance Company of Alexandria, 128n, 507n Marine Insurance Company of NewYork, 642-3, 646-50, 658 Marines, U.S., 50, 51, 114 Marion, Robert, 416 Mariotte, Edme, 423 Marseilles, France, 69 Marshall, Benjamin, 658 Marshall, John, 220n, 526 Marsteller, Ferdinand, 128n Martel, Paul Marie Louis: exequatur for, 190-1, 245-6, 247n, 266, 268n Martin, Philip: signs memorial, 674 Martin, Silvanus: signs memorial, 674 Martin, Thomas (soldier): letter from cited, 692 Martin, Wheeler: signs memorial, 674 Martin, William (Tenn.), 685 Martinique, W.I., 247n, 248n, 447-8, 694 Maryland: iron manufacturing in, 43; militia, 57-8; Oxford collectorship, 68-9, 447; Talbot Co., 68n; ratifies Twelfth Amendment, 137-8, 182-3; executive council, 138n; Cecil Co., 142-3; newspapers, 147, 148; loans to D.C. commissioners, 177, 199; marshal for, 272, 296, 304n, 362-3, 506, 680; fishing, 330n; slavery in, 330n; Bush Town, 471. See also Baltimore, Md.; Republicans

Maryland Agricultural Society for the Eastern Shore, 69n Mason, George, 127 Mason, John (Georgetown merchant), 101, 160, 304n, 462, 607, 617, 684 Mason, John (Plymouth): letter from cited, 694 Mason, John (sailmaker), 527 Mason, John Thomson: letter from, 66; and pardons, 66; and removal of Fenwick’s houses, 178; as reference, 607n Mason, Samuel, 303n Mason, Thomson (1759-1820), 127 Massachusetts: newspapers, 147, 148n; Dukes Co., 221; legislature, 221; elections in, 248, 249n, 255, 263, 677; supervisor for, 357, 358n; Berkshire Co., 426; commissioner of loans, 506, 512, 513n, 602, 679, 680; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594; Hampshire Co., 677. See also Federalists; Maine; Republicans Mastico (Tripolitan ketch): captured by Preble, 217, 231, 241, 244, 246, 266, 329 mastodon, 432-3, 480, 481, 538, 539n, 601, 616, 645-6, 663-4 mathematics: calculating velocity, 9-10, 423; instruction in, 197n, 402 Mathew, Thomas: “Beginning, Progress and Conclusion of Bacons Rebellion,” 7 Mathewson, John: signs memorial, 674 Matthews, James, 540n Maury, Matthew: forwards book for TJ, 463; letter from cited, 692; letters to cited, 692 Maxwell, Joseph J., 456 Maxwell, Robert: letter from, 224; recommends aspirants for office, 224, 687 Maxwell, Gen. William, 44 May, James, 303n Mayo, John, 92 Mazzei, Philip: letters from, 595-600, 650-2; exchanges seeds, plants with TJ, 22n, 180n, 305n, 595, 597, 598, 599; and Joseph Barnes, 38, 86; experiments with olive culture, 69n; journey to St. Petersburg, 88, 305n, 597, 599; recommended for diplomatic appointment, 88, 89; sends news, advice on European affairs, 302, 305n, 595-600; correspondence with TJ, 305n, 595, 598, 600n; sends news on Barbary affairs, 650-2

 732 

INDEX Meade, Everard, 129 Mease, James: letter from, 123-5; Domestic Encyclopædia, 6, 123, 124; and TJ’s moldboard plow, 123-5; seeks appointment, 263 Medcalfe, James: pardon for, 444 medicine: pregnancy, childbirth, 4-5; surgeons, 50, 51-2; education, 52, 542n, 550n, 654; physicians, 224-30, 301n, 593; changes, reforms, 333, 334; medical bark, 479, 481, 509; medical devices, 489; peppermint, 517; medical schools, societies, 542n, 593, 605n; resuscitation from drowning, 550n; bleeding, 573; mercury, 582, 584n; sarsaparilla, 582, 584n; snake venom, 605n; horseback riding, 611. See also illness and disease; women Mediterranean Sea: arming of merchant vessels in, 545. See also Navy, U.S.; Tripoli Meer, John, 341n megalonyx, 549 Meigs, Return Jonathan: commissioner to treat with Cherokees, 177n, 183, 184n, 232, 680; forwards message from Cherokees, 442n Meigs, Return Jonathan, Jr., 574, 685 Melzi d’Eril, Francesco, 485 Menard, Pierre, 60, 61 Mentges, Francis, 106-7 Meramec River, 450, 640 Mercantile Advertiser (New York), 216n Mercer, Gen. Hugh, 491n Mercer, James (British officer), 405-6, 407, 408n Mercer, John F.: letter from cited, 691 Mercury (planet), 479, 481 Merieult, Jean François (John Francis), 216n, 225, 228, 304n Meriwether, David, 177n, 680 Merry, Anthony: protests diplomatic protocol of TJ’s administration, 26, 28, 29; and negotiations on neutral rights, 31n; and British blockades in W. Indies, 247-8, 292-3; duties on imports from Canada, 250, 251n, 324; black servant employed by, seized by owner, 440, 441-2n; violations by British frigates, 635n Méry, Monsieur: letter from, 151-2; seeks passage on French frigate, 151-2 Meshouda (Moroccan ship), 25 Messina, 87

Metcalf, Joel: signs memorial, 674 Methodists, 98n, 463n, 553 Mexicano (Mexicana) River. See Sabine River Mexico: mineral specimens from, 450; Humboldt travels through, 478, 480, 509, 538; maps of, 557n; geography, 573-4. See also New Spain Mexico City, 398, 399, 573 Michaux, André, 154 Michigan, Lake, 430 Michigan Territory, 34n Middletown, Conn., 585, 594 Mier, Mexico, 555, 556 Mifflin, John F., 618 Mifflin, Thomas, 15 Milan, Italy, 87 militia: militia returns, 57-8, 73; Indians in, 57n; blacks in, 356-7; organization of, 641 Millar, Mr.: letter from cited, 693 Miller, Isaac, 366, 368 Miller, Mordecai, 128n mills: Shadwell, 40, 363; grinding stones for, 358-9, 454; on Henderson lands, 363-5, 366-7, 377-80, 384-91 Milton, John, 156, 205, 207 Milton, Va.: postal service, 251; Henderson lots in, 367, 368-70, 371, 375-6, 385-7 Mineral Fork, 642n Minor, John: letter from cited, 693 Minor, Mr. (Miss. Terr.), 608 Minor, Stephen, 305n Minor, Stephen (ship’s captain), 165-6, 192 Mint, U.S., 508-9 Mirboka (Mirboha; Moroccan warship), 25 Mirror of the Times, & General Advertiser (Wilmington, Del.), 196n, 446n Mississippi River: descriptions of, 9, 84, 230n, 295, 423, 523-4; exploration of, 11; regulation of Spanish vessels in, 23-4; smuggling on, 24n; crime on, 303n; pilots on, 303n; English Turn, 318, 319n; maps of, 451, 453n Mississippi Territory: land fraud in, 96, 97n, 122, 123, 305n, 351; land office west of Pearl River, 123, 295-6, 357, 428-9, 434n, 519-20, 525n, 609; judges, 176, 177n, 198, 680; land office east of Pearl River, 181-2, 512, 513n; fur and peltry trade in, 213;

 733 

INDEX Mississippi Territory (cont.) descriptions of, 272-4, 295-6, 348-51; Indian affairs, 273-4, 295, 349, 483-4; slavery in, 295; Indian mounds, 295-6, 431-2; fossils, 296; crime in, 303n, 349-50; surveyors, 310-12; courts in, 349; French inhabitants of, 349; Loyalists in, 349; militia, 349; squatters in, 349; population of, 349-50; burial mounds, 431-2; White Apple, 432, 435n; claimed as part of Louisiana, 483. See also Claiborne, William C. C.; Mobile, W. Fla.; Natchez; Tombigbee River Missouri River, 11, 453n. See also Lewis and Clark expedition Mitchell, Andrew (British admiral), 642-3, 648 Mitchell, Andrew, Jr., 404-8 Mitchell, Andrew, Sr., 404, 408n Mitchell, John (Georgetown), 607 Mitchell, John (Le Havre), 449 Mitchell, Margaret: letter from, 404-8; seeks son’s release from British army, x, 404-8; identified, 408n Mitchill, Samuel Latham, 342n Mobile, W. Fla.: establishment of customs district at, 23, 122, 512, 513-14, 525, 584-5, 594; interference with U.S. shipping at, 182, 213, 214n, 272, 274, 351, 441; Spanish duties charged on U.S. goods at, 182, 212-14, 254-5, 272-4, 349, 351; Spanish forces at, 198, 351; descriptions of, 230n, 350; gunboats for, 602 Mobile Bay, 272, 273, 350-1 Mobile River, 348, 350 moidore (Portuguese coin), 308 Môle St. Nicolas, W.I., 165 Molière (Jean Baptiste Poquelin), 155 Monclova, 555, 556 Moniteur (Paris), 492 Moniteur de la Louisiane (New Orleans), 298n Monroe, Elizabeth Kortright, 28, 31 Monroe, James: letter from, 25-31; snubbed, insulted by British officials, viii, 27-9; offered governorship of Louisiana, 25-6, 682; and negotiations on neutral rights, 25-9, 196n, 302, 304n; and Merry controversy, 26, 28, 29; special envoy to Spain, 26, 30, 190; financial situation, 29-30; recommends aspirants for office, 31; TJ sends foreign, domestic news to,

31; letter forwarded to, 40; and J. Barlow’s mission to Barbary states, 83, 118; salary and compensation for, 170, 194; correspondence with Madison, 267, 302; advises on appointments, 304-5n; and Louisiana Purchase, 304n; and E. Richards’s claim, 449 Monroe, John, 687 Monterrey, 398, 399, 555, 556, 573 Montgomery, John, 290 Montgomery, Robert, 290 Montgomery, Robert D., 417 Monticello: biannual visits to, by TJ, xlvi-xlvii, 22, 48, 90, 91, 94-5, 96, 100, 139-40, 141, 142, 293, 360, 362, 399, 462-3; roads to, from, xlvi-xlvii, 90, 111, 125, 139, 406 (illus.), 427-8, 534; groceries and supplies for, 6, 48, 51, 100, 269, 620; TJ invites family to, 22-3, 51, 76; vineyards at, 22n; fences, 39-40; floors, 40, 199, 581, 638; garden, 40, 222-3, 305n, 534; halls, 40, 208, 536, 638-9; porticos, 40; tea room, 137n, 493; plastering, 199, 208, 477-8, 581, 638-9; timber for, 199; dome, 208, 536, 581, 639; parlors, 208, 493, 536; TJ invites friends to, 212, 653; peach trees, 223; poplars, 223; postal service to, from, 251-2, 292, 293, 313; slaves at, 260n, 477, 582; refuge from public life, 333, 334; orchards, 398n; ice house, 477, 582; venetian blinds for, 492-3, 581-2; entrance hall, 493n; leveling work at, 534; doors, 536; ornaments for, 536, 582; glass for, 568-9, 619-20, 639; skylights, 568-9, 619-20, 639; bedrooms, 581; painting of, 620; cavettos, 639. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Nailery Montpellier, France, 333, 334, 654 Montreal, 251n, 317 Montufar, Carlos: accompanies Humboldt on visit to United States, 499n, 508, 509n, 532, 533n, 660, 661; joins Humboldt’s South American tour, 509n Moore, Alfred, 71, 679 Moore, Cleon, 52-3, 106n Moore, David, 262 Moore, Henry: letters from, 52-3, 105-6; recommends aspirants for office, 52-3, 105-6 Moore, James (pardon seeker), 80-1 Moore, James T., 684, 688n

