Papers of Thomas Jefferson. Volume 45 The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, Volume 45: 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805 9780691212005

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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 45 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805 JAMES P. Mc CLURE , EDITOR

tom downey and martha j. king, senior editors james alexander dun and w. bland whitley, associate editors christina r. carrick, andrew j. b. fagal, and merry ellen scofield, assistant editors linny schenck, editorial associate alison e. dolbier, research associate

princeton and oxford princeton university press 2021

Copyright © 2021 by Princeton University Press Princeton University Press is committed to the protection of copyright and the intellectual property our authors entrust to us. Copyright promotes the progress and integrity of knowledge. Thank you for supporting free speech and the global exchange of ideas by purchasing an authorized edition of this book. If you wish to reproduce or distribute any part of it in any form, please obtain permission. 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 9780691203652 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

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

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CONSULTANTS FRANÇOIS P. RIGOLOT and CAROL RIGOLOT, Consultants in French SIMONE MARCHESI, Consultant in Italian VALERIA LÓPEZ FADUL, Consultant in Spanish

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. F. Lenfest and the Lenfest Foundation, Rebecca Rimel, and Jack Rosenthal.

FOREWORD

T

he span of this volume almost corresponds with the second session of the Eighth Congress. During the session, the president signed 38 bills into law. Among them were several that provide evidence of great national growth and energy. One act divided Indiana Territory to form Michigan Territory. Another made Louisiana District, the upper part of the Louisiana Purchase, into a territory. Another revised the government of Orleans Territory to provide for an elected general assembly and an advance to statehood once the free population reached 60,000. Acts called for the survey of public lands or resolution of claims north of the Ohio River, south of Tennessee, in Orleans Territory and upper Louisiana, and around the old French colonial communities of Kaskaskia, Vincennes, and Detroit, and for the sale of extensive tracts acquired from Native American nations. In the general appropriations bill for the government’s expenses in 1805, Congress authorized $19,240 for compensation to the governor, secretary, legislative council, and judges of Orleans Territory, significantly more than was allocated for compensation of the secretary of state and the clerks in his department or the secretary of war and his department’s clerks. In another sign of growth and economic progress, a total of $163,776.53 was appropriated for various lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and piers (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:307-46). In January, Secretary of War Henry Dearborn estimated that the United States had acquired more than 63 million acres from Native American tribes since the administration took office in 1801. That was in return for total expenditures that Dearborn calculated at $142,000—less than the total appropriated for lighthouses, beacons, buoys, and piers for the single year 1805. Fifty million of the acres had come in a single recent cession from the Sac and Fox nations orchestrated by Governor William Henry Harrison of Indiana Territory (see Jefferson’s message to the Senate, 31 Dec.). Jefferson knew of this activity and growth. He filled spaces on Dearborn’s memorandum of 12 Jan. with his own detailed calculations of land areas and dollars. Addressing two Chickasaw leaders on 7 Mch., he welcomed them to “the seat of the government of the twenty two nations,” a characterization that included five territories, two of them authorized but not yet established, with the 17 states. In his second inaugural address, he suggested finding a way to “repartition” surplus funds to the states to be used for “rivers, canals, roads, arts, manufactures, education, & other great objects within each state” (Document xiii of Second Inaugural Address, 4 Mch.).  vii 

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He knew too that with expanded boundaries, an increasing population, and economic growth came differences of opinion. A delegation from Orleans Territory, representing people dissatisfied with the limitations of territorial government, had traveled to Washington with a memorial pushing Congress to grant immediate statehood. At St. Louis and nearby settlements, unresolved land claims and differences of language and political culture prompted a memorial to Congress and a countermovement. There continued to be strong elements of deep-seated political opposition to Jefferson and his administration. Fissures were present even within his own political party, particularly in some states. Yet the president’s own statements emphasized unity and harmony, progress and prosperity. He wrote to a supporter in Massachusetts that although the country had tossed on “a boisterous ocean” in 1800, “all is now subsiding, peace is smoothing our paths at home & abroad” (to William Heath, 13 Dec.). In his second inaugural address he used the expression “union of sentiment.” It was “peculiarly useful that the executive should hear all things,” he noted to Dearborn, “& hold fast that which is good” (3 Jan.). The “good” to be retained did not as a matter of course include divergence of opinion. Of the Orleans memorial, Jefferson wrote to the territorial governor, William C. C. Claiborne, in December that “they will find that we have no motive of action here but the combined good of the whole & all it’s parts, and they will be sensible that in a whole composed of parts, no one part must carve for itself.” He used the reassuring language of kinship relations, saying that the United States desired “to do as much” for the Louisianians “as we do for our own brothers & children.” But he left little room for dissidence: “if particular individuals continue to endeavor to excite insurrection with you,” he advised Claiborne, “the energies of the law must lay hold of them.” He used the language of family also when writing about acrimonious political disputes in Rhode Island: “it is not for me to unravel the passions or the schisms which are so unhappily prevailing in your state. still less am I disposed to take any side in this family quarrel” (to David Leonard Barnes, 15 Dec.). He took a similar position when house joiner James Oldham, who was leaving for Richmond after doing construction work at Monticello, reported that overseer Gabriel Lilly and carpenter John Perry, who was Lilly’s brother-in-law, had threatened to “blow me thro” if he set foot on Jefferson’s property. Lilly claimed that he was acting on orders from Jefferson. The real problem, Oldham intimated, was that he knew of dishonest actions by Lilly and Perry at Monticello during Jefferson’s absences.  viii 

FOREWORD

In this case, as in the political conflict in Rhode Island, Jefferson refused to intervene. He assured Oldham that he had given Lilly no instructions “which had any respect to you.” But whether he wrote or said anything to Lilly and Perry is not known. Unlike the dispute in Rhode Island, this case involved people he paid as employees or contractors: they were part of what he would have characterized as his “family” of people at Monticello. According to Oldham, there had been threats of violence not just against him but also against Craven Peyton, who acted as Jefferson’s agent in some transactions. Yet in what he wrote to Oldham, Jefferson detached himself from the situation: “it is my rule never to take a side or any part in the quarrels of others, nor to enquire into them. I generally presume them to flow from the indulgence of too much passion on both sides, & always find that each party thinks all the wrong was in his adversary. these bickerings, which are always useless, embitter human life more than any other cause: and I regret that which has happened in the present case.” Sometimes it would have been more precise for him to have stated that it was his rule not to be seen “to take a side.” When the Massachusetts General Assembly passed a resolution calling for an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to remove the three-fifths clause and base representation in Congress solely on a state’s free population, Jefferson, James Madison, and other Virginia political leaders feared that a counterstatement by the Virginia legislature, if not handled carefully, would do more harm than good. They took action, but entirely behind the scenes. Madison drafted a resolution that Jefferson conveyed to his secretary, William A. Burwell, who had taken a leave of absence and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Jefferson reminded Burwell on 11 Dec. that “you promised to copy it your self and not to let it be seen by any one in the original: nor is the least idea to be permitted to escape as to the quarter from which it comes.” Jefferson also worked quietly (and patiently) when Levi Lincoln stepped down as attorney general in the latter part of December. The president, who had anticipated this situation, polled the cabinet for suggestions for a replacement. Several names came up, particularly those of John Thomson Mason and John Breckinridge, but without any expectation that either one would accept. Then Robert Smith, the secretary of the navy, expressed an interest in the attorney general’s position. Jefferson could only recall to mind the difficult time he had had finding a secretary of the navy in 1801. He determined to give the Navy Department appointment to Jacob Crowninshield, a  ix 

FOREWORD

Massachusetts merchant and member of Congress. Crowninshield, after conferring by mail with his wife, Sarah Gardner Crowninshield, back in Salem, politely declined, stating that he was torn between his duty to public service and his responsibility to his family. He shared his wife’s letter with the president, who replied that “he percieves it comes from a mind sensible to the feelings of domestic life, but capable of resolving on what is proper. he asks the favor of an interview with mr Crownenshield.” Crowninshield again consulted his wife by mail and again shared her letters with Jefferson. He would not be able to accept the appointment without talking to his wife in person, he explained, and because that conversation would not be possible before he returned home at the end of the congressional session, the president should find someone else for the position. Jefferson again wrote a brief reply, asking again only to speak with Crowninshield. Jefferson prevailed, at least for what he needed in the short run. On 2 Mch., the next-to-last day of the session, he sent the nominations of Smith as attorney general and Crowninshield as secretary of the navy to the Senate, which immediately approved both appointments. Jefferson’s insistence on emphasizing positive aspects of growth, and usually only in general terms, showed itself in an exchange of letters with John Lithgow of Philadelphia, the secretary of the Society of Artists and Manufacturers, beginning in December. Lithgow wrote to question assertions that Jefferson had made in Query XIX of Notes on the State of Virginia about manufacturing, which he associated with Europe, and about agriculture, which he associated with America. “While we have land to labour then, let us never wish to see our citizens occupied at a work-bench, or twirling a distaff,” Jefferson had declared there. Wage labor fosters dependence, which “begets subservience and venality.” “The mobs of great cities,” he deemed, “add just so much to the support of pure government, as sores do to the strength of the human body” (Notes, ed. Peden, 165; Vol. 37:317n). Lithgow pointed to the example of John Reich, the brilliant engraver who worked for the U.S. Mint, as an illustration of the undervaluing of skilled work in America. Reich was “one of the first in his line in the world besides being a man of polite manners pure morals and an admirer of Republican principle,” Lithgow wrote, “& yet it is with difficulty he can procure a bare existance.” In reply, Jefferson said nothing about Reich. He allowed that he might revise that query of the Notes someday, but he affirmed its central message: “a first question is whether it is desirable for us to recieve at present the dissolute & demoralised handicrafts men of the old cities of Europe? a second & more difficult one is when even good handicraft men arrive here, is x

FOREWORD

it better for them to set up their trade or go to the culture of the earth?” Lithgow hesitated before he felt comfortable sending a response, but then pressed Jefferson again. Opportunities for immigrants from Britain and Europe to gain their livelihood by agriculture were limited, he pointed out, particularly in regions where slavery existed. Moreover, urban workers in the Old World had the means of achieving prosperity. By way of illustration, he argued that in the hard winter they had been experiencing in America, the fuel for one fire for one week required, in Philadelphia, two days’ labor, and in New York City, four days of work. The reason, Lithgow explained, was that in America the fuel was wood, which was increasingly scarce near populated areas. “In the manufacturing towns in England,” on the other hand, the availability of cheap coal meant that a week’s supply of fuel for a fire “may be earned in an hour or two at most” (Lithgow, 24 Dec., 4 Mch.; Jefferson, 4 Jan.). Other information about that severe winter of 1804-1805 appears in Jefferson’s papers. He reported to his daughter Martha on 7 Jan. that readings of his thermometer in Washington had dipped into the single digits (Fahrenheit) and the rivers “are all solid.” He worried when Martha fell ill and the doctor attributed the cause to the extreme cold in Virginia. A ship carrying iron that Jefferson had ordered from Philadelphia for Monticello was frozen in at the wharf. Ice impeded commerce as far south as the James River. Thomas Paine gave up the idea of traveling from New Rochelle, New York, to spend some time in Washington during the winter. From St. Louis, Pierre Chouteau reported that the Arkansas River was frozen. More details are in letters from people who lacked the economic wherewithal to contend with such extremes of weather. When the holder of a franchise under a patent informed John Woodberry that he must give up his craft of painting walls to look like wallpaper, he set out from Philadelphia to obtain “legal Vouchers for my proceedings.” Woodberry, who described himself as “a little old man without one Cent in his pocket to refresh him by the way,” had no means of travel except to walk and no resources for stopping at inns. He made it to Washington, but “without Some benevolent heart to assist me,” he wrote to the president of the United States, “I must—perish” (31 Dec.). Nathan Rockhill, who like Woodberry was unknown to Jefferson, “got Considerably frozen” while traveling and became stranded in Washington (13 Feb.). William Thomson wrote from Georgetown on 5 Jan. that he had broken his foot “which renders me a cripple and not able to maintain my famyly & times being very hard provision and wood being so very dear we are in a state of surfering at the present.”  xi 

FOREWORD

Susannah Febvrier wrote from Georgetown in January. She was alone with two young children. She had been ill during the summer and unable to earn any money. Her husband, having lost everything to creditors, had returned to Martinique, and she had not heard from him. She implored: “with this winter and in my Greaf and trouble I thought your Condesending Goodness might Perhapes helpe me to Somthing.” Thomas Munroe, the superintendent of the capital city, reported early in February that several skilled workers and laborers who were owed money for work on public buildings “were, at this inclement season, in want of necessaries for their families which the money due to them from the public would inable them to procure.” Munroe asked if funds could be found to pay the most “urgent” of the claims. Samuel Burchard of Delaware, who had lost his right arm while serving in the army, wrote to ask if his pension might be increased. His pension was $60 a year, he paid $50 a year for board, and he had gone into debt to buy clothing (7 Mch.). On 15 Nov., before the devastating winter even set in, “the Widow Noland,” once the housekeeper of a prominent family in Washington, wrote to say that she was “streched on her Sick-Bed surrounded by the Cries of three most promising Children, literally wanting food & raiment.” Lithgow chided Jefferson that “Formerly it was the boast that no beggars were to be seen in America: now our Commercial Cities in time of peace, and under a government far from rapacious, are obliged to have recourse to Eleemosinary soup shops” (4 Mch.). People truly in need who wrote to the president that winter, such as John Woodberry and Susannah Febvrier, asked not for government jobs or contracts, but for direct aid to help them and their families survive. It is possible that Jefferson responded privately to such pleas, if the person was in Washington or Georgetown. In his financial record he tended not to note the names of people to whom he gave alms. One might suppose, though, that Mrs. Noland, who was well known in Washington society, received the $10 he gave “in charity” to an unnamed person on 16 Nov., the day he received her letter. Febvrier, who like Noland was a working woman on her own with children to support, perhaps got the $5 he gave on 13 Jan., the day he saw her letter. Jefferson gave $1 to someone the day Woodberry’s letter came to him, $1 the day after receiving Rockhill’s letter, and $1 (as well as another donation of $5) two days after Thomson’s appeal came to hand (mb, 2:1140, 1143, 1144, 1146). Jefferson did not respond to Lithgow’s second letter, the one that challenged the notion of universal prosperity in America. Nor did he reply to an admonition received early in March from Thomas Allen  xii 

FOREWORD

“to use all your Influence for the utter Abolition of Slavery.” Allen, a Massachusetts minister, wrote a long letter of praise and congratulations that also pointed to the “national Sin” of slavery. “Rid your hands, Dear Sr, of this horrible Evil, if you have not already done it,” he wrote. “Set a noble practical Example on this subject. Your reasonings are lucid and convincing. Your Judgment is on the side of truth. may you act up to it, and make provision for the Education of your slaves, and their becoming freemen as soon as it can be done. An hour’s delay is too long.” Thomas Paine, railing against the role played by Liverpool in the slave trade, wrote: “Had I the command of the elements I would blast Liverpool with fire and brimstone. It is the Sodom and Gomorrow of brutality.” Jefferson let Allen’s and Paine’s comments on the subject of slavery pass. But in January, when Burwell, his secretary and fellow Virginian, discussed bills about slavery under consideration by the Virginia assembly, “knowing that with myself you feel acutely, the necessity of adopting some plan which will save Va. from ruin,” Jefferson did respond. He did not, however, endorse any immediate change. “I have long since given up the expectation of any early provision for the extinguishment of slavery among us,” he wrote. Slavery was becoming less attractive to owners in terms of economics, he opined, and perhaps the institution might be done away with while owners could have some control over the outcome—which is to say, before slave rebellion might force the issue. Of the 38 bills that Jefferson signed into law during the session, 23 of them were in the final three days of the Eighth Congress, 1-3 Mch. Everything was “business & hurry,” he wrote on the 3d to both Thomas McKean and John Glendy. He had prepared his inaugural address well before that crush. He had faced a dilemma in drafting it. He wanted to say something about entrenched Federalist opposition to the progress of knowledge and about what he called the “licentiousness” of the press—to make some acknowledgment of divisions of opinion and political discord—yet “not to commit myself in direct warfare” (see his “Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address,” Document xii at 4 Mch.). How to take on opponents while sticking to a message of harmony and prosperity? His solution was to try to engage one of the issues obliquely, by weaving what he wanted to say about resistance to progress into the section of the speech about Native Americans. The subject of what he called “the artillery of the Press” he took on more directly, but ultimately without being able to find a “definite line . . . between the inestimable liberty of the press, and it’s demoralising licentiousness.” He then, somewhat incongruously, shifted back to his primary theme: “Contemplating the union  xiii 

FOREWORD

of sentiment now manifested so generally, as auguring harmony & happiness to our future course, I offer to our country sincere congratulations” (the finished address is Document xiii at 4 Mch.). His careful preparation of the address was not complete when he finished the draft. He wrote out a fair copy to give to Samuel Harrison Smith, to be set into type in advance for publication on the day of the inauguration. He also prepared a unique copy for himself. By a heavy employment of abbreviations and special marking, he fit the complete text on the front and back of a single large sheet of paper. He used indents, line breaks, and additional symbols to give himself reading cues, especially for pauses, to assist his presentation of the speech in the Capitol. A transcription of his reading copy is included in this volume, and a page of the manuscript is among the illustrations (see Editorial Note and Documents xiii and xiv at 4 Mch.). In December, John Taylor had written from Virginia to say there was strong feeling that Jefferson should be president not just for two, but for three terms to consolidate the Republican ascendancy in national politics. Jefferson rebuffed the suggestion, stating that he would follow George Washington’s precedent and step down after his second term. He did say that he would hold back from making any public statement to that effect. He did not confide to Taylor that on another occasion he had said of the presidency, with regard to appointments to office, that, “like the office of hangman, it must be executed by some one” (to Larkin Smith, 27 Nov.). In one of the draft pieces of the inaugural address, he used other language. There, in reference to the transformative election of 1800, he referred to himself as “the person destined to the task of making that change” (Document iv). That phrase does not appear in the finished address. Which meaning of the word “destined” he meant, he did not say.

 xiv 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS any individuals have given the Editors the benefit of their aid M in the preparation of this volume, and we offer them our thanks. At Princeton, we are grateful to Keith A. Wailoo, Judith Hanson,

and Debora Macy in the Department of History; in the libraries, Anne E. Jarvis, Colleen M. Burlingham, Deborah T. Paparone, Peggy Kehrer, and Elaine Russian; in the Office of the Dean of the Faculty, Associate Dean Karen B. Haskin; Tim Aultom, Steven Semenuk, and Angela Ward in the Office of the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer; Mona Hall and Maureen Thompson-Siegel in the Office of Research and Project Administration; and Professor William C. Jordan for assistance with language translations. Jason Bush, Paul Hayslett, and Allan Orsnes of IDM skillfully provide technical support. Our collaborative partners at Princeton University Press have our deepest admiration and appreciation, including Christie Henry, Eric Crahan, and Lauren Lepow; we rely on the remarkable contributions of Carmina Alvarez-Gaffin, Leslie Flis, Meghan Kanabay, Dimitri Karetnikov, and Erin Suydam. We are grateful to Bob Bartleson of IPS and his colleagues, especially Carol Pierson, for carefully and consistently handling the composition of the volumes. At the University of Virginia Press, we are indebted to David Sewell and mourn the loss of Mark Saunders. Graduate assistant Nathan Ashe and student assistant Abbie Minard performed a variety of essential tasks. We owe much to the skill of Gretchen Oberfranc in reading each volume. We are indebted to Lucia C. Stanton for sharing her wisdom and knowledge and to Alfred L. Bush for assistance, particularly with our illustrations. Lisa Ferrante Perrone of Bucknell University pointed us to Philip Mazzei manuscripts in Italy. Daniel Graves, a Yale Ph.D. student, assisted with some previously unpublished documents. For special assistance on this volume, we appreciate the help of Sabina Beauchard of the Massachusetts Historical Society, Lucas R. Clawson of the Hagley Museum and Library, and Penny White, Reference Librarian, Albert & Shirley Small Special Collections Library, University of Virginia; and, for illustrations, Janet Bloom, William L. Clements Library; Patricia Boulos, Boston Athenæum; Charina Castillo, New-York Historical Society; Ashley Cataldo, American Antiquarian Society; Jacob Daugherty, Bridgeman Images; Caroline E. Johnson, Harry Ransom Center, University of Texas at Austin; Lynn McCarthy, Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library; AnnaLee Pauls, Special Collections, Princeton University Library; and A. Bowdoin Van Riper, Martha’s Vineyard Museum.  xv 

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

We wish to thank Darrell Meadows and Christopher Eck of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission; Jason Boffetti and Lydia Medici of the National Endowment for the Humanities; 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 in the library of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation at Monticello; Molly Kodner of the Missouri History Museum Library and Research Center; Brenda Gunn, Anne Causey, Christina Deane, and Regina Rush at the University of Virginia Library; Jay Gaidmore of Swem Library at the College of William and Mary; John Deal and Brent Tarter of the Library of Virginia; Paige Newman of the Virginia Historical Society; Charles M. Harris of the Papers of William Thornton; the staffs of the American Philosophical Society, the Huntington Library, the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the New-York Historical Society, and the American Antiquarian Society; 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 Papers of Benjamin Franklin at Yale University, and the James Monroe Papers at the University of Mary Washington.

 xvi 

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.  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 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)  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 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 CtHi CtY DLC DeGH DeHi LNT LU-Ar MB MHi MdAN MdHi MeB MeHi MiU-C MoSHi Ms-Ar NHi NNC NNPM NhPoS NjMoHP PHi

The Huntington Library, San Marino, California Connecticut Historical Society, Hartford Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut Library of Congress Hagley Museum, Greenville, Delaware Historical Society of Delaware, Wilmington Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana Louisiana State University, Dept. of Archives and Manuscripts, Baton Rouge Boston Public Library Massachusetts Historical Society, Boston United States Naval Academy Library, Annapolis, Maryland Maryland Historical Society, Baltimore Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine 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 New-York Historical Society, New York City Columbia University Library, New York City Pierpont Morgan Library, New York City Strawbery Banke, Portsmouth, New Hampshire Morristown National Historical Park, New Jersey Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia  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

PPAmP TxU Vi ViU ViW

American Philosophical Society, Philadelphia University of Texas, Austin Library of Virginia, Richmond University of Virginia, Charlottesville College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia

5. NATIONAL ARCHIVES DESIGNATIONS

Documents in the National Archives have the location symbol DNA, with identifications of record groups and series as follows: RG 15 RG 29 RG 42

RG 45

RG 46

RG 56 RG 59

Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files Records of the Bureau of Census 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 MLR Misc. Letters Received MLS Misc. Letters Sent Records of the United States Senate EPEN Executive Proceedings, Executive Nominations EPIR Executive Proceedings, Indian Relations LPPM Legislative Proceedings, President’s Messages LPPMRSL Legislative Proceedings, Petitions, Memorials, Resolutions of the State Legislature General Records of the Department of the Treasury General Records of the Department of State CD Consular Dispatches DD Diplomatic Dispatches GPR General Pardon Records LAR Letters of Application and Recommendation  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

MLR MPTPC

RG 75 RG 77 RG 84 RG 94 RG 104 RG 107

RG 233

Misc. Letters Received Misc. Permanent and Temporary Presidential Commissions RD Resignations and Declinations TP Territorial Papers Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs LSIA Letters Sent by the Secretary of War Relating to Indian Affairs Records of the Office of the Chief of Engineers GRMR General Records of the Headquarters Office, Miscellaneous Records Records of the Foreign Service Posts of the Department of State CR Consular Records Records of the Adjutant General’s Office Records of the Mint DL Domestic Letters 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 LSIA Letters Sent by the Secretary of War Relating to Indian Affairs 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 United States House of Representatives PM President’s Messages

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  xxi 

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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 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  xxii 

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ƒ £ s d ₶ 

Florin Pound sterling or livre, depending upon context (in doubtful cases, a clarifying note will be given) Shilling or sou (also expressed as /) 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. 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)  xxiii 

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Brigham, American Newspapers  Clarence S. Brigham, History and Bibliography of American Newspapers, 1690-1820, Worcester, Mass., 1947, 2 vols. Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum  Everett Somerville Brown, ed., William Plumer’s Memorandum of Proceedings in the United States Senate, 1803-1807, New York, 1923 Bush, Life Portraits  Alfred L. Bush, The Life Portraits of Thomas Jefferson, rev. ed., Charlottesville, 1987 cvsp  William P. Palmer and others, eds., Calendar of Virginia State Papers . . . Preserved in the Capitol at Richmond, Richmond, 1875-93, 11 vols. 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. 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 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 Garner, Black’s Law Dictionary  Bryan A. Garner, Black’s Law Dictionary, 8th ed., St. Paul, Minn., 2004 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  xxiv 

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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. 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 lecb  David Thomas Konig and Michael P. Zuckert, eds., Jefferson’s Legal Commonplace Book, Princeton, 2019, 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 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- , 41 vols. [Congressional Ser. cited as simply: Madison, Papers], 1962-91, 17 vols. Sec. of State Ser., 1986- , 11 vols. Pres. Ser., 1984- , 10 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, Treaties  Hunter Miller, ed., Treaties and Other International Acts of the United States of America, Washington, D.C., 1931-48, 8 vols.  xxv 

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Monroe, Papers  Daniel Preston and others, eds., The Papers of James Monroe, Westport, Conn., 2003- , 6 vols. Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson  Harold D. Moser and others, eds., The Papers of Andrew Jackson, Knoxville, 1980- , 10 vols. Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition  Gary E. Moulton, ed., Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, Lincoln, Neb., 1983-2001, 13 vols. Nasatir, Before Lewis and Clark  A. P. Nasatir, ed., Before Lewis and Clark: Documents Illustrating the History of the Missouri, 1785-1804, St. Louis, 1952, 2 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 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. 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 pmhb  Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography, 1877pw  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- , 16 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.  xxvi 

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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, 1893Washington, 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- , 67 vols. Confed. Ser., 1992-97, 6 vols. Pres. Ser., 1987- , 20 vols. Ret. Ser., 1998-99, 4 vols. Rev. War Ser., 1985- , 27 vols. wmq  William and Mary Quarterly, 1892-

 xxvii 

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 C h r o no lo gy

l 1804 l

l l

k

'

From Michael Leib, [11 November] From William Scales, 11 November To S. Smith & Buchanan, 11 November To Justus Erich Bollmann, 12 November To Caldcleugh & Thomas, 12 November To Dabney Carr, 12 November From Stanley Griswold, 12 November To Benjamin H. Latrobe, 12 November From Thomas Storm, 12 November From Peter Kuhn, Sr., 13 November From Levi Lincoln, 13 November To James Oldham, 13 November From Philippe Reibelt, enclosing List of Books Sent to Jefferson 13 November To the Senate, 13 November From Robert Smith, enclosing Report on the Destruction of the Philadelphia, 13 November To Daniel Trump, 13 November From Caldcleugh & Thomas, 14 November From William Jarvis, 14 November From Charles Willson Peale, 14 November From Robert Smith, 14 November To the House of Representatives, 15 November From George Jefferson, 15 November From Mrs. Noland, 15 November To Philippe Reibelt, 15 November To the Senate, 15 November From Robert Smith, 15 November From Albert Gallatin, 16 November To Benjamin Lincoln, 16 November

 xxix 

vii xv xvii xlvii 2

3 3 5 5 5 6 6 8 8 9 9 13 14 16 17 19 19 20 21 21 22 22 22 23 24 25 25 26

CONTENTS To James Lyle, 16 November From Philippe Reibelt, 16 November From John Vaughan, 16 November From Thomas S. Cavender, 17 November From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 17 November To Charles Willson Peale, 17 November To James Madison, 18 November From Daniel Trump, 18 November From Pierre Chouteau, enclosing Indian Populations in Louisiana District, 19 November From William C. C. Claiborne, 19 November From William Cooch, 19 November From Christopher Ellery, 19 November From James Mease, 19 November From William Moore, 19 November From Joseph H. Nicholson, 19 November To John Randolph, 19 November To Philippe Reibelt, [19 November] From Thomas Leiper, [before 20] November From Auguste Chouteau, 20 November From Francis Da Costa, 20 November From Gabriel Duvall, 20 November From William Herring, 20 November To Joseph H. Nicholson, 20 November From Thomas Seymour, 20 November From Samuel Singleton, 20 November From Benjamin Austin, Jr., 21 November From William Bache, 21 November To Adam Boyd, 21 November To Aaron Burr, 21 November From Albert Gallatin, [21 November] From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 21 November From William Short, 21 November From Alexander Stuart, 21 November From Anonymous, [before 22 November] To Christopher Ellery, 22 November From Albert Gallatin, [22 November] To Thomas Munroe, 22 November From John Page, 22 November From Robert Smith, [22 November] From Robert Smith, [22 November] From Mason Locke Weems, 22 November

 xxx 

26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 33 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 43 43 47 48 48 49 49 50 51 52 52 53 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 59 60 60 61 61

CONTENTS From James Bowdoin, 23 November From DeWitt Clinton, 23 November To Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, 23 November From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 23 November To Elizabeth House Trist, 23 November From Ann Welsh, 23 November Petition of John Higdon, with Jefferson’s Order, 24 November From William C. C. Claiborne, 25 November From William Jarvis, 25 November From Charles Willson Peale, 25 November From Justus Erich Bollmann, 26 November From Isaac Briggs, 26 November From Stanley Griswold, 26 November From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 November From James Oldham, 26 November From Philip Reed, 26 November From Madame Salimbeni, 26 November To Larkin Smith, 26 November From Elizabeth House Trist, 26 November From David Leonard Barnes, 27 November From John Callier and Ranson Harwell, 27 November Statement of Account with William Duane, 27 November From Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, 27 November From Albert Gallatin, 27 November From William Heath, 27 November From Constantine S. Rafinesque, 27 November From James R. Rogers, 27 November From Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin, [on or before 27 November] From Henry Dearborn, enclosing Disposition of Troops in the West, 28 November To Jones & Howell, 28 November To Charles Willson Peale, 28 November From “R. G.,” 28 November From Jean Marie de Bordes, 29 November From William A. Burwell, 29 November To James Oldham, 30 November From Chandler Price, 30 November From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 30 November To the Senate, 30 November To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 30 November Report from John Lenthall, November

 xxxi 

62 63 63 64 67 67 70 72 75 76 76 77 78 79 80 82 83 85 86 88 89 90 92 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 107

CONTENTS From John Abernethie, 1 December To James Brown, 1 December To John Graham, 1 December To Ephraim Kirby, 1 December From Lafayette, 1 December From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 1 December To William C. C. Claiborne, 2 December From William C. C. Claiborne, enclosing Composition of the Orleans Territory Legislative Council, 2 December To Henry Dearborn, 2 December Notes on Painting at Monticello, [after 2 December] Bill for the Adjudication of Prizes, [before 3 December] From Henry Dearborn, 3 December From William Jarvis, 3 December To Samuel A. Otis, 3 December From Timothy Pickering, 3 December To Martha Jefferson Randolph, 3 December To Hannah Briggs, 5 December From Jacob Crowninshield, 5 December From Albert Gallatin, [5 December] From Albert Gallatin, 5 December To George Jefferson, 5 December To Justus Erich Bollmann, 6 December From Thomas S. Cavender, 6 December From “A Friend to the Constitution,” 6 December From Thomas Munroe, 6 December To Thomas Newton, 6 December To Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 December To Chandler Price, 6 December To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 6 December To Henry Sheaff, 6 December To Daniel Trump, 6 December From Philip Turpin, 6 December From Isaiah Weston, 6 December From Henry Dearborn, 7 December To Albert Gallatin, 7 December Statement of Account with Edward Gantt, [7 December] To Abiel Holmes, 7 December From Joseph H. Nicholson, 7 December From Philippe Reibelt, 7 December To Charles Smith, 7 December From Robert Smith, 7 December

 xxxii 

108 109 110 110 111 112 118 120 122 123 124 125 126 126 126 127 128 128 129 130 130 131 131 132 132 132 133 134 135 135 136 136 137 138 139 139 140 141 141 142 142

CONTENTS From Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 8 December From Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 8 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 8 December From George Jefferson, 8 December From John M. Pintard, 8 December To Jones & Howell, 9 December To Philippe Reibelt, 9 December From William Bosson, 10 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 10 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 10 December From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 10 December From John Hollins, 10 December Petition of John McFarlane, with Jefferson’s Order, 10 December From Philippe Reibelt, 10 December To William A. Burwell, 11 December From Gideon Granger, 11 December From John Page, 11 December From Philippe Reibelt, 11 December To the Senate, 11 December From Josiah Dean, 12 December From Christopher Ellery, 12 December To John Hollins, 12 December To Andrew T. McCormick, 12 December From Andrew T. McCormick, 12 December From Jeremiah Browning, Jr., 13 December From Thomas Digges, 13 December From John Fowler and Matthew Lyon, 13 December From Albert Gallatin, 13 December To William Heath, 13 December From the Navy Department, [13 December] From Philippe Reibelt, 13 December To the Senate, 13 December To Mason Locke Weems, 13 December From Mahlon Dickerson, 14 December From John Hollins, 14 December From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 14 December From Chandler Price, 14 December To David Leonard Barnes, 15 December To Albert Gallatin, 15 December From Albert Gallatin, 15 December From William Lambert, 15 December From Philip Mazzei, 15 December

 xxxiii 

143 145 145 147 147 148 148 148 149 150 151 151 152 153 154 155 155 156 157 158 158 158 159 160 160 161 162 163 164 165 165 166 168 169 171 171 172 173 174 175 175 176

CONTENTS From Samuel Overton, 15 December From Chandler Price, 15 December To Constantine S. Rafinesque, 15 December From Philippe Reibelt, 15 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 16 December To Henry Dearborn, 16 December To Sylvanus Bourne, 17 December From Hannah Briggs, 17 December To Isaac Briggs, 17 December From John Callier, 17 December From George Lewis Gray, 17 December To Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, 17 December To Jared Mansfield, 17 December From James Oldham, 17 December To Philip Turpin, 17 December From Thomas Clifford, 18 December From William Lee, 18 December From Charles Willson Peale, 18 December From Robert Smith, 18 December From Lewis Waugh, 18 December From the Citizens of Bristol County, Massachusetts, 19 December From Gideon Granger, 19 December To George Jefferson, 19 December From Thomas Munroe, 19 December To Wilson Cary Nicholas, 19 December Petition of John Orpwood, with Jefferson’s Order, 19 December From Robert Smith, 19 December From Jean Marie de Bordes, 20 December From Alexander Murray, 20 December From Joseph Priestley, Jr., 20 December Proclamation Extending Building Regulations in the City of Washington, 20 December From Edmund Randolph, 20 December From Larkin Smith, 20 December From John Stokely, 20 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 21 December To Michael Krafft, 21 December From James Monroe, 21 December From Philippe Reibelt, 21 December From Robert Williams, 21 December From Isaac Briggs, 22 December

 xxxiv 

184 185 185 186 187 188 189 190 190 191 192 192 193 193 195 196 196 197 198 198 199 200 200 201 201 202 203 204 206 207 208 210 210 211 212 214 214 215 216 217

CONTENTS From William C. C. Claiborne, 22 December From Albert Gallatin, [22 December] From George Jefferson, 22 December To William Lambert, 22 December From William C. C. Claiborne, 23 December From Rodominick H. Gilmer, 23 December From Thomas Appleton, 24 December From Joseph Barnes, 24 December From Benjamin Smith Barton, 24 December From Oliver Evans, 24 December From William Evans, 24 December From Albert Gallatin, [on or before 24 December] From John Lithgow, 24 December To James Oldham, 24 December To Philippe Reibelt, 24 December From Littleton W. Tazewell, 24 December From Jacob Wagner, 24 December To John Clarke, 26 December To Albert Gallatin, 26 December From William Lambert, 26 December From Levi Lincoln, 26 December From Philippe Reibelt, 26 December To Joseph Stanton, Jr., 26 December From John Taylor, 26 December To John Page, 27 December To Joseph Priestley, Jr., 27 December From Samuel R. Demaree, 28 December From Louis H. Girardin, 28 December From Henry Guest, 28 December To Levi Lincoln, 28 December From Philippe Reibelt, 28 December From Samuel Bennett, 29 December From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 29 December From “A Sincere Friend to the Prosperity of the United States,” [on or before 29 December] To David Gelston, 30 December From Isaac Cox Barnet, 31 December From Isaac Briggs, 31 December To the Senate, 31 December To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 31 December From Daniel Trump, 31 December From John Woodberry, 31 December

 xxxv 

222 223 223 224 226 226 227 229 234 235 236 236 236 238 238 240 242 243 243 244 244 246 247 247 249 250 251 253 254 255 256 256 258 258 259 259 260 262 264 265 265

CONTENTS From Andrew Jackson, James Winchester, Edward Douglass, and William Hall, [ca. December] List of Books Acquired, [December] From Françoise Langlois du Bouchet Conway, 1804 Notes on Policy in the West, [ca. 1804] Paragraph on Disaffected Citizens, [1804?] Memorandum from Henry Dearborn, [1803-1804?]

l 1805 l

l l

k

'

From Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours, 1 January From David F. Launy, 1 January From James Madison, [1 January] From Thomas Munroe, 1 January From Thomas Paine, 1 January From Joshua Wingate, Jr., 1 January To Hannah Briggs, 2 January From Patrick Byrne, 2 January From Henry Dearborn, enclosing List of Candidates for Attorney General, 2 January From Albert Gallatin, [2 January] From Albert Gallatin, 2 January From John A. Graham, enclosing Letter of “McGillda,” 2 January From Brockholst Livingston, 2 January From Robert Smith, 2 January From James Bringhurst, 3 January To Henry Dearborn, 3 January From Albert Gallatin, [3 January] Petition of Eliza Peacock, 3 January From Craven Peyton, 3 January From Philippe Reibelt, 3 January To Robert Smith, 3 January Petition of John P. Van Ness and Others for Robert Ware Peacock, 3 January From Thomas Appleton, 4 January From Albert Gallatin, [4 January], enclosing Albert Gallatin to Samuel L. Mitchill, 3 January To Louis H. Girardin, 4 January From Thomas C. James, 4 January

 xxxvi 

266 268 269 271 272 272

273 274 275 275 275 277 278 278 278 279 279 280 282 282 283 284 285 285 286 287 288 288 289 290 295 295

CONTENTS To George Jefferson, 4 January To Reuben Lewis, 4 January To John Lithgow, 4 January To João F. Oliveira Fernandes, 4 January From Philippe Reibelt, 4 January To Caspar Wistar, 4 January Statement of Stable Expenses from Joseph Dougherty, [on or after 5 January] From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 5 January To Littleton W. Tazewell, 5 January From William Thomson, 5 January From Mercy Otis Warren, 5 January To Mathew Carey, 6 January From Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 6 January To John Taylor, 6 January To Lewis Waugh, 6 January To William C. C. Claiborne, 7 January From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 7 January From Archibald McAllister, 7 January To Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 January From Philippe Reibelt, 7 January From Robert Smith, with Jefferson’s Note, 7 January From James Brown, 8 January From Henry Dearborn, 8 January From Henry Dearborn, [8 January] From Susannah Febvrier, 8 January Notes on Indian Affairs, Tripoli, and Great Britain, 8 January To James Bringhurst, 9 January From Mathew Carey, 9 January From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 9 January To Mr. Grillette, 9 January To John Langdon, 9 January To Philippe Reibelt, 9 January To John P. Van Ness, 9 January From William C. C. Claiborne, 10 January From Albert Gallatin, 10 January To Robert Patterson, 10 January From Philippe Reibelt, 10 January From Thomas Worthington, 10 January From Henry Dearborn, [11] January Petition of Jesse Howard, with Jefferson’s Order, 11 January From James Oldham, 11 January

 xxxvii 

296 296 297 298 299 299 300 300 303 306 307 307 307 310 311 311 313 313 314 315 315 316 317 318 319 319 321 321 322 322 323 324 324 325 327 327 328 329 330 332 333

CONTENTS From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Notes and Calculations, 12 January To Thomas C. James, 12 January From Alexander Wood, 12 January From William Lambert, 14 January To the Senate, 14 January To William Keteltas, [before 15 January] From James Brown, 15 January From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 15 January To Thomas Paine, 15 January From Fulwar Skipwith, 15 January From Jacob Wagner, [15 January] From Caspar Wistar, 15 January From Gabriel Duvall, 16 January From Albert Gallatin, [16 January] To Benjamin H. Latrobe, 16 January From Thomas Worthington, John Smith of Ohio, and Jeremiah Morrow, 16 January From Rufus Easton, 17 January, enclosing Confidential Communication on Louisiana District, January To William Lambert, 17 January From Philippe Reibelt, 17 January To Joseph Brown, 18 January From William A. Burwell, 18 January From DeWitt Clinton, 18 January To William Branch Giles, 18 January From Meriwether Jones, 18 January To Philippe Reibelt, 18 January From Henry Dearborn, 19 January From Christopher Ellery, 19 January To James Oldham, 19 January From John Langdon, 21 January To Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 January From Philippe Reibelt, 21 January From John Marrast, 22 January From Philippe Reibelt, 22 January From Reuben Lewis, 23 January From D. L. Morel, 23 January To Philippe Reibelt, 23 January To Robert Smith, 23 January Statement of Account with Thomas Carpenter, 24 January From Micajah Coffin and Others, 24 January

 xxxviii 

334 336 337 338 338 339 339 340 341 341 343 344 345 345 346 347 347 353 353 354 355 357 358 359 359 359 360 360 361 362 363 364 365 365 366 368 369 370 370

CONTENTS From Jacob Crowninshield, 24 January From David Gelston, 24 January From Oliveira Fernandes & Co., 24 January, enclosing Invoice for Wines from Oliveira Fernandes & Co., 22 January From Philippe Reibelt, 24 January From Chinubbee and Others, 25 January From David C. DeForest, 25 January From Albert Gallatin, [25 January] From Thomas Paine, 25 January To Philippe Reibelt, 25 January From Philippe Reibelt, 25 January To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 25 January, enclosing Report of Director of the Mint, 1 January From Stephen Thorn, 25 January From DeWitt Clinton, 26 January To Jacob Crowninshield, 26 January From Albert Gallatin, 26 January To Albert Gallatin, 26 January From Albert Gallatin, 26 January From Albert Gallatin, [26 January] To Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 January From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 26 January From Thomas Mann Randolph, 26 January To Alexander Wood, 26 January To Albert Gallatin, 27 January From Samuel Morse, 27 January From Anonymous, 28 January To William A. Burwell, 28 January From Gideon Granger, 28 January From Joseph H. Nicholson, 28 January From Charles Willson Peale, [on or before 28 January] From Charles Pinckney, 28 January To Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 January From Philippe Reibelt, 28 January From John Salusbury, 28 January To the Senate, 28 January From John Shaw, 28 January From Isaac Briggs, 29 January From William C. C. Claiborne, 29 January To DeWitt Clinton, 29 January From Henry Dearborn, 29 January From Samuel Elliot, 29 January

 xxxix 

371 373 373 374 375 377 378 378 389 389 391 393 394 394 395 395 396 397 397 398 400 400 401 401 403 403 404 407 407 408 414 415 416 417 418 420 422 423 424 425

CONTENTS From Albert Gallatin, 29 January To Joseph H. Nicholson, 29 January From Philippe Reibelt, 29 January From Robert Smith, [29 January] From Henry Dearborn, [30 January] From Abiel Holmes, 30 January From Philippe Reibelt, 30 January From Phebe Baldwin, 31 January From Henry Dearborn, 31 January To the House of Representatives, 31 January To Philippe Reibelt, 31 January From Philippe Reibelt, 31 January To the Senate, enclosing James Madison: Report on Complaints against Arming of Vessels, 31 January From Thomas Newton, Jr., January From Thomas Appleton, 1 February From Benjamin Smith Barton, 1 February From Jean Decout, 1 February To the House of Representatives, 1 February From Ambrose Spencer, 1 February From Augustus B. Woodward, 1 February To William Cushing and Hannah Phillips Cushing, 2 February From William Dunbar, 2 February From Albert Gallatin, 2 February From John Page, 2 February From Philippe Reibelt, 2 February To Mathew Carey, 3 February From Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 3 February From Thomas Munroe 3 February From John Bond, 4 February To Albert Gallatin, 4 February From Thomas Munroe, enclosing Statement of Claims, 4 February To Craven Peyton, 4 February From Philippe Reibelt, 4 February From Henry Dearborn, [5 February] From Nicoll Fosdick, 5 February From David Gelston, 5 February From George Jefferson, 5 February To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 5 February From Gideon Granger, enclosing Report on Post Roads to New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit, 6 February From Pierre Derbigny, 7 February

 xl 

427 428 430 432 432 433 433 434 435 436 436 438 439 441 441 442 443 446 447 448 450 451 452 453 454 455 455 456 457 458 459 460 460 461 461 462 462 463 464 467

CONTENTS From Philippe Reibelt, 7 February From Philippe Reibelt, [on or before 7 February] From John Rennolds, 7 February To David Gelston, 8 February To William Short, 8 February From Isaac Story, 8 February To Volney, 8 February To Mercy Otis Warren, 8 February From Noah Lester, [before 9] February From Isaac Briggs, 9 February From Robert Patton, 9 February To Philippe Reibelt, 9 February From Abner Ritchie, 9 February To George Jefferson, 10 February To George Read, Jr., 10 February From Elisha Avery, 11 February From Justus Erich Bollmann, 11 February To George Jefferson, 11 February From George Read, Jr., 11 February From Henry Warren, 11 February From Joseph Willcox, 11 February From Pierre Chouteau, 12 February From John Hay, 12 February From George Jefferson, 12 February To Jones & Howell, 12 February From Samuel Morse, 12 February From John Witherspoon Smith, 12 February Opinion of Alexander J. Dallas, 13 February From Philippe Reibelt, 13 February From Nathan Rockhill, 13 February To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 13 February To Benjamin Smith Barton, 14 February To Patrick Byrne, 14 February From Zadok Cramer, 14 February To Alexander J. Dallas, 14 February From William Dickson of Virginia, 14 February From Jesse Franklin and David Stone, 14 February From Anne Cary Randolph, 14 February To George Read, Jr., 14 February To Philippe Reibelt, 14 February To Abner Ritchie, 14 February From William Short, 14 February

 xli 

468 469 469 471 471 472 473 477 477 478 480 480 481 482 483 484 488 488 488 489 489 490 493 494 494 494 495 496 499 500 501 502 503 504 505 505 506 506 507 507 507 508

CONTENTS To Matthew Anderson, 15 February From Aaron Burr, 15 February To Aaron Burr, 15 February From Joseph Copes, 15 February From William Dunbar, 15 February To Jesse Franklin and David Stone, 15 February From George Jefferson, 15 February To Philippe Reibelt, 15 February From John Reich, 15 February From Abner Ritchie, 15 February From Oliver Whipple, 15 February To Caspar Wistar, 15 February From Joseph Barnes, 16 February From Isaac Coffin, 16 February From John Davis, 16 February From William Eustis, 16 February From Jesse Franklin and David Stone, 16 February From Albert Gallatin, 16 February From Calvin Goddard, 16 February From Jones & Howell, 16 February From William Keteltas, 16 February From Philippe Reibelt, 16 February From Littleton W. Tazewell, 16 February To Elisha Avery, [17 February] From William C. C. Claiborne, 17 February To Albert Gallatin, 17 February From Ralph Pomeroy, 17 February From George Read, Jr., 17 February From Philippe Reibelt, 17 February To William Thornton, 17 February From James Humphreys, [before 18 February] From Elisha Avery, 18 February From Henry Dearborn, [18 February] From George Jefferson, 18 February From Thomas McKean, 18 February From Robert Smith, [18 February] From Paul Dalrimple, 19 February From Albert Gallatin, [19 February] From Thomas H. Green, 19 February From Philippe Reibelt, 19 February From John Brown, 20 February From Mathew Carey, 20 February

 xlii 

510 510 511 511 513 515 515 515 516 517 517 522 522 524 525 526 527 527 528 529 529 530 531 532 532 534 534 535 536 537 537 538 539 540 540 542 542 543 544 544 545 546

CONTENTS From Jacob Crowninshield, 20 February From Thomas T. Davis, 20 February From Albert Gallatin, 20 February From Joshua B. Langdon, 20 February To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 February From Benjamin Waterhouse, 20 February From Richard Cutts, 21 February From Benjamin H. Latrobe, 21 February Notes on Spanish Actions and Indian Affairs, 21 February From John Smith of Ohio, [21 February] To Samuel Harrison Smith, enclosing Supplementary Note on the Moldboard Plow, 21 February Petition of Ira Allen, 22 February From Patrick Byrne, 22 February From Christopher Ellery, 22 February From Thomas Elwyn, 22 February To James Holland, 22 February From Anne Cary Randolph, 22 February From Ellen Wayles Randolph, 22 February To John Brown, 23 February To Jacob Crowninshield, 23 February From Jacob Crowninshield, 23 February From Henry Dearborn, 23 February From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval, 23 February From William Dunbar, enclosing Plants of the Ouachita River Region, 23 February From Albert Gallatin, 23 February To the House of Representatives, 23 February To Robert Smith, 23 February From Thomas Munroe, 24 February From Thomas Appleton, 25 February From Albert Gallatin, 25 February From John Langdon, 25 February From Jean Perreïn, 25 February Notes on Renominations and Nominations, [before 26 February] From Henry Fry, 26 February To the Senate, 26 February From William Short, 26 February From Henry Dearborn, 27 February From Henry Dearborn, 27 February Petition of Andrew MaGee, 27 February, enclosing Song, 20 February

 xliii 

546 547 548 549 550 551 551 552 553 555 555 556 557 558 558 559 560 561 561 562 563 563 564 564 566 567 567 568 570 570 571 572 573 576 576 577 577 578 579

CONTENTS From Edward Tiffin, 27 February From Henry Champion and Others, 28 February From Henry Dearborn, [28 February] From Nicolas Gouin Dufief, 28 February From David Gelston, 28 February From John Glendy, 28 February From George Jefferson, 28 February From Isaac Jefferson of Boston, 28 February Petition of Bernard Johnson and Isaac Suares, 28 February From Kentucky Members of the House of Representatives, 28 February From Robert Moore, 28 February From Thomas Munroe, 28 February From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 28 February To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 28 February To the Senate and the House of Representatives, 28 February From John Smith of New York, 28 February From John Stewart, 28 February From Charles Pinckney, February From Abraham Baldwin, Peter Early, and Joseph Bryan, 1 March From Thomas Claxton, 1 March From John Davis, 1 March From John Hawkins of Kentucky, 1 March From James Jackson, 1 March From Thomas C. James, 1 March To John Marshall, 1 March Memorandum of Votes in Chase Impeachment Trial, [on or after 1 March] From Navy Yard Tradesmen, [1 March] To the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, 1 March From Caesar A. Rodney, [1 March] To the Senate, 1 March To the Senate, 1 March From Pierre Chouteau, 2 March From Henry Dearborn, 2 March From William Dunbar, [2 March] From John G. Jackson, 2 March From Anne Cary Randolph, 2 March To the Senate, 2 March From Joseph Anderson and Others, 3 March From William Findley, [3 March]

 xliv 

581 581 583 583 584 584 586 587 587 588 589 590 590 591 591 592 592 594 601 601 602 603 603 604 604 605 607 608 609 609 610 610 616 616 617 618 618 618 619

CONTENTS To John Glendy, 3 March To Thomas McKean, 3 March From Philippe Reibelt, 3 March From John Rhea, 3 March To the Senate, 3 March To John Stewart, 3 March From Thomas Worthington, 3 March Second Inaugural Address I. Topics for Inaugural Address, [before 8 February] II. Partial Draft, [before 8 February] III. Partial Draft, [before 8 February] IV. Partial Draft, [before 8 February] V. Partial Draft, [before 8 February] VI. Partial Draft, [before 8 February] VII. James Madison’s Remarks on a Draft, [8 February] VIII. Albert Gallatin’s Remarks on a Draft, [12 February] IX. From Henry Dearborn, [13 February] X. To Robert Smith, 14 February XI. James Madison’s Remarks on a Draft, [21 February] XII. Notes on the Second Inaugural Address, [February?] XIII. Second Inaugural Address, [before 4 March] XIV. Reading Copy of Second Inaugural Address, [before 4 March] XV. To Samuel Harrison Smith, [ca. 4 March] From Thomas Allen, [before 4 March] From Étienne Barras, 4 March From Thomas Jefferson Gassaway, 4 March From Rodominick H. Gilmer, 4 March From Joseph Hiester, 4 March From John P. Ingle, 4 March From George Jefferson, 4 March From John Lithgow, 4 March To Edward Preble, [4 March] To Ellen Wayles Randolph, 4 March From John Randolph, 4 March From Joseph Anderson and John Rhea, 5 March From Albert Gallatin, 5 March From Stephen W. Johnson, 5 March Description of a Plant by Meriwether Lewis, 5 March From John Thomson Mason, 5 March From James Oldham, 5 March From Samuel A. Otis, 5 March

 xlv 

620 620 621 622 623 624 625 625 638 639 639 640 645 646 648 649 650 651 651 651 652 657 663 663 671 672 673 674 674 675 675 678 678 679 679 680 680 682 683 684 685

CONTENTS Petition of Robert Ware Peacock, 5 March From John Stewart, 5 March From John Woodberry, [on or before 5 March] From John Archer, 6 March Account with John Barnes, 6 March From Eliza Peacock, 6 March From Charles Willson Peale, 6 March From Samuel Burchard, 7 March To Patrick Byrne, 7 March To Mathew Carey, 7 March From George Washington Hakes, 7 March Statement of Account with Mrs. John March, 7 March To Mingo Mattaha and Tishoo Hooluhta, 7 March Notes on Speech of Mingo Mattaha, 7 March To João F. Oliveira Fernandes, 7 March To Philippe Reibelt, 7 March From Robert Smith, 7 March To Zadok Cramer, 8 March To John Davis, 8 March From Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours, 8 March To Thomas Elwyn, 8 March Statement of Account with Henry Ingle, 8 March From Charles Willson Peale, 8 March From Nathaniel Perkins, 8 March To Jean Perreïn, 8 March To Caesar A. Rodney, 8 March

685 686 687 687 688 688 690 691 692 692 692 695 698 700 701 701 703 703 704 704 706 707 707 708 708 708

APPENDICES Appendix I: List of Appointments, [28 November 1804-7 March 1805] Appendix II: Dinner Guest Records: Dinners by Date, [11 November 1804-7 March 1805] Appendix III: Letters Not Printed in Full Appendix IV: Letters Not Found Appendix V: Financial Documents I nd e x

711 714 733 734 738 739

 xlvi 

ILLUSTRATIONS Following page 330 THOMAS JEFFERSON BY REMBRANDT PEALE

Two months before Jefferson commenced his second term, Rembrandt Peale arranged to paint his second life portrait of the president. He and his father, Charles Willson Peale, arrived in Washington on the evening of 8 Jan. The next day they dined with the president and several members of Congress (although Jefferson made no note of this in his dinner records, probably because they had arrived after he had made up the invitation list). They obtained Jefferson’s consent to sit for the portrait on 19 Jan., and one or possibly both of the Peales dined with him again on the 22d. The 26-year-old Rembrandt Peale almost completed the likeness over two sittings on 23 and 24 Jan. at the President’s House, where Jefferson’s son-in-law John Wayles Eppes, as well as three-year-old grandson Francis Wayles Eppes, were in residence. The artist, who was suffering from boils on his eyelid and shoulder blade, retouched the portrait on the 31st, possibly with the assistance of his father, who described it to his family as a “charming portrait” and proclaimed it finished “much to our satisfaction.” Peale braved not only skin infections but also the severe weather, as intense colder-than-average temperatures made for uncomfortable conditions inside and out. Possibly to keep warm, Jefferson donned the fur depicted here, which was likely the one given to him in 1798 by Tadeusz Kosciuszko (who had received it from Emperor Paul I of Russia). But Gaye Wilson, who has written on the fur-collared pelisse, suggests that Jefferson, in consultation with the artist, may have chosen to wear this less formal cloak with the fur ruff around his neck as a nod to the treasures expected from the Lewis and Clark expedition and the riches of the new lands they explored in the Louisiana Purchase territory. Margaret Bayard Smith wrote a reminiscence about a fur cloak, possibly the same one, that Jefferson loaned her for a chilly carriage ride home in the winter of 1805. Scholars have described the sartorial choice of wolf skin over the pelisse as a conscious self-fashioning in which the artist showcased his skill and captured part of the legacy for which Jefferson’s presidency is remembered. Rembrandt Peale advertised that the newly finished portrait of the president could be seen for a few days at his painting room at Miss Sally Dashields’s boardinghouse in Washington and then, once back in Philadelphia, at the State House. Unlike his earlier life portrait of the president dressed in black, no known nineteenth-century engravings of this portrait exist. Charles Willson Peale commissioned the portrait for his own promotional purposes. In celebration of Jefferson’s second inauguration, he displayed it illuminated along with other portraits on 4 Mch. at his Philadelphia museum. The painting, in oil on canvas, measures 28 inches by 23½ inches (G. S. Wilson, Jefferson on Display: Attire, Etiquette, and the Art of Presentation [Charlottesville, 2018], 148-53; Bush, Life Portraits, 55-6; Lillian B. Miller, In Pursuit of Fame: Rembrandt Peale, 1778-1860 [Seattle, 1992], 74-6, 124, 256; Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., The Image of Thomas Jefferson in the Public Eye: Portraits for the People, 1800-1809 [Charlottesville, 1981], 133-4; Margaret Bayard Smith,

 xlvii 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S “The Fur Cloak, A Reminiscence,” in S. G. Goodrich, ed., The Token and Atlantic Souvenir: A Christmas and New Year’s Present [Boston, 1833], 342-50; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:783-6, 793, 794, 795, 797; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 4 Mch. 1805; rs, 9:147-8; Vol. 30:331-2, 376-7, 605; Vol. 31:xli; Vol. 43:427n; Vol. 44:654; TJ to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 21 Jan. 1805; Appendix ii). Collection of the New-York Historical Society. SEAMAN’S PROTECTION CERTIFICATE

On 28 May 1796, George Washington signed “An Act for the relief and protection of American Seamen.” This law authorized the president to appoint agents to secure the release of impressed American sailors and also instructed customs collectors to furnish certificates that attested to the citizenship of American sailors. For 25 cents and after “producing proof of being a citizen,” a sailor could obtain a citizenship certificate. Following the act, customs officers issued thousands of these seaman’s protection certificates for the benefit of American sailors (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:477-8; Ira Dye, “Early American Merchant Seafarers,” Proceedings of the American Philosophical Society, 120 [1976], 331-60). The U.S. government intended these certificates to prevent American citizens on the high seas from being impressed into the Royal Navy. In practice, however, the certificates provided little actual protection. British vessels sailing in American waters regularly stopped ships and impressed any sailors who might be subjects of the king. In an opinion written at the president’s request, Attorney General Levi Lincoln listed a number of recent British violations of American neutral rights. These included “impressing at Sea, on board of our vessels a part of their crew claiming to be American citizens and who were possessed of protections.” An additional problem with these protection certificates, as Lincoln understood it, was that some Royal Navy officers interpreted the lack of such documents as evidence that a sailor was not a citizen of the United States, thus justifying the impressment of “citizens who were not possessed of such protections” (Denver Brunsman, “Subjects vs. Citizens: Impressment and Identity in the Anglo-American Atlantic,” Journal of the Early Republic, 30 [2010], 557-86; Vol. 44:402-3; Levi Lincoln to TJ, 13 Nov. 1804). The seaman’s protection certificate reproduced in this volume measures 8 inches wide by 12½ inches high; it is emblazoned with an American eagle, and its printed text conforms with the strictures of the 1796 act. It was issued to Timothy Snow on 26 Nov. 1805 by Edward Pope, the collector at New Bedford, Massachusetts. According to the certificate, serial number 1751, Snow was 26 years old, measured five feet, nine inches tall, had a light complexion and a “small scar on the left Hand,” and was born in Rochester, Massachusetts. Snow had married in Rochester in 1802 and later served in the War of 1812. Sometime in the 1820s, Snow and his family relocated from Rochester to Martha’s Vineyard (Charles Edward Banks, The History of Martha’s Vineyard, 3 vols. [Boston, 1911], 1:424; Vital Records of Rochester Massachusetts to the Year 1850, 2 vols. [Boston, 1914], 2:286; Boston Recorder, 18 Dec. 1840; United States Census Schedules, DNA: RG 29). Courtesy of the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

 xlviii 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S EMBLEM OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

(Left:) In late August 1804, Jefferson subscribed for a copy of the “Emblem of the United States of America,” a patriotic engraving to be published by John Coles of Boston that September and advertised as a remembrance of American unity across its 17 states. The “Emblem” was an almost direct copy of a British illustration from the 1760s that had been drawn by Giovanni Battista Cipriani and engraved by Francesco Bartolozzi. Coles and engraver Samuel Harris turned Cipriani’s original Britannia into Columbia by exchanging a staff and liberty cap for a billowing flag. For a shield inscribed with the British crosses they substituted one emblazoned with a bald eagle, added 17 interlinking stars and two ships at sea, and completed the transformation with symbols of American prosperity in the foreground. Although not all surviving prints of the “Emblem” are hand-colored, Coles advertised his image as surrounded by a blue border, which suggests that original subscribers received an engraving similar to the one shown here. The print is on laid paper countermarked in the center “J. Honig & Zoonen.” The text and image measure approximately 13⅓ inches by 8⅘ inches. The subtitle of the “Emblem” reads “Peace with all Nations, Partiality to none” (Donald H. Cresswell, The American Revolution in Drawings and Prints: A Checklist of 1765-1790 Graphics in the Library of Congress [Washington, D.C., 1975], 254; Boston Gazette, 30 July 1804; Vol. 44:246-7). Courtesy of the Boston Athenæum. (Right:) In his promotion of the “Emblem,” Coles promised Boston readers that subscriptions would “shortly be sent on to all the principal Cities and Towns throughout the Union,” but the engraving reached even farther— across the seas to China. There, a Cantonese artisan reproduced it as a reverse painting on glass, a method in which an image is painted in oil on the back side of a piece of glass. Trade brought the technique, which was initially a western art form, eastward in the early 1700s. By the 1780s, Chinese artists were employing the method not only to create original artwork, but also to reproduce European prints and paintings. Demand for their work reached the United States in the mid-1780s as America began trading with China. The enterprising sea captain or mercantile agent who took the “Emblem” to Canton sometime between 1804 and 1810 may have ordered one copy of the print or several copies. In either case, the assignment would have been completed by experienced local artisans at a studio established to facilitate the market. To enhance the gilt and oil colors of the finished product and prevent the intrusion of light filtering through the glass, the artist seated a blackened backboard behind the glass sheet. This painting on glass is larger than the print from which it was derived. The backboard measures 22½ inches in height and 16 inches in width (Boston Gazette, 30 July 1804; Carl L. Crossman, The Decorative Arts of the China Trade: Paintings, Furnishings and Exotic Curiosities [Woodbridge, Suffolk, 1991], 16, 106, 203, 206-8; Mary McGinn, Anne Verplanck, Noel Fahden Briceño, Amanda Rosner, and Ron Fuchs, “Reverse Paintings on Glass,” Antiques & Fine Art [2010], 280-2). Courtesy of Winterthur Museum.

 xlix 

I L LU S T R AT I O N S READING COPY OF SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

Jefferson prepared this specialized reading script for the delivery of his second inaugural address on 4 Mch. 1805. In this text, he compressed the already drafted full address, more than 2,100 words in 15 paragraphs, onto the two sides of a single sheet of paper about 9¾ inches wide by 16¾ inches long. Presented here is the first side of the sheet. Over time, the paper was folded and eventually split along the creases. To fit the full address on a single sheet, Jefferson abbreviated most words, even some as short as two letters, and employed other devices, such as the letter y (as the Old English thorn) to represent th, and dots at varying relationships to the line to indicate terminal vowels and sounds. The reading script also contains diacritical marks that Jefferson employed to assist in the oral delivery of the address. These marks were Jefferson’s cues for pauses as he read the address and are nearly identical to those recommended by Thomas Sheridan, a key driver of a performance-based elocutionary movement. Sheridan had developed a detailed mark-up system using prime, double prime, triple prime, and horizontal line markers; Jefferson incorporated the first two symbols, the single marks frequently appearing midsentence and the double primes noting longer breaks or sentence endings, while he substituted a cross to show the longest emphatical breaks (Thomas Sheridan, A Course of Lectures on Elocution Together with Two Dissertations on Language and Some Other Tracts Relative to Those Subjects [London, 1762]; Sheridan, Lectures on the Art of Reading, [London, 1775]). Jefferson successfully condensed the speech into a single sheet, but for all the effort and thought he invested in preparing it for oral delivery, he spoke, according to John Quincy Adams, “in so low a voice that not half of it was heard by any part of the crowded auditory” (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 149, in MHi: Adams Family Papers). The reading copy is printed as Document xiv in the group of documents on the second inaugural address, printed at 4 Mch. His development of the address in general and the reading script in particular is covered in detail in the editorial note there. Courtesy of the Library of Congress; image courtesy of the Thomas Jefferson Foundation. JEFFERSON BY CHARLES BALTHAZAR JULIEN FÉVRET DE SAINT-MÉMIN

In November 1804, Jefferson sat for Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin (1770-1852) in the artist’s rented studio on F Street in Washington. With the use of a physiognotrace machine, Saint-Mémin traced the president’s outline onto textured paper washed with pink watercolor, then filled in his features with a gray wash and chalk. This was not Jefferson’s first physiognotrace likeness—he had one taken in Paris in 1789 while he was minister to France—but this was the only time he sat for Saint-Mémin, the 34-year-old artist who had gained a reputation both for introducing the tracing machine to America and for his skills in pastels. The portrait satisfied a promise Jefferson had made to his daughters. They had wanted him to sit for Saint-Mémin in 1803, when the artist had opened a temporary studio in the capital. Because Jefferson had not done so, they wrote to him in early 1804

l

I L LU S T R AT I O N S to remind him of his promise. Such a portrait as Saint-Mémin could render would be a source of comfort “while so much separated from you,” wrote Mary Jefferson Eppes. It “is what we have allways most wanted all our lives.” On 27 Nov., Jefferson paid the artist $29.50 for the pastel, a “plate engraved,” and 48 impressions. A print made from the copperplate is illustrated in this volume. The drawing paper measured 23⅞ inches by 17 inches in its original condition. Sometime before 1901, restorers cut off a rectangular section from the upper right corner of the sheet and used it to patch a damaged portion to the right of Jefferson’s queue. They then redrew the ends of Jefferson’s hair bow (Howard C. Rice, “Saint-Mémin’s Portrait of Jefferson,” Princeton University Library Chronicle, 20 [1959], 182-3, 191; Bush, Life Portraits, 51-3; Washington Federalist, 25 Nov. 1803; mb, 1:731n; Vol. 42:279, 442; SaintMémin to TJ, [on or before 27 Nov. 1804]). Courtesy of the Worcester Art Museum, Massachusetts, USA/Bridgeman Images. JACKY FROST AND THE OLD MAN

Extended periods of cold temperatures and heavy snowfalls characterized the winter of 1804-1805. In a 7 Jan. letter to Martha Jefferson Randolph, Jefferson feared “for what you will suffer on the road for such a spell of severe weather we have not known for years.” Illness prevented Martha from making the journey to Washington, adding to Jefferson’s worry for his daughter. Although he received word of Martha’s recovery, Jefferson wrote at the end of January that “the continuance too of this dreadful weather is an additional cause of fear for you,” for “the ground had just got uncovered with a snow which had covered it 24. days when yesterday another fell of 6. or 8. I. deep, and the weather, tho’ now fair, is very severe.” John Quincy Adams’s diary entry of 22 Jan. noted that the “excessively cold” weather slowed business in the Capitol, with “most of the members, being almost all the day at the firesides in the lobby.” Frozen rivers and ice jams interrupted shipping along the eastern seaboard from early December through late January. A New York newspaper reported that a ferry from Staten Island loaded with wood and passengers had become entangled in the ice, and it was “feared she has drifted to sea” with the loss of all on board. Without regular deliveries of firewood, the price of hickory in the city rose to $7.50 per load, approximately one-third of a cord, from the $4 and $5 charged the previous winter. The public was entreated to “lend a portion” of their supply to be given to the poor. “Jacky Frost and the Old man,” an 1807 print by William Charles, could have accompanied any of the myriad newspaper articles covering the effects of the severe winter—had newspapers of the time been able to include such illustrations. The hand-colored etching depicts the feeling of a population subjected to extended periods of cold. Jack Frost, here illustrated as a devilish sprite with icicles on his wings nipping the nose of a man bundled to ward off Frost’s menace, represents the stinging cold of winter that burns fingers and toes yet etches delicate patterns on window panes. He could also wreak havoc on the supply of firewood and other provisions, as in 1799 when the New York Daily Advertiser lamented, “Our old neighbor Jack Frost has again embargoed the vessels in this harbour.”

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I L LU S T R AT I O N S This 12⅞ by 9¼-inch print was published in New York by Charles’s Repository of Arts. Charles, an Edinburgh-born engraver, had previously worked in London and has been credited with bringing the styles of English caricaturists to America. A nearly identical print in the British Museum, entitled “Jacky Frost!!,” was likely his inspiration. Printed by John Cawse around 1800 after an illustration by George Moulard Woodward, the same winged sprite wearing skates and a nightcap tweaks the old man’s nose while his dog howls. The man’s clothes, Frost’s nightcap, and the dog’s coat are colored differently in Charles’s print, a mirror image of Cawse’s. In Charles’s illustration Jacky Frost warns, “The Zenith of thy sun is past / To Ice or clay thou’l come at last,” to which the old man replies, “Take off thy fingers hoary frost / Least Sunbeams dart forth at thy cost” (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 128, in MHi: Adams Family Papers; Lorraine Welling Lanmon, “American Caricature in the English Tradition: The Personal and Political Satires of William Charles,” Winterthur Portfolio, 11 [1976], 1, 7-8; New York Daily Advertiser, 4 Mch. 1799; New-York Herald, 13 Oct. 1804; New-York Gazette and General Advertiser, 22 and 23 Jan. 1805; British Museum, image accession number 1935,0522.7.7; TJ to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 7 and 28 Jan. 1805). Courtesy of the American Antiquarian Society. MAP OF THE OUACHITA RIVER

This detail is from Map of the Washita River in Louisiana from the Hot Springs to the Confluence of the Red River with the Mississippi, a work produced—at Jefferson’s request—by Washington, D.C., surveyor Nicholas King and engraved by William Kneass of Philadelphia. It was based on the journals and survey notes compiled by William Dunbar during his exploration of the Ouachita River from October 1804 to January 1805, with the assistance of Philadelphia chemist George Hunter. The Ouachita expedition was the first of the trans-Mississippi explorations commissioned during Jefferson’s presidency to report its findings, with Dunbar sending installments of his “geometrical” or “geographical” survey and his “Journal of occurrences & remarks” to the president in February and March 1805. He did not send a map of the Ouachita at that time, but promised Jefferson in July that one would be “prepared & forwarded long before the meeting of the Legislature.” Unforeseen delays prevented Dunbar from fulfilling his promise, however, and he did not send his map until November, and in a less detailed state than he intended. In the interim, anxious to have a map of the Ouachita “ready drawn, engraved & struck off for Congress,” Jefferson placed Dunbar’s journals in the hands of King to undertake the task. After receiving a copy from Jefferson in early 1806, Dunbar declared himself “pleased to observe Mr. King’s Copy of the Map of the Washita so much resembling my own that they might be taken for Copies of each other.” Jefferson included the Ouachita map and a condensed, narrative version of Dunbar and Hunter’s journals with a 19 Feb. 1806 message to Congress, which also enclosed the initial accounts received from Lewis and Clark and descriptions of western Indians and the Red River by John Sibley. King’s map, however, was not included in the subsequent printed version of the message and its enclosures (Message from the President of the United States, Communicating Discoveries Made in

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I L LU S T R AT I O N S Exploring the Missouri, Red River and Washita, by Captains Lewis and Clark, Doctor Sibley, and Mr. Dunbar; with a Statistical Account of the Countries Adjacent [Washington, D.C., 1806]; Vol. 41:137n; Dunbar to TJ, 15, 23 Feb., 2, 9, 16 Mch., 9 July, 10 Nov. 1805, 18 Mch. 1806; TJ to Dunbar, 12 Jan. 1806). The Ouachita River map was produced as a single narrow sheet, measuring approximately 32⅔ inches wide and 7⅞ inches high. Its impressive detail reflects the meticulous and abundant astronomical observations recorded by Dunbar and Hunter, as well as the surveying skill of King. The overall elegance of the map, however, may be attributed to Kneass (1780-1840), a young Philadelphia artisan whose career would culminate with his appointment as engraver of the U.S. Mint in 1824. The Ouachita map was likely among his earliest productions (dab). Courtesy of the Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division. JEFFERSON ENGRAVING BY SAINT-MÉMIN

This engraved profile of Jefferson is from a copperplate by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin. The artist produced the plate from his physiognotrace likeness of the president that is also illustrated in this volume. The 48 impressions that Saint-Mémin sold to Jefferson appear to be the only prints made from the plate until 1875, when the copperplate was “tested” before its sale. The print shown here “is perhaps, but not necessarily” one of the restrikes made then. It measures 21₁−³−₆ inches by 2⅝ inches and is signed “St Mn ft.” Saint-Mémin cut a second and almost identical copperplate of Jefferson sometime before the president’s 1805 inauguration. Prints from that plate, of which there are thousands, are best distinguished from the first plate by their oval, rather than round, framing (Howard C. Rice, “Saint-Mémin’s Portrait of Jefferson,” Princeton University Library Chronicle, 20 [1959], 183-5; Saint-Mémin to TJ, [on or before 27 Nov. 1804]). Courtesy of the Graphic Arts Collection, Special Collections, Princeton University Library.

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Volume 45 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805

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 45 11 November 1804 to 8 March 1805 27 Nov. 2 Dec. 3 Dec. 12 Dec. 26 Dec. 4 Jan. 6 Jan. 11 Jan. 23 Jan. 2 Feb. 8 Feb. 13 Feb. 1 Mch. 2 Mch. 4 Mch.

Pays Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin for profile and engravings. Napoleon Bonaparte crowned emperor of the French. Memorial from Louisiana presented to the House of Representatives (and to the Senate on 31 Dec.). Spain declares war on Great Britain. Levi Lincoln writes letter of resignation as attorney general. Reelected president of the American Philosophical Society. Writes privately to John Taylor that he will not consider a third term as president. Signs act for creation of Michigan Territory. First sitting for portrait by Rembrandt Peale. William Dunbar begins sending information from Ouachita River expedition. Subscribes to Mercy Otis Warren’s history of the American Revolution. Electoral ballots opened and tallied in the Senate chamber: 162 for Jefferson and Clinton, 14 for Pinckney and King. Impeachment trial of Samuel Chase ends in acquittal by the Senate on all charges. Signs act to give Orleans Territory a general assembly; Senate approves nominations of Robert Smith as attorney general and Jacob Crowninshield as secretary of the navy. Inaugurated for second term as president of the United States.

T H E PA P E R S O F

THOMAS JEFFERSON k

'

From Michael Leib Sir, Sunday Morning [11 Nov. 1804] As the enclosed letter, from a merchant in Philaa., may contain in‑ formation which may not be unacceptable to you, I have taken the liberty to transmit it to you for your perusal. I am Sir, your obedient servt. M Leib RC (MHi); partially dated; at foot of text: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Nov. 1804. Enclosure not found.

From William Scales Nov. 11. 1804

Mr Thomas Jefferson, and the whole Congress as one: [. . .] Thomas Jefferson President of the united States. Great Sir please honorably and candidly to look upon the following positions, and then let the congress look upon them. First, the american rebellion, against the british tyranny taking in the treaty of Subjection to that tyranny of [G.B &c?] called a treaty of amity, commerce and navigation, is like a man disingaging himself from an enormous mountain which is likely to crush him, and to which he was only fastened by cords of rotten and scortched tow, and fasten‑ ing himself to the same mountain by cables made of Steel wire. Again the purchase of Louisiana is like the dog, glutted with caren, that swiming over the lake with a junk of caren in his mouth and see‑ ing his own Shadow snapped at it &1 lost it and the Sight of the Shadow too and in diving after the junk was drowned. The government of the congress has no other basis but refinities of ignorance, absurdity, contradiction and nonsense. The people from whom you profess to receive your authority over them are like the owls, racoons, porcupines and Skunks whose eyes 3

11 NOVEMBER 1804

are filled with Sand full of plagues, whilest their bodies are sunk in the bog to their eyes. Again the whole body of the people of the united States, are like much beaf jamed up between two classes of voraicous gormandizers, and both the people and their gormandizers, are just upon the brink of a tremendous precipice in the direction of a mighty flood of waters prepared by the Almighty to open upon them, if they repent not with‑ out delay or hesitancy. Renowned Lockes essays on the human understanding are frays against divine truth, and destroyers of all genuine wisdom, knowl‑ edge and virtue. Newton’s theory of the universe is an infinite violence perpetrated against the true theory of the universe, Thomas Paine has blackguarded the Almighty with a vengeance, but he is no more to Locke and Newton in destroying the credid of the bible and christianity than the finest animancula of the waters is to the white hills of Northamerica and the Andees of Southamerica Now. Great and generous Sir please if it may be consistent with the common interest to lay these rough lines before congress, and by their united voice I will come, and by the aid of omnipotence, I will prove all the charges hereby delivered, and save the whole country from that awfull deluge which is coming swiftly upon it, the way it is in, And know gentlemen, your places require you to carefully attend to the common Safety, and every member of a community is the object of the Supreme magistrates care to exercise benevolence, charity and mercy towards him as his circumstances are or shall be, to encourage and animate him to industry and economy. N.B. If you conclude to take me at my offer, you must become meek, benevolence, charitable and mercifull, otherwise if I come, I shall fight against you as the destroyers of mankind. Yours &c William Scales RC (MiU‑C); torn at seal; one word illegible; addressed: “The President of the united States and Congress—Federal city Washington”; franked; postmarked Weymouth, Massachusetts, 14 Nov.; en‑

dorsed by TJ as received 22 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. 1 Preceding three words and ampersand interlined.

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To S. Smith & Buchanan Gentlemen. Washington Nov. 11. 04 I recieved last night your favor of the 9th. inst. mentioning that mr Harris had consigned to your care a bust of the Emperor of Russia for me. be so good as to forward it to this place by any vessel bound to this place, Georgetown, or Alexandria. has mr Harris informed you of the cost or said any thing from which you can infer it, as I could not recieve it but on paying for it? if he has given you any information of it, I will thank you for the communication. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (CSmH); at foot of text: “Messrs. Smith & Buchanan”; endorsed by TJ. Nota‑ tion in SJL: “bust.”

To Justus Erich Bollmann Dear Sir Washington Nov. 12. 04. I had believed I could have remitted you before this day the amount of the wines you have been so kind as to import for me, and so I said to you in my letter. I now find it will still be three weeks before I can do it, of which it is my duty to inform you in order to lessen the dis‑ appointment, and to assure you that this failure, which has not been wilful, shall with certainty be made good then. Accept my salutations and assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Doctr. Bollman”; endorsed by TJ.

my letter: TJ to Bollmann, 17 Oct.

To Caldcleugh & Thomas Messrs. Caldcleugh & Thomas. Washington Nov. 12. 04. Your favor of the 6th. has been duly recieved, and I now inclose you a draught of the US. bank of this place on that at Philadelphia for 47.25 D for the lamps you have been so kind as to forward, which I presume will arrive in due time.   with respect to the mantle‑piece lamps, being, as I mentioned to you, in no hurry for them, I can wait till I have an opportunity of getting those which would be exactly to my fancy. I have below sketched the form I prefer. perhaps yourselves 5

12 NOVEMBER 1804

may now, or ere long have of that form, in which case I shall be ready to take a pair of them. accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson

PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Caldcleugh & Thomas”; endorsed by TJ.

inclose you a draught: see mb, 2:1140. For TJ’s interest in mantelpiece lamps, see Caldcleugh & Thomas to TJ, 23 Oct.

To Dabney Carr Dear Sir Washington Nov. 12. 04. I was about this time to have remitted to you for Craven Peyton £40. it will not be in my power to do it under three weeks; say the first week in December. it shall then be remitted without fail. Accept affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (ViU); endorsed by TJ. remitted to you: in his financial memoranda, TJ recorded at 10 Dec. his

enclosure of $135 to Carr for Craven Pey‑ ton (mb, 2:1142).

From Stanley Griswold Sir, Walpole, N.H. 12. Nov. 1804. May I be permitted to inform you, that the friends of peace, union and republican principles in this state indulge at present a pleasing belief, that their electoral ticket has been successful at the election holden on Monday last. So far as the results have been collected, ap‑ pearances are greatly in favor of such an issue. Nor is the prospect 6

12 NOVEMBER 1804

unpromising in the state of Massachusetts. Vermont has appointed electors decidedly in favor of the present auspicious administration of our national government.—A citizen, who has long breathed the po‑ litically benighted atmosphere of New England, and felt severely the intolerance of its aristocracy, will be pardoned for conveying this in‑ telligence, with the unfeigned expression of his joy, to the chief mag‑ istrate of the nation. While public prospects are thus cheering, I am sorry to be under the necessity of imploring your consideration of my personal concerns. Compelled, as I have been, to renounce a professional occupation, in which private peace and public usefulness were incompatible with an adherence to sound principles,—obliged, as I soon shall be, to aban‑ don a temporary employment which yields but an inadequate support, I am about to find myself afloat, with a little family (of three,) without business, upon an unfriendly world. My sensations are indescribably painful. May I ask your interference to save me from the cruel triumph of my foes and the foes of virtuous freedom, (who already upbraid me with sacrificing once flourishing prospects and ruining myself by democracy,) by alloting me a service which my country or its govern‑ ment may require? I ask for no more than what another, in less ad‑ verse circumstances, would be called to perform.—If an employment of ease be unattainable, hardship and peril would not appal me, as both were familiar in my early youth, near the close of the Revolution. Mess. Bradley and Baldwin of the senate, and the Post Master General, are of my acquaintance. I subscribe most respectfully Your obedt. servant, Stanley Griswold. Editor of Political Observatory. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson esquire, Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Nov. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “for office.” Stanley Griswold (1763‑1815) was a former Congregationalist minister from Connecticut. Allegations of doctrinal her‑ esies and his avid support for TJ and the Republicans led Griswold to resign his pastorate in 1802 and leave his native state. In 1803, he became editor of a new Republican newspaper in Walpole, New Hampshire, the Political Observatory. Two years later, TJ appointed Griswold secre‑ tary of Michigan Territory, a post he held until 1808, when quarrels with Governor

William Hull forced his resignation. TJ also appointed Griswold collector for De‑ troit in 1806. He later served briefly as U.S. senator for Ohio from 1809 to 1810 and as a judge of Illinois Territory from 1810 until his death (dab; Franklin Bow‑ ditch Dexter, Biographical Sketches of the Graduates of Yale College with Annals of the College History, 6 vols. [New York, 1885‑1912], 4:476‑81; Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:489‑90; jep, 2:33; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 2:256‑7; Vol. 33:352‑3). John Langdon recommended Griswold in a 20 Dec. letter to Madison, describing him as “a man of virtue, and great Tal‑ ents” (DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Griswold Stanley. to be secretary of

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12 NOVEMBER 1804 a govmt or of a legation”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:411). The follow‑ ing month, on 25 Jan. 1805, Stephen R. Bradley wrote to Madison recommending Griswold for appointment as secretary of Michigan Territory. Bradley called Gris‑

wold “a gentleman of education, talents, and integrity” who possessed a “truly re‑ publican” political character (DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Griswold Stanley to be Secretary of Michigan”; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:505).

To Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Washington Nov. 12. 04. It would be well to recieve from you as early as possible the report you propose to make for Congress as to the progress, state and fur‑ ther cost of the public buildings. I am apprehensive of a more serious opposition to another appropriation than has ever been made. perhaps after you shall have sent me the report, & it is referred to a committee it may be expedient you should come up yourself to give them the in‑ formation necessary for their own conviction, & to enable them to cary conviction to the house. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Latrobe”; endorsed by TJ.

From Thomas Storm His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr— President U States New York Novemr. 12th 1804 The consulate at Genoa having become Vacant by the death, of Mr J M Goetchius, who fell a victim to a malignant fever at Cadiz, on his way to Genoa—I take the liberty to make a direct application to your excellency, to solicit the vacancy, for my Son in law Peter Kuhn Junr. Mr Kuhn is permanently settled at Genoa, and is transacting Busi‑ ness at that place, in connection with my Son Thomas H Storm—he is personally acquainted with Mr Clay in Congress, to whom I beg leave to refer you for any information respecting him—Mr Kuhn is of Philadelphia, And has resided Some years up the Straits, and has become well acquainted with all the Concerns of that Country, and is perfectly well Capacitated for the office, Should it please your Excel‑ lency to Confer on him the appointment—I have no hesitation in as‑ suring your excellency that the interests of the U States would be well Secured by him in the office, and the whole duty pertaining thereto honorably, and ably performed— 8

13 NOVEMBER 1804

 I beg your Excellency to excuse the liberty I have taken, While I have the honor to be your excellency’s Most obedient & most humble Servant Thomas Storm PS. Should Mr Dallas, or any other Gentlemen from Philadelphia be near the Seat of Government, they will be able to give the fullest and most Satisfactory information of Mr Kuhn— RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Nov. and “Kuhn to be Consul v. Goetschius. Genoa” and so re‑ corded in SJL. For the vacancy in the consulate at genoa occasioned by the death of John

M. Goetschius, see William Keteltas to TJ, 9 Nov. peter kuhn, Jr., married Ann Storm in December 1802 (New York Chronicle Express, 23 Dec. 1802; Vol. 42:166n).

From Peter Kuhn, Sr. Sir Philadelphia 13 Novr 1804 I find much reluctance in intruding on your Excellencys time, in the moment of such important avocations, permit me only to communi‑ cate, that such arangements have been made, between my Son Peter Kuhn Jr. & his Partner Mr H. Green at Gibraltar, as to have enabled him to resume his station in his House at Genoa & that he returned from Gibraltar about the middle of Sepr—The death of Mr Goetius late Consul for the Port of Genoa, being unknown to my Son, I most respectfully beg leave to solicit in his behalf, your Excellencys favor‑ able attention, to his Letters & application, for that appointment— With the highest esteem & respect Your very obd. hle St. Peter Kuhn RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqe”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Nov. and “Kuhn Petr. jnr. to be Consul at Genoa” and so recorded in SJL.

his letters & application, for that appointment: Peter Kuhn, Jr., had applied for the Genoese consulate in 1803 (Vol. 42:84‑5).

From Levi Lincoln Sir Washington Novr. 13. 1804— I have the honor of communicating to you the result of an examina‑ tion of the documents submitted to my consideration, respecting the conduct of the commanders of those british ships of war, which lately stationing themselves in the port of New York, cruised on our coasts, and imbarrassed our commerce. 9

13 NOVEMBER 1804

 To determine the character of their various acts, it seems necessary to establish, or assume a line, to which the exclusive territorial juris‑ diction of the US. extends. Nations, and the writers on their laws agree in considering this line as extending from the main land into the sea, but have varied in fixing its distances—The reach, of the human sight, of protection, of ten or twenty miles, of cannon shot, or a marine league from the coast or shore, have been distances claimed by differ‑ ent nations. The last of these, being the least which has been con‑ tended for, or adhered to, by any nation, has been assumed by the US. as the most convenient jurisdictional line for judicial purposes, and perhaps, may be considered as such, to the present enquiry. This admitted, not only were these british ships, namely, the Cambrian, the Leander, the Boston, and the sloop, Driver, stationed, but most of their acts complained of, were within our exclusive jurisdic‑ tion, and of course violations of the territorial rights of sovereignty, as well as of the general laws of nations. From concurrent and unques‑ tionable testimony contained in the documents, a part of these ships appears to have been occasionally stationed, at the hook, at the nar‑ rows, and at other places within, or near the harbour of New York, watching and acting in concert with another part cruising on the coast, and for the purposes manifested by their conduct towards such vessels as fell within their notice and power. However established may be the right of a belligerent to bring too, & search the merchant ships of neutrals, on the high seas, the exer‑ cise of this right by the boats or a ship sent without, or kept without our jurisdictional line, but acting in concert with a squadron within, and as part of it, may be questioned. As well might such a squadron, remaining themselves within our territory, coerce our vessels, at sea, which its cannon could reach. However indisputable may be the right of a belligerent to bring too, & to search the neutral vessels which may be met with, in the course of prosecuting a war against its enemy, a right of cruising at a great distance from the enemy’s forces, its possessions, & course or chan‑ nels of commerce, in the neighbourhood of a great trading city and stopping & examining the vessels entering or leaving its port, is much to be doubted. As well might the US. declare a right, from its Tri‑ politan war, to search the vessels & molest the british commerce at the mouths of its channels1— However the coasts and harbours of a neutral nation may be open, for the purposes of trade and hospitality, to the trading and warlike ships of belligerents; their right of pursuing or following the ships of their enemy into such harbours, or of hovering on the neigbouring  10 

13 NOVEMBER 1804

coast, watching their movements in order to surprise and take them, when going out, or others, when coming in, may justly be disputed. Such a practice threatens the peace of a neutral nation, is unwarrant‑ ably hostile to its commerce, and militates with that principle in the law of nations, which in leaving a neutral country, will seperate a bel‑ ligerent from his enemy, by a strech to sea, of twenty four hours— As unalienable, as may be considered the allegiance or the duties of some subjects to their sovereign, or to their country; and as decided as may be the obligation on a neutral nation, employing such subjects, to give them up, when demanded by their sovereign, the right of im‑ pressing or reclaiming such subjects, by the officers of this sovereign, when on board our ships, at sea, under the pretence of searching for seizable articles, is much to be doubted. Is it not more consonant to principle & to practice that free ships should make free men? And that the immunities of the former should be imparted to all their crew & passengers, soldiers and mariners actually engaged in the military ser‑ vice of the belligerents excepted? Passing over the abovementioned matters of complaint, presented on the face of the documents, as of a doubtful character, yet, of inter‑ esting importance, and of national regret, the remaining descriptions of the acts complained of, are marked by the law of nations, as indis‑ putable violations of the most sacred, and essential rights of sover‑ eignty and neutrality. This law securing to a neutral country the ex‑ clusive jurisdiction of its own territory extending a marine league (at least) from its coasts or shore, and enjoining on the subjects and ships of every other nation, when within its jurisdiction a respectful & per‑ fect obedience to its laws, and a compliance with the regulations of the particular place within which such ships or subjects may happen to be, exempts the ships of citizens, of foreigners, and even of enemies, from search, or any kind of molestation; their goods and persons from capture or impressment, and guarantees to them the immunities & protections due by the laws of the land. It is considered that the neutral & the territorial rights, and the laws, of the US. and of a particular state have been manifestly vio‑ lated by these british ships, as follows, viz— Violations,2 of our neutral rights by impressments. 1. In the impressment of six seamen of an American ship, without protections & supposed to be natives of Ireland, in their return from a two years voyage to the South‑Seas. 2. In the impressment on the high seas of the seamen of our merchant‑ men who were without protections but claimed to be American citizens.  11 

13 NOVEMBER 1804

3. In impressing at Sea, on board of our vessels a part of their crew claiming to be American citizens and who were possessed of protections. 4. In stopping & searching outward bound vessels and attempting to change their destination by indorsing their registers. 5. In impressing, from on board our merchantmen passengers from the british dominions who had arrived on our coasts, and had em‑ barked under a licence from a custom house officer of their own country. Violations,3 of Territorial rights, and of Sovereignty. 1. In pursuing from the sea, interrupting, firing at, causing to heave too, and boarding American vessels and others, after they had got‑ ten within the harbours of the US. or on the coasts, within their jurisdiction. 2. In a similar Conduct, commenced & continued within our national jurisdiction, towards sea vessels going in or out of port, and in some instances, accompanied with language rough & insulting to the authority of the US. 3d. In bringing too, boarding, taking & keeping the possession of a british merchant ship with armed men, depriving her captain of his command, and impressing and taking from her the people on board, while she was within the jurisdiction of the US. and entitled to the protection of her laws— 4 In firing at a revenue cutter, belonging to the U.S. when on duty, employed in the Execution of their revenue laws. Violations4 of the possitive laws and usages of the US. 1. In forcibly obstructing, with warlike weapons, and preventing a revenue officer from boarding and examining, as enjoined by law, a british merchantman, lying in the harbour of New York, and abusing him with insulting language— 2. In resisting the marshal of that district, in the Execution of the duties of his office, by preventing the service of a legal process, in a british ship of war, on one of her officers— 3. In refusing to comply with a requisition not to pursue some french ships from port, within twenty four hours from the time of their sailing, a restraint enjoined by the usages of this country, & the law of nations— Violations of the laws & port regulations of the State of New York 1. In boarding and taking possession of the british ship Pitt within the harbour, before she had been visited by the health officer of the Port—  12 

13 NOVEMBER 1804

2. In forcibly resisting the health officer in the execution of the duties of his office, in preventing him from boarding & inspecting the abovementioned ship— 3d. And lastly, In countermanding the orders of the health officer, and preventing this ship’s being carried within the quarrantine buoys in pursuance of such orders, and the established regulations of the port— The foregoing embrace the various descriptions of aggressions com‑ plained of in the Documents. From their examination, and the conduct of other british cruisers, it appears, but too probable, that the giving to American seamen protections, a precaution useful to prove their citizenship abroad in situations when doubt, might subject them to the claims of other nations, or exclude them from the beneficial provi‑ sions of our laws, which provide for their return to our country at the public expence, has been made the pretence, if not the cause of im‑ pressing from on board of our ships both foreigners & citizens who were not possessed of such protections— I have Sir the honor to be most respectfully your obt. Sert Levi Lincoln RC (DLC); at head of text: “The President of the US.” Recorded in SJL as re‑ ceived 17 Nov. documents submitted: see TJ to Lincoln, 16 Sep. territorial jurisdiction of the us: a 1794 act granted U.S. district courts jurisdiction over captures taking place within one marine league of the shore (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:384).

manifestly violated: see TJ to Dearborn, 23 June. french ships: for the blockade of the Didon and Cybele, see Robert Smith to TJ, 14 Sep. 1

Sentence interlined. Word underlined with two strokes. Word underlined with two strokes. 4 Word underlined with two strokes. 2 3

To James Oldham Sir Washington Nov. 13. 04 Business prevented my answering your letter of Oct. 21. till I ap‑ prehended you had left Albemarle for Richmond. your draughts on me for the work you have done, or may do, or the materials shall be always paid at the counting house of messrs. Gibson & Jefferson in Richmond. if you can draw at 30. days sight it will be a convenience because I settle every thing of that kind once a month but if your pur‑ poses require a shorter day, make your draughts accordingly & they shall be honored. Accept my best wishes Th: Jefferson  13 

13 NOVEMBER 1804  PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. James Oldham”; endorsed by TJ.

 work you have done: see TJ to Old‑ ham, 11 Oct.

From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore St. Patrik’s Row No. 61.

Monsieur le President! le 13 Nov. 1804 L’expeditionaire de la Stage n’ayant pas voulu se charger de la 1re. Caisse, que Nous Vous avions annoncè le 5 du Courrant, Nous avons pris le parti, de la Confier avec deux autres à un Paquet de Georgetown: Schooner Polly & Sally, Capne. James Reath, qui par‑ tira demain. La Note Sur la premiére a etè jointe a notre Lettre du 5—çelle sur la 2de. et 3me. est incluse a çelle ci. Vous voudrez bien Nous renvoÿer ce, que Vous ne garderez pas, par la même occasion, ou une semblable. Nous avons l’honneur d’etre avec le plus profond respect Votre Excellence Tr. hble. Strs. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, 61 St. Patrick’s Row Mister President! 13 Nov. 1804 Since the coach driver did not want to take the first case, mentioned in our letter of 5 Nov., we have entrusted it, along with two others, to a packet from Georgetown: the schooner Polly & Sally, Captain James Reath, which will leave tomorrow. The invoice for the first package was enclosed in our letter of the 5th. The bill for the second and third boxes is enclosed here. Please return what you do not wish to keep by the same or similar con‑ veyance. With deepest respect, your excellency, we have the honor of being your very humble servants. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Magazin de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Libraires à Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 14 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

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e n c l o s u r e

List of Books Sent to Jefferson Note sur le Contenû de la 2de. et 3me. Caisse des Livres envoyès à Mr. le President Jefferson. Dolls. ✓ Tableau de l’Espagne p. Bourgoing—3 V. in 8vo. av. Atlas 7. Abregè de l’histoire de traités conclûs entre la France et autres puissances—2 V. in 8vo. 8. ✓ Recueil des traitès conclûs par les puissances d’Europe tant entre elles qu’avec les puissances d’autres parties du Monde—7 V. in 8vo. Jous dans la langue originale 15¾ Constitutions des princip. etats de l’univers. 3 V. in 8 6½ ✓ Table des traitès entre la France et autres puissances et recueil de traitès et actes diplomat., qui n’ont pas encore vu le jour—2 V. in 8vo. 3½ Traitè de l’Esprit public 1 V. in 8o. 1¾ Tableau des Revol. du sistême polit. d’Europe depuis la fin du 15me Siècle—2. V. in 8 3½ – Second Voyage a la Louisiane 2 V. in 8 4 – Des Colonies modernes 1 V. in 8 2½ Voyage en Grece p. Sonnini 2 V. in 8 av. Atlas 7 Traitè de la Mineralogie p. Hauÿ 4 V. in 8 et Atlas 12 – Voyage a la Troade—3 V. in 8 avec Atlas 8 Histoire des Revolut. de France—2 V. in 8vo. 8 – Annales du Museum des Arts 3 V 10 Jerusalem delivré—nouvelle edition 8 Voyage en Egypte p. Norden in 4to. 3 V. avec 167 grav. 24 – Voyage en Angleterre p. Faujas 2 V. in 8 4 Memoires de l’institut national 12 V. in 4to. 60 Statistique de la France 7 V. in 8 avec Atlas 20 Oupnek’hat Seu Philosophia et Theologia Indica p. Anquetil Dupperon—1801—2 V. in 4to. 11¾ Cours d’Arabe moderne in 4to. p. Herbin 1803 20 ✓ Tableau de la Russie moderne 2. V. in 8vo. 4⅝. Voyage en Island fait p. Ordre du Roi—5 V. in 8 et Atlas 11₃−¹−₂ Tableau de Chimie p. Fourcroy in 4to. 3½. Atlas d’histoire nat. p. Chaisneau in 4to. 4⅝ Physique reduite en tableau raisonèe in 4to. 3¼ ✓ Resultats de Guerres Negociat et traitès, qui ont precedès et Suivi la Coalit. contre la france in 8 1⅝ – Gallerie des Antiques in 8 3½ x Traitè d’Oeconomie politique p. Say 2 V. in 8 3⅞. ✓ Correspondance de Louis XVI. 2 V. in 8 2⅜ Histoire de la decadence de la Monarchie francaise 3 V. in 8 avec Atlas 5. – Voyage en Portugal 2 V. in 8 2¼. Memoires histor. des personnages les plus celebre d’Angleterre— 2 V. in 8 2⅝.

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13 NOVEMBER 1804

✓ ✓ –

–

Histoire de la destruction de petits Cantons democrat en Suisse— in 8 Rivalitè de la france et de l’Angleterre in 8 Du Commerce maritime 2 V. in 8 De la richesse comèrciale 2 V. in 8 Histoire de la Revol. de France—10 V. in 8 Londres et les Anglais 4 V. in 8 Renouvell. period. des Contin. terrestres 1 V in 8 Traitè des Moyens de désinfecte l’air in 8 Essai de Geologie p. Faujas 1 in 8 tome 1er. Recherches de l’etat actuel de societes polit in 8 Nouvelle Theorie de la formation des filons in 8

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25397); undated; in Reibelt’s hand; marginal no‑ tations in TJ’s hand, with dashes sig‑ naling works retained by TJ, and other marks, with one exception noted below, signaling works retained by the State De‑ partment (see Reibelt to TJ, 5 Nov.; TJ to Reibelt, 24 Dec.). note sur le contenû: “note on the contents of the 2d and 3d cases of books sent to President Jefferson.” oupnek’hat: a Latin translation of a Persian version of the Upanishads, an‑ cient Hindu doctrinal texts. The pioneer‑ ing French Indologist Abraham Hyacinthe Anquetil Duperron translated 50 of the

1¼. 1⅜. 2 2⅞ 14⅝ 5 1¾ 1½ 2½ 1 1¼

texts in two volumes as Oupnek’hat (Id Est, Secretum Tegendum): Opus Ipsa in India Rarissimum with an alternative title of Theologia et philosophia Indica. Pub‑ lished in 1801 and 1802, the work was the first large‑scale European translation of the texts (Stephen Cross, “Turning to the East: How the Upanishads Reached the West,” India International Centre Quarterly, 25 [1998], 123‑9). resultats de guerres: though marked with a check, this work was not included among those kept by the State Department. Reibelt added it to a subse‑ quent shipment to TJ (TJ to Reibelt, 24 Dec.; Reibelt to TJ, 16 Feb. 1805).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate James Bowdoin of Massachusets Minister Plenipoten‑ tiary for the US. at the court of Madrid. George W. Irving of Massachusets to be Secretary of legation for the US. at the court of Madrid. William Brown, late of Columbia, now of Orleans, to be Collector of New Orleans. William Lyman of Massachusets to be Surveyor & Inspector for New Orleans. Thomas Tingey of Columbia to be a captain in the navy of the US. Franklin Wharton, now a Major in the Marine corps, to be Colonel Commandant of the same instead of Colo. Burrowes resigned. ⎫ Hannibal M. Allen of Vermont ⎪ to be 2d. Lieutenants of Artil‑ ⎬ James S. Smith of New Jersey lery, to take rank from the 27th. ⎪ ⎭ of June 1804. Joseph Kimball of N. Hampshire  16 

13 NOVEMBER 1804 ⎫ John Brownson of Vermont ⎪ to be ensigns in the 1st regi‑ ⎬ ment of infantry to take rank Johnson Magowers of Kentucky ⎪ ⎭ from June 27. 1804. Benjamin Marshall of Massachusets Oliver H. Spencer of Orleans, Surgeon, to take rank from Oct. 9. 1804. Abraham Edwards of N. Jersey to be a Surgeon’s mate, to rank from June 8. 1804. Th: Jefferson Nov. 13. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL: “nominns. Bowdoin &c. & military.”

William A. Burwell presented TJ’s nominations to the Senate on 19 Nov. The following day, the Senate consented to all the nominations except those of Smith, Kimball, Brownson, and Marshall, which were approved on 22 Nov. (jep, 1:472‑4).

From Robert Smith Sir, Navy Department 13 Novr. 1804 Agreeably to your letter of the 10th ins, & the resolution of the House of Representatives of the 9th ins, therewith sent to me, I have the honor to enclose a statement of the circumstances attending the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia, with the names of the officers & the number of men, employed on the occasion. I have the honor to be, with great respect, Sir, Yr. mo ob st. Rt Smith RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as re‑ ceived 14 Nov. with notation “Resoln H.R. on Tripoli.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Enclosed in TJ to the House of Representatives, 15 Nov. your letter: no letter from TJ to Smith on 10 Nov. has been found or is recorded in SJL.

On 9 Nov., the House passed a resolution requesting that the president for‑ ward “the names of the officers and the number of men who were employed in the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia, in the harbor of Tripoli, together with a statement of the circumstances attending that event.” In SJL, TJ recorded his re‑ ceipt of the House’s resolution on 9 Nov. with notation “the enterprize on the Phila.” (jhr, 5:10‑11; Annals, 14:682‑3).

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e n c l o s u r e

Report on the Destruction of the Philadelphia Statement of the Circumstances attending the destruction of the Frigate Phil‑ adelphia with the names of the Officers and the number of Men employed on the occasion as laid before the President by the Secretary of the navy, No‑ vember 13—1804.— On the 31′ January 1804 Commodore Preble lying with his Squadron in the Harbour of Syracuse, gave orders to Lieut. Charles Stewart, command‑ ing the Brig Siren of 16 Guns, and to Lieutenant Stephen Decatur jr com‑ manding the Ketch Intrepid of 4 Guns & 75 Men, to proceed to Tripoli and to destroy the Frigate Philadelphia of 44 Guns, then lying in the harbour of Tripoli. Lieut. Decatur had orders to enter the Harbour in the night, board and set fire to the Philadelphia and Lieut. Stewart was ordered to take the best possible position without the Harbour to cover the retreat.— Under these orders they proceeded immediately to the Coast of Tripoli but owing to the very heavy gales of wind that usually prevail there in the winter Season, the Enterprize could not be undertaken until the 16′ February when Lieut. Stewart having taken the best possible position to effect the object of his Instructions, Lieut. Decatur at 7 o’clock in the night, entered the Harbour of Tripoli, boarded and took possession of the Philadelphia. This Frigate at the time she was boarded had all her Guns mounted and charged, and was lying within half Gun shot of the Bashaw’s Castle and of his principal Battery— Two Tripolitan Cruisers were lying within two Cables length on the starboard quarter and several Gun Boats within half Gun shot on the Starboard bow— and all the Batteries on shore were opened upon the Assailants. About 20 Men of the Philadelphia were killed, a large Boat full got off, many leapt into the water, and one Man was made prisoner. After having gained possession of the Frigate, Lieut. Decatur set fire to the store‑rooms, gun‑room, Cock‑pit & birth deck, and with a firmness highly honorable to him, his Officers and Men, they remained on Board until the flames had issued from the ports of the gun Deck and the Hatchways of the Spar Deck, and they continued in the Ketch along side the Frigate until the fire had communicated to her Rigging and Tops. Lieut. Decatur did not lose a Man and had but one slightly wounded.— The following is a list of the officers, & the number of Men employed in the destruction of the Philadelphia.— Lieut Stephen Decatur jr. ⎪⎫ Jas. Laurence Joseph Bainbridge ⎬ Lieutenants. ⎪⎭ Jonathan Thorn Louis Heerman Surgeon. ⎫ Ralph Izard ⎪ ⎪ John Rowe ⎪ Charles Morris ⎪ ⎬ Midshipmen. Alexr. Laws ⎪ John Davis ⎪ Ths. Macdonough ⎪⎪ Thos. O. Anderson ⎭ Mr. — Salvador. Pilot

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14 NOVEMBER 1804 62 Men.— Lieut. Decatur has stated that all his Officers and Men behaved with the greatest coolness and intrepidity, and Commodore Preble, has informed me that Lieut. Stewart’s conduct was judicious and meritorious. Respectfully submitted. Robt Smith. Secretary of the Navy. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).

To Daniel Trump Sir Washington Nov. 13. [1804] Mr. Dinsmore put the inclosed into my hands & informed me you had been so kind as to undertake to look out for some mahogany of a better quality, and to have it shipped to Richmond for me, or, if none better could be found, that you would see that that mentioned in the bill should be shipped. I will thank you for the performance of this friendly office, addressing the mahogany to Gibson & Jefferson at Richmond for me, and if you will inform me of the cost of what you may procure I will immediately remit it to you. Accept my salutations & best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of text: “Mr. Trump”; endorsed by TJ as a let‑ ter of 13 Nov. 1804. Enclosure: bill of lading for mahogany planks, not found, but see Trump to TJ, 18 Nov.

From Caldcleugh & Thomas Sir Philadelphia Novr. 14. 1804 We have to acknowledge the reciept of your favor of the 12th. Inst. covering a check on the Bank of the U States value 47₁−²₀−⁵₀ −$ which is to the credit of your Acct. in full— We have a few pairs of Lamps constructed on the principal you describe, though not exactly as to the pedestal, which supports the Lamp—this form of Lamp is very little used in this City and the de‑ mand for them so small that we cannot find an advantage in keeping any variety of them; those with the fountain or reservoir to contain the Oil, above the burner; never fail to burn well when good Oil is made use of, whereas those with the Oil below the burner (as are those you describe) will scarcely keep lighted for one Evening, and, as the wick is shortened by consumption, will burn but a very few  19 

14 NOVEMBER 1804

hours—we send annexed a sketch of those patterns we have on the principal you allude to— and are Sir With respect Yr. obdt. Servts. Caldcleugh & Thomas RC (MHi); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

From William Jarvis Sir Lisbon 14th. Novr. 1804 I had the pleasure to address you by the Sloop Unity, Captn Deakins, for Alexandria, acknowledging the receipt of your highly esteemed favours of the 19th & 20th July, covering the first & second of a sett of Exchange drawn by James Madison Esquire, for the payment of the two pipes & two hogsheads of Wine; the first of which sett of Ex‑ change Mr Maury has accepted. In the same Vessel I took the liberty to send a few small articles, which Sir I hope you have done me the honor to accept, as being of too little value to interfere with the rule you have laid down in regard to your acceptance of presents. The letter inclosing the triplicate Bill has since come to hand. By the Ship Cato, Captn. Snow for New York, I shall ship a pipe of the same kind of Wine of the last, trusting that it proved agreeable from some I shipped to the Northward out of the same parcel having given much satisfaction & that your not having mentioned whether it met your approbation or not was owing to your not having visited Monticello at that time. Congratulating you, Sir, in anticipation, on the highest evidence of the excellence of your administration, your re‑election by an al‑ most unanimous suffrage, of an independent people, in a contested election. I have the honor to be With the greatest Veneration Sir Your Most Obedient and Most devoted servant William Jarvis RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

pleasure to address you: Jarvis to TJ, 6 Oct.

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From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum Novr. 14th. 1804. The Polygraph you desire for Mr. Volney is in the hands of my Workmen, who are pleased in the Idea of shewing their skill in nice American workmanship. I will inform you when it is complete, and shortly send you a Poly‑ graph in Mr. Hawkins mode with the addition of the screw pens. The one you now use may then be dispossed off to some Person in Wash‑ ington who may wish to have it. Your Letter found me confined to my Chamber, indisposition for some days past having prevented me from writing with ease untill now, yet the object of your Letter were immediately attended to. Your first Polygraph may be sent by the stage with any kind of stuffing to prevent the Machinery or Packing Case from injureing the Desk, The Machinery in itself is of little vallue, except such pieces as will accomodate with new machinery; such as Pens &c. I wish to make new Machinery to every Polygraph that had been made before the late improvements. We now understand making it with facility, and have proper tools for executing every part. I think you would be pleased to see some of them in use, and I still flatter myself, after the Election is over, that you will do me the honor of a Visit, nothing could give greater pleasure to your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excel‑ lency Thos: Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Nov. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale‑Sellers Papers).

polygraph you desire for mr. volney: see TJ to Peale, 7 Nov.

From Robert Smith Sir, Nov. 14. 1804. I have this morning received a letter from Balt stating that Mr. Pinkney is determined to remain at Balt and to prosecute the practice of the Law. He is poor with a large family and he must make some provision for them. He means, it is said, to devote himself to his profes‑ sion and to keep aloof from politicks. & from Publick employment— Respectfully Y. H. S. Rt Smith RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Depart‑ ment on 14 Nov. and “Pinckney” and so recorded in SJL.

In a letter of 3 Aug., TJ asked Smith to determine if William pinkney would ac‑ cept a judicial appointment in Orleans Territory.

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To the House of Representatives To the House of Representatives of the United States. Agreeably to your resolution of the 9th. instant I now lay before you a statement of the circumstances attending the destruction of the frigate Philadelphia, with the names of the officers and the number of men employed on the occasion: to which I have to add that Lieuten‑ ant Decatur was thereupon advanced to be a Captain in the Navy of the US. Th: Jefferson Nov. 15. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “message. officers of Philada.” Enclosures: Robert Smith to TJ, 13 Nov., and enclo‑ sure (see asp, Naval Affairs, 1:127‑8).

lay before you: William A. Burwell delivered TJ’s letter to the House on 15 Nov. Four days later, a congressional reso‑ lution awarded a sword to Stephen Deca‑ tur and two months’ additional pay to each of the officers and crewmen of the Intrepid (jhr, 5:14‑15, 17‑18).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 15th. Novr. 1804 I am duly favor’d with yours of the 10th. inclosing 200$.—The Coal should have been purchased on time as you desired, but Heth & Nicolson (the latter) knowing it must be had, said they could only sell for Cash; although under other circumstances, they would gladly I am confident, have furnished it on the terms proposed. It cost 18 Cents, shipping charges $1.83=$199.83. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

From Mrs. Noland May it please Washington near the Six Buildings Your Excellency Nov. 15h. 1804— The Voice of Misfortune & Misery have presumed to enter the Apartment of Your Excellency: ’Tis not common Distress, or patient suffering would have contin‑ ued to have mourn’d in silince.  22 

15 NOVEMBER 1804

 The Widow Noland a resident near the Six Buildings, brought up in the tender lap of sensibility & introduced into this Country from England by the late Mr. Johnstones family as a superior Domestic, has now long suffer’d under a most severe indisposition, totally friend‑ less & helpless, save what common humanity may have drawn from the Citizens of her Vicinity. She is now streched on her Sick‑Bed surrounded by the Cries of three most promising Children, literally wanting food & raiment; Her Caracter is will known to several Families in the Six & Seven Buildings for respectability of deportment when in health If too many Pictures of distress are not crouded on Your Excellency the Widow Noland & her three helpless Infants may probably claim some temporary Relief on Your Philantrophy Mr. Carlon the Bearer a respectable Citizen near the West‑Market Ho: has been kind enough to Interfere in behalf of this Unfortunate Family RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); ad‑ dressed: “To His Excellency Thos. Jeffer‑ son Esqe. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Mrs. Noland had worked in London for Joshua Johnson, the U.S. consul. Finan‑ cial difficulties forced Johnson and his family home in 1797. He was appointed superintendent of the Treasury Depart‑ ment stamp office in 1800 and died in 1802. After his death, his wife, Cather‑ ine  Nuth Johnson, moved in with rela‑ tions. Johnson’s daughter Louisa Cather‑

ine Adams mentioned “Mrs. Nowlan” twice in her writings, once in describing having learned housekeeping under her “judicious instruction” and again in 1818, after Mrs. Noland called on her in Wash‑ ington (Judith S. Graham and others, eds., Diary and Autobiographical Writings of Louisa Catherine Adams, 2 vols. [Cambridge, Mass., 2013], 1:50‑1, 173, 177; Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 1 Jan. 1818, in MHi: Adams Papers; Vol. 20:xxxi). your philantrophy: on the day he received this letter, TJ gave $10 in char‑ ity to an unnamed recipient (mb, 2:1140).

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Nov. 15. 04 I recieved last night yours of the 13th. inst. as I had before done that of the 5th. I am sorry you have taken the trouble of sending here the books stated in your written catalogues, because my collection being already very great comprehends many of them, and my time for reading too small to make it worth while to procure more. it is pos‑ sible that some of those in the written catalogues may be useful for the department of state. I shall accordingly put the catalogue into their hands, and will attend to the return of the boxes. I observe in  23 

15 NOVEMBER 1804

your printed catalogue a copy of Sterne’s sentimental journey printed at Paris, papier velin in 18v. it is at page 66. of the catalogue. I shall be [glad?] to take this merely because of it’s small size. for the same reason it may come by post if well wrapped up. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ.

written catalogues: that is, the lists of books, with their prices, that Reibelt enclosed in his letters.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I now lay before you a treaty entered into on the 18th. day of Au‑ gust of the present year between the US. on the one part and the Delaware Indians on the other, for the extinguishment of their title to a tract of country between the Ohio and Wabash rivers: and another of the 27th. day of the same month between the US. and the Pianke‑ shaws for a confirmation of the same by the latter, together with a letter from Governor Harrison on the same subject; which treaties are submitted for your advice and consent. Th: Jefferson Nov. 15. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 46, EPIR, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by Senate clerks. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Message. treaty with Delawares & Piankishs.” En‑ closures: (1) Treaty between the United States and the Delaware tribe; signed at Vincennes on 18 Aug. by William Henry Harrison for the United States and Tete‑ pachsit and others for the Delawares; the Delawares, “finding that the annuity which they receive from the United States is not sufficient to supply them with the articles which are necessary for their com‑ fort,” cede land between the Ohio and Wabash Rivers below the land cession confirmed by the Treaty of Fort Wayne; in exchange, the Delawares are to receive $800 in goods, $400 in livestock and implements of husbandry, an annuity of $300 for 10 years “to the purpose of ame‑ liorating their condition, and promoting their civilization,” and an annuity of $300 for five years intended for the instruction of the “domestic arts”; the Delawares are to return horses believed to have been stolen from American citizens; the Dela‑

wares are recognized as rightful owners of the land bounded by the Ohio River, the mouth of the Kentucky River, the White River, and the land ceded in this treaty; slight boundary adjustments are made to ensure that the road between Vincennes and “Clark’s grant” lies fully within the ceded tract (printed copy in DNA: RG 46, EPIR, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). (2) Treaty concluded at Vincennes on 27 Aug. between the United States and the Piankashaw tribe; the Piankashaws re‑ linquish all claims to land ceded to the United States by the Delawares and the Kaskaskias; in exchange, they are to re‑ ceive $700 in goods and an annuity of $200 for 10 years; the United States may divide the annuity among families, allow‑ ing a due proportion for chiefs (printed copy in same). (3) Harrison to Dearborn, 29 Aug., from Vincennes, enclosing trea‑ ties with the Delawares and Piankashaws and “a schedule of drafts in Consequence thereof” (not found, but see DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). Message and first two enclosures printed in asp, Indian Affairs,

 24 

16 NOVEMBER 1804 1:689‑90; treaties printed also in U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:81‑4. lay before you: the treaties were read this day in the Senate and ordered to “lie for consideration” and to be “printed in confidence for the use of the members.” Second readings occurred on 22 Nov., and five days later, the Senate voted unani‑ mously to ratify the treaties (jep, 1:473, 474‑5). The printed copies representing what TJ here submitted to the Senate in‑ cluded only the signature of “Teta Bux‑ ica,” or Tetepachsit, for the Delawares and none for the Piankashaws. Tran‑ scripts in House records provide more de‑

tail. The treaty with the Delawares also included signatures for Buckongahelas; Alimee, or George White Eyes; Hocking Pompskaan, or Hockingpomsga; and To‑ maquee, or Beaver. The Piankashaw treaty was signed by Wabochquinkala, also known as Gros Blé, or Big Corn; Swekania, also known as Trois Fesses, or Three Thighs; Makatewelama, also known as Chien Noir, or Black Dog; Ale‑ moin, also known as Le Chien, or the Dog; and Kekelangquagot, also known as Lightning (DNA: RG 233, PM; John P. Bowes, Land Too Good for Indians: Northern Indian Removal [Norman, Okla., 2016], 94‑5; see TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 30 Nov.).

From Robert Smith Sir Nov. 15. 1804 I have the honor of informing you that a Commission of Captain in the Navy of the U. States1 has been sent to Mr Stephen Decatur Jun. Y. St. S. Rt Smith 1

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 15 Nov. and “Decatur” and so recorded in SJL.

Smith here canceled “dated.”

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Friday 16. Nov. 1804 Will you have the goodness to read the enclosed intended report, and communicate your opinions thereon. With sincere respect Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 16 Nov. and “treasury report” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. Gallatin likely sent TJ a draft report on the necessary expenditures for the next

fiscal year. The final report was intro‑ duced to Congress on 19 Nov. (Annals, 14:691; jhr, 5:17; Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, Transmitting a Report and Estimates of the Appropriations Which Appear to Be Necessary for the Service of the Year 1805 [Washington, D.C., 1804]; Gallatin to TJ, 1 Nov.).

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To Benjamin Lincoln Sir Washington Nov. 16. 04. A pressure of business since my return to this place has prevented so early an acknolegement of your favor of Aug. 29. as I ought to have made, and the remittance of the sum due for duties on articles you were so kind as to recieve & forward, and which have come safely to hand. I now repair the omission by inclosing you a note of the Branch bank of the US. at this place on that of Boston for 21.58 D which I hope will come safe to hand. Accept my thanks & salutations with assurances of great respect & esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Genl. Lincoln”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “21.58.” Enclosure not found. Lincoln’s favor of 29 Aug. has not been found (Vol. 44: Appendix iv). In

his financial memoranda, TJ described the note for Lincoln as payment “for du‑ ties on confitures. Cathalan” (mb, 2:1140; see also Vol. 43:306‑8; Lincoln to TJ, 18 July).

To James Lyle Dear Sir Washington Nov. 16. 04. Your favor of the 5th. has been duly recieved, and I sincerely wish it were in my power, as it would be my duty, to comply immediately with it’s request—but it is not immediately practicable. I have or‑ dered my crop of tobo. to be in Richmond by the last of December, and as soon as it can be sold you shall recieve from it a strong paiment, which I am enabled to make the more considerable, as I have now compleated the discharge of my part of mr Wayles’s debt to Farrell & Jones, which has hung so heavily on me. in the constant hope of mak‑ ing a considerable paiment from other resources, I have put off calcu‑ lating the present state of the debt, but I trust that the paiment which I shall make in the winter will leave such a balance only as will be easily accomplished at another effort.   I very much regret that my absence on a visit to mr Madison, which was only of two days, happened exactly when I might otherwise have had the pleasure of seeing you at Monticello. believe me there is no one whom I should have recieved there with more satisfaction. our acquaintance has been of more than half a century, and if my recollection is not defective there is no one now living whom I have known so long as yourself. certainly I feel a pleasure of a much higher order in meeting the friends of my early days, than with those of later times. I am happy you are still able to take journies across the mountains; and in your  26 

16 NOVEMBER 1804

next, hope I shall be more fortunate. Accept assurances of my con‑ stant & affectionate attachment & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “James Lyle esq.”; endorsed by TJ. ordered my crop of tobo: probably so instructed in a letter of 21 Sep. to Bur‑ gess Griffin, TJ’s manager at Poplar For‑ est (recorded in SJL but not found).

TJ may have informed Robert Kinnan, the agent for Farell & jones, of a final payment in a letter of 17 Sep., recorded in SJL but not found. Subsequent corre‑ spondence between the two revealed that a balance remained (TJ to Kinnan, 6 May 1805).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 16 Nov. 1804 J’ai l’honneur de repondre à votre Lettre du 15, que les Exem‑ plaires de l’edition de: Sentimental Journey—pap. Vel. 1802, qui se trouve sur la page 66 du Catalogue—sont tous vendûs, et qu’il n’y en a encore qu’un seul Exemplaire sur petit pap. Velin, 1800. Quant aux Livres, que j’ai pris la Liberté de Vous envoÿer, je Vous prie de m’excuser—je ne l’aurois pas fait, si Vous n’aviez pas par votre Lettre du 13 Oct. a Mr fleischer demandé les titres des Ouvrages nouveaux et bons, en ajoutant, que votre bibliotheque ne contenoit, que des Vieux. J’ai l honneur de Vous saluer avec un respect profond. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Baltimore, 16 Nov. 1804 I have the honor of replying to your letter of 15 Nov. Copies of the 1802 vellum edition of Sentimental Journey, page 66 of the catalog, have all been sold. There remains only one copy of the 1800 vellum edition. As for the books I took the liberty of sending you, I ask for your pardon. I would not have done so if you had not asked Mr. Fleischer in your 13 Oct. letter for the titles of new, worthwhile works, noting that your library had only old books. I have the honor of greeting you with deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Magazin de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

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From John Vaughan Dear Sir. Philad: 16 Nov 1804 I believe Mr Dunbar has written to you respecting Mr Sauvé, Mr Detriant & Mr Debigny (I think) Delegates from New Orleans, lest I should be mistaken in my conjectures. I have taken the liberty to enclose to you an extract of his letter to me relative to them, as they had not an opportunity of bringing letters with them from him, on account of the distance & their departure having taken place earlier than expected— I had the pleasure of sending to you, as a mark of respect from my Brother William, the Narrative of the Sufferings of Capt Woodward & four Seamen, drawn up to aid the project of a Society to devise the best means of lessening the causes of despendency & increasing the resources of Seamen in distress &c—Should you when at leisure be able to furnish any hints on this important subject, it would be most thankfully recd. & forwarded to my Brother—no name will be used, of those who assist, without their permission— Our Library (of the Socy) has lately recieved very important addi‑ tions, & I have recieved orders to have a Catalogue made which is nearly prepared—I have been desirous that amongst our Books we should possess an early edition of Your Notes—we can here only pro‑ cure the later ones—I hope you will excuse the liberty I have taken to mention our Difficulty I remain with respect Your obt Servt. Jn Vaughan We are very desirous of Collecting all that relates to Louisiana, which may pass from the Executive to Congress—I believe it is generall printed—Our distance prevents the Collection—Could your Secre‑ tary or any person in any of the public offices be desired to throw together what might be published on this Subject RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President of the U States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 17 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: extract of William Dunbar to Vaughan, 15 Oct., offering an appraisal of the delegation carrying the Louisiana memorial to Wash‑ ington; they are to land in Philadelphia first; Pierre Sauvé speaks English well, is a man of “extreme candor & openness of heart,” is unusually plain in his manners, and of known integrity and probity; Jean Noël Destréhan is a highly esteemed gen‑ tleman and first‑rate planter who “derives

lineage from the Ancient Noblesse of France”; Dunbar does not know the third delegate, who has been a government in‑ terpreter and speaks English “very well” (same; in Vaughan’s hand). dunbar has written to you: Wil‑ liam Dunbar to TJ, 15 Oct. narrative: The Narrative of Captain David Woodard and Four Seamen, Who Lost Their Ship While in a Boat at Sea, And Surrendered Themselves Up to the Malays, in the Island of Celebes (London, 1804; Sowerby, No. 3945).

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From Thomas S. Cavender Honoured Sir Warren November 17th. 1804 After my best respects to you, suffer me to inform you Sir, that not withstanding your benevolent aid, towards employing a Surgeon, to cure an old wound on my leg, last spring was year, yet I still remain incurable; though not as bad as I have been—Sir, I rejoice to find, throughout the Union where I preach that the Unitarian doctrine, and Republicanism seems to gro in America; and as such the people be‑ comes so much the more reconsiled to your Just and mild administra‑ tion; and Sir, without flattery, I have spared no pains to reconsile my Countrymen to you; beleiving you to be the only man of our nation the best fitted to govern our Republickan helm—and thankfull I am that my Countrymen are now generally convinced, that I was correct in my Judgment, although at first persecuted me much, for giving it so freely on the publick stage—and Sir, as it requires as much frugal‑ ity, to take care of a fortune, as to make it, so it requires as much en‑ doustery and watchfullness to support and protect a republican gov‑ ernment, as it does to establish it—and this we now know by Happy experience under your just, and wise administration; which makes our tree of liberty flourish to the admiration of all foreign powers— what I say; I say unto all watch, and let him that thinks he stands, take heed least he falls—He’s the safest soldier, who stands with his sword in his hand, knowing that he that sleeps on his post, or deserts his colours, are endanger of destruction, and all under his care—Sir I hope you will be so good as to have the enclosed publication1 of the old Soldier inserted in some of the Republican papers in the Federal City, and on that shall follow after more to the purpose, notwith‑ standing I wish my name to be consealed as the Author knowing my inability Sir, I hope to have the honour of seeing you next april, not as a King, but as the republican President of North America—  When Kings have power, and priest have sway,  They Rob, and plunder everry day  The widow, and the fatherless  They often rob, and swore distress;  The Priest will cumpass land and Sea,  That rich and great they all may be.  They tread the world beneath their feet  and through deception mankind cheat— So Sayith the old Soldier Thos. S. Cavender—Sir if opportunity serves please remember me to Thomas Paine, as a publick and avowed freind of his, and hopes to see him before I die—  29 

17 NOVEMBER 1804

 Sir, I remain your real freind and humble Servant Thomas S. Cavender D.D. RC (MHi); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson Esquire President of the United States City of Washington”; franked; postmarked Warrenton, North Carolina, 19 Nov.; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. benevolent aid: see Vol. 40:100‑1. publication: in October and Novem‑ ber, the Raleigh Register published two anonymous letters that closed with Cav‑ ender’s signature line, “so saith the Old Soldier.” In the first letter, dated 12 Sep., Cavender declared vindication over those who had wrongly predicted that TJ “would burn all our Churches and Bibles, if he became our President.” A longer sec‑ ond letter dated 1 Nov. argued against

those who continued to mistrust TJ’s re‑ ligious intent and defended TJ’s loyalty to Thomas Paine, a man who “by his wise head and active pen, rendered more ser‑ vice to our country last war than sixteen thousand armed men” (Raleigh Register, and North-Carolina State Gazette, 1 Oct., 19 Nov.). A rebuttal of the public letters maintained Cavender’s anonymity, but spoke in personal terms of “this Unitar‑ ian” and “pseudo disciple of God,” who attempted to hide his “envy, malevolence, misanthropy and irreligion” behind the veil of “old soldier” (Raleigh Minerva, 17 Dec.). 1 Word interlined in place of “manu‑ script.”

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Wilmington Novr. 17th. 1804.— I returned home last night from the Canal and found your favor of the 14th. Our directors meet on Tuesday next the 20th. instant, and will probably sit the two following days. As soon as the board breaks up, I shall set off for Washington, and arrive with the Mail.— There are a few articles of information which it will be necessary for me to obtain before I can compleat my report,—as to the exact ex‑ pense, and its distribution to the different purposes of fitting up the library,—carrying on the South wing, and rendering the President’s house habitable,—the quantity of work done to the present time,— the nature & extent of the preparations for the next season, &c &c. To obtain this information I should be on the spot, and if the few days of my unavoidable detention here, could be given to me, I should be prepared with my report on the day after my arrival,—for I shall bring with me the report compleat as to every thing that is not detail.— I have packed up & sent to Baltimore the Volume of Stuart’s Ath‑ ens containing the choragic Monument of Lysicrates, in order to con‑ sult on the best material and method for the erection of the top of the work., I have already bestowed much thought upon it, and have not  30 

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satisfied myself how economy & any like an exact imitation can be united,—for it is a most complicated piece of Sculpture.— I am with the sincerest respect Your faithful hble Servt. B Henry Latrobe. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 18 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. favor of the 14th: that is, TJ to Latrobe, 12 Nov. stuart’s athens: James Stuart and Nicholas Revett, The Antiquities of Ath-

ens. Latrobe had earlier suggested the treatise’s illustration of the Tower of the Winds as a model for the south wing of the Capitol, but TJ preferred the Corin‑ thian design of the Monument of Lysi‑ crates (Latrobe to TJ, 29 Mch. and 29 Apr.).

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington Nov. 17. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 14th. I continue extremely satisfied with the facility of writing with the new Polygraph. mr. Hawkins’s box may be considerably improved in it’s form. instead of having it in the form Fig. 1. the upper lid should on the hinge side be bev‑ illed off at a.b. thro’ it’s whole length (from West to East.) then when you wish to use it, not for copying, but as a common writing desk, the gal‑ lows remains in it’s horisontal posi‑ tion as a protection to the machinery and is more out of your way, & the lid opens before you and presents an inclined plane for writing on with a free pen as in Fig. 2.   when you want to copy it lies as in Fig. 3.1 in this case the long‑linked hinges must be left off. indeed they are always useless and in the way. if the one you are making for me is not too far advanced, I should like to have it made in this way. I have taken off the long hinges of the one I have,2 and unscrewed the other hinges from the lid, and without bevilling it, have used & continue to use it in the way I propose, & find it much more agreeable when I am not using the copying machinery, which is full half my time: so that I recommend this on experience. Accept affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson

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17 NOVEMBER 1804

P.S. I think it would be handsomer & take less room on the table to have no projection of either the lid or bottom, but to make it as a box with strait ends & sides, except one bevilled off as Fig. 4. and so would prefer mine. RC (TxU); at foot of text: “C. W. Peale esq.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

1 TJ here canceled “I imagine indeed it would be better to.” 2 Preceding five words interlined.

To James Madison Th:J. to J.M. Nov. 18. 04. I send you 2. sheets of my common place, because on the 5. last pages of them are my abridgments of certain Admiralty cases inter‑ esting to us, with some observations;1 it will be well that we mutually understand how far we go together, & what consequently we may propose with joint satisfaction. I think the English practice of not requiring a prize to be hazarded further than to the nearest neutral port is so much for the interest of all weak nations that we ought to strengthen it by our example, & prevent that change of practice which Sr. W. Scott seems to be aiming at; evidently swayed by consider‑ ations of the interest of his nation. PoC (DLC). Enclosure: excerpt from TJ’s legal commonplace book, consisting of entries 881 through 903; entries take material from Livy, History of Rome, 25.1, and some legal reports of William Black‑ stone, James Burrow, and Christopher Robinson (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, ser. 5; lecb, 587‑600). abridgments of certain admiralty cases: TJ began entry 901 of his legal commonplace book with an abstract of James Burrow’s report on Goss v. Withers, an insurance case argued in 1758 in which Lord Mansfield reviewed different opinions on the international law related to the recapture of ships and cargoes seized during war. Continuing in that entry and extending through the next two, TJ shifted attention to the cases of the Henrick and Maria, the Christopher, and the Flad Oyen, all from the admiralty re‑ ports of Christopher Robinson. The three cases related to the validity of condemna‑

tions of prizes in neutral or allied ports. In lengthy observations that he appended to his abstract of the Henrick and Maria report, TJ pointed out that Great Brit‑ ain’s superiority on the sea allowed it to follow older maritime procedures under which condemnation could take place only in the court of a belligerent or ally. Judge William scott stated a preference for this older understanding of prize law but ruled that current practices and several judicial precedents prevented him from so ruling in this case (James Burrow, Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Court of King’s Bench since the Time of Lord Mansfield’s Coming to Preside in It, 5 vols. [London, 1766‑80], 2:683‑98; Christopher Rob‑ inson, Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Admiralty, 6 vols. [London, 1799‑1808], 1:135‑46; 2:[209]‑10; 4:43‑63).

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1 TJ

here canceled “because.”

From Daniel Trump Dear Sir Philadelphia Nover 18th I Recieved your Letter of the 13th Respecting the Mahogany accord‑ ing to your Request I Looked to See if I Could find any of a Better quality but Could find none that I Liked as Well the Plank are two of the nicest Plank I almost Ever Saw I Could have Got St Domingo wood but the Plank were narrow and would not Answer So well for  Ramps of Hand Rails I Shipped them yestarday on Board the Schooner Richmond Michl Lewis Master who Sailed to Day a Very Carefull Safe Person I Shipped all Mr Divers Sashes with him I Directed them to be Delivered to Messers Gibson & Jefferson Mer‑ chants at Richmond. I Shall forward the Bill of Lading with the Captns Receipt to Richmond. Cost of Plank as  Bill I Recd with your Letter £14.10 ₁²₀−⁵₀ − ea Carting − £14.11.10½ £14.11.10 ₁⁹₀−⁶₀ − $38.− as to my trouble of Shiping I Shall Leave to yourself I Remain Sir yor. Hle Servt Daniel Trump RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos Jef‑ ferson Esqre Prt U St.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

mr divers sashes: see TJ to Trump, 6 Feb. 1803.

From Pierre Chouteau Monsieur st. Louis le 19 nobre. 1804 Le Capitaine Lewis a son passage avoit engagé les chef de la Tri‑ bus Ayoua a venir ici, plusieurs chefs de cette Tribus y sont venus il y a peu de Jours et d’après la promesse que le Capne Lewis leur avoit fait, ainsi qu’a la Tribus Sioux d’aller vous voir a federal Cité, ces chefs m’ont demandés a ce que Je les y Conduisent, Je leurs ai ob‑ servé qu’il faloit vos ordres avant tout et Je leurs ay promis de vous les demander, Je les ai renvoyé satisfait de cette promesse ainsi que des Conseils que Je leurs ai donné & des esperances qu’ils doivent Concevoir sils se rendoient digne de votre bienveillance; les Sakias ont egalement demandés a ce que deux ou Trois de leurs chefs soyent du même voyage: Si vous Jugez la chose necessaire, Monsieur, J’executerai vos ordres avec exactitude et Je pense qu’il resulteroit les meilleurs effets d’un pareils Voyage, Ces chefs de tribus, qui Toutes  33 

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sont Considerables, Transmetteroient a leurs descendants les forces immense qui auroient vu dans les Etats Unis et daprès levidence de cete Superiotée phisique il seroit bien plus facile après de les main‑ tenir dans la dependance et dans la subordination, ils retourneroient chez eux Comme les Ozages bien Persuadés que leur veritable interêt est de se maintenir Toujours en paix avec les Etats Unis. Les cheveux, ma prié de vous rappeller Monsieur la promesse que vous lui avez fait de faire faire un moulin chez les Ozages, il ma bien prié de vous l’ecrire. Je me suis informé du Prix que pourroit coûter cette batisse, un ouvrier s’engageroit a le livrer entierement fini pour La somme de 1200$. Je crois qu’il ne seroit Pas Possible dobtenir un moindre prix vu l’eloignement des lieux et les difficultés du transports des choses nécessaire pour cette batisse. Dans ma precedente J’avais l’honneur de vous marquer que mon frere se rendoit a federal Cité comme Representant des habitants de ce District, mais un accez de Goutte la forcé de renoncer a ce voyage; Cy Joint un apperçu de la population sauvage de ce District. J’ay l’honneur dêtre avec un profond Respect Monsieur, Votre très heumble et très Obeissant Serviteur Pre. Chouteau e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, St. Louis, 19 Nov. 1804 During Captain Lewis’s stay, he invited the chiefs of the Iowas to meet here. Several of them came a few days ago. Captain Lewis promised them and the Sioux the opportunity to go see you in the federal city, and they asked me to take them there. I told them it was absolutely necessary to have your orders and promised to consult you. I sent them away satisfied with this promise, with my advice, and with the hope they must have in order to de‑ serve your favor. The Sacs asked if two or three of their chiefs could also join the trip. If you think this is justified, Sir, I will scrupulously execute your orders. I believe such a trip would yield excellent results. The chiefs of these tribes, all of which are important, would transmit to their descendants the immense power they saw in the United States. The evidence of this physical superiority would then make it much easier to keep them dependent and subordinated. They would return home, like the Osages, convinced that their true interest lay in perpetual peace with the United States. White Hair asked me to remind you, Sir, of your promise to build a mill on Osage land and asked me to mention this. I looked into the cost of such a building. One workman proposes final delivery for $1,200. I do not think it would be possible to obtain a lower price, given the distance and the difficulty of transporting the required materials. In my earlier letter I had the honor of informing you that my brother would be in the federal city representing the inhabitants of this region, but a gout attack forced him to abandon the trip. Attached is an overview of the Indian population of this region.

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19 NOVEMBER 1804  With deep respect, Sir, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Pre. Chouteau RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Chouteau; at head of text: “Mr Ts Gefferson President des Etats Unis”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. d’après la promesse: TJ had re‑ quested that Meriwether Lewis inform the different Indian tribes he encountered of the friendly intentions of the United States and invite “a few of their influential chiefs” to visit Washington. Lewis and

Clark prepared a speech to deliver to the Iowas and the Sioux before beginning their journey and likely had it read by a trader whom Lewis dispatched to collect vocabularies from members of the nations living along the Des Moines River (Moul‑ ton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:192; Vol. 40:179; Amos Stod‑ dard to TJ, 29 Oct.). ma precedente: Chouteau to TJ, 7 Nov.

e n c l o s u r e

Indian Populations in Louisiana District Aperçu de la Population des differentes Tribus sauvages du District de La Louisiane Nombre d’hommes portant armes Arcansas 130 Loup ou Delaouois 100 chawnon 100 Péorias 50 Sakias 500 Ayouas 250 Renards 450 Sioux 12,000 Grands Ozages 1200 Petits Ozages 300 Cancés 350 hotos 120 missoury 80 Panis 500 Republique 300 Loups 400 Mahas 300 Poncas 250 Mandanne 400 chayanne 400 Ricaras 500 Gros Ventre 700 Padodos 300 Laytanne qui bordent les Côte d’espagne, environs 15000 34,680 MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25163); in a clerk’s hand.

In a letter of 7 Nov. to Gallatin, Chou‑ teau also sent this aperçu, or estimate,

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19 NOVEMBER 1804 of the number of fighting men in Indian nations in upper Louisiana, as well as a  survey of the annual amount of mer‑ chandise needed to trade with the largest tribes (Nasatir, Before Lewis and Clark, 2:758‑60). arcansas: the Quapaws. The chawnon were likely a group of Shawnees settled west of the Mississippi River. The

group listed as the gros ventre were more likely the Hidatsas, as French trad‑ ers had for some time confused the na‑ tions. The padodos were probably a band of Apaches living on the plains, while laytanne was a French name for the Co‑ manches (Sturtevant, Handbook, 13:511‑12, 515, 518, 564, 693, 903, 939; 15:223‑4, 631, 634; Vol. 42:9‑11).

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New Orleans November 19th. 1804 A late arrest of a Spanish officer in this City by the Civil authority, has occasioned much agitation here, and excited in a great degree, the displeasure of the Marquis of Casa Calvo, and of Governor Folch. I have not time by this Mail, to furnish the Secretary of State with the particulars of this affair, but I pray you to be assured, that the conduct of the constituted authorities has been marked with firmness and prudence. I have not yet been enabled to form a Council; only five of the Gentlemen nominated, have accepted their Commissions; to wit; Messrs. Poidrass, Watkins, Wikoff, Morgan and Kenner; the first four are now in the City and the fifth is daily expected. Messrs. Clarke, Jones and Boré, declined serving from party considerations and a sincere disposition to embarrass the Government: Colonel Belle‑ chasse and Mr. Dubuys, from a fear that their acceptance would draw upon them the resentment of their creditors, the greatest of whom was Mr. Daniel Clarke; and Messrs. Dow Cantrell and Romain declined serving as Counsellers from a distrust of “their qualifications for so high a Trust.”— I persuade myself that the Mail due on tomorrow will bring me the names of some Gentlemen to supply the places of those resigned; But if this should not happen (in order to obtain seven members which will form a quorum) I have it in contemplation to fill two of the Blank Commissions in my possession with the names of two judicious pru‑ dent men, and to rely on your goodness and the necessity of the case, for my justification. An early session of the Legislature is important to the welfare of the Territory, and Judge Prevost assures me, that the business in the Supreme Court cannot progress without Legislative interference.— My Health is entirely restored and I feel as if my Constitution was now well adapted to the Climate: The application therefore for leave of absence, which was made in a former Letter, I solicit you to consider  36 

19 NOVEMBER 1804

as withdrawn. A complete organization of the Government of this Territory will be a task difficult to effect: But assisted with a Council, I flatter myself the state of affairs will soon wear a favourable aspect. On my first arrival at Natchez, my political difficulties were infinitely greater than those I now have to encounter: and therefore when I re‑ flect on the past I am by no means discouraged with the prospect now before me. Accept my best wishes for a continuance of your Individual and Public Happiness, and believe me to be— with great Respect! Your faithful friend. William C. C. Claiborne Dupl (DLC); at head of text: “(Dupli‑ cate)”; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. arrest of a spanish officer: on 15 Nov., Lewis Kerr, the sheriff of New Or‑ leans, arrested Manuel García y Muñiz, a  Spanish officer, on a suit brought by David B. Morgan, an American. García resisted the action, claiming protection “by the Law of Nations,” which forced

Kerr to employ U.S. soldiers to secure his surrender. The action led to heated ex‑ changes between the Marqués de Casa Calvo, Governor Vicente Folch y Juan at Pensacola, and Claiborne, and briefly threatened to result in mob violence. Clai‑ borne sent a detailed account of the affair, with enclosures, to Madison on 23 Nov. (Bradley, Interim Appointment, 77‑95, 420; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:315‑18). former letter: Claiborne to TJ, 5 Oct.

From William Cooch Honoured Sir Newcastle County Delaware Novr. th. 19. 1804 I took the liberty some time since of expressing to your Honour a wish that I might be considered an applicant for the Collectors Office of the District of Delaware should a change take place therein. I do not at this time reiterate the wish, under an impression of su‑ perior claims to those Gentlemen who have made similar applications, or of my deserving Executive Patronage—. No Sir—unambitious for office. And indeed preferring the walks of private life. No consider‑ ations but the concurrence of unfavourable Events in my Private affairs, together with the Situation of a widowed Sister, left destitute with a large Family of Children, could have induced me to have made the application; And as Mr Tilton has lately recieved an appointment from the Govr. of our own State, And as the Situation of the other Gentleman, is I presume perfectly easy—I thought I might with pro‑ priety claim the consideration of your Honours attention—. But Permit me to hope, that the preceeding observation will not be so deem’d, as having been made with a View to excite an Attention  37 

19 NOVEMBER 1804

that would militate against the Rep. cause, Or as derogating from the characters of those Gentlemen who are like applicants with myself As I have not pursued the Steps taken by my competitors, (by pro‑ curing recommendations) because I wish not to increase a Scism which has already produced a Deriliction of Principle by some for‑ merly viewed as Friends. I hope your Honour will not receive this Communication as intrusive, But as a candid statement of the mo‑ tives of my proceedure— I am very respectfully your Friend William Cooch RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 22 Nov. and “to be Collector v. Mc.lane” but recorded in SJL as received 24 Nov. William Cooch (1762‑1837) was the grandson of Thomas Cooch, a wealthy miller whose land became the site in Sep‑ tember 1777 of Delaware’s only signifi‑ cant Revolutionary War battle. Forced to flee after the British destroyed the mill and confiscated the family home, William Cooch enlisted on a privateer. The ship was captured and he spent the remainder of the war in an English prison. He in‑ herited the family estate and rebuilt the flour mill, then helped incorporate the Delaware and Chesapeake Canal, worked to establish Delaware College, and served in the Delaware House of Representatives and state senate. In a letter of introduc‑ tion in 1806, Caesar A. Rodney called him a “very reputable & influential citi‑ zen” and a “genuine Republican” (Mary

Evarts Cooch, Ancestry and Descendants of Nancy Allyn [Foote] Webb, Rev. Edward Webb, and Joseph Wilkins Cooch [Wil‑ mington, Del., 1919], 119, 121‑2; Wash‑ ington, Papers, Rev. War Ser., 11:136‑7n; Baltimore Sun, 2 Oct. 1837; Caesar A. Rodney to TJ, 16 Jan. 1806). expressing to your honour: Cooch’s letter of 3 Aug. 1801 has not been found (see Vol. 35:752). In April, Governor David Hall ap‑ pointed Nehemiah tilton register of New Castle County. Tilton was a popular candidate among Republicans to replace Federalist Allen McLane as port collector at Wilmington (Wilmington Mirror of the Times, & General Advertiser, 21 Apr.; Vol. 39:557). gentleman: probably Wilmington merchant James Brobson, one of several applicants interested in replacing McLane. See Brobson to TJ, 7 Nov., and Vol. 39:479‑80.