 734 

INDEX Moore, Jonathan, 262-3, 331, 685 Moore, Joseph (N.C.), 614, 615n Moore, Nicholas R., 688n Moore, Roger, 177n Moore, Thomas, 525n, 685, 686 Moore, Thomas (Va.), 614-15 Morales, Juan Ventura, 214n, 305n, 321n, 424 Moreau, Jean Victor, 333, 334 Morgan, Benjamin: and Louisiana Bank, 216n; declines appointment, 411n, 427; recommended for appointment, 505-6, 684 Morlaix, France, 448 Morning Chronicle (New York), 147, 148n, 203, 216n Morocco: Safi, 159, 160n Morris, Gouverneur, 83, 117, 119n, 170, 194 Morris, Richard Valentine: and G. Davis, 83n, 118, 194; conduct investigated by court of inquiry, 255, 268, 328; and Navoni, 417, 419, 600; ransom, release of Maria Anna Porcile, 421n; dismissed from navy, 444 Morrow, Jeremiah, 70, 71n, 122 Morse, Samuel, 403n Moses, Isaac, & Sons (New York City), 605, 610 Moultrie, William: letter from cited, 692 Mountflorence, James Cole, 448 Mount Vernon, 533n Moustier, Elénore François Elie, Comte de, 117, 119n Muhlenberg, Frederick Augustus Conrad, 16, 17n Muhlenberg, Henry: court-martial of, 115, 144-5 Muhlenberg, John Peter Gabriel: letter to, 463; letters from, 76-7, 513; and T. McKean’s reelection, 17n; forwards items to TJ, 76-7, 109, 463, 513; payments to, 115, 185; and arming of merchant vessels, 544-6, 569, 570n, 574; recommends aspirants for office, 684, 686 Mulligan, Francis: letters from, 315-16, 415-16; and ratification of Twelfth Amendment by S.C., 315-16, 415-16; identified, 316n; seeks appointment, 316n, 682, 683; and party affiliation of S.C. senators, 415-17 Mumford, Paul: letter from cited, 694 Mumford, Paul M.: letter from cited, 694

Munroe, Thomas: letters to, 199, 501-2; letters from, 177-8, 496-8, 675-6; as superintendent of public buildings, 150; and Md. loans, 177, 199; removal of Fenwick’s houses, 177-8, 199; method of communicating with TJ, 496-7, 501-2; and footpaths in Washington, 496-8, 501-2; issues injunctions, 498; memorandum of expenditures on public buildings and roads, 675-6 murder: by, of Indians, 445 Murray, Daniel, 456 Murray, Francis, 153 Murray, William Vans, 117 Muse, Lawrence, 693 Museum of Delaware (Wilmington, Del.), 589 Mustafa Baba, Dey of Algiers: letter to, 557-9; cannons for, 557-9; annuity payments for, 651, 652n Muter, George, 292n, 684, 685, 686, 688n Mutual Assurance Society, 435-6 Myers, Moses, 605, 606n, 610 Myers, Moses A., 94n nails. See Jefferson, Thomas: Nailery Nancy. See Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Spanish brig) Nanjemoy, Md.: customs offices, 594n; collectorship, 607, 608, 616-17 Nantes, France, 422 Nantucket, Mass.: collectorship, 221-2, 518-19, 581 Napier, Charlotte Robertson, 287n Napier, Richard: letter from, 287-8; seeks information about “salt mountain,” 287-8; identified, 287-8n Naples: U.S. relations with, 38-9, 88, 89, 90n, 192n, 211, 303, 596, 597, 598, 599; banking in, 87; trade of, 87, 90 Napoleon, Emperor of the French (Napoleon Bonaparte): letter to, 671-2; declared emperor, ix, 492n, 596, 598; plots against, 89, 90n, 333, 334, 596, 598; and crew of the Philadelphia, 191n, 246-7, 326, 648; and United Irishmen, 200n; and indemnification for king of Sardinia, 421n; criticism of, 436, 437; as reference, 516; and resignation of R. R. Livingston, 671-2

 735 

INDEX Natchez, 191, 233, 236, 237. See also Mississippi Territory Natchitoches, 46, 64, 65n, 139, 230n, 237n National Aegis (Worcester), 147, 148n, 496n National Institute of Arts and Sciences. See France: National Institute of Arts and Sciences National Intelligencer (Washington), 192n, 476n Navoni, François: letters from, 417-21, 600; sends news of Sardinian affairs, Porcile’s release, 417-21, 600; seeks appointment, 600 Navy, U.S.: navy agents, 38, 160n, 263; medical department, 50; appropriations and expenditures, 55, 63-4, 357; reinforcement of Mediterranean squadron, 55, 63-4, 231, 329, 357, 558, 572; Mediterranean Fund, 64n; purchase, construction of new vessels, 64n, 612; Federalists in, 89; clerks, 173-4n, 193-4; and American Revolution, 218n; recruits, enlistments in, 265, 266; courts of inquiry, 268, 328, 444, 587n; courts-martial, 444n; shortage of lieutenants in, 457n; instructions for S. Barron, 514-15; rank, seniority, 559-60; criticism of TJ’s naval policies, 602, 603n, 612; warrants drawn on Treasury by, 638n. See also gunboats; Smith, Robert; Tripoli Neilson, William, 642-3, 658 Nelson, Horatio, 418, 420, 421n Nepean, Evan, 248, 249n Netherlands: U.S. debt to, 357, 569. See also Batavian Republic Neutrality Act (1794), 444n neutral rights: negotiations with Britain on, 25-9, 196, 304n Neville, Presley, 646, 663-4 New, Anthony: letters from, 18, 32; recommends aspirants for office, 18, 32; identified, 18n New, Robert Anderson, 684, 688n New Andalusia (Cumaná), 479, 480 Newark, N.J., 152n New Bern, N.C., 586 Newbold, Thomas, 546n Newbold, William, 546n New Bourbon, 642 Newburgh, N.Y., 491n Newburyport, Mass.: surveyorship, 75-6

Newcastle, Ky., 471n New Enquiry into the Suspension of Vital Action, in Cases of Drowning and Suffocation (Anthony Fothergill), 550n New Hampshire: U.S. attorney, 71, 354-5, 506, 680; U.S. district court, 71, 680; elections in, 184-5, 248, 252, 255, 263, 313, 354-5; legislature, 354; maps of, 355n; state nickname, 355n; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594. See also Federalists; Republicans New Haven, Conn.: TJ’s reply to merchants of, 510; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594 New Jersey: and American Revolution, 43, 44, 45n; U.S. attorney, 71, 72n, 680; Burlington collectorship, 72; Great Egg Harbor collectorship, 72; cider from, 152, 231; Sandyston Township, 262n; Sussex Co., 262n; Hunterdon Co., 446n; newspapers, 446n. See also Republicans New Jersey, College of (Princeton), 55n, 108n, 211n, 491n New Leon (Nuevo Léon), 573 New London, Conn.: Republicans, 313, 315n; collectorship, 504; relief of seamen, 586 New Madrid, 60, 61, 413, 453n, 689n New Mexico, 103, 557n New Orleans: collector at, 31; marine hospital at, 50, 51-2, 56, 214, 216n, 251, 586-7, 593, 618, 683-4; prothonotary, 56; inspectors, 57n; transfer of, to U.S., 149; withdrawal of French, Spanish from, 176-7n, 216n, 239, 304n, 305n; archives at, 176n, 190, 191n, 216n, 322; commercial regulations at, 176n, 216n, 239, 241n, 304n; courts, 177n, 320, 346-7; patrols established in, 177n; threat of arson in, 177n; 1803 appropriation for acquisition of, 191, 192n; establishment of post road from Washington to, 198, 670-1; banks at, 214-17, 253-4, 529; demand for slaves at, 216n, 505; merchants, 216n, 303n, 506, 529-30, 563n; newspapers, 216n; French, Spanish administration of, 225, 228, 230n, 322-3, 474n; mob violence in, 225, 228; physicians, 225, 228, 230n, 316n, 528n, 593; reputation as unhealthy, 230n; threat of slave insurrection in, 230n; western

 736 

INDEX trade with, 236; opposition to U.S. governance in, 240, 241n; foreign consuls, officials at, 245-6, 247n, 268n; education in, 297, 298n, 592, 691; Catholic Church in, 297-9, 356n, 592-3; freedom of religion in, 298n; attorneys, 303n; postal service, 304n; Spanish consul at, 305n; smallpox vaccination in, 316n; auctioneers, 321-3; fires in, 322; black militia at, 356-7; militia, 356-7, 505-6; custom house, 411, 427, 516, 682, 684; difficulty of making appointments in, 411; insults to French flag at, 445; continuation of Spanish influence in, 494-5; Carondelet Canal, 504, 662; public property in, 504-5; newcomers spread discontent in, 506; naval officer at, 507, 680; surveyor at, 507, 680; revenue cutter for, 512; slave trade in, 529; gunboats for, 602; descriptions of, 662. See also Orleans Territory; Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans Newport, R.I.: potential site of loan office, 547n, 668, 670, 672-4; relief of seamen, 586; collectorship, 691, 692, 693, 694 New Santander (Nuevo Santander), 555, 556, 573, 574n New Spain: boundary with Louisiana, 554; geography and population of interior provinces, 555-7, 573-4; Indians of, 556, 557. See also Mexico; Texas newspapers: TJ’s subscriptions to, 147-8; Federalist, 201, 203n, 589, 678n; Republican, 201, 203n, 220-1, 446n, 495-6, 589, 677, 678n; seek printing contracts, 220-1, 693; TJ sends writings, information to, 465-9 Newton, Sir Isaac, 482n, 489-90 Newton, Thomas: letters from, 3, 464; and fire at Norfolk, 3; recommends aspirants for office, 438-9n, 693; letters from cited, 439n, 693; reports French soldiers in Norfolk, 464; TJ orders wine from, 464 Newton, Thomas, Jr., 427, 438-9 New York: Niagara Co., 34n; militia, 57n; Montgomery Co., 58, 59; newspapers, 147, 148n; commissioner of loans, 178-9, 218, 409-10, 506, 680, 692; Burrites, 200-3, 263-4, 314, 315n, 410, 552n, 589, 631; elections in, 200-3, 248, 255-6, 263-4, 314,

315n, 397, 410, 551-2, 631; Clintonians, 211-12n; Suffolk Co., 211n; Clinton Co., 212n; manufacturing in, 426n; Saugerties, 426n; Ulster Co., 426n; Dutchess Co., 491n; state penitentiary, 544; American Revolution in, 628-9; courts, 632n. See also Federalists; Republicans New York City: shoemakers, 77; yellow fever, 77, 155, 158n; newspapers, 147, 148n; banks, 179n; Fly Market, 229n; inns, 229n; specie shortage in, 357-8; merchants, 408n; Tontine Coffee House, 408n; booksellers, 438n; custom house, 495n; houses of entertainment, 495n; French commissary at, 560n; marine hospital, 586; Jews in, 610; construction of gunboats at, 612; British frigates at, 635; quarantine, 635n; insurance companies, 642-3 New-York Evening Post, 147, 148n, 216n, 602, 603n, 612 Nicholas, John, Jr., 468n Nicholas, Philip Norborne, 328, 359, 361, 362 Nicholas, Robert C., 122, 411, 427, 507, 680, 683 Nicholas, Wilson Cary: letters to, 327-8, 359-60, 438-9; letters from, 352-3, 470; sends condolences on death of Mary Jefferson Eppes, x, 352-3, 359; and impressed seamen, 31n; appointment as collector at Norfolk, 264, 325, 327-8, 353, 359-60, 361-2, 409, 438-9, 470, 680; and Nuestra Señora de la Merced, 635-8; arming of merchant vessels trading with Haiti, 658, 659n; letters from cited, 692, 694 Nicholls, Edward C., 305n, 687, 689n Nichols, William (R.I.), 692, 693 Nicholson, James: letter from, 218; resigns as commissioner of loans, 178, 218, 409-10, 680; family of, 179n; identified, 218n; health of, 409, 410 Nicholson, John, 477n Nicholson, Joseph H., 97n, 100n, 684 Nickolls, James B., 128n Nicola, Félicité de St. Jean, 298 Nissen, Nicholas C., 63n Noailles, Louis Marie, Vicomte de, 206, 208 Norfolk, Va.: fire at, 3, 357, 358n, 435; collector at, 175-6, 244, 264, 325, 327-8, 353, 359-60, 409, 427, 438-9, 470, 680, 692, 693; bankruptcy