From Christopher Ellery Sir. Senate Chamber 19th. Novr. 1804 My character having suffered extremely in the opinion of my con‑ stituents, through misrepresentation of circumstances which arose, during the last winter, at the seat of government, the obtaining testi‑ mony to eradicate impressions thus made appears to my mind abso‑ lutely indispensable—and as the facts are fully known only to the Chief Magistrate, the application to him for such testimony will be pardoned, though it ought to have been declined if due justice to the reputation of a highly injured individual could have been otherwise done. The allegations adduced to my discredit are these—That through my means and influence the collector of the port of Newport has been  38 

19 NOVEMBER 1804

retained in office; That the appointment of Constant Taber as com‑ missioner of loans had its origin in my breast: That I sought to de‑ stroy the influence of Governor Fenner, by representing him to the President as a common drunkard about streets, and as having lost all weight in the State of Rhode Island. Not one of these charges against me having an existence in truth, it is my earnest wish that the Presi‑ dent favour me with an answer to this letter, stating the truth, to en‑ able me to recover my standing with my friends. The answer is not desired for publication, but for the purpose of being shown to a few gentlemen, whose confidence in me has been shaken by falsehoods, uttered by men who have listened only to the suggestions of mean suspicion and low jealousy. Tendering renewed assurances of the most profound respect and sincere esteem, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your obedient servant Christ. Ellery RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. suffered extremely: see Enoch Hazard to TJ, 3 Nov. The collector at Newport was Wil‑ liam Ellery, Christopher Ellery’s uncle.

For recent efforts to remove him from office, see William Ellery to Madison, 16 Nov. (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:292‑4), and Gideon Granger to TJ, 4 Feb. (Vol. 42:402‑3). appointment of constant taber: see TJ to Gideon Granger, 7 June, and TJ to Ellery, 29 June.

From James Mease Dear Sir Philadelphia Nov: 19. 1804. By the Schr Hiland Capt Hand I have taken the liberty to send you one of the Cast iron mould plates made agreeably to the plan you recommend. By this mail I also forward two drawings of the plough complete, in order to shew the mode in which I have had it framed.— I tried it a few days since in mellow potatoe ground, and was much pleased with its execution: I intend to try also in a few days in a sod where I expect additional satisfaction, as I will put four oxen to it, and have the outside of the plate well scoured with a grit stone to prevent the ground from adhering to it, a circumstance, always ob‑ served to take place when iron mould‑plates are first used.— You will perceive that the plate sent is formed upon the plan first proposed, viz with a broad toe. The workman who framed my plough, thought that the power of the implement would be increased, and the resistance lessened by sharpening the toe, and wished much to  39 

19 NOVEMBER 1804

persuade me to permit its being pointed, but I resolved to have no alteration made. It is probable however I may make another model agreeably to the directions you give, (when I possess more leisure than I do at present) in order to see whether the broad or more pointed toe answers best.— I hope you will find leisure to have the mould plate I have sent, framed, and that it may serve as the foundation of a collection of ag‑ ricultural implements for the National Society in Washington.— With Sentiments of the highest Respect I remain Your humble servt James Mease  The Schr Hiland may be expected in a day or two at washington— RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the U States”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 20 Nov. re‑ ceived 21 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found.

plan you recommend: see Vol. 41:230. For the inclusion of TJ’s mold‑ board plow in Mease’s Domestic Encyclopædia; or, A Dictionary of Facts, and Useful Knowledge, see Vol. 42:78‑9. national society: that is, the Ameri‑ can Board of Agriculture (Vol. 37:339‑40).

From William Moore Sir Dublin 19th Nov: 1804 I take the Liberty of sending You a small parcel of Wheat, of a Spe‑ cies new to us, in this Country, & I believe as Yet unknown in Amer‑ ica. A few Ears of it were brought home some Years since by a Ser‑ vant of Mr Whaley’s, who accompanied him to Jerusalem on a foolish Bet which he made, 3 Years since a Gentleman of this Town saw them in his House, & from their singular appearance requested he would give them to him; this he complied with, & the produce Aston‑ ished every person that saw it. The methods of planting it most ap‑ proved of are, either to Dibble it in at the Distance of Nine Inches at least, each Grain from the other, or to put it in with a Drill Plough. We sow our Wheat here always in Autumn, but this does as well for a Spring Crop. the Skin or Rind is Remarkably thin, of course there is little or no Bran, but all Flour. There has been a general failure this Year in our Wheat Crop, owing to a Mildew, the Jerusalem Wheat of course did not escape it, which will account for the Number of small & poor grains among it, but I have no doubt, but the worst of them will grow to maturity in Your favorable Climate. the Straw is solid, containing a pith, when Chopped is excellent food for Cattle. I hope it will one Day prove a valuable Acquisition to Your Country, which I Dearly love, because it is Inhabited by Freemen. This Letter,  40 

19 NOVEMBER 1804

& the small parcel, will be handed You, by My Uncle, Robt. Moore of Baltimore. I remain Sir Your Sincere well wisher & admirer Wm Moore RC (DLC); below signature: “No 20 North Anne Str: Dublin”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. 1805 and “with Jerusalem wheat” and so recorded in SJL with a brace connecting it to the letter in which it was enclosed, Robert Moore to TJ, 28 Feb. 1805. William Moore was probably associ‑ ated with the firm of Teeling & Moore, linen merchants at 20 North Anne Street in Dublin (Wilson’s Dublin Directory, For the Year 1804 [Dublin, 1804], 92, 101). Reports from England and Ireland of a  new and remarkably productive type of wheat called Jerusalem, or Egyptian, wheat appeared in several American news‑ papers in 1804. In July 1805, news of Moore’s gift to TJ likewise found its way into print, which led to requests to TJ for samples of the grain or for advice on its cultivation. TJ apparently did not experi‑

ment with the grain himself, but sent par‑ cels to others, who found “it was not of advantageous culture in our climate & was therefore abandoned” (Baltimore Telegraphe and Daily Advertiser, 24 Feb.; National Intelligencer, 7 Nov.; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 2 Feb. 1805; Baltimore American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 17 July 1805; Richmond Enquirer, 23 July 1805; Memoirs of the Philadelphia Society for Promoting Agriculture, 1  [1808], 135‑8; James McDowell and Others to TJ, 19 Aug. 1805; TJ to Mc‑ Dowell and Others, 31 Aug. 1805; Jacob Crowninshield to TJ, 30 Nov. 1805; John Keemle to TJ, 1 June 1806; Peter Derieux to TJ, 10 Sep. 1822, and TJ to Derieux, 25 Sep. 1822, both in DLC). Thomas Whaley, an Irish politician and notorious gambler, traveled to jerusalem in 1788‑9 to win a wager of £15,000 (dnb).

From Joseph H. Nicholson Sir Novr. 19. 1804 I have this morning laid before the Committee a short Sketch of the several Provisions contained in the Bill which you sent me. These are fully approved of, but as the Business of the Gun Boats is likewise committed to us, I think it would be better to engraft the whole in the same Bill, in order that one View of the subject may be presented. May I therefore beg the Favor of you to state to me the Number of Boats wanted, the manner in which they are to be disposed of, how to be officered, mann’d and equipt; in fine such Information as will enable me to meet your Wishes— I have the Honor to be most respectfully Yr. Ob. Servt. Joseph H. Nicholson RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 19 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. bill which you sent me: Bill for Preservation of Peace in Harbors and Waters of the United States, at 22 Oct.

business of the gun boats: Nich‑ olson chaired a select committee tasked with such part of TJ’s annual message “as relates to the defence and security of our ports and harbors, and supporting within our waters the authority of our laws” (jhr, 5:11).

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To John Randolph Dear Sir Washington Nov. 19. 04 I mentioned to you in a cursory way the other evening that before the meeting of Congress I had conferred with my executive associ‑ ates, on the subject of insults in our harbors, and that we had settled in our own minds what we thought it would be best to do on that subject, which I had thrown into the form of a bill. I meant to have communicated this to you: but on the reference of that part of the message to a special committee it was thought necessary to commu‑ nicate it without delay to a member of the Committee. but the out‑ lines are these. in the 1st. place foreign armed vessels entering our harbors are to report themselves, to take such position, & conform to such regulations respecting health, repairs, supplies stay, intercourse & departure as shall be prescribed. on not conforming to these the vessel may be ordered away; and not obeying that order the following gradation of coercive measures is proposed. to forbid any supplies to be furnished to them. to cut off all intercourse between them & the shore or other vessels. not to recieve the entry at the custom house at that port of any vessel of the same nation till she removes. to extend the prohibition to all custom‑houses of the US. so long as the refrac‑ tory vessel remains: & lastly to recur to force. these were our ideas suggested from practice & a knolege of facts: and the communication of them in form of a bill is merely as a canvas or premiere ebauche for Congress to work on, & to make of it whatever they please. they can‑ not be the worse for knowing the result of our information & reflection on the subject which has been privately communicated as more re‑ spectful than to have recommended these measures in the message in detail as the constitution permits. with the same views I state them merely as subjects for your consideration. Accept affectionate saluta‑ tions & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “J. Ran‑ dolph esq.” form of a bill: see Bill for Preserva‑ tion of Peace in Harbors and Waters of the United States, at 22 Oct.

to communicate it: see Joseph H. Nicholson to TJ, 19 Nov. premiere ebauche: first outline.

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To Philippe Reibelt [19 Nov. 1804]

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Reibelt. he under‑ stands from mr Reibelt’s letter of the 16th. inst. that he still has two copies of the Sentimental journey sur petit papier Velin. it is the Petit format size which Th: Jefferson regards rather than the quality of the paper, because he happens to have all the works of Sterne in petit format, except his sentimal journey. if therefore the copies which mr Reibelt has on petit papier Velin are in Petit format Th: Jefferson will thank him to forward him one copy by post. PoC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ: “probably Nov. 19. 04.” Recorded in SJL under 19 Nov.

From Thomas Leiper Dear Sir Philada. [before 20] Novr. 1804 When a man is overcharged with gratitude he is at a loss how to go about returning thanks for the favors he has received—This be‑ lieve me is my case or long or this I would have returned you my best thanks for the Honor and I may add the Proffit (which I had most in view) you have confered on Callender Irwine which embraces the wants of the Widow and Fatherless—The Widow now smiles and the Children rejoice O! what comfort & consolation their was in look‑ ing at them when the news arrived of your appointment—I never shall forget this act of kindness in you it has got possession of my soul and time can never remove it—with the utmost respect I am Your most Obedient St. Thomas Leiper RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

From Auguste Chouteau Monsieur St. Louis le 20. Novembre 1804 Monsr. le capitaine Lewis dans le séjour qu’il a fait ici avant son depart pour le Missoury, m’avoit chargé de vous envoyer des notes relatives aux nations sauvages, et au commerce qui se fait dans la Louisiane, et dont ce district est susceptible; Comme Je m’occupois de ce travail conséquent, J’ai été nommé par les habitans du District de la Louisiane, pour présenter au Congrès leur petition; Mission que  43 

20 NOVEMBER 1804

J’ai accepté avec joie, espérant qu’elle me fourniroit l’occasion de faire votre connoissance, et de vous assurer de mon entier dévouement. J’ai alors suspendu mon travail, préferant répondre de vive voix, aux questions que Mr Lewis m’a laissées par écrit. Mais après cinq jours de route, J’ai été arreté par la goutte, et forcé de revenir chez moi. Je ne puis vous exprimer, Monsieur, combien Je suis peiné de ce con‑ tretems, qui m’empêche de répondre à la confiance de mes cometans et en même temps de satisfair aux desirs du Cape. Lewis; mais pour y remedier autant que possible, J’envoye à Mr. J. Wm. Eppes d’après le conseil de Mr Harrison notre gouverneur, la petition de nos habi‑ tans, en le priant de vouloir bien être l’avocat de notre cause, et d’aider de ses conseils Mr Eligius Fromentin, qui est comme moi réprésen‑ tans des habitans du District de la Louisiane: Je vais reprendre avec ardeur, mon travail, pour vous l’envoyer le plus promptement possi‑ ble; mais comme il exige beaucoup de reflexions et de temps, Je crois devoir par cette occasion, vous envoyer quelques notes, qui pourront vous intéresser, quoiqu’elles ne repondent point entierement aux ques‑ tions du Capitaine Lewis. Par des nouvelles certaines, J’ai appris que le Cape. Lewis étoit arrivé sans aucun accident a Huit cent cinquante mille de l’ambouchure du Missoury a l’époque du 19. d’aoust dernier, que les sauvages l’avoyent parfaitement reçus; et Je presume qu’il passera la saison de L’hivers chez les Mandanes, à environ 1300 Miles d’ici. Si J’avois eu le bonheur de vous voir, mon intention étoit de vous recommander les habitans de la Louisiane comme des Citoyens sou‑ mis et fidels, mais qui ont besoin d’encouragement, et de vous inspirer pour eux, l’état qu’ils meritent. J’ose me flatter que vous ne trouverez pas mauvais, que Je fasse par ecrit, ce que Je conptois faire si J’avois eu L’honneur de vous voir. Mes cometans et moi, Monsieur, nous sommes infiniment jaloux de meriter votre estime, et sommes décidés à faire tout pour l’obtenir Si J’étois assez heureux pour pouvoir vous être utile en quelque chose que ce soit, Je vous prie de disposer sans réserve, de celui qui a L’honneur d’etre avec les sentiments du respect le plus profond Monsieur Votre Très humble & très obeissant Serviteur. Augte. Chouteau e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, St. Louis, 20 Nov. 1804 Before Captain Lewis left for the Missouri, he asked me to send you some notes about the native nations and about Louisiana trade that might involve this district. While I was working on this, the inhabitants of Louisiana Dis‑

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20 NOVEMBER 1804 trict asked me to present their petition to Congress. I accepted the mission with joy, hoping it would offer an opportunity to meet you and tell you of my wholehearted devotion. I interrupted my report, since I preferred to reply in person to Mr. Lewis’s written questions. But after five days on the road, I was struck by gout and forced to return home. I cannot tell you, Sir, how dismayed I was by this setback which prevents me both from fulfilling the mission entrusted by my constituents and from carrying out Captain Lewis’s wishes. To compensate as quickly as possible, and following Governor Har‑ rison’s advice, I am sending our inhabitants’ petition to Mr. Eppes, asking him to be an advocate for our cause and to advise Mr. Eligius Fromentin, who also represents the residents of Louisiana District. I will ardently re‑ sume my work and send it to you as soon as possible, but since it requires much thought and time, I felt compelled to send some notes that might inter‑ est you, even if they do not fully respond to Captain Lewis’s questions. Through reliable sources, I learned that Captain Lewis arrived safely, 850 miles from the mouth of the Missouri, on 19 Aug. The natives welcomed him impeccably. I presume he will spend the winter with the Mandans, about 1,300 miles from here. If I had been fortunate enough to see you, I would have recommended the Louisianans as loyal, obedient citizens, who need encouragement, and made a case for the statehood they deserve. I dare flatter myself that you will not judge me badly for doing in writing what I intended to do in person if I had had the honor of seeing you. My constituents and I, Sir, are infinitely eager to warrant your esteem and determined to do everything to obtain it. If I might serve you in any way, I beg you not to hesitate to call upon someone who, with deepest respect, has the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Augte. Chouteau RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Chouteau; at foot of text: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. En‑ closures: (1) Charles Gratiot to Meri‑ wether Lewis, St. Louis, 13 Nov.; taking advantage of his brother‑in‑law Auguste Chouteau’s journey to Washington, he encloses information on the Louisiana District; he apologizes for not obtaining answers on all locales, but trusts that Chouteau and Amos Stoddard “will sup‑ ply to my difficiency”; the statement of Mr. Cousin of Cape Girardeau “can be depended upon for his correctness” (RC in same; endorsed by TJ). (2) Barthol‑ omew Cousin to Gratiot, Cape Girardeau, 24 Aug.; fulfilling his promise to Gratiot, Cousin encloses responses to the ques‑ tions on the district of Cape Girardeau (RC in same; in French). (3) Cousin’s answers to questions posed by Lewis; the population of the Cape Girardeau district is about 1,300, of whom about 100 have arrived since the end of October 1803;

there are about 180 slaves; about 168,000 arpents of land in the district have been granted under Spanish authority, most of that by the lieutenant governors; some land has been granted for services ren‑ dered to the government, and there has been some land conceded provisionally by the commandant; he characterizes rights to title of the citizens of the district as un‑ contestable; the wealth of the district is relatively low, most of it consisting of live‑ stock; the area amounts to about 100 to 120 square miles, and the population den‑ sity is about one family for every square mile; the largest settlements are at Cape Girardeau and an establishment of Ger‑ mans about six miles northwest of the main settlement; there is also a settle‑ ment of about 40 families on a river known as “l’Eau blanche,” or white water; agri‑ culture remains in its infancy in the dis‑ trict, but progress is being made; mer‑ chants have found it hard to establish stores, so he cannot estimate the value of imports to the district; most imports come

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20 NOVEMBER 1804 from the United States; he is also uncer‑ tain about the amount of merchandise needed for the Indian trade, but exports from this trade and other activities go through New Orleans; properly speaking, there are no villages in the district; there is some mineral wealth that might be ex‑ ploited, but so far no salines have been found; Indians in the area speak of salt deposits to the west; he closes by praising the elevated, salubrious situation of the Cape Girardeau district and predicts a bright future for it (MS in same: TJ Pa‑ pers, 143:24793‑5; in French; in Cou‑ sin’s hand, and signed by him on 24 Aug.; see Donald Jackson, ed., The Letters of  the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with Related Documents, 1783-1854, 2 vols., 2d ed. [Urbana, Ill., 1978], 1:161‑3). Auguste Chouteau (1749‑1829) was born in New Orleans. His father returned to France, and his mother eventually began a lifelong relationship with Pierre Laclède, a merchant who took Chouteau under his wing. Chouteau accompanied Laclède in 1763 when the latter was granted a monopoly to establish a fur‑ trading depot in the Illinois country. Having selected a site, Laclède entrusted Chouteau with supervising the construc‑ tion of the first buildings in St. Louis and in subsequent years made Chouteau his chief clerk and then business partner. Upon Laclède’s death, Chouteau emerged, with the help of his half‑brother Pierre Chouteau, as the leading businessman in St. Louis. Equally skilled in attracting the patronage of government authorities as they were in dealing with Indian nations, particularly the Osages, the Chouteaus developed a far‑flung trading network. Auguste Chouteau supervised the broth‑ ers’ varied economic activities, which in‑ cluded trading, real estate, and banking. Although he jealously guarded privileges he had gained under Spanish rule, he was quick to embrace U.S. sovereignty. He provided logistical support to Meriwether

Lewis and William Clark, forwarded mineral samples and a survey of the Mis‑ sissippi River to TJ, and secured ap‑ pointments as a justice of the peace and commander of the local militia. For about six years after the War of 1812, he be‑ came a leading negotiator with trans‑Mis‑ sissippi Indians. He was the founding president of the Bank of Missouri, which became the federal depository in the ter‑ ritory, but in later years he devoted his economic activities to St. Louis’s real estate market (William E. Foley and C. David Rice, The First Chouteaus: River Barons of Early St. Louis [Urbana, Ill., 1983], 1‑5, 8, 20, 37‑42, 90‑3, 98‑101, 152‑60, 177‑9; anb; Terr. Papers, 13:33‑8, 545, 547; Clark and Lewis to TJ, 18 May; Pierre Chouteau to TJ, 12 Oct.). For the petition of residents of Loui‑ siana District, see William Henry Harri‑ son to TJ, 6 Nov. Following Harrison’s advice, Chou‑ teau appears to have enclosed the Louisi‑ ana petition in a letter to John Wayles eppes, who likely presented it to the House of Representatives on 4 Jan. 1805 and chaired the committee formed to ex‑ amine the petition. Harrison relayed to Chouteau Eppes’s opinion that the com‑ mittee, while rejecting the view of the pe‑ titioners that the United States had vio‑ lated the terms of the purchase treaty with France, would likely confirm citizenship rights and create a separate government for Louisiana District (jhr, 5:78; Logan Esarey, ed., Messages and Letters of William Henry Harrison, 2 vols. [Indianapolis, 1922, repr., New York, 1975], 1:116‑17). arrivé sans aucun accident: on 19 Aug., the Lewis and Clark expedition camped about three miles above a village of the Omaha Indians, which Clark lo‑ cated 864 miles from the mouth of Mis‑ souri. The following day, they continued upriver but stopped at a river that they named Floyd, after a member of the party who died that day (Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:485‑96).

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From Francis Da Costa Sir— Philadelphia The 20th. November 1804 The interest you have constantly manifested for all discoveries, connected more or less with the prosperity of the United States, will I hope make you forbear the liberty I have taken of Sending you the Sample of a lead mine discovered on my plantation and which I causd. but lately to be opend. The vein has appear’d off the Surface of a Hill almost eighty feet above the highest rise of a creek at the bottom of it: at first the vein went down under an angle of about 40 degrees, but altered very Soon to a course almost perpendicular en‑ creasing So much in about nine feet depth as to have enlarg’d from two to fifteen inches Solid ore duly walled in on each Side with the mineral Stones usually enclosing real veins of ore. Having made a regular opening to ascertain the Course direction and thickess and broke down the mineral bank, about two tons of fine ore was collected in less than four hours, one ton more remaining at the bottom of the pit—The Samples I have The honor to Send you has been taken from a piece of pure galena weighing nine hundred weight at least. The strata of the Country is a Specie of red Slate in this the vein has been discovered. Other places on the plantation have evident Signs of the Same mineral So as to induce a belief that the vein I have been upon is a branch only of one more valuable and run‑ ning to a Considerable extent. My farm lays at the mouth of perkio‑ men Creek, County of Montgomery State of Pensilvania, distant about twenty two miles from Philadelphia—The ground being much bro‑ ken abounds with Springs which and the never‑failing‑water of the Creek will admit extensive water works to carry on the extracting of lead and its manufacturing in any nature or Shape whatsoever— This Short account of this Discovery I have thought was due to the Eminent Philosopher and naturalist I have The honor of addressing and Should it prove acceptable I request it may be Considered as a proof of the great respect with which I am Sir—Your Most obedient & Humble Servant Fcis. Da Costa RC (DLC); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson—president of the united States”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Originally from Nantes, France, Fran‑ cis Da Costa served as a temporary engi‑ neer for the War Department in 1797‑8. He acquired a half share of the Mill

Grove farm outside Philadelphia and was the guardian of naturalist John James Audubon. After a falling out with Audu‑ bon over the young man’s engagement to marry, Da Costa purchased the other half of the property. The discovery of the lead mine was widely covered in the newspa‑ pers after Relfs Philadelphia Gazette pub‑ lished a story lauding it as “one of the first

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20 NOVEMBER 1804 discoveries yet made in the U. States.” After acquiring full title to the property in 1806, Da Costa formed a joint stock company to manage the mine and, when the company failed in 1811, sold the land. Da Costa also sold imported goods in Philadelphia (anb, s.v., “Audubon, John James”; Message from the President of the United States, Accompanying a Statement of Expenditures from the 1st of January, 1797, by the Quarter Master General, and

the Navy Agents [Washington, D.C., 1803], pt. 2:47, 51, 53; Francis Hobart Herrick, Audubon the Naturalist: A History of His Life and Time, 2 vols. [New York, 1917], 1:113‑26; Rebecca Anne Hunt, “ ‘Blessed Spot’ along the Perkio‑ men; An Historical Analysis of Mill Grove” [M.A. thesis, University of Penn‑ sylvania, 1994], 41, 58, 63‑4, 65; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 13 Nov., 7 Oct. 1806, 9 Jan. 1808, 18 Apr. 1817).

From Gabriel Duvall Tuesday, Nov. 20. 1804.

Mr. Duvall’s Respects to Mr. Jefferson.—Being about to decide on a claim of the U. States against Edmund Randolph, Esquire, on which a suit has been brought & which is referred to the Comptrol‑ ler; & Mr. Randolph claiming a credit on account of Mr. Short, for‑ merly a Minister of the U.S. at a foreign court, & finding, on a pe‑ rusal of the records in the department of State, that Mr. Jefferson, in the transaction referred to, acted as the Agent of Mr. Short, Mr. D. presumes that Mr. Jefferson can give the necessary information rela‑ tive to it, & requests to be informed when he will be at leisure to have a few minutes conversation with Mr. D. on the subject.— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Duvall, as comptroller, was the arbitra‑ tor in the government’s suit against edmund randolph, which concerned funds that passed through Randolph’s control during his tenure as secretary of state. One subject of dispute had been whether

a payment to William short was an ob‑ ligation of the United States or of Ran‑ dolph acting as an agent for Short. On 24 Nov., Duvall ruled that Randolph re‑ mained responsible to the government for over $53,000 (John J. Reardon, Edmund Randolph: A Biography [New York, 1975], 355‑7; Vol. 36:343‑4, 455‑7; Vol. 37:288‑9).

From William Herring Dear Sir New York—20th Novr. 1804 I am verry sorry to Inform you that There has been a rebellion in South Carilina which Has proved fatel to your friends there the fed‑ eralists are a damd. spunkey Sett and will not Put up with Such an administration as you have formed; and ttake the advise of a friend and Decline being reelected President of the U States or you will certenly Mak a rebellion Throug out all the States and depend uppon  48 

20 NOVEMBER 1804

it Your heaad will go first do do for God Sake Take the advice of a friend I am In haste I am your Seporter & friend Wm Herring RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 24 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

On the state of South Carolina (carilina) politics, see Peter Freneau to TJ, 14 Oct.

To Joseph H. Nicholson Nov. 20. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Nicholson and will furnish him with the information desired respecting gunboats. in the message it was considered as prudent to place the paragraph respect‑ ing insults in our harbors, & that on gunboats as far apart as the frame of the message would bear, that they might not appear in con‑ nection1 as a menace, nor bring any of the measures into collision with the pride of Gr. Britain. he refers it to the consideration of mr Nicholson whether for the same reason it will not be better to have them in separate bills. it is better to avoid giving unnecessary um‑ brage where the same effect can be produced without doing it. it ap‑ pears to me that the gunboats may well stand in a bill by themselves, & be considered merely as a continuation of the views of the former act on the same subject. RC (DLC: Joseph H. Nicholson Papers).

message: Annual Message to Con‑ gress, 8 Nov. 1

Preceding two words interlined.

From Thomas Seymour Sir Connt. Hartford Novr. 20th 1804. if I thot that a Man of some merit & abilities might not with propi‑ ety, let his pretentions to office be known, without leting down his own character, or wounding the feelings or delicacy of those, whose patronage, he sollicits; it would give me much regret to trouble you upon such a subject, amid the presure of more important Concerns.— in myne of the 25th. of May last, I ventured to state to you some pretentions to an appointment—if they were rec’d, it is unnecessary to repeat them.— the intollerant and alarming Spirit of the predominant party in Con‑ necticut, visible in every step, ever since the last presidential election,  49 

20 NOVEMBER 1804

and more recently in our Legislature, towards the genl Government, its administration & Freinds, is too notorious to require a detail— perhaps no one has, more causlessly, felt its malignant effects, than myself; of which Sir, you may have been apprized— Should any changes & appointments be contemplated in this quar‑ ter, as is beleived, especially, on the ground of abating opposition to the measures of Government, apparent in those, holding offices under it, as well as, from the privations inflicted here, on its Freinds, I can only request to be remembered— permit me Sir, most cordially to congratulate you, & our happy Country, upon the late success of our Friends in Massachusets & Nw. Hampshire.—may its benign influence be soon shed on this Section of the Union, so as to dispel the cloud of delusion, in which it hath been so long involved. with the highest consideration, esteem & regaurd, I am—your affectionate & obt Servt Thos Seymour RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “President Jefferson”; torn at en‑ dorsement; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Dec. and “for office” and so recorded in SJL, as a letter of 1 Nov. myne of the 25th: see Seymour to TJ at 28 May.

malignant effects: during its May 1804 session, the Federalist‑dominated Connecticut legislature removed Seymour as chief judge of the Hartford County Court, citing as cause his participation in a Republican celebration of the acquisi‑ tion of Louisiana (Walpole, N.H., Political Observatory, 26 May; Hudson, N.Y., Bee, 29 May).

From Samuel Singleton My dear friend. 20 of november 1804 I receved your letter the 6 Insant date ed the 24 ult. and not Have‑ ing it in my power to answer you Be fore to day. you in formd me that you have kept for me A post of im Im por tence which I am vary hap Py to hear. the atcs of con gress Ra li tive to the lew E Sianna Re Specting the ju dici Ary sis Tem I was vary much plased it coin Cide ed with my opinnian pre Pre Sise ly not with Standing it Was not So full as I can ex pacit. When I Shall have that happin Ess of See of you my Self. I Like wise have A letter where in Is A copy of the act of congress A low ing me A vary cocidera Ble Amount which I be le ve To be A peace of for jery and I am Deturmined to keep untel I See you. hich I hope will be Next martch without an Accident no more at preasent But remain your obedient hum Ble Survat and cincear frind Samuel Singleton  50 

21 NOVEMBER 1804  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas. s JefferSon Esquire President of the Unite ed States Washing city”; franked; added in another hand: “Mr. Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Nov. and “emploi‑ ment” and so recorded in SJL.

 your letter: no letter from TJ to Singleton of 24 Oct. has been found, and TJ recorded in SJL no letters written on that date. A letter of 9 Mch. 1806 from Singleton to TJ, recorded in SJL as re‑ ceived 27 Mch. with notation “insane,” has not been found.

From Benjamin Austin, Jr. Respected Sir Boston Novr. 21. 1804 The success of the Republican Ticket for Electors of President & vice president in this State & New Hampshire cannot but excite the warmest sensibility in the breast of every Citizen who wishes the harmony & prosperity of the United States.—Permit me, Sir, to con‑ gratulate you on this event, as it must be a pleasing consolation to every gentleman in the administration, & more particularly to One, who has so long been the immediate Object of opposition, within the Circles of such, whom we have reason to suppose are inimical to our Republican Constitution.— The satisfaction which I experience on this change of publick sen‑ timent, induces me to present my particular congratulations, know‑ ing, how far the lasting happiness of this Country is involv’d in this momentous decission.— The pleasure it must afford you, in finding The People of these States have not been corrupted from first prin‑ ciples, (notwithstanding the innumerable measures taken to deceive them) is a subject easier conciev’d than describ’d—The efforts of the Republicans in this quarter have heretofore been defeated, but the late success has greatly compensated them for their former dissapoint‑ ments, & particularly such Individuals as have experienc’d the more immediate resentment of their Opponents.—The immense weight of influence arising in this Town through various Channels, has for many years plac’d our political concerns in a very hazardous state, & requird exertions of equal efficacy to counteract the designs of our Enemies.—We trust however, the Crizis has arriv’d, when the advo‑ cates of Republicanism may rejoice at the permanent establishment of those principles, calculated to promote the welfare of our Country, & preserve the Union of the respective States.— I am respected Sir with sentiments of the highest veneration Your most Obedt. servant Benj. Austin Jr. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 2 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

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From William Bache Dear Sir. Philadelphia November 21st. 1804 The Consulate at Genoa being vacant by the death of Mr. Goetzius I beg leave to remind you of an application on a former occasion for that office in favor of Mr Peter Kuhn Junr. of this city a gentleman who is calculated to give satisfaction to government if appointed I would not intrude on your time on this occasion were it not from the double motive of recalling your attention to a friend who will make a usefull officer, and of serving him. I am with sincere respect your much obliged friend W. Bache. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Nov. and “Kuhn Peter junr. to be Consul Genoa” and so recorded in SJL.

To Adam Boyd Nov. 21. 04.

Th Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Boyd and returns him the manuscript of mr Blakeley. his time has not permitted him to give it a very serious perusal or much consideration. as far as he has been able to attend to it he thinks the subject analysed with accuracy, and that the author takes a very respectable stand in the line of those who to a sense of the imperfections of our alphabet have joined en‑ deavors to correct it. these improvements1 take their place among those which one may have the wish without the hope of seeing intro‑ duced. he prays mr Boyd to be the bearer of his thanks to mr Blakely for the communication. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “with Blakely’s MS.” Enclosure not found, but see Cornelius C. Blachly to TJ, 31 Oct. Adam Boyd (1746‑1835), a Republican from Bergen County, New Jersey, served

in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1803 to 1805 and again from 1808 to 1813. He had previously been a sheriff, county jurist, and member of the state legislature (Biog. Dir. Cong.).

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1 Word

interlined in place of “efforts.”

To Aaron Burr Dear Sir Washington Nov. 21. 04. The inclosed was by mistake at the post office put into my packet of letters recieved last night from the post office, and was broke open without particular examination of the superscription. in the moment of opening it, seeing your name on a paper inclosed in it, I looked to the superscription and instantly closed the letter without having read one single word in it. the truth of this statement is the best apology I can make for this involuntary trespass, and the best title I can offer for your indulgence. Accept assurances of great respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Vice President of the US.”; endorsed by TJ. En‑ closure not identified.

From Albert Gallatin [21 Nov. 1804]

Harwood to Munroe The first instalment of 40,000 dollars shall be paid at any time, in the year 1804, when demanded by Maryland: the second instalment at any time, in 1805, when demanded. The interest on any instalment of course to cease from after the day when payment shall be made—I think that the first instalmt. ought to have been paid on 1 Jany. 1804 & that the second should be paid on 1 Jany. 1805. We are ready to pay both at that time, that is to say the first on or before 31 Decer 1804 and the second on 1st Jany. 1805. To authorize the Treasury to pay nothing more is necessary than an account stated as in the case of dividends & accompanied by a similar certificate of the President that lots cannot be sold without a sacrifice &c— A. G. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25382); undated. Recorded in SJL as received from the Treasury Department on 21 Nov. 1804 with notation “Maryld. debt.” For the letter of Maryland commis‑ sioner of loans Benjamin harwood to Thomas munroe, see TJ to Munroe, 22 Nov.

For recent interest payments on the $200,000 loan by the state of maryland to the District of Columbia commission‑ ers, see Vol. 41:476, 478‑9; Vol. 43:177‑8, 199. Under the terms of the 1796 act of Congress authorizing the loan, the princi‑ pal was reimbursable anytime after 1803, “by instalments, not exceeding one fifth of the whole sum borrowed, in any one year” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:461).

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From Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Norfolk Nov. 21st. 1804 When I accepted the office of Collector of this port, I was very much influenced by a wish to save you the necessity of deciding be‑ tween the number of persons who I knew had applied for the office. More reflection wou’d have convinced me that I only delayed and did not obviate the difficulty of deciding between the rival candidates. Since I have been in the office I have had full time to decide whether I ought to keep it or not, every days experience satisfies me more, and more, that if I do, it must be at the risque of my life or fortune, and that I must either submit to a seperation from my family or expose them and myself to this climate during the sickly season. When I took the office, I did suppose that an absence of two months or at most three, in the most leisure season of the year wou’d serve us; but I now find that I shou’d be obliged to be absent for at least four months, and two of them the most busy in the year, this I cou’d not justify either to my own security, nor to the duty I owe the public. I have therefore determined under the permission you gave me when I had last the pleasure to see you, to resign the office. My wish is to leave this place about the first of Jany. Before I go from hence, I anxiously desire to close my business so that I shou’d not be obliged to return here again, it wou’d therefore be highly satisfactory to me if my successor cou’d be here by the 25th. of next month. I am particularly anxious for this as Mrs. Nicholas expects to be confined in the month of Jany. If how‑ ever any circumstance shou’d make it your wish that my resignation shou’d be delayed, I will submit to any personal inconvenience sooner than in any manner act contrary to your wishes. I feel myself bound to obey what you may prescribe by the strongest ties of gratitude. I will if I obtain your permission immediately after hearing from you, address a letter of resignation to Mr. Gallatin. By the next mail I will take the liberty to give you such information in respect to the state of parties here, and the characters who wou’d be desirous of obtaining the office, as I believe you wou’d wish to possess, I intended to have done it now but have been occupied by several persons calling upon me on business until I am in danger of being too late for the mail. I am Dear Sir, with the highest consideration your devoted W. C. Nicholas RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 28 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

accepted the office: Nicholas to TJ, 22 May.

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From William Short Dear Sir Philadelphia Nov. 21. 1804 I have to beg pardon for having so long delayed to answer your favor of the 10th. inst. covering a draught on the bank here for 500. d.—It was recieved in due course & carried to your credit in the acct. subsisting between us. It is my intention if the weather & circumstances should be favor‑ able to make a tour to the Southward this winter, & I shall certainly take Washington in my way were it only for the pleasure of seeing you—Indeed no place could be more agreeable or interesting to me to reside at, on account of the persons whom I should find there, & the events which are always passing during active legislation at a seat of Government—but the inconveniencies of the locality make it so un‑ comfortable to a person in my situation that I have naturally remained less there than I should otherwise have done. Your observations as to the Editors being as cooks are certainly just—& mine as to there being more liberality, than was probably concieved, among certain persons with whom I had conversed, did not apply to the mass, of whom I know nothing, but to the few of course with whom I had communicated—As to the toasts given at the dinner for Mr King, I never saw them, & had not heard of the dinner that I recollect—I suppose it must be a late thing as I remember whilst at the Springs to have heard it remarked there with some sur‑ prize that the Inhabitants of Boston had not treated him as they had done Mr Gore with a public dinner—& during my residence at Bos‑ ton it did not take place—indeed he was not there—But I take it for granted that his remaining in private life was considered by his friends as settled before—I know at least that the best informed of that party with whom I have ever conversed on such subjects, & I have now in my recollection particularly three, who are unquestionably the most enlightened; have for two years back concured with me in opinion, or at least have told me so, that there was no more chance of the party called Federalist again holding the reins than of a river turning back on its source—I do not believe this to be the opinion of the mass of that party, but of the most enlightened—The mass are often without judgment, & always with passions that blind such judgment as they may have—But whoever has properly studied the human heart & has observed well the tide of human affairs, although he may not be able to say positively what will come, cannot hesitate in pronouncing that certain things will not come—& I have always considered from the time of the tide’s turning four years ago, that this might be considered  55 

21 NOVEMBER 1804

as inevitable as to the Federal party—& I have always considered also, judging from what I had observed in scenes passing under my own eyes in the early part of the French revolution; that it would not be for the interest of its opponents that that party should totally dis‑ appear from the political horizon—an event however which I have always considered as also inevitable. I beg pardon for the length of this lucubration & remain with in‑ variable sentiments of esteem & attachment, your obedient servant W: Short I forgot to mention & perhaps you are not informed of it, that I have been lately elected, unanimously as I have been told, a member of the Philosophical Society here of which you are President—I was notified of this during my absence last summer, having not had the most dis‑ tant idea that such a thing was in contemplation—It so happened that two members had without previous communication on it, con‑ cieved the idea of nominating me on the same evening—& their co‑ operation probably produced the unanimity—I own I was pleased with this election as with whatever honor I recieve as an American. RC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Thomas Jefferson Prest. of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Christopher gore had been fêted at a  public dinner in Boston on 24 Apr.,

shortly after his return from London (New-England Palladium, 13, 27 Apr.). The American Philosophical Society elected Short a member at its 20 July meeting (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1885], 359).

From Alexander Stuart Sir. Kent. County. Maryland 21st. Novr. 1804 Some time has elapsed since Intelligence reached this place that Major Allen Mc.Lane of Wilmington. Delaware. would be displaced and his office given to another. It has also been asserted that several Characters have been recommended to replace him; which if cor‑ rectly stated will I fondly hope induce the President to indulge an old revolutionary Soldier, without Suspicion of improper motives or charges of Presumption to send his name in among other applicants. I am sensible of the Impropriety and feel all the awkwardness of self‑application, but as I am destitute of Friends in the Governmental Department, and have but few acquaintances at Washington even at the present moment; the President will I hope excuse the novelty and be so condescendingly good as to enquire of Messrs. Nielson, Rod‑  56 

22 NOVEMBER 1804

ney, Archer and Nicholson of the House of Representatives and Ma‑ jors Wright and Anderson of the Senate who and what I now am, and regularly have been since the Year 1776. To Doctor James Tilton of Wilmington. Del. I also beg leave to refer; and should be pleased if Enquiries could conveniently be made at Annapolis.— If such Information is received from the above Sources as will jus‑ tify the President in my appointment (if Mr. Mc.Lane is dismissed) I shall feel sensibly gratefull and highly gratified; and if one more worthy and better entitled succeeds, I shall most chearfully submit and acquiesce in his Preferment, from a Conviction that you will not only do my Dear Sir what is right and just, but what your superior Knowledge of the Interests of our common Country points out as your Duty. Indulge me in observing that I was raised and educated in Dela‑ ware and long resided in it, though for ten Years past I have been an Inhabitant of Maryland. Whatever may be the Result of this address and Application— which is the first Favour I ever asked of my Country for myself—I beg the President to be assured of my high Veneration and to accept my most respectfull Salutations. May you long be spared Sir by Divine Providence to aid your Country with your Wisdom and Experience, and to keep our political Barque in the Haven of Peace and Prosperity which under your Aus‑ pices she has been safely placed. I am with great Consideration Your Fellow Citizen Alexander Stuart. RC (DLC); addressed: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States Washington”; franked; postmarked Chestertown, Mary‑ land, 23 Nov.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 27 Nov. and “to be Collectr. Wilmington v. Mc.lane” and so recorded in SJL. Alexander Stuart (d. 1806) served in the Revolutionary War as a lieutenant with the Delaware regiment. In 1793, he

identified himself as a physician from New Castle County. The next year he married Mary Perkins Wilson, heir to an estate outside of Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland. The 1800 census listed the Stuarts as a household of 31, including 18 slaves. His wife died in 1803 (Heitman, Register, 520; George A. Hanson, Old Kent: The Eastern Shore of Maryland [Bal‑ timore, 1876], 193; Easton, Md., Republican Star, 29 Apr. 1806).

From Anonymous Sir, [before 22 Nov. 1804] Again the Citizens of Delaware are in expectation of the removal of Alen McLane from Office, and the appointment of some Republican to succeed him. If in this expectation they are to be gratified; permit  57 

22 NOVEMBER 1804

One who neither now is or ever hath been an applicant, to make known to you in this way the General Wish of real republicans; viz. “That when the Office is taken from One revolutionary Officer, it be given to another.” All those in the State are no doubt known to you— at the head of Whom is Governor Hall. Probably he is no applicant; but as his Office soon expires, his family numerous and expensive, his Estate small and unequal to their support without business or Office, which he cannot expect from his own State,—I make no doubt of his acceptance to the General Joy of his Friends. Should on the other hand some Gentleman without Revolutionary claims obtain this Bone, we must expect an increase of what is already too prevalent in our little balanced State, dissatisfaction. Among the Applicants are Mr. John Bird, very respectable for quallifications; but without any other claim. He is in good business, his family Small and his Estate a competence. One point however makes against him at this time: He is a Member of the Legislature of Delaware, and a resignation of his Seat will destroy every hope of Delaware in the contested Election soon to come on. A Plan is ma‑ tured whereby We may set aside this Election for fraud; but it’s suc‑ cess intirely depends on having every Seat full from N Castle County. Therefore should Mr. Bird resign; before a new member can be elected We shall be ruined in our Plan. It is therefore of the utmost importance, that Mr. Bird does not resign before the contest is over, and with this knowledge, we hope you will not tempt him. The writer is unknown to you,—he has no Interest in the appoint‑ ment and he writes unknown equally to Mr. Bird, Mr. Hall and every Applicant. And as his motives are public Good, he confides in the entire concealment of this correspondence. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 135:25181); un‑ dated; torn at endorsement; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Nov. 1804 and “Hall Govr. to be Colle[ctr. v. Mc.lane]” and so recorded in SJL.

On rumors that john bird had been appointed collector at Wilmington to re‑ place Allen McLane, see Bird to TJ, 22 Oct. contested election: see Caesar A. Rodney to TJ, 15 Oct.

To Christopher Ellery Dear Sir Washington Nov. 22. 04. Altho’ I studiously avoid taking any part in the schisms & conten‑ tions which arise among our friends, & desire generally that my name may not be mingled in them, yet where my testimony is requisite to matters of fact, I think it my duty to give it. you say it has been im‑  58 

22 NOVEMBER 1804

puted to you 1. that through your means & influence the Collector of Newport has been retained in office. I declare that not a word in favor of his being retained ever came from you to me either directly or in‑ directly. 2. that the appointment of mr Tabor as Commissioner of loans had it’s origin in your breast. it had it’s origin from myself alone, from an examination of papers which had been sent to me from a variety of quarters and respecting other offices on former occasions. no idea on the subject ever past from you to me, nor from me to you. 3. that you represented Govr. Fenner to me as a common drunkard. never did such an intimation come from you to me, and your letter expressing that this has been charged on you, is the first communica‑ tion I have ever recieved that such an idea existed in any man’s mind. I learn with sincere regret that statements so unfounded should have prejudiced you in the opinion of your fellow citizens, and therefore with pleasure bear testimony against them. Accept my friendly salu‑ tations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The hon‑ ble Christopher Ellery”; endorsed by TJ.

you say: Ellery to TJ, 19 Nov.

From Albert Gallatin [22 Nov. 1804]

It does not seem that, under existing laws, any difference can be made between a Haytian and any other foreign vessel. But the directions of the President are respectfully requested in this case— A. G. RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 22 Nov. and “Haytian vessel” and so recorded in SJL.

To Thomas Munroe Sir Washington Nov. 22. 04. Having consulted the Secretary of the Treasury on the letter from mr Harwood to yourself respecting the Maryland debt, you are de‑ sired to inform mr Harwood that we consider ourselves as autho‑ rised by the act of Congress to pay the 1st. instalment of 40.  dol‑ lars on any day in the year 1804. the 2d. on any day in the year 1805 &c. that consequently the first will be paid on demand, & as it is as convenient to the US. to pay on the 1st. as the last day of the year, the  59 

22 NOVEMBER 1804

2d instalment may be paid on the 1st. of Jan. 1805. interest always ceasing from the time of paiment. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Mun‑ roe”; endorsed by TJ.

consulted the secretary: Gallatin to TJ, [21 Nov. 1804].

From John Page Dear Sir, Richmond November 22d. 1804. Your favor of the 10th. instant has been received and laid before the Council who being of opinion that the transportation of the forg‑ ing materials was necessary for the conviction of Logwood advised that application for repayment of six dollars expended on that account be made to the Marshal, and that I should transmit to our Senators the other Vouchers for the claims on the General Government for expences incurred in rewarding Brooks, Underwood and the two Al‑ lens for their services in bringing Logwood to trial and conviction. I thank you for the trouble you have taken and have promised yet to take in this business, and in the other interesting affairs, the sub‑ ject of my other letters which you received at the same time with the one which related to the claim of Virginia, the principal object of our present correspondence. I am with the highest respect & esteem Dr. Sir, your Most obt. Servant John Page RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Page; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook). In a letter of 29 Dec., Andrew Moore and William Branch Giles, Virginia’s U.S.

senators, informed Page that there was “not the least probability” of success in obtaining federal funds for the remunera‑ tion of individuals who aided in the arrest of Thomas Logwood for counterfeiting (cvsp, 9:433‑4).

From Robert Smith Sir, [22 Nov. 1804] I send you the enclosed in order that you may perceive the move‑ ments of the Spanish troops from Pensacola to Baton Rouge in the extract marked +— RS— RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department

on 22 Nov. 1804 and “movement Span. troops to Baton rouge” and so recorded

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22 NOVEMBER 1804 in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. A widely reprinted extract of a letter from Baton Rouge, dated 8 Oct., reported the arrival there of spanish troops “by a road which they had made from Pen‑

sacola.” The sizable contingent included 50 dragoons, a company of grenadiers, two companies of fusiliers, artillery, and musicians (Mississippi Herald, 9 Nov.; National Intelligencer, 23 Nov.; New York Morning Chronicle, 24 Nov.; Baltimore Telegraphe and Daily Advertiser, 29 Nov.).

From Robert Smith [22 Nov. 1804]

Mem— We possess already but two gun boats—and in the general Esti‑ mate provision is made for the expences of only these two The costs of the gun Boats cannot yet be accurately ascertained. I am rather inclined to think that each Boat will cost from 5000 to 6000 Dol—The Ship builder in Kentucky asked 9000 Dol— RS— RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 22 Nov. 1804 and “Gunboats” and so recorded in SJL. Gallatin’s general estimate for the 1805 naval expenditures only included the projected expenses for the two gun‑ boats already constructed. On 19 Nov., Joseph H. Nicholson, who headed the

House committee tasked with harbor defense, asked TJ how many additional gunboats the administration wanted Con‑ gress to approve (Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, Transmitting a Report and Estimates of the Appropriations Which Appear to Be Necessary for the Service of the Year 1805 [Washington, D.C., 1804], 7‑8; Nicholson to TJ, 19 Nov.).

From Mason Locke Weems Very Honord Sir Dumfries Nov. 22 I beg your acceptance of the inclosed “The True Patriot”—Tis among the first of my little Callow brood, and, throughout, bears too evident marks of the pinfeather—but I think I feel the growing strength of my quill, and hope e’er long to send you something better worth pe‑ rusal—I had the hardiesse to ask of you a line somewhat recommen‑ datory of “Sidney’s Republic,” a work much extolld by Taylor, Rush, & Dickinson. But these, tho great men & True, are, comparatively, but Stars of feebler light, and seen, only by the Few— But your Excellency’s Wisdom, Humanity, and Rank, have made you as a Sun in our land; and one beam of your approbation thrown on Sidneys Liberty pleading Vol. wd render it the dazzling desideratum  61 

22 NOVEMBER 1804

of thousands. This wd be culling out good Work for an honest Ambi‑ tion that has learned its right aim, “The increased Happiness of Man,” and covets but little more, now, at middle life, than to be doing some‑ thing that may cheer the fire Side of Old Age. That God may Continue your Excellency, A Great Blessing to our Nation, is both the Sabbath & Week day prayer of your very Obt. M. L. Weems— RC (DLC); addressed: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr. Dei gratia Presi‑ dent of the U:S. Washington”; franked; postmarked 23 Nov.; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Weems, The True Patriot: or An Oration, on the Beauties and Beatitudes of a Republic; and the Abominations

and Desolations of Despotism (Philadel‑ phia, [1802]; Sowerby, No. 1665). hardiesse: boldness. “sidney’s republic”: Algernon Sid‑ ney’s Discourses concerning Government frequently appeared on TJ’s recommended reading lists (Sowerby, No. 2330; Vol. 30:595; Vol. 32:179).

From James Bowdoin Sir, Boston Nov. 23. 1804. I should be insensible to the marked & distinguished notice, you have been pleased to take of me, in nominating me, as one of the for‑ eign ministers of the united States, did I not avail myself of the ear‑ liest opportunity, to thank you for your condescension & politeness, in thus thinking of me.— Should it Sir, not meet the sanction of the Senate or should I, from ill‑health, or other cause, find myself under the necessity of declining the honour of the appointment, I shall ever feel grateful to you, for this mark of distinction. My Health Sir, has been very indifferent for some time past, & for these last six weeks, I have been quite unwell. I hope, Sir, that the appointment will not require an immediate at‑ tendance at the seat of Government, for such is the present state of my health, that I am satisfied, my Physcian will absolutely prohibit me, from suddenly undertaking so long a Journey. A Voyage to Eu‑ rope would probably contribute to my general Health, but whether the public business will allow of any delay, is a question, I am quite unable to determine.— Permit me, Sir, to say, that under every circumstance of the case, I shall always feel an unalterable attachment to your Person, character & Administration. Permit me, Sir, before I close my Letter, to particularly thank you for nominating Mr. Erving, as Secretary of Legation to the court of Madrid, he is a man of Talents, my Relation & particular Friend.  62 

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 Believe me with the highest consideration & esteem, very respect‑ fully, Sir, your much obliged & faithful hble Servant James Bowdoin RC (DLC); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. FC (MeB: James Bow‑ doin Letterbook).

TJ signed commissions for Bowdoin and George W. erving on 22 Nov. (FCs in DNA: RG 59, Credences).

From DeWitt Clinton Dr Sir New York 23d Novr. 1804 I take the liberty of introducing to your notice Mr. Richard Bayley of this City—His father Dr Bayley formerly Health officer of this port was a particular friend of mine—and as the bearer is a young gentle‑ man of good connexions & fair character—I trust I do not take too great a liberty in recommending him to your civilities I have the honor to be With great respect Your most Obedt servt, DeWitt Clinton RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Dec. and so recorded in SJL with notation “by mr Sandford.”

To Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours Dear Sir Washington Nov. 23. 04. It is with real pleasure I inform you that it is concluded to be for the public interest to apply to your establishment for whatever can be had from that for the use either of the naval or military department. the present is for your private information; you will know it officially by applications from those departments whenever their wants may call for them. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (DeGH); addressed: “Mr. E. I. Dupont de Nemours. Eleutherian mills near Wilmington Del.”; franked and postmarked. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

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From Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Norfolk Nov. 23d. 1804 The character of the republicans’ party in this place is not easily understood by persons who have not been admitted behind the scenes, it is divided into two grand divisions, and into as many subordinate ones, as can be created, by interest, jealousy, and intemperance. The grand divisions, are composed of moderate men, and violent; the first think it the interest of the community, and of this portion of it in particular, (where there is so much to gain), to promote an union of parties so far as to permit the federalists to unite with us, provided they do it without asking any concession of principle on our part. In other words they think it folly in the extreme, that those well inten‑ tioned Citizens, who have been deluded by misplaced confidence, or by too much precipitation in taking their side, shou’d be prevented from giving their support to an administration that has displayed vir‑ tue, patriotism, and wisdom, that they were induced to fear it did not possess. It is worse than folly, that such persons shou’d be prevented from obeying the dictates of their conscience, by being treated with disdain and contumely, and by being given to understand that they are considered as apostitates, and that no length of time, or contri‑ tion, can wipe away the sin of federalism, thereby forcing them against their own inclination, and in self defence to cling to their old friends. I will give you an instance of what has happened here in the case of a Gent. who you.1 Theo. Armistead the son in law of Col. Newton who is unquestionably the most promising young man that I know in the state who is a merchant, and a man whose respectability, and busi‑ ness entitles him, to be a director in the bank of Virginia. Mr. A— has been a professed republican for several years; but he is now given to understand he is not to come into the direction, unless he will submit to be received as one of the number that it seems to be gener‑ ally admitted shou’d be taken from the federalists2 and this because he was one of the ones of this town who addressed John Adams. A respectable young man who was proscribed in Ireland of the name of Whittle whose commercial standing entitles him to the same distinc‑ tion is treated in the same way. and it is said of him that he cannot be pure because he was not here in the worst times. Even Col. Newton was put down in the ticket of Arther Lee, at the head of the federal‑ ists, and as belonging to that party. The Organization of the Branch Bank of Virginia, has put in activity all the latent causes of discord among the republicans. it is said that R. E. Lee, wishes to be the presi‑ dent, as far as I can understand there are few who concur with him  64 

23 NOVEMBER 1804

upon this point, this object is supposed to have influenced in every thing that relates to the Bank, and prompted him to more than ordi‑ nary violence—hence it is that Col. Newton is denounced, he is a rival candidate. Messrs. Newton’s father & son Tazewell, Wirt, Blow and Armistead are moderate’s. Newsom the post master who is one of the worthiest men living seems to be too susceptible of the impressions of others. Daniel Bedinger is a man not easily understood, and perhaps not of perfect candour, altho he professess more moderation than many of them, I shou’d class him with the violent men. The Mr. Lee’s & Mr. Brough are the leaders of that party. it far from being formidable for numbers or respect.3 In such a discordant state of things, and with so many persons on the spot who wish for the appointment, it is impossible that you can make a choice of a collector that will please every body. All the moderate men and some of the other party wou’d be displeased at the appointment of Mr. Lee, the federalists wou’d regret it more than the appointment of any man in the State. On the contrary the appointment of Mr. Tazewell wou’d give offence to the violent republicans; but I believe wou’d recieve the approbation of all others except those who wou’d be disappointed in their own expecta‑ tions. There can be but one opinion as to his fitness. He unites the capacity and habits of business, with a legal knowledge & responsi‑ bility in money matters, that are rarely to be met with. The objection that wou’d be made to him, wou’d be that he had been too inactive as a politician since he lived here. perhaps this is true in some measure. But it shou’d be remembered that he gave his services until we had gained a complete victory, and rendered real service, he then came here to pursue his profession which he did at the risque of his life; after having been here a short time he married the daughter of Col. Nevison a federalist, it is possible that these causes combined may have imposed greater exertion upon him than he wou’d in any other situation have acted under, but I am confident that a single instance cannot be adduced of his having deviated from principle, or even hesi‑ tated as to the part he shou’d act. He unquestionably has such talents as wou’d make him a useful friend or a formidable enemmy, in any cause in which he wou’d interest himself. every moment of his has been heretofore occupied in his office, if he was Collector he wou’d have more leisure, his situation wou’d be entirely changed, those peo‑ ple on whom, when he came here he was in some degree dependent for business, wou’d feel it their interest to cultivate him, both in con‑ sequence of his being collector, and as a director of the branch bank. I am satisfied that any sensible prudent man, who is the collector and director in that Bank (which I presume the collector will always be)  65 

23 NOVEMBER 1804

will have great influence here. Col. Nevison is a moderate man who professess to be satisfied with general tenor of conduct pursued by the present administration. Mr. Newton junr is a man loved and es‑ teemed by all who know him. but he wants energy of character, and more over it is doubtful whether any other republican who would offer cou’d be elected to congress in this district. In case you shou’d think fit to appoint a person not at this time resident in Norfolk, may I take the liberty to repeat the name of a gent. that I once mentioned to you? Larkin Smith who is Tazewell’s brother in law, unites revo‑ lutionary merit, honor and industry. he was formerly addicted to play whether that is the case now or not I do not know, but I believe it is not, as I have no certain information, I thought it proper to give you a knowledge that that had been the case. John Minor of Fredricks‑ burg seems to possess qualities, that qualify him for the office, and wou’d make him useful in other respects. I have written upon this subject with a freedom that I shou’d not have used if I was not per‑ fectly sure this paper wou’d never be seen by any other person except yourself. To you Sir, I am bound by affection and gratitude to render every service in my power. Upon this subject I feel myself under par‑ ticular obligations, because I fear (altho I intended the contrary) I may have increased the embarrassment that every new appointment occasions. I have not said a word of my intention to resign nor will I until I hear from you. I beg you Sir, not to believe I am actuated in anything I have said, by any motive but a desire to present to your view different persons, and to possess you of circumstances connected with the appointment of those persons, that wou’d enable you to judge for yourself. I wish it was possible that you cou’d in all cases make your appointments from your own knowledge of the persons from whom you have to select I am sure your selection wou’d give eclat to your administration, and ensure the public good. I rely upon that goodness which I have so often experienced to excuse the freedom of this letter and its length. I am Dear Sir, with the highest respect Your much obliged hum Servt W. C. Nicholas RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

addicted to play: that is, gambling (oed).

col. nevison: Norfolk lawyer John Nivison (Vol. 42:582n).

 66 

1 Thus

in MS. of sentence interlined. 3 Sentence interlined. 2 Remainder

To Elizabeth House Trist Washington Nov. 23. 04.

Your two letters, my dear friend, of Aug. 31. & Sep. 9. reached me on the 9th. & 31st. of October. I had already learned through other channels the melancholy event they announced. be assured I deeply felt for your situation: but on this subject I will not say one word; experience in the same school having taught me that time alone can mitigate what nothing can remedy. I hope that the appointment of mr Wm. Brown, which was yesterday confirmed by the Senate, will be found to have combined the interests of the public with those of your family. Accept the affectionate salutations of your sincere friend. Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Mrs. E. Trist”; endorsed by TJ.

melancholy event: the death of Hore Browse Trist; see William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 29 Aug.

From Ann Welsh Sir, New London Novr. 23th. 1804 Presuming on the readiness which your Excell. has ever shewn to assist the Injur’d, the distress’d and the Widow, induces me tho’ un‑ known to you, to solicit your advice, on a matter in wich I am deeply Interested—the high Character you bear would have forever clos’d my moth in Silence had not dire necessity, forc’d me to make this Ap‑ plication to you as the last resource—Your Excely. will permit me to relate the matter to you, when I shall leave it with you Sir to take such measures as your heart may dictate to relieve a widow, whose thanks will be all in her power to return—a widow whose sufferings for her Country, in the lose of a Husband & Brother, on whom alone she depended for Subsistance—certainly demands Justice; if no more of that country in whose service both there lives were sacreficd— Not to trouble you too much, Sir, I will begin with my Story—I am the widow of Capt. Jono. Welsh, who Commanded the marines in the unfortunate Attack upon Penobscoth, in which he lost his life bravely fighting at the head of the1—the loss of my Husband left me in very Disagreeable circumstances, which the kindness of a Brother in some measure relieved—this Brother was Capt. Geo. Hurlbut who Com‑ manded a company of light Hose in Sheldons Regt. till in defending a vessel with stores in the N. River (for which he had the Honour of receving Genl. Washington thanks in Genl. Orders)2 he reciev’d a  67 

23 NOVEMBER 1804

wound, under which he languished till the 8th. day of May 1783, when he exppir’d—haveing sufferd the most excruciating pain beyond the power of Language to express— This deserving Brother having made a will in my favour & ap‑ pointed me Excet.—I have applied to the former administration for the Commutation Notes due him by a Mr. Coit who was of the po‑ litical party then3 in power, the petition was rejected (as I suppose) principally on account of the political principles of its advocat, tho so small a recompence for a life spent & lost in the service of (I am sorry to say) an ungratfull Country—they allowed the Justice of my demand, had not Congress said that the war did not end untill the signing the treaty—but my demand was made on the ground that Congress had Contracted to pay the Commutation notes to Officers who died after that peread, to me it seems ungratfull, for my part, I cannot see why my Brother having died a few months befor the signing the definetive treaty should render him less deserving of public notise than others who died after that event—Has he not fought as bravely and died as Gloriously—has he not served & perished in the same great cause to these truths, Sir, let Genl. Washington Certificate Attest—Were I not perswaded that it is a Just cause I should not be thus earnest but of this I am perswaded, not by my own judgment only but by that of Genl Washington the Saviour of our Country in the most pointed manner in a Letter & Certificate a copy of which will be enclosed, the Original, in his own hand writing is among the papers of Congress I presume was there a petition laid before our republican Admin‑ istration who feel the spirit of ’76 & who with the great Washington the Saviour of our Country would Shudder at the thought that those heroes who fought bled & died in the great cause of Liberty and that the Petition of the widow should be neglected, I might flatter myself with sucess—that, Washington had these feeling let his letter attest which says it is an ungratfull Country that it is not granted me To you Sir I look for relief—having tried every other method with‑ out effect for the recovery of the Commutation notes, You know the fatigues of war, you was the friend of Washington, may I flatter myself that you like Washington will plead the widows cause— I wrote the Honbl. Joseph H. Nicholson the last session of Con‑ gress stating my case fully praying his Assistance, as it was near the Close of the session I receved no answer, I have writen him a few days past, praying him to bestow a little Attention to my Petition—may I presume to ask you Excely. to advice with Mr Nicholson upon the subject—  68 

23 NOVEMBER 1804

 Pardon me, Sir, if I have taken too much on myself by writeing my sentiments thus freely; when you advert to the accumalated distresses by losing in the publick service valuable freinds who were near and Dear to my Heart—I think it will apologize for me to the Benevalent & Humane—had I possessed a decent competence, and a constitution more fitted to repel want by my own efforts, I should long since have ceased to call on the Justice of my country who have too much forgot‑ ten the fatigues & hardship of our Soldiers in our revolution— Should your Excellancy think it beneath’ your notice to interest yourself for me, I must sit down in dispair—every thing Sir, is in your Power—they will not surely refuse the Presedent of thier Country in his Application for Justice to a widowed Orphan—as a reward Sir you will recive the thanks of Your Excellency Obleg’d and very Humble Servt. Ann Welsh RC (DLC); at head of text: “His Ex‑ cellency Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: George Washington to Ann Welsh, 8 Dec. 1788, in reply to Welsh’s letter of 12 Nov.; Washington conveys distress “that a Lady, whose hus‑ band and Brother perished in the service of their country, should be reduced to a precarious dependence on others,” but explains that as a private citizen he can do nothing to help except enclose a “cer‑ tificate of the facts” for her use in petition‑ ing the government; the certificate states that in Washington’s private opinion the brave actions of George Hurlbut and his death “after the war was in fact concluded by the signature of the provisional Treaty of Peace” entitles his heirs to the commu‑ tation of his half pay (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 1:105‑7, 170‑1). Ann Hurlbut Welsh (ca. 1752‑1832) of New London, Connecticut, was the widow of Irish‑born John Welsh, who died dur‑ ing the 1779 American siege on Fort George at the mouth of the Penobscot River in present‑day Maine. Welsh’s claim to her brother’s half pay was rejected first by the commissioner of army accounts directly after the war and then repeatedly

by Congress, beginning in 1787 and con‑ tinuing until her death. Congress recog‑ nized the claim in 1834 and made appro‑ priate compensation to the Hurlbut estate (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 1:106‑7; Aurora, 21 Dec. 1797; jhr, 8:151; 10:495; 17:356; U.S. Statutes at Large, 6:589; New-London Gazette, and General Advertiser, 18 Apr. 1832; Philadelphia Pennsylvania Packet or the General Advertiser, 14 Sep. 1779). In his general order of 17 July 1781, washington commended Elisha Shel‑ don’s second regiment of light dragoons for having successfully protected Ameri‑ can ships at Tarrytown during a recent invasion by British forces. The order singled out four men for their “gallant be‑ haviour” and “spirited exertions,” includ‑ ing the wounded George Hurlbut (John C. Fitzpatrick, ed., The Writings of George Washington, 39 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1931‑44], 22:392). New London Federalist Joshua coit served in the House of Representatives from 1793 to 1798 (Biog. Dir. Cong.). 1 Thus

in MS. parenthesis supplied by Ed‑

2 Opening

itors. 3 Word interlined in place of “now.”

 69 

Petition of John Higdon, with Jefferson’s Order To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America.— Your Petitioner John Higdon of the County of Alexandria in the District of Columbia most respectfully begs leave to represent, that during the Revolutionary War, your Petitioner was at his post of duty, in the field, where his Country received his best services for four years— That altho’ your Petitioner with the rest of his Countrymen ac‑ quired liberty by the struggle—yet Fortune was not her concomitant Attendant— That adventitious circumstances have nearly bereaved him of the small share of property acquired by industry and frugality since that time—And that his Family still dependent on his exertions for sup‑ port, are reduced to the horrid expectation of want and misery in consequence of the rendition of a Judgment against your Petitioner, on an Indictment for a Riot, the amount of which with costs is Sixty two dollars and eighty One Cents—Your Petitioner begs leave to as‑ sure your Excellency, that his present misfortune is not the result of a disregard for public tranquillity but is owing entirely to his being present while the riot was committed by others and his ignorance of the effects of the Laws on that account—Your Petitioner’s Calamities are in a great measure alleviated by a knowledge that the Laws con‑ ceived in Justice and planned in Wisdom have placed the power of remission in the hands of a Chief Magistrate ever willing to extend mercy to the Unfortunate; therefore confidently hopes that the legal tho’ not actual guilt of which he has been convicted may be obliter‑ ated and his fine & Costs remitted; And your Petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray.— Alexa: 24th. Novr. 1804. John Higdon  We the Subscribers Justices of the Peace for the County of Alex‑ andria from our knowledge of John Higdon’s general Conduct beg leave to recommend him to the Clemency of the President of the United States, and we believe him not possessed of property sufficient to pay the above Fine & Costs, & he has a wife & five small children dependent on his daily Labours for the Bread which is to support them,—Given under our hands this 24th. day of Novr. 1804.— A Faw Jacob Hoffman  70 

24 NOVEMBER 1804

George Gilpin Elisha C. Dick George Taylor Peter Wise Jr Cuthbert Powell At the request of John Higdon we do hereby Certify that we are per‑ sonally acquainted with him & his circumstances and are fully Sat‑ isfyed of his Entire Inability to discharge the fine & Costs assessed against him amounting to Dollars 62₁−⁸₀−−—Given ¹₀ under our Hands this 11th. Decembr. 1804. G. Deneale, Cl: Cir: Ct: Alexa. County L Summers D Marshal District Columbia We the undersigned Judges respectfully represent to the president of the United States that we have recieved satisfactory information that the petitioner is unable to pay his fine & fees & of his having a Wife & several Children dependant on his Labours for their support—From these Considerations & presuming that his imprisonment has been a sufficient punishment for his Offence, we respectfully recommend a remission of his Fine & a Discharge from further Confinement W Kilty W. Cranch N Fitzhugh The President is respectfully referred to the record forwarded with George McFarlane’s Petition [Order by TJ:] Dec. 13. 04. Let a pardon issue

Th: Jefferson

RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); petition in a clerk’s hand, signed by Higdon; recom‑ mendation of Faw and others in same hand, signed by all; affidavit of George Deneale and Lewis Summers in different hand, signed by both; recommendation of judges in Nicholas Fitzhugh’s hand, signed by all; postscript in a different hand; TJ’s order inserted above post‑ script.

Bricklayer John Higdon, along with George McFarlane and others, had been convicted of riot and assault by the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Colum‑ bia in June 1804 and fined $10 each plus costs (Petition of George McFarlane, 15 Aug.). TJ issued a joint pardon of Hig‑ don and John McFarlane on 14 Dec. (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR).

 71 

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir! New‑Orleans Novr. 25th. 1804. My Administration here, from the time of my Arrival in Louisiana, to the close of the late provisional Government, has already became an object of some discussion: to this I can have no objection; I wou’d rather court it, were I assur’d, that the Enquiries wou’d be conducted with Candour.—but some publications have appear’d here upon the subject, in which, I do not think Justice has been render’d me.—I am well assur’d, that those Publications will make their way, to the North‑ ward, and may perhaps, make some unfavorable Impressions.—With a view, therefore, to my Justification, and for your satisfaction, I will take the Liberty to animadvert, in a few words, on the principal points, to which, Objections have been rais’d.— Many of the Embarrassments I have experienc’d, may be attributed to the disorganiz’d revolutionary State, in which we receiv’d Louisi‑ ana from M. Laussat.—That Minister demanded and possess’d him‑ self of the province, nearly a Month before the Arrival of the Ameri‑ can Commissioners. I candidly confess, Sir!—that my early Impressions, were, that Mr. Laussat had done some good, in the course of his short Career, and for the destruction of the Cabildo, I had suppos’d myself indebted to him:—but I soon found, that the changes made, were too radical and immediate, not to subject, both the American Government and the Citizens to Inconvenience and difficulties.—Nearly all the ancient Es‑ tablishments of the Country, were overthrown: the Cabildo dissolv’d, the Judiciary abolish’d, and nothing erected in their place, but a Mu‑ nicipality, or City Council, whose powers were undefin’d, and seem’d to be limited only by the will of their Creator.— Instead of finding a regular Government, to which the People were accustom’d, the general Principles and forms of which, I cou’d, for a while, have adopted, I beheld a new Order of things which no One perfectly understood.— In this state, I had to provide some means for preserving the peace of the Country, and protecting Individuals in their rights.—A revival of the Spanish Tribunals, was thought of; but powerful Objections presented.— There were then two strong parties, in the Country, one Spanish, and the other French; the latter the most numerous and influential.— To undo, therefore, all that Laussat had done, wou’d not only have given Offence, to him, and thereby embarrass’d the unfinished Nego‑ ciations, then pending between Us, but wou’d also have afforded mat‑  72 

25 NOVEMBER 1804

ter of Triumph to the Spanish Interest, and probably kindled a flame among the French Partizans, That cou’d not easily be extinguished.— I had also particular Objections to the Spanish Tribunals: they seem’d to me, illy calculated for the “security of personal Liberty and property,” and therefore, altho’, if I had found those Tribunals in Existence, they wou’d have been recognis’d, yet I was not sollicitous to revive them.— Under existing Circumstances, and after mature deliberation, I deter‑ min’d to steer, as nearly as possible, a middle course;—I reviv’d some of the Spanish Offices, and appointed Magistrates, resembling those of the United States; I introduc’d some new Members into the Munici‑ pality, and defin’d it’s powers; I vested the Judicial Authority, in a Court, which I created for the purpose, with a Jurisdiction, extending to all suits under Three Thousand Dollars.—Higher causes I took cognizance of myself.—All these Regulations, were not prescrib’d in a day;—as Occasion requir’d, my plan was pursued, and the Interest of the People, kep’t constantly in View;—Nor was I inattentive to their Wishes and Opinions, as far as they cou’d be collected from those per‑ sons, who, I suppos’d wou’d answer my Enquiries with most Candour.— The general Clamour of the Citizens, for a court of Justice, neces‑ sarily plac’d that measure foremost on the List; the others follow’d gradually in succession.—The proceedings of the Court, which I erected, have been the subject of some Animadversions.— To this I can only answer, that it was compos’d exclusively of Citi‑ zens of this Territory, a Majority of whom were French, and I took pains, (after consulting the Municipality) to select the most respect‑ able Characters in the city, and it’s Vicinity.— Ignorant of Law, and unaccustom’d to it’s forms, these Gentlemen may have been often betray’d into little Irregularities, and sometimes perplex’d, by jarring Sentiments of Right, or by Indecision: but this I am assur’d of, that they were honest and upright, in their Inten‑ tions, and render’d much Service to their Country.— I have been accus’d of bestowing the lucrative offices of the Gov‑ ernment to Americans exclusively.—this is not true: few Offices were given to Americans, which wou’d, in my opinion, have been fill’d with propriety by french Men, or ancient Louisianians.— It wou’d have been rash indeed, for me, to have entrusted impor‑ tant Duties and high Trusts to Men I knew not.— Hence, let it not be a matter of surprize, that some of my Country‑ men, of whom, my own Knowledge, or whose establish’d Character entitled them to Confidence, shou’d have experienc’d my patronage. Of those offices, which I cou’d safely confide to Citizens indiscrimi‑ nately, much the greater portion, has been conferr’d on French men,  73 

25 NOVEMBER 1804

or native Louisianians. The late Admission of foreign Negroes has also been a subject of Complaint against me.— The Searcher of all Hearts, knows, how little I desire, to see an‑ other of that wretched race, set his foot on the Shores of America! how, from my Heart, I detest the Rapacity, that wou’d transport them to us!—but on this point, the people here have United as one man!— there seem’d to be but one sentiment throughout the Province—they must import more Slaves, or the Country was ruin’d for ever.—the most respectable Characters, cou’d not, even in my presence, suppress the Agitation of their Tempers, when a check to that Trade, was suggested!—Under such Circumstances, it was not for me; without the Authority of previous Law, or the Instructions of my Government to prohibit the Importation of Slaves.—To give security to the prov‑ ince, and Quietude to the Citizens, I gave orders for the exclusion of St. Domingo Negroes, and took every precautionary measure to en‑ force them; but I entertain’d little hopes of success.—Nothing but a general Exclusion, cou’d have counteracted the Evasions and frauds that were sometimes practis’d, by west India Slave Traders.— The organizing of the Volunteer Corps, and some other of my Offi‑ cial Acts, have been objected to; but my Explanations on almost every measure of my late administration have been so general & particular in my official Letters to the Secretary of State, that I conceive it, un‑ necessary to dilate further on the Subject.— In a Country like Louisiana where Intrigue has so long sported; where so many petty factions are nurs’d, and such incompatible In‑ terests exist;—where the Citizens lately releas’d from despotic Sway, are not fully appriz’d of the nature, nor do they sufficiently estimate the value of a pure and free Government, I do really conceive myself peculiarly fortunate, in having drawn, my late Administration to so peaceful a Close!— For a continuance of your individual and public happiness, I pray you to accept the best wishes of Dear Sir, Your faithful friend Wm. C. C. Claiborne P.S. At the request of several Merchants I have enclosed you a petition in favour of Mr, Porter, who is a Candidate for the office of Surveyor for this Port;—I have not the pleasure of an Acquaintance with Mr, Porter, But he is represented to me as an honest, capable young Man. I am Dr Sir, with respect, Yr: faithful friend W. C. C. Claiborne  74 

25 NOVEMBER 1804  Dupl (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, with closings, signatures, and postscript in Claiborne’s hand; at head of text in Clai‑ borne’s hand: “(Duplicate)” and above postscript: “To Thomas Jefferson Presi‑ dent of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. FC (LU‑Ar: Claiborne Letter Book); lacks postscript. Enclosure: me‑ morial dated 22 Nov., “We the Subscrib‑ ers merchants &c. of the City of New Orleans, well knowing the integrity & abilities of Mr Andrew Porter Junior, acting as Inspector & Surveyer of the Port of New Orleans & having witnessed his faithfull discharge of the duties of his office for a long time past, Recommend him as a person proper to be appointed Inspector & Surveyor of the Port of New Orleans” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Chew & Relf, P.  Madan & Co., Amory & Callender, Judah Touro, Meeker Williamson & Pat‑ ton, Blaise Cenas, John Poultney, Jr., & Co., Benjamin Morgan, Kenner & Hen‑ derson, Henry O’Hara, Winter & Har‑ man, John Palfrey, B. S. Spitzer, John McDonogh, Jr., & Co., Shepherd Brown & Co., George Pollock, Charles Norwood,

Alexander Milne, Peter L. B. Duplessis, Jr., George T. Ross, John Clay, Philip Zerban, John Lynd, Henry Stagg, Paul Lanusse, William Flood, Joseph F. Gray, Déjan & Brother, McNeal & Montgom‑ ery, Thomas Randall, Pierre Petit, Jean Baptiste Labatut, Earle Jones & Co., Mi‑ chel Fortier, C. Bougaud, Pierre Roques, Joseph McNeil, and John Watkins; at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ: “Porter Andrew to be Surveyor N.O.”). Most notable among the publications criticizing Claiborne’s adminis‑ tration was the anonymously published Esquisse de la situation politique et civile de la Louisiane, depuis le 30 Novembre 1803, jusqu’au 1er. Octobre 1804. par un Louisianais (New Orleans, 1804); see Claiborne to TJ, 10 Nov. court, which i created: see Clai‑ borne to TJ, 16 Jan. 1804. volunteer corps: the author of the Esquisse criticized Claiborne for organ‑ izing new American volunteer battalions while neglecting existing French units (Esquisse, 24).

From William Jarvis Sir Lisbon 25th. Novr. 1804 By the Ship Cato, Captn James Snow for New York, I have shipped a Pipe of Arruda Wine for you, to the address of David Gelston Es‑ quire, agreeable to what I had the honor to inform you the 14th Inst by the Richmond, Catn Hathaway for Philadelphia. It is double cased & marked TJ. I have taken much pains to have it of the best; and if I can trust to the taste of some persons who have tried it & of my own, I esteem it as good wine of the kind as Lisbon produces. In hopes to prevent every kind of fraud I had two sample bottles filled on board in presence of the Captain & Mate, before it was cased; which also go directed to Mr Gelston & have requested him to compare the pipe with one & to send the other on to Washington. The Corks of both are sealed with the initials of my name. Should the wine meet your ap‑ probation Sir, it will give me very great pleasure. In compliance with your wishes I shall draw for the amount when the Bill is handed me.  75 

25 NOVEMBER 1804

 With the most perfect Veneration I have the honor to be Sir Your most Obedient & Most H’ble Servt. William Jarvis RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Jan. 1805 but recorded in SJL as received 5 Feb.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum Novr. 25. 04. Puting some of the Machinery togather will complete the Poly‑ graph you intend for Mr. Volney—It is very handsome, I expect will perform better than that you have, and may be esteemed a princely present. One for your use is in hand, and will be made according to the desire expressed in your Letter of the 17th. Instant—the work‑ manship will be a specimen for you to judge of the merrits of the other. I wish to have your opinion on the use of Drawers, which, if you write soon, will be received before we come to that stage of the work. Please to examine the space under the machinery at the west end—It is sufficient to hold Post Paper, and will give a debth of ½ Inch be‑ neath the Cover, (or, inside measure). A place is absolutely necessary to hold the spare Pen‑cases and Pens—This may be a box put either on the N.E. corner, or it may be an addition to the Paper‑Box extending on a line with the Ink holders. These Boxes may have sliding covers, flush with the top—and are kept close when the Gallows is down. Except the salutations of your friend C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale‑Sellers Papers).

From Justus Erich Bollmann Sir, New york Nov. 26th. 1804 I acknowledge the Reception of Your Excellency’s Letter of the 12th. Inst. in Order to mention at the same Time that the Disap‑ pointment, as you are pleased to term it, has occasioned to me no kind of Inconvenience. As I hope that the Wines have by this Time arrived safely at Washington it will give me Pleasure to learn occasionally that they have answered Your Excellency’s Expectation.  76 

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 I have the Honor to remain with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obt. St. J. Erich Bollmann RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, New Orleans, 26th. of the 11th. mo. 1804— I am just arrived here in safety and good health after a journey, of the unavoidable delays, embarrassments, and fatigues of which I had no anticipation. I wrote to thee, on the 2nd. of the 10th. mo. from the southeaster‑ most projection of Tallapoosa River, which I call Point Comfort Next morning (3d) we left Point Comfort, and proceeding on the south‑ east side of Alibama River nearly parallel with its course, we arrived, on the 9th at the house of Nathaniel Christmas, on the west side of Tombigbee River about 2 miles above its confluence with Alibama. At this place I received the afflicting information of the death of my much esteemed friend Hore Brouse Trist, of Governor Claiborne’s wife and only child, and of my brother Joseph, the Governor’s private Secretary. I also received certain intelligence that at this time the yel‑ low fever raged in New Orleans with uncommon violence, and was peculiarly fatal to visitants from other places. So that I deemed it pru‑ dent to delay my entrance into that city until a change in the weather and future intelligence should afford me some prospect of safety;—I had also, on the very day of my arrival here, another visit from my old acquaintance the autumnal intermittent fever. For these reasons I re‑ mained on Tombigbee three weeks, industriously employing all the time my indisposition allowed me, in calculating the geographical position of places on my route. Although my arrival in New Orleans has been several weeks later, my report on the Post Road will not be one day delayed by my remaining on Tombigbee. I had the additional affliction of attending to the grave, the remains of that firm Patriot and worthy man, Colonel Ephraim Kirby, who expired at Fort Stod‑ dert on the 20th. at 4 oclock in the morning. On the 29th. ultimo, we left Tombigbee, passing through the Town of Mobille, we crossed Pascagoula River near its mouth—passed round the bays of Biloxi and St. Louis, to pearl River, about 10 miles above its mouth. From hence we passed down Pearl River, through the Rigolets and lake to New Orleans. On this part of our route (a  77 

26 NOVEMBER 1804

distance of about 200 miles) we were 25 days; to give some idea of the difficulties we have encountered, besides the unsurmountable de‑ lays of transporting our horses over rivers, several miles wide,1 where there are no ferries, I will mention the progress we made in one fa‑ tiguing, industrious, and laborious days travelling, when entangled amongst impassable boggy drains, which are very frequent, and of considerable length; we encamped at night about 3 miles from our encampment the preceeding night. Yet these obstacles might be easily overcome by a little labor; and a road, in my opinion, may be made, on the route which we have contemplated, with much less expense, and far superior to the best gravelled turnpike in the middle states. The practicable distance from the City of Washington to this place will be very little more than a thousand miles. By next mail I expect to send on a full report, with a map; and then proceed immediately to the Mississippi Territory.2 Since I came to this place I have heard a rumor that the Spanish Officers in that part of Louisiana called West Florida have issued an order for my arrest, and sent to take me. I will make further enquiry into this rumor and communicate the result of my enquiry in my next. We have, however, left our horses on Pearl River, and shall be under the necessity, on our way to the Mississippi Territory, of putting it to the test. Governor Claiborne informs me that he expects shortly to form a Council. Knowing, as I do, how tenderly he loved his wife and child, I think he bears his misfortune with great fortitude. Accept assurances of my Sincere Esteem and most earnest wishes for thy happiness. Isaac Briggs. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. FC (MdHi); in Thomas Robertson’s hand. Tr (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); in Isaac A. Coles’s hand; at foot of text in TJ’s hand: “The President of

the US.”; lacks final two paragraphs; en‑ closed in TJ to the House of Representa‑ tives, 1 Feb. 1805. 1 Preceding 2 Tr

nine words interlined. ends here.

From Stanley Griswold Sir, Walpole, N.H. 26. Nov. 1804. I have the pleasure to inform you, that by letters received last eve‑ ning from members of the legislature of this state, now in session at Concord, it appears, that the votes for Electors of President and V. president have been canvassed, and that the ticket supported by re‑  78 

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publicans has succeeded by a majority of 702 votes over the opposite ticket. The result was as follows,    Republican 9088    Federal 8386    Scattering 128 The gentlemen elected are Mess. John Goddard, Levi Bartlett, Jon‑ athan Steele, Robert Alcock, Timothy Walker, George Aldrich, Wm. Tarlton. Give me leave most cordially to congratulate you on this auspicious event, so promising to the harmony and quiet of the Union. The amendment to the U.S. constitution, proposed by the legisla‑ ture of Massachusetts, was under consideration at the date of my letters (Saturday last,) and will unquestionably be rejected. I am with sentiments of great respect, Your obedt. Servant, Stanley Griswold. RC (DLC); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. On 20 June, in an effort to dilute south‑ ern influence in Congress and national elections, the Massachusetts legislature passed a resolution calling for an amendment to the u.s. constitution to ap‑ portion representation among the states “according to the numbers of their Free Inhabitants, respectively.” The resolution also asked the governor of Massachusetts “to inform the Chief Magistrates of the several states, of the doings of the Leg‑ islature of this Commonwealth, and re‑ quest them to adopt the same measures.” Known as the Ely amendment for its sponsor, state legislator William Ely, the proposal found little support outside of Massachusetts. Timothy Pickering intro‑

duced the resolution in the U.S. Senate on 7 Dec., where it was ordered to lie for con‑ sideration (Resolves of the General Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts . . . Begun and Held at Boston, in the County of Suffolk, on Wednesday, the Thirtieth Day of May, Anno Domini—MDCCCIV [Bos‑ ton, 1804], 28‑9; Padraig Riley, Slavery and the Democratic Conscience: Political Life in Jeffersonian America [Philadelphia, 2016], 37; js, 3:422; Levi Lincoln to TJ, 14 Oct.). The previous day, 25 Nov., Griswold wrote to Dearborn, sending him the re‑ sults of the New Hampshire election and reiterating his desire for a federal ap‑ pointment. He suggested an office arising either from the contemplated division of Indiana Territory or from the execution of the claims convention with Spain (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Griswold Stanley for office in Detroit govmt”).

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir, Monday Novr. 26 1804 Wilmington. This day our board & its Committees finish their business. I shall get into the Mail, if possible today. At all events tomorrow & come on without the loss of a moments’ time. I am with the sincerest respect Yrs B Henry Latrobe. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

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From James Oldham Sir— Richmond november 26th. 1804. Your favor of the 13th. Inst. I receiv’d from my friend Mr. Payton as I was there at his House; Should of come a week sooner to Rich‑ mond had I not of receiv’d a message from Mr. Samuel J. Cable the evening before I was about to Start, requesting me to call on him at amherst, which I did, and he agree’d that I Shoul,d go to worke for him on the first of march at Amherst, The Sashes Venition Shutters and dores for his Building I was to of done at Richmond this winter which woul,d of been a moast capital Job, but I find it impossable to get Lumber in this plaice Sutable for the purpose. Have rode To all the sawmills in the cuntery within Twelve miles round and cannot get any seasond Lumber, The Lumber that is maid use of in this plaice is all green and they never use any that is over 1¼ I. Thick? This Will of corse prevent me from doing of your worke which Shoul’d of taken a grait pleasure in doing, provided I coul’d get such materials as woul,d Sute and enable me to render you a Satisfaction in my worke. as I was scearse of money I Took the Liberty to give Mr. John H craven a draft on you for the sum of 20 Dollars dated the 10th. of November 1804. Which I hope will be excus’d? If you are not in a hurry for the dores or if a Twelvemonth from this time woul,d answer, Shoul,d be glad to do them as in that Time could precour good Lumber for the purpose, however Shoul,d a op‑ ertunity offer that would Sute you better than to Depend on me Shoul,d be willing for you to make use of it. At the present must beg the faver you to give me a draft on Mr. Jefferson and gibson by the return of post for 30 or 40 Dollars as I must Leave Richmond in a short time. Ingraiv’d on my mind, Sir, and must there remain until I am no more, the moast savage treatment which I receiv’d from Gabrail Lil‑ ley and John perry a few days before I left Albermarl and for no caws whatever as I solemly decleare to heaven, but Lilley says he acted from an athority given to him by your Honourable self, and in Sub‑ stance it is no less than to consider me as one of the moast vilest reches on earth, Lilley says his orders reciv’d from you was to inform me that it was your wish that I shoul,d not put my foot on monticello or eaven on your Land and swore that he woul,d blow me thro if I a tempted to pass, Seconded by his purgerd brother‑in Law John perry, who swore that he woul,d shoot the men that ware in the cart if they  80 

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attempted to pass, mr. craven had Lent me his cart for the purpose of removeing my Tools to milton and I proceeded along the plain road apprehending no danger when those men stop,d me and exercisd there othority as they say? a few days previous to this I had ast the favour of Lilley to Let his cart or waggon to remove my Tools, when he answer,d me that he woul,d ce me and the Tools all in Hell first, upon this I turnd of from him: Upon the honour of a man Mr. Jef‑ ferson had I of thot or coul,d I yet think that my going on any part of your possessions woul,d of given you any offence moast certainly Sir, woul,d never of done it, but thro choice woul,d of Left every rag of clothes and every tool that I posses,d; These men, Sir, for a consider‑ able time past have united themselves and straind every nerve to In‑ jour me but little indeed did I regard it, Had I, Sir of gon into your cellars with these men and others and there of got Beastly drunk, I shoul,d of bin in there sight a clever fellow besi’d geting a few bottles of wine; Had I of Sind my naim to perry,s bill of Lumber and also to his account of the days workes which he charg,d you with it woul,d Still of been all well, but in preference to acting dishonestly I Strove to do Justice to these men as also to your Honourable self. can it be possable, Sir, that you have never hurn of Lilley,s going into the cel‑ lar and getting drunk and to be oblig,d to be carried home. it is a well nown fact that Lilly fell out with me within Six weeks after I first went to monticello, becaus I woul,d not assist him to punnish Luis, nor have any thing to do with him, This mr. Randolph nows well; Luis went of from me Twice but it is well nown that I never punnishd him, and have a many a time wish,d that I had of never of seen him; I much question if mr Lilley ever acquainted you how‑much flower and poark he fornishd his friends with the first year that he had the supplying of us and her did he supply the Last year with corn. The Barbarity that he maid use of with Little Jimmy was the moast cruel, to my noledge Jimmy was sick for thre nights and the moast part of the time I raly thot he woul,d not of Liv,d he at this time slep,d in the room with me, I inform,d Lilly the boy was not able to worke and Beg,d him not to punnish him, but this had no affect he whip,d him three times in one day, and the boy was raly not able to raise his hand to his Head? it has been a constant song with Lilly and perry and by them as‑ erted that I was dischargd on there account and owl,d Stuart,s, be it as it may it is out of my power to prevent it and the all wise provedence knows my persecutions have been grait, but never the Less I pray for my persecutors to be forgiven and fill happy in a seperation, and with  81 

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a clear contience can say that was alway rady and willing to serve you. A Due and may Heaven Bless You With Respect Your Obt Servt. James Oldham. RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thoms. Jef‑ ferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 29 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. Lewis (luis) was an enslaved joiner at Monticello (Betts, Farm Book, pt. 1, 114; Stanton, Free Some Day, 43).

little jimmy: the 17‑year‑old son of Critta Hemings was one of the workers in the nail factory at Monticello (Annette Gordon‑Reed, The Hemingses of Monticello: An American Family [New York, 2008], 577).

From Philip Reed Sir Washington 26th. Novr. 1804 I have visited this place for the sole function of causing myself to be made known to you, with a view to apply for an appointment under your administration of the government of the U. States. It is probable that in adopting this mode of application I may have departed from the common course, I am unacquainted with the prac‑ tice, and must therefore rely for my apology upon the known candour of your charactor. It may not be improper Sir that I should State, that in the memo‑ rable year of 1776 I entered into the Army a private Soldier. I was soon after promoted and continued in the Army untill the end of the war, before which time I was a Captain. Since the war, I have been honored with Several appointments, and altho’ all of them were very respectable, yet none were profitable, except the office of Sheriff, held for three years—How far I have succeeded in the discharge of the various and important duties imposed on me—How well I have con‑ ducted myself as a citizen, or how far contributed in promoting the present happy order of things, are questions not proper for me to decide. I must beg leave to refer you for information on these several points to those gentlemen with whom I have the honor of being ac‑ quainted, and with whom I have usually acted in political concerns— with General Smyth and R. Smyth Esquire Secretary of the Navy, I have some acquaintance. It is probable my charactor may be little known to them. with Mr. Duvall, I formerly served in the State leg‑ islature. with Major R. Wright and J. H. Nicholson Esquire I have been long acquainted. It is probable Mr. Nelson may not be unac‑ quainted with the reputation I sustained in the Army, with Doctor Archer I have a short personal acquaintance—A fall from my carriage,  82 

26 NOVEMBER 1804

near three years ago by which my leg was dreadfully fractured, has put it out of my power to pursue any active means for the Support of my family—Thus circumstanced I feel myself justifyed in coming be‑ fore the government of my Country to be placed in some Situation that will make the latter part of my life comfortable &c. My applica‑ tion cannot be directed to any Specific Object because I am remote from the government and am utterly unacquainted with the particu‑ lar State of things—Baltimore would be a Situation convenient & pleasing to me, if you should think proper to palace me there. I expect to leave this place on wednesday morning for the Eastern Shore previous to which I should be happy of the honor of waiting on you in order to make some further explanations, which I wish to do personally I have the Honor to be with high consideration Sir, Your Most Obedt. Huml. Servant Philip Reed RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of The U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Nov. and “for emploiment” and so recorded in SJL. Philip Reed (1760‑1829) lived outside Chestertown, Maryland. He rose to in‑ fantry captain during the American Rev‑ olution, served as a lieutenant colonel in the War of 1812, and was later made brigadier general in honor of his service to Maryland. He held various state and local offices, including an associate judge‑ ship from 1794 until at least 1816, two terms as a state legislator, and service as Kent County sheriff during the 1790s. In late 1806, Reed entered the U.S. Senate as a Republican, filling the vacancy left by

Maryland’s new governor, Robert Wright. He was in the Senate until 1813, then re‑ turned to Congress in 1817‑19 and 1822‑3 as a member of the House of Representa‑ tives. In 1827, an incident of Reed’s Rev‑ olutionary War experience involving the execution of defectors became part of a controversy over Andrew Jackson’s mili‑ tary record (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Edward C. Papenfuse, Alan F. Day, David W. Jor‑ dan, and Gregory A. Stiverson, eds., A Biographical Dictionary of the Maryland Legislature, 1635-1789, 2 vols. [Balti‑ more, 1979‑85], 2:674‑5; Washington Universal Gazette, 4 Dec. 1806; Annals, 33:1061‑73; New-York Evening Post, 27 July 1827; Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson, 6:369‑71).

From Madame Salimbeni Monsieur le president 26 9bre 1804 trinidad. a tout autre qu’a vous je craindrais de m’adresser avec la confiance franche de l’estime et de l’attachement, que m’inspirent l’interet que vous m’avez temoigné, et l’intime persuasion ou je sais que de faire un heureux est pour vous doubler votre votre bonheur, la place que vous occupez vous met a même de gouter cette jouissance en procu‑ rant une existence douce, et un avenir assuré a une famille qui aime la votre comme la sienne même, je donne a ma chere patty tous les détails relatifs a la priere que j’ose vous faire, elle vous communiquera  83 

26 NOVEMBER 1804

ma lettre. oui Monsieur je n’en doute nullement une demande faites par vous, au gouvernement de france ne vous sera certainement pas refusé, pendant le tems que j’ai passée dans ce pays, j’y ai entendue parler de vous, je n’ai pas besoin de vous repeter des éloges trop meri‑ tés pour ne pas etre sentis par vous même. veuillez donc vous rappel‑ ler de l’amie de vos filles, et mettre l’empressement affectueux que vous avez bien voulu employer, pour moi, lorsque j’ai eu le chagrin de quitter votre pays, ou tout mes voeux se portent, ou j’aurois tant de plaisir a aller vous remercier, et vous prouver Monsieur le president la reconnoissance aussi vive qu’eternelle de celle qui sera toujours pour vous avec la plus parfaite considération B de Salimbeni e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Trinidad, 26 Nov. 1804 To anyone other than you, I would fear speaking with the sincere con‑ fidence that comes from respect and devotion. My feelings are inspired by the interest you have shown us and by my deep conviction that your own happiness is enhanced when you make others happy. The position you oc‑ cupy makes it possible for you to enjoy this pleasure by securing a harmoni‑ ous existence and stable future for a family that loves your family as much as its own. I am giving my dear Patty all the details concerning the request I take the liberty of making to you. She will transmit my letter. Indeed, Sir, I have no doubt: the French government will surely not refuse a request com‑ ing from you. During the time I have spent in this country, I have heard about you. I need not repeat the well‑deserved praise of which you are aware. Please remember your daughters’ friend with the affection you showed me when I lamented leaving your country. All my wishes go toward your coun‑ try, where I would be so pleased to come and thank you, Mister President, and to convey the sincere and lasting gratitude of someone who will always be entirely devoted to you. B de Salimbeni RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Madame Salimbeni was a childhood friend and convent school classmate of Martha Jefferson Randolph in Paris. She was from Guadeloupe, where her family, of the name Bruny de Châteaubrun, had a plantation called Bellevue. Continuing a custom from their school days, she and Martha, who were the same age, called one another by shortened forms of their sur‑ names, “Bruni” or “Brunette” and “Jeff.” She frequently requested seeds and news from TJ’s daughters. She married a French

naval officer. The couple lost their prop‑ erty in the revolutionary disruptions in the West Indies and spent some time in the United States, then with TJ’s assis‑ tance went to France. In 1801 they were in Paris, where her husband worked in the foreign ministry but was disappointed in his wish to obtain a consular position in the United States (Bear, Family Letters, 69; Sarah N. Randolph, “Mrs. Thomas Mann Randolph,” in Worthy Women of Our First Century, ed. Mrs. O. J. Wister and Miss Agnes Irwin [Philadelphia, 1877], 18‑19; Salimbeni to John Adams, 18 Sep. 1793, in MHi: Adams Papers; Trs and notes by Randolph family of cor‑

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26 NOVEMBER 1804 respondence between Madame Salimbeni and Martha Jefferson Randolph, in ViU: Edgehill‑Randolph Papers; rs, 12:478,

479; Vol. 18:500, 580n; Vol. 19:239, 599; Vol. 20:377; Vol. 29:314‑15; Vol. 33:575‑7).

To Larkin Smith Sir Washington Nov. 26. 04. Your letter of the 10th. came to hand yesterday evening. it is writ‑ ten with frankness and independance, and will be answered in the same way. you complain that I did not answer your letters applying for office. but if you will reflect a moment you may judge whether this ought to be expected. to the succesful applicant for an office the com‑ mission is the answer. to the unsuccesful multitude, am I to go with every one into the reasons for not appointing him? besides that this correspondence would literally engross my whole time, into what controversies would it lead me? sensible of this dilemma, from the moment of coming into office, I laid it down as a rule to leave the ap‑ plicants to collect their answer from the fact. to entitle myself to the benefit of the rule in any case it must be observed in every one: and I never have departed from it in a single case, not even for my bosom friends.   you observe that you are, or probably will be, appointed an elector. I have no doubt you will do your duty with a conscientious regard to the public good & to that only. your decision in favor of another would not excite in my mind the slightest dissatisfaction to‑ wards you. on the contrary I should honor the integrity of your choice. in the nominations I have to make do the same justice to my motives. had you hundreds to nominate, instead of one, be assured they would not compose for you a bed of roses. you would find yourself in most cases with one loaf & ten wanting bread. nine must be disappointed, perhaps become secret, if not open, enemies. the transaction of the great interests of our country costs us little trouble or difficulty. there the line is plain to men of some experience. but the task of appoint‑ ment is a heavy one indeed. he on whom it falls may envy the lot of a Sisyphus or Ixion. their agonies were of the body: this of the mind. yet, like the office of hangman, it must be executed by some one. it has been assigned to me & made my duty. I make up my mind to it therefore, & abandon all regard to consequences. Accept my saluta‑ tions & assurances of respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Larkin Smith esquire.”

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From Elizabeth House Trist My much Hond. friend New Orleans Nov 26th 1804 I am convinced that your benevolent heart has sympathized in our deep affliction—no new sources of sorrow have taken place in the family altho Death has been the inevitable lot of almost every stranger that remaind in the City—Henry Brown and my self had an attack his was violent mine not dangerous but it reduced me very much. the rest of the family escaped Our habitation is half a mile below the city and had there been no communication, we should have had as to our selves little to regret but my beloved Browse had daily to attend to business his breathing a purer air part of the day made him more susceptable of the contagion. The old inhabitants sufferd but little either by sickness or Deaths, unless they came from the Country in that case they shared the same unhappy fate of the strangers. no Obit‑ uary has been taken of the Deaths but in a few weeks hundreds must have perished. The distress attendent on such a calamity is not to be described Many that had expended their little all in transporting their families before they cou’d establish them selves were, all carried of in other instances the heads of families woud become victims to the disease and helpless infancy left without the means of support sick and not a friend that they cou’d claim as a protector—The charity of the citizens have been call’d forth and many deserve the gratitude of every feeling soul. The sufferings of my fellow beings perhaps has been the means of withdrawing my Mind from the misery of my own lot—so great Mortality has this Malady occasion’d, that I have become familerized with Death. the Lovely and good Mrs Claibourn and her sweet little daughter expired in the same hour the Mother after a tedious Illness occasiond by the fever. the child finish’d its career in a short time also the blooming Mrs Gurley who arrived in the Country soon after us. Mr Gelston who I have every reason to believe from the affection he bore my dear Son wou’d have been a sincere friend to his family in two weeks followed him, such is the state of man, he left his business till his partner arrived, in the care of Mr Dubourg of this place a Broker with a request that all letters of a private nature shou’d be placed in Mr Browns hands. The last mail brought a letter from you to Mr Gelston Mr Dubourg opend it in the post Office gave it a cursory reading and deliverd it to Mr Brown who happend to be present. he brought it to me with a request—that as it was intended for no other eye than Mr Gelstons—I wou’d destroy it which I immediatly com‑  86 

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plied with—I shall make no comments only that your solicitude for our welfare is deeply engraven on the hearts of Mary and my self she being the only one made acquainted with your goodness in this in‑ stance Wm Brown is one of the most perfect characters in existance for his solidity application to business and liberality to his family for one of his age unparalleled I only regret that he is so heavily burthend— to me it is painful in the extreme to be dependent on any one. and if by engaging in any business I cou’d obtain a support I wou’d gladly embrace it I find my self incompitant to much fatigue and I meet no encouragement from the family to undertake any thing of the kind. If a dependent situation is for me unavoidable I shall feel less the obli‑ gation from Mr B than most others assured that he considers me as one of the family in every respect—and I am well convinced (altho he never made a declaration that wou’d authorise my saying so) that his own happiness wou’d at all times give place to the comfort and inter‑ est of his family It was Browses intention to settle his plantation on the Iberville as soon as he cou’d possibly draw his Money out of England, it being at present under the Spanish Goverment and as there appears to be a misunderstanding between them and the United States I doubt if we meet with no obsticle in getting our little property out of England, whether it wou’d be prudent to commence a settlement till matters are accomadated with Spain We have a small plantation at Natchez but it is in the possession of a Man who refuses to give it up altho he has not the smallest title to the land a law suit must detirmine between us as there are improve‑ ments on it, in case of the worst with a few hands we might procure our bread—I consider any one that is confind to the city of Orleans during August Sept and October as holding life under a precarious tenure I cou’d not but rejoice when I heard that Mr Monroe was not coming here as was expected tho it is generally lamented and many flatter them selves with the hope of his being here ere long—he might escape death and sickness if he cou’d go into the Country during the sickly months other wise his life wou’d be at an end the first year Your likeness by Mr Briggs I received with pleasure it is exactly your self in short it elated the Spirits of us all to behold so perfect a resemblance of such a valued and dear friend, to me it is an inesti‑ mable treasure please to remember us with unfeign’d affection to Mr and Mrs Randolph Mr Epps with the best respects of the family and wishes for your health happiness and preservation—and am truly your much obliged and grateful friend E— Trist  87 

26 NOVEMBER 1804  RC (ViU: Jefferson Family Correspon‑ dence); addressed: “The President of the United States City Washington”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. mrs gurley: Grace Stackpole Gurley, the wife of the acting U.S. attorney, John Ward Gurley, died on 13 Sep. (Boston Columbian Centinel, 31 Oct.). Peter F. dubourg was a New Orleans merchant who became customs collector

in 1813 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:233‑4; Pres. Ser., 6:578). letter from you to mr gelston: TJ to John M. Gelston, 15 Oct. your likeness by mr briggs: Isaac Briggs probably conveyed to Trist one of the profiles of TJ in gold leaf on glass by Amos B. Doolittle (Bush, Life Portraits, 49‑50; Vol. 42:xlv‑vi; Dearborn to TJ, 23 Aug.).

From David Leonard Barnes Sir Providence Novr 27. 1804 When any thing occurs in this vicinity in which you are personally concerned, I feel it incumbent on me as a debt of friendship which I owe, to give you such information as I conceive to be of importance— The present division of parties in this State, which is both unex‑ pected and important, is said to have arisen principally, from what took place at Washington during the last Session of Congress—Several persons of undoubted veracity have asserted, that Govr Potter fre‑ quently declared in his last sickness, that Mr Ellery told you, that Govr. Fenner had lost all his influence in this State, & had become a perfect sot. This information Govr Potter said you mentioned to him, on his enquiring, why Govr. Fenner’s recommendations in cer‑ tain cases had been disregarded—When the Genl Assembly met, Mr Ellery’s friends were zealous for his re‑election—Govr. Fenner and his friends were opposed to it—Several conventions were held to effect a compromise, but in vain—The Republicans were so nearly divided as to give the federalists their choice between Mr. Ellery & the opposite candidate—When Mr Fenner was named they did not hesitate—He is unquestionably a man of strong understanding, and sound Judgment—The members from Newport except one (six in the whole) it is understood voted for him—This I am informed has pro‑ duced a spirited division in that Town—The parties are endeavour‑ ing to effect the removal of the Collector in that District, and on the one part to obtain the appointment of Mr. Tabor, & on the other that of Mr. Ellery—Petitions signed by great numbers will be obtained by both sides—In this question the people at large feel no interest—Mr Tabor is deservedly respected for his integrity, modesty & discretion— Mr Ellery’s character is known—Before he was elected a Senator,  88 

27 NOVEMBER 1804

very few people, out of Newport, knew there was such a man—He had spent his life principally at Newport, & had not done any thing to make himself known to the Country—Since he has been in Con‑ gress, he has not acquired popularity, but has secured a few friends, whom he has industriously served, & who extol him exceedingly— With Sentiments of the Highest Respect I am, Your Obliged and most Humble Servt David Leonard Barnes RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Wash‑ ington”; franked; postmarked 28 Nov.; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Dec. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

From John Callier and Ranson Harwell Sir Fort St. Stevens, November 27th, 1804. Chozen from the different parts of the District of Washington and now assembled togather in a committee for the purpose of making our Grevenses Known we beg leave to inclose a petition subscribed by the most Respectable Citizen in the District afore said we are well acquainted with the carracter of the Gentleman recommended in that Petition and Sereously believe him to be a Republican in heart and in principle, and one firmly attached to the prcent administration, he is a Law Carracter and a man of fine abilities and in our Opinion would give Genl, Satisfaction. We congratulate our selves in the participation with a community that has displayed, Wisdom enough to place the Highest Literary Carracter in the most Dignified station, and Trans‑ mited to posterity a Glorious Example which future ages may equally boast of and admire, we Invoke the god of heaven to give you good health and length of days, and with Submission subscribe our selves your Hombl. Servant, Sr. Jno. Callier President Ranson Harwell Secy. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Harwell’s hand, signed by both; at foot of text: “Thos, Jefferson president of the United states of america”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 12 Feb. 1805 and “Gilmer to be judge” and so recorded in SJL, with a brace connecting it to John Callier’s let‑ ter of 17 Dec. and notation “Gilmer to be judge.” Enclosure: see Rodominick H. Gilmer to TJ, 8 Nov. 1804. John Callier, older brother of James Callier, had been a militia officer in Wash‑ ington County, Mississippi Territory. In

1805, he became chief justice of the or‑ phan’s court and presiding justice of the county court. The Callier brothers achieved a level of notoriety for their filibustering and land acquisition schemes. Ranson Har‑ well was a justice of the peace and county clerk in Washington County (Philip D. Beidler, First Books: The Printed Word and Cultural Formation in Early Alabama [Tuscaloosa, Ala., 1999], 16‑17; Jacque‑ line Anderson Matte, The History of Washington County: First County in Alabama, 2 vols. [Chatom, Ala., 1982], 1:434; Row‑ land, Claiborne Letter Books, 1:65, 66;

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27 NOVEMBER 1804 Rodominick H. Gilmer to TJ, 8 Nov.; John Callier to TJ, 17 Dec.).

 gentleman recommended: Rodomi‑ nick H. Gilmer.

Statement of Account with William Duane Th: Jefferson, President U States, To Wm Duane      Dr.    1803 October 18 To 1 copy Mississippi Question, $1 " " To 1 qrt. bottle Ink, 1 06 Novr. 1 To 1 copy Ellicott’s Journal, 6 50 " To 1 do. Wilson’s Egypt, 3 " 28. To 1 do. Playfair’s Atlas, 7 50 29 To 1 qr. hot pressed letter paper, " 50 Decr. 3 To 1 ream fine vellum Hot pressed letter paper, 7 50 9 To 1 copy Stevens’ Wars, 25 " 1804 Jany. 18 To 1 ℔ Irish Wafers, 2 50 " To 1 pint Copying Ink, 1 " " To 1 qrt. common Ink, " 50 Feby. 2 To 1 four sheet maps U States, 8 " 10 To 1 copy New Testament, 1 50 March 2 To 1 ream Invitations, 20 " 14 To 1 do, fine wove hot pressed letter paper, 7 50 June 2 To 100 common Quills, 1 " 13 To 1 phial Copying Ink, " 50 July 20 To 1 copy Pleasing Preceptor, 2 25 To 1 do Father’s Instructor, 1 25 To 1 do. Plurality of Worlds, 1 " To 1 do. Henry 62½ & 1 Hermit 62½ 1 25 To 1 do. History of Little Dick 50. & 1 Juvenile trials 18½/100 " 68½ To 1 Parallel Rule, 2 " Octr. 6 To 2 phials Copying Ink, 1 " 30 To 1 ream Hot pressed letter paper, 7 " Novr. 27 To 500 Invitations (printing) 10 50 $121 49½ MS (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; ad‑ dressed: “President US. A/c”; endorsed by TJ with notation: “pd. Jan. 11. 1805. to J. Barnes.”

mississippi question: probably The Mississippi Question: Fairly Stated, and the Views and Arguments of Those Who Clamor for War, Examined (Philadelphia,

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27 NOVEMBER 1804 1803; Sowerby, No. 3471), a set of essays signed “Camillus” that originally appeared in Duane’s Aurora. ellicott’s journal: Andrew Elli‑ cott, The Journal of Andrew Ellicott, Late Commissioner on Behalf of the United States . . . for Determining the Boundary between the United States and the Possessions of His Catholic Majesty in America (Philadelphia, 1803). wilson’s egypt: Robert Thomas Wil‑ son, History of the British Expedition to Egypt (Philadelphia, 1803; Sowerby, No. 406); see Vol. 41:145‑7. playfair’s atlas: William Playfair, The Commercial and Political Atlas, Representing, by Means of Stained Copperplate Charts, the Progress of the Commerce, Revenues, Expenditure, and Debts of England, during the Whole of the Eighteenth Century (London, 1801; Sowerby, No. 2942). stevens’ wars: Alexander Stephens, The History of the Wars Which Arose out of the French Revolution (London, 1803; Sowerby, No. 430). irish wafers: a thin paste paper used to seal letters (Charles James, A New and Enlarged Military Dictionary [London, 1810], s.v. “wafer”). new testament: The New Testament of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Translated out of the Original Greek: and with the Former Translations Diligently Compared and Revised (Philadelphia, 1802); see Sowerby, No. 1490. The purchases listed under 20 july included books for young people that TJ likely wanted for his grandchildren. The pleasing preceptor, subtitled Familiar Instructions in Natural History and Physics, Adapted to the Capacities of Youth, first published in London in 1800, was a trans‑ lation of a work in German by Gerhard Ulrich Anton Vieth. father’s instructor was perhaps Thomas Percival’s A Father’s Instructions to His Children. First published in 1776, this educational book

went through several American printings, including an 1803 edition published by Thomas Dobson in Philadelphia (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 26 Jan. 1803; Thomas Percival, A Father’s Instructions to His Children: Consisting of Tales, Fables, and Reflections [London, 1776]). plurality of worlds: TJ owned a 1719 French edition of Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle’s 1686 work, Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes, which expounded on the astronomical theories of René Descartes. An English translation, Week’s Conversation on the Plurality of Worlds, was published in Philadelphia in 1803; see Sowerby, No. 3782. The book listed as henry may have been Henry; or, The Foundling, by a pro‑ lific English author of children’s and edu‑ cational literature, Mary Pilkington. The work appeared in a Philadelphia edition in 1801. hermit may have been The Hermit of the Forest, and the Wandering Infants, a children’s tale by Richard Johnson with an edition published in Philadelphia in 1802. The history of little dick, first published in London in the early 1790s, instructed children about a “mis‑ chievous and incorrigible boy” who ends “unhappily, in the career of vice, as a bad man.” The book went through several American editions in the 1790s and early 1800s (The Monthly Review; or, Literary Journal, Enlarged, 4 [1791], 344; The History of Little Dick, Written by Little John [Philadelphia, 1803]). The juvenile trials, also by Richard Johnson, was first published in London in 1786. It was was designed “to fix in the minds of youth, a sincere detestation for those smaller offences, out of which grow greater crimes.” Like other children’s books from Britain, it was frequently republished in the United States (Philadelphia Literary Reporter, 1 June 1809; Richard Johnson, Juvenile Trials for Robbing Orchards, Telling Fibs, and Other Offences [Philadelphia, 1801]).

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From Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours Monsieur le President, Eleutherian Mills 9bre 27th 1804. J’ai reçu avec la plus vive reconnaissance la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire. Les regards que le gouvernement a bien voulu jetter sur mon etablissement Sont une bien flateuse recompense des soins que j’ai pris en le formant, et vont être encore un motif de plus de m’efforcer à le perfectioner Sans cesse. Daignez recevoir tous les remerciemens que je dois à votre bien‑ veillance, et agreer l’assurance du profond respect avec lequel j’ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur le Président, Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur E. I. du Pont de Nemours. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Eleutherian Mills, 27 Nov. 1804 I was very grateful to receive the letter you did me the honor of writing. The attention the government has graciously bestowed on my business is a gratifying recognition of my efforts in creating it. It provides one more incen‑ tive for my continued striving to perfect it. Please accept all the thanks I owe you, Mister President, and be assured of the profound respect with which I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. E. I. du Pont de Nemours. RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Th. Jef‑ ferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 29 Nov. and so recorded in SJL. FC (DeGH).

la lettre: see TJ to du Pont, 23 Nov.

From Albert Gallatin Sir, Treasury Department 27th. November 1804. I have the honour to enclose the copy of a letter from the Collector of New York, and respectfully to submit the propriety of appointing Francis Gilpin second Mate of the Revenue Cutter. I have the honour to be, with great respect, Sir, Your most obed. Sert. 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 29 Nov. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Gilpin”; also endorsed by TJ: “Gilpin Francis 2d. mate rev. cutter.” En‑

closure: David Gelston to Gallatin, 23 Nov., from New York; finding it neces‑ sary to add a second mate to Caleb Brew‑ ster’s vessel, he recommends Francis Gil‑ pin as a “fit Person” to fill the role (Dft in Gallatin, Papers, 47:1362‑3).

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From William Heath Sir, Massachusetts, Roxbury Novemr. 27th. 1804 Deeply impressed with a sense of the invalueable rights of equal liberty, as the unalienable gift of Heaven to man,—I early enrolled myself their votary, and as far as was in my power commenced their defender,—When the invaded rights of the American colonists beat loud to arms, I was among the first to obey the call, and sacrificed nearly eight years of the prime of my life in the field, and until peace took place,—hence the acknowledgment of the sovereignty, Indepen‑ dence and peace of the united States, was to me Joy inexpressible,— When the Federal Government was established on principals the fre‑ est, best calculated for durability, and the best of any Government which has as yet been seen in the world,—I felt an anxious solicitude for its correct administration in order to ensure those great and im‑ portant purposes for which this form was preferred and adopted,— between that period and this time, I have not been inattentive to what has taken place, and my fears have been alarmed, and my satisfaction enhanced, as I conceived the administrations to be fortunate, or, un‑ fortunate, in their choice and adoption of measures, evidently calcu‑ lated to promote, or retard, the public prosperity—when a majority of the public voice called you to the presidency of the united States, I lamented that this my native State, (and for four generations which have passed the residence of my progenitors) was prevented by the mode of the appointment of Electors from giving a Single Republi‑ can vote—When if the Electors had been chosen by districts, the undeviateing Citizens of the County of Norfolk, would assuredly have given one and several other Counties would have done the same But although deprived of this at that time, I could not but address you on the auspicious event of the Election by a majority of the united States, and felicitate my Country on the well grounded assurance of the pub‑ lic advantages which would result therefrom.—Our Country have realized them.—And happy I am, that the free Electors of the popu‑ lous, oppulent, and martial commonwealth of Massachusetts, by gen‑ eral ticket and a handsome majority, have now expressed their senti‑ ments by the designation and Election of Electors, who they knew would not abuse the confidence which they reposed in them to give a Unanimous republican vote,—And that you were their only object, for myself, I shall alwaies rank this oppertunity, (in obedience to their intention, and an ardent wish of my own heart) the most esteemed and fortunate of my life, Permit me to Congratulate you as well as my Country on this occasion, an event which exhibits the evidence of an  93 

27 NOVEMBER 1804

increasing Union in Republican principals,—a mark of approbation of the past,—and a full Confidence in the wisdom and integrity of your future Conduct, may Heaven continue to Counsel, guide and prosper you, in all your public measures, give you health and length of days, and finally crown you with the reward of the faithful. I have the honor to be with the most profound respect Sir your most humble Servant W Heath RC (DLC); at foot of text: “President Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. In the first three presidential elections and again in 1804, the Massachusetts General Court divided the state into districts, within which a predetermined number of electors were chosen by popu‑

lar vote. In the election of 1800, all 16 electors were chosen by the Massachu‑ setts legislature (Syrett, Hamilton, 24:447, 453n; U.S. Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States 17891945 [Washington, D.C., 1949], 288). i could not but address you: Heath to TJ, 25 Feb. 1801 (Vol. 33:65‑6).

From Constantine S. Rafinesque Sir Philada. 27th 9ber 1804 Having left Washington City soon after sending you a few seeds of the Jeffersonia, I did not receive the Letter you wrote me in answer, until having heard there was a Letter for me at the Post office of that City, I made application for it, and got it at my return from a Journey to the Blue mountains of Pensylvania and New Jersey. It is with regret I perceive, that pursuits of an opposite Nature to Botany and Natural History those ever pleasing Sciences for an en‑ lightened Soul, have weakened your familiarity with them; but am extremely thankful for your offer of recommending me to good Bo‑ tanical Counsellors whenever I shall come to your part of the Country, it is likely I shall visit Virginia again next year, and shall then make use of your kind offer if I have the honor of seeing you again either at Washington or Monticello. I am going to send this Winter a Florula Columbica to Dr. Mitchill for his Medical repository, it will contain a Catalogue of nearly 800 plants I have found in the Territory or District of Columbia both in Virginia & Maryland and a short Description or rather Car. spec. of several New plants. The Western parts of the U.S. are as yet very little known, I intend to go and explore part of Kentucky & Ohio next Spring: I wish I could go Still farther and across the Mississipi into the unexplored region of Louisiana, but it is a mere impossibility in my private Ca‑ pacity to visit such unsettled and as yet very wild Country; I wonder  94 

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the American Governt. have not sent some Botanist there along with Mess Lewis & Hunter; a Country containing perhaps a great number of the Valuable Vegetables of Mexico is worth and deserves highly to be fully explored; If it ever seems worthwhile to you, to send a Bota‑ nist in Company with the parties you propose to make visit the Akan‑ sas or other Rivers, I can not forbear Mentioning that I would think myself highly honored with the choice of in being selected to make known the Vegete. and Animal riches of such a New Country and would think that Glory fully adequate to compensate the dangers and difficulties to encounter— I remain respectfully Sir Yr. most Obedt Servt C. S. Rafinesque RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); at foot of text: “His Excy. Th. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Dec. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “his Address is Mr. C. S. Rafinesque to the care of mr Thos. Clifford, Phila.” letter you wrote me in answer: TJ to Rafinesque, 29 July, written in re‑ sponse to Rafinesque to TJ, 23 July. florula columbica: Rafinesque com‑ piled information about the flora of Wash‑ ington, D.C., during a trip there in July and August 1804 and originally intended to submit his study to Samuel Latham Mitchill for publication in the Medical Repository. He sent his manuscript cata‑ logue instead to the Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, and in 1805, editor Benjamin Smith Barton announced its publication in “future parts” of his jour‑ nal, with large additions from his own re‑ gional botanical studies. Rafinesque later charged that Barton “never performed his promise” and suggested that Barton may have intentionally suppressed his work (Charles Boewe, The Life of C. S.

Rafinesque, A Man of Uncommon Zeal [Philadelphia, 2011], 43, 82‑4, and sup‑ plement, “The Correspondence of C. S. Rafinesque, with Introduction, Chronol‑ ogy, Calendar of Letters, and Notes of Correspondents,” 73‑7, 105‑6, 113, 116, 136‑7, 452‑4; Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, 2 [1805‑07], 176‑8; C.  S. Rafinesque, Circular Address on Botany and Zoology [Philadelphia, 1816], 12; Elbert L. Little, Jr., “A Note on Rafinesque’s Florula Columbica,” Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington, 56 [1943], 57‑66; A. O. Tucker and N. H. Dill, “Rafinesque’s Florula Delawarica,” Bartonia, 55 [1989], 4‑14). car. spec.: caractères spéciaux (French), meaning a list of distinguishing charac‑ teristics. have not sent some botanist: in his autobiographical reflections three de‑ cades later, Rafinesque wrote that he had delayed returning to Europe because he thought he might be asked to join Meri‑ wether Lewis’s expedition (Boewe, Life of Rafinesque, 35).

From James R. Rogers State of tenesee Comburland Road Post oak Spring November the 27th. 1804

Sir it has been some time imprest on my mind to address you with respecting to this Dredful Specalation of the Land in this State and to Pray you for Some inlitenment with respect to it that is Sir to Know of you within the grants from or by North Carolina for Lands in this  95 

27 NOVEMBER 1804

indian Boundary Shall be good in law when and after the United Stats should treat for the Same and in fact whither any of the Lands that is treeted for in this State Since the Session act of North Carolina Now Sir if this Should be the Case I Can ashure you that we are a ruend People for we have Long Experienced the Specalaters grants to be a destroying thing Not only to our Property but it is also So to our union for when we pay our Money for land we are Amediately Dragd into Law and prehaps Lues more at Law then we give and for this and other Reasons that I Can Render you I trust god and you that these things will No Longer take place for I Can Esure you Sir with the Voyes of hundreds of my fellow Sitisons that it would be Beter for us to pay you 2 dollers per acer then to pay 1 half doller to the Specalaters, and further to think that any man or Set of men Should have it in ther power to ingroce from 20 to 60 thousan acars of Land I hope that the U.S. will Not Suffer themselves to be So im‑ posd upon. I will Rest it with you Sir and weat with patience for you to do me the honer to give an answer and then I will feel myself at Liberty to give you Some further Statments I am Sir with Respect and Esteem your Most obedient umble Servent— James R. Rogers— RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers); addressed: “Mr Thomas Jefferson president of the U.S. of America”; franked; postmarked Knoxville, 7 Dec.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 18 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. James R. Rogers (d. 1834) later regis‑ tered a plot of land adjoining Post Oak Springs, a village near the U.S. garrison at Southwest Point in Roane County, Ten‑ nessee. He was commissioned a captain

in the Tennessee militia in 1810 and rep‑ resented the area in the state senate from 1811 to 1813 (Robert M. McBride, Dan M. Robison, and others, eds., Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, 7 vols. [Nashville, 1975‑ ], 1:635‑6; Emma Middleton Wells, The History of Roane County Tennessee, 1801-1870 [Chattanooga, Tenn., 1927], 15‑17, 19, 21, 32).

From Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin [on or before 27 Nov. 1804]

Mr. President         To St. Memin To a likeness in chalk, a plate engraved and twelve impressions. $25,00 thirty Six extra impressions 4,50 29,50 RC (DLC: Print Division, St.‑Mémin Collection); undated (see below); en‑ dorsed by TJ: “St. Menin.”

Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint‑Mémin (1770‑1852) was born in Dijon, France, to a noble family. After

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28 NOVEMBER 1804 graduating from the royal military acad‑ emy in 1788, Saint‑Mémin briefly served as a member of Louis XVI’s palace guard. During the early phases of the French Revolution his family fled to Switzerland, and then in 1793 to Saint‑Domingue, where his mother’s family owned a sugar plantation. The family moved again, to the United States, where Saint‑Mémin learned the skill of engraving and began to offer his services as a portrait artist who rendered lifelike impressions through the use of a physiognotrace. He worked in Philadelphia when it was the U.S. capital. From 1803 to 1805 he was in Washing‑ ton, Baltimore, and vicinity. He produced

hundreds of portraits, which included numerous prominent Americans and also visiting Native Americans. After briefly returning to France in 1810, Saint‑Mémin and his family returned to Dijon perma‑ nently in 1814 following the Bourbon res‑ toration. Three years later, Saint‑Mémin was appointed the director of the Dijon Museum, a position he held until his death (anb; Ellen G. Miles, “Saint‑Mémin in the South, 1803‑1809,” Southern Quarterly 25 [1986], 22‑39). likeness: on 27 Nov., TJ recorded in his financial memoranda a payment to Saint‑Mémin in the full amount of his invoice (mb, 2:1140).

From Henry Dearborn Sir, Novr. 28th. 1804 The enclosed will shew you the proposed movements of troops, & their contemplated positions, together with our forces at the most important points. Yours, H. Dearborn RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 28 Nov. and so recorded in SJL with notation “position of troops”; also endorsed by TJ: “troops.”

e n c l o s u r e

Disposition of Troops in the West The following will be the disposition of the Troops in the interior and on  the side of Louisiana, after the depending movements are carried into effect. viz. One hundred men from Niagara, Seventy six from South West Point, Sev‑ enty four from Massac to Fort Adams.—One hundred Men from Detroit and Sixty two from Michilimackanac to take post opposite the mouth of the Mis‑ souri.—And One hundred Men from Fort Wilkinson to Fort Stoddart on the Mobile River, to which may be added Forty recruits from Fincastle for Fort Adams, and Sixty from Norfolk and Baltimore for New Orleans. Niagara 55 Detroit 67 Michilimackanac 47 Chikago. South end of Lake Michigan 64 Fort Wayne 68 Fort Knox. Vincennes, on the Wabash 50 351

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28 NOVEMBER 1804 ⎧

Opposite the mouth of the Missouri Louis ⎪ ⎪ Kaskaskia, Massac and New Madrid ⎨ Tennessee River S. Wst point Tellico & ⎪ the crossings ⎪ ⎪ Fort Wilkinson ⎪ ⎩ Chickasaw Bluffs & Arkansa ⎧ Fort Adams on the Missisippi below ⎪ ⎪ Natchez ⎪ ⎪ Ouachita, Apelousa and Atakapas ⎨ Natchitoches ⎪ ⎪ Placquamines ⎪ New Orleans 10392 ⎪ ⎩ Fort Stoddert ⎪

Upper Louisiana, the opposite bank of the Missisippi & Tennissee1

In New Orleans district and at Fort Adams & on the Mobile.

162 54 73

⎪ St

130 67 ⎧ 24 ⎪

510

⎪ ⎪ ⎨

285 75 ⎪ ⎪ 70 ⎪ 73 ⎪ ⎩ 512 170 1.185 ⎪

The above disposition is founded on the most recent Returns, but allowance must be made for intervening casualties Washington 29 Novr 1804 RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Depart‑ ment on 28 Nov. and “Troops. their dis‑ position for 1805.”

1 The clerk wrote “Upper Louisiana and the opposite bank of the Mississippi.” TJ modified the text to read as above. 2 Brace and figure inserted by TJ.

To Jones & Howell Jones & Howell Washington Nov. 28. 04. William Stewart, who lives with me as smith at Monticello, has desired me to have sent thither the iron of different kinds detailed below and as it is intended for a mill, and much labour will be saved by an exact choice in conformity with the list he has desired that his son Alexander Stewart of Philadelphia may be permitted to make the choice. this person will accordingly call on you with the present let‑ ter, & having made choice of the several articles I must ask the favor of you to forward them immediately to the care of Gibson & Jefferson at Richmond as usual. Accept my friendly salutations Th: Jefferson 5 bundles of the largest slit iron ⎫ 1. doz. flat files ⎬ from 10. to 16. I. 1. doz. half round do. ⎭ 20. ℔ tin for tinning coppers 60. feet of bar iron 3. I. wide ¾ I. thick 130. f. 2½ I. ¼I  98 

28 NOVEMBER 1804

50 f. 15. f. 5 f 3. I.

1. I. 1¼ I. 3½ I.

1 I. 1¼ I. 2. I.

hinder end fore end Neck. 4 winged gudgeons. the wings 12. I. long 1⅛ I. thick ⅞ I. thick 5. I. long. 4. I. diam 21 I. diam 20 I. diam 4 small gudgeons. the wings 9. I. long.

¾ I. thick ½ I. thick 3½ I. long. 3. I. diam. 15. I. diam. 14. I. diam.

PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Jones & Howell”; endorsed by TJ. Nota‑ tion in SJL: “bar iron.” Enclosed in TJ to Alexander Stewart, 28 Nov. (recorded in SJL but not found).

gudgeons: pivots, typically made of metal, fitted on the end of an axle or spin‑ dle (oed).

To Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Washington Nov. 28. 04. Passing as I do the active hours of my life in my study, I have found it essential to bring all the implements I use there within the narrow‑ est compas possible; & in no case to lose a single inch of space which can be made to hold any thing. hence every thing is placed within my reach without getting out of my chair. on this principle I approve of the two drawers to the Polygraph proposed in your letter of the 25th. I observe in fact that in the one I am now writing with there may be in the West end a drawer of 10⅜ I. square1 outside measure, & in the North East corner another of 12⅜ I. by 6. I. which would hold paper, pens, penknife, pencils, scissors, &c. &c. and that the notch they would require in the gallows would probably not injure it. I have no hesitation therefore at approving2 it. the brass handles on the gallows had better be left off, and the brass grooves on the desk for the brass ruler to slide in. the ruler laid on the paper when you copy is as effectual & more convenient, & the grooves are in the way when you use it as a common writing desk, without copying. Accept my friendly salutations Th: Jefferson P.S. Nov. 28. 04. Since writing my letter of this morning it has oc‑ curred to me as better not to cut the gallows in order to let the draw‑ ers come thro them, but to let them lie entirely within them, & draw out only when the gallows are lifted up. this would lessen the size of the drawers one way three quarters of an inch. Th:J.  99 

28 NOVEMBER 1804  RC (TxU); at foot of text: “Mr. Peale”; lacks postscript. RC (Swann Auction Cat‑ alogue, sale 1795, New York, 1998); post‑ script only. PoC (DLC); postscript on verso; endorsed by TJ.

 1 Word interlined in place of “by 9⅝.” 2 Word interlined in place of “pro‑ posing.”

From “R. G.” Sir, Charles town 28th Novr 1804 In consideration of my high esteem for you, I herein inclose you a piece of Machinery, which for its use, & Duarebility None can exceed it.—relying on your engenuity & Philosophy. any further explination will be useless. Yours RG RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos Jef‑ ferson President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as an anony‑ mous letter received 6 Dec. from Charles‑

town, Massachusetts, “with a comb”; so recorded in SJL, but as a letter of 26 Nov. Enclosure not found.

From Jean Marie de Bordes Sir, Philadelphia 29th November 1804. In answer to the letter I had the honour of adressing to your Excel‑ lency, concerning the arrearages of my pay, which I would not have claimed, had I been in less distressing circumstances, you observed there was not yet any law passed on the subject, and I should wait ’till some resolve should be taken by Congress in favour of my claims. But I will observe to your Excellency that I came to this country desti‑ tute of every means, being one of the unfortunate victims of Saint‑ Domingo; that I have not only my‑self, but a family to maintain by the name of Osborne, who are natives of this place and not unknown to you, and if something is not immediately done in support of their existence and mine, we must necessarily perish for want.—As it is not now, says your Excellency, in the power of Congress to give my services their due reward, I presume to think the benevolent chief of a people so generous to foreign misfortune, will listen to his natural feelings, and coming to the assistance of a man who exposed him‑self in the defence of their country, offer him any situation that may ren‑ der life comfortable, ’till he receives from them that proof of their sensibility which I am confident they are always ready to give. Should therefore any such situation be now at the disposal of your Excellency, which you would be so Kind as to honour me with, I should look  100 

29 NOVEMBER 1804

upon it, not only as a compensation, but a particular favour conferred on me. Then would be devoted to gratitude a life preserved by gen‑ erosity, and all its moments spent in the most effectual exertions to prove my‑self worthy of the benefit by my constant zeal and devotion to the benefactor. I have the honour to be with respect, your Excellency’s, The most humble and most obedient servant, de Bordes. P.S. My life has been entirely military, and I think my‑sef a perfect master of the french tongue; this is sufficient to direct your Excel‑ lency’s good will towards me— RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); below sig‑ nature: “Corner of Walnut and Front‑ Streets Pa.”; at head of text: “John Marie de Bordes, late an American officer, To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson, Presi‑ dent of the United‑States.”; addressed: “To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson, President of the United‑States, City of Washington”; franked; postmarked Phil‑ adelphia, 30 Nov.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 2 Dec. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “for office.” Jean Marie de Bordes, a former French royal guard, fought in the American Rev‑ olution from 1776 until late 1778 and was later described as having been “an Officer in the Georgia Line.” By 1779 he joined French colonial troops in the West Indies and returned to Georgia as part of the failed Franco‑American siege of Savan‑ nah. After the war he took up farming in Saint‑Domingue. In 1794, the British government forcibly removed Bordes from the island. By late 1795, he was living as a Haitian refugee in Philadelphia and pe‑ titioning the government for “the military emoluments” that he believed were owed him for his service in the Revolution. In 1804, he opened a French language school

in Philadelphia, and in 1807 he published a French translation of Robert Dodsley’s The Economy of Human Life, copies of which he sent to TJ. His hopes of migrat‑ ing to Cuba that year ended when fears of war between the United States and Great Britain caused his sponsor to reconsider. In 1811, Madison gave Bordes a passport to Havana (Philadelphia Gazette & Universal Daily Advertiser, 26 July 1796; Aurora, 29 Oct.; Syrett, Hamilton, 19:429, 472; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 3:417; rs, 3:50; Bordes to TJ, 20 Dec. 1804, 1 July, 4 Sep. 1807; TJ to Bordes, 7 July 1807). letter: Bordes to TJ, 15 June, not found (see Vol. 43:694). On 20 June, Dearborn replied to Bordes’s letter, ex‑ plaining that his claim for back pay fell under a statute of limitations and could not be settled unless congress sanc‑ tioned a new law (Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS). In 1797, Bordes married Philadelphia‑ born Isabella Osborn (osborne), the daughter of widow Jane Renaudet Os‑ born (pmhb, 32 [1908], 120‑1; John B. Linn and William H. Egle, Record of Pennsylvania Marriages prior to 1810, 2 vols. [Baltimore, 1968], 2:24).

From William A. Burwell Dr Sir, Thursday evening Novbr. 29th. 1804 It has been suggested to me, that some censure will attatch to my relinquishment of the seat in the Legislature of virginia to which I was elected in April last by the people of Franklin; I am not vain to hold a place in that body. No beleif is entertain’d that there, or in any  101 

29 NOVEMBER 1804

other place my name would acquire approbation; farther than a sin‑ cere desire to discharge promptly and with fidelity what I conceiv’d my duty—merits; were my feelings consulted there would be no hesi‑ tation to continue in a Service from which I have experienced more real pleasure than at any other period of my life; arising from an uniform benevolence of Treatment of which I never think, but with a transport of gratitude which can never be controled or effaced;—nor would any consideration of personal Injury induce me to mention the Subject if I beleivd the smallest inconvenience would arise from my temporary absence, Mr Henry Dearborn would officiate during my stay in Rich’d—Having a confidence in your Judgement which noth‑ ing can impair, & knowing you would save me from any evil which impends my character now or hereafter, I have taken the liberty of submitting the case; your Opinion will be my defence & my determi‑ nation; I am sincerely Yours William A. Burwell RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 30 Nov. and so recorded in SJL.

Burwell represented franklin County in the House of Delegates for the session that convened on 3 Dec. and ended on 1 Feb. (Leonard, General Assembly, 235).

To James Oldham Sir Washington Nov. 30. 04. Your favor of the 26th. came to hand yesterday, and I now inclose you 40. dollars according to request. your order in favor of mr Craven shall be paid. I am sorry you find such difficulty in getting seasoned stuff at Richmond. if they really do all their house joinery with green stuff, they are much behind even what I had expected. however with respect to my work I can give the time you desire. does not kiln‑dried plank answer for doors? With respect to the late1 conduct of mr Lilly & Perry towards you as stated in your letter, I trust you know my line of conduct better than to suppose it could flow from any orders of mine. in fact I nei‑ ther left nor have since given any instruction to mr Lilly which had any respect to you, nor have I had the smallest intimation of what is mentioned to have past between you, but in your letter. it is my rule never to take a side or any part in the quarrels of others, nor to enquire into them. I generally presume them to flow from the indulgence of too much passion on both sides, & always find that each party thinks all the wrong was in his adversary. these bickerings, which are always  102 

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useless, embitter human life more than any other cause: and I regret that which has happened in the present case. I shall always be ready to render you any service I can, and conclude with my best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (Sotheby’s, 20 June 2003, Lot 167); at foot of text: “Mr. Oldham.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “40. D.”

40. dollars: TJ withdrew the money from the Bank of the United States to send to Oldham (mb, 2:1141). 1 Previous

word interlined.

From Chandler Price Sir Philada. Novem 30h. 1804 Under cover of a Letter from Joseph Ysnardi Esqr. of Cadiz. I have received a Bill loading for one butt Sherry Wine Shipped by him for your Account & risk on the Ship Hindoston. Captn. McFarland this day arrived in this Port from Cadiz—By this vessel I also am to re‑ ceive one Barrel Wine marked PX from Mr Ysnardi, which as well as the Butt he desires me to retire & hold at your disposal— I have in course entered both Casks at the Custom House, and in a day or two shall have them in my Stores, where they will remain for your orders. I am with Sentiments of due respect, Sir Your Obedt Sert Chand: Price RC (MHi); at head of text: “His Excel‑ lency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Washing‑ ton City”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Chandler Price (ca. 1766‑1827) was a prominent Philadelphia merchant with Republican leanings. He had once been in partnership with Benjamin Morgan, and after the latter moved to New Orleans the two maintained close personal and pro‑ fessional ties. Price was also connected to Joseph Yznardi and in 1798 publicly defended Yznardi from criticism by an American merchant. Price served for a time as an officer in a city militia company, participated with the local Welsh society, and served as a director or president on boards of the Germantown & Perkiomen Turnpike Company, the Bank of Penn‑ sylvania, the Second Bank of the United States, and two insurance companies

(Abraham Ritter, Philadelphia and Her Merchants [Philadelphia, 1860], 194; Phil‑ adelphia Gazette of the United States, 13 Sep. 1794, 3 Sep. 1798; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 13 Oct. 1801, 4 Jan. 1828; New York Republican Watch-Tower, 27 Nov. 1802; New York American Citizen, 2 Feb. 1803; Philadelphia Weekly Aurora, 4 Nov. 1816; James Robinson, The Philadelphia Directory, for 1810 [Phila‑ delphia, 1810], xlii; John Adems Paxton, The Philadelphia Directory and Register, for 1818 [Philadelphia, 1818]; Paxton, The Philadelphia Directory and Register, for 1819 [Philadelphia, 1819]; rs, 5:36‑8; Price to TJ, 13 Jan. 1807). The barrel held dry pajarete, a vari‑ ety produced at a monastery near Jerez (James M. Gabler, Passions: The Wines and Travels of Thomas Jefferson [Balti‑ more, 1995], 202; mb, 2:1116, 1146; Jo‑ seph Yznardi, Sr., to TJ, 14 Sep.).

 103 

From Martha Jefferson Randolph My Dearest Father Edgehill Nov 30, 1804 Lilly was here a fortnight ago to beg I would write to you imme‑ diately about some business of his, but a change on the post day dis‑ appointed me in sending the letters written to have gone by it. he says you desired him to part with 100 barrils of corn as more than you required, but he says he has got it on very good terms 16 or 16, 6 a barril and that there is not one bushell too much, on account of the heavy hauling he has to do. he says if the horses are not highly fed they will not be able to do the work and he thinks Anderson from whom some of it was purchased will wait till the first of february for his money. after recieving your letter he went to see Moran about the double payment that had been made, he pretended he knew nothing about it but that he would see Irving and it should be rectified, and that Lilly should hear from him in a fortnight. the time has past with out hearing from him and he fears he is gone to Kentucky. he is obliged to give up K. Smiths negro’s to morrow as he wished to get all the work possible out of them before they went he deffered going after Irving till their time was out, when he will immediately see him. the man that ran away the first of August has never been recovered. he begged me also to speak particularly to you about John. he is ut‑ terly averse to the idea of having any thing to say to him another year. his conduct is such that there can be nothing like honesty or subordi‑ nation where he is. his wish is that he should be sent off of the planta‑ tion and indeed the instances of1 depravity that he mentioned in him, his art in throwing every thing into confusion, encouraging the hands to rebellion and idleness and then telling upon them so as to put Lilly out of his senses allmost, are beyond conception. he says John has frequently created such confusion by his art as to render it impossible to punish the very hands of whom he complained most. and pieces of ill will and mischief to himself inumerable. such as cutting up his garden destroying his things and once he suspects him of having at‑ tempted to poison him. he thinks it necessary for him to be allways upon his guard against his malice. he says giving up his labour is giv‑ ing up nothing for he loses ten times more labour by his presence than ten such would do. thus far I believe I have mentioned every thing necessary, for the [. . .] of John conduct would extend beyond, [. . .] of any letter. I really believe him to be a most determined villain equal to any crime on earth— we recieve the most flattering accounts from Jeffersons Master as a boy of uncommon industry and application the others are all going  104 

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on pretty well and are all remarkably healthy adieu my Dearest Fa‑ ther Lilly’s business has taken up so much of my time and paper that I have only room to subscribe my self with inexpressible tenderness your affectionate Daughter MR. RC (ViU: Edgehill‑Randolph Papers); torn; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Pres‑ ident of the U.S. Washington”; franked; postmarked Milton, 1 Dec.; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. For payment to Richard anderson, see TJ to George Jefferson, 19 Dec. The letter has not been found, but see TJ to George Jefferson, 15 Oct. For TJ’s efforts to retrieve the double pay‑ ment made to stoneworker Joseph Moran through William Irvine (irving), see TJ to George Jefferson, 8 Oct., and George Jefferson to TJ, 11 Oct. k. smiths negro’s: that is, the slaves TJ leased from Christopher and Charles Smith of Louisa County, Virginia (mb, 2:1121, 1134).

Two enslaved men at Monticello were named john, both under the direct charge of Gabriel Lilly. John (b. 1753) was a capable gardener, but TJ also knew him to be “a great nightwalker,” and in 1800 asked his overseer to ensure that John did “his share of labour” once the garden had been put to bed (Vol. 31:363‑4; Vol. 33:570; TJ to Edmund Bacon, 13 May 1807). John (b. ca. 1785), often referred to as Bedford John, worked in the nailery, one of five boys brought to Monticello for that purpose in 1796. His conduct does not appear to have been an issue (Lucia Stanton, “Those Who Labor for My Happiness”: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello [Charlottesville, 2012], 82, 322n62; Vol. 32:499‑500; TJ to Edmund Bacon, 29 Sep. 1806). 1

MS: “of of.”

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. During the last recess of the Senate I granted commissions for the offices and to the persons following, which commissions will expire at the end of the present session of the Senate. I therefore nominate the same persons to the same offices for reappointment, to wit William C. C. Claiborne late Governor of the Missisipi territory to be Governor of the territory of Orleans. John B. Prevost of New York1 to be one of the judges of the Superior court for the territory of Orleans. Dominic A. Hall of South Carolina to be judge of the District court for the Orleans district. Francis Joseph Le Breton d’Orgenoy of Orleans2 Marshal for the dis‑ trict of Orleans. William G. Garland of Orleans to be Naval officer for the port of New Orleans. John Thibaut of Orleans Surveyor & Inspector for the port of Bayou St. John in N. Orleans.  105 

30 NOVEMBER 1804

 I also nominate James Brown of Kentucky to be one of the judges of the Superior court for the territory of Orleans Tomson J. Skinner of Massachusets to be Marshal for the district of Massachusets from the 22d day of December ensuing Benjamin Austin Junior 3 of Massachusets to be Commissioner of loans for Massachusets Th: Jefferson Nov. 30. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL: “renomns Orleans, & nomns.” Samuel Bradford, whom Tompson J. skinner replaced as marshal for Massa‑ chusetts, wrote to Madison on 1 Dec. in an attempt to retain his office, offering a renewal of his services and soliciting the president’s patronage (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Bradford Saml. to be contind Marshl of Mass.”).

William A. Burwell presented TJ’s nominations to the Senate on 30 Nov. The Senate consented to them all on 11 and 12 Dec. (jep, 1:475‑7). 1 Preceding three words interlined in Samuel A. Otis’s hand. Interlined in PoC by TJ as “of N. York.” 2 Preceding two words interlined by TJ. 3 Word interlined in Otis’s hand. Inter‑ lined in PoC by TJ as “jor.” See TJ to Dearborn, 2 Dec., and to Otis, 3 Dec.