 737 

INDEX Norfolk, Va. (cont.) commissioners, 176n; navy agent at, 360; Republican in, 360; French soldiers in, 464; navy yard at, 515n; marine hospital at, 586; Jews in, 610; construction of gunboats at, 612; Spanish consul at, 635-8 Norte, Rio del. See Rio Grande (Rio Bravo) North, Thomas, 324 Northampton, Mass., 676-8 North Carolina: militia, 57n; legislature, 95n; Indiantown surveyorship, 180-1, 243, 264, 680; counterfeiting in, 220, 264n; gold from, 508-9; Johnston Co., 547; textile manufacturing, 547; sick and disabled seamen in, 585, 594; Edenton, 586; marine hospitals, 586; Rutherford Co., 615n Northwest Territory, 250-1 Notes on the State of Virginia: praise for, xlviii, 21; and Indians, 155; maps in, 463n; and mastodon, 480, 481 Nourse, Joseph: letter from, 487-8; forwards Treasury documents to TJ, 487-8 Novosiltsov, Nikolai, 305n Nuestra Señora de la Merced (Spanish brig), 635-8, 644, 657 oats, 4, 23, 40 O’Brien, Richard, 83, 650, 651, 652n O’Connor, Arthur: letter from, 200; État Actuel de La Grande-Bretagne, 200; Present State of Great-Britain, 200; sends writings to TJ, 200; identified, 200n Ogilvie, James (ca. 1775-1820): letter to, 42; letter from, 4; seeks academic appointment, 4, 42 Ohio: land offices, 33n, 70, 71n, 72, 107n, 317, 613-14; Kosciuszko’s land in, 85. See also Federalists; Republicans Ohio River, 33n, 270, 295, 413-14 Oldham, James, 40, 361n olive culture: encouraged by TJ, 69-70 Olivier, Julius, 307, 308n Olivier de Vezin, Françoise Victoire, 297 Olmütz (Olomouc), Moravia, 622 Opelousas River, 460, 461n, 662 Orange Court House, Va., xlvi, 427 Oration, on the Cession of Louisiana, to the United States (David Ramsay), 416

Orinoco River, 479, 480, 509 Orleans Territory: creation of government for, 46, 99-100, 682; governor of, 55, 211, 682-3; commercial regulations in, 96-7; bilingual officials, government needed for, 99, 100n; U.S. attorney, 99, 683; not ready for representative government, 99-100, 505; legislative council, 99-100n, 253, 505-6; land titles in, 99n; prohibition of slave importations to, 99n, 239-40, 303-4n, 529, 661; secretary, 107, 683; sugar production in, 138, 140-1; interference of foreign officials in, 140; judges, 165n, 683, 691, 692; demand for slaves in, 216n, 239-40, 303-4n, 505, 661; threat of slave insurrection, 230n, 239; marshal, 288, 316n, 682, 683; English Turn, 318, 319n; German Coast, 505; newcomers spread discontent in, 506; merchants, 563n. See also Louisiana; New Orleans Orleans Volunteers, 356 Osage Orange (Maclura pomifera), 64-5, 101-3 Osage River, 101, 450 Oswego, Fort, 317-18 Ottoman Empire: trade with U.S., 88, 90n. See also Selim III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire Ouachita River, 561, 562, 563n, 608, 655 Ovid, xi Owens, Simon, 79, 81 Oxley, William, 128n Pacific Ocean, 158n, 233 Padouca River. See Kansas River Page, John: letters to, 41-2, 249-50, 551, 627, 652-3; letters from, 148-9, 218-20, 488, 525-6, 614-15, 653-4; sends condolences on death of Mary Jefferson Eppes, x, 488, 652; and Anne Randolph, 41-2, 148-9; and Logwood’s case, 218-20, 245, 249-50, 264, 525-6, 543, 544, 550, 551, 614-15, 658; extradition of Ray and Williams, 623-4, 626, 627, 653-4; TJ expresses lament over lost friends to, 652-3; invited to Monticello, 653 Page, Mann, 687 Page, Margaret Lowther, 488, 653 Paine, Thomas, 686 Palladio, Andrea, 639

 738 

INDEX Palmer, Beriah, 203n, 410, 683 Pani River. See Platte River Panton, Leslie & Co., 441, 442n Pantops (Eppes estate, Albemarle Co., Va.), 23, 534, 535n, 583 paper: for polygraphs, 14; birch used as, 234 Papin, Lebert, 694 Paradise Lost (John Milton), 156 Parallèle de l’architecture antique avec la moderne (Roland Fréart de Chambray and Charles Errard), 137n pardons: petitions for, 41-2, 66, 80-1, 111-12, 148-9, 153; granted by TJ, 66n, 81, 153n, 444 Paris: cost of living at, 30; Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, 479, 480 Parish, David, 622 Parish, John, 622 Parke, Benjamin: letter from, 475; seeks appointment, 446, 475; identified, 475n Parker, James: letter from, 676; asks TJ for money, 676 Parshall, Israel B.: letter from, 77-8; asks TJ for loan, 77-8 Pascagoula River, 348, 351, 513 Pascalis Ouvrière, Felix, 687 passports: fraudulent use of, 485-6 Pasto, Colombia, 479, 481 Patapsco River, 330n patents: knapsacks, 41n; stills, 302n; cotton gins, 489n; lifesaving devices, 489n; medical devices, 489n; cider making, 547; cotton presses, 547, 548n; cottonseed oil, 547; hydraulic blasts, 547; pest control, 547; tub mills, 547; washing machines, 547 Paterson, John, 410 Patterson, Daniel Todd, 456 Patterson, Robert: letter to, 331; letter from, 262-3; prepares G. Hunter for expedition, 161; recommends aspirants for office, 262-3, 331, 685 Patterson, William (N.Y.), 422 Patterson (Patteson), Peter, 219-20 Patton, James (Alexandria, D.C.): letter from, 507; signs memorial, 128n; forwards letter, 507; identified, 507n Paulding, William, Jr., 630, 631, 632n Payne, Anna. See Cutts, Anna Payne Payne, Thomas (bookseller), 7n Peace Treaty, Definitive (1783), 83 peaches, 99

Peale, Charles Willson: letters to, 141-2, 293-5, 439, 464-5, 588, 625; letters from, 13-14, 49-50, 342-5, 458, 482-3, 532-3, 601, 616, 644-6, 663-4; and polygraph, xlv-xlvi, 13-14, 141-2, 147, 293-5, 340, 342-5, 439, 458, 464-5, 482-3, 533n, 588, 601, 616, 625, 644-5, 664; portrait of Humboldt, xlviii-xlix, 406 (illus.), 664; exhibits grizzly bear, 49-50; museum, 49n, 84n; payments to, 185, 625n; TJ sends horned lizard to, 453n; accompanies Humboldt to Washington, 499n, 508, 532-3; improvements to bifocals, 540n; asks TJ to sit for profile, 601, 625; and mastodon skeleton, 645-6, 663-4 Peale, Raphaelle, 49n, 601 Peale, Rembrandt, 49n, 427n, 601, 616, 663 Pearl River, 198, 348, 351, 671 Pechin, William, 148n Pedesclaux, Peter: letter from, 322-4; seeks restoration of offices, 320-1, 322-4; identified, 323-4n Pelham, Thomas, second earl of Chichester, 28 Penington, Edward, 85n penitentiaries: federal prisoners confined in, 525-6, 544, 551 Pennington, William S., 72n, 680 Pennsylvania: constitution of 1790, 15-17, 110n; Germans in, 16; land office, 16, 17n; marshal, 16, 17n; legislature, 18n; Northampton Co., 18n; Blair Co., 108n; Presbyterians in, 108n; Fayette Co., 110n; Lancaster Co., 110n; and ratification of U.S. Constitution, 110n; newspapers, 147, 220-1; Northumberland Co., 221n; ship building, 270, 612; inns, taverns, 423n; Supreme Executive Council, 487n, 491n; Rising Sun tavern, 535, 536n. See also Federalists; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Republicans Pennsylvania, Bank of, 85n, 487n Pennsylvania, University of, 542n, 593, 605n Pensacola, W. Fla.: reinforced by Spain, 176n, 216n, 239, 656n; descriptions of, 230n, 350-1 peppermint, 517 Perdido (Perdigo) River: claimed as Louisiana boundary, 11, 190, 191n, 423-4, 483

 739 

INDEX Perkins, Stephen, 685 Perkins, Thomas H., 512, 513n, 585, 602, 680 Pernier, John, 266n Perrin, Joseph Marie, 128n Perrin, Mathurin, 128n Perrin & Brothers, 128n Perry, Alexander, 472, 477 Perry, John: carpenter at Monticello, 40, 477, 581; leases land at Shadwell, 290, 291n; as legal witness, 361n; letters from cited, 693, 694 Perry, Matthew C., xlvii Perry, Oliver Hazard, 456 Persia, 154 Petersburg, Va., 604n Petit, Pierre, 304n Pettey, James: signs memorial, 674 Pettit, Charles, 172, 174n Peyroux de la Coudrèniere, Henri: letters from, 60-1, 61-2; and Lewis and Clark expedition, 60-1; seeks appointment, 61-2 Peyton, Craven: letters to, 346, 401; letters from, 137, 400; bill in chancery against John Henderson, vii, 137, 346, 363-92, 400, 401, 571-2; declaration of trust with TJ, vii, 360-1, 365; purchases corn for TJ, 40, 137, 400; payments to, 137, 399-400, 401; TJ’s crop rotation plan for, 291n; and mill seat on Henderson lands, 359n, 363-5; purchases land for TJ, 360-1, 368-70, 387-8; and deeds for Henderson lands, 572 Peyton, Francis: letter to, 608; letter from, 616-17; recommended for appointment, 8; advises on appointments, 607, 608, 616-17 Peyton, Robert, 79, 82 Phelps, Oliver: letter from, 200-3; recommends aspirants for office, 33, 683; and divisions among N.Y. Republicans, 200-3, 314, 315n; candidate for lieutenant governor, 552n Philadelphia: and Louisiana Purchase, xliii; printers, xliv, 401, 402, 426n; newspapers, 147, 221n; merchants, 180n; ship brokers, 180n; charitable institutions, 262; navy agent at, 263; militia, 302n; Society of Artists and Manufacturers, 341-2; specie shortage in, 357; booksellers, 438n; aldermen, 487n; banks, 487n; courts, 487n; sheriff, 487n; St. Patrick’s Society,

535-6, 571; opticians, 540n; physicians, 550n, 593; astronomical, scientific instruments from, 568; marine hospital, 586; construction of gunboats at, 612; surveyor at, 680 Philadelphia (U.S. frigate): burned by U.S., ix, 38-9, 47, 48n, 86, 159, 457n, 476n; negotiations for release of crew, ix, x, 190, 191n, 246-7, 266-8, 302, 326-7, 328-9, 486-7, 494, 510, 541, 590-1, 648; condition of imprisoned crew, xlvii-xlviii, 406 (illus.); captured by Tripoli, 63-4, 196, 217n, 231, 558, 567, 596, 598; commanded by S. Barron, 515n physiognotrace, 601 Pichegru, Jean Charles, 333, 334 Pichincha, 509 Pichon, Louis André: letters from, 91, 516; and wine for TJ, 91, 560; and Martel’s exequatur, 190-1, 266, 268n; protests armed U.S. merchant vessels trading with Haiti, 440, 442n, 494; and French privateers in W. Indies, 442n; and insults to French flag, 445; introduces Esménard, 516 Pickering, John, 680 Pickering, Timothy: and E. Stevens claim, 163n, 164n, 168, 172, 174n, 194, 285, 286n Pickett, Pollard & Johnston, 68n, 130 Pierson, Isaac, 549n Pinckney, Charles: criticism of, 190; uses ciphers, 190; and Louisiana Purchase, 217, 302, 304n; and negotiations over Floridas, 217; correspondence with Madison, 267 Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 416 Pinckney, Roger, 416 Pinckney, Thomas, 117, 119-20n Pinckney Treaty: cargoes of distressed vessels, 635, 637, 644, 657 Pinkney, Ninian (Md. clerk; d. 1824): letter to, 182-3; letter from, 137-8; and ratification of Twelfth Amendment, 137-8, 182-3; identified, 138n Pinkney, William, 138n, 683 Pio, Louis (Chevalier de Pio): letter from, 394-5; friendship with TJ, 394-5 Pisa, Italy, 650, 651 Pitman, Thomas G.: letter from cited, 691 Pitt (British ship), 635n Pitt, William, 304n

 740 

INDEX Pittsburgh, 270, 612 Plaquemine, Fort, 176n Platte River, 11, 331, 453n Plattin Creek, 640 Pleasants, Samuel, 94n plows: TJ’s moldboard, 123-5; Beverstone, 124, 125n Plumer, William, 31n poetry, 78 Poindexter, George, 357, 525 Pointe Coupee, 230n, 505 Political Economy: Founded in Justice and Humanity (William Thornton), 136, 137n Polk, Charles Peale, 646n Pollard, Robert, 68n Pollock, Oliver, 684 Pollok, Allan, 537 Pollok, Robert, 537 polygraphs: TJ commences use of, xlv; Hawkins’s improvements, xlv-xlvi, 345, 439; modifications to, xlv-xlvi, 13-14, 141-2, 147, 293-5, 340, 342-5, 439, 458, 464-5, 482-3, 588, 601, 625, 664; Hawkins & Peale Patent, xlvi, 406 (illus.); Brunel’s, 13-14, 141-2, 147; paper for, 14; demonstrations of, 533n; pens for, 588, 616, 625, 644-5; inkpots for, 625, 645 Pontiac’s Rebellion, 318 Pont Saint Esprit, France, 298n Popayán, Colombia, 479, 481 Pope, Alexander, 98n, 517, 518n Pope, Thomas, 85n Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate), 398n, 535, 583 Porcile, Antonio: ransom, release of his daughter, 418, 420-1 Porcile, Giovanni, Conte di Sant’Antioco, 420n Porcile, Maria Anna: ransom, release of, 417-21, 600 Po River, 87 Port-au-Prince (Port Républicain), Haiti, 174n, 438n. See also Stevens, Edward Porter, Andrew, Jr., 411n Porter, David, Jr., 63n Porter, James, 79, 81 Portsmouth, N.H., 585, 594 Portsmouth, R.I., 317 Portsmouth, Va., 3 Portuguese language, 154 postal service: list of post offices, 19; establishment of post road between

Washington and New Orleans, 198, 670-1; between Monticello and Washington, 251-2, 292, 293, 313; distrusted, 304n; appointments and removals in, 676-8. See also Granger, Gideon Postell, James, 416 Potocki, Count Jan, 597, 599 Potomac, Bank of, 507n Potomac River, 471 Potter, Ebenezer, 687, 689n Potter, Samuel J.: recommends aspirants for office, 684, 693; letter from cited, 693 Potts, William, 638n Poulson, Zachariah, Jr., 147 Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser (Philadelphia), 147 Pouncey’s tract (TJ’s land), 468n Powell, Cuthbert, 128n Power, Thomas, 633, 634n Poydras, Julien, 505 Preble, Edward: and burning of the Philadelphia, 38, 39n, 86, 476n; seeks to acquire gunboats, 38-9; and plan to displace Yusuf Qaramanli, 47, 48n; and Eaton, 80; commander of Mediterranean squadron, 90, 596, 599, 600, 648; captures Tripolitan cruiser, 217, 231, 241, 244, 246, 266, 329; and Tunis, 308n Preble, Henry, 305n pregnancy. See women Prentis, Joseph, 469n Prentiss, Joshua, 410-11, 506, 680 Presbyterians, 108n Present State of Great-Britain (Arthur O’Connor), 200 President (U.S. frigate), 63-4n, 231, 537 President’s House: slaves at, x, 260n; dinners hosted by TJ at, xlviii, 533n, 573; amendment for Congress to be accommodated in, 131, 136n; appropriations for, 131, 136n; repairs to, 146; roof, 146; windows, 146; floors, 146-7; furniture, 185, 186n, 695, 696; groceries, supplies for, 186n, 265, 266, 269, 454n; servants at, 265-6, 695-6; carpenters for, 493n; cellars, 502; stable and household accounts, 695-6. See also Dougherty, Joseph; Jefferson, Thomas: Personal Affairs; Lemaire, Étienne Press (Dublin), 200n

 741 

INDEX press, freedom of: compared between France and U.S., 332, 334; importance to republican government, 666-7 Prevost, John B., 31, 683 Price, Chandler, 684 Price, Richard (Milton, Va.), 367-8 Priestley, Joseph: TJ’s correspondence with, 18-19; Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, 19, 463, 611; as inspiration to science, 157; and Binns, 221n; and Alexander I, 267, 268n; History of the Corruptions of Christianity, 462-3, 552-3, 611; TJ’s admiration for, 463, 611; attacked for religious, political views, 548; General History of the Christian Church, 611 Priestley, Joseph, Jr., 18-19 Pringle, John Julius, 36, 37n privateers: French, 442n, 602, 603n, 643n, 647; illegally outfitted in U.S., 444n Procter, Thomas, 684 Providence, R.I.: memorial from inhabitants of, 673-4; opposition to removal of loan office from, 547n, 667-8, 670, 672-4 Provincial Glossary (Francis Grose), 7 Prussia, 75n, 479, 481 Purcell, Joseph, 129n, 685 Putnam, Henry, 679 Pyomingo (ship), 20, 485, 540, 546, 595, 598, 608, 620 Qaramanli, Ahmad (Hamet): seeks to overthrow brother, 47, 48n, 80, 494 Qaramanli, Yusuf, Pasha and Bey of Tripoli: efforts to displace, 46-7, 48n, 80; and French mediation for peace with U.S., 247n; and capture of the Philadelphia, 267, 558; peace proposal to, 494n quadrants, 671, 675 quarantine: in Italy, 89; in Batavian Republic, 209, 210n; at New York, 635n; violations of, 635n Quarrier, Alexander, 615n Quebec, campaign of, 43 Quito, 479, 481, 509n, 532-3n rabbits, 102-3 Racine, Jean, 155, 205, 207 Rafinesque, Constantine S., 518

Ragsdale, Benjamin: letter from, 403; forwards broadside on conduct of Judge Bowen, 403 Ramsay, David: Oration, on the Cession of Louisiana, 416 Randal, Stephen: signs memorial, 674 Randolph, Anne (Powhatan Co., Va.): petition regarding her son, 41-2, 148-9; letters from cited, 41-2n, 691; letter to cited, 42n, 71n, 691 Randolph, Anne Cary (TJ’s granddaughter): travels to Eppington, 517, 518n; TJ’s affection for, 572 Randolph, Cornelia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): TJ’s affection for, 572 Randolph, Ellen Wayles, II (TJ’s granddaughter): and death of Mary Jefferson Eppes, 189n; TJ’s affection for, 572 Randolph, John (of Roanoke), 427n, 685; as reference, 129; and impeachment of S. Chase, 196n; and Louisiana Purchase, 304n Randolph, Martha Jefferson (Patsy, Mrs. Thomas Mann Randolph, TJ’s daughter): letter to, 427-8; letter from, 517-18; and Abigail Adams’s letter to TJ, x, 535; importance to TJ following sister’s death, xi, 359, 652; TJ describes journey to Washington to, xlvi, 427-8; TJ’s affection for, 23, 572; awaits husband’s return, 125; affection for TJ, 517; health of, 517; sends family news, 517-18; E. Trist writes to, 572; J. W. Eppes’s affection for, 583 Randolph, Mary Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): TJ’s affection for, 572 Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson): TJ’s affection for, 572 Randolph, Thomas Mann (TJ’s sonin-law): letter to, 571-2; letter from, 125-6; and death of Mary Jefferson Eppes, vii, 259n; recommends aspirants for office, 8n; forwards news from TJ to family, 96; examines route to Monticello, 125-6; and Trist family, 212; and C. Peyton’s bill in chancery, 364, 365, 381, 392, 571-2; TJ’s affection for, 428; and wife’s health, 517; letter from cited, 694 Randolph, Virginia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): TJ’s affection for, 572

 742 

INDEX Ravensworth, Va., 90, 111-12, 139 Rawlings, Benjamin, 684 Rawn, David, 5 Ray, Jacob: extradition of, 623-4, 626-7, 653-4; arrested for counterfeiting, 624n, 654n Raynal, Guillaume Thomas François, Abbé de, 155-6 Read, George, Jr.: letter from cited, 692 Read, James, 687 Rebecca (ship), 450 Recovery, Fort, 413 Reddick, Miles, 600 Red House Tavern, Va., 90, 111, 125 Red River: exploration of, ix, 12, 74n, 129, 161-2, 312n, 331, 424-5, 433-4, 471-2; trees, plants on, 64-5; descriptions of, 230n; TJ’s instructions for expedition on, 233-8, 241, 242-3, 263, 523; salt deposits on, 429-30, 455n, 617; Rapides, 460, 662, 689n Reed, Hethcote Johnson, 456 Reed, Joseph, Jr., 18n Reeder, Jeremiah, 645-6, 663 “Reflexions historiques et politiques sur la Louysiane, en deax parties” (Paul Alliot), 224, 227, 229n, 320 Regolo deli cinque ordini d’architettura (Vignola), 134 religion: freedom of, 298n; separation of church and state, 552-3, 611. See also Christianity; Jefferson, Thomas: Religion; Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans Renault, John Francis: letter from, 53-4; dedicates artwork to TJ, 53-4 Renault, Philippe, 642n Renault’s Fork, 640, 642n Republican Advocate (Frederick, Md.), 148 Republican Argus (Northumberland, Pa.), 220-1 republicanism: importance of freedom of the press to, 666-7 Republicans: divisions among, viii, 16, 17n, 200-3, 221n, 252-3, 313-14, 397, 500, 523n, 535-6, 547n, 571, 629-32, 670; in Pa., viii, 16, 17n, 108, 110n, 221n, 535, 536n, 571; seek removal of Federalists, 8n, 16, 75, 126-9, 503-4, 510-11, 512-13n, 613-14, 676-8; in Ohio, 71n; in N.J., 72n, 446n; in Mass., 75, 221-2, 248, 249n, 255, 263, 512-13n, 519n, 581, 676-8; in Ga., 99; in Va., 126-9, 360, 470; in N.Y., 126n,