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. I now lay before you copies of the treaties concluded1 with the Delaware and Piankeshaw Indians, for the extinguishment of their title to the lands therein described: and I recommend to the consid‑ eration of Congress the making provision by law for carrying them into execution. Th: Jefferson Nov. 30. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); TJ first wrote the heading as “To the Senate of the US.” before alter‑ ing it to include both houses. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); TJ first wrote the heading as “To the House of Representatives of the United States” before altering it to include both houses; he used the polygraph to write the body, signature, and date of both RCs at the same time, then added the heading to

each. FC (DLC); in TJ’s hand. Notation in SJL: “treaties with Delawares & Pi‑ ankshs.” Enclosures: see TJ to the Sen‑ ate, 15 Nov. On this day, William A. Burwell pre‑ sented the message and enclosures to the House and Senate. In the House, the pa‑ pers were referred to the Committee of Ways and Means, while in the Senate they were ordered to lie for consideration

 106 

NOVEMBER 1804 (jhr, 5:28; js, 3:419; TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 13 Feb. 1805).

 1 Word interlined in FC in place of “en‑ tered into.”

Report from John Lenthall Quantity, in measurement, of Sheet Iron put on the Roof of the Presi‑ dents house in the City of Washington —Novr. 1804— —Dimensions— Length of the South or North Side as finished on the bottom—156.8 Ditto on the Top 103.0 Ditto on the East or West end at bottom do 74.3 Ditto on the top 20.6 Length of the Rafter—Ditto 32.0 North and South Sides 8309.4 East and West ends 3039.4 5 Dormer Roofs 180.0 10 Valleys of do. 40.0 5 Ridges of do. 60.0 4 Hyps of Roof 224.0 Pedement more than its section on the Roof 364.0 2 Valleys of pedement 88.0 10 Sides of dormers turned up 43.0 12347.8 Brot forward Add one foot in breadth cut off rond the skirts of the Roof which was necessarily put on, on account of the Old Gutters

⎬

12347.80 ⎫

⎪

⎪

461.10 ⎭

12809.60 142.6 ⎬⎫ 152.60 10.6 ⎭ total Sqr feet 12657.00 NB the Sections of the chimnies, will be about equal to the Iron em‑ ployed in securing the same on the sides and ends &c &c and an alow‑ ance must be made for the lap‑over of each Sheet throughout the whole for B H Latrobe Jno Lenthall Deduct 5 Dormer Sections of roof by error in Casting

MS (DLC); in Lenthall’s hand and signed by him; at foot of text: “the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ: “squares of roof on Pr’s H.”

 107 

From John Abernethie Sir. District of Louisiana, Cape Geredeau, Decr. 1st. 1804 The inclosed Certificate I venture to send to you, humbly request‑ ing of your Exclly. to have the same laid before Congress (at this Ses‑ sion if your Exclly pleases.) if it’s good I wish very much to have the value of it, if it’s not good, your Exclly. & Congress may do what you please with it. The Cer. has belonged to me for about twenty years past—I have sent it once or twice to Congress at Philadelphia within these eight years past, but was told, that altho. the Cer. is good, yet I was too late in sending it forward—I have been told by numbers of persons who calls themselves judges of such claims, that this one of mine is good (for my part I do not know whether it’s good or bad) & for me not to neglect sending it forward, that after a while Congress would take the matter under consideration & order me payment—A german gentleman, an old Pensylvania mem. of Assembly, told me once, that Congress was as much bound to pay my Cer. and every other good Claim agst. the U. States, as he was bound to pay any just debt or debts that he was or might be owing to an individual or individuals, and for me to be sure & not neglect sending forwd. my Claim, that after a while Congress would order me payment—I therefore submit the business to your Excelly. & Congress to do whatever is right in the business—If I get paid, I can venture to assure your Excelly. that it will be a matter of as much consequence to me, as the accession of the two Florida’s will be to the U. States—   If your Exclly. & Con‑ gress is pleased to order me payment, please Sir, order the money to be in Bank bills of the U. States, & to be inclosed in a letter directed to me in Cape Geredeau (The place where my self, my wife & our nine children resides) in the district of Louisiana above said. This step that I have taken of pestering the President of the U. States of America, with such a mote of a matter as mine will appear to be, I suppose is Unprecedented, but Sir, it’s said, that “necessity has no Law, absolute necessity drives me to it— Your Excelly. will singularly oblige me if you will be pleased to spare one moments attention from the great affairs of the nation on my small matter— I am Sir Your Excelly.’s most Obdt humble Servt. Jno. Abernethie RC (DLC); addressed: “To his Ex‑ celly. Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America, at the City

of  Washington”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 16 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: loan office certificate,

 108 

1 DECEMBER 1804 not found; see TJ to Abernethie, 12 Mch. 1805. In 1772, John Abernethie (1754‑ca. 1835) emigrated from northern England to Wake County, North Carolina, where he fulfilled an indenture as “an appren‑ tice to the merchant business.” According to his 1832 pension claim, he both hired a substitute to satisfy his enlistment in the American Revolution and also served for 10 months as a deputy commissary. In

1788, he moved to Georgia, and then in 1800 to Cape Girardeau. In 1813, Aber‑ nethie became a township justice for Cape Girardeau County, an office he held until at least 1818. Abernethie died in Union County, Illinois, after relocating there about 1833. In 1852, his pension claim was denied for lack of documentation (DNA: RG 15, Revolutionary War Pen‑ sion and Bounty‑Land Warrant Applica‑ tion Files; Terr. Papers, 14:650, 704, 794; 15:46, 275, 279, 375).

To James Brown Dear Sir Washington Dec. 1. 1804. The importance of appointing officers for the government of Or‑ leans who speak both the French and English languages has pro‑ duced difficulties in the arrangement which have distressed me ex‑ ceedingly. the French language entered so little into education in this country in the early time of those who are now of an age for public office, that it is difficult, even among those, otherwise well qualified, to find persons who can speak French. the impossibility of compleat‑ ing my arrangement in the way I had first proposed has placed me under the painful, but inevitable necessity of some change in it. in fact my greatest difficulty is in finding lawyers who can speak French: and this has obliged me to make a change in your destination, which tho’ I believe you will prefer it, yet I would not have made without consulting you, had time permitted. I have nominated you to the Sen‑ ate one of the judges of the Superior court of the territory of Orleans, & I have no doubt they will confirm it. the salary is the same, the tenure of office more independant, more dignified, and the occupa‑ tion less constant. I hope you will lend yourself to this accomodation of the public necessities, & by the next post I expect to be able to for‑ ward your commission. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “James Brown esq.” Enclosed in TJ to William C. C. Claiborne, 2 Dec. change in your destination: TJ had previously intended Brown to be sec‑

retary of Orleans Territory (TJ to Clai‑ borne, 30 Aug.). nominated: see TJ to the Senate, 30 Nov.

 109 

To John Graham Sir Washington Dec. 1. 04. I had this morning desired a person to ask the favor of you to call on me; but learnt soon after that you had left this place for Dumfries. the office of Secretary of the territory of Orleans is vacant. it requires indispensably that the person holding it should speak the French as well as English languages: the Spanish would be an useful tho’ not indispensable addition. presuming you speak French, I meant to pro‑ pose this office to your acceptance. the salary is 2000. Dollars a year, & the duties are, under the direction of the governor, to record & preserve all the papers & proceedings of the executive, & all the acts of the Governor & legislative council, & to transmit copies to the Pres‑ ident of the US. on whom also the continuance in office depends. on a vacancy of the office of governor, the government devolves on him till a new appointment. these are offices of importance & dignity: and I should hope it would not be unacceptable to you. be so good as to favor me with an answer as soon as you can & accept my salutation & assurances of esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “John Graham esq.” John Graham (1774‑1820), a native of Dumfries, Virginia, was a resident of Ken‑ tucky when TJ appointed him secretary of the U.S. legation in Spain in 1801. He went on to serve as secretary of Orleans Territory from 1804 to 1807, as chief clerk of the State Department from 1807

to 1817, and as a U.S. diplomat in South America from 1817 to 1819. In October 1806, after rumors of Aaron Burr’s west‑ ern conspiracy reached Washington, TJ sent Graham to Kentucky to trail Burr’s movements, to consult with western gov‑ ernors, and to arrest Burr if necessary (anb; Vol. 33:335; Vol. 35:190n; Notes on a Cabinet Meeting, 24 Oct. 1806).

To Ephraim Kirby Dear Sir Washington Dec. 1. 04. The necessity of appointing, for the government of Orleans, officers who understand & speak French as well as English I find to be much greater than I had at first supposed. in fact I see that the awkward‑ ness which the French inhabitants experience in applying to an officer who cannot understand them is at the bottom of what discontent ex‑ ists among them. I am therefore making every effort I can to relieve & conciliate them. I believe you do not speak French, & therefore would not understand parties witnesses or counsel who should use that language before your court. it is on this supposition I propose to you, instead of a seat on the bench to accept the commission of Gov‑  110 

1 DECEMBER 1804

ernor of the Missisipi territory. the salaries are the same, Washington more healthy than N. Orleans, the office more dignified & probably more permanent, as both will cease when from territories they pass to the grade of states, which will certainly be much sooner with the Orleans than Missisipi territory. be so good as, by return of post, to favor me with an answer, and with my friendly salutations accept as‑ surances of my great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Ephraim Kirby esq.” Enclosed in TJ to William C. C. Claiborne, 2 Dec.

From Lafayette My dear friend La Grange 10th frimair 1st december 1804 I Have on the 8th October Adressed You with a long Confidential Letter and Entrusted it to Mr. Livingston—Since Which General Armstrong Has delivered Your kind favor of June the 27h With the Subsequent Information You Have Been pleased to Send for me in Every part of those transactions I find Myself Under Such obli‑ gations to Your friendship that While I have words to Express them, I feel I Have a Heart fully possessed with the Grateful Sentiments they Have Excited. Under those dispositions, My dear friend, Added to all the inclina‑ tions and Repugnancies Congenial to My temper Which Neither time or Exemple Can Hebetate, You Cannot Question the Sense I Have of Your weighty invitation and Advice—that Matter I Had fully dis‑ cussed in the Letter previous to Gnl Armstrong’s Arrival—His Con‑ versation Could not But Lessen one Side of the Argumentation and Reinforce the other—Yet I Have His Approbation to Refrain in these Lines from Entering Again On the Subject, as they are particularly destined to Convey By Any Opportunity My thanks to Congress. Permit me therefore to Submit to Your Consideration the Enclosed Official Letter and to Request You, if You Approve the Contents, to Have it delivered through the proper Channel, Which, if I am not Mistaken Must be first from me to the Secretary at War. I Also take the Liberty to inclose a Copy of My Power of Attorney to Mr Madison—I Have on the 10h October writen to Him a very Long Letter But as My Affairs Have Been Managed far Beyond Any Expectation I Could Conceive or Any idea I Could Either presume to form, it Remains only for me to Enjoy with Happy thankfulness What friendship Has Been pleased to do.  111 

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 I am with Affectionate and Grateful Respect in Which my Wife and family Beg Leave to Join Your old and for Ever friend Lafayette RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Lafayette to Dearborn, re‑ sponding to Dearborn’s of 30 Dec. 1803; he expresses his thanks for the Louisiana lands granted to him by Congress; he considers them a “Retrospective to the Services of the Army in which I had the honor to Rank” (Tr in same: TJ Papers,

146:25402; undated; in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “Copy of my official letter to general Dearborn”). (2) Copy of Lafa‑ yette’s power of attorney to Madison, au‑ thorizing him to locate Lafayette’s lands in Louisiana (not found, but see Madi‑ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:148n; Lafayette to TJ, 8 Oct.).

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Sir, Washington Decr. 1st. 1804.— In the reporting to You on the manner in which the work on the public buildings of the United States has been conducted during the Year 1804, I cannot avoid expressing my regret that1 a sensible por‑ tion of the appropriation by Congress has necessarily been expended in pulling down or repairing what was done insufficiently, previously to the Year 1803. The application of the public money to the separate objects of the Presidents’ house, & the Capitol, including the alteration, removal, reerection or repair of the works, will be separately stated in the ac‑ counts of the superintendant of the city to be rendered to the Trea‑ sury. But as these accounts will not be closed untill the 1st. of Janu‑ ary 1805, he has furnished me with the following statement, up to the present day, Of payments in the present year out of the Appropria‑ tion for 1804, and a Balance of the Appropriation of 1803 not ex‑ pended in that year vizt 2— $ C. ⎫ Capitol, including all alterations additions & repairs ⎪ ⎬ 44,548.20 in north wing (except fitting up Representatives ⎪ ⎭ chamber)   For Fitting up Representatives chamber 689.23 Presidents House 11,928.29 500. ⎫ Payments on Acct. for sundry materials, on Acct. ⎪ ⎬ 57,665.72 of the particular Application whereof has not yet ⎪ ⎭ been rendered  112 

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1. The Presidents’ house. It is well known that the Presidents house was inhabited before it was finished;—and that it still remains in a state so far from com‑ pletion, as to want many of those accomodations which are thought indispensible in the dwelling of a private citizen.3—Of all the incon‑ veniencies attending the house, the greatest was the leakiness of the roof, which had indeed never been tight. The rain water which en‑ tered the building in every part, had injured the furniture exceed‑ ingly, and ruined many of the cielings. This important defect arose from two principal causes:—the very injudicious manner in which the gutters and the troughs conveying the water to the Cistern were constructed,—and the badness of the Slating. The Gutters are of lead.—The Sheets were soldered together: the fall or current of the gutters was much too small:—the openings in the roof through which the water passed into the troughs were so contracted as to be incapable of discharging the water of a moderate rain, consequently it overflowed & found its way into the building:— the troughs were of boards lined with lead, soldered at the joints, & laid with very little current: and all the lead was of bad quality & badly cast. All & each of these causes occasioned leakage in the Gut‑ ters & troughs. It requires very little theory or experience to know that, wherever solder is used in leaden Gutters, leakage is inevitable. In Water Cisterns, & pipes, solder is necessary, and the joints made with it are sound & permanent,—the temperature of the Water they contain not being subject to great variation. But in gutters & flats, alternately exposed to the scorching sun, & to severe frost,—the use of solder is everywhere inadmissible,—but peculiarly so in our climate. It is besides very expensive, & in no well constructed building is it necessary. In the president’s house, five feet of additional current was easily procured,4—and by that means the new gutters were laid with‑ out solder, and with proper grovings & drips. The first part of the season was so uncommonly wet, that no very early measures could be taken to make a thorough repair of the roof. The attempts at temporary repair, made with a view to save the fur‑ niture & cielings of the house, did not succeed, and tended only to prove the absolute necessity of a complete alteration of the whole sys‑ tem of guttering, and of providing new lead for the whole building. Such a general repair is always troublesome and difficult, and was much more expensive than it would have been to have executed the work right at first. It is now finished, and the roof is free from leaks. It will, I have no doubt, remain so.  113 

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 The second Cause of leakage was the Slating.—The quality of the Slates was bad,—but their size, especially towards the ridge, was more injurious than their bad quality. The upper courses, for a con‑ siderable distance down the roof did not show more than from 2 to 2½ inches in width, and a large majority of these Slates were only from 1½ to 3 inches in breadth. Slated roofs are always difficult to repair, but such a roof could not be repaired at all; and there were also other reasons, which rendered it necessary at all events to re‑ move so heavy a covering as slate.— I am uninformed5 why the particular mode of construction which renders this roof so heavy & so high was adopted. If strength was proposed, capable of bearing a covering of slate laid in mortar, it has not been attained,—for the framing has every where given way,—and at the Eastern end of the house, where there are no internal Walls it has failed so much as to force out both the front & the back Walls very considerably. It appeared therefore necessary, in the first place, to secure the timbers as well as the Walls by strong ties of Iron;— which being fixed,—both are now perfectly safe.—In the next place it became highly proper to take off the load of Slates & mortar, even had they not leaked;—for they seemed to be the principal cause of the failure of the framing.—In the covering6 which was to supply the place of Slate,—lightness was the principal requisite: but safety from fire, & oeconomy were also necessary considerations.—Shingles & tiles were therefore out of the question,—as well as lead;—and the choice was confined to Copper,—Tin,—& painted Sheet iron. Of these, Sheet Iron was by far the cheapest,—and with a little attention to its paint‑ ing, quite as permanent, as the two former.—100 superficial feet of Slating in Mortar weighs about 15 Cwt,—of Sheet Iron, exactly 147℔s. So that the building,—the roof containing 12.600 superfl. feet, could be relieved of a weight of about 82 Tons.—These reasons induced the adoption of a Sheet iron roof, which has accordingly been put on. The repair or rather the total renewal of the roof of the Presidents house,—forms the principal part of the expense of this building for the season. It has however been further requisite to make a new drain from the house, of such dimensions & construction, as to prevent it from being filled up as before,7 and the building from being flooded from the circumjacent grounds. The cost of this improvement,—and the finishing of one of the Chamber apartments in the second story, bears a small proportion to the former Sum. 2. The Capitol. In my former reports to You, I stated the propriety of reconsider‑ ing the plan of the South wing of the Capitol;—and on the reasons  114 

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given in that Report, and in a letter to the Chairman of the Commit‑ tee of the house of representatives appointed to enquire into the sub‑ ject, the plan, which has been the Ground work of all that has been done during the season, was approved and adopted. By the arrange‑ ments of this new design, the House of Representatives will fit on the principal story of the building the whole of the Ground Story being appropriated to the offices of the house: a situation the most contigu‑ ous which could be obtained, and far preferable for Offices8 to the North wing, or the Attic Story. Various causes have conspired to prevent our carrying up, this Season as large a Mass of building as was expected. The first & prin‑ cipal of these have been the time, labor, & expense of pulling down to the very foundation all that had been formerly erected. Bad as the workmanship appeared before the Walls were taken down, the mea‑ sure of removing them entirely was still more justified by the State in which they were found to be on their demolition. Even the materials, with exception of the bricks, were not of any important value to the new work. The stone was fit only to be used as common rubble, and most of the Timber, was in a state of decay, from the exclusion of Air.— Another cause of delay in preparation,—and an important one,— was the late period at which the appropriation was made.—The ex‑ treme wetness of the beginning of the Season, and the floods which filled up some of the quarries, & retarded the working of others, after‑ wards operated much against the progress of the building, and threw great difficulties in our way.—After the work had begun, we were again interrupted by the sickness which prevailed, and which at one time threatened,—by depriving us, of many of our best workmen, to put a total stop to the work. Under all these inconveniences, and others arising from the nature of the building itself, the work has been carried on. The best mode of proceeding would undoubtedly have been to have carried up the interior with the exterior walls. But the former building stood within the area of the Wing. Had the external walls been suffered to remain on the level at which the work was closed, at the end of the Year 1803, till the inner building could be removed, and the internal Walls carried up,—little progress could have been made in the former, during the present Season, & the Stonecutters would have been idle. It was there‑ fore thought best to carry up all the external walls by themselves,— thereby forwarding the more slow progress of the ornamental work in freestone, & to construct them in such a manner as to prepare for good bond with the interior work, & for the Support of the Vaults, the pressure of which they will be required to resist. Thus has the  115 

1 DECEMBER 1804

work been raised to the level of the Selles of the Attic windows exter‑ nally, and by far the most tedious & expensive part of the work in freestone has been completed, excepting the Cornice & the Capitals of the Pilasters. Of the Cornice a large portion is also wrought, & of the 30 Capitals, 16 are finished:9— Of the interior parts of the building all the foundations are laid, and brought up to the floor of the Cellar story on the North side, and although they do not appear to view, the work done in them is very considerable. The whole south half of the Cellar story is Vaulted, and ready to receive the Walls of the Basement or Office story. Preparations to a very great extent have already been made, in order to proceed vigorously with the building as soon as the will of the national legislature shall be known to that effect, and the Season will permit. All the freestone for the external walls, Entablature, & Ballustrade is provided, and the greatest part of it on the Spot. For the internal Colonnade all the stone is ordered,—most of it quarried, & much already brought to the building. Early in the season the pub‑ lic Quarry on the Island in Acquia Creek was opened, and much use‑ ful Stone quarried: and it would have been much to the advantage of the public, had the extent of the appropriation permitted us to have prosecuted this work. But it was found that to clear out the rubbish of former workings, and to provide for the conveyance of the stone to the waterside,—altho’ ultimately a measure of oeconomy,—would have made too large a deduction from the funds required to carry on the building itself, and contracts for stone with individuals were there‑ fore preferred. In the arrangements for erecting so large an edifice as the South wing of the Capitol, and for pulling down or repairing extensive works of former construction, it was not easy, perhaps it was impossible, so to proportion all the various contracts and engagements for labor & materials to the funds appropriated to their ultimate liquidation, as to keep within their limits, and at the same time to make exertions equal to the public expectation arising out of their extent. In the present instance, the contracts which are made, and which are in the progress of their completion will exceed in amount what remains of the appropriation of last Year. I must however at the same time observe, that the stock of materials wrought and unwrought, which are now actually at the building, exceeds greatly this deficiency. Should the National Legislature, on view of the solid, permanent, and incombustible manner in which the work has been executed, and on consideration of the evidences of fidelity to their duty which those engaged in the Labor of the work have every where exhibited,—think  116 

1 DECEMBER 1804

proper to proceed with the completion of the building,—it would much tend to the early occupation of their house, by the house of Rep‑ resentatives if an appropriation exceeding 50.000 dollars were made for the next Season. Such an appropriation, while it would give larger limits to the exertions which might be made, would by no means dis‑ turb that system of oeconomy which has hitherto been pursued;—but would rather conduce to the more advantageous & provident pur‑ chase of all our materials. And it is especially to be considered, that too early & extensive provisions cannot be made for those parts of the work, which must necessarily be of wood.—The time is now at hand at which further delay would be injurious & expensive,—and should the sum necessary for this provision, added to the arrears, which are or will become due on outstanding contracts, be defrayed out of a future appropriation of only 50.000 Dollars, the progress of the solid parts of the building will be materially injured, and must to a certain extent, be put off to another season beyond the next.— In my letter of the 28th of Febry. 1804. to the Chairman of the Committee of the house of representatives to whom the subject of the public buildings was referred,—I presumed that three annual appro‑ priations of 50.000 Dollars each would be Sufficient to finish the Southwing of the Capitol.—This estimate was given under statement of the extreme difficulty of estimating a work of this kind.—One of these appropriations of 50.000 Dollars has been granted.—But from the detail of the statements I herein submit to You it will appear that the whole of it could not possibly be made applicable to the actual progress of the work on the Capitol.— Having thus endeavored correctly, & minutely to report the prog‑ ress of the work on the public buildings during the past Season, I now most respectfully submit to You all the views of the past, and for the future which the facts suggest. B. Henry Latrobe, Surveyor of the public buildings of the United States at Washington. MS (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); at head of text: “To the Presi‑ dent of the United States. The Report of the Surveyor of the public buildings of the United States at Washington”; en‑ dorsed by Senate clerks. MS (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). Dft (DLC: Latrobe Papers); incomplete, with several emendations in TJ’s hand in pencil (see below). Enclosed in TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 6 Dec.

For Latrobe’s two previous reports and his letter to Philip R. Thompson, chair of the House committee charged with supervising construction of the Cap‑ itol, see Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:443‑9; Vol. 40:127‑37; Vol. 42:513‑17, 564‑7. 1 In Dft, TJ interlined, with minor vari‑ ations, the remainder of the paragraph in pencil in place of a long passage by Latrobe, who characterized prior efforts

 117 

1 DECEMBER 1804 as a function of “gross ignorance, or of fraud, or of both” (see Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:583n). 2 Dft lacks preceding paragraph and figures that follow. 3 In Dft, Latrobe wrote a note at the foot of the page keyed to this spot by an asterisk: “There are no Cellars in the house,—no place in which linnen can be dried, not one of those conveniences which are afforded by an inclosed Yard.” 4 In Dft, Latrobe first wrote “could eas‑ ily be procured, had only common inge‑

nuity been employed,” before TJ altered the clause to read as above. Dft lacks re‑ mainder of paragraph. 5 In Dft, TJ interlined the preceding three words in pencil in place of “It is not easy to comprehend.” 6 In Dft, TJ interlined the preceding word in pencil in place of “roof.” 7 In Dft, TJ interlined the remainder of the sentence in pencil. 8 In Dft, TJ interlined the preceding two words in pencil. 9 Dft ends here.

To William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir Washington Dec. 2. 04. I wrote you last on the 28th. of Oct. since which I have recieved your favors of Sep. 8. 27. & Oct. 5. & 22. I observe you have recieved the resignations of Boré, Jones & Dow, as members of the Legislative council. I therefore now inclose you two commissions with blanks for the names. thinking it important that the settlements in the country should be represented wherever proper persons can be found, it is my wish that one of these should be filled with the name of Doctr. John Sibley of Natchitoches if he will accept. the uncertainty of this has prevented my inserting his name. the other you will fill up according to your own best judgment, as also that for Sibley if he refuses, keep‑ ing in view the principles of the original composition, to give most to the Agricultural, but some to the mercantile interests, to apportion the members between town & country as nearly according to num‑ bers as you can, to give a bare majority to the American over the na‑ tive vote, and to consider the possession of both languages as1 having great weight against other qualities.   I think it visible that most of whatever discontent exists among the French inhabitants arises from the introduction of our language too suddenly, & the awkward‑ ness the inhabitants experience in being unable to do business with their government but thro’ an interpreter. in order to give them all the relief in my power, I have found it necessary to make some change in my original plan. I have named mr Brown one of the judges, instead of Secretary, & have proposed to mr Kirby an arrangement, which if he approves, I shall be able to place a third judge on the bench pos‑ sessing both languages, so that the pleadings may be filed indifferently in either, and the Counsel parties, & witnesses address their court in either. my opinion is that the two languages should be placed by law  118 

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on an equal footing, & the records intermix them as equivalent also that the laws should be passed in both languages, & each to be con‑ sider original. this must depend on the legislative council. supposing that mr Graham our late Secretary of legation lately returned from Madrid speaks French, I have proposed to him, if he does, the place of Secretary. I shall have his answer in a day or two, in which case you will know it by next post. the nominations for the Orleans gov‑ ernment are now before the Senate and will be acted on this week. by the next post you will learn the result. Messrs. Sauvé &c are here, & conduct themselves with approbation. they will find a disposition in the great majority here to do whatever circumstances will admit for our new fellow citizens, to do as much for them as we do for our own brothers & children settling in new territories, & only to refuse them what the principles of our constitution & government refuse equally to all. they will find that we have no motive of action here but the combined good of the whole & all it’s parts, and they will be sensible that in a whole composed of parts, no one part must carve for itself. if particular individuals continue to endeavor to excite insurrection with you,2 the energies of the law must lay hold of them. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PS. not having yet heard of the arrival of mr Kirby & mr Brown at N.O. I ask the favor of you to have the inclosed delivered to them. PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Govr. Claiborne.” Enclosures: (1) TJ to James Brown, 1 Dec. (2) TJ to Ephraim Kirby, 1 Dec. sauvé &c are here: Pierre Sauvé, Jean Noël Destréhan, and Pierre Der‑ bigny, the delegation carrying the Loui‑ siana memorial to Congress, arrived at New York on 31 Oct. By late November, they were in Washington, where they dined with TJ at the President’s House on the 29th. Describing their visit with the president later to Senator William Plumer of New Hampshire, the three Lou‑ isianians reported that TJ made no inqui‑ ries “relative either to their government,

or the civil or natural history of their country” and that he “studiously avoided conversing with them upon every subject that had relation to their mission here.” Joseph H. Nicholson presented the me‑ morial in the House of Representatives on 3 Dec. William Branch Giles presented it in the Senate on 31 Dec. (New-York Commercial Advertiser, 31 Oct.; Washington Federalist, 24 Nov.; Aurora, 29 Nov.; Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 223; Annals, 14:727‑8; jhr, 5:29; js, 3:427; Appendix ii). 1 TJ

here canceled “deciding.” two words interlined.

2 Preceding

 119 

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans December 2nd. 1804 Since the 12th. Ultimo Messrs. Poidrass Morgan and Watkins have been attending in the City with a view of meeting in Council in con‑ formity to my Proclamation. Messrs. Kenner and Wikoff (who from fear of the Fever had avoided the City) appeared a few days since. These five Gentlemen are all who of the original Thirteen named as Councillors thought proper to accept. The situation of things here is such as to justify on my part some share of solicitude. Since the first of October all the former Judicial Authorities have been considered as abolished. With a view of preventing Anarchy the Civil Commandants were advised by me, to continue for the present in the discharge of their former functions: but being themselves distrustful of their powers, they have generally been feeble in action, and some have declined the exercise of any Authority. The Magistrates of the City have discovered a like careless and indecisive conduct, arising from the belief (which is no doubt correct) that since the first of October their former Judicial powers have ceased. Judge Prevost also (the only Judge who has arrived) labours under considerable difficulties—He is in a great measure without Laws to guide him, either in Civil or Criminal cases, or the necessary officers to cause his Judgments to be executed. Under existing Circumstances therefore the early organization of the Legislative Body was of the highest importance, and I have taken the liberty to fill two of the Blank Commissions for Councillors which were forwarded me, with the names of George Pollock and Eugene Dorcier, who having ac‑ cepted will give a quorum, and on tomorrow the Legislature will pro‑ ceed to Business. Mr. George Pollock or Doctor Robert Dow was mentioned in your Letter of the 30th of September and one of whom you wished in the Council. Doctor Dow was offered the Commission; but having refused, I have supposed it would be agreeable to you that Mr. Pollock should now be appointed. But to form a Quorum I have been under the necessity of requiring the services of a Gentleman not named in your Letter, to wit Eugene Dorcier. He is by Birth a Swiss, served with reputation during the American War, and is esteemed a Man of sense and integrity. At the close of the War Mr. Dorcier emigrated to Louisiana, where he has acquired a handsome little property—I appointed him to the Com‑ mand of the Battalion of Orleans Volunteers, and during the tem‑  120 

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porary Government he acted as a justice of the Peace. In both these offices he has manifested a great share of Zeal, Integrity prudence, and a sincere attachment to the United States. The Council being or‑ ganized, I am persuaded every thing here will soon wear a favourable aspect; even at this time the utmost order prevails, notwithstanding the very lax state of the Laws and of the constited1 Authorities. I should have delayed still longer the filling up the two Blank Com‑ missions in expectation of shortly hearing from you on the Subject. But the Members attending had become discontented, and both Mr. Poidrass and Mr. Wikoff talked of resigning and returning Home. Mr. Wikoff is an Honest and Independent Farmer; and will make a good Member: But Mr. Poidrass’s great wealth and influence in the Territory, united to his Talents prudence and friendly disposition towards the United States, render his services highly desirable. I fear Sir at a distance the state of Affairs here, appears much worse than it really is—It is true that we are afflicted with a small but active faction, composed principally of a few disappointed ambitious men, who have done every thing in their power to embarrass the Constituted Authorities—Unfortunately Messrs Clark, Jones and Boré who were first named of the Council were of that faction: But believe me Sir that the great body of the people continue well disposed, and that present difficulties will soon be surmounted, and that the discontents are be‑ coming less every day—At least such are my present impressions. Accept the best wishes of Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, closing and signature by Claiborne; at foot of text in Claiborne’s hand: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (same); in a clerk’s hand, closing and signature by Claiborne; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

On 9 Oct., Claiborne issued a proclamation to convene the legislative council at New Orleans on 12 Nov. (Bradley, Interim Appointment, 35‑6). 30th of september: that is, TJ to Claiborne, 30 Aug. 1 Thus

 121 

in MS and in Dupl.

e n c l o s u r e

Composition of the Orleans Territory Legislative Council Members Originally named for the Council, and ⎫ Stephen Boré ⎪ Evan Jones ⎪ ⎪ Daniel Clark ⎪ Michael Cantrell ⎪ ⎬ Declined Serving Jack Romain ⎪ Gaspar Dubuys ⎪ Bellechasse Degoutin ⎪ ⎪  & ⎪ ⎭ Robert Dow    ⎫ Julian Poidras ⎪ ⎪ William Wikoff ⎪ Benjamin Morgan ⎬ Accepted John Watkins ⎪ ⎪  & ⎪ ⎭ William Kenner Members of the Council, recently named: George Pollock, vice Robert Dow. Eugene Dorcier, vice Stephen Boré. Members now attending in the Legislative Council— ⎫ Julian Poidras ⎪ William Kenner ⎪ George Pollock & William Wikoff ⎬ Benjamin Morgan ⎪ Eugene Dorcier ⎪ John Watkins ⎭ MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25229); undated; in a clerk’s hand.

To Henry Dearborn Dear Sir Washington Dec. 2. 04. I return you mr Griswold’s letter. the measure he proposes is ex‑ actly to reverse our politics. instead of inviting Indians to come within our limits, our object is to tempt them to evacuate them. I suppose the smoothest answer would be that being connected with the En‑ glish in friendship, good faith requires that we should not interfere with the inhabitants of their territories, nor attempt to entice them away. by the bye I wish something could be done for mr Griswold, but know of nothing.   Mr. Otis informs me there are two Ben‑ jamin Austins in Boston, father & son, and that I should designate the one intended for Commsr. of loans by the addition of senr. or junr. as the Senate will take up the list tomorrow, will you enable me  122 

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to correct the nomination by an early hour tomorrow. Affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Genl. Dearborne.” Notation in SJL: “Indians.” Enclo‑ sure not found.

Notes on Painting at Monticello [after 2 Dec. 1804]

a very loose estimate of the painting to be done at Monticello. yds Parlour 25 ⎪⎫ Hall 28 ⎪ ⎪ Ding. Room 22 ⎪ 720 Tea Room 14 ⎬ 180. at 4. coats ⎪ Chamber 18 ⎪ Dome 33 ⎪⎪ 8. bedrooms  40 ⎭ externl. entabl. 130. at 4. coats 520 roof 750. 1. coat & cement. 3000 4240 ℔ 1. ℔ giving 1. coat to 10. yards will require 424. to ever Cwt 3. galls. oil 127. galls. oil 2. galls. turpentine 85. galls. turpentine ℔ 424.  white lead unground @ 13. D. Cwt 55.12 127. galls. linseed oil @ 1.20 142.40 85. do. spirits turpentine @ .50 42.50 240.02     

6 books of gold leaf wanting.1

Michael Roberts 87. Chesnut Zane Wm. & co. 23. S. 2d. MS (MHi); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand; written on verso of Richard Barry to Peter Lenox, Hagerstown, 2 Dec. 1804 (endorsed by TJ). 1. lb giving 1. coat to 10. yards: TJ’s calculations were based on estimates provided by painter Richard Barry in his 2 Dec. letter to Peter Lenox. Barry esti‑

mated that if good lead were purchased and then ground under his direction, one pound would suffice for 10 square yards instead of the generally accepted allow‑ ance of one pound to 8 square yards. Barry declared that it was “Much to the Presi‑ dents advantage to get lead unground it’s the only way to get few of adulteration it will go farther and look Neater.” Barry

 123 

2 DECEMBER 1804 restated his commitment to begin work at Monticello on 10 Mch. for the agreed‑ upon wage of $30 a month. On an undated slip, TJ made “a very loose estimate of the painting,” similar in appearance to the above list but including only the nine areas to be painted and their square yardage (MHi). michael roberts and William Zane were Philadelphia ironmongers, although both were out of business by late 1804

(James Robinson, The Philadelphia Directory for 1804 [Philadelphia, 1804], 197; Thomas Stephens, Stephens’s Philadelphia Directory, for 1796 [Philadelphia, 1796], 206; Philadelphia Gazette and Universal Daily Advertiser, 4 Jan. 1800; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 27 Oct. 1804, 26 Apr. 1805). 1 This

line of text is in a different ink.

Bill for the Adjudication of Prizes [before 3 Dec. 1804]

A Bill for the adjudication of prizes in certain cases Be it enacted &c that during the existence of war between the US. & any of the predatory powers1 on the coast of Barbary in Africa, it shall be lawful for the Pres. of the US.2 with the advice & consent of the Senate to appoint a judge of Admiralty to reside & to hold courts for so long a time as in the opinion of the President the circumstances of the war may require it3 in any place within the territories of any nation at war with the same power, & who may permit the same, for trying & deciding all cases of capture in the sd war 4 by the5 armed ves‑ sels of the US. which judge shall proceed in all cases by the same laws rules & proceedings, as are prescribed in like cases for the courts of admiralty within the US. and shall have authority to appoint6 for the service of his court the same officers as7 the like courts have in the US. Provided nevertheless that (this establishment being made for the accomodation of neutrals8 having property in the vessels & cargoes taken), it shall be lawful for any neutral in his first pleading before the sd court9 to decline a trial by the same & to demand that it be had in the courts of the US. in which case all proceedings in the sd court thereon shall cease, and the same course shall be had as if this act had never been passed. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 232:42050); undated, but see below; entirely in TJ’s hand. adjudication of prizes: in his an‑ nual message to Congress on 8 Nov., TJ asked the body to consider a measure that would allow for the legal condemnation of captured Tripolitan vessels in foreign ports. Four days later, the House of Rep‑

resentatives appointed a select committee with Caesar A. Rodney as its chair to re‑ spond to this part of TJ’s message. Be‑ tween the formation of the committee and the initial reporting of the bill on 3 Dec., TJ consulted with Madison on aspects of international law in relation to establish‑ ing admiralty courts in foreign countries. The bill included language from TJ’s draft, but replaced his provision allowing

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3 DECEMBER 1804 owners from neutral nations to decline trial with a provision for appeal of a final decree to the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill as reported would also provide for the appointment of a marshal and a proctor for the new court. On 10 Dec., the House debated the proposed bill and recom‑ mended that the last section, which gave the president power to abolish the court, be altered to allow it to continue in opera‑ tion until its business was complete. Eight days later, the committee reported an amendment to that effect. The House did not resume discussion on the bill (jhr, 5:11‑12, 30, 50, 58; Annals, 14:783‑91; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 6, 7 Dec.; An‑ nual Message to Congress, 8 Nov.; TJ to Madison, 18 Nov.).

 1 TJ first wrote “any of the powers” be‑ fore interlining and canceling “pyratical states” and then interlining “predatory.” 2 TJ here canceled “to establish” and “appoint a.” 3 Preceding 23 words and ampersand interlined. 4 TJ here interlined and then canceled “made within the [seas] within the straits of Gibraltar.” 5 TJ here canceled “arms of the.” 6 TJ here canceled “the neces.” 7 TJ here canceled “are authorised for.” 8 Word interlined in place of “those.” 9 TJ first wrote “lawful for them on their first plea in the sd court” before al‑ tering the passage to read as above.

From Henry Dearborn Sir, War Department 3 Decr. 1804 I have now the honor to enclose you the document which you placed in my hand this morning and to inform you that the principles adopted by those who were charged with the settlement of claims for Military services rendered during the late revolutionary war, oper‑ ated as a bar to the one now presented—It appears that George Hurl‑ bert on whose account the claim is now brought, died on the 8th. or as our books state on the 15th of May 1783 and the Commissioner of Army accounts having by a construction which he had given to the resolutions of Congress granting half pay or commutation thereof, decided that an Officer could not avail himself of the provision made by those resolutions unless he was in actual service on the 4th day of November 1803 rejected the claim—That decision cannot now be subject to revision, as the existing law of limitation forecloses every claim of this description— I cannot however, Sir, close my remarks on this Subject without suggesting my opinion that the case now in view is so peculiarly hard as would justify legislative interference I have the honor to be Sir &c FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). Re‑ corded in SJL as received from the War Department on 4 Dec. with notation “Anna Welsh’s case.” Enclosure: Ann Welsh to TJ, 23 Nov.

hurlbert: that is, Captain George Hurlbut. 4th day of november: 1783, not 1803 (jcc, 25:703).

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From William Jarvis Sir Lisbon 3rd. Decr. 1804 By the ship Cato, Captn Snow, I had the honor to address you ac‑ quainting you with my having shipped a pipe of Arruda Wine double cased in that Vessel, accompanied with two sample bottles. I es‑ teemed it a very pleasant Wine & have no doubt that it will prove agreeable. The Ship sailed about 8 days ago for New York—With the most perfect Respect I have the honor to be Sir Yr. Mo: devoted servt. William Jarvis RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos. Jef‑ ferson Esquire”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 5 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

honor to address you: Jarvis to TJ, 25 Nov.

To Samuel A. Otis Dec. 3. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Otis & thanks him for the information respecting mr Austin. he did not know that the father was living. the son is the person meant in the nomination & he prays mr Otis to insert the word ‘junr’ after the name RC (Charles S. Boesen, New York, 1949); addressed: “Mr. Otis.”

insert the word: see TJ to the Sen‑ ate, 30 Nov.

From Timothy Pickering Decr. 3. 1804.

Agreeably to the conversation of last Saturday, Colo. Pickering presents for Mr. Jefferson’s perusal, Knight’s treatise on the culture of the Apple & Pear, and on the making of Cider & Perry; persuaded that he will derive some useful information from his facts and practi‑ cal details, and much pleasure from his ingenious theories. The inter‑ esting fact (however to be accounted for) that the old celebrated cider fruits can no longer be propagated in England, is stated by Marshall, in his Rural Economy of Herefordshire & Gloucestershire, written more than twenty years ago. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 3 Dec. Enclosure: see below. Pickering attended dinner at the Presi‑ dent’s House on saturday, 1 Dec. (Ap‑ pendix ii).

knight’s treatise: Pickering loaned TJ T. A. Knight’s A Treatise on the Culture of the Apple & Pear, and on the Manufacture of Cider & Perry, first published in 1797. The London publisher issued an enlarged second edition in 1801 and 1802.

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3 DECEMBER 1804 TJ later owned the 1801 edition (Sow‑ erby, No. 1211; TJ to Pickering, 6 Dec. 1805). The interesting fact about loss of older fruit varieties was stated in William Marshall, The Rural Economy of Glocestershire; Including Its Dairy: Together with the Dairy Management of North Wiltshire; and the Management of Orchards and Fruit Liquor, in Herefordshire, 2 vols. (London, 1789), 2:246. Conversation may have also turned to cider production at a dinner given by TJ

on 17 Dec. Among the guests was John Condit, who had previously assisted TJ in obtaining New Jersey cider. Following the dinner, Condit wrote to Newark brewer John N. Cumming asking about methods for bottling and corking cider that pre‑ vented excessive bursting during storage. Condit passed Cumming’s response, writ‑ ten 21 Dec., along to TJ (RC in DLC; endorsed by TJ: “Condit. Dr. on bottling cyder”; Appendix ii).

To Martha Jefferson Randolph My dearest Martha Washington Dec. 3. 04. Taking for granted that mr Randolph writes to you regularly and much engaged by business & company myself, I have been more re‑ miss. we are all well here, and our accounts from Eppington are fa‑ vorable, & particularly that our dear little one there has two teeth. Francis is in remarkeable health: and I hope the objects of our affec‑ tions with you are equally so. I send you some magazines which may amuse you & them. I have some poetry for Anne, but I reserve it for my answer to her first letter. Congress has scarcely any thing to em‑ ploy them, and complain that the place is remarkably dull. very few ladies have come on this winter, & we have lost Madmes. Yrujo, Pi‑ chon, Merry, and Law. the theatre fails too for want of actors. you are happy to need none of these aids to get rid of your time, and certainly they are poor substitutes for the sublime enjoiment of the affections of our children and of our cares for them. mr Burwell being a mem‑ ber of the Virginia legislature has left us to attend it, and mr Isaac Coles remains with me during his absence.—being this moment called off, I must here conclude with my kisses to all the dear children, and my tenderest & unalterable love to you. Th: Jefferson RC (NNPM); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Enclosures not found. our dear little one: TJ’s grand‑ daughter, Maria Jefferson Eppes, born on 15 Feb. 1804 (Vol. 42:547‑8). her first letter: Anne Cary Ran‑ dolph wrote an undated letter that TJ received on 31 Jan. 1805 (Appendix iv). William A. burwell temporarily left Washington to serve in the Virginia leg‑

islature. His successor, isaac coles, was a classmate of Burwell’s at the College of William and Mary and had recently re‑ turned from Europe. Coles was, accord‑ ing to Burwell’s narrative, “well known to Mr J” at the time he was appointed (Gerald W. Gawalt, “ ‘Strict Truth’: The Narrative of William Armistead Burwell,” vmhb, 101 [1993], 113; Burwell to TJ, 29 Nov.).

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To Hannah Briggs Madam Washington Dec. 5. 04. I have the pleasure to inform you that mr Briggs & his companion were in good health at Colo. Hawkins establishment near the Tala‑ pousee river, which place they left on the 3d. of Oct. and expected to be at Fort Stoddart in a week from that time. mr Briggs having been able to procure but a single half sheet of paper, which he was obliged to fill with a report to me, had no means of writing to you. the Indians had recieved & treated him with great kindness. we may shortly ex‑ pect to hear of his arrival at New Orleans. Accept my friendly saluta‑ tions & respects. Th: Jefferson RC (Mrs. George S. Worth, Wayne, Pennsylvania, and Harold Brooks Stabler, Washington, D.C., 1945). PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mrs. Hannah Briggs”; en‑ dorsed by TJ. Hannah Brooke Briggs (1770‑1851) descended from a prominent Quaker fam‑

ily of Montgomery County, Maryland. She married Isaac Briggs in 1794 (Emily Foster, ed., American Grit: A Woman’s Letters from the Ohio Frontier [Lexington, Ky., 2002], 1‑10, 267‑8, 313, 315‑16). pleasure to inform: see Isaac Briggs to TJ, 2 Oct.

From Jacob Crowninshield December 5th. 1804.—

Mr. Crowninshield presents his compliments to Mr. Jefferson and begs leave to inform him that the cost of the Fish was so trifling it hardly need be estimated as any thing, and Mr. C has made no memodm. of it. at the farthest it could not have exceeded 4 Dollars. Mr. Crowninshield felt much gratified in having it in his power to procure it, but regrets that it was not of so good a quality as the mar‑ ket at Marblehead has afforded in some years.— RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President of the US.”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Dec.

cost of the fish: on 6 Dec., TJ re‑ corded in his financial memoranda a pay‑ ment of four dollars to Crowninshield (mb, 2:1141; TJ to Crowninshield, 21 July).

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From Albert Gallatin Kirby’s death

[5 Dec. 1804]

    

A majority of the commissioners is necessary to sign the certificates &ca. for claims to lands on Mobile. Mr Nicholas, (see enclosed letter of 3d Augt 1804, last paragraph) was permitted by the other mem‑ bers of the board to return to Kentucky in July last without signing them. Mr Kirby’s death seems to render Mr N.’s presence necessary. The pay of each Comr. was 2000 dollars, of which they received 1000 dollars, & were informed that the balance of 1000 dollars to each should be paid after the business of the board should be completed. As there was therefore 1000 dollars due to Mr Nicholas, & his depar‑ ture from Mobile was not authorized by the Executive, I would pro‑ pose that he should be directed to return, & if he shall decline, an‑ other person may be appointed in his place, who, for the 1000 dollars will complete the business. Otherwise, it will be necessary to appoint a successor to Kirby, and to give him the 1000 dollars of Kirby; which considering the respective merits & situation of the family of the two men, and that Kirby who had done the whole business died in the service, whilst Nicholas went from it, would not seem just. If the President approves, he will be pleased in returning the enclosed let‑ ters, to let me know the present residence of Nicholas: this is to be found in his letter resigning the office of Surveyor of N. Orleans which was sent to the President. Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin Quere Might not, at same time, the office of Receiver of public monies at Mobille be offered to Nicholas? RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25385); undated; entirely in Gallatin’s hand; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the Trea‑ sury Department on 5 Dec. 1804 and so recorded in SJL with notation “R. C. Nicholas. Tapscott &ca”; also endorsed by TJ: “Kirby & Nicholas. Tapscott &ca.” Enclosures: (1) Ephraim Kirby and Jo‑ seph Chambers to Gallatin, Washington County, Mississippi Territory, 3 Aug.; in the final paragraph they report that the “judicial business” of the land commis‑ sioners being completed, with only the signing of the certificates by a majority of

the commissioners still to be done, they approved Robert C. Nicholas’s request to retire from the board (printed in Terr. Papers, 5:329‑32). (2) Nicholas to Gabriel Duvall, Lexington, Kentucky, 10 Oct., declining the office of surveyor and in‑ spector at New Orleans (DNA: RG 59, RD; endorsed by TJ); see John Breckin‑ ridge to TJ, 22 Oct. TJ learned of kirby’s death on 20 Oct. in a letter from Joseph Chambers dated 27 Oct., received on 4 Dec.

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From Albert Gallatin Sir, Treasury Department December 5th. 1804 You were pleased to approve a proposition respecting the Marine Hospital at Charleston contained in the letter of the Collector of that port, dated 9th. June 1802, of which a copy is enclosed. A letter au‑ thorizing him to accept the offer of the Corporation was accordingly written to him on the 29th. of the same month. But that body altered their opinion, and the Hospital was continued on the former footing, but placed under more severe restrictions as to the rules of admis‑ sion. It appears that a strict adherence to these has at last induced the Corporation to renew the proposal; and I have the honor to submit to your consideration the Collector’s letter to that effect. The same reasons which had induced a recommendation of that plan continue to operate; the expence of the Hospital being still larger than the re‑ ceipts of Charleston, whilst complaints are also made that sufficient relief is not afforded.— I have the honor to be, with great 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 re‑ ceived from the Treasury Department on 6 Dec. and “Charleston hospital” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found.

Gallatin had previously conveyed to TJ a plan for federal funding of a marine hospital at charleston in exchange for the city corporation’s pledge to as‑ sume the expenses of caring for sick sea‑ men. James Simons was the collector (Vol. 37:662‑3).

To George Jefferson Sir Washington Dec. 5. 04. I inclose you two hundred & forty dollars to cover a draught which I have this day made on you for 233. D 33 c in favor of Wm. Brown & co. on the order of Gabriel Lilly, which order be pleased to take in. In Sep. a box containing 2 large sheets of glass, 4 f. 6 I. diameter was shipped for me at Boston to your address; and in October 80. bundles of nail rod went from Philadelphia from Jones & Howell. during the last month some Mahogany was shipped by mr Trump of Phila to your address, all to be forwarded to Monticello. a pipe of wine just arrived at Philadelphia will also be immediately ordered round to Richmond & 80. bundles more of nail rod. I will thank you from time to time for information of their arrival & departure. I expected before  130 

6 DECEMBER 1804

this that a box of books would have been sent you from Monticello to be forwarded to me here. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Jef‑ ferson”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “240. D. for W. Brown & co.”

According to TJ’s financial records, the payment on behalf of gabriel lilly was “for his wages &c.” (mb, 2:1141).

To Justus Erich Bollmann Dear Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. I now enclose you a note of the US bank at this place on that at N. York for five hundred and forty six dollars forty three cents, the amount of the wines, with my thanks for your trouble in procuring them. they prove to be very good. that of the largest quantity answers in quality to what we had last year with only the difference which the circumstance of less age probably produces. the Tokay is much supe‑ rior to what you sent me the last year under that name. it is a great pity the wine of the large parcel was so dear. it is very much esteemed by all who drink it & preferred to all others. it comes dearer than you imagined; the bottles being sensibly less than those of the last year. they are about half way between those & the French bottle. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great respect Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Doctr. Bollman”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “546.43.” Enclosure not found.

From Thomas S. Cavender Sir Decemr. 6th. 1804 after my kind respects to you Suffer me to trouble you once more with giting this pace of the old soldeir inserted in the Republican papers and to send on this Letter to Mr. Duane as I wish to promot your honour and the intrest of my Country Sir I remean your real freind Thos: S: Cavander d:d RC (MHi); addressed: “To—Mr Thomas Jefferson Esquire President to The united States Feddreal City”; franked; postmarked Raleigh, North Carolina; en‑ dorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as re‑ ceived 13 Dec.

once more: Cavender last wrote to TJ on 17 Nov.

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From “A Friend to the Constitution” Most hournourd Sir Philadelphia December 6th 1804 This Comes from A Stranger but A Friend You Must that there is a plot formed to Murder you— before the Next Election A band of hardy fellows have Joind to do it they Are to have ten thousand Dol‑ lars if they Succeed in the Attempt they Are to Carry dagger and pistols I have been invited to Join them but would Rather Suffer Death I Advise you to take Care and be cautious how you Walk About As some of the assasins Are already in Washington— A friend to the Constitution NB you must Excuse me not Mentioning the Men— RC (DLC); addressed: “Mr Thos Jeffreson President of the U Stat City of Wash‑ ington”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous letter received 8 Dec. and “assassination” and so recorded in SJL.

From Thomas Munroe Mr. Cole’s room Thursday morning 6 Decem 1804

T. Munroe’s most respectful Compliments—he waited on the Presi‑ dent with the enclosed lists, but finding him engaged has the honor of observing that the Expenditures on the High ways, Pr lists Amt. to $4,787.32 which is not included in the $11,928.29 chd. to Prests. House—nothing about the ways was inserted by T.M in the blanks left by Mr Latrobe in his report concerning the buildings, because he supposed it was not necessary for the Surveyor to make any re‑ port relative to them—If the President wishes any Statement or report with respect to the ways, other than the one preparing for the Trea‑ sury, T.M. will with much pleasure have it made out— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ: “cost of Highways.” Enclosures not found.

To Thomas Newton Dear Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. I pray that the subject of this Letter may be entirely confidential between you and myself. the office of Collector for Norfolk will very shortly be vacant. if you would accept of it, your long & faithful ser‑ vices to the public would place you beyond all competitors, & justify me in duty as well as feeling in appointing you. altho the emoluments  132 

6 DECEMBER 1804

would be no object to you, and the duties what you might not chuse to undertake; yet you could place both of these in whatever hands you pleased. vicarious merit or demerit not being supported by the gen‑ eral opinion, should you decline this proposition, the weight of your personal merit can scarcely enter into the claims of other competitors, each standing on his own ground. I will ask the favor of an answer from you as soon as you can give it. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Colo. Thomas Newton.” Enclosed in TJ to Wilson Cary Nicholas, 6 Dec. (see below). Wilson Cary Nicholas did not deliver this letter but returned it to TJ in March, noting that in the interim Newton had become president of the Bank of Virginia in Norfolk (Nicholas to TJ, 14 Dec. 1804, 10 Mch. 1805). In changes recorded on the PoC, TJ altered the dateline of the

letter printed above to “Monticello Mar. 25. 05.”; added a postscript at the foot of the text: “P.S. I should consider your office of President of the bank so far from being incompatible with that now pro‑ posed, that it is the practice in almost every place where there is a bank & a col‑ lectorship to make the Collector one of the Directors”; and enclosed the revised ver‑ sion in TJ to Nicholas, 26 Mch.

To Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. Your letters of the 21st. & 23d of Nov. have been duly recieved. every thing respecting yourself shall be arranged to your convenience. I inclose you a letter for old Colo. Newton, open for your perusal. be so good as to seal it, and have it delivered, either letting him know that you are privy to it’s contents, or not, at your choice. should he decline accepting the decision will rest between two candidates only, the one shortly noted in your letter, the other more fully characterised. the choice will not be easy; the respect for Colo. Newton irresistably shedding it’s influence on one of the candidates; and producing among those whom I am to consult a very sensible weight; perhaps a deci‑ sive one. the old gentleman’s acceptance can alone save us from giving discontent. I hope therefore he will accept. I thank you for your description of the state of parties. as to one of the extremes I find I had not been mistaken. the line between them and their more moderate brethren I had not so well understood. it is of importance for my government. From the federalists there I expect nothing on any principle of duty or patriotism: but I did suppose they would pay some attentions to the interests of Norfolk. is it the interest of that place to strengthen the hue & cry against the policy of making the Eastern branch our great  133 

6 DECEMBER 1804

Naval deposit? is it their interest that this should be removed to New York or Boston, to one of which it must go if it leaves this? is it their interest to scout a defence by gunboats in which they would share amply, in hopes of a navy which will not be built in our day, & would be no defence if built, or of forts which will never be built or main‑ tained & would be no defence if built? yet such are the objects which they patronise in their papers. this is worthy of more consideration than they seem to have given it. Accept affectionate salutations & as‑ surances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (CSmH); at foot of text: “W. C. Nicholas.” PoC (DLC). Enclosure: TJ to Thomas Newton, 6 Dec.

To Chandler Price Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. I recieved last night your favor of Nov. 30. and I will ask of you to ship the butt of wine to Richmond to the address of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson merchants there who will forward it to Monticello, and to send the small cask to this place, Alexandria or Georgetown by any vessel bound to either. mr Yznardi informs me he has drawn on me, as directed, for the amount of the wine at 30. days sight. if you will be so good as to notify to me by letter the amount of the draught, it shall be paid at maturity without waiting for it’s formal presentment. the duties & all other charges shall be replaced in like manner on being made known.   the risk of having wines pillaged & then ruined with water in their passage round by sea, & on board the river craft induces me to ask the favor, if it is not too much trouble to you, to let your cooper put both casks into outer covers, if they are not so already, which expence shall be repaid. it bears no proportion to the injury to which the wine is otherwise exposed. Accept my salutations & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Chan‑ dler Price”; endorsed by TJ.

mr yznardi informs me: Joseph Yznardi, Sr., to TJ, 14 Sep.

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To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States I communicate for the information of Congress a report of the Sur‑ veyor of the public buildings at Washington on the subject of those buildings, and the application of the monies appropriated for them. Th: Jefferson Dec. 6. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). FC (DLC). Enclosure: Benjamin H. Latrobe to TJ, 1 Dec. Isaac A. Coles delivered this letter and Latrobe’s report to the House and Sen‑ ate on 6 Dec. Both bodies ordered the report to lie for consideration. On 17 Dec., the report was referred to a House committee led by Philip R. Thompson. After asking for Latrobe’s estimate of what

would be required to finish the south wing and a recess in the north wing of the Cap‑ itol, Thompson presented a bill on 9 Jan. that would appropriate $110,000 for com‑ pletion of the south wing and $20,000 for repairs to the north wing and other public buildings. It passed the House on 15 Jan. and was approved by the Senate eight days later (jhr, 5:45, 57, 81, 88, 101; js, 3:421, 439; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:311; Latrobe to TJ, 5 Jan. 1805).

To Henry Sheaff Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. I am tardy in making you the present remittance; but I could not help it. I now inclose you a note of the US. bank here on that at Phila‑ delphia for one hundred & thirty two dollars twenty five cents, the amount of the last wines sent me, and tender you my friendly saluta‑ tions & respects. Th: Jefferson 132. D 25 c PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Henry Sheaff ”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “132.25.”

last wines sent me: see TJ to Sheaff, 11 June. In his financial memoranda, TJ recorded the payment to Sheaff on 6 Dec. “for wines furnished 4. months ago” (mb, 2:1141).

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To Daniel Trump Sir Washington Dec. 6. 04. I now inclose you a note of the US bank here on that at Philadel‑ phia for forty five dollars to cover the cost of the mahogany & your trouble in shipping it for me to Richmond with my thanks for the attention1 you have been so kind as to give to this object. Accept my friendly salutations & respects Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Dan‑ iel Trump”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “45. D.” Enclosure not found, but recorded in mb, 2:1142.

1 Word

interlined in place of “trouble.”

From Philip Turpin Dear Sir Salisbury, Decr. 6th, 1804. I have hitherto delay’d answering your obliging favour of August 19th. till I could know of Mr. Smith in which of the new states he would prefer an appointment. I have but just receivd a letter from him, which I have taken the liberty of enclosing to you, thinking it will best explain Mr. Smith’s views and wishes on the subject. I beg leave, dear sir, to express my warmest acknowledgements for your kind intentions with respect to my relation; and, at the same time, my confidence that he will not act unworthily in the office to which you may be pleas’d to appoint him. My Brother Horatio desires me to present his respectful compli‑ ments to you, and to request the favour of you (if it be not too trouble‑ some) to give him some information respecting the probable value of black lead in Europe, and the best markets for it; as he has thoughts of undertaking to work the mine in Amelia, in conjunction with the owner Be pleas’d, dear Sir, to accept my affectionate assurances of esteem and respect. Philip Turpin. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 10 Dec. and so recorded in SJL with notation “John H. Smith to be Surveyor.” Enclosure: John H. Smith to Turpin, from Woodford, 20 Oct., writ‑ ing to his great‑uncle that he prefers an assignment south of the Ohio River; he expresses a desire to be appointed regis‑ ter at the land office, perhaps first acting as

surveyor “untill the lands surveyd. were ready to be registered”; he continues to study in preparation (RC in same; en‑ dorsed by TJ: “to be surveyor”). A letter of august 19th recorded in SJL as written to Horatio Turpin has not been found.

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From Isaiah Weston Dear Sir.— New Bedford 6 Decr 1804 Existing circumstances & the wishes of the merchants of this dis‑ trict apolegise for a letter from a person of whom perhaps you have no knowledge.— We have information that applications are made or are about to be made for the Collectorship in this Port in the place of Edward Pope the present Collector, which aplications are for persons not liveing in the Town & who would be disagreeable to the merchants of this district of both discriptions— After haveing assurances that my appointment as Collector would be pleasing to the district, at the request of our Merchants I take the liberty to ask of the President the favour of the office giveing assur‑ ances of fidelity therein.— I am authorised to give assurances that both discriptions of people will amply recommend me to the President for the office in prefer‑ ence to any other person both respecting my caracter abilities & uni‑ form disposition & conduct towards the government & the adminis‑ tration of it.—these assurances are confirmed by letter from Messrs. Wm Rotch & Saml Rodman to Dr Logan—The Hon. Josiah Deane the Elector of President & Vise President for this County will write the President on the subject— Except Dear Sir the high respect of Your humble Servant, Isaiah Weston RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received from Josiah Weston on Dec. 14 and “to be Collector N. Bedford v. Pope” and so recorded in SJL. Isaiah Weston (1773‑1821) was a Con‑ gregationalist minister married to the daughter of Josiah Dean, who served as a Republican representative in the Tenth Congress. Weston became collector and inspector at New Bedford in 1808, but after facing allegations of impropriety he was dismissed from the office in 1814. He subsequently moved to Berkshire County, Massachusetts, where he was active in Republican‑sponsored events and engaged in manufacturing (William Herbert Hobbs, comp., The American Ancestry and Descendents of Alonzo and Sarah [Weston] Kimball of Green Bay, Wisconsin [Madi‑ son, Wis., 1902], 44; History of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, with Biographical

Sketches of Its Prominent Men, 2 vols. [New York, 1885], 1:669; New Bedford Medley, 22 May 1795; National Intelligencer, 8 Aug. 1808; Pittsfield Sun, 6 July 1815, 27 June 1816; New-Bedford Mercury, 2 Mch. 1821; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 6:366‑9; Vol. 42:557n; TJ to the Senate, 14 Nov. 1808). For applications for other candidates, see Vol. 42:556‑7; Gallatin to TJ, 2 July (first letter). An undated note in Gallatin’s hand on “New Bedford recommendations” indi‑ cated that Weston stood “on the best ground.” He lived nearby, had the sup‑ port of most Republicans, and was rec‑ ommended by Phanuel Bishop, the area’s congressman, and William rotch and Samuel Rodman, who were friends of George Logan and “the first merchants of the place” (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Weston Isaiah to be Collectr.

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6 DECEMBER 1804 New Bedford v. Pope”). This was one of several recommendations for Weston that passed through Gallatin’s and TJ’s hands during the next year. In a letter of 20 Dec., New Bedford merchant Thomas Hazard asked his son‑in‑law Jacob Barker, a New York merchant who knew Galla‑ tin, to recommend Weston and to enlist the support of “influential persons in New York” (same; endorsed by Gallatin with additional notation “Hazard sd. to be the only republican Quaker at N. Bed‑ ford”; endorsed by TJ: “Weston Isaiah to be Collector New Bedford v. Pope”; New Bedford Columbian Courier, 28 Aug.

1801). A letter that TJ recorded in SJL as received from “Clinton, Osgood &c” on 7 Mch. 1805 with the notation “Isaiah Western to be Collectr. N. Bedford” has not been found but probably was sent by DeWitt Clinton and Samuel Osgood, prominent New York Republicans. Haz‑ ard wrote to Gallatin directly on 17 Dec. 1805 and again recommended Weston (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Weston Isaiah to be Collector N. Bed‑ ford”). See also Josiah Dean (deane) to TJ, 12 Dec. 1804; Gallatin to TJ, 12 Sep. 1805 (third letter).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Decemr. 7th 1804. On the subject of the memorial from sundry persons in the 2d. Legion of Militia in the District of Columbia, on which you have been pleased to request my opinion, I take the liberty of submiting the fol‑ lowing observations. The laws of the United States providing for the organization and government of the Militia of the District of Columbia having pro‑ vided suitable tribunals for the trial of officers who may be guilty of improper conduct, and for removing such as may be guilty of such offences as to render them unfit to be continued in Commission, which tribunals may with convenience be resorted to at all times, the inter‑ ference of any other authority in the case now in question would in my opinion be unnecessary and inexpedient. with respectful consideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt H, Dearborn RC (DLC); at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 7 Dec. and “Alexa peti‑ tion v. Peyton” and so recorded in SJL. Tr (same); in a clerk’s hand. TJ received a memorial from Elisha Cullen Dick, John Pittman, and Peter Wise, Jr., asking him to remove Francis Peyton as commanding officer of the Al‑ exandria militia. The three men had been named to draft the petition at a public meeting called to protest the state of the

second legion, “much depreciated, and disorganized during the operation of its present establishment” (undated petition not found, but recorded in SJL as re‑ ceived from Dick, Wise, and Pittman on 3 Dec. with notations “McKinney to be Colo. v. Peyton” and “W”; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 22 and 26 Nov.). Peyton, whose proposed removal sparked much commentary in the local press, apparently met with TJ on the matter, and the presi‑ dent sent a note, probably on Monday the 3d, asking Peyton, “Will you be here on Saturday by 2. aclock on the subject we

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7 DECEMBER 1804 spoke of? there is reason to conclude it  without delay, to prevent something worse” (RC in Will Paulsen, Charlottes‑ ville, Virginia, 1988; undated; post‑ marked Washington, D.C., 3 Dec.; see Richard C. Frajola, Inc., Catalogue, Item No. 68, Danbury, Conn., 4 June 1988; Alexandria Expositor, for the Country, 26 Nov.; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 27 Nov., 1 Dec.; National Intelligencer, 5 Dec.). For the act providing for the organization and governance of the Dis‑ trict of Columbia militia, see U.S. Statutes

at Large, 2:215‑25. Dearborn composed a paragraph similar in content to this letter: “Sir The laws of Congress which provide for the organization & discipline of the Militia within the District of Columbia, having provided suitable tribunals for the trial of any member of said Militia for misconduct, it is inexpedient for the Ex‑ ecutive to interfere in the manner con‑ templated by the address refered to in your letter of the 6th. Inst.” No letter of 6 Dec. from TJ to the War Department has been found or was recorded in SJL (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27177; undated).

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin Dec. 7. 04. Rob. C. Nicholas ought certainly to be required to go to Fort Stod‑ dart and sign the certificates.   the Collectorship of Yeocomico seems to lie between Plummer & Tapscott in my judgment. in yours it is Tapscott & Mc.kinney. let Mc.kinney be the man therefore. I should have thought of Plummer as giving more respectability to the office, & an old public servt. but only on the condition of his remov‑ ing to the place, which it is not probable he would do. I will1 set down Tapscott therefore to go in with the first nominations, if you will send me his designation. R. C. Nicholas’s letter is from Lexington Kentucky. RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). Not re‑ corded in SJL. TJ appointed John S. tapscott to the Yeocomico collectorship with nominations

he sent to the Senate on 11 Dec. A letter from Tapscott to TJ of 15 Dec. has not been found (see Appendix iv). 1 Word

interlined in place of “have.”

Statement of Account with Edward Gantt The President in Account with E. Gantt

[7 Dec. 1804]

1804 Decr. 7th. To Medical Services rendered from July 19th. to this Date

Dr.

24 53

MS (DLC); endorsed by TJ with notation “pd. Jan. 11. 1805. to J. Barnes.”

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To Abiel Holmes Sir Washington Dec. 7. 04. Your letter of Oct. 18. was recieved on the 5th. of Nov. with the tracts you were so good as to send me & for which I pray you to ac‑ cept my thanks. I learn with pleasure that you are undertaking a Chronological history of America. such a work fully executed will be precious to the man of business. the first of that kind attempted in Europe was by the President Henault who in 2. vols 12mo. gave the history of France, chronologically stated with a minuteness & accu‑ racy not to be surpassed. his example has been followed by others so that we now have a similar history of almost every country in Europe, antient & modern; & his plan was so perfect that it has been im‑ proved by none of them. Fresnoy in his Chronological tablets of his‑ tory varied the plan a little, but not advantageously. I presume the work you contemplate is of the character of these. my occupations will not allow me to be of use to you even where I might find oppor‑ tunities of being so. for early materials the immense collections of Rymer, Rushworth & Thurlow will of course offer much: and mr. Hazard’s in our own country. the Memoires de l’Amerique in 4. v. 4to. published about the beginning of the war of 1755. contain much. there is an old 4to. volume published many years ago in England, called the American library, containing as well as I recollect nothing but the titles of books or papers respecting America The American & British Chronicle 8vo. London gives all the events of our Revolutionary war, with exact dates, from 1773. May 10. to July 16. 1783. well executed. The Chronologist of the French revolutionary war 12mo. Lond. 1797. gives the events of that war with minute dates. Hardie’s American Remembrancer 12mo. Philada. 1795. may furnish something. the American library & the American & British chronicle are rare. should you not be able to procure them you shall be welcome to the loan of them from my library. as to the American treaties since the revo‑ lution there is a compleat collection of them bound up with the laws of the US. which doubtless are to be had in Boston, or from any gen‑ tleman who has been a member of Congress in latter times. there does not exist a treaty of our government that will not be found there. I am sorry it is in my power to be so little useful to you in a work which will be of so much value. but I trust you will obtain all the aids you may need from others better qualified to give them, and having the sole property in their own time; & I pray you to accept my saluta‑ tions & assurances of great respect. Th: Jefferson  140 

7 DECEMBER 1804  RC (MHi: Miscellaneous Bound Man‑ uscripts Collections); at foot of first page: “Mr. Holmes.” PoC (DLC). memoires de l’amerique was the name by which TJ referred to Mémoires des commissaires du roi et de ceux de sa Majesté Britannique, sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux couronnes en Amérique, a compilation of documents by Etienne de Silhouette and others, pub‑

lished in Paris between 1755 and 1757 (Sowerby, No. 1452; Vol. 41:328‑9n). american library: a bibliography of American literature compiled by Bishop White Kennett and published in London in 1713 as Bibliothecæ Americanæ Primordia. An Attempt towards Laying the Foundation of an American Library, in Several Books, Papers, and Writings, Humbly Given to the Society for Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (Sowerby, No. 472).

From Joseph H. Nicholson Decr. 7th. 1804—

J. H. Nicholson respectfully presents his compliments to Mr. Jefferson—J.H.N. has anxiously turned his attention to the peculiarly hard case of Mrs. Welsh, and would have felt real Pleasure if any Exertions of his could have contributed to her Relief—Her case has been repeatedly urged before the House of Representatives hereto‑ fore, but always without success, and J.H.N has so frequently failed in endeavouring to have Justice done to those whose situations were equally distressing with that of Mrs. Welsh, that he has been dis‑ couraged from making any attempt in her Favor—A Bill is at present before Congress, the object of which is the payment of those claims which have been liquidated at the Treasury, but are barr’d by the several statutes of limitation; and if this should pass, Mrs. Welsh’s claim may probably be not entirely hopeless—It is to be feared how‑ ever that even this Measure may be frustrated by that shameful Par‑ simony which is so prevalent in most representative Bodies, and too often leads to Injustice— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 7 Dec. 1804 N’ayant pas appris Si les 3 Caisses de Livres, que j’ai pris la libertè de Vous envoyer par un Paquet de Georgetown le 13 du Mois passè, et les Sentim. Gourney, que j’ai Conformement a Vos ordre fait remettre a la poste le 22—Vous sont parvenus ou Non—Je Vous prie, de vouloir bien me le faire savoir. Tres respectueusement de Votre Excellence Tr hble st Reibelt  141 

7 DECEMBER 1804 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 7 Dec. 1804 I do not know whether you received the three boxes of books I took the liberty of sending to Georgetown on 13 Nov. or the Sentimental Journey that I mailed on the 22d, as per your order. Please could you let me know? With deep respect, I am the very humble servant of your excellency. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

caisses de livres: for the lists of books that Reibelt sent, see the enclo‑ sures to his letters of 5 and 13 Nov. vos ordre: TJ to Reibelt, 19 Nov.

To Charles Smith Washington Dec. 7. 04

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Smith and his thanks for the volume of Dr. Burkhard which he has been so good as to send him. it appears to be a very interesting view of the analogies of nature in her different departments and the publication of it here will render an useful aid especially in the business of education. PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); en‑ dorsed by TJ. thanks for the volume: Smith in‑ cluded his translation of Johann Gottlieb

Burkhard’s Elementary or Fundamental Principles of the Philosophy of Natural History with his letter to TJ of 20 Oct.

From Robert Smith Sir, Navy Dep 7 Decr. 1804 There are eight gun boats now building for the maintenance of which no appropriation has as yet been required—If they should be put in commission with the number of officers & men necessary in time of war, we shall require for their maintenance during the year, 1805, the following appropriations, doll’s cts. 45,324 5665 For pay & subsistence of the officers & pay of the seamen 51528. For provisions—we shall require no appropriation for the year 1805—Our general estimate for provisions for the  142 

8 DECEMBER 1804

 year 1805. will be sufficient to cover this expense. For medicine & hospital stores For contingt. account including repairs For pay of Marines For clothing for marines For contingent account m corps

250 2000. 750 6000. 1068 8544. 360 2880 72 576 8165. D. each $71528. If these eight gun boats should act in one division we shall only require for “pay & subsistence” the sum of 45324—because in that case there would be no occasion for a surgeon & a purser to each gun boat—one surgeon with 2 surgeon’s mates, & one Purser, with a steward for each gun boat, would be sufficient for the whole—The saving by this arrangement would be $6204 annually—which would reduce the whole sum required for the maintenance of these 8 gun boats from $71528, to $65324. I have the honor to be, with great respect, sir, yr. mo ob. servt. Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; notations by TJ in italics; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 8 Dec. and “gunboats” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).

gun boats: in the fall of 1804, Gun‑ boats Nos. 3‑9 were under construction at major seaports along the coast. They were launched between November 1804 and April 1805 (Spencer C. Tucker, The Jeffersonian Gunboat Navy [Columbia, S.C., 1993], 182‑4).

From Stephen Cathalan, Jr. Sir Marseilles 8th. December 1804 I had the honor of paying you my respects on the Septemb. last inclosed in my Letter to the Secretary of State of the 22d. do.—Since your most esteemed Favor of the 11th. July and 20th. reached me on the 22d. octob. by our Minister Plenipry. at Paris and the other on the 24th. do. inclosing your remittance on Paris  fr = 1312.50 c. duly accepted to be paid on the 11th. Jany. next and passed on your Credit; and in Conformity of your orders, I have Shipped on the American Ship New orleans of Philadia. William Butler Master, bound to Norfolk to be Consigned to the Collector there, as  bill of Lading and Invoice here inclosed; nine Chest, Boxes or Jars to your direction, amounting together to F. 1000—which I have passed on your debet—I wish I could have procured Sooner the articles therein Contained, but your orders reached me too late and I had no other  143 

8 DECEMBER 1804

better opportunity to Ship them—I hope they will reach you in good order and the quality of the whole will prove Satisfactory; The Crop of oyl, Olives, Almonds and Prunes has almost failed this year and not only their Prices have risen but their good qualities are very Scarce— I hoped the owners of this Ship Messrs. James H. Hughes and William Allen of Philadia. who have purchased this Ship here would not have Charged any freight, or a moderate one, by the desire they had to have them Shipped, but afterwards it was impossible to me to alter their extravagant demands and had it not been for the want you have of these articles and that I1 would have had to pay one half freight—I would have landed them, before Subscribing to their demand— Here inclosed I remit you an abstract of your Account Currt. with me which brings a Balance in my Favor  f = 1213.23 c, for which according to your desire, that if I find opportunities to value on you, I have on this day taken the Liberty of doing it unto Capn. William Hazard’s orders at thirty days Sight  D 231.9 cts making at fr. 5.25 =  D.—fr 1213.23 c. which balances this Small amount,—not doubting that the Maccaronis I mentioned you by my preceeding Letters Shipped at Genoa and the articles By Capn. J. Doggett will have reached you long ere and that you will honor my Said Bill 1st. 2d. & 3d. with Letters of advice. All my Family and parents in good health present you their best Respects and wishes for the next year and many Succeeding ones—I Join with them heartly, Having the Honor to be always at your Com‑ mand; and very Sincerely & with Great Respect— Sir Your most obedient Servant Stephen Cathalan Junr. I am to the 20th. Der. 1804—The Ship new orleans Capn. Wm. But‑ ler sailed yesterday morning, with a fair wind. Dupl (MHi); at head of text: “2ta”; in a clerk’s hand, signed and postscript added by Cathalan; addressed: “The most Hon‑ ble. Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington.  the Ship Octavia Willm. Hazard”; franked; post‑ marked New York, 8 Apr.; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Apr. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL. RC (same); in a clerk’s hand, including postscript: “P.S. not being Certain whether my Letter to Senator P. Butler would meet him at Philadia. as he may be, now in the Congress at Wash‑

ington, I take the Liberty of inclosing it, beging you to Cause it to be forwarded or delivered to him”; signed and addi‑ tional postscript by Cathalan: “I Beg your Refference to my official Letter to the Secretary of State”; addressed: “The most Honorable Thomas Jefferson Esq. Presi‑ dent of the United States of America Washington”; franked; postmarked New York, 17 July; notation on address sheet in an unidentified hand: “Open’d by the British Court of Admiralty at Halifax”; also notations on address sheet in another

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8 DECEMBER 1804 hand: “No. 9,” “Private,” and “exam’d,” and at head of text: “No. 9 taken from Bag No. 9”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 July 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found. my respects on the septemb. last: Cathalan to TJ, 22 Sep.

 minister plenipry. at paris: John Armstrong (see TJ to Armstrong, 20 July). my preceeding letters: Cathalan to TJ, 25 Apr. 1 RC:

“you.”

From Stephen Cathalan, Jr. Sir Marseilles 8th. decemb. 1804 I have the honor to advise you that in confirmation of my Letter of this day, I have valued on you, Sir, in my bill 1st. 2d. & 3d. unto order of William Hazard, payable thirty days after Sight per, two Hundred and thirty one dolars & Nine Cents to which I beg you to pay due honor—being for balance of my Invoices for you as per acct. Currt— Having the Honor to be with great Respect, Sir Your most obt. Servant Stephen Cathalan Junr. RC (MHi); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cathalan; at head of text: “1st. of advice”; addressed: “The most Honble Thomas Jefferson President of the United States

Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Apr. 1805 and so recorded in SJL with notation “draft 231.09 D.”; also en‑ dorsed by TJ: “Hazard Wm. 231.09 D.”

From William C. C. Claiborne My Dear Sir, New‑Orleans December 8th. 1804 I have the Honour to enclose you a copy of my address to the Leg‑ islative Council, and of the answer returned thereto. The meeting of the Council has had already a happy effect; the few Intriguers who have laboured to stop the Wheels of Government are greatly discour‑ aged, and the well disposed Citizens highly satisfied.1 The only anxi‑ ety I now feel is, that the means I resorted to, to form a Council may meet your approbation. The filling of a Blank Commission with a name not previously2 sanctioned by you is a liberty which I very reluctantly ventured on, and should certainly not have done it, had I not seen that a state of anarchy and confusion was fast approaching. Seven members being necessary to form a Quorum, and as it might happen that one of the Council might be sick (as is now the case) or from some other cause could not attend, I have filled another Blank Commission with the name of James Mather, an old and respectable3 Inhabitant of Louisiana; an  145 

8 DECEMBER 1804

Englishman by Birth, But with respect to the affairs of this District, an American in principle. Mr. Mather is moreover a man of real in‑ formation and great integrity, and very generally esteemed. Messrs. Poidrass, Morgan, Kenner, Wycoff, Pollock, Watkins, Dor‑ cier and James Mather now compose the Council, and I believe I can say with certainty, that they are all respectable Men of good under‑ standing, and possessing considerable influence in the District. I flatter myself that the next Mail will bring me the names of a sufficiency of Gentlemen to complete the Council, and in the mean time I shall console myself with the reflection that my late conduct will receive your approbation. It is believed here that the three Gen‑ tlemen of the Council lately named were selected by the President of the United States. For a continuance of your Health and happiness, I pray you to accept the best wishes of your Faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL. Dupl (same); endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found, but see below. Claiborne’s address, presented at the opening meeting of the legislative council of Orleans Territory on 4 Dec., was pub‑ lished in the Louisiana Gazette on 7 Dec. and reprinted in the National Intelligencer on 25 Jan. 1805 along with the council’s answer. Claiborne congratulated the council and emphasized the importance of the work upon which it was about to embark. He called particular attention to the establishment of a judiciary, the gov‑ ernance of New Orleans, the promotion of agriculture and commerce through inter‑ nal improvements, the promotion of edu‑ cation and “every constitutional encouragement” to religious instruction, and the arrangement of the militia. Replying on 7 Dec., council president Julien Poydras thanked Claiborne for the advice and sen‑ timents conveyed in his speech and ex‑ pressed the council’s concurrence with them. The council also declared its admi‑

ration for the moderation Claiborne dem‑ onstrated while simultaneously exercising the authority of “governor, intendant, chief justice, and commander in chief” (Louisiana Gazette, 7, 14 Dec.; National Intelligencer, 25 Jan. 1805; Bradley, Interim Appointment, 110‑17). Claiborne had recommended james mather to Madison in a letter dated 29 Oct., believing him “worthy the Presi‑ dent’s Confidence,” and also suggested Jean François Merieult as another suit‑ able candidate for the legislative council (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Mather James, Merriult John F. for Legislat. Council Orleans”). Also on 8 Dec., Claiborne enclosed a copy of his address and the council’s an‑ swer in a letter addressed to “The Presi‑ dent of the United States” but apparently intended for the secretary of state (RC in DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans, endorsed by Jacob Wagner as received 23 Jan. 1805; see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:364; Bradley, Interim Appointment, 109‑10). 1 Dupl:

“gratified.” interlined. 3 Preceding two words interlined. 2 Word

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From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 8th. Decr. 1804 I am duly favor’d with yours of the 5th. inclosing 240$.— The box of glass from Boston is still here, scarcely any boats from Milton having come down for some time past.—The first eighty bun‑ dles of nail‑rod you mention I have forwarded, supposing it would probably be immediately wanted.—The Mahogony has not yet ar‑ rived, nor have the books from Monticello. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From John M. Pintard Sir Alexandria 8th December 1804 From a conversation that Passed at your Table a few days Since where I had the Honor of dining; If I understood you correctly, you Intimated, that Some dificulty had arrisen in the Selecting persons properly qualified to fill the differrent offices at New Orleans. Under this Impression I beg Leave to mention to you that My Kindsman Mr John Pintard of New York has been Long anxious to Settle in that country, and on Enquiry I feel confident that you will find him fully competent to execute the duties of any office under the Government there; He was formerly Interpreter to Congress of the French Lan‑ guage and I beleive executed that office Some time after You were at the Head of the department of State. He has been at New Orleans and posseses a very extensive Information of that Country. His char‑ acter and tallents are well Known to Genl Wilkinson, doctor Mitch‑ ell, and the present Mayor of the city of New York to which Gentn. I Beg leave to Refer you for any Information you may wish Respecting him. I beg leave to apologise to you for this Intrusion on your time and have the Honor to be with great Respect Sir Your most obedt and very Humble Servant John M Pintard RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Dec. and “J. Pintard for office at N.O.” and so re‑ corded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “a federalist.”

few days since: John M. Pintard, a New York merchant and the former con‑ sul at Madeira, dined with TJ on 5 Dec. (Vol. 39:438n; Appendix ii). mayor: DeWitt Clinton. In a letter of 14 Dec. transmitted to TJ, Claudius Magnan, a Saint‑Domingue

 147 

8 DECEMBER 1804 immigrant living in Augusta, Georgia, wrote Abraham Baldwin to apply for a position as interpreter in Louisiana (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ:

“Magnan Claudius, Georgia. Fr. translatr. Orleans”; New York Commercial Advertiser, 5 Dec. 1810).

To Jones & Howell Messrs. Jones & Howell Washington Dec. 9. 04 Towards the latter end of this month, but before your river closes up, be so good as to avail yourselves of some vessel going to Rich‑ mond to forward to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson for me two tons of nail rod assorted as heretofore generally desired. Accept my friendly salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Messrs. Jones & Howell”; endorsed by TJ.

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Dec. 9. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the 7th. the Sentimental Journey had come to hand in due time. the 3. boxes of books were recieved about 10. days ago. I have selected what I wished to take: the Secre‑ tary of state has examined them also. between us we shall probably keep about 200. D. worth. as soon as he has concluded his part, you shall recieve a list of those we take with the money, and the residue shall be repacked, and sent by the first vessel. within a few days this will be made up. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ.

From William Bosson Massachusetts County of Norfolk Roxbury Decmr. 10th 1804

Permit me, dear Sir, to congratulate you on your re‑election, to the presi‑ dency of the United States—On this occation disfusive joy over spread our Country—Notwithstanding, Sir a party in this Common‑wealth, has endeavoured by means, the most dishonorable to lessen your resplendence—you have the confidence of four fifths of its Citizens, and but Sir for the folly of some men of influence, the remaining few would gladly call you their Freind,—  148 

10 DECEMBER 1804

 Burdensome indeed has been your imployment, but the rectitude of your Administration, has secured the adherence of Millions of your Fellow Citizens, who fore‑tast the pleasure of four years, longer to witness, a Patriotic and practically wise, Administration—an Admin‑ istration that will convince, its Enemies, that to abandon thier wicked persuits is a duty they owe to thier Country—Sir you have my best wishes for a continuance of your health—and that the burden of your Administration may be made easy by a coincidence of the people, in Congress assembled Pardon me Sir, for the liberty I have taken it originated from that pleasing state of mind I enjoy in your re‑Election— I am Sir yours with sentiments of Profound Respect— William Bosson RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Excely: Ths Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 29 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. William Bosson (1753‑1823) served during the Revolutionary War as an en‑ listed soldier at the battles of Lexington and Concord. He later obtained commis‑ sions as a lieutenant in an artillery battery and as a major in the Massachusetts mili‑ tia. Bosson was a prominent member of his local community. He ran a dry goods store, which he sold in 1816, when he re‑

located to Cincinnati with his daughter (The Massachusetts Register and United States Calendar, for the Year of Our Lord 1814 [Boston, 1814], 155; Ellen Dudley Clarke, Lineage Book: National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, 49 [1904], 90; Walter Eliot Thwing, History of the First Church in Roxbury Massachusetts, 1630-1904 [Boston, 1908], 210, 211, 292; Boston Independent Chronicle, 7 Oct. 1805; Boston Columbian Centinel, 11 May 1816, 23 Dec. 1818; National Intelligencer, 27 Aug. 1823).

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans December 10h. 1804. I have the pleasure to announce the arrival of Judge Hall; he reached this City three days ago; and on this Morning, I delivered him his commission, and administered the oaths of Office. The death of Colonel Kirbey is really an event I greatly lament;— But I persuade myself his vacancy will soon be filled by an able and judicious Judge.—Mr. Prevost is attentive to his duties, and his deci‑ sions (I believe) have hitherto given general satisfaction—I am how‑ ever enclined to think, that Mr. Edward Livingston’s intimacy with Mr. Prevost will prove injurious; they lodge in the same House, and have already purchased in co‑partnership, some property in this City of considerable value.—When Mr. Livingston first came to this City, I received him as an old congressional friend, and I must confess that for a little while, I was disposed to serve him; But he soon discovered  149 

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his Views;—they were hostile to what I thought the Interest of the United States, and it therefore became impossible for me any longer to be his friend;—Hence has arisen his opposition to me, & I have now to contend against his Talents, Address, Intrigue, and all his Influence.— Mr. Briggs is still in New‑Orleans, and I am sorry to add extremely indisposed; he is sanguine in his expectations that a short, direct & good Road may be obtained between Washington & this City, & pro‑ poses to forward a Draft of the Route by the next Mail.—I believe Mr. Briggs’s Indisposition may be attributed to the fatigue of his Jour‑ ney; & his attention to Business since his arrival.— I must again express to you, my solicitude, that my conduct in relation to the council may be approved;—Things really Sir, were in a situation calculated to excite uneasiness;—The Territory was in a great measure without Law, and Judge Prevost had given an Opin‑ ion (which was probably correct) that the Commandants, and former Justices of the Peace, had no Judicial Powers. In this state of things, I did suppose you would excuse me, in filling up three of the blank Commissions, with a view of forming a Council.— The Gentlemen first named were advised of their appointments, & informed that their commissions were in my possession, and would be delivered, whenever they appeared and took the oaths of Office; eight declined serving, & there remained in my possession eight blank commissions, three of which I have filled up with the Names of Eu‑ gene D’Orcier, George Pollock and James Mather. Every thing is now quiet in this City, and the Council progressing in Business with expedition & care. Accept my Dear Sir, the best wishes of Your faithful friend! William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

From William C. C. Claiborne New‑Orleans

Dear Sir, December 10h. 1804. 11’O’Clock at Night. The Mail has this moment arrived, and brought me your Letter of the 28th. of October.— The communication you made to Mr. Gelston fell into proper hands, and has been used as you intended.—As the Mail will leave this early in the morning, I shall defer replying particularly to your Letter until next Week.—  150 

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 Accept Dear Sir assurances of my respectful attachment William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL.

communication: TJ to John M. Gel‑ ston, 15 Oct.

From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir War Department December 10th 1804 I have the honor to propose for your approbation Peter Ogilvie Jnr. of New York and Ethan Allen of Vermont as Cadets in the Corps of Artillerists Accept, Sir, the assurances of my high respect & consideration H. Dearborn [Approval by TJ:] Dec. 10. 04. Approved

Th: Jefferson

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; en‑ dorsed by a clerk. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). peter ogilvie jnr.: although he ap‑ parently did not accept his commission as a cadet, Ogilvie eventually served as a  captain of infantry during the War of

1812 (Dearborn to Ogilvie, 13 Dec., DNA: RG 107, LSMA; Heitman, Dictionary, 1:757). After receiving his commission, Ethan Augustus allen served in the artillery until 1821 (Dearborn to Allen, 13 Dec., DNA: RG 107, LSMA; Heitman, Dictionary, 1:158).

From John Hollins Sir Baltimore 10th. Decr 1804 I have the honor to inform you that the Reverend Mr Glendy in‑ tends to visit Washington in a few days, & will hold himself in readi‑ ness to perform Divine service on Sunday next the 16th. Inst., he will no doubt take the first opportunity of seeing you after he arrives in Washington It woud give me great pleasure to accompany him, & wh. I will do, if Mr Bowdoin passes thro’ Baltimore in a few days, shd. he be ex‑ pected with you soon, it will be very pleasing to me, if you will take the trouble to cause me to be informed.— Very respectfully I am yr. obdt Jno. Hollins  151 

10 DECEMBER 1804  RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos Jefferson Esqr President U.S”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. mr glendy: Presbyterian clergyman John Glendy (Vol. 36:26). cause me to be informed: Hollins, who had a claim against the Spanish gov‑ ernment, sent a similar request to Madi‑

son on 27 Nov. In that letter, he explained that he was anxious for an associate to accompany James Bowdoin to Spain, and added that Madison would “know the cause of my anxiety on this occasion.” Hollins believed that the Spanish owed him in excess of $200,000 for property seized at Havana (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:334; Vol. 38:631‑2).

Petition of John McFarlane, with Jefferson’s Order To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America Your petitioner John McFarlane of the County of Alexandria in the District of Columbia, most respectfully begs leave to represent,— that, At the last Court held for the said County of Alexandria, a Judg‑ ment was rendered against your petitioner on a Verdict found against him and others for a Riot, as will more fully appear by the Records of the Court furnished your Excellency with the petition of George Mc‑ Farlane one of the persons also convicted—Your Petitioner further represents, that his abject poverty precludes all hopes of relief, but from the Clemency of your Excellency; that should it not be extended to him, his Infant Child will be exposed to the most cruel want, and himself doomed to the horrors of an Unlimited Confinement. These heart‑rending prospects he hopes will be relieved by a Remission of his Fine and Costs, when under the solemnity of an oath he attests the truth of them.— And your petitioner as in duty bound will ever pray &c— Jno. McFarlane Alexandria County Sct:/ John McFarlane came before me one of the United States Justices for the County aforesaid, and made oath, that the facts stated in the above Petition are just and true in all their parts— Given under my hand this Tenth day of Decemr. 1804— Cuthbert Powell At the request of John McFarlane we do hereby Certify that we are personally acquainted with him & his Circumstances and are fully Satisfyed of his Entire Inability to discharge the fine & Costs assessed  152 

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against him amounting to Dolls. 62₁−⁸− ₀−—Given ¹₀ under our Hands this 11o. Decr. 1804. G. Deneale Cl: Cir: Ct: Alexa. Cy. L Summers D Marshal District of Columbia  We the undersigned Judges respectfully represent to the President of the United States that we have recieved satisfactory information that the petitioner is unable to pay his fine & fees, and of his having a family dependant on his Labours for their support—From these considerations and presuming that his imprisonment has been a suf‑ ficient punishment for his offence; We respectfully recommend a re‑ mission of his fine, & a discharge from further confinement W Kilty W: Cranch N, Fitzhugh [Order by TJ:] Dec. 13. 04. Let a pardon issue

Th: Jefferson

RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); petition in a clerk’s hand, signed by McFarlane; first attestation in same hand, signed by Powell; second attestation in George De‑ neale’s hand, signed by Deneale and Sum‑ mers; recommendation of the court in a clerk’s hand, signed by Kilty, Cranch, and Fitzhugh.

petition of george mcfarlane: Petition of George McFarlane, 15 Aug. TJ issued a joint pardon of John Mc‑ Farlane and John Higdon on 14 Dec. (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 10e Dece. 1804 Je Vous prie, d’agreer mes remercimens, de ce, que Vous m’avez bien voulu accuser l’arrivèe des Caisses. C’est une Satisfaction particulière pour moi—non pas comme Ne‑ gociant, car je n’ai pas d’Ame pour çe metier, mais comme Littera‑ teur—d’apprendre, que Vous y avez trouvè quelque Chose, qui Vous convienne. Je ne suis pas pressè ni pour le retour des Caisses, ni pour le mon‑ tant de ce, que Vous et Mr. le Secretaire d’etat, ou d’autres Amis et Connaissances de Vous reunis en çè moment a la Capitale voudront bien prendre; Il me Suffit, de Savoir, que le tout se trouve dans Vos mains respectables.  153 

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 Je Vous prie uniquement, Si Vous ou personne d’autre n’aiment de garder: Les plans des Maisons de Paris—de vouloir bien me renvoÿer çet Ouvrage seulement par le premier Stage. Je persiste d’etre avec Veneration Monsieur! Votre tr. hble. str. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 10 Dec. 1804 Please accept my thanks for acknowledging receipt of the boxes. Speaking not as a bookseller, since my heart is not in that trade, but as a writer, I take particular satisfaction in knowing that you found something that suits you. I am in no hurry for the boxes to be returned or for payment for those you and the secretary of state or other friends and acquaintances in the capital wish to keep. It is enough for me to know that everything is safely in your hands. My only request is that if you or others do not wish to keep Les Plans des maisons de Paris, could you please return that one book by the first coach? With great esteem, I am, as always, Sir, your very humble servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); in dateline: “Librairie de Levrault Schoell et Comp. de Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 11 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

plans des maisons de paris: that is, Plans, coupes et élévations des plus belles maisons et hôtels construits à Paris et dans les environs, by Johann Karl Krafft and Pierre Nicolas Ransonette and published in 1801 and 1802 (Sowerby, No. 4214).

To William A. Burwell Th:J. to W. A. Burwell. Dec. 11. 04. I have but a moment to inclose you the draught promised in the rough. remember you promised to copy it your self and not to let it be seen by any one in the original: nor is the least idea to be permitted to escape as to the quarter from which it comes. on this subject I rely on you with entire confidence. Accept my affectionate salutations and assurances of esteem & attachment. PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Enclo‑ sure not found, but see below. the draught: according to Burwell’s later recollection, TJ and others worried that the Virginia House of Delegates would respond to the resolution of the Massachusetts General Assembly calling for the end of the three‑fifths rule “in a

style calculated rather to confirm the prej‑ udices” of Virginia’s “enemies” in the north than to “refute their fallacious rea‑ soning.” A determination was made “that Mr Madison should write the answer, which should be inclosed to me, & thus placed in the hands of the Chairman of the Comtee to whom the M. amendment was referrd.” To maintain secrecy, com‑

 154 

11 DECEMBER 1804 mittee chairman James Barbour agreed to claim authorship of the draft presented to the state legislature on 27 Dec. (Ger‑ ald W. Gawalt, “ ‘Strict Truth’: The Nar‑ rative of William Armistead Burwell,”

vmhb, 101 [1993], 113‑14; Richmond Virginia Argus, 8 Dec.; Richmond Enquirer, 1 Jan. 1805; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:517‑18n; Stanley Griswold to TJ, 26 Nov.).

From Gideon Granger Dec: 11.

G Granger presents his complimts to the Presidt: & with pleasure assures him of the election of Nicholas Gilman to the Senate in the room of Judge Olcat. He incloses a Letter from Mr Gurley for perusal. The Electors in Connecticut have voted for Pinkney & King. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure not found. On 29 Nov., the New Hampshire House of Representatives elected nicholas gilman, a Republican, to succeed Simeon Olcott in the U.S. Senate. Gilman de‑ feated rival candidate Timothy Farrar by a vote of 85 to 70 (Journal of the Proceedings of the House of Representatives of the State of New-Hampshire, at Their Session, Begun and Holden at Concord, on the Third Wednesday of November, Anno Domini, 1804 [Portsmouth, 1805], 29; Portsmouth Oracle, 8 Dec.; Granger to TJ, 6 Sep.). pinkney & king: Charles Cotesworth Pinckney of South Carolina and Rufus

King of New York, the Federalist can‑ didates for president and vice president in the election of 1804. Public announce‑ ments of the ticket first appeared in newspapers in February, although it was unclear at first which candidate was des‑ ignated for which office. Neither candi‑ date took an active role in the ensuing campaign and the ticket secured only 14 electoral votes in the election (Richmond Virginia Gazette, and General Advertiser, 15 Feb.; Boston Columbian Centinel & Massachusetts Federalist, 29 Feb.; Aurora, 22 Feb., 7 Apr.; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 7 Mch.; Marvin R. Zahniser, Charles Cotesworth Pinckney: Founding Father [Chapel Hill, 1967], 244‑5; Robert Ernst, Rufus King: American Federalist [Chapel Hill, 1968], 286‑7; js, 3:453).

From John Page Dear Sir Richmond December 11th. 1804 On the receipt of the Attorneys letter, written in consequence of the transmission to him of the information which you had received from me respecting the affidavit of David Greenlaw concerning the Coin‑ ers and Forgers in North Carolina, I sent an Express for Greenlaw, but he is not to be found. Instead of waiting a month at his father’s according to his promise, he did not remain three weeks: And his father has written to me by our Express that he had supposed he was at Richmond. He was not bound in a recognizance for his appearance  155 

11 DECEMBER 1804

because he had Stipulated with the persons to whom he communi‑ cated the information which he said he would give, that he should be at liberty to pursue his own mode of bringing the murderers of Lori‑ ent and the Forgers to justice. But the Council did not adopt his plan which was, that he should send a person with a letter which he had written to one of the principal Forgers for a sum of their money, and that his introduction in that letter would procure him knowledge of facts sufficient to furnish all the proofs requisite for the conviction of many of that desperate gang, and that he himself should be permitted to go in pursuit of Foley and Morel immediately after, or before, and take them up, whom he charges on Oath with the murder of Lorient, and for which he himself had been tried, and narrowly escaped Con‑ demnation. Should this desperate accomplice in murder and Forgery have made his escape after amusing our magistrates with his infor‑ mation and story of his reformation would it not be well Sir to pardon Logwood if by his Testimony the whole gang of his accomplices may be broken up and tried in North Carolina under their State laws which do not allow them the indulgence of a Penitentiary? I am with the highest respect & esteem, your most obedient Servant John Page RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Page; endorsed by TJ as received 14 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook). david greenlaw had been arrested for the murder of Lewis L’Orient, a Nor‑ folk merchant. He subsequently offered information on a multistate counterfeiting ring (Washington Federalist, 20 June 1804; Page to TJ, 3 Nov. [third letter]). foley and morel: Greenlaw impli‑ cated individuals with these last names as L’Orient’s murderers. In a letter of 22

Oct. to Page, Thomas Newton reported accounts that Foley, described as having a scar and “blue spots occasioned by pow‑ der” on his face, had been “selling ne‑ groes” in North Carolina but was headed for Charleston, South Carolina. “Morril” was probably with him. In a postscript dated six days later, Newton mentioned an article in the Norfolk Herald that claimed that Greenlaw intended “quitting the Country.” Newton continued, however, to believe Greenlaw’s claim that “Foley & Morril were the Guilty persons” (RC in Vi: Executive Papers).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 11e Dece. 1804. Si Vous ne voulez pas garder pour Vous—le Cours de peinture par Filhol, je Vous prie très instament, de vouloir bien me le renvoyer par le premier Stage. J’ai l honneur d’etre avec la plus profonde deference Votre Excel‑ lence Tr. hble et tr. Obst. str. Reibelt  156 

11 DECEMBER 1804 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 11 Dec. 1804 If you do not wish to keep Le cours de peinture by Filhol, I beg you most urgently to send it back to me by the first coach. With profound deference, your excellency, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); in dateline: “Librairie de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. de Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 12 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

cours de peinture: see enclosure at Reibelt to TJ, 5 Nov.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate John Graham of Kentucky, late Secretary of legation to Madrid, to be Secretary for the territory of Orleans. William Bellinger Bullock of Georgia to be Attorney for the United States in the district of Georgia. William Creighton of Ohio, to be Attorney for the United States in the district of Ohio. William Lyman of Massachusets to be Consul for the United States at London. Peter Kuhn junr. of Pensylvania to be Consul for the United States at Genoa. Edward Dewhurst of the island of Saint Croix, to be Consul for the United States at Saint Croix. John Tapscot of Virginia to be Collector & Inspector of the revenue for Yeocomico river in Virginia. Th: Jefferson Dec. 11. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by Senate clerks. PoC (DLC); with TJ’s notation “rejected” in margin next to Edward Dewhurst’s name and check marks next to all the other entries. Isaac A. Coles delivered this message on 11 Dec. The Senate immediately dis‑

pensed with its normal proceedings in order to approve william bellinger bullock. The next day, the Senate agreed to the remaining nominees except for edward dewhurst, who was ultimately rejected, and john tapscot, who was approved in early January (jep, 1:476‑9).

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From Josiah Dean Sir Raynham M.S. 12th Decr. 1804 Understanding that the present Collector of the Port of New Bed‑ ford is to be superseded and being requested by a number of Mer‑ chants in that place to write to your Excellency on the subject I have presumed to recommend a Candidate for the Office— Mr. Isaiah Weston of New Bedford is a Gentleman every way qualified to execute the duties of a Collector. he is an undeviateing Republican and a firm supporter of the present Administration and will I am persuaded give universal satisfaction to the District, be faith‑ ful to his trust and do honour to the Appointment I have the honour to be Sir your obedient Servant Josiah Dean RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Dec. and “Weston Isaiah to be Collectr. N. Bed‑ ford” and so recorded in SJL. Josiah Dean (1748‑1818) was a ship‑ builder and iron manufacturer in Rayn‑ ham, Massachusetts. He was named a justice of the peace, served as town clerk, represented the town in the state house of  representatives and Bristol County in

the state senate, and served in the Tenth Congress as a Republican (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Enoch Sanford, History of Raynham, Mass., from the First Settlement to the Present Time [Providence, R.I., 1870], 32, 39, 43‑5; Boston Columbian Centinel, 31 Dec. 1794; Boston Independent Chronicle, 31 May 1792, 6 June 1793; Pittsfield Sun, 10 May 1806; Boston Patriot and Daily Chronicle, 6 Jan. 1819). present collector: Edward Pope.

From Christopher Ellery Decr. 12th. ’04.

In presenting the enclosed C Ellery thinks it proper to mention, that Doctor Hazard, the author, is the Physician & Surgeon General of the Militia of the State of Rhode Island, Purveyor of the Military Hospitals &c &c RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 12 Dec. Enclosure: Enoch Hazard to TJ, 3 Nov.

To John Hollins Dear Sir Washington Dec. 12. 04. I recieved last night your favor of the day before & this morning I obtained the Speaker’s order for reserving the desk of the H. of R. for mr Glendy on Sunday next, where many of us will be glad to see him.  158 

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should he arrive here before half after three on Saturday I will expect him to dine with me, as well as yourself if you accompany him. Govr. Bowdoin accepts his appointment, but is too unwell to come on here for some time. mr Irving his nephew is appointed his secretary of legation. as he has been the agent at London on all the business be‑ fore that board of Commrs. detailed communications from you to him would probably be better understood by him than by his princi‑ pal. as he has been much in the large cities of the middle states I pre‑ sume you know him. accept my friendly salutations for yourself & mr Glendy & assurances of great esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Hol‑ lins.”; endorsed by TJ. speaker’s order: see TJ to An‑ drew T. McCormick and McCormick to TJ, 12 Dec.

mr irving his nephew: George W. Erving was James Bowdoin’s cousin (J.  L.  M. Curry, Diplomatic Services of George William Erving [Cambridge, Mass., 1890], 5; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 10:35).

To Andrew T. McCormick Dear Sir Washington Dec. 12. 04. The liberality which I have seen practised by the gentlemen, chap‑ lains of Congress, in admitting others of their profession who happen here occasionally to perform the Sabbath‑day functions in the cham‑ ber of the H. of Representatives, induces me to ask that indulgence for the revd. mr Glendye a presbyterian clergyman from Baltimore who will be in this place next Sunday forenoon. being acquainted with mr Glendye, I can assure you that no person to whom that per‑ mission could be transferred, will be heard with more satisfaction than he would. if the desk be at your disposal for the next Sunday forenoon I will ask that favor on his behalf if mr Lowry be the person to whom that day belongs, as my acquaintance with him would hardly justify the liberty of a direct application, could I be allowed so far to profit of your friendship as to ask your requesting this favor from mr Lowry. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); at foot of text: “The revd. mr Mc.Cormick”; endorsed by TJ. Andrew T. McCormick (ca. 1761‑1841), an Irish‑born Episcopal minister, was the rector at Christ Church in Washington and, in the second session of the Eighth Congress, chaplain of the Senate. In 1818

he joined the State Department as a clerk, a post he held for almost two decades. McCormick was also a trustee of the city’s public school for the poor, the East‑ ern Free School, and served as president of its board for 19 years. “A good classical scholar, of great simplicity of heart,” he counted TJ among his congregation (js, 3:412; James F. Hopkins and others, eds.,

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12 DECEMBER 1804 The Papers of Henry Clay, 11 vols. [Lex‑ ington, Ky., 1959‑92], 4:110; District of Columbia, Report of the Board of Education to the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, 1904-5 [Washington, D.C., 1906], 94‑5; Daily National Intelligencer, 28 Apr., 3 May 1841; Vol. 36:225n).

 mr lowry: Presbyterian minister James Laurie, recently named as chaplain for the House of Representatives (jhr, 5:28‑9; Wilhelmus B. Bryan, A History of the National Capital from Its Foundation through the Period of the Adoption of  the Organic Act, 2 vols. [New York, 1914‑16], 1:559).

From Andrew T. McCormick Sir, Decr. 12th. 1804— On application to Mr. Laurie, he unhesitatingly aggreed to give the occupancy of the Desk to Mr. Glendie next Sabbath.— With Sentiments of highest respect &c I am Your Hble. Servt. Andw: T. McCormick RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); addressed: “President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Dec.

From Jeremiah Browning, Jr. Sir, Baltimore County Dec. 13 1804 Permit me to address you, & pardon the liberty I take.—It is highly probable the business I am about to undertake, will fail of success; & it may be vanity that prompts me to it, however I am under an im‑ pression, that should it fail on the present occasion, a small acquain‑ tance may not be a disadvantage to me in future.—I have Sir, a small requst to make, which (I presume), will be a small thing with you to grant, in case I am not too late, in making my request known.—I have been very desirous to make the Ohio State, the place of my resi‑ dence; But still more desirous of a part of the territory, not formerly included in the state; But held by the Indians, though probably in future will be considered a part of the State. The part in consider‑ ation, lies between the Wabash & Ohio Rivers, which, I have under‑ stood, by reading your Message to both houses, is ceeded to the United States. If so? according to former proceedings respecting Lands in that Country, it is to be laid off in certain quantities, or parcels, & then sold.—My request Sir, is to have a part in that business.—I hope it will please you Sir, to consider my case, as a case, that needs assistance & not as one that wishes to speculate: But one that has the prospect of a rising family, one who is wishing to do something for that family, & but little to begin with, one who is willing to follow the ax, the hoe,  160 

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the plow, or any thing else, to get an honest maintainace.—Pardon me Sir, for this strange rout I have taken.—Should you grant me this request, or do me a favor in any other way, (that will be a means of procuring property in that Country), I shall pledge myself, & inter‑ est in every sense, to perform my duty with firmness & expedition, Should I succeed in this business I flatter myself with an expectation of being a means of a number of a respectable families removing to that Country, & so of course the Selling a considerable quantity of Land, I have traveled extensively for the space of three years One Winter season in the Ohio State in which time I have made myself pretty extensively acquainted with the nature of that country. Should it pleas you, to make me an instrument of rendering the smallest ser‑ vice to my Country; I hope never to forget my dependance, & what‑ ever recompence may be thought proper to be made, for my services, will be thankfully recieved in property in that Country.— I am Sir, your faithful votary, & Humble Servant Jeremiah Browning Jur.  NB. Please to favor me with an answer.—

J— B—

RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 15 Dec. and “Western em‑ ploiment” and so recorded in SJL.

From Thomas Digges Dr Sir Warburton (nr Piscaty. Decr. 13 1804 A long confinement to home with a Bileous & attack, & the ap‑ proaching end of a sister, has prevented me the pleasure of paying my respects to You & receiving those civilities & attentions for which I am very much Your Debtor. I wishd very much to have accompanied the bearer Wm. Mordaunt Esqr to the City today, and to have gratified Him in a wish of person‑ ally introducing Him to You; But it is out of my power. I make so free as to intrude this scrawl to You merely for such intro‑ duction. Mr Mordaunt is a Gentn. of respectability & worth—a na‑ tive of Portugal & whose Family I knew & highly respected, when travelling in that Country many years ago. He has spent some years laterly in India, & came from thence in one of our Indiamen to New York—Is here to see & look at our rising Country, & from his high opinion & respect for You I should be sorry He left the City without paying his respects to You. I am with high esteem Sir Yr. very ob Sert Thos Digges  161 

13 DECEMBER 1804  RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Dec. and so recorded in SJL with no‑ tation “by mr Mordaunt.”

 sister: Ann Digges died 28 Dec. (Rob‑ ert H. Elias and Eugene D. Finch, eds., Letters of Thomas Attwood Digges [17421821] [Columbia, S.C., 1982], 473n).

From John Fowler and Matthew Lyon Sir Congress Hall 13th. Decr. 1804 Mr. John Clay of the City of New Orleans is desirous of being ap‑ pointed Surveyor and Inspector of that port—we beg leave to state that Mr. Clay is a young Gentleman of respectable connections—was born in Virginia—raised in Kentucky—bread a Merchant—did business as such for several years in Lexington Kentucky—has spent nearly two years in Spain & France—but for the four last years has resided at New Orleans & has been doing business as a commission Merchant—Mr. Clay is Esteemed by all who know him to be a ready & correct Accomptant—an honest man—of unimpeached integrity & in all things qualified to fill the Offices which he now solicits—to which solicitation we chearfully subscribe—& request you will be so good as to make known this our Joint request to the President— We remain with sentiments of high respect—Sir yr. Obt. Servts. John Fowler M Lyon RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Fowler’s hand, signed by him and Lyon; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Dec. and “Clay John to be Survr. N.O.” and so recorded in SJL. John Fowler (ca. 1756‑1840) was born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, studied at the College of William and Mary, and served as captain in the Revolutionary War. In 1783 he moved to Lexington, Kentucky, where he was an influential civic leader, serving over the years as a delegate to the statehood convention, a city trustee, a founding member of the Lexington Freeman Lodge, a militia offi‑ cer, and the city’s postmaster. He owned tracts of land in Kentucky and Virginia. From 1797 to 1807, he represented his district as a Republican member of the U.S. House of Representatives (Biog. Dir. Cong.; John E. Kleber, ed., The Kentucky Encyclopedia [Lexington, Ky., 1992], 350).

request to the president: during this period, Gallatin also heard from mem‑ bers of the Kentucky congressional dele‑ gation regarding John Clay. On 17 Dec., John Breckinridge wrote to Gallatin from the Senate chamber, following up on the recommendation he sent to TJ, 22 Oct., and reiterating Clay’s integrity and abili‑ ties. Representatives Thomas Sandford, Matthew Walton, and John Boyle recom‑ mended Clay to Gallatin in an undated letter similar in content to that of Fowler and Lyon to TJ, adding only that Clay was “about thirty years of age” and that his appointment would please his friends in the western country (RCs in DNA: RG 59, LAR; both endorsed by TJ: “Clay John to be Surveyor N.O.”). Fowler also appealed to Madison in a recommenda‑ tion for Clay dated 29 Nov. (RC in same).

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From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Decer. 13th 1804 The information contained in this letter is certainly important. It explains what I heard that General Hovey or Ovey of Genessee was connected with Phelps & went last summer to the westward with an intention of ascending the Mississippi as high as St. Anthony’s fall. He however went no farther than the falls of the Ohio, where he formed a plan to cut a cannal around the same. Powers should be answered, & I presume in the following manner 1st. that we have no knowledge of Carver’s grant 2. that such grant if it existed was never recognized by the crown 3. that Congress never have recognized mere indian titles & that he may safely rely upon that such one as that he mentions never will be admitted— 4th—that it is presumable that he may have redress against the seller, but that it is a question of private right on which officers of Govt. cannot as such give any opinion— Will you have the goodness to give me your opinion on the subject? As a national subject, it evinces the necessity for Congress to be extremely cautious in admitting land claims not warranted by the gen‑ eral system adopted for granting lands. I am told that almost every settler at Detroit derives his claim from an indian title. It seems that it will be best to confirm their possession as settlers only & not as purchasers or grantees under the indians. The same remark will prob‑ ably apply to many occupants at Kaskaskias & in upper Louisiana. But exclusively of settlers, I am informed indirectly, though the information came from Hoffman that many millions of acres will be claimed between Lakes Huron & Michigan under indian grants; and I presume that you are acquainted with the pretended claims of the Wabash & Illinois Companies—Carver’s grant makes another, and there may be many more. Respectfully Your obedt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 13 Dec. and “public lands” and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Benjamin hovey communicated his ideas to Gallatin about cutting a canal around the falls of the Ohio River oppo‑ site Louisville and subsequently attempted

to build support for the plan in Washing‑ ton (New York Morning Chronicle, 14 Feb. 1805). An individual named Aaron powers had apparently inquired about the valid‑ ity of a purchase of a portion of carver’s grant, a broad extent of land east of the Mississippi River in present‑day north‑ western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Jonathan Carver, a Massachusetts‑born

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13 DECEMBER 1804 officer during the French and Indian War, had explored both sides of the upper Mis‑ sissippi River in the 1760s and later pub‑ lished an account of his travels. Although there is no direct evidence that Carver ever petitioned the British government to legitimize a land grant, a text of the grant, which was said to have derived from two chiefs of the Dakota Sioux, ap‑ peared in a posthumous edition of his account. Carver’s heirs and other indi‑ viduals appealed to the U.S. government to recognize the grant many times during the first half of the nineteenth century (Jonathan Carver, Travels through the Interior Parts of North America, in the Years

1766, 1767, and 1768, 3d ed. [London, 1781], 12‑14; Milo M. Quaife, “Jonathan Carver and the Carver Grant,” Mississippi Valley Historical Review, 7 [1920], 3‑25; anb, s.v., “Carver, Jonathan”; asp, Public Lands, 3:484‑5; 4:82‑9; js, 41:170; TJ to Gallatin, 15 Dec.; Samuel Harrison to TJ, 15 May and 13 June 1805; Samuel Peters to TJ, 27 Jan. 1806). George hoffman was the register of the land office at Detroit (Vol. 43:511; Vol. 44:689). wabash & illinois: for the Illinois and Wabash Land Company, see Vol. 41:617‑18.

To William Heath Sir Washington Dec. 13. 04. I sincerely join you in congratulations on the return of Massachu‑ sets into the fold of the Union. this is truly the case wherein we may say ‘this our brother was dead, and is alive again: and was lost, and is found.’ it is but too true that our union could not be pronounced entirely sound while so respectable a member as Massachusets was under morbid affection. all will now come to rights. Connecticut en‑ couraged by her elder sister will rally to catholic principles, will dis‑ mount her oligarchy, and fraternize with the great federated family. the new century opened itself by committing us on a boisterous ocean. but all is now subsiding, peace is smoothing our paths at home & abroad: and if we are not wanting in the practice of justice & modera‑ tion, our tranquility and prosperity may be preserved, until increasing numbers shall leave us nothing to fear from without. with England we are in cordial friendship: with France in the most perfect under‑ standing; with Spain we shall allways be bickering, but never at war till we seek it. other nations view our course with respect and friendly anxiety. should we be able to preserve this state of public happiness, & to see our citizens, whom we found so divided, rally to their genu‑ ine principles, I shall hope yet to enjoy the comfort of that general good will which has been so unfeelingly wrested from me, and to sing at the close of my term the nunc demittas Domine with a satisfaction leaving nothing to desire but the last great audit. the pleasure must be great & pure which you derive from reflections on the part you have borne in the late political warfare and in the effect of your con‑  164 

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tributions to the great coalition which has been effected. to these your fellow citizens have borne testimony & will not cease to do so. I pray you to add to theirs the tribute of my respect and to accept my friendly & respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “General Heath.” join you in congratulations: Wil‑ liam Heath to TJ, 27 Nov. this our brother was dead: para‑ phrasing Luke 15:24, the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

nunc demittas domine: “nunc di‑ mittis domine servum tuum in pace quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum,” from Luke 2:29‑30, “Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation.”

From the Navy Department [13 Dec. 1804]

Annual expence of keeping a gun boat in a state of readiness to receive her crew. 1 lieutenant commanding 892 1 gunner 386 1 midshipman 301 2 able seamen 288  provisions 160  Contingencies 120 $2147 RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25271); undated; in a clerk’s hand; endorsed as a letter from the Navy Department of 13 Dec. and “gunboats.”

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore, le 13e. Dece. 1804 Le dernier Exemplaire, qui me restoit, des Plans des Maisons de Paris—n’a certainement pú être mieux placès que dans Votre biblio‑ théque. Je n’en ai plus, mais j’en attends et j’aurois l’honneur de Vous en envoÿer 2 Exempl. aussitot, que je les aurai recûs. J’ai encore un Exemplaire de l’histoire naturelle de la Montagne de S. Pierre & par Faujas &c.—N’en pourriez Vous pas en disposer? Je suis très respectueusement Votre Excellence Tr. hble. et tr. Obst str Reibelt  165 

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t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 13 Dec. 1804 My last copy of the Plans des maisons de Paris could not have found a bet‑ ter home than in your library. I do not have any others, but I await some and would be pleased to send you two more as soon as I have received them. I still have one copy of the Histoire naturelle de la montagne de Saint-Pierre by Faujas. Would it not be useful to you? With deep respect, your excellency, I am your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); in dateline: “Libraire de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. a Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 14 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Although no response has been found or was recorded in SJL, presumably TJ informed Reibelt that he would be pur‑ chasing a book of architectural plans and

elevations of buildings in paris, which Reibelt had asked to be returned to him. He may have also informed Reibelt that he already had a copy of Essai de géologie by Barthélemy faujas de Saint‑Fond, which had appeared on the list of books enclosed in Reibelt’s letter of 13 Nov. (Reibelt to TJ, 10 Dec.; TJ to Reibelt, 24 Dec.).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I present for your advice a treaty entered into on behalf of the US. with the Creek Indians, for the extinguishment of their right in cer‑ tain lands in the forks of Oconee & Okmulgee rivers, within the state of Georgia. for the purpose of enabling you to form a satisfactory judgment on the subject it is accompanied with the instructions of 1802. Apr. 12. to James Wilkinson, Benjamin Hawkins and Andrew Pickens Commissioners; those of 1803. May 5. to James Wilkinson, Benjamin Hawkins & Robert Anderson Commissioners; and those of 1804. Apr. 2. to Benjamin Hawkins sole Commissioner. the nego‑ ciations for obtaining the whole of the lands between the Oconee and Okmulgee have now been continued thro’ three successive seasons, under the original instructions, & others supplementory to them, given from time to time as circumstances required: and the Unity of the negociation has been preserved not only by the subject, but by continuing Colo. Hawkins always one of the Commissioners, & lat‑ terly the sole one. the extent of the cession to be obtained being un‑ certain, the limitation of price was what should be thought reasonable, according to the usual rate of compensation. the Commissioner has been induced to go beyond this limit probably by the just attentions due to the strong interest which the state of Georgia feels in making  166 

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this particular acquisition, & by a despair of procuring it on more reasonable terms from a tribe which is one of those most fixed in the policy of holding fast their lands. to this may be added that if, by an alteration in the 1st. article, instead of giving them stock, which may be passed into other hands and render them the prey of speculators, an annuity shall be paid them in this case, as has hitherto been prac‑ tised in all similar cases the price of these lands will become a pledge & guarantee for our future peace with this important tribe, & eventu‑ ally an indemnity for the breach of it. On the whole I rest with entire satisfaction on the wisdom & counsel of those whose sanctions the constitution has rendered necessary to the final validity of this act Th: Jefferson Dec. 13. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPIR, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Okmul‑ gee treaty.” Enclosures: (1) Treaty be‑ tween the United States and the Creek nation; signed at the Creek agency near Flint River on 3 Nov. by Benjamin Hawkins for the United States and Hopoie Micco for the Creeks; the Creeks cede land bounded by a line beginning at the “High shoals of Apalatchee” and ex‑ tending to the first fork of the Ocmulgee River and from there down the Ocmul‑ gee to the Oconee River and then up that river to the line established under the Treaty of Fort Wilkinson; a tract of land four miles long and two miles wide to in‑ clude the Ocmulgee “old fields” is also ceded and is to be used for a trading estab‑ lishment; in exchange, the United States shall supply two sets of blacksmith’s tools and workers for 10 years, shall extend the time of the blacksmiths promised for Fort Wilkinson from 3 to 10 years, and shall pay the Creeks $200,000 in six‑percent stock, the dividends of which are to be distributed to the tribe semiannually; the president may cause the line to be run “at such time and manner as he may deem proper” (printed copy in DNA: RG 46, EPIR). (2) Dearborn to James Wilkin‑ son, Hawkins, and Andrew Pickens, 12 Apr. 1802, advising on objects of negoti‑ ations with the Creeks; the United States seeks a cession beginning at the junction of the Oconee and Ocmulgee Rivers and running south to the source of the Saint Marys River, then down that river to the

“old line,” and then by that line to the Altamaha River; because the Creeks have previously sold this tract to Georgia, Dear‑ born expects that a payment of $10,000 with an annuity of $1,500 will be suffi‑ cient; the second object is title to the land between the Oconee and the Ocmulgee Rivers as far as Fort Wilkinson, or as near to that as the Creeks will concede; the commissioners are authorized to relin‑ quish U.S. claims to land west of a line near the mouth of the Ocmulgee to the Saint Marys, but they are not to compro‑ mise on the first object in any way; if the second desired tract can extend to a line near Fort Wilkinson, Dearborn authorizes a payment of $25,000 with an annuity of $2,000 (printed copy in same). (3) Dear‑ born to Wilkinson, Hawkins, and Robert Anderson, 5 May 1803, appointing them commissioners to negotiate with the Creeks; they are to seek cession of the tract between the Ocmulgee and Oconee Rivers; “more particular attention” is to be paid to acquiring land lying between the Ocmulgee and the western boundary ceded by the Creeks in July 1802; pay‑ ment is at the commissioners’ discretion, but Dearborn has sent $12,000 to the branch bank at Savannah and $2,000 to the U.S. agent at Fort Wilkinson; only $30,000 having been appropriated for ne‑ gotiations with Indian nations, they are to confine their “positive stipulations within such reasonable limits as will not exceed the appropriations” (printed copy in same; see Vol. 41:437n). (4) Dearborn to Haw‑ kins, 2 Apr. 1804, instructing Hawkins

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13 DECEMBER 1804 to negotiate for a further cession of land between the Ocmulgee and Oconee Riv‑ ers; he is to work with David Meriwether, who although not appointed commis‑ sioner is to have “full weight” in aiding negotiations; Hawkins should not exceed the $12,000 that Dearborn has autho‑ rized; any larger sums will require con‑ gressional approval; Hawkins may bring “one or two thousand dollars’ worth of goods at the council” if he considers it helpful (printed copy in DNA: RG 46, EPIR). (5) Hopoie Micco to Hawkins, undated, explaining that “the tract of land at the Ocmulgee old fields is ours”; he expects justice to be done to “our mer‑ chants and traders” there; he requests that Hawkins include this message with the treaty just concluded, “that the Presi‑ dent may see it” (printed copy in same). (6) Hawkins to Dearborn, 3 Nov. 1804, on his negotiations with Hopoie Micco and “the most distinguished chiefs of the opposition”; Hawkins, whose proposals were met “with all the arguments as well as rudeness in their power,” discusses the Creeks’ efforts to secure annuities for all their towns, full value for the “lands be‑ yond Ocmulgee,” and relief from their debts; after several days, Hopoie Micco informed Hawkins that he could get the

agreement of the other chiefs to honor the Ocmulgee as a boundary in exchange for the payment of Creek debts and a $500 annuity for each town; Hawkins countered with the treaty sum; Hawkins adds that he has “done the best” he could, and that the land in question is more than two million acres, “half of which is un‑ questionably the best land in this coun‑ try” (printed copy in same). Message and enclosures printed in asp, Indian Affairs, 1:690‑3. The Senate received the message and accompanying papers from Isaac A. Coles this day. They were read the following day and ordered to be printed “under an injunction of secrecy.” On 2 Feb. 1805, the Senate rejected a resolution request‑ ing a delay in consideration of the treaty so as to modify the mode and amount of payment, “as may be more conformable to the policy and interest of the United States” and then rejected the treaty by a vote of 19 to 12. On 1 Mch., it approved a resolution requesting that the president initiate further negotiations for the de‑ sired cession and any other lands the “Creeks may be disposed to relinquish” (jep, 1:477‑8, 482‑4).

To Mason Locke Weems Sir Washington Dec. 13. 04. I thank you for the pamphlet you were so kind as to send me which I have read with great satisfaction. you ask my opinion on the subject of publishing the works of Algernon Sidney. the world has so long and so generally sounded the praises of his Discourses on govern‑ ment, that it seems superfluous, and even presumptuous, for an in‑ dividual to add his feeble breath to the gale. they are in truth a rich treasure of republican principles, supported by copious & cogent arguments, and adorned with the finest flowers of science. it is prob‑ ably the best elementary book of the principles of government, as founded in natural right, which has ever been published in any lan‑ guage: and it is much to be desired in such a government as ours that it should be put into the hands of our youth as soon as their minds are sufficiently matured for that branch of study. in publishing it, I think  168 

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his life, trial & letters should be thrown into one volume & the Dis‑ courses into another. the latter is the most important, & many purses can reach one volume which could not conveniently extend to the other. should you proceed to the publication, be so good as to con‑ sider me as a subscriber: and accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The revd. Mr. Weems.” pamphlet: The True Patriot; see Weems to TJ, 22 Nov. publishing the works of algernon sidney: Weems advertised his pro‑ posal to print Sidney’s Discourses concerning Government, which was published for him by Caleb P. Wayne in Philadel‑ phia in 1805 in two octavo volumes. It

included a brief biography of the author and a “copious index” and sold for five dollars. In a June 1807 bill with Mrs. John March, TJ had a credit of eight dol‑ lars for “1 Sett Sydney on Government” (Georgia Augusta Chronicle, and Gazette of the State, 22 June 1805; Sidney, Discourses concerning Government [Philadel‑ phia, 1805; Shaw‑Shoemaker, No. 9359]; Statement of Account with Mrs. John March, 30 June 1807).

From Mahlon Dickerson Sir Philadelphia 14 Decr. 1804 From the first passing of the law providing for the temporary gov‑ ernment of Louisiana, I considered New Orleans as a place where a great deal of business wd. be done, in the line of my profession, and I was convinced that the Office of Attorney for that district of Orleans wd. be of very considerable importance to me, could I obtain it, and the more so, as I had a wish to live in a warmer climate than that of Philadelphia—It is probable I should have solicited the appointment in the early part of last summer, but I had already recd. an office that exceeded any merit, I could lay claim to, & I was fearful of being thought troublesome— About the middle of July I was siezed with a violent bilious fever, which raged with unremiting fury for nearly five days;—at the mo‑ ment of its first abatement, I recd. a letter from Mr. Gallatin, contain‑ ing an offer to me, of the office I wished;—Full of hopes that my health wd. be speedily reestablished, I did not hesitate to express my determination to accept the appointment—Instead however of being cheerd with returning health, I found my strength rapidly declining every hour, & in a few days I became sensible that it wd. be utterly out of my power to be at New Orleans, by the time required,—This circumstance gave me great anxiety, and on the 29th. of July I wrote to Mr. Gallatin informing him of my situation, & that I must decline the honor of the appointment intended for me;—I was glad afterwards  169 

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that I adopted this measure so promptly as I did, for I soon became so extremely reduced, that I was not able to attend to any kind of busi‑ ness till about the middle of October—Nor is my health compleatly restored to this day— When I saw my name announced in the papers as Attorney for the District of Orleans, I had not the most distant idea that the office was still in my power, but supposed the publication arose from mistake— My determination as to going to that Country at this time must be made up on considerations totally different from those which gov‑ erned me last summer— The climate at New Orleans is now esteemed much more perni‑ cious to the constitutions of people from the Eastern & middle states, than it was then—From the bilious habit I have acquired, I should be less able to resist that climate, than I was then—It is much more unfavorable to go there at the approach of spring, than in the fall— Indeed it does not appear to me that I should stand by any means, upon an equal footing in point of health, with others who go there— Dr. Bache who knows the climate well, assures me that I might cal‑ culate with great certainty, upon a severe attack of the bilious malig‑ nant fever the first summer, there, & that I should find but little security in going up the river, during the sickly season—Under these circumstances I could not with any degree of prudence remove to New Orleans— you will have the goodness Sir, to excuse the liberty I have taken in troubling you with this communication With the deepest sense of gratitude for the favors I have received at your hands, I remain Sir your most devoted & Very huml. Servt, Mahlon Dickerson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Dec. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “declines Atty US. Orleans.” At the time he wrote to TJ, Mahlon Dickerson (1770‑1853) was an up‑and‑ coming member of Philadelphia’s Repub‑ lican party. Born in Morris County, New Jersey, Dickerson received his bachelor’s degree from the College of New Jersey at  Princeton in 1789. After graduation, he studied law under Morristown lawyer Caleb Russel and was admitted to the bar. During the Whiskey Rebellion, he

joined a New Jersey cavalry regiment that marched to western Pennsylvania. By 1796, Dickerson had become a com‑ mitted Jeffersonian Republican, and in 1801 he represented William Duane at the newspaperman’s sedition trial. Accord‑ ing to Duane, Dickerson was the future of the party in the city, as he was “the only one who is decidedly republican that dis‑ plays talents.” Dickerson was a friend of  Meriwether Lewis, and in 1802 TJ appointed him a commissioner of bank‑ ruptcy for Pennsylvania. After declining the position of U.S. attorney in New Or‑ leans, Dickerson served as the adjutant general of the city’s militia until his fa‑

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14 DECEMBER 1804 ther’s death necessitated a return to New Jersey. Dickerson subsequently purchased a controlling interest in the family’s iron works and mine in Suckasunny. His in‑ volvement in the iron industry made him one of the richest men in the state and propelled his political career. Dickerson served in all three branches of the state’s government, was elected to the U.S. Sen‑ ate, and in 1834 accepted a position in An‑ drew Jackson’s administration to head the Navy Department (anb; Ruth L. Wood‑

ward and Wesley Frank Craven, Princetonians, 1784-1790 [Princeton, 1991], 369‑85; Vol. 34:71‑3n; Vol. 36:xlv‑xlvi; Vol. 37:577; Vol. 38:94n, 511‑14). Dickerson wrote to Gallatin on 24 July; see Gallatin to TJ, 26 July. name announced in the papers: on 14 Nov., Relfs Philadelphia Gazette announced that TJ had appointed Dick‑ erson as the attorney for the district of Orleans.

From John Hollins Dear Sir Balto 14th: Decemr. 1804 Yesterday brought me your acceptable favor of the 12th., soon after its receipt The Revd. Mr Glendy called upon me & to whom I handed the same; I confess it woud have given me much pleasure to have accompanied him to Washington, but from the contents of your letter I delay for the present that Journey, altho’ I regret the Satisfaction & pleasure which I loose by not being with you tomorrow agreeably to your genteel & friendly invitation Mr Glendy is accompanied by my particular friend Thos. Addis Emmet Esqr. who is the bearer of this, as a man of the world, & a Gentleman worthy of your acquaintance I use the freedom to intro‑ duce him, pledging myself you will be pleased therewith.—Accept my very best thanks for the very prompt attention, you have at all times been pleased to shew to my addresses & believe me sincerely yours Jno. Hollins RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Norfolk Dec. 14. 1804 By the last mail I had the pleasure to receive your favour of the 6th. instant. I feel myself very much embarrassed how to act; I have not considered myself at liberty either to communicate my intentions of resigning, or to take such measures in the office for closing my busi‑ ness as wou’d discover that intention. Being obliged to be at home early in Jany. I fear it wou’d be impossible for me to close my business,  171 

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after it wou’d be proper to avow my intention to resign, and within the time by which I must be at Warren. I think it essential to my safety, that I shoud be here from the time it is known that I mean to give up the office, until a complete transfer is made to my successor: Under these impressions, I have taken the liberty to withhold your letter to Col. Newton, and to request that I may be permitted to delay my resignation until I can go to Albemarle and return. I will at any time that you may approve after my return, resign the office, or I will hold it to the end of the next quarter, or complete the year from the time of my coming here, as you may think most proper. I am really ashamed of being so troublesome to you, and of the appearance of so much unsteadiness. When I wrote you in Nov. asking permission to resign, I expected to have heard from you in reply by the first of decr. which wou’d have given me a month to prepare for my departure. Under the present circumstances almost the whole month of Decr. will elapse before it wou’d be proper for me to do any thing by which my intentions cou’d be discovered, and then it wou’d not be practi‑ cable to close my business so as to be at home by the time I most anxiously wish to be there. In keeping up your letter, I take a liberty that I cannot fully reconcile to myself, it is the less justifiable because I have so often experienced proofs of your goodness to me; I ought not therefore to trespass upon a disposition that has been manifested in my favour beyond my deserts. I beg the favour of an answer to this letter as soon as possible; I shall feel the utmost anxiety until I know that I am forgiven by you, and that you do not disapprove of what I have done. I am Dear Sir, with the highest sentiments of respect & esteem your much obliged hum. Servt. W. C. Nicholas RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

your letter to col. newton: TJ to Thomas Newton, 6 Dec., enclosed in TJ to Nicholas of that day. wrote you in nov.: Nicholas to TJ, 21 Nov.

From Chandler Price Sir Philade. Decemr 14. 1804 Agreeable to your request I have this day shipped the Butt of Wine on board the Schooner Caroline, Capn. Dickey, to Address of Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson Merchants Richmond to whom I mention it is  172 

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your desire They will forward it to Monticello, but doubt not your orders will be with Them in time I have also Shipped on board the Sloop Sally Captn Hand—bound to George Town, the smaller Cask & united it in the Bill loading with one for James Madison Esquire to be delivered to order, and have requested the favor of Mr Madison to communicate the same to you I have had them put into Cases & having received & shipped them in good order, trust they will be delivered equally so Mr. Ysnardi’s Bill on you for the Butt has not come under my no‑ tice. if it should I will give you timely notice thereof as I shall also do of the Expences & Duties as soon as the same shall be ascertained I have the Honor to be very respectfully Sir Your Most Obed & Most Hhble Serv Chand: Price RC (MHi); at head of text: “The Hon‑ orable Thomas Jefferson Esquire Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

Price enclosed a bill of lading for “Two Casks Sherry Wine in Cases” in a letter of this day to Madison. The ship‑ ping charge was $1.50 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:378).

To David Leonard Barnes Sir Washington Dec. 15. 04. It has not been in my power sooner to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Nov. 27. and to thank you for the information therein com‑ municated. it is not for me to unravel the passions or the schisms which are so unhappily prevailing in your state. still less am I dis‑ posed to take any side in this family quarrel. I yield however to the duty of bearing testimony to the truth, in favor of either party or both parties, when it happens to be within my knolege. that mr Ellery ever told me that Governour Fenner indulged himself in drink, is not true whether reported by the living or the dead; nor did ever such a senti‑ ment pass from me to any man. I have ever considered Govr. Fenner with the greatest respect. I give more credit to the testimony of public suffrage in his favor than to what any individuals can say. I shall not under take to account how any person could so far suffer his imagi‑ nation to mislead him as to impute to me a sentiment of disrespect to the governor, much less the expression of it. passions strong enough to discolour the objects of our senses can alone account for such a perversion of fact. I have felt no such passion in this case. I hope there is sincere patriotism enough in all the parties to heal this schism, at  173 

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least in all cases where the public interest is in question. certainly I shall never know any difference between them. Accept my salutations & assurances of great respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “the honble. David L. Barnes.”

To Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Washington Dec. 15. 04. I have attended to the letter of Aaron Powers, who claims lands at St. Anthony’s falls under an Indian grant to Carver the traveller. these lands being within the former limits of Virginia, were subject to the laws of Virginia till her cession of them to the US. and then to the conditions of the cession. by the laws of Virginia Indian grants were nullities except when made to the government: and when made to that they were to be regranted under certain forms & conditions prescribed by law. when Virginia opened her land office at the close of the revolution‑war, as the whole country on the Western waters was claimed by speculating companies, a few of which had actual grants the conditions of which had been partially performed, others had only petitioned for grants &c. the state by a law gave a fixed (but sufficient) time to all claimers of lands on the western waters to prove their rights before the court of appeals and all claims not confirmed by them before the expiration of the term were declared void: and so odious were these speculations to the state that when they ceded the country to the US. in order to put it out of their power to misapply it to these claims, a condition was inserted that this fund was to be ap‑ plied exclusively in discharge of the national debt. mr Carver’s grant therefore whether Indian or Royal, is not only void, but incapable of being revived by the US. but on the common terms of sale: and it gives so little pretext of right, that should any person set down on the lands under colour of it, they will be removed as squatters, by the mili‑ tary. Accept affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Secy. of the Treasy.” letter of aaron powers: see Galla‑ tin to TJ, 13 Dec. Virginia, by a law of 1782 “concern‑ ing the titles of settlers on lands surveyed for sundry companies,” extended by a year the time during which settlers were to

pay the principal and interest due for con‑ firmed grants. A law of 1779 had given six months for payment after confirmation (William Waller Hening, ed., The Statutes at Large; Being a Collection of All the Laws of Virginia, 13 vols. [Richmond, 1809‑23], 11:149‑50). For controversies that emerged when Virginia ceded lands north of the Ohio River, see Vol. 6:571‑5.

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From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 15 Decer. 1804 I enclose the sketch of a letter to the collector of New Orleans. You will be pleased to say whether it is proper: and I will thank you to return it with such alterations as may be necessary, in time to have it transcribed & transmitted by to morrow’s mail. I expect that our cut‑ ter which mounts eight guns and has eighteen men on board is by this time at New Orleans. If it shall be thought proper to send there im‑ mediately one of the gun‑boats now at Charleston, the Collector of that port informs me that No. 2 is the best calculated for a sea‑voyage. With sincere respect & attachment Your obedt Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury De‑ partment on 16 Dec. and “Spain importg. slaves into Misipi” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. letter: Gallatin wrote to William Brown, the collector at New Orleans, on 14 Dec. regarding Spanish navigation on  the Mississippi River. Since March, the United States had permitted Spanish vessels to proceed to Baton Rouge or other Spanish possessions without stop‑ ping at New Orleans. Gallatin observed, however, that this “indulgence” could not be allowed to interfere with U.S. law or be thought “a matter of right.” Gallatin instructed Brown not to extend the privi‑ lege to vessels importing articles prohib‑ ited by law. In particular, Brown was to

“prevent any vessels coming from foreign ports with Slaves, or which under the law prohibiting the admission of Slaves into your district, could not be admitted there from proceeding up the Missi. above New Orleans even if such vessels should be Spanish, and their apparent destination a port on the Missi. still in the possession of Spain.” Noting that Madison would write to William C. C. Claiborne, Gallatin instructed Brown to cooperate with the governor “in carrying the intentions of the President into effect” (FC in DNA: RG 56, Correspondence of the Secretary of the Treasury with Collectors of Cus‑ toms, New Orleans; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:233‑4, 379‑80; Vol. 43:23‑4). The revenue cutter Louisiana arrived at New Orleans on 12 Dec. (Louisiana Gazette, 14 Dec.).

From William Lambert Sir, City of Washington, Decr. 15th: 1804. I have the honor to transmit to you some calculations I have lately made for determining the longitude and latitude of a place near the President’s house in this city, and have endeavored not only to render the work as accurate as I could from the elements assumed, but also to make it so plain that any person acquainted with the principles of astronomy cannot fail to understand it.—If you should, after ex‑ amination, consider the statement and calculations submitted to you,  175 

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worthy your acceptance, and you will be pleased to return them to me, (not being possessed of another transcript) I will furnish you with a revised copy, wherein the latitude and longitude now found will be used in the calculations to ensure a greater degree of precision in the result. I have the honor to be, with perfect respect, Sir, Your most obedt: servant, William Lambert. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. calculations i have lately made: in October, the assistant postmaster gen‑ eral, Abraham Bradley, Jr., with a clerk from his office, Seth Pease, and local schoolmaster David Wiley, made a series of astronomical observations “at a place near the President’s house, estimated to be one mile and − ₁⁷−₀ths N. 75° W. of the capitol in the city of Washington.” Using their data, which included observation of an occultation of Alcyone, the brightest star of the Pleiades, by the moon, Lam‑

bert performed calculations for multiple methods of finding longitude. He used the observers’ readings of the positions of four other stars to compute the latitude. Lambert had his revised computations printed in July 1805. He sent a version of the figures to TJ in September 1809, for consideration in fixing a prime meridian of the United States (Lambert, Calculations for Ascertaining the Latitude North of the Equator and the Longitude West of Greenwich Observatory, in England, of the Capitol, at the City of Washington, in the United States of America [Washington, D.C., 1805], 6‑47; rs, 1:489‑98; TJ to William Dunbar, 14 Mch. 1805; Lambert to TJ, 31 July 1805).