200-3, 218n, 255-6, 263-4, 314, 397, 410, 491n, 551-2, 628-32; in N.H., 184-5, 252, 255, 263, 313, 354-5, 520-1, 523n; printers, newspapers, 201, 203n, 220-1, 446n, 495-6, 589, 677, 678n; Quids, 221n; in Del., 224, 446n, 589; in Md., 296, 518n; in Conn., 313, 315n, 503-4; and Twelfth Amendment, 415-16; in S.C., 415-17; and Louisiana Purchase, 416, 496n; in Ind. Terr., 475; in R.I., 500, 511, 547n, 670, 674n; southern, 523n; and navy, 612 Republican Spy (Northampton, Mass.), 677, 678n Reunion (brig), 448 Revenge (Edward Young), 653 revenue cutters, 512, 679 Revett, Nicholas: Antiquities of Athens, 134, 136-7n Rey, Antoine Gabriel Venance, 560n Reynolds, George: letter from, 42-5; seeks financial relief, appointment, 42-5; identified, 45n Rhea, John: letters from, 55-6, 107-8, 113; recommends aspirants for office, 55-6, 107-8, 113, 683, 685 Rhoades, Ebenezer, 147, 148n Rhode Island: commissioner of loans, 510-11, 547, 691, 694; relocation of loan office in, 547, 667-8, 670, 672-4; sick and disabled seamen in, 586. See also Federalists; Providence, R.I.; Republicans Rhode Island, College of (Brown University), 524, 672n, 674n Rice, Henry & Patrick, 426n Richards (prisoner of war), 485-6, 596, 598 Richards, Edward: letter from, 448-50; seeks assistance with his claim, 448-50 Richardson, James Burchell: letter from, 526; and Twelfth Amendment, 315-16, 526 Richardson, Joseph (assayer), 508 Richardson, Robert R., 304n Richmond, Va.: grocers, 51; and inland navigation, 67-8, 91-4; Rock Landing, 92-3; Memorial on Proposed James River Tolls, 92-4; Rockett’s Landing, 92-4; insurance companies, 435-6; apothecaries, 435n; jail, 615 Richmond James River Company, 67-8, 91-4, 143

 743 

INDEX Ricketts, John Thomas, 127n Rights of Man (Frederick, Md.), 148 Rillieux, Marie Anne, 298 Rio Grande (Rio Bravo), 233, 554, 555, 556, 573 Rio Negro, 479, 480 Rising Sun tavern: meeting of Pa. Republicans at, 535, 536n Rivanna River, 360, 363, 366 roads: muddy, xlvi, 427-8, 625; to, from Monticello, xlvi-xlvii, 90, 111, 125, 139, 406 (illus.), 427-8; robberies on, 303n; through Indian territory, 441, 442n; footpaths, 497-8. See also postal service Roane, Spencer, 687, 689n Robbins, Asher, 687 Robertson, James (Tenn.), 287n Robertson, William (Va.), 687 Roche de Fermoy, Alexis Matthias, 288 Rodgers, John R. B., 635n Rodney, Caesar A.: letter to, 142; letters from, 195-6, 589; TJ returns paper to, 142, 195; comments on political, diplomatic events, 195-6; as reference, 224; reports on Delaware elections, politics, 589; runs for reelection to Congress, 589; letters from cited, 691, 694; recommends aspirants for office, 691, 694 Rodney, Thomas: letters from, 428-35, 483-4, 608-9; as reference, 224; descriptions of Mississippi, Louisiana, Indian mounds, fossils, 295-6, 428-35; letter to TJ, not sent, 295-6; reports on proceedings of land commissioners, 428-9, 609; sends information on Louisiana boundary, Indian affairs, 483-4; sends reports of silver in Louisiana, 608-9; candidate for office in Louisiana, 683 Roederer, Pierre Louis, 332, 333, 334n Rogers, Benjamin, 416 Rogers, John, 6 Rogers, John (Md.), 52 Rogers, William (surgeon), 50, 51-2, 684 Rome, 19, 20, 87 Roney, John (army officer), 79, 82 Root, Erastus, 201-2, 203n, 314, 315n, 410, 683 Rose, Alexander, 8n Rose, Hugh (son of Hugh Rose of Amherst Co., Va.), 694 Royal Humane Society, 550n

Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh, 605n Rush, Benjamin: letter from, 502-3; TJ sends his views on the doctrines of Jesus to, 18; introduces A. Fothergill, 502-3; introduces N. Chapman, 542n Rush, Mr., 684 Russell, Jonathan: letter from, 672-3; offered, declines appointment as consul at Tunis, 72, 170, 190, 191-2n, 194, 255, 256n, 267, 303, 326, 672, 673n, 679; not considered for Louisiana appointment, 411; and B. Tupper, 569, 570n, 574, 584; identified, 672-3n; and relocation of R.I. loan office, 672-4; signs memorial, 674 Russia: influence on Ottoman Empire, 88, 267n; reforms in, 305n; reinforces Corfu, 418, 420, 421n; relations with France, 421n; relations with U.S., 591; trade with, 591. See also Alexander I, Emperor of Russia Rutter, Thomas, 272, 296, 506, 680 Ryan, Mr., 218-19 rye, 291n Sabine River, 554 Sailly, Peter, 410 St. Andrew’s Society (Alexandria, D.C.), 507n St. André, 686 St. Clair (brig), 33n Saint-Domingue, W.I. See Haiti (Saint-Domingue); Stevens, Edward Ste. Genevieve, 60, 61, 413, 453n, 609 St. Francis River, 434, 452, 640 St. Louis: descriptions of, xlix-l, 230n; garrison, fortifications at, xlix-l, 441, 443n, 445, 446n; plan of, xlix-l, 406 (illus.), 452, 453n; district seat, 413; as district seat, 542 St. Patrick’s Society (Philadelphia), 535-6, 571 St. Petersburg, Russia, 88, 597, 599 St. Stephens, Fort: land office at, 181-2, 512, 513n Salcedo, Manuel de, 176n, 213, 214n, 321n Salem, Mass.: collectorship, 186, 187n; relief of seamen, 585, 594 Salem Register, 147, 148n Salisbury. See Cecil, James, first Marquess of Salisbury Sally (schooner), 620

 744 

INDEX Sally (ship), 558-9, 652n Salmon, George (army officer), 79, 81 salt: production of, 14; in Virginia, 14-15; in Louisiana, 277-8, 429-30, 434, 451, 454-5, 485, 617; “salt mountain,” 287-8, 429-30, 434, 484; from Sardinia, 417, 418, 419, 420; manufacture of, 431-2, 434-5n; salt springs, 431-2, 434-5n, 454-5 Saltillo, 573 Saltonstall, Gurdon F.: letter from, 489; identified, 489n; sends plan of medical device to TJ, 489n Sammons, Thomas, 58-9, 203n, 683 San Antonio, 424, 555, 556-7, 573 Sands, Comfort, 172, 174-5n Sandusky, Ohio, 34n San Ildefonso, Treaty of (1800), 99n, 183, 184n, 258, 324, 424 Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain, 558n San Luis Potosí, 555, 556, 573 San Sebastián, Spain, 323n Santa Bogue Creek, 273, 348 Santa Fe, 573 Santa Fe, Colombia. See Bogotá Sant’Antioco, Conte di. See Porcile, Giovanni, Conte di Sant’Antioco Santo Domingo (city), 442n Santo Domingo (colony): French privateers from, 442n Saratoga, battle of, 158n, 288, 289n Sardinia: salt from, 417, 418, 419, 420, 600; British navy at, 418, 420, 421n; Tunisian raids on, 420-1n; San Pietro, 420n Saugrain, Antoine, 451 Sauvé, Pierre, 216n Savage, William, 440 Savannah, Ga.: merchants, 36n; slavery in, 403n; marine hospital, 586; French privateers at, 602, 603n, 643n; gunboats for, 602, 612 Savoy, 87 Saxon, James, 417 Say, Jean Baptiste: Traité d’économie politique, 7 Scales, William: letter from, 489-90; prepares demonstrations against Locke and Newton, 489-90 Schimmelpenninck, Rutger Jan, 209, 210n Schuyler, Peter Philip, 79, 81, 584-5, 594, 595, 679, 681 science: land bridge between Asia and America, 156, 158n; distilling, 301-2,

334-5; application of, to daily life, 334-5; Humboldt’s tour of Central and South America, 478-82; climate change, 542n. See also astronomy; chemistry; fossils; Jefferson, Thomas: Scientific Interests Scotland, 55n, 540n Scott, Alexander, 607n, 608 Scott, Henry (slave), 441-2n Scott, James (physician): letter from, 316-17; asks TJ for letter of introduction, 316-17; identified, 316-17n Scott, John M., 686, 689n Scott, Joseph, 543, 544 Scott, William, Lord Stowell, 28 seamen: care of sick and disabled, 214, 216n, 585-7, 594, 638n. See also impressment Searcy, Edmund: letter from, 471-2; seeks appointment, 471-2, 685; identified, 472n Seaver, Ebenezer: letter from, 75-6; recommends aspirants for office, 75-6; identified, 76n Sebastian, Alfred, 79, 82 Sebastian, Benjamin, 685, 686, 688n Ségur, Louis Philippe, Comte de: History of the Principal Events, 74, 75n, 114, 538, 548 Selim III, Sultan of the Ottoman Empire: intercedes for Philadelphia prisoners, ix, 326, 328-9; relations with U.S., 217, 241, 244, 246, 266 Selle, J., 163n Semple, Anne Contesse Tyler, 566, 567n Seneca, Lucius Annaeus, 426 Serry, Augustine, 444n servants: clothing for, 143; wages, 260n, 266n, 695, 696. See also President’s House Sessions, Thomas: signs memorial, 674 Sète (Cette), France, 306 Severn River, Va., 606, 659n Sevier, George W., 79, 82 Sevier, John, 58n Seymour, Ledyard, 687 Seymour, Thomas: letter from, 503-4; urges removal of Federalists in Conn., 503-4; identified, 504n Seymour, Thomas Young, 503 Seymour, William, 503 Shackelford, Benjamin (Ky.), 687 Shadwell (TJ’s estate), 40, 290-1 Shakespeare, William, 205, 207

 745 

INDEX Shaw, John (navy officer), 456 Sheaff, Henry: letter to, 572-3; TJ orders wine from, 572-3; letter from cited, 572n; payments to, 573n Shee, John, 684 Sheldon, Elisha, 503 Shepherd, Levi, Jr., 678n Shepherd, Levi, & Sons: letter from, 676-8; seek removal of Northampton postmaster, 676-8; identified, 678n Shepherd, Levi, Sr., 678n Shepherd, Thomas, 678n Sherburne, John Samuel, 71, 354, 679, 680 Sherman, Roger, 252 Shields, William B., 224, 525, 687 Shippen, Mr., 684 shoemakers, 77 Short, William: appointed minister to Netherlands, 117, 119n; TJ’s debt to, 185-6, 352; and Madame de Tessé, 206, 207; tenants, 291n Siberia, 432, 482n Sibley, John: letter from, 64-5; sends botanical observations, dye samples to TJ, 64-5; identified, 65n; offered, declines military appointment, 139; candidate for office in Louisiana, 687 Sibley, Solomon, 34n Sicily, 86-7, 90 Sierra Madre, 556, 557 Silliman, Wyllys, 70, 71n, 72 silver, 450, 556, 557, 608-9 Simkins, Arthur, 416 Simms, Charles: calls for removal of, 8, 52-3, 105-6, 126-9, 507n; and marine hospital fund, 587n Simons, Robert, 684 Simpson, James, 159 Sinclair, Arthur, 456, 559-60, 693 Sinclair, Sir John, 646 Sinú River, 479, 480 Siren (U.S. brig), 38, 39n, 559n Sitgreaves, Samuel, 18n, 83 Skelton, Bathurst, 604n Sketches of the Principles of Government (Nathaniel Chipman), 7 Skinner, Tompson J.: letter to, 602; appointed commissioner of loans, 506, 680; appointment postponed, 512, 584, 585, 594, 602, 679; recommends aspirants for office, 683 Skipwith, Fulwar, 31, 248-9, 277, 286n, 687