From Philip Mazzei Carmo. e Amatmo. Sigre., e Amico, Pisa, 15 xbre, 1804 Mr. Appleton mi recò la sua dei 18 Luglio, anno corrente, che mi consolò, e maravigliò. I motivi della consolazione furon molti, ed Ella non ò bisogno che Le sien detti. La maraviglia nacque dal vedere un foglio da lettera dei più grande tutto pieno, riflettendo alla faraggine degli importantissimi affari, addossati a chi la scrisse. Le due ragioni da Lei addotte per ritirarsi quasi affatto da ogni corrispondenza privata (nel Posto che occupa) sono ottime. Certo è, che il tempo non deve togliersi a quelli oggetti, all’attenzione dei quali ci obbliga un sacro dovere, come pure che devonsi tacere i politici, mentre vi sia probabilità di dar presa ai malevoli. A proposito del tempo che s’impiega nella corrispondenza epistolare, mi permetta che Le trascriva ciò che ultimamente scrissi al caro e vir‑ tuoso Pr. Cz; il quale ora è alla testa di tutti i Dipartimenti dell’Impero Russo, nell’assenza del vecchio Cancellier Woromzoff. “Difficilmente può trovarsi tempo bastante (in tali Posti) per dir tutto in una volta; ma non è molto difficile di trovarne dei ritagli, per far sapere d’aver  176 

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ricevuto le lettere, dir qualche cosa, e differire il resto.” Se Ella non lo disapprova, Lo prego di farne uso con me. Ò ragion di credere, che Woromzoff siasi assentato, senza dimet‑ tersi, per dar luogo a Cz. di farsi conoscere stimare, e amare, onde poter poi essumere il suo Posto, non solo senza urtare l’opinion pub‑ blica, ma con soddisfazione universale. Nella mia prima al Col. Madison, subito inteso che, in vece d’esser morto (comè nè fù sparsa la voce) era Segrio. di Stato, parlandogli della Russia ebbi occasion di dire cose che gettano molta luce su quel che ò accennatto di Cz. e Wor., sull’attual governo di quell’Impero. Parmi, che questa lettera fosse mandata con una che (per quanto vedo) non Le pervenne onde Le mando copia in un foglio a parte dell’articolo che tratta della Russia, persuaso che non Le dispiacerà di vederlo. Dalle date delle mie lettere pervenutele, comprendo che ne man‑ cano 2, una del 28 7bre 1801, l’altra del 15 Febbraio 1803. Desidero che Ella veda il contenuto della seconda; e siccome la prima è breve, Le mando la copia di quella pure, benchè parli solamente di noccioli, che devono esser perduti colla medesima, dai quali (se fossero perve‑ nuti) avrebbe potuto avere il frutto nella prossima stagione. Le mando un’altro esemplare dei 2 miei opuscoli, e mi dispiace di non poter far l’istesso dei 2 volumi del Tableau Historique et Statistique de l’Empire de Russie, che tutti devono esser perduti colla detta lettera dl 15 Febb. 1803, come pure la lettera interessante del Piattoli; di cui ne ò data notizia  sua regola. Qualche tempo dopo che mi scrisse amichevolissima sua dei 18 Luglio passato, avrà ricevuto lo mio dei 15 Giugno, con una di pochi versi del 25, ambedue mandate coll’istesso bastimento, e poi quella del 30 Agosto portata dal Timpanari, le cui buone nuove aspetto con grande ansietà, non solo per mia soddisfazione come di molti altri che lo amano, e soprattutto della sua buona Madre adottiva, che me le chiede con affettuosa premura, in una lettera piena di tenere espressioni, per le attenzioni che Ella dice aver io usate al suo caro e amato figlio. La sopraddetta sua contiene la risposta anticipata alla maggior parte del contenuto nella mia dei 15 Giugno, sul qual proposito confermerò la mia opinione, rispetto (almeno) alla necessità di un Console genle. per invigilare sulla condotta di tutti gli altri Consoli e Viceconsoli, per molti importanti motivi già detti, ed altri che richiederebbero una lunga discussione verbale. Un tal soggetto dovrebbe avere cuore, testa, e i mezzi per vivere, non con sfarzo (che fa più vergogna che onore) ma decentemente.  177 

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 Quanto a trattati di comercio e d’Alleanze, io gli ò sempre conside‑ rati come si considerano da Lei, ed Ella si ricordera che se ne parlò più volte in Francia, e non si disconvenne mai. Parlando di Napoli, non ebbi altra in mira, che una convenzione relativa alla quota di spese o altro da impiegarsi contro i Barbareschi, conforme Ella propose in Parigi ai Ministri delle varie Potenze d’Italia, di Portogallo, e di Spagna. Una tal commissione, pare a me, che potrebbe addossarsi al Comandante della Flottiglia, forse meglio chi ad altri, dovendosi trat‑ tare di cose marittime. Ma senza convenire, non è possibile d’agire con reciproca soddisfazione. È cosa di massima importanza per il Coman‑ dante la certezza di quel che deve esergli somministrato nell’occorrenze, la quale non può aversi senza averne convenuto. Riguardo all’avere in queste parti un’Incaricato d’Affari, o Minis‑ tro, che potesse trattare nell’occorrenza con i vari Governi d’Italia, e corrispondere con quei di Pietroburgo e di Costantinopoli, sarebbe certamente cosa onorevole per gli Stati Uniti (se devesi valutar  qualche cosa l’opinion generale, o piuttosto universale delle altre Na‑ zioni) e contribuirebbe certamente ad accrescerne molto il commer‑ cio, e a renderlo molto più vantaggioso. A tenor dell’Atto di Confederazione, i Ministri, gli Inc. d’Affari, e i Consoli devono esser nominati dal Pres., e approvati dal Senato. Sentendo adesso, che i Consoli son nominati dal Seg. di Stato, e a lui sottoposti, gradirei di saperne il motivo. Quanto agli Agenti della Marina, sarebbe certamente ingiusto, che il Segr. di quel Diparti‑ mento non ne avesse la nomina, devendo esser responsabile della lor coddotta; ma il male (a parer mio) sta nella responsabilità. Vi possone essere molti casi, nei quali il Segrio. potrebbe soffrirne innocente‑ mente, e dall’altro canto potrebbe seguirne un intelligenza tra il Se‑ grio. e gli Agenti progiudicevole all’interesse pubblico. Io non presumo d’essere infallibile, ma solo di dir liberamente il mio sentimento su tutto cio chè interessa la mia cara Patria adottiva. Arriverò al 74. esimo anno tra 10 giorni; onde, se fosse creduto proprio di affidarmi la cura di metter qua le cose sur un meglior piede, potrei esser utile per poco tempo. La mia ambizione starebbe di pi‑ antarne le basi, incanalar le corrispondenze, e di aver presto un so‑ stituto, per poter venire a trovar costà un buon marito alla mia cara bambina, e terminare i miei giorni su quella terra che Ella mi regalò, essendone restato il mio diritto sospeso mediante la mia venuta in Europa, ma non estinto; la condizione fù, che dovesse rivivere al mio ritorno. Non ò mai dubitato, mio carissimo amato Amico, della sua Benevo‑ lenza, e conseguentemente dell’interesse che prende alla mia famiglia.  178 

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Le dirò dunque, che la mia bambina è dotata d’ingegno è d’ottimo cuore, desiderosa di saper tutto, è facile a comprendere, attenta a quel che vede fare, chiedendone sempre la ragione. Oltre di ciò la natura l’à servita bene anche nel fisico; è sana, grande assai per la sua età, le parti al corpo proporzionata e ben disposte, e l’aspetto piacevole a segno, che chiunque la vede, resta prevenuto in suo favore, come  vertù simpatica. Nacque il 22 Luglio 1798. La madre poi sofferse tanto, a motivo della gravidanza e del parto, che ci è poca speranza di vederla ritornare alla pristina salute, quan‑ tunque non possa dirsi inferma. Dopo resa la placenta non ebbe’altri sfoghi. Tutto s’introdusse nel basso ventre, dove nello spazio d’11 mesi ebbe 4 ascessi, il primo dei quali (dopo d’averle tenuto il corpo gonfio e teso come un tamburo quasi 3 mesi) scoppiò 2 pollici sotto l’ombellico, ruppe l’intestino e finalmente guarì. Gli altri 3, un dopo l’altro, fecero l’istesso corso. La descrizion del futto farà epoca nell’istoria medica. La sua vita (che sarebbe certamente creduta salva per miracolo, se qualche reliquia le fosse stata posta sul basso ventre) devesi a un’assistenza tale che difficilmente potrebbe descriversi, ma [. . .] principalmente ai 2 miei cari Amici, primo il Dr. Franco Vaccà, Medico sommo, l’altro Andrea suo figlio, Cherurgo superiore, per l’intelleganza, per l’esatezza e bravura nell’operare, e per l’ingegno creatore, a quanti ne sono stati, e sono. Andrea fù ed è d’opinione, che non possa ingravi‑ dare, e che (ingravidando) non sopravvivrrebbe al parto, mentre po‑ tesse condurvisi. Se dovessi descriverle l’impressione che à ricevuto il mio cuore nel sentire quel che à fatto la grata Patria per il nostro La Fayette, passerei per debole. Quantunque i miei Amici qui non lo conoschino perso‑ nalmente, ne ànno avuta una gioia immensa, e uno di essi, nell’effusione del cuore, disse con trasporto: Prosperità eterna a una tal Patria, e possa Ella un giorno governare il Mondo intiero! Terminerò con dirle che non solamente la delicatezza doveva im‑ pegnarla a restare altri 4 anni alla Presidenza, ma il ben pubblico ancora. Quantunque i Tory e i Monarchisti sieno ormai come i Cani che abbaiano alla Luna, la prudenza e l’amor patrio richiedono di non abbandonare il timone prima che sieno intieramente ammutoliti. La ringrazio delle notizie datemi dei nostri Amici e conoscenti, seb‑ bene alcune mi abbiano sensibilmente attristato, e una soprattutto. Continovi ad amarmi, come à sempre fatto, e mi creda di vero cuore Suo Affezionzmo. e Sincero amico, Filippo Mazzei  P.S. Mi dispiace molto del cattivo evento delle fragole, che non erano Alpine, ma d’ogni mese, perchè cominciano a fare il frutto a  179 

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Primavera, continovano fino a 9br. e se l’inverno fosse meno freddo continoverebbero tutto l’anno. Sono ancora preferibili a tutte l’altre per la fragranza e il sapore. Ò preparato 4 cassette di legno, tinto affinchè resista all’umidità ed al sole, per farne una seconda prova; ma il bastimento che portera questa va a New‑York, e la stagione conti‑ novamente povosa à ridotto la terra in stato, che non ne ammetta la traspiantazione. Queste  altro si potranno mandare a Primavera; il peggio è per l’altre cose, poichè ben presto la stagione propria  mandarle sarà passata, e sinora non è stato possibile a motivo della febbre gialla. Nell’inclusa  Mr. Madison ò messo 2 bullettini, che scrissi  l’amico di Pietroburgo, relativi alla da. febbre. Colla mia, dl 15 Aprile 1803 Le mandai della terra  farne dei mat‑ toni galleggianti e resistenti al fuoco. Il Fabbroni brama di sapere se ne à fatta la prova. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Dear and Beloved Sir and Friend, Pisa, 15 Dec. 1804 Mr. Appleton delivered your letter of 18 July of this year, which brought consolation and marvel. The reasons for consolation were many, and you have no need to be told what they are. The marvel arose from seeing a letter sheet of large format all filled up, considering the great mass of weighty busi‑ ness falling upon the person who wrote it. The two reasons you give to almost completely retire from any private cor‑ respondence (in the post you hold) are indeed valid. It is certainly true that one should not take time away from those objects to the care of which one is obligated by a sacred duty; similarly true is that politicians should stay quiet if there is a chance of offering malevolent people a way to attack. Apropos the time that is used in keeping up with epistolary correspon‑ dence, allow me to transcribe something I wrote to the dear and virtuous Prince Czartoryski, who is now at the head of all departments in the Russian empire, in the absence of old Chancellor Vorontsov: “It is difficult (in such posts) to find sufficient time to say all at once, but it is not too difficult to find scraps of time to let correspondents know that their letters have been re‑ ceived, say something, and postpone the rest.” If you do not disagree with it, I entreat you to use such procedure with me. I have reason to believe that Vorontsov has taken his leave without re‑ nouncing the post, so as to give Czartoryski the possibility to be known, es‑ teemed, and loved. When he eventually takes on his post, this will happen not only without irking public opinion, but with universal satisfaction as well. In my first letter to Col. Madison, as soon as I heard that instead of being dead (as the rumor circulated) he was secretary of state, speaking to him about Russia, I had an opportunity to say things that shed much light on what I have hinted here about Czartoryski and Vorontsov, on the current government of that empire. I believe I sent that letter with one that (appar‑ ently) did not reach you. Therefore, I am sending on a separate sheet a copy

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15 DECEMBER 1804 of the section that concerns Russia, being confident that you will not mind seeing it. From the dates of the letters that have reached you, I gather that two are missing: one from 28 Sep. 1801 and one from 15 Feb. 1803. I would like you to see the content of the second and, since the first one is brief, I am sending you a copy of that as well, though it speaks only of some fruit stones which must have gone lost with that same letter and from which (had they reached you) you may have obtained fruit in the next season. I am sending also an‑ other copy of my two pamphlets. I am sorry I am unable to do the same with the two volumes of the Tableau historique et statistique de l’empire de Russie, all of which must have been lost with that same letter of 15 Feb. 1803, along with the interesting letter by Mr. Piattoli, of which I am making note here for your reference. Sometime after you wrote me your most friendly letter of 18 July, you will have received my letter from 15 June, along with another note of a few lines dated on the 25th, both of which were sent by the same ship. Another letter, dated 30 Aug., followed, which was carried by Mr. Timpanari. I await good news about him with great anxiety, not only for my satisfaction but also that of many others who love him, especially his good adoptive mother, who asks news from me with affectionate solicitude, in a letter filled with tender senti‑ ments for the attentions she says I bestowed on his dearly beloved child. Your aforementioned letter contains the preemptive response to most of the content of mine dated 15 June. On that subject, I confirm my view, for what concerns (at least) the necessity to have a general consul who should watch over the behavior of all other consuls and vice consuls. This is for sev‑ eral important reasons which I already stated and others, too, which would require a long discussion in person. Such a person should have heart, brains, and means to live not so much with pomp (a source more of shame than honor), but decently. As for the treaties for commerce and alliance, I have always conceived them in the same way as you do. You may remember that we talked about them on many occasions while in France and we never disagreed. About Naples, I had no other goal in mind beyond having a convention on the sharing of expenses in the Barbary conflict, along the lines of your proposal to the ministers of the various powers of Italy, Portugal and Spain. Such a commission, I believe, could best be tasked to the commander of the fleet, since the question is one related to maritime affairs. Without an agreement, however, it is impossible to act with reciprocal satisfaction. It is of the utmost importance for the com‑ mander that he be certain of what should be provided to him when need arises, a certainty that cannot be had without such an agreement in place. With regard to having a chargé d’affaires or a minister in this region, someone who could, when needed, negotiate with the various governments in Italy and exchange correspondence with those of Petersburg and Constan‑ tinople, it would certainly be honorable for the United States (if the common or, better yet, universal opinion of other nations is to be taken into account) and it would surely contribute to increase commerce and make it much more advantageous. According to the act of confederation, all ministers, chargés d’affaires, and consuls are chosen by the president and ratified by the Senate. Hearing now

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15 DECEMBER 1804 that the consuls are chosen by the secretary of state and serve at his pleasure, I would like to know the reason. As for the agents of the navy, it would cer‑ tainly be unfair if the secretary of the department were not in charge of their appointment, since he needs to be responsible for their conduct. In this case, the ill is (I believe) in the way responsibility is assigned. There may be many cases in which the secretary could, while innocent, be held accountable, and, on the other hand, cases in which the interests of the secretary and the agents could align to the detriment of public interest. I harbor no presumption of being infallible; but only speak my mind freely on all matters involving my beloved adoptive fatherland. I will reach my 74th birthday in 10 days. Therefore, if it were to be deemed proper to entrust me with the task of establishing things here on a stronger footing, I could be useful for only a little time. My ambition would be to lay down the foundations, streamline the correspondence, and soon be replaced, so that I would be able to come there, find a good husband to my dear child, and end my days on that land that you gave to me as gift. When I came to Europe, my right was in fact suspended but not extinguished, the condition being that it should be revived upon my return. I have never doubted, my dearly beloved friend, of your benevolence and, accordingly, of the interest you take in my family. I will, hence, tell you that my daughter has intelligence and the best of hearts; desiring to learn about all things, she grasps them easily; she pays attention to what she sees other people do, and always asks the reason. In addition to that, nature has served her well in her physique: she is healthy, very tall for her age, the parts of her body proportioned and properly arranged; her appearance is pleasant, so that whoever sees her is favorably disposed toward her, as by a sympathetic vir‑ tue. She was born on 22 July 1798. Her mother has suffered so much for the pregnancy and delivery that we have little hope to see her fully recover her pristine health, though she cannot be said to be invalid. After having delivered the placenta, she had no other crisis. All was concentrated in her lower abdomen: in 11 months she had four abscesses there, the first of which (after having caused her body to be swollen and distended for almost three months) burst two inches beneath her navel, ruptured the intestine, and finally healed. The other three followed in succes‑ sion the same course. The description of what happened will make an impact on medical history. She owes her life—which surely would be said it was saved by a miracle, should some relic have been placed on her lower abdomen—to a care regimen that could hardly be described, but which goes back princi‑ pally to my two dear friends, first Dr. Franco Vaccà, most competent physi‑ cian, and then Andrea, his son, a surgeon who proved superior to any who have come before or since for his intelligence, his precision and skill in oper‑ ating, and his ingenuity. Andrea was and still is convinced that she cannot become pregnant again and that if she were to become pregnant she would not survive giving birth, provided that she could reach that point. If I were to describe the emotion I felt in my heart upon hearing what the grateful homeland did for our Lafayette, I would be thought weak. My friends here have never met him personally, yet they have immensely re‑ joiced. One of them, affectionately pouring out his heart, said with enthusi‑ asm: May such a country enjoy eternal prosperity and one day govern the entire world!

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15 DECEMBER 1804  I will conclude by saying that it was not simply delicacy that should have obliged you to stay four more years in the presidency, but the public good as well. Although the Tories and monarchists are now like dogs baying at the moon, prudence and love of country require that one not abandon the helm until they are reduced to complete silence. I thank you for the news you passed to me about our common friends and acquaintances, though some have brought notable sadness, especially one among them. Please continue to love me, as you have always done, and be‑ lieve me wholeheartedly Your most affectionate and sincere friend, Filippo Mazzei  P.S. I am very sorry about the lack of success with the strawberries. They were not Alpine, but of the every‑month quality, since they begin bearing fruit in spring, carry on until November, and would, if the winters were less cold, continue for the whole year. They are also superior to all other kinds for their fragrance and flavor. I have prepared four boxes of wood, stained so as to withstand humidity and sun, to give it a second try. The ship that will carry this letter, however, is setting sail for New York, and the continually rainy season has brought the ground to such a state that one cannot trans‑ plant them. However, these plants it will be possible to send in the spring; the worst is for all others, since soon the season to send them will have gone by, and thus far it has been impossible to send them on account of the yellow fever. In the enclosed letter for Mr. Madison I have included two bulletins I wrote for the friend in Petersburg on the said fever. With my letter of 15 Apr. 1803 I sent you some dirt that can be used to make floating, fire‑resistant bricks. Fabbroni is eagerly waiting to know whether you have tested it. Dft (Archivio Filippo Mazzei, Pisa, Italy); part of a conjoined series of Maz‑ zei’s drafts of letters to TJ (see Marghe‑ rita Marchione and Barbara B. Oberg, eds., Philip Mazzei: The Comprehensive Microform Edition of His Papers, 9 reels [Millwood, N.Y., 1981], 6:931‑3; enclosed in Thomas Appleton to TJ, 24 Dec. Re‑ corded in SJL as received 5 Mch. 1805. Enclosures: (1) Extract from Mazzei to Madison, 28 Dec. 1803; Mazzei reports that in Russia he met Emperor Alexan‑ der and the circle of talented young men close to him; one of that group is Adam Jerzy Czartoryski, whom Mazzei has known since he was a prodigy in Paris in 1787; Mazzei gave Czartoryski his trans‑ lation of TJ’s inaugural address, a pub‑ lished translation of TJ’s 1801 annual address to Congress, and a passage from a letter from Philadelphia in December 1801 that described changing political prospects in the United States, and Czar‑ toryski read those documents to the other young advisers to Alexander; when Mazzei

left Russia in September 1802, this group informed him that in another year they hoped to start bringing about changes in  the country (Tr in DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25407, in Mazzei’s hand, in Ital‑ ian; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:241‑2; see also Vol. 42:199n). (2) Dupl, not found, of Mazzei to TJ, 28 Sep. 1801 (Vol. 35:353‑4). (3) RC, not found, of Mazzei to TJ, 15 Feb. 1803 (see Vol. 39:532‑41). (4) Mazzei, Riflessioni su i mali provenienti dalla questua e su i mezzi di evitargli (Pisa, 1799), and Mazzei, Riflessioni sulla natura della moneta e del cambio (Pisa, 1803); see Vol. 39:533‑4, 537‑8, 540‑1n. (5) Mazzei to Madison, 15 Dec. 1804; enclosing narratives by Maz‑ zei of 16 Nov. and 7 Dec. that describe the introduction of yellow fever to Leg‑ horn by a ship from southern Spain, the failure of local authorities to follow quar‑ antine procedures, the establishment of a cordon sanitaire too far out from Leghorn, so as to include Pisa and cut off communi‑ cation and trade of that city with Florence

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15 DECEMBER 1804 and the rest of Tuscany, and the toll of approximately 3,000 deaths from yellow fever over three months; Mazzei asks Madison to hand the bulletins to TJ when he might have time to read them (Madi‑ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:385; Margherita Marchione and others, eds., Philip Mazzei: Selected Writings and Correspondence, 3 vols. [Prato, Italy, 1983], 3:355‑7).

 mia prima al col. madison: Enclo‑ sure No. 1 above. Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:240‑4. mattoni galleggianti: only a par‑ tial text of Mazzei’s letter of 15 Apr. 1803 has been found (see Vol. 40:216‑17); re‑ garding the material for floating, fire‑ resistant bricks, see TJ to Mazzei, 10 Mch. 1805.

From Samuel Overton Sir Frankfort 15th Decr. 1804 I have come to a part of the United States that I intend to get a wife—provided I can have my person & property secured here—this may be doubted by some; but I trust there can remain none as to you & myself as to our wishes for the general good of the Union tho: I am vulgarly call,d an Aristocrat—you will not I hope Sir think that I write to you from any principle of Court favour— yr. friend in haste Saml: Overton Jr NB I have my doubts as to the Louisianians this [. . .] will take such energetick steps as may by them be thought proper— I am in haste—friend &c as before S. O Jr RC (MiU‑C); mutilated; script: “The President of States”; endorsed by TJ as Jan. 1805 and “drunk” and in SJL.

above post‑ the United received 10 so recorded

Samuel Overton (d. 1823), originally of Louisa County, Virginia, was the col‑ lector of revenue at Fredericksburg dur‑ ing the late 1790s. In 1804 he settled in Nashville on the plantation of his brother, Judge John Overton, a close friend and adviser to Andrew Jackson. Their father’s will, a decade later, gave John Overton

control of his brother’s inheritance, for his “benefit and support” (Fredericks‑ burg Virginia Herald, 5 May 1798; Fletch Coke, “Profiles of John Overton: Judge, Friend, Family Man, and Master of Trav‑ ellers’ Rest,” Tennessee Historical Quarterly, 37 [1978], 393‑409; John Overton to Samuel Overton, 16 May 1803, will of  James Overton, 14 Dec. 1814 [ViW: Overton Family Papers]; will of Samuel Overton, recorded 11 Oct. 1823, David‑ son County, Tennessee, Will Books [Met‑ ropolitan Nashville‑Davidson County Gov‑ ernment Archives, Nashville], 8:260‑1).

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From Chandler Price Sir Philad. Decem 15. 1804 Having neglected to enclose the Bill loading for your Butt Wine to Messrs. Gibson & Jefferson Merchants I take the liberty to send it to you herewith & request you to forward it to Them with your orders. I am very respectfully Sir Your most obedt. & very Hhble servt Chand. Price RC (MHi); endorsement clipped; at head of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Washington City”; endorsed by TJ as received [18] Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found (see TJ to George Jefferson, 19 Dec.).

To Constantine S. Rafinesque Sir Washington Dec. 15. 04. I have to acknolege the reciept of your favor of Nov. 27. I have it in contemplation to send in the ensuing spring a party up the Red river to it’s source, thence to the head of the Arkansa & down it to it’s mouth: principally to ascertain the geography of these rivers, and incidentally only to know the productions of the country—but it de‑ pends on the legislature whether they will authorise the mission & provide for it’s expence. if they do, it will be on that very moderate scale on which our revenues are always dispensed. mr Hunter is en‑ gaged to go with the party. his fort is mineralogy & chemistry, & he is contented to go merely to satisfy his taste in these lines. certainly I should be happy to add your botanical talents to the party, but that it is not in my power to propose any birth worthy your acceptance. ex‑ pences only with little other compensation are expected by the mem‑ bers of the party, who are chiefly induced to undertake the journey for the gratification only of their curiosity. to you your time & labors have far other value. the party will consist of an officer & from 12. to 20. men and will probably be accompanied by a few Indians, as guides and hunters. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Raffinesque.”

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From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore—Le 15e. Dece. 1804 En reponse de votre Billet du 13 je Vous prie, de ne pas prendre en disgrace si je Vous observe, que j’ai mis moi même le Cours de pein‑ ture p. Filhol en 12 Cahiers dans La Caisse ou etoient: l’histoire natur. des perroquets, Traité des Arbres et Arbustes p. p. Duhamel, Plans des Maisons de Paris, p. p. et que çet Ouvrage doit se trouver portè sur la Specification de la 1ère Caisse jointe a ma Lettre du 5 Nov. comme l’article 11me. entre Philosophie de Kant, et Michaux flora Americana. Je ne peu pas dire autant de la 2 et 3me. Caisses, ou il y a aussi eû la petite confusion, que Jerusalem delivré p edition de 1804, n’a pas eté mis dans les Caisses et cependant inscrit a la Liste. Le dernier ne pourroit donc pas se retrouver Chez Vous, mais le premier se retrouvera surement, si Vous voudriez bien donner des ordres, de faire des recherches reiterèes. Je suis fachè, de Vous obliger si souvent et a la lecture de ma mau‑ vaise ecriture, et a des reponses, mais je suis aussi persuadè d’avance, que Vous, en Qualitè de Litterateur d’une si haute reputation par les deux Mondes me pardonnerez Volontiers, ce que Vous ne pourriez guere me pardonner comme homme d’etat d’un rang aussi elevè. J’ose Vous dire, que j’etois, suis, et serois toujours pour l’un et l’autre Caractére penetré des Sentimens du plus pur et plus profond respect. Votre Excellence Tr. hble. et tr. Obt str Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 15 Dec. 1804 In response to your note of the 13th, I ask you not to take it amiss if I point out that I myself packed Filhol’s twelve‑notebook Cours de peinture in the same box that contained L’Histoire naturelle des perroquets, the Traité des arbres et arbustes by Duhamel, and the Plans des maisons de Paris. This work should be listed in the specification of the first box, together with my 5 Nov. letter and article 11, between the Philosophie de Kant and Michaux’s Flora Americana. I cannot say as much for the second and third boxes, where there was some slight confusion. The 1804 edition of Jerusalem délivré was written on the list but was not placed in the box. So you will not find this book, but you will certainly find the first one if you request a new search. I am sorry that you are so often obliged to read my bad handwriting and to reply, but I am convinced in advance that, as an eminent writer, esteemed by both worlds, you are willing to forgive in me what you could hardly for‑ give in a high‑ranking statesman.

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16 DECEMBER 1804  I dare say that for both of these attributes in you, I was, am, and always will be imbued with the purest and deepest respect. Your excellency, your very humble and obedient servant, Reibelt RC (DLC); in dateline: “Librairie de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. a Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 16 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

votre billet du 13: not found and not recorded in SJL.

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans December 16th. 1804 By the last Mail I received your Letter of the 28th. of October, and was happy to learn your determination to appoint Mr. Brown the Successor of my friend Trist. I have particularly observed the Con‑ duct of Mr. Brown in public and private Life, and I doubt not but he will continue to merit your Esteem and Confidence.—The family of my departed friend are in the enjoyment of health, and I am per‑ suaded will find in Mr. Brown the character of a Father. The Letter you addressed to Mr. Gellston was by his Executor handed to Mrs. Trist the elder, who received it in entire Confidence.— Friend Briggs has been ill, but is now on the recovery; He was solicitous to forward you his Report by the ensuing Mail, but has been prevented by Indisposition.—I have not lost sight of the Inter‑ est of General Lafayette, & will write you particularly upon the Sub‑ ject in the course of a few Days. I can assure you Sir, that the most perfect good order prevails thro’ out this Territory, and that the people generally are becoming con‑ tented; they begin to view their Connexion with the United States as permanent, and to experience the Benefits thereof. The opposition therefore (of Intriguers) to the Government will soon cease, & be confined to Men; indeed this is already the case, and altho’, I shall probably, be the principal object of Attack, yet I must confess it will not be a source of regret, since it will be a proof, that the principles of the American Government are too pure to be assailed, and hence the Mal Contents can alone attack those who administer them. I pray God to preserve you in health & happiness! I am Dr Sir, with great Respect Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

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To Henry Dearborn Th: Jefferson to Genl. Dearborne. Dec. 16. 04. The letter of the Little Turtle to Genl. Wilkinson is so serious, that I suppose it should be answered. among other things I imagine it will be proper to have said to him that tho’ the US. will always protect the Indians in the right to their lands so long as they chuse to keep them, yet they have also always professed themselves ready to buy when‑ ever the Indians chuse to sell. that it will certainly be convenient for us to own a given breadth of country on the right bank of Ohio and on the Wabash, that our citizens descending those rivers may find ac‑ comodation & safety through their whole length. that the Delawares being in possession of the country in the fork of the rivers, & desirous to sell, we bought: but the Piankeshaws also claiming the same lands & willing to sell their right, we purchased their right also. that we have never heard that any other tribe has any right in them, nor do we believe they have: but that if a right can be proved in any other, & that we have bought from those who had no right, we will do jus‑ tice to those having the right, & demand justice from those who have sold us what was not theirs. if on the other hand the right to these lands was in the Delawares & Piankeshaws we shall permit no other tribe to intermeddle with their right to sell and ours to buy. every tribe shall be master of their own lands, to keep or to sell them as they please without controul from any other. I do not know on what grounds the Little Turtle interferes, unless the Miamis have any claim to that country, which I believe they have not. I presume Harrison’s success in extinguishing Indian title is at the bottom of the Turtle’s dislike of him. the late purchase from the Sacs & Reynards is important as it fortifies our right to keep the Brit‑ ish off from the Missisipi. I should suspect Brough to be of a discon‑ tented temper, which discolours to his mind whatever is done by oth‑ ers. Affectionate salutns Th: Jefferson RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); ad‑ dressed: “The Secretary at War”; en‑ dorsed for the War Department. PoC (DLC). letter of the little turtle: in a letter of 13 Dec. to Dearborn, James Wil‑ kinson enclosed a letter he had received from William Wells, the U.S. Indian agent at Fort Wayne. Wells transcribed a speech from Miami leader Little Turtle intended for Wilkinson. Little Turtle ex‑

pressed dismay at the recent cession by the delawares and Piankashaws, which he characterized as unauthorized and “con‑ trary to the wishes of all the Indians in this country.” The Miami leader explained that the United States did not need the land yet, that he needed more time to en‑ courage farming among his people, and that he hoped for a higher purchase price in the future, when the needs of both peo‑ ples would better match. He proceeded to blast William Henry Harrison for creat‑

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17 DECEMBER 1804 ing new chiefs, giving them authority over lands that did not belong to them, and then purchasing the lands. Little Turtle insisted that Harrison had “struck our existence at the root” and that “his con‑ duct will finally get us at war.” He hoped that Wilkinson would pass along these sentiments to TJ, who he presumed would never purchase land against the wishes of the area’s Indians, most of whom would “wish a war with the United States rather than sell the Lands” in question “if they had any prospect of being supported by  any foreign power” (DNA: RG 107, LRMS). In a sharply worded letter of 24 Dec. to Wells, Dearborn conveyed TJ’s resolve not to force land sales but insisted that any claims the Miamis had to the

Delaware‑Piankashaw cession “ought to be shewn in a clear & unquestionable manner, instead of attempting to sub‑ stantiate it by such threats of war as the Little Turtle has thought proper to make” (DNA: RG 107, LSIA). Dearborn had also presumably shared a letter of 5 Nov. from James Bruff (brough), the military commander at St. Louis, to Wilkinson. Bruff expressed discontent with how Harrison and others had handled a murder case involving some Sacs. He also disputed Harrison’s as‑ sumption of authority over the Louisiana commandants, which Bruff believed a vi‑ olation of “old established principles of rank” (DNA: RG 107, LRMS; printed in Terr. Papers, 13:76‑80).

To Sylvanus Bourne Sir Washington Dec. 17. 04. The letter of mr Winkelblech of Basle which you were pleased to inclose to me, containing enquiries as to the terms on which lands would be granted here to the emigrants he spoke of, I put into the hands of mr Gallatin the Secretary of the treasury with a request that he would give me such a statement as might serve as an answer to the letter, the disposal of the public lands being within his department. the paper now inclosed, is from him, and tho not signed, but infor‑ mal, merits full credit. it is sent to you on the presumption that mr Winckelblech has established the means of recieving his answer through you. the constitution and laws of our country have justly deemed it better1 that all men shall recieve equal measure, than by entrusting the public servants with making distinctions in their dis‑ cretion, see introduced that venal favoritism into which discretion so generally degenerates. emigrants are admitted to the right of purchas‑ ing lands on the same terms, with our most favored citizens, & none of the constituted authorities has the power to vary these terms. we recieve strangers freely, but use no measures to induce them to come, but the practice of equal protection & justice to all who are members of our political society. I salute you with respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson RC (Early American History Auctions, Rancho Santa Fe, California, 2017); ad‑ dressed: “Sylvanus Bourne esq. Consul of

the US. of America at Amsterdam,” with notation in an unidentified hand: “per ship Ophelia Capt Pickens”; endorsed by

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17 DECEMBER 1804 Bourne as received March 1805. PoC (DLC). Enclosure: Tr of Memorandum from Albert Gallatin, [5 Nov. 1804] (same); in a clerk’s hand.

 pleased to inclose: in his letter of 31 Aug., Bourne enclosed Christophe Winckelblech to TJ, 20 Aug. 1 Word

overwritten in place of “best.”

From Hannah Briggs Brookeville 17th. of the 12th. Month 1804

Will the President please to accept my most grateful acknowledge‑ ments, for his kind favor of the 5th. Instant; It was indeed acceptable inteligence to a mind that had suffered under the most gloomy ap‑ prehensions—it being more than three months since I received a letter from my dear Husband! may I dare hope, or ask, for the like favor in future, should’st thou acquire any information, either favorable, or otherwise of him? I am with respect thy friend Hannah Briggs. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. FC (MdHi).

To Isaac Briggs Dear Sir Washington Dec. 17. 04. Mr. John H. Smith, a native of Virginia, now resident in Kentucky, wishes to be employed as a Surveyor in the South Western depart‑ ment. I am not personally acquainted with him, but he is recom‑ mended by a friend, on whose testimony I rely, as having had a toler‑ ably good education, of modesty & merit, capable of application to business, and one whose zeal & fidelity may be relied on in any busi‑ ness he may undertake. I take a pleasure in being the channel of con‑ veying these assurances to you, inasmuch as it enables me to gratify a friend, to serve a deserving person who wishes for a situation in which he may exercise a laudable industry, and to put in your way an assistant who may be useful to you should there be any vacancy in which you can employ him. Accept my friendly salutations & assur‑ ances of esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Isaac Briggs”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “J. H. Smith.” Enclosed in TJ to Philip Turpin, 17 Dec.

recommended by a friend: Turpin to TJ, 9 Aug. and 6 Dec.

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From John Callier Sir, New Canan December 17th 1804 Conscious of the Rectitude of my Intentions and being well asured, they are supported by a majority of my Felow Citizens, and am well convinced that you at all times are willing to hear the statement of a Citizen of the United States however remote they may be—I came to the Tombigbee in the year 97, in the year 98. I mov’d, a large famaly white and black to this country, where I have continud to reside ever sence, in the month of September last at a General Meeting of the Citizens of Washington county was held at the court house, at which Meeting it was concluded on to Petition the Presedent of the United States respecting thire Greivencies, at which time Colonel Kirby the late Judge of our Destrict died, at which time it appeared to be the wish of the people that Rodomeneck H. Gilmer should receive the ap‑ pointment of a Judge in Washington Destrict, accordingly there was a Petition drew up by my self for that purpose, and signed by the most Respectable Citizens it perhaps may be Necessary to say some thing respecting the conduct and Carracter of Mr. Gilmer, Ever sence the orgenization of the courts of Justice in the Mississipipi Territory I have had the appointment of Presiding Justice in the County court, And Chief Justice of the county Orphans Court during which time Mr. Gilmer as a Lawyer attended the courts regularly and his con‑ duct always appeared to be Uniform and upright, he is a warm repub‑ lican and much attached to the present administration, he is called a grate Judge of law, he is originally from the state of Virginia he came to this county will recommended he brought to this country Licens, to Practice law from the state of Virginia, and from the state of Ken‑ tucky during the grate revolution. in Politicks he was Uniformly a republican—. I shall enclose the Petition, the passage of papers from this to the City of Washington are so uncertain, that we sent Several Copies, differents ways, that they should not fail in reaching the pres‑ edent. Mr. Gilmer with reluctance agreed to accept of the appoint‑ ment Viewing his practice as much more advantageous to him but after being Solicited by his friends he agreed to accept the appoint‑ ment Therefore I earnestly Solicit the president of the U.S. that he may be appointed as I consider him a man that deserves will of the Government, I am Sir Your Serious friend, and homble Servant Jno. Callier RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “To Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Feb. 1805 and “Gil‑

mer R. H. to be judge” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see Rodominick H. Gilmer to TJ, 8 Nov., and John Callier and Ranson Harwell to TJ, 27 Nov.

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From George Lewis Gray Sir. Alexandria Decr. 17. 1804. I take the liberty of submitting to your Excellency the inclosed proposals for republishing a work which I hope may be useful to the community, and of requesting the permission of placing the name of the President of the United States at the head of the list of its Patron‑ izers in this country. Hoping that there may be something in the Justification of an Il‑ lustrious man, which may deserve your attention, I take the liberty of requesting your acceptance of the Defence of General Moreau. If I shall receive encouragement I shall have the honour of waiting upon you, with my proposals.—My business will detain me here a few days. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your most obedt. Servant. Geo L Gray RC (MHi); at foot of text: “His Ex‑ cellency The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Probably Gray’s proposal to publish the first American edition of Aristotle’s Ethicks and Politicks; Comprising His Practical Philosophy, translated and edited by John Gillies, to be published in two oc‑ tavo volumes at a price of four dollars per volume in boards (Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger, 28 Nov.). (2) Justification of General Moreau, From a Charge of Conspiracy; Exhibited against Him by the Imperial Republick of France, translated by George L. Gray (Norfolk, Va., 1804; Sowerby, No. 2863).

George Lewis Gray (ca. 1777‑1808) published the Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger in partnership with John Cowper from 1804 until 1805, when poor health forced his retirement. He previously pub‑ lished the Baltimore Republican, or, AntiDemocrat from 1803 to 1804. He fell ill during a voyage from New York to Cal‑ cutta and died on the island of St. Helena (Brigham, American Newspapers, 1:248; 2:1125; Easton, Md., Republican Star or Eastern Shore General Advertiser, 13 Aug. 1805; Baltimore American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 26 May 1808; Alexandria Daily Advertiser, 28 May 1808).

To Nicholas Meriwether Lewis Dear Sir Washington Dec. 17. 04. Your favor of Oct. 26. has been duly recieved. the superintendance of surveying the lands of the US. is in the hands of their Surveyor general. this office in the Northern department is held by Capt Jared Mansfield who, I believe, resides in Indiana. he has the appointment of all the Surveyors. all I can do therefore to promote the wishes ex‑ pressed in your letter is to give you a letter to him, which I do with that satisfaction with which I. should always avail myself of any op‑ portunity of serving you.  192 

17 DECEMBER 1804

 No communications from my neighborhood enable me to give you any particular information of your friends there, but were they other‑ wise than well I should certainly have heard of it. accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Lewis”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to Jared Mansfield, 17 Dec.

To Jared Mansfield Dear Sir Washington Dec. 17. 04. Mr. Nicholas M. Lewis who lives near Louisville in Kentucky is desirous of being employed as a surveyor in the country lately ac‑ quired from the Delawares on the Ohio, whenever the surveying of that shall be begun. knowing how important it is to a person in pub‑ lic employ to have assistants in whom he may place unlimited confi‑ dence, I with pleasure recommend mr Lewis to you as such an one. he was born, bred, & lived within 2. miles of me in Virginia, which he left only 3. or 4 years ago. I have known him therefore from his cradle and have never known an honester or more correct man. he was Surveyor of the county in which we both lived; has often acted in that line for me & with me, and is perfectly master of the business on the common scale of doing it, but works with an accuracy above the common. should you have occasion for his services in the quarter he fixes his mind on, you will find him worthy of your utmost confidence, and it will be a satisfaction to me to have pointed out to you so faithful an assistant, and to have been instrumental to him in procuring an emploiment he desires. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great respect & esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Jared Mansfield.”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “N. M. Lewis.” Enclosed in TJ to Nicholas Meriwether Lewis, 17 Dec.

From James Oldham Sir— Richmond December 17th. 1804. I receiv,d your,s of the 30th. Nov. from mr. G. Jefferson with the incloasd sum of 40. dollars, which am very thankful to you for. Kiln‑dried plank will answer very well for doors, but the inhabitants of this plaice have not yet adopted the plan of Kiln‑driing, and there is no such thing as a Kiln for drying of Lumber in richmond. the prise  193 

17 DECEMBER 1804

of Lumber at the present is enormously high, common Flooring plank cannot be got for less than 18 and 20 pounds per. thousand, 1 I. do. at 14 pounds pr. thousand; these prises are given at the saw‑mills and there is still to be addet the price of Halling. I have thot it woul,d be my best plan to get it from Fluvannah as am perswaided it will come Loer and be far superior in quallity:—I have the pleasure to inform your Excelency, that I have the good fortune to be imploy,d in a Job of worke by mr. Joseph Gallego of Richmond; the worke prinsabella consists in building a green House, and repairing the present House which he has lately perchais,d of Mr. Davy Mead Randolph. I am much at a loss for1 ‘paladia,s arcetect, and it is not to be had in Richmond; if it is not two much trouble for you, shou,d be ever thankful to you if you will please to try if it can be precour,d in Balti‑ more or Philadelphia. In answer to what you have bin so condesending to say in Respect to Gabrail Lilley and John perry’s conduct towards me is, Sir, per‑ fectly satisfactory, as I never did beleive, nor never shall beleive any orders were given to him: The ideah which you have, Sir, presum,d to of been the caws of this outrages attack on me, I do solomly dclare to Heaven that I am innosent, for I had no intipathy against ether of them nether did I insult them, but what was considerd by them as the grose insult was, Sir, this; deretly after Lilley maid that shaimful at‑ tack on mr. Craven and swore that he woul,d way‑lay him and take his Life; to be more spedilay reveng,d as to put his intention more spedily into execution; he dispach,d a messenger after his Brother in Law mat ce, and another messenger after Luis Carrol another Brother in Law, the scheme was for these two men to assist Lilley in2 asa‑ sanateing mr. Craven; this scheem thru mear accedent I was maid acquainted with, and I inform,d Craven of the plot, tho mr. Craven had hurn of this plot one day earlier than I inform,d him, and was then about preparing himself to meet his adversary,s: after a Long conversation between Craven and my‑self I prevail,d on him to in‑ dever to keep out of there way, which he did by going immediatly out to Louden County and staying as long as the nature of his business woul,d admit of, this trip was so secreetly done that it defeated Lilley and his honest Brothers from gratifying there petiful youmour,s on what I call the Noblest worke of God, an Honest and upright man; and such I am convinc,d Craven to be: these men ware for seven or eigt days kep,d Lurking about in different parts of Craven,s incosure with an expectation of meting him but ware disappointed. Now Sir, the caracter of this Luis Carrol is the moast infamous, it is well nown that he has bin convicted of hog‑stealing and also of his  194 

17 DECEMBER 1804

steeling money in Milton: as to mr. Ce I do not now a grait deal abot, but I think he enterd on a peice of bad business with his other two Friends? If any canded person will say that I acted imprudently towards these men I will always acnoledge my self in the rong. Adue and may Heaven bless You With Respect—Your Obt Servt James Oldham RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thms. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 21 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

1 Oldham

here canceled “the want of.” Oldham here canceled “asanate” and “assana.” 2

To Philip Turpin Dear Sir Washington Dec. 17. 04. Your favor of the 6th. covering mr Smith’s letter to you has been duly recieved. the Registers both at Vincennes & Kaskaskia were commissioned in April last, and the Recievers, altho not actually com‑ missioned were notified about the same date that they would recieve their commissions as soon as their duties could commence, which has accordingly taken place. nothing remained therefore for mr Smith but to Recommend him as a Surveyor, and as he preferred the South Western department I now inclose you a letter in his favor to mr Briggs the Surveyor general. but it is so very possible that there may be no present vacancy, that unless mr Smith has other business call‑ ing him into that country, it might probably be safest for him to write to mr Briggs & inclose my letter to him. of this however he can judge best for himself.   It is not in my power to furnish any informa‑ tion for your brother as to the price of black lead. this is a place of no commerce at all, there being not a merchant here but in the ordinary retailing line. I should question whether it would be safe to trust to any thing short of sending a hogshead or two to London, & perhaps to Havre, and seeing what they will bring at those markets. I imagine England, as furnishing Europe, would be the worst market. but if it is found that it would yield a profit even at that market, it may be the more confidently counted on at others. Accept my affectionate saluta‑ tions & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Doctr. Turpin”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure: TJ to Isaac Briggs, 17 Dec.

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From Thomas Clifford Sir Philada 18th Decemr 1804 In Consequence of Mr C S Raffinesque’s desire I took the liberty of opening the Letter with which you honourd him & presuming from the purport of it that you may still wish to engage a Botanist to accom‑ pany the expedition up the Red River, I am induced to trouble you with the information that Mr Raffinesque sailed a few Days ago for Leghorn, I have no doubt he will much regret the oppy thus lost of exploring so extended a Field of Botanical research & consider himself much obliged for your intention of employing him as one of the Party— Yours very respectfully Thomas Clifford RC (DLC); at head of text: “Thos Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 20 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Thomas Clifford (1748‑1814) was a merchant and an owner of the ship Philadelphia as well as the father of Constan‑

tine S. Rafinesque’s friend John D. Cliffford (Charles Boewe, The Life of C.  S. Rafinesque, A Man of Uncommon Zeal [Philadelphia, 2011], supplement, 8, 2172). letter with which you honourd him: probably TJ to Rafinesque, 15 Dec.

From William Lee Sir/. Bordeaux December 18: 1804 Having learnt from Mr Monroe, that you had formerly interested yourself in the education of Mr W. G. Montfort whose misconduct, had forced you to abandon him, and those pleasing expectations which his promising talents, led you to foster, I have thought it my duty Sir, to enclose you three letters which I found among his papers, and to mention that this young man, died here the day before yesterday with the small pox. He came here mate of a sweedish Vessel from Ireland, and from what I can gather from his papers was most probably, in the service of the French Government in that Country. During his illness he gave many proofs of sincere repentance and frequently told me that his past conduct gave him infinitely more pain than the disease he laboured under.— With veneration and affectionate respect I have the honor to re‑ main, Sir your devoted humble Servant Wm Lee RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To the President of the United States Washing‑ ton”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sures: probably TJ’s letters to William G. Munford of 27 Feb., 18 June, and 16 Aug. 1799 (Vol. 31:68‑9, 126‑30, 168).

For a detailed summary of TJ’s earlier interest in the education of William G. Munford, who later changed his name to montfort, see Vol. 30:594‑7.

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From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum Decr. 18th. 1804. Your Polygraph will be put into the Mail Stage on tomorrow. De‑ siring to make it as correct as possible prevented me from sending it sooner. one small deviation from your directions will I hope have your approbation; the top and bottom projecting so much beyond the Gallows as to shew the Riband. That you may have a choice of Pens, I have sent all the variety of Pen‑cases. The Polygraph you ordered, for Mr. Volney, is also finished. The prospect at present is, that the Navigation here will shortly stoped,1 at least for a time. I contemplate a visit, with my Son Rembrandt, to the City of Wash‑ ington; we shall leave Philadela. towards the last of this week, my Object is get some Portraits for my Collection. By your aid I hope to induce Mr. Galatine to sit. A few specimens of Rembrandts talents, I hope & believe, will bring him into Public Notice, and prove that he has acquired some improvement by his visit to London. Especially as the very small degree of attention bestowed on Painting in this City has rather dis‑ couraged him, and almost induced him to relinquish his profession if from any thing else he could obtain a competency. with much respect your friend C W Peale RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25285); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos: Jeffer‑ son Esqre.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale‑Sellers Papers). polygraph you ordered, for mr. volney: see TJ to Peale, 7 Nov. navigation here: William Bartram recorded that the Schuylkill River was “fast Frozen” by 18 Dec. By the 20th, some ships were trapped by ice in the Delaware River. A thaw reopened move‑ ment on the Delaware by 29 Dec., but the river soon froze again and remained

closed until mid‑February (Philadelphia United States’ Gazette, 22, 29 Dec.; “Effects of Climate on Navigation,” The Register of Pennsylvania, 2 [1828], 382‑3; William Bartram Garden Diaries, Vol. 3 [MS in Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Library and Archives: William Bartram Papers, 1802‑1822]; Benjamin H. Latrobe to TJ, 5 Jan. 1805; Jones & Howell to TJ, 16 Feb.). For Peale’s earlier efforts to persuade Gallatin to sit for a portrait, see Peale to TJ, 19 Aug. 1 Thus

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in MS.

From Robert Smith Sir, Navy Dept. 18 Decr. 1804 A number of Commissions are required for the Navy Officers whose Appointments have been lately confirmed by the Senate. Here‑ with I enclose 20, (the number necessary) to which I have the honor to request your Signature. I am respectfully Sir, yr. ob servt. Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 18 Dec. and “Officers commns” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP).

From Lewis Waugh Sir King George County Virginia Decr. 18th. 1804 A friend of mine has just returned from exploreing the Louisiana Country. and is delighted with New Madrid and its neighbourhood; insomuch that he has induced a number of good Citizens to wish a residence there provided they cou’d be satisfyd of its permanence to the United States. An idea has gone forth that it’s in contemplation with the Government of the United States to exchange that part of Louisiana for the teritory holden by the Indians on the East side of the Massisippi. Being pressed by some of my friends and urged by my own feelings I am prevailed upon to make the inquery of you (provided there is no impropriety in so doing) Whither we shou’d be safe in risking our fortunes in that desireable Country. I can not only influence some Gentlemen of fortune to accompany me but some use‑ ful mechanecks—If its wished to know who I am inquery may be made of Daniel Carrol Brent, John Thompson Mason and Nicholas Fitzhugh Esqrs. A letter in answer to this lodged at Frederecksburg will confer an Obligation on Sir your humb Servt. Lewis Waugh RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Lewis Waugh advertised for sale sev‑ eral large tracts of land in King George and Stafford Counties, Virginia, in 1795 and was apparently still living on one of them four years later, when he advertised

the sale of cordwood and ship timber from his landing on Potomac Creek. He repre‑ sented King George County in the Vir‑ ginia House of Delegates in 1795 and 1796 (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 31 Jan. 1795; Columbian Mirror and Alexandria Gazette, 9 Nov. 1799; Leonard, General Assembly, 200, 204).

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From the Citizens of Bristol County, Massachusetts Sir We the subscribers Citysons of the County of Bristol Common‑ wealth of Massechusetts, Do humbly Petition your Excelency that the Collector at New Bedford and the Collector at Dighton in said County, may be removed From the offices aforesaid— We are of an oppinion that the removel of those officers, and the appointment of Men to succed them, who are of ability and frindly to our Excelent Goverment, and the Present Administration, would unite the people in said County, and much incourage the frinds of rasional Liberty, and of a Republican Goverment. The present Offi‑ cers with all their assistants and those under their influance, are op‑ posed to the Present Administration, and some of them at different times on days of Electons have been Violent in their Conduct, and very indecent in their Language, towards the Frinds of Goverment the Executive Officers of the same, and the majority of both Houses of Congress.—Therefore pray your Excelency, to take the Premeces into Consideration, And do in the same as wisdom shall direct— as in duty bound shall ever pray— Taunton December 19th. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 12:638‑9); in a clerk’s hand, including 65 signatures; at head of text: “To His Excelancy Thomas Jefferson Esquire Presdent of the United States of Amarica”; endorsed by TJ with notation “New Bedford Dighton Petn Collectors to be removd.” In a letter of 28 Nov. to an unidentified recipient, John Nye likewise criticized the Federalist prejudices of Edward Pope, the collector at new bedford. Nye testified that Pope had angrily denounced a pro‑Jefferson address by Calvin Chad‑ dock and had characterized the president as a “man of an infamous moral character” who sought the “destruction of all reli‑ gion, and all good government” (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Pope. Collectr. N. Bedford”). A letter of 20 Dec. from Nathan Willis to Chaddock similarly denounced Pope and his depu‑ ties and predicted that the collectorship “will most Certainly fall to you” (same; endorsed by TJ: “Chaddock Calvin to be

Collector of New Bedford”). A few other communications touted Chaddock’s can‑ didacy. In a letter of 4 Sep. to Levi Lin‑ coln, Chaddock offered further evidence of Pope’s misconduct and informed Lincoln that he had received an offer to reenter the ministry but was waiting for word on his potential appointment to the collec‑ torship (same; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 24 Sep. received from Calvin “Shad‑ dock” on 7 Oct. and “to be Collector N. Bedford. v. Pope. fed.”). That letter likely enclosed a letter of 4 Sep. from Caleb Briggs, Eli Haskell, and Nathan Willis to Gallatin in which Pope was charged with neglect, fraud, and opposition to the ad‑ ministration. They requested that Galla‑ tin make a decision as to Chaddock’s sta‑ tus as soon as possible (same; with added note by Gallatin: “I have no doubt of the Truth of the facts above stated”). In a let‑ ter of 2 Jan. 1805 to Dearborn, Chaddock again solicited the collectorship and en‑ closed a letter of recommendation “signed by the principle republican characters in

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19 DECEMBER 1804 my neighborhood” (same; endorsed by TJ: “Chaddock Calvin. to be Collectr. New Bedford v. Pope”). Hodijah Baylies, who had served as a military aide to George Washington dur‑ ing the Revolution, was appointed collector at dighton in 1789 and re‑ mained in the post until he resigned in 1809 (Boston Gazette, 10 Aug. 1789, 2 Feb. 1809; Washington, Papers, Confed. Ser., 1:528n; Gallatin to TJ, 2 Feb. 1809). In a letter of 25 Dec. to Phanuel Bishop, Holder Slocum recommended Nathaniel Williams as a replacement for Baylies (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ:

“Dighton. Nathanl. Williams to be Col‑ lector”). Almost a year later, Nathaniel Morton, Jr., and Josiah Dean advised Gal‑ latin that although Baylies was a person of “adequate talents” and “unchargeable with any immoral or official misconduct,” he was a “decided and we believe a senti‑ mental federalist” and was using his in‑ fluence against the administration. They recommended Josiah Wardwell as a re‑ placement (Morton and Dean to Gallatin, 6 Nov. 1805, in same; endorsed by TJ: “Wardwell Josiah to be Collector Dighton v. Bailies lre to mr Gallatin”).

From Gideon Granger Dec: 19. 1804.

G Granger presents his respectful Compliments to the President & submits to his perusal a vindication of the rights of Innocent Pur‑ chasers under the Georgia Grants of 1795 Having submitted to the public this view founded on the Constitu‑ tion and Laws of the Nation he is determined to wait in Silence, the issue of this business. Whatever his opinions and feelings may be he shall studiously avoid taken any active part. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: probably A Vindication of the Rights of the New England Mississippi Land Company, by the Agents of Said Company (Washington, D.C., 1804). georgia grants of 1795: in 1804, the speculators of the New England Mis‑ sissippi Land Company began a concerted

effort to persuade Congress to approve a compensation bill for their extensive Yazoo land claims. After the bill was postponed in March 1804, the company’s allies in Congress proposed a similar measure in the current session, which received sub‑ stantial debate in the House (C. Peter Magrath, Yazoo: Law and Politics in the New Republic; The Case of Fletcher v. Peck [Providence, R.I., 1966], 37‑49).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Dec. 19. 04. I put under your cover a letter to Wm. Brown & co. inclosing a draught on you for 416. D. payable Feb. 14. this form of making the paiment was forced on me by a contract of mr Lilly’s who did not know the difference of effect, as to yourselves, between this and my  200 

19 DECEMBER 1804

simply giving my own note. however the money shall be in your hands on the 9th. of February. I have sent the letter through you to  ensure your recieving this advice before the presentment of the draught. be so good as to seal & deliver it. I inclose also the bill of lading of a pipe of wine to be forwarded to Monticello. accept my affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosures: (1) TJ to William Brown & Co., 19 Dec. (recorded in SJL but not found). (2) Bill of lading from Chandler Price, not found; see Price to TJ, 15 Dec.

forced on me: Gabriel Lilly con‑ tracted for the purchase of 150 barrels of  corn, payable to Richard Anderson through William Brown & Co. (mb, 2:1142). See also Martha Jefferson Ran‑ dolph to TJ, 30 Nov.

From Thomas Munroe Wednesday 19 Decem 1804

T. Munroe’s most respectful Compliments, and asks whether it is the pleasure of the President to renew the enclosed proclamation or whether he will direct any alterations in the provisions or duration of future proclamations as to wooden houses.— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Dec. and “Proclamn respectg. build‑ ings.” Enclosure: Proclamation Extending Building Regulations in the City of Wash‑ ington, 20 Dec.

To Wilson Cary Nicholas Dear Sir Washington Dec. 19. 04 Your favor of the 14th. is this moment put into my hands. the let‑ ters which have passed between us on this subject are uncommuni‑ cated to any mortal but ourselves, and every thing therefore will be as if they never had been written until you chuse to give them effect. I have but one desire, which is to accomodate to your convenience, knowing that the public interest cannot be better promoted than by your continuance in it’s service, whether it be to the end of the next quarter, the next year, or of your life. I will only ask that when you shall have taken a final resolution, you will be so good as to let me know it, and await my answer before you deliver the letter to Colo. Newton, as intervening circumstances might render some change in  that expedient, or perhaps, as a change of date will at least be necessary, it may be as well to disembarras yourself of that at once by  201 

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returning it to me. Accept affectionate salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU: Edgehill Randolph Papers); signature clipped, supplied from PoC; at foot of text: “W. C. Nicholas”; endorsed. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

letter: TJ to Thomas Newton, 6 Dec., enclosed in TJ to Nicholas of that date.

Petition of John Orpwood, with Jefferson’s Order To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Your petitioner John Orpwood of the County of Alexandria in the District of Columbia most respectfully begs leave to represent to your Excellency: That at the last Court for the said County of Alexandria a judgment was rendered against your petitioner on a verdict found against him for a riot; The amount of which with Costs your peti‑ tioner is informed will be Sixty two dollars Eighty one Cents—Your petitioner begs leave further to state, that his extreeme poverty, ren‑ ders it impossible for him to Discharge the said amount or any part of it—and that unless your Excellency extend the benefit of a pardon to your petitioner, The Gloomy horrors of confinement will be his unavoidable fate—And Therefore your petitioner prays that his fine and the costs attending the prosecution may be remitted, And as in Duty bound will ever pray &C— Jno. Orpwood Alexandria County Sct The petitioner John Orpwood came before me the subscriber one of the United States Justices for the County aforesaid and made oath that the facts stated in the foregoing petition are true Given under my hand this 19th day of December 1804— Alexr Smith We the subscribers Justices of the peace for the County of Alexan‑ dria, being satisfied of the petitioners poverty, do respectfully recom‑ mend to the President a remission of his fine— George Taylor A Faw Peter Wise Jr George Gilpin Jacob Hoffman  202 

19 DECEMBER 1804

Elisha C. Dick Cuthbert Powell Alexr. Smith We the undersigned Judges beg leave respectfully to recommend to the president of the United States to remit the Petitioners Fine & Fees & also to discharge him from further Imprisonment. W Kilty W. Cranch. N Fitzhugh [Order by TJ:] Let a pardon issue

Th: Jefferson Dec. 27. 04.

RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); petition in a clerk’s hand, signed by Orpwood; attes‑ tation in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; recommendation of justices in a clerk’s hand, signed by all; recommendation of judges in Fitzhugh’s hand, signed by all. Plasterer John Orpwood, along with George McFarland and others, had been

convicted of riot and assault by the U.S. Circuit Court for the District of Colum‑ bia in June 1804 and fined $10 each plus costs (Petition of George McFarland, 15 Aug.). TJ issued a pardon and remission of Orpwood’s fine and costs on 29 Dec. (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR).

From Robert Smith Sir, Nav Dep 19th Decr 1804 I submit for your consideration the appointment of the undermen‑ tioned gentlemen, to the stations of midshipmen. John Wright. Maryland. recommended by his father col Wright—& Mr Wright of the Senate A. B. Lindsley. Connecticut. Mr Granger & others Abner Wickershaw. Pennsa. Mr Hanna. John Kerr. do. Mr. Ray Mr. Stuart & others ⎫ Gervas Clifton ⎪ Jos. Blount ⎪ ⎬ N. Carolina. recommended by Mr Stone. col. Wm. Carter jr. ⎪ Lynn & others. James McGlauhon ⎪ Turner McGlauhon ⎭ Should you approve these appointments, the enclosed Warrants will require your signature. I have the honor to be with the greatest respect Sir, yr ob st Rt Smith  203 

19 DECEMBER 1804  RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “President UStates”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 19 Dec. and “Midship‑ men” and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, LSP). Although John wright of Maryland received a commission, there is no record of any active service. In a letter Robert Smith sent to his father, Colonel Sam‑ uel Wright, dated 5 Jan. 1805, the navy secretary recommended that he keep his son at school until he had “acquired the theory of navigation” (DNA: RG 45, MLS; ndbw, Register, 62). Abraham B. lindsley served on board the frigate John Adams in the Mediterra‑ nean before his appointment was revoked in April 1807 (same, 32). According to a December 1804 note in the Navy Department’s record of corre‑ spondence sent to officers, abner wickershaw declined his appointment (DNA: RG 45, LSO).

 After receiving his commission, John kerr served on board the frigates John Adams, Essex, and Constitution from 1804 to 1807 (ndbw, Register, 30). Gervas clifton served on board the bomb ketch Vengeance and the Hornet in the Mediterranean between 1805 and 1806. After obtaining leave to participate in merchant service, Clifton offered his resignation in December 1807 (same, 11). After receiving orders to report to Com‑ modore Edward Preble in Boston on 19 Apr. 1805, Joseph blount resigned his commission (same, 5). William carter, Jr., served on board the bomb ketch Vengeance and the Enterprize between 1805 and 1807 (same, 9‑10). Both james mcglauhon and turner mcglauhon had their first postings on board the bomb ketch Spitfire. James continued to serve on board the frigate Constitution in the Mediterranean, while Turner served on Gunboats Nos. 3 and 9 at various posts before resigning in De‑ cember 1807 (same, 33).

From Jean Marie de Bordes Monsieur le Président, Philadelphie le 20 Decembre 1804. Ma lettre à votre Excellence ne lui sera sans‑doute point parvenue, puisqu’elle est jusqu’ici sans réponse. J’ai eu l’honneur de vous ex‑ poser que le Congrès n’ayant point encore passé de lois favorables à ma réclamation, je me trouvais dans la derniere indigence, forcé de pourvoir aux besoins d’une famille nombreuse & aux miens; qu’à la veille d’un hyver très‑rude, manquant de provisions alimentaires, de vêtemens & de bois. je devais nécessairement succomber aux rigueurs de la faim & du froid, si votre Excellence ne daignait tendre une main secourable à mes malheurs. Pour eclairer sa sensibilité à ce sujet, je la suppliais de m’accorder un emploi où je pusse me trouver à l’abri des horreurs de l’indigence qui m’entouraient de toutes parts. Ma vie ayant été presque toute militaire, & ce que j’en ai pu dérober aux oc‑ cupations du service ayant été consacré à l’étude des principes de ma langue, je prenais la liberté de lui indiquer cet emploi dans l’une ou l’autres des professions aux quelles me rendaient propre ma maniere d’être habituelle ou mes talens. A cet exposé je joins aujourd’hui un état de mes services; afin de mieux determiner à votre excellence le but & le terme de ses bienfaits.  204 

20 DECEMBER 1804

Si elle l’exige, je ferai traduire en Anglais & lui adresserai toutes les pieces qui peuvent servir de preuve & d’autenticité à cet état. Puis, quand la légitimité de mes sollicitations aura eu le bon‑ heur, Monsieur le Président, d’intéresser votre justice en leur faveur, j’abandonnerai mon sort à la sensibilité de votre Excellence, persuadé qu’arracher un homme d’honneur aux horreurs de la dégradation & dus besoin est pour elle un plaisir trop délicieux, pour qu’elle puisse en priver son ame humaine & généreuse. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec respect, Monsieur le Président, Votre très‑humble & très‑obéissant serviteur, de Bordes e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Philadelphia, 20 Dec. 1804 My letter to your excellency must not have reached you, since it has gone without response. I have the honor of informing you that, since Congress has not yet passed laws granting my request, I find myself in dire indigence, forced to provide for a large family and relatives. At the beginning of a severe winter, lacking food, clothing, and wood, I will have to endure the rigors of cold and hunger unless your excellency extends a helping hand in my misfor‑ tune. To clarify the situation, I begged you to give me a job where I could be sheltered from the horrors of poverty that surround me on all sides. I have devoted almost my whole life to the military, and used any spare time to per‑ fect my English. I took the liberty of indicating my willingness to undertake any professions for which my skills and temperament might qualify me. To help your excellency decide how you might help, I am expanding this explanation by enclosing an account of the services I have rendered. If neces‑ sary, I could translate this into English and provide documents to substanti‑ ate this account. When the legitimacy of my requests succeeds in awakening your justice, Mister President, I will entrust my fate to your judgment, knowing that your generous, humane soul would not want to be deprived of the pleasure of sav‑ ing an honorable man from the horrors of need and degradation. With respect, Mister President, I have the honor of being your very hum‑ ble and obedient servant. de Bordes RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); below sig‑ nature: “Corner of Walnut and Front‑ Streets”; at head of text: “Jn Marie de Bordes à Monsieur Thomas Jefferson, Président des Etats‑Unis de l’Amérique”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Dec. and “employment” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: statement of Bordes’s military service, beginning in 1774 when he was an officer of the king’s guard; joining the service of the United States in 1776, he was an artillery volunteer, an aide to Alexis Matthias Roche de Fermoy, and a lieutenant from the time of General Wash‑

ington’s campaign in late 1776 until 1778; he then was a lieutenant of cavalry in the French service from the declaration of war with Britain until the peace in 1783; beginning in 1791, he was successively captain, major general, and captain gen‑ eral of patriotic troops in the Jérémie region of Saint‑Domingue until he was expelled by the British in 1795 for his po‑ litical opinions and he retired from mili‑ tary service (MS in same; in Bordes’s hand in French). ma lettre: Bordes to TJ, 29 Nov.

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From Alexander Murray Sir/ Decr. 20th. 1804 It has been intimated that the failure of Capt. Morris in accomplish‑ ing the objects for which he was sent to the Medn. was in a degree owing to my unauthorised return to the U.S., it has been even sug‑ gested that Government did not view my conduct in this particular without dissatisfaction, & I have too much reason from various occur‑ rences to believe that the suggestion is not without foundation. I feel the utmost anxiety that my whole conduct shoud be fairly understood, if I have erred, it has been the error of the head only, but if I have erred, no matter from what motive I ought not to desire, nor do I desire, to escape the just consequences of that error, in the pres‑ ent instance, I hope it is only necessary for my vindication, that the precise truth shoud be known—At Malaga an open Letter dated Octr. 23rd. 1802 was put into my hands, by Capt. Rodgers a Letter not open by the seal being broken, but which had never been sealed, the object of this was to direct that the Frigate Constellation under my Command, & the Chesapeake shoud be immediately sent to the U.S., it being as the Letter expressed, the Presidents desire, that those Frigates shoud not Winter in the Medn.—As Capt. Morris was then 1200 miles to the Eastward of me, & in the month of Novr., I consid‑ ered the circumstance of the Letter being unsealed, intended for no other purpose, but that the Commanders, shoud they chance to see the Letter before Capt. Morris, ought to obey the order, the more especially as the period for which my Crew were engaged, woud ex‑ pire before I coud arrive in the U.S. & without waiting for his Com‑ mands, so Capt Rodgers & Capt Campbell thought & so indeed I coud not but think again in like circumstances, I considered that I was doing my Duty in complying with the order in the sense it was in‑ tended, by returning home without delay, no conditions being thereto annexed, & Capt. Morris did not then think I acted improperly for he immediately sent the Chesapeake after me, & subsequent events shews that he had still as strong a force as was then deemed necessary for the execution of his Plans— I pray Sir that you will not deem this intrusion impertinent, nor even unnecessary if as I fear doubts of the impropriety of my conduct hath reached your Ear; I have the most ardent desire to deserve the confidence of the Executive, & to obtain it, which has prompted the liberty of this address, for to my great mortification, I have conceived that all confidence or trust hath been withheld from me since my re‑ turn from the Medn. I have revolved in my mind all the occurrences  206 

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during my respective stations, and find nothing unfavorable to my feelings as an officer, who after long & arduous services during the Revolutionary War, as well as since the organisation of our present naval establishment, thought myself entitled to a command, & I am bold to say that upon a fair investigation of my general conduct, that I am not undeserving of Executive Patronage; a fair & Honorable career thro’ life hath been my pursuit, & study, & to deserve well of my Country, my ultimate wish, to fail in that object, in default of an explanation, nothing else I trust being necessary is a consideration of no small moment— with the most profound respect I am &&c AM FC (Lb in DNA: RG 45, Letterbook of Captain Alexander Murray, 1799‑1805); at foot of text: “The Presit. of the U. States.” Recorded in SJL as a letter of 21 Dec. received the same day with nota‑ tion “N.” Alexander Murray (1755‑1821) led a maritime life as a merchant, privateer, and officer in the U.S. Navy. Beginning in 1776, he served as an infantry officer in a Maryland regiment engaged in the New York and New Jersey campaigns. He sub‑ sequently commanded a privateer, and in 1781 joined the Continental Navy. After a long period as a merchant in Philadel‑ phia, Murray returned to the navy during the Quasi‑War with France. In 1802, he commanded the frigate Constellation as it patrolled the Mediterranean. Afterwards, Murray held a variety of posts in the navy, became its ranking officer in 1811, and finished his career in charge of the

Philadelphia Navy Yard (anb; S. Put‑ nam Waldo, Biographical Sketches of Distinguished American Naval Heroes in the War of the Revolution [Hartford, 1823], 244‑355; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 8 Oct. 1821). failure of capt. morris: Murray likely referred to a pamphlet published in New York that October, in which Rich‑ ard V. Morris partially blamed Murray for the failure to subdue Tripoli. The dis‑ pute between the two officers arose after Murray decided to sail for America after viewing a letter of 23 Oct. 1802 in which Robert Smith ordered Morris to return the frigates Chesapeake and Constellation to the United States for the win‑ ter (Richard V. Morris, A Defence of the Conduct of Commodore Morris during his Command in the Mediterranean [New York, 1804], 40‑2, 57‑60, 68; ndbw, 2:306‑7; Vol. 38:506; Vol. 40:150‑2).

From Joseph Priestley, Jr. Sir— Northumberland. December 20 1804 I have desired Mr Patrick Byrne bookseller of Pa. to send you a copy of my father’s last work; entitled The Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy compared with Revelation of which I beg your acceptance The wish you expressed in your letter to Mr Cooper has been complied with, but in Philadelphia, two or three persons asked me whether my father had not left behind him a work undertaken at your suggestion, & they in‑ formed me that they understood that to be the case from a Mr Smith, I believe the Marshall at Pa., who had heard so at Washington.  207 

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 I shall esteem it a favour if you will inform me whether Mr Liv‑ ingston ever acknowledged the receipt of the letter my father wrote on the subject of his property in the French funds. The letter was I think sent by a Mr Harvey who was the bearer of dispatches to Mr Livingston I am Sir with the greatest respect Your Obedt hble Servt Joseph Priestley RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 26 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Joseph Priestley, Jr. (1768‑1833), was the eldest son of Dr. Joseph Priestley and Mary Wilkinson Priestley. Born and raised in England, he emigrated to the United States in 1793, accompanied by his brothers and Thomas Cooper, and settled in Northumberland, Pennsylva‑ nia, where they intended to establish a community of political refugees from England. Although that plan was never realized, his parents moved to Northum‑ berland in 1794. Inclined more toward business than science, Priestley engaged in a number of commercial and specula‑ tive ventures throughout his life, but with mixed success. He oversaw the prepara‑ tion of his father’s Memoirs, which were published in 1806. He traveled to En‑ gland on business in 1811, but the out‑ break of the War of 1812 interfered with his return to the United States, and Priestley wound up spending the remain‑ der of his life in his native country (Jenny Graham, Revolutionary in Exile: The Emigration of Joseph Priestley to America, 1794-1804 [Philadelphia, 1995], 29‑33, 80‑2, 165; Robert E. Schofield, The Enlightened Joseph Priestley: A Study of His

Life and Work from 1773 to 1804 [Uni‑ versity Park, Pa., 2004], 317‑18, 404‑5; dnb, s.v. “Priestley, Joseph”; Daily National Intelligencer, 19 Nov. 1833; Priest‑ ley, Jr., to TJ, 6 Jan. 1806). letter to mr cooper: TJ to Thomas Cooper, 24 Feb. 1804, in which he asked Cooper to prevent his syllabus on the doctrines of Jesus, a copy of which he had sent to the senior Joseph Priestley, “from ever getting into other hands” (Vol. 40:251‑5; Vol. 42:537‑8). The elder Priestley’s letter to Robert R. livingston was likely enclosed in one to TJ of 12 Dec. 1803, to which TJ replied on 29 Jan. 1804. TJ intended to have it delivered by Lewis Harvie, but Harvie declined going to Paris. It is thereafter uncertain how, or even if, Livingston re‑ ceived Priestley’s letter (Vol. 42:101‑2, 315‑16, 368‑70; TJ to Priestley, Jr., 27 Dec.). Priestley’s letter apparently related to his substantial investment in french funds, which was made in the 1790s and proved unremunerative. Priestley, and later his son, spent many years attempt‑ ing to recover it (Schofield, Enlightened Joseph Priestley, 299, 349‑50; Graham, Revolutionary in Exile, 22n, 55, 97, 151; Joseph Priestley, Jr., to TJ, 10 Feb. 1808).

Proclamation Extending Building Regulations in the City of Washington By the President of the United States. Whereas by the first article of the terms and conditions declared by the President of the United States on the 17th. day of October 1791 for regulating the materials and manner of buildings and improve‑  208 

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ments on the Lots in the City of Washington it is provided “that the outer and party walls of all houses in the said City shall be built of brick or stone,” and by the third article of the same terms and condi‑ tions it is declared “that the wall of no house shall be higher than forty feet to the roof in any part of the City, nor shall any be lower than thirty five feet on any of the Avenues.” And whereas the above recited articles were found to impede the settlement in the City of Mechanics and others whose circumstances did not admit of erecting houses authorised by the said regulations, for which cause the oper‑ ation of the said Articles has been suspended by several Acts of the President of the United States from the fifth day of June in the year 1796 to the first day of January next—and beneficial effects arising from such suspensions having been experienced, it is deemed proper to revive the same with the exception hereafter mentioned—Wherefore I Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Do Declare that the first & third articles above recited shall be, and the same are hereby suspended until the first day of January in the year One thousand eight Hundred and six, and that all Houses which shall be erected in the said City of Washington previous to the said first day of January in the year One thousand eight hundred and six conformable in other respects to the regulations aforesaid shall be considered as lawfully erected, except that no wooden house covering more than three hun‑ dred & twenty square feet or higher than twelve feet from the sill to the eve shall be erected, nor shall such house be placed within twenty four feet of any brick or stone house— Given under my Hand the twentieth1 Day of December 1804— Th: Jefferson MS (DLC: District of Columbia Pa‑ pers); in Thomas Munroe’s hand, signed by TJ; probably enclosed unsigned and with day of month left blank in Munroe to TJ, 19 Dec.; instructions at foot of text by Munroe to Samuel Harrison Smith: “Please publish the foregoing once a week till 1 April 1805.”

For TJ’s previous renewals of the proc‑ lamation temporarily suspending certain building regulations in the city of washington, see Vol. 33:154‑5; Vol. 36:415‑16; Vol. 39:335‑6; Vol. 42:199‑200. The above proclamation began appearing in the National Intelligencer on 24 Dec. 1 Word

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inserted in blank by Munroe.

From Edmund Randolph Richmond December 20. 1804.

E. Randolph, with respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson, takes the earliest opportunity, since the receipt of the decree against Johnson, of inclosing it. RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure not found. Randolph had represented TJ in a dis‑ pute with Richard johnson over part of TJ’s Pouncey’s tract land (Randolph to TJ, 16 Sep.). On 23 Dec., Randolph wrote

again to TJ from Richmond: “E. Ran‑ dolph, with respectful compliments to Mr. Jefferson, incloses to him the execution, which was accidentally omitted the other day” (RC in MHi; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 27 Dec. and so recorded in SJL; enclosure not found).

From Larkin Smith Sir King & Queen Decr. 20th. 1804 Your letter of the 26th. of last month I had not the honor to receive untill yesterday; and but for a single sentence which it contains, I should not trouble you with an answer. you state that where there are ten applicants for office, nine being consequently rejected, they prob‑ ably become your secret or open enemies. I am unwilling to take any part of this sentence as applicable to myself. in the language of truth I can conscientiously say that not the remotest impression of this kind has been made upon me, and that I hold your character in the same exalted point of view which I have heretofore done. I neither expect or wish anything from the Government but that of participating in the general happiness which my countrymen are daily experiencing. I have long foreseen the painfull embarrasment attendant on making appointments, and with great reluctance obtruded myself on the Govt. as an applicant for office, & I plainly see the extream impropriety of your entering into an epistolary controversy with every person who may apply for office, but I was unwilling to place myself on the foot‑ ing of those who are generally applicants for office. I shall not again trespass on any part of your time, but in conclud‑ ing I beg leave to add, I most sincerely wish that your next adminis‑ tration like the present may be promotive of your own glory and the happiness of your country. I am with real respect your Excellencies Obt. Servt. Larkin Smith RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 5 Jan. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL.

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From John Stokely Sir, Washington City Decr 20th 1804 The Oxium each man to his sphere I do humbly conceive is appli‑ cable in national affairs pecularly The wellinformed dispasionate pen‑ etrating & firm mind are Indubitably best fited to the Cabinet, The nervous & Heriocal to the field & the Backwoods Bred Bachelor to wilderness Imployment who is not partially attached to the Gilded Splendor of the pompous and whose mind has not been deranged by the Sophestry of the designing & who has no endearing Relations or Bosom friend to leave weeping behind him & whose habit in that Sort of Life for upwards of Twenty years has not only attached him to it but versed him in the manners and Customs Suitable thereto & who has been uniformly an Advocate for Civilization & a Supporter of decorum Tho Sir I claim a great Shear in these wilderness requiset acquisitions I must Say that politeness & matrimonial Endearments begin to Invade the Tranquility of my Cotage. And Sir I hope you will not think the abruptness of my address Impertinent or Insolent as I myself like my Country remain in natures green garb decorated with but few ornements of art. I take the Liberty to offer myself for Some Service in which I might be useful to my Country & by which I might with Industry & Ecconimy Support my Self I have Contem‑ plated obtaining a personal Introduction to your Excellency for that purpose but well aware of the Herds of Sycopants that are Swarming about this place I have thought it the most Suitable to forward you my address In order that my Charracter might Proceed Such an In‑ troduction List the uningaging appearance which I possess & which produces many Bachelors might Subject me to too Little respect or Reather too Little attention because as, a woodsman I humbly con‑ ceive I am intitled to Some Attention—Some argue that nature in her wisdom has formed nothing in vain, according to this Hypotheses I have been formed for Some useful purpose & I must take the Liberty to Suggest one thing in which I might be useful. your Excellency will undoubtedly admit that a Young & Growing nation Especially when in possession of Such an Extancive Teritory as the united States are; ought Cearfully to Improve & Support its Strenth and reputation, and that by your Excellency’s Confering on me Some wilderness or backwoods appointment Such might be the Effects it might tend to keep Some good Husband at home to administer Comforts to his wife & promote the Strenth of our happy Government while I might be busied in Supporting of that favourite Sistem which I have exerted my powers to Obtain from my Childhood even from the year 1775 now Sir if in your Throng of Important Business you should find a Leasure  211 

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moment and a pleasure to Condecend to notice the Contents hereof & Should think of any thing, that might be Suitable to my Capacity &c I can in the Shortest notice produc Gentlemen of respectability now in Congress to give my Charracter. I suggest this because I shall leave this City in a few Days & if any thing should be Laying open Suitable to be filled by a person of my Interprise or Capacity I Should Willing Imbrace it in a Short time not because I am out of Imploy but be‑ cause I am not pleased with my Present Situation. I now Live at Wood County Courthouse in Virginia where I have resided about fourteen years. I am Sir with Every Sentement of respect and Esteem your obdt Servt John Stokely RC (DLC); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Dec. and “western employment” and so recorded in SJL. John Stokely helped establish what would later become Parkersburg, Wood County, Virginia. He was an aggressive land speculator, both in his local region and as far away as Tennessee. He served his county in a variety of public offices and was in the Virginia legislature, 1812‑17. Stokely was also an active writer of letters to men of prominence, begin‑ ning with George Washington and in‑ cluding Andrew Jackson, whose wife was a distant relation. The letters ranged from monologues on politics to pleas for em‑ ployment, money, or assistance with his land claims. Most of his later letters to TJ pertained to the Aaron Burr conspiracy, a topic that had come close to home when his neighbors raided the Harman Blenner‑ hassett estate outside of Parkersburg in December 1806. During the War of 1812

and while serving in the Virginia militia, Stokely directed his pen toward the War Department, writing seven detailed let‑ ters that offered advice and lodged com‑ plaints about the unpatriotic behavior of his neighbors and fellow militiamen (Al‑ varo F. Gibbens, Wood County Formation: A Century of Progress [Morgan‑ town, W.Va., 1899], 89, 112; Richmond Virginia Argus, 15 Aug. 1804; Earl G. Swem and John W. Williams, A Register of the General Assembly of Virginia 17761918 and of the Constitutional Conventions [Richmond, 1918], 432; Edgar B. Sims, Sims Index to Land Grants in West  Virginia [Baltimore, 2003], 763‑4; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 16:654‑6; Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson, 2:550; 3:277‑8; James E. Lewis, The Burr Conspiracy: Uncovering the Story of an Early American Crisis [Princeton, 2017], 148‑9; John C. Fredriksen, The War of 1812: U.S. War Department Correspondence, 1812-1815 [Jefferson, N.C., 2016], 373; John Stokely to TJ, 14 Feb. 1807).

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans Decr. 21st. 1804. On yesterday in this City, there was great rejoicing—The Citizens generally evinced a grateful recollection of the period which annexed Louisiana to the United States, & thro’ out the Day there was a de‑ gree of harmony which afforded me singular pleasure.—The paper  212 

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enclosed will give you some account of the particulars.—You may be assured Sir, that the great body of this people, are becoming well disposed to the United States, and that the Mal Contents are at this time few in number:—The long residence of the Marquis of Casa Calvo & other Spanish officers in this Territory; the frequent Reports that the Country would be receeded to Spain; the Sale of the Florida Lands;—the Intrigues of Laussat, & of a few disappointed, restless Americans, occasioned a degree of unsettled allegiance & discontent;— But the Communication to Congress at the opening of the Session, & the subsequent publication of the Official Letters of the Ministers Cervallos & Yrujo, has banished every Idea of another Change; & I see with satisfaction, that the Confidence of the People in the Ameri‑ can Government is daily encreasing.—I fear however, we shall soon find here a strong federal Party; nearly all the Gentlemen of the Bar, and many of the Merchants are of that Sect; they have a federal paper (the Louisiana Gazette) and it is assuming a decided Tone.— The Legislative Council proceed with great caution & deliberation; they have several important Laws under way, but will probably delay their final passage for a Week or two in expectation that the vacan‑ cies in the Legislature will soon be filled. I persuade myself that the means I took to obtain a Council will meet your approbation;—the great distance between this City, and the Seat of Government; the lax state of the Laws, and the appar‑ ent  anxiety of the well disposed Citizens led me to suppose, that you would approve of my exercising a prudent discretion. Eugene D’orcier, George Pollack & James Mather are the names of the new Councillors; they are Men of Integrity & Information; the two last have resided in the District for many years.—There are still five Va‑ cancies in the Council, which I shall not attempt to fill without your Instructions.—I was myself enclined to think, that the Justices of the Peace appointed during the temporary Government, as also the Civil Commandants, had authority under the Act of Congress to exercise judicial Powers, until the Legislature had made other provision;— But on this point, several Gentlemen of Law learning disagreed with me, and it was understood to be the opinion of Judge Prevost, that the Act of Congress had destroyed all the former Tribunals of Justice.— Hence Sir, arose the necessity for an early organization of the Legislative Body—who having recognized & continued the functions of Jus‑ tices of the Peace & of Commandants, the preservation of good order is insured, & the Council may with mature deliberation devise a per‑ manent System of Jurisprudence.—  213 

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 I pray you Sir, to accept my best Wishes for your health and happiness—and believe me to be With great respect 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 20 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: possibly an account from the Louisiana Gazette, 21 Dec., on the previous day’s celebra‑ tions commemorating the first anniversary of the transfer of Louisiana; festivities

included cannon fire, military demonstra‑ tions, a collation, music, and a “splendid Ball”; the account emphasizes the harmony and good order that prevailed throughout the day’s events. communication to congress: An‑ nual Message to Congress, 8 Nov.

To Michael Krafft Washington Dec. 21. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Krafft and his thanks for the volume on distilling which he has been so kind as to send him. he owes him particular acknolegements for the obliging terms in his dedication: but is sensible that the book possesses, in it’s own merits, the best of all titles to the public esteem. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

volume on distilling: see Krafft to TJ, 24 Apr.

From James Monroe Dear Sir Bayonne Decr. 21. 1804. I am so far on my way to Madrid and on the point of recommenc‑ ing my journey this morning. my letters to Mr. Madison have been so full that it is unnecessary to enter into the same topicks here even had I time, tho’ I have not as I set out in an hour. It is possible that yr. attention may be directed to the fortification of our ports, since the establishment of certain fortifications on the coast as places of security for our vessels to retreat toward in wars to which we are not a party, independant of the great object of protecting our cities from the in‑ sult of cruisers &ca may make it adviseable to take the subject up. My mind has been long made up on that point, & that an attention to the object, as soon as others were arranged wod. add much to the credit of our govt. My attention however has been drawn to it at this mo‑ ment by meeting here a most able & respectable Engineer Col: Vin‑ cent who made some important [. . .] New York, & was introduced to me when formerly in France by a letter from Govr. Clinton. It was  214 

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Col: Vincent who assisted (or rather did it himself) in procuring that most valuable library which I sent to the department of war, which was most unfortunately destroyed at washington by fire. I do pre‑ sume that the aid of some very skilful engineers wod. be found useful in such a business when undertaken and that these must be procured from abroad. It is not improbable that this gentleman might be pre‑ vailed on to engage in this service, as he is very much attached to our government & country. He is a Colonel of long service in France of great experience, and of the fairest character. If he was engaged he might take others with him, three or four and who wod. not only ac‑ complish the great object proposed but lay the foundation of a mili‑ tary school. It is not impossible that Carnot who is his friend might accompany him. I only give you these hints for consideration. Shod. you wish any thing of the kind, an authority to me or General Arm‑ strong, mentioning these men would be necessary. The approbation of their govt. might easily be obtained & would be indispensible. I am dear Sir with very great & sincere regard yr. friend & servant Jas. Monroe RC (DLC); torn; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. In 1794, Charles vincent served as the engineer in charge of New York port and harbor fortifications. The collection of books that he helped to procure was

destroyed in the War Department fire of 8 Nov. 1800 (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 15:459‑60; Vol. 32:435; Vol. 33:211). In 1795, as minister to France, Monroe had praised the “great military talents” of Lazare Nicolas Marguerite carnot to TJ, and TJ also knew of Carnot as a po‑ litical figure (Vol. 28:532‑3; Vol. 32:415).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore—le 21 Dec. 1804. Je prends la Libertè, de presenter a Votre Excellence—ci joint—le No. 3—du Catalogue de l’etablissement, que je forme—et de Vous repèter en même tems le Contenû de ma Lettre du 15. Penetrè du plus Sincere Respect. Votre Excellence Tr. hbl et tr. Obt. str Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 21 Dec. 1804 I take the liberty of enclosing for your excellency catalogue number three, which I have created for this establishment, and at the same time reiterating the contents of my letter of the 15th. Imbued with sincere respect, your excellency, I am your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt

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21 DECEMBER 1804  RC (DLC); in dateline: “Depot de La Librairie: Levrault, Schoell et Comp. a Paris”; endorsed by TJ. Recorded in SJL as received 22 Dec. Enclosure not found.

From Robert Williams Sir Mississippi Territory Town of Washington Decr. 21st. 1804 This address is dictated with a view of affording some information, without which the Executive Confidence, might be bestowed in the appointment of an officer in this Territory who is amongst the most inveterate enemies of the present administration, if not the principles of our Government. The officer I mean is a General for this Territory, and the Character I allude to is Colo. Benijah Osman, he says he is entitled and expects the appointment. I suppose it is well understood by you, that the influence of office in this Country, is very great, owing to the manners of the people not being yet relieved from the habits imbibed under their former1 Goverments. If I may Venture an opinion on this Subject there is but one, who has pretentions and is Spoken of among the people here, who would give general Satisfaction, both as to his Standing in Society, and quali‑ fications; and that is, Majr. Ferdinand Leigh Claiborne, with whom perhaps you have Some acquaintance—He is a Gent,man of Consid‑ erable wealth and influence in this Country, and well disposed, and a firm Supporter of the present administration: he is now a Member of this Legislature, the only republican from Adams County, altho’ the Election turn’d intirely on politics, he was elected in spite of the fed‑ eral ticket, which was carried to a man, except himself. There are two thousand and fifty seven land Claims filed in this office, and I am sorry to state that the business of this Board is very much at a Stand, by reason of the absence of Mr. Fitzpatrick We have heard nothing of him since his Commission came on, Some time before he left this for Kentucky. This makes much against me, having a young family at home which Claims my attention and Services— When I accepted the appointment, it was thought that a single trip of six or eight months would be Sufficient to Compleat the business in— last Winter and Spring I was six months from home and had to return without doing any thing, on account of the Registers not having the business prepar’d—I am now prevented for the want of a Register, or third Commissioner, for Mr Turner will now only act partially, and that as Register only, and Colo. Rodney, has his courts to attend— It is true the Commissioners are on a daly pay, but that with no traveling expences will but little if any more than Support a man in  216 

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this Country, and we have to rent an office at our own expence—This is a vast fine Country of Land, and at no distant period, must be well and thickly Settled—please excuse the freedom I have taken in this letter, and also a request to know whether it comes to hand I am with Sentiments of Respt. yr. Huml st Robert Williams RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esquire President of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. 1805 and “Claiborne Ferdinand Leigh to be General” and so recorded in SJL. TJ appointed Thomas fitzpatrick register of the land office for Adams County, Mississippi Territory (TJ to the Senate, 9 Nov.). Writing to Gallatin on 29 Jan. 1805, Williams complained that

Fitzpatrick was still absent and recom‑ mended appointing Thomas Hill Williams in his place. Fitzpatrick’s character, Wil‑ liams added, was “that of a speculator, &c. and that his removal to this Country was with a view to that Object, and in lands” (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Williams Thos Hill. to be Register v. Fitzpatrick”). 1

MS: “forfer.”

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, New Orleans 22nd. of the 12th. Month 1804 Although still in state of convalescence, and but just able to attend to business a few minutes at a time, I am fortunate enough to have finished a map of my route from the City of Washington to this place. I send it in a tin case by the same mail with this letter. Several weeks ago it wanted but the labor of a few hours of health to complete it. Having written to thee (on the 26th. of last month) immediately on my arrival here, promising to send my report and map by the next ensuing mail, I applied myself with assiduity to the work. But early in the progress of it, I experienced an attack of sickness perhaps the most severe in the course of my life—I was brought to the very verge of death. My anxiety, however, to finish my report in season, induced me to apply to it at intervals during my sickness; which was probably prolonged and rendered worse by that exertion. The length of time employed in my journey (almost four months) so very far beyond what I contemplated, will, I fear, naturally excite surprise that I have ascertained the geographical1 position of so few places as I have done. This idea, added to the deep anxiety which has ever filled my mind, not only to do my duty faithfully but to give satisfaction, makes me extremely solicitous that the embarrassments which retarded my progress, should be understood; and, I am ap‑ prehensive, renders me prolix. Many causes of delay have had their  217 

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full effect, notwithstanding my most honest endeavors to prevent it— probably to the injury of my constitution. Some of them have been already detailed in former communications to thee, permit me now to exhibit some of another kind. When a single celestial object is observed with a large instrument, a small space of clear sky about that object, and for a moment, is sufficient. When two celestial objects are necessary to the same obser‑ vation (as for the longitude) both must be clearly seen at the same instant—and the chance of disappointment is more than fourfold:— Their altitudes must be taken as well as their distance, and when all this must be done with one instrument the serenity of atmosphere must be of some continuance. For taking an altitude on land, an arti‑ ficial horizon, consisting of a reflecting fluid surface, is necessary; if this surface has not the protection (as mine had not) of a suitable transparent cover, a slight breeze will render the whole observation abortive even in the clearest atmosphere. When the instrument is small (as is that which I used) the operation in all its parts must be many times repeated for the greater certainty of a mean, which renders indispensable the concurrence of all those favorable circumstances for at least an hour. Thus my chances of disappointment were multiplied almost beyond calculation. I was therefore soon reduced to the alter‑ native of relinquishing the idea of ascertaining the position of any but the most important places, or of protracting my report far beyond the proper period. I have frequently sat nearly a whole night, exposed to a heavy dew, and in the day time for hours to a burning sun, in both cases without the protection of my hat, anxiously watching for a mo‑ mentary interval of a little clear sky and calm atmosphere; and have been often at last disappointed. Considering these, and many other exposures to heat, wet, cold, bad provisions &c.; It is a matter of wonder and of Gratitude to a merciful God, that my health was not sooner destroyed. Permit me, as the result of my observations, and of the best judg‑ ment I can form, to suggest the propriety of establishing, at this time, only the following places as points in the main road, leaving them to be connected hereafter by an actual survey under the direction of a good judge: ⎫ Fredericksburg ⎪ ⎬ In Virginia Cartersville ⎪ ⎭ Danville Salisbury in North Carolina Athens in Georgia

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Point Comfort, Southeastermost projection of Tallapoosa River (Creek nation) Mobille River, just below the confluence of Allibama and Tombigbee New Orleans. The Bearings and Distances of the under‑named places, according to my observations, are as follows—they are strictly calculated on the principles of spherical trigonometry—each respective distance is the length, in british statute miles, of the arch of a great circle of the Earth (or what is commonly called a horizontal air‑line) terminating in each place—the bearings are the angles of this arch with a true meridian at each of its extremities: ° ′ ″ Distance From Washington, New Orleans bears S 54. 13.47 W ⎬⎫ 965 miles —— New Orleans, Washington —— N 46. 48.15 E ⎭ From Washington, Fredericksburg bears S 19. 22.29 W ⎬⎫ 49.1 —— Fredericksburg, Washington —— N 19. 11.28 E ⎭ From Fredericksburg, Salisbury bears S 50. 39.17 W ⎬⎫ 268.6 —— Salisbury, Fredericksburg —— N 48. 26. 4 E ⎭ From Salisbury, Franklin C.H. bears S 58. 41.12 W ⎬⎫ 179.6 —— Franklin C.H., Salisbury —— N 57. 10. 7 E ⎭ From Franklin C.H. Point Comfort bears S 46. 54.30 W ⎬⎫ 196.2 —— Point Comfort, Franklin C.H. —— N 45. 33.26 E ⎭ From Point Comfort, M. of Allibama bears S 52. 39.39 W ⎬⎫ 143.4 —— M. of Allibama, Point Comfort —— N 51. 38.51 E ⎭ From M. of Allibama, New Orleans bears S 56. 31.47 W ⎬⎫ 142.6 —— New Orleans, M. of Allibama —— N 55. 31.12 E ⎭ Whole distance 979.5miles Latitudes and Longitudes, assuming the President’s House as the zero of longitude. ° ′ ″ ° ′ ″ Washington Latitude 38. 53. 00 Longitude 0. 00. 00 Fredericksburg —— 38. 12. 43 —— 0. 18. 00 Salisbury —— 35. 41. 43 —— 4. 00. 00 Franklin C.H. —— 34. 21. 12 —— 6. 41. 20 Clarksborough —— 33. 57. 30 —— Hawkins’s, on Flint river —— 32. 39. 00 —— 7. 25. 11 Point Comfort, on Tallapoosa —— 32. 23. 19 —— 9. 8. 38 Mouth of Allibama —— 31. 6. 57 —— 11. 4. 48 New Orleans —— 29. 57. 45 —— 13. 3. 30 Of the ground on which the road at present passes from Washing‑ ton, through Fredericksburg, Cartersville, Danville &c to Salisbury  219 

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in North Carolina, it will not be necessary for me to say much, as I presume it is well known by several Gentlemen in Congress: I shall therefore only refer to portions of it, by way of comparison to explain my idea of those parts of the route which may be less known. If I may judge by the ground over which I travelled from Colum‑ bia, at the Point of Fork, to Cumberland Courthouse, I think it will not do to cross James River higher than Cartersville—by doing so a greater distance, in my opinion, must be encountered in meandering to avoid hills, than in the small and regular deflexion from the gen‑ eral course, occasioned by crossing at Cartersville.2 This deflexion will make the distance somewhat greater than I have given it from Fred‑ ericksburg to Salisbury; but by passing through Athens instead of by Franklin C.H. the distance from Salisbury to Point Comfort will be somewhat less; so as to make the whole distance nearly as stated. Athens is the seat of the University of Georgia. A straight road from Salisbury to this place will, from the best information I could obtain, pass over better ground than from Salisbury to Franklin C.H. which is somewhat hilly. By Athens, the road will be not much infe‑ rior to that from Fredericksburg to Salisbury, and far superior to that from Washington to Fredericksburg, which is much the worst part of the whole route. From Athens to Point Comfort, the road will pass nearly on the tract on which General Meriwether travelled from Tookaubatche to his own habitation. To him therefore I refer for information respect‑ ing this part of the route. From Point Comfort to Mobille river is (excepting a few swamps of no very great extent which must be causewayed) a fine, high, level, sandy ridge. From Mobille river to New Orleans is nearly a perfect level—the soil is, almost without exception, a sandy loam, which re‑ ceives, when moderately moist, by treading or beating, a degree of firmness nearly equal to a brick. Perhaps 30 or 40 miles of this part of the route, must be thrown into a ridge, several feet higher than the common surface—and after this ridge is made, a constant attention to all parts of it will be neces‑ sary for several years, to maintain its regular convexity against acci‑ dental indentures—and then it would, in my opinion, acquire a firm‑ ness which would render it impenetrable by the heaviest rains; for they would instantly roll off. The necessity of this expense is not peculiar to the proposed road, for it is impossible to arrive at New Orleans by a good road, in any direction, without an equal expense. A survey from New Orleans to the Mouth of Allibama, appears to me indispensable, in order to find the best ground, the best crossings  220 

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of rivers, with the least augmentation of distance. Notwithstanding a survey of this part strikes me as of primary importance, because least known; yet I wish not to be understood as relinquishing my belief of the expediency of a survey of the whole route. When it is considered that the small distance from Occoquan to Fredericksburg is by much the most uneven ground, and that, ex‑ cept a few small parts, all the remainder of this route is equal to the proverbially good road from Cartersville to Salisbury, I think it must be granted that few, if any, other parts of the world admit of a road equally good and equally direct, for so small an expense. The whole distance in air‑measure, as already stated, is, in whole numbers 980 miles, considering the uncommon evenness of surface, I think 5 per Cent will be an ample allowance for the actual road, which will make it 1029 miles. I can vouch for the accuracy of the accompanying map in the vicin‑ ity only of the path which I travelled; It is a dotted line and painted yellow. The black line is the proposed road. The direct air‑line from Washington to New Orleans is also dotted, and is made the basis of the projection. The County of Washington in the Mississippi Terri‑ tory is laid down from actual survey. All other parts are laid down from the best maps and documents I could procure. I am distressed that I have not been able to write to the Secretary of the Treasury before now. As soon as I am able to ride, I will leave this place for the Mississippi Territory, when I will immediately write to him, if want of health should not render it impossible. In the mean time, I see no way in which the survey of the United States’ land can be done by an honest man, who values his own reputation and the good of his country, unless Congress will consent to allow a compensation, to deputies, which may in certain cases be extended to at least eight dollars per mile. I will hereafter send an account of my expenses—at present it must give place to matters of more importance. With the utmost econ‑ omy it amounts to more than three hundred dollars for myself and companion. Accept assurances of my esteem and affectionate wishes for thy happiness Isaac Briggs. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); at foot of text, on a separate scrap of paper pasted to page: “Thomas Jefferson, President U.S.” Recorded in SJL as a letter of 25 Dec. received 20 Feb. 1805. Enclosed in TJ to the House of Representatives, 23 Feb. 1805.

companion: Thomas (Briggs to TJ, 31 Dec.). 1 MS:

2 MS:

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“geopraphical.” “Catersville.”

Robertson

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New Orleans December 22d. 1804. On this morning, (accompanied by the Mayor of the City Mr Petot) I visited the ground adjacent to the Canal of Carondulet, and find the Land low, and in some parts subject to be overflowed;—But my impression is, that the whole may easily be reclaimed, and will soon be valuable.— The commons of the City as explained by the Mayor, and as he said, were defined in a Grant issued by a french Governor many years ago, include the Forts St. Charles and St. Louis, all the minor forti‑ fications erected by the Bar’on de Carondulet, several handsome ad‑ joining Lots, and extend about one quarter of a Mile on the Canal towards the Bayou St. John;—the balance of the Land on each side, quite to the Bayou is vacant; I do not know1 its wedth; the length is near a Mile;—but there is no doubt, but a survey of at least six hun‑ dred Acres may be obtained.—The claim of the City, if a good one, will not only enable the corporation to encrease their funds, but to add greatly to the Beauty of Nw. Orleans, and to the comfort of the Inhabitants by preserving several open Squares, and the laying out and improving several public Walks. The Grant alluded to by the Mayor I have not seen, but he spoke of it with such certainty, as to leave no doubt on my mind of its existence. When I advised the laying of a part of General La fayetts Grant on the unappropriated Land adjoining this City, I had no knowledge that any part thereof, was claimed by the City;—The interference of this claim, may prevent the obtaining as valuable a Tract, as I at first contemplated;—But I nevertheless think the Land on each side of the canal, to which there is no claimant but the United States will greatly inhance in value; and that the General’s Interest would be served by locating the same in his Name. I would propose that an Area of 250 feet on each side of the canal should be preserved, in order to admit of its enlargement, & of a Road to be ornamented with a double Row of Trees. It is probable, that New‑Orleans will in a few years extend quite to the Bayou, and therefore I think that the Lands on the Canal, will soon meet with lucrative sales.—Mr. Isaac Briggs who is now nearly restored to health, has promised in a few Days to visit with me, the Canal of Carondulet, and to give me his opinion as to the quantity, quality, and relative value of the vacant Land;—this opinion I shall transmit to you, for I place great confidence in Mr. Briggs’s Judg‑ ment in matters of this kind.  222 

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 With respect to the aggregate of the Land granted to General La‑ fayette, I can only repeat, what I have heretofore mentioned, that the whole might be located to great advantage in various parts of the Territory; either on the Island of Orleans, the Red River, or the At‑ tackapas; But it would be advisable to engage some judicious person to visit the different Districts, & select the best positions.— I pray you to accept the best wishes of—Dear Sir, Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL. Tr (same); in Isaac A.

Coles’s hand; endorsed by TJ with nota‑ tion “Fayette.” 1 Word lacking in RC. Tr: “I do not know its width.”

From Albert Gallatin [22 Dec. 1804]

Ormond Tuley or Tooley recommended as Surveyor of the port of Slade’s Creek in the district of Washington North Carolina, and inspector of the revenue for the said port— vice Henry Tuley resigd ——— Mr Kennedy Member of Congress for the district wrote at my re‑ quest to Enquire about the most proper person to be appointed. The result of his enquiry is in favour of O. Tuley— Submitted— A. G. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Trea‑ sury Department on 22 Dec. 1804 and “Ormond Tuley. Survr. Slade’s cr.” and so recorded in SJL.

On 23 Nov., henry tuley wrote to Gallatin resigning his office and recom‑ mending his brother Ormond, a young man of “Skill and Judgment,” as his re‑ placement (Gallatin, Papers, 10:292).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 22d. Decr. 1804 I received last night your favor of the 19th. and have to day deliv‑ ered the letter which it contained to Wm. Brown & Co, and accepted your dft in their favor payable the 14th. of February for $416. We would quite as soon you would at any time draw on us in this way as not, provided you would insert in the draft payable in United States Bank notes.  223 

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 As our bank does not receive the notes of any other bank, we fre‑ quently find great difficulty in turning them into specie; for which reason, together with our conceiving that a payment for goods, in Bank notes, ought to be deemed satisfactory—we proposed to accept this dft in that way—but which McCredie peremptorily refused to receive. I mention this more for your future government, and to let you know how unaccommodating this house is to their customers, to whom they sell goods at such enormous profits—than with any other view: as the present draft will be of no sort of consequence. I thought it the more hard in these people, as without any particu‑ lar stipulation, we have always been glad to receive payments from them in notes; but I have generally observed, that those who are least punctual themselves, are most rigid with others. Your last dft was paid in my absence, without Lilly’s dft being taken in—M— having stated that he had forwarded it to you, with his receipt.—Be pleased to inform me, whether this is so—as I should not be surprised at his turning out to be a second Moran. The mahogony has arrived, but is not yet forwarded. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble Servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 26 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. John mccredie was a partner in Wil‑ liam Brown & Co. (Herbert A. Johnson, Charles T. Cullen, Charles F. Hobson,

and others, eds., Papers of John Marshall, 12 vols. [Chapel Hill, 1974‑2006], 9:71‑2). a second moran: for recent dealings with Joseph Moran, see TJ to George Jefferson, 8, 15 Oct., George Jefferson to TJ, 11 Oct., and Martha Jefferson Ran‑ dolph to TJ, 30 Nov.

To William Lambert Sir Washington. Dec. 22. 04. I return you the inclosed paper with thanks for the communication of it. I have taken the liberty of copying the result, to wit, the longi‑ tude of our place. the method of finding the longitude by observing the occultation of a star has the merit of precision in the moments of immersion & emersion in proportion to the sensibility of the eye of the observer. but the calculations are lengthy and laborious, & there‑ fore proportionably liable to error. at land, where we can have a long meridian, the passage of the moon over that can be observed with great accuracy, and the calculations, especially with what is supplied by the Nautical almanac, are shorter; and the observations may, with the same labour be oftener repeated.  224 

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 When contemplating the mission of Capt Lewis and others to pro‑ cure us the geography of the rivers of Louisiana, a sense of the im‑ portance of some method of finding longitudes without the aid of any time piece, and by measuring angles alone with an accurate instru‑ ment, led me to reflections on the subject, which suggested to me the following method. 1. Observe the moon’s distance from your meridian at any moment, & her right ascension at the same moment (by her distance from a known star.) find from the Nautical almanac her distance from the meridian of Greenwich when she had that R.A. the sum or the differ‑ ence, as the case may be, is your longitude from Greenwich. this method may be varied as follows. 2. Observe the moon’s passage over your meridian, and her R.A. at the same moment (by her distance from a star). find from the Nau‑ tical almanac the time1 at Greenwich when she had that ascension. her distance at that moment from the meridian of Greenwich, is your distance from it. 3. find from the Nautical Almanac the R.A. of the moon when she is on the meridian of Greenwich. watch the moment she attains that R.A. with you and take her then distance from your meridian. this is your longitude. the 2d & 3d. observations can be made once in the 24. hours & the 1st. repeated several times, so as to furnish an average worthy of a proportional confidence. I mentioned this idea to Baron Humbold, who said it was correct, & that I should find it in 3d. Delalande. I have not the book here; but I doubt not he has given full directions for practising it. On account of the missions still meditated I wish the merit of this process were ascertained by actual trial. my time does not permit my attempting it, even were not my familiarity with the process as much weakened as it is by so long an abstraction from studies of this kind. one of the best theodolites with two telescopes, & Nonius divisions to 1′—2.″ would I presume be sufficient for the observations. the present season however is too rigorous to undertake observations which will bear delay till a milder season. Accept my salutations & best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Mr. Lambert.” Not recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure not found; see Lambert to TJ, 15 Dec.

3d. delalande: volume three of Jo‑ seph Jérôme Le Français de Lalande’s Astronomie. 1 Word

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interlined in place of “hour.”

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, Nw. Orleans December 23rd. 1804 I have the honor to enclose you a plan of the City of New‑Orleans. It will shew you the situation and extent of the commons claimed by the City, and also of the vacant Land on the Canal of Carondulet, which I alluded to in my Letter of yesterday. I am Dr Sir, With great respect Your faithful friend Wm. C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Enclosed in John Witherspoon Smith to TJ, 12 Feb. 1805.

From Rodominick H. Gilmer Sir, Fort St. Stevens December 23th 1804 Permit me at this time to lay before you the Destressd. Situation of our saperated and remote County, For in fact the Inhabitants of Tom‑ bigbee have Experienced the Very reverse of expectation for sence thire first settlement in this Country, They had Naturely flattered themselves with those advantages that would naturely flow from thire proximaty to the Maxican Islands, and the protection of a republi‑ can Government, But Sir Instead of Mobille’s becoming a free port for the exportation of American Producce, the Commandant has Uniformly (Sence the Surrender of New Orleans) Exacted a duty of Twelve per cent, and as all Imports are subject to a like duty we actu‑ ally labour under the enormous Imposition of Twenty four Per cent, The Settlement of the Tombigbee extends about Sixty Miles in length and Seldom, exceeds Two Miles in width, The antient Settlers have Cultivated in peace for nearly Twenty Years the lands on the East & west banks of the Tombigbee, and last Spring after they had cleared up thire fields and prepared to plant thire crops, the agent of Indian affairs for the choctaw Nation, by a proclamation forbid all further Cultivation on the East banks of the River Tombigbee, which Re‑ duced the citizens to a disagreeable Delemma, the season was so far  advanced that they had no time to prepair land to plant thire crops. Tho; the Agent after Repeated Invacations condecended to Rent them the land for a Stipulated compensation, (To wit) fifty cents per acre—The Commissioners appointed in Persuance of an act of Congress of the 3d of March 1803, for adjusting the claims to land South of the state of Tennesee and East of Pearl river, have desided  226 

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Very Illiberal to wards the Citizens, The commisers for the district west of Pearl river gave land under the second Section of the afore‑ said act of congress, untill the Spanish Garresons wear finaly Evacu‑ ated in the Missisippi Territory, which was in Febuary 99, whereas the commissioners in this district paid no attention to any improve‑ ment unless it wear made in 97 Then Sir to you whose Zeal for Re‑ publicanism has spread wide your name in the political world, I com‑ municate those facts the Verity of which can not be disputed And my personal acquaintance with you while I lived at Doctor Gilmer,s near your country seat Induces me to believe that you are at all times willing to receive Information from a Citizen of the United States, & A Republican in heart and Principle. Permit me to Subscribe my self your friend and Humble Servant R H Gilmer RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President of The United States of America Washington City” and “Favd. per the Reverent Mr. Dow”; franked; postmarked Augusta, Georgia, 28 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. For the proclamation of 17 Oct. 1802 at Fort Adams, see Ephraim Kirby to TJ, 20 Apr. 1804. An act of congress of the 3d of march 1803 regulated land grants and provided for disposal of lands south of Tennessee. The second section of the act accounted for unauthorized settlers in the Mississippi Territory. Such per‑ sons could obtain a donation of up to 640 acres if their land claims did not conflict with a Spanish warrant or British patent.

Any head of a family or individual at least 21 years old who inhabited and cultivated land in the territory on the day in 1797 when Spanish troops evacuated the ter‑ ritory was eligible to receive a donation. The land board’s use of 31 Dec. 1797 as the validating date for occupancy claims— even though the Spanish troops did not evacuate until February 1799—caused many inhabitants to state that their prop‑ erty had been devalued. Gilmer’s con‑ cerns echoed sentiments in a memorial to Congress by the territorial legislature of Mississippi, 14 Dec. (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:229; Terr. Papers, 5:192‑205, 361‑7; Alan V. Briceland, “Land, Law, and Politics on the Tombigbee Frontier, 1804,” Alabama Review, 33 [April 1980], 106‑7, 115‑18; Vol. 40:3n).

From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 24th. December 1804 The letter which you honored me with under date of the 19th. of July, covering the first of exchange for two hundred & fifty dollars, reached my hands on the 21st. of November;—and those of the 20th. of the same month inclosing the 2nd. and 3d. of the bill of exchange, were delivered me on the 26th. of October, and 17. of Decem The letter for Mr. Mazzei I gave him in person. It affords me much pleasure to learn from you that the Vines, and wines, had arrived in such perfect order, for it had been generally  227 

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supposed, that the former required earth to preserve them; and the latter had been determined from time immemorial as utterly impos‑ sible to be transported across the Atlantic.—I have indeed known Alleatico to perish in three days on the Mediterranean; but this must arise from their adhering only to one method of conveying it, to wit, in thin flasks that will not admit of being corked.— The montepulciano wine, as likewise many others of Tuscany, re‑ main on their lees until the latter end of march; I have therefore made an agreement (with the person from whom I purchased the last) for the quantity you have desired, to be delivered in April; and which shall be sent by the first vessel afterwards, as you directed.— I very lately tasted here, what is called Vino del Carmine, which in  the judgment of many, is the first of Tuscan dry wines; I have therefore obtained a few dozen bottles, which I shall forward you by the next vessel that sails for the U: States: and as it has a little more body than the montepulciano, I conclude it will generally please in America;—should it be agreeable to your taste, I can send the quantity you may require.—my brother: in: law Samuel Emery of Philadel‑ phia, is my correspondent, and to whom Sir you can remit at any time the amount of whatever you require from this country.—Immediately on receipt of your letter, I wrote to a friend at Rome, either to pur‑ chase the original busto of Genl. Washington on the terms you have limited, or otherwise to procure a good copy in gesso; but to this letter I have not hitherto received any answer, for how extraordinary soever it may appear, yet unattended with any uncommon obstacle, it requires 15 days to obtain a reply from Rome; and as during the last two months Leghorn has severely suffer’d under the yellow fever, it is therefore difficult to Say precisely when I shall receive his answer; I have however written again in the possibility that my first may have been burnt in the purification.— This fever was communicated to Leghorn early in September by a Spanish vessel from Malaga, which had been rejected at Marseilles, but was admitted here, and adjug’d by the board of health to 50 days quarantine; but the reclamations of the Spanish consul, joined to the intercession of the Spanish Minister at florence, induced her Majesty to diminish the term of quarantine to 15 days.—this malady made slow progress in its origin; but raged with more violence from the middle of October until the beginning of the present month.—the Na‑ ture of this disorder was so little understood by our physicians, that, I much question if few or any owe their cure to their medical assis‑ tance and this we may reasonably presume, from five of the principal physicians and Surgeons having fallen victims to it, in spight of the  228 

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combined aid of the rest of the art. in its early stages its effects were almost without exception fatal to the patient; but as the winds chang’d from the scilocco to the North it totally disappeared.—In a note which I receiv’d yesterday from Mr. Mazzei, he desires I would request you in his name, to send him if it were possible, two young newtown pip‑ pin trees; that he may be able to taste from his own garden this deli‑ cious fruit, before, (as he adds) he returns to America.—you can judge Sir, how probable this event may be; but his frame seems consider‑ ably fallen into ruins since you saw him in 1788; yet he speaks with as much confidence of marrying his daughter at some future day in America, who is now only five years of age, as he might have spoken at that period. by the first vessel I shall take the liberty Sir of sending you some garden: seeds sent me from Malta, and which there pro‑ duce vegetables of surprizing size, and flavour, but the vessel being now in quarantine on board of which they are, prevents my forward‑ ing them by this conveyance.—Accept Sir my unfeigned wishes for the Conservation of your health and of the Sentiments of respect of your devoted Servant Th: Appleton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn); with postscript: “N.B. The foregoing in‑ closing one from Mr Mazzei was sent by the Mercury Capn. Mc.Cray for New: York and sailed the —.” Enclosure: Philip Mazzei to TJ, 15 Dec. those of the 20th: not found, but recorded in SJL with notation “2.plicates & 3.plicates of the Bills of Excha.” and connected by a brace to letters of that day to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., Joseph Yznardi, Sr., and William Jarvis. letter for mr.

mazzei: probably TJ to Philip Mazzei, 18 July. vino del carmine: likely a reference to Carmignano, a designated wine‑growing area of Tuscany. In 1816, Appleton sent TJ a supply of this variety as a substitute for Montepulciano (James Gabler, Passions: The Wines and Travels of Thomas Jefferson [Baltimore, 1995], 215‑17; rs, 10:91‑2). TJ had authorized Appleton to convey a purchase price of 10‑15 guineas for Giu‑ seppe Ceracchi’s bust of George washington (Vol. 40:658). scilocco: that is, sirocco, a hot wind from north Africa that blows on the north‑ ern Mediterranean coast.

From Joseph Barnes Livorno Decr. 24th. 1804

When I had Last the pleasure of addressing Mr Jefferson from Naples Octr. 8th 1804—I expected [to] have dated my next Letter at Palermo, unfortunately however such has been the effect of circumstances, that after having adjusted my affairs & arranged for my pas‑ sage to Sicily I reced. advice of the Yellow Fever having broken out  229 

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and threatening [gr]eat Mortality in Livorno; in consequence, hav‑ ing Left more than 50,000 Dollars in Livorno, and knowing the fatal effects of this fever, tho’ most unpleasant to my feelings, I considered it prudent to return immediately, even at the risk of my Life, to save my property, which I have fortunately & escaped the Fever—Tho’ unfortunately a cordon haveing been drawn, and all communication cut off with other states, and an order issued by His Sicilian Majesty prohibiting all Vessels from Livorno to enter any of the Ports of Sic‑ ily or Naples, has necessarity detained me since— Happily the Fever is this day declared by the Deputation [of] Health to be entirely extinct; and, ’tis said the cordon will be with‑ drawn the 1st of jany. on which I shall proceed directly for Naples & Sicily.— I regret extremely on every consideration having been thus detained, 1st.—On Acct. of the affairs of my consulate, [. . .] I have no advice of any American Vessel having since arrived [. . .] Sicily,—2ndly. As I wished much from particular reasons interesting to the service to have seen Commodore Barron immediately on his arrival in Sicily, from Tripoli; who, I am sorry to say is still ill in the Country near Syracuse; 3rdly. As I wished to have had an interview with the Late Commander in Chief Preble previous to his departure; who is at Na‑ ples in the John Adams store Ship on his return [to] the U.S.—His intention was to have proceeded by Land [. . .] visit Rome, & met his ship here; but it seems [the] Acct. he reced. of the fatal effects of the Yellow Fever at Livorno induced him to decline this object; therefore should sail directly from Naples for Marseilles—Nevertheless should any casualty detain him ’till the arrival of the Mail of this day with the declaration [of] the Deputation of health, I may hope to meet him in Rome in my route for Naples.— Tho’ Commodore Barron may be equal in every respect, yet I am sorry Com. Preble is superseded, as he is the only Commander in chief of the U.S. Squadron who has as yet done his duty, and having acquired practical knowledge he could direct the Squadron to better effect than any one with Theory only.—From what cause I am yet uninformed, but ’tis not more singular than true that between the resignation of Preble and the indisposition of Commodore Barron we have not reced. any official Acct. of the third attack against Tripoli!! tho’ no question it has been forwarded to the department of State.— Relative to Political affairs; the President will have been informed, that tho’ no declaration has yet appeared, War between England & Spain is no Longer doubted—The English having captured four Frig‑ ates Laden with the Treasures of Peru, and Blockaded the Ports of  230 

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Spain, & off Barcelony from the order of Nelson all Spanish Vessels under a 100 Tons are destroyed!! The Spaniards on their part having Seized all British Vessels & property found in Spain.— As to the northern powers, nothing further is yet known as to the plan, nor when they will commence operation, tho’ [’tis] supposed next spring:—when a general Continental War is apprehended— however some are of opinion that Buoneparte having arrived at the summit of his wishes, will come forward with a plan of general pacification.—Even should he, as the War is against the Usurpation, I do not suppose it will have the desired effect.—Tis’ said that Buo‑ neparte took the Crown from the Altar and placed it on his head himself!— However for the sake of humanity I regret the calamities of War, yet ’tis some consolation that much advantage will result to our Commerce, as almost every Flag is now involved or doubted, but that of the U.S. The narration of the hurricane in the West Indies & southern states as given in a Late American is distressing—hope however the Acct. may prove to have been exaggerated, especially as the greater portion of the Loss falls on citizens of the U.S.— Having represented, as suggested in my former Letters, the Causes which I considered had prevented an answer from the U.S. to the Letter of General Acton addressed to me (2 copies of which were forwarded to the President,) tho’ it had been reced. with every con‑ sideration, I regret much not having it in my power to make a more favorable representation to the Minister of His Sicilian Majesty at Naples, in my way for Sicily: Especially as such a Long suspence may make impressions unfavorable to any future object—And, from the rapid increase [of] our Commerce, and the great inconveniences, im‑ pediments, [&] expences to which it is subject, in most of the Ports of Sicily [&] Naples, ’tis much more the interest of the U.S. than His Sicilian Majesty to have some well regulated commercial arrange‑ ments; by means of which those obstacles would be removed & our Flag placed on a footing with the English.— For particulars relative to this object, that of the U.S. Squadron, & the advantages which would result from the appointment of a person of competent abilities & power to superintend & comptrole the Accts. of all the Agents of the Squadron &c &c &c I take the Liberty of refer‑ ing the President to various Letters, but particularly to my Last.—I am inform’d that Mr Eaton, Late consul at Tunis, has come out as Agent for the Squadron in the Barbary States: The Departt. of the Navy I think has done very right in the appointment provided Mr  231 

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Eaton possesses integrity & abilities; being persuaded of the necessity of some check.— From the Character I have reced. of Com. Barron, I hope he may have powers, in which case I may have some influence in regulating the affairs & Agents of the Squadron. The President will readily perceive what a Mortifying circumstance it must be to me, feeling as I do, to see English, Germans &c Acting as Agents for the Squadron in Sicily—men, unworthy of private confidence, much Less Public trust: who not having common sentiments nor feelings with the Citi‑ zens of the U.S. their views are simply to make the most they can [of] their placces.— Mr Mazzei having communicated to me the contents of [the] Let‑ ter he had the pleasure of recieving from Mr Jefferson, I shall only observe, that I shall not make any further remarks, or request in re‑ gard to myself, ’till the President may think it a proper moment, & ’till I shall have demonstated in my [present] [. . .] [that I am] [. . .] more confidence. I confess, tho’ there has been but Little to do in Sic‑ ily since, that my Long absence may appear [to] the secretary of state as a great Neglect; and no doubt every mean advantage will be taken by those who wish my Situation—As to the Emolument to be derived from it, that [has] never been an object, but I regret much that a concatenation of circumstances; for instance: the expectation by every Vessel of receiving Powers from the President, or at Least some reply [to] the Letter of Genl. Acton; the severe illness of a freind for near six months, who could not be Left in a strange Country; joined other matters of pecuniary interest too numerous to detail & finally the Yel‑ low fever, which have hitherto prevented me from fulfilling the duties of my Consulate personally however trifling they may have been; And, which has naturally afforded my friends much reason for blame; and my Enemies or those who wish to possess my situation, a good op‑ portunity for severe condemnation.— As suggested above, I candidly confess I feel not a Little mortified at not having it in my power to make some reply to General Acton, however, after having given my sentiments so fully on the subject, I submit to the superior judgement of Mr Jefferson—Of this I shall take care that there shall [be] no cause of complaint either from En‑ emies or friends in future, as to the affairs of my consulate—I hold it as a Universal principle, that every man ought to fulfill the duties of his situation or resign—& as above suggested the moment the Cordon is raised I shall depart for Sicily and after having made the necessary arrangements, and seing what I can effect personally I shall write the secretary of state fully & specifically.—  232 

24 DECEMBER 1804

 Having found from the Letter to Mr Mazzei that Mr Jefferson wishes to be regularly supplied with Florence Wine I have taken the opportunity of sending two Cases; [as] per subjoined note, one in Bottles & cork’d, the other [in] what they call Terzini, with oil on the Top, according to the custom of this country; there is no difficulty in taking [off] the oil with a bit of cotton or Tow, placed on the end of a small stick, which absorbes the oil; to effect it well ’tis necessary to repeat the operation once with clean cotton or Tow—& not to em‑ merge it [more] than requisite to take the oil—a more simple process is, after one Terzini is opened, to pour wine into the neck of the Ter‑ zini ’till the oil rises to the Top, then by a Sudden [. . .][the oil is] [. . .]1 nevertheless to have the Wine Bottled, corked and placed horizontally in cases is unquestionably the best & most sure means of preserving the Wine—therefore should Mr Jefferson approve of this Wine, a regular supply may be sent every year from the same House in florence who put [up] this; of any description required in cases of 50 to 60 Bottles each well cork’d & placed horizontally;—which House from obligations they are under, & their very friendly disposi‑ tion to serve me on all occasions, will I am persuaded, furnish to my order in better condition, & of superior qualities to any other—And, to be instrumental in supplying Mr Jefferson with any article the produce of Italy or Sicily, which he may require, will afford me great pleasure.—In Sicily, there are many species of [the] Grape Vines &c &c &c which may be introduced into the U.S. The Vine of Madiera was transplanted from Marsalla [on] the South‑West of Sicily—where Wine is still made nearly equal to Madiera: of which I shall send Mr Jefferson a specific Acct. after my return to the Island.— Anticipating the result of the Election of President of the U.S. Tis with infinite satisfaction I congratulate Mr Jefferson & felicitate my self & fellow citizens on his Re Election to the presidency of the U.S.— wishing he may continue in that high & important office as Long as his health will permit, & that his successor may be Mr Madison who no doubt will pursue the same principles for the happiness of the U.S. I remain with the highest consideration & Respect Mr Jefferson’s Obedt. Sert. at Command J: Barnes I have taken the liberty of troubling Mr Jefferson with the perusal of the two Letters enclosed—having before made my remarks relative to the different Characters I had Authorized to Act for me [in] Sicily; & those authorized to act for the Squadron.— The writer Mr Gibbs is such a violent Aristocrat, that, tho’ [. . .], he is not the person I should have chosen, could I have [fo]und a better;  233 

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being convinced that foreigners, generally, only act from motives of Interest, & at the sacrifice of evry2 other consideration.— RC (DNA: RG 59, CD, Leghorn); torn, text obscured by binding; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States Washington” and “Per favor of Mr Cathcart Ship Mercury”; additional nota‑ tion in James L. Cathcart’s hand on ad‑ dress sheet: “Recd. from the mate of the Ship Mercury the day after our departure from Leghorn January the 2nd. 1805” (see Barnes to TJ, 16 Feb. 1805); endorsed by Jacob Wagner. Dupl, not found, enclosed in Barnes to TJ, 16 Feb. 1805. Recorded in SJL as received 20 Apr. 1805. Enclo‑ sures: (1) John Lamson to Barnes, Mes‑ sina, 4 Nov.; Lamson agrees that Barnes would serve U.S. interests as agent of the squadron better than “foreigners,” whose only motivation is financial gain, and he is “mortified being a Native American” to see so many U.S. offices filled by them; Lamson also believes that “from the want of the necessary secrecy” the bey of Trip‑ oli is informed of U.S. measures “before they are put into execution”; Barnes’s at‑ tachment to his country would stop these

evils (RC in DLC; endorsed by Barnes). Other enclosures not found. third attack against tripoli: see Barnes to TJ, 8 Oct. war between england & spain: Spain formally declared war on Great Britain on 12 Dec. (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:372, 374n; National Intelligencer, 27 Feb. 1805). buoneparte took the crown: Na‑ poleon’s coronation ceremony, at which he famously crowned himself emperor, took place in Paris at Notre Dame Cathe‑ dral on 2 Dec. (Philip Dwyer, Citizen Emperor: Napoleon in Power [London, 2013], 161‑7). hurricane: see Thomas Sumter, Sr., to TJ, 17 Sep. letter of general acton: see Barnes to TJ, 4 June 1803 and 4 Feb. 1804. mazzei having communicated: TJ to Philip Mazzei, 18 July. 1 2

Estimated eight words torn away. Thus in MS.

From Benjamin Smith Barton Sir, Philadelphia, 24 December, 1804. I little expected, when I took the liberty, some years ago, of address‑ ing you in behalf of one of my friends and relatives, that I should ever trouble you, by soliciting a place for myself. The very delicate state of my health, however, which renders it impossible for me to endure the most laborious parts of the medical profession, seems to urge the pro‑ priety of my looking to some business, or occupation, which, at the same time that I may attend to the duties of it, will enable me to re‑ linquish a portion of the labours of my present profession. It may, possibly, some time or other, be in your power to think of me, in the disposal of the offices in your gift. It is whispered here, that Mr. Boudenot intends, in the spring, to resign the place of President of the mint. In this case, there may, possibly, be an opening for one of the offices in that institution.  234 

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 I hope, Sir, You will excuse the liberty I have taken in writing this note; and be assured of the high respect with which I am, Your very obedient & humble Servant, &c., B. S. Barton. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Dec. and “emploimt. in mint” and so recorded in SJL.

one of my friends and relatives: Barton’s uncle, Benjamin Rittenhouse. Barton had recommended him to TJ in a  letter of 10 Mch. 1801 (Vol. 29:182; Vol. 33:236, 336‑7).

From Oliver Evans Sir Washington Decr 24th 1804 Having heard Several members of Congress express that the Presi‑ dent delighted much in hearing of useful Mechanical & Philosophical improvements being discovered in this country Be pleased to accept of the enclosed description which I have laid before the members of congress individually in support of my application to them for an ex‑ tention of my Patent Term for my improvements on merchant Flour Mills to enable me to continue my expensive experiments in persuit of other usefull improvements which I have therin described—I am Sir with the most profound respect your Obdt Huml Servt Oliver Evans RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: Oliver Evans, printed “short descrip‑ tion of the principles of Steam Engines” for the information of senators and repre‑ sentatives (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25326‑7; Shaw‑Shoemaker, No. 6265). extention: on 21 Dec. Evans’s peti‑ tion for an extension of his patent on flour mills was introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to the Com‑ mittee on Commerce and Manufactures. The following month, the committee endorsed Evans’s memorial and recom‑

mended a bill to allow patent holders to extend the terms of their protection (jhr, 5:63, 99; Report from the Committee of Commerce and Manufactures, To Whom Was Referred on the Twenty First Ultimo, the Petition of Oliver Evans, of the City of Philadelphia [Washington, D.C., 1805], 4). other usefull improvements: Evans was in the process of improving two patents relating to steam engines that he had received in February 1804 (List of Patents, 40; Greville Bathe and Doro‑ thy Bathe, Oliver Evans: A Chronicle of Early American Engineering [Philadelphia, 1935], 88‑102).

 235 

From William Evans Sir/ Baltimore 24 December 1804 I send Per Stage a Box with Lettice and Endift inclosed—knowing it could not be had at the City—you’ll will be pleased to accept of it, and hope you will Receive it in time for your Dinner to Morrow—I wish you Sir the Compliments of the Season And am Sir with the greatest Respect your Humble Servant William Evans RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From Albert Gallatin [on or before 24 Dec. 1804]

If it shall be thought necessary to do any thing respecting the en‑ closed application, Govr. Harrison may be directed to appoint an Agent to reside on the spot, to whom we might give about 450 dollars which remain unexpended, with power to apply the same to the purchase of salt, according to the right reserved, at 75 cents pr bushel, and to sell it again at 87½; the difference being his compensation. This would probably soon check the evil. Respectfully submitted A. G. RC (DLC); undated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 24 Dec. 1804 and “abuses at Sa‑ lines” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

From John Lithgow Sir Philada Decr. 24th 1804 I have been informed by Mr. Duane that there is about to be pub‑ lished a new Edition of Notes on Virginia; and having made some strictures on the 19th Chapter, if the work is to be printed under your own inspection, I should be glad to lay them before you, If not they shall be buried in Oblivion because out of respect for the general prin‑ ciples of your administration, and differing only in the degree of en‑ couragement due to the arts, I should be sorry to see myself arrayed in opposition to a man, to whom the world is so much indebted; It is in friendship then, not emnity that I wish to submit to you the opinion of a person whose means of knowledge I have reason to believe, have  236 

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been seldom equaled on the subject of manufactures—In the mean time I beg that you will read the fifth Essay in “Godwin’s Enquirer” where you will see what his opinions are, of Storekeers1 Lawyers, Phy‑ sicians and Divines; occupations, so honourable, and so much sought after in this Country It will be necessary, however, to translate a few words of the English into the American Language thus— ⎫ Trader ⎬ Store‑keeper Tradesman ⎭ Shop—— a Store I have often lamented the misery and distress in which artists find themselves on their arrival in this country and therefore I cannot let slip the present occasion of reminding you of Reisch the Engraver or Dye‑sinker—He is acknowledged to be one of the first in his line in the world besides being a man of polite manners pure morals and an admirer of Republican principle & yet it is with difficulty he can pro‑ cure a bare existance—The coin of the United States has a wretched appearance after they have been a month in circulation, executed by Scot who has made an independent fortune, & who would wish to employ Reisch only from a fear that the excellence of his work would cause him to be supplanted—I heard it said the other day, that it was a shame there was only one Republican Officer in the Mint (Voigt) and that we should have such poor coin while we could command the Talents of Reisch and do honour to the Jeffersonian Age. I wish that I had power I think I could provide a remedy for these evils without making the remedy equal to or2 worse than the disease, which is the only thing that ought to prevent the good man from fol‑ lowing the bemt3 of his benevolent intentions. I think Scot might be induced to give him a Subordinate Situation—to give him part of the loaf with a view of securing the rest, as we poor people do with our liberties.   If you see any thing to find fault with in this Epistle, you will also see that the intentions are good. I therefore hope that the account will be balanced; but lest there should be a small balance against me the assurance of my highest esteem with which I conclude, must set all straight. J Lithgow author of the Essay on the manufacturing interest— of Equality a political Romance— of the Collected Wisdom of Ages or English Constitution &c. RC (DLC); closing quotation mark supplied; addressed: “To the President of the United States Washington”; franked; postmarked 31 Dec.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 1 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

fifth essay: “Of Trades and Profes‑ sions” in William Godwin, The Enquirer: Reflections on Education, Manners, and Literature; In a Series of Essays (London, 1797), 212‑39.

 237 

24 DECEMBER 1804  give him part of the loaf: John Reich’s previous experience working under Mint engraver Robert Scot had yielded him compensation “barely sufficient to defray his necessary expences” (Vol. 36: 239‑40).

 1 Thus in MS. 2 Preceding three words interlined. 3 Thus in MS.

To James Oldham Sir Washington Dec. 24. 04. In answer to your’s of the 17th. desiring me to procure a Palladio for you either here or at Philadelphia, there never was a Palladio here even in private hands till I brought one: and I scarcely expect it is to be had in Philadelphia; but I will try both there and at Baltimore. the late mr Ryland Randolph of Turkey island had one, which is prob‑ ably in the hands of whoever has his books, and as probably out of use. mr David Randolph could probably give you information respect‑ ing it, & whether it can be bought. the chance of getting one in Amer‑ ica is slender. in the mean time, as you may be distressed for present use, I send you my portable edition, which I value because it is por‑ table. you will return it at your own convenience. it contains only the 1st. book on the orders, which is the essential part. the remaining books contain only plans of great buildings, temples &c. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU); at foot of text: “Mr. Old‑ ham.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. No‑ tation in SJL: “Palladio.”

my portable edition: TJ owned sev‑ eral sets of Andrea Palladio’s seminal work on architecture, including an octavo edi‑ tion published as part of a portable library (Sowerby, Nos. 4175, 4215).

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Dec. 24. 04. Before the reciept of your last letter, the Secretary of state having compleated his selection from your books, I had repacked the residue in two of the boxes, which indeed could not be made to contain them but by putting some of the cahiers in separate places, wherever space could be found. you will therefore find some dissortment from this cause: but you will certainly find every volume which was sent and not retained by the Secretary of state or myself, as the boxes were opened in my cabinet, and never out of it till they were nailed up again. they are well corded and shall be returned by the first vessel from this  238 

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part to Baltimore. below is a statement of the books I have retained for myself, which at the prices noted in the M.S. catalogue of those sent amount to 83. D. 72½ C. for which sum I now inclose you a check of the bank of this place on that at Baltimore. I will immedi‑ ately send to the Secretary of state for his remittance which is 114. D. 50 C. for the books taken by him. I now inclose his list of them: and as they are taken for the public account I must ask the favor of you to sign the reciept at the foot of it, and return it for him as that voucher will be required of him on settling his public account. mine being on my own private account needs not that ceremony. I see in the printed sheet you sent me ‘Plans of gardens in the En‑ glish taste’ by Parkins with black engravings. be so good as to note to me the price which will enable me to judge whether it is the work I have seen. if I find it to be so, I will ask it of you. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson D Plans des maisons de Paris 40. Histoire des volcans 2. Vue de la colonie du Missisipi 2. 2d voyage a la Louisiane 4. Voiage a la Troade 8 Annales du Museum des arts 10 Voyage de Faujas en Angleterre 4 Galerie des antiques 3.50 Voyage de Link en Portugal 2.25 De la richesse commerciale 2.875 Moyens de desinfecter l’air &c 1.50 St. Venant des colonies modernes 2.50 Sentimental journey 1.10 83.725 PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “83.72½.” Enclosure: list of books ordered by the secretary of state, consist‑ ing of Du commerce maritime, de son in­ fluence sur la richesse et la force des états, two octavo volumes for $2; Correspon­ dance politique et confidentielle, inédite de Louis XVI, avec ses frères et plusieurs per­ sonnes célèbres, pendant les dernières an­ nées de son règne, et jusqu’à sa mort, two octavo volumes for $2.375; Rivalité de la France et de l’Angleterre, one octavo vol‑ ume for $1.375; Jean Baptiste Say’s Traité

d’économie politique, two octavo volumes for $3.875; a folio atlas by Edme Mentelle for $54; Statistique générale et particulière de la France et de ses colonies, seven oc‑ tavo volumes for $20; Tableau de l’Espagne moderne, three octavo volumes for $7; Tableau générale de la Russie moderne, et situation politique de cet empire au com­ mencement du XIXe. siècle, two octavo vol‑ umes for $4.625; Table des traités entre la France et les puissances étrangères, depuis la paix de Westphalie jusqu’a nos jours, two octavo volumes for $3.50; and Re­ cueil des principaux traités d’alliance, de

 239 

24 DECEMBER 1804 paix, de trêve, de neutralité, de commerce, de limites, d’échange &c. conclus par les puissance d’Europe tant entre elles qu’avec les puissances et etats dans d’autre parties depuis 1761 jusqu’à présent, seven octavo volumes for $15.75; for a total cost of $114.50 (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 146: 25349, entirely in TJ’s hand; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:420‑1).

 gardens in the english taste: TJ may have confused Plans de jardins dans le goût anglais & instructions dans l’art de distribuer & planter de petits terrains by Jean Louis (or Johan Ludwig) Mansa with a similar work by George Isham Parkyns, possibly Six Designs for Im­ proving and Embellishing Grounds (Vol. 31:446‑7; Reibelt to TJ, 26 Dec.).

From Littleton W. Tazewell Dear Sir Richmond Decr. 24th. 1804— The subject of this letter will I hope with you be a sufficient apol‑ ogy for the letter itself—To any other some other justification for the liberty I have taken, might be required, but to you I am confident it will be sufficient to say, there is no one from whom the information sought can be so confidently expected—Assured of this, and satisfied that at all times you will take pleasure in promoting what you shall consider as valuable and useful to your Country, I have addressed myself to you, hoping (if your leisure will permit it) to be favor’d with your remarks and ideas upon a subject of the last importance to the greatness the liberty & felicity of Virginia— The necessity of diffusing information among every people desirous of preserving a free government, is a truth which the wisest men have so often inculcated, and to which you have so often yielded your own assent, that I think I may be justified in saying, that this extension of information is one of those political desiderata you have much at heart—. In Virginia, ardent as we have been to obtain the end, a shameful supineness as to the means, has invariably marked our councils—Nor has any exertion however small to extend the blessings and benefits of education at any time been crowned with success—From every thing which I can at present discern however a different sentiment seems now to exist in our Legislature—They may now be induced to lend some little aid to this invaluable object—And if the auspicious mo‑ ment be seized I have no doubt it can be secured in a way deserving public approbation—I will unfold to you the means attainable, and so much of the object to which these means are to be applied as I have yet considered— The Commonwealth possesses an interest in four important canals now cutting through different parts of the State, the James River, Potowmac, Appamatox, and Dismal Swamp Canals, all of which prom‑ ise to be hereafter very productive, and some of which are now yield‑  240 

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ing a considerable profit—The Commonwealth is moreover entitled to 3000 shares in the Bank of Virginia; which most probably will soon yield large dividends. It is designed, and it is believed it will be prac‑ ticable, to obtain a grant from the Commonwealth of all its interest in these Canals, together with 1000 shares of her Bank Stock, to be vested in trustees, for the purpose of being applied (their profits at least) to the establishment of one great seminary of learning, and such subordinate institutions as may be deemed necessary & proper—. To these funds it is further proposed to add all escheats and forfeitures hereafter accruing, & certain other contingent profits not necessary now to be detailed—. It is further proposed to establish this grand seminary somewhere in a centrical part of the State, below the Blue ridge. The scite is not yet fixed upon, but will be somewhere within a square of twenty miles, on the eastern side of which the town of Charlottes ville will be— Within this square, & contiguous to the University itself, it is further proposed to purchase a tract of Country for the use of the Institution; & over all of which they shall possess a jurisdiction exclusive of the ordinary jurisdiction of the Inferior Courts of the Country—. These Sir are the means which it is believed may be had, and this is the object to which they are to be applied, but the manner of this application, and indeed the whole detail of this plan is yet undigested— Anxious as many of us are to facilitate this great work, we feel ap‑ prehensive that we do not possess that degree of information upon the subject, which will enable us to arrange and combine its various parts, so as to produce the greatest possible good to the community—It is this consciousness as to myself which induces my application to you, and prompts me to request such observations and remarks as your longer experience & better observation may enable you to suggest— Allow me to add that whatever you may be pleased to communicate to me upon this subject, shall be preserved as you choose to direct—. My own impressions are, that we should do but little more at pres‑ ent than merely to secure the appropriation of the funds, so as to place them hereafter beyond the reach of Legislative caprice—The temper of future Assemblies may not be so favorable to an object of this kind as the present, & if we can once secure a fund intangible hereafter, much I consider is gained—. The fund thus secured may be permit‑ ted to accumulate, until in the process of a few years by a proper management of its proceeds, it will have produced sufficient stock to begin this great work with spirit, & to carry it on with a certainty of success—Hereafter as the original objects are accomplished, and the funds increased, the plan may be made more extensive; until at length  241 

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it shall extend to all Virginia—These are my own impressions merely, formed from a very cursory examination of the subject, & which I shall willingly alter when any thing more eligible shall be suggested—. The present certain profits of the various [. . .] above alluded to would probably amount to ten or fifteen thousand dollars—From hence some plan cap[able] of immediate execution might probably be justified—. I must beg the favor of you to communicate the contents of this letter to no one for the present as coming from Virginia—The reason of this you will perceive when I say, that it is sometimes necessary to conceal the healing medecine from the patient, lest his sickly appetite may reject that which alone can bring him health & life— This is written under the frequent interruption of a noisy debate, which will excuse its prolexity & inaccuracy—Accept Sir assurances of my high respect, & believe me to be with great esteem Your obdt. servt. Littn: W Tazewell I think I have heard that you have heretofore consider’d this subject, and have formed a scheme which you wished to be adopted—If so, may I be favor’d with a copy of it, together with such remarks as you may consider proper—? L W Tazewell RC (DLC); torn at seal; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson esqr. Washington”; franked; postmarked 1 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL.

noisy debate: Tazewell had been elected to the Virginia House of Delegates from Norfolk Borough for the General Assembly session that began on 3 Dec. (Leonard, General Assembly, 236).

From Jacob Wagner 24 Decr. 1804.

J. Wagner has the honor to present his respects to the President. The enclosed letter is altogether incoherent and lunatic, and the object not discernible. It would seem that the writer is in prison at Baltimore, if indeed his expressions are not figurative of the condi‑ tion in which he supposes his soul to be, for his epistle is filled with references to religion and with the assertion of his claims to preter‑ natural gifts. He calls himself a “joiner from his youth, afterwards a knife grinder, but now a Theologian” &c. &c. It is dated 15 Decr. 1804 at Baltimore. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ: “Anon. Baltimore Dec. 15. 04. recd. Dec.” Enclosure: letter signed Anitra Kowich, 15 Dec. from Baltimore (same); 8 p.; in German.

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To John Clarke Sir Washington Dec. 26. 04. Your letter of the 24th. came to my hands only last night. whether the ordinary business of this place would support additional rope‑ works here, any inhabitant of the place can better advise you than myself. the public must have much to do here. but even as to that, the details of it being entirely under the direction of the Secretary of the Navy, he alone could inform you what prospect of emploiment in his department would present itself. I therefore inclose your letter to him, & advise you to call on him. you might also get good information from Capt Tingey and Capt Carson who are still more familiar with the details than it is possible for the head of the department to be. we all wish to bring here every establishment which the place can support, but should defeat our own object by being instrumental in bringing those which could only bring bankruptcy on themselves and thereby injure the reputation of the place. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. John Clarke”; endorsed by TJ.

Clarke’s letter of the 24th is re‑ corded in SJL but has not been found (Appendix iv). capt carson: John Cassin.

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin Dec. 26. 04. The character given us of the person who leased the Salines was so favorable, that this being the first complaint we have had of him, I should think it best not to act on it directly ourselves. but as the distance is so great, and our means of knowing what is going on very imperfect, so that abuses might be great before we should hear of & could remedy what would you think of communicating the informa‑ tion we have recieved to Govr. Harrison, with a request that he would enquire into it, keep his eye on the subject, &, when he finds it neces‑ sary, take the measure you suggest? I think this would be safest. Affectionate salutations. RC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Salines.”

person who leased the salines: William Bell (Vol. 41:664).

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From William Lambert Sir, City of Washington, 26th. Decr: 1804. I had the honor to receive this morning, with the high respect it deserves, your very friendly and polite communication of the 22d. instant. Since I submitted to you the result of my calculations, I have ascertained with a degree of precision which may be confidently re‑ lied on, the latitude of the place of observation, which I find to be 38:° 53.′ 30.9″, or in whole numbers 38.° 53.′ 31″, from which I in‑ tend to calculate both by the immersion and emersion, the longitude from Greenwich, considering the earth, in the first instance, as a per‑ fect sphere, and afterwards taking into view its true form, that of an oblate spheroid: When I have finished these calculations, I intend, if you will please to accept of it, to furnish you with a copy, which I am well persuaded, will be more accurate than that you have seen. The method you have proposed in your valuable communication to me, is one of the best and most to be depended on of any which has been discovered for ascertaining the longitude of places on the Earth; but as I have no instruments for taking necessary observations of my own, I was willing to avail myself of the opportunity that offered on the 20th. of October last, although I was well aware of the labor, and con‑ sequently, the liability to error, which would attend the calculations. With the most sincere and perfect respect, I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, William Lambert. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 26 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From Levi Lincoln Sir Washington Decr. 26th 1804— The office with which I have been honored under your administra‑ tion, was conferred without solicitation, accepted with diffidence, and has been held under circumstances which have urged its relinquish‑ ment. The withdrawing myself from the arrangements of private life, especially from a young and numerous family in want of parental care and assistance in the course of their education, was viewed, from the first, as an inconvenience of so serious a nature, as to exclude the idea of its long continuence. It is now four years, since an attachment to the principles, on which the federal Govenment is administred, con‑ nected me with its legislature; and nearly as long have I been particu‑ larly associated, in its administration, with characters with whom it  244 

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has been esteemed a happiness to think & to act. It is from your good‑ ness, and the malignity of political enemies;—From experiencing your friendship & confidence, their abuse and distrust, that my residence, here, has been extended to double the term at first intended. It has been as impossible for me to yield to the force of malicious calumnies, as it has been difficult to break from the ties of unmeritted kindness. The last is painful; the first disgraceful. Two years, the term for which I had engaged as a member of Congress was the period, which, my first determinations assigned for a continuence in my present situation, and your reelection to the Presidency, has been the last and longest period, which personal & family considerations, have ever permitted me to contemplate. This event more than exists. Its accomplishment, has been under circumstances to me peculiarly pleasing, & sweet to the soul. In borrowed, but appropriate language, my feelings may be expressed. “Now, let thy servant depart,” having “seen the salvation,” for which he had been waiting. In thus exchanging, for the nearer and more pleasing duties of a domestic nature, a public station, in‑ volving their privation, I make many, very many, personal sacrifices. An acceptence of this my resignation, and a permission to close my office relations, in a few days, with the closing year, is not asked, but under a feeling, grateful, & respectful recollection of the favor which conferred it, and has rendered it agreeable. In the face of some recent reports of contention & disgust, it will be truely with regret, with mingled regret & comfort, that I shall leave a city in which there is not a mortal with whom I have ever had, personally, one jaring word, or one conflicting action; in which, I have experienced numerous grat‑ ifying attentions; and above all, where I shall leave, in harmonious action, the continuing advocates, and official guardians, of that cause, to which my feeble efforts, have been, and shall be devoted. It is among the acquisitions which are prized, that in the destined sphere of my future movements, I shall be able to repel from past personal observations, and the knowledge of facts, the volumes of abuse and falshoods which have disturbed our Govt. & disgraced our country. My inducements for troubling you with a statement in writing, of what, in substance, I had repeated in conversation, is to secure against the effects, of a misrepresentation of facts, or of motives. With a de‑ votedness to the republican principles of our federal Govt.; with an unshaken confidence in those to whom its administration was com‑ mitted; with a veneration for civil & religious liberty, truth & justice; with an honest wish for the prosperity of our Country, & to be useful in it; I came into office, with these qualifications I shall leave it to a successor possessing, probably, a greater quickness of conception, &  245 

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readiness of recollection, than usually remain to the first stages, of de­ clining age. With my sincere prayers for your official glory, usefulness & hap‑ piness, accept, Sir, my most cordial parting wishes, for a continuence of your health, and those ceasless felicities, due to a life consecrated to the service of mankind— I have the honor to be Sir, with the sincerest affection your most obt Sert Levi Lincoln RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

let thy servant depart: Luke 2:29‑30.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore 26 Dec. 1804 J’ai l’honneur, de Vous accuser la reception de votre Lettre d’Avanthier, et des 2 incluses, savoir: 1) de Votre Assignation sur la banque d’ici de 83 G.72½ C. 2) et de celle du Secretariat D’Etat &. —— de 114 G.50. C. et de Vous renvoyer cijoint conformement a Vos ordres ma Quittance pour le Secretariat d’Etat. J’ai en meme tems l’honneur, de Vous en presenter mes remerci‑ mens, et de Vous avertir, que je ferai mettre demain a la poste. a) la Continuation des Annales du Museum des Arts &. Anneè 4me. et 5me.—pour laquelle je vous ai debitè.(*) b) Plans de Jardins Anglais p. Mansa et Idem p. Parkyns, afin que Vous puissiez les examiner avant de les acheter, et Choisir ce qui vous plaira. Je Vous prie de vouloir bien agreer favorablement mes profonds respects— Votre Excellence Tr. hble. et tr. Ob str Reibelt (*) Il manquent les Cahiers 14, 15, 16, 17, et 18—que je Vous enverrai aussitot, que je les aurai reçus. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 26 Dec. 1804 I have the honor of acknowledging receipt of your letter from the day be‑ fore yesterday and the two enclosures, namely: 1. your transfer to the bank here of $83.72½ 2. and that of the secretary of state for $114.50. I enclose here, as you requested, my receipt to the secretary of state.

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26 DECEMBER 1804  At the same time, I have the honor of thanking you and informing you that tomorrow I shall mail: a. 4th and 5th years of the Annales of the art museum, for which I have billed you.* b. Plans de jardins anglais, by Mansa and the same by Parkyns so you can examine them before purchasing and choose the one you wish. I beg you to accept, your excellency, the deep respect of your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt (*) Volumes 14 to 18 are missing. I will send them as soon as I receive them. RC (DLC); in dateline: “Librairie de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

To Joseph Stanton, Jr. Dec. 26. 04.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Genl. Stanton and his thanks for the communication of the letters which he now returns. an erroneous opinion seems to be entertained that Govr. Fenner has been misrepresented to me, and that my opinion has been affected by it. this is without foundation. my opinion of Govr. Fenner is respect‑ ful and full of confidence, and, altho’ my duty forbids me to give my‑ self up to any single opinion, yet no person’s opinion weighs more with me than his in the concerns of the state. I salute Genl. Stanton with respect. PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); endorsed by TJ. Enclosures not found.

From John Taylor Dear Sir Virginia Caroline Decr. 26. 1804 If this letter should be improper; its apology is, that no evil design suggested it. An idea is circulated, that after the expiration of the next presiden‑ tial term, you purpose to decline a re‑election.—as one of your con‑ stituents; as one of your friends; I am about to inform you of its recep‑ tion within the compass of my observation, and to add several remarks as to its propriety. The monarchists avowed on secret, say that it will be right; a new sect of republicans (which for the first time I saw alive at Washington last winter, without being able to class them) favor it under colour of the rotation principle; and the firm consistent republicans reprobate it. Of the first party you are the terror; of the second the check; of  247 

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the third the confidence. a removal of this terror, of this check, and of this confidence, seems to condense in a point, the policy of your retirement. I do not hesitate to avow an approbation of the rotation principle, and a belief that it is entertained by many others. But in losing you, an avenue to this principle would be closed, without gaining it. Is it wise to lessen the prospect, in order to come at an object? If this prin‑ ciple possesses your approbation, can your taking this approbation into retirement, draw forth that into operation? Should you doubt, can a check in the current of your system, accelerate a just estimate of it, as adapted or not to our policy. In short, if this principle should rob republicanism of a friend, without yielding any protection against a foe, it would be made to resemble that species of heroism, which ban‑ ishes its general, to take the chance of receiving one from the enemy. A far, more important consideration, will be a subject of discussion for ages. whether your retirement will be consistent with the great undertaking to which you have almost devoted your life? However military conquest may be condemned by philosophy, all men discrim‑ inate between those who seize or throw away the means of victory; neither fame or approbation follows the latter. And when the object is to subdue tyranny by intellect, ought a mean of success to be thrown away, which it would be disreputable to relinquish, even if the object was to enslave mankind? The force of habit is a demonstration of the advantage of persever‑ ance. We have seen it sustain vice or folly for ages. Now has occured the golden opportunity of enlisting it on the side of virtue and wis‑ dom. Why should it be rejected as an auxiliary to a good cause, when its utmost powers are invariably inlisted in a bad one? This practical lesson, however humiliating, cannot be overlooked. Philosophy must draw habit to her assistance, if she hopes to make permanent impres‑ sions. Can eight years obliterate the prejudices of twelve? Can they detect the errors of Eight thousand? If they may suffice to plant the political area in scions cut from the tree of knowledge, will an aban‑ donment of their culture promote their growth? I am aware that a continuance of culture may happen, although you should retire. Happen! But is it unattended with risque? May it not be frustrated by a jealousy against Virginia? Will ambition allow her three out of four presidents? And may it not use this circumstance to form an alliance against the most resplendent merit? Several strange indications of this new party give weight to these observations. Rumour (may she lie!) has busily scattered alarms. These are a cement which has welded republicanism to her shield: To tear  248 

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them asunder will wound and pain. May not a new party irritate the wound? Will they not use the jealousy against Virginia to prevent its cure. But what is this local and selfish consideration, compared with the sublime object of exhibiting republicanism to the world, in an experi‑ ment, fair, full and final. Ought the success of this experiment, which has already awakened an universal attention, capable of being per‑ petuated by the blessings of future generations; to be hazarded? To diminish the intrusion upon your time, and because if you had considered it, little chance for my suggesting a new one existed, I have suppressed many ideas upon this subject, and communicated others in the fewest words I could. Permit me however to add an entreaty, that whatever may be your inclination, you will at least postpone a deter‑ mination, until the experience of the next term, shall have doubted the Evidence which ought to govern the decision.—I am with the utmost Esteem and respect, Sir, Yr: mo: obt: Sert. John Taylor RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

To John Page Dear Sir Washington Dec. 27. 04 Resuming the subject of the resolutions of the House of Delegates of Dec. 31. 1800. Jan. 16 1802. and Feb. 3. 1804. I have it not in my power to say that any change of circumstances has taken place which enables me yet to propose any specific asylum for the persons who are the subjects of our correspondence. the island of St. Domingo, our nearest and most convenient recourse, is too unsettled in the condi‑ tions of it’s existence to be looked to as yet for any permanent ar‑ rangements: and the European nations having territories in the same quarter, and possessing the same kind of population, are not likely to risk any change in the present state of that population. Whether the inhabitants of our late acquisition beyond the Missisipi, or the na‑ tional legislature, would consent that a portion of that country should be set apart for the persons contemplated is not within my compe‑ tence to say. My last information as to Sierra Leone is that the company was proposing to deliver up their colony to their government. should this take place it might furnish occasion for another effort to procure an incorporation of ours into it. an attack during the war has done the settlement considerable injury.  249 

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 I beg you to be assured that having the object of the House of Del‑ egates sincerely at heart, I will keep it under my constant attention, & omit no occasion which may occur of giving it effect. Accept my affec‑ tionate salutations and assurances of great respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson RC (Vi); addressed: “Governor Page Richmond”; franked and postmarked. PoC (DLC). The resolutions asked that the gov‑ ernor correspond with the president about locating a place outside of Virginia “to which free negroes or mulattoes, and such negroes or mulattoes as may be emanci‑ pated may be sent or choose to remove as a place of asylum” (Vol. 36:577n). For‑ mer governor James Monroe began cor‑ respondence on the subject in 1801,

and Page continued it, last writing to TJ  about it on 29 Oct. 1804. See Vol. 34:345‑7; Vol. 37:531‑3. A French naval attack on Sierra Leone in 1794 caused damages valued at £55,000, prompting the directors of the Sierra Leone Company to ask Parliament for financial support and, in 1802, to peti‑ tion the government to take over respon‑ sibility for the colony (Joe A. D. Alie, A New History of Sierra Leone [New York, 1990], 62‑3; Vol. 38:473‑6).

To Joseph Priestley, Jr. Sir Washington Dec. 27. 04. Your favor of the 20th. came to hand last night and I shall recieve and read with great satisfaction the last work of your father as I have done whatever came from his pen. that he undertook the work at my request I have no objection to have known. my wish was confined to the suppression of the Syllabus I sent him, until the political passions which have been kindled against me shall be so far subsided as to admit it’s being read with candid & just dispositions. but that will not be during my life. I have recieved one letter only from mr Livingston since his reciept of the one from me which covered your father’s. in that he acknoleges the reciept of mine, but without particularly men‑ tioning the one inclosed in it. yet my memory decieves me if he did not pass through my hands a letter to your father. it is so impressed on my mind. if he did I certainly forwarded it without delay. he will return to America in the ensuing spring. Accept my salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Joseph Priestly esq.” The most recent letter from Robert R. livingston to TJ was dated 11 Jan. 1804 from Paris, which TJ received on 7

May. He recorded a letter to Livingston in SJL under the date 19 Jan. 1804, but later canceled the entry. No other corre‑ spondence with Livingston in 1804 is recorded in SJL.

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From Samuel R. Demaree Dear Sir, Harrodsburg, Mercer County (K.) Dec. 28. 1804. Nothing but a belief that you are the friend and patron of literature, together with a conviction of the importance of the subject, could in‑ duce me to intrude upon your time and executive business.— That information is essential to a few people is universally pro‑ claimed. And that Reading or Writing is valuable only as a mean of instruction, is, I think equally obvious. Consequently that system of Orthography which is best calculated to convey most information in the least time, most correct and easy manner, must be preferable. This seems quite plain. Having taught school for some time I have made many observations on this subject. First I remarked that children were much retarded and confused by what I call the Imperfections of the present mode. This drew my attention to the matter. I was soon convinced, as many others have been, that it would be more proper to spell agreeably to the nature of our tongue (Thus, thare for their, naber—neighbor.) Afterward a young man who had never known the Alphabet, came to my school. In a little time he learned the 26 letters; and then could spell any short word, always using natural sounds. (In charm he would make a che. &c). This induced me to examine Orthography closely. The result is, a conviction that a most useful improvement might be made in this part of our language, as written. Among the defects of the existing scheme, I beg leave to mention the following: One Letter often represents the sound of another: (as they, as phlegm &c.) The same letter represents more than one sound: (all the vowels, as a in trade, at, all; the g; as in get, general; s, in sense, desire; c in call, cellar, &c) There are different classes of termi‑ nations sounded alike; (ance, ence; ant, ent; able, ible) These I grant inform the Latinest from what conjugation they are derived: but must 19 of our citizens be fettered with arbitrary distinctions, that the 20th, who least needs it, may have a little etymological information? We might as well burn a ship to save a canoe.—Some terminations and letters are used promiscuously: (tion, sion; ise, ize; ph, f; ign, ine) Many words are spelled with redundant letters, (give, though, know:) some are deficient; (sure, sugar.) The confusion and retardation which must arise in writing, pronounciation, &c is glaringly obvious to every attentive mind. In short, this whole appears a jargonal med‑ ley, calculated to make the acquisition of knowledge difficult, and to keep the world in ignorance. To obviate these defects it is necessary in my opinion, to establish an orthographic scheme in which every letter, or form, shall uniformly  251 

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represent one and the same sound. This is required by the nature and genius of any language. The great mistake, at present seen in the En‑ glish, originated probably from adopting the Roman forms to express or represent English sounds. Orthoepists differ as to the number of simple sounds in our tongue. I think above 30 letters should be em‑ ployed: and yet acknowledge that Mr. Sheridan’s 28 would be a greater improvement than ever was made in our language.—Were such a plan executed, I am persuaded that the time now required to learn orthogra­ phy alone, would be sufficient to become master of reading, pronun­ ciation, and Grammar;—that pronunciation, (which now is scarcely attainable by any pains) would then be uniform and correct;—that the price of Books, and the labor of writing would be lessened one­sixth. This last article alone for a single year would save the U.S. more than the first entire edition of these rudiments would cost, were it 50,000 copies.1 Knowing you to be a member, if not president, of the Philosophical Society, is one reason of my addressing you, sir, on this subject. Since then philologers cannot agree upon the most proper Alphabet of our tongue, I would suggest a method which may perhaps answer the purpose as well as any other—Let the subject be laid before that honorable and influential society—let a committee be appointed to examine the matter, to whom communications may be made by those who choose—then let them compare, select and publish a scheme as eligible and perfect as may be: Still recollecting, that its perfection consists in being the best mean of communicating knowledge, and of transacting business.—Want of ability to carry it into execution, I own, is a reason why I do not attempt the publication myself. Should you, Sir, not think proper to refer the matter; or the society refuse to do any thing in it, I should be glad to know; as it is possible I may afterward make the attempt.—If a more advisable method could be adopted I should gladly hear it. I acknowledge that my own prospects are not a matter of total indifference; but for the sake of the community, let it be published by any one. I have very sanguine expectations of its excellence,2 espe‑ cially on the young: and I think every objection to it may be satisfac‑ torily answered. With sentiments of highest esteem, I am Yours. Saml. R. Demaree. RC (PPAmP); addressed: “His Excel‑ lency Tho Jefferson President of the United States Washington City”; franked; postmarked 27 Dec.; endorsed by TJ as received 14 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in

SJL with notation “A.P.S.”; endorsed for the American Philosophical Society. mr. sheridan’s 28: Thomas Sheridan, an Irish‑born actor and author of works

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28 DECEMBER 1804 on elocution and the English language, believed there were 28 simple sounds in  English, including 9 vowels and 19 consonants. TJ frequently included his lectures on elocution on recommended reading lists (dnb; Thomas Sheridan, A General Dictionary of the English Lan­ guage . . . To Which Is Prefixed a Rhetori­ cal Grammar [London, 1780], 9; Sow‑ erby, Nos. 4655 and 4847; Vol. 30:594; Vol. 32:180). Shortly after TJ received this letter from Demaree, he forwarded it to the

American philosophical society. Ac‑ cording to the society’s meeting minutes of 18 Jan. 1805, Demaree’s “letter on the English Alphabet” was read and referred to a committee consisting of Peter S. Du Ponceau, Anthony Fothergill, and Benja‑ min Smith Barton (aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1885], 370; TJ to Demaree, 6 May 1805). 1 Canceled: 2

“volumes.” MS: “excllence.”

From Louis H. Girardin To the man of letters, The elegant and useful author, The scientific and amiable philosopher, The friend of the arts, as well as To the illustrious patriot, the enlightened politician, and The Chief‑Magistrate of Federal America, The enclosed Proposals are respectfully offered by the authors ofatis Graphicæ Amœnitatis Graphicæ Williamsburg, Decr. 28th., 1804. N:B. The view prefixed to the first number, will represent James‑ town, the Cradle of infant Virginia. RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received from “Girardin H. L.” on 2 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Louis Hue Girardin (1771‑1825), writer and educator, was born Louis François Picot in Normandy. Pursued by French authorities for his Girondist activities, he fled to the United States, where he took the precaution of changing his name. In 1793, Girardin secured a teaching posi‑ tion at Georgetown College. Ten years later he joined the faculty at the College of William and Mary, where he taught mod‑ ern languages, history, and geography.

Nicolas Gouin Dufief obtained an en‑ dorsement by Girardin of the prospectus for Dufief’s book Nature Displayed. In 1807 Girardin opened a short‑lived acad‑ emy in Richmond, where TJ would send his grandson to be educated in mathemat‑ ics and natural philosophy. With TJ’s en‑ couragement, Girardin completed volume four of the History of Virginia, begun by John Daly Burk and Skelton Jones, which, in part, defended TJ’s actions as gover‑ nor of Virginia. At the time of his death, Girardin was principal of Baltimore Col‑ lege (Edith Philips, Louis Hue Girardin and Nicholas Gouin Dufief and Their Rela­ tions with Thomas Jefferson: An Unknown

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28 DECEMBER 1804 Episode of the French Emigration in America [Baltimore, 1926], 2‑9, 54; rs, 1:633‑4; Vol. 36:657n; Vol. 39:434n; Vol. 41:371‑3). the authors: in 1805, Girardin pub‑ lished the first of two known issues of Amœnitatis Graphicæ, produced in both French and English, with colored plates

by German artist Frederick Bossler. In‑ cluded in the first issue was a brief his‑ tory of jamestown (Richmond Enquirer, 2 Apr. 1805; Carlisle, Pa., Cumberland Register, 19 Nov. 1805; Del Moore, Bib­ liography of Jamestown Sources [James‑ town, Va., 2004], 130).

From Henry Guest Brunswick East Jersy 28 December 1804

Go Little Essay but go With Care Nor Meet ill timed our Presedants Ear He by the God of Man is taught Gives his time to Studious thought Whois Government here is nearly Divine Which Shall to Futre Ages Shine and Rival Woundrous Alfred thine Sir— I took the Liberty in June 1801 To Send for your Inspetion—A Small Pamphlet that I thought Containd Assential hints on Several Subjects that Might be Made Usefull in Our Country—And Your notice that it Came Duly to hand—For Which Condesention Be pleased to Except My Most Sincear thanks—Since Which I have not heard Whither they Were Worthy Your Attention or not— Sir I have A Number of Matters to relate to You As A Philosepher that has past under My Agency—And Several that I Apprehend Would be Usefull to Our Country—But I well Know that You are pressed With Your Duty in Governmental Affairs—Besids I moste—Sensible feele the Distance in the Sphere of Life that Without your Leve to trouble You Even With one Line and give Me Leve to Assure that this is Wrote With Reluctance—But Sir As I have passed My Elev‑ enth Climatric and Cannot Expect Much Longer to Continue on the Mortal Side of time hope to have Your pardon, for Any Obstruction in Your time I am Sir All that the Most Ingenuous Pen Can Say Yours Henry Guest RC (MHi); at foot of text: “His Ex‑ celancy The Presedent of the United Stats of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

Henry Guest (1727‑1815) was a New Jersey tanner and prominent New Bruns‑ wick citizen who supplied shoes to the Continental Army during the American

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28 DECEMBER 1804 Revolution. Guest advocated the use of leather for roofing and as a substitute for copper sheathing on ships. His correspon‑ dence with John Adams between 1799 and 1811 described several other ideas for the betterment of the country, including a military instrument that would “strike 30 deadly strokes in a minute & remain charged” and a system for preventing decay in peach trees (Henry Guest, Ob­ servations on Sheathing Vessels; Season­ ing Timber; the Proper Time to Fall Tim­ ber; the Nature and What Force It Is That Causes the Sap to Rise; with a Number of  Other Valuable Observations [n.p., 1805]; Washington, Papers, Rev. War Ser., 20:208‑9; City of New Brunswick,

History: Buccleuch Mansion, Henry Guest House [New Brunswick, N.J., 1980], n.p.; Guest to John Adams, 2 Feb. 1799, 28 Jan. 1811, in MHi: Adams Papers). essay: Guest’s tribute to TJ was de‑ rived from a verse by the poet Martial (William Melmoth, trans., The Letters of Pliny the Consul: With Occasional Re­ marks, 2 vols. [Boston, 1809], 1:168). alfred: Alfred the Great. No june 1801 letter from Guest or re‑ sponse to one by TJ is recorded in SJL or has been found. eleventh climatric: that is, 77. Several ancient authors regarded every seventh year as a significant, or climac‑ teric, year (oed).

To Levi Lincoln Dear Sir Washington Dec. 28. 04. I recieved last night your letter of the 26th. proposing to resign your office, and I recived1 it with real affliction. it would have been my greatest happiness to have kept together, to the end of my term, our executive family: for our harmony & cordiality has really made us but as one family. believing too that another four years will consoli‑ date the basis on which we are building the political & physical hap‑ piness of our country, I did wish to see my associates sharing each in that honest fame & heartfelt satisfaction with which such an atchieve‑ ment must reward them. yet I am a father and have been a husband. I know the sacred duties which these relations impose the feelings they inspire, & that they are not to be resisted by a warm heart. I yield therefore to your will. you carry with you my entire approbation of your official conduct, my thanks for your services, my regrets on losing them, and my affectionate friendship. I must now turn to the painful task of finding a successor. altho you had prepared me for this event, I am as much unprovided as if it were now for the first time mentioned. I see not who is to fill the chasm. but this labour is my lot. be yours that of domestic felicity, of health & long life: and with this wish accept my affectionate salutations & assur‑ ances of great & constant esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson RC (Daniel Waldo Lincoln, Worcester, Massachusetts, 1953); at foot of text: “Levi Lincoln esq.” PoC (DLC). you had prepared me for this: TJ knew of Lincoln’s intention to resign

since at least the previous summer (TJ to Gallatin, 3 Aug.; TJ to Madison, 3 Aug.). 1 Thus

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in MS.

From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore—St Patrik’s Row

Monsieur le President! No. 61. 28 Dec. 1804. Vous n’avez, malgrè ma promesse, pas recu—Plans des Jardins Anglais p. Mansa, et Idem p. Parkyns; la Cause en est, que de mon petit garcon et de mon domestique, lesquels ont portè entre autres les deux paquets sèparès—le premier celui des Annales &c de Filhol in 8°, et l’autre celui des Plans &c de Mansa &c in fol. a la poste,—le dernier est glissè, et laisse tombe son paquet dans une fosse pleine d’eau, dont il a etè entierement abimè—J’en attends d’autres Exem‑ plaires, et‑lorsque ils seront dans mon pouvoir, je ne tarderai certain‑ ment pas un instant, de Vous les faire parvenir—etant penetrè par principes d’un respect bien particulier pour Vous, de Votre Excellence Tr. hble et tr. Obst str Reibelt. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, Mister President! 61 St. Patrick’s Row, 28 Dec. 1804 Despite my promise, you have not received the Plans des jardins anglais by Mansa and the equivalent by Parkyns. The reason is that my son and my servant took the two packages to be mailed, one containing the Annales by Filhol in octavo and the other containing the Plans by Mansa et al. in folio. My servant slipped and dropped his parcel in a ditch full of water and it was ruined. I await other copies and as soon as I have them, I shall not lose a mo‑ ment in sending them to you. With profound respect for your excellency, I am your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt. RC (DLC); in dateline: “Librairie de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. de Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 29 Dec. and so recorded in SJL.

From Samuel Bennett Sir— New‑York Decr. 29th. 1804— I venture to write to you in hopes it may find faviour in your sight— I am truly under the Necessity of Making a friend, and I apply to your Honour the first—I shall in the first Place give you an account of my self—I was Born in the State of Rodiland, in the Town of Provi‑ dence; and am an On ly son—My Father is Dead; My Mother is Yet alive, and Lives with Me—I am a Widower left with three small Children, my Youngest is not two Years old and, My age is thirty four on the 4th. Instant. I have bin a Grocery Merchant for about ten  256 

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Years—and two Years Ago I faild by bad Luck, and on the 10th. Day of April last I was Discharg’d by our ¾ Act—and sence that, I have strove every way that I could to git in good Business again, but can‑ not. I am still at the foot of the Hill, as to giting a living—and on Reading several good Books, I find nothing is Impossible. I venture to to, ask your aid and Assistance—I must confess that this is a Bold push, and that I have no wright to call on You in this way, for which I ask your Pardon—But Still I know that grait things is in Your Power—I venture to ask little ones, and I was always of that opinion that if any one wanted faviours to ask them of whom was Able to give—Therefore I now Venture to say my wants— As their is Many Lucrative Offices in this State, and many other, Plaices; I wish one of them so that I may live—by My Pen, and In‑ dustry; or Otherwish I wish a small Loan of money from Your Hon‑ our at a Reasonable time to be paid with Interest, so that I may again Recommence My Old Business in the Grocery line; and pray that one of these two faviours may be granted by you—I have wrote this to you, without the Knowledge of any one—therefore their is no Rec‑ ommend with it—therefore have only to add that my Heart is Hon‑ est, and fair, and pray Your Answer Directed to me at No 44 Church Street—and Oblige Your Real friend and Humble Srvt. Samuel Bennett Dear Presedent— On Reading My broken Peace of complaint I find it cols’d with say‑ ing my Heart is Honest and fair which you have only my word for it— And I wishing to suckseed with you as it is of so Grait Importance to me—I venture to add this half sheet which I trust you will not think I’ll tim’d—I cannot say any thing in this way I well know but what you are sensible of—but pray you to let this Bair wait on your tender feelings and Remember that when we leave this world we carry but little with us—and it is uncertain when we are to go—I again add that I am Honest and Poor—and Pray to my President for his Assis‑ tance to Office or a small Loan of His Riches—and in Either of those Cases I here Promiss to be faithfull and Honest forever— RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqre. Presedent of the United States—”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Before his insolvency, Samuel Bennett (1770‑1859) operated a grocery and then an accounting business on 28 Front Street, the same address where Polly Bennett

died of yellow fever during the city’s 1803 epidemic. In 1805, the city directory listed him as a laborer. He died of “old age,” a widowed farmer in Boston, New York (New­York Gazette & General Advertiser, 10 Nov. 1803; New York Daily Adver­ tiser, 18 Feb. 1804; Longworth’s American Almanac, New­York Register, and City­ Directory, for the Twenty­Sixth Year of

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29 DECEMBER 1804 American Independence [New York, 1801], 117; Longworth’s American Almanac, New­York Register, and City­Directory, for the Twenty­Eighth Year of American Inde­ pendence [New York, 1803], 88; Jones’s New­York Mercantile and General Direc­ tory for the 30th Year of American Inde­ pendence and of Our Lord, 1805­6 [New York, 1805], 137; U.S. Census Mortality Schedules, 1860, Erie County, N.Y.). The three‑fourths act was the common name of New York’s law for the relief of

insolvent debtors, so called because under the original 1788 legislation, relief from debt could be sought only upon the peti‑ tion of three‑fourths of an insolvent’s cred‑ itors. In 1801, the law was amended so that debtors could petition on their own behalf (William S. Keiley, The Law and Practice of Insolvent Assignments in the State of New York, with Forms and Rules, 3d ed. [New York, 1879], 239).

From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir War Department December 29th. 1804 I have the honor of proposing, for your approbation, Robert Lucas, as a Cadet in the Corps of Artillerists With high respect & consideration I am, Sir, your Obt. Servt. H. Dearborn [Approval by TJ:] Approved

Th: Jefferson Dec. 29. 1804

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “The President of the US”; en‑ dorsed by a clerk. PrC (same). FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

After receiving his appointment as a cadet, robert lucas rose to the rank of lieutenant. Although he resigned his com‑ mission in 1810, Lucas served in the in‑ fantry until his death in the War of 1812 (Heitman, Dictionary, 645).

From “A Sincere Friend to the Prosperity of the United States” [on or before 29 Dec. 1804]

You will turn your attention to that excellent publication, the monthly Magazine for July 1804, in which you will percieve the mea‑ sures taken by the London Society to encourage the growth of Hemp in Canada It is believed, that the United States ought not only to grow hemp sufficient for their own consumption, but also be able to export quantities to Europe, &c—Now that the principal men of  258 

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the Union are assembled in one place, would it not be wise to try what can be done in that way?—You want something to counteract the destructive influence caused by the vast importations of British goods, &c A sincere Friend to the Prosperity of The United States. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25339); un‑ dated; endorsed by TJ as an anonymous letter postmarked at Baltimore, received 29 Dec. 1804, with notation “Hemp,” and so recorded in SJL. excellent publication: a July issue of The Monthly Magazine; or, British Reg­

ister published an extensive list of premi‑ ums offered by the Society for the En‑ couragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce for the year 1804, several of which offered medals and cash rewards for sowing hemp in Canada and exporting it to Great Britain (Monthly Magazine; or, British Register, 17 [1804], 569‑87).

To David Gelston Sir Washington Dec. 30. 04. By a letter from Mr. Lee at Bordeaux I learn he has shipped for me to your address five cases of Bordeaux wines and 3. cases of pre‑ serves, the cost of the former 738.₶ of the latter not mentioned. I in‑ close you the bill of lading and will ask the favor of you to have the cases forwarded to this place by the first vessel, and to be so good as to inform me of the amount of duties & other charges which shall be immediately remitted to you. Accept my apologies for this trouble with my salutations & assurances of respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “David Gelston esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found.

letter from mr. lee: William Lee to TJ, 12 Sep.

From Isaac Cox Barnet Sir Paris—December 31st. 1804 So long as there be no change in our consular establishment in Europe—or so long as a neighbouring Power shall exercise the means of shutting out our Vessels from the port you have been pleased to confide to my care,—I shall be debarred the opportunity of gaining that subsistence which moderate wants and a long faithful agency authorize me to hope for.—And while I seize this occasion to express my sense of pride and gratitude at having been associated under the Convention, with men of worth and talents—I can assure you Sir that my whole dependence for immediate maintainance is in the  259 

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“epargnes” of my Salary.—In the event therefore of a post becom‑ ing vacant, to which I humbly hope I have a prior claim over other candidates—and the probability of such a vacancy being marked by some strong incidents—I should be wanting to myself and to my fam‑ ily were I to neglect preferring my pretentions, since, at the moment of election—the mere recollection of my first disappointment might alone Suffice to fix your choice and restore me to a Situation, the recovery of which would excite in me feelings not unlike those which have been shared by all the friends of the indefatigable patriot James Monroe at his return to Europe. Impelled Sir, by the principle which governs most men—thus to solicit your attention and occupy your precious moments—the best apology I can offer to “the man of the people” accustomed to hear the wishes of his fellow citizens—to a first Magistrate whose Administra‑ tion is so eminently distinguished by Sentiments and measures both honorable to the phylosopher and to that general suffrage which called him to preside—to the man in fine, whose benevolent heart and be‑ nign disposition procure him enjoyment in proportion as he diffuses satisfaction and contentment to others—the best apology will be found in the confidence such a character so justly inspires.—May you then Sir, view with indulgence this new importunity and believe in the as‑ surances of my profound respect and sincere attachment I. Cox Barnet RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. 1805 and “to be Consul at Bordeaux” and so recorded in SJL. epargnes: savings. Barnet was referring to a possible va‑ cancy at the consulate in Bordeaux and stated so in a letter to Madison of this day

(in DNA: RG 59, LAR). For the consul‑ ship at that port, see William Lee to TJ, 10 Oct. my first disappointment: John Adams appointed Barnet commercial agent at Bordeaux in February 1801, but within months TJ had replaced him with Lee (Vol. 33:226n).

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, New‑Orleans 31st. of the 12th. mo. 1804 By last mail, I sent my report of the Post Road—by the present I send a duplicate. I have not yet recovered my health sufficiently to be able to ride; but the day after tomorrow if I continue to mend, although at the very slow rate I have done, I intend to make the at‑ tempt—and leave this place for the Mississippi Territory.  260 

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 By the Brigg Friendship, Captain Donne, I send addressed to thee, the small Sextant which we borrowed of Joshua Moore. The Brig is bound for New‑York, and the Captain proposes to sail tomorrow. I have delivered the Sextant in charge to a young man of the name of Thomas H. Green who promises to put it into the Post Office imme‑ diately on his arrival in New‑York. I herewith send the account of the joint expenses of myself and companion Thomas Robertson to this place—together with my phy‑ sician’s bill. I saw no other way of having a voucher to this account than by causing my companion to pay every item of it as it occurred, furnishing him with the money. The amount to this place is two hun‑ dred and eighty four dollars twelve cents;—my physician’s bill twenty seven dollars, fifty cents—and the expense of our horses during my confinement here by preparing my report and by sickness, thirty nine dollars, twelve and a half cents; amounting to three hundred and fifty dollars, seventy four and a half cents. After repeating that the utmost economy has been used in our expenses—permit me to represent the situation of Thomas Robert‑ son, the young man who accompanied me. I engaged him as clerk in my office, at the salary of one thousand dollars per annum, to com‑ mence on the 3d. day of the 7th. month, when he relinquished all other business to prepare for the journey:   On the survey of the Post‑Road, I made use of his services as Assistant; without one al‑ ways ready at a call, it would have been utterly impossible to accom‑ plish the object. His duties in this business have been incomparably more laborious and dangerous to health than would have been those of clerk in my office. The state of health usual with him before he left his home is much impaired; and he is so strongly persuaded that this climate will not be friendly to his constitution as to induce a determi‑ nation to return to his native climate as soon as he shall have accom‑ panied me to the Mississippi Territory. His private expenses, during his detention in this city on account of my illness, have been heavy— amounting to sixty one dollars, sixty two and a half cents. This added to the former sums amounts to four hundred and twelve dollars and thirty seven cents. Should the Secretary of the Treasury deem inad‑ missible the charge for his salary as my clerk, I hope at least an equal allowance will be made to him out of some other appropriation—it is, in my opinion, due to his faithful services. I have been particular and minute in this statement of expendi‑ tures, confident that when every circumstance is considered, justice will be done. I shall be glad however, to be as soon as convenient,  261 

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informed of your determination thereon, that I may know how to make up my accounts. Accept assurances of my esteem, gratitude, and faithful affection. Isaac Briggs FC (MdHi); in Thomas Robertson’s hand; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Presi‑ dent of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as received 20 Feb. 1805. Enclosure: Briggs to TJ, 22 Dec. Other enclosure not found.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. Most of the Indians residing within our Northern boundary on this side the Missisipi recieving from us annual aids in money & nec‑ essaries, it was a subject of complaint with the Sacs that they recieved nothing and were connected with us by no treaty. as they owned the country in the neighborhood of our settlements of Kaskaskia & St. Louis it was thought expedient to engage their friendship; & Gover‑ nor Harrison was accordingly instructed in June last to propose to them an annuity of five or six hundred Dollars, stipulating in return an adequate cession of territory, and an exact definition of boundaries. the Sacs & Foxes, acting generally as one nation, and coming forward together, he found it necessary to add an annuity for the latter tribe also, enlarging proportionably the cession of territory; which was ac‑ cordingly done by the treaty, now communicated, of November the 3d. with those two tribes. This cession giving us a perfect title to such a breadth of country on the Eastern side of the Missisipi, with a command of the Ouis‑ consing, strengthens our means of retaining exclusive commerce with the Indians on the Western side of the Missisipi: a right indispens‑ able to the policy of governing those Indians by Commerce rather than by Arms. The treaty is now submitted to the Senate for their advice and consent. Th: Jefferson Dec. 31. 1804 RC (DNA: RG 46, EPIR, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by Senate clerks. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Sac & Fox treaty.” Enclosures: (1) Dearborn to Wil‑ liam Henry Harrison, 27 June, conveying instructions from the president on the Kaskaskias cession; Dearborn adds that it “may not be improper” to negotiate a

cession on both sides of the Illinois River from the Sacs in exchange for an annuity of $500 or $600; the Sacs should “relin‑ quish all pretensions to any land on the southern side of the Illinois and a consid‑ erable tract on the other side”; Harrison should determine if chiefs of any other nations are willing to “follow the example

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31 DECEMBER 1804 of the old Kaskaskias Chief”; the presi‑ dent also suggests that Harrison consider distributing annuities on a per family basis, with the aggregate allowed to in‑ crease in the short run but to decrease “when a family becomes extinct” (Tr in DNA: RG 46, EPIR). (2) Treaty be‑ tween the United States and the Sacs and Foxes; signed at St. Louis on 3 Nov. by Harrison for the United States and by Layouvois or Laiyuva, Pashepaho or the Giger, Quashquame or Jumping Fish, Outchequaha or Sun Fish, and Hah‑ shequaxhiqua or the Bear for the Sacs and Foxes; the tribes “agree to consider themselves under the protection of the United States” and no other power; in exchange for goods valued at $2,234.50 and annuities of $600 in goods to the Sacs and $400 in goods to the Foxes, the tribes cede land bounded by a line begin‑ ning at the mouth of the Gasconade River, then north to a point on the “river Jeffreon” 30 miles from its mouth, then down the Jeffreon to the Mississippi, then up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Wiscon‑ sin River, then up that river 36 miles, then by a direct line to where the Fox River “leaves the small lake called Sakaegan,” then down the Fox River to the Illinois River, and lastly down the Illinois to the Mississippi; criminal offenders of the tribes are to be subject to U.S. authority, and victims protected by the laws “in the like manner as if the injury had been done to a white man”; chiefs are to make all necessary efforts to return horses or other property stolen by members of the tribes, and the United States “may deduct from the annuity” a sum equal to the value of unrecovered stolen property; white per‑ sons settling on Sac and Fox lands shall be removed upon complaints being made to U.S. authorities; members of the tribes may continue to live and hunt upon the ceded lands; the tribes are not to permit any unlicensed traders to reside among them; the United States will establish a trading factory for the use of the tribes; the tribes are to stop waging war on the

Osages and will send representatives to St. Louis, where they will negotiate a last‑ ing peace; a tract of land at the mouth of the Wisconsin River, either on the right bank of the Wisconsin or right bank of the Mississippi, is to be ceded for use as a military post; an additional article adds that this treaty shall not affect any grants made by the Spanish government and pre‑ viously recognized by the tribes (printed copy in same). Printed in asp, Indian Affairs, 1:693‑5; treaty printed in U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:84‑7. On this day, Isaac A. Coles delivered the message and treaty to the Senate. The treaty was read for the first time on 7 Jan. and ratified 10 days later by a vote of 25 to 3 (jep, 1:478‑9, 481). perfect title to such a breadth of country: estimated by the adminis‑ tration as encompassing some 50 million acres, the cession included portions of the present‑day states of Missouri, Wiscon‑ sin, and Illinois. Although a clarification of boundaries had been previously pro‑ posed, the Sacs and Foxes were almost certainly unaware that Harrison would seek such a large cession and likely be‑ lieved that negotiations would mostly concern the murder of three white settlers by some Sacs. Controversy immediately emerged over what the delegation had yielded. In his autobiography, the Sac leader Black Hawk recalled that the Sac negotiators, identified as the last four sig‑ natories listed above, had remembered little of what they had done. He surmised that they “had been drunk the greater part of the time they were in St. Louis” and characterized the treaty as “the ori‑ gin of all our difficulties” (Donald Jack‑ son, ed., Black Hawk: An Autobiography [Urbana, Ill., 1990], 53‑6; Terr. Papers, 13:168; William T. Hagan, “The Sauk and Fox Treaty of 1804,” Missouri His­ torical Review, 51 [1956], 1‑7; Pierre Chouteau to TJ, 12 Oct.; Dearborn to TJ, 12 Jan. 1805).

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To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate & House of Representatives of the US. The inclosed letter written from Malta by Richard Obrien our late Consul at Algiers, giving some details of transactions before Tripoli, is communicated for the information of Congress. Th: Jefferson Dec. 31. 1804. RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. Enclo‑ sure: Richard O’Brien to John Gavino, Malta, 5 Sep., detailing the activities of the U.S. naval squadron before Tripoli during August 1804; the attack on 3 Aug. captured three Tripolitan gunboats and inflicted 96 enemy casualties, while the American force lost Lieutenant James De‑ catur and 13 others killed or wounded; a bombardment carried out on 7 Aug. si‑ lenced a Tripolitan battery, fired several shells into Tripoli, and inflicted at least 500 casualties; the assault cost U.S. forces a gunboat and crew that “blew up by fire of Wads of another Boat”; a third attack, carried out on 29 Aug., sank three Tri‑ politan gunboats and a merchant polacre, while the Constitution fired broadsides “within Pistol Shot” against the main batteries of the city; O’Brien estimates that Tripoli is defended by 115 guns and 45,000 Arabs and inhabitants; the com‑ bined American and Neopolitan force included the Constitution, Argus, Siren, Vixen, Nautilus, and Enterprize, plus six gunboats and two bombards; Commo‑ dore Samuel Barron and his frigates are expected soon, but will probably arrive too late to participate in another assault before the end of summer; O’Brien be‑ lieves the present force can only “irritate” Tripoli, but the expected reinforcements will enable the United States to bring Tripoli to terms, free the U.S. captives, or even “drive the Bashaw and Divan out of Tripoli”; in a 12 Sep. postscript, O’Brien

reports the arrival at Malta on 5 Sep. of Barron and Captain Hugh G. Campbell; they left shortly thereafter and were ex‑ pected to arrive off Tripoli by the 10th; word has arrived of the loss of an Ameri‑ can vessel (the Intrepid) and its entire crew, who were “blown to atoms”; O’Brien left the squadron on 22 Aug. and plans to return to the United States in the John Adams; he asks Gavino to forward a copy of this letter to the secretary of state; in a second postscript, dated 14 Sep., O’Brien provides more details on the loss of the Intrepid and reports that Barron’s squad‑ ron arrived at Tripoli on the 9th; the gunboats, bombards, and several smaller warships left for Syracuse on the 7th, leaving the President, Constitution, Con­ stellation, and Argus off Tripoli; O’Brien doubts the remaining squadron can re‑ duce Tripoli without gunboats and bom‑ bards (Tr in DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; see also Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:51, 217‑18; Joseph Barnes to TJ, 8 Oct.). Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s message and Richard O’Brien’s letter to the Sen‑ ate and House of Representatives on 31 Dec. In both chambers the papers were read and ordered to lie on the table (js, 3:427; jhr, 5:72). They were subse‑ quently published as Message from the President of the United States, Communi­ cating the Copy of a Letter from Richard O’Brien, Late Consul of the United States, at Algiers, Giving Some Detail of Trans­ actions before Tripoli (Washington, D.C., 1804).

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From Daniel Trump Dear Sir Philadelphia Decmer 31st 1804 Your Letter of the Sixth with the money for the Mahogany Came Safe to Hand and I have Dischared the Bill, and for the Compen‑ sation you Sent for my Trouble I Humbly thank you for, I Saw in the Paper a Resolution before Congress for finishing the South Wing, of the United States Arsenal if there Should be Provision Made for that Purpose, if I Could be favour’d with the Carpenters work of Building through your Influence that favour Would be Gratefully Accnowl‑ edged by your Obt Hue Servt Daniel Trump Please to Except Sir my Best Wishes for your Welfare RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. resolution before congress: on 24 Dec., Michael Leib submitted a com‑ mittee report in the House of Represen‑ tatives recommending an appropriation

of $18,900 to complete the south wing of the Schuylkill Arsenal. A bill for the pur‑ pose was presented to the House on 25 Jan. 1805, but was not enacted into law (jhr, 5:13‑14, 64, 99‑100, 104‑5; Aurora, 31 Dec.).

From John Woodberry Washington

May it please Your Excellency! Decr. 31st. 1804. With humble Submission I take the Liberty to commit myself to Your paternal protection. I am unskill’d in elaborate Speeches but I speak the Language of the heart, & to that I appeal. I came not hither as a mendicant begging for charity; But I was forced against my Will from home at this inclement Season to seek Redress for injuries al‑ ready Sustained, & to avoid an expensive Law‑Suit, which otherwise I must have expected. To illustrate this more fully Your Excellency will observe, that Philadelphia is my Place of Residence: for many Years I have carried on the painting business on Walls in imitation of paper; as the annexed vouchers from Characters well known to Your Excellency; will Sufficiently testify. A Patent was granted to a Man in Baltimore last Year in December; the exclusive right of which he sold to a Citizen of Philadelphia, who threatened me with prosecution, if I persisted in doing any more without producing legal Vouchers for my proceedings Accordingly I came on foot for want of Sufficient means of an easier conveyance. & have obtained Sufficient encourage‑ ment from Dr. Thornton by the annexed Copies & now comes my Tale of Sorrow. This Address in1 my ne plus ultra. I am an old man,  265 

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that my hoary Locks will testify. Now picture to Yourself a gloomy prospect of 160 Miles. on the fore ground a little old man without one Cent in his pocket to refresh him by the way, grovelling slowly on, now climbing a Hill then fording a Creek, perhaps enveloped in Clouds of Snow or Rain; the extended Arm of the distant Inn, has nothing for him, that has not wherewith to make a return, already worn out with age, Yet more so with fatigue & rheumatic pains: The picture is cor‑ rect: & without Some benevolent heart to assist me, before I can pos‑ sibly reach one half of my Journey; I must—perish Forgive my presumption, Your Excellency’s Affability is sufficiently known in Philadelphia, or else I had not for the World taken this Liberty I remain faithfully Your Excellency’s most huble & obedient Servant John Woodberry RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 31 Dec. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found. John Woodberry ran a painting business that encompassed “its various branches,” including house painting, gilding, var‑ nishing, carpet painting, and the art of painting walls in “imitation of flowered paper.” He also advertised himself as a music instructor and language tutor. Orig‑ inally from London, Woodberry opened business in Danbury, Connecticut, around 1790, then moved to Providence, Rhode Island, then to Hartford, and by 1804 was advertising in Annapolis (Danbury, Conn., Farmer’s Journal, 23 Sep. 1790; Providence United States Chronicle, 5 Jan. 1797; Hartford American Mercury, 18 Sep. 1800; Annapolis Maryland Gazette, 5 Apr. 1804). On 30 Dec. 1803, John Selby obtained a United States patent, which he adver‑

tised as an improvement in the painting of “Rooms, Ornamental Ceilings, &c in imitation of flowered wallpaper.” In March 1804, Woodberry publicly questioned the validity of Selby’s patent in a Baltimore newspaper. Selby’s response, printed di‑ rectly below Woodberry’s “Caution to the Public,” reiterated his patent rights, explained his painting method as “much more durable, without being annoyed by bugs, &c.,” and attacked the quality of Woodberry’s talents “even in rough paint‑ ing” (List of Patents, 39; Baltimore Tele­ graphe and Daily Advertiser, 22 Feb., 30 Mch.). William thornton was superinten‑ dent of the patent office. your excellency’s affability: in his financial memoranda under 31 Dec., TJ recorded giving one dollar for “Char‑ ity” to an unnamed recipient (mb, 2:1143). 1 Thus

in MS.

From Andrew Jackson, James Winchester, Edward Douglass, and William Hall Sir. [ca. December 1804] Inclosed is a remonstrance signed by a number of the most respect‑ able Citizens and officers in this District, on the Subject of Colo. Thos. Butlers late, & present arrest—  266 

DECEMBER 1804

We hope the Shortness of time, added to the emergency of the Case, will in a measure account to you for the number of Subscribers, which are indeed inconsiderable, Compared to the Aggregate number Con‑ tained in the District and State; but we Solemnly pledge ourselves to You, that the Sentiments expressed in the remonstrance, are in per‑ fect unison with those of the Community at large. As we accord with the ideas and wishes of our State on this Sub‑ ject and Occasion, and as we are impressed with a belief, that you, are not truly informed of the proceedings, now in being, against Colo. Thomas Butler (as all avenues are closed, by a late general order, and no information can reach the Secretary at War but through the organ of the General, who is the arresting officer) it is most humbly hoped that you will pardon us for the trouble we have given, in a case & under circumstances which we conceive aught not to escapte your observation & attention. We have the honor to tender to you our highest Consideration of Respect Andrew Jackson J Winchester Edwd. Douglass Wm. Hall RC (DLC); undated; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson; esquire President of the U. States Washington Cty”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: a copy of an undated “remonstrance and petition of Sundry citizens and officers of the militia in the State of Tennessee” to Congress regarding the arrest of Colonel Thomas Butler, signed by Jackson and 73 others, pleading that a meritorious officer contin‑ ues to be charged with “imaginary crimes” for which he is allowed neither due pro‑ cess nor the respect accorded his rank; the signers question the “uncontrolled power” of James Wilkinson and hope that Con‑ gress will enact laws “as will prevent abuses of power from indignity and insult those who devote their lives to the service of their country” and relieve Butler “from the persecution & despotism of Genl. James Wilkinson” (Tr in same). James Winchester, Edward Douglass, and William Hall all resided in Sumner County, Tennessee, and were members of the militia. Winchester (1752‑1826) was a prosperous tobacco farmer and inves‑

tor from Maryland and later a founder of the city of Memphis. Virginian Edward Douglass, Jr. (1745‑1825), was a former Revolutionary War officer who served as a member of the Tennessee constitutional convention of 1796 and in the state legis‑ lature. The political career of William Hall (1775‑1856) included 16 years in the Tennessee General Assembly and a term in the U.S. House of Representatives (Robert M. McBride, Dan M. Robison, and others, eds., Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, 7 vols. [Nashville, 1975‑ ], 1:211, 321‑2; anb). late, & present arrest: Thomas Butler was court‑martialed in 1803, in part for refusing to crop his queued hair in compliance with a regulation set forth by Wilkinson. He was arrested again in November 1804 after he continued to resist the order (Moser, Papers of An­ drew Jackson, 2:42‑3; Vol. 41:155‑7; Vol. 42:594‑7). not truly informed: Jackson ex‑ pressed similar concerns in the draft of a  letter to TJ written early in August 1804 but apparently never sent. In that draft, Jackson questioned TJ’s sources

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DECEMBER 1804 of information about Butler’s case. Jack‑ son showed the letter to Butler, but no recipient’s copy has been found or is re‑

corded in SJL (Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson, 2:33‑6; see also Vol. 41:395).

List of Books Acquired [December 1804]

D Plans des maisons de Paris 40. histoire naturel des Volcans 2. Vue de la colonie espagnole du Missisipi. 2.

Second voyage a la Louisiane 2. v. in 8vo. 4. Voyage a la Troade 3. v. in 8vo. avec Atlas 8. Annales du Museum des Arts. 3. v. 10. Voyage en Angleterre par Faujas 2. v. 8vo. 4. Galerie des Antiques 8vo. 3.50 Voyage en Portugal. 2. v. 8vo. 2.25 De la richesse commericale. 2. v. 8vo 2.875 Traité des Moyens de desinfecter l’air. 8vo. 1.50 80.125 Sentimental journey 1.10 81.225 Barré St. Venant des colonies modernes 2.5 ⎧ Plans des maisons de Paris par Krafft et Ranson‑ ⎪ ⎪ nette. fol. ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ Histoire naturel des Volcans par Ordinaire. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Vue de la Louisiane et Floride Occidentale par ⎪ Duvallon. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Second voiage a la Louisiane par Baudry. 2. v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Voyage de la Troade par Lechevalier avec Atlas. 4. ⎪ from Reibelt ⎨ v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Annales des Beaux‑arts par Landon. 3. v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Voyage en Angleterre, en Ecosse et aux isles ⎪ ⎪ Hebrides par Faujas. 2. v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Galeries des Antiques par Le Grand. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Voyage en Portugal par Link. 2. v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎪ Simonde de la richesse commerciale. 2. v. 8vo. ⎪ ⎩ Morveau des moyens de desinfecter l’air. 8vo.  268 

1804 ⎧ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

from others

⎪ ⎪ ⎨ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎩

Proveddimenti Annonarj. dal Fabbroni. 8vo. Ld. Lauderdale on public wealth. 2. v. 8vo. Brougham’s on the Colonial policy of Europe. 2. v. 8vo.

Woodard’ narrative of the Malays. 8vo. Code civile des Français. 1804. 12mo. Dufief’s Nature displayed. 2. v. 8vo. Curran’s Forensic eloquence. 8vo. Burkhard’s elements of the Philosophy of Nat. hist. by Smith. 12mo.

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25346); undated, but all of the books were either acquired by TJ in 1804 or published in that year; entirely in TJ’s hand, includ‑ ing, on verso, partially blotted, “Galerie des.” plans des maisons: the invoice with prices is apparently a draft version of the statement appended to TJ to Philippe Reibelt, 24 Dec. Giovanni fabbroni enclosed his work Dei provvidimenti annonari in a letter of 1 Oct. It is uncertain from whom TJ ob‑ tained An Inquiry into the Nature and Ori­ gin of Public Wealth by James Maitland, the eighth earl of lauderdale (Sow‑ erby, No. 3554). Nathaniel Chapman sent the president a copy of Henry Peter

brougham’s Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers in a letter of 6 June. On 16 Nov., John Vaughan enclosed the account of David Wood‑ ard’s captivity among the malays. Nico‑ las Gouin Dufief enclosed his Nature Dis­ played, in Her Mode of Teaching Language to Man in a letter of 27 Sep., and Charles Smith sent TJ his translation of Johann Gottlieb burkhard’s Elementary or Fun­ damental Principles of the Philosophy of Natural History on 20 Oct. It is uncertain from whom the president obtained the French civil code or the work by John Phil‑ pot Curran, Forensic Eloquence: Sketches of Trials in Ireland for High Treason, which was published in Baltimore in 1804 (Sow‑ erby, Nos. 2217, 4678).

From Françoise Langlois du Bouchet Conway Monsieur Le président, Anvers   1804 c’est avec Confiance que je viens rèclamer auprés des ètats unis Le prix des services du général Conway mon mari; en 1776 il a été de‑ mandé par Le Congrés, et vous a servi en qualité de gènèral major, jusqu’a votre indépendance reconnûe: a cette èpoque Le Congrés dis‑ tribüat des portions de terrain suivant Les grades; mon mari dont La place de gouverneur de pondicheri lui suffisoit, ne s’est pas présenté dans Le temps, mais Les malheurs de La rèvolution françoise qui m’ont privè absolument de tout ce que je possédois, et La perte que  269 

1804

j’ai fait de mon mari, me forcent de recourir à La justice du Congrés pour obtenir pour ma fille la portion de terrain qui devoit être donnèe a son pere, je vous prie donc Monsieur Le prèsident de mettre sous Les yeux du Congrés ma pètition j’ose esperer qu’il aura ègard a ma demande. j’ay L’honneur d’être avec La plus haute Consideration Monsieur Le président Votre trés humble et trés obeissante Servante F Conway e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Antwerp, 1804 I come with confidence to ask the United States for payment of services rendered by my husband, General Conway. At the request of Congress he served as major general from 1776 until your independence was recognized. Congress then distributed plots of land based on rank. Since my husband already had sufficient land as governor of Pondicherry, he did not come for‑ ward, but the tribulations of the French revolution have taken away abso‑ lutely everything I owned. The loss of my husband forces me to appeal to the justice of Congress to obtain the plot of land for my daughter that would have been given to her father. I beg you, Mister President, to bring my petition to Congress. I dare hope Congress will look favorably on my request. With the highest consideration, Mister President, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. F Conway RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25374); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 5 Jan. 1805 and “refd. to Secy at War” and so recorded in SJL. Françoise Antoinette Jeanne Florimonde Langlois du Bouchet Conway (1747‑ 1828) was the wife of Thomas Conway, the Irish‑born French officer in the Con‑ tinental Army associated with the epony‑ mous “Conway Cabal” in the winter of 1777‑78. Through her marriage to him, she was the Comtesse de Conway. Her father was a conseiller of the king in coun‑ cil and lieutenant general of the sene‑ schalsy of Clermond‑Ferrand in central France. Her brother, like Conway, was an officer in the American War for Inde‑ pendence. During Benjamin Franklin’s mission to France, Françoise Conway fre‑ quently corresponded with the diplomat and likely visited him at Passy while her husband served in America. Her connec‑ tion with Franklin was close enough that she soon referred to the American diplo‑ mat as “mon cher papa” and “my father

d’Amérique.” During this time, Conway studied English in the hopes of perma‑ nently settling in the United States. How‑ ever, Thomas Conway’s resignation from the Continental Army and near‑fatal duel with John Cadwalader forced him to re‑ turn to France. It is possible that Fran‑ çoise Conway joined her husband when he sailed to India in 1781 to take command of the Pondicherry Regiment. Thomas Conway remained in India for the next decade and eventually became the gov‑ ernor of the colony. Recalled to France during the Revolution, he remained loyal to the king, and he and his family were forced to flee the country after they were proscribed by the Legislative Assembly in July 1792. He died around 1800 (anb, s.v. “Conway, Thomas”; Sylvie Nicolas, Les derniers maîtres des requêtes de l’Ancien Régime, 1771­1789 [Paris, 1998], 147; Gilbert Bodinier, Dictionnaire des officiers généraux de l’armée royale, 1763­1792, 2 vols. [Paris, 2009], 1:584‑5; André Las‑ seray, Les Français sous les treize étoiles, 1775­1783, 2 vols. [Paris, 1935], 1:264‑7;

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1804 Charles Poplimont, Biographies nationales: La Noblesse belge [Brussels, 1850], 253; Leonard W. Labaree and others, eds., The Papers of Benjamin Franklin, 43 vols. [New Haven, 1959‑ ], 23:582; 24:486‑7,

492; 25:379; 26:152‑3; 27:78; 28:232; 29:188‑9, 206‑7, 221‑2). pour ma fille: Conway’s 29‑year‑ old daughter, Pierrette Charlotte Gilberte Françoise Conway (Bodinier, Diction­ naire, 1:584).

Notes on Policy in the West [ca. 1804]

our policy to fill Orleans but to draw off from Louisiana, except St. Louis  settlers return to Kasks. from mth. Illinois to Ohio  prevent rigorously squatters in Louisa.  Commandants. to prevent squatters Indians. toll Cis‑Misipians over.  Chickasaws. invite to make settlemt back of St. Louis on the head of St. Francis.—  do every favor to emigrant Chickasaws &c  in time restrain hunting to the emigrants.  Cherokees at St. Francis. encouraged. Indian commerce.  Moingona river  Ouisconsing.   stop English  Sioux  Osages.  nations up Missouri.  explore Osages river to source. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27110); en‑ tirely in TJ’s hand; undated; on verso of an address sheet in an unidentified hand: “Sam: A. Otis Secretary.” These notes almost certainly postdate the legislation approved in March 1804 creating Orleans Territory and Louisiana District. Several of the subjects, such as

dealing with squatters in upper Loui‑ siana and encouraging members of the major southern Indian nations to settle across the Mississippi River, factored into discussions within the administration dur‑ ing the year (Vol. 43:183‑4, 250‑1, 256‑9, 324‑5; Vol. 44:570‑2, 596‑7). moingona river: that is, the Des Moines (Vol. 42:8n).

 271 

Paragraph on Disaffected Citizens [1804?]

some citizens whose disaffection to our form of govmt have lost them the public confidence, preferring every thing to insignificance have in their despern talked of a dissoln1 of the Union these however are so few that our mad houses will hold them should2 acts follow their words of insanity MS (DLC: Madison Papers, Miscel‑ laneous Manuscripts); entirely in TJ’s hand; undated; precedes Notes on Ship‑ ment, [before 23 July 1804], on verso of same sheet as Notes on Washington High‑ ways, [ca. 2 July 1804] (Vol. 44:29‑30, 136‑7), interleaved in a bound volume of Madison’s notes (see Madison, Papers, 14:168n). This passage has no evident association to anything drafted by TJ, nor is it known how the manuscript came into Madison’s papers. It was apparently seen there later in the nineteenth century by George Ellis Baker, a confidant and biographer of Wil‑ liam H. Seward and his secretary when Seward was secretary of state. In a vol‑

ume of Seward’s Works, Baker appended this text to comments about Seward’s ac‑ tions toward “influential but disloyal citi‑ zens” during the Civil War. Baker attrib‑ uted the paragraph to TJ but did not cite its source. He correctly read TJ’s abbrevia‑ tion for “dissolution” but misinterpreted “despern” as “despair” (George E. Baker, ed., The Works of William H. Seward, new ed., 5 vols. [Boston, 1884], 5:33; Pa‑ tricia C. Johnson, ed., “Stumping for Lin‑ coln in 1860: Excerpts from the Diary of Fanny Seward,” University of Rochester Library Bulletin, 16 [1960], 9n). 1 That is, “in their desperation talked of a dissolution.” 2 MS: “should should”

Memorandum from Henry Dearborn [1803‑1804?]

Together with such tract or tracts else where, within the Province not exceeding in the whole, one million acres, as particular circum‑ stancies may in the opinion of Congress render it expedient to dis‑ pose of. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 137:23689); in Dearborn’s hand; undated. Dearborn’s use of the word province implies that this note had reference to Louisiana prior to the establishment of territorial government in March 1804.

Perhaps Dearborn proposed the clause as an additional exception to the restric‑ tion on sale of lands in TJ’s draft con‑ stitutional amendment of July 1803, or in  some subsequent discussion of policy (Vol. 40:686, 687).

 272 

From Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours Monsieur Le President, Paris 11 nivose 13 / 1er. Jer 1805. J’ai lu le beau discours que vous avez adressé au Congrès.—La grandeur dans les choses dont vous parlez et la simplicité dans vos expressions, forment un contraste bien frappant avec la boursouflure des actes publics en Europe.—Vous serez Président toute la vie. Vous trouvez chaque jour dans nos Gazettes combien je dois dé‑ sirer de me revoir auprès de vous. J’espère que nous arriverons ensemble La Fayette et moi. J’apprends avec plaisir que notre manufacture des Gun­Powder à Eleutherian‑Mill est une véritable richesse pour les Etats Unis. Continuez vos bontés à mes Enfans: Je ne pouvais pas faire un meilleur présent qu’eux à votre République, Conservez votre amitié pour moi. Salut, Respect, inviolable attachement. Du Pont (de Nemours) Voulez vous me permettre de placer sous votre couvert une lettre pour chacun de mes Enfans. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Paris, 11 Nivose Year 13 / 1 Jan. 1805 I have read your eloquent address to Congress. The grandeur of the topics you discuss and the simplicity of your expression form a striking contrast to the pompousness of public discourse in Europe. You will be president for life. You can see each day from our newspapers why I would like to be back there with you. I hope Lafayette and I will arrive together. I was pleased to learn that our gunpowder factory at Eleutherian Mills is a true asset for the United States. Continue your kindness to my children. They are the best present I could make to your republic. Maintain your friendship for me. Health, respect, unswerving loyalty. Du Pont (de Nemours) Allow me to put under cover to you a letter for each of my children. RC (DLC); at head of text: “A Son Ex‑ cellence Thomas Jefferson Président des Etats Unis”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sures: (1) Du Pont de Nemours to Éleu‑ thère Iréneé du Pont de Nemours, 1 Jan. (RC in DeGH). (2) Pierre Samuel Du

Pont de Nemours to Victor Marie du Pont, 1 Jan. (RC in same). pour chacun de mes enfans: on 6 Apr., E. I. du Pont enclosed their father’s letter to Victor, which he had received the previous day from TJ (in same).

 273 

From David F. Launy Please Your Excellency New York Jany the 1st. 1805. as the father of american Independence, as the protector and best Judge of arts and sciences, and as the chief Magistrate of our flor‑ ishing Empire, I fulfill the duty of a citizen, who has the happiness to live under your Wise Government, by Informing your Excellency that at 9 oClock in the morning the 30th. of Dec: 1804, I did Dis‑ cover the Long wished for, principle of Reaction, and consequently, that of perpetual motion, I should have wished to keep Silent untill the model should have been finished to present it for the Inspection of your Excellency, but as I must Employ different mechanics for the Execution, I am under apprehension that it should be the means of loosing a property which if Success Crown my hopes, will carry my name to posterity.—Should I meet any obstacles which should con‑ tradict my sanguine Expectations, in the Execution of the same, I should with the same frankness take the Liberty of informing your Excellency of the non success, and when finished, I will submit it to the Inspection of your Excellency, which will be probably about next april! I remain with the highest sentiments of respect and the most pro‑ found veneration Your Excellencys Most obedient & hble. Sert— David F. Launy RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); at head of text: “Ths. Jefferson Esqr. President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. David Frederick Launy (d. 1813), a watchmaker and inventor from Europe, had previously sold watches and other fancy items in Boston and later in New York. By the time he wrote to TJ, how‑ ever, he had largely abandoned the trade in favor of his new “Medical Apparatus” business, which he promoted vigorously as an effective treatment for a litany of ailments. He received patents for three of his inventions, including an improved timepiece in 1803, an electrophorus in

1811, and a fireplace in 1813 (Salem Mer­ cury, 15 Dec. 1789; New­York Commer­ cial Advertiser, 25 Feb. 1805; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 8 May 1813; Rita Susswein Gottesman, The Arts and Crafts in New York, 1777­1799 [New York, 1954], 167‑8; Gottesman, The Arts and Crafts in New York, 1800­1804 [New York, 1965], 116‑17, 409; David F. Launy, A Short Account of the Salutary Effect of Doctor Launey’s Medico Condensed Air [Albany, 1805]; Launy, To the Inhabitants of the City of Philadelphia, and Particu­ larly to Those Suffering under the Most Acute Chronic and Other Diseases [Phila‑ delphia, 1812]; List of Patents, 32, 100, 124).

 274 

From James Madison [1 Jan. 1805]

Mr. Levy Mr. Pinkney Judge Livingston Duvall. Granger. Rodney. J. T. Mason Dallas RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25410); undated, in Madison’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Depart‑ ment on 1 Jan. 1805 and “Atty Genl.” For earlier consideration of Samson levy, Brockholst Livingston, and John Thomson Mason as Levi Lincoln’s suc‑

cessor as U.S. attorney general, see TJ to Gallatin, 3 Aug., TJ to Madison, 3 Aug., Madison to TJ, 13 Aug., TJ to Gallatin, 1 Sep., and Gallatin to TJ, 18 Sep. 1804. TJ had considered William pinkney for a judicial appointment in Orleans Terri‑ tory the previous summer (TJ to Robert Smith, 3 Aug.).

From Thomas Munroe Tuesday morning—1t. Jany. 1805

T Munroe presents his best respects to the President—has the honor of enclosing statements recd. from the Treasurer of the State of mary‑ land of the second Instalment & Interest to this day, on the Loans for the use of the City of Washington T.M. begs permission respectfully to tender the salutations of the day, and joins most sincerely in the, almost, unanimous prayer of the Freemen of the United States that their beloved President & best friend may be preserved many years in the enjoyment of health and happiness, and the well earned confidence and Affections of his Countrymen.— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found.

From Thomas Paine Dear Sir New Rochelle N.Y. Jany. 1. 1805 I have some thoughts of coming to Washington this winter as I may as well spend a part of it there as elsewhere. But lest bad roads or any other circumstance should prevent me I suggest a thought for  275 

1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

your consideration, and I shall be glad,1 if in this case as in that of Louisana, we may happen to think alike without knowing what each other had thought of. The Affair of Domingo will cause some trouble in either of the cases in which it now stands. If armed Merchantmen force their way through the blockading fleet it will embarrass us with the french Government; and on the other hand, if the people of Domingo think that we shew a partiality to the french injurious to them there is danger they will turn Pirates upon us, and become more injurious on account of vicinity than the barbary powers, and England will en‑ courage it as she encouraged the Indians Domingo is lost to France either as to the Government or the pos‑ session of it. But if a way could be found out to bring about a Peace between france and Domingo through the Mediation, and under the guarantee of the United States, it would be beneficial to all Parties, and give us a great commercial and political standing not only with the present people of Domingo but with the West Indies generally, and when we have gained their confidence by Acts of Justice and friendship they will listen to our advice in Matters of Civilization and Government, and prevent the danger of their becoming pirates, which I think they will be if driven to desparation. The United States is the only power that can undertake a Measure of this kind. She is now the Parent of the Western world, and her knowlege of the local Circumstances of it gives her an advantage in a matter of this kind superior to any European Nation. She is enabled by situation and great importance to become a guarantee, and to see, as far as her advice and influence can operate that the Conditions on the part of Domingo be fulfilled. It is also a Measure that accords with the humanity of her principles, with her policy and her com‑ mercial interest. All that Domingo wants of France, is that France agree to let her alone and withdraw her forces by sea and land, and in return for this Domingo to give her a Monopoly of her commerce for a term of years, that is, to import from France all the utensils and Manufactures she may have occasion to use or consume (except such as she can more conveniently procure from the Manufactores of the United States) and to pay for them in produce. France will gain more by this, than she can expect to do even by a conquest of the Island, and the advan‑ tage to America will be that she will become the carrier of both, at least during the present war. There was considerable dislike in Paris against the Expedition to Domingo, and the events that have since taken place were then often  276 

1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

predicted. The opinion that generally prevailed at that time was that the commerce of the Island was better than the conquest of it—that the conquest could not be accomplished without destroying the Ne‑ groes, and in that case the Island would be of no Value. I think it might be signified to the french Government, yourself is the best judge of the means, that the United States are disposed to undertake an accommodation so as to put an end to this otherwise endless slaughter on both sides and to procure to France the best advantages in point of commerce that the state of things will admit of. Such an offer, whether accepted or not, cannot but be well received, and may lead to a good end. There is now a fine snow, and if it continues I intend to set off for Philadelphia in about eight days, and from thence to Washington. I congratulate your Consituents on the success of the election for Presi‑ dent and Vice‑President. Yours in friendship Thomas Paine RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

1

MS: “gad.”

From Joshua Wingate, Jr. Sir Washington City January 1st. 1805 Being about to leave the District of Columbia, I This day for‑ warded to Genl. John Mason the resignation of my appointment as Brigade Major and Inspector of the Militia of this District, he being considered the proper person through whom my resignation should be communicated to the President of the United States— The high respect I entertain for your personal and political Char‑ acter and my attachment to the measures for which your administra‑ tion has been so eminently distinguished, will not permit me to retire from the Seat of Government without tendering you my warmest acknowledgments for the honor you have confered on me and the con‑ fidence you have reposed in me, as evidenced by said appointment— I have the honor to be with sentiments of the highest esteem & respect Your Obedt. Servt. Joshua Wingate junr. RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at head of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

For Wingate’s post‑Washington career, see Vol. 38:296n.

 277 

To Hannah Briggs Washington Jan. 2. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his respects to mrs Briggs and has the plea‑ sure to inform her that mr Briggs had on the 26th. of November com‑ pleated his journey to New Orleans, where he had arrived in good health. he had had a small attack of remittent fever on the road. RC (PHi: Society Miscellaneous Col‑ lection); endorsed. Not recorded in SJL.

pleasure to inform: see Isaac Briggs to TJ, 26 Nov. 1804.

From Patrick Byrne Sir 182 Market St Philadelphia 2 Jan. 1805 by desire of Mr. Priestley I send The Doctrine of Heathen Philoso‑ phy, Compared with those of Revelation, being I believe the last work of his late good Father, I am with the greatest respect, Sir Yr. very hum Sert Pat: Byrne RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: Joseph Priestley, The Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, Compared with Those of Revelation (Northumberland, Pa., 1804; Sowerby, No. 1528). Patrick Byrne (ca. 1741‑1814) was one of Dublin’s leading printers and booksell‑ ers during the 1790s. His involvement with the Society of United Irishmen, how‑

ever, led to his imprisonment in 1798 and eventual banishment. By 1801, Byrne had resumed his business in Philadelphia, specializing in the reprinting and sale of law books (Richard Cargill Cole, Irish Booksellers and English Writers, 1740­ 1800 [London, 1986], 182‑90; James McGuire and James Quinn, eds., Dictio­ nary of Irish Biography: From the Earliest Times to the Year 2002, 9 vols. [Cam‑ bridge, Eng., 2009], 2:221‑2).

From Henry Dearborn Sir Janury. 2d. 1805 In conformity with the intimation you were pleased to make to me yesterday, I herewith enclose a list of such Gentlemen as have oc‑ cured to my mind as candidates for the office of Attorney Genl. with respectfull concideration 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 2 Jan. and “Atty Genl” and so recorded in SJL.

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e n c l o s u r e

List of Candidates for Attorney General A list of such charactors as have occured to me as candidates for the appoint‑ ment of Attorney Genl.— J Brackinridge— G. Hay— J. H. Nicholson C— Rodney A.er—Dallas Alexr. Wolcut B— Bidwell— H. Dearborn RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:25243); undated, in Dearborn’s hand.

From Albert Gallatin [2 Jan. 1805]

The within letters are enclosed for the President’s information; but will be again wanted (that from Chambers excepted) in order to an‑ swer them— A. G. RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 2 Jan. and “Indians” and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosures not identified, but see below.

One of the letters Gallatin enclosed was probably from Joseph chambers, register of the land office for Washington County, Mississippi Territory, and the U.S. factor to the Choctaws (Chambers to TJ, 27 Oct. 1804; TJ to Dearborn, 3 Jan. 1805).

From Albert Gallatin 2d Jany. 1805

It was intended that the payment of the 2d instt. to Maryland should be paid on 1st Jany. 1805; and the sooner the enclosed cer‑ tificates are signed, the better it will be in order to save interest Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 2 Jan. and “Maryld. loan” and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosures not found. payment: on 2 Jan., Thomas Munroe sent Benjamin Harwood, treasurer of the

western shore of Maryland, a draft for $42,400 for payment of the second in‑ stallment and interest on the Maryland loan to the city of Washington, payable on 1 Jan. Munroe explained that the draft had not been sent in the previous day’s Annapolis mail because it was New Year’s Day (DNA: RG 42, LRDLS).

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From John A. Graham May it please Your Excellency New York Jany 2d. 1805 Having been informed that certain Individuals have said, or writ‑ ten to the Executive of the United States, things which have called in question my want of attachment to the present administration, so derogatory to my honor and feelings—. I here take the liberty to forward the enclosed letter, which I pro‑ cured to be published in Vermont more than three Years since: as by the affidavit hereunto annexed will appear—And have to request that Your Excellency would have the goodness to find leisure for its perusal—And be Assured Sir, it was written from the effusions of the heart.— I should not have troubled Your Excellency in this way, neither had I the vanity to wish the Author to have been known, had not some personal enemies endeavoured to injure me, fearful that my services might be called into Action by the Executive—I am may it please your Excellency with profound respect. John A. Graham RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Graham; at head of text: “To the Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. John A. Graham (1764‑1841), a colo‑ nel in the militia and a classically trained lawyer, was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1785. He moved to Vermont and practiced law in Rutland. From 1796 to 1799, Graham was in England, ostensibly on church‑related business but also avoid‑ ing creditors in the aftermath of divorce and a mining fraud. While abroad, he wrote A Descriptive Sketch of the Present State of Vermont and achieved renown in political and literary circles. He moved to Washington in 1803 and was appointed to a Senate clerkship by Stephen R. Brad‑ ley before they had a falling out. After being in Benjamin Rush’s care briefly for a “severe Attack of derangement,” he eventually settled in New York City, where he pursued a career as a criminal attorney (dab; Dorr Bradley Carpenter, ed., Ste­ phen R. Bradley: Letters of a Revolution­ ary War Patriot and Vermont Senator [Jef‑ ferson, N.C., 2009], 39‑40, 206, 224‑7, 232‑4, 419).

enemies endeavoured to injure me: in response to a satirical piece about Stephen R. Bradley in the New­York Eve­ ning Post in December 1802, Graham signed his name to a lengthy and spirited defense of the U.S. senator from Vermont in James Cheetham’s American Citizen. Graham also railed against the Post’s edi‑ tor, William Coleman, who had an un‑ paid loan from Bradley. Graham likened Coleman to Peter Porcupine and James Thomson Callender, and insinuated that his “attack on the spotless and exalted character of the President of the United States by unprovoked lies, leaves you upon a par with the devils.” When Coleman denied the charges against him, Graham wrote a letter of apology, stating that he had been acting as Bradley’s agent and had been deceived by him. Graham wrote “An Address to the Public, together with a Copy of a Letter to Stephen R. Bradley” and published it as a pamphlet in New York in 1805 (New­York Evening Post, 17 Dec. 1802, 3 Jan. 1803; New York Republican Watch­Tower, 5 Jan. 1803; Albany Register, 11 Jan. 1803; Sowerby, No. 3322).

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e n c l o s u r e

Letter of “McGillda” Sir/

as I have not the honor of being Personally Acquainted with you—you will have the goodness to pardon me for the liberty I here take in Addressing myself to the Chief Majestrate of the United States—And permit me to lay before you a heart which is no Stranger to the joys of our fellow Citizens thus far in your public Administration—(He whoes daring and luminent pen drew the declaration of American Independance is fully competent to Support the Mighty fabric thereon erected)—And so long as the People of the United States, have a Man at helm who unites exact Observation with Judicious remarks and sound reasoning able to investigate causes, and who so truly Administers Justice—the people will flourish and must be truly happy. It is said that the Nile is the most beneficial of all Rivers, by its overflowing and fertilizing the Soil of Egypt—Naturalists, however Observe, that the more fruitful the Earth is upon the recess of its waters, the more frightful are the Monsters that they leave upon the Strand. It is not my intention to Attack either the Morals or the practices of the late Administration—I may however, without Offence to any, favorable to American liberty, venture to Affirm, that, the time and circumstances Attending your Appointment to the Presidential Chair—were as favorable to the interest of the good People of the United States, as the overflowing of the Nile is to the fertility of the land of Egypt; but the waters must recede, that, we may enjoy the harvest of your great Virtues. To speak without a Metaphor, a happy Spirit of enquiry has taken its rise near the Presidential Chair, and it is to be hoped, will be carried through every department of Public‑business. Let abuses and corruptions in great Offices be punished and reformed, and lesser villains will Submit were it only for the credit of the Company. You Sir, most assuredly are the Person whom the People ardently love; which Affection of theirs is happily returned, by your declared concern for their prosperity, and let nothing disturb this mutual confidence. Let there be but one contest between them, whether the President loves the People best, or the People him; and may it be a long, a very long contest; may it never be decided, but let it remain doubtful; and may the Paternal Affection on the one side, and the filial Observance on the other, be had in perpetual remembrance. May the god of heaven & Earth have you always under his protection, and direct you for the best good of the People of the United States, and his honor and glory in all you do;—And may you reap the benefit of it, by an increase of happiness in this world; and in the next; is the Sincere wish of him who has the honor to Subscribe himself—with the Most Profound Respect & Consideration. (Signd.) (McGillda.) Tr (DLC); in Graham’s hand; at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Pres‑ ident of the United States of America &c &c &c.”; with subjoined affidavit by Gra‑ ham that he wrote and published the let‑ ter in praise of TJ’s election and that the

letter “made a Great‑Noise in Vermont, New Hampshire, Massechusetts, & Con‑ necticut,” with notation that the state‑ ment was sworn before DeWitt Clinton on 8 Dec. 1804.

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From Brockholst Livingston Sir, New York 2. Jany. 1805— Permit me to introduce to your civilities Mr. William Keteltas, a gentleman of the profession of the Law, who will have the honor of delivering you this letter, & proposes passing sometime at Wash‑ ington. I have the honor to be Sir, your very obt Sert Brockholst Livingston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr President &ca.”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Jan. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Keteltas.”

From Robert Smith Sir, Jany. 2. 1805— From the Conversation I have this moment had with you, I find that you will experience serious difficulties in appointing an Atty. General. My wish is that either Mason or Breckinridge should have the Office. To neither of them can any reasonable Objections be made. The circumstance of their being Virginians by birth ought not to prevail over the important considerations that so powerfully recommend them. If neither of these gentlemen can be prevailed upon to accept, I would take the liberty of suggesting to you that I have no attachments to the duties of the Office I have now the honor of holding and that a law‑appointment would be more pleasing to me. My education and the habits of my life have given me a strong passion and a high taste for law disquisitions. And I have not yet been able to acquire a taste for the details of the Navy Department. You will, I am confident, easily believe that I could not have allowed myself to give you this intimation, if the Office of Atty. General was more or even as honorable or as profitable as the office I now possess. Never could I bring myself to solicit directly or indirectly for my own promotion. My only Object is to enlarge the field of your choice. My situation in life renders the amount of Salary a thing of no Consideration. I have in my view three very respectable gentlemen either of whom would be fully competent to the duties of the Navy Department, and would I believe willingly accept. In accepting my present appointment I was not in any degree in‑ fluenced by considerations of personal interest or of personal advance‑ ment of any kind. I considered it a duty to afford my best services to  282 

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a cause to which I was devoted. It is under the influence of the same principle I make to you this communication. You will be pleased to consider this a confidential Communication to yourself. And let me entreat you to believe that I do not wish you to think of me in case you can Obtain the Services of any gentleman competent to the duties of the appointment. And in such an event I will not, be at all mortified. And be persuaded, Sir, I should not thus unfold myself to you were I not satisfied you would justly appreciate my motives. Respecty. Rt. Smith RC (DLC); at head of text: “Confidential”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Jan. and so recorded in SJL with notation “Atty Genl.”

From James Bringhurst Philada: 3d of 1st mo: 1805—

It is in much diffidence and fear that I now take my pen to address Thee with a few lines, and wish to do it with that real Respect which is Due to the first Ruler of a great People and in that near Affection I feel for Thee, now finding the revolving Year does not diminish the Anxietys or lessen the cares generally Attendant on the Life of Man, as to myself I can truely say it, having for a considerable time past been under a concern or an Impression of mind that I must Send to our Beloved President what I esteem a very valueable Book, pub‑ lished by an Author whose works have been greatly applauded by the writers of the present Age,   the undertaking to send this Book & a letter with it appeared too great for me least by using such liberty I might give offence which I should be very sorry to do, and therefore putt it off from time to time under discouragement till the present day, I felt a little strength from a recollection of Thy former kindness toward me, with a hope Thou would be pleased kindly to excuse it as being done from a heart filled with Sincere affection greatly desiring Thy Enjoyment of those Blessings of Health and Happiness in the present Life, and when it Shall please Infinite Wisdom to call Thee hence, that it may be into the Realms of most Consummate Bliss which remain to be the Joy of the Blessed thro: the endless Ages of Eternity, so prays Thy sincere wellwisher.— James Bringhurst I am greatly Obliged by Thy kindly appointing my Son Joseph to the post Office at Willmington on Delaware— No person has seen this letter but myself—  283 

3 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not identified. former kindness: TJ had pur‑ chased items from Bringhurst on a num‑

ber of occasions while in Philadelphia. He was also friends with Bringhurst’s brother John (mb, 2:929; Vol. 18:493; Vol. 26:569‑70).

To Henry Dearborn Th:J. to Genl. Dearborne. Jan. 3. 05. The inclosed letter shews the writer to be really a curiosity. I think he might be told that you had communicated to me the substance of his letter: that the information relative to the olives & to Genl. Gads‑ den was very gratifying to me. that as to the gunboats, (his 3d sub‑ ject) that mode of defending our harbours would probably be pur‑ sued: that the boats will not all be on one model, but very various, so as to furnish some accomodated to every kind of navigation: that his opinion on the subject would have been very acceptable, as informa‑ tion from him on any subject would be at all times, it being peculiarly useful that the executive should hear all things & hold fast that which is good. I inclose you a letter from mr Chambers, Choctaw factor. his first proposition is worthy consideration. well furnished factories at differ‑ ent points on the Western bank of the Missisipi, say one for each of the four nations, might be the means of locating them by degrees as we wish, to wit the Choctaws lowest, then the Creeks, the Cherokees, & the Chickasaws highest. to cooperate with this, the factories on this side should be poorly supplied. his 2d. proposition has but one idea new & of worth: that is, to recieve annual paiment in lands. in this way we might get some desirable lands on the waters of the Mobile. Affectionate salutations. RC (MB). PoC (DLC). Enclosures not found, but see below and Gallatin to TJ, first letter at 2 Jan. References to olives and Christopher gadsden indicate that the first enclosure likely came from South Carolina, possibly a letter of 22 Oct. 1804 on “the forts in

Charleston Harbour” from Michael Kal‑ teisen, the commanding officer at Fort Johnson (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; He‑ lene M. Riley, “Michael Kalteisen and the Founding of the German Friendly Soci‑ ety in Charleston,” South Carolina His­ torical Magazine, 100 [1999], 45‑8; Vol. 32:125n).

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From Albert Gallatin [3 Jan. 1805]

Names of persons for Atty. General Russel of Rhode Island—unknown Brokholst Livingston of New York—would not accept M. Dickerson of Philada.—not equal Rodney. M.C. of Delaware—do. Gabriel Duvall of Maryland—Quere, whether he would not accept, in which case Joseph Clay might be made Comptroller Walter Jones of Columbia—of Virginia J. T. Mason of do—the best, if he will accept  Breckenridge of Kentucky—very good if he will accept       I am so little acquainted with the characters &ca. of professional Gentlemen who have not been in public life that it is not practicable for me to make a good list—I will, however, make some further en‑ quiries principally to know whether there are any republican promi‑ nent characters in Pennsylvania. Respectfully your obedt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. 1805 and “Atty. Genl.” and so recorded in SJL. For an earlier discussion of Mahlon dickerson for the position of attorney

general, see TJ to Gallatin, 3 Aug., TJ to Madison, 3 Aug., and Gallatin to TJ, 20 Aug. 1804. rodney. m.c.: that is, Caesar A. Rod‑ ney, member of Congress from Delaware.

Petition of Eliza Peacock To Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, the subscriber begs leave to state That she is wife of Robert W. Peacock, of this City, Attorney at Law:—that her said husband has lately been apprehended, and is at present confined in the goal of this City upon a charge, as she is in‑ formed, of Forgery:—that from the information which the subscriber has received she fears that her said husband may have been guilty of some1 erroneous or indiscreet act constituting an offence against the laws of the place; that such being her fears2 the subscriber is desirous of retiring with her said husband from the United States and the ter‑ ritories under their government, immediately; and being advised that  285 

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the power of discontinuing the prosecution instituted in the case is in your hands, your subscriber therefore presumes to entreat you that in consideration of her innocence & misfortunes, those of her children and of her friends and connexions (some of whom (being the family of the Greens in the State of Virginia) may possibly have the honor of being known to you either personally or by reputation) You will be pleased to direct a nol. pros. to be entered in the case above referred to, upon the express condition that the said Robert W. Peacock leaves the Country as aforesaid within such period as you shall think proper to direct—And your applicant for your exercise of that clemency & mercy to which she trusts with confidence, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. Washington Jany. 3d. 1805— Eliza Peacock RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); in John P. Van Ness’s hand, signed by Peacock; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 8 Jan. and so recorded in SJL with notation “petn.” Elizabeth Green Peacock was the daugh‑ ter of James and Elizabeth Jones Green of Culpeper County, Virginia. Her hus‑ band, Washington attorney Robert Ware Peacock, had been indicted for forging and endorsing foreign bills of exchange. Following his conviction on the charge, Eliza would write to the president twice in an unsuccessful effort to secure a par‑ don for her husband. When clemency was not forthcoming, Robert escaped from jail, and the couple eventually fled to En‑

gland, where Eliza later died (Raleigh Travers Green, Genealogical and Histori­ cal Notes on Culpeper County, Virginia [Culpeper, 1900], 62; William Cranch, Reports of Cases Civil and Criminal in the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, from 1801 to 1841, 6 vols. [Boston, 1852‑53], 1:215‑18; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 10:439, 440n; Vol. 41:574‑5n; Eliza Peacock to TJ, 6 and 9 Mch.). 1 Here Van Ness canceled “error or in‑ discretion.” 2 Preceding four words interlined in place of “under those circumstances.”

From Craven Peyton Dear Sir Stump Island Jany. 3d. 1805 I nevar have been deturmined untill a few days past respecting the shears in the Milton warehouse. ewing to the proprietor being in Baltimore each share cost him £80–0.0. Sixty is what is asked but I think they might be had for fifty pounds each there is five of them, the othars in Kentucky, I have not reciavd. any information respecting them but expect to hear by every post. will thank you to let me no if I shall close the bargain fir the five and at what price with great Respt. C Peyton RC (ViU); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

For Peyton’s activity relating to the Henderson heirs’ shares of the milton

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3 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 warehouse, see mb, 2:1135n, and TJ to George Jefferson, 5 Oct. 1804. proprietor being in baltimore: possibly Richard Seabrook of Baltimore, to whom John Henderson sold, in July 1802, all of his warehouse shares, as well as those of Bennett Hillsborough Hender‑ son and Isham Henderson. Peyton pur‑ chased these shares in early June 1805 (Isham and Bennett H. Henderson to John Henderson, 17 July 1802 [MS in

ViU; endorsed by TJ with notation “their rights in lot No. 15. the warehouse”]; John Henderson to Richard Seabrook, 17 July 1802 [MS in same; endorsed by TJ with notation “₁−³−₀ of Warehouse ½ of lot No. 15. lot No. 57.”]; Robert Haggard, “Thomas Jefferson v. The Heirs of Ben‑ nett Henderson, 1795‑1818: A Case Study in Caveat Emptor,” Magazine of Albe­ marle County History, 63 [2005], 8; rs, 5:422‑4).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 3 Janv. 1805 Ayant a la Librairie une Gravure represent. frederic le grand, et une Carte Generale des Etats unis—dont je pense, qu’il Vous fera plaisir, de les voir, et, peût etre, même de les posseder—je les ai confiè aujourdhui au Stage. Le prix de la Gravure est  15 Gourdes. et celui de la Carte 6 Si Vous n’aimez pas de les garder—je Vous prie de me les renvoyer par la même Voie—je n’en ai, que çe seul exemplaire, qui [sera] [. . .] par un Monsieur d’içi, si Vous les refusez. S’il n’y a pas d’occasion par eau pour me faire parvenir les 2 Caisses, qui restent Chez Vous, je Vous prie [. . .], de vouloir bien le faire remettre au Stage—je ne puis pas douter, qu’il recevra et me remettra sans obstacle des objets provenants de Vous. Je suppose ma dernière lettre renfermant [Mes] Quittances sur Vos Assignation dans Vos mains. J’ai l’honneur d’etre tres respectueusement, Votre Excellence tr. hbl. et tr. Obst str Reibelt. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 3 Jan. 1805 In my bookshop I had an engraving of Frederick the Great and a map of the United States that I thought you might like to see and perhaps even to own, so I sent them today by coach. The price of the engraving is $15, and that of the map is $6. If you do not wish to keep them, please send them back by the same means. I have only this one copy. A local gentleman will [take?] them if you do not want them. If you are not able to return the two remaining cases you have by boat, please send them by coach. I have no doubt the driver will accept any objects coming from you and will deliver them to me without a problem.

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3 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  I assume you received my last letter containing receipts for your purchases. With great respect, your excellency, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt. RC (DLC); words illegibly overwrit‑ ten; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

dernière lettre: that is, Reibelt to TJ, 26 Dec. 1804.

To Robert Smith Th:J. to mr Smith. Jan. 3. 05. I recieve your letter of yesterday in the kind light in which you in‑ tended it, and as it suggests not a loss of you in our administration but only a change of position, I permit myself to consider whether it will lessen our difficulty. it brings the question to this point whether it is easier to find an Attorney general or a Secretary of the Navy? I apprehend it is easiest to find the former. I know of three persons who might do for the latter: but they are all in business which I think they would not leave. as you do not permit me to consult my col‑ eagues will you name to me the three persons you contemplate and let me have a minute’s conversation with you on the subject? affectionate salutations. PoC (DLC).

Petition of John P. Van Ness and Others for Robert Ware Peacock To Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the U. States, the petition of the subscribers Humbly states That Robert W. Peacock, as your petitioners are informed, is ap‑ prehended and confined in the goal of this City upon a charge of Forgery, which may possibly be substantiated against him:—That your petitioners are advised that the Wife of the prisoner is a woman of merit, and of very respectable connexions in the state of virginia;— that she is, together with her two helpless, innocent, little children, plunged by the alleged misconduct of her Husband, into distress and wretchedness; and that she wishes to retire from the Country with her said husband before a trial is had in the case:—That your peti‑ tioners are informed that you possess the power of ordering the said  288 

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prosecution to be discontinued—Your petitioners therefore pray that you will be pleased to exercise the said power upon the express condi­ tion that the prisoner shall leave the Country within such period as to you shall seem meet, and as you may specify.— And your petitioners will ever pray Washington Jany. 3d. 1805— RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); in John P. Van Ness’s hand; signed by Van Ness and 153 others; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 8 Jan. and “Peacock. petn on his behalf” and “refused. Jan. 9.” wife: Eliza Peacock.

will ever pray: the signers included prominent Washington figures such as John Thomson Mason, Augustus B. Woodward, Daniel Carroll Brent, Uriah Forrest, Charles Lee, and Philip Barton Key; Maria Cosway’s brother, the architect George Hadfield; TJ’s barber, Edward Frethy; and his tailor, Thomas Carpenter.

From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 4th. of January 1805 I had the honor of addressing you on the 24th. of December by the  ship Minerva1 Captn. Mc.Cray for New York, covering at the same time a letter from Mr. Mazzei since which, I have received the garden:seeds from Malta I then mentioned, and now forward them herewith.— I have not receiv’d any particular directions as to their cultivation, but I am told generally that the fruits they produce are of extraordi‑ nary size and flavour; in an especial manner the Cauliflowers, which come to the enormous weight of 25#. or 30#.—The pumkins are from 3 to 4 feet in length, and half as much in circumference.—The winter:melons are gathered in Malta about the beginning of Septem‑ ber, and laid in dry chambers until they ripen which takes place in december or january; in short, they follow each other in their maturity in the manner of our winter:pears—however, I ought to observe that they do not arrive to quite half the dimensions of the summer:melon; but I am assured by a Maltese gentleman of my Acquaintance here that they are far superior in flavour to any other species— The four kinds of seeds contained within, are the winter:melon, Summer melon, long pumpkin, and the long:cauliflower . . . —The vessel by which these are conveyed to you, being first to touch at Mar‑ seilles, and afterwards destined for Newbury:port, I have thought proper to defer sending the Vino del Carmine until the departure of a vessel for New York in the beginning of february— accept Sir the assurances of the high Respect with which I am your devoted Servant Th: Appleton  289 

4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); ellipses in original; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson. esq. Presi‑ dent of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 May and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn); in Appleton’s hand; with postscript: “The foregoing was sent

by Capt. Lufkin in Brig Aidar and Sailed the 10th. of January.” letter from mr. mazzei: Philip Mazzei to TJ, 15 Dec. 1804. 1 FC:

“Mercury.”

From Albert Gallatin [4 Jan. 1805]

For information

Copy of an answer to Dr. Mitchill Chairman of the Senate’s committee on the bill restraining the arming of private vessels who had applied by private letter to know what were the intentions of administration on that subject— RC (DLC); undated, in Gallatin’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 4 Jan. 1805 and “arming mercht vessels” and so recorded in SJL. The House of Representatives passed the bill to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels on 24 Dec. 1804 and

sent it to the Senate for concurrence. Four days later, on 28 Dec., the Senate referred the bill to a select committee consisting of Samuel Latham Mitchill, Abraham Bald‑ win, William Branch Giles, John Breck‑ inridge, and George Logan for consider‑ ation (jhr, 5:62, 64‑5; js, 3:426). See also Bill to Regulate the Clearance of Armed Vessels, at 23 Oct. 1804.

e n c l o s u r e

Albert Gallatin to Samuel L. Mitchill Dear Sir, Treasury Department 3d. Jany. 1805. I was favoured with your letter of the 28th Ultimo, & have been prevented from making an earlier Answer by a multiplicity of other avocations. Even now, I cannot take as comprehensive a view of the subject, which does not come within the sphere of my Official duties, as I would wish; & you must be satisfied with a few general remarks. A species of trade may be considered as illicit either in relation to the laws of the Nation of which the Traders are Citizens or Subjects, or in relation to the general law of Nations, or to the Municipal laws of the Nation into whose territories the trade is carried. Let, for the present and in order to avoid con‑ fusion of ideas, the definition of illicit trade be confined to that species of commerce which, tho not prohibited by the laws of the country to which the traders belong, is contrary either to the acknowledged law of Nations or to the regulations of the country with whom the trade is carried. An illicit trade, if contrary to the law of Nations, as in the case of contra‑ band Articles, attempt to enter a blockaded port &c. renders the party liable

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4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 to capture & condemnation. If contrary to the Municipal laws of the country with which carried, whether because absolutely prohibited as in case of in‑ fractions of the colonial commercial systems of Spain and other Nations, or because done in a manner contrary to the regulations of that subject as in case of common smuggling or other infractions of the revenue or navigation laws of the country, the party is in same manner liable to capture & condem‑ nation, &, in addition thereto, to such penalties or even personal punishment as the laws of the country have provided. In either case the armed public, revenue or other authorized Vessels of the belligerent power or of the coun‑ try whose laws are violated have a right to capture the offending party; and in either case the courts of the captors are the proper tribunal to try the of‑ fence. In either case also resistance to an armed Vessel duly commissioned & authorised, is illegal, becomes by itself a sufficient cause of condemnation, and renders the party liable to distinct punishment. In common cases of illicit trade, of whatever nature that trade may be, the individuals who carry it on are responsible for their conduct, and punishable by the aggrieved nations without having a right to call on their own country for protection: but the country to which they belong is not generally bound to pass restrictive Laws prohibiting such trade. Neutral nations, tho they consider it sometimes to be good policy to do it, are not obliged to enforce the law of Nations by positive Statutes against their own Subjects or Citizens: they are not bound, for in‑ stance, to prohibit the exportation of even Arms or Gun powder tho avowedly exported to the country of either of the belligerent Powers. Nor are Nations bound to pass laws prohibiting to their subjects or Citizens commerce, such as that with the colonies of another Nation, which is illicit only by reason of the particular Statutes of other Nations. But altho’ this be a good rule in common cases, it will be allowed that there are circumstances under which the conduct of illicit traders might go such length, especially if they shall use force, as would render it necessary for the purpose of preserving National peace, that the country to which they belong should, by prohibitory or re‑ strictive Statutes, prevent the acts of violence which endanger that peace. Two questions will, therefore, arise in relation to the San‑Domingo trade which is the avowed object of the Bill under consideration. 1st. is it illicit?— 2d. If illicit, ought the United States, under present circumstances, interfere by restrictive Statutes?—If those two questions shall be answered in the affir‑ mative, the modifications of which the Bill may be susceptible, will be a sub‑ ject of subsequent consideration. To the first question there can be no hesitation in answering 1st. that the trade to San‑Domingo is in itself illicit in toto—2dly that it is carried in a manner contrary to the law of nations. The chambers of commerce, merchants &c. have indeed acknowledged that so far as that trade might consist of contraband articles it was illicit, & they have affected to consider that question as if the blacks of San‑Domingo were one of the belligerent powers & France another. But this is not the true state of the question—San‑Domingo is a french Colony recognized as such by the United States & by every European Nation, a colony in a state of rebellion against the Mother Country: and the question is whether any nation has a right to carry on commerce with a port, province or colony in a state of rebel‑ lion against that country of which it has heretofore been acknowledged as a part. On that point there does not & there never has existed any doubt. Such

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4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 trade is by the common consent of all nations, as well as in conformity with the rules of common justice & common sense, altogether illegal & will render parties concerned therein liable to capture, condemnations & such other punishment as the aggrieved nation shall think proper by law to provide. It is clear that in such cases other nations must either continue to acknowledge the supremacy of the Nation over its rebellious province or Colony, and, there‑ fore submit to its laws & regulations respecting the commerce with such province or Colony, or acknowledge, at the risk or rather with the certainty of War, the independence of the rebellious Province or Colony. During the whole of the revolutionary American war, England took & condemned every neutral Vessel bound to the United States which their Vessels met with: there was not on that ground the least objection, not even at the time the armed neutrality took place: & even France, tho she afterwards acknowledged the independence of America & thereby became a party in the War, did not only so long as she intended to remain at peace, abstain from asserting the doc‑ trine which she afterwards attempted to uphold on that subject in her de‑ claratory memorial, but went so far as ostensibly to give orders, on the Brit‑ ish Ministers complaint for the detention of such vessels laden with military supplies as were bound for the United States. It is also well Known that England made war on Holland because she did not disavow the conduct of Amsterdam in making a conditional Treaty of commerce with America; & that the armed Neutrality, of which Holland was a member, refused to inter‑ fere in her favour, because the powers of which it was composed, anxious as they then were for the freedom of commerce & the doctrine of Mare liberum, considered the conduct of Holland as a breach of Neutrality, and in common with all other nations, felt that the principle she had assumed was dangerous to the safety of every Government. In that respect the justice or injustice of the Nation to its rebellious Province or Colony is altogether out of the question as it relates to other Nations. Of that, they have no right to judge unless they think proper to become parties in the civil quarrel, & all they have to do is to wait for the event. Nor is the distinction of Government de facto (as different from that de jure) applicable to this case. It is perfectly true that when a revo‑ lution takes place which affects a whole country, other nations are bound to consider as the legitimate authority, the powers who have the actual posses‑ sion of government: but they are equally bound to consider every part of the country as under the Authority of those who are in possession of the Govern‑ ment of the country generally. That doubtful cases might arise, as if the Bourbon family occupied one half of France & Buonaparte the other half, is true, & the prudence of other Governments must dictate their conduct in such delicate circumstances: but the instance of San‑Domingo is no such one; it is a plain one on which there can be but one opinion. Suppose New Orleans to be in the situation in which San‑Domingo now is, and let any one answer the question—or even substitute Ireland to San‑Domingo & England to France, & let Mr Murray and the N. York chamber of commerce decide. But the commerce to San‑Domingo is not only illicit, but it is carried on in a manner contrary to the law of Nations. It has become a trade forced by arms against the public or private Armed Vessels of France, who, under the law of Nations, whether France be considered as a belligerent power, or in the act of preventing her rebellious Subjects from receiving any kind of supplies,

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4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 have an undoubted right to search capture & send for adjudication any neu‑ tral Vessels which they have reason to consider as concerned in such trade. That resistance to such Vessels is illegal will not be denied, & it will not be a justification for those illegal acts, that resistance may legally be made against other Vessels who are not duly commissioned & authorized. It is for this last reason, it is because the trade to San‑Domingo, illicit in itself is carried on in the most open manner, by force of arms contrary to the law of nations; it is because fleets of armed Vessels, insured as if engaged in the most legal trade; openly sail from our Ports with the avowed design of forcing their way to San‑Domingo & of resisting commissioned as well as unauthorized French armed Vessels, that the question has acquired national importance, & that legislative interference becomes necessary in order to pre‑ serve the peace of the Nation which the avidity of a few Individuals has al‑ ready endangered. So long as force was not used, or so long as it was used so rarely as not to create alarm, the United States were not bound to forbid an illicit trade or to provide in a special manner against occasional acts of Vio‑ lence. It is the magnitude of the evil which call for a remedy. Three different modes might have been adopted in that respect—To pro‑ hibit the trade altogether—to prohibit arming altogether—or which is the object of the Bill, to restrain only those unlawful acts of violent which have given just cause of complaint to the French Government. It will not be de‑ nied that the last mode is the mildest, and that which lays the least possible restraint on American Commerce. Here let it be observed that from the year 1793, when the war between Great Britain & France took place, to the year 1798 when Government re‑ solved to repel the French aggressions by force, arming private Vessels was with the exception of those bound to the east Indies or Mediterranean abso‑ lutely forbidden by a mere Executive act: and that when the President in 1798 withdrew the prohibition, Congress immediately took up the subject and in the same law in which they authorized private Vessels to resist1 in every case armed French Vessels; provided against the unlawful use of force as it re‑ lated to nations in Amity with the U. States. That act passed the 25th. June 1798 & which would have expired on the 14th of May 1800, was continued in force by act of 22d April 1800. It expired by its own limitation on the 3d of May 1802. at which time Europe being at peace, the subject was unat‑ tended to. Subsequent to the renewal of the European War, the President did not think proper to assume the Authority which had been exercised by his Predecessors, to permit or forbid, at his pleasure the arming of Vessels, & Congress having neglected, during last Session to renew or modify the provi‑ sions of the former act, the effect of an unrestrained permission to Arm has been immediately felt. From that view of facts, it results that, except since the renewal of the European War, American Merchants have been uniformly ei‑ ther prohibited altogether to Arm, or placed under restrictions in some de‑ gree similar to those proposed by the Bill now under consideration, & that they have abused the permission to arm as soon as it was unrestrained, & it became their interest to do it. The Principal features of the present Bill are 1st.—That the owners shall give Bond in sum equal to double the value of the Vessel, Arms &C. condi‑ tioned that no unlawful use of the arms of such Vessel (generally) shall be

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4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 made against Nations in Amity with the United States—2dly. That the Indi‑ viduals who may make such unlawful use of arms shall be punished for such acts as if committed within the exclusive jurisdiction of the U. States. I cannot perceive that any well founded objections can be made against ei‑ ther of those two principles. The forfeiture of the Bond, as well as the pun‑ ishment of the individuals, rests altogether on the unlawfulness of the act. As it is lawful to resist in self defence, any Pirate or non commissioned or other‑ wise unauthorized Armed Vessel, the penalties of the Act cannot attach to any of the cases in which the necessity of using arms has been alledged. It is evident that persons objecting to the principles of the Bill must avow an in‑ tention to do what they know to be unlawful acts; that they intend in fact to resist authorized Armed french Vessels, & to force at all events an acknowl‑ edged illicit trade. Supposing some of the positions which I have assumed respecting the law of nations, & an illicit trade, to be erroneous, the error will not effect the Argument in favour of the principles of the Bill; for it is only what is unlawful which is forbidden; & it is left with the Courts and Juries to decide whether the acts which shall have been committed are lawful or un‑lawful.—By recurring to the memorial of the Chamber of commerce of New York, it will be perceived that the principal act which they omit in their own enumeration of unlawful acts by a Neutral, is resistance to the armed Vessel of a belligerent which is not a public Vessel. They acknowledge resis‑ tence to a public armed Vessel to be unlawful: by the omission they imply that resistance to a duly commissioned Privateer is lawful. I need not say that the distinction is unfounded, & has never been acknowledged, except by spe‑ cial conventions, & only in the case of convoys. If the principles of the Bill are correct, the details alone remain to be exam‑ ined; & it is principally necessary that they should be such as with certainty to carry the principles into effect. On that subject I have but a few observa‑ tions to make. In the first section, I think that it wd. be an improvement if the owners were obliged to give bond in a fixed Sum, say 10 or 20 thousand Dollars in addition to double the value of the Vessel, Arms &C.—This would not be liable to the Objection which induced the House to strike out the Word “Cargo”—viz, that in the East India trade the bond wd. be for an enormous sum; & it would give security in those cases where the Vessel itself may be worth but a trifle compared with the Value & expected profits of the Voyage. In the same section, it seems to me that there is no reason why the last condition expressed in the 3d section of the Act of the 25th. June 1798. should not be inserted. The act is made so mild, that the only danger to be apprehended is that its provisions will be inefficient & its intention defeated. The proposed proviso would enable the President to add such restrictions as experience might shew to be necessary: & it is not liable to the well founded objection made against the Section, rejected by the House, which authorized the President to prevent altogether the sailing of armed Vessels under certain circumstances.— The 2d. Section is obscure & I think misprinted. Mr. Madison proposes as a substitute a much shorter one which I enclose. In the third Section the provision which subjects the value of the Vessel to forfeiture should be more explicit by declaring that such value shall be re‑ covered from either the owners or master of the Vessel. Penal statutes are

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4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 construed strictly: in every suit the bias is against the United States; & the penalty might be evaded if the persons from whom it must be recovered, when the Vessel cannot be seized, are not described. I will trouble you no longer, and you must excuse this long, unconnected letter; but I have not time to write either a better or a shorter one.—Believe me to be with great regard & respect yrs &c &c— Tr (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “Department of Treasury. mr Gal‑ latin’s lre to Dr. Mitchell on the bill against arming mercht vessels, Jan. 1805.” FC (NHi: Gallatin Papers). Enclosure not found. murray and the n. york chamber of commerce: on 28 Dec. 1804, Mitchill presented the Senate with a lengthy me‑

morial from the New York City Chamber of Commerce, dated 21 Dec. and signed by its president, John Murray. The me‑ morial detailed reasons why merchant vessels should be permitted to arm and suggested principles upon which an act should be based (asp, Commerce and Nav­ igation, 1:582‑3; js, 3:426). 1

MS: “resits.”

To Louis H. Girardin Washington Jan. 4. 1805.

Th: Jefferson returns to mr Girardin the Prospectus of his work to which he becomes willingly a subscriber. his plan will enable him to embrace objects and circumstances certainly very interesting to the American reader; and the Prospectus itself evidences that the work will be well executed. he presents to mr Girardin his salutations & respects. PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found (see Girardin to TJ, 28 Dec.).

From Thomas C. James Sir Philadelphia January 4th. 1805 It affords me great Satisfaction to find it again assigned as my duty, to inform you, that at a Meeting of the American philosophical Soci‑ ety, held this Afternoon at their Hall, for the annual Election of Offi‑ cers, you, Sir, were unanimously reelected their President; an office which I hope you will continue to accept & hold, for many years to come; and by the Patronage you will thus extend to Science, and the Arts, encourage the Friends of useful Knowledge in their peaceful & beneficent pursuits. I remain with high Consideration Yr. frd. & Servt Tho. C. James Corresponding Secy  295 

4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (PPAmP); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 6 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Jan. 4. 05. Messrs. Brown and co. returned to me Lilly’s draught. as their refusal to recieve paiment in bills of the US. states bank here would have subjected me to the necessity of procuring & remitting specie, or you to that of exchanging my bills for something which they would recieve, I applied to the Secy. of the Treasury to know how mr Gib‑ bons makes his remittances here. he told me that for the sum paid here he would give me a draught on mr Gibbons at any time. this there‑ fore I shall send you. it may not be amiss to advise mr Gibbons of it, lest he should by previous remittances leave himself unfurnished to meet the draught. accept affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. George Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. lilly’s draught: see TJ to George Jefferson, 19 Dec. 1804.

mr gibbons: James Gibbon was the collector of customs at Richmond (Mes­ sage from the President of United States, Transmitting a Roll of the Persons Hav­ ing Office or Employment under the United States [Washington, D.C., 1802], 40).

To Reuben Lewis Dear Sir Washington Jan. 4. 05. I recieved last night the inclosed letter for Capt Lewis; and at the same time information from St. Louis that on the 19th. of August he was 850. miles up the Missouri. no accident had happened & he had been well recieved by all the Indians on his way. it was expected he would winter with the Mandans, 1300. miles up the river, about Lat. 48.° from whence he would have about 1000. miles to the mouth of the Oregon river on the South sea. it is believed he may the ensuing summer reach that & return to winter again with the Mandans. if so we may expect to see him in the fall of 1806. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reuben Lewis.” Enclosures: see Auguste Chou‑ teau to TJ, 20 Nov. 1804.

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To John Lithgow Washington Jan. 4. 05.

Your favor of Dec. 4. has been duly recieved. mr Duane informed me that he meant to publish a new edition of the Notes on Virginia, and I had in contemplation some particular alterations which would require little time to make. my occupations by no means permit me at this time to revise the text, and make those changes in it which I should now do. I should in that case certainly qualify several expres‑ sions in the 19th. chapter which have been construed differently from what they were intended. I had under my eye, when writing, the man‑ ufacturers of the great cities in the old countries at the time present, with whom the want of food & clothing necessary to sustain life has begotten a depravity of morals a dependance & corruption which ren‑ ders them an undesirable accession to a country whose morals are sound. my expressions looked forward to the time when our own great cities would get into the same state. but they have been quoted as if meant for the present time here. as yet our manufacturers are as much at their ease, as independant & moral as our agricultural inhabitants, and they will continue so as long as there is vacant lands for them to resort to; because whenever it shall be attempted by the other classes to reduce them to the minimum of subsistence, they will quit their trades and go to labouring the earth. a first question is whether it is desirable for us to recieve at present the dissolute & demoralised handicrafts men of the old cities of Europe? a second & more difficult one is when even good handicraft men arrive here, is it better for them to set up their trade or go to the culture of the earth? whether their labor in their trade is worth more than their labour in the soil increased by the creative energies of the earth? had I time to revise that chapter this question should be discussed and other views of the subject taken which are presented by the wonderful changes which have taken place here since 1781, when the Notes on Virginia were written. perhaps, when I retire, I may amuse myself with a serious review of this work. at present it is out of the question. Accept my salutations and good wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. J. Lithgow.”

your favor of dec. 4: that is, Lith‑ gow’s letter of 24 Dec.

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To João F. Oliveira Fernandes Sir Washington Jan. 4. 05. Mr. Newton having been so kind as to furnish me with a sample of your Port wine, and informed me that you have also some Bucellas, old, & of first quality, I presume to ask the favor of you to furnish me a quarter cask of each, to be forwarded in double cases to Richmond to the care of Gibson & Jefferson, merchants there. they will forward it to Monticello, where it will be wanting on my arrival there in March. I am not certain whether there be not some skill requisite in bottling Port. if so it would perhaps be better to have it bottled in Norfolk, where I believe there are persons who follow the business of bottling. the amount shall be remitted to you as soon as you shall be so good as to make it known to me. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Doctr. Fernandez”; endorsed by TJ. João Francisco Oliveira Fernandes (1761‑1829) was a native of Madeira and trained as a doctor at the University of Coimbra. Establishing a medical practice in Lisbon, Oliveira became a friend of the prince regent (later, João VI). In 1803, the prince regent issued Oliveira a grant of land in Madeira that had formerly been connected to the Fernandes family, the apparent source of the second patronym he subsequently appended to his name. That same year, he became embroiled in a scandal involving Eugenia de Meneses, a maid of honor to Prince João’s wife, Carlota Joaquina. Oliveira Fernandes ab‑ sconded with Meneses and left her in a convent in Cadiz, where she gave birth to a daughter. Circumstantial evidence strongly suggests that Prince João was the girl’s father and that Oliveira Fernandes was providing cover for the prince regent. Con‑ demned to death for kidnapping, Oliveira Fernandes fled to the United States and settled in Norfolk. There he practiced medicine and engaged in business with family partners based in Madeira and Rio de Janeiro. TJ occasionally purchased wine from the firm, which operated under the names Oliveira Fernandes & Com‑ pany and Oliveira & Sons. Active in civic affairs, Oliveira Fernandes was part of efforts to start a public library in Norfolk

and was one of three doctors who adver‑ tised a new medical school in the town. He also campaigned for greater lay con‑ trol of Norfolk’s Catholic church, leading efforts to resist the archbishop’s authority to choose the church’s pastor. Oliveira Fernandes’s conviction was overturned in 1820 when João VI returned to Portugal from Brazil, and the following year the king named him to represent the crown in London. He subsequently served as a diplomat in Paris before returning to Lis‑ bon, where he died (Fernando Augusto da Silva, ed., Elucidário Madeirense, 2d ed., 3 vols. [Funchal, 1946], 3:11‑13; Grande Enciclopédia Portuguesa e Brasileira, 40 vols. [Lisbon and Rio de Janeiro, 1935‑ 60], 19:374‑5; Alberto Pimentel, A ul­ tima côrte do absolutismo em Portugal [Lisbon, 1893], 56‑66; Patrick W. Carey, “John F. O. Fernandez: Enlightened Lay Catholic Reformer, 1815‑1820,” Review of Politics, 43 [1981], 112‑13; Norfolk Ga­ zette and Publick Ledger, 19 Apr. 1809, 25 Nov. 1811, 3 Jan. and 19 June 1812; London Morning Chronicle, 12 Dec. 1821; Oliveira Fernandes, Letter, Addressed to the Most Reverend Leonard Neale, Arch Bishop of Baltimore [Norfolk?, 1816]; mb, 2:1116, 1147, 1198, 1325; rs, 9:263‑4). mr. newton: probably Thomas New‑ ton, Jr., who also recommended Oliveira Fernandes’s wine to Madison (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:88).

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From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 4 Janv. 1805 Il Vous a plû, de reunir a votre Bibliotheque les Annales du Museè des Arts p. Landon—probablement Vous aimerez, aussi d’examiner, et de garder peut etre, le Manuel du Museum Francais. C’est dans cette Supposition, que j’ose Vous en presenter çijoint les 4 premiers Nros. qui ont parus jusqu’ici fis dont le prix est 8 gourdes:/—avec mes Tres profonds respects. Votre Excellence Tr. hbl. et tr. Obst. str. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 4 Jan. 1805 You were pleased to add Landon’s Annales du Musée des Arts to your li‑ brary. Undoubtedly you would also like to examine and perhaps keep Le Manuel du Muséum Français. Presuming this to be the case, I enclose the four issues to date. The price is eight dollars. With my very deep respect, your excellency, I am your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: see below. Edited by François Emmanuel de Tou‑ longeon, the Manuel du Muséum Fran­ çais was published from 1802 to 1808 in

nine parts. The first four parts catalogued the museum’s collections of the work of Nicolas Poussin, the Italian artists Do‑ menichino and Leonello Spada, Peter Paul Rubens, and Raphael, respectively (Sow‑ erby, No. 4245).

To Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Washington. Jan. 4. 1805. Mr. T. M. Randolph being desirous of perusing the work of Faujas which I sent you some time ago, if you are done with it, I will ask the favor of you to inclose it to me by post: but if you have any further use for it, he will wait your convenience. have you seen a work of Mor‑ veau’s Sur les moyens de desinfecter l’air &c? it is a work of great interest to cities subject to infection, to hospitals, vessels, & indeed to the country inhabitants. if you have not seen it I will send it to you by post. Accept affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (Elliston P. Morris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1948); at foot of text: “Doctr. Wister.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

work of faujas: TJ loaned Wistar the first volume of Barthélemy Faujas de Saint‑Fond’s Essai de géologie, ou Mé­ moires pour servir a l’histoire naturelle du globe (TJ to Wistar, 27 Mch. 1804).

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Statement of Stable Expenses from Joseph Dougherty [on or after 5 Jan. 1805]

Expence of the Presidents Stable from Jany. 5th 1804 to Jany 5th 1805 Viz. Hay. oats and straw 649.42 Blacksmith 44.02½ Saddler 44.72½ Storekeeper 14.05 birch brooms  2.00 total– D–754.22 From Jany. 5th 1803. to Jany 5th 1804 The expences was 875.69 754.22 Diff: D–121.47 RC (ViU); in Dougherty’s hand; en‑ dorsed by TJ: “Daugherty. Stable exp. of year 1804.” Also among TJ’s papers is Dougherty’s invoice for stable expenses from 31 Mch. to 26 Apr. 1804. Charges were itemized as 25 cents for “a piece of old net,” $2 for new shoes for “ramolus” and “octuris,” 62½ cents for a “Curriecomb” and brush, $1.50 for a sponge, $9.06½ for 17 bushels

of oats at a rate of 4 shillings a bushel, and $52.78 for a load of hay at $2 per hundredweight, all totaling $66.22 (MS in MHi; in Dougherty’s hand and signed by him acknowledging payment; endorsed by John Barnes as paid on 26 Apr. 1804). During the period covered above, TJ recorded in his financial memoranda mul‑ tiple payments to Dougherty for stable expenses (mb, 2:1118, 1120‑1, 1128, 1131, 1133, 1138‑40, 1143).

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir, Wilmington Jany. 5th. 1805 I received while in Philadelphia, (from whence I am just now re‑ turned) a short letter Decr. 21st from Mr Thompson, chairman of the Come. of the House of Representatives on the public buildings, re‑ quiring simply an estimate of the sum required to finish the South wing of the Capitol. I promised, by return of post, an answer in a few days. In the mean time, having fortunately all the drawings with me, I made as accurate an estimate as I could of so complicated a work,— and having bestowed great pains upon it I hope it is tolerably correct; at all events that it is full enough. I transmitted the letter of which the enclosed is a copy on the 30th. of Dece. and am mortified that it was utterly out of my power to send a copy by the same post to You. But I could neither make a copy myself,—nor had I my polygraph with  300 

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me, and my father’s clerk who undertook to make, & inclose, & send it in a covering note I had written, wholly disappointed me. I beg you therefore to receive my apology for this apparent & otherwise inex‑ cusable neglect. While in Philadelphia where I arrived on the 24th. I made a gen‑ eral search in the city for a pattern of stoves which I thought would please you, for Howell & Jones had none in their store, though they engaged to transmit any I should chuse.—I could not find one which was 2 f 6 i in the back, but enough which were 2 f 5 i & 2 f 4 i.—nor any pattern which was tolerably handsome.—I have therefore chosen one which recommends itself by being easily, & of course, well cast of which 3 are put up for you. The Vessel however into which they were put was the next day frozen fast to the wharf, & this gives me an op‑ portunity of asking whether You could not make a less size, con‑ structed in Rumfords plan, but being only 2 feet in the back answer your pur‑ pose. If so, you will have a much more perfect stove, & by cutting the back logs shorter, the rest of the wood may [run] of the usual length.—I have desired Howell & Jones therefore to take out the Stoves untill they again hear from me, & if you will please to favor me with your opin‑ ion within a week or 10 days, it may be followed, as there is no chance for the Vessel to be freed from the ice before that time.— Mr Peale has once more called in all his Polygraphs & is making new ones on the plan which I saw you use when in Washington. He has so entirely dismantled his whole stock, that he could not even lend me one while at Pha. This has taught me the value of the instrument,— for, for want of the means of obtaining copies of my letters, I found all my business of importance suspended. Dr Barton pronounced a few days ago, the long expected eulogium on Dr Priestley. The church in which this was done was crouded with Ladies as well as Gentlemen, and persons of all descriptions, who forgetting the fund of biographical information they were re‑ ceiving, seem to remember nothing, but that they were kept 2½ hours of the coldest day we have yet experienced this winter, in the coldest place in the city. The oration is chiefly valuable as a summary of Dr Priestleys philosophical labors;—in point of warmth & eloquence it has the same merits, & the same faults with the Doctors, other writ‑ ings, all of which are rather verbose & defficient in force.— I have devoted the first hour since my return to repair my uninten‑ tional neglect respecting the enclosed. I beg to be forgiven the hurry of this letter & the evident marks of it. With the highest esteem I am Your faithful hble Servt B H Latrobe  301 

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PS. I was mortified beyond expression to find that Mr Mifflin has at the very time of writing to me respecting the bending of your sheet‑ iron, dispatched it by a Vessel bound to Richmond, strait,1 as the idea of bending it occurred to him so late, that he must otherwise have lost the opportunity. It is not so easy a matter to bend the Iron as it should seem. Two stout pieces of timber 5 feet more than the length of the iron must be planed on two edges so that they will nicely fit. These pieces must be laid upon two stout Cross blocks sunk to receive them; & the Iron being lined along the middle with a Chalk line, it must be put between the two long pieces so that the chalk line is exactly fair with the faces of the long pieces. It must then be hammered with a Mallet along the joint to the necessary angle.

Mr. Mifflin as well as myself particularly request you will please to have an ac‑ count of the expense of this operation kept that we may make you that allowance. As all Sheet iron has a hard Scale which comes off on its being forcibly bent,—the painting will require repair after the bending.— As it was not particularly mentioned in your letter that the iron should be bent, I hope you will excuse this error in our workmen, to whom I sent an exact copy of your description. I have seen in Pha. the workman who made the joints in the Sheet iron formerly sent you He says that they were groved as ours & being then heated, were passed between the Roll‑ ers so as to compress them, & give them the appearance of being welded.— RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 8 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: Latrobe to Philip R. Thompson, Wilmington, Delaware, 30 Dec. 1804, responding to Thompson’s of 21 Dec.; Latrobe states that finishing the part of the south wing of the Capitol “now in progress” will cost $109,100, and finish‑ ing the recess in the north wing will cost $25,200; he insists that his estimate is the “best calculation that can be made of a building, so complicated in its construc‑ tion” and trusts it will not “be exceeded”;

he explains that delays in the work after so long a period of suspension prevented full use of the appropriation for 1803 but that the balance for that year has now been spent and the budget has now ex‑ ceeded 1804’s appropriation; to avoid the kinds of work delays that have hindered the project, he advises an “early appro‑ priation” of $100,000 for the next season; such a measure will be the only way of ensuring that the House of Representa‑ tives can occupy their new hall by the 1806 session (Tr in same; endorsed by

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5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 Latrobe as a “Copy For the President of the United States”); printed as Letter from the Surveyor of the Public Buildings at the City of Washington, to the Chairman of the Committee Appointed the Seventeenth Ultimo, on a Message from the President of the United States, on the Subject of Said Buildings (Washington, D.C., 1805); see also Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:586‑8.

 Benjamin Smith barton eulogized Jo‑ seph Priestley on behalf of the American Philosophical Society at Philadelphia’s First Presbyterian Church on 3 Jan. A text of the oration has not been found (Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 3 Jan.; Latrobe, Correspondence, 2:6n). 1 Above this word Latrobe interlined “unbent.”

To Littleton W. Tazewell Dear Sir Washington Jan. 5. 05. Your favor of December 24. never came to my hands till last night. it’s importance induces me to hasten the answer. no one can be more rejoiced at the information that the legislature of Virginia are likely at length to institute an University on a liberal plan. convinced that the people are the only safe depositories of their own liberty, & that they are not safe unless enlightened to a certain degree, I have looked on our present state of liberty as a short‑lived possession unless the mass of the people could be informed to a certain degree. this requires two grades of education. first some institution where science in all it’s branches is taught, and in the highest degree to which the human mind has carried it. this would prepare a few subjects in every state, to whom nature has given minds of the first order. secondly such a degree of learning given to every member of the society as will enable him to read, to judge & to vote understandingly on what is passing. this would be the object of township schools. I understand from your letter that the first of these only is under present contemplation. let us recieve with contentment what the legislature is now ready to give. the other branch will be incorporated into the system at some more favorable moment. The first step in this business will be for the legislature to pass an act of establishment, equivalent to a charter. this should deal in gen‑ erals only. it’s provisions should go 1. to the object of the institution. 2. it’s location 3. it’s endowment. 4. it’s Direction. on each of these heads I will hazard a first thought or two. 1. it’s object should be de‑ fined only generally for teaching the useful branches of science; leav‑ ing the particulars to the direction of the day. science is progressive. what was useful two centuries ago is now become useless. e.g. one half the professorships of Wm. & Mary what is now deemed useful will in some of it’s parts become useless in another century. the visitors will  303 

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be the best qualified to keep their institution up in even pace with the science of the times. every one knows that Oxford, Cambridge, the Sorbonne &c are now a century or two behind the science of the age. 2. the location. the legislature is the proper judge of a general posi‑ tion, within certain limits; as for instance the county in which it shall be. to fix on the spot identically they would not be so competent as persons particularly appointed to examine the grounds. this small degree of liberty in the location would place the landholders in the power of the purchasers: to fix the spot would place the purchaser in the power of the landholder. 3. it’s endowment. bank stock, or public stock of any kind should be immediately converted into real estate. in the form of stock it is a dead fund, it’s depreciation being equal to it’s interest, every one must see that money put into our funds when first established (in 1791) with all it’s interest from that day would not buy more now than the principal would then have done. mr Pitt states to parliament that the expences of living in England have in the last 20. years increased 50. percent: that is that money has depreciated that much. even the precious metals depreciate slowly so that in perpetual institutions, as colleges, that ought to be guarded against. but in coun‑ tries admitting paper, the abusive emissions of that produces two, three or four courses of depreciation & annihilation in a century. lands will keep advancing nominally so as to keep even really. canal shares are as good as lands; perhaps better: but the whole funds should not be risked in any one form. they should be vested in the visitors, with‑ out any power given them to lessen their capital, or even to change what is real. 4. the Direction. this would of course be in the hands of Visitors. the legislature would name the first set, & lay down the laws of their succession. on death or resignation the legislature or the Chancellor might name three persons, of whom the visitors should chuse one; or the visitors name 3. of whom the legislature or chancel‑ lor should chuse one. the visitors should be few. if many, those half qualified would by their numbers bring every thing down to the level of their own capacity, by out voting the few of real science. I doubt if they should exceed five. for this is an office for which good sense alone does not qualify a man to analyse science into it’s different branches, to distribute these into professorships to superintend the course prac‑ tised by each professor, he must know what these sciences are, and possess their outlines at least. can any state in the union furnish more than 5. men so qualified as to the whole field of the sciences. the Visi‑ tors should recieve no pay. such qualifications are properly rewarded by honor, not by money.  304 

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 The charter being granted & the Visitors named, these become then the Agents as to every thing else. their first objects will be 1. the special location 2. the institution of professorships. 3. the emploi‑ ment of their capital. 4. necessary buildings. a word on each. 1. spe‑ cial location needs no explanation 2. Professorships. they would have to select all the branches of science deemed useful at this day, & in this country; to groupe as many of these together as could be taught by one professor, and thus reduce the number of professors to the minimum consistent with the essential object. having for some years entertained the hope that our country would some day establish an institution on a liberal scale, I have been taking measures to have in readiness such materials as would require time to collect. I have from Dr. Priestly a designation of the branches of science grouped into professorships which he furnished at my request. he was an excellent judge of what may be called the old studies, of those useful and those useless. I have the same thing from mr Dupont, a good judge of the new branches. his letter to me is quite a treatise. I have the plan of the institutions of Edinburgh, & those of the National institute of France; and I expect from mr Pictet, one of the most celebrated pro‑ fessors of Geneva, their plan, in answer to a letter written some time ago. from these the Visitors could select the branches useful for this country & how to groupe them. a hasty view of the subject on a for‑ mer occasion led me to believe 10. professorships would be necessary, but not all immediately. half a dozen of the most urgent would make a good beginning. the salaries to the first professors should be very liberal, that we might draw the first names of Europe to our institu‑ tion in order to give it a celebrity in the outset, which will draw to it the youth of all the states, and make Virginia their cherished & be‑ loved Alma mater. I have good reasons to believe we can command the services of some of the first men of Europe. 3. the emploiment of their capital. on this subject others are so much better judges than myself that I shall say nothing. 4. buildings. the greatest danger will be their over‑building themselves, by attempting a large house in the beginning, sufficient to contain the whole institution. large houses are always ugly, inconvenient, exposed to the accident of fire, and bad in cases of infection. a plain small house for the school & lodging of each professor is best. these connected by covered ways out of which the rooms of the students should open would be best. these may then be built only as they shall be wanted. in fact an University should not be an house but a village. this will much lessen their first expences.—— not having written any three lines of this without interruption it has  305 

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been impossible to keep my ideas rallied to the subject. I must let these hasty outlines go therefore as they are. some are premature, some probably immature; but make what use you please of them ex‑ cept letting them get into print.   Should this establishment take place on a plan worthy of approbation, I shall have a valuable legacy to leave it, to wit, my library, which certainly has not cost less than 15,000. Dollars. but it’s value is more in the selection, a part of which, that which respects America is the result of my own personal searches in Paris for 6. or 7. years, & of persons employed by me in England, Holland, Germany and Spain to make similar searches. such a collec‑ tion on that subject can never again be made. with my sincere wishes for the success of this measure accept my salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson RC (NjMoHP); torn, missing words supplied from PoC; addressed: “Little‑ ton W. Tazewell esq of the Virginia leg‑ islature now at Richmond”; franked; en‑ dorsed. PoC (ViU). our funds: referring to the canal stock held by Virginia. See Tazewell’s letter to TJ, 24 Dec. 1804. In 1800, TJ’s interest in establishing a  state university on a liberal scale prompted him to write to Joseph Priestley and Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours for their opinions as to what courses might be deemed useful. Du Pont re‑ sponded with a 92‑page treatise, “Sur

l’Éducation Nationale dans les Etats‑ Unis d’Amérique.” Priestley sent TJ the shorter “Hints concerning Public Educa‑ tion” (Vol. 31:319‑22, 495‑6, 567‑70; Vol. 32:113‑14). In 1803, TJ wrote to Marc Auguste pictet with a similar request (Vol. 39:476‑7). No response from Pictet has been found or is recorded in SJL. 10. professorships: writing to George Washington in 1795 about the prospect of a new institution of higher learning in Virginia, TJ drew on information from François D’Ivernois of Geneva to antici‑ pate that the faculty “would go to about ten or twelve professorships” (Vol. 28:276).

From William Thomson Honoured precident— George Town January 5th 1805— I here take the previlege of asking reliefe from your Benevolent hand hopeing no offence I have a famyly to maintain by hard worke When well but unfortunenately broke my foot which renders me a  cripple and not able to maintain my famyly & times being very hard provision and wood being so very dear we are in a state of surf‑ ering at the present & being a stranger knowing no one to apply to except you honoured Sir hopeing you will be so good as to show me Some Lennity by your bennevolent Hand—& Consider my surfering Situation— William Thomson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Presedent of US”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

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From Mercy Otis Warren Sir, Plymouth, Ms. Jany: 5th. 1805. I take the liberty to direct to the President of the United States, the Prospectus of a work, of which the author indulges the flattering anticipation that it will accord with his opinions, and that in manner and style, it may be approved by the correct taste of Mr. Jefferson.— This is a mark of bold ambition.—Thus as usual, human vanity prompts to raise expectation high.—If disappointed, your candour will lend a veil, to cover the presumption.— The President will pardon this momentary interruption, from one who subscribes with high respect and esteem, his, most Obedt. Hume: Servt— Mercy Warren RC (DLC); in an unidentified hand, signed by Warren; at foot of text: “Presi‑ dent of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 21 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. In this, her first letter to TJ since 31 May 1801, Warren enclosed a prospec‑ tus for what became her History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution. She proposed to sell

by subscription, at the cost of six dollars “in boards,” a three‑volume octavo his‑ tory beginning with the Stamp Act and continuing through the Treaty of Paris in 1783. She emphasized her connections “by nature, friendship, and every social tie” with many “first patriots, and most influential characters on the continent,” who provided her with the “best means of information” in preparing the histori‑ cal narrative (Boston Gazette, 24 Jan.).

To Mathew Carey Washington Jan. 6. 05.

Th Jefferson presents his compliments to Mr. Cary and will thank him if he can advise him of the address of his brother John Cary, whom he presumes to be still in London PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

From Nicolas Gouin Dufief Monsieur, à Philadelphie ce 6 de Janvier 1804 [i.e. 1805] Je prends la liberté de vous envoyer le mémoire de ce qu’il m’est dû—Quoique j’aie renoncé au Commerce de la librairie pour m’occuper plus particulièrement d’enseignement & de Littérature, j’ai cepen‑ dant conservé des relations avec les principaux libraires de France, ainsi il m’est toujours facile de faire venir promptement les ouvrages qui me sont demandés  307 

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 Je suis trop convaincu du plaisir que vous fait la réussite de toute entreprise favorable aux progrès de l’education, pour ne pas vous annoncer avec empressement que la nouvelle methode d’enseigner les langues, malgré les obstacles que des nombreux préjugés ont susci‑ tés, commence à triompher à Philadelphie, non pas par des argumens sans réplique, (car malheureusement la raison n’a presque jamais au‑ cune prise sur les préjugés) mais par des succès étonnans. Vous qui connaissez si bien la puissance de la faculté morale bien dirigée, vous ne serez point surpris d’apprendre que, dans 45 jours, j’ai réussi à en‑ seigner à plusieurs jeunes gens assez de français pour exprimer toutes leurs idées de vive voix & par écrit, ce qui suppose déjà une connais‑ sance très étendue de la langue,—& pour ne pas passer pour un char‑ latan dans l’esprit de ceux qui m’entendent raconter les prodiges de la nouvelle méthode, j’ai invité par la voie des papiers publics, les ci‑ toyens que la chose peut interesser à venir s’assurer que je n’éxagère point— C’est en réfléchissant sur les langues que les plus belles decouvertes en métaphisique ont été faites, & la chimie en a profité pour s’elever à une hauteur étonnante J’ai commencé une révolution salutaire dans la plus importante de toutes les sciences puisqu’elle sert de fondement à l’education; & j’espère qu’on parviendra peu à peu à introduire les mêmes change‑ mens dans toutes les autres par l’application de la méthode analy‑ tique. Les principes que j’ai developpés dans mon ouvrage ont fait réfléchir plusieurs bons esprits, & il vient de s’ouvrir, au grand scan‑ dale de l’ancienne école, une école anglaise, où il n’entrera de Gram‑ maire que lorsque les élèves auront acquis par la lecture & l’usage une Connaissance assez approfondie de leur lange pour en Comprendre les principes abstraits—Dans une seconde edition de mon Ouvrage qui aura bientôt lieu, suivant toutes les apparences, je combattrai par de nouveaux raisonnemens, & de nouvelles autorités l’absurdité des principes de l’ancienne école—Le Dr Rush que la lecture de mon ou‑ vrage a rendu mon ami, m’a proposé d’écrire une lettre en faveur de la Nouvelle Doctrine, pour paraître dans la seconde édition—Comme son nom fait autorité j’ai accepté sa proposition avec le plus vif entou‑ siasme. On ne saurait rassembler trop de forces pour écraser l’infame comme le disait Voltaire énergiquement— Je suis avec un respect infini Votre très dévoué serviteur N. G. Dufief

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6 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Philadelphia, 6 Jan. 1805 I take the liberty of sending you an invoice. Although I have given up bookselling to devote myself to teaching and literature, I have maintained relations with the principal French booksellers so I can always have books shipped promptly upon request. Knowing only too well the pleasure you take in all successful educational endeavors, I cannot refrain from telling you immediately that the new method for teaching languages is beginning to triumph in Philadelphia, despite the obstacles created by numerous prejudices against it. The prejudices were not overcome by irrefutable arguments (for reason almost never conquers preju‑ dice, unfortunately) but by the spectacular success of the method. You who understand so well the power of a well‑guided moral faculty will not be sur‑ prised to learn that in 45 days I succeeded in teaching several young people enough French to express all their ideas orally and in writing, which presup‑ poses a broad grasp of the language. Lest I appear to be a charlatan to those who hear me relate the miracles of the new method, I extended an open invi‑ tation through the newspapers to all interested citizens to come and see that I was not exaggerating. The best metaphysical discoveries have been made while reflecting on lan‑ guage. Chemistry has also been able to rise in this way to stunning heights. I have begun a valuable revolution in the most important of all the sciences, as they are the foundation of education. I hope these same changes can grad‑ ually be introduced to all the other disciplines by introduction of the analytic method. The principles I have developed in my work have inspired several wise thinkers, and an English school has just opened, shocking the old school. Grammar is not introduced until students have learned enough of the lan‑ guage through reading and speaking to be able to understand its abstract principles. In a second edition of my work, which is due soon, I will undoubt‑ edly bring new arguments and experts to combat the absurdity of the tradi‑ tional methods. Dr. Rush, who became a friend after reading my work, offered to write a letter for the second edition, praising the new doctrine. Given the prestige of his name, I accepted his offer with the greatest enthusiasm. We cannot assemble too many forces to crush infamy, as Voltaire energetically put it. With infinite respect I am your very devoted servant. N. G. Dufief RC (DLC); misdated; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 6 Jan. 1805 received 8 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: in‑ voice for two copies of the New Testament in Greek and Latin, two copies of the New Testament in English, and six copies of Nature Displayed, for a total of $36.50 (MS in same, TJ Papers, 146:25392; un‑ dated, in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dufief; at head of text: “Ths. Jefferson, President des Etats Unis: Doit à N. G. Dufief”); see Dufief to TJ, 3 Feb.

Dufief, who had written to TJ previ‑ ously about his new method (nouvelle methode) for teaching languages, ad‑ vertised his school and plan of instruction in Philadelphia newspapers (Philadelphia United States’ Gazette, 20 Nov. 1804; Aurora, 5 Jan.; Vol. 38:647‑51; Vol. 39:9‑10). écraser l’infame: in 1759, Voltaire began to use this expression, often refer‑ ring to abuses of the clergy and royalty, and sometimes adopted it as his signature

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6 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 in correspondence (Will and Ariel Du‑ rant, The Age of Voltaire [New York, 1965], 738; M. Lepan, Vie politique, litté­

raire et morale de Voltaire, 4th ed. [Paris, 1824], 422).

To John Taylor Dear Sir Washington. Jan. 6. 1805 Your favor of Dec. 26. has been duly recieved, and was recieved as a proof of your friendly partialities to me of which I have so often had reason to be sensible. my opinion originally was that the President of the US. should have been elected for 7. years, & for ever ineligible afterwards. I have since become sensible that 7. years is too long to be unremoveable, and that there should be a peaceable way of with‑ drawing a man in midway who is doing wrong. the service for 8. years with a power to remove at the end of the first four, comes nearly to my principle as corrected by experiences and it is in adherence to that that I determine to withdraw at the end of my second term. the danger is that the indulgence & attachments of the people will keep a man in the chair after he becomes a dotard, that reelection through life shall become habitual, & election for life follow that. Genl. Wash‑ ington set the example of voluntary retirement after 8. years. I shall follow it1 and a few more precedents will oppose the obstacle of habit to any one after a while who shall endeavor to extend his term. per‑ haps it may beget a disposition to establish it by an amendment of the constitution. I believe I am doing right therefore in pursuing my principle. I had determined to declare my intention but I have con‑ sented to be silent on the opinion of friends, who think it best not to put a continuance out of my power in defiance of all circumstances. there is however but one circumstance which could engage my acqui‑ escence in another election, to wit, such a division about a successor as might bring in a Monarchist. but this circumstance is impossible. while therefore I shall make no formal declarations to the public of my purpose, I have freely let it be understood in private conversation. in this I am persuaded yourself & my friends generally will approve of my views: and should I at the end of a 2d term carry into retire‑ ment all the favor which the 1st. has acquired, I shall feel the consola‑ tion of having done all the good in my power, and expect with more than composure the termination of a life no longer valuable to others or of importance to myself. accept my affectionate salutations & as‑ surances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson  310 

7 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “J Taylor esq.” my opinion: on 20 Sep. 1788, TJ wrote to William Short that he concurred with those delegates of the federal Con‑ stitutional Convention who favored a single presidential term of seven years (Vol. 13:619).

 1 A mark here on the PoC has been rep‑ resented as a period (haw, 4:565; l & b, 11:57) and as a comma (Ford, 8:339) but does not look like either mark of punc‑ tuation. It may be a remnant of partially erased text.

To Lewis Waugh Sir Washington Jan. 6. 05. In answer to your letter of Dec. 18. I have to inform you that no land office being as yet opened in upper Louisiana, no one is permit‑ ted to settle on the public lands there, and that the military is spe‑ cially charged with preventing it. but the country of Kaskaskian on the opposite side of the river is open to acquisition, yields to the other side in no single circumstance, and is far superior in point of safety. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Lewis Waugh”; endorsed by TJ.

To William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir Washington Jan. 7. 05. My last to you was of Dec. 2. since which I have recieved yours of Octr 27. Nov. 1. 4. 10. 19. & 25. in mine went two blank commissions for the legislative council, and the Secretary of state will by this mail send you two others. you will fill them up at your discretion as nearly as you can on the principles before explained. this of course includes my approbation of the appointments mentioned in your letter as in‑ tended to be made. since my last I have learned the death of mr Kirby; and mr John Brown tells me that I may count on mr James Brown not accepting his appointment of judge, but I get this information too late to get things back on their former footing, mr Graham having recieved the appointment of Secretary. what I must request of mr Brown is to act till I can send a successor (waiting however for his resignation naming a future day, as the last of May or June for in‑ stance) and I will at the same time send him a commission as Attor‑ ney for the district which his brother thinks will coincide with his  311 

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views more than any other place. I am very much puzzled to find judges who can speak French. A letter recieved yesterday from mr Pinckney dated Madrid Nov. 8. informs that the English minister had that morning recieved his passports to depart without taking leave. this circumstance following the British captures of Spanish vessels renders it certain that war is now going on between those two nations, altho’ no declaration is yet recieved here. Mr. Briggs will have explained to you our purpose of running a  mail below the mountains to N. Orleans by Tuckabatché & Fort Stoddart. from this last place to the mouth of Pearl river it must pass thro’ the territory possessed by Spain but claimed by us. Colo. Mon‑ roe left London the 8th. of Oct. for Madrid to settle that point. while it is under negociation we think both parties should cautiously re‑ frain from innovating on the present state of things. for this reason we think it proper to ask the consent of the Spanish government. this will be best done by yourself & I presume through the Marquis of Casa Calvo, who seems disposed to interpose usefully between the two governments. I suppose the post will have to pass about 70. miles by land through the territory they hold. Congress have not yet sanc‑ tioned the measure, but there is no doubt they will do it. we shall have to open a road from Georgia to Pearl river. but as that will take time, & we want an immediate use of that line, we propose to send immediately a mail of letters only, excluding printed papers, on horse back, along the most practicable Indian paths. we count on getting the distance from Washington to New Orleans performed in 12. days, as soon as the riders shall have learned the best route. I must therefore pray you to take immediate measures to accomodate this matter with the Spanish officers, & to give me as speedy an answer as possible: as our mail will delay it’s departure on that line only till I get your answer. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Gov‑ ernor Claiborne.” letter recieved yesterday: Charles Pinckney to Madison, undated but writ‑ ten about 10 Oct. and with postscripts dated 30 Oct. and 8 Nov. Jacob Wagner endorsed it as a letter of 8 Nov. received 6 Jan. The second postscript mentioned the hasty departure from Madrid of the

acting British chargé d’affaires, Bartholo‑ mew Frere, adding that war between Britain and Spain was “now inevitable.” Pinckney believed, however, that the event might serve to improve relations between Spain and the United States, “for Spain cannot now quarrel with us for trifles” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:153‑5).