Skipwith, Henry (TJ’s brother-in-law), 604 Slade, Charles, 128n slavery: in Conn., 98n; criticism of, 108n, 403; abolition of, 136, 137n, 403n; forces out freeholders, 310; Bowen’s anti-slavery charge to Ga. grand jury, 403; banned from Indiana Terr., 689n slaves: marriage of, x, 259-61; write letters, x, 259-61; hiring of, 7-8, 260n, 441-2n; manumission of, 97, 98n, 260n; military service by, in American Revolution, 97, 98n; as guides, 125; clothing for, 144; demand for, 177n, 216n, 239-40, 303-4n, 505, 661; payments to, 185, 260n, 261n; ongoing threat of insurrection by, 230n, 239, 403; descriptions of, 260n; price of, 260n; purchased by family members, 260n; sale of, 261n, 368, 374, 385; in manufacturing, 288n; runaway, 295, 299, 300, 330n, 606; as fishermen, 330n; serve in diplomats’ households, 441-2n; not allowed to testify against whites, 441n; taken to Haiti, 606. See also blacks; Jefferson, Thomas: Slaveholder slave trade: prohibition, suppression of, 99n, 239-40, 303-4n, 529, 661 smallpox, 316n Smallwood, Charles, 100-1, 687 Smilie, John: letter from, 110; recommends aspirants for office, 110, 121, 122n; identified, 110n; as committee member, 338 Smith, Andrew, 406, 408n Smith, Charles (Va.), 7-8 Smith, Christopher: letter to, 7-8; TJ hires slaves from, 7-8 Smith, Daniel, 177n, 183, 184n, 232, 680, 683 Smith, Henry: signs memorial, 674 Smith, Hugh (Va.), 128n Smith, James S.: letter from, 421-2; seeks, receives appointment, 421-2, 658; identified, 422n Smith, Jesse (captain), 454n Smith, John (N.Y.), 203n Smith, John (navy officer), 456 Smith, John (Ohio): letters from, 32-3, 67, 106-7, 107; recommends aspirants for office, 32-3, 71n, 106-7; reports on proceedings of Congress, 67

 746 

INDEX Smith, John (Va. congressman), 8n Smith, Jonathan, 85n Smith, Larkin: letter from cited, 692; seeks appointment, 692 Smith, O’Brien, 415-17 Smith, Richard, 658 Smith, Robert: letters to, 328-9, 602-3; letters from, 55, 114, 268, 306, 444, 456-7, 476, 508, 514, 527, 537, 559-60, 612, 664; appropriations to equip additional frigates, 55, 357; as reference, 55, 160, 676n, 677-8, 688n; and Mediterranean squadron, 63-4n, 329; and loss of the Philadelphia, 63n, 494; and Marine Corps, 114; and R. V. Morris, 268, 328, 444; forwards commissions, warrants, 306, 456-7, 476, 508, 514, 527, 537, 664; instructions for S. Barron, 327, 328-9; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 494; attends cabinet meetings, 494; and Haiti, 494; and Tripoli, 494; and Sinclair’s rank, 559-60; and annuity for Algiers, 559n; and Jenckes dismissal from navy, 587-8n; and gunboats, 602-3, 612; construction of additional brigs, 612. See also Navy, U.S. Smith, Samuel (Md.): letter from, 296; and impressed seamen, 31n; and E. Stevens claim, 174n; recommends aspirants for office, 296, 684; as reference, 688n Smith, Samuel (Ohio), 85n Smith, Samuel Harrison, 427n, 489. See also National Intelligencer (Washington) Smoot, Benjamin S., 79, 82 Smoot, Hezekiah, 128n smuggling, 24n Smyth, Thomas, Jr., 516, 525, 684 Snake Creek. See Santa Bogue Creek snakes, 605n Snead (Sneed), John, 466-7, 476 Snead (Sneed), Mr., 466 Snowden, Mr. (Philadelphia), 305n, 687 Snyder, Simon, 221n Society of Artists and Manufacturers (Philadelphia), 341-2 Somers, Richard, 456 Songster’s Tavern, Va., 90, 111, 125, 139 Sonora, Mexico, 556, 557 Sophia (schooner), 163n Sotin de la Coindière, Pierre Jean Marie, 91

Soulard, Antoine, 451, 452, 685, 688-9n South America: Humboldt’s tour of, 478-82; native peoples, 479, 480 South Carolina: militia, 57n; olive culture in, 69n; surveyors, 129n; agricultural societies, 130n; viticulture in, 130n; legislature, 288, 289n, 415-17; and Twelfth Amendment, 315-16, 415-16, 526; supervisor of the revenue, 316n; American Revolution in, 349; party affiliation of state senators, 415-17. See also Charleston, S.C.; Federalists; Republicans South Carolina College, 4, 42, 129-30n Southwest Point, Tenn., 442n Spain Colonies Laws of the Indies, 347; silver, specie from, 358, 450, 556, 557; French privateers operate from, 442n; Humboldt’s descriptions of, 478-82, 555-7. See also Louisiana; Mexico; New Spain; Texas Economy and Indian trade, 561-4 Foreign Relations neutrality in war between Britain and France, 159, 176n U.S. Relations with transfer of authority over Louisiana, xlix, 149, 176-7n, 239, 610n, 682; and establishment of Mobile customs district, 23, 122; and navigation of Mississippi River, 23-4; interference with U.S. shipping, commerce, 182, 212-14, 272-4, 351, 441; convention on claims, 211; Spanish opposition to Louisiana Purchase, 217n, 302, 304n; and land sales in W. Fla., 424; and western Indians, 445; secretary of U.S. legation, 499-500, 524; U.S. minister to, 499-500, 524; LouisianaNew Spain boundary, 554-7; and Wilkinson, 632-4; cargoes of distressed vessels, 635-8, 644, 657. See also Florida; Mobile, W. Fla.; New Orleans Spalding, John T.: signs memorial, 674 Spanish language, 106, 154, 240 Spear, Captain, 182

 747 

INDEX Spears, James, 465 Spears, John, 465 Spears, William, 465-6 specie: in Europe, 87; shortage of, in U.S., 357-8 Spencer, Ambrose: letter from, 211-12; recommends aspirants for office, 211-12 Spencer, Oliver H., 528, 593, 618 Squire, John, 635n Stall, George W., 79, 81 Stanislas II Augustus, King of Poland, 597, 599 Stanton, Joseph, Jr., 318, 319n, 684 Stanwix, Fort, 317-18, 319n Stark, William, 687 State, U.S. Department of: letter from, 589-90; list of diplomatic agencies, 83; salaries and compensations, 83, 116-17, 171-2, 194, 490-1; weights and measures, 177n; employs free blacks, 260n; messengers, 260n; and R. King’s accounts, 589-90. See also Madison, James; Wagner, Jacob stationery, 638n Statius, Publius Papinus: Thebaid, 98n Steele, John (comptroller of the Treasury), 5, 173n, 174-5n Steele, Jonathan, 71, 354, 355n, 679, 680 Stelle, Pontius D., 152 Sterett, Andrew, 52, 456 Sterry, Robert, 687 Steubenville, Ohio: land office, 317, 613-14 Stevens, Dr., 691 Stevens, Edward: TJ assesses claim, vii-viii, 116-20, 192-5, 574-8; Gallatin assesses claim, 162-75, 192-5, 223, 244, 544, 569-70; Madison assesses claim, 223, 267, 274-86, 554, 569-70 Stevens, James, 687 Steward, Mr. (ensign), 658 Stewart, Charles, 456, 457n Stewart, Robert, 456 Stewart, William (blacksmith), 359n, 361n, 477, 581 Stites, John, 408n Stoddard, Amos: letter from, 609-10; and transfer of Louisiana, xlix; and garrison, fortifications at St. Louis garrison, 441, 443n, 445, 446n; recommends aspirants for office, 442n; and Indian affairs, 445, 446n; as interim commandant of upper

Louisiana, 445-6; sends report on lead mines in Louisiana, 609-10; identified, 610n; organization of militia, 641; reports attack on Osage delegation, 670n Stoddert, Fort: as port of entry, 122, 514, 584, 585, 594, 595, 681; land office at, 181-2; and navigation of Mobile River, 214n; transfer of federal property at, 255n Stone, David, 687 Stone, Thomas: letter from, 204; sends agricultural writings to TJ, 204; identified, 204n Stone, William J., 685 Storm, Thomas: letter to, 204-5; letters from, 126, 469-70; forwards food items to TJ, 126, 204-5, 306, 469-70; identified, 126n Storm, Thomas H., 415 strawberries, 180n Strode, John, 125, 316 Stroganov, Paul, 305n Strong, Caleb, 249n, 263, 677 Strong, Elisha, 410-11n Strong, Samuel: letter from cited, 693 Stuart, Alexander, 365, 370-1, 372 Stuart, James: Antiquities of Athens, 134, 136-7n, 336 Stuart (Stewart), Archibald: letter from, 541; introduces R. B. Taylor, 541; recommends aspirants for office, 684, 686 Stuart, Gilbert: portrait of Gallatin, xliii, 406 (illus.) sugar: in Louisiana, 77n, 289; legal protections for producers of, 347-8 Sulayman, Mawlay, Sultan of Morocco, 159 Sullivan, James, 248, 249n, 263 Summary Description of the Lead Mines in Upper Louisiana (Moses Austin), 610n Summers, Lewis, 153n Sumter, Thomas, Jr., 683 Sumter, Thomas, Sr., 525n, 685 Suttle, Henry, 441n Sutton, John (outlaw), 303n Swearingen, Thomas Van, 70, 71n, 72 Sweden, 47 Swift, Jonathan, 564, 567n Swift, Jonathan (Va.), 128n Switzerland, 87 Sydenham, Thomas: Whole Works, 611 Symmes, Daniel, 106, 107n Symmes, John Cleves, Jr., 658

 748 

INDEX Taber, Constant, 547, 670, 694 Tableau du climat et du sol des ÉtatsUnis d’Amérique (Constantin François Chasseboeuf Volney), 332, 333, 334n, 398-9, 618 Talleyrand-Périgord, Charles Maurice de, 191n, 246, 516 Tartars, 156 Tarver, John, 687 Tassoni Estense, Giulio Cesare, 485 Taylor, Francis S., 470n Taylor, Isaac, 104 Taylor, James, Jr. (Ky.), 684, 688n Taylor, James, Jr. (Norfolk): letters to, 91, 440, 548; TJ orders wine from, 91, 440, 548; forwards items for TJ, 204; payments to, 548 Taylor, Robert B., 541 Taylor, Thomas (S.C.), 417 Taylor, Waller, 687 Tazewell, Littleton W., 470n teeth: animal, 538, 539n Telegraphe and Daily Advertiser (Baltimore), 468n Telemachus (ship), 600n, 650, 651, 652 Temple of Nature (Erasmus Darwin), 7 Tennessee: militia, 57-8, 149, 288n; Washington Co., 108n; Hawkins Co., 113; and Indian affairs, 183, 184n, 441, 442n; Dickson Co., 287; iron manufacturing in, 288n; supervisor for, 357; U.S. attorneys, 683 Tenochtitlan, 556, 557 Tensaw River, 348, 351 Tessé, Adrienne Catherine de Noailles, Comtesse de (Madame de): letter from, 205-8; TJ sends respects to, 141, 662; reduced circumstances of, 205-6, 207; TJ sends plants and seeds to, 205-8 Tessé, René Mans, Comte de, 141, 205, 206, 207, 662 Texas: reinforced by Spain, 176n; geography, 555-7, 573-4; and Bastrop, 563-4n Thebaid (Publius Papinus Statius), 98n thermometers, 234, 539, 540 Thomas, David, 314, 315n, 410 Thomas, Mr. (New Orleans), 474n Thompson, David, 201-2, 203n Thompson, Ebenezer (R.I.): signs memorial, 674 Thompson, Peleg S., 411, 684 Thompson, Philip R., 338, 684 Thorn, Stephen, 211