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From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir. War Department Jany. 7th 1805 I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following list of Promotions in the Militia of the District of Columbia— Major John P. Van Ness to be promoted to the rank of Colonel in the 1st Legion, vice Colonel Brent resigned. Captain William O. Sprigg to be promoted to the rank of Major in the 1st Legion, vice Major Van Ness promoted. 1st Lieut Charles McLaughlin to be promoted to the rank of Captain of a Company of light Infantry, vice William O. Sprigg promoted. Accept Sir the assurances of my high respect and consideration H. Dearborn [Approval by TJ:] Approved

Th: Jefferson Jan. 8. 05.

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by a clerk. Recorded in SJL as

received 7 Jan. with notation “Columbia militia officers.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

From Archibald McAllister Philaa. January 7th 1805

to the Constitution I Reccommed the Son of Israell Israell late Sheriff of Philadelphia to be A member of Congress his Son is worthy of it Archibald McAllister  198 South fourth Street write to me wether I shall be A Member of Congress or not RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); endorsed by TJ as received 10 Jan. and “a Maniac” and so recorded in SJL. The Philadelphia address 198 south fourth street was the location of an

inn kept by Jonathan Carson and Na‑ thaniel Israel (James Robinson, The Phil­ adelphia Directory for 1805 [Philadelphia, 1804]).

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To Martha Jefferson Randolph My dearest Martha Washington Jan. 7. 05. A letter from mr Randolph to mr Coles informs him he shall bring you here, but does not say if with or without the family. I shall rejoice my dear to receive you here, and them, or as many of them as you can bring. I feel much for what you will suffer on the road for such a spell of severe weather we have not known for years. the thermometer has been down, of mornings at 14. 12. 10. and once as low as 4°. the rivers are all solid. it will be absolutely necessary to provide yourselves with the most abundant covering for the road. I am sorry mr Randolph did not take my pelisse: as nothing can be more dangerous for you than to be exposed to a great degree of long continued cold. on this subject let me beseech you to make ample provision of covering. I sent you a book of gardening, which I believe has merit. it has at least that of being accomodated to our seasons. We have but few strangers in town. fewer ladies than I have ever known. the gentlemen complain that the place is very dull. but it is the more comfortable. we shall expect you at the beginning of the next week. my affections to mr Randolph, kisses to the children & tender‑ est love to yourself. Th: Jefferson RC (NNPM); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. The severe weather, a combination of colder than normal temperatures and heavy snowfall totals, was felt through January up and down the coast and as far inland as Kentucky and the Mississippi Valley. Rivers froze, turbulent seas caused shipwrecks, and cold‑related deaths were reported on sea and land. New York City suffered a fuel shortage that drove up prices and left many people without heat. TJ took note of weather reports from around the country, including tempera‑ tures of –5° Fahrenheit in Boston on 4 and 5 Jan.; –16° at Hartford, Connecti‑ cut, a week after that; and, later in the month, –17° at Poughkeepsie, New York, and –2° at Lexington, Kentucky. The Washington Federalist reported on 16 Jan. that “at no period has the rigor

of winter been more severely felt.” Provi‑ dence, Rhode Island, recorded its 19th snow storm late in January, with reports that “the present winter probably ex‑ ceeds all that this place has experienced since its settlement” (Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger, 31 Dec. 1804; Norwich Connecticut Centinel, 29 Jan. 1805; Prov‑ idence Rhode­Island Farmer, 31 Jan.; Al­ bany Register, 26 Feb.; David M. Lud‑ lum, Early American Winters, 1604­1820 [Boston, 1966], 170‑4; MS weather rec‑ ord, 1802‑16, in MHi; Pierre Chouteau to TJ, 12 Feb.). book of gardening: possibly John Gardiner and David Hepburn, The Amer­ ican Gardener, Containing Ample Direc­ tions for Working a Kitchen Garden, Every Month in the Year, printed by Samuel Harrison Smith in Washington in 1804, for which TJ had subscribed for three copies (Sowerby, No. 809).

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From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore le 7 Janv. 1805.

Peut être, qu’il fera plaisir à Monsieur le President Jefferson, de parcourir çe petit Livre—ç’est a çet effet, que j’ai l’honneur de lui le presenter—avec mes profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, 7 Jan. 1805 Perhaps President Jefferson would like to look at this small book. If so, I have the honor of sending it to him, with my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclo‑ sure not identified, but see below. petit livre: given the short length, the work in question may have been Précis des expériences galvaniques faites récem­

ment a Londres et a Calais, by the Italian physicist Giovanni Aldini. The pamphlet was published in 1803 in Paris by the Levrault firm, with which Reibelt was connected (Reibelt to TJ, 13 Nov. 1804; TJ to Reibelt, 9 Jan.).

From Robert Smith, with Jefferson’s Note Sir, Jan. 7. 1805 I take the liberty of informing you that with Mr Wm. Smith came Mrs. Hall the Sister of Mrs. Rt Smith and Mrs. Hughes our friend— Mr Williams is at Genl Wilkinsons with his two daughters Pru‑ dentia and Kitty— Y. H. S. Rt Smith [Note by TJ:] Mr. Wm. Smith Mrs. Hall Mrs. Hughes Mr. Williams and the miss Williamses RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Jan. the liberty of informing you: Smith’s information helped TJ compile the guest list for a dinner at the Presi‑ dent’s House on 11 Jan. (see Appendix ii). Mr. williams was most likely Elie Williams, whom TJ appointed in 1806 as

a commissioner for the road from Cum‑ berland, Maryland, to Ohio. Williams had five children. Among them were daugh‑ ters Prudence and Catharine (later Pru‑ dence Williams Stull and Catharine Wil‑ liams Gaither). Their aunt was Margaret Smith, wife of Robert Smith, through the marriage of her sister to Elie Williams’s brother, Otho Williams. James Wilkinson

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7 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 had a longtime acquaintanceship with Elie Williams and had considered the de‑ ceased Otho Williams a “fellow states‑ man and friend” (J. Thomas Scharf, His­ tory of Western Maryland: Being a History of Frederick, Montgomery, Carroll, Wash­ ington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties from the Earliest Period to the Present Day; Including Biographical Sketches of Their Representative Men, 2 vols. [Philadel‑ phia, 1882], 2:1233; James Wilkinson, Memoirs of My Own Times, 3 vols. [Phil‑ adelphia, 1816], 1:376; 2:345; Washing‑ ton, Papers, Pres. Ser., 16:274; Gallatin

to TJ, 6 Sep. 1806; TJ to the Senate, 13 Dec. 1806). Also at the dinner were John Quincy Adams and Louisa Catherine Adams; her mother, Catherine Nuth Johnson; three of Louisa Adams’s sisters; Aaron Burr; and Samuel Smith. John Quincy Adams wrote in his diary that TJ “appeared to have his mind absorbed by some other object, for he was less attentive to his company than usual—His itch for telling prodigies, however is unabated” (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 124, in MHi: Adams Family Papers).

From James Brown Dear Sir, New Orleans January 8th. 1805 Altho the post will leave this in a few minutes, yet I cannot per‑ mit it to depart without a short reply to your very friendly and very flattering Letter of the 1st. of Decr. The change which you have made in my official standing here is calculated to gratify political ambition, and presents the means of gratifying a passion infinitely dearer to my heart, that of promoting the happiness of my fellow citizens. But there are circumstances to which even this laudable passion must yield, and at this moment I find myself subject to their controul. My property the fruit of sixteen years incessant application to my profes‑ sion, is vested in Lands in Kentucky which under present circum‑ stances are not easily made subservient to my immediate necessities. I have made an experiment in house keeping in New Orleans and find that the hire of a small but decent house, servants hire, and for‑ age for two horses, have precisely exhausted my salary as Secretary, leaving the important articles of food, raiment, wood &c. entirely un‑ provided for. I had however hoped that by engaging professionally in a few weighty causes where the fees were considerable I could subsist without embarrassing myself, exhausting my little acquisitions, or meanly supplicating my government for an increase of Salary—My knowledge of the French and Spanish languages and my reputation here as a Lawyer to which rumor had more than done justice, insured me success in the path which I had chalked out for myself. To accept the Office of a Judge at once deranges these plans and subjects me not only to the loss of a moment peculiarly favorable to the advancement of my private interest, but what is more serious to a loss of nearly 3,000 Dollars annually.  316 

8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

 The idea you have adopted of appointing to the Bench gentlemen who understand the French language is correct, and its beneficial ef‑ fects have been evinced in the satisfaction the people have discovered of the arrival of the two Judges already here. Feeling myself in some degree restored to the independent ground of private life I will go farther and suggest an opinion that half the discontents existing here have been produced by the total want of a knowledge of that language on the part of some other officers of the Government. On the receipt of the Commission I shall again write you. In the mean accept among the felicitations of the great Majority of your Constituents my declaration of increased confidence in your admin‑ istration, and my assurances that whether in Office or in private life my gratitude for the repeated marks of Confidence you have reposed shall cease only with my existence— I am Sir, Your Most Obt & very Humble Servt James Brown RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U States Washington City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From Henry Dearborn Sir January 8th. 1805— All claims for services performd. in our revolutionery war, except for lands or pentions, are bar’d by the Act of limitation, and no officer was intitled to lands unless he served to the close of the war or was deranged by certain resolutions of Congress. It appears by the jour‑ nals of Congress that Genl. Conway resigned on the 22d. day of April 1778 and Congress accepted his resignation on the 28th. of the same month, and on the 19th. of June following Congress passed the fol‑ lowing resolution,—that the sum of 8223 livers Tournois & 4 sous. and 200 dollars, should be allowed Genl. Conway as a gratuity for his expences previous to his entering into the pay of the U.S. and for his return to France, and bills should be drawn on Paris in favour of Genl. Conway for 7792 livers Tournois and that a warrant should issue on the Treasury for 321 Dols. & − ³₉− ⁰₀ in favour of Genl. Conway,— which sums are said to be the ballance of his account against the United States. From the forgoing resolution, it appears that a full settlement of Genl. Conways claims took place at the time, of or was after his res‑ ignation, and it is evident that by his resignation he forfited all claims  317 

8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

to lands. of course neither he or his heirs can have any legal claims upon the U.S. for services performed prior to the time of his resigna‑ tion & settlement as above. with respectfull concideration I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “the Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 8 Jan. and “Made. Conway” and so recorded in SJL. act of limitation: the Continental Congress passed two resolutions, dated 2  Nov. 1785 and 23 July 1787, which limited the time in which veterans of the War for Independence could claim com‑

pensation for their military service. Laws passed in 1792 and 1793 briefly reopened the opportunity for widows, orphans, and invalids to apply for support, but those laws’ sunset provisions had already come into force by the time TJ assumed the pres‑ idency. Dearborn had previously briefed TJ on the effects of these laws upon ap‑ plicants for financial relief (jcc, 29:866; 33:392; U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:243‑5, 324‑5; Vol. 36:512).

From Henry Dearborn Sir— [8 Jan. 1805] I do not consider any Territorial Govr. as having any direction of the factories or trading houses unless by perticular and special directions from the Presidt. of the U.S. I think that Govr. Harrison has incorrect ideas as to the command of the regular Troops in Louisiana, for although the law gives the respective Commandants the command of the regular Troops in their respective Districts, it does not give any new authority to the Govr. over the regular Troops.—Govr. Harrison is undoubtedly intitld to an additional compensation for his services as Govr. of Louisiana, but if Detroit & uper Louisiana shall be made each a Teritory, his ser‑ vices will be very much diminished, in future H.D RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 8 Jan. 1805 and “Govr. Harrison” and so recorded in SJL. Dearborn may have been referring to a  letter of 29 Nov. 1804 from William Henry harrison, received by the War

Department on 4 Jan. but not found. The department register recorded that it con‑ cerned Major James Bruff, the U.S. mili‑ tary commander at St. Louis. Bruff had previously objected to Harrison’s interfer‑ ence with his military prerogatives (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; TJ to Dearborn, 16 Dec. 1804).

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From Susannah Febvrier Sir George Town January 8th 1805. Please to excuse me for troubling you but my reason for troubling you Sir, is to beg you would be so kind as to helpe me to a little money: I am in Greate distress and have two Children in my armes without any meens to Supporte them. and rent to pay which I am not able to doe at preasent. my husband was obliged Give all his Property up to his Credetors last Spring and finding him Self reduced to Such extreem Poverty he returned to martineque where he Processes Some property, and from whence he promisd to Send me money to releave me from my distress but I have not yet received anything from him. I was Sick all last Summer which Prevented me from earning any‑ thing to Supporte my Self and infants with this winter and in my Greaf and trouble I thought your Condesending Goodness might Perhapes helpe me to Somthing. I Cannot well express my Self to you Sir as I am not acquaind. with Such importance if the dictates of my letter are wrong I hope your lordship will excuse me. I am Sir your most obedeint Servent Susannah Febvrier RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Susannah Febvrier was the wife of Nicholas Febvrier, a native of Martinique and insolvent debtor. Writing to TJ again in 1806, she identified herself as “an un‑

fortunate widow woman” with two chil‑ dren (Vol. 42:341‑2, 463; Susannah Feb‑ vrier to TJ, 16 Apr. 1806). On the day he received this letter, TJ gave someone five dollars “in charity” (mb, 2:1144).

Notes on Indian Affairs, Tripoli, and Great Britain 1805.      Indian affairs. Jan. 8. ✓ Sac murderer pardon him. Osages. their mill to be built. the seceders under le grande piste. persuasn not  force. Sioux. Sacs. Ayouas. recieve their visit. Commerce. forts at Chickago & mouth of Ouisconsing to  prevt interlopers with nations bordering on us, the US. to carry  it on with distant nations let individuals license none but natives of American territory  319 

8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

permit no liquor Chambers’s idea as to Choctaws of annl paimt  in lands Little Turtle. let a joint right to lands be proved & we will pay.      Tripoli.  new instrns not to give a dollar for peace.  if the enterprise in the spring does not produce peace &  delivery of prisoners, ransom them. G. Britain. countervail their duty on exports, by refusing entry to merchandise which has pd a greater export duty coming here, then would have been paid going to any other forn country  countervail their prohtn to our vessels to carry our  produce to their possns by not permittg. their vessels to do it after the 21st. of May 1805. Gov. Harrison’s lre Dec. 14. property stolen by Indns. arrears to be pd by public Hawkins do. Dec. 15. road thro Creeks to N.O. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27109); entirely in TJ’s hand; precedes, on same sheet, Notes on Spanish Actions and In‑ dian Affairs, at 21 Feb. For the case of the sac murderer, see Pierre Chouteau to TJ, 12 Oct., 7 Nov., and TJ to the Senate, 31 Dec. 1804. Writ‑ ing to William Henry Harrison on 12 Feb. 1805, Dearborn enclosed a presidential pardon for the unidentified offender, ex‑ plaining that the act was an expression of the administration’s desire to promote good relations with the native people of upper Louisiana “in such manner as to show not only our regard for justice, but our benevolent and tender feelings for the unhappy.” The individual’s name and tribe were left blank on the pardon, and Dearborn asked Harrison to supply them (DNA: RG 107, MLS; FC of pardon, 14 Feb. 1805, in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR). The pardon did not reach Harrison until mid‑April and he immediately forwarded it to St. Louis. Before it arrived, however, the man escaped. Harrison subsequently learned that he had been mortally wounded in the attempt and his body found several

miles from his place of confinement (Har‑ rison to Dearborn, 27 May, DNA: RG 107, LRMS; Robert M. Owens, Mr. Jef­ ferson’s Hammer: William Henry Harri­ son and the Origins of American Indian Policy [Norman, Okla., 2007], 91). For the mill, the seceders, and the proposed visit by a delegation of Iowas, Sioux, and Sacs, see Chouteau to TJ, 7 Nov. and 19 Nov. chambers’s idea: see TJ to Dear‑ born, 3 Jan. little turtle: see TJ to Dearborn, 16 Dec. harrison’s lre dec. 14: a letter from Harrison, dated Vincennes, 14 Dec., was received by the War Department on 24 Jan. The letter has not been found, but a clerk recorded that it enclosed three let‑ ters from William Wells to Harrison and Harrison’s replies, concerning “the con‑ duct of the Little Turtle” regarding the recent treaty with the Delawares and Pi‑ ankashaws (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). hawkins do. dec. 15.: a letter from Benjamin Hawkins, dated Creek Agency, 15 Dec., was received by the War Depart‑ ment on 23 Jan. The letter has not been

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9 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 found, but a clerk recorded that it related to the murder of an Indian and a white man and the “Claim of the Spaniards in

the Floridas.” Hawkins also wished to send “a deputation of Chiefs” to Washing‑ ton (same).

To James Bringhurst Jan. 9. 05. Washington

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to his antient acquaintance and friend mr Bringhurst, and thanks him for the book he has been so kind as to send him, which will occupy some of his leisure mo‑ ments agreeably and usefully. he prays mr Bringhurst to recieve the assurance of his constant esteem & respect. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

so kind as to send him: Bringhurst to TJ, 3 Jan.

From Mathew Carey Sir, Philada. January 9. 1805. Your favour of the 6th. which I recd Yesterday, lies before me. My brother’s address is John Carey Care of Mr. Taylor, Cutler, Middle Row Holborn I am, sir, very respectfully Your obt. hble. servt. Mathew Carey RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

London cutler Benjamin taylor was at 94 High Holborn (Holden’s Annual Lon­ don and Country Directory, of the United Kingdoms, and Wales, in Three Volumes, for the Year 1811 [London, 1811], 465).

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From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir War Department Jany. 9th 1805 I have the honor to propose for your approbation Louis Valle of Louisiana and Jesse F Heard of Georgia as Cadets in the Regiment of Artillerists With Sentiments of Esteem & respect I am your Most Obedt. Servant H. Dearborn [Approval by TJ:] Jan. 11. 1805. Approved

Th: Jefferson

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by a clerk. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). On 12 Jan., Dearborn instructed Louis Vallé (valle) and Jesse F. heard to report to the military academy at West

Point “as soon as practicable.” On 16 Apr. 1805, Dearborn accepted Heard’s resignation and considered him “as never having been in the service.” After gradu‑ ating from the academy in 1808, Vallé declined an appointment to the artillery regiment and left the army (DNA: RG 107, LSMA; Heitman, Dictionary, 979).

To Mr. Grillette Washington Jan. 9. 05

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Grillette and incloses him the statement of the Secretary at war as to the case of Made. Conway, which will let him see that it is not in the power of the ex‑ ecutive government to give any relief. if he shall be so kind as to convey this information to Made. Conway he prays him to convey also the expressions of the regrets of Th:J. that the case does not admit of his being useful to her. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. Enclo‑ sure: probably a copy of Dearborn to TJ, 8 Jan. It is possible that, with some mistaking of the name, the recipient of this letter was one of three brothers: Stephen Grel‑ let (1773‑1855) of New York City; Joseph Grellet (d. 1845); or Peter Grellet (d. 1841) of Philadelphia. Originally from a wealthy French family, all of them fought

for the Royalist forces during the French Revolution, emigrated to the United States, and became merchants. Joseph Grellet returned to Europe in 1802, and the next year wrote at least one letter from Antwerp, where Françoise Langlois du Bouchet conway was when she penned her letter to TJ sometime in 1804 (Benjamin See‑ bohm, Memoirs of the Life and Gospel La­ bours of Stephen Grellet, 2 vols. [Philadel‑ phia, 1860], 1:v‑viii, 1‑17; William Wistar

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9 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 Comfort, Stephen Grellet, 1773­1855 [New York, 1942], 19‑21, 29; New York Weekly Museum, 21 Jan. 1804; Relfs Philadel­

phia Gazette, 3 May 1804; James Robin‑ son, The Philadelphia Directory for 1804 [Philadelphia, 1804], 136).

To John Langdon Washington Jan. 9. 05.

I congratulate you, my dear & antient friend, on the wonderful things which have come to pass in our time. we entered young into the first revolution & saw it terminate happily. we had to engage when old in a second more perilous, because our people were divided. but we have weathered this too & seen all come round & to rights. when we parted last, you had to go home and work against wind & tide to bring up the loiterers: I was to lead on those who had just1 made a breach in the fortress of federalism. all is now settled. to a republican legislature & republican electors your state will soon add a republican governor. Connecticut will pout a little longer and then make friends. you know what Delaware was during the war. it is the same now & is unchangeable. her disease is not federalism but An‑ glomany.   I learn with great pleasure from every one who comes from your quarter that you continue to enjoy good health. may it long continue.   Conversing the other day at table with Genl Bradley, about the good things of this world, he told me that you of all persons would be best able to procure me some good perry, of which he said more was made for sale in your quarter than any where else. I have no hesitation therefore in employing your friendship in this small way, for small things are sometimes more acceptable than great. send me two or three barrels by any vessel bound to any port in the Chesa‑ peake. but friendship must be pure and above pecuniary motives you must let me know what they cost & recieve the remittance. by doing this you will convince me you are willing I should trouble you again which would be impossible if you did not clear my conscience of in‑ terested motives. god bless you & your family & give you long, healthy & happy life. Th: Jefferson RC (NhPoS: John Langdon Papers); at foot of text: “John Langdon esq.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

1 Word

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interlined.

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Jan. 9. 05 The Manuel of the Museum & Aldini with the engraving of the K. of Prussia & the map of the US. came safe to hand. as the Annals of the Museum & the Gallery will probably cover most of the same sub‑ jects, I decline taking the Manuel, as also Aldini. the engraving is not in a line in which I meddle. the Secretary of state keeps the map and will direct paiment. the other objects are delivered to the stage office as a properer conveyance than the mail for which they are too bulky. altho’ privileged in the mail myself, it is at the expence of the public which pays the postage and which therefore it is my duty to restrain to its proper object of correspondence. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson P.S. have you a copy of Palladio’s architecture? I ask on behalf of a friend. portage is paid at the stage office already by me for the packet now returned. the 2. boxes of books were delivered some time ago to Capt. Tingey at the navy yard of this place who is sending a vessel round to Baltimore as soon as the river opens. PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ. the gallery: probably Galeries des antiques, ou Esquisses des statues, bustes et bas­reliefs, fruits des conquêtes de l’Armée d’Italie, a work TJ had obtained from

Reibelt (List of Books Acquired, printed at 31 Dec. 1804). on behalf of a friend: see TJ to James Oldham, 24 Dec. 1804. TJ reported his arrangements for re‑ turning two boxes of books in his letter of 24 Dec. to Reibelt.

To John P. Van Ness Dear Sir Washington Jan. 9. 05. I have had under consideration and consultation the petition pray‑ ing that the legal prosecution against mr Peacock may be arrested by a Nolle prosequi. were I to yield to my own feelings on behalf of his family & friends, or were I free to consider only what would be due to so many respectable persons as have signed the petition, my path would be easy. but on mature consideration the opinion is that it would be an abusive use of the executive power, and would tend to transfer from the grand jury to the Executive the office of deciding whether a person shall be put on his trial or not. between these conflicting mo‑ tives of personal feeling & of duty, the latter must be supreme. I can only therefore with my regrets offer you my friendly salutations and assurances of great respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson  324 

1 0 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Colo. Vanness.”

 petition: Petition of John P. Van Ness and Others for Robert Ware Pea‑ cock, 3 Jan.

From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans Jany 10th. 1805. I have received your Letter of the 2nd. Ultimo, together with its several enclosures.— Your Letter to Mr. Brown was immediately delivered;—that to Colonel Kirbey is returned to you, & whose death I presume you have by this time been informed of.— Mr. Brown has mentioned to me his Intention to decline serving either as Judge or Secretary; the Salary is not sufficient to support him comfortably, and finding a great opening at the Bar, he thinks it his duty to pursue his profession, and the more so, since his private Resources are too limited to justify any sacrifices.—I regret the resig‑ nation of Mr. Brown; in any Character his services would have been Valuable, but his knowledge of the Law & of the Languages, would have rendered him an acquisition to the Territorial Bench.—The sud‑ den introduction of our Languages into Louisiana has indeed subjected the citizens to considerable Inconvenience and given rise to much dis‑ content;—Exertions were made to remedy this Inconvenience—In the Court of Pleas which was established during the temporary Gov‑ ernment, the Records were kept in French and English, & in the selection of Justices, the possession of the two Languages was con‑ sidered by me as “having great weight against other qualifications.”— In the Governor’s Court, an Interpreter of Talents was always pres‑ ent, and the Clerk of the Court from his knowledge of the French was enabled to transact (satisfactorily) to any business relating to his Department.—But the circumstance of the Supreme Judge having but a very incorrect knowledge of the French was embarrassing to him & inconvenient to the Suiters.— The organization of the Council has relieved me from much anxi‑ ety, & the Care and prudence with which they act, afford me great satisfaction. I am fearful of sudden Innovation, and therefore strongly advise the gradual introduction of the American System of Jurisprudence.—The Council have already determined that the Laws should be printed in french & English; In the latter however, the Laws are to be passed, but Official translations thereof are to be made, & this I presume will be satisfactory.  325 

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 Doctor Sibley will probably decline serving as a Councillor; he is a great supporter of the Memorial, & censures the present provisional Government. I shall not be mortified, at the Doctor’s declining; his late appoint‑ ment as a Surgeon in the Army occasioned his Character to be inves‑ tigated, & I have learned from correct sources that his Conduct in Life has been such, as to render him unworthy of Confidence;—The other blank Commission you forwarded me, shall be filled with great care, & in my selection I shall be governed by the considerations you have suggested. It is however a difficult task to select councillors from among the ancient Louisianians; a few will decline from party motives;—some from a distrust of their Talents, & others from a fear of being abused in the Papers. The press here is an object of Terror, & its licenciousness, the constant topic of conversation among the Louisianians. Of late the Livingston & Clark party have attacked my past & present administration with great malevolence, & it is expected that the Council in their turn will be the victims of Calumny.—I have nearly completed a Copy of my official Journal during the temperary Government; It shall be forwarded to the Secretary of State as soon as possible, and if any of the Charges exhibited against me by anoni‑ mous Writers, should be deemed worthy of notice, I must refer you for my defence to that Journal.— With my best wishes for your happiness— I have the honor to be with great respect Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne P.S. I have enclosed you a publication which was to have appeared in the Orleans Gazette; but which the Editor at my request has sus‑ pended—It relates to Doctor Sibley, & I have read it with regret & astonishment.—I had always supposed Doctor Sibley a Man of repu‑ tation & as such I mentioned him to you in one of my Letters. I still hope the publication is a calumny, but there are Gentlemen here from N. Carolina who support the statement.— W.C.C.C. RC (DLC); at foot of text above post‑ script: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below. his character to be investigated: John Sibley was rumored to have aban‑ doned his wife in North Carolina and attempted to marry again in Louisiana.

Although TJ found the accusations trou‑ bling, he believed they did not offset “the integrity of his character affirmed by oth‑ ers, and his unquestionable good sense and information” (Claiborne to TJ, 25 Mch.; TJ to Claiborne, 26 May). For other crit‑ icisms of Sibley’s character, see Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:407; Terr. Papers, 9:433‑4; Orleans Gazette, For the Country, 9 Mch.

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From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir January 10th 1805 After the enclosed commission had been signed, you determined that it was not proper to give to a Judge an appointment revokable at the pleasure of the President. The Commission is therefore returned— With great respect Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 10 Jan. with notation “Commn. to Toulman returned” and so recorded in SJL with notation “Toulman’s commn. to be cancelled.” Enclosure not found, but see below.

Harry Toulmin was appointed judge in Mississippi Territory. The returned commission was for the office of receiver of public monies (TJ to the State De‑ partment, 4 Oct. 1804; TJ to the Senate, 9 Nov. 1804 [first message]; Gallatin to TJ, 23 Aug. 1805).

To Robert Patterson Dear Sir Washington Jan. 10. 05. The bearer hereof mr Cosa is an Italian Physico‑mechanic. he em‑ ploys himself chiefly in instruments of glass, and executes ingenious things in that line. he has been here about a month, during which time, as far as I have learnt, he has conducted himself correctly. being desirous to go to Philadelphia where he expects to find more employ‑ ment, he has asked to be made known to some one who might put him in the way of being tried & of shewing what he can do. suppos‑ ing you might possibly have occasion for something in his line, and might advise him to some of the chemical gentlemen, who have occa‑ sion for works of glass, I have taken the liberty of authorising him to present himself to you in order to gain an introduction to business, in doing which I have supposed it possible I might administer to your convenience as well as his. he has a companion who is his aid as well as interpreter. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Rob‑ ert Patterson”; endorsed by TJ. On 6 Dec. 1804, TJ paid Bartolomeo cosa $5 for an unspecified number of

sandglasses and a weather glass. On 17 Jan., Cosa sold TJ “a glass machine” for $30 (mb, 2:1141, 1144).

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From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore 10e Janv. 1805 J’ai l’honneur de repondre a votre billet du 9, qui m’a ete remis hier Soir— 1.) Je n’ai pas trouvè au Stage les objets, que Vous me renvoyez, Savoir: la Gravure repres. fred. II.—le Manuel du Museum &c. et Aldini—Mais ils ariveront certainement. 2) Les Annales du Musèe des Arts p. Landon, que Vous avez pris, et çe Manuel du Museum—me paroissent deux Ouvrages differens— le dernier donnant la Collection de la Gallerie çentrale, le premier les Nouvelles Apparitions seulement.—Mais le Cours de peinture p. Filhol, que Vous me renvoyez dans les 2 Caisses et çe Manuel traitent, a ce que je pense, le meme Sujet—cependant d’une Manière differente. 3) Je n’ai pas en çe moment: Palladio’s Architecture—mais je l’aurois tres probablement, et je Vous l’enverrai incessament 4) Tout ce, que je possede encore de reste sur cette partie, c’est: Pi‑ ranesi, dont le prix est, 13 Gourdes 80 Cents que j’ai fait remettre au Stage a Votre Adresse 5) l’envie de vendre, n’est certainement, qu’un Objet tres secondaire des envoies, que j’ai pris la libertè de Vous faire jusqu’ici, et que je continuerai de faire—je n’ai jamais eû et je n’aurois jamais l’ame d’un Negociant. 6) Vous ne me marquez pas, Si Vous avez recû la Continuation des Annales du Museè des Arts p. Landon Savoir: Tomes 4 et 5 pr. le dernier exclus. les Livraisons 14 a 18:/ que je Vous ai adressè le 26 Decembre.— j’espere, que Oui. 7) Il y a dans les 2 Caisses, que Vous me renvoyez, differens objets pretieux—commandès par des Messieurs d’ici, qui me pressent fortement de les avoir—S’il n’y a pas de probabilitè, que le Capi‑ tane, au quel Vous les avez fait remettre, puisse partir dans peu, je Vous prierai instamment, afin que je puisse satisfaire a çes Mes‑ sieurs—de vouloir bien les faire reprendre et remettre au Stage, qui n’ayant a pressant presque pas des Voÿageurs, ne refusera pas de s’en charger. Je Vous prie d’agreer mes profonds respects Reibelt

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1 0 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 10 Jan. 1805 I have the honor of responding to your note of the 9th, which was deliv‑ ered to me last night. 1) I did not find on the stage the objects you sent back to me, namely the engraving of Frederick II, the Manuel du Museum, and Aldini. But they will surely arrive. 2) Landon’s Annales du Musée des Arts, which you took, and the Manuel du Museum seem to be two different works. The latter depicts the collection of the central gallery; the former only the new offerings. But the Cours de peinture by Filhol that you are returning in the two cases and this Manuel seem to me to treat the same subject, albeit in different ways. 3) I do not have Palladio’s Architecture at the moment, but I will undoubt‑ edly receive one and will send it as soon as I have it. 4) All that remains in this domain is Piranesi, which costs $13.80. I have sent it to you by the stage. 5) Assuredly, the desire to sell is but an ancillary motive for the packages I have taken the liberty of sending and will continue to send you. I have never had the soul of a businessman and never will. 6) You did not indicate whether you received the sequel to Landon’s An­ nales du Musée des Arts, namely volumes 4 and 5. They were omitted from shipments 14 to 18 which I sent on 26 Dec. I hope so. 7) In the two cases you are returning to me there are various precious ob‑ jects ordered by local gentlemen who are impatient to have them. If the captain to whom you entrusted the boxes is not likely to leave soon, can you please retrieve and send them by coach so I can accommodate these clients? The coach driver will not refuse since there are almost no passengers right now. Please accept my profound respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. TJ had previously tried, without ap‑ parent success, to obtain architectural

drawings by Giovanni Battista piranesi. Reibelt sent him a 1748 Italian edition of Varie vedute di Roma antica e moderna (Sowerby, No. 4197; Vol. 19:578‑9; Vol. 20:647).

From Thomas Worthington Sir Senate Chamber Jany 10th 1805 I received the enclosed papers at the last session of Congress but as the bill divideing the Indiana Territory did not then pass I did not lay them before you; That bill now haveing here passed I consider it my duty to put these papers into your possession I mentioned to you last winter as a candadate for the Office of Gov‑ ernor of this new Territory Colo Samuel Huntington of Ohio, permit me Sir again to mention him. My acquaintance with this Gentleman  329 

1 0 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

commenced about two years since when we met as members of our Convention I served also with him in our first state Legislature by which he was appointed one of the judges of our Supreme Court & has continued to act in that capacity with propriety. He is a Gentle‑ man so far as I know him of fair reputation. Mr Granger 1 was raised in the same state (Connecticut) and is well acquainted with Colo Huntington give me leave Sir to refer you to him for further informa‑ tion if it be required I am informed by Mr Morrow that Colo Hun‑ tington speaks & understands the french language I am with highest respect & most sincere Esteem Sir your Obt Sv T Worthington RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 10 Jan. and “Huntington Saml. to be Govr. Michigan” and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosures: probably James Henry to Worthington, 14 Dec. 1803, enclosing a memorial, dated De‑ troit, 10 Dec., from 17 residents of Wayne County recommending Solomon Sibley for the office of secretary if the antici‑ pated division of Indiana Territory takes place (see Samuel Tupper to TJ, 15 Mch. 1804). TJ signed the bill dividing indiana territory on 11 Jan. The act created Michigan Territory and named Detroit the seat of government. The new govern‑ ment was to be established on the same

terms as the 1787 and 1789 acts of Con‑ gress regarding the Northwest Territory and would go into effect on 30 June 1805 (js, 3:432‑3; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:309‑10). Another recommendation by Worthing‑ ton for a territorial governorship is re‑ corded in a brief note by TJ: “Meigs Judge. Colo. Worthington recommends him for Govr. of Michigan” (MS in DNA: RG 59, LAR, file of Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr.; in TJ’s hand, undated, on verso of clipped address sheet in an unidentified hand: “Hon. Tompson J. Skinner Esqr. [Washington]”). 1

MS: “Ganger.”

From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department January [11] 1805 I have the honor to propose for your approbation the following list of Promotions and Appointments in the Army of the United States Promotions Capt Abimael Y. Nicoll, to be promoted to the rank of Major in the Corps of Artillerists, vice, Major George Ingersol resigned Decem‑ ber 1st 1804. 1st Lieut Samuel T Dyson, to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the Corps of Artillerists, vice, Captain Peter Tallman Deceased Sept 15th 1804. 1st. Lieut James B Many, to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the Corps of Artillerists, vice, Captain Henry M Muhlenberg re‑ signed Octr. 1st 1804.  330 

Thomas Jefferson by Rembrandt Peale

Seaman’s Protection Certificate

Emblem of the United States of America

Reading Copy of Second Inaugural Address

Jefferson by Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de Saint-Mémin

Jacky Frost and the Old Man

Map of the Ouachita River

Jefferson Engraving by Saint-Mémin

1 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

1st Lieut. John Fergus to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the Corps of Artillerists, vice, Captain Abimael Y Nicoll promoted to Majr. Decr. 1st 1804. 1st Lieut Nathaniel Leonard to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the Corps of Artillerist, vice, Captain John W Livingston resigned Decr 1st 1804. Ensign John C Symmes to be promoted to the rank of 2d. Lieut. in the 1st Regt of Infantry, vice Lieut. James Porter resigned May 1st. 1804. 1st Lieut. Joseph Bowmer to be promoted to the rank of Captain in the 2d Regt. of Infantry vice Capt Aaron Gregg Deceased October 12th 1804. 2d. Lieut. Henry Hopkins to be promoted to the rank of 1st Lieut. in the 2d. Regt of Infantry vice Lieut. William Wooldrige resigned June 16th. 1804. 2d. Lieut William Piatt to be promoted to the rank of 1st Lieut. in the 2d Regt of Infantry, vice, Lieut. Joseph Bowmer promoted Octr. 12th. 1804. Ensign Samuel Williamson to be promoted to the rank of 2d Lieut. in the 2d Regt of Infantry, vice, Lieut. Henry Hopkins promoted June 16th 1804. Ensign Gilbert C Russell to be promoted to the rank of 2d. Lieut. in the 2d Regt of Infantry, vice, Lieut. Joseph Doyle deceased Sept. 3d 1804. Ensign James S Logan to be promoted to the rank of 2d. Lieut. in the 2d Regt of Infantry, vice, Lieut. George T. Ross resigned Octr. 6th. 1804. Ensign Alfred Sebastian to be promoted to the rank of 2d Lieut in the 2d Regt. of Infantry, vice, Lieut. William Piatt promoted Octr. 12th. 1804 Appointments Porter Hanks of Massachusetts, James McKellar & James Read of Pennsylvania, Joseph Hanham & Thomas Murray of Maryland, Rob‑ ert Roberts of Virginia, Joseph R Henderson of Tennessee, Godfrey Bartles of the Missisippi Territory, and Michael Walsh of New Orleans to be appointed Second Lieutenants in the Regiment of Artillerists.— John Hackett Jnr of the Missisippi Territory, William Mead and Charles Magnan of Georgia, and John Joseph Duforest of Louisiana to be appointed Ensigns in the Second Regiment of Infantry.— Anthony Sangrain of Louisiana, Josiah Kirk of the Missisippi Ter‑ ritory, and Charles Williamson of Maryland, to be appointed Surgeons Mates in the Army of the United States.—  331 

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 Accept Sir, the assurances of my high respect and consideration. H. Dearborn RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); partially dated; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 11 Jan. and “Nomns” and so recorded in SJL; additional note by TJ: “Promotions & Appointments in the

army of the US. proposed by the Secre‑ tary at War, & nominated to the Senate. Th:J. Jan. 14. 05.”; endorsed by a Senate clerk. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP). FC (DLC). FC (PHi: Daniel Parker Pa‑ pers); dated 9 Jan. Enclosed in TJ to the Senate, 14 Jan.

Petition of Jesse Howard, with Jefferson’s Order To the president of the United States The petition of Jesse Howard, respectfully represents; That your petitioner during the present Session of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, for Washington County he has been tried, and convicted for stealing a Waggon Wheel the property of George French—When your Petitioner begs leave to represent, that altho’ your petitioner took the wheel mentioned in the Indict‑ ment, and which upon his Trial he confessed, being confident within his own Mind, that no Criminality would attach to the taking a wheel which had for a Considerable time laid in the Eastern Branch, and which was of little or no value—In Consequence of such Confession, the Jurors, as your petitioner has been advised were bound to bring in their Verdict of Guilty— Your petitioner further states, That the Sentence of the Court was that your petitioner should pay the sum of Ten Dollars and receive three Lashes on his bare back, as by reference to the Record and pro‑ ceedings herewith transmitted will more fully and at large appear— Your petitioner therefore prays that you will be pleased to take his Case into Consideration, and remit the Corporal punishment, which otherwise he will receive pursuant to the Sentence of the Court, and indulges a hope that the same will be granted, as his conduct thro’ Life, the above offence excepted, has been marked with no crime or fault, and which he hopes will be certified by the honorable the Court who presided over his Trial, and before whom Evidence of that na‑ ture was he humbly hopes satisfactorily shewn. And your petitioner as in duty bound shall ever pray &c— Washington County Jail  332 

1 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

Friday January 11. 1805

his Jesse + Howard Mark

The Undersigned Judges of the Circuit Court of the District of Co‑ lumbia, Respectfully represent To the President of the United States that it appeared to them from the Testimony in the within mentioned case of Jesse Howard that his Offence ought not to be ranked with common Felonies, as there appeared some doubt as to the Felonious intent with which the property was taken, and the prisoner produced Strong Testimony of his general Good character, The Jury however having found him Guilty and the Court considering that by the act of Congress whipping is made a necessary part of the Judgment in such cases, sentenced him to receive three stripes. Under those Circum‑ stances We beg leave respectfully to recommend a remission of that part of the Judgment which directs Corporal punishment. W. Cranch. Jany. 11th. 1805. N Fitzhugh [Order by TJ:] Let a pardon issue

Th: Jefferson Jan. 12. 1805.

RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); petition in a clerk’s hand; recommendation of the court in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cranch and Fitzhugh.

TJ issued a pardon to remit Howard’s corporal punishment on 12 Jan. (FC in Lb in same).

From James Oldham Sir— Richmond Janeway 11th 1805. Your faver of the 24th. Ultimo accompaned with your portabel addi‑ tion of Palladio came safe to hand for Whch sir, I return to you my graitest Thanks, and that Take perticular care of it: on applying to Mr. Jno. M. Randolph he was extremly kind and gave me an intro‑ ductory Letter to Mr. Edmond Randolph, Who perchasd the Liber‑ ary of the Late Mr. Riland Randolph: Mr Edmond Randolph has lent me palladio for a few days after which I must Return it. I think I shall not be abel to perchce it as he Towld me that he considered it a most valuabel worc: and from the infermation you have pleasd to give me in your Last Letter I am afraid shal not be abel to get one in america.  333 

1 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

 I am at the present ingagd in finishing an Ice‑houce for Mr. Galligo, but have in part prepard the corinthian‑cornice for his drawing‑rume and shal go on with it as sune as the Job on hand is finished. there are many other jobs of alteration to be maid in the House but none of the rumes are calculated to receive a cornice. Adue and may Heaven bess you. With Respect Your Obt Humbel Servt James Oldham RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Toms. Jef‑ ferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

John Mann randolph was the younger brother of TJ’s son‑in‑law Thomas Mann Randolph (William H. Gaines, Jr., Thomas Mann Randolph: Jefferson’s Son­in­Law [Baton Rouge, 1966], 7).

From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Notes and Calculations Sir, War Department January 12th. 1805 I have the honor of transmitting herewith, a general view of the sub‑ ject of our purchases from the several Indian nations, in the course of the last four years. It may not be strictly correct as to the respective quantities of land. But I presume the quantity is not in any case over‑ rated. There may also be some small inaccuracies as to the sums paid by way of presents &c. but I am satisfied that the whole is sufficiently correct to answer the purpose intended. I take the liberty of observing, that I had not considered the Chactaw and Vincennes bargains, in any other light than that of recognitions of the boundaries of former cessions, if so, it may be improper to take those cases into the present calculation. It will be found after leaving them out of the account, that the average price we have paid and en‑ gaged to pay for Indian cessions, does not amount to quite one quar‑ ter of a cent per acre; and that, exclusive of the purchase from the Sacs and Foxes, the remainder will fall a little short of one cent per acre, taking into the account all the expenses of Treaties: The amount of the several cessions and the sums paid and to be paid, being esti‑ mated as follows.

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8.000.000

Kaskaskias Cession

⎬ ⎭

⎫

Sums paid & to be paid

cent 87.000 2½

Dollars

H. Dearborn

Louisiana. 30.° to 49.° = 19.° lat. × 69 = 1311 miles × = 1,209,397. 22½° long. × 41 = 922½ miles 201,566. to wit 6–1 deducted from the square 1,007,831. sq. miles × 640 = 645,011,840. as. ÷ 15.  Ms. D. = 2 cents pr. ac Florida E. of Perdido about 1.° lat. × 69 miles × = 24,633 sq. miles × 640 = 15,765,120. as. 6.° long. × 59½ miles the Choctaws. from Petits prairies to 31.° is 224. miles all the waters of Misipi wd  be in breadth 84. miles × = 18816. sq. mi. × 640 = 12,042,240. deduct 1,955,020. ours by recognition 10,087,220.

1. Dollar pr. thousand

cent 1 8.000 – 10 cent Piankashaw & Delaware Cession 2.000.0001 6. Dollars pr. thousand 12.000 5–3 Sacs and Foxes 50.000.0002 44. cents pr thousand 22.000 63.000.000 129.000 Expenses of treating estimated at 13.000 Choctaw recognition was of 1,955.020. Vincennes do. 1,912,320 142.000 Accept, Sir, the Assurances of my high respect & consideration.

2.500.000 1.000.000 3.500.000

Acres.

Part of Tallasee County On the Oconee

 Creek Cession in 1802

1 2 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; text and figures in italics are in TJ’s hand; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 11 Jan. received from the War Department on 12 Jan. and “price of Indian purchases” and so re‑ corded in SJL. PrC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); lacks TJ’s notations. FC (Lb in RG 107, LSP); lacks TJ’s notations. The U.S. treaty of 17 Dec. 1801 with the Choctaw (chactaw) Indians, as well as a “Provisional Convention” of 17 Oct. 1802, reinforced territorial limits estab‑ lished by earlier agreements between the Choctaws and the British (U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:66‑8, 73‑4; Vol. 37:51; Vol.

39:279‑80). More precise limits for the vincennes tract, initially obtained by the United States as part of the Treaty of Greenville in 1795, were established under the first article of the treaty of 7 June 1803 between the United States and sev‑ eral nations living north of the Ohio River (U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:74‑6; Vol. 41:642‑3). For the treaties that factored into Dearborn’s estimates, see Vol. 39:223‑4; Vol. 41:642‑3; TJ to the Senate, 15 Nov. 1804; TJ to the Senate, 31 Dec. 1804. 1 Above this figure TJ wrote “2,130,000.” 2 Above this figure TJ wrote “51.”

To Thomas C. James Sir Washington Jan. 12. 1805. I have duly recieved your letter of the 4th. inst informing me that at a meeting of the American Philosophical society of that day for the annual election of officers, they had been pleased to reelect me as their president. I beg leave, through you Sir, to return my sincere thanks to the Society for these repeated proofs of their favor to me, and to express the particular satisfaction derived from the unanimity with which it has been declared. these attentions from a body of their high standing in the department of science excite a just desire to be useful to them in any way in my power. Accept, Sir, my particular acknolegements for the satisfaction you so kindly express in making this communication,with my respectful salutations, and assurances of high consideration. Th: Jefferson RC (PPAmP); at foot of text: “Thomas C. James Corresponding secretary of the A.P.S.”; endorsed. PoC (DLC).

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From Alexander Wood Jenuary 12, 1805

To the president of the united States and to Be laid be fore the Con‑ gress if nessery Sir I was appointed Collecter of the twenty fourth destrict of the State of New york to Collect the direct tax and Col‑ lected all that I could with out Sale and made my return to the Super Viser and he advertised the Lands for sale at the time of sale I was Very sick and Could not atend the sale as soon as I was able I wrote Mr Osgood and informed him of my situation and Requested him to give me instructions how to proseed in the Collecting of the tax he never answered me but issued his warrant and the Sheriff Collected the mony and the Cost of advertiseing and his fees which amounted to two hundred and thirty two dollars and fifty seven sents after re‑ peated Requests to Mr osgood and receiving no instructions how to proseed to Collect the remainder of the tax I wrote Mr galletin for instructions how to proseed and he informed me that as the prose‑ cution was Compleated and the Revenue did not suffer he could not grant any relief and as it has been made the duty of the super Viser by the amendment of the act to lay and Collect a direct tax in the united States pased and aproved the 16, of march 1802, to advertise dobts have arisen whether Sales made without instructions from some athorrity would be good and there fore pray instructions from the president how to proseed in the Sales so as to git my mony that I think has been unjustly taken from me by Mr osgood not returning my situation to the treasury department my helth being Bad when I mad my return I got a yong man to asist me and in Compareing the return with the Book I find anumber Not returned that is Not Col‑ lected I therefore pray peticular directions how to proseed to Collect the Remainder of the direct tax I pray that I or some other person may directed to advertise and I will attend the sale if I am Not Cor‑ rect in my mode of proseeding I pray to be informed how to proseed this from your humble servant Alexander Wood Col 24 D RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson Esqr. President of the United States Washington”; franked; postmarked Newburgh, 15 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 21 Jan. received that day and so recorded in SJL with notation “T.” Alexander Wood (ca. 1757‑ca. 1829) was a collector of direct taxes in Orange County, where he had lived since at least

1776. He supported Aaron Burr for New York governor in 1804, and in the June election received one vote for himself as lieutenant governor. In 1825, Wood was granted a military pension for his service as a private in the Revolutionary War. On his pension application he gave his occupa‑ tion as farming, but pleaded that he could no longer do the work, did not own a farm, and was in urgent need of government

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1 2 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 assistance (DNA: RG 15, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty‑Land Warrant Application Files; Gallatin, Papers, 9:52; Albany Gazette, 16 Aug. 1802, 15 Mch. 1804; Newburgh, N.Y., Rights of Man, 11 June 1804; The Pension Roll of 1835,

4  vols. [Baltimore, 1968; indexed ed., 1992], 2:300). mr osgood: New York supervisor of internal revenue, Samuel Osgood; the Or‑ ange County sheriff was John Blake, Jr. (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Vol. 37:148‑9).

From William Lambert Sir, City of Washington, January, 14th. 1805. I beg leave again to submit to your inspection, some calculations for ascertaining the latitude and longitude of the Capitol in this place, according to methods which have been suggested by yourself. It is my intention to have a number of copies printed at my own expense, by Mr: Samuel H. Smith; but I shall not commit myself so far, until I obtain the opinion of a competent judge of the subject, who has some share of regard for me. If, on examination, you think it fit for the press, I shall, if you please, do myself the honour of presenting to you one or more of the printed copies, not only on account of your station as chief magistrate of the Union, and being President of the Ameri‑ can Philosophical Society, but of my remembrance that you were for‑ merly Secretary of State, and that I was a clerk in your office. I am, with the most perfect respect, Sir, Your most obedient servant, William Lambert. RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

suggested by yourself: William Lambert to TJ, 15 Dec., and TJ to Lam‑ bert, 22 Dec.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. Jan. 14. 1805. I nominate the several persons named in the inclosed letter from the Secretary at War for the promotions and appointments in the army of the United States therein proposed for them respectively. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC). Recorded in SJL with no‑ tation “Military nominations.” Enclosure: Dearborn to TJ, [11] Jan. i nominate: on the same day, Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Sen‑

ate, where it was then ordered to lie on the table for consideration. Three days later, on 17 Jan., the Senate consented to all of the nominations (jep, 1:479‑81).

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To William Keteltas [before 15 Jan. 1805]

Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Mr. Keteltas to dine with him on Tuesday 15th at half after three,  The favour of an answer is asked. RC (Donald A. Heald Rare Books, New York, 2018); undated, but see below; printed form, with blanks filled by Isaac A. Coles reproduced in italics; notation by Coles in lower right corner: “Wm Keteltas Counsellor at Law.” tuesday 15th: although New Yorker William Keteltas had previous correspon‑ dence with TJ, he formally introduced

himself to the president on 8 Jan. 1805. Keteltas then dined with TJ on Tuesday, 15 Jan. (Brockholst Livingston to TJ, 2 Jan.; Appendix ii). TJ recorded two more dinners held on Tuesdays the 15th of a month, one on 15 Dec. 1807 and one on 15 Nov. 1808. Neither of those dinners included Keteltas (MS dinner guest rec‑ ords at MHi).

From James Brown Dear Sir, New Orleans Jany. 15th. 1805 A few minutes before the departure of the last weeks mail I re‑ ceived and answered your favor of the 1st. of December apprizing me of my nomination as Judge of the Superior Court for the Territory of Orleans. Governor Claiborne informs me that the mail of this day has delivered to him my Commission, the Senate having approved the nomination. Permit me to repeat my expressions of satisfaction on receiving this renewed and unexpected evidence of Executive confidence—a confidence the more grateful as flowing from an Ad‑ ministration which has deserved and received my most decided approbation. I regret that the incompetence of the Salary, and the remote situa‑ tion of my resources, should render an acceptance of the office too burthensome to my private fortune to be justified. The most frugal mode of life which I could decently adopt would subject me to an an‑ nual expence of more than four thousand Dollars. The sacrifice of two thousand Dollars annually, and the loss of my time rendered valuable, by a knowledge of four modern Languages, would be too serious to make in favor of a Country with an overflowing treasury—too serious to be made by one who, altho tolerably independent in his circum‑ stances, is yet far removed from affluence. I sincerely hope, therefore, that this my resignation will not be attributed to chagrin or caprice, but that it will be considered as a sacrifice of inclination to my respect  339 

1 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

for pecuniary independence, which I have always viewed as the par‑ ent of independence of thought and of action. I fear I shall incur the charge of vanity when I assure you that my appointment has been warmly approved by the inhabitants who have received and treated me with every mark of esteem, and who have earnestly pressed me to undertake the duties of the Office. But when I reflect that the satisfaction of my fellow citizens on my ap‑ pointment, evinces a confidence in the correctness of your Adminis‑ tration, I cannot forbear suggesting the fact, and accompanying it with an expression of my regret, on being compelled to abandon an Office, which would have afforded me the power of doing good, and using every effort to evince the advantages resulting from a republi‑ can system honestly administered. It will give you pleasure to learn that that the public interests, so properly confided to Judge Prevost, will not suffer from my resig‑ nation. The industry, impartialtiy, and intelligence of this Officer are rewarded by the public confidence bestowed with a liberality which evinces the good sense of the people, and their readiness to support any representative of the American Government who possesses suf­ ficient respect for himself, and for the people amongst whom he is placed. I congratulate my country upon the certainty of your re election, and am with every friendly wish for your prosperity and happiness Dear Sir your most obt James Brown RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “The President of the United States Washington‑City” and “By mail”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

my resignation: also on 15 Jan., Brown wrote his official letter of resigna‑ tion to Madison (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Brown James. resigns office as judge”).

From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir War Department January 15th. 1805 I have the honor of proposing for your approbation William Dent Bealle, Adjutant, to be promoted to Brigade Major and Inspector of the Militia of the District of Columbia vice Major Joshua Wingate resigned. With sentiments of esteem & respect I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant H. Dearborn  340 

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[Approval by TJ:] Jan. 17. 1805. Approved

Th: Jefferson

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the U. States.” FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

To Thomas Paine [Dear Sir] Washington Jan. 15. 05. Yours of the 1st. instant came to hand on the 7th. the present state of things in St. Domingo is certainly very interesting to the US. but to intermeddle in it requires great caution. so many interests are in opposition that it is difficult to move without shocking some of them. with what temper France will hear a proposition for a modified lib‑ erty in that island, is unknown, and especially from us, against whom the lawless conduct of our merchants has already excited such jealou‑ sies. with what temper the islanders will hear a suggestion of any modification of their freedom? with what temper our own citizens would see us become instrumental in establishing the final success of such an insurrection, it is difficult to say. our policy must be to follow events, to keep our lead‑line ahead, sounding as we go, and to steer accordingly. the first step is to entitle ourselves to the innocent trade of St. Domingo, by obliging contraband of war to expose itself un‑ armed to it’s proper risk of interception & confiscation. thus bringing ourselves back to fair & honourable ground, we may be entitled to confidence from all parties, and may then do whatever humanity & friendly relations with all parties may dictate. but the mercantile in‑ terest renders it very difficult for us to get back to this ground. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “T. Paine.”

From Fulwar Skipwith Dear Sir Paris. 15th. Jany. 1805 I received by Genl. Armstrong the letter you have done me the favor to write in date of the 11th. of July last. The sentiments, which that letter expresses in support of the high character & personal inde‑ pendence of the General, I would at all times have been disposed to  341 

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respect; but under existing circumstances, how much more consola‑ tory to my feelings is it to add that, after acquaintance & daily inter‑ course with him on matters of a public nature, I find those sentiments so perfectly correct, in as much as that he does not appear disposed to view my past transactions thro’ the optics of those few, who have sought in league to injure me, or to weigh my public conduct in fu‑ ture in any except his own scales, those of Justice & liberality. The allusion, which your letter also conveys to a misunderstand‑ ing between our late Minister & myself & the assurances which fol‑ low, I have by your desire communicated to the late American Board: Each of its members, no less than myself, appears to be sufficiently governed by a sense of propriety, as well as by your own Individual wishes, to pursue, as far depends on him, the course most likely to reestablish harmony, and maintain the character & respect due to our Country; That allusion & those assurances, tho proceeding from the same source in your breast, which has every day of your life afforded some example or other of the bounty of your feelings towards our fel‑ low men individually, yet, to me in particular they confer the pleasing perswasion of your wishing me personally well, & of your even deriv‑ ing a sort of satisfaction, should my late conduct under the Conven‑ tion prove irreproachable. Being now withdrawn from the exercise of those duties under that Instrument, which in placing my conduct and opinions in opposition to the designs & interests of particular men, have drawn upon me much calumny & abuse, I shall endeavor soon to forget them, & also the injuries, which they may have done me; and next to the evidence of my own conscience, I shall consider myself happiest in convincing you thro the organ of our present Minister, that I am not undeserving of a portion of your confidence & esteem. The Champagne I sent you was shipped in good season and I thought in good condition. I have been surprised and concerned at finding that so much of it had bursted. You have not mentioned re‑ ceiving 100 Bottles of Burgundy, which I sent you afterwards thro’ our Consul at Havre. I offer you, sir, my most fervent wishes for a long continuation of uninterrupted health, & I beg you to accept assurances of my highest personal attatchment & respect Fulwar Skipwith  P.S. Poor old Latude, who passed more than a third of the last Century in dungeons & in Irons, & who I believe you knew, died about a month ago. Not long before his death he left with me two of his Books containing the memoirs of his captivity, & two prints of his  342 

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picture, requesting that I should forward the whole to you, & that you should present one of each to the House of Representatives in Congress. I therefore avail myself of the opportunity offered me by M. Randolph of complying with one of the last & most earnest de‑ sires of that singular old man. It may be of Some importance to Hu‑ manity under our mildest & best of Governments, to know that there has existed a Government in the old World Equal to confining a man 35 years, without being regularly Judged & condemned, and, at the Same time, to behold the resemblance of the man, who was capable of undergoing such a punishment without any decay of either health or spirits. F. S. Dupl (DLC); at head of text: “Dupli‑ cate”; addressed: “Mr. Jefferson”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 12 July and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Louis de Tousard to TJ, 10 July. RC (DLC); lacks postscript; endorsed by TJ; recorded in SJL as received 6 May. Tr (Stanley F. Horn, Nashville, Tennessee, 1958); en‑ tirely in TJ’s hand; consists of postscript only; at head of text: “Extract of a letter from Fulwar Skipwith to Th: Jefferson dated Paris Jan. 15. 1805.” Enclosures not found. Skipwith’s service as commercial agent during negotiations over American debt claims against France under the conven‑ tion of 1803 brought him into conflict

with Robert R. Livingston and members of the Anglo‑American merchant commu‑ nity in Paris. being now withdrawn: Skipwith was preparing to return to the United States on a leave of absence (Henry Bartholomew Cox, The Parisian American: Fulwar Skipwith of Virginia [Washington, D.C., 1964], 86‑90, 95‑9; Vol. 41:158‑60; Vol. 42:262, 264‑5; Vol. 43:248‑9). TJ did receive the burgundy he or‑ dered through Skipwith (Vol. 42:36). consul at havre: John Mitchell (Vol. 40:340‑1). For Henri Masers de latude, see Vol. 30:578. It is uncertain if TJ received the items Latude entrusted with Skipwith (Sowerby, No. 219).

From Jacob Wagner Tuesday morning [15 Jan. 1805]

J. Wagner’s best respects to the President of the U. States. He has learnt at the French Minister’s, that the style of addressing Jerome Bonaparte, used by the Minister and proper to be used by others, is Monsieur and Sir, in the manner a private frenchman was addressed before the Revolution. RC (DLC); partially dated; addressed: “The President of the U. States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as a letter of 15 Jan. 1805 received from the State Department on the same day and “Jerome Bonaparte.” learnt at the french minister’s: Louis Marie Turreau de Garambouville,

who succeeded Louis André Pichon as minister plenipotentiary to the United States, had arrived in Washington on 18 Nov. and presented himself to TJ on 23 Nov. (Aurora, 23 Nov.; National Intelli­ gencer, 26 Nov.). When Jerome bonaparte and his wife, Elizabeth Patterson Bonaparte, dined with

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1 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 TJ in January 1804, TJ addressed them as monsieur and madame. On 18 May 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte declared him‑ self emperor and his brothers Joseph and Louis as princes of the empire with right of succession. Jerome and a fourth brother were excluded—Lucien because of a po‑ litical dispute with Napoleon and Jerome because of his marriage to Elizabeth Pat‑ terson in 1803. American papers carried the news of Jerome Bonaparte’s exclusion, but there was some confusion among them as to his title and the extent of Na‑ poleon’s displeasure. Jerome Bonaparte dined with TJ on 13 Feb. 1805 at a table

that included Turreau. Following the din‑ ner, Bonaparte attended a large party at the home of Secretary of the Navy Robert Smith, whose brother was Elizabeth Bona‑ parte’s uncle by marriage (Eugene L. Didier, The Life and Letters of Madame Bonaparte [New York, 1879], 14, 23‑4; Washington Federalist, 1 Aug., 28 Nov., 5  Dec. 1804; Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 19 Nov. 1804; National Intelligencer, 26 Oct., 30 Nov. 1804; John Quincy Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 137, in MHi: Adams Family Papers; Vol. 42:235‑6; Appendix ii). See also Vol. 41:603n.

From Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Philada. Jany 15th. 1805. Permit me to make known to you my Brother, Thos. Wistar, who is one of a very worthy and respectable Committee of the Society of friends, deputed by that body, to solicit the attention of Congress to the subject of African Slavery, as it may be Connected with Louisiana & the other territories subject to their immediate Controll—This let‑ ter is not necessary, for I know that your attention flows spontane‑ ously towards persons whose motives are so pure & humane as those of these Gentlemen, but I derive pleasure from the opportunity it affords me of Subscribing myself with great Sincerity Your obliged & affectionate friend Caspar Wistar Jr RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 22 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Thomas wistar was an elder in the Philadelphia Monthly Meeting for the Western District and a clerk of the Phila‑ delphia Yearly Meeting Indian Commit‑ tee. He supported a memorial signed by clerk Thomas Morris and presented in Congress on behalf of the Quaker Yearly

Meeting held in Philadelphia in Decem‑ ber 1804. On 21 Jan., this memorial “to plead the cause of their oppressed and de‑ graded fellow‑men of the African race” was presented as a petition in the Senate and the House, where it was referred to the committee working on “an ameliora‑ tion of the form of government of the Ter‑ ritory of Louisiana” (js, 3:437; Annals, 14:996).

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From Gabriel Duvall Jan. 16. 1805.

Charles J. porter settled his first Accompt at the Treasury, for dis‑ bursements at September Court 1801. His Salary did not commence until the first of July 1802, under an Act of Congress passed on the 29 April 1802.—It does not, therefore, furnish evidence of the date of his commission. Tennessee was divided into two districts by an Act of the 13th. of Feb. 1801, & without doubt, Mr. porter was appointed, between that time & the 4th. of March following. G. Duvall, Comptr. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 16 Jan. and “Porter Charles J. Marshall E. Tenissee” and so recorded in SJL. charles j. porter: that is, Charles Tenant Porter, whose nomination, as Charles J. Porter, to be marshal for East Tennessee had been submitted to the Senate on 23 Feb. 1801 and approved the

following day (jep, 1:384‑5). A 10 Jan. 1805 letter from William Cocke and oth‑ ers was recorded in SJL as received by TJ on 11 Jan. with notation “Chas. Ten‑ ant Porter to be contd. Marshl. E. Teni‑ see,” but has not been found. A 14 Jan. letter from Jacob Wagner, recorded as received 15 Jan. with notation “Porter marshl E. Tenisee,” has likewise has not been found.

From Albert Gallatin [16 Jan. 1805]

Bishop Carrol’s letter The Agent “Sibley” has arrived; and the memorial was forwarded to Congress this morning by Mr Dawson. There is no doubt that Con‑ gress will secure the old settlers, though their grants may not be per‑ fectly legal. But all that is now necessary is to amend the law so that claimants of every description be allowed to file their claims with the commissioners; on whose report Congress may act next session with a full knowlege of the subject. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27143); un‑ dated; in Gallatin’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 16 Jan. 1805 and “Detroit set‑ tlers” and so recorded in SJL. agent “sibley”: that is, Detroit law‑ yer Solomon Sibley, who represented the signers of a memorial presented to the

House of Representatives, 17 Jan., from citizens of Wayne County, Indiana Terri‑ tory. Their memorial asked Congress to revise laws that covered the disposal of the public lands northwest of the Ohio River (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Milo M. Quaife, ed., The John Askin Papers, 2 vols. [De‑ troit, 1928‑31], 2:454‑7; jhr, 5:91). See also Thomas Worthington to TJ, 10 Jan.

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To Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Washington. Jan. 16. 05. I inclose you the bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing of the capitol & 20,000. for the North wing & other public buildings as it has past the H. of R. with only 17. dissenting votes. I have no reason to suppose1 it will fare worse with the Senate: but till it passes them it will not be safe to take any positive steps. I will endeavor to have it2 hurried there, and as soon as it passes will give you notice. I think your presence here will then be immediately 3 necessary to settle the plan of the campaign, to contract for materials corresponding, & to put all such parts of the work in hand as can be done in winter. this will comprehend all the wooden & iron work. it will be the more necessary to agree on what is to be done as soon as the bill passes, because I shall go to Monticello about the 6th. of March & be absent a month. I think we must floor the representatives chamber, the Sen‑ ate chamber, the clerks & committee rooms with the hexagon paving tile used in France, & to be imported from thence. should not the glass for the windows be also imported, or can it be made here as good?   the roof of this house is tight. but the ice4 blocking up of the apertures leading the water from the external to the internal gut‑ turs deluges the rooms after a fall of snow. Lenox thinks of a remedy plausible and cheap. the great cistern of the water closets deluges us in time of rain, & the internal gutturs leak in some places. mr Lenox has been desired to ascertain the defects.—the stoves you have been so kind as to have packed for me will answer perfectly. they are to replace some Rumford stoves cast on my own plan, but which smoke so that I am obliged to give them up. I should be afraid to try others.— I have suggested to mr Peale, who is here, the making a polygraph to write on billet paper (8vo.) which will reduce it to about ⅓ the pres‑ ent size. this will be truly portable. Accept my friendly salutations & best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “B. H. Latrobe esq.”; endorsed by TJ. Enclo‑ sure: see note to TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 6 Dec.

1 Preceding

two words interlined. interlined. 3 Word interlined. 4 Word interlined. 2 Word

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From Thomas Worthington, John Smith of Ohio, and Jeremiah Morrow Sir Jany. 16th. 1805 We take the liberty to recommend Samuel Huntington esquire as a candidate for the office of Governor of the Michigan Territory—Mr Huntington has held several Important offices in the State of Ohio, is at present one of the Judges of the Supreme Court of that State, and has sustained that character of a good Republican and we are informed is acquainted with; and can converse in the French language—we have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir your Obt. Svts. T Worthington John Smith Jeremiah Morrow RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Morrow’s hand, signed by all; at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Jan. and “Huntington Saml. to be Govr. Detroit” and so re‑ corded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “rather Judge. he speaks French.” Jeremiah Morrow (1771‑1852), a Re‑ publican, was Ohio’s first member of the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from 1803 to 1813, and then in the U.S. Senate from 1813 to 1819. He later served as governor and in the state legislature, then returned to Congress briefly as a Whig in the early 1840s. A native of Penn‑ sylvania and a former surveyor, Morrow was an acknowledged expert on federal land policy (anb; Biog. Dir. Cong.). Other recommendations for Michigan appointments were penned around this

time. In a letter to Madison dated 19 Jan., Israel Smith, Gideon Olin, and Matthew Lyon recommended James Witherill of Vermont for a Michigan judgeship, deem‑ ing him a “man of Talents & Urbanity” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Witherill James. to be judge of Michigan”). Peter Carr wrote to John Wayles Eppes from Charlottesville on 8 Feb. to recommend their mutual acquain‑ tance Charles Jouett for the Michigan governorship. Carr had been told that many of the new territory’s inhabitants were “Anglo‑federal.” He believed that Jouett’s “decision, his rigid integrity and undaunted intrepidity, would keep these people in awe, whilst it would command their respect” (RC in same; endorsed by  TJ: “Jouett Charles to be Govr. Michigan”).

From Rufus Easton Sir, Saint Louis Jany 17th. 1805 Being class’d with the friends to the present administration, I have felt it my duty to make confidentially to the executive department of the Government for the benefit of the United states, the communica‑ tion herewith sent—And I feel the more warranted in doing this from the respectful manner in which my name has by various characters of high respectability been mentioned to your Excellency—  347 

17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5

 It may be a question with some whether in a Territory standing in the relation of Louisiana to the United States the public opinion of the territory ought to be consulted in framing the laws necessary for its temporary Government before it shall have progressed to an inde‑ pendent state Government—If the people are entitled to be heard, it ought to be thro’ proper representatives with a vote on every point which might relate to the interest of the Territory and the representa‑ tion ought to be fairly and legally made—otherwise individuals may have it in their power to state as the public wish, what the people never desired and laws may be imposed which may prove obnoxious to the major part to be governed by them I allude to the late memorial which has gone forward to congress and which is alledged to contain the sentiments of a majority of the Inhabitants of the District of Louisiana—whether this allegation is true or false may be seen by a brief account of the rise, progress and change of opinions in this Country. My communication is confidentially made because a publication might tend to prejudice those characters against me, whose interests it might affect—and that in a Country where in a great measure on the good opinion of the public my living depends— I have the honor to be, Sir with high consideration Your most obedt and Most humble servant R Easton RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Gideon Granger to TJ, 15 Mch.

late memorial: see William Henry Harrison to TJ, 6 Nov. 1804.

e n c l o s u r e

Confidential Communication on Louisiana District Sir, Louisiana, St Louis Jany 1805 On the second of April last about twenty of the Inhabitants of this town after perusing the Bill which was adopted by Congress for the Government of this Country assembled with a view to appoint a Committee to call an as‑ sembly of Delegates from the different Districts to form a plan of Govern‑ ment for this Country— The annexation of this Territory to that of Indiana was made the ostensi‑ ble objection to the Law of Congress tho’ that clause which affected the titles to Land was the real ground of dissatisfaction. Accordingly a committee was appointed exclusively by the French Inhabi‑ tants, not an American though at least forty in the town of Saint Louis some of whom were respectable merchants was invited to their Councils—Such

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17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 measures were taken as to carry the election of the Major part of the Dele‑ gates in the French interest by confirming the choice of the delegates to the committees and the election of those committees to the various French vil‑ lages in the Country—as may be seen by the proceedings of the Committee at St Louis here with sent.—And could they have quietted the Americans peaceably settled on their plantations with the plausible declaration, “being absolutely decided to never separate the interest of this town of Saint Louis from those of every inhabitant of this Country French or Americans—wish‑ ing that in future that distinction should be abolished even in the name”— their wishes would have been carried into effect without opposition— The proceedings of a Committee from the Districts of St Genevieve and New Bourbon have been before the public—The result of the deliberations of the twelve representatives of the people, which assembled at Saint Louis probably er’e this has been laid before Congress— One thing is worthy of remark, that they should stile themselves the “Rep­ resentatives of the people of Louisiana elected by the Freemen of our respective districts” when it is notorious that the committee of seven appointed the Rep­ resentatives of St Louis and it is confidently believed that had the People passed their votes but very few of the members of the said convention would have been chosen— The Original intention of this Convention was to petition Congress for a Government Militaire a plan of which was shewn to the first Commadant of the Country the leading features of which were— First, To have a Governor to reside in the Country possessing both civil and military Jurisdiction— Second, Commadants for each district to possess the like powers with an ap‑ peal to the Governor in certain cases— Third, No trial to be by jury except in such cases as in the opinion of the Governor or commadant justice should absolutely require it for special cause to be shewn—and the practice of Lawyers to be entirely prohibited—But for a person who resided some years within the United States in character of a school master who understands the French language, catching at the popular declamation of some members of Congress—Governed by the principles ad‑ vanced in the memorial of Orleans and fired with ambition to distinguish himself in the political world this original plan would not have been changed— The flame of his eloquence and unparallelled knowledge of American politics changed the tone to the whole system and the plan was to ridicule the Major‑ ity of Congress for their professions of Republicanism and boasted love of liberty—The Governor and Judges of the Indiana Territory were in the origi‑ nal draft of the memorial compared to foreign Bashaws—the Propritors and Proconsuls under the more modest name of Governor and judges sent here to rule over the people and to write liberty as had been done in Vinice upon four prison walls—It was declared that Congress had broken the treaty and a motion was made by one of the members to call upon the Emperor of France thro’ his minister to enforce a fullfillment—It truly was a national convention in miniature—The memorial as first drawn up was presented also to the first civil Commadant for his approbation and correction and he tho’ a very good man, only pared off such portion of its wiry edge as in his opinion to obtain it a reading—Delighted as all characters of his political sentiments would be with the indignity and security offered to the present majority of Congress—

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17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 Population, character of the Inhabitants Settlements and Jail—       In 1801 a compleat Census of all the inhabitants was taken—they then amounted to 10,301 of all descriptions, since which there has been a consid‑ erable increase, and it is believed by the best informed that the number at this day will exceed 12,000 souls—about two fifths of whom are French the others mostly Emigrants from the United States— The Creoles in general are peaceable civil and hospitable and possess hon‑ est dispositions—they are good citizens, but know nothing of the police of any Government, They have no fixed political principles and are liable to sudden changes of opinion as they are influenced by the more artful and designing— That they are in general enemies to the change of Government requires no argument to demonstrate—it depends on fact. When it was rumoured thro’ this Country last summer that a recession to Spain would take place, joy gladden in their hearts—This however must not be taken for a universal sentiment—It is only that of the few who have feasted upon the labors of the more ignorant and industrious and whom they prejudice and influence as they please— Many have sufficient discernment to perceive that the cession to the United States advanced their landed property at least two hundred percentum they thank the stars and are willing to give the praise to whom it is due The American emigration to this Country has principally taken place within the last seven years about one fourth are good citizens the remainder as might be expected—their attachment to the government of the United States is stronger than it would have been had they always remained under it— The settlements lie between New‑Madrid and La Rivier au Cuivre which empties itself into the Mississippi about 22. leagues above Saint Louis, a distance from North to South of 280 miles—50 miles upon a strait line west from the Mississippi will reach beyond the compact, beautiful and flourishing settlements up the Masouri and 40 miles from Cape Girardeau west will ex‑ tend beyond the inhabitants on the River St. Francis—Most of these settle‑ ments are formed upon the rich bottom lands upon the rivers and creeks every where to be found in this western world—and it is to be accounted for in this way that almost all the western country has been over rated—the per‑ sons by whom discriptions of the Country have been given were travellers by water—they have seen none but the most fertile and luxuriant soil. The greatest portion of Lands are indifferent; tracts of thirty miles square between the Masouri, Mississippi and St Francis exist which never will admit of cultivation except here and there a plantation of flat land to be found upon the streams of water—These tracts of Land are hilly and uneven but not mountainous—thickly timbered with notty oak—upon and in the body of the earth is to be found flint, lime and free stone and almost every kind of mineral particularly lead and oar in the greatest abundance And salines are not infrequent. The Salt‑waters about 8 miles south of St Genevieve are drawn from wells & are supposed to be inexhaustible so strongly impreg‑ nated with sulpher as to become offensive both to the scent and taste. It is about one fifth or sixth part weaker than the Saline springs at Onon‑ daga in the western part of New York and although salt has been sold there for less than a livre the bushel it cannot be purchased here for less than two dollars at the works—

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17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 Land titles.—       That various fraudulent antedated grants have been issued by the late Span‑ ish officers is not to be denied— It can be proven by a witness whose testimony cannot be impeached that in the month of June 1803 application was made to the Lieut. Governor at Saint Louis to issue orders of survey for grants made in August 1799—The Governor replied that it was impossible for him to issue orders of survey for any grant old or new, as he had received information from the Intendant at New Orleans that the Country was ceded to France and that positive instruc‑ tions had been given him (which he offered to shew) to close the Bureau with respect to Lands—at this time the cession of the Country by France to the United States was not known in this Country—In course of two hours after the applicant had retired a message was sent to him by the Surveyor General from the Governor that if the applicant would advance and pay 200 Dollars on each tract orders of survey should issue—the proposition was rejected— When it was proposed to issue grants and concessions with orders of survey for 15 tracts containing from 500 to 1,000 acres each for sixty Dollars for every 500 acre tract and one hundred Dollars for each 1,000 acre tract, the surveys were to be dated back to the year 1799— This proposition was made by the surveyor General declaring that he had authority to do so in consequence of services rendered the Government. This proposition was accepted and eight grants were on those terms made out and the name of Governor Zeno Trudo put to them, bearing date in 1799 the same year that Mr. Trudo left the Country for Orleans where he held no post but that of Captain of Grenadiers— These grants were afterwards returned by the applicant under full convic‑ tion and belief of their invalidity— About the latter end of June 1803 information arrived in this Country of its cession to the United States, when instructions were given to the various agents of the Governor as well as to the several deputy surveyors that grants and concessions to be dated back to the year 1799—(which was the general antedate tho some were dated farther back) and surveys thereof would be made of any tract from 500 to 50,000 acres to any person who would apply upon payment of one hundred Dollars for every 500 acres—and so great was the thirst of Speculation when money could not be obtained horses and other property was received in payment—many grants in like manner were made for less sums as bargains could be made— They proclaimed that their records were kept in such form that it would be utterly impossible for the United States to detect the fraud—Indeed there will be a difficulty in distinguishing a bona fide from a false grant—The above facts are notorious and I might here detail a list of names with the particular tracts thus fraudulently granted.—Several persons to whom grants of the above description have been made have confessed not only to me but to all most every traveller in the Country the fact of having obtained these grants and candidly and honestly declare they have no faith in their validity— Manner of Keeping Records—if so they may be called—has been this— When a person applied for Lands it was customary for the Commandant of the District to give a written permission to settle which when sanctioned by the Governor is called a Concession—It has been usual for the Governor to sign his name to these concessions without looking at or reading the petition

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17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 when presented by the Surveyor General. No record is made of this conces‑ sion till the survey is actually made out when the surveyor general enters in a memorandum book a copy of the plot noting the day of the order of survey and the time when the plot of the survey is given out and all the papers are delivered to the applicant This form was a plan adopted by the surveyor General for his own convenience but no directions has ever been given by the Government requiring any record whatever to be made—These Records of course are not official. It would appear therefore that a concession made in 1804 which bears date in 1799 where no survey has been made would be of the same efficacy with those actually made in 1799 unless the fraud can be specially proven— One other practice of granting Lands prevailed in the District of Cape Girardeau which I had the curiosity to minute on my Journal upon my first arrival in this Country in May last—It was this—In December 1802 a Creek Indian was condemned to be shot for the Murder of one Trotter at New Madrid—the Governor gave out to such young men as would turn out volun‑ teers to serve as guards on the Execution of the Indian he would satisfy and reward with grants of Land, a number volunteered but received no Lands til a year ago about Christmas when every person without distinction who ap‑ plied received concessions after the rate of one Dollar on each hundred‑acres; no certificate however was given out, but an entry without date made on the Commadants book who pocketed considerable cash; some thousands of acres were granted in this manner— One other circumstance must not be omitted—It not unfrequently hap‑ pened that persons coming to this country with a view to settle after taking out one of those written permissions would leave the province dissatisfied without receiving their Land; Their concessions remaining be hind—In Feb‑ ruary 1804 some of these were gathered up and the name of an actual resi‑ dent in the Country inserted in place of his name to whom the grant had been originally made—so that with the exception of the erasures they have the ap‑ pearance of old concessions— A volume of this kind of information might at this day be obtained and witnesses to prove and substantiate the special circumstances should proper measures be taken to accomplish it— The above facts suggest the propriety of a speedy examination of the titles in this Country—and the sooner this enquiry is made the better will it be both as it respects the interest of the United States and the Country— To be Continued— Rufus Easton RC (DLC); partially dated; at head of text: “To the President of the United States. Communication”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found, but see below. Enclosed in Gideon Granger to TJ, 15 Mch. Section 14 of the law creating Orleans Territory and Louisiana District declared titles to land granted after the Treaty of San Ildefonso null and void with the

exception of lands granted to actual set‑ tlers in accordance with Spanish law and custom (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:287‑9; Vol. 43:99n). proceedings of the committee at st louis: in July 1804, eight leading citizens of St. Louis called for representa‑ tives from the major settlements of upper Louisiana to convene in their town in an‑ ticipation of a visit from William Henry Harrison. Meeting in September, the body drew up the memorial presented to Con‑

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17 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 gress on 4 Jan. Easton was a member of the committee that met in Ste. genevieve and passed resolutions opposing the com‑ position and tenor of the St. Louis com‑ mittee (Terr. Papers, 13:33‑8, 41‑6; Vol. 44:284‑6, 648‑9). first commadant of the country: Amos Stoddard. but for a person: probably Eligius Fromentin, who after emigrating from

France taught school for a time in Mary‑ land. He took an active role in the St. Louis meeting (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Terr. Papers, 13:43‑6, 69). lieut. governor: the last Spanish governor in upper Louisiana was Charles Dehault Delassus. Antoine Soulard was the surveyor general, and the com‑ mandant at cape girardeau was Louis Lorimier (Vol. 42:137, 187‑8, 194n).

To William Lambert Jan. 17. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Lambert & returns him his paper on the longitude & latitude of Washington, he has gone over it with as much attention as his time and familiarity with the subject would admit: but he has been too long abstracted from the process of calculation in this line, to undertake to review it criti‑ cally. he is satisfied at the same time it does not need it. he salutes Mr. Lambert respectfully. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

returns him his paper: see Lam‑ bert to TJ, 14 Jan.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 17 Janv. 1805. J’ai l’honneur, de Vous prevenir, que, ayant rencontrè dans mon Depot des Tabelles Statistiques tres exactes sur l’Empire Germanique, l’autriche et la Prusse—d’apres les derniers arangemens politiques— que j’estime convenables a la Bibliotheque du Secretariat d’Etat— j’ai pris la Libertè, de les faire mettre a la poste a Votre Adresse—en me permettant pour çette fois çette exception de la regle, que Vous m’avez prescrite, par le Motif, que la destination est pour l’Etat et Non pas pour Vous personnelement. Ils sont ecrits en Allemand— mais, comme le Chef des bureaux du Secretariat d’Etat connait çette langue aussi bien, que la langue francaise—et que cette premiere langue aÿe dans çe paÿs çi au moins çivilement une preponderance sur la derniére—je n’y ai pour çela pas trouvè d’inconvenient. Le prix en est au taux d’Europe, en n’y ajoutant que les fraix indispensables d’importation et de Vente—778 Cents.  353 

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 La Gravure de Fred. II.—le Manuel du Museè &c et Aldini me sont reparvenûs. Je Vous en presente mes remercimens—et suis avec le plus profond respect de Votre Excellence Tr. hble. et tr. Obst str. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 17 Jan. 1805 I have the honor of informing you that I have taken the liberty of sending very precise statistical tables on the German empire, Austria, and Prussia, reflecting the current political situation, which I found in my stock and judged appropriate for the State Department library. I made this one exception to your rule because the books are intended for the government and not for you personally. They are in German, but that did not seem to present an obstacle as the office head of the State Department knows that language as well as French, and German outweighs French in this country, at least among the population. The price is the same as in Europe, to which only the essential costs of importation and sale have been added: 778 cents. The engraving of Frederick II, the Manuel du Musée, and Aldini arrived safely. I thank you and remain, your excellency, with the most profound re‑ spect, your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 18 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. tabelles statistiques: Reibelt may have been referring to a German edition of a work published in Paris in 1800 or 1801 by Johann Daniel Albrecht Hoeck, Aperçu statistique des états de l’Allemagne, sous le rapport de leur étendue, de leur po­

pulation, de leurs productions, de leur indus­ trie, de leur commerce et de leurs finances. Hoeck, or Höck, later published the work under the German title Handbuch einer Statistik der deutschen Bundesstaaten (see Reibelt to TJ, 29 Jan.). chef des bureaux du secretariat d’etat: that is, chief clerk Jacob Wagner.

To Joseph Brown Sir Washington Jan. 18. 1805. I was told last fall that the road to and from Lacey’s ford on Bull run was so destroyed by the rains of last summer that a carriage could not pass there, and that they had not been repaired. will you be so good as to write me word whether a carriage can pass them now, as I shall be going that way the first week in March, and shall be unwill‑ ing to attempt the Centreville road, which at that season is scarcely to be passed at all. your answer will oblige me. Accept my best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Brown.”; endorsed by TJ with notation

“at Gaines’s tavern” and so recorded in SJL.

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1 8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  Joseph Brown kept a tavern about five miles southwest of Bull Run. TJ had been lodging there since he first started travel‑ ing to and from Washington, but Brown had not always been the innkeeper. A Mr. Gaines ran the tavern until 1797, at which time TJ noted in his account book that he had lodged at “Darrington’s (formerly Gaines’s).” His 27 Nov. 1800 travel ac‑ counts were the first to refer to this Prince William County tavern as “Brown’s.” To

his daughter, TJ wrote of the tavern under Brown’s care: “a poor house, but oblig‑ ing people” (Ronald Ray Turner, Prince William County Virginia 1805­1955 Busi­ nesses [Manassas, Va., 1999], 24; mb, 2:975, 1031; Vol. 24:368; Vol. 35:568; Vol. 37:535). write me word: a letter from Brown to TJ, received on 2 Mch., has not been found (Appendix iv).

From William A. Burwell Dr Sir; Richmond January 18, 1805— An unwillingness to trespass on your time has hitherto prevented any communication from me, But as the period for closing the Ses‑ sion of Assembly approaches, I have determind to request that my attendance at Washington may be dispensed with until the Spring; It would perhaps be unpleasant to Mr C. at this particular time to leave Wtn, after remaining with anxious expectation to hear the Trial of Judge Chase and witness the public Sensation during the pen‑ dency of that very important, interesting, & novel Occurrence; more especially when my long absence from home, & the necessity of visit‑ ing my friends, my estate, & inspecting the conduct of my Agents, would furnish a reasonable cause for his indulgence.— I am confident you will give full credit to my declaration, when I assure you my con‑ duct has during the whole of this Session been directed by a Sincere desire to promote the principles of Republicanism, to alleviate the Sufferings of my fellow citizens, to advance the dignity of the State, & to thwart the Schemes of those who have endevourd to effect other purposes; with such Views I claim indulgence for whatever measures I have advocated improperly— Two Bills have been before the House this Session, upon the subject of the Slaves; the first to prevent under all circumstances the intro‑ duction of Slaves, as well from neighbouring States as the W. Indies, or Africa; This measure is certainly politic unless, one supposes coun‑ tervailing regulations will be adopted by the States South, & west of Virginia, Because without receiving any addition to the present Stock from abroad, it would be much lessen’d by Sales, emigration &c; It seems to me, there is no reason to apprehend the Salutary operation of this law will be frustrated, until the country to the S. & W. it shall  355 

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be filld by a number which will render Such policy necessary—The present inconvenience & alarm arises less from the actual number of Black persons compar’d with the Whites, than the unequal distribution of them through the State; while the inhabitants on the eastern Side of the Blue Ridge are balanced by an equal number of Blacks. those on the western side stand in a Ratio 10 to 1: If however a supply of Slaves could be obtain’d only from the Eastern side, the present dis‑ parity would be constantly disappearing; while the increasing inter‑ course between those two parts of the State, & Assimilation of Interest would beget an harmony too little felt at present—This Bill I fear will be lost—by some absurd Amendment proposed in the Senate—The Second to prevent Emancipation—to that Bill I offerd an Amendment, which appeard to me highly necessary, providing for emancipations as heretofore, if the persons thus liberated leave the State within Six months—& besides, that this Amendment reconciled those most averse to interfere with this Right; I thought it best to make its exercise Subservient to the Interest of the community; I am not disposed to check Emtn. because of hostility to that miserable class of beings, but to prevent the Multiplication of that middle Sort, of persons in this Commonwealth, from whom we may expect, to experience the evils of insurrection, carnage, & civil war; already have we witnessd the restive temper of these people, from them the Slaves have imbibed the Seeds of disaffection which had well nigh Germinated in 1800—I have said thus much upon this Subject, knowing that with myself you feel acutely, the necessity of adopting some plan which will save Va. from ruin—at present it is vain to propose any thing Radical, the avarice of the people is invincible, & their sense of Danger [. . .] Un‑ fortunate for Our country this last Bill has been lost, & by a principle of false humanity we suffer to multiply, nay cherish a population which from the nature of things must continue our bitterest foes; already they amount 25000. I forbear Speaking of any thing else which has been done during the present Session, before the Superior importance & magnitude of that Subject all dwindle into insignificance—The rumor which circu‑ lates about a third party in Va. I hope you will not credit for a mo‑ ment; do not wrong by Suspicion a people who love you, who feel the utmost Security under your administration & who have & will evince their Sincerity whenever an occasion offers; I should have caught the alarm had there been cause—this is only another instance of the Fds attempting to produce mischeif abroad—pardon me for occupying so much of yr Time—& beleive me, in your happiness I feel the liveliest Interest— Wm A Burwell  356 

1 8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); torn; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqre, President of the U States Washington”; franked; postmarked 21 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. trial of judge chase: on 6 Nov. 1804, resuming a matter that had been left at the close of the previous session of Congress, the House of Representatives appointed John Randolph and four other members as a committee to prepare arti‑ cles of impeachment against Associate Justice Samuel Chase. The committee re‑

ported eight articles of impeachment on 30 Nov. The full House approved the articles on 4 Dec., and the next day ap‑ pointed Randolph and six others as the House managers of the impeachment, who delivered the charges to the Senate. From 10 Dec. into the first days of Janu‑ ary, the Senate established rules and pro‑ cedures for the impeachment trial, set‑ ting 4 Feb. as the date on which Chase was to respond to the charges and the trial would commence (jhr, 5:6, 29, 31‑45; js, 3:509‑15; Vol. 43:196n).

From DeWitt Clinton Sir New York 18. Jany. 1805. I do myself the honor of transmitting to you a project for the de‑ fence of this port and a letter from the Author explanatory of his personal views on this subject. I have but a slight acquaintance with Mr. Lacarriere. I am informed That he was a distinguished Scholar in the Politechnick institution of Paris. from whence he was employed in the ports and chaussee’s and in publick edifices—Then in the Army of Pyranees and lastly with LeClerc’s Army in the Corps of Engineers. I have seen his Drafts and they appear to be executed with great ability. The peculiarly defenceless situation of this City will be my apology for making this communication. If Mr. Lacarriere’s project shall impress you favorably he has prom‑ ised me to furnish the whole of his plan and drafts and such explana‑ tions as you may require in the terms mentioned in his letter Permit me in behalf of the Inhabitants of this City to Solicit the Government of the Union to adopt and execute this or some adequate plan for our defence I have the honor to be With the most perfect respect Your most Obedt. Servt. DeWitt Clinton RC (DNA: RG 107, LRUS); ad‑ dressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. and so recorded in SJL; endorsed by a clerk. FC (Lb in NNC). Enclosure: proposal for fortifying the Narrows of New York harbor with four batteries having interlocking fields of fire, at the

approximate cost of $2 million; signed by Géraud Calixte Jean Baptiste Arsène LaCarrière Latour and dated 23 Dec. 1804; endorsed by Dearborn as “a project for fortifying the Harbour of N York— from Dewitt Clinton Jany. 1805” (MS in DNA: RG 77, GRMR).

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To William Branch Giles Th:J. to mr Giles Jan. 18. 05. See the stat. 24. G. 3. (1784.) c. 47. made against smuggling‑armed vessels and forfieting the vessels. the 7th. sectn. latter part provides that it shall not extend to vessels having arms or ammunition put on board for the necessary use & defence of such vessel, by license from the Lord High Admiral of G.B. or the commissioners of the admiralty.’ this shews that English1 vessels cannot arm for defence or other use, but with permission of the Lord High Admiral or board of admiralty; & at the beginning of every war they give a permission under specified regulations. In France, no vessel armed or unarmed, in peace or war, can leave port but on a congé (or license) from the admiral, which is given on making known the vessel, crew, cargo, destination, & condition of the vessel. this of course places arming under his discretion. see 1. Valin. 258. See the Journals of the H. of R. Mar. 19. 1798. the last clause but one in mr Adams’s message, expressing his sentiments. friendly salutations PoC (DLC). Giles was a member of a Senate com‑ mittee appointed on 14 Jan. to consider the bill to regulate the clearance of armed merchant vessels (js, 3:433). stat. 24. g. 3. (1784.) c. 47.: “An Act for the more effectual Prevention of Smug‑ gling in this Kingdom” (Statutes at Large, From the Twentieth Year of the Reign of King George the Third to the Twenty­fifth Year of the Reign of King George the Third, Inclusive [London, 1786], 557‑66). valin: French jurist René Josué Valin’s Nouveau commentaire sur l’ordonnance de la marine du mois d’Août 1681, first published in La Rochelle in 1766. The legal commentary concerned the shipping regulations initiated by Jean Baptiste Col‑

bert (Anoush Fraser Terjanian, Commerce and Its Discontents in Eighteenth­Century French Political Thought [Cambridge, Eng., 2013], 124‑5). The last clause but one of John Adams’s message to Congress of 19 Mch. 1798, which announced the failure of the American mission to France, stated that he had reconsidered earlier instructions that restrained U.S. vessels from “sailing in an armed condition.” Adams no longer felt justified in continuing the restric‑ tions, except “in particular cases, where there may be reasonable ground of suspi‑ cion that such vessels are intended to be employed contrary to law” (jhr, 3:228). 1 Word

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interlined.

From Meriwether Jones Sir Richmond Jany. 18th. 1805 The collection of Pamphlets which you were kind enough to lend me, you will receive from M Jos: Clay.—I mention to you that they are in his possession, lest some accident may prevent his immediate attention. Accept, Sir, my sincere friendship & esteem Merir Jones RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

For the pamphlets Jones requested, see Jones to TJ, 15 Oct. 1804, and TJ’s reply of 19 Oct.

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Jan. 18. 05. La continuation de Landon vols 4. & 5. except some livraisons of the 5th. and Les promenades au jardin par Poujoulx came to hand, and I shall keep them. I have not recieved Piranesi. having obtained consent at the stage office to have your two boxes forwarded one at a time when they should have small loads, I had them brought back from the navy yard, & deposited last night at the stage office. you will probably recieve them early in that way. If you have a copy of Les Commentaires de Valin sur l’ordonnance de la marine, I shall be glad to take it. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson P.S. I omitted to mention in my former letter that the friend for whom I wished to get Palladio, understanding no language but English, it would be necessary the edition should be English. PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ.

commentaires de valin: see TJ to William Branch Giles, 18 Jan. my former letter: TJ to Reibelt, 9 Jan.

From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department Jany. 19th 1805 I have the honor to transmit herewith, for your signature, sundry Commissions of the Militia of the District of Columbia With sentiments of respect & esteem I am, Sir, Your Obedt. Servant H. Dearborn  359 

1 9 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 19 Jan. and “Columbia militia commns.” and so recorded in SJL.

From Christopher Ellery Sir Janry. 19th. 1805. When you shall take into consideration the removal from office of the present Collector of the Customs of New Bedford Massachusetts, and the appointment of his Sucessor, my request is, that you will do me the honor to regard me as the friend of William Almy, esquire, of Westport, and, so far as my good word may go, accept it in his favor— I hope, Sir, that this gentleman, before a very distant day, will fill the place now occupied by Mr. Pope, and that thus many friends of the Executive may be gratified; among whom suffer me to rank him, who is, with perfect respect & esteem, Your most obedient servant Christ. Ellery RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Jan. and “Almy Wm. to be Collectr. New Bedford v. Pope” and so recorded in SJL. In a letter of 3 Dec. 1804 to Phanuel Bishop, a member of Congress for Mas‑

sachusetts, william almy discussed how one of Edward Pope’s deputies had con‑ tributed unfairly to sustaining Federalist power in Westport. The “only way,” Almy wrote, “to remove the evil” was “by the removal of the Collector” (same, 9:536‑8; endorsed by TJ: “Pope collector N. Bed‑ ford to be removed”).

To James Oldham Sir Washington Jan. 19. 05. I recieved yesterday your letter, of the 11th. and observe you are fitting up a Corinthian room for mr Gallego. I am glad to learn it, because a single example of chaste architecture may guide the taste of the city and especially when they find that that system of architecture which has now been the delight of the world for three thousand years costs no more than the barbarous & tawdry fancies of each individual workman, and generally not so much. mr Gallego has chosen the most expensive order. as you cannot get your modillions, the egg and an‑ chor ovolo below them, the roses for the soffite, or ornaments for the frize made in Richmond, you had better draw them & have them made here of composition. if you will inclose them in a letter to Capt. An‑  360 

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drews under cover to me, I will speak to him, and produce such an understanding between you, as that you may hereafter be sure of get‑ ting your future orders executed. I think the whole ornaments for a room are from about 30. to 50. D. Accept my best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Oldham”; endorsed by TJ.

From John Langdon Dear President, Portsmouth Jany 21st. 1805 I pray you to accept my greatful Acknowledgements for your truely friendly favo’r of the 9th. Inst which I received by the last mail. when I consider how much your time must be occupied, with the important affairs of State, I think myself highly honor’d, and particularly grati‑ fied in having a line from you. I most sincerely rejoice with you on our success in the former and late revolutions that we have passed thro; you have been called to act a most conspicuous part in those great events, that have taken place, and as you have had, may you con‑ tinue to have the smiles of Divine Providence, and be supported in your great exertions to serve our common Country. I am happy that I’ve done what I could, in my small Sphere, to support the true prin‑ ciples of our Constitution, and I feel proud when I reflect, that our Country is made happy by the patriotic exertions of my great and good friends from the Southern and middle States, with whom I have had the honor to Act. Th’o the States of Connecticut and Delaware have been long time under British Influence, yet they must, soon yeild to eternal truth. Accept Sr. my thanks for your enquiries for my health, which thank God I enjoy to a great degree, and in return per‑ mit me to say with truth that no man on earth wishes you more health and happiness than I do, and that you may be long continued a Bless‑ ing to our Country. My friends in this State have again prevailed on me (much against my inclination) to stand a Candidate for Governor, if any other person could have been agreed on with any hope of suc‑ cess, I should have most certainly declined the honor. I am happy to think New Hampshire and Massachusetts are fast returning to their Republican principles; we are obliged to help each other in the good old cause.— I doubt whether it will be in my power, at this season of the year, to procure any perry or not if a single bbl. can be found it shall be for‑ warded, with the cost and charges, (as you wish it) as the old saying is,  361 

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theres no friendship in Trade. May all happiness Attend you is the constant and dayly wish of Dear Sr. your Oblig’d Friend John Langdon  [I] have been lately made [unhap]py, by the loss of my only [. . .] Brother, who abot a week since bid an eternal farewell to his family and friends, he was a Patriot, a man of honor and friend and no man wished our government better, he spoke of it in his last moments RC (DLC); torn; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States City of Washington”; postmarked 23 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

Langdon’s brother, Woodbury Lang‑ don, died at Portsmouth, New Hamp‑ shire, on 13 Jan. TJ had appointed him navy agent for the port in 1801 (anb; Vol. 34:303n).

To Martha Jefferson Randolph My dearest Martha Washington Jan. 21. 05 Your letter of the 11th. was recieved and gave me the first intima‑ tion of your illness. it has filled me with anxiety respecting you, and this is increased by your not having communicated it to me. because in endeavoring to spare my feelings on your real situation it gives me the pain of fearing every thing imaginable; even that the statement of your recovery may not be exact. let me pray you always to give me the rigorous state of things that I may be sure I know the worst. had not Congress been sitting, I would have seen you as soon as my horses could have carried me. this dreadful spell of weather makes me fear much lest you should suffer from it. if in such a season one day can be selected as worse than another, yesterday & to‑day have the pre‑eminence. I have seen nothing like this since the last winter we were in Paris. a letter of last week from mr Randolph to mr Coles gives us reason to expect him here, to‑day. yet I hope he has not set out in such weather. consider my dear Martha to what degree, & how many persons have the happiness of their lives depending on you, and consider it as a duty to take every care of yourself that you would think of for the dear‑ est of those about you. I hope by the post of tomorrow morning to hear you are perfectly reestablished. in the mean time this letter must go off by the post of this evening. our last news from Eppington as‑ sured us of Maria’s health, but mrs Eppes has been very ill. Francis enjoys as high health & spirits as possible. he wants only a society which could rub off what he contracts from the gross companions  362 

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with whom he of necessity associates. he is a charming boy. kiss all my dear little ones for me, and be assured yourself of my tenderest and unalterable love. Th: Jefferson RC (NNPM); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Her letter of the 11th, written at Edgehill, has not been found (Appen‑ dix iv). yesterday & to‑day have the pre‑ eminence: TJ recorded a temperature of 15° Fahrenheit in the early morning of 21 Jan. The warmest temperature he had noted in the previous two days was 32° on the afternoon of the 20th. The next two days would be even colder, with TJ’s thermometer registering 7° on the morn‑ ing of the 22d and 11° on the 23d, and no reading above the freezing mark until the afternoon of the 23d (MS weather rec‑ ord, 1802‑16, in MHi).

In late December 1788 and early Jan‑ uary 1789, TJ recorded several days in paris on which low temperatures were in the single digits and high temperatures were below 20° Fahrenheit. He believed that his thermometer failed him on the morning of 31 Dec. 1788, the coldest day of the period, when he got a reading of –1.5° but the Marine Observatory regis‑ tered a Reaumur‑scale temperature that he calculated to be the equivalent of –9.4° Fahrenheit (mb, 1:800). francis: TJ’s three‑year‑old grandson, Francis Wayles Eppes, had been living with his father and grandfather in Wash‑ ington (Vol. 35:2; TJ to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 Nov. 1804).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 21. Janv. 1805 J’ai l’honneur, de Vous presenter mes remercimens des Nouvelles, que Vous avez bien voulu me donner par votre lettre du 18, qu’on vient de me remettre. 1) Je ne pense pas, que Piranesi se puisse être perdû, d’autant moins, que ce paquet porte l’adresse du Chef de l’Union. 2) Je suis bien fachè, que les 2 Caisses en question Vous causent tant de peine; Tout ce, qui peut m’en consoler, est, que la saison en porte plus de faute que mon Etablissement. 3) Vous aurez Palladio autant que possible, avec le texte anglais— Si non, et que votre Ami ne veule pas le prendre avec le texte Italien, je le garderais volontier. 4) Je n’ai pas en çe Moment çi—les Còmmentaires de Valin sur l’ordonance de la Marine—Mais je les demanderai de la Maison a Paris. Je vous prie, d’agreer mes profonds respects. Reibelt

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t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 21 Jan. 1805 I have the honor of thanking you for the news you sent in your letter of the 18th, which was just delivered to me. 1) I do not think the Piranesi can be lost, especially since the package is addressed to the head of state. 2) I am dismayed that the two cases are causing you so much trouble. My only consolation is that the weather is more to blame than my shop. 3) If possible you will have Palladio with the English text. Otherwise, and if your friend does not want it in Italian, I shall willingly keep it. 4) I do not have Valin’s Commentaires sur l’ordonnance de la marine but will request them from the Paris office. Please accept my profound respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Amèricain General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

From John Marrast Monsieur Norfolk Ce 22d Janvier 1805 J’ay l’honneur de vous accuser réçéption de votre honorable letre én datte du 13 octobre dee., et sous le ply diçelle, une bank notte des Et. u.s. de soisante dix‑neuf Dollars − ₁²₀−⁰₀ −. et ce pour le montant de trois Caisses bougie, tant blanche que verte que Jai eu l’honneur de vous Envoyer dans le temps; Si vous en Etes au dépourvû, soit d’une qualité, ou de l’autre que vous ayés été satifait de leur qualité. Je me fais l’honneur de vous En ôffrir la quantité que vous souhaiterois ávoir D’aignés me permetre de vous ássurér L’aumage de mes trés hum‑ bles Respects; Monsieur, Votre trés humble & trés obbeisant servr. John Marrast e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Norfolk, 22 Jan. 1805 I have the honor of acknowledging your worthy letter of October 13 and the enclosed note of the Bank of the United States for $79.20 for three cases of white and green candles that I sent you at the time. If you need more of either color and are satisfied with their quality, I would be honored to send you however many more you might wish. Allow me to offer you, Sir, this testimony of my very humble respect. Your very humble and obedient servant. John Marrast RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Ths. Jefferson Esqre.”; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

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From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 22 Janv. 1805 J’ai fait remettre au Stage a Votre Adresse une petite Caisse des Livres Nouveaux, dont probablement la plus grande partie conviendra et a Vous et aux bibliotheques de differens Secretariats de l’Etat. L’Office of discount & Deposit refuse de payer les 2 assignations, que Vous m’avez envoyè—par le Motif, que votre endossement se trouve sur l’assignation du Secretariat d’Etat—Vous voudrez donc bien avoir la Grace d’y remedier.—je Vous represente a cet effet ces deux Assignations. L’expediteur du stage Chez qui j’ai fait faire des recherches sur le paquet contenant Piranesi m’a fait repondre, qu’il l’avoit fait partir le 11 en le mettant dans une Caisse renfermant son Settelment. Il doit donc bien se trouver à Federal City. Les 2 Caisses sont arrivêes—je repete mes remercimens respectueux. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 22 Jan. 1805 I have sent you by coach a small case of new books, most of which will undoubtedly be appropriate for you and the libraries of various government offices. The Office of Discount and Deposit refuses to honor the two payments you sent me on the grounds that you endorsed the one from the secretary of state. Please can you rectify this? I am returning both payments to you. The coach operator whom I asked to track down the Piranesi informed me that the book left on the 11th in a box containing his invoice, so it must be in the federal city. The two cases arrived, for which I renew my respectful thanks. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le De‑ pot Americain General de Levrault, Schoell et Compe. Libraires à Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Jan. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

vous m’avez envoyè: TJ to Reibelt, 24 Dec. 1804.

From Reuben Lewis Dear Sir Locust Hill Jany. 23d. 05 Yours of the 4th. Inst. came safe to hand as likewise that of Novem‑ ber, the information they contain respecting my Brother, is very flatring & interesting to myself my Mother & his Friends—his success has  365 

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surpassed my most sanguine expectation & while I rejoice in his suc‑ cess suffer me to express my gratitude for the information— The paccage you inclosed to me with your last contained a letter from Charles Gratiot as likewise one from Mr. Cousin at Cape Girardeau accompanied with a description of that Cape & its neighbourhood— Supposing the information it contains intended for the Government I do not know anywhere it should so properly lodge as with the Ex‑ ecutive therefore Sir I have taken the liberty of inclosing it— With warmest wishes for your health & happiness give me lieve to subscribe myself your most Obt. Humbl Servt Reuben Lewis RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Ths. Jefferson P. U. S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: see Auguste Chouteau to TJ, 20 Nov. 1804.

From D. L. Morel Please your excellency January the 23d. 1805. The underwritter begs pardon to your excellency to dare to trouble him in a circumstance where’in his sollicitude for the happiness of the people are chiefly required, however his cares should be always the most precious occupations of his mind: and in the same time, if he is ignorantly missing the usual ceremonies he is unacquainted with. an ever precious rememberance dictates him a steep which every thing, may be, ought to forbid him. came from san domgo. in august 91. he had the honor to be introduced to present to you his respects, and he recals ever since that time, with a kind of delight, the bounty‑ ful explications you was pleased to give him respecting a letter uncau‑ tiously directed to the congress by the provincial assembly of the cap francais, upon the shipping of negroes and mulatos with ammuni‑ tions and arms from the united states to that Island, which supplied them with means of supporting their common revolt with the slaves, and finally have reduced san domingo in a heap of ashes and a field of destruction. his purpose being to have printed a new fine translation of the so‑ cial compact of J.’J. Rousseau, which he have compared with that already existing, which seemed to him deffective in some points by the obmission of full phrases, change or obmission of words, which faults some times darken, and some times contradict the very sense of author; and moreover to elucidate the whole work by some remarks and observations calculated for every class of the people, neither bred  366 

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for nor educated in the science of the public right: he has believed that such a kind of work would be acceptable to the citisens of the union, and yet, maybe, palatable to every class in a government wherein, each citisen being apart of the sovereing, may be called to fulfill some employment, to which he would not be so raw, when acquainted with the principles upon which rests their government. which great deal corroborated his thoughts on that subject, is the contemplated provision to each member of the legislature of a coppy of the spirit of laws by Mr Montesquieu, a specimen indeed of great ability, but in the same time the concisness and, I may say, the dark‑ ness of which will be always a proof that the lips of the author were bolted and his tongue was kept torpid; and it surely wants many elucidations to be at the reach of every understanding. from thence he was lead to believe that such a translation as the social compact, elucidated by some remarks, would be kindly received; his purpose besides being to sell it at the moderate price of a french crown to every subscriber in a duodecimo from four to five hundred pages, hand some paper, pyca types, bound in skin, lettered in the back. The uncessantly undertaking of your excellency of diffusing knowl‑ edge, without which a people can’t be happy, contrary to the paradox countenanced by the author of the social compact, and especially the knowledge of the public right, has raised him, some will say, to the temerity of praying the patronage of your excellency for the task of a switzerman born in the principalty of neuchatel, living in the united states in pensilvania since forteen years ago, and since six years cit‑ isen of the united states, who has gradually lost and finally without hope a considerable fortune in sant Domingo, and by a commission of french interpreter and a french school, scarcely get the means of supporting his wife and daughter both americain, and without the help of his friends, and chiefly of Mr Chaudron, would have been compelled to fetch an azilum in the poor house. such a support as your benevalent patronage would be deemed by the subscriber as the most powerful help, and into his heart the un‑ bounded thankfulness would be for ever coupled with the admiration and respect with which he was always and is now impressed for your excellency. D. L. morel RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 23 Jan. D. L. Morel (b. ca. 1734) was probably of the Morel family that owned a coffee plantation in the Limonade district of Saint‑Domingue. In the early 1790s Morel

served as the vice president for the provin‑ cial assembly of the northern department and was likely among the emissaries who sought help from the United States at the outset of the Haitian Revolution, arriv‑ ing in Philadelphia in September 1791. In February 1792, the State Department

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2 3 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 translated for the Senate a memorial au‑ thored by Morel concerning Indian affairs. Morel later settled in Philadelphia, be‑ came a citizen, and would intermittently correspond with TJ in 1806 and 1809 (D. L. Morel, Discous adressé aux citoy­ ens de Saint­Domingue, lu à l’assemblée de la partie du nord, seante au Cap, à la sé­ ance du 6 Septembre 1790 [Cap‑Haïtien?, 1790]; État détaillé des liquidations opérées époque du 1er. Janvier 1830, par la com­ mission chargée de répartir l’indemnité attribuée aux anciens colons de Saint­

Domingue, en exécution de la loi du 30 avril 1826 et conformément aux disposi­ tions de l’ordonnance du 9 Mai suivant [Paris, 1830], 50‑1; js, 1:388, 391, 466, 468; jhr, 1:510; Philadelphia Democratic Press, 13 Apr. 1808; Vol. 22:329‑32; Vol. 23:114‑5; Morel to TJ, 1 Aug., 29 Sep. 1806, 23 Jan. 1809). In 1805, Morel circulated a proposal to publish by subscription a new transla‑ tion of Jean‑Jacques Rousseau’s The So­ cial Contract (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 28 Feb.).

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Jan. 23. 05. Piranesi has been recieved, as also a box of books directed to me as I presume from you altho’ not noted in any of your letters. from these I have selected the following. Correspondence de Rousseau. 3. v. p.f 2. Hist. nat. des Mineraux. Patrin 5. v. p.f. 6.64 Hist. de Catharine II. par Austera. 3. v. 8vo. 6.78 Recueil sur les salines par Struve 12mo. .75 Voyage de Terracine a Naples 12mo. .48 Voyage en Angleterre par Pictet. 8vo. 1.60 Soirées de Ferney. 8vo. 1. Institution des droits martimes par Boucher. 4to. 4.85 do.    commerciales par Bouchet. 4to. 4.85 Elemens de legislation par Perreau. 8vo. 1.60 Almanach des ambassades par Wedekind. 12mo. 1.35 Le pour et le contre les E.U. Bridel 12mo. .72 before recd. Promenades au jardin des plantes. Pujoulx. 2. v. p. f. 1. Annales des Museum vol. IV. & part of V. Piranesi fol 13.80 47.42 I observe in your catalogue the following which I shall be glad to recieve pa. 20. Abregé du systeme de Linné par Gilibert 8vo. Le nouveau Buffon de la jeunesse. 4. v. p.f. 24. Le petit magasin economique p.f. Manuel d’hist. nat. de Blumenbach. 2. v. 8vo. 29. Traité de mineralogie par Haüy 5. v.  368 

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If you have the Connoissance des tems for the present & subsequent years, & Leçons d’anatomie compareé de Cuvier 2. v. 8vo. I shall be glad of them. I do not see them in your catalogue. what is the price of the 8vo. edition of Michaux’ Flora boreali‑Americana? the price of the 4to. edn de‑ terred me from taking that. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson P.S. the following are taken by the Secretaries. Code des Douanes. 2.32 Almanach des ambassades 1.35 Tarif des droits le Douane .72 Memoires sur l’attaque des places 5. Cour de tactique navale 10.08 19.47 which will be accounted for to you by mr Smith. The rest of the books are repacked in the same box and will be immediately delivered at the stage office PoC (DLC); at foot of page: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ. TJ compiled another book list that in‑ cluded all the titles discussed above and on which he added, then canceled, an edi‑ tion of the Quaker treatise Apology for the True Christian Divinity, by Robert Bar‑ clay, and an annual book catalog published by Reibelt’s associate, William Fleischer. TJ likely revised information on this other list after receiving Reibelt’s response of 25 Jan. (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25348; entirely in TJ’s hand; on sheet addressed “The President”; endorsed: “Reibelt”). correspondence de rousseau: probably Correspondance originale et in­ édite de J. J. Rousseau avec Mme Latour de Franqueville et M. Du Peyrou, pub‑

lished in Paris in 1803. TJ was request‑ ing a version in petit format (p.f). memoires sur l’attaque: possibly Mémoires pour l’attaque et la defense d’une place, which concerned the siege of  Ath in 1697. An edition of the work ended up at the library of the U.S. Mili‑ tary Academy (Catalogue of Books, in the Library of the Military Academy [New‑ burgh, N.Y., 1822], 4; Edouard Goulon, “Charles Le Goullon [1645‑1705]: Capi‑ taine Général des Mineurs de France et la Révocation de l’Edit de Nantes,” Bulletin de la Société de l’Histoire du Protestan­ tisme Français, 107 [1961], 191‑4). cour de tactique: probably Cours élémentaire de tactique navale, by Joseph d’Audibert de Ramatuelle, published in Paris in 1802.

To Robert Smith Th:J. to mr Smith Jan. 23. 05. Mr. Reibelt, bookseller, St. Patricks’s row, Baltimore having sent me a box of books to select such as I should chuse, I observe one which I think would be useful for your office or for our young eleves. tho the French are behind the English in the practice of the Nautical  369 

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art, they are, from the excellence of their institutions, far before them in the theory. The price of the book is 10 D. 8. C. mr Madison & Genl. Dearborne have small sums to pay for the same object. perhaps you can settle theirs with Reibelt when you do your own. If you have not subscribed for mrs. Warren’s book I must tax you for a subscription RC (CtHi). Not recorded in SJL.

i observe one: probably Cours élé­ mentaire de tactique navale (see TJ to Reibelt, 23 Jan.).

Statement of Account with Thomas Carpenter 1804 October 1.

Thomas Jefferson Esq.

To Thomas Carpenter Dr To a pr of Nankeen Sheravaloes $3.25 Decr 5. 2 pr of Suspenders 3.75 To a blue Superfine Cloth Coat 22.50 To a pair of black Cassimere Breeches 8.50 Putting fustain sleeves to an under waist 1.75 To a pair of twilled Corduroy Breeches 7— 1805 Repairing a Coat & new Sleve linings 1.25 Janry. 24 To a pair of Corduroy Breeches 7—  $55 For the Servants— Novr. 1. 1804 To four suits of winter liveries @ 28/50 $114 $169— 25.25 194.25 MS (MHi); in Carpenter’s hand, figures in italics added by TJ; endorsed by TJ with notation: “May 9. 05 by ord. on J.B. 100. June 6. check on bk US. 94.25.”

From Micajah Coffin and Others Nantucket. 24th. January 1805

As the office of Collector for the District of Nantucket has become Vacated by the Death of Stephen Hussey Esqr. which Circumstance took Place to Day and as we have discovered the wish of Goverment  370 

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to make appointments that Should be most Conformable to the minds of the Majority it Emboldens us to Reiterate the Recommendation in favour of our Friend Daniel Coffin as he is Considerd as a Person Sutiable to fill the office of Collector—further adding that he is not only attached to, but has been assidiously attentive in Promoting the “Present order of things” and is Estemed as a Man of Probity We are Apprehensive that Recommendations will be forwarded in favour of Daniel B Hussey (son to the Late Collector) by the Feder‑ ilsts and his Near Connections— We have to Say that the Said Hussey is a high fedarilst and from his Conduct he is a Man that is much opposd to the Present order of Goverment— with Sentiments of Esteme we are &c Micajah Coffin P:S. Notwithstanding but few have signed this, there are more than five Hundred can be readily procured here at Nantucket if Circum‑ stances should Render it Necessary RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in a clerk’s hand; at foot of text above postscript: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. Presedent of the United States”; signed by Coffin and 11 others; endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Daniel to be Collectr. Nantucket v. Stephen Hussey decd. lre to mr Crownenshield.” This recommendation continued a writing campaign for the appointment of Daniel Coffin that Micajah Coffin and his brother Isaac Coffin, who was one of the signers of the memorial printed above, began in the spring of 1804 (Vol. 43:518‑19). Micajah Coffin wrote to Eb‑ enezer Seaver on 14 Nov. 1804 to con‑ demn Daniel B. Hussey, to ask that Seaver help release Nantucket from its “federall Shackels” by encouraging the appoint‑

ment of Daniel Coffin, and to request that Seaver contact Phanuel Bishop and Jo‑ seph Bradley Varnum (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Danl. to be Collectr. Nantucket v. Hussey”). Nantucket resident Hezekiah Bunker, another signer of the memorial printed above, wrote to Seaver on 24 Jan. also in support of Daniel Coffin (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Daniel to be Collector Nantucket”). In Hudson, New York, another Coffin also sought the col‑ lectorship. On 12 Jan., after hearing of Hussey’s grave illness, Jared Coffin wrote to John P. Van Ness to request that, should Hussey die, his name be put for‑ ward to TJ as the collector’s replacement (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “to be Collector of Nantucket”).

From Jacob Crowninshield Sir Washington 24th Jany. 1805 I received late in the evening of yesterday the letter which I beg leave to enclose for your perusal & I have only delayed till this morn‑ ing to come to a detirmination on the subject to which it refers; as it would have been improper in me to postpone my final answer a single day after I had obtained what your goodness permitted me to wait for.  371 

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You will in a moment perceive the delicate situation in which I am placed. On the one side the Chief magistrate of a great nation is solic‑ iting me to accept an honorable appointment, an appointment too of all others I should most prefer. On the other side an amiable wife, is telling me if she consults her own inclinations she can not advise me to accept the appointment. It is the seperation from my family I most dread, It is the fear that I could not persuade her (without doing vio‑ lence to her feelings) to come & reside in Washington, during that part of the time when I ought to be on the spot, It is the apprehension that Seperate from my family & connections for a long period, I should not only be unhappy myself, but feel certain that I deprived them in some degree, of that share of happiness which possibly my presence might contribute to promote.— I had no right to expect the honors you wish to confer upon me. Neither my situation, talent or even my inclination could lead me to hope that I should be selected by you from among a hundred others every way more worthy to fill the station. It was beyond the reason‑ able desire of a man whose ambition is bounded by a wish to live in a situation remote from the busy scene of a public life. The honors of the State, however, might not be cumbersome could I share them with a person of all others I most value and esteem. After saying thus much, and assuring you that I shall never forget the obligations I am under to you, and after thanking you for the un‑ merited favours you intended to confer on me. let me request that I may be permitted to remain where I am. let me entreat from your goodness that I may be excused from accepting an appointment which your partiality induced you to offer me. and if the gentleman who now holds the office, and who has performed important duties with so much honor to himself, & rendered eminent services to his Country, should still wish to resign I can only express a hope that the time nec‑ essarily taken up in obtaining the answer to my letter may not have embarrassed you in other arrangements connected with it. It remains for me to close this communication, and with every assurance of the highest respect and with considerations of great personal esteem per‑ mit me to subscribe myself, your devoted and obliged servant Jacob Crowninshield RC (DLC); addressed: “The Honble Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Mrs. Charles L. Hoskins, Seneca Falls, New York, 1950); in Crownin‑

shield’s hand, with notation at head of text: “NB. appointmt of Secy. of the Navy declined”; subjoined is an FC of Crown‑ inshield to Robert Smith, 24 Jan., asking him to transmit the letter to TJ. En‑

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2 4 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 closure not found, but likely a letter to Crowninshield from his wife, Sarah Gard‑

ner Crowninshield; see TJ to Crownin‑ shield, 26 Jan.

From David Gelston Sir, New York, Jany. 24th. 1805. Soon after the receipt of your letter of the 30th ultimo, I received the enclosed from Mr Lee—the Fabius having put into New Port— I have been in constant expectation of the arrival of the Ship in this Port, but have not since heard any thing further from her—from the peculiar quality of the wine, and not knowing, but some circumstance might happen to compel the unlading of the ship at New Port, I take the liberty to suggest to you, the propriety of writing to some person at that place, to secure the wine in a warm cellar, until the present extreme severity of the weather, shall so far abate, as to justify ship‑ ping it to the City of Washington— In the mean time, should the Ship arrive here, I shall take the best care of the wine in my power— I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir, your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 30 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Dupl of William Lee to TJ, 12 Sep. 1804. (2) Lee to Gelston, Bordeaux, 10 Oct. 1804, en‑ closing a bill of lading for the wine and sweetmeats sent to TJ by the Fabius, which is now destined for New York in‑ stead of Alexandria; Lee asks Gelston to take charge of the shipment and use his

endeavors to preserve the wine “from the frost which might essentially injure it”; if the weather is mild when the Fabius ar‑ rives, Lee recommends sending the wine immediately to Alexandria or Georgetown should a vessel offer (RC in same; ad‑ dressed: “Mr Gelston Collector for the port of N York New York with five Cases of Wine and two cases of sweet meats for the President of the United States”; post‑ marked Newport, Rhode Island, 2 Jan.).

From Oliveira Fernandes & Co. Sir Norfolk—Jany. 24th. 1805 Your esteemed favour of 4th. instt. came duly to hand & this day we have shipped on board the Schooner Mary—Cobb—One quarter cask Lond: par. Porto & a few gallons of Bucéllas fined Wine being the last Stock of that kind of 10 years Old; in bottles—& well cased— wich we flatter ourselves will meet Your approbation. Enclosed we take the liberty to present You our Price current, as we ship from Madeira, together with a ticket of Wines on hand at  373 

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Norfolk. Should You honor us with an order, we can supply You di‑ rectly from Madiera, Lisbon or any port of Spain with wines of su­ pirior qualities to any imported into America— We have at present a few Casks of Lond: par. Sherry wine of the best quality & which we recommend. We have the honor to subscribe ourselves Sir. Your very Obidt. Servants— Oliveira Fernandes & co. RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “Honble Thomas Jefferson”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 2 Feb. and so recorded in SJL with notation “wines.

152.25.” Enclosure: list of wines and their prices for 1805, dated 26 Jan. and signed by Oliveira Fernandes & Co. (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25513).

e n c l o s u r e

Invoice for Wines from Oliveira Fernandes & Co. Norfolk January 22d: 1805 Honble. Thomas Jefferson Bought of Oliveira Fernandes & Co. 2 Hhd. cases 35 Gallons London particular marked G & J    Porto Wine @ $2:25  Gl. 78 75 12½ Glls. Bucellas Wine 10 Yrs. old @ 4$  G: 50 " 2 hundred Bottles @ 7:50  C: 15 " 2 Cases. Package drayage &c 8 50 Oliveira Fernandes & Co.

$152 25

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25489).

From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore, St. Patrik’s Row

Monsieur le President! No. 61. le 24 Janv. 1805 Certainement bien eloignè de l’Idee meme, de faire passer la revüe aux Livres, que Vous m’avez renvoye avec tant de Graçe—Les pre‑ miers, qui malgré moi me sautoient aux yeux, lorsque mon Domes‑ tique avoit ouvert la Caisse au Magazin, et que le Commis, que j’en Chargois, vouloit sortir et replacer les Ouvrages, etoient deux Exem‑ plaires de l’Atlas appartenant au Tableau de l’Espagne—dont un Ex­ emplaire a ete pris par le Secretariat d’Etat. Comme je doute fort, qu’il puisse avoir eû dans les 3 premièrs Caisses, que je Vous adressois—et dont ces 2 Contiennent le reste—  374 

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trois Exemplaires de çet Atlas—il et de mon devoir—et Vous ex‑ cuserez par la la peine, que je vous cause derechef—de Vous prier, de vouloir bien demander Mr. le Secretaire d’Etat, si çet Atlas ne lui manque pas, et me faire savoir sa reponse—afin, que, dans le Cas affirmatif—je puisse lui le renvoÿer incessament. Je Vous prie d’agreer mes profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, Mister President! 61 St. Patrick’s Row, 24 Jan. 1805 Nothing was further from my mind than to check the books you so gra­ ciously returned to me, but when my servant opened the case in the shop and my employee sought to sort and reshelve the books, my eye was caught, ac­ cidentally, by two copies of the Atlas from the Tableau de l’Espagne, includ‑ ing one that had been purchased by the State Department. Since I seriously doubt there could have been three copies of this atlas in the three initial cases I sent you—of which these two contain the remainder— I feel obliged to have you inquire whether the secretary of state is missing his atlas and let me know his answer. I apologize for causing you trouble. If he is missing his copy, I will send it back right away. Please accept my profound respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americain General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 24 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

From Chinubbee and Others Chickisaw Nation Jany. 25th 1805

A Talk from the principal Chiefs and the King of the Chickisaws to The President of The United States My Great Father, I must with Reluctence inform you of our un‑ happy Sutuation, we were told, you sent, agent among us, to be a Father and Ruler, and Guide for us but he, is not, Therefore I am Under the Necessity of Complaining to you of his bad conduck, he dos not consider our Interest as Red people, Therefore we must, adress our on happy Circumstance to you, but your worship I hope will take it to consideration and send us a Ruler in our nation That will Be not a Drunkard—or Specculator, I wish to Know it was, that, you have send him to do,—he is always from Home, never attend, to his Busi‑ ness that you have Send, to do for us and yours—My Farther about two or three years ago your send us, your laws in prent, and, there you said, the Liquor, Shou,d be Stop, and That, Mr Mitchel called all my people and Explain, to Them, there Should be no Liquor Brought  375 

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into the Nation, my people all agreed to it, since, our Agent, himself went to the Chickisaw Bluffs, Bought Quantity of Wisky—and placed a chocktaw half Bred on the Traise from the Natchez—and, There, he has Opened a Tavern to accomodate the Travelers,—and has Opened a plantation on the Chocktaws lands and has, a large plantation on our land also, when he came Here first he asked me for about ten, acres, for to raise Bread., & he said that wou,d be a’plenty—and since that Opened Upward, fifty Acers—and selling Grain to the Travelers,— Sir When your Troops Came, to my, nation they all stood in need for Corn for there Horses, & at that time the corn was scarce in the nation, but however, we considered, we could not see our white Both‑ ers suffer, & we furnish them and took a receipt therof for the Amount from the Officers—and made Application to our Agent Mr Mitchell, to recd, this money at Nashville for us, and has recd, and put it to his own privite use to, pay his Debt—it makes my people very Unhappy— we have been Kept out of Our money, 12 months upwards—it is very hard to be Serve so—as you have paid the money to us to be Kept out of it Sir I am your Most obt Humble Servent, Chenabie. The King of the Chicksaw Charls Son Okoye RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in an unidentified hand, including signatures; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. and “Chickasaw talk” and so recorded in SJL; endorsed by Dearborn: “A Talk, from the King & certain Chiefs of the Chickasaws.” Chinubbee (d. 1819) became “king” of the Chickasaws following the death of his brother Taski Etoka in 1794. At that time, Chinubbee was described as about 50 years old, “of very good intentions,” and strongly under the influence of the pro‑Spanish Chickasaw chief Ugulaya‑ cabe. He led the delegation at the Chicka‑ saw Bluffs treaty in 1801, which permit‑ ted a road to Natchez to pass through Chickasaw territory but left the subject of accommodations for travelers for future consideration. As part of the Chickasaw treaty of 1805 that included a consider‑ able land cession to the United States, Chinubbee received an annuity of $100 “as a testimony of his personal worth and friendly disposition.” He would again lead

Chickasaw delegations at treaty negotia‑ tions in 1816 and 1818 and was called king until his death. Tishumustubbee, or Okoye, a principal speaker for the Chick‑ asaws, was also present at the 1805 nego‑ tiations and, like Chinubbee, received a substantial cash payment as part of the final treaty. He was likely the same man referred to as Tishomingo at later nego‑ tiations, a title meaning “speaker for the king or chief” or “speaker chief” (James R. Atkinson, Splendid Land, Splendid People: The Chickasaw Indians to Removal [Tusca‑ loosa, Ala., 2004], 151‑2, 167, 189‑90, 196, 302, 311; James F. Barnett, Jr., Missis­ sippi’s American Indians [Jackson, Miss., 2012], 164‑5, 170‑2, 176‑9; Jesse D. Jen‑ nings, ed., “Nutt’s Trip to the Chickasaw Country,” Journal of Mississippi History, 9 [1947], 47; U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:65‑6, 89‑90, 150‑2, 192‑5; Vol. 38:315‑16). mitchel: Samuel Mitchell, U.S. agent to the Chickasaws. He would be replaced by William Hill in January 1806 (Atkin‑ son, Splendid Land, Splendid People, 198; Vol. 39:334, 530n).

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From David C. DeForest Sir, Newhaven 25 Jany 1805 Having passed some time in South America near the close of the French Revolutionary War, more particularly in Brazil and La Plata, and having witnessed many of the difficulties into which our Coun‑ trymen plunged themselves from their ignorance of the customs and trade of the Spanish Provinces near the La Plata, and being satisfied that the carrying trade of that Country must devolve on neutrals should Spain be again engaged in war with England, as appears highly probable, I have thought of establising myself in mercantile business at Buenos Ayres immediately after the expected War shall have been declared—In consequence of which determination I am induced to apply to you Sir for the Consulship or commercial Agency to that Vice Kingdom, believing that such appointment would aid me much in the prosecution of my own private business, and also place me in a situation to render important services to my Countrymen who should extend their Commerce thither, and who generally speak‑ ing would much need the assistance of some Person thoroughly ac‑ quainted with the Commercial regulations of the Government of that Country, and competent to the management of any disputed case which may happen there with the Government or Individuals.— From the opportunities which I have had, I am induced to believe myself possessed of more knowledge of the Spanish Provinces of La Plata than the generality of my Countrymen who have visited them— and for further information respecting my pretentions to the appoint‑ ment I solicit I beg leave to refer you to the Letters accompanying this— Being an entire Stranger to you Sir perhaps it is proper that I should say, the high respect I have for the Present Administration of the Government of my Country will lead me to the adoption of every measure which I may think calculated for its support. With the most profound respect and Esteem I have the honor to Subscribe myself Sir, your most Obet. huml. Sert, David C. DeForest RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 24 Jan. re‑ ceived 25 Feb. and “office” and so re‑ corded in SJL. FC (CtY); in DeForest’s hand; below signature, DeForest wrote, “This letter was left in care of Isaac Mills Esqr. to receive & enclose one from Mr Edwards & another from Mr. Bishop, & forward them all on to Washington.” En‑

closures: probably letters from Pierpont Edwards and Abraham Bishop, recorded in SJL as “Edwards & Bishop,” 18 Feb., received 25 Feb. from New Haven with notation “Deforest for office,” but not found. David C. DeForest (1774‑1825) of Hun‑ tington, Connecticut, had a short career in the army before turning to the sea, first

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2 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 as a sailor and then as a smuggler work‑ ing along the east coast of South America. In 1807, DeForest opened a commission house in Buenos Aires that served as his base of operation for a number of enter‑ prises, both legitimate and illegitimate. DeForest was expelled from Buenos Aires in 1809. Three years later, he returned when a new government was installed, and although he was never able to con‑ vince the United States to appoint him consul, he did establish himself as a “financial pillar in his adopted country”

and a friend of its government. In 1818, and with dual citizenship, DeForest moved back to the United States as Argentina’s consul general to the United States and settled permanently in New Haven (Sam‑ uel Flagg Bemis, “Early Diplomatic Mis‑ sions from Buenos Aires to the United States 1811‑1824,” Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, 49 [1939], 79‑81, 97; Heitman, Dictionary, 1:364; Benjamin Keen, David Curtis DeForest and the Revolution of Buenos Aires [New Haven, 1947], 11, 15, 33, 53‑7, 121‑2).

From Albert Gallatin [25 Jan. 1805]

Enclosed is the copy of correspondence in the case of A. Wood. The facts which he states are not proven: if true, & he cannot recover the tax, he ought to petition Congress. But I presume that he has been & continues to be inattentive— A. G. RC (DLC); undated. Recorded in SJL as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 25 Jan. 1805 with notation “Wood’s case.” Enclosure not found.

case of a. wood: see Alexander Wood to TJ, 12 Jan.

From Thomas Paine Dear Sir New York Janry. 25 1805. I wrote you on the 1st. Janry from N. Rochelle and mentioned my intention of spending part of the Winter at Washington. But as the present state of the weather renders the passage of the rivers danger‑ ous and travelling precarious, I have given up the intention Mr. Levy Lincoln and Mr. Wingate called on me at N York where I happened to be when they arrived on their Journey from Wash‑ ingto1 the Eastward. I find by Mr. Lincoln that the Louisana Memo‑ rialists will have to return as they came and the more decisively Con‑ gress put an end to this business the better. The Cession of Louisana is a great acquisition; but great as it is it would be an incumbance on the Union were the prayer of the petitioners to be granted, nor would the lands be worth settling if the settlers are to be under a french ju‑ risdiction. If they have a mind to have a chamber of commerce, or a Court of arbitration, to settle their own private affairs with each other,  378 

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in their own language, perhaps no inconvenience may arise to us from it; but with respect to Government and legal Jurisdiction they must for several years yet to come be under the same laws of Congress which the Americans themselves are under who settle in Louisana. It will never answer to make the french Louisaneans the legislators of the new settlers. Perhaps no inconvenience would arise by permitting the two territories to have each of them two Representatives in Con‑ gress one of which to be an American. The Cession of Louisana is a New Case not provided for in the Constitution and must be managed by prudence and Justice. When the Emigrations from the United States into Louisana become equal to the Number of french inhabi‑ tants it may then be proper and right to erect such part where such equality exist into a constitutional state; but to do it now would be sending the american settlers into exile. I think, (for I write just what thoughts come in my mind) Con‑ gress would do right to divide the country into states as far as it is known as was formerly done in the case of the western territory, sub‑ ject to such revision as a future survey of the Country shall shew to be necessary and to give names to them as in the former case. The aim of the Louisaneans appear to me to be that of governing Louisana in the lump and this will put a stop to that expectation. If Congress can‑ not do this in the present Session it might give directions so as to have something like a map or survey ready against the next Session, and to frame a form of internal Government for them to continue till they arived at a state of population proper for Constitutional Gov‑ ernment. When this be done the Country will be in a condition to be settled and the settlers will know beforehand the Government and laws they are to be under. For my own part I wish the Name of Lou‑ isana to be lost and this may in a great Measure be done by giving Names to the new states that will serve as discriptive of their situa‑ tion or condition. France lost the Names and almost the remembrance of provinces by dividing them into departments with appropriate Names Next to the acquisition of the territory and the Government of it is that of settling it. The people of the Eastern States are the best set‑ tlers of a New Country, and of people from abroad the German Peas‑ antry are the best. The Irish in general are generous and dessolute. The scotch turn their attention to traffic, and the English to Manu‑ factures. These people are more fitted to live in Cities than to be cultivators of new lands.—I know not if in Virginia they are much acquainted with importation of German redemptioners, that is, ser‑ vants indented for a term of years. The best farmers in Pennsylvania  379 

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are those who came over in this Manner or the descendants of them. The price before the war used to be twenty pounds pennsylvania Currency for an indented servant for four years, that is, the Ship owner, got twenty pounds per head passage Money, so that upon two hundred persons he would receive after their arrival four thousand pounds paid by the persons who purchased the time of their inden‑ tures which was generally four years. These would be the best peo‑ ple, of foreigners, to bring into Louisana, because they would grow to be Citizens. Whereas bringing poor Negroes to work the lands in a state of slavery and wretchedness, is, besides the immorality of it, the certain way of preventing population and consequently of pre‑ venting revenue. I question if the revenue arising from ten Negroes in the consumption of imported articles is equal to that of one white citizen. In the Articles of dress and of the table it is almost impossible to make a comparison. These matters though they do not belong to the class of principles are proper subjects for the consideration of Gov‑ ernment; and it is always fortunate when the interest of Government and that of humanity act unitedly.—But I much doubt if the Germans would come to be under a french Jurisdiction. Congress must frame the laws under which they are to serve out their time, after which Congress might give them a few acres of land to begin with for them‑ selves and they would soon be able to buy more. I am inclined to be‑ lieve that by adopting this Method the Country will be more peopled in about twenty years from the present time than it has been in all the times of the french and Spainards. Spain, I believe, held it chiefly as a barrier to her dominions in Mexico and the less it was improved the better it agreed with that policy; and as to france she never shewed any great disposition or gave any great encouragement to Colonizing. It is chiefly small Countries that are straitened for room at home like England and Holland that go in quest of foreign settlements such however is the fact whatever the cause may be. While writing this letter I saw the following advertisement in a New York paper of Janry. 12. I have desired a friend to call on the Advertiser or to enquire the terms in order to insert them in the close of the letter. GERMAN REDEMPTIONERS.  The ship General Wayne is hourly expected from Toningen, having on board one hundred and fifty redemp‑ tioners, principally industrious Farmers, some of them having their families with them—Persons disposed  380 

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to purchase the time of all, or a part of these passengers, are requested to apply immediately to the subscribers, as if no prospect of sale offers before the ship’s arrival, she will be ordred2 from the Hook, to a Southern port. Grant Forbes, & Co. 62, South street. New York, December 27, 1804. A German Gentleman lately from Hamburg and now settled in N. York told me that the Senate of Hamburg has published an edict prohibiting persons Shipping themselves for America without the Consent of the Senate. The reason he gave me for it is, that under pretence of shipping themselves to America they go else where. I mention this that if the case should require some instruction to the American Consul you may be apprised of it. I should suppose that Holland would be the best shipping port. The reason for this opinion is, that when the floats of Timber come down the Rhine to Holland several thousand Germans make them‑ selves huts on the floats and come to Holland with their Wares and Marketing to sell and make their way back on foot. All the Articles called Dutch toys and also boys Marbles are made in Germany and shipped to England from Holland. If a concise account of Louisana were to be translated into the German language and the terms of pas‑ sage explained, and that at the end of the time of their Indentures Congress would give them about 20 Acres of Land, and have this distributed under the authority of the American Consul at Amster‑ dam among the Germans who come on a Pilgrimage of traffic to Hol‑ land it would, I think, soon bring thousands of them over. And when it be known that German Redemptioners can be had in the ceded territory Monied Men in the United States will [. . .] of land and settle there. And I think, in order to forward and encourge this busi‑ ness Congress would do right to give a bounty of about ten dollars per head, for three or four Years to come, to every Captain or ship owner, for each German redemptioner he shall import into the Ceded territory. Congress would soon find the return of the Money in the encreased price of Land and the encrease of revenue, and the coun‑ try would become strong by the encrease of Citizens; but it would be weakened by the encrease of Negroes. I have again seen and talked with the Gentleman from Hamburg. He tells me that some Vessels under pretence of shipping persons to America carried them to England to serve as Soldiers and Sailors. He  381 

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tells me he has the Edict or Proclamation of the Senate of Hamburg forbidding persons shipping themselves without the consent of the Senate and that he will give me a Copy of it, which if he does soon enough I will send it with this letter. He says that the American Con‑ sul has been to spoken respecting this kidnapping business under American pretences but that he says he has no Authority to interfere. The German Members of Congress or the Philadelphia Merchants or Ship owners who have been in the practice of importing German re‑ demptioners can give you better information respecting the business of importation than I can. But the redemptioners thus imported must be at the Charge of the Captain, or Ship owner till their time is sold. Some of the quaker Merchants of Philadelphia went a good deal into the importation of German servants, or redemptioners. It agreed with the Morality of their principles that of bettering peoples condition, and to put an end to the practice of Importing Slaves. I think it not an unreasonable estimation to suppose that the pop‑ ulation of Louisana may be encreased ten thousand souls every year. What retards the settlement of it is the want of labourers, and until labourers can be had the sale of the lands will be slow. Were I twenty years younger and my Name and reputation as well known in the European Countries as it is now I would contract for a quantity of land in Louisana and go to Europe and bring over settlers. As connected with the settlement of a New Country are the tools and instruments necessary for cultivation according to the crops to be raised. This will afford a new line of business to our Smiths and Iron Manufacturies for I do not suppose the Lousianians are much expert at making them. In the meantime, the Vessels that bring over Ger‑ man redemptiones3 should bring over cargoes of those articles which I suppose can be had reasonable from the German Iron Manufacto‑ ries or those of Liege. But it is first necessary to know what are the articles necessary for that Country. The friend whom I desired to call on Grant, Forbes &c respecting the German Redemptioners on the Ship Genl. Wayne informs me that ship is not yet arrived; that the Vessel is sent consigned to them. But they are not the owners— The Hamburg Gentleman (Mr. Westphal) has brought me the Proclamation of the Senate of Hamburg which I enclose. He tells me that the person who has been the Agent for kidnapping people to England under pretense of Shipping them to America is an American at Hamburg. I asked him if it was either of the former Consuls, Parish or Pitcarn— He said No; but declined giving me his Name. I think you will see the propriety of taking some Measures upon this affair; for besides being injurious to us and to the  382 

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American Character it is a wicked piece of business. Perhaps it may afford an opportunity of saying something that may be acceptable to the Senate of Hamburg, for where a civil thing can be said on good principles it is always worth saying. I also send you a letter I lately received from an old revolutionary Soldier in Kentucky. It is much better written than one would expect from a person of that standing. Perhaps some of the Kentucky Mem‑ bers may know him. It is probable that towards the close of the Session I may make an excursion to Washington. The piece on Governer Morris’s Oration on Hamilton and that on the Louisana Memorial are the last I have pub‑ lished; and as every thing of public affairs is now on a good ground I shall do as I did after the War, remain a quiet Spectator, and attend now to my own affairs I entend making a collection of all the pieces I have published, be‑ ginning with Common Sense, and of what I have by me in Manu‑ script, and publish them by subscription. I deferred doing this till the presidential election should be over, but I believe there was not much occasion for that caution. There is more of hypocrasy than bigottry in America. when I was in Connecticut the Summer before last I fell in Company with some Baptists among whom were three Ministers. The Conversation turned4 on the election for President, and one of them who appeared to be a leading Man said, “They cry out against Mr Jefferson because, they say, he is a Deist. Well, a Deist may be a good Man and if he thinks it right it is right to him. For my own part, said he, I had rather vote for a Deist than for a blue‑skin presbyterean.”— You judge right said I, for [a] Man that is not of any of the Sectaries will hold the balance even between all; but give power to a bigot of any Sectary and he will use it to the oppression of the rest, as the blue‑skins do in Connection. They all agreed in this Sentiment, and I have always found it assented to in any company I have had occa‑ sion to use it. I judge the Collection I speak of will make five volumes Octovo of four hundred pages each at two dollars a Volume to be paid for on delivery; and as they will be delivered separately, as fast as they can be printed and bound,5 the subscribers may stop when they please. The three first voulmes will be political and each piece will be accom‑ panied with an account of the state of affairs at the time it was written whether in America, france or England which will also shew the oc‑ casion of writing it. The first expression in the first No. of the Crisis published the 19th. December 76. is, “These are the times that try Men’s Souls.” It is therefore necessary as explanatory to the expression  383 

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times6

in all future to shew what those times were. The two last Vol‑ umes will be theological and those who do not chuse to take them may let them alone. They will have the right to do so. by the condi‑ tions of the subscription. I shall also make a Miscellaneous Volume of Correspondence, Essays, and some pieces of Poetry which I believe will have some claim to originality. I have again seen and conversed with the Gentleman from Ham‑ burg. He occupies the Store of the house where I lodge. He is a whole sale Merchant in dry Goods, has been several times backward and forward from Hamburg to New York, and in one of his Voyages came with 175 German Redemptioners. He says he will engage to bring over any Number of German Redemptioners at twelve Guineas per head for their passage. The Case then will stand thus. He is to engage them and have them indented to him for four years and deliver them together with their indentures to some Merchant or Agent at New Orleans and receive upon the delivery of them 12 Guineas (56 dollars) per head. That Merchant or Agent will sell the time of their Inden‑ tures, four years which will at least be worth eighty dollars, or I may say one hundred. It would fetch more than that in New York. As the person who buy their time will have to find them in cloaths, He must not turn them naked upon the world; and therefore the cus‑ tom in Pensylvania was, and I believe it was provided for by law that their Master at the end of their time furnished them with two Cover‑ ing suits, that is two of every thing and if Congress, as I before said, were to give each of them twenty Acres of Land, they would soon become Cultivators for themselves and other redemptioners would ar‑ rive to supply their places, and the present french inhabitants would soon be a minority, and the sooner the better for they give symptoms of being a troublesome set. This appears to me to be the best and quickest Method of peopling Cultivating and settling Louisana and we shall gain by it a usefull industrious set of Citizens. The ten dollars bounty Money I spoke of in the former part of this Case become unnecessary. There is too much detail in this business to bring it immediately before Congress, neither is there information enough at present to make a law that shall exactly fit the case. The best and shortest way will be for Congress to empower the President to devise and employ means for bringing cultivators into Louisana from any of the Euro‑ pean Countries who after the expiration of the time of their indentures shall enjoy the same rights which other settlers enjoy. This Method will cost Congress nothing except the twenty acres of Land. The sale of their indentures will more than pay the expence. I suppose it will  384 

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be necessary to appoint an Agent to whom they are to be delivered at N Orleans who will account for the moneies paid and received. When this business is once set a going it will go on of itself. But I think Con‑ gress ought to make the first adventure to give encouragement to it. While this letter was in hand I fell in company with a N York Cap‑ tain of a Vessel who was lately at N Orleans. He says that the Num‑ ber of Americans, including the Garrison, is about equal to the Number of french Inhabitants in the Town of N. Orleans. This is an additional reason for not admitting the french Memorealist to be leg‑ islators in their own language. Could they get the power of legislation and Government in their hands they would probably appoint Courts to judge of claims, and you would find some of the best lands in Lou‑ isana covered with claims. I think it not an unreasonable suspicion that this is one of their objects. I observed in the french revolution that they always proceeded by stages and made each stage a stepping stone to another. The Convention, to amuse the people, voted a Con‑ stitution, and then voted to suspend the practical establishement of it till after the war and in the meantime to carry on a Revolutionary Government. When Robespere fell they proposed bringing forward the suspended Constitution, and apparently for this purpose ap‑ pointed a Committee to frame what they called organic laws and those organic laws turned out to be a New Constitution. (the direc‑ tory Constitution which was in general a good one.) When Bonaparte overthrew this Constitution he got himself appointed first Consul for ten years, then for life and now Emperor with an hereditary succes‑ sion. As to myself they first Voted me out of the Convention for being a foreigner, then imprisoned me on the ground of being a foreigner; then voted me in again by annulling the Vote that declared me a for‑ eigner. There will be no end to the claims of these Memorialist if you once begin to make a distinction in their favour between them and the American settlers. They must all be governed by the same laws of Congress till there are a sufficient Number of American settlers to be trusted with Constitutional Powers. They might I think have a representation in Congress one of which as before mentioned to be an American.7 I find by the Captain above Mentioned that several Liverpool Ships have been at New Orleans. It is chiefly the people of Liverpool that employ themselves in the slave trade and they bring Cargoes of those unfortunate Negroes to take back in return the hard Money and the produce of the Country. Had I the command of the elements I would blast Liverpool with fire and brimstone. It is the Sodom and Gomor‑ row of brutality.  385 

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 I have now written you a long letter. The subjects it treats of and the reasons given in support of them are more proper for private com‑ munication than for publication. It is that which distinguishes this letter from my answer to the Louisana Memorial. The letter to you on the Domingo business is of the same kind. Now I am on the subject of public and private communication I will explain something to you regarding the Note I sent to you two years ago the first of last Janay. when I was at Washington with respect to obtaining the Cession of Louisana. The Idea occurred to me without knowing it had occurred to any other person and I mentioned it to Dr. Lieb who lived in the same house (Lovell’s) and as he appeared pleased with it I wrote the Note and shewed it to him before I sent it. The next Morning you said to me that Measures were already taken on that business. When Lieb returned from Congress I told him of it. I knew that said he. Why then, said I, did you not tell me so, because in that case I would not have sent the note. That is the very reason said he I would not tell you because two opinions concurring on a Case strengthen it. I do not however like Dr Lieb’s Motion about Banks. Congress ought to be very cautious how it gives encouragement to this specu‑ lating project of banking for it is now carried to an extreme. It is but another kind of striking Paper Money. I expect some of them will blow up. for they have already banked away the hard Money. Were Dr. Lieb’s Motion to take place, it would, I suppose make some ad‑ ditional clerks necessary at the treasury, because it would derange the simplicity of collecting the Revenue. I view the Doctor’s Motion as an unwise attempt at popularity among those interested in the other banks. Neither do I like the Motion respecting the recession of the terri‑ tory. That cession was made to the United States, and not to the rep­ resentatives of the States, and if any alteration be made it should be made by the consent of the State legislatures as in the case of altering any article of the Constitution, for the seat of Government ought to be considered as a part of the Constitution. It was because the States had no place where their representatives in Congress could righfully assemble, for Congress has not the right to place itself within the Ju‑ risdiction of any State, that the cession was made. I know that when I was clerk of the general Assembly of Pennsylvania there was, upon some disagreement between the Assembly and Congress, a strong disposition in the Assembly to signify to Congress to quit the State. The Union has now a territory independant of any state and belong‑ ing Governmentally to all, yet some of the representatives of the Union are assuming to fritter away the rights of their Constituents. There is  386 

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no foreseeing what occasion future Congresses in future times may have for territory, nor do I know if the dock be without or within the Limits of the City. Some how or other it happens by a comparison of things that Congress appears little to the generality of people when it sits in a little place. It is like a dwarf governing a Mole‑hill. I am just now informed (Janry. 24) there is a run on the Manhat‑ tan bank in this City occasioned by some difference between that and what is called the Merchants bank. Manhattan is the Indian name of N York Island. If instead of Dr Lieb’s Motion, the Motion had been, that a certain proportion of the Revenue should be collected in hard Money and the rest in Notes of the bank of the United States it would, I think, have been much wiser, because it would restrain the Merchants in sending away the hard Cash and filling the Chasm up with paper. I recollect when in France that you spoke of a plan of making the Negroes tenants on a plantation, that is, alotting each Negroe family a quantity of land for which they were to pay to the owner a certain quantity of produce. I think that Numbers of our free Negroes might be provided for in this Manner in Louisana. The best way that occurs to me is for Congress to give them their passage to New Orleans, then for them to hire themselves out to the planters for one or two years; they would by this means learn plantation business, after which to place them on a tract of land as before mentioned. A great Many good things may now be done; and I please myself with the Idea of suggesting my thoughts to you. Old Captain Landais who lives at Brooklyn on Long Island oppo‑ site N. York calls sometimes to see me. I knew him in Paris. He is a very respectable old Man. I wish something had been done for him in Congress on his Petition; for I think something is due to him nor do I see how the Statute of limitation can consistently apply to him. The law in John Adams’s administration which cut off all commerce and communication with france cut him off from the chance of coming to America to put in his claim. I suppose that the claims of some of our Merchants on England, france, and Spain is more than of 6 or 7 Years Standing yet no law of limitation, that I know of, takes place between Nation, or between individuals of different Nations. I con‑ sider a Statue of limitation to be a domestic law and can only have a domestic application. Dr. Miller one of the New York Senators in Congress knows Landais and can give you an account of him. Concerning8 my former letter on Domingo, I intended had I come to Washington to have talked with Piscon about it if you had ap‑ proved that Method, for it can only be brought forward in an indirect  387 

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way. The two Emperors are at too great a distance in objects and in Colour to have any intercourse but by Fire and Sword, yet something I think might be done. It is time I should should close this long epistle. Yours in friendship, Thomas Paine  Any letters directed to me to the care of the Post Master N York will come to hand. RC (DLC); smeared and damaged; with newspaper clipping attached within the body of the letter; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1) Hamburgische Address­ Comtoir­Nachrichten, 18 Oct. 1804 (DLC: TJ Papers, 144:25073‑6, in German; see below). (2) Hugh Mulhalon to Paine, 5 Dec. 1804, asking him to procure and transmit “an Order from his Excellency the President” for land in return for his service in the Continental Army (RC in DLC; endorsed by TJ). The gentleman lately from ham‑ burg was Cornelius Christian Westphal. He was a founding member of the Ger‑ man Society in New York City, a charity that provided material aid to German im‑ migrants and others (Laws of the State of New­York, Passed at the Twenty­Seventh Session of the Legislature: Begun and Held at the City of Albany, the Thirty­First Day of January, 1804 [Albany, 1804], 215‑22; New­York Herald, 5 Oct. 1805) Jacob Wagner provided TJ with a summary of the proclamation of the senate of hamburg: “The ordinance in the enclosed Gazette is one passed by the Senate of Hamburg on the 10th. Octr. reviving and extending former prohibi‑ tions of residents of Hamburg being con‑ cerned in aiding or procuring passengers to embark for distant foreign countries in vessels wholly or principally engaged in carrying them, either from Hamburg or foreign ports. The penalties are pecuni‑ ary, viz. 25 Rix dollars on persons who engage the passengers, for each passen‑ ger; 10 do. for each passenger on notaries or other persons who draw out or attest contracts for the above purpose; & a dis‑ cretionary penalty upon all other persons who are concerned in the exportation of passengers as above, except Boatmen who

are to pay 5 R.D. for every passenger they may carry out to such vessels lying out of  the port” (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 144:25072; undated, in Wagner’s hand). piece on governer morris’s ora‑ tion: Paine’s biting critique of Gouver‑ neur Morris’s funeral oration for Alex‑ ander Hamilton appeared in the 7 Aug. 1804 edition of the Aurora. that on the louisana memorial: the 22 Sep. 1804 issue of the Aurora car‑ ried Paine’s address to the French inhab‑ itants of Louisiana, in which he cautioned them that the continued importation of slaves could lead to a race war similar to that of Haiti. letter to you on the domingo business: Paine to TJ, 1 Jan. note i sent to you two years ago: see Paine’s Memorandum on Louisiana, enclosed in his letter to TJ of [25 Dec. 1802]. dr lieb’s motion about banks: on 21 Dec. 1804, Michael Leib proposed in the House of Representatives that Congress authorize the port collectors to deposit customs revenue in state‑chartered banks to halt the monopoly held by the Bank of the United States on deposits of public funds. Over Leib’s objection, the motion was referred to the Committee of Ways and Means rather than to a select com‑ mittee (Annals, 14:860‑1; jhr, 5:63‑4). motion respecting the recession of the territory: on 29 Nov. 1804, the House agreed to consider a motion that would cede the District of Columbia back to Virginia and Maryland, which arose out of a debate on whether to allow Georgetown to erect a causeway in the Potomac River (Annals, 14:711‑22). just now informed (janry. 24): the 25 Jan. dateline appears at the foot of the letter, which Paine evidently com‑ posed over more than one day.

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2 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  run on the manhattan bank: see DeWitt Clinton to TJ, 26 Jan. During the late 1780s, TJ commented on actions by several Virginia planters, including some Quakers, to free their en‑ slaved workers and allow them to farm as tenants (Vol. 13:607‑8; Vol. 14:492‑4). Pierre (Peter) landais had been the captain of the frigate Alliance during the American Revolution. Congress rejected his 1782 petition to settle financial claims but considered a new petition in Decem‑

ber 1805 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 10:697‑8; jhr, 5:198). dr. miller: Samuel L. Mitchill. 1 Thus

in MS. in clipping. 3 Thus in MS. 4 MS: “tuned.” 5 Preceding nine words interlined. 6 Preceding four words interlined. 7 Paine inserted the preceding sentence in space at the end of the paragraph. 8 MS: “Conerning.” 2 Thus

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Jan. 25. [1805] Your letter inclosing the two notes on the bank of deposit at Balti‑ more came safely to hand. I am sorry my error in putting my endorse‑ ment on the wrong note should have prevented their paiment. the bills are now re‑inclosed with that error corrected. I inclose you also the invoice of the books last forwarded in a box, that you may test by it my statement in my last.   the Secretary of state had already observed to me that Burgoing’s book referred often to an Atlas with‑ out which it was of little value. the Atlas had escaped my notice in overhauling the books. you will do well therefore to forward it to the Secretary of state, direct, his postage being free as well as mine, and it being proper that each department should cover it’s own postages only. Accept my salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 25 Jan. 1805 and so recorded in

SJL. Enclosure: see TJ to Reibelt, 23 Jan. your letter: Reibelt to TJ, 22 Jan.

From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore St. Patrik’s Row

Monsieur le President! No. 61. 25h Janv. 1805 Je n’ai pas perdu un instant, de faire remettre au Stage conforme‑ ment a Vos Ordres du 23 recus hier Apres Midi—un paquet— contenant:  Buffon de la Jeunesse 2 Vol. in 12 avec fig 120, Cents. Manuel d’hist. nat. de Blumenbach 2 V. in 8. av. fig 420.—  389 

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Traitè de Mineralogie p. Haüy 4 V. in 8. av. l Atlas 1152.— Leçons d’Anatomie p. Cuvier 2 V. in 8 340.— Mich. flora bor. Americana—edit. in 8—2 Vol 864.— 28,96. La flora Americana, que j’ai eû l’honneur de Vous envoÿer au Com‑ mencement—est en Veritè bien chere—c’est le grand papier Velin, et la belle reliuré, qui en est la Cause. Je n’ai plus: ni abregè du Sisteme de Linnè, ni le petit Magazin economique. ni Connaissance des tems. mais je m’empresserai, de les faire arriver de Paris. J’ai oubliè de Vous marquer, que les 3 divisions de Memoires de l’Institut national de France se vendent chacune Separement. Savoir:  Mathematique et Physique ⎪⎫  chacun 20,64 C. ⎬  de 4 Vol. 16,16 Mor. et Politique ⎪ ⎭  in 4to. Litterat. et beaux Arts 20,00 Je Vous prie, d’agreer mes Tres profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, Mister President! 61 St. Patrick’s Row, 25 Jan. 1804 I have not delayed a moment in sending by coach a package containing your order of 23 Jan., received yesterday afternoon:  Buffon de la jeunesse, 2 vols. in duodecimo, with illustrations 120. Cents. Blumenbach’s Manuel d’histoire naturelle, 2 vols. in octavo, with illustrations 420.— Traité de minéralogie by Haüy, 4 vols. in octavo, with l atlas 1152.— Leçons d’anatomie by Cuvier, 2 vols. in octavo 340.— Michaux’s Flora Boreali­Americana, 2 vols. in octavo 864.— $28.96. The Flora Americana that I sent you initially is indeed very expensive be‑ cause it is on large vellum paper with a beautiful binding. I no longer have either Linnaeus’s Abrégé du système, the Petit magasin économique, or Connaissance des tems, but I will order them promptly from Paris. I forgot to specify that the three parts of the Mémoires de l’Institut of France are sold separately, namely:  Sciences mathématiques et physiques ⎪⎫ 20.64 C. ⎬ each 4 vols. in quarto 16.16 Sciences morales et politiques ⎪⎭ Littérature et beaux‑arts 20.00 Please accept my very deep respect. Reibelt

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2 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americain General de Levrault, Schoell et Compagnie Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States. I communicate for the information of Congress the Report of the Director of the Mint of the operations of that Institution during the last year. Th: Jefferson Jan. 25. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DLC). RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. Notation in SJL: “Mint.”

e n c l o s u r e

Report of Director of the Mint At the commencement of the year it is the duty of the Director of the Mint to communicate to Government the state of the Mint, with its issues for the past year. The issues of Silver Coins, notwithstanding the mercantile embarrassments attending the importation of Bullion, have greatly exceeded that of the year 1803; and the advantage of a public Mint has been sensibly experienced, by the greatest part of the Deposits being issued in small Coin, which has been found very beneficial to the Citizens at large, under the late scarcity of Spanish Dollars, occasioned by the great exportation of them for mercantile purposes. The quantity of Gold Bullion has been equal to that of the last report, so that in the past year the Coinage of the precious Metals has amounted to Three hundred and Fifty eight thousand nine hundred & eighty three Dol‑ lars. The particulars will appear by the Schedule No. 1 herewith, to which the Director begs leave to refer. It is worthy of the President’s attention, that about Eleven thousand Dol‑ lars of the Gold Coin, is the produce of Virgin Gold found in the County of Cabarrus in the State of North Carolina, where it is said a very considerable quantity has been found since the last deposit, and will in all probability be forwarded to the Mint. It is to be regretted, that this Gold is melted into small ingots, before it is sent to the Mint, for the convenience of carriage, but by which, there is reason to believe, a considerable proportion of it is wasted. It is also said, that the finest particles are neglected, and only the large grains & lumps sought after.

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2 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  The increased price of Copper in Europe, and the quantity on hand, have been thought sufficient reasons to confine the Coinage of Cents to one press; and from the last accounts from Europe, Copper is likely to be considerably encreased in price, which will render the Coinage of Cents less profitable. The past year there have been issued Seven hundred & fifty six thousand Eight hundred and thirty eight Cents, and one Million and fifty five thousand three hundred & twelve Half Cents, equal to Twelve thousand eight hundred and forty four Dollars and ninety four Cents, as appears by the same Schedule No. 1—The amount of the Cost of Copper and profit on the whole Coinage of Cents this year will be seen by Schedule No. 2.— The Coinage of the year amounts in the whole to the sum of Three hundred Seventy one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven dollars and ninety four Cents, and the number of pieces to Two Millions Forty six thousand eight hundred & thirty nine. The expenses of the Mint for the past year will appear by Schedule No. 3. to be reduced to a trifle more than Sixteen thousand Dollars. The Director thinks it his duty to mention to the President, that very con‑ siderable difficulty, as well as danger, may arise to the Public, from the Offi‑ cers & Workmen of the Mint being exposed to be called out to attend Militia meetings or on detatchments. When large deposits of the precious metals are passing thro’ the Mint, and particularly when in fusion, it may be of the most dangerous consequence to have the Officers & Men called away, or be liable to fines for non‑attendance. It is too important a trust to be thus exposed. The President in his wisdom will provide against this evil. (Signed) Elias Boudinot—Director Mint of the United States— Philadelphia 1st. January 1805 MS (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); in a clerk’s hand; at head of text: “To the President of the United States.” PrC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). FC (DNA: RG 104, DL). Recorded in SJL as received 18 Jan. Enclosed in Boudinot to Madison, 15 Jan., a brief letter covering his director’s report “for the information of the Presi‑ dent of the United States.” Enclosures: (1) “An Abstract of the Coins struck at the Mint of the United States, from the 1st January to the 31st December 1804,” recording $100,340.50 in silver coins, including 19,570 dollars, 156,519 half dollars, 6,738 quarter dollars, and 8,265 dimes; $258,642.50 in gold coins, includ‑ ing 9,795 eagles, 30,475 half eagles, and 3,327 quarter eagles; and $12,844.94 in copper coins, including 756,838 cents and 1,055,312 half cents; making an ag‑ gregate total of $371,827.94. (2) “State‑ ment of the Gain on Copper coined at the Mint of the United States, from the 1st

January to 31st December 1804,” record‑ ing a net profit, after allowances for spoiled planchets, differences of weight, and uncoined copper on hand, of $2,197.52 on the $12,844.94 in copper coins issued by the Mint for the year. (3) “An Ab‑ stract of the Expenditures of the Mint of the United States from the 1st January to  the 31st December 1804,” recording $10,600 expended on salaries, $4,375.23 on wages, and $1,249.57 on incidentals, making an aggregate total of $16,224.80 (MSS in DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess., in a clerk’s hand, including at‑ testations by Benjamin Rush, treasurer of the Mint, 31 Dec. 1804; PrCs in DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; FCs in DNA: RG 104, DL; printed in asp, Finance, 2:118‑20). To further reduce the expenses of the mint, Boudinot had written to Mad‑ ison on 7 Dec. 1804 to suggest discon‑ tinuing the use of a building on the end

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2 5 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 of Sixth Street. Boudinot found the site unnecessary to Mint operations and rec‑ ommended selling the house and the large iron furnace in it, which he believed could bring $200 or $300. On the verso of the letter, TJ wrote: “we had better refer this to the discretion of the Director who being on the spot is the best judge. Th: Jef‑ ferson Dec. 10. 04.” Madison informed Boudinot of the president’s decision the same day (RC in DNA: RG 59, MLR; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8: 355‑6).

 Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s message and its accompanying papers to Congress on 25 Jan. The House read them and or‑ dered them to lie on the table the same day. The Senate did the same on the fol‑ lowing day (jhr, 5:104; js, 3:441). The documents were published as Message from the President of the United States, Communicating the Report of the Director of the Mint, of the Operations of that Insti­ tution, during the Last Year (Washington, D.C., 1805).

From Stephen Thorn Respected Sir Albany January 25th, 1805. Some time last spring while the Legislature of this state were in session, I received a letter from a friend of mine (Genl Thomas a member of Congress,) informing he had mentioned me to you as a proper person to be appointed a Commissioner under the treaty with Spain—I shewed his letter to Judge Spencer, Chief Justice Lewis (now Gov) and Judge Tredwell who forwarded a letter recommen‑ datory to you on the subject—As respects the first application it was without my solicitation, yet must confess the appointment would not only be agreeable, but highly acceptable, as I have some pecuniary business in Europe which Ultimately may call me to France—As to my qualifications other than having a knowledge of the French and a smattering of the Spanish Language, Messrs. Thomas, Lyon or Olin can inform,— In Addressing you, being a stranger, it may not be improper to mention, that at present I hold a seat in the Senate of this State, and also on the bench of Common pleas.— I am respected Sir, your most Obedient, and most humbl Servt Stepn: Thorn RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Feb. and “to be Commr to Spain” and so recorded in SJL.

letter recommendatory to you: see Vol. 43:211‑12.

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From DeWitt Clinton Dear Sir New York 26 January 1805 James Fairlie Esqr. a Director of the Manhattan Company & a gentleman of the first respectability will open a negotiation with the Govt. on certain points of a confidential & important nature. He will explain to you & to you alone the whole object & the inducing causes of his application. It cannot be nor is it expected that you will give your sanction to any measure incompatible with the public good— but when you consider the intimate connexion between the prosper‑ ity of that institution and the support of those political opinions most congenial with the general good,—We have no doubt but that you will afford Mr Fairlie every facility at your power. With every sentiment of respect & regard I am Your Most Obedt. servt DeWitt Clinton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ. Re‑ corded in SJL as received 1 Feb. with notation “Manhattan bank.” James Fairlie’s mission related to a shortage of specie, particularly among New York’s banks, including the man‑ hattan company. Clinton was a director of the bank, which was associated with prominent Republicans. The risk of a drain on specie and a concomitant inter‑ ruption to bank discounting intensified when the Merchants’ Bank, the directors of which were Federalists or supporters of Aaron Burr, called in its debts after fail‑ ing to gain state incorporation. The ad‑ ministration responded immediately to the Manhattan Company’s entreaties. In a let‑ ter of 2 Feb. to Jonathan Burrall, the cash‑ ier of the New York branch of the Bank of the United States, Gallatin reported an agreement he had reached with the Man‑ hattan Company to deposit $200,000 of public monies in the bank for a period of

six months. Gallatin advised Burrall not to purchase any government bills that “would either assist an exportation of specie or encrease the means of aggres‑ sion already possessed by the Directors & others interested in the Merchants’ bank.” Burrall was also to “purchase with equal liberality from the Customers of the Man‑ hattan Company as from those of your Office.” In a subsequent letter to Thomas Willing, president of the Bank of the United States, Gallatin detailed the plan and requested the bank’s assistance in heading off the crisis (Gallatin, Papers, 10:558‑9; New York American Citizen, 5  Dec. 1804; New­York Herald, 30 Jan. 1805; New York Daily Advertiser, 1 Feb.; Robert E. Wright, “Thomas Will‑ ing [1731‑1821]: Philadelphia Financier and Forgotten Founding Father,” Pennsyl­ vania History, 63 [1996], 546‑7, 559‑60; Mary‑Jo Kline, ed., Political Correspon­ dence and Public Papers of Aaron Burr, 2 vols. [Princeton, 1983], 2:831‑2; Gallatin to TJ, 20 Feb.).

To Jacob Crowninshield Jan. 26. 05

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Crowninshield and returns him the letter he was so kind as to send him. he percieves it comes from a mind sensible to the feelings of domestic life, but ca‑  394 

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pable of resolving on what is proper. he asks the favor of an interview with mr Crownenshield. RC (Mrs. Charles L. Hoskins, Seneca Falls, New York, 1950). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found; see Crowninshield to TJ, 24 Jan.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Jany. 26 1805 At Mr Simons’s request, I enclose his letters respecting sea‑letters. Several of the hints contained in his letter of 8th Jany. are worthy of attention; but the amendments which he proposes are all of a leg‑ islative nature, and I doubt the propriety, at this period of the session, to lay any new matter, complex & yet not of primary importance, be‑ fore Congress. The subject of his letter of the 10th is altogether of an executive nature. By act of March 27 1804 (last session page 147) registers are refused to naturalized citizens who return to their native country. The question is whether the President ought to extend the same rule in relation to sea‑letters. The object of the law was to prevent abuses of the American flag, and the same principle would apply to sea‑letters as to registers. Yet there may be bona­fide american houses settled abroad who might complain of the alteration. Respectfully Your obt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury De‑ partment on 26 Jan. and “Sea letters.” Enclosures not found.

mr simons’s request: James Simons, collector of customs at Charleston. act of march 27 1804: “An Act to amend the act intituled ‘An act concern‑ ing the registering and recording of ships and vessels’ ” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:296‑7).

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin. Jan. 26. 1805. The question arising on Mr Simons’ letter of Jan. 10. is Whether sea‑letters shall be given to the vessels of citizens neither born nor residing in the US? Sea‑letters are the creatures of treaties. no act of the ordinary legislature requires them. the only treaties now existing with us, & calling for them are those with Holland, Spain, Prussia & France. in the two former we have stipulated that when the other party shall be at war the vessels belonging to our people1 shall be furnished  395 

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with Sea‑letters: in the two latter that the vessels of the neutral party shall be so furnished. France being now at war, the Sea‑letter is made necessary for our vessels, and consequently it is our duty to furnish them. the laws of the US. confine registers to home built vessels be‑ longing to citizens; but they do not make it unlawful for citizens to own foreign built vessels, and the treaties give the right of Sea‑letters to all vessels belonging to citizens. But who are citizens? the laws of registry consider a citizenship obtained by a foreigner who comes merely for that purpose & returns to reside in his own country, as fraudulent, and deny a register to such an one, even owning home built vessels. I consider the distinc‑ tion as sound and safe and that we ought not to give sea‑letters to a vessel belonging to such a pseudo‑citizen. it compromits our peace by lending our flag to cover the goods of one of the belligerents to the injury of the other: it produces vexatious searches on the vessels of our real citizens; and gives to others the participation of our neutral advantages which belong to the real citizen only. and inasmuch as an uniformity of rule between the different branches of the government is convenient & proper, I would propose as a rule that Sea‑letters be given to all vessels belonging to citizens under whose ownership of a registered vessel, such vessel would be entitled to the benefits of her register. Affectionate salutations. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Sea letters.”

1

Word written over “citi.”

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Jany. 26 1805 Will you have the goodness to examine the enclosed. I fear the effect of the principles assumed by Mr Duvall; yet his construction is probably right, especially on account of a provision which he does not quote, vizt. 4th Sect. of Act 8 May 1792 (2 Vol. page 106) by which the Treasury is expressly directed to pay to the Marshal, the compen‑ sations to the grand and petit (now other) jurors generally, but those to witnesses only who are summoned on the part of the United States. From whence may be inferred that if the United States had intended to pay such jurors only as were summoned on their business, the law would have used the same language in relation to jurors as it does in relation to witnesses. It seems to me that the best way will be for me to apply to the Comee. of Ways & Means for an additional appropriation in order to  396 

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meet a construction which had not been foreseen. This will bring the subject before Congress who may then appropriate or modify the existing laws. The subject, both as it relates to the construction of the law, & as to the best course to be pursued, I beg leave to submit to you— With great respect Your obt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 26 Jan. and “paiment of juries.” En‑ closure not found.

2 vol. page 106: Gallatin cited “An Act for regulating Processes in the Courts of the United States, and providing Com‑ pensations for the Officers of the said Courts, and for Jurors and Witnesses” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:277). See also the following document.

From Albert Gallatin [26 Jan. 1805]

If the principle, doubtfully approved by Judge Peters, but adopted without reservation by the Comptroller, shall prevail, an unforseen additional expense of one or two hundred thousand dollars a year will fall on the United States. The 5000 dollars are only one term of a circuit court. There are annually 28 such terms & 68 district court terms—in all  96 terms in the U.S. RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27141); undated, but see the preceding document; en‑ tirely in Gallatin’s hand.

To Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Washington Jan. 26. 05 The bill appropriating 110,000. D. for the South wing & 20,000. for the other public buildings is passed—it would be well therefore to contract for the materials immediately, and to begin at once all the branches of the wooden work which can be done independantly of the walls. also to order the paving tile from Bourdeaux, Havre being blockaded. mr Lee our Consul there will do any thing in that way which he shall be desired to do. as it is indispensable that I should see you before Congress rises the sooner you can come the better, in order that the extent of our operations may be settled, & not a day lost. the appropriation has been made in confidence that we will finish the  397 

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South wing this year, leaving the North one for the next. Accept my salutations & best wishes. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. La‑ trobe”; endorsed by TJ.

The tile was for floors in the Capitol (TJ to Latrobe, 16 Jan.).

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir, Wilmington, Jany. 26th. 1805 My very frequent absence from home at the Ch. & Del. Canal, oc‑ casions a great unpunctuality in my correspondence, & I have to apologise for not sooner answering Your letter of the 16th. Jany. Immediately after hearing of the passing of the appropriation law by the Senate, I will come to Washington, & in the mean time en‑ deavor to digest a system of procedure for the next season, to be laid before on my arrival.—There cannot be a better floor than the tile floor you propose unless it were a Marble floor for which the small squares could be easily & cheaply procured from Italy. But I believe the Tile floor, answering quite as good a purpose, will be much the cheapest.—The Glass must very probably be imported. Very excel‑ lent Glass has been made at Boston, I believe by remelting the bro‑ ken Glass collected in our cities. I am uncertain whether the furnace is now at work. Some time ago it was not.—As an encouragement to home industry, & also because I know of no foreign Glass superior to Boston Glass, you will perhaps think it proper for me to make the necessary enquiries. Mr Lenthall has given me a regular account of the difficulties which have attended the drainage of the roof of the Prs. house. I am almost in despair about parapet roofs in this climate. When I am in Wash‑ ington, I will devote every attention to it, and shall be happy to adopt any proposal of Mr Lenox which is likely to obviate the difficulties which invariably attend this sort of roof in Winter.— Before I go to Washington I shall run up to Philadelphia for a day, & take care that the stoves fail not to go to Richmond as soon as the frost breaks. It has thawed powerfully for the last 48 hours, but our little river (the Christiana) is still tight.— I still write with Mr Peale’s old polygraph. He has made me one on the new plan,—just such a one as you propose sending to Mr. Volney.—The Billet Polygraph, is an idea which will be invaluable to me who move about so much, & am always at a loss when from home. But a further improvement occurs to me which will enable me to write & copy letters of the usual size & form with such a polygraph,—  398 

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namely,—by placing the penholders in such a manner upon the bar, that the hand will seize them, at right angles with the present move‑ ment,—&—the polygraph being also placed at right angles with its present position & the paper folded across the middle of the page the Copy will be made above the original. If the polygraph were made thus, it would also require a different position of the inkstands, and the Gallows would render the dipping less convenient. Habit however would soon teach the—side­way—movement necessary to dip with freedom.— The Vice president passed thro’ this place yesterday, & I saw him for a moment.—The fitting up the Senate chamber for the trial of Judge Chase,—for which I gave a plan, & a compleat set of drawings, has it seems been a subject of some difficulty. I fear that the ideas of Mr. Blodgett which have been adopted have not been as satisfactory in the execution as they were in description. I had notice only of the services I could render on the day of my departure, which I could not then postpone,—and I have since exerted myself to give every assis‑ tance which correct drawings, & the talents & industry of Mr Lenthall could yield.—I frequently find myself in the situation of Lazarillo in the play,—with this difference against me,—that a Unity of services can never arise out of the Union, of my master, the United States, with my mistress the Canal Company.—Otherwise it happens,—as usual,— that my mistress uses me with the greatest severity, of the two With the sincerest respect I am Your faithful hble Servt B H Latrobe. RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States Washington”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 28 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. Samuel Blodget (blodgett) won the commission for rearranging the Senate chamber for the trial of Samuel Chase. Prior to the award, Aaron Burr, in his ca‑ pacity as presiding officer of the Senate, had asked Latrobe to submit plans (La‑ trobe, Correspondence, 2:7n).

Many English‑language plays featured a character named lazarillo, presum‑ ably inspired by a sixteenth‑century Span‑ ish picaresque novel, La vida de Lazarillo de Tormes, y de sus fortunas y adversi­ dades (J. A. Garrido Ardila, ed., The Pi­ caresque Novel in Western Literature [Cambridge, Eng., 2015], 122‑3; Martin Staples Shockley, “First American Per‑ formances of English Plays in Richmond before 1819,” Journal of Southern His­ tory, 13 [1947], 96).

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From Thomas Mann Randolph Dear Sir, Edgehill Jany. 26. 05. I am sorry I cannot inform you of Marthas perfect recovery. She caught cold soon after she got through her severe illness and has been much kept back by it in the recovery of her appetite strength & flesh. She had a pain in the heart somedays but that has now left her except now & then for a few minutes together and then but slight. She is very thin & looks badly at present yet there is not the smallest doubt I think of her recovering quickly if her spirits can be kept up & no mismanagement of herself should happen. Both of these I could an‑ swer for if I dared remain with her but I have been so much impor‑ tuned to return by men who can mean nothing but friendship that I am not my own master. The roads & weather render her coming on with me impossible. It is the hardest struggle I ever underwent to leave her, yet I must do it: indeed the regret I feel at having ever consented to be separated from her is so severe that it does not admit of any increase of painfull sentiment on that hand. I am certain she would have missed this late illness if I had been with her for it was brought on by imprudencies which would have alarmed me in time to have averted it. The children are all in perfect health: in short noth‑ ing wanting but her restoration to her usual health which without accident Spring will bring about to render us the happiest family in the world. With affectionate attachment yr &c. Th: M. Randolph RC (ViU); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President U.S. Washington City”; franked; postmarked Milton; endorsed by TJ as received 31 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

importuned to return: on 17 Dec. Randolph had been granted leave to be absent from the House of Representatives for 18 days (jhr, 5:56).

To Alexander Wood Sir Washington Jan. 26. 05. On reciept of your letter of the 21st. I had the necessary enquiry made in the department of the treasury, from which I recieved the inclosed correspondence. this is so full & explicit that I need do noth‑ ing more than inclose it for your information. I tender you my saluta‑ tions & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Alex‑ ander Wood”; endorsed by TJ. Enclo‑ sure: see Gallatin to TJ, [25 Jan. 1805].

your letter of the 21st: that is, Wood’s letter of 12 Jan., which TJ re‑ ceived on 21 Jan.

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To Albert Gallatin Th: J. to mr Gallatin. Jan. 27. 05. On the question who are to pay the petty jurors in the courts of the US. in private cases? it must be admitted there is room for doubt. the act of 1792 c. 36. § 3. says ‘the compensations shall be to each grand & petit juror so much to witnesses summoned in any of the courts of the US. so much’ etc. without saying who should pay either; whether the US. should pay all the jurors & witnesses or none? if it had rested on this ground only, it would have been satisfactorily decided by the prin‑ ciple of law ‘qui sentit commodum sentire debet et onus’, or that every one should pay his own. but the expressions of the 4th. section ex‑ plaining that as to witnesses it was intended that the US. should pay their own only, and giving no explanation as to jurors, placed the ques‑ tion under a doubt which the 3d. § would not have produced. those who were to act on the law, & who were of course it’s expositors, ex‑ pounded the meaning to be that every one should pay their own jurors & witnesses, and so acted on it, as I understand, many years. thus what was before uncertain was now rendered certain, and according to the usual doctrine of our courts, these precedents had fixed the law. this would have justified a continuance of that exposition even if, on sounder examination it had been afterwards thought incorrect. but the question is not now presented on that ground. the practice has been changed. the contrary exposition of the doubt as to jurors has been adopted & acted on for some years. the same principle therefore now directs that we should abide by our precedents, and consider them as having corrected & fixed the law, so that the legislature alone may now change it. but I think it sufficiently doubtful what their intention was, & sufficiently important, to bring it under their review; & the method you propose seems to be the best: and that the committee should be made to understand the ground of the doubt. affectionate salutations. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “paimt of jurors.”

From Samuel Morse Sir, Savannah, January 27, 1805 Perusing the letter of Harry Toulmin, on the subject of the sup‑ posed colony of Welshmen settled on the Missouri, which was repub‑ lished in the National Intelligencer of the 14th instant, a circumstance was recalled to my mind which may possibly contribute to ascertaining the fact.  401 

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 I have an intimate friend in this place, by the name of David Davies Williams, who is a native of Wales, speaks and writes the language, has received a liberal education, understands botany, was, in his na‑ tive country, a miner by profession and is a, man of private worth equal to any existing. He is not yet a citizen, but has resided a time sufficient to be made one, and is yet in the prime of life, say 32 to 35 years of age. Lately conversing with this gentleman on the subject of Louisiana, and the expedition of capt. Lewis, he suggested that it would be pleasing to him to be employed on such travels if arrangements could be made for that purpose, and mentioned the rumour respecting the colony of his countrymen as having excited his curiosity. He likewise repeated their tradition of their origin and that he had heard of their possessing a manuscript history of it, the interpretation of which was lost. To rescue such a precious record from oblivion would be im‑ mensely serviceable to the literary world. Mr. Williams is fully competent to make the translation if 1 the manuscript exists. I promised to mention the occurrence to you, but had almost forgotten it until my attention was recalled by the letter of Toulmin. The greatest difficulty which I can conceive in the way of employ‑ ing Mr. Williams, is the situation of his family. He lately lost his wife, and is left with a son and daughter of whom he is deservedly fond. He supports himself and them by teaching a school, which obtains ap‑ probation from his employers. Suffer me to repeat, I am intimate with Mr Williams, and from his sobriety, honesty, capacity, industry and virtue, few have ever offered for public employment of this nature of whom an equal character can be deservedly rendered. He does not know of this letter, nor did he suppose it was my serious intention to write at all. For reasons which are obvious I must beg that you will favor me with an acknowledgment that this letter has [come] to hand, if it reaches you, and if you can oblige me so far, with your opinion on its object. I am, with esteem & Respect Yours Saml Morse RC (DLC); torn; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States Washington City”; franked; postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. letter of harry toulmin: on 14 Jan., the National Intelligencer published

a lengthy letter, dated 12 Dec. 1804, ad‑ dressed to the editor of the Kentucky Pal­ ladium on the subject of the legendary Welsh Indians. For letters to TJ on that subject, see Vol. 42:325‑6 and Vol. 43: 483‑4. 1 MS:

 402 

“is.”

From Anonymous Lancaster, Jan 28, 1805

The following is the State of the Votes in the case of the Judges— Guilty or not guilty— Ayes— Mesrs Hart   Noes— Messrs Brady Quid G. Heister Gamble Quid Hartzell Harris Morton. (Son a Prothonotary John Heister Montgomery looking for Comp‑ M’Arthur trollers office John Kean Steele P. C. Lane Spangler Mewhorter Reed Dr. Pennell Dr. G. Porter Heston Piper (brother of Jacob) Mayer Vance (British Treaty— Richards—11 R. Whitehill. Speaker 13 Two thirds being necessary to condemnation—they were acquitted— One Member (Poe a republican) absent RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as an anon‑ ymous letter received 1 Feb. and “votes on impeachmts. judges” and so recorded in SJL. case of the judges: on 28 Jan., the Pennsylvania Senate acquitted state su‑ preme court judges Edward Shippen, Thomas Smith, and Jasper Yeates of

charges arising from their use of the com‑ mon law of contempts in a case that intensified political divisions in the state (Andrew Shankman, “Malcontents and Tertium Quids: The Battle to Define De‑ mocracy in Jeffersonian Philadelphia,” Journal of the Early Republic, 19 [1999], 52‑3).

To William A. Burwell Dear Sir Washington Jan. 28. 05. Your letter of the 18th. has been duly recieved and mr Coles con‑ sents to remain here till the 4th. of March, when I shall leave this place for Monticello and pass a month there. consequently if you can join me here the second week in April it will be as early as your ab‑ sence could affect my convenience.   I have long since given up the expectation of any early provision for1 the extinguishment of slav‑ ery among us. there are many virtuous men who would make any sacrifices to effect it. many equally virtuous who persuade themselves  403 

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either that the thing is not wrong, or that it cannot be remedied. and very many with whom interest is morality. the older we grow, the larger we are disposed to believe the last party to be. but interest is really going over to the side of morality. the value of the slave is every day lessening; his burthen on his master dayly increasing. interest is therefore preparing the disposition to be just; and this will be goaded from time to time by the insurrectionary spirit of the slaves. this is easily quelled in it’s first efforts; but from being local it will become general, and whenever it does it will rise more formidable after every defeat, until we shall be forced, after dreadful scenes & sufferings to release them in their own way which, without such sufferings we might now model after our own convenience. Accept my affectionate salutations. Th: Jefferson RC (CSmH); at foot of text: “Mr. Bur‑ well.” PoC (DLC).

1

TJ here canceled “getting ri.”

From Gideon Granger Dear Sir. Washington Jany. 28th. 1805 Nothing short of the most urgent necessity could have induced me to add one mite to the Thousand cares and difficulties, with which you are constantly surrounded. With Others, I have Kindred & Rel‑ atives, many of whom are respectable; and never to this moment have I solicited for either of them, or for myself, either public favor or office. The time has been when I thought no circumstance could in‑ duce me to the act. But the mind of man is frequently governed by events beyond his controul. What man will not bend to preserve his offspring and to secure the happiness of those he holds dearest in life? Those, for whom it is his duty to provide? When, Sir, you kindly offered to me the station I now hold in the Government, I stated to you the various objections which induced me to decline the appointment. I informed you of the demands held against me by Connecticut; of my fears that by yielding up my pro‑ fession I should be rendered incapable of meeting the Interest of my debt; and at the same time I acknowledged my desire, after the suf‑ ferings inflicted upon me, at a future time to be noticed (if consistent with the public Interest) by some appointment in the line of my pro‑ fession, adapted to my pursuits in life.— My Letter was closed by an expression of my determination to conform to what you believed the public Interest had a right to de‑ mand of me.  404 

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 In the end the office was accepted, and with regret a profession abandoned to which I had devoted my life with a peculiar fondness— a profession from which I derived my bread, and which, while health remained, was at least an Insurance against poverty and want— The event has proved that my fears were well founded. In addition to what I had foreseen, I have been visited with evils which I had not even contemplated. While I remained in the State, the little personal influence and professional knowledge I possessed, formed a sheild which protected me from Judicial Taxation. But since I have resided here, I have, for my political principles, as is known to my friends, and acknowledged by many of the federalists, paid a Tax or rather Taxes to the amount of more than Two Thirds of my whole sal‑ ary. These added to the Interests of my debt have consumed a farm in Vermont as well as the one I owned in Suffield; also a seat in the center of the Town and all the personal property I possessed, or can calculate on; except what may arise from a compromise between the United States and the Georgia Claimants. The issue of this business is so very uncertain that no person situated as I am ought to calculate upon it, and let slip possibly the only opportunity to save himself from ruin. Indeed Sir, of all I possessed in New England when I came here nothing is left to me but less than Seventeen acres of land and my mansion house and out buildings which are not of considerable value: and even these are holden to respond One of those federal Taxes to the amount of something more than $2994 which was assessed upon me in Septr last. For all these Taxes I never have received the value of a cent Nor shall I ever till I go to my grave.— In the Country adjoining Lake Erie I am the Owner of a very valu‑ able landed Estate which when bro’t into a productive condition, of which it is highly capable would remove my Embarrassments, and place me and those I tenderly love beyond penury. To manage this property myself while here, is impossible; to invest with plenary pow‑ ers, any agent, is to hazard the last hopes of my family on the ability & Integrity of another; and at this time to retire to, or near the Coun‑ try without personal property or the temporary means of support, is placing me in a situation which your feelings will easily lead you to comprehend. Had I retired from Office in July 1803 when to you I suggested the wish, I then possessed sufficient personal and commandable property to enable Me to take a Stand in my profession in One of the Cities; or to have moved into the Country under comfortable circumstances— which at present is not the case.—  405 

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 In this situation, tho’ with great reluctance I offer myself a Candi‑ date for the Government of Michigan. Should I gain the appointment my station at Detroit will, by the Waters of the Lake enable me to have an easy access to my property, so as in a great degree to manage it in person. The Office will give me bread and that standing in the Country, which to me will be highly usefull—My knowledge of the Law, qualifies me in some measure for the undertaking; and my pub‑ lic duties will lead me to a further knowledge of the Law; and thus enable me to return to the bar, if hereafter my circumstances should render it necessary. The duties of my present office are of a different nature. Had it not been for the most intense application I should by this time have lost a great part of that Learning & knowledge which had been acquired by fourteen years hard labor.—Nor is this all, I cannot give satisfaction.— I could not have bro’t my mind to this Solicitation had it not been for an office less important than the One confided to me. I am sure you will not beleive me governed by motives of ambition or aggran‑ dizement.—These operate on me, as, on Others—In the request I make I know full well that I sacrifice myself to my family: but the obligations of duty are higher than those of self gratification. You know me, Sir, as well as any other person living. You know what I had been and was when I came into office—What my public and private labors have been while here—and when judging upon me, you will certainly decide from what you know, and not from the hol‑ low murmurs of annonimous Slander.— If the office should be confered upon me,—to my country I trust I shall be a faithful Officer; to my family I shall furnish increased pros‑ pects of a competency, essential at least to the bed of sickness: and to my enemies I shall be dead. Neither their Jealousies, nor their ven‑ geance will seek or annoy me in the rude forests of the Interior. As I know Genl. Hull has been tho’t of for the Office my sense of propriety compels me to remark, that in case of his willingness to ac‑ cept, I decline all competition with him and no consideration would induce me to accept the Office to his disappointment. I am Young in this art, and my pen yields me that aid which my tongue would refuse— Whatever may be the fate of this application, it cannot produce the least alteration in my ardent attachment to those noble principles for which we struggled, so long and so successfully; nor in my devotion to your personal prosperity and happiness. Your affectionate friend Gidn Granger  406 

2 8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 28 Jan. and so recorded in SJL. i stated to you: see Vol. 35:504‑6. georgia claimants: the day after Granger wrote this letter, the Committee of Claims in the House of Representa‑ tives proposed a resolution to set up a commission to make a final compensation for the Yazoo claims. During the debate,

John Randolph alleged that Granger bribed congressmen with postal contracts to support the legislation. In a printed letter addressed to Congress, Granger de‑ fended himself and offered an explanation of his conduct as an agent for the land claimants (Annals, 14:1022‑60, 1064‑ 1108, 1110‑38; broadside in DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25662, date of 25 Feb. filled in blank by Granger).

From Joseph H. Nicholson Sir Representatives Chamber Jany. 28. 1805 I have for several days been anxious to call on you for the purpose of asking some Information relative to the proposed Measures to be adopted for the building of Gun Boats, but have been prevented by my Indisposition. May I therefore beg the Favor of you to suggest the Number of Gun Boats wished for, as well as the sum necessary to be appropriated?—Permit me also to ask whether you think it will be bet‑ ter to make a detailed Report to the House, or whether a Bill making the Appropriation, and pointing to the Object, will be sufficient—If the former should be deemed more adviseable, I feel my own Inca‑ pacity to do Justice to the subject so strongly, that I can do nothing more than copy General Wilkinson’s observations—If any thing can be added to these, I shall be obliged to you for your Assistance— I have the Honor to be most respectfully Sir Yr. Ob. Hble Sert. Joseph H. Nicholson RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 29 Jan. and so recorded in SJL.

wilkinson’s observations: see James Wilkinson to TJ, 10 Nov. 1804.

From Charles Willson Peale [on or before 28 Jan. 1805]

Polygraph for Mr. Volney $60.— The Polygraph at Washington & that at Monticella being 60$ Instruments, 50$ on each of which having been paid, There remains a ballance of 10$ Each 20.— $80.— RC (MHi); undated; in Peale’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “paid Jan. 28. 1805.”

 407 

From Charles Pinckney Dear Sir January 28: 1805 In Aranjuez near Madrid I had the honour of writing you several private letters from France & Holland & Spain but not having the pleasure to recieve an answer it struck me there might be an impropriety in my writing directly to You & that it might be better for me to write to you through the me‑ dium of our Friend Mr Madison—since that time I have therefore always requested him to present me to you respectfully & affectionately & to shew You my letters public & private & such as I sent him open from France & this country, & Italy for my little daughter—the whole of these public & private will shew You I have been much engaged here—I have also had a copy of my whole proceedings & correspon‑ dence with Mr Cevallos from the Beginning in 1801 made out to carry with me—these with my letters to Mr Madison give a full & clear View of the Difficulties I have had to encounter here ever since my arrival.—At that time I found Colonel Humphreys had never been able to obtain any agreement to arbitrate the claims of any descrip‑ tion & that there was notwithstanding all their first professions & promises an indisposition in the Spaniards to pay any thing—that the return of Peace, the little loss they had suffered in the war & the cer‑ tain support of France made them inattentive to our demands & care‑ less of our resentment—that France would never seriously urge her paying money to any power but herself & that as to the claims for french condemnations in the Spanish Ports, she well knew that as in the Event of Spains being obliged to pay them she must look for reimbursement to France that so far from supporting the payment of them she would be highly interested to prevent it—that as France considered the purse of Spain as her own it could not be expected she would very cordially support any other demands on it—You may therefore rest assured it was with a jealous Eye she saw even the Convention of August 1802 signed & that if she did not oppose the ratification she certainly never warmly supported it.—in the Business of the Floridas her opposition was more open & manifest—she op‑ posed our attempt from the Beginning in the most decided manner— our offers alone kept things quiet during the mission of St Cyr—he was succeeded by Beurnonville who exerted all his influence to obtain the Floridas having been sent expressly for that purpose—he offered Parma & any thing almost that Spain pleased & nothing but my de‑ cided interference by offering a Guarantee prevented the surrender.— Under these circumstances with the clearly self interested opposition of France as to the claims & the still more open one as to Florida I am  408 

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sure You will see that during the whole time I was authorised to make the acquisition it was impossible & indeed out of the Question to sup‑ pose that I was capable of resisting here the influence of the all pow‑ erful director of the Will of Spain.—it was indeed1 extraordinary that under these circumstances I obtained the Convention not only to ar‑ bitrate the spanish spoliations but to fix as the 6th: article does the acknowledgement of the Principle vizt that such demands as the claims for french spoliations & condemnations do exist & that the only difference of the ministers who negotiated it, was as to the mode of arbitrating them & that I prevented the transfer of Florida. Mr Madi‑ son seems to be very fully aware of the great influence of the French here & I am sure both Yourself & he on reflecting on the particular situation in which I was placed will duly estimate it’s difficulties— General Beurnonville was extremely mortified at not getting the Flor‑ idas & has in fact never forgiven me the direct offer I made of the Guarantee the only thing that could then possibly have saved them.— In the affair of the restoration of the Deposit I had also very great difficulty, for Mr Cevallos had at first refused it or what amounted to the same thing said his Majesty would send out to New Orleans for information & when the answer returned give a reply to our demand— Upon my going however to him & stating the consequences & press‑ ing in a very decided manner the restoration he relinquished his first intention & gave the Orders for it—this arose from my informing him that his first answer would produce war as we were determined to have the deposit & that every preparation was made to obtain it by force if peaceable measures would not avail—the result here convinced me that nothing is like a decided conduct with respect to the Powers having important possessions near us in the West Indies & with whom we may have Business—in this business it was feared the french were at the bottom of it in order that they might recieve Louisiana for the Spaniards while we were without the deposit so as that they might withhold the right, or sell it to us or restore it as a favour as best suited their interest but finding we were determined to risque a War rather than not have it they acquiesced in the demand & consented to the Spaniards restoring it—indeed their whole conduct during the short interval of Peace in trying to seize upon not only Louisiana & the command of the Navigation of the Misissipi but in preventing our having Florida & in opposing our claims upon Spain & while they promised to assist most probably thwarting our negotiations with that power & the sudden manner in which they wheeled when threatned with War convinced me that our Growth & the Success of republi‑ canism with us is not only an Eyesore to France (i e to its Govt) but  409 

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that it is absolutely necessary to our future peace & security & cer‑ tainly to our Rise that England Spain & France should be at War for some Years to come—say at least 8 or 10, at the End of which we shall be in a situation to look with commiseration on there disputes & with sincere wishes for their close—in our present situation I am convinced, as I have often written to Mr Madison, there is not a single iron despotism of Europe that does not view us with Envy & hatred & that were an interval of peace afforded them they would attempt to nip our growth or change our principles—there can be no doubt of this—see the attempts on Louisiana—the command of the Naviga‑ tion of the Misissipi by France & her opposition to our having Florida & the whole conduct of Spain to us while by paying France & beg‑ ging England she could keep neutral & no one can doubt that to be secure ourselves & obtain our rights & promote our Growth to the point which would for ever place us out of their reach it is not only better, but almost indispensable to us they should be at War.—I there‑ fore candidly confess I saw the War between England & France with great composure & with no less afterwards that my stand & measures here were among the principal causes of precipitating the rupture between England & Spain & that if it had not taken place we should probably have been involved ourselves or obliged to submit to great national degradation.—I have already mentioned in several of my let‑ ters that the United States were the true cause of the war between England & Spain—that it arose from the armaments really intended against them & not against England—one at Ferrol of Ships of the Line Frigates & transports & the other of Frigates & troops at Cadiz the former for Florida & the Havannah & the latter for Texas—that I sent down a masked courier to ascertain the fact & that I remon‑ strated against it long before England did—this my letters will shew & the positive answer given by Spain to England when she remon‑ strated which was “that on her honour no hostility was thought of or any preparation intended against her (England)” was so clear & cor‑ roborating a proof that it was intended solely against us that I con‑ cieved myself not only at liberty but in fact called upon to exert every means in my power to throw Spain into a situation that would cripple all her attempts against us & oblige her to yield to our just & reason‑ able demands, for with her as You must have seen already, nothing but fear & force will do.—To this End as soon as she wrote her de‑ grading letters of the 30 May & 2d July & presumed in them & in several personal conferences not only to hold such indecent language but to offer such degrading terms as she did I took a stand which the respect I owe my country not only required but which I am happy to  410 

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find will in its results produce to her the most important consequences— I now feel myself at liberty to say to You that the Stand I made here & my subsequent conduct was the true cause of hurrying the War between England & Spain—there was no alternative—she must have been either involved or left at liberty to involve herself with us & there was no knowing to what degree of Madness her rage against us, on account of the cession of Louisiana & the Act of the 24 February would not have carried her—before my discussions about the ratifi‑ cation she was so bent on being on good terms with England, & she so content to suffer it that nothing less could have altered the System of the latter—it is beyond a doubt that if the one had not happened the other would not have followed & that had not Spain been involved in War We should not only never have been able to do any thing with her but the consequences of the European War generally would not have been a half or tenth part so valuable to us as they are now.—I repeat to You that the stand I made here was the true cause of the War & that this is a fact well known both to the Cabinets of London & Madrid however cautious they may be to avow it or it may be at‑ tributed to other causes—the first man that Mr Monroe heard any thing from of our differences in Madrid was Lord Harrowby & I was afterwards informed that the moment the ratification was refused & the subsequent differences took place here a British frigate was dis‑ patched to announce it to their Ministry who from that time altered their plan— When Mr Monroe arrived with the joint Commission & I pre‑ sented him to Mr Cevallos I told him that as I had applied to my Government for permission to return & that as there had been differ‑ ences between him & myself on the public questions between us it appeared to me proper to say to him that as it might be more agree‑ able to the Spanish Government to negotiate with Mr Monroe alone I would withdraw myself from the conferences that would be neces‑ sary & that as the letter of Credence & Commission which had been presented were joint I would cheerfully lend my aid & signature to any honourable reconciliation & arrangement that might be necessary or could be effected.—that on public questions I never considered myself & that I should be extremely pleased to see every thing ami‑ cably settled—he replied there could be no possible objection to me & that negotiations would always be opened with pleasure with any gentleman our Government might appoint—I have therefore since attended a conference but as the Business has only just begun I can as yet form no opinion of the result.—I still have my fears the french will continue their opposition.—You have doubtless before this recieved  411 

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from General Armstrong Mr Talleyrand’s letter in answer to Mr Mon‑ roe’s application on the subject of the extraordinary mission & must have been with me extremely surprised not only at the positive man‑ ner in which they deny our right to the disputed territory, but of the unfriendly & almost indecent terms in which they speak of the Act of the 24 February & in measures respecting Florida. On the subject of the claims for french Captures & Condemnations they are silent, but I am sure the whole of the letter must convince You that every thing I have said with respect to their continued opposition to us in Spain is well founded & I wish (notwithstanding all their professions)2 it may not continue through all the Business of the extraordinary mission— if it does not I shall be agreeably disappointed—indeed considering as they do the purse of Spain as their own & all claims made on them as made on themselves & wishing to make a large sum out of the Floridas for their own use I confess I have great fear not much will be done.—Mr Monroe is very zealous & has hopes & I believe if any thing can be done he will do it.—I feel great pleasure in his having come here because he now sees what I have done & had to suffer here on account of the Deposit the Cession of Louisiana & the Act of the 24 February & the enormous prices of every thing & Expences to which a Minister must be exposed who lives in Spain.—I am ex‑ tremely pleased to find that the Grounds I took with respect to the humiliating conditions proposed & the arguments I used as to them & the denial of the Kings right to ratify for the reasons he gave have been approved & acted upon by our Government. By Mr Yrujos at‑ tempt to add the Words “nor on the principle” in the 6th Article you now see it’s value—that it was a clear acknowledgement & establish‑ ment of the principle & that in so delicate & difficult a Business where I had to encounter the whole secret opposition of France the obtain‑ ing such a Convention as I did was no easy affair.—the refusal of Spain now to ratify it & her attempts to get rid of it are the most conclusive proof that she did not consider it as very favourable to her— It is true in the course of this Business I have to prevent my being considered as the supple instrument of any court & to effect the im‑ portant purposes I had in view Been obliged to alter my usual course of moderation & to use strong language to Mr Cevallos but always respectful to the King—among other things to threaten them with leaving Madrid which it is possible Yourself & Mr Madison may have concieved as rather quick & not so moderate as you could have wished but when You know the reasons which are partly developed here & will be more fully when I have the pleasure to see You, & feel as You must now begin to do strongly in America & I am hopeful may do  412 

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here the happy results of my conduct, in justice to me You will I am sure think I am entitled to some credit in having thus risqued clearly my own private interests & in some degree my character for moder‑ ation with you, to produce what nothing else would have done, that is war between Spain & England which the latter was very little in‑ clined to until she found we were seriously at variance with her. Spain being now through her conduct to us involved in a War which she otherwise could have easily avoided not only feels herself but shews to other Powers the danger of disputing with us & France must & will probably no longer think it so easily in her power to draw loans or money from us in any transaction we may have here.—You have probably heard of the Project of mortgaging Florida to us for a 70 millions loan of Livres or Francs to Spain to be repaid by instalments by Spain (intended no doubt for the use of France) & will affix to this attempt the opinion it deserves.—if We do not get Florida it is to be attributed to this cause—if You have not heard of this attempt through other channels I communicate it in confidence.— This being the first opportunity I have had for sometime of a se‑ cure & confidential conveyance I have opened myself much more fully than I have been able to do before, having avoided in my late letters to Mr Madison to give the least hint of what I now tell you & rather giving to them a different turn in case of their having miscarried.— In speaking of the conduct of the french Government to us on these Questions I wish to be understood as confining it entirely to the Gov‑ ernment whose conduct has certainly not been such as we ought to have expected from a nation to which the United States have always, & indeed so lately given such decided proof of affection—the french nation I believe still have the same regard for us as ever but certainly on these questions their present Government has not been our friend nor can we now expect they will very cordially wish the rise or suc‑ cess of a System so different from their own & which proves so clearly in opposition to all their declarations, that a people may be free & happy & great & govern themselves let their population & territory be ever so extensive.—I however am among the very few if there are more who still do not despair of France & believe there are Yet seeds there which will one day burst out with more success than formerly & while I have reason to think so shall always cherish for them the same affection I ever had, never forgetting the services they have rendered us & always giving their nation my best wishes.— I have been a much longer time absent from home than I expected & feel great delight in the idea of returning soon there—next to the pleasure of once more treading my native soil & the seeing my dear  413 

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little family will be that of meeting Yourself & Mr Madison & our friends at Washington & of assuring You & them in person of my grateful & affectionate regard & respect being with my best wishes for Your honour & happiness dear sir always Your’s Truly Charles Pinckney RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 26 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Dupl, not found, enclosed in Pinckney to TJ, February 1805. The Marquis de beurnonville suc‑ ceeded Laurent Gouvion Saint‑Cyr as the French minister to Spain in September 1802 (Vol. 37:501n; Vol. 38:588n). For Pinckney’s earlier report on France’s de‑ sire to obtain the floridas from Spain, see Pinckney to TJ, 24 May 1802. For the degrading letters from Pedro Cevallos to Pinckney, see Madison to TJ, 28 Aug. 1804, and List of Letters Received from Carlos Martínez de Irujo, 25 Sep. 1804. act of the 24 february: that is, the 24 Feb. 1804 act of Congress authorizing the establishment of the Mobile collection district (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:251‑4; Vol. 43:23‑4, 513‑14). James monroe arrived at Madrid on 2 Jan. (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:492). talleyrand’s letter in answer to mr monroe’s application: in an 8 Nov. 1804 note to Talleyrand forwarded by Robert R. Livingston, Monroe de‑ tailed the purpose of his mission to Spain and enclosed a lengthy memoir of argu‑ ments in support of the U.S. claim to West Florida. He also reminded Talley‑ rand of France’s earlier promise to use its “good offices” with Spain to support the United States in its negotiations over the Floridas. Writing to John Armstrong on

21 Dec., the French foreign minister in‑ formed him that he had presented Mon‑ roe’s and Livingston’s letters to Napoleon, who unequivocally rejected American claims regarding the eastern boundary of Louisiana, which France deemed to be the Mississippi and Iberville Rivers and Lakes Maurepas and Pontchartrain. Tal‑ leyrand asserted that France had never considered West Florida to be part of Louisiana, as demonstrated by recent French negotiations with Spain for its acquisition. Furthermore, Napoleon ob‑ jected to the aggressive stance taken by the United States toward Florida, espe‑ cially since the United States seemed to invoke its treaty with France “as an au‑ thority for their proceedings” (asp, For­ eign Relations, 2:634‑6; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:329‑33, 428‑31). Writing to Madison on 10 Oct. 1804, Livingston outlined his project of mortgaging florida in exchange for a loan of 70 million livres to Spain. Monroe expressed his doubts over the proposal to Madison on 16 Dec., believing that the plan “could not fail to terminate in our paying twice for the same thing.” Not only would Spain never repay the loan, Monroe believed, but the proposal ran counter to the administration’s position that West Florida was part of Louisiana (same, 150‑1, 386‑7). 1 MS:

“indeed indeed.” parenthesis supplied.

2 Closing

To Martha Jefferson Randolph My ever dear Martha Washington Jan. 28. 05. Your letter of the 11th. recieved here on the 15th. is the last news I have of you. mr Randolph having written to mr Coles that he should be here on the 15th. & not having come, & no letter from you by that post, I was thrown into inexpressible anxiety lest a relapse into your  414 

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complaint should have called him to Edgehill. from this I was not relieved till three days ago when a letter from mr Burwell (in Rich‑ mond) to mr Coles mentioned incidentally that mr Randolph had been detained there longer than he expected. the continuance too of this dreadful weather is an additional cause of fear for you. the ground had just got uncovered with a snow which had covered it 24. days, when yesterday another fell of 6. or 8. I. deep, and the weather, tho’ now fair, is very severe. I hope you will not expose yourself to a re‑ newal of the inflammatory complaint. that of the stomach must be opposed by a strict attention to what you find it digests most easily, and to a course of exercise for strengthening the system generally1 and invigorating the stomach with that. I hope by the post of tomorrow morning to hear your recovery is confirmed, but at any rate to know your exact situation. kiss our dear children for me, among whom I wish so anxiously to be and be assured of my tenderest affections. Th: Jefferson RC (NNPM); at foot of text: “Mrs. Randolph.” PoC (MHi); endorsed by TJ.

1

TJ here canceled “so as to.”

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 28 Janv. 1805 Je m’empresse—de Vous accuser la reception de Votre Lettre du 25 avec incluses—qu’on vient de me remettre—de Vous en presenter mes remercimens respectueux, et de Vous annoncer, que j’ai deja hier—(sur une invitation de Mr. Wagner recue avanthier.) envoyè a Mr. le Secretaire d’Etat Madison l’atlas faisant partie du Tableau de l’Espagne moderne par Bourgoing. Je Vous prie, de vouloir bien agreer mes hommages. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 28 Jan. 1805 I hasten to acknowledge your letter of the 25th, with enclosures, which just reached me, and to convey my respectful thanks; and to inform you that, in response to a request from Mr. Wagner received the day before yesterday, I sent Secretary of State Madison yesterday the atlas from Bourgoing’s Tableau de l’Espagne moderne. Please accept my regards. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 30 Jan. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

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From John Salusbury Sir, Fort Nelson Va Jany. 28th 1805 It has been no longer than last Week since being interrupted in mind I enlisted at this Fort as a private in Capt. Saunders,s Company in first Regt. of Artillerists & Engineers I Yesterday Communicated the same [to] my Father with much grief after being Reconcild in mind which has caus,d the tear of grief and Compassion flow deeply from the eye,s of two aged parents I am Sorry to trowble your Excel‑ lency on this Occassion but myself feeling for my parents the grief & trowvle that I,ve brought on them by enlisting as a private which I fear if I remain so I shall bring down their Grey hairs with Sorrow to the Grave my Father (who was a man greatly enga,gd in supporting the Republican Ticket in Election of Your Excellency) has Consulted several learned men on the Occassion and their Advice was that I should Write to you Stating the case as it stood and if your Excel‑ lency would lend an ear to my petition it was in your power to Relieve me Which in a Manner as well as I Can I,ve endeavou,rd to do the Only Relief which I want is to be promoted to a Cadet or discharg,d upon Settling the expences I,ve put the United States to; I Consider that I shoul,d have mention,d such a thing to Captain before I pro‑ ceeded into it but for fear of being punish,d, I trust to Your Excel‑ lency Capt. Saunders with Lieutenant Livingston In my weak Ap‑ prehension is men worthy of the esteem of Every Officer or friend to the United States. Your Excellency will please Consider this & if you think you can trust me withe Cadet,s place in th[. . .] I will thank‑ fully Recieve it. I k[now] it is in your power to prom[ote] me or dis‑ charge me if you please which I hope you will take into Consideration and Act as you think most prudent and Your Will shall be the plea‑ sure of one who wishes you long to Continue in the post you are in John Salusbury NB This is a secret from the Officers and all the men in Garrison. Please Communicate to me your intention and direct it in the follow‑ ing manner John Salusbury Norfolk Va1 RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); torn at seal; addressed: “Hon. Thos: Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; franked; postmarked Portsmouth, Vir‑ ginia, 29 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 5 Feb. and so recorded in SJL with notation “W.”

John Salusbury was the son of John S. Salusbury, a tailor in Princess Anne County, Virginia (Norfolk Virginia Chron­ icle, & General Advertiser, 31 July 1794). Salusbury’s father wrote to Dearborn on 2 Sep. 1805 to ask that his son be dis‑ charged. On 26 Sep., Dearborn responded

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2 8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 that directions had been sent to Captain John Saunders to comply with the re‑ quest after “a good substitute shall have been obtained” (FC in Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS).

 1 This second postscript is on a sepa‑ rate slip of paper.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate Charles Tenant Porter of East Tenissee to be Marshal of East Tenissee for four years from the expiration of his present commission of Marshal. Edward Scott of East Tenissee to be Attorney for the US. in the dis‑ trict of East Tenissee. Algernon Sidney Stanford of Maryland to be Collector & Inspector of the revenue for the port & district of Vienna in Maryland. Ormond Tuley of North Carolina to be Surveyor & Inspector of the revenue for the port of Slade’s creek. William Walton of Maryland to be Commercial Agent for the US. at Santo Domingo. Th: Jefferson Jan. 28. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); check marks added by TJ alongside first four entries and notation “negativd” at Walton’s entry. Notation in SJL: “Nomns. Porter. Scott. Stanford. Tuley. Walton.” For previous requests by william walton for an appointment as commer‑ cial agent at Santo Domingo, see TJ to Justus Erich Bollmann, 17 Oct. 1804. Writing to Madison on 11 Dec., Walton reiterated his desire for the post, citing his knowledge of the language and the island, as well as his “great acquaintance” with the French commander, General Louis Ferrand. Walton also claimed credit for securing the release of several Ameri‑

can merchant vessels taken into the port (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Walton Wm. to be Comml. Agent Sto. Domingo”). Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s nomina‑ tions to the Senate on 28 Jan. The fol‑ lowing day, the Senate approved the nom‑ inations of Porter, Scott, and Stanford, but postponed Tuley’s. The Senate re‑ jected Walton’s nomination after Samuel Smith asserted that Walton was a British subject of poor reputation and unfit for the post. Tuley’s appointment received approval on 1 Feb. (jep, 1:481‑2; Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 254; John Quincy Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803‑4 Aug. 1809], 131, in MHi: Adams Family Papers).

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From John Shaw Sir, Greenville M.T. January 28th. 1805. An obscure individual from a remote part of that extensive coun‑ try, rendered1 happy by your administration—takes the liberty of ad‑ dressing a letter to the President of the united States. Of the causes inducing this liberty, and of myself I must give some account. I am a native of North Carolina, descended like most other anglo‑ Americans from european parents—of whom it might be truly said that they were honest. They reared their Children in the knowledge, and inured them betimes to the practice of moral duty—informing them of the nature of their obligations, as well as of their rights as citizens. Patrimony, they had none to bestow—but gave them such education as the straitness of their circumstances would admit. Early in life I imbibed enthusiastic notions of liberty and the rights of man— and as soon as I was capable of reflection, and of comparing the eaqual and happy government of the United States with the partial and cor‑ rupt governments of the old world, could not but felicitate myself on the happiness of the event by which I was born an American Citizen. Some eight or ten years ago, I formed my first acquaintance with the character of the President of the United States—from reading the ingenious and learned “Notes on Virginia.” The perusal of that Valu‑ able work, with an attentive observation of the measures of the present administration for the four last years, have impressed my mind with the highest respect for the Character of the Author—as a man & phi‑ losopher, Statesman and friend to his country. I Speak plainly, being some what of a quaker in my manner and tinctured with a spice of singularity—though not in the declaration just made; nor am I ambi‑ tious for the attainment of any place or office: My motive is only to promote the interest of my country and the cause of truth. For several years past I have been a resident of the Mississippi Territory, and consequently, know some what of Characters, and of the state of things here. This, as it respects either the interests of the general government or of the territory has not for some time been altogether as it should be. Our great distance from the seat of the gen‑ eral government, together with a variety of other causes, prevent the truth from being known there. The President has misplaced confi‑ dence in some persons in this quarter—and that confidence bestowed for the good of the territory, is, it is feared, perverted to its injury. In proof of this, innumerable facts “and Confirmations Strong as proofs of holy writ” might, if required, be produced; and yet perhaps I am  418 

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the only one who has had the hardihood to make the suggestion: I am averse to acting the ungracious part of an informer—so shall only observe on this occasion, that some of those who perhaps have most of the president’s confidence in this remote quarter, are entirely un‑ deserving of it, as they are of the esteem of any honest man. If, sir, any information coming from my sequestered cottage, could command any acceptance, or assum any importance with you—I might perhaps unfold some facts on this delicate subject. The chief cause, however, of my troubling you with this communi‑ cation is the unfortunate death of David Ker, late one of the gudges of the Mississippi Territory—who was a truly worthy, respectable, and highly useful citizen. He was the only person of legal Science we had on the bench;—the other judges, however amiable in their manners or respectable as men have no adequate knowledge of jurisprudence—and possess not that rigid firmness of character, indispensible to the im‑ partial administration of Justice. When he came to the bench, Mr. Ker found our judicial proceedings in a state Of the utmost derangement— which after many painful efforts he organized to a degree,—but his death has thrown us again into confusion. He was also a principal stay of the republican Cause in the territory; his influential talents and weight of character securing to it firmness and consistency. I mention these circumstances to shew the necessity of the speedy appointment of successor, and one too qualified to supply his loss to the territory. We have in the territory no legal character who, in the opinion of the people here who best know them, would in any wise answer the pur‑ pose. But sir, we rely with the fullest Confidence on the discriminative wisdom and prompt goodness of the chief Magistrate of the Union, to send us a law Character eaqual to the discharge of the duties of the important appointment.— I know, Sir, you have too feeling a regard for the interests of every portion of our common country, as well as respect for the dictates of duty, to pass these few observations, however insignificant, unnoticed;— as also too much knowledge of men and things to place the liberty which I have taken to any but the proper motive.— I am, Sir, with due respect and esteem, Your Obdt. Servt. John Shaw RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, Washington City”; franked; postmarked Washington, Mississippi Ter‑ ritory, 30 Jan.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 27 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

John Shaw (d. 1817) had lived in Greenville long enough by 1802 to gain the approbation of William C. C. Clai‑ borne, who commended him as an “hon‑ est, well informed American” capable of taking charge of a new post office there.

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2 8 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 A doctor who later also practiced law, Shaw gained notoriety as a political po‑ lemicist and acted in concert with the Republican faction led by Cato West. He served for a time in the territorial house of representatives. After being removed as Greenville’s postmaster in 1807, Shaw edited the Natchez Mississippi Messen­ ger and kept up a steady stream of criti‑ cism of Governor Robert Williams, who charged him with libel and referred to him in a letter to Gallatin and Madison as “that filthy and officially perjured wretch.” He subsequently published or edited two other Natchez newspapers. Shaw repre‑ sented Franklin County at the 1817 con‑ stitutional convention but died before the convention finished its work. A political ally eulogized him as a “man of wit and honor” (Dunbar Rowland, Courts, Judges, and Lawyers of Mississippi, 1798­1935 [Jackson, Miss., 1935], 68; Rowland, Claiborne Letter Books, 1:168; Terr. Pa­ pers, 5:550‑2, 560, 577; Brigham, Ameri­ can Newspapers, 1:426‑7, 429). Shaw appears to have attempted to re‑ inforce his letter to TJ on the death of david ker by penning a memorial on the subject that was to issue from the territo‑ rial house of representatives. It is uncer‑ tain whether Shaw intended the memo‑ rial to reach authorities in Washington or if it was merely for local consumption. Printed in the Mississippi Messenger, the memorial was addressed to TJ and la‑ mented that Ker’s death left the territory’s judiciary “in a state of disorganization, incertitude and confusion; arising from the want of that degree of legal talents, knowledge and acquirement on the bench, necessary to give consistency and system to judicial proceedings.” The memorial

asked that TJ select a suitable replace‑ ment from outside Mississippi’s legal community. Shaw’s gambit drew a sharp rebuke, dated 20 Feb., from “Veritas,” possibly territorial judge Thomas Rodney, who in the Mississippi Herald described Shaw as a “quandam pill‑maker late from the frog ponds of North Carolina . . . versed in little villainies,—possessing a soul depraved and black” and argued that the memorial did not reflect the views of the territorial legislature, which would doubtless censure its author (news clip‑ ping in DNA: RG 59, LAR, 6:310; printed in Terr. Papers, 5:378‑9). At least two other correspondents re‑ ported Ker’s death to the administration. In a letter of 22 Jan., Cato West informed Madison that Ker died the previous day, by which the territory had sustained “a great loss” (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 6:305‑6; endorsed by TJ: “Ker David judge Mispi dead. West to mr Madison”). Two days later, Thomas Rodney took a different tack in reporting the death to Madison. If a replacement for the deceased Ephraim Kirby should be supplied for Washing‑ ton County, all three judicial districts in the territory would have assigned judges. In that case, there was, according to Rod‑ ney, “no Absolute Necessaty of filling” Ker’s place. Rodney’s own workload would benefit from a replacement for Ker, and West had expressed to Rodney the need for a replacement, but Rodney doubted the job could attract a “person of Talents” (same, 6:307‑10; endorsed by TJ: “Ker David judge Mispi. dead. Thos. Rodney to mr Madison”). 1 MS:

“renderdered.”

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, Washington M.T. 29th. of the 1st. Mo. 1805 From New‑orleans I sent by mail my report of the Post Road dated 22nd. of the 12th. mo. 1804, and by the next mail a duplicate, to‑ gether with my account of expenses. On the 19th. instant I arrived here in good health. I avail myself of the first mail, to offer my ideas on the political situation of this Territory.  420 

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 The Legislature has been in session seven weeks, but owing to the political divisions among it’s members, very little has been done. It appears to be divided into three parts. First, what may for distinction, be termed orthodox republicans. Second, the partizans of Col. West, being a division of the original republican interest; and Third, the Federalists. The strength, as well as animosity of these several parties has been lately tried in an unsuccessful attempt to elect a delegate to Congress; neither appear willing to give way, and it is very likely the Legislature will rise without coming to a decision on this point. No man who feels solicitous for the prosperity of this Territory, or, for the honor and interest of our happy form of Government, can be an indifferent observer of the present political divisions in this country. The republican interest altho’ abundantly triumphant when united, is rendered totally inefficient by these unhappy divisions. To remedy those evils, to re‑unite and reconcile clashing interests, and to remove or soften the causes of irritation, will depend essen‑ tially, on the next Governor. By care and prudence he may ’ere long, rally around him the great mass of republicans, who are now split by personal or local interests. With the federalists themselves, he may do much. There are many associated with this party here, on whom a soothing, conciliating demeanor would have a very happy effect. If arrangements have not been already made in relation to a Gov‑ ernor of this Territory, I would beg leave to name Robert Williams as a person in whom it appears to me are united all the qualifications requisite for that appointment. His former situation in public life has placed him so long and so often within the circle of thy own observa‑ tion, that I deem it unnecessary to say any thing in regard to the more substantial parts of his capacity. To a mind cool and calculating, there is happily added, a mild and placid address; and altho’ firm and im‑ moveable in his principles and purposes, it is accompanied by a cer‑ tain suavity of manner, well calculated to re‑unite and invigorate his own party, and to conciliate that of his opponents. The impression already made on the public mind in his favor, is very considerable, and furnishes very strong grounds of hope that under his administra‑ tion party cabals would greatly subside. Accept assurances of my esteem and affectionate regard. Isaac Briggs. RC (DLC); in Thomas Robertson’s hand, signed by Briggs; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. and so recorded in SJL; also en‑

dorsed by TJ: “Williams Rob. to be Govr.” FC (MdHi); in Robertson’s hand. by the next mail: Briggs to TJ, 31 Dec. 1804.

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From William C. C. Claiborne Dear Sir, New‑Orleans Jany 29h. 1805. I have forwarded a Commission as Councillor to Doctor John Sib‑ ley; he is certainly a Man of Information, & is capable of making a good member of the Legislature. I must confess that I felt terror on seeing the Paragraph concerning the Doctor, which I enclosed you by the last Mail—My personal ac‑ quaintance with him is limited, but as an interesting Correspondent I had respected him, & formed an opinion, that he was a worthy member of society.—Upon further enquiry, I find the paragraph for‑ warded to you not correct;—I learn that the Doctor is not happy in domestic Life, and that as a husband his Conduct is not approved; indeed it has been such as to have lessened his standing in society, but in other respects I have not understood, that his private Charac‑ ter is exceptionable. The other blank Commission I have filled up with the name of Doctor William Flood of this City, a native of Virginia; a man of a cool head and an honest heart who loves his Country, his Govern‑ ment and Laws.—Two or three ancient Louisianians were indirectly consulted, in order to know how far a Seat in the Council would be agreeable; But I found that until the result of the Memorial to Con‑ gress was known, they were unwilling to become Legislators. There are a few discontented Men here, who incessantly labour to keep the Territory in a state of Inquietude—finding that the Coun‑ cil could not be defeated, their opposition was immediately turned against me.—I had anticipated the attack, but really it has been more severe and injurious, than I supposed even the malignity of my ene‑ mies would have permitted; The pieces against me, accompanied with my explanations are forwarded to the Secretary of State, which I hope will receive your perusal, & that thro’ the Secretary, you will do me the honor to convey your Impressions upon the subject. There is no doubt here, but that Messrs. Livingston & Clark are the Leaders of the opposition to me, & their ill‑will is excited by a knowl‑ edge which they have of my dislike to them and all their measures.— Livingston & Clark both possess Talents, and the latter much wealth;—they are also great Intriguers, and will probably do me in‑ jury (by their Writings) in the United States:—But their opposition will in this City, be in the end servicable to me. My health is again becoming precarious;—I am fearful my Consti‑ tution is not yet adapted to this Climate, and that I shall very soon for  422 

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want of health, be compelled to relinquish my office, & retire to a more northern Climate. I pray you Sir to accept the best wishes of 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 13 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. by the last mail: Claiborne to TJ, 10 Jan. forwarded to the secretary of state: in letters to Madison dated 19 and 26 Jan., Claiborne vigorously de‑ fended himself against recent attacks made in the press that were highly critical of

his administration and character, espe‑ cially a series of articles by “Public Ac‑ cuser” (whom Claiborne later identified as Edward Livingston). He also enclosed several testimonials that defended his conduct and refuted the allegations made against him (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:487‑92, 507‑9; 9:59; Brad‑ ley, Interim Appointment, 140‑7, 160‑5; Isaac Briggs to TJ, 9 Feb.; TJ to Clai‑ borne, 14 Mch.).

To DeWitt Clinton Sir Washington Jan. 29. 05 Your letter of the 18th. has been duly recieved and considered. it proposes that 4. forts, estimated at two millions of Dollars shall be erected for defence of the harbour of N. York. no body suffers more anxiety than I do on account of the present defenceless situation of our harbours. but there exists no law under which fortifications can be erected but that of 1798. this permits the debtor states, with the approbation of the Pres. of the US. to erect fortifications to the amount of their debt, which is to be credited to them. this law refer‑ ring the matter to the supreme authority of the State, mr Jay then Governor of N. York, commenced a correspondence with the then administration on the defence of New York. an able engineer was employed to propose a plan of defensive works & to estimate their cost. he proposed two forts, to cost 4. millions of Dol. whose full complement of men was to be 13,000. this plan & estimate coming to hand after I came to the administration, & being so far beyond the authority of the law, they were communicated to the legislature, who did not think proper to authorise their execution. it was moreover, if my memory is correct, the opinion of the engineer that tho’ these forts would annoy a vessel entering the harbour with a leading wind yet they could not be depended on for preventing it: and I under‑ stand it to be admitted by all professional men that whenever a vessel may, as at New York, pass a fort without tacking under it’s guns, the  423 

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risk of passing is not great.   Unauthorised then to do any thing in the way of fortification, even if any thing in that way could be effec‑ tual, I have thought we should turn our attention to the means of hindering vessels after they have entered from lying, or coming to, before the town so as to injure it. heavy cannon, mounted on travel‑ ling carriages which may be moved to any point on the bank or beach most convenient for dislodging a vessel, offer one resource of great effect in the judgment of military men. it is in the power and the dis‑ position of the executive to lend such cannon for the defence of the city to be used by their militia trained for that purpose. In aid of these, heavy cannon on floating batteries or boats may perhaps be so sta‑ tioned as to prevent the entrance of vessels, or after entrance may con‑ tribute effectually to their expulsion. of the ten gunboats now built & building we have always destined a full proportion to New York: and Congress have under their consideration to build a larger number, and to go on building until all the harbors of the US. are in a state of defence as far as these means will place them so. nothing beyond this is in the power of the executive: and particularly, if fortifications be deemed indispensable & effectual, the authority must proceed from the legislature, who if it takes up the subject at all, will probably do it on a general scale. I have gone into these details from a desire that the ground on which provision for the defence of our harbors rests may be perfectly understood, and that those interested may be accurately di‑ rected to the proper sources of authority competent to their object. Accept my salutations & assurances of great respect & esteem. Th: Jefferson RC (NNC); at foot of first page: “De‑ witt Clinton esq.” PoC (DLC). that of 1798: “An Act supplementary to the act providing for the further defence

of the ports and harbors of the United States” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:554‑5). this plan & estimate: see Vol. 35:447‑8.

From Henry Dearborn Sir January 29th, 1805 Having examined the proposed project for fortifying the harbour of N. York which you received from the Mayor of this City and en‑ closed to me, I take the liberty of offering the following observations on the subject.—In the first place the project contemplates an ex‑ pence far beyond our present abilities to meet, and if carried into effect would not in my opinnion answer the purpose intended,—for not‑  424 

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withstanding the sanguine calculations of the Engineer, experience has sufficiently shewn, that through an open streight passage of a mile in width, with a fair wind and tide ships of war will pass any batteries whatever, where the object is of sufficient importance to in‑ duce an enimy to run great risques, for if out of a fleet of twenty or thirty ships, two or three should be destroy’d, the probability is still in favour of the success of the enterprise, and when once they shall have passed those batteries, what is to defend the City, to rely on such a defence would surely be placing the safety of the City in a perilous situation.—whether we aught to commence any expensive works for the defence of N. York, or not, until that State shall decide whether it will contribute any, & if any, what sum towards the expence of such works, conformably to what appeared in the years 1800 & 1801, to have been the understanding of the Genl. Government & the then Govr. of N. York, on the subject, may be worthy of attention.—but in the mean time it may be proper to shew a disposition on the part of the U.S. to take suitable measures for placing N. York in a better state of defence. with sentiments of high respect I am Sir Your Obedt. Servt. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 29 Jan. and “Defence of N. York” and so recorded in SJL.

you received from the mayor of this city: see DeWitt Clinton to TJ, 18 Jan. conformably to what appeared: see Vol. 35:447‑8.

From Samuel Elliot Respected Sir. Brattleboro’ Vt. Jan 29. 1805 Perhaps the President of the U States may deem my unsolicited ad‑ dresses as rather obtrusive, but I confidently hope he will do me the justice to be assured, that they originate in an exalted opinion of his character & administration, and in the purest Patriotism. It has been suggested to me that some opponents of myself and my brothers, not able to influence the Post master Genl against me, have made application to your excellency, thro’ the agency of a certain Senator, with intent to oust me from my humble, but at present con‑ venient station, as Deputy P Master of this town—The Office is a distributing one for a part of the States of Vermont & New Hamp‑ shire; and from its peculiarly eligible situation, (at the corner of the States, whence spread into different parts of said states, large & much  425 

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travelled roads,) for the business, must ever remain so, unless the false representations of artful interested persons or towns, (say West‑ minster or Walpole) should effect an alteration. This is said to be the object of some malevolent opponents, which in effect would be, to deprive me of the little Office, now enjoyed, and I trust faithfully at‑ tended to, by a young man ardently and durably devoted to the pres‑ ent mild republican Governmt of his country. I have been led to these suggestions, not so much to preserve my present office & business, as to give my president some general hints on this subject in case applications are made; and to explain the artful ground said to be taken against me. Senator Bradley’s※ son is son‑in law to Mark Richards, late rival Candidate against my brother. Not able to run down my brother, and mortified at the defeat, ’tis said the families extend their opposition to the connections of James Elliot— And while they openly declare him an apostate, a third party man &c.—they clandestinely involve his brother in the same supposed odium. The president too well knows the feelings of myself, to in‑ dulge a suspicion unfavorable to my character! My numerous public discourses in this part of the Country, are my best witnesses to invali‑ date the insinuations of my opposers! I cannot vouch for the conduct of my brother; but we, his republican friends have supported him from a conviction that he was & ever will be, an honest, independent republican—a friend to Mr Jefferson and his General Administration— Certainly such are his uniform declarations. If we find ourselves mis‑ taken, we shall forsake him—For one I can declare, that the feelings of brother shall yield to the stronger impules of Patriotism. And there‑ fore, I trust, that suspicions of his apostacy, founded in some impru‑ dences perhaps on his part, but more in the fruitful imaginations of his opponents, will never draw a shadow of suspicion on his friends or relations. I have said enough to explain my ideas, & more than enough perhaps, for your patience I take the liberty, here confidentially to observe, that I have on hand a manuscript poem, in a considerable state of forwardness, entitled “The Columbiad; or Liberty in the West,” which I purpose to in‑ scribe to you, if your permission should be granted, after a view of the performance—Its completion is contemplated in about a year *

 ※ It is singular that one of the most distinguished Burrites and his children should resort to these methods for overthrowing my brothers reputation. Perhaps their real opposition originated in my brothers opposition to the Bancrupt Law supported in the Senate by Mr B—this same son of his being Clerk to the board in this State.

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 With respectful Sentiments of high Esteem, I have the honor to be, sir, Saml. Elliot RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esq. President of the U States Washington City”; franked; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 9 Feb.; recorded in SJL as a letter of 25 Jan. received 9 Feb. their real opposition: in Novem‑ ber of 1803, James Elliot was among those members in Congress who success‑ fully advocated for the repeal of the Bank‑

ruptcy Act of 1800, under which the board of bankruptcy commissioners op‑ erated. Stephen R. Bradley voted against its repeal. At the time, his son William Czar Bradley was secretary of the com‑ mission in Vermont (Annals, 13:616; js, 3:324; Charles Lanman, Biographical An­ nals of the Civil Government of the United States, during Its First Century [Wash‑ ington, D.C., 1876], 45). See also Vol. 40:403.

From Albert Gallatin Jany. 29 1805

I do not remember the details of the estimates heretofore prepared; but the general outlines which had been spoken of agree with the view of the subject presented in the enclosed—This annual appro‑ priation for the present had been mentioned at 50,000 Drs. but 60,000 dollars may certainly be paid if wanted. Respectfully Your obedt. Sert. Albert Gallatin The estimate for Gunboats No. 1 & 2 in the general esti‑ mates for this year (page 78) is 11,039.46 for each; in which is not included the pay of marines 1,500. — annual expence when armed 12,539.46 The crew on that estimate is   Lieut. comm. 1 Lieut. 1 Surgeon 1 Purser 1 Midshipmen 2 Botswain 1 Gunner 1 Seamen 24 32 —See table opposite page 64 estimates Marines in all 14    Total 46 as per 3d table of provisions opposite page 71 RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States.” Recorded in SJL as

received from the Treasury Department on 29 Jan. with notation “gun‑boats &c.

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2 9 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 defence harbours.” Enclosure not found, but see below. estimates heretofore prepared: Gallatin’s page references were to the annual budget presented to Congress

(Letter from the Secretary of the Treasury, Transmitting a Report and Estimates of the Appropriations Which Appear to Be Necessary for the Service of the Year 1805 [Washington, D.C., 1804]).

To Joseph H. Nicholson Dear Sir Washington Jan. 29. 05. Mr. Eppes has this moment put into my hands your letter of yes‑ terday asking information on the subject of the gunboats proposed to be built. I lose no time in communicating to you fully my whole views respecting them, promising a few words on the system of for‑ tifications. considering the harbours which from their situation and importance are entitled to defence, and the estimates we have seen of the fortifications planned for some of them, this system cannot be compleated on a moderate scale for less than 50. millions of Dollars, nor manned in time of war with less than 50,000. men & in peace 12,000. and when done they avail little; because all military men agree that wherever a vessel may pass a fort without tacking under her guns, which is the case at all our seaport towns1 she may be an‑ noyed more or less, according to the advantages of the position, but can never be2 prevented. our own experience during the war proved this on different occasions.3 our predecessors had nevertheless pro‑ posed to go into this system, & had commenced it. but no law requir‑ ing us to proceed we have suspended it. If we cannot hinder vessels from entering our harbours, we should turn our attention to the putting it out of their power to lie, or come to, before a town to injure it. two means of doing this may be adopted in aid of each other. 1. heavy cannon on travelling carriages, which may be moved to any point on the bank or beach most convenient for dislodging the vessel. a sufficient number of these should be lent to each seaport town, and their militia trained to them. the executive is authorised to do this; it has been done in a small degree, and will now be done more competently. 2. heavy cannon on floating batteries or boats, which may be so stationed as to prevent a vessel entering the harbor, or force her after entering to depart. there are about 15. harbors in the US. which ought to be in a state of substantial defence. the whole of these would re‑ quire, according to the best opinions 240. gunboats. their cost was  428 

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estimated by Captain Rogers at 2000. D. each; but we had better say 4000. D. the whole would cost one million of Dollars. but we should allow ourselves 10. years to compleat it unless circumstances should force it sooner. there are three situations in which the gunboat may be. 1. hauled up under a shed, in readiness to be launched and manned by the seamen & militia of the town on short notice. in this situation she costs nothing but an inclosure or a centinel to see that no mischief is done to her. 2. afloat, & with men enough to navigate her in har‑ bour & take care of her, but depending on recieving her crew from the town on short warning. in this situation her annual expence is about 2000. D. as by an official estimate at the end of this letter. 3.  fully manned for action. her annual expence in this situation is about 8000. D. as per estimate subjoined. when there is general peace we should probably keep about 6. or 7. afloat in the 2d. situa‑ tion; their annual expence 12. to 14,000. D. the rest all hauled up. when France & England are at war we should keep at the utmost 25. in the 2d. situation, their annual expence 50,000. D. when we should be at war ourselves, some of them would probably be kept in the 3d. situation at an annual expence of 8000. D. but how many, must de‑ pend on the circumstances of the war.   We now possess 10. built & building. it is the opinion of those consulted that 15. more would enable us to put every harbour under our view into a respectable con‑ dition: and that this should limit the views of the present year. this would require an appropriation of 60,000. D. and I suppose that the best way of limiting it, without declaring the number, as perhaps that sum would build more.   I should think it best not to give a detailed report, which exposes our policy4 too much. a bill with verbal explanations will suffice for the information of the house. I do not know whether Genl. Wilkinson would approve the printing his paper. if he would it would be useful. Accept affectionate & respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson Annual expence of keeping a gunboat in readiness to recieve her crew. 1. Lieutt. commanding 892. D. 1. gunner 386. 1. midshipman. 301. 2. able seamen 288. provisions 160. contingencies 120 2147 Annual expence of a gunboat in commission with the number of men and officers necessary for action.  429 

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Pay & subsistence of the officers & pay of the seamen. Medecine & hospital stores contingent account including repairs pay of marines cloathing for do. contingent account of marine corps.

D 5665 250. 750. 1068 360 72 8165.

I percieve, on copying this last estimate, that subsistence of the sea‑ men is omitted. it is about 30. D. a man in the first estimate, and at that rate would add 1800. D. to the 2d. and make it about 10,000. instead of 8000 D. in time of war. RC (MdAN); addressed: “The honble Mr. Nicholson”; endorsed by Nicholson. PoC (DLC). estimates we have seen: see De‑ Witt Clinton to TJ, 18 Jan., and TJ to Clinton, 29 Jan. copying this last estimate: TJ based these figures on Robert Smith to TJ, 7 Dec. 1804, and Navy Department

to TJ, [13 Dec. 1804]. On the subsistence of the seamen, see Smith to TJ, 29 Jan., below. 1 Preceding

nine words interlined. here canceled “stopped.” sentence interlined. 4 Word interlined in place of “[pros‑ pects].” 2 TJ

3 Preceding

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 29 Janv. 1805 Presumant si particulierement par Votre derniere demande de Buffon de la Jeunesse—(que Vous aÿez dans Votre famille des Dames et des jeunes Gens, qui Connaissent et apprennent le français—je l’ai crû de mon devoir, de faire remplir deux petites Caisses des Ouvrages Nouv. et bons de different sujet, partie en Stereotype papier ordinaire:— commun et fin—et de les remettre—port payè—au Stage a Votre Adresse, afin que Vous puissiez avoir le plaisir, de les examiner, et d’en choisir quelques uns, qui pourroient Vous convenir a cet effet. Je Vous recommande pour des jeunes gens preferablement tout ce, qui porte le Nom de Campe. Et—comme je Vous pense—a une epoque Solemnelle prochaine— dans le Cas, de faire peut être a quelque Institut public d’education— un Cadeau en Livres—j’ai joint ma preuve de la meilleure Collection et Edition des Auteurs Class, Latins et Grecs de Deuxponts—Voyez— S’il vous plait, pag. 22, 23, et 24 du No. 3 du Catal. particulier d’ici, dont le prix est tres moderè.  430 

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 Je Vous observe au même but, que je puis Vous fournir les princi‑ paux Auteurs Classiques Anglais—pag. 60, 61, 62, 63 et 64 du Catal. de fond de la Maison a Paris—le Volume reliè a 112½ Cents. Ayant deja vendu toute la Collection, que la Maison de Paris m’en avoit envoyèe jusqu’ici, je n’ai pu pour cette fois mettre dans les 2 petites Caisses, qu’un Vol. avariè, qui çependant Vous mettra a même, de juger du Merite de l’impression et de la reliure. La petite Caisse est de retour—je sens parfaitement la Valeur ex‑ traordinaire de la bonne Graçe, dont Vous Vous occuppez de çes renvois jusqu’au plus petit detail. Je Vous ai envoyè le 17—Les plus nouvelles Tabelles Statistiques sur l’Empire Germanique, l’Autriche et la Prusse—de Hoek in gr. fol. que je croiois propres a la Bibliotheque du Secretariat d’Etat; Vous ne m’en parlez pas, ne Vous sont elles peût être point parvenües. Je vous prie, d’agreer mes hommages. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 28 Jan. 1805 Your recent request for Buffon de la jeunesse leads me to assume that you have women and young people in your family who know or are learning French. I therefore felt obliged to fill two small cases with good, new books about various subjects, some of which are printed on standard paper—ordinary and thin—by stereoplate. I have entrusted them to the coach, post paid, addressed to you. You may have the pleasure of examining them and choosing some that might be suitable for your purposes. For young people, I particularly recommend whatever is published by Campe. Anticipating that you might give books to institutions of public education during a coming solemn epoch, I have enclosed my recommendation for the best collection of editions of classical authors published by Deux‑Ponts. Kindly consult pages 22, 23, and 24 of the enclosed 3rd catalogue. The price is very reasonable. Let me add that I can send you the major classic English authors—pages 60, 61, 62, 63, and 64 of the catalogue from the Paris store. The bound vol‑ umes cost 112½ Cents. Having sold out the entire collection I received from the Paris store, I could only include a defective volume in the box, but it will allow you to judge the quality of the printing and binding. The small case has come back. I am extremely grateful for your exceptional care in returning these boxes. On the 17th I sent you the most recent statistical tables about the German empire, Austria, and Prussia, published by Hoeck in large folio, which I thought appropriate for the State Department library. You did not mention them; did they not reach you? Please accept my regards. Reibelt

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2 9 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americain General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires à Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 1 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. votre derniere demande: TJ to Reibelt, 23 Jan. Reibelt was likely recommending works associated with Joachim Heinrich campe, a figure of the German Enlightenment and a pioneer in children’s literature (Jack Zipes, ed., The Oxford Encyclopedia of

Children’s Literature, 4 vols. [New York, 2006], 1:248‑9). deuxponts: a reference to a series of classical works, the Editiones Bipontinae, published in Zweibrücken, or Deux‑Ponts, and then in Strasbourg (Marie Drut‑ Hours, “Les espaces de la communica‑ tion intellectuale dans l’Allemagne des Lumières,” Histoire, Économie et Société, 23 [2004], 79; Friedrich Butters, Ueber die Bipontiner und die Editiones Bipon­ tinae [Zweibrücken, 1877]).

From Robert Smith [29 Jan. 1805]

The subsistence of the seamen was not inserted in the last state‑ ment sent to you because we have provisions enough without any additional appropriation— YHS Rt Smith RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Navy Department on 29 Jan. and so recorded in SJL with no‑ tation “gunboats &c. defence harbours”; also endorsed by TJ: “communication

examination of my lre to mr Nicholson on defence of harbours.” last statement: see Smith to TJ, 7 Dec. 1804.

From Henry Dearborn Sir [30 Jan. 1805] Having been honoured with your note enclosing a letter to the Mayor of N. York, I can only observe, that as far as I am capable of Judging, every idea is convey’d in the letter which the nature of the subject requires. Yours, H. Dearborn RC (DLC); undated; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 30 Jan. and “Defence N. York” and so recorded in SJL.

The note from TJ has not been found and is not recorded in SJL. letter to the mayor of n. york: see TJ to DeWitt Clinton, 29 Jan.

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From Abiel Holmes Sir, Cambridge 30. Jan. 1805. I feel greatly obliged by the attention you were pleased to bestow on the subject, on which I used the freedom to address you. In the republic of Letters mere hints of information or advice are often of inestimable value. All the books, mentioned in your Letter, I have access to, excepting Memoires de l’Amerique, and The American and British Chronicle. For the former of these I have made much inquiry, but do not hear of a copy on this side of Philadelphia. I gratefully acknowledge your kindness in offering me the loan of the other from your library. Should I not meet with that work previously to my com‑ ing, in the progress of my American Annals, down to the times of the Revolutionary War, I may then be greatly obliged by the loan of it. In the mean time, I remain, with my grateful acknowledgments, Sir, Your respectful humble Servant A. Holmes. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 11 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

your letter: TJ to Holmes, 7 Dec. 1804.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 30 Janv. 1805 Ayant rencontré parmi mes Gravures particuliéres deux d’un Genre, que je pense de Votre Gout—j’ose Vous les presenter çijoint. Daignez les accepter—comme une humble Offrande d’un homme, dont les principes republicains invariables jusqu’ici—commencoient a le former theoretiquement aux Universités de l’autre Cotè de l’Océan, lorsque Vous de çe Coté ci travailliez practiquement a l’etablissement de la vraie Libertè et egalitè politique. J’ajoute du Magazin quelques Gravures tres recherchées du Cele‑ bre Gessner, qui ne Vous deplairont pas non plus—Le prix de ces dernièrs est 20 Cents p. pièce. J’ai l’honneur dêtre avec le plus profond respect—Monsieur! Votre tr. hble. et tr. Obs. St. Reibelt. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 30 Jan. 1805 Finding among my prints two that I think might be to your liking, I take the liberty of enclosing them. Please accept them as the humble offering of a man whose unswerving re‑ publican principles began to take shape in theory in universities on the other

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3 0 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 side of the ocean while, on this side, you were working in practice to establish true liberty and political equality. I have also enclosed a few sought‑after prints by the famous Gessner that will also please you. They are 20 cents each. With deepest respect, Sir, I have the privilege of being your very humble and obedient servant. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sures not found, but see below. mes gravures: these were apparently architectural sketches (TJ to Reibelt, 9 Feb.; Reibelt to TJ, 13 Feb.).

celebre gessner: probably Solomon Gessner, an eighteenth‑century Swiss poet and painter who achieved wide pop‑ ularity for his pastoral works (E. C. Knowlton, “Pastoral in the Eighteenth Century,” Modern Language Notes, 32 [1917], 471‑2).

From Phebe Baldwin Sir Paterson January the 31 1805 I am now addressing you from a Sick room; and were it Possible for You to See the Anguish of myself & Children, you Certainly Could not remain Unmoved—to veiw the Father of those Children Confined to his room, rob’d of a Limb to Support his feeble body, his Souls best feeling Struggling within him—I Say no Man endued with Common humanity, but would best be moved with weeping Sympathy— As his wife, I have written his Situation repeatedly, more than once—I have asked imployment for him—but have been disregarded, and many placies which he would have fill’d with Credit, has been given to orthers who had neither Claim, nor Merit—I am Confident Many things are done through Policy—many more aught to be done through Justice, and no Man has a greater Claim on his Country than Capt Baldwin—his Sufferings have been often mentioned to you, who have it in your Power, to pour the healing balm of Consolation into his wounded heart—now every usial Satisfaction is dried up, every allowable life‑shearing Comfort is Cut off, and the weak State to which he reduced, opens a New tide of troubles, unknown, and un‑ thought of before. Permit me Mr. Jefferson—to Ask you, where would be the impro‑ priety of placeing him in Some Garrison, where he might be eaquelly Sevisable as the Man with all his limbs: and at the Same time it would be Saveing the half‑pay which is given to another—if it could be thought a Crime that he entered into the Servis of his Country at the begining of the late war, and to Continued till the very Close of it, then indeid he is truely guilty—if there is, of any description of Men that will Say, he did not Serve with honour & reputation—then let him  434 

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meet with total Neglect—if ever he has been an Enemy to Your Ad‑ ministration or was one that Opposed your election to the Prese‑ dency, Then let him also forfiet your attention— “reject not the Supplication of the afflicted, Neither turn away Thy Face from a poor Man. Turn not away thine eye from the Needy, and give him none Occasion to Curse thee, for if he Curse thee in the bit‑ terness of his Soul, his Prayer Shall be heard of him that made him” I am the Presidents Most Obediet Humb Servt & the Wife of an Unfortunate Officer Phebe Baldwin RC (DNA: RG 45, MLR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America.” Recorded in SJL as received 5 Feb. with notation “N.”

i have written: Baldwin had written to TJ most recently on 21 Oct. 1804. See also Daniel Baldwin to TJ, 8 Oct. 1804. reject not the supplication of the afflicted: Ecclesiasticus 4:4‑6.

From Henry Dearborn Sir, War Department January 31—1805 I have the honor of transmitting you an Extract from the duplicate of Col. Hammond’s letter of June 30th. 1804 and a copy of his of the 26th. of October last; and of stating that the dates of my letters to him are the same as mentioned in the extract and the copy. His commis‑ sion is dated October 1st. 1804, and was transmitted to him from this Office, at St. Louis, on the 2d. of last November—The duplicate of his letter of June 30th. was received on the third of September, and that under date of October 26th. on the 14th. of November last; since which no communications have been received from him. Accept, Sir, the assurances of my high respect & consideration H Dearborn RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “The President of the US.”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 31 Jan. and “Colo. Hammond” and so recorded in SJL. PoC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers). FC (DNA: RG 107, LSP). Enclosures: (1) Extract from Samuel Hammond to Dearborn, 30 June 1804, from Varello near Augusta, Georgia; Hammond re‑ ceived Dearborn’s letter of 30 May re‑ garding his appointment; he has been hesitant to accept, doubting his qualifi‑ cations, but after much consideration has “resolved to do so”; he hopes that Dear‑ born will reply soon; with a cover letter,

Hammond to Dearborn, 15 Aug., stating that Hammond put the original of the 30 June letter into the Augusta post office on 1 July but received no reply; he places little confidence in the Augusta postmas‑ ter and asks that any future communica‑ tions be sent to the post office at Camp‑ bellton, South Carolina (Trs in DLC). (2) Hammond to Dearborn, 26 Oct. 1804, Varello; Hammond has just received Dear‑ born’s letter of 17 Sep. and concludes that neither the original of his 30 June letter nor its duplicate ever reached the secre‑ tary; the situation is very inconvenient for Hammond, as he does not know whether to travel to Washington for the next session

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3 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 of Congress or to prepare for a journey to St. Louis; Dearborn’s letter will hasten Hammond’s departure for St. Louis, where he hopes to find instructions regarding his new appointment (Tr in DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; endorsed by a House clerk; enclosed in TJ to the House of Representatives, 31 Jan.).

 his commission: Hammond, a con‑ gressman from Georgia, was one of the Louisiana District commandants ap‑ pointed by TJ the previous year (Biog. Dir. Cong.; TJ to Dearborn, 30 Aug. 1804; Dearborn to TJ, 13 Sep. 1804).

To the House of Representatives To the House of Representatives of the United States: In compliance with the desire of the House of representatives ex‑ pressed in their resolution of yesterday, I have to inform them that by a letter of the 30th. of May last from the Secretary at War to Samuel Hammond a member of the house, it was proposed to him to accept a commission of Colonel Commandant for the District of Louisiana when the new government there should commence. by a letter of the 30th. of June he signified a willingness to accept; but still more definitively by one of Oct. 26. a copy of which is therefore now com‑ municated. a Commission had been made out for him bearing date the 1st. day of October last, and forwarded before the reciept of his letter of October 26. no later communication has been recieved from him nor is any thing later known of his movements. Th: Jefferson Jan. 31. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Ham‑ mond.” Enclosure: Samuel Hammond to Henry Dearborn, 26 Oct. 1804 (Enclo‑ sure No. 2 to Dearborn to TJ, 31 Jan.). resolution of yesterday: on 30 Jan., the House asked the president

whether Samuel Hammond had accepted an executive appointment and, if so, on what date. Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s reply on 1 Feb. The following day, the House unanimously declared Hammond’s seat vacated and ordered a copy of the resolution sent to the governor of Geor‑ gia (jhr, 5:112‑13, 116).

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Jan. 31. 05. The books mentioned in your letter of Jan. 25. are safely recieved. in your Catalogue No. 3. pa. 25. I observe the following which be pleased to send.  436 

3 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 ⎫ ✓ Arabia seu &c ⎪ ⎪ ✓ Descriptio Africae ⎪ ✓ Bohemiae ⎪ ⎪ ✓ Galliae ⎪ ✓ Germaniae ⎪ edit. Elzevir ⎬ ✓ Hungariae ⎪ in 32mo. ✓ Leudiens. Status ? ⎪ ✓ Namur, Hanon. Luxemb. ⎪⎪ ✓ Persiae ⎪ ⎪ ✓ Postelli de rep. Atheniens ⎪ 1 ⎭ ✓ Emmii resp. Graecorum I already possess the residue of the collection. I see also in your larger catalogue pa. 56. le Nouveau testament corrigé sur le Grec. in 12mo. Paris. 1803. if you have 2. copies of this I will be glad of both. a single one, or two of different editions would not answer my purpose. in the same page an edition of the Bible in French in 3. vols. 8vo. is said to have been in the press. if you have a copy I shall be glad to recieve it. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); check marks and one no‑ tation (see note 1 below) added by TJ in margin; endorsed by TJ as a letter to Reibelt. elzevir editions, also known as the Ré­ publiques, were small‑format books pub‑ lished in Leyden beginning in 1625 by Bonaventura and Abraham Elzevier, mem‑ bers of a renowned family of Dutch pub‑ lishers. Written in Latin and published in vigesimo‑quarto (24mo), the books concerned different polities, mostly Euro‑ pean. Some were based on earlier works, while others were commissioned for the series. Similar books were published in Amsterdam around the same time by other publishers, and the series was widely imitated and copied, so Reibelt’s firm was likely selling a series based on the origi‑ nals. Three of the works on TJ’s list, those associated with Arabia, Liège (leudiens), and the area encompassing the counties of namur, Hainaut, and Luxembourg, were published initially in Amsterdam. A work concerning Athens was published in Leyden, but under a different imprint. The others were Elzevir editions. Based on the abbreviated titles on his list, TJ

was likely requesting some version of the following books: Arabia, seu Arabum vicinarumque gentium Orientalium leges, ritus, sacri et profani mores, instituta et historia; Ioannis Leonis Africani Africæ Descriptio by Leo Africanus; Respublica Bohemiæ by Pavel Stránský; Gallia, sive de Francorum regis dominiis et opibus com­ mentarius by Johannes de Laet; Respublica et status imperii Romano­Germanici; Re­ spublica et status regni Hungariæ; De Leodiensi republica; Respublica Namurcen­ sis, Hannoniæ, et Lutsenburgensis; Persia, seu regni Persici status, variaque itinera in atque per Persiam by de Laet; Guillelmi Postelli de Republica, seu Magistratibus Atheniensium liber by Guillaume Postel; and Græcorum respublicæ by Ubbo Em‑ mius (Alphonse Willems, Les Elzevier: Histoire et annales typographiques [Brus‑ sels, 1880], 66, 92‑3, 96, 100‑2; David W. Davies, The World of the Elseviers, 1580­ 1712 [The Hague, 1954], 61‑3; J. A. F. Bekkers, ed., Correspondence of John Morris with Johannes de Laet [1634­1649] [Assen, 1970], 226‑7). TJ was seeking different small‑format versions of the New testament for his own project, which he eventually titled

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3 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 “The Life and Morals of Jesus” (eg, 30‑1; TJ to Mathew Carey, 3 Feb.).

 1 Alongside this title TJ later added in margin: “2d. part came.”

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur! Baltimore le 31 Janv. 1805 Quoique absolument nul dans çette partie du Monde Vous me per‑ mettrez de Vous dire, que je me reunis du fond de mon Coeur au Nombre de çeux, qui se rejouissent de votre réélection a la Chef Magi‑ strature des Etats unis, et qui desirent, que pour le bien de l’humanitè de l’Univers Vous puissiez a jamais y prendre Siège. Pour Vous persuader, que ces Sentimens derivent d’une Source pure, et que—dans l’ancien Monde—j’aÿe acquis quelque droit, de me Soucier de tels evenemens par ou que çe soit—je prend la Libertè, de mettre çijoint—sous Vos yeux de differens Documens en faisant preuve, dont je fus honorè, çeux, qui me sont les plus chers. Je Vous prie, de Vouloir bien—eû egard a mon republicanisme y verifie—agreer favorablement—les Confirmations d’un respect par‑ ticulier, dont je fus deja en Europe intimement penetrè. J. P. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir! Baltimore, 31 Jan. 1805 Although I have absolutely no status in this part of the world, allow me to tell you that I wholeheartedly join those who rejoice at your reelection as chief magistrate of the United States and who wish you might continue for‑ ever in that role for the universal good of humanity. To persuade you that these sentiments come from a pure source and that I earned the right, in the Old World, to be concerned with such events wher‑ ever they occur, I take the liberty of enclosing various documents as evidence, including some of those that are dearest to me. Since these documents attest to my republicanism, kindly accept them as signs of the high esteem with which I was already deeply imbued back in Europe. J. P. Reibelt RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sures: (1) Executive Directorate of the Helvetic Republic to the French minister of foreign affairs, 22 Feb. 1799, Lucerne, requesting that an exception be made for Reibelt from the French law requiring French citizens working abroad to return to France; Reibelt has a proven record of patriotism and has performed exception‑

ally well as chief archivist of the Director‑ ate (Tr in DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25551; in French; in Reibelt’s hand). (2) Finance minister of the Helvetic Republic to the Executive Directorate, 28 Feb. 1799, Lu‑ cerne, praising Reibelt’s exceptional ex‑ perience in diplomatic, administrative, judicial, and financial affairs, and asking that the Directorate grant him the leave he has requested (Tr in same; in French;

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3 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5 in Reibelt’s hand). (3) Executive Direc‑ torate to Reibelt, 24 Apr. 1799, Lucerne, certifying that Reibelt has accepted em‑ ployment from another government for excellent reasons and that he has gained the trust of his employers and given en‑ tire satisfaction as chief archivist (Tr in same, 147:25552; in French; in Reibelt’s hand). (4) Secretary general of the Execu‑ tive Directorate to Reibelt, 2 May 1799, Lucerne, praising Reibelt as an advocate of republican values and recommending him as an expert in the three languages accepted in the republic’s chancelleries

(Tr in same; in French; in Reibelt’s hand). (5) President of the Executive Directorate to Reibelt, 4 May 1799, Lucerne, grant‑ ing Reibelt temporary leave but urging him to return afterward to the office he so efficiently organized (Tr in same; fol‑ lows, on same sheet, Enclosure No. 4; in French; in Reibelt’s hand). (6) Executive Directorate to Reibelt, 14 May 1799, Lu‑ cerne, thanking Reibelt for his extraordi‑ nary devotion and service to the archives of the Helvetic Republic (Tr in same, 147:25553; in French; in Reibelt’s hand).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States According to the desire expressed in your resolution of the 28th. instant, I now communicate a report of the Secretary of State with documents relative to complaints against arming the merchant ships & vessels of the US. & the conduct of the captains and crews of such as have been armed. Th: Jefferson Jan. 31. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “arming mercht. vessels.” By the resolution of 28 Jan. the Senate requested the president “to cause to be laid before the Senate such docu‑ ments and papers, or other information, as he shall judge proper, relative to com‑

plaints against arming the merchant ships or vessels of the United States, or the conduct of the captains and crews of such as have been armed” (js, 3:442). Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message and accompanying papers to the Senate on 31 Jan. The papers were read on 1 Feb. and ordered to lie for consideration and to be printed for the Senate’s use (js, 3:444‑5; see Shaw‑Shoemaker, No. 9528).

e n c l o s u r e

James Madison: Report on Complaints against Arming of Vessels The Secretary of State, to whom the President of the United States has been pleased to refer the Resolution of the Senate of the 28th. inst. requesting that there may be laid before the Senate such documents and papers, or other information, as the President should judge proper relative to complaints against arming the Merchant Ships or Vessels of the United States; or the conduct of the Captains and Crews of such as have been armed—has the honor to annex hereto:—

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3 1 JA N UA R Y 1 8 0 5  1st. A copy of a letter addressed to the Secretary of State by the Envoy of Great Britain, Dated on the 31st. of August last. 2nd. An extract of a letter to the same, from the late Chargé d’Affaires of France, Dated 6th May last, which was preceded and followed by other let‑ ters and conversations of the same Gentleman, urging the subject upon the attention of the Government. It has been also urged, by the present Minister of France, in his interviews with the Secretary of State. Of the inclosures1 alluded to in the aforesaid letter & extract, the only au‑ thenticated statement relative to the conduct of American private armed Ves‑ sels, which has been received at this Department is contained in the annexed letter from Mr. George Barnwall of New York and the document accompa‑ nying it. All which is respectfully submitted James Madison Department of State January 21st. [i.e. 31] 1805 MS (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); misdated; in a clerk’s hand, signed by Madison, who also wrote the place in the dateline. MS (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Madison. Re‑ corded in SJL as received from the State Department 31 Jan. with notation “pri‑ vate armd. vessels.” Enclosures: (1) An‑ thony Merry to Madison, Philadelphia, 31 Aug. 1804, concerning information received of vessels arming in and sailing from Baltimore and Philadelphia, several of which carry contraband goods (pri‑ marily gunpowder), and sailing for “pos‑ sessions of His Majesty’s Enemies” in the East Indies and West Indies; Merry has learned that some vessels are attempting to force a trade “with the Blacks in the Island of St Domingo,” while others with contraband cargoes are believed to be bound for the islands of Britain’s enemies; Merry deems such arming to be prejudi‑ cial against Britain; one of the first rules of neutrality is abstaining from “all par‑ ticipation in warlike Expeditions”; the armed vessels alluded to may become the property of Britain’s enemies by capture or purchase, or attempt to thwart lawful search and detention while carrying con‑ traband cargoes; Merry understands that the arming of these vessels has taken place without the authority or sanction of the U.S. government and feels it his duty to share his information with Madison; Merry trusts that the administration’s sense of justice and desire to observe strict neutrality will lead it to suppress the “il‑

legal proceedings complained of.” (2) Ex‑ tract from Louis André Pichon to Madi‑ son, 7 May 1804, translated from French; Pichon has learned that merchant vessels are arming in U.S. ports to force a trade with Haiti, including the supply of muni‑ tions to the rebels there, in violation of the law of nations and in opposition to French efforts to prevent the trade; Pichon de‑ mands that the United States take mea‑ sures to stop this “private and piratical war” against France, which threatens the peace and good understanding existing be‑ tween the two nations. (3) George Barne‑ wall to Madison, New York, 6 Sep. 1804, regarding the ship Hopewell, Preserved Sisson master, and the brig Rockland, Cap‑ tain Akens master, which he dispatched from New York on 17 June bound for Cayes, both vessels having been properly cleared at the custom house of New York; both vessels were well armed and carried passengers and large crews; they were subsequently captured by a privateer from Guadeloupe and carried to that island, where the crews were placed in close confinement; Barnewall encloses a letter regarding their unfortunate situation. (4) Preserved Sisson, Mahlon Bennet, and James Ross, Jr., to Barnewall, Pointe‑à‑ Pitre, Guadeloupe, 26 July 1804, recount‑ ing in detail the capture of the Hopewell and the Rockland by a French privateer sailing under an English flag; the vessels offered considerable resistance and suffered heavy casualties before being boarded; captured papers included “upwards of 100

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1 FEBRUARY 1805 letters” and documents that revealed the “whole plan of the voyage,” which con‑ demned the vessels; a “black general,” traveling as a passenger, unsuccessfully attempted to blow up the Hopewell and then killed himself to avoid capture; the vessels were taken to Pointe‑à‑Pitre and the crew put “in a most miserable prison,” where several have already died; another vessel, the schooner Snake in the Grass, commanded by James Mansfield, was captured without resistance and brought to the same port several days earlier; a mate from the schooner is smuggling out this letter; orders have allegedly been sent to America to warn vessels bound for Haiti that, if taken, they will be treated as

pirates; the writers report that the French “seem to be very inveterate against the Americans” and are preparing “Several large Privateers” to go after American vessels; Sisson and the others ask Barne‑ wall “to do what you can with our Gov‑ ernment to claim us as Americans”; copy attested by Dominick Purcell before Wil‑ liam Popham, notary public, New York, 21 Aug. 1804 (Trs of all in DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; Trs also in DLC; printed in asp, Foreign Relations, 2:606‑8). 1 MS in DLC: “instances,” written over partially erased “inclosures.”

From Thomas Newton, Jr. Jany. 1805

Mr. Arthur Lee of Norfolk has requested me to nominate him to you for the offices either of judge or Secretary for the Territory of Michi‑ gan. Mr. Lee would prefer the latter Permit me to express his wish to you. Mr Lee is well acquainted with the French Language, and is a young man of cleverness. As Mr. Lee is well known to you I will forbear to trespass longer on your patience I pray you to excuse this liberty. I remain with high consideration And respect Yr. Obt: Servt Tho: Newton Jr RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); partially dated; at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson esq:”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Feb. and “Lee Arthur to be judge Michigan” and so re‑ corded in SJL.

From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 1st. february 1805— I had the honor of addressing you on the 2nd. of September by Mr. Vigano, an italian gentleman who went passenger in the Schooner John Adams bound to Philadelphia, and kindly took charge of a small bundle of the yellow‑Cotton seeds of Malta, which no doubt he has delivered to you.—the Cotton produced from this little tree, which I understand does not rise above two feet, is in very high estimation in Malta by the inhabitants, who weave a cloth from it resembling  441 

1 FEBRUARY 1805

somewhat the nankeens of china; tho’ it possesses in my opinion many advantages over the latter, inasmuch as, it is more durable, of a deeper yellow, and which does not fade from use or washing;—on the 4th. of January I likewise wrote you by the Brig Aidar Capt. Lufkin bound to Newbury:Port, by whom I have taken the liberty of sending you a small package cover’d with oil‑cloth containing four kinds of garden seeds of Malta, to wit, the winter melon, summer melon, long pump‑ kin, and the long Cauliflower; the latter of which in Malta, comes to the incredible weight of 25.# or 30.# it would afford me much satis‑ faction to learn that they had reach’d your hands so early in the sea‑ son as to be planted with success—I must observe of the winter melon that it is far superior to the summer melon in flavour; but its chief peculiarity consists, in not coming to maturity before January or feb‑ ruary, altho’ they are gathered early in the Autumn.—By the Brig Independence, Captn. Jenkins bound for New York, I have shipped to the care of Davd. Gelston esq. collector of the port, two cases of Vino del Carmine containing 50 bottles each—I am induced to send this small quantity, thinking it may be still more generally liked than the Montepulciano, as it has a little more body.—the Montepulciano shall be sent by one of the first vessels which will sail from hence after the beginning of April.— Accept the assurances Sir, of the high respect, with which I am Your devoted servant Th: Appleton RC (MHi); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson, esquire President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 17 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn). In his account book under the date 11 Jan. 1805, Appleton recorded the pur‑ chase of 100 bottles of vino del car‑

mine from Pietro Tellamanzie at 18 cra‑ zie per bottle, or 225 paolis total, with additional charges of 10 paolis for cases and straw and 16 paolis for transporta‑ tion from Pisa, duties, and porterage. He calculated that the total of 251 paolis converted to $26.40 (FC in Lb in MB: Thomas Appleton Account Book).

From Benjamin Smith Barton Sir, Philadelphia, Feb. 1. 1805. I am, at this time, engaged in revising for the press, my Eulogium (lately delivered before the Philosophical Society) on the late Dr. Priestley. I am anxious to render the performance as perfect as I can; and am, therefore, in pursuit of other materials, than those I have, hitherto, made use of. It has occurred to me, that some of Dr. Priest‑ ley’s letters to you would, possibly, furnish some facts, that may be  442 

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useful to me. any thing of this kind will be acceptable to me. What‑ ever you may transmit to me, shall be most carefully preserved. I am, Dear Sir, with the highest respect, Your very obedient & humble servant, &c., B. S. Barton. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 5 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. On 18 Jan., the American Philosophi‑ cal Society ordered Barton’s eulogium on Joseph Priestley to be printed in the next volume of its Transactions. In 1812,

Barton requested to withdraw it so it could be expanded and published sepa‑ rately. Although he received this permis‑ sion, the piece never appeared (aps, Pro­ ceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1885], 368, 370, 437; Benjamin H. Latrobe to TJ, 5 Jan.).

From Jean Decout Monsieur le président De Baltimore 1o. fevrier 1805 Votre constente sollicitude pour tout ce qui intéresse le bonheur de votre paÿs; la confience publique, et lamour de vos concitoyens, qui Doit nécessairement en étre la suite; la haute opinion que les étran‑ gers ont de votre sagésse, et l’aceuil que vous avés daigné faire a la lettre que j’ai eu l’honneur de vous écrire sur les malheureux événe‑ mens de St. domingue, sont autant de motifs qui m’autorise a vous adrésser directement quelques observations importentes sur le ravage qu’exérce la fiévre jaune pendant la saison chaude, dans la ville que jhabite. je sens Monsieur le président, que cet objet interesse plus la police locale, que le grand ressort du gouvernement; mais ne sachant ou prendre cette police, et ignorant la langue du paÿs, j’ai crû qu’un génie tel que le votre ne dédaigneroit pas de descendre quelques échelons de la grandeur suprême pour tendre une main secourable a l’humanité souffrente: l’histoire nous offre plus d’un éxemple semblabe. au mois de Septembre dernier je vint habiter un quartier de balti‑ more nommé la pointe; je trouvai ce quartier presque Désert par l’emigration de ses habitans qui vont habiter les campagnes dans la saison chaude afin d’eviter les ravages de la fiévre jaune quoi que cependant cette cruélle maladie ni ait pas éxisté cette année. j’examinai le site de la pointe ainsi que ses bords de mer, et je ne trouvai point la caûse de cette terrible maladie, parce que 1o. ce quartier est traversé par tous les vents, Et que ses bords de mer sont balaiyés deux fois par vingt quatre heures par le flux et le reflux. ne trouvant donc, ni dans le site, ni dans les bords de mer la caûse des maladies putrides qui régnent si fréquemment a la pointe, j’ai crû devoir la chercher ailleur et j’ai dabord jété mes regards vers les caves  443 

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des maisons; je fit en conséquence ouvrir la miénne, mais qu’elle fut ma surprise lors qu’en y entrant je failli tomber a la renverse par l’effet du gaz miphitique dont je fut frappé; et je ne put en faire l’inspection qu’aprés y avoir fait brûler de lacide nitrique. j’ai ensuite visité plu‑ sieurs autres caves qui toutes m’ont présenté le même phénoméne: en voicy la caûse. les caves sont presque toutes construites au dessous le niveau de la terre, ce qui les rend naturellement le récipient et l’egout du sol su‑ perieur: or ces eaux reçües dans ces cavités, sans issuë pour en sortir, y acquiérent bien tôt une dégéneration putride d’ou se forment dif‑ ferents gazs malfaisant, tel que lazot, le carbonne &c. qui se volatilisent en suite Et se répendent dans lair atmosphérique; de lá, la contagion putréscente a bâse alkaline. quatre éspéces de moyens se présentent pour remédier a ce terrible fléau: 1o. deffendre la construction des caves au dessous le niveau du sol; 2o faire ajouter aux caves déja construites, un ventilateur pour en renouveller l’air et une pompe pour en éxtraire les eaux avant qu’elles soyent corrompües 3o. faire évaporer dans les caves, chaque huit ou dix jours, une petite quantité d’acide nitrique, deux onces suffisent pour chaque fois; on jéte cet acide sur les charbons ardents, ou on le fait évaporer a feu nud, dans un vâse de verre; ce moyen est tres éfficace et peu dispendieux; 4o. comme il est constant que le feu con‑ summe tous les gazs, les bons comme les mauvais, il suit de lá, quil doit nécessairement détruire lazot et le carbonne ainsi, en alumant du feu dans les caves, on en purifira l’air mais ce moyen n’est pas sans danger a caûse des incendies qui peuvent en étre la suite. je vien de dire plus haute, que le feu consumme les gazs ambians, jusqu’a une certaine distence du foyer enflammé: c’est a dire a 15 ou 20 pieds cubes de sa circonference; ainsi, un poële allumé, ou une chemineé embrâsée, doivent nécessairement détruire les gazs vitaux, tels que loxigéne, l’hydrogéne &c. c’est la caûse des étourdissemens, des suffocations, et même des aphixies qu’on éprouve quelques fois dans les appartements clos, ou il éxiste un gros feu. le poële surtout consumme étonnament d’air vital, parce que la surface raboteuse du fer offre une grande quantité de pores qui sont autant de petis gouffres ou viénnent s’engloutir les gazs; c’est pour cela qu’il est nécessaire de renouvéller fréquenment lair interieur des appartemens rechauffés. voila Monsieur le president une petite tâche dont j’ai crû devoir m’acquitter envers un peuple bon et hospitalier et un gouvernement, fait pour faire jouir l’homme de la plus grande somme de bonheur possible.  444 

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 je sens que cette matiére est susceptible d’un plus grand déve‑ loppement, mais les bornes d’une lettre, ne me permettent pas de m’etendre davantage; vous offrant de plus grands détails si vous les jugés nécessaires. j’ai l’honneur D’etre avec un profond respect Monsieur le president Votre tres humble Et obeïssant serviteur Decout médecin a la pointe e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Baltimore, 1 Feb. 1805 Your constant solicitude for the welfare of your country; the resulting love and trust of your fellow citizens; foreigners’ admiration for your wisdom; and your kind reception of the letter in which I had the honor of telling you about the sad events in Saint‑Domingue justify my sending you some impor‑ tant observations about the ravages of yellow fever during the hot weather in the city where I live. I realize, Mister President, that this issue is more relevant to the local au‑ thorities than to the larger government, but not knowing where to find these authorities and not speaking the language of the land, I thought a genius like yours would not refuse to descend a few echelons from the highest rank to lend a hand to suffering humanity. There is more than one precedent for this. Last September I moved to a Baltimore neighborhood called the Point. I found the area almost deserted since the residents had gone to the country for the summer to avoid the ravages of yellow fever, although that cruel illness did not strike this year. I examined the site of the Point as well as the shore‑ line and did not find the cause of the illness, because, first, the region is wind‑swept, and second, the shore is cleansed twice a day by the tide. Not finding, either on land or on the coast, the cause of the putrid sickness that so often rules the Point, I felt obliged to seek elsewhere. My first thought was basements, so I opened mine and to my great surprise was hit by a nox‑ ious gas that almost knocked me over. I had to burn nitric acid before I could continue the inspection. Later I visited several other basements, which all exhibited the same phenomenon. Here is the cause: the basements are almost all built below ground, which makes them susceptible to runoff from the land. The water that accumulates in the cellars has no way out and soon putrefies, forming harmful, volatile gases such as nitrogen and carbon which disperse into the atmosphere, hence the putrescent alkaline contagion. There are four ways to remedy this terrible scourge. 1. To ban underground basements. 2. In existing basements, to install ventilators to refresh the air and pumps to remove water before it is contaminated. 3. To release, every week or ten days, a small quantity of nitric acid into the cellar. Two ounces are sufficient. It can be thrown on flaming coals or evaporated in a glass jar with an open flame. This method is very efficient and inexpensive. 4. Since fire burns all gases, both harmful and beneficial ones, it follows that it also destroys nitrogen and carbon. Thus, by lighting a fire in the cellar one can purify the air, but this method is not without risk because of the blaze that can ensue.

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1 FEBRUARY 1805  As I said earlier, fire consumes ambient gases, up to a certain distance from the flame: approximately 15 or 20 cubic feet. Thus, a lighted stove or burning fireplace will destroy vital gases such as oxygen, hydrogen, etc. This is what causes dizziness, choking, and even asphyxia in closed rooms with large fires. Stoves, in particular, consume an enormous amount of air because the rough surface of the iron has abundant pores which act as small pockets for gas to accumulate. That is why it is necessary to refresh the air in heated rooms. Here, Mister President, is a modest mission by which I felt I could repay my debt toward a kindly, hospitable people and a government that is de‑ signed to help citizens achieve maximum happiness. I know this matter deserves more information, but the limits of a letter do not allow me to expand further. I can provide greater details if you deem them necessary. With deep respect, Mister President, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Decout Doctor at the Point RC (DLC); at head of text: “Decout médecin de pre. classe de larmée française de St. domingue a Son éxélence thomas jefferson président des états unis de l’amérique”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. la lettre: see Decout to TJ, 24 Aug. 1804, and TJ to Decout, 9 Sep. 1804. nommé la pointe: the eastern section of Baltimore, commonly known as Fells

Point, had particularly deep harbors. Fol‑ lowing the Haitian Revolution, it became a haven for many refugees. The area was struck quite hard by the yellow fever epi‑ demic of 1797 (Noah Webster, A Brief History of Epidemic and Pestilential Dis­ eases, 2 vols. [Hartford, 1799], 1:322‑5; Jedidiah Morse, The American Gazetteer, 2d ed. [Charlestown, Mass., 1804], s.v. “Baltimore”).

To the House of Representatives To the House of Representatives of the United States. For some weeks past I have had reason to expect, by every mail from New Orleans, information which would have fully met the views of the House of Representatives, expressed in their resolution of Dec. 31. on the subject of a post‑road from the city of Washington to New Orleans. but this being not yet recieved, I think it my duty, without further delay, to communicate to the House the information I possess, however imperfect. Isaac Briggs, one of the Surveyors general of the US. being about to return, in July last, to his station at Natchez, & apprised of the anxiety existing to have a practicable road explored for forwarding the mail to New Orleans, without crossing the mountains, offered his services voluntarily to return by the route contemplated, taking, as he should go, such observations of longitude & latitude as would enable  446 

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him to delineate it exactly, and, by protraction, to shew of what short‑ enings it would admit. the offer was accepted, and he was furnished with an accurate sextant for his observations. the route proposed was from Washington by Fredericksburg, Cartersville, Lower Saura town, Salisbury, Franklin court house in Georgia, Tuckabatchee, Fort Stoddert, & the mouth of Pearl river to New Orleans. it is believed he followed this route generally, deviating at times only for special pur‑ poses, & returning again into it. his letters, herewith communicated, will shew his opinion to have been, after compleating his journey, that the practicable distance between Washington and New Orleans will be a little over one thousand miles. he expected to forward his map and special report within one week from the date of his last let‑ ter. but a letter of Dec. 10. from another person, informs me he had been unwell, but would forward them within a week from that time. so soon as they shall be recieved they shall be communicated to the House of Representatives. Th: Jefferson Feb. 1. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “road to N. Orleans.” Enclosures: Isaac Briggs to TJ, 2 Sep., 2 Oct., and 26 Nov. 1804. A House resolution passed on 31 Dec. 1804 recommended the establish‑ ment of a post road between Washington and New Orleans and requested docu‑ ments or other information from the pres‑ ident relative to the subject (jhr, 5:71‑2). letter of dec. 10: William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 10 Dec. 1804 (first letter). Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s message and the enclosed papers to the House of

Representatives on 1 Feb. After reading the message, the House referred the pa‑ pers to the Committee of the Whole House considering the establishment of post roads from Tennessee and Georgia to the Tombigbee settlements and thence to New Orleans (jhr, 5:115). The docu‑ ments were subsequently published as Message from the President of the United States, Communicating Information in Part, on the Subject of a Post Road, from the City of Washington to New Orleans. In Pursuance of a Resolution of the House of the 31st December Last (Washington, D.C., 1805).

From Ambrose Spencer Sir. Albany Feby 1. 1805. A particular friend of mine Stephen Thorne Esqr. of Washington County in this State, finds it convenient to his arrangements to accept the situation of a Commissioner under the spanish convention. I do not know that as yet the convention has received the sanction of the spanish government, if that appointment is to be made, I can with confidence recommend Mr Thorne to your Excellency’s favorable  447 

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notice. He is a gentleman, who from his knowledge of the european languages, his talents & excellent standing, is in my opinion, emi‑ nently qualified for this trust—As a circumstance not prejudicial to his pretensions, I may add that he is a warm friend of the general & State administrations—The Evidence of the estimation he enjoys in the public opinion, is exhibited by his being a Member of the State Senate & one of the Council of appointment. Your Excellency I am confident will excuse the freedom of this communication, when I assure you that it proceeds no less from [. . .][. . .]sh to serve Mr Thorne than to promote the interests of our Country Accept sir, the assurances of my high respect & esteem & believe me Your Excellency’s very Obedt. & huml. Servt. Ambrose Spencer RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Feb. and “Thorne Stephen to be Commr. to Spain” and so recorded in SJL.

From Augustus B. Woodward Washington, february 1. 1805.

This letter is presented to you by Mr. John Woodward, my father; who waits on you for the purpose of soliciting some appointment under the government, such as he may be competent to, and which may serve as a retreat for his declining years. Aware how numerous applications to you of this nature are, and how difficult it is to gratify even a small portion of those who make them, whatever their revolu‑ tionary services, or present pretensions may be, it is not without a sensible reluctance that I concur in adding one to the number; but impressed by filial duty, and struck with the destitute condition to which I see my father, a veteran and war‑worn servant of his country, true to her cause in the worst of times, reduced, I feel an assurance that some desire will prevail to make a provision for him. His rec‑ ommendations are far from wanting weight, you will find him not deficient in intelligence and capacity, his hand writing is elegant his orthography exact, and he has direct testimonials of his industry and application. Speaking not as a son, but as an impartial observer, I can say with the most unqualified confidence, that a man of more perfect integrity, or stricter principles of honor virtue and piety, does not exist. To these he adds the merit of having exhibited in the revolution, in  448 

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the hour of calamity, and in the heat of battle, a distinguished cour‑ age. The earliest recollections I have are those of military troubles dangers and distresses, and when I afterwards at a more mature age visited the northern parts of the State of New York, and particularly the town of Esopus, I found that the fact of my father’s having at‑ tended Governor Clinton, as an aid, at the burning of that town by the British, had made a universal impression on the people; and the services he had rendered were well remembered, and occasioned me to be more particularly noticed. In the recent struggle of parties he has been a much better republican than any of his sons. Of these he has three, of whom myself, you have known personally since the year 1796, when I had the honor of delivering you a letter for Mr. Volney, then at Gallipolis, on the Ohio, and since which, it affords me both a pride and a pleasure to say, I have experienced from you noth‑ ing but repeated and unmerited marks of attention and indulgence. Mr. John Woodward, the next brother, is not known to you; but re‑ sides in the State of Virginia, having taken the position I once occu‑ pied. Mr. Silvester Woodward, the youngest brother, is settled in the State of Ohio. An only sister, who is under my care, completes the family. Of this family not an individual has enjoyed a cent of any pub‑ lic monies of the united States, or held any appointment or office whatsoever under your first administration, while a number of young men, and sometimes more than one of the same family, have obtained situations attended with ease and comfort. The Vice‑President elect, Mr. Clinton, I am satisfied will detail to you Sir the preceding facts of Mr. Woodward’s merits during the revolution; and I am not certain whether he may not recollect in particular our family misfortunes. My father, while a merchant, had three vessels taken by the British; and my mother’s property in the city of new York, which was very valuable, and consisted entirely in houses, was burnt down by the same enemy. Some of my relations in that State, who were loyalists, and who have always manifested towards us pride and insult, still enjoy their estates. It has been my endeavor to elevate again a shat‑ tered family from their depression, and for some time with no little success. I have introduced both my brothers advantageously into the world, I have hitherto provided for my sister, and I entertained flat‑ tering hopes for myself, until blasted by my embarking in this miser‑ able and insignificant city. At present, so far from having it in my power to assist Mr. Woodward, I am falling into embarrassments, and would have been glad myself of a resource in the kindness of the administration, if I did not cheerfully wave all pretensions for him.  449 

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 I leave it to you Sir to judge what my feelings will be if you can possibly make any arrangements which will afford a provision for Mr. Woodward. I am Sir, with high respect, your obedient servant, A. B. Woodward. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “The Hon. Thomas Jefferson. President of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Feb. and “Woodward John for emploiment” and so recorded in SJL. delivering you a letter: Volney to TJ, 12 July 1796 (Vol. 29:150‑2). position i once occupied: prior to his move to Washington, Woodward was

an attorney in Greenbrier and Kanawha County, Virginia, where he did legal work for county officials, as continued by his brother John (W. S. Laidley, History of Charleston and Kanawha County West Virginia and Representative Citizens [Chi‑ cago, 1911], 119; Washington, Papers, Ret. Ser., 2:27‑9; Southern Literary Mes­ senger [May 1856], 355).

To William Cushing and Hannah Phillips Cushing Th: Jefferson requests the favour of the honble Mr. & Mrs. Cushing to dine with him on Monday next at half after three, Feb. 2. 05.  The favour of an answer is asked. RC (NNPM); printed form, with blanks filled in TJ’s hand reproduced in italics. William Cushing (ca. 1732‑1810) was born in Scituate, Massachusetts, gradu‑ ated from Harvard College, and was ad‑ mitted to the Massachusetts bar in 1755. He practiced law in the district of Maine for 13 years before returning to the Bos‑ ton area to sit on the colony’s Superior Court. As royal authority crumbled in Massachusetts, he gained appointments to the state’s high courts, becoming chief justice of the Supreme Judicial Court in 1780. His efforts as vice president of Mas‑ sachusetts’s convention for ratification of the federal constitution led to his appoint‑ ment by George Washington to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1789. He served as se‑ nior associate justice until his death (anb). Hannah Phillips Cushing (ca. 1754‑ 1834) was raised in Middletown, Con‑ necticut. She and William Cushing were

married in 1774. While the couple main‑ tained a home in Scituate, after 1789 they often resided at the capital. Cushing often accompanied her husband when he rode circuit, traveling in a phaeton especially designed to carry books, goods, and food. By the late 1790s, she had developed a friendship with Abigail Adams, with whom she remained a close correspon‑ dent. Hannah Cushing returned to Scit‑ uate after her husband died (dab, s.v. “Cushing, William”; Henry Flanders, The Lives and Times of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States, 2 vols. [Philadelphia, 1855‑58], 2:18, 38; Rufus Wilmot Griswold, The Republican Court [New York, 1855], 331; Abigail Adams to Hannah Phillips Cushing, 9 Mch. 1798, in MHi: Adams Papers; Woody Holton, Abigail Adams: A Life [New York, 2009], 367, 371). monday next: 4 Feb. (see Appen‑ dix ii).

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From William Dunbar Dear Sir Natchez 2d february 1805 I have the satisfaction to inform you, that Dor: Hunter and myself are just returned from the Washita: time does not permit the prepa‑ ration of a short report of our researches before the departure of this mail. The Objects which have presented themselves to us, are not of very high importance; it must however be acknowledged that the hot springs are indeed a great natural curiosity; the temperature of their waters is from 130 to 150° of Farheneits’ thermometer; the heat is supposed to be greater in summer, particularly in dry weather. In water of 130° which was comparatively in a state of repose to one side of the spring run, I found by the aid of an excellent microscope, both Vegetable and animal life; the first a species of moss, the latter a tes‑ taceous bivalve of the size of the minutest grain of sand; I do not de‑ spair of being able to reanimate these as soon as I can procure a little leisure. The meanders of the rivers have been carefully taken as high as we went; the latitude was ascertained every favorable day & the Longitude was not neglected at convenient or important points.— A  Journal of occurrences occupying 200 qto. pages, (exclusive of the Courses & distances with astronomical observations) will be for‑ warded as fast as it can be transcribed: next post I shall transmit a short abstract of the outlines of our researches and of the information we have obtained respecting the more interesting adjoining rivers, in form of a report. I am concerned that the rigorous season and other circumstances have so much retarded our return that I fear this re‑ port will only arrive just before the breaking up of Congress: at Lat: 34½° our thermometer was several times at 9 & 10° and once as low as +6°: we had snow above 12 inches deep. The Season was unfavor‑ able for botanical researches had we been better qualified in the prac‑ tical part of that Science; it is believed nevertheless, that something new has been found: a species of mountain dwarf Cabbage was dis‑ covered upon the ridges, which partakes of the nature of both cabbage and raddish; & is very agreeable to the taste, the root is white & tastes like horse raddish but much milder; there are some other objects, the description of which I shall not anticipate, as you will receive the whole as speedily as transcripts can be made: I shall only now mention that from our analysis of the water of the hot springs, it appears to contain lime with a minute portion of iron disolved by a small excess of Carbonic acid: this is indeed visible upon the first view of the Springs; an immense body of Calcareous matter is accumulated upon the side of the hill, by the perpetual depositions from the hot waters, & the bed  451 

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of the run is coloured by red oxid of iron or rather Carbonated iron. Every little spring which rises up in a favorable situation, forms its own calcareous Cup, considerably elevated in form of a Crater. I have the honor to be with perfect respect Dear Sir Your most Obedient Servant William Dunbar RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Ex‑ celly Thomas Jefferson President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Dft (Lb in Ms‑Ar: William Dunbar Papers). just returned from the washita: an expedition team of 19 men departed from Natchez for the Hot Springs on 16 Oct. 1804. They arrived within proxim‑ ity of the springs on 7 Dec. and set up a base camp from which they worked until 8 Jan. The team split for its return trip. Dunbar and two others arrived in Natchez on 26 Jan. George Hunter and the rest of the team arrived five days later (Trey

Berry, Pam Beasley, and Jeanne Clements, eds., The Forgotten Expedition, 1804­1805: The Louisiana Purchase Journals of Dun­ bar and Hunter [Baton Rouge, 2006], xxiii, xxviii‑xxx; Dunbar to TJ, 18 Aug. and 15 Oct. 1804). Hunter described the testaceous bi‑ valve as a microscopic shell animal re‑ sembling a clam, “the size of a pin point or about the 50th part of an inch in length. It shows four legs & a double tail” (John Francis McDermott, ed., “The Western Journals of Dr. George Hunter, 1796‑1805,” aps, Transactions, new ser., 53, pt. 4 [1963], 107).

From Albert Gallatin 2 Feby. 1805

Adam Gantz’s application for pardon       On what ground the district judge supposes that no remission could legally be granted by the Secy. of the Treasury in this case, is not understood. As, however he has not certified the facts in the usual way, nor transmitted the papers, the Secretary cannot act. Nor is it probable, if he could, that he would remit the fine after conviction of smuggling by a jury. The power of granting a pardon rests on broader ground, than that of remitting fines is placed by the Statute; and, considering the recommendation of the district judge, this case seems to merit the President’s interference— Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 2 Feb. and “Gantz’s case” and so recorded in SJL. gantz’s application: an undated pe‑ tition from Adam Gantz was recorded in SJL as received by TJ on 2 Feb., but has not been found. The Baltimore grocer had

been found guilty of violating U.S. reve‑ nue laws and fined $400 (James Robin‑ son, Baltimore Directory for 1804 [Balti‑ more, 1805], 15; pardon of Adam Gantz, 1 May, FC in Lb in DNA: RG 59, GPR). district judge: James Winchester, judge of the U.S. district court for Mary‑ land since 1799 (Vol. 35:336n).