Thornton, William: letter from, 664-5; dispute with Latrobe, viii, 340-1, 664-5; plans for U.S. Capitol, 131, 136, 340, 664-5; Political Economy, 136, 137n; and E. Stevens claim, 163n; and Humboldt’s visit to Washington, 533n Threewits, John, 417 Thunderer (British warship), 693 Thurber, Samuel, Jr.: signs memorial, 674 Thweatt, Archibald: letter to, 603-4; and Wayles estate, 603-4; identified, 604n; letter from cited, 604n, 693 Thweatt, Lucy Eppes, 604 Ticonderoga, Fort, 288, 289n Tiffin, Edward, 58n Tillier, Rodolphe, 687, 689n timber: beech, 199; flooring plank, 199; pine, 199; cherry, 397-8; statistical tables on, 659n Tims, Henry, 85n tobacco: price of, 6, 130, 179, 399, 400n, 454, 537, 620, 621n; shipment, sale of TJ’s, 6, 48-9, 71, 100, 130, 186n, 269, 352, 399-400; domestic market for, 6n; manufacturing, 6n; shipment, sale of Craven’s, 179, 399-400, 454, 537, 620, 621n; as present for Indians, 445, 446n Todd, Thomas, 292n, 684, 688n Tombigbee River: settlement on, 198, 255n, 272-4, 348; navigation of, 213, 214n Tompkins, Daniel, 410 Toulmin, Harry, 270, 271 Toulon, France, 89, 306, 421n Tour in Holland, in MDCCLXXXIV (Elkanah Watson), 84 Toussaint-Louverture, 129n, 163n, 164n, 173n, 174n, 442n Trabue, Daniel, 104 Traité d’économie politique (Jean Baptiste Say), 7 Treasury, U.S. Department of the: clerks in, 5; creation of second auditor for, 5; appointment of customs collectors, 8, 72, 122, 244, 264, 327-8, 353, 359-60, 410, 607, 680, 681; delinquent accounts with, 24-5; appointment of customs inspectors, 72; land office registers, receivers, 121-2, 511; appointment of customs surveyors, 122, 180-1, 243, 264, 410, 506-7, 680; annual reports on receipts and

 749 

INDEX Treasury, U.S. Department of the (cont.) expenditures, 487-8; appointment of commissioners of loans, 506, 512, 602, 679, 680; appointment of naval officers, 506, 680; lighthouses, 512, 694; collectors as notaries, 607, 617; warrants drawn on, 638n; letter from cited, 694. See also Gallatin, Albert; revenue cutters; United States: Public Finance Tredwell, Thomas: letter from, 211-12; recommends aspirants for office, 211-12; identified, 211-12n trees: Osage Orange, 64-5, 101-3; tulip poplars, 205, 207; poplars, 223; birch, 234 Trenton, N.J., 446n Trieste, 87 Trigg, Abram: letter from, 14-15; sends salt sample to TJ, 14-15; identified, 15n Trigg, John, 15n Trinci, Cosimo: Agricoltore sperimentato, 21 Trinidad, 448n Tripoli: diplomatic intervention by France, Russia, Ottoman Empire, ix, 326, 328-9, 590-1; negotiations for release of U.S. prisoners, ix, 190, 191n, 246-7, 326-7, 486-7, 494, 510, 590-1; seizure of Philadelphia, ix, 38-9, 63, 86; TJ wishes to chastise, ix, 326-7, 329; treatment of U.S. prisoners, xlvii-xlviii, 38, 63n, 231, 406 (illus.), 486-7; Derna, 47, 80; relations with Denmark, 47, 650, 651, 652n; relations with Sweden, 47; U.S. strategy against, 47, 80, 246-7, 326-7, 514-15, 596, 598; U.S. appropriations for war against, 64n, 357; loss of warships by, 217, 231, 241, 244, 246, 266, 329; peace negotiations with, 277, 327, 494, 650, 651; U.S. squadron against, 419, 420, 667; symbolic importance of war against, 567. See also Qaramanli, Yusuf, Pasha and Bey of Tripoli Trippe, John, 456 Trist, Elizabeth House: letter from, 212; plans to relocate to New Orleans, 212; writes to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 572 Trist, Hore Browse: letter from, 528; and commercial regulations at New Orleans, 23-4; and navigation of

Mississippi River by Spanish vessels, 23-4; appointed collector of Mississippi district, 31; sends sugar to TJ, 77n; forwards items to TJ, 101; family of, 212n; and Louisiana Bank, 216-17n; advises on appointments, 411; recommends aspirants for office, 528; and marine hospital, 586-7n; arrives in New Orleans, 592; seeks appointment, 684 Trudeau, Charles (Carlos), 460 Trudeau, Zenon, 241n True American (Trenton, N.J.), 446n Trumbull, John, 217n Truxtun, Thomas, 602, 612 Tuckabatchee, 198 tulip tree (tulip poplar, Liriodendron tulipifera), 205, 207 Tunis: consul at, 72, 170, 191-2n, 255, 256n, 303, 326, 673n, 679; relations with U.S., 80, 83, 308n; ransom, release of Maria Anna Porcile, 417-21, 600; raids on Sardinia, 420-1n Tupper, Benjamin (New Orleans), 303-4n, 569, 570n, 574, 584 Tupper, Benjamin, Jr. (Ohio), 70, 71n, 72, 569, 570n, 574, 584 Tupper, Samuel: letter from, 33-4; recommends aspirants for office, 33-4; identified, 34n Turgot, Anne Robert Jacques, 394n Turkey Foot (Potawatomi Indian), 445 Turner, Edward: criticism of, 519-20; TJ’s notes on, 519-20; removal of, 525 Turner, James, 615n Tuscany, 20, 485 Twelfth Amendment: praise for, 88, 101n; ratification of, 137-8, 182-3, 315-16, 415-16, 526; opposition to, 315, 316n Tyler, John (1747-1813): letter to, 666-7; letter from, 564-7; praises TJ’s administration, offers condolences, ix-x, 564-7, 666-7; recommends aspirants for office, 664, 667 Tyler, John (1790-1862), 567 Tyler, Mary Marot Armistead, 566, 567n Tyler, Wat Henry, 567 Tyler, William, 567 Unimak Island, 156, 158n Union; or, New-Orleans Advertiser and Price Current, 216n

 750 

INDEX United Irishmen, Society of, 200n, 221n United States Economy trade in Mediterranean, 86-90; trade with Batavian Republic, 208-10; trade with Haiti, 440, 442n; statistical tables on U.S. exports, 659-60n Foreign Relations with Naples, 38-9, 88, 89, 90n, 192n, 211, 303, 596, 597, 598, 599; with Ottoman Empire, 90n, 246, 266, 326, 328-9; with Russia, 267, 326, 328-9, 591; with Sardinia, 417-21. See also France: U.S. Relations with; Great Britain: U.S. Relations with; Spain: U.S. Relations with; Tripoli; Tunis Public Finance discontinuance of state loan offices, 357, 358n; Dutch loan, 357, 569, 638n; shortage of specie in U.S., 357-8; discharge of funded debt, 638n; payment of stock dividends, 638n. See also Gallatin, Albert; Treasury, U.S. Department of the Society statistical tables on population, 659n Unity (sloop), 76 Upshaw, John H., 687, 689n Upshaw, William, 654-5 Ursuline Nuns of New Orleans: letter from, 297-9; seek confirmation of property rights, 297-9, 592-3; identified, 298n Vacher, John Francis: letter to, 78; letter from, 153-8; requests list of Continental Army officers, 70n, 78, 153-4, 156-7; sends observations on language, Indians, and yellow fever, 153-8 Vail, Aaron: letter from, 422; recommends aspirants for office, 422 Vail, James, 422 Vallesillo, 573 Van Berckel, Franco Petrus, 117, 119n Van Cortlandt, Philip, 683 Vandewall, Markes: letter to, 675; asked to forward quadrant, 675 Vanikoro Island, 158n

Van Ness, William P.: Examination of the Various Charges, 195-6, 203; and G. Granger, 314 Van Rensselaer, Killian K., 410 Van Schaick, Sybrant, 456 Varignon, Pierre, 423 Vaughan, Dr. John, 448n, 589 Vaughan, John (Philadelphia): letter to, 457; letters from, 401-2, 508-9; and Guertin Lacoudre, 300; sends APS membership certificates to TJ, 401-2, 457, 508; and premiums offered by APS, 508-9; and Dunbar, 523 Vauquelin, Nicolas Louis, 479, 481 Venable, Abraham B., 74 Venice, 87 Venus (planet), 482n Veracruz, 622n Vernon, Samuel: letter from cited, 694 Verplanck, Daniel C., 683 Versuche über die greitzke Muskel- und Nervengaser, nebst Vermuthungen über den chemischen Process des lebens in der Their-und Pflanzenwelt (Alexander von Humboldt), 479, 481, 482n Victor Emmanuel I, King of Sardinia, 418, 419, 420, 421n Vidal, Nicolas Maria, 321n Vienna, 20, 87 Vignola: Regolo, 134 Villaret de Joyeuse, Louis Thomas, 449, 516 Virginia: salt manufacturing in, 14-15; Caroline Co., 18n; General Assembly, 18n, 67-8, 95n; commissioner of loans, 39, 40n, 679; militia, 57n; navigation companies in, 67-8, 91-4, 143; olive culture in, 69n; South Quay collectorship, 72, 680; Halifax Co., 74n; Campbell Co., 84; roads, 90, 111, 125, 139, 427-8; Franklin Co., 95n; Mecklenburg Co., 95n; Presbyterians in, 108n; Loudoun Co., 112, 310; newspapers, 147; Buckingham Co., 218, 219; counterfeiting in, 218-20, 245; free blacks in, 261n; slavery in, 310, 606; and election of 1800, 314; Culpeper Co., 316; supervisor for, 357; courts, 364-5, 465-9; maps of, 463n; Methodists in, 463n; state penitentiary, 525-6, 544, 551, 615; Council of State, 526n, 688n; Charles City Co., 567n; Chesterfield Co., 604n; Warrenton, 605n; Gloucester Co., 606; and Haiti, 606; trade with Haiti,

 751 

INDEX Virginia (cont.) 606; Mathews Co., 606n. See also Federalists; Milton, Va.; Norfolk, Va.; Republicans; Richmond, Va. Virginia Argus (Richmond), vii, 468n, 469n Volney, Constantin François Chasseboeuf: letters from, 332-4, 398-9; health of, 332, 333; Tableau du climat, 332, 333, 334n, 398-9, 618; sends news of personal and public affairs to TJ, 332-4, 398-9 Voltaire, François Marie Arout, 154-5, 156 Vorontsov, Aleksandr Romanovich, 267n, 326, 591-2 Voyage aux régions équinoxiales du nouveau continent, fait en 1799, 1800, 1801, 1802, 1803, et 1804 (Alexander von Humboldt), 481-2n Wabash River: Wabash saline, 431-2, 434-5n, 657 Wagner, Jacob: letter from, 82; forwards list of diplomatic agencies, 82-3; correcting names on commissions, 180-1n, 243; and R. King’s accounts, 590 Wakefield, Allen M., 103 Walker, David (Ky.), 685 Walker, John Peter, 12, 13n, 242, 424, 685 Wallace, Caleb, 271n Wallace, James Westwood: letter to, 613; letter from, 604-5; sends Indian pipe to TJ, 604-5; identified, 605n; recommended for appointment, 605n, 684; thanked by TJ, 613 Walsh, Patrick, 298n Wanscher, Marten (Martin): letter to, 208; payments to, 42, 472, 477, 581; plastering at Monticello, 199, 208, 638-9; arrives at Monticello, 208n; assistant for, 478n; and Monticello ice house, 582; letter from cited, 691 Wanscher, Mrs., 472, 477 War, U.S. Department of: militia returns, 57-8; regiments of artillery, 78-9, 81-2, 658; engineers, 79, 82, 197; instruction in French language, 79, 82; medical department, 79, 82, 113-14; regiments of infantry, 79, 82, 658; articles of war, 115; courtsmartial, 115, 144-5; rations, 197;

arsenals, armories, 441, 443n; barracks, 445, 446n; forts, posts, 445, 446n. See also Dearborn, Henry: Military Affairs; Indians: U.S. Indian Affairs; West Point, N.Y. Ward, Henry Dana, 417 Ward, John, 417 Warner, Gideon, 658 Warren, Samuel, 417 Warwick, Va., 92, 94n Washington, D.C.: proposal to remove seat of government from, 74, 75n; public buildings, 136n, 146, 150, 675-6; streets and roads in, 147, 150, 496-8, 675-6; establishment of post road to New Orleans from, 198; counterfeiting in, 219, 245, 264, 624n; free blacks in, 260-1n; K Street, 260n; banks, 264n; boarding houses, 426, 427n; Washington Navy Yard, 454n, 533n, 603n, 610; carpenters, 493n; lumber merchants, 493n; footpaths in, 496-8, 502; Pennsylvania Ave., 497-8, 502, 669n; building regulations in, 498; descriptions of, 501; Tiber Creek, 502; City Tavern, 532, 533n; Rock Creek, 621; cotton manufacturing, 621-2; frame makers, 669n; gilders, 669n. See also Capitol, U.S.; District of Columbia; President’s House Washington, George: and design of U.S. Capitol, xliv; Ceracchi’s bust of, 20, 22n; as reference, 52; appointments by, 83, 117; societies dedicated to memory of, 128-9n; applications to, for appointments, 319n; and arming of merchant vessels, 545, 546n Washington, George Steptoe, 523n Washington, Lucy Payne, 523n Washington, N.C., 585, 594 Washington, William (1752-1810), 417 Washington Federalist: and TJ’s legal action against Richard Johnson, vii, 465-9; and Sally Hemings, xi, 469n Washington Society (Alexandria, Va.), 128-9n Washita River, 430, 434 Watkins, Eulalie Trudeau, 241n Watkins, John (Orleans Terr.), 177n, 240, 303-4n, 505-6, 658 Watkins, Thomas (Halifax Co, Va.): letter from, 73-4; seeks appointment, 73-4, 685; identified, 74n Watson, Elkanah: letter to, 84; thanked by TJ, 84; Tour in Holland, 84

 752 

INDEX Watson, John (R.I.): letter from cited, 693 Wattles, Nathaniel, 128n Watts, Isaac, 7 Wayles, John (TJ’s father-in-law): estate of, 603-4 weather: rain, xlvi, 427-8, 625; cold, 40; snow, 40; hurricanes, 206, 207; wind, 223; climate change, 542n; hail, 620n Webber, Samuel, 402 Webley, Benjamin, 679 weights and measures, 177n Wells, Henry, 417 Wells, William H., 196 West, Benjamin (R.I.): signs memorial, 674 West, Cato: letter to, 149; seeks reimbursement for provisions, 149; and land fraud in Miss. Terr., 305n West, William: letter from, 435-6; requests payment from TJ, 435-6; identified, 435n West Indies: British blockades in, 247-8, 249n, 304n; impressment in, 440; French privateers in, 442n, 602, 603n, 643n; arming of merchant vessels trading in, 546n. See also Cuba; Guadeloupe, W.I.; Haiti (SaintDomingue); Jamaica West Point, N.Y.: military academy at, 197, 324, 440, 442n, 501, 658 Wharton, Franklin, 114 wheat, 270, 291n Wheaton, Levi: signs memorial, 674 Wheaton, Seth: signs memorial, 674 Wherry, John, 142-3 Whiley, Richard, 79, 81 Whipple, Abraham, 32-3, 250 Whipple, John (R.I.): signs memorial, 674 Whipple, Joseph, 354 White, Henry, 546n White Hair (Cheveux Blancs, Pawhuska, Osage leader), 692 White River, 413 White River (Arkansas), 434 Whiting, Mr. (Va.), 111 Whole Works of That Excellent Practical Physician, Dr. Thomas Sydenham (Thomas Sydenham), 611 Wickham, Thomas T., 417 Wilkinson, Benjamin, 79, 81 Wilkinson, James: letters from, 573, 617; and Indian treaty negotiations, 121, 273; departure from New

Orleans, 176n, 304n; and transfer of Louisiana to U.S., 176n, 189; and navigation on Mobile River, 213, 214n; and Louisiana Bank, 215; as reference, 288, 421, 495, 618; gives flags for militia, 356; salt deposits in Louisiana, 455n, 617; and DeLacy, 473; travels to Washington, 541, 542n; declines dinner invitation, 573; health of, 573; queries on Texas and Mexico, 573-4; Spanish payments to, 632-4 Wilkinson, Stephen, 628 William and Mary, College of, 95n, 175n, 567n Williams, David, 31 Williams, John (Tenn.), 95, 113, 683 Williams, John M., 147, 148n Williams, Nathan, 683 Williams, Philip: extradition of, 623-4, 626-7, 653-4; arrested for counterfeiting, 624n, 654n Williams, Robert: and board of land commissioners, 123; and Louisiana Bank, 217n; travels to Washington, 232, 296, 520n, 609; recommends aspirants for office, 357; and E. Turner, 519, 520n; candidate for office in Louisiana, 683 Willig, George, xliv, 426n Willing, Thomas, 264n Willink, Wilhem & Jan, 209, 210n Willis, John (Md.), 69n Wilmington, Del., 585, 594 Wilmington, N.C., 586 Wilson, James J.: letter from, 446; recommends aspirants for office, 446, 475; identified, 446n Wilson, Joseph, 186, 187n Wilson, Philip: letter from cited, 694 Wilson, William (Va.), 128n wine: Aleatico, 20, 21n; bottling of, 20; transportation of, 20, 605; Montepulciano, 20-1, 22n, 485, 486; from Tuscany, 20-1, 540; viticulture, 20-1, 22n, 130n, 485, 540; Tokay, 21; “Abrostine bianco,” 21n; “Abrostine Rosso,” 21n; “Lachrima Christi,” 21n; “Mammola,” 21n; “Morgiano,” 21n; “S. Giovette,” 21n; Trebbiano, 21n; Pedro Ximenes, 22; recommended for medicinal purposes, 22, 188; sherry, 22, 572-3; prices, 29, 560, 605, 625, 654; champagne, 91, 440, 548, 560, 605-6, 610, 625-6, 654; Madeira, 91,

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INDEX wine (cont.) 130n, 440, 548; ordered by TJ, 91, 307, 440, 458, 572-3, 605-6, 610, 625-6, 654; sherry (pale), 159; Hermitage (white), 307; Termo, 572; claret, 572-3 Wineberger, John, 359n Winn, Richard, 525n, 686 Winner, Joseph, 72 Winslow, William, 687, 689n Winston, Joseph: letter from, 95; recommends aspirants for office, 95, 683; identified, 95n Winter, John, 148 Wistar, Caspar: letters to, 84, 114-15, 548-9; letters from, 74-5, 509, 538-9; recommends aspirants for office, 56, 683, 684; forwards books to TJ, 74-5, 538, 539n, 548; TJ forwards communications for APS to, 84; TJ forwards book to, 114-15, 548-9; introduces Fothergill and Humboldt, 509, 538; returns drawings of teeth, 538-9 Wolcott, Oliver, Jr., 546n women: wet nurses, 4, 582; pregnancy, childbirth, 4-5, 51n, 299, 300; widows, widowhood, 175n, 262, 346, 563n, 604n; education of, 298n, 566-7, 592; printers, publishers, 401, 402n; divorce, 408n Wood, Francis: letter from cited, 693 Woodhouse, James, 532 Woodrop Sims (ship), 600 Woodson, Tucker M., 368, 369, 374-5, 377, 385 Woodstock, N.Y., 426n Woodstock and Saugerties General Manufacturing and Mining Company, 426n Woodward, Augustus Brevoort, 687 Works of the Rev. John Fletcher (John William Fletcher), 553 Worthington, Thomas: letter to, 85; letters from, 85, 317, 613-14; recommends aspirants for office,

34n, 70, 71n, 122, 317, 613-14; and Kosciuszko’s lands, 85 Wren, James, 428 Wright, Daniel, 677, 678n Wright, Robert: letter from, 518; proposes removing seat of government, 75n; introduces Rafinesque, 518; identified, 518n; recommends aspirants for office, 684; as reference, 688n Wythe, George: and C. Peyton’s bill in chancery, 137, 364-5, 373, 383, 572; recommends aspirants for office, 684, 686 Yale University, 504n Yancey, Joel, 687 “Yankee Doodle” (song), 356n Yard, James: and E. Stevens claim, 163n, 164n, 167, 168, 171, 174n, 193, 194, 195, 284, 286n, 577 Yardsley (Yeardsley), James, 180, 409 yellow fever: in New York City, 77, 155, 158n; causes of, 155; publications on, 158n; descriptions of, 227, 229 Yorke, Charles Philip, 28 Yorke, Harriet Manningham, 28 Yorktown, battle of, 289n Young, Edward: The Revenge, 653 Young, Edward C., xlvii-xlviii Young, Moses, 248, 249n Young, Notley, 462 Young, Robert (Alexandria), 127n Young, Thomas (S.C.), 417 Yznardi, Joseph, Sr.: letter from, 159-60; accounts with U.S., 159, 160n; and J. Israel’s lawsuit, 159, 160n; and wine for TJ, 159; letter from cited, 160n Zacatecas, 555, 557 Zach, Franz Xaver von: Fixarum Praecipuarum Catalogus Novus, 7 Zanesville, Ohio: land office, 70, 71n, 72

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A comprehensive index of Volumes 1-20 of the First Series has been issued as Volume 21. Each subsequent volume has its own index, as does each volume or set of volumes in the Second Series.

The Papers of Thomas Jefferson are composed in Monticello, a font based on the “Pica No. 1” created in the early 1800s by Binny & Ronaldson, the first successful typefounding company in America. The face is considered historically appropriate for The Papers of Thomas Jefferson because it was used extensively in American printing during the last quartercentury of Jefferson’s life, and because Jefferson himself expressed cordial approval of Binny & Ronaldson types. It was revived and rechristened Monticello in the late 1940s by the Mergenthaler Linotype Company, under the direction of C. H. Griffith and in close consultation with P. J. Conkwright, specifically for the publication of the Jefferson Papers. The font suffered some losses in its first translation to digital format in the 1980s to accommodate computerized typesetting. Matthew Carter’s reinterpretation in 2002 restores the spirit and style of Binny & Ronaldson’s original design of two centuries earlier. ✧