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From John Page Dear Sir, Richmond February 2d. 1805. Pardon my tardy acknowledgment of the receipt of your letter of the 27th. December, and accept my thanks for your attention to the wishes of the Legislature of Virginia as expressed in their resolutions to which you allude. As Sierra Leone, from the last information which you have received, seems to open to our views some prospect of our obtaining the assy‑ lum sought for, and I think it preferable to any other place yet con‑ templated by us, your further efforts to procure it there, will no doubt be agreeable to the General Assembly, although their resolution, now inclosed, says nothing respecting it: For as their resolution of the 16h. January 1802, by which the Governor was desired to request the President of the United States, in procuring lands for the purposes in their View, “to prefer the Continent of Africa, or any of the Spanish or Portugal Settlements,” remains uncontradicted, I must look upon it as in full force and obligatory on me. On laying your last letter (of the 27h. December) before the As‑ sembly I suggested the propriety of calling on their Senators and our Representatives rather than on you to make the necessary application to Congress to set apart a portion of Louisiana as the assylum contem‑ plated in their several resolutions; and to trouble you Sir only with directing the negotiations which may be necessary with any foreign power for procuring the lands which may be required without the jurisdiction of the United States. This suggestion gave rise to the inclosed resolution, Copies of which I have transmitted to our Sena‑ tors and Representatives with such letters and resolutions respecting the business confided to them as may afford them information on the subject. I have also requested them to apply to you Sir for any further information and indeed for much further than I have communicated, and I promised to apologize to you for the trouble which this applica‑ tion would give you. Your goodness will excuse it, and you will be assured I hope that I am sorry to intrude upon your other more im‑ portant cares; and that I am, with the highest respect, and esteem Dear Sir, your most obedt. Servant John Page RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand and signed by Page; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Vi: Executive Letterbook). Enclo‑

sure: Resolution of the Virginia General Assembly, agreed to on 22 Jan. 1805, directing the state’s congressional dele‑ gation to use their best efforts to obtain from the federal government a portion of

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2 FEBRUARY 1805 the Louisiana Territory to relocate eman‑ cipated and exiled persons of color from Virginia (Tr in DLC).

 resolution of the 16h. january 1802: see Vol. 36:576‑7n.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 2 Fevr. 1805. J’ai recu hier Soir Votre billet du 31 du passè, par le quel Vous demandez: 1) 2 Exemplaires du Nouv. Testament &c. sur le text grec 2) 11 petits Ouvrages latins, d’edition Elzevir 3) 1 Ex. de la Bible in 8vo., qui est annonceè sur la page 58 du Catal. de fond de l’an XII de la Maison a Paris. Conformement a çes Ordres ad 1) J’ai fait partir aujourd hui les 2 Exempl. du Nouv. Testament— a 80 Cents—Sa 160. Cents 2) Je Vous enverais demain ou apres‑demain ces petits Ouvrages Latins— 3) Je Vous observe, que çette Bible n’a pas encore parue—et que—aussitot que j’en recevrai, je m’empresserais de Vous pre‑ senter l’Exemplaire, que Vous desirez       N’aimerez Vous pas d’avoir un plan de la Ville de Rome en 4 feuilles in Gr. folio—a 50 Cents le tout, et: Europe, Asia, Africa et America—Poly‑Glotta—Linguarum Genealogiam, cum Litteris, Scri‑ bendique Modis exhibens in 4 feuilles in 4to.—à 10 Cents l’ensemble. Daignez Agreer mes profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 2 Feb. 1805 Yesterday afternoon I received your note of the 31st of last month in which you requested: 1) Two copies of the New Testament etc., based on the Greek text. 2) 11 small Latin works published by Elzevir. 3) One copy of the Bible in octavo, which is advertised on page 58 of the catalogue from the French office for year 12. In accordance with these requests: 1) I sent the two copies of the New Testament today; at 80 cents = 160 cents. 2) Tomorrow or the next day I will send the small Latin works. 3) I call your attention to the fact that the Bible has not yet come out; as soon as I receive some I will hasten to furnish the copy you wish.

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3 FEBRUARY 1805  Would you not like to have a four‑page map of Rome in large folio for 50 cents? Also the Polyglotta, Linguarum Genealogiam Exhibens for Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, four pages in quarto for 10 cents? Please accept my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires a Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 3 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. linguarum genealogiam: Reibelt was offering a series of maps produced during the first half of the eighteenth

century that charted linguistic areas. The first, Europa polyglotta, linguarum genea­ logiam exhibens, una cum literis, scriben­ dique modis, omnium gentium, was fol‑ lowed by similar maps for Asia, Africa, and the Americas (Henry Robert Wilkin‑ son, Maps and Politics: A Review of the Ethnographic Cartography of Macedonia [Liverpool, 1951], 8‑10).

To Mathew Carey Feb. 3. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Cary; since speaking on the editions of the N. Testament, he has found that mr Reibelt of Baltimore has a French 12mo. edition for which he has accordingly written. he will therefore trouble mr Cary, only for the Greek & En‑ glish editions which mr Cary said could be had in Philadelphia, and the 8vo. edition of the bible lately published in Philadelphia in 4. vols. RC (ViU); addressed: “Mr. Matthew Cary Philadelphia ”; franked. Not recorded in SJL. he has accordingly written: TJ to Philippe Reibelt, 31 Jan.; see also Reibelt to TJ, 2 Feb.

bible lately published in phila‑ delphia: probably Holy Bible: Contain­ ing the Old and New Testaments; Trans­ lated out of the Original Tongues, and with the Former Translations, Diligently Com­ pared and Revised, published in four vo‑ lumes in Philadelphia in 1804 by Benja‑ min Johnson and Abraham O. Stansbury.

From Nicolas Gouin Dufief Monsieur, À Philadelphia, ce 3. de Février. 1805— J’eus l’honneur de vous adresser au Commencement du mois dernier une lettre au sujet de quelque argent qui m’est du pour livres fournis—Je profite à présent de L’occasion de Mr Vincent Ducomb avec qui je demeure à Philadelphie, pour vous prier de lui faire remettre la somme ci‑dessous mentionée— Agréez, Monsieur, Je vous en conjure, les assurances de mon pro‑ fond respect & de mon parfait devouement. N. G. Dufief  455 

3 FEBRUARY 1805

 Thomas Jefferson, President des Etats‑Unis Doit A N. G. Dufief Remis à l’Auteur du Plan de la N. Orléans envoyés à Mr. March.

Reçu le montant.

⎧

⎪ ⎨

⎪ ⎪

⎪ ⎩

2 exempl. du N. Testamt. en Grec & Lat. Edition Ang. à 2.75 = 5.50 2 Do du N. Testament en Anglais à 50 = 1 6 Do de “Nature Displayed” a 5 = 30 Drs. 36.50 Cts

e d i t o r s’

N. G. Dufief

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, Philadelphia, 3 Feb. 1805 At the beginning of last month I had the honor of sending you a letter about the amount due for books. I am taking this opportunity to ask you to remit the sum below to Mr. Vincent Ducomb, with whom I am staying in Philadelphia. Please accept, Sir, the assurance of my deep respect and total devotion. N. G. Dufief Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States, owes N. G. Dufief ⎧ ⎪ 2 copies of New Testament in Given to the author ⎪⎪ Greek & Latin English of the map of ⎨ Edition at 2.75 = 5.50 ⎪ New Orleans. ⎪ 2 do. of New Testament in ⎪ ⎩ English at 50 = 1 Sent to Mr. March. 6 do. of Nature Displayed at 5 = 30 $36.50 Payment received. N. G. Dufief RC (DLC); notation by TJ at foot of text: “Feb. 9. 05. gave to Vincent Du‑ combe ord. on bk US. for 36.50”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 9 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. une lettre: Dufief to TJ, 6 Jan.

In his financial memoranda under 9 Feb., TJ recorded giving vincent du‑ comb, a merchant of 58 Walnut Street in Philadelphia, an order on the Bank of the United States for $36.50 to pay Dufief (mb, 2:1145; Vol. 39:3).

From Thomas Munroe Sunday 3d February 1805

T Munroe presents his most respectful Compliments to the President— several very worthy mechanics & others, who have small claims against the public buildings, having represented to TM that they were, at this inclement season, in want of necessaries for their families which the money due to them from the public would inable them to procure, he, about a week ago, (presuming that no part of the Appropriation  456 

4 FEBRUARY 1805

made this session could be conveniently obtained from the Treasury immediately) wrote to Mr Beckley informing him of the circum‑ stances, and begging to know whether the $700 paid for fitting up the Representatives chamber (which would be sufficient to relieve our most needy claimants) could be obtained for that purpose on mon‑ day last—but as Mr. Beckley has not favored TM with any answer to his note, and as TM has since acquired certain information that there are several suffering families who are every day at the Office making importunate applications for their money TM trusts the President will excuse this communication, the object of which is respectfully to enquire whether it will be proper to apply to Mr. Beckley again; or whether it will be the pleasure of the President to cause a small por‑ tion of the late appropriation to be applied to the payment of the claims of those needy persons— RC (DLC); addressed: “President of U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From John Bond Sir. Febry 4. 1805.— I beg the Liberty of laying before you a communication which I have previously forwarded to the Honble H. Dearborn Esqe. Secre‑ tary at War, & the Honble Colo. Worthington Esqe. a member of the senate. I stated to them, that I was engag’d in the Revolutionary war be‑ tween England & America, producing a Cirtificate of my Character, to the first mentioned Character, and laying before him every particu‑ lar I could provide in my present Situation, in answer, I was informed my name was in the Archives, or books—therefore I trust as my busi‑ ness rests in the hands of Great men, & wise men, they will be mer‑ ciful & Just, I require no more than Justice & Truth, and as others obtain’d a donation from Congress; to the Amt. of 100 Acres of Land & 100 Dollars why should not I. I left house & home, I left father & mother, and niar, & Dear connections at the Infintile age of seven‑ teen, as soon as I understood the Britanic Charter, I knew their inten‑ tions were absurd & Dispotic I then risqu’d my life, and since that period I have ventured my little all, or mite to strengthin the present administration, tho’ I could do no more than put pen to paper. Now Sir, after my public inquisitions—to men of honour, authority & Truth, to whom should I look, on whom should I call, where should I Apply—but to the fountain source of power from whence,  457 

4 FEBRUARY 1805

springs, flowing springs of Justice, Truth, Mercy, Benignity & Be‑ nevolence of every Degree flows—, I place so great a confidence in your Integrity, that I am fully pursuaded I shall obtain what is Just to wit 100 Acres of Land, & 100 Dollars, Let not the Language of a friend, a true friend, tho. a weak friend, hurt the fealings of him whom I sincerely wish well above all men. if I have any knowledge of Divine things, any love for the real truth, if weighty & affecting matters prevail enforc’d with reason, gratitude and a generous principle, I by the Consideration of the freeness, the fulness & sufficiency of Christ, & by the love of God, who made us all, and who is your constant Benefactor, that he may remain your helm, Your morning Star, your succour by day & Your rest by night, that he may secure you firm from all Danger, preserve You in peace—and if contrary to your peaceful desires—War may insue, may the righ‑ tiousness of Xt. prove a sure assalumn, & the Eternal Joys of Heaven. with its power defend your cause, that America, that the world may see, and Acknowledge you to be a man of peace, a man of Justice, and a man of Truth, preserving the people & keeping them in peace with all nations, & Governing them—not with a rod of Iron but with the peaceful bands of useful and Inteligible cords—I acknowledge myself unworthy of the present dedication. I am unworthy of addressing you But I hope to be excus’d asscrib‑ ing myself Your Most Obt & Hble Servt John Bond RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); at head of text: “Honble. Thos. Jefferson President of the United states of Amer‑ ica” and “John Bond Martinsburg Vir‑ ginia”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Feb. and so recorded in SJL with nota‑ tion “W.”

i was informed: on 27 Dec. 1804, Dearborn wrote to Bond to tell him that his land claim had been paid to an as‑ signee in 1797 (Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS). rod of iron: Revelation 2:27.

To Albert Gallatin Th:J to mr Gallatin Feb. 4. 05. I am at a loss what to do in Gantz’s case. because people are poor and have families, they must not be lawless. judge Winchester thinks the forfeiture too heavy for the offence altho it is agreed he has com‑ mitted it knowingly & intentionally. in these cases it has been usual for the judge, after the party has suffered so much as he thinks pro‑ portioned to his offence, to certify it, and the residue is pardoned by the executive. he is so much the most competent judge that I can see no other course to pursue in the present case.  458 

4 FEBRUARY 1805  PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “Gantz’s case.”

 gantz’s case: see Gallatin to TJ, 2 Feb. For the renewal of Adam Gantz’s petition for pardon, see Gallatin to TJ, 18 Apr.

From Thomas Munroe Monday 4 feb. 1805.

T Munroe’s best respects & sends for the Presidents signature a blank requisition, together with a rough Sketch of outstanding claims against the public buildings—Some of those to whom the $2374 is due are, doubtless much more needy than the others, but It will prob‑ ably not be an easy matter to avoid murmuring if a discrimination be made— RC (DLC). Requisition not found.

e n c l o s u r e

Statement of Claims Claims against the public buildings John Haydock $240.

for work & expenses at stone quarries in Virga. Jno. Weaver 37.82— Ditto Simeon Mead 41.25— Carpenters work James Martin 37. Blacksmiths work George St. Claire 129.30— for Sand deld at Capl. Thomas Taylor 112.46 hauling stone from wharf roll Labourers Decem, 173.47 Ditto Novem 487.82 roll Masons nov & Decem 495.73 Clarke & Weirick 150.00. painting &c roof P. Ho. Wm. Nevitt about 470. for foundation stone 2,374.85 all the claimants above mentioned have been very urgent; most of them, I believe, are much in want of their money—. In addition to the above there is due to Contractors for freestone—vizt ⎫ Cooke & Brent 1000. ⎪ who say they are very desirous of getting R & W Stewart 1250. ⎪ their money, but it is presumable they can James M Robertson 1500.  ⎬⎪ wait without much inconvenience, if the    and ⎪ president should not chuse to draw, at this ⎪ time, as much money from the Treasury as other persons for ⎪ sundries about 500.  ⎭ all outstanding debts Amt to 4250.  2374.85 6624.85

 459 

4 FEBRUARY 1805  MS (same); in Munroe’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

To Craven Peyton Dear Sir Washington Feb. 4. 1805. Your letter of Jan. 3. was recieved in due time, and should have been sooner answered but that I wished some information from mr Randolph on the subject, who has but lately returned to this place. I do not want the inclination to purchase the shares of the warehouse, on the contrary it is desirable to me to consolidate that acquisition in all it’s parts: but it is scarcely in my power to make the purchase. the paiments for the preceding parts of the purchase have kept me in debt here ever since: for the expences of my station here admit of no savings from it’s income. if however the shares in Baltimore can be obtained for £50. each I would purchase them, and especially if 90. days can be obtained for paiment. I should hope those in Kentucky may be obtained on better terms and longer days of paiment. I could not pay for them under a considerable time. I expect to be in Albe‑ marle the 2d. week of April when I can have the pleasure of further consultation with you on this subject. Accept my friendly salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson P.S. in your overtures to the Baltimore share‑holders, you might say to them, if it should be of any avail, that I have to pay you money, and that you would give them a draught on me at 90. days sight. perhaps they might be better pleased to have their money nearer hand. PoC (ViU); endorsed by TJ.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 4 fevr. 1805 Ceux des petites Livres Latins d’Edit. Elzevir. que Vous desiriez— etoient precisément tous vendûs, lorsque Vous me les demandiez— Je les ai tous pû racheter, excepte: hungaria, pour lequel j’ecrirai a la Maison a Paris, qui certainement fera l’impossible, pour Vous le procurer, et avoir le plaisir, de completter par la Votre Collection. Je Vous les ai adressè en 2 petits paquets. Le prix en est 490 Cents. Agreez mes respects profondissimes. Reibelt  460 

5 FEBRUARY 1805 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 4 Feb. 1805 The small Elzevir editions in Latin that you wanted had all been sold when you placed your order. I was able to re‑stock all except Hungaria, which I will request from the Paris office. They will certainly make every effort to obtain it for you and to have the pleasure of completing your collection. I have sent the books to you in two small packets. The price is 490 cents. Please accept my deepest regards. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libr. a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

For the elzevir editions, see TJ to Reibelt, 31 Jan.

From Henry Dearborn Sir [5 Feb. 1805] If Mulhalons story is correct, he may by applying to the District Judge, & substantiating the facts he has stated, obtain a pention for the wounds he complains of,—and if he had applied in season he probably would have been intitled to 100 acres of land, but all claims for land, not supported by proper evidence, before the 1st. day of April next, are bar’d by law, and I will write to him accordingly. Yours. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); undated; at foot of text: “The President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on 5 Feb. 1805 and “Mulha‑ lon’s case” and so recorded in SJL. mulhalons story: Thomas Paine had enclosed Hugh Mulhalon’s request

for assistance in his letter to TJ on 25 Jan. In an undated February letter, Dear‑ born informed Mulhalon about his ability to apply for an invalid’s pension and for land (Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS). bar’d by law: see U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:271‑2.

From Nicoll Fosdick Sir New London Feby 5th. 1805 Noah Lester Esq. Counseller at Law in this State, is one of our Firm Republicans, and has Recd. his propotion of persicution from the ruling party of this State, and being about to move to the Westward,—I take the Liberty to recomend him as a man, (in my opinion) that would be a respectable Judge, or District attorney in  461 

5 FEBRUARY 1805

the Territory of Michigan, or Competant to any office of equal Trust in this State or Elsewhere— I am with Sentiment of high Esteem your Very Hume Servt. Nicoll Fosdick RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe.”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Feb. and “Lester Noah. to be Distr. judge or Atty. Michigan” and so recorded in SJL.

From David Gelston Sir, New York Feby: 5th. 1805 By the ship Cato, capt. Snow, from Lisbon, I have received a letter from Mr Jarvis, which is herewith transmitted,—I shall pay particu‑ lar attention to the wine, and when the severity of the weather abates, ship it direct to the City of Washington, if opportunity offers early, if not, to the care of the Collector of Norfolk or Richmond—subject in the mean time to any orders you shall be pleased to give— I have the honor to be, very respectfully, Sir, your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President. United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 7 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

For this shipment of wine, see Wil‑ liam Jarvis to TJ, 25 Nov. 1804.

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 5th. Febr. 1805 The Pipe of wine about which you some time ago made enquiry, together with sundry other articles shipped from Philadia. so long ago as about the middle of Decr. in the schooner Caroline, arrived here only a few days past; in consequence of the Vessel having sus‑ tained so much injury in a gale of wind as to be obliged to stop at Norfolk to be repaired, together with her having been since detained by the ice in coming up the River.—These things I suppose we shall soon meet with an opportunity of forwarding. all the rest are gone. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 9 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

made enquiry: TJ to George Jeffer‑ son, 5 and 19 Dec. 1804.

 462 

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States The Secretary of State has lately recieved a note from the Danish Chargé des affaires, claiming, in the name of his government, restitu‑ tion, in the case of the brig Henrich, communicated to Congress at a former session; in which note were transmitted sundry documents, chiefly relating to the value and neutral character of the vessel, and to the question Whether the judicial proceedings1 were instituted and conducted without the concurrence of the Captain of the Henrich. as these documents appear to form a necessary appendage to those al‑ ready before Congress, and throw additional light on the subject,2 I transmit copies of them herewith. Th: Jefferson Feb. 5. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). PoC (DLC). Dft (same); in Jacob Wagner’s hand, with heading and one emendation by TJ (see note 2 below). Enclosures: (1) Statements per‑ taining to the seizure of the Danish brig Hendrick, including: deposition of U.S. agent David M. Clarkson confirming that the Hendrick’s master, Peter Scheelt, al‑ ways asserted neutrality; Clarkson’s com‑ munication that Scheelt probably never received legal notification of the adjudica‑ tion; attestations on Clarkson’s testimony; a sworn statement by the owner of the Hendrick asserting the neutrality of the vessel and itemizing his losses; and attes‑ tations, dated 1 June 1799, of councillors of Altona in support of the owner’s dec‑ laration of neutrality (Tr in DNA: RG 233, PM; PrC of Tr in DNA: RG 46, LPPM; printed in asp, Foreign Relations, 2:609‑10). (2) Documents attesting to the neutral character and value of the Hen­ drick and its cargo, including the agree‑ ment between Scheelt and the brig’s owner and other interested parties; the vessel’s insurance policy; a statement by the car‑ penter who performed repairs and modifi‑

cations on the vessel in June 1799 in Al‑ tona; and a notarization dated 8 Nov. 1803 (Tr in DNA: RG 233, PM; PrC of Tr in DNA: RG 46, LPPM). lately recieved a note: Peder Pe‑ dersen to Madison, 10 Nov. 1804 (Madi‑ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:276‑8). For the case of the Danish brig Hen­ drick (henrich), see Vol. 39:495n, 560‑1, 564‑5. On this day, Isaac Coles delivered TJ’s message and the accompanying doc‑ uments to the House and Senate. The Senate ordered them to lie for consider‑ ation, while the House referred them to the Committee of Claims, which reported back on 20 Feb. Delaying action until the first session of the Ninth Congress, the House eventually passed a bill authoriz‑ ing the president to pay up to $3,000 in restitution. The Senate rejected the bill on 21 Mch. 1806 (jhr, 5:119‑20, 146, 297‑8, 301‑2; js, 3:447; 4:61‑2). 1 Dft includes here “at the Island of St. Christopher.” 2 Preceding seven words interlined by TJ in Dft.

 463 

From Gideon Granger Sir. Genl post Office Feb: 6th. 1805 I have the honor to inclose a report in relation to the most convenient and direct roads to New‑Orleans, St. Louis and Detroit. I Am Sir with great Esteem & Respect your humble Servt Gidn Granger RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Feb. and “Report on cer‑ tain post roads” and so recorded in SJL; notation by TJ on verso:

“to St Louis the direct intermediate points are Woodstock Cincinnati Vincennes.”

e n c l o s u r e

Report on Post Roads to New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit The Postmaster General having considered the several following enqui‑ ries, what is the most expeditious route to New Orleans?— to Saint Louis?— to Detroit? for mails which shall contain only free letters and articles charged with letter postage, respectfully Reports Ist. From Washington to New Orleans.1 The present post road from Washington to New Orleans is by way of Fred‑ ericksburg, Charlottesville, Staunton, Knoxville, South West point, Nashville and Natchez: and the distance is nearly 1500 miles. A road was laid out and partly opened by the Secretary at war two years ago between Nashville and Natchez, when this road is opened so that it may be travelled upon, the dis‑ tance will be reduced to nearly 1400 miles. Three routes to New Orleans have been the subject of consideration. First. A direct line, as near as the face of the Country will admit. The distance from Washington to New Orleans in a direct line from the best information that can be obtained of the Geographical positions of the two places is 960 miles: and the route would be by Orange c.h. Milton, Lynch‑ burg, Patrick County Va. Scull Camp, Wilkes c.h. and Morganton N.C. the confluence of the Forks of French Broad river, crossing the Chatahoucha river at the South Eastern foot of the Appalachian mountains, thence by the agency house on Talliposee river, the Mobile settlement, the post oak landing on lake Pontchartrain and across the lake to New Orleans. The Geography of the intermediate Country is considerably uncertain. A map lately prepared by the Surveyor general of Georgia gives Franklin c.h. in that state a position that would be intersected by a direct line from Washington to New Orleans. If this map is correct, the line would pass also through Rutherforton N.C. and by Greenville c.h. S.C. leaving the foot of the Appalachian mountains nearly 24 miles to the North West. There can be no doubt but that by taking a point 20 miles South East of the center of a direct line the great chain of mountains would be avoided and a direct line from Washington to that point

 464 

6 FEBRUARY 1805 and thence to New Orleans would not make the distance more than one mile further than the direct line. It is evident that New Orleans in the ordinary course of affairs must become the greatest entreport for merchandize in the world, as the waters of the Mis‑ sissippi embrace an immense portion of Country no where exceeded in rich‑ ness of soil. It must hence become of the greatest importance to the Govern‑ ment and all the commercial towns of the United States that there be a road opened so as to render communications as speedy as possible. Where turnpike or artificial roads have been made the deviations from a direct line do not exceed five* per cent. and it is believed that a road may be laid out to New Orleans and opened so as to be practicable for travellers on horseback at a small expence and so that the mail may be conveyed upon it at the rate of 90 miles in a day at the usual price paid for carrying it with such expedition and that the distance will not much exceed one thousand & fifty miles allowing nearly 1 mile in ten miles for deviations. If it should be considered an object to lay out a road in the shortest distance to New Orleans that the nature of the Country will admit at a reasonable expence, no intermediate point ought to be named on account of the uncer‑ tainty of the geography of the Country, but a skillful and judicious surveyor should be employed to lay it out in that manner. 2ndly. From Washington by the present post road to Fredericksburg, thence by a direct road through Columbia and Prince Edward c.h. Va. Germanton and Lincolnton N.C. Greenville c.h. S.C. Franklin c.h. Ga. the Mobile settle‑ ment and the Post Oak landing to New Orleans. If a direct road was made to Fredericksburg this would perhaps be the most eligible route as it would pass at a greater distance from the great chain of mountains which divide the Eastern and Western waters and of course through a less broken Country. It would also shorten the distance between the great road to New Orleans and the commercial towns south of Fredericksburg nearly 20 miles while the whole distance to New Orleans would not be encreased on account of the difference of those positions from a direct line more than eight miles. 3rdly. From Washington by Charlottesville, Big Lick, Abingdon, Knoxville, Tellico, the Mobile Settlement and the Post Oak landing to New Orleans. Knoxville lies nearly 80 miles North West of a direct line it would of course make the distance considerably further and this route would be much less convenient to the Southern commercial towns. IInd. From Washington to Saint Louis near the mouth of the Missouri in Louisiana. The distance from Washington to Saint Louis in a direct line is seven hundred miles and by the nearest post road 975 miles. The present route is by way of Centreville, Winchester, Westernport, Morgantown, Clarks‑ burg, Marietta Chilicotha, Frankfort, Vincennes and Kaskaskias. Winchester is 24 miles North of a direct line and Westernport, 38 miles. A direct line from Washington to Saint Louis is nearly West. It is believed by many of the inhabitans of the Western Country, that a good horse road could not be made over the Allegany mountains at a reasonable expense nearer a direct line than Westernport: Altho’ it does not appear that the Country has ever been explored with a view of finding such a route. To make as short a * From Philadelphia to Pittsburg the deviations amount to 15 per cent. From Baltimore to Philadelphia they amount to 10 per cent.

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6 FEBRUARY 1805 road as the nature of the Country will admit is certainly an object of primary importance, as it would be a principal road to Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Louisiana. Winchester, Marietta, Chilicotha and Cincinnati are already con‑ siderable towns and if these places are included in the route the whole dis‑ tance would not be encreased more than 10 miles on account of their being out of the direct line. The State of Ohio has already commenced a road be‑ tween Marietta and Chilicotha which it is supposed will be compleated this year; these will perhaps be considered as sufficient inducements for includ‑ ing those towns in the route. The distance from Washington to Winchester in a direct line is 68 miles and by the post‑road, 81 miles—from Winchester to Westernport 51 miles, by the post road 70 miles, from Westernport to Marietta 125 miles, by the post road 178 miles—from Marietta to Chilicotha 78 miles, by the post road 116 miles. The whole distance from Washington to Chilicotha by the direct line from one of those towns to the other being 322 miles, and by the post road 445 miles. Altho this road lies across the mountains there can be but little doubt but that a horse road might be made at a small expence, with an allowance of ten per cent for deviations on account of mountains; so that the whole distance would not exceed 355 miles. Hence a saving of 90 miles would be made between Washington & Chilicotha. IIIrd. From Washington to Detroit. Lake Erie is situated between the two places and often impassable, it is there‑ fore necessary that the post road should pass round the South Western ex‑ tremity of the Lake. A direct Route from Washington to that extremity or to the mouth of Miami of the lake would pass within ten miles of Pittsburg and it would not of course make the route five miles farther if it passed through that town, provided a direct line was run from Washington to Pittsburg and thence to the mouth of the Miami. Pittsburg is already a considerable town and from its situation must continue to increase, it would therefore seem ex‑ pedient to consider that town as another point in the route to Detroit. The distance from Washington to Pittsburg by the present post road is 256 miles and in a direct line only 194. A direct route would pass near Keyess ferry on the Shanandoah and would intersect the present post road to Pitts‑ burg at Berlin Somerset County in Pennsylvania, and would continue with it to Pittsburg 78 miles. From Washington to Berlin by the present post road is 178 miles and in a direct line only 127 making a difference of 51 miles or one days ride, if a direct road could be made. It is certain that one nearly direct could not be made without great expence as the Country is very mountanous and much broken with hills: the Potowmak river must be crossed twice and the Shanandoah and Cacapon rivers once each. These rivers would some‑ times obstruct travelling but not often: the present post road avoids them. If the Potowmak is crossed at Georgetown and the road passes thro’ Leesburg and Keyses ferry to Charlestown which in a direct line is 51 and by the post road 73 miles, it will then only be necessary to straiten the road to Charleston and provide for a road from thence to Berlin 75 miles in a direct line: but it is not probable that a road could be made which would be shorter than 90 miles on account of the mountains. Supposing the road to Charleston could be reduced to 60 miles, to Berlin 90 and to Pittsburg 75 this route would then be 225 miles only 31 miles shorter than the Present route by Frederickstown Md. On the present route a stage is established by which the mail is carried

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7 FEBRUARY 1805 with greater security than it can be carried on horse‑back. This circumstance would perhaps be a sufficient reason for preferring the present to a new road. At Pittsburg it will be necessary to cross the Allegany and pass on the North side of the Ohio to the mouth of Beaver river 28 miles; thence it is supposed a road may be laid to the mouth of the Miami river which would not take more than 6 per cent for the deviations from a direct line the Coun‑ try being remarkably level and presenting few marshes or swamps that would require much expence to make them passable. The distance in a direct line is nearly 173 miles. From thence to Detroit is 43 miles, but the post road is estimated at 60 miles. If this road is made, the road from Cleveland at the mouth Cayahoga river should be discontinued. All which is respectfully Submitted Gidn Granger Genl Post Office Feb: 6th. 1805. MS (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; closing, date, and signature by Granger; at foot of text in Granger’s hand: “The President of the United States.” miami of the lake: the Maumee River. 1 At the foot of the first page: “Note. The longitudes of Washington and New Orleans are not yet well ascertained. If we admit the longitude of Philadelphia to be 75°‑13′‑30″ West of Greenwich then the longitude of Washington will be 77°, 06′ West of Greenwich. Several observa‑ tions have been made in this City which induce a belief that the longitude is some‑ thing less, but untill these observations are compared with corresponding ones

made at Greenwich or some other place whose longitude is ascertained we must be satisfied with the former. The longi‑ tude of New Orleans by Mr Maskelyne in the Requisite Tables, is 89°‑58′‑45″ by the French at 90° and by Mr Ellicott at 90°,‑14′ if we take 77°, 06′ from those sev‑ eral sums the difference of Longitude be‑ tween Washington and New Orleans will be 12°, 52′‑45″ by the English account, 12°, 54′ by the French account and 13°, 8′ by Mr. A. Ellicotts account. But as Mr. Ellicotts observations have not been com‑ pared with those made at another place, and it is probable that the former was de‑ duced from such comparison the 13°.52′, 45″ ought to be considered as the differ‑ ence of Longitudes.”

From Pierre Derbigny Sir february 7th. 1805. I have the honour to inclose herewith the notes on Wachitaw, & must beg to be excused for presenting you a blotter in so bad order. Had I foreseen that an occasion would occur to offer them to you, I would have had them copied beforehand. I need not observe that these notes having been written for the use of the French Prefect, while Louisiana expected to be under the government of France, contain many things which are altogether useless at present. With great respect I am Sir Yr. most obedt. hble. servant P Derbigny  467 

7 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see below. Pierre Augustin Bourguignon Der‑ bigny (1769‑1829) was born in northern France and studied law. He emigrated from France in 1791 and spent time in Saint‑Domingue, Pittsburgh, New Mad‑ rid, Florida, and Havana before settling in New Orleans in 1797. He worked as an interpreter for Spanish authorities and in 1803 became the secretary and regis‑ trar for the municipal council created by French prefect Pierre Clément Laussat. Although he repeatedly found work as an interpreter or clerk with the U.S. territo‑ rial government, Derbigny was a staunch critic of the administration of the territory. William C. C. Claiborne believed that he was the anonymous author of a pamphlet that excoriated Claiborne’s governance, al‑ though this attribution remains unproven. Derbigny was one of the three residents who presented a remonstrance of territo‑ rial citizens to Congress and also met with TJ to make their case. Excelling as a law‑ yer, he represented New Orleans in its fight to retain public claims on the Bat‑ ture, a legal position that allied him with TJ in later years. He fought to preserve French and Spanish civil laws and contrib‑ uted to Louisiana’s civil code, published in 1825. During statehood, Derbigny served as a judge on the state supreme court and as secretary of the state. Elected governor

in 1828, his term was cut short when he died in a carriage accident. One eulogist, while noting political disagreements with Derbigny, lamented the loss of an “un‑ blemished” citizen, who had been ele‑ vated to the office “from a knowledge of his competency, unobtained by the delu‑ sive arts of political intrigue” (Glenn R. Conrad, ed., A Dictionary of Louisiana Biography, 2 vols. [New Orleans, 1988], 1:238‑40; Peter J. Kastor, “‘They Are All Frenchmen’: Background and Nation in an Age of Transformation,” in Peter J. Kastor and François Weil, eds., Empires of the Imagination: Transatlantic Histo­ ries of the Louisiana Purchase [Charlottes‑ ville, 2009], 239, 246‑51, 260‑2; Eber‑ hard L. Faber, Building the Land of Dreams: New Orleans and the Transfor­ mation of Early America [Princeton, 2016], 195‑7; New Orleans Abeille, 8 Oct. 1829; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:200; rs, 4:631‑2; Claiborne to TJ, 10 Nov. 1804). Derbigny was likely enclosing an ac‑ count of the Ouachita (wachitaw) River watershed, “Mémoire sur le district du Ouachita dans la province de la Louisi‑ anne,” written by Charles François d’Anmours in 1803 at Laussat’s request. It provided detailed descriptions of the river and its tributaries and the resources of the area, with some attention to the people who lived there (MS in PPAmP; printed as Memoire sur la district de Oachita dans la Province de la Louisianne [Alexandria, Va., 2004]). See also TJ to John Vaughan, 5 May.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 7 fevr. 1805. Je suis enfin parvenu de racheter aussi—Hungaria—edit. d’Elzevir— mais j’etois obligè, d’echanger çe petit Livre par un autre Livre fran‑ cais de 2 Gourdes— J’ai lhonneur, de Vous le presenter cijoint, et de Vous saluer tres respectueusement. Reibelt

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7 FEBRUARY 1805 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 7 Feb. 1805 I finally succeeded in buying Hungaria in the Elzevir edition, but had to trade this small book for another French book at two dollars. I have the honor of enclosing it here along with my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Impr. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Respublica et status regni Hungariæ (TJ to Reibelt, 31 Jan.).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! [on or before 7 Feb. 1805] J’ai l’honneur, de Vous presenter çijoint Les epreuves de la fon‑ derie, que la Maison de Paris possede a Strasbourg—et vous prier, de vouloir bien leurs assigner une place a Votre Bibliotheque. Penetrè du plus profond respect. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! [on or before 7 Feb. 1805] I have the honor of enclosing the proofs of the foundry in Strasbourg, owned by our Paris office. Please be good enough to give them a place in your library. I am imbued with the deepest respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); undated; above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 7 Feb. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: see below.

Reibelt was enclosing proofs (epreuves) of the typographical charac‑ ters used by Levrault Frères. The firm published examples several times, most recently as Épreuves de la fonderie de Levrault, frères, a Strasbourg (Strasbourg, 1803).

From John Rennolds Sir London Feby. 7th. 1805 I shou’d not have taken the liberty at this time of troubling you, were it not from a desire of being serviceable to the United States, if in my power. Mr. Erving having accepted of his appointment to Madrid, will require a Successor, to the American Consulate, & Agency to Ameri‑ can Seamen. flattering myself that I am well qualified in all respets,  469 

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to discharge the duties of either, or both of those Offices with satisfac‑ tion, & that Respectability due to such a situation enduces me to so‑ licit your favor, in appointing me, to one or both, as most agreable to your convenience—Had my particular Friend, & acquaintance Mr. Monroe been here & known of my desire to solicit for those appoint‑ ments, I flatter myself, his warmest recommendations in my favor, wou’d of accompanied this, but he being yet at Madrid I have written him on the subject this day, and make no doubt, but immediately on his hearing from me, he will favor me with a Letter to you on the subject, which I hope will be in time—but in the mean time permit me to say, that I am an American Citizen & patriot, native of the County of Essex Virginia from whence I came over in 1797, & estab‑ lished myself here, in the Mercantile line, to that Country, altho gen‑ erally known in Virginia &c. I beg leave to refer you to Judges Roane, Parker & Brooke, also, whose names I use, because being public Characters, are the better known to you who will (from their long acquaintance with me, as well as my political opinions in favor of the present administration & rendered if possible the more firm by my residence here), give you every satisfactory information respecting my Character &c.—further I will not trouble you at present, having sat‑ isfactory Security also ready, to offer, to any appointment you may be please to confer on me here, either at the present or future. I am Sir with greatest Deference Your most Obedient Servant John Rennolds RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and “to be Agent &c London” and so recorded in SJL. John Rennolds (ca. 1757‑1812) was a Virginia merchant who moved his busi‑ ness to London. From there he was em‑ ployed by a number of TJ’s acquaintances, including James Monroe, Littleton Waller Tazewell, and Lucy Ludwell Paradise. He would ask again for the consular position after George Erving’s successor, William Lyman, died in 1811 (London Metropoli‑

tan Archives, Nonconformist Registers, 1694‑1921: St George’s Bloomsbury; Li‑ brary of Virginia, A Guide to the Tazewell Family Papers, 1623­1930 [Richmond, 2003], chronology; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 3:472; rs, 4:80‑1; Vol. 32:525‑6). James Monroe made his recommen‑ dations to Madison on 3 May, writing that Rennolds was well known among Virginia merchants and a “very worthy, capable man” (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:313‑15).

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To David Gelston Sir Washington Feb. 8. 05. Your favors of Jan. 24. & Feb. 5. have both been recieved. I took no step on the subject of the wine from mr Lee, put into Newport, because the advance of the season seemed to ensure it would change it’s position before any orders from hence could get into effect. should it come to N. York I must pray you to have it forwarded to this place.   that which comes from mr Jarvis of Lisbon is destined for Monticello, and if sent to the care of Gibson & Jefferson at Rich‑ mond will be forwarded by them. as soon as you shall be so good as to send me a note of the duties & expences they shall be remitted. Accept my respectful salutations. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Gelston”; endorsed by TJ.

To William Short Dear Sir Washington Feb. 8. 05 I am now able to resume my paiments, which have been inter‑ rupted by the great expences of the season: and which indeed experi‑ ence has proved to be unavoidable at times, by an accumulation of calls beyond ordinary expectation. I inclose you a draught of the bk US. here on that at Philadelphia for 500. D.   we had been in hopes that the ceremony of the impeachment now going on at this place would have stimulated your curiosity to come and see it. there seems to be a determination to go through with it before the close of the session, tho’ many doubt it’s possibility. we should have been happy to have seen you here, under whatever attraction; & I should have supposed a visit here during a session of Congress would have been rather desirable in order to know and be known in the circle of public characters.   a letter of mr Pinckney’s ascertains the de‑ parture of Frere from Madrid Nov. 14. without taking leave. this and other circumstances render war between England & Spain in my opinion certain. that unhappy country labours under an accumula‑ tion of misfortunes: war, pestilence, famine & imbecility. perhaps it’s misfortunes may induce it to do us justice rather than add to them that of our hostility. every day convinces me more & more that even acts of justice with them do not proceed from a love of justice but from mere inertia. Accept my affectionate salutations & assurances of great and constant attachment Th: Jefferson  471 

8 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC: Short Papers); at foot of text: “Mr. Short.” Notation in SJL: “500. D.” paiments: TJ’s previous payment to Short, also made through the Bank of the

United States, was on 10 Nov. 1804 (mb, 2:1139‑40, 1145). letter of mr pinckney’s: see TJ to William C. C. Claiborne, 7 Jan.

From Isaac Story Most respected Sir, Marblehead, Feby. 8, 1805. Permit me to inclose the Centinel of Wednesday last, that you may take suitable measures for bringing Mr. Hulbert of Sheffield to con‑ dign punishment. I ever considered it as a branch of wisdom in you to pretermit common Newspapers squibs. But when a man brings forward in the house of Representatives a set of the most flagitious charges, should he not be called to a solemn account, and made to suffer in the severest manner? I think it will operate to your injury, if you should connive at, and pass by these grossest of all Calumnies. But I desist, for it would be high presumption in me to recommend. I therefore conclude with subscribing myself with the deepest veneration, your most obedient and most humble servant, Isaac Story Printed in Worthington C. Ford, ed., Thomas Jefferson Correspondence Printed from the Originals in the Collections of William K. Bixby (Boston, 1916), 110‑11. Recorded in SJL as received 20 Feb. Enclosure: Boston Columbian Centinel, 6 Feb. The enclosed issue of the Columbian centinel reported on debate in the Mas‑ sachusetts House of Representatives on 31 Jan. over a resolution proposed by Repre‑ sentative Thomas Allen, Jr., of Pittsfield that the house cease its employment of Alexander Young and Thomas Minns as printers because of their “indecent and libellous publication against the personal character of the President of the United States” in the 18 Jan. edition of their newspaper, the New­England Palladium, under the title “The Monarchy of Feder‑ alism.” Countering Allen’s allegation that the Palladium article was libelous, Rep‑ resentative John W. Hulbert of Sheffield contended that “far the greater part, if not the whole of those charges were sub‑

stantially true and capable of undeniable proof.” Hulbert proceeded at length to repeat most of the allegations against TJ made by the Palladium and to offer argu‑ ments and evidence to support their ve‑ racity. The charges included accusations that TJ “abandoned his post” while gov‑ ernor of Virginia in the face of a British invasion of his state, that he demeaned the importance of faith in God “to the peace and welfare of society,” that he invited Thomas Paine to return to the United States, and that he attempted to seduce the wife of his friend John Walker. Hul‑ bert also mentioned that TJ “is accused of having taken to his bosom a ‘sable damsel,’ ” a circumstance that, if true, TJ probably thought “excusable” given “the custom of the country” in Virginia. Hul‑ bert said that he would leave it for the public to decide the wisdom or folly of TJ’s reductions of the navy, his Mediter‑ ranean policy, and his advocacy of dry docks and gunboats. Hulbert declared, however, that the charge that TJ paid $100 to James Thomson Callender for

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8 FEBRUARY 1805 writing The Prospect Before Us was well supported by evidence. Hulbert read sev‑ eral passages from that work in which Callender disparaged the Constitution, George Washington, and John Adams. In agreement with the Palladium, Hulbert questioned TJ’s views of Napoleon Bona‑ parte and the “enlightened government” of France; his appointment of Gallatin as Treasury secretary; the purchase of Lou‑ isiana, which Hulbert considered to be the “grave of the union”; and TJ’s “affec‑ tion for criminals convicted of enormous

crimes,” particularly Callender and Wil‑ liam Duane. Echoing an assertion that the country was governed by “an aristocratic Junto” under TJ, Hulbert stated that the editors of the Palladium were entitled “to the esteem not only of the house, but of all good and honest men.” The Palladium piece, the legislative debate it inspired, and a lengthy defense by the Palladium’s editors were published in March as The Defence of Young and Minns, Printers to  the State, Before the Committee of the House of Representatives (Boston, 1805).

To Volney Dear Sir Washington Feb. 8. 1805. Your letter of Nov. 26. came to hand May 14. the books some time after; which were all distributed according to direction. the copy for the E. Indies went immediately by a safe conveyance. the letter of Apr. 28. & the copy of your work accompanying that did not come to hand till August. that copy was deposited in the Congressional li‑ brary. it was not till my return here from my autumnal visit to Mon‑ ticello that I had an opportunity of reading your work. I have read it, and with great satisfaction. of the first part, I am less a judge than most people, having never travelled Westward of Stanton, so as to know any thing of the face of the country; nor much indulged myself in geological enquiries, from a belief that the skin‑deep scratches which we can make or find on the surface of the earth do not repay our time with as certain & useful deductions as our pursuits in some other branches. the subject of our winds is more familiar to me. on that the views you have taken are always great, supported in their outlines by your facts; and though more extensive observations, and longer continued may produce some anomalies, yet they will proba‑ bly take their place in this first great canvas which you have sketched. in no case perhaps does habit attach our choice or judgment more than in climate. the Canadian glows with delight in his sleigh & snow, the very idea of which gives me the shivers. the comparison of climate between Europe & N. America, taking together it’s corresponding parts, hangs chiefly on three great points. 1. the changes between heat and cold in America are greater & more frequent, & the extremes comprehend a greater scale on the thermometer in America than in Europe. habit however prevents these from affecting us more than the smaller changes of Europe affect the European. but he is greatly  473 

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affected by ours. 2. our sky is always clear; that of Europe always cloudy. hence a greater accumulation of heat here than there, in the same parallel. 3. the changes between wet and dry are much more fre‑ quent and sudden in Europe than in America. though we have dou‑ ble the rain, it falls in half the time. taking all these together I prefer much the climate of the United states to that of Europe. I think it a more chearful one. it is our cloudless sky which has eradicated from our constitutions all disposition to hang ourselves, which we might otherwise have inherited from our English ancestors. during a resi‑ dence of between 6. and 7. years in Paris, I never, but once, saw the sun shine through a whole day, without being obscured by a cloud in any part of it: and I never saw the moment, in which, viewing the sky through it’s whole hemisphere, I could say there was not the smallest speck of a cloud in it. I arrived at Monticello, on my return from France, in January, & during only two months stay there, I observed to my daughters, who had been with me to France, that twenty odd times, within that term, there was not a speck of a cloud in the whole hemi‑ sphere. still I do not wonder that an European should prefer his grey, to our azure sky. habit decides our taste in this as in most other cases. The account you give of the yellow fever, is entirely agreeable to what we then knew of it. further experience has developed more & more it’s peculiar character. facts appear to have established that it is originated here by a local atmosphere, which is never generated but in the lower, closer & dirtier parts of our large cities, in the neigh‑ borhood of the water: and that, to catch the disease, you must enter the local atmosphere. persons having taken the disease in the infected quarter, & going into the country, are nursed & buried by their friends, without an example of communicating it. a vessel going from the in‑ fected quarter, and carrying it’s atmosphere in it’s hold into another state, has given the disease to every person who there entered her. these have died in the arms of their family without a single commu‑ nication of the disease. it is certainly therefore an epidemic, not a con‑ tagious disease; and calls on the chemists for some mode of purifying the vessel by a decomposition of it’s atmosphere, if ventilation be found insufficient. in the long scale of bilious fevers, graduated by many shades, this is probably the last & most mortal term. it siezes the na‑ tive of the place equally with strangers. it has not been long known in any part of the US. the shade next above it, called the stranger’s fever has been coeval with the settlement of the larger cities in the Southern parts, to wit, Norfolk, Charleston, New Orleans. strangers going to these places in the months of July, August or September, find this fever as mortal as the genuine yellow fever. but it rarely attacks  474 

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those who have resided in them some time. since we have known that kind of yellow fever which is no respecter of persons, it’s name has been extended to the stranger’s fever, and every species of bilious fever which produces a black vomit, that is to say a discharge of very dark bile. hence we hear of yellow fever on the Allegany mountains, in Kentucky &c. this is a matter of definition only: but it leads into error those who do not know how loosely, & how interestedly some physi‑ cians think & speak. so far as we have yet seen, I think we are correct in saying that the Yellow fever which siezes on all indiscriminately, is an ultimate degree of bilious fever never known in the US. till lately, nor farther South, as yet, than Alexandria: and that what they have recently called yellow fever in New Orleans, Charleston & Norfolk, is what has always been known in those places as confined chiefly to strangers, & nearly as mortal to them, as the other is to all it’s sub‑ jects. but both grades are local: the strangers fever less so, as it some‑ times extends a little into the neighborhood; but the yellow fever rigorously so, confined within narrow & well defined limits, & not communicable out of those limits. such a constitution of atmosphere being requisite to originate this disease as is generated only in low close, and ill‑cleansed parts of a town, I have supposed it practicable to prevent it’s generation by building our cities on a more open plan. take for instance the chequer board for a plan. let the black squares only be building squares, and the white ones be left open, in turf & trees. every square of houses will be surrounded by four open squares, & every house will front an open square. the atmosphere of such a town would be like that of the country, insusceptible of the miasmata which produce yellow fever. I have accordingly proposed that the enlargements of the city of New Orleans, which must immediately take place, shall be on this plan. but it is only in case of enlargements to be made, or of cities to be built that this means of prevention can be employed. The genus irritabile vatum could not let the author of the Ruins publish a new work, without seeking in it the means of discrediting that puzzling composition. some one of these holy calumniators has selected from your new work every scrap of a sentence, which, de‑ tached from it’s context, could displease an American reader. A Cento has been made of these which has run thro’ a particular description of newspapers, and excited a disapprobation even in friendly minds, which nothing but the reading of the book will cure. but time and truth will at length correct error. Our countrymen are so much occupied in the busy scenes of life that they have little time to write or invent. a good invention here  475 

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therefore is such a rarity as is lawful to offer to the acceptance of a friend. a mr Hawkins of Frankford near Philadelphia has invented a machine which he calls a Polygraph, and which carries 2. 3. or 4. pens. that of 2. pens, with which I am now writing, is best; and is so perfect that I have laid aside the copying‑press for a twelvemonth past, & write always with the Polygraph. I have directed one to be made of which I ask your acceptance. by what conveyance I shall send it while Havre is blockaded, I do not yet know. I think you will be pleased with it, & will use it habitually as I do; because it requires only that degree of mechanical attention which I know you to pos‑ sess. I am glad to hear that M. Cabanis is engaged in writing on the reformation of medecine. it needs the hand of a reformer, and cannot be in better hands than his. will you permit my respects to him and the Abbé de la Roche to find a place here. A word now on our political state. the two parties which prevailed with so much violence when you were here are almost wholly melted into one. at the late Presidential election I have recieved 162. votes against 14. only. Connecticut is still federal by a small majority: and Delaware on a poise as she has been since 1775. and will be till An‑ glomany with her yields to Americanism. Connecticut will be with us in a short time. tho’ the people in mass have joined us, their leaders had committed themselves too far to retract. pride keeps them hostile, they brood over their angry passions and give them vent in the news‑ papers which they maintain. they still make as much noise as if they were the whole nation. unfortunately these being the mercantile pa‑ pers, published chiefly in the seaports, are the only ones which find their way to Europe, & make very false impressions there. I am happy to hear that the late derangement of your health is going off, and that you are re‑established. I sincerely pray for the continuance of that blessing, and with my affectionate salutations, tender you assurances of great respect & attachment. Th: Jefferson  P.S. the sheets which you recieve are those of the copying pen of the Polygraph, not of the one with which I have written. PoC (DLC); at foot of first page: “Mr. Volney.” Understood by modern medicine as yellow fever, the term stranger’s fever arose due to the susceptibility of newcom‑ ers, particularly in subtropical regions, to the disease (J. Cohen, “Stranger’s Fever in Charleston, South Carolina: A Mis‑ taken Diagnosis?” Journal of the Royal

College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 37 [2007], 273‑6). genus irritabile vatum: “the irri‑ table race of poets (or prophets)” (Hor‑ ace, Epistulae 2.2.102; Vol. 32:166‑9). holy calumniators: an article that first appeared in the Philadelphia True American claimed that Volney’s View of the Soil and Climate of the United States of America contained “unfounded slander

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9 FEBRUARY 1805 and abuse” regarding the climate and dining habits of Americans. Other news‑ papers republished this critical account

(Brigham, American Newspapers, 2:955‑7; Richmond Enquirer, 1 Sep. 1804; New York Daily Advertiser, 8 Sep. 1804).

To Mercy Otis Warren Washington Feb. 8. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mrs Warren & returns her the paper she had been pleased to inclose to him with his own subscription & that of the heads of departments except General Dear‑ borne who had signed another paper. he learns with great satisfac‑ tion that mrs Warren’s attention has been so long turned to the events which have been passing. the last thirty years will furnish a more instructive lesson to mankind than any equal period known in his‑ tory. he has no doubt the work she has prepared will be equally useful to our country & honourable to herself. he prays her to offer his re‑ spects to General Warren and to accept herself his salutations & as‑ surances of high consideration. RC (Sotheby’s, Auction No. N08699, 15 Oct. 2010, Lot 620). PoC (DLC); en‑ dorsed by TJ.

pleased to inclose to him: see Warren to TJ, 5 Jan.

From Noah Lester Sir Killingworth [before 9] Februay. 1805 Being by profession a lawyer I have diligently but unsuccessfully sought to advance myselfe in this State Where republicanism is treated as a Crime deserving every kind of punishment which the inginuity of its enemies can invent Attachment to the principals which distinguish your administra‑ tion has renderd. it necessary for me to seeke some employ under the General Goverment If any office in the teritory of Michigan or in any other Teritory shall be bestowed it will gratefully be received and discharged ac‑ cording to my ability— My Friends here will second my wishes on this subject and in case of occation a refferance to Mr. Granger will enable the President to decide on the merits of my application I have the honour to be with the greatest respect Sir your Obt. Servt. Noah Lester  477 

9 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); partially dated; at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Feb. and “to some office in Michigan” and so recorded in SJL. Noah Lester (d. 1820), an attorney and militia officer from Killingworth, Con‑ necticut, received a captain’s appointment in the U.S. army in 1808. Resigning his commission in 1812, Lester later migrated to the west and died at Little Rock, Ar‑ kansas Territory (Hartford American Mer­ cury, 22 July 1802; jep, 2:97, 103; Heit‑ man, Dictionary, 1:629; Arkansas Gazette, 24 June 1820; Norwich Courier, 27 Sep. 1820). my friends here: see Nicoll Fosdick to TJ, 5 Feb., and Joseph Willcox to TJ, 11 Feb. Pierpont Edwards, Alexander

Wolcott, and Abraham Bishop sent a rec‑ ommendation that TJ received on 9 Feb. that has not been found (Appendix iv). Bishop wrote to Gideon Granger on 4 Feb. recommending Lester and New Haven postmaster Jesse Atwater for ap‑ pointments in Michigan Territory, de‑ scribing both as attorneys and “deserving republicans” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Atwater. Lester Noah law appmts in Michigan”; Stets, Postmas­ ters, 100). Hezekiah Huntington wrote to Madison on 19 Feb. recommending Les‑ ter as a man of integrity and possessing a “Uniform Attachment to the Constitu‑ tion, and the System of measures pursued by the present Administration” (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Lester Noah—emploimt. Michigan”).

From Isaac Briggs My dear Friend, Washington M.T. 9th. of the 2nd. mo. 1805 My last letter to thee was dated at this place, 29th. of the month just past, a few days after my arrival here from New‑Orleans. In that letter I ventured some hints on the political situation of this Terri‑ tory. Having since acquired more certain knowledge of the subject, and more in detail, I think it my duty to communicate it to the Presi‑ dent with that candor and simple truth which I have always professed to follow as my cynosure. It appears to me there never was a period in which it was more important, than it now is, for the cause of republicanism, and for the reputation of the President, to proceed upon correct information, in filling offices of high responsibility in these distant Territories. I hope the President will never have to regret his appointment of William C. C. Claiborne Governor of Orleans, notwithstanding the torrent of abuse lately poured out upon him in the news‑papers—it is compounded of gross misrepresentation, base false hood and bitter, tho’ I trust impotent malevolence—the whole supported by suborned and mutilated testimony. With a confidence little short of knowledge, I give the names of the junto in opposition. E. Livingston, and his amanuensis and puppet, J. B. Prevost; and Daniel Clark—these ap‑ pear under various signatures, principally “An Inhabitant,” as “Pub‑ lic Accuser” &c. The friends of the Governor are Lewis Kerr under  478 

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the signature of “Curtius,” “Projector” &c. &c.—and James Work‑ man under the signature of “Lalius.” On this subject I may write more in detail, in a future communication. Excuse this digression: I return now to the Mississippi Territory. Every day’s experience confirms me still more in the opinion ex‑ pressed in my last letter respecting the character of a Governor suitable for this Territory, and in my recommendation of Robert Williams. Some anxiety is felt here under the apprehension that Cato West may be appointed the Governor—that anxiety would be extreme were it not mitigated by a hope that the President is too well informed of his character and the situation of the Territory to admit of such a measure. He has become the head, the leader, and rallying point of a little junto—viz—Cato West, John Shaw, Edward Turner Thomas M. Green, Drury W. Brazeale and a few minor auxiliaries. Judge David Ker, lately deceased, was a champion in their cause—and the survi‑ vors, through the channel of a news‑paper, sing anthems to his mem‑ ory, so highly toned, and so little consonant with popular opinion, that I am told it is often mistaken for the severest irony. This little band, by great industry and management at the late election, has had the address to gain such a footing in the present Assembly as divides the republican interest—admits the Federal party to hold the balance between them and govern at their option the preponderance of either scale—or totally suspend the business of legislation. I am convinced that could the unbiased sense of the whole Territory be taken, more than nine tenths would be irreconsilably against them. Even in the county of Jefferson, where all their interest lies, they would now be found in a very small minority—for their interest has greatly dimin‑ ished since last election. It admits of no doubt in the mind of any man of correct judgment, who has been acquainted with the people of this Territory, that under the administration of a mild, judicious Governor, who would pursue principles and suffer to sink into oblivion a nomenclature which ex‑ hibits but the watch words of party and malevolence, there would immediately appear a great majority, who would cordially pursue correct principles. Neither does it admit of a doubt that if the junto before mentioned be upheld as Republicans and their conduct of course as a correct sample of republicanism—then the united and decided sentiment of at least nine tenths of the people of this Territory will be—“If this be republicanism, we are Federalists—or any thing rather than Republicans.— Accept assurances of my esteem and affectionate regard. Isaac Briggs.  479 

9 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); in Thomas Robertson’s hand, signed by Briggs; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. FC (MdHi); in Robertson’s hand.

From Robert Patton Sir, Post office Philada. 9th Feby. 1805 I have recieved your polite note of the 6th inst. and in compliance with your request, I have this day forwarded, the letter you entrusted to my care, for Thomas Paine, under cover to the Post Master at New York. I am Sir, With the greatest respect Your obedient Servt. Robt. Patton RC (DLC); at head of text: “The Pres‑ ident United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. your polite note: not found. It is likely that at some time prior to 6 Feb., TJ forwarded to Patton, the Philadelphia postmaster, his 15 Jan. letter to Thomas Paine, as Paine had earlier stated his in‑

tention to depart for Washington, via Philadelphia, in the second week of Janu‑ ary. On 3 Feb., TJ received Paine’s letter of 25 Jan., which informed TJ that Paine would be unable to make the journey. TJ likely wrote to Patton to have his letter to Paine forwarded on to New York (Paine to TJ, 1 Jan.; Paine to TJ, 25 Jan.; Paine to TJ, 20 Apr., second enclosure).

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Feb. 9. 1805. From the two last boxes sent here I have selected the following Desodoart Revoln de France 2.40 Bibliotheque geographique &c Campe. 20. v. 10. Elemens de Zoographie 1. Elemens physiques de la jeunesse .40 histoire de Mathematiques Bossut 4. Lettres sur la botanique 2.80 Voiage cosmographique 1. Cours de Morale de Dumoustier .80 Dictionnaire Etymologique de Morin 2.80 Dictionnaire de Poche. Catineau 1.90 23.10 by post. 2. Nouveau testaments 1.60 10. Respublicae 4.90 Hungaria 2. 8.50 .50  480 

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these with two former envoies are to my debet with you. and I have this day sent to the stage office the two boxes with the rest of the books which you will be able to verify by your invoice which I return herein. I observe in one of your small catalogues No. 1. pa. 4. Institutions du droit de la nature &c par Rayneval 8vo. and in a letter of yours lately recieved you mentioned having certain plans of Rome, and something on the Letters, languages &c of Europe Asia Africa America which, tho’ I do not know, yet as they are cheap, & something enticing in the subject, I shall be glad to recieve with Rayneval’s book before‑ mentioned.   the Tables statistiques Germaniques were delivered to the Secretary of State. I thank you for the 2 prints in Architecture, which, (one especially) are singularly elegant. I have read with satis‑ faction the copies of documents respecting yourself which you were so kind as to send me, and which shew that your political sentiments are of that class which is acceptable to every American, as well as the estimation in which on other accounts you were held in other coun‑ tries. Accept my salutations & respects Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ. Enclosure not found. last boxes sent here: Reibelt to TJ, 29 Jan. desodoart revoln: probably An‑ toine Etienne Nicolas Fantin‑Desodoards, Abrégé chronologique de la révolution de France à l’usage des écoles publiques (Paris, 1802). In making his calculations, TJ appears to have excluded the cost for the work on mathematics by Charles bossut.

lettres sur la botanique: possi‑ bly Lettres à Madme. de C**. sur la bota­ nique, et sur quelques sujets de physique et d’histoire naturelle, by Louis Bernard de Montbrison, which was published by the Levrault firm in 1802. According to a notice on the verso of the title page, the second volume was intended for younger readers. For two former book shipments from Reibelt, for which he had yet to re‑ ceive payment, see TJ to Reibelt, 23 Jan., and Reibelt to TJ, 25 Jan. For the prints in architecture and documents, see Reibelt’s letters of 30 and 31 Jan.

From Abner Ritchie Hond. Sir Georgetown 9. Feb. 1805. There was granted unto Colo Charles Beatty lately deceasd 81. Acres of land under two special warrants of resy. from the Land office of Maryland, one bearing date 22 Ap. 1791. the other 22d Mar. 1792 patent dated 23d May 1801. Land named Burns Neglect— It has been stated to me that this Land was long known to have been vacant, but that David Burns decd. (tho Father in law of Maj. now Colo. Vn. Ness altho told of its being vacant declined affecting it by a new warrant—that a Caveat was entered in the Land Office of  481 

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Maryland, where after hearing, the Chanr. as judge had determined in fav. of Colo Beatty— I am an Admr. with the Will annexed of Beatty. and have per‑ suaded his 3 Sons his only Devisees & Heirs, in preference to going to Law to commute in some way first submitting the Patent and Papers to competent Council, and as the Claim takes in a part of the Presidents House and a portion of the Ground attached to it, to give an entire preference to the Government and at terms quite admissible— To this proposition two have agreed, the third standing opposed but who I believe will ultimately agree I know not to whom to address on this occasion so proper as yourself—I have not had time to go over his Land papers but am correct in dates of warrants stated in the patent in my possession—I wish to keep them from law and the property if theirs is of real con‑ sideration to the Government and the Citizens possessing it—I know not if I am entitled to any answer, if I am I will furnish any lights within my power I am with sincere respect & Esteem yr. Excellencys mo Obed A Ritchie RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); addressed: “The Honble. The President of The United States”; franked; post‑ marked 10 Feb.; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 12 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Abner Ritchie (1765‑1819) was from Frederick, Maryland, where he had been a tax collector, sheriff, and land speculator. In about 1802, he opened a grocery busi‑ ness in Georgetown. Ritchie remained a grocer until his death, but he also engaged in various other enterprises, including the establishment of a blanket factory during the War of 1812. Charles Beatty’s estate was one of several in which Ritchie acted

as administrator or trustee (Willie Anne Cary Turk, Beatty­Asfordby: The Ances­ try of John Beatty and Susanna Asfordby, with Some of Their Descendants [New York, 1909], 156‑7; Federal Gazette & Baltimore Daily Advertiser, 10 Oct. 1797, 4 Aug. 1800; Washington Federalist, 1 Feb. 1802, 8 July 1803; Bartgis’s Mary­ land Gazette, 16 Jan. 1794; Bartgis’s Republican Gazette, 17 June 1803; New­ England Palladium, 8 Apr. 1817; George‑ town Messenger, 24 Mch. 1817; George‑ town National Messenger, 27 Sep. 1819; Daily National Intelligencer, 13 Jan. 1821; Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson, 1:59‑61).

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Feb. 10. 05. I intended by yesterday evening’s post to have sent you the trea‑ surer’s draught on mr Gibbons for 600. D. but unfortunately on call‑ ing at mr Gallatin’s office, he had left it. I called on him to‑day, but it being Sunday, the draught cannot be procured till tomorrow. it shall certainly go by the post which leaves this tomorrow evening & conse‑  482 

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quently will get to hand 24. hours after this is recieved by you. I am sorry these accidents should pinch us so much in time. my note to Brown & co. is for 416. D. payable on the 14th. inst. in Richmond. The pipe of wine you mention as arrived at Richmond is from Cadiz. another from Lisbon will shortly go on to Richmond. both to be forwarded to Monticello by faithful boatmen.   Will you be so good as to engage my hams from Colo. Macon to be forwarded here as early as their situation will admit. it is of great consequence that we should recieve them before the fly comes about to deposit it’s egg in them. we have every year suffered great loss among them from this circumstance. on their arrival here they are each put into a linen bag which secures them if they have not been already touched. it would be a considerable security if they could come packed in hogsheads or casks.   I have promised mr Madison to pay in Richmond his subscription to the Enquirer. will you be so good as to do it, & inform me of the sum, charging my account with it at the same time. Accept my affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “wine from Yznardi. Jarvis. hams. Enquirer for J.M.”

these accidents: see TJ to Jeffer‑ son, 4 Jan.; also mb, 2:1145. you mention: Jefferson to TJ, 5 Feb.

To George Read, Jr. Washington. Feb. 10. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Reid, and his apolo‑ gies after 30. years abstraction from law questions, for intruding into them with mr Reid who is in daily familiarity with them. but he means only to make such suggestions as may draw mr Reid’s own attention to the subject of their yesterday’s conversation. he has no law books here but the Abridgments. by turning to Comyns’ digest Prohibition. A.1. to Bacon’s abr. Prohibition K. mr Reid will find a multitude of cases proving the universality of the use of the writ of Prohibition: & 3. Blackst. c. 7. (112) says expressly ‘this writ may issue either to inferior courts of common law, &c or it may be directed to the courts Christian, chivalry, admiralty &c.’ whether therefore we consider the state courts as proceeding by a common law, or a foreign law, they seem subject to be kept within their limits by a prohibition. the importance of this question to the US. renders it interesting be‑ cause if the disaffected court of Sussex can lay hold of all the revenue arising in the Delaware, without any controul, it will produce a kind  483 

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of legal insurrection which may extremely embarrass the general government. should the question even be doubtful, or should the fed‑ eral judge refuse to issue a prohibition, the question, in my opinion, ought to be made to come before the supreme court for the purpose of settling the point. he again apologises from the importance of the case for even suggesting to mr Reid, what he is so much abler to in‑ vestigate for himself. PoC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); endorsed by TJ. yesterday’s conversation: Read, who was in town to serve as a witness in the Senate trial of Samuel Chase, dined at the President’s House along with sev‑ eral other legal dignitaries on Saturday, 9  Feb. (National Intelligencer, 11 Feb.; Appendix ii). A writ of prohibition allows an ap‑ pellate court to prevent a lower court from exceeding its jurisdiction (Garner, Black’s Law Dictionary, 1248). disaffected court of sussex: in October 1804, the Favorite, a Philadel‑ phia ship, became incapacitated and was temporarily abandoned in Delaware Bay while carrying goods from Bordeaux. A group of individuals from Sussex County, Delaware, boarded the ship, salvaged goods estimated to be worth $14,000, prevented members of the ship’s crew from participating in the salvage opera‑ tion, and stored the goods in Lewes. The salvors claimed a moiety of the goods, a claim disputed by the ship’s owners. When

Allen McLane, the collector for the dis‑ trict, ordered the goods transferred to Wilmington so that the amount of duties might be ascertained, the salvors secured, on 16 Dec., a writ of replevin from the Sussex sheriff preventing McLane from proceeding and allowing them to take possession of the property. Because the salvors held goods that had never re‑ ceived official customs markings, McLane contended that a violation of the revenue laws had occurred and that the goods should be treated as a forfeiture to the United States. Gallatin monitored the sit‑ uation closely and likely alerted TJ to the case. As U.S. attorney for Delaware, Read entered a libel on behalf of the govern‑ ment’s claim to the property on 23 Feb. (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 22 Dec. 1804; Wilmington Mirror of the Times & Gen­ eral Advertiser, 27 Feb.; Gallatin, Papers, 10:470; William Cranch, Reports of Cases Argued and Adjudged in the Supreme Court of the United States, 1801­1815, 9 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1804‑17], 4:347‑66; Caesar A. Rodney to TJ, 19 Mch.).

From Elisha Avery Sir, George Town, Feby 11th. 1805. With any other than yourself, elevated to the rank in which you are placed, I should have been awed by a sense of my presumption, & probably detered from excercising the liberty to which I am now em‑ boldend: and it is alone Sir, On those liberal & virtuous Qualities, which so emminently distinguish your character, that I rely for par‑ don of the freedom I allow myself. Too generally does it happen, that personages, rendered illustrious by superiority of genius, or dignity of situation, are regardless of hum‑  484 

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ble merit, & look with an eye of approbation on such appeals only, as are accompanied by formality, & cloathed in robes of etiquette: But you Sir enjoying in an exalted degree, all that supremacy attained by mental excellence, & raised by the voices of gratitude & admiration to the summit of National honour, will deign to appreciate according to its motive, this exposition of my wishes, although it be submitted without other ceremonial than the upright assurance of my profound veneration.—I am Sir a Native Citizen of the United states, to which I have recently returned after an absence of several Years, devoted ostensably, to the pursuits for which I was early destined, viz com‑ mercial undertakings. The latter part of my residence abroad, has not been attended with that portion of success, which I could have de‑ sired; and a series of unpropitious events has materially altered the face of my future prospects. It is under these circumstances Sir, that I have been led to a consideration of the object which I shall have the honour of disclosing in this letter—Deprived by reverses of the power of continuing in the line of my vocation under such advantages as are necessary to render it a Welcome one to myself, or an useful one to society, I am induced to seek a change of it, in something better suited to my means & more congenial to my disposition. The reluctance which I feel at incuring obligation, & a consciousness of the propriety of self‑effort in cases of difficulty, unite in urging me to this resolu‑ tion; otherwise I might have look’d for the promotion of my interests, through the medium of kindred alliance.—I will no longer then Sir hesitate to avow that, (considering it a measure the most susceptible of securing to myself that independence which it behoves a man to maintain, as well as of enabling me the more readily to contribute my share of publick usefulness,) I would hereby presume to make a ten‑ der of my services to my Country, & to solicit from her Guardian & Protector that degree of confidence & encouragement which my fee‑ ble talents might be thought entitled to.— In what situation my Will to render myself beneficial to the com‑ munity might be most accelerated, I would not pretend to determine. I am young & unincumbered, zealous for the welfair of my Country, But possessing no greater ambition than that of existing free of depen‑ dence, & of maintaining respectability amongst my my fellow citizens, by an honorable & useful employment of my time & faculties.— The circumstances incident to my life hitherto, have afforded me a  more than ordinary opportunity of making some acquisitions of great utility, if not necessity, to a person destined for certain publick undertakings.—  485 

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 A good deal of application in mercantile concerns, an habitual in‑ tercourse with commercial men, and a careful attention to their Vari‑ ous methods of transacting Negociations in the different Countries of Europe, have enabled me to understand with tolerable accuracy, the principles & regulations of commerce.— During the frequent & sometimes difficult voyages, which my avo‑ cations have caused me to perform, I have not been neglectful of the principal qualifications which constitute the mariner & are indispens‑ able in a Naval life.— On the other hand while viewing many imposing structures of de‑ fence & resistance which fortuitous occurences have thrown in my way, & while exploring fields once the Theatres of battle; my mind has been insensibly directed towards a contemplation of those impor‑ tant objects, which, togather with a propensity for Military knowedge, have induced me to devote a considerable share of my subsequent leisure, to certain studies, which form an essential part of the educa‑ tion of the Soldier or Engineer.—My Sojourn on the Continent of Eu‑ rope has enabled me to become methodically instructed in the french language, the usage of which is equally familiar to me with that of my Maternal tongue. I am also sufficiently acquainted with the Spanish for the ordinary transactions of business &c. It is with diffidence & not without concern Sir, that I have pro‑ ceeded thus far in speaking of myself; under different circumstances, I should have reserved this task for another, but chancing to be im‑ mediately at the seat of Government, on my way from Norfolk to the Northward, I have felt irresistably impeled to make you this commu‑ nication; at the same time I beg leave renewedly to apologize for any wrong I may commit in presenting it in so informal a manner.— It is true that I am known to some of the Gentlemen of Congress, but not happining to accord with them on particular points, Delicacy has forbid my seeking through the channel of complacency, the fa‑ vour of an introduction from them.—If I were conscious that it would become me here to express my individual sentiments, on subjects not absolutely connected with my purpose, I should perhaps before I laid aside my pen, give greater indulgence to my feelings: But sensible of the impotence of my conception, I would respectfully humble my feeble essays before the grandeur of your understanding. Still Sir You will pardon me for observing, that though during most of the contest which has so long agitated our Country, & which is so happily & gloriously subsiding, I have been too far removed to take a decided part. I have not been unanxious however with regard to its event:  486 

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And having had in the mean time a most eligible opportunity amidst the miseries of Absolute & Aristocratic Governments, of studying their causes & of Witnessing their effects; could I have erred in the choice of a political System for my Native Country?—Between two modes of Administration, of which the direct tendency of the one, being (as far analogy of situations would permit,) to involve me & my fellow citizens, & more especially our posterity, in all those evils & unnatural wrongs which I had so much deplored; whilst the prin‑ ciples & effects of the other conducing to secure & perpetuate to us the most ample enjoyment of those costly blessings, which nature & reason extend towards us, & declare to be our rights; could I have doubted a moment in making my election? I hope Sir that You may one day have too fair an opinion of my Judgement & honesty to sup‑ pose me capable of hesitating. From what I have taken the liberty of Noticing you will discover my motives & Wishes, should they be so far honoured with Your approbation as to engage You in their promotion, I will as promptly as possible procure such testimonials of my character & conduct, as might authorise me to expect Your confidence—I shall do myself the honour of calling on You another time, when You will please to signify your sentiments concerning this application. Please see the envelope.1 I have the honour to be Sir with due respect Your Most Obdt. Servt. E. Avery RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 12 Feb. and “office” and so recorded in SJL. Elisha Avery of Pomfret, Connecticut, was a grandson of Major General Israel Putnam. His uncle, John Avery, was sec‑ retary of the commonwealth of Massa‑ chusetts. Some time around 1799, Elisha Avery departed for Europe to pursue commercial opportunities. TJ considered recommending him to a position in the Michigan Territory after his return, but was dissuaded when rumors surfaced con‑ cerning Avery’s conduct in France. Avery

wrote to TJ again early in 1806, hoping to secure a diplomatic posting, but received no reply (Eben Putnam, A History of the Putnam Family in England and America, 2 vols. [Salem, 1891‑1908], 1:184; Oliver Ayer Roberts, History of the Military Com­ pany of the Massachusetts, 4 vols. [Bos‑ ton, 1895‑1901], 2:195; Vol. 39:46; Wil‑ liam Eustis to TJ, 16 Feb., 2 June; Calvin Goddard to TJ, 16 Feb.; TJ to Avery, 17 Feb.; Avery to TJ, 10 Jan. 1806). 1 Closing and signature are on a sepa‑ rate page.

 487 

From Justus Erich Bollmann Sir, Newyork February 11th. 1805 I am apprehensive I have been guilty of an Incorrectness in not acknowledging before the Receipt of Your Excellency’s Remittance for $546.₁−⁴− ₀³₀ − in full for the Hungary‑Wines. It was occasioned by the Expectation I entertained of paying personally my Respects to you at Washington, but which I have not yet been able to realise. It is very satisfactory to me that the Wines in the whole have an‑ swered Your Excellency’s Expectation. I remain with great Respect Your Excellency’s most obt. St. Erich Bollmann RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

your excellency’s remittance: TJ to Bollmann, 6 Dec. 1804.

To George Jefferson Dear Sir Washington Feb. 11. 05. According to my letter of yesterday I now inclose you the treasurer’s order on mr Gibbons for 600. D. which I hope will get to hand in time to prevent disappointment. will you be so good as to send to Monticello a hogshead of best molasses, but in a double case in sound & good condition or it will be no better than a hogshead of water when it arrives there. if there is any syrop of punch to be got I should be glad of three dozen bottles to be sent up also. accept affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. G. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “600 molasses.” Enclosure not found.

From George Read, Jr. Washington Feb: 11. 1805

G. Read presents his most respectful compliments to the President of the United States, and has been honoured with his Note of yesterday, on the subject of the power of the Courts of the United States, to re‑ strain the State Courts within their limits by a prohibition:—G. Read laments that there is no law‑library in Washington to which he could have recourse for the purpose of investigating the very interesting sub‑  488 

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ject alluded to, and the diffidence he feels in expressing an opinion on a case of that magnitude without the most deliberate investigation will, he hopes, be a sufficient apology for delaying to submit his senti‑ ments to the President, until his return to Delaware;—when the most prompt attention shall be applied to the question. He acknowleges with great deference the importance of the sug‑ gestions the President has done him the honour of making, they will facilitate the examination of the question and shall receive mature consideration;—Should the question be doubtful, a prohibition shall be applied for to the federal Judge & if refused by him, that course will be pursued, which, agreeably to the desire of the President, may bring the question before the Supreme Court for the purpose of set‑ tling the point. RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

The federal judge for the Delaware district was Gunning Bedford (Vol. 37: 678).

From Henry Warren Sir Plymouth Feby 11th. 1805 Through the medium of Judge Cushing’s family I have learnt that Cod’s tongues & sounds are a dish of which you are peculiarly fond. I embrace the opportunity which this hint affords me to transmit a half barrel, which I believe are excellent, & have sent them by the Schooner Nightingale, Capt. Paine, bound up the Potomack, who has promised me to forward them safely. I pray you, Sir, to accept them, however small the token, as one evidence of the gratitude, respect & veneration of Your most obedet: very hume: Servt: Henry Warren RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esq. President of U.S. Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From Joseph Willcox Sir District of Connecticut, Killingworth 11th. Feby. 1805 Permit me to observe that Noah Lester Esqr. Councelor at Law, offers himself as a candidate for some imployment under the general government, he wishes to be placed in some of the Territorial Gov‑ ernments as a Judge or District Attorney, ether of which I belive he wold fill with propriety—He is a gentleman of Abilities, Respected in  489 

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his profession, & has been a uniform & regular suporter of Republi‑ can principals, & strongly attached to the present Administration— beliving Mr. Lester, capable & that the Public interest wold be well served, must plead my excuse, for the liberty I take, & the trouble I give, by recomending him to your Excellency favorable notice— I am Sir with sentiments of high respect & Esteem Your Excellencys Obd. H Servant Joseph Willcox RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson Esqr”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and “Lester Noah for office” and so recorded in SJL.

From Pierre Chouteau Monsieur St. Louis le 12 Fevrier 1805 Je viens d’apprendre dans le moment qu’un Parti d’Osages a Tué sur la Riviere des Arkansas un François et volé dix chevaux aux chas‑ seurs qui ont hiverné sur cette même Riviere, le chef les cheveux Blancs m’a fait avertir de ce malheureux accident par un chasseur qui est descendu de l’endroit où il est en chasse en massurant qu’aussitot qu’il seroit de retour a son village il m’instruiroit avec detail de toutes les circonstances de cette affaire; il me fait dire en même tems qu’il se voit au moment d’avoir la Guerre avec la bande de sa nation qui est sur la Riviere des Arkansas et sous la Conduite du chef La Grande piste. J’aurois bien desiré pouvoir me Rendre L’automne dernier chez les Ozages pour Rétablir l’union entre leurs parties differents mais le Traité conclu a cet époque entre le gouvernement Americain et les Nations Sakias et Renards, m’a Retenu a St. Louis. Monsr. le Gouverneur harrison vous a sans doute instruit de ce traité, Je vous avouë, Monsieur, que J’ai vu avec satisfaction que mon credit et mon influence auprês de ces deux Nations avoient enfin porté leurs chefs a conclure un Traité, que J’ose croire, vous aurez Trouve avantageux. Soyez persuadé, Monsieur, que dans toutes circonstances soit pour achats de terre soit pour liaisons de commerce et d’Amitié avec les Nations sauvages; J’employerai sans Reserve pour la gloire et l’interet des Etats Unis, le Credit que J’ai parmi ces Nations, Credit qui s’est fortifié par une liaison de commerce avec eux non interrom‑ puë depuis plus de vingt cinq ans. Je me propose aussitot que la navi‑ gation sera libre de me Rendre dans la Riviere des Arcansas au vil‑ lage du chef la Grande Piste pour y facilliter le Passage de l’Expedition que vous desirez faire dans cette Riviere et eviter une Guerre entre la Bande des cheveux blancs et celle de ce chef dont les suites ne pour‑  490 

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roient être que très desastreuses pour notre population blanche et Re‑ tablir un accord parfait entre les differents partis de la Nation Ozage. Il court des bruits que les nations sauvages etablies sur le territoire Indien se preparent a la guerre contre les Etats Unis, J’ai pris a ce sujet tous les renseignemens qu’il a été en mon pouvoir et d’après leur resultat il paroit que les machecoux ont fait courir des Colliers ou paroles chez toutes les Nations de la Rive Est du mississipy et chez les Sakias et Renards de cette Rive a l’effet d’operer une Reunion et une ligue Générale pour empêcher la vente d’aucune terre des sau‑ vages au gouvernement americain et même dans le Cas ou l’on vou‑ droit les y Contraindre s’y opposer par force ne voulant point être transportés dans d’autres contrées que celles qu’ils habitent et parmi des nations avec les quelles elles ont etés presque toujours en guerre: ces rapports ne meritent surement pas une confiance entiere, mais Je ne negligerai aucun moyen pour m’informer dune maniere Juste des Veritables projets de ces nations Les fleuves encore gelés ont Jusqu’a present interrompu toute com‑ munication cependant par les Oui‑dires de quelques sauvages J’ai été informé que Mr. le Capne. Lewis après un heureux voyage avoit hiverné a environ cinquante Lieues au dessus du Village des man‑ dannes c’est a dire 450 Lieues dans le haut du missoury. J’espere récévoir avant peu des nouvelles de lui et Je m’empresserai de vous en faire part. Les Craintes que Je vous ai Témoigné de voir les proprietés de la plupart de nos habitans ebranlées par la chicane semblent se réaliser, plusieurs sont déja inqui[etés] et troublés dans des possessions légi‑ times parceque leurs [titres] Sont plutot fondés sur la bonne foi et la confiance que sur [de] Vieux papiers revetus de toutes les formalités prescrites par la loi; sil est un moyen de prevenir de tels malheurs, J’ose esperer de Votre bienveillance pour les Nouveaux Citoyens des Etats unis, qu’il sera mis en exécution et assurera nos proprietés et notre bonheur. J’ay lhonneur dêtre avec le plus profond Respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur Pre. Chouteau e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Sir, St. Louis, 12 Feb. 1805 I have just learned that a party of Osages has killed a Frenchman on the Arkansas River and stolen ten horses from the hunters who were wintering on the river. The chief White Hair informed me of this unfortunate incident through a hunter who came down from where he was hunting. He assured me that as soon as he returned to his village he would give me full details

 491 

12 FEBRUARY 1805 about the circumstances. The chief also informed me, through the same mes‑ senger, that he is at war with the faction of his nation led by chief Great Track, on the Arkansas River. I wanted very much to visit the Osages last fall to reestablish unity among their various factions but was retained in St. Louis, concluding the treaty between the American government and the Sac and Fox nations. Governor Harrison has undoubtedly informed you about the treaty. I admit, Sir, that I was pleased my standing and influence with these two nations finally led their chiefs to conclude a treaty which, I dare believe, you found advantageous. These nations hold me in their esteem. You can be certain, Sir, that in all matters, be they relationships of trade or friendship or land pur‑ chases, I will always use this respect for the prestige and interest of the United States. Continuous trading ties that I have maintained for more than 25 years have fostered this esteem. As soon as the river is navigable, I propose to travel on the Arkansas River to chief Great Track’s village to arrange for passage of the expedition you wish to make on the river, to head off a war between Great Track and White Hair, which could only be disastrous for our white popula‑ tion, and to restore perfect harmony among the different parts of the Osage nation. Rumor has it that the native nations living in Indian territory are planning a war against the United States. I obtained all the information I could. Based on this, it appears that the Machecoux Indians sent necklaces or messages to all the nations on the eastern shore of the Mississippi as well as the Sacs and Foxes on this shore to come together in an alliance to prevent the sale of any native land to the American government. They would also forcibly oppose any effort to compel them to sell, not wishing to be transported from the regions they inhabit to others among the nations with whom they have almost always been at war. These reports are not fully reliable, but I will not lose any op‑ portunity to obtain a more accurate sense of these nations’ true plans. Since the rivers are still frozen, all communication is interrupted except for rumors from a few Indians. I have been informed that, after a successful trip, Captain Lewis spent the winter about 450 leagues north on the Missouri, some 50 leagues above the Mandan village. I hope to have news of him soon and will forward it to you promptly. I told you about my fear that the property of most of our inhabitants would be subject to controversy. That seems to be happening. Several are already worried about their legitimate possessions because the deeds to their proper‑ ties are based on good will and confidence rather than on old papers invested with all the legal formalities. If it is possible to prevent such disputes, I dare hope your good will toward the new citizens of the United States will work to ensure our possessions and happiness. With the deepest respect, Sir, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Pre. Chouteau RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); torn; in a clerk’s hand, with closing and signa‑ ture by Chouteau; addressed: “A Mon‑ sieur Ts Gefferson President des Etats Unis Washington, federal cité”; franked; postmarked 17 Feb.; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

For the U.S. treaty (traité) with the Sacs and Foxes, see TJ to the Senate, 31 Dec. 1804. les machecoux: it is uncertain to which group of Indians Chouteau was referring. Some scholars have assumed it  was a French term for the Creeks, or

 492 

12 FEBRUARY 1805 Muskogees. In Notes on the State of Virginia, TJ identified a small tribe by this name living in the northwest and noted conjectures that it may have been affili‑ ated with the Creeks. Chouteau identified the group again in 1806 on a list of tribes that had received gifts from the Spanish. Although there was a small group of Creeks residing west of the Mississippi at this time, it seems unlikely that they

would have taken the initiative in orga‑ nizing disparate groups on both sides of the river (George E. Lankford, “Shawnee Convergence: Immigrant Indians in the Ozarks,” Arkansas Historical Quarterly, 58 [1999], 395; Lynn Morrow, “New Madrid and Its Hinterland: 1783‑1826,” Missouri Historical Society Bulletin, 36 [1980], 248‑9; Nasatir, Before Lewis and Clark, 2:769, 813; Notes, ed. Peden, 107).

From John Hay Sir, Cahokia 12th Feby. 1805 Being fully persuaded that any information given you of Capt; Lewis, will be acceptable, I take the Liberty to announce You, that I have lately learnt, that a Letter has come to hand at St Charles, from his Sioux Interpreter one Dorion to his son, letting him know, that they wintered fifty Leagues above the mandanes; as the persons who acquainted me of this are very respectable men, I do not doubt of its being a true Report. If Capt: Lewis has wintered there, he will I pre‑ sume get to his Journey’s End, by July, as I am certain the Missoury will break up at furthest, at the End of April. I shall nevertheless do my Endeavours to find out, if the Report, is a fact or not. I remain Sir, With perfect Respect Your most obdt And humble Servt John Hay RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); at foot of text: “Tho: Jefferson Esqr. Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Born in Detroit, John Hay (1769‑1841) attended school in Montreal and was in‑ volved in the fur trade before he settled in Cahokia in the mid‑1790s after marry‑ ing the daughter of French settlers. Hay served as the town’s postmaster and held

several clerical positions in St. Clair County over the course of his life (James Lukin Robinson and others, Queen’s Bench and Practice Court Reports, 46 vols. [Toronto, 1848‑84], 11:367‑90; Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:167n; Vol. 42:137, 188). Pierre dorion, Sr., a trader, served as one of the interpreters for the Lewis and Clark expedition (Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:294‑5).

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From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 12th. Febr. 1805 I forwarded yesterday the pipe of Wine and other articles received by the Caroline from Philadelphia. There is nothing now of yours remaining here. Had I not better engage your stock of bacon? I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble Servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jef‑ erson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

articles received: see George Jef‑ ferson to TJ, 5 Feb.

To Jones & Howell Messrs. Jones & Howell Washington Feb. 12. 05. I now inclose you a draught of the US. bank at this place on that of Philadelphia for 249.33 D the amount of nail rod shipped about the latter end of October.   by a letter of Dec. 9. I asked the favor of you to forward two tons more, which in yours of the 15th. you pro‑ posed to do soon after unless hindered by the ice. not having heard further from you, and knowing the state of the weather which fol‑ lowed I presume it has not been shipped. in that case I must pray it to be forwarded the moment the river opens. Accept my salutations Th: Jefferson PrC (MHi); endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “249.33 the nail rod of Dec. 9. to be forwarded.”

For notice of the nailrod shipped, see Jones & Howell to TJ, 20 Oct. 1804. Their letter of 15 Dec. has not been found (see Appendix iv).

From Samuel Morse Sir, Savannah, February 12, 1805. Since the death of capt. Webley, whose appointment to the com‑ mand of the revenue cutter gave great satisfaction, I have reflected but little on the subject of a successor, not knowing whether it was the intention of government to repair her; or whether the gun boats were to supercede the necessity of again sending her to sea. Observing that she is nearly ready for launching, and hearing con‑ siderable conversation on the subject of a new appointment, I am in‑ duced to offer a few remarks.  494 

12 FEBRUARY 1805

It is generally concluded here, that Allen, the present mate will suc‑ ceed to the place of Webley. My opinion of him has been given now 12 months. I doubt neither his honesty nor his courage, but I know his incapacity. I scarce know a more ignorant man. Beside, he has very little claim from public service, unless an employment for a length of time on board the cutter will give it him. I have been requested to recommend to you for the second place, in case Allen should be advanced, Alexander R. Johnston, a native citizen, an old seaman, a man of revolutionary merit (of which he bears the marks) and of good character. I comply with the request with pleasure, but should enjoy still greater in offering him for the first employment, for which I think him, as a man of sense, information & experience, infinitely better qualified than the one who expects the appointment. Trusting you need no assurance that nothing would induce me to recommend one whom justice to my country forbid me to do, I beg you will add to the application of capt. Johnston, whatever weight I may have the honour to possess in your consideration. Accept the testimony of my esteem. Saml Morse RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Th: Jefferson, Esq. P. U.S.”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 28 Feb. and “Johnston Alexr. R. to be appd to Reve‑ nue cutter” and so recorded in SJL. Captain Benjamin webley died on 16 Jan. The revenue cutter Thomas Jefferson received damage to its mainmast, stern, and rudder during a hurricane the previous September (Boston Repertory, 12 Feb.; Philadelphia United States’ Gazette, 27 Sep. 1804).

it is generally concluded: Geor‑ gia governor John Milledge wrote to Gal‑ latin on 19 Jan. recommending Thomas Allen for the position and enclosing a let‑ ter of 18 Jan. from John Howell on Allen’s behalf (RCs in DNA: RG 59, LAR; both endorsed by TJ). On 15 Jan., Richard Wall wrote to Senator James Jackson, recommending Peter Samuel Laffitte to command the revenue cutter (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Laffite Saml. for rev. cut. Georgia”).

From John Witherspoon Smith New York Feby. 12th. 1805

I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the enclosed letter, & plan of the City of New Orleans, from Governor Claiborne— & remain with sentiments of very high respect Your Excellency’s Obt. hble St. Jno Witherspoon Smith RC (MHi); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: William C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 23 Dec. 1804.

John Witherspoon Smith (ca. 1778‑ 1829) was the son of Samuel Stanhope Smith and a grandson of John Wither‑ spoon. He graduated from the College of New Jersey in 1795, the same year his

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12 FEBRUARY 1805 father succeeded Witherspoon as the in‑ stitution’s president. Smith moved from New York to New Orleans in 1805 and served as clerk of the superior court until Governor Claiborne removed him in 1807. He remained in Louisiana and later se‑ cured appointments as U.S. attorney and as a judge of the state criminal court in New Orleans (Richard A. Harrison, Princeton-

ians, 1769-1775: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1980], 42, 50‑1; Syrett, Hamilton, 25:563‑4; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 1:115‑17; 2:30‑1; Terr. Papers, 9:598, 749; jep, 3:232, 234, 401, 405, 624, 629; Moser, Papers of Andrew Jackson, 7:23‑4; Louisiana Courier, 18 Nov. 1829; New-York Evening Post, 7 Dec. 1829).

Opinion of Alexander J. Dallas

1 Vol. 63. §. 25. Swift’s Edit.

1 Vol. 56. §. 12.

Can a Prohibition issue from a Federal to a State Court? 1. The judicial authority of the United States, can only be exercised in such Courts, upon such subjects, and in such manner, as the Acts of Congress prescribe, under the limitations contained in the Constitution. 2. The judicial authority of the United States is sometimes exclusive of the judicial authority of the individual States, sometimes concurrent, and sometimes appellate. And the judicial au‑ thority of the individual States, is, likewise, sometimes exclusive, and sometimes concur‑ rent, in relation to the judicial authority of the United States. 3. If a State Court takes cognizance of a subject exclusively belonging to the judicial authority of the United States, a Writ of Error lies from the highest Court of law, or equity, of the State, in which a decision could be had, to the Supreme Court of the United States. If a State Court takes cognizance of a subject, on which it has a concurrent jurisdiction, with a Fed‑ eral Court, the right of ultimate decision rests with the State Court, provided its jurisdiction was first exercised in the case; and provided it is not removed, for the causes, at the time, and in the manner, prescribed by the 12th. section of the Judicial Act.  496 

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4. But there is no Constitutional, or Legislative, provision, that does effect the right of a State 3 Dallas’s Rep. 467. Court, in the first instance, to decide, for itself, Respa: vs Cobbet. the question of its own jurisdiction, whether exclusive, or concurrent, in relation to the ju‑ dicial authority of the United States. 5. The Writ of Prohibition is, in England, a Pre‑ rogative writ, which issues from the Superior Courts of Common Law to restrain Inferior Courts (whether temporal, ecclesiastical, mar‑ itime, or military &c) from the exercise of a jurisdiction that does not belong to them. It does not, however, transfer to the Superior Court, the subject in litigation for its decision, but merely prevents the Inferior Court from deciding upon it. 6. It is obvious, therefore, that a Writ of Prohi‑ bition is not a Writ necessary, for the exercise of the respective jurisdictions of the Courts, by 1 Vol. 58. §. 14. whom it may be issued; but is an Instrument employed by a Higher Court, of superintend‑ ing authority, to suppress a proceeding of an Inferior Court, in cases non coram judice. 7. Congress had power to invest the Federal Courts, with the authority to issue Writs of Prohibition, from one Federal Court to an‑ other; and even from a Federal to a State Court, on subjects which the Constitution & Laws gave, exclusively, to the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts. 8. But they have only exercised this power in a single instance, in relation even to the Federal Forum; by authorising the Supreme Court to issue Writs of Prohibition to the District Courts, “when proceeding as Courts of Admi‑ 1 Vol. 58. §. 13. ralty and maritime jurisdiction.” The same See 3 Dall. Rep. 121. section of the law, gave the right to issue writs of Mandamus; but as that has been adjudged to be an unconstitutional grant of power; and as the reason of the adjudication may be ap‑ plied to the Writ of Prohibition; it is ques‑ tionable, whether there exists any legitimate  497 

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3 Vol. 58. §. 14.

authority to issue a Prohibition, even to an In‑ ferior Federal Court. 9. But, it is clear, that the grant of the Power, in one case, operates as an exclusion of its exer‑ cise, in any other case; and the express grant to the Supreme Court, can afford no counte‑ nance to an exercise of the power by any other Court, on an implication arising from a con‑ flict of jurisdictions, either between one Fed‑ eral Court and another, or between a Federal Court and a State Court. 10. It is true, that the 14: section of the Judicial Act gives to all the Courts of the United States the power to issue Writs of Scire Facias, Ha‑ beas Corpus, “and all other Writs, not espe‑ cially provided for by Statute, which may be necessary for the exercise of their respective jurisdictions, and agreable to the principles and usages of law”: but the general power, as well as the Writs specifically mentioned, must be considered as the means of effectuating the jurisdictions of the Courts, in cases actually before them, upon the subjects, which are ex‑ pressly referred to them respectively; and not as creating a new, and original, authority, to enquire and determine, whether a State Court is exceeding its jurisdiction. A. J. Dallas Washington 13 Feb. 1805.

RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 13 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. can a prohibition issue: see TJ to George Read, Jr., 10 Feb., and Read to TJ, 11 Feb. Zephaniah swift’s three‑volume com‑ pilation, Laws of the United States of America. respa: vs cobbet.: that is, Respublica v. Cobbet, a case determined in the Penn‑ sylvania Supreme Court in 1798. An ac‑ tion of debt had been brought against political writer William Cobbett for vio‑ lating a previous order from the court to

cease libelous publications. Cobbett ap‑ pealed that as a British citizen, he could only be subject to the U.S. circuit court, which under the Constitution had juris‑ diction over civil cases involving aliens. Chief Justice Thomas McKean ruled in favor of the state, arguing that the offense in question was not civil but criminal and that the federal courts should never “take cognizance of any thing favouring of criminalty against a State” (Alexander J. Dal‑ las, Reports of Cases Ruled and Adjudged in the Courts of Pennsylvania, Before and Since the Revolution, 4 vols. [Philadelphia, 1799‑1807], 3:467‑76).

 498 

13 FEBRUARY 1805  non coram judice: not before a judge, referring in this situation to a court that

should not have legal cognizance of a case (Garner, Black’s Law Dictionary, 362).

From Philippe Reibelt Baltimore St. Patriks Row No. 61.

Monsieur le President! Le 13 Fevr. 1805 Vos ordres du 9 ne m’etant parvenus, que hier Soir—je m’empresse de Vous en accuser la reception, et de Vous faire parvenir en Consequence: Cents. Romae Ichnographia—4 feuilles in folio 50— et 4 partes Orbis Vet. Polyglottæ in fol 10— aux quelles je prend la Libertè d’ajouter: C. Le plan de Leipsic‑Capitale de la Literrature Germanique 10. L’atlas Complet du Ancièn Monde de Cellarius—50 Cartes 500. qui pourra Vous interesser par Ses Merites Connûs. et un Ouvrage Celebre Sur la Meteorologie p. Lamark—3 Vol—different format— 170. C’est d’une haute Satisfaction pour Moi, d’apprendre de Vous, que Vous jugez les 2 Gravures Architect. dignes d’etre recües a Votre Cabinet, Je desire pour la Satisfaction egale de la Maison a Paris, qu’il soit de même des Epreuves de Sa fonderie a Strasbourg, que j’osais Vous presenter a çes fins. Daignez agreer les respects les plus pures et les plus intensifs. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Baltimore, 61 St. Patrick’s Row Mister President! 13 Feb. 1805 Since your order of the 9th did not reach me until yesterday afternoon, I hasten to acknowledge it and to send you, accordingly: Romae Ichnographia, 4 sheets in folio 50 cents Orbis Veteribus Polyglotta, 4 parts in fol 10 cents to which I have taken the liberty of adding A map of Leipzig, capital of German literature 10 cents Cellarius’s complete atlas of the ancient world (with 50 maps) 500 cents which could interest you, given its recognized quality. an acclaimed work about meteorology by Lamarck, 3 volumes,   in different formats 170 cents

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13 FEBRUARY 1805  It gives me great satisfaction to learn that you deem the two architectural prints worthy of belonging to your collection. I hope the Paris office will have the same satisfaction concerning the proofs of its Strasbourg foundry which I took the liberty of giving you. Please accept my purest and deepest respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires a Paris”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 14 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. romae ichnographia: apparently a print deriving from a seventeenth‑century engraving of Rome by Giovanni Battista Falda, Recentis Romae Ichnographia et Hypsographia (Sarah McPhee, “Rome 1676: Falda’s View,” in Mario Bevilacqua and Marcello Fagiolo, eds., Piante di Roma dal Rinascimento ai Catasti [Rome, 2012], 241).

l’atlas complet: presumably the fre‑ quently published Geographia antiqua by Christoph Cellarius, or Keller (Walter A. Goffart, “Breaking the Ortelian Pattern: Historical Atlases with a New Program, 1747‑1830,” in Joan Winearls, ed., Editing Early and Historical Atlases [Toronto, 1995], 54). Reibelt was sending the Annuaire météorologique for the years 1800‑1802 by Jean Baptiste de Lamarck (lamark) (Sowerby, No. 688). He enclosed proofs (epreuves) from the Levrault type‑ foundry on 7 Feb. (second letter).

From Nathan Rockhill Federal City; Rhodeses, Inn—

Respected Sir— February 13th. 1805 Altho to you Unknown; as to person, property, or Character— more than what you will find Inclosed in one of these papers; have taken the Liberty; or as may more properly be said, [. . .] assurance, to lay before you, the present Difficulties [. . .] I am Overtaken with the Hope, that your Hon[. . .][. . .][. . .]escend, to Offer me Some assistance Or if not to [point] out Something that will in Some Mea‑ sure Operate to Relieve me; in doing, offering, or presenting of which I must leave you to Judge of my feelings, as you may think proper— Unaccustomed, as I may truly say to know the want of the Necessar‑ ies of Life—Have for some time past, through Unforesen Accidents, been deprived, of the Means whereby, the Travailar Subsists on the Road—And being, on my Return Homeward: made many Exer‑ tions to get on knowing, or fully believing, that my Situation, would not be the Better by delays; on the Road; Until the weather proved two severe for me to bear; Unaccustomed as I was to bear the Col,d; got Considerably frozen by which means I am entirely deprived of travailing Unless, by some Assistance having lost my Horse in Ab‑ bington & my pocket [too] light to purchase Another; in the End was[. . .][. . .]gh Physicians Bills, and Other Expences [. . .] with A  500 

13 FEBRUARY 1805

man at Newmarket to bring me [into] to this place; thereby hoping to Meet with some person with whom I was Acquainted & Get some‑ what relieved; Otherwise as I then was must have become Chargable to the public: in preference of which I would rather have experienc,d almost any thing Corporally even (Death) would have been no Un‑ welcome messenger— The person who assisted me in Getting here I shall be obliged to keep on Expences Until I Can find Some way to Satisfy, his and someother Demands, that I was Unable to do when I left Newmar‑ ket. Should I fail fail in procuring: as much — — — Consequncies I must leave and no Accquaint Appearing—has forced me to [. . .] of proceed[ing] I Do not Ask, [. . .] a present When at my place of Residen[ce] [. . .] Believe I Could meet many Such Demands—my papers must Vouch for my Credibility I have Omitted to State where I am from last, or from my Journeys and I have left behind me the Natchze, some parts Lousianna Or‑ leans, And a three months tour in the Indian Country On this side the Missisippi— Provided you Should proper to See, or Ask me Any Questions, Should be happy in Answering so far as I shall be Able— Should be Glad of knowing my destination, As the man who has Assisted me is in waiting my Rough Unquoth [. . .] Writing you must Excuse; Only [. . .]— Your Humble Servt Nathan Rockhill RC (DLC); torn; at foot of text: “Thos, Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found.

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate & House of Representatives of the United States. In the message to Congress at the opening of the present Session, I informed them that treaties had been entered into with the Dela‑ ware & Piankeshaw Indians for the purchase of their right to certain lands on the Ohio. I have since recieved another entered into with the Sacs & Foxes for a portion of country on both sides of the river Mis‑ sisipi. these treaties having been advised & consented to by the Sen‑ ate, have accordingly been ratified. but, as they involve conditions  501 

13 FEBRUARY 1805

which require legislative provision, they are now submitted to both branches for consideration Th: Jefferson Feb. 13. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by House clerks. PoC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by Senate clerks. FC (DLC); in TJ’s hand. Enclosures: see TJ to the Senate, 15 Nov. and 31 Dec. 1804. TJ delivered his annual message on 8 Nov. 1804. On this day, Isaac A. Coles delivered the treaties and TJ’s accompanying mes‑ sage to the House of Representatives and the Senate. The Senate ordered the mes‑ sage and treaties to lie for consideration, while the House referred them to the Com‑ mittee of Ways and Means. On 2 Mch., the committee reported back an appro‑

priations bill for carrying out treaties with the four tribes. The House passed an amended version the following day, and the Senate concurred that same day. The law allocated $300 annually to the Delawares for five years, another $300 annually to the Delawares for ten years, $200 annually to the Piankashaws for ten years, and $1,000 annually to the Sacs and Foxes “so long as the treaty with them shall continue in force.” The act also set aside $5,000 for the exploration and place‑ ment of potential sites for Indian trading posts and up to $100,000 for the estab‑ lishment of trading houses (jhr, 5:136, 163, 166‑7, 169; js, 3:451‑2, 469; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:338).

To Benjamin Smith Barton Dear Sir Washington Feb. 14. 05 Your favor of the 1st. inst. has been longer unanswered than I could have wished. the correspondence between Dr. Priestly and my‑ self was unfrequent & short. his fear of encroaching on my public duties deprived me of communications from him which would have been always welcome. I have examined all his letters to me since Mar. 1801. (those preceding being at Monticello) & find they do not con‑ tain a single fact interesting to your object. I hardly suppose the fol‑ lowing one to be so. having been long anxious to see a fair & candid comparison made between the doctrines of the Greek & Roman Phi‑ losophers, and the genuine doctrines of Jesus, I pressed Dr. Priestley, early in 1803. to undertake that work. he at first declined it from the extent of the subject, his own age and infirmities: but he afterwards informed me that having viewed the subject more attentively and finding that his Common place book would refer him readily to the materials, he had undertaken it: and a little before his death he in‑ formed me he had finished it. I apprehend however that he meditated a 2d. part which should have given a view of the genuine doctrines of Jesus divested of those engrafted into his by false followers. I suppose this because it is wanting to compleat the work, and because I observe he calls what is published Part 1st. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great esteem & respect. Th: Jefferson  502 

14 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (PHi: Benjamin Smith Barton Pa‑ pers); addressed: “Doctr. Benjamin S. Barton Philadelphia”; franked and post‑ marked; endorsed by Barton as received 18 Feb. PoC (DLC). i pressed dr. priestley: see Vol. 40:157‑9, 251‑5.

 he informed me: in December 1803, Joseph Priestley intended to complete the project “in about a year,” and in Decem‑ ber 1804 his son alerted TJ that he had arranged to send a copy of his father’s last work (Vol. 42:101; Joseph Priestley, Jr., to TJ, 20 Dec. 1804).

To Patrick Byrne Sir Washington Feb. 14. 05. I have safely recieved the volume of Dr. Priestley’s works which mr Priestley has been so kind as to destine for me. the matter is worthy of it’s author, and the mechanical execution does honor to the Ameri‑ can artists. I observe in your catalogue the following books. pa. 18. Brown’s view of the civil law & law of Admiralty. 2. v. 8vo. 62. Chatham’s Anecdotes. 2. v. 8vo. 67. Enfield’s history of Philosophy. 2. v. 8vo. 77. Home’s chronologl. abridgmt. of the hist. of England 82. Mawe’s Every man his own gardener. such of these books as you may still have on hand I shall be glad to recieve and will take care to remit you their amount as soon as known. if well wrapped in paper, especially with some pasteboard, & ad‑ dressed to me at this place, they will come safely by the stage. Accept my salutations & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Pat‑ rick Byrne”; endorsed by TJ. On 6 Feb., TJ received the volume of Joseph Priestley’s Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, Compared with Those of Revelation, which the author’s son arranged to be sent (Joseph Priestley, Jr., to TJ, 20 Dec. 1804; Byrne to TJ, 2 Jan.). Byrne regularly made available a cata‑ logue of his books for sale at his Law and Miscellaneous Bookstore located at 182 Market Street in Philadelphia. By

early 1805 after dissolving a partnership with his son‑in‑law, he advertised that “he continues the publication of his Law Cat‑ alogue, to which he has added many new articles.” The catalogue, from which TJ enumerated page numbers for desired books, has not been identified (A Catalogue of the Quire Stock of Books of P. Byrne, with the Bound Price of Each Article Affixed, as Sold by Him to the Public [Philadel‑ phia, 1802]; Library; or, Philadelphia Literary Reporter, 19 May, 1 Dec. 1804, 5 Jan. 1805).

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From Zadok Cramer Friend Jefferson, Pittsburgh, Febry 14, 1805 As a known friend to man, to the promotion of arts and sciences, and a warm admirer of the rapid progress of our country in manu‑ factures and useful establishments, I have taken the liberty to address thee—to solicit thy patronage to a work which I am about to print in this place by subscription. It is Brown’s of Haddington, historical, Geographical, Chronological, Etymological, and Critical Dictionary of the Holy Bible, in two Royal octavo volumes, with maps and plates. No doubt but thou hast seen the work, if so, thy opinion of it will be gratefully acknowledged. Since its matter is merely intended to elucidate the Holy Scrip‑ tures, and not to favor the favourite dogmas of Sect or party, I am enduced to believe the encouragement for the work will be very gen‑ eral, but I feel particularly anxious to consider thee one of my first Subscribers. The edition contemplated to be printed will most probably be cop‑ ied from one lately published in Dublin, and which has received very considerable enlargements from the Dictionaries of Calmet, Symon, &c. together with many new Articles. My intention is to have it neatly done, and printed on paper made within thirty miles of this place, and bound in skins of the growth of our hills & vallie’s, and as cheap as the same work could be done in Philadelphia. Pittsburgh is becoming a place of business—much of a manufactur‑ ing town—I want to lend my assistance in my way, to forward its prog‑ ress; and shall proceed with the greater alacrity with thy approval— I am thy unknown friend Zadok Cramer RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Zadok Cramer (1773‑1813) established himself as a bookseller, bookbinder, and stationer in Pittsburgh early in 1800, hav‑ ing relocated there from nearby Washing‑ ton County. By 1803 he had also estab‑ lished a circulating library, was president of the Pittsburgh Mechanical Society, and engaged in printing both annual regional almanacs and a regularly updated guide to the navigation of western rivers. Cramer published a two‑volume edition of John

Brown’s A Dictionary of the Holy Bible in Pittsburgh in 1807. TJ offered a sub‑ scription on 8 Mch. 1805, something Cramer featured prominently in his ad‑ vertisements thereafter. TJ received his copies early in 1808 (Charles W. Dahl‑ inger, Pittsburgh: A Sketch of Its Early Social Life [New York, 1916], 161‑208; Washington, Pennsylvania, Herald of Liberty, 7 July 1800; Pittsburgh Gazette, 12 June 1801, 28 Jan. 1803; Library; or, Philadelphia Literary Reporter, 11 May 1805; Pittsburgh Commonwealth, 4 Mch. 1807; Sowerby, No. 1506).

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To Alexander J. Dallas Washington Feb. 14. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Dallas & thanks him for his note on the subject of the Prohibition. the observation that it does not remove the cause, and consequently cannot come within the description of ‘writs necessary for the exercise of their jurisdic‑ tion’ had not occurred to him & is weighty. but it suggests to him (and a 30. years abstraction from legal studies makes him slow in his recollections) that by the laws of England causes are removed, at any time before a jury sworn, by a Habeas corpus cum causâ. this part of the English law may have been adopted in Delaware, as it had been in Virginia, & was in daily practice. this is suggested to mr Dallas merely for his own consideration, & not to give him the trouble of an answer. RC (Fitz‑Eugene Dixon, Winter Har‑ bor, Maine, 1948); addressed: “Mr. Dal‑ las.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. habeas corpus cum causâ: also termed habeas corpus ad faciendum et reci-

piendum, this writ was used in civil cases to remove the case and the defendant from an inferior to a superior court (Gar‑ ner, Black’s Law Dictionary, 728).

From William Dickson of Virginia Sir Norfolk 14 feby 1804 [i.e. 1805] By the desire of the inclosed Memorialists I am requested to in‑ form you that by next Mail You will be handed an additional Number of Names which for want of time could not be collected— With profound Esteem I am Sir your most Obt St. William Dickson RC (DLC: Gideon Welles Papers); misdated; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the U.S. of America City Washington”; franked; postmarked Suffolk, Virginia, 18 Feb.; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 14 Feb. 1805 received 22 Feb. and so recorded in SJL, connected by a brace with the letter from Littleton W. Tazewell of 16 Feb. with notation “for

bridge.” Enclosure: memorial, not found, probably enclosed in TJ to Robert Smith, 23 Feb.; see also Tazewell to TJ, 16 Feb. William Dickson (d. ca. 1825) was a merchant based in Portsmouth, Virginia (Norfolk Gazette and Publick Ledger, 30 Dec. 1812; Washington Daily National Journal, 4 Jan. 1826).

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From Jesse Franklin and David Stone Washington 14th. Feby 1805

We have Received from the Governor of the State of North Carolina the inclosed Act of the Legislature of that State with a Resolution in‑ structing us to endeavor to have a Road joining the one contemplated in the Act established thro’ the Country of the Cherokee Indians. It does not occur to us, there is any mode by which that object may be effected but by Treaty with those Indians, we therefore take the Liberty to lay the Act before you and to request in the name of the State we have the Honor to represent that this may become the sub‑ ject of negociation at as early a period as the general interest and convenience of the United States will permit. We have the Honor to be with the Highest consideration & Esteem Your Humble Servants J Franklin David Stone RC (DLC); in Stone’s hand, signed by both; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: “An act to appoint and empower Commission‑ ers to contract with any person or Persons for the purpose of opening and establish‑ ing a Turnpike road to pass through part of the Territory belonging to the Chero‑ kee Indians,” ratified by the North Caro‑

lina General Assembly on 18 Dec. 1804; the act appoints commissioners to lay out a road approximately 14 miles in length from the North Carolina‑Tennessee bound‑ ary to “where the same shall intersect with a Road laid off by order of the County Court of Buncombe leading to Scotts Creek” (Tr in same, attested by William White, secretary of state).

From Anne Cary Randolph My Dear Grand Papa Edgehill Feb. 14 1804 [i.e. 1805] I received your letter on the 13 of Feb: & am much obliged to you for it & the poetry also I will very gladly undertake to write to you evry post Jefferson is going to a very good latin school in the neigh‑ bourhood Mama is now in very good health & her apetite is quite restored she has never been out yet for fear of catching cold all the children send their love to you & Francis & we are all delighted to hear that we shall have the pleasure of seeing you so soon adieu my Dear Grand Papa your most affectionate Grand daughter A C Randolph  Aunt Virginia sends her love to you also RC (ViU: Edgehill‑Randolph); mis‑ dated; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 14 Feb. 1805 received 20 Feb. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

your letter: probably TJ to Anne Cary Randolph, 4 Feb., recorded in SJL but not found.

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To George Read, Jr. Feb. 14. 05

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Read and thanks him for his note on the subject of the Prohibition. he suggests for his consideration at the same time the English process of Habeas corpus cum causâ, which not only stops proceeding below but removes the cause to the superior court. this part of the English law may have been adopted in Delaware. it was so in Virginia, and in daily use there. RC (DeHi); addressed: “Mr. Read of Delaware now in Washington.” PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Feb. 14. 05. Your letter of yesterday is recieved, as also the maps of Rome, & that of the 4. quarters of the earth which I had desired. Cellarius I have already, & shall therefore return. Lamarck shall be examined. If you have any more copies of Catineau’s Dictionnaire de poche, I shall be glad of 2. more for particular friends. I observe in mr Fleischer’s Annuaire de la librairie pa. 477. les Fables de la Fontaine 2. v. in‑18. and Contes de Lafontaine 2. v. in‑18. if you have these in this format, I shall be glad to recieve them. Ac‑ cept my salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ. The four volumes of la fontaine were part of a 14‑volume collection of the

works of French poets, published in 1800 (William Fleischer, Annuaire de la librairie [Paris, 1802], 477).

To Abner Ritchie Sir Washington Feb. 14. 1805 I recieved the night before last only, your letter of the 9th. the sub‑ ject being entirely new to me, I have referred it to the Superintendant of the city to report facts. were I to hazard a primâ facie thought on the subject, it would be that the United states have no interest in the question & should take no part in it. the question seems to lie between the heirs of Byrne & Beatty, which of them is entitled to the price of the squares, & the moiety of the lots laid off within the limits of the 81. acres claimed by both. however I reserve myself for an ultimate  507 

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opinion till I recieve the Superintendant’s report. Accept my saluta‑ tions & respects. Th: Jefferson PoC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); at foot of text: “Mr. A. Ritchie”; endorsed by TJ.

From William Short Dear Sir Philad: Feb: 14. 05 Your letter of the 8th. inst. was recieved here on the 11th. inclos‑ ing an order on the Bank of U.S. for five hundred dollars, & which I  accordingly carry to your credit. Under the desire you formerly communicated to me I am endeavouring to bring up our acct to the present time—I am a bad hand at business of this kind & it there‑ fore  costs me more trouble perhaps than it would another—When the acct shall be made out I will ask the favor of you to examine it & ascertain whether the result be exact—It will be well that this should be done, because although in the case of our both living there would be no need of this, yet experience shews how much mischief may grow out of unsettled affairs when the parties change & do not under‑ stand each other. I had intended to have visited Charleston during this winter & of course to have passed through Washington—But having gotten into good winter quarters I found myself too much wearied with bad tav‑ erns, bad roads &c. to prevail on myself to encounter them on the vague & uncertain prospect before me—This I have always found to be my true character—With a definite object in view I find no effort too great & indeed no effort is painful, but without that, I incline so much to the school of Epicurus as to be apt to allow myself to remain one of his obscure disciples rather than to be buffetting the torrent & throwing it aside with hearts of controversy (the lusty sinews of course I leave out as not appertaining to me). Having abandoned by degrees the visit to Charleston I gave up also that to Washington. I should not however have been unwilling to have been there during this in‑ teresting crisis if I could have been as I should have chosen—It would have been amusing to me to have compared the persons & things exhibiting at Washington with what I had observed elsewhere, & have endeavored to have ascertained more fully in my own mind whether there be really as much similarity in the affairs of the various parts of this world, as I have been sometimes disposed to believe. As there were no other inducement than what was merely personal to me to make this visit I examined whether my pleasure in it would be equal  508 

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to the pain; & therefore decided against it—I see no advantage that it could have been to me to have been “known in the circle of public characters;” & I apprehend that a private individual who has been so long placed sous la remisè, would be too much, (in company with such characters at Washington) like a French1 Bourgeois (before the revolution) in the house of a grand Seigneur or a man of the privi‑ leged orders at least, to admit of its being agreeable to a person of my turn.—The greatest if not the only attraction that the capital could have for me, would be the pleasure of seeing & conversing with you, for I can assure you that no change of time & circumstances has changed in me those sentiments which were impressed on me in early life; & I always look back to them with too much pleasure to part with them.—This reminds me of my having found among my papers in America a letter of yours dated from Annapolis in 84—of which some parts are in cypher—having not found the cypher I have been unable to understand that part now—If you should have the cypher perchance I will thank you to let me know it. You may be sure that you will not find yourself mistaken in what you say, every day convinces you of more & more as to the Spanish government—I obtained full conviction of that during my residence there, & informed the Government of it at various times as must ap‑ pear on record in the Department of State—Proper management & proper exertions in conformity to the ideas I then communicated, I firmly believe, would long ago have secured for us the full & free navigation of the Mississipi—the possession of the Floridas, & such admission into some of their American ports by express stipulation, as would have insured to our commerce, from the Spanish mode of proceeding, a vast extension beyond that stipulation—But all this is of the last century & not worth a moments reflexion at present—All things may go now perhaps still better, & I can assure you no body will more rejoice at it than I shall. I am sorry that the Vin de Cahusac does not arrive, & I begin to be uneasy about it as several vessels have been lost at sea—Directions were given by my friend long ago as I informed you, as to the sending this wine to the Consiel des E.U. at Bordeaux—This has been con‑ firmed to me in several letters & lastly in one of June last, recd. here about two months ago. I hope it will arrive however finally; but if not, I will direct another supply—   I beg you to recieve my best wishes for your health & happiness & believe me my dear Sir, your friend & servant W Short  P.S. I wrote you last Nov. 21. to acknowlege rect. then of 500. d.  509 

14 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jef‑ ferson President of the United States Washington”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. formerly communicated: Vol. 42: 267‑9. the torrent: “The torrent roar’d, and we did buffet it with lusty sinews,

throwing it aside and stemming it with hearts of controversy” (Shakespeare, Julius Caesar, 1.2). sous la remisè: that is, on the shelf. letter of yours: TJ wrote four let‑ ters to Short in 1784 in which he ren‑ dered portions in cipher (Vol. 6:472, 569‑70; Vol. 7:148, 229). 1 Word

interlined.

To Matthew Anderson Sir Washington Feb. 15. 05. I recieved from a gentleman travelling in Italy a box containing the seeds or eggs of the fine Italian silk‑worm. I do not know that I can better fulfill his patriotic views than by transmitting them to mrs Anderson & yourself, who alone as far as I know pay attention to that branch of culture. he says that towards the 1st. of May when the leaves of the white mulberry are grown & yet tender, the linen to which the eggs are fixed should be wet on the side opposite to that on which they are attached with white wine, the eggs gently detached with a pen, or any thing which will accomplish this without injuring them and then spread upon sheets of white paper in a warm room. the rest of the process I have no doubt you are familiar with. the box containing them accompanies this and will I hope get safely to hand. with my respects to mrs Anderson and yourself I pray you to accept my salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Mat‑ thew Anderson.”

a gentleman: see Robert K. Lowry to TJ, 4 Oct. 1804.

From Aaron Burr Sir Washington 15 Feb. 1805 Pursuant to an order of the Senate I have the honor to transmit to you the Resolution & Certificate herewith enclosed and it is with great pleasure that I avail myself of the occasion to congratulate you on your re‑election by a Majority which testifies how justly your fellow‑citizens have appreciated your talents and the Merits of your administration I pray you to receive the assurance of the high Respect and Consid‑ eration with which I have the honor to be Your Ob St A; Burr  510 

15 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thos Jef‑ ferson President of the U.S”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found, but see below.

 The Senate resolution of 14 Feb. requested that TJ notify George Clinton that he had been elected vice president (js, 3:454).

To Aaron Burr Feb. 15. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to the Vice‑president of the US. and his thanks for the friendly sentiments of his letter of this morning. the request for transmitting to the V. President elect the notification of his election, is put into a train for execution. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

From Joseph Copes Broad Creek Sussex County. Delaware. Feby. 15th 1805.

To Thomas Jefferson esquire, President of the United States; the friend of science, and patron of Liberty; his obedient fellow‑citizen presumes to present this Theory of Magnetism. The polarity, deviation, and variation, of the Magnetic needle, is a subject, upon which, little light has been thrown, by those Authors, whose works have fallen under the notice of the writer of this Essay. Dr. Halley’s Theory, of a distinct interior Globe, which seems to have been adopted by Nicholson, and submitted to, by Robertson and Blount; appears contrary to the known laws of gravitation, by which all solid bodies are drawn to the Center; and irreconcilable with the different directions and quantities of Variation in diffirent regions of the Globe. The flatness of the poles, and globular figure of the Earth, prove, that it began its rotary, or diurnal motion, before it was re‑ duced to that solid state, in which it now exists. While therefore, the vast chaotic Mass, was rolling and gravitating, the most ponderous parts, as Gold, and Iron‑ore, would by the laws of motion and gravity, settle in the Center, and the line of the Axis; forming a mighty Cylinder through the Globe, the ends of which would be most exposed, and the sides, coated to a greater or less depth, with lighter substances. Had the Globe settled in this uniform manner, it is probable that every bar of Iron or Steel, whose ends had been determined by natu‑ ral or artificial means, to the poles of the great Natural magnet; would  511 

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truly point out the Meridian of the place over which it might be suspended. But when a bed was sunk for the Ocean, and those enormous Ridges heaved, from which the Rivers flow, this Polarity, arising from the regular construction of the Globe, would be deranged; and the smaller Magnets, would thenceforth deviate, in a greater or less degree, from the true Meridian, according to this irregular distribution of magnetic matter. Had no subsiquent change taken place, this deviation would be the same at all times, in the same places; but by the action of Water, and the labour of Man, combined perhaps, with other causes; vast changes have taken place in and on the various parts of the Globe. If the smaller portions of Iron‑ore, so frequently seen in streams of water, may be supposed to have been for ages, sliding down the nu‑ merous Rivers of the European, and American Continents; and by the circular tide of the great Atlantic and German Oceans, deposited in the deepest part of the Northern Atlantic: and if the labour of Man, drawing vast quantities of Iron from each Continent, for ma‑ rine, warlike, and domestic purposes, should be considered; it might be reasonably expected, that the artificial magnet, would have a Vari‑ ation, correspondent in quantity and direction, to this progressive change. How well this Theory may be found to agree with the original east‑ erly deviation, and long observed westerly Variation in Europe, espe‑ cially in England;—with the Original westerly deviation, and present well known easterly variation in North America;—with the rugged and rocky appearance of the polar and northern regions; and the sandy surface and golden ore of the Torrid Zone; and with the other appearances of Nature in general, and Magnetism in particular; is re‑ spectfully submitted to the consideration of those, who possess means of more extensive information. Joseph Copes RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Caesar A. Rodney to TJ, [1 Mch. 1805]. Joseph Copes (1765‑1822) was a sur‑ veyor and active Republican in Sussex County, Delaware. In 1805 he received a patent for a grist mill improvement. A devout Presbyterian, Copes later became an ordained minister and served as pastor of the churches at Lewes, Cool Spring, and Indian River (Alfred Nevin, ed., Encyclopædia of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America: Including the

Northern and Southern Assemblies [Phil‑ adelphia, 1884], 158; List of Patents, 53; Caesar A. Rodney to TJ, [1 Mch. 1805]). English scientist William nicholson, in his popular Introduction to Natural Philosophy, included a summary of Edmond Halley’s hypothesis regarding the causes of magnetic variations (dnb; Nicholson, An Introduction to Natural Philosophy [Philadelphia, 1788], 520‑1; Sowerby, No. 3725). Halley’s theories were also briefly discussed by English mathematician John robertson in his widely read Elements of Navigation (dnb; Robertson, Elements

 512 

15 FEBRUARY 1805 of Navigation; Containing the Theory and Practice, 2 vols. [London, 1764], 1:xxi‑xxii). blount: possibly a reference to New‑ buryport, Massachusetts, publisher Ed‑ mund M. Blunt, who edited and pub‑ lished a number of works on navigation,

including editions of Lawrence Furlong’s American Coast Pilot, John Hamilton Moore’s New Practical Navigator, and Nathaniel Bowditch’s New American Practical Navigator (dab; rs, 4:13n). atlantic and german oceans: the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea.

From William Dunbar Dear Sir Natchez 15th. february 1805 The great irregularities and delays which the mail has experienced to and from this territory for some time past, has rendered it impos‑ sible that any report I might have prepared could possibly reach you before the end of the Sessions of Congress, which I presume must necessarily terminate by the 4th. day of March: I am much concerned at this delay, as the information we have collected respecting the neigh‑ bouring rivers would have served to awaken the Subject & induce more liberal provision by Congress for the important object of explor‑ ing rivers much more interesting than the one we have visited: our excursion might certainly have been completed with a saving of one month in time, if our boat had been properly constructed: Doctor Hunter’s ideas were not correct upon that Subject. Our voyage has furnished us with experimental knowledge which may be useful to future Explorers, on this Subject I will take the liberty of conveying my thoughts hereafter. Having given up the idea of forwarding a report, for the reasons above mentioned, which would be only anticipating the present out lines of the information you will receive from the Journals, I have therefore given my attention wholly to the transcribing of my Journals and to Calculating the Longitudes which the want of Conveniency induced me to postpone untill my return. My progress has been much retarded by almost perpetual interruptions by friends and ac‑ quaintances curious to inquire news of the western country: having procured an amanuensis (tho’ of small experience) we shall I hope proceed with more speed. The present is accompanied by the first sheets of the geometrical Survey, which will be soon followed by the remainder. It will be seen that the Latitude was ascertained every favorable day, and observations for the Longitude were occasionally made, tho’ I do not think it is of importance to regard the latter, except at the Post of Washita and at the hot springs: at those two points, more time permitted the observations to be regular and complet &  513 

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consequently more correct, and moreover those places are the most important of the Voyage in respect to the Longitude, because the Post of the Washita is perhaps the most easterly point of that river, being nearly under the same meridian with the Natchez; and the hot springs form the Western limit of our Voyage, being in Lat: 34° 31′ and about 6 h. 13½′ West of Greenwich. I have in my last made mention of the green moss of the hot springs inhabited by testaceous animals; I have not made any attempts to reanimate them, tho’ I conceive it to be very possible by the aid of water possessing the same properties with that of the hot springs—I enclose a small Specimen of the moss, which you will see is attached to the leaf of a tree: the first formation of this moss is by thin ex‑ tended lamina, which acquires no other form under the swift course of the stream, but in certain lateral situations where small pools are formed and the water in a state of some repose, the moss shoots up perpendicularly to the length of ½ to ¾ of an inch; the small specimen enclosed is of that kind, which I hope will not be too much bruised by Carriage; I conceive that if good soft or river water were prepared by being boiled upon powdered limestone sharpened by Carbonic acid, which would enable it to take up a little iron as well as lime; such prepared water might restore to life both the moss and the tes‑ taceous animal, of which last, great numbers will no doubt be found upon the moss. The few sheets of the Journal now sent have been Carefully com‑ pared and Corrected. I have the honor to be most respectfully Your Obedient Servant William Dunbar RC (DLC); addressed: “His Excel‑ lency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 13 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Dft (Lb in Ms‑Ar: William Dunbar Papers). The journal of the Dunbar‑Hunter ex‑ pedition’s geometrical survey, a de‑ tailed record of the bearings and distances traveled on the journey up the Red River,

the Black River, and the Ouachita River, is in the collections of the American Phil‑ osophical Society (“Journal of a Geomet‑ rical Survey,” in Documents Relating to the Purchase and Exploration of Louisiana [Boston, 1904]; Trey Berry, Pam Beasley, and Jeanne Clements, eds., The Forgotten Expedition, 1804-1805: The Louisiana Purchase Journals of Dunbar and Hunter [Baton Rouge, 2006], 223). in my last: Dunbar to TJ, 2 Feb.

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To Jesse Franklin and David Stone Feb. 15. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his respectful salutations to mr Franklin and mr Stone, and acknoleges the reciept of their letter on the subject of a road thro’ the Cherokee country. with every disposition to comply with the just views of the state of N. Carolina, those views on the present occasion will require further explanation. What part of the Cherokee country is it desired that this road should traverse? in what direction is it to go, and between what points interesting to N. Caro‑ lina is it to form a communication? neither their letter, nor the act of assembly inclosed in it furnishes these data to proceed on. Th:J. there‑ fore asks the favor of Messrs. Franklin & Stone to furnish them. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

their letter: Franklin and Stone to TJ, 14 Feb.

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 15th. Febr. 1805 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your favor of the 11th. inclosing the Treasurer’s draft on the Collector of this place for $:600 which is in good time. I am Dear Sir Yr Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 19 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

To Philippe Reibelt Sir Washington Feb. 15. 05. One of my family has desired me to procure the following books, some of which I find in your different catalogues, and the others it is probable you have, and I will therefore ask you to forward by the stage. ⎫ Les oeuvres de Moliere. ⎪ des Corneilles ⎬⎪ editions in‑18o will be preferred ⎭ de Racine Milton’s Paradise lost. see Catalogue No. 111. pa. 7. Lucrece de la Grange. in the 4to. catalogue [. . .] 2. v. [. . .] Seneque de la Grange Anacharsis de Barthelemy  515 

15 FEBRUARY 1805

Gibbons’ Decline of the Roman empire. Accept my salutations.

English. Catalogue Auteurs Anglais pa. 2. Th: Jefferson

PoC (DLC); faint; at foot of text: “Mr. Reibelt”; endorsed by TJ.

anacharsis de barthelemy: Jean Jacques Barthélemy, Voyage du jeune Anacharsis en Grèce (Sowerby, No. 41).

From John Reich Sir Philadelphia February 15th. 1805. The necessitous circumstances, wherein I find myself placed in‑ duce me to trouble your Excellency with this representation, because I am convinced Your Excellency will thereby perceive, that I might be of some use to the United States. The present engraver to the Mint is a very old and—a very rich man—Should he get sick; or what is worse, die; it would not be found easy to find another and more particularly a good engraver; and most certainly the affairs of the mint would experience; if not a dangerous, at least an hurtful impediment and delay in their progress—It would appear very vain in me, if I were to extol my own performances and the knowledge which I have acquired in this business; but this I can nevertheless always prove, that by my style of executing the dyes of the mint, the coin of the Un States would have a more beautiful and more tasty appearance, and by their regularity the machinery would be much less strained and of course not so much injured; and at the same time, many other mate‑ rials and a great deal of trouble and labour might be saved annually; and moreover the States would be much better secured against false coining, because a piece which unites character, taste and the nicest lines, is not easily counterfit. I therefore think it a duty incumbent on me, to make this repre‑ sentation to Your Excellency; because I should be loath to leave these States; because if I had not preferred to live in these States, I might have obtained the place of chief engraver in my native country, the dominions of the King of Prussia. I have lived here in poverty for four years and an half, in hopes to obtain a sustenance and to render myself useful to the United States and I should be very sorry, if I had neglected the opportunity of being appointed in the Royal Prussian dominions for nothing. But never‑ theless I flatter myself yet, that my expectations will soon be realized, if Your Excellency as an intelligent judge and great patron of the fine  516 

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Arts and Sciences will only look upon this representation as a sign of my loyalty and readiness to make myself useful. I beg leave to tender You the homage of my unbounded veneration— and to subscribe myself Sir Your Excellency’s most obedient and most humble Servant Jn. Reich. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency, Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States”; below signature: “No. 17h. South Fourth Street”; endorsed by TJ as received 20

Feb. and “emploimt. in Mint” and so re‑ corded in SJL. present engraver: Robert Scot (Vol. 34:354n).

From Abner Ritchie Hond. Sir Geo Town 15. Feb. 1805. I am wholly unacquainted with matters of the kind in question— My wish is that the subject may be inquired into by intelligent Char‑ acters, and also that I may be enabled to withhold the young Gentn. the Sons of Colo. Beatty from going to Law I will on application furnish Mr. Munroe the Patent and every other Page within my Power—I know nothing of the justice of the Claim more than the papers, and the declaration of the decd Colo. Beatty just before his death—As Admr. I am not concerned in the question of Inter. but friendship to the Children led me to take the step that has been takin on their part I knew not whether I was taking an improper course—Your an‑ swer Sir demands my sincere respects & Acknowledgments With grateful Esteem I am Yr mo. Obedt. A Ritchie RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); addressed: “The Honble. The President US.”; endorsed by TJ as received 15 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

furnish mr. munroe: see TJ to Ritchie, 14 Feb.

From Oliver Whipple May it Please Hollowell District of Maine your Excellency, Febry. 15h: 1805 Though I have not the Honour to be personally known to you, yet your Character, for easy Accessibility, invites me to address you: Generosity and Candour will always pardon Deviations from the  517 

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Line of Propriety; while the Reverse gives Disgust, and unpleasant Tidings to the innocent Mind.— I have had for some years past an invincible Propensity to be known to your Excellency; though Chance has not thrown it in my Way to accomplish my Wishes: Lately, I have made some Efforts, through the Medium of my Friends & yours, (for Such Persons absolutly exist) to hand my Name to your Excellency, as deserving some Notice from the Executive; but as I have delayed my Applications to them, per‑ haps, too long, to effect the object in View, and the Close of the Con‑ gressional Busness drawing nigh, I suspect that private Attentions will be merged in the more important national Concerns. From These Considerations, I am led to seek the Fountain‑Head, where the pur‑ est & most refreshing Draughts are freely injoyed, without Contribu‑ tion; or Levey of personal Exactions. The Object, which I have more immedeately had in View, and which I have been incouraged to ex‑ pect the attainment of, is the Secretaryship of the Board of Commis‑ sioners, which is about to be established to settle our commercial Differences with Spain; or in the Event of that Failing, by previous Ingagement, or by appointment already made; Then to solicit, the Attainment of, some office in the Judiciary or military Departments, in the Indiana Territory, which is shortly about to be organized. From assurances of some leading influential Republican Characters, my Prospects have been bright and flattering. Permit me then, to give you a Detail of the prominent Incidents, & occurrences of Life, that have led to the present Period. I was born in the Town of Cum‑ berland, near Providence in the State of Rhode Island, my Father was the late Judge Whipple a Patriot of 75 who held his office of Judge for 45 Years successively in that State. thro’ the various Changes and Caprices of a popular Goverment imbittered by Party Heat & Ane‑ mosity, yet thro’ the whole, his Virtues & Integrity were admired by all: In relating this Eulogoy on his Character which is well known in that State I feel a becoming Pride, tho’ I do not forget the Lines of Mr. Pope. “Honour & Shame &c” my family Connections there, are considered the most extensive, and perhaps, as honorable as any in the State. Having some Education, I was induced to turn my Mind to the Study and Practice of Law; about three Years before our revo‑ lutionary War, (while a Youth) I was sent by the Board of Commis‑ sioners of Customs, then at Boston, as an officer of the Customs to establish a new Custom House, under the british Government at St. Mary’s in East Florida, and at the same Time received a Deputation from Sr. Charles Burdett, who was then Collector of St. Augustine,  518 

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which Trusts I accepted, & executed them, & have now my appoint‑ ments by me. Just before the Commencment of Hostilities, I returned from Florida to Boston & my native State, and resigned my offices, and went to Portsmouth in Newhampshire, where I resumed the Practice of Law, & continu’d there during our Revolution, and received early many appointments of Trust & Confidence, both civil & military from each of the Presidents & Governors of that State which I have now by me, and was twice lately, the first in Nomination, for a Judge of the Supreme Court in that State, But by the Intrigues of the feod‑ eral Junto in that State, I was push’d by, to make way for their pliant Tools, tho’ my Right & Pretentions Justly intitled me to the appoint‑ ment, which was acknowledged by the People at Large. From Ports‑ mouth I removed to my Seat at Hampton‑Green, where I continued for ten years, and left the Practice of the Law for the more pleasing Persuits of Agriculture & to enjoy the “Otium cum Dignitate.” In this rural Retirement I was called by our Republican Villagers from the pleasing amusment of Horticulture &c, to represent them in the State Legislature; I yielded to their Wishes, and served them Seven Years successively, during which Term, I was yearly chose with oth‑ ers as a committee (Saving one session) to make Echoes to one John Taylor Gilman’s declamatory Speeches, & was appointed Chairman by the Legislature, as by their Journals will appear; Thus I travelled on the Tract of Feoderalism, till about four Years Since, when I found it necessary to form some Retrograde Motions & denounce thier Pro‑ ceedings as intolerant and unjust: From this date, I seriously reflected on our political State of Things and inquired of myself, if all was right? and the Result of my Researches was, that our Constitution ought to be preserved inviolate, that the People have fairly & honor‑ ably obtained thier Election of cheif Majestrates, That there ought to be compleat, & full Acquiessence, & Confidence in that Choice, that the administration of our republican Government, must & ought to be supported. That to abuse, and belittle our cheif Functionaries de‑ minishes the Energy of thier Government at Home, renders it dis‑ respectful abroad, and is highly dishonorable to the american People, that Economy & Prudence in republican Governments, are pleasing Traits in thier Character, honorable to the Promoters, & beneficial to the Nation, and That peacfull Acquisition of Territory, by Compact, is infenitly preverable, to the bloodstain’d Fields of a Proud Conqueror: those with other, almost countless Reasons, determined me to cecead from the Systimatised Plans of an intollerant & feoderated, Aristoc‑ racy. On reconoitring these Grounds, I tho’t it best to make a good  519 

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Retreat in Time, & wheeled to the Right about, and attached myself, to the republican Interest of our State, headed, by my Friend & Neigh‑ bour the honorable Mr Langdon, near whom I lived many Years in the most perfect Harmony. In May 1808, being a Proprietor in the Plymouth Patent, in the District of Maine, in the Common Wealth of Massachusetts, representing as Executor, & in my own Right one origenal 12th of that Proprietary, my Presence was Necessarily re‑ quired there; and accordingly removed; Here I again commencd the Practice of Law, which I shall persue as long as I do Busness, here my Voice has not been Silent nor my Pen idle, in the good Cause of Republicanism, and my Labours have not been unsuccessful, the Evi‑ dence of which is manifest in the great Republican Majorities, over the Feds, and I can truly say, “Quorum Pris magna fui.” By Secrecy, Union & Perseverance we have frustrated their Schemes distracted their Councils, and in their last Effort on the electoral Ticket, we compleatly defeated them in the open Field of Politicks; so that we can fairly adopt Cromwell’s Motto, “Tandem Tryumphans.” Perhaps there has no Person in the District done more, than I have to bring about these desirable Events, for the Time, I have been in the Dis‑ trict; I have been always ready to pitt myself for the Defence of the Measures of our Government, especially the Treaty Busness of the Lewisanna Purchase, and anexing it to our Empire; the happy Result of this Accession, will be continually evidencing itself, by Giving Peace to our Frontiers, Increasing our Trade abroad, Population at Home, and of Course our Revenues, and the ultimate Agrandisment of our Empire— I have some Times indulged myself in some little Strains of Poetry, and on this Occasion have wrote a Small Poem on the future Pros‑ pects of America, to soften the Affinities of the well meaning Feds, an Extract from which, I enclose your Excellency, as Phrophetec of the future Greatness, Inlargment, and Prosperity of the american States, In the Progress of Empire civil Liberty is addressed, as the polar Star of free Governments. Your Excellency may now Judge my Situation, having so lately come into a Strange State; No hope from the present Administration, Nothing but Invective, and the malicious Sneer, from the Feds, accused of Apostacy from first, and correct Principles, and by those too, by whom I was once in the Habits of Friendship, who have with drawn from me, and even deny the Common Civility of Good Manners, I hope I shall hereafter Laugh at them. Having now setled my affairs in this District, I can with Ease and Convenience leave my Busness for any public Imployment at Home or abroad, I have some Tho’ts of Removing to my native State; Governor Fenner  520 

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has invited me there, with every Promise of Support, but my Views are more extensive, I do not Sr. consider myself the least among your Friends & Supporters, but owing to my Retirement I have not sought till late public Imployment; I feel yet the Stimulus of Ambition (nor are my Energies decayed), to act in a more conspicuous Sphere, than in the dull round of the ordinary Busness of Courts, is my Wish & Ambition. If there yet remains a Crust, a Fin, or Tail of the Loaves & Fishes, undistributed, I think your Excellency will not with hold your hand. I can only add, that I shall be highly honour’d by your Notice, gratefull for Favors, vigelant to execute with Integrity & Punctuality, and shall ever Return my unfeigned Acknowledgments to your Ex‑ cellency, animated with every possible Sentiment of Gratitude. I am with the highest Esteem & Respect Your Excellency’s most obedient and, humble Servt: Oliver Whipple RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and “office” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found. Oliver Whipple (1744‑1813), a Rhode Island native and son of Hannah and Jer‑ emiah Whipple, graduated from Harvard College in 1766. He worked in New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Maine as well as Washington, D.C., in various capacities as a lawyer, customs officer, or justice of the peace, and from 1796 to 1800 as a Federalist member of the New Hampshire legislature. He dab‑ bled in poetry, writing Confessional Tears of a Louis d’or, published in 1796. In 1802, he published The Historic Progress of Civil and Rational Liberty, and Order, Triumphant over Faction, a poem dedi‑ cated to John Adams, although soon there‑ after he began to support TJ. From 1805 until 1811, he sought appointments to do‑ mestic clerkships, foreign posts, and the sergeancy at arms of the Senate. Unsuc‑ cessful in these endeavors, Whipple be‑ came a private attorney in Georgetown in the last years of his life (New-York Gazette & General Advertiser, 30 Mch. 1813; John L. Sibley and Clifford K. Shipton, Sibley’s Harvard Graduates: Biographical Sketches of Those Who Attended Harvard College, 17 vols. [Cambridge, Mass., 1873‑ 1975], 16:430‑4; Madison, Papers, Pres. Ser., 3:496‑7; rs, 2:319‑21). the lines of mr. pope: “Honour and shame from no condition rise; Act well

your part: there all the honour lies” (Al‑ exander Pope, An Essay on Man, Epistle IV). otium cum dignitate: that is, lei‑ sure with dignity. Based on the 1805 date of this letter, Whipple misdated his involvement as a proprietor in the plymouth patent. He had been a co‑executor of the will of his father‑in‑law, Sylvester Gardiner, and in February 1802 petitioned the Massa‑ chusetts General Court to reconvey part of Gardiner’s lands to the Kennebec pro‑ prietors. The proprietors claimed lands, often without clear title, to more than three million acres along the Kennebec River known as the Plymouth Patent. The Kennebec proprietors prevailed pre‑ dominantly in lawsuits brought by settlers on the land (Resolves, &c. of the General Court of Massachusetts. Passed at the Session Begun and Held at Boston, on Thursday, the Fourteenth Day of January, Anno Domini 1802 [Boston, 1802], 53‑5; Alan Taylor, Liberty Men and Great Proprietors: The Revolutionary Settlement on the Maine Frontier, 1760-1820 [Chapel Hill, 1990], 12‑13, 19, 22, 86, 93, 114). quorum pris magna fui: in which I played a great part. tandem tryumphans: triumphant at last. loaves & fishes: a biblical reference to the miracle of Jesus multiplying the amount of collected food to feed a crowd (Matthew 14:13‑21, John 6:1‑14).

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To Caspar Wistar Dear Sir Washington Feb. 15. 05. The inclosed papers, with some eggs of the silk‑worm of Italy were sent to me from Siena, by mr Robert K. Lowry travelling in that country. the eggs I have disposed of in their proper climate: and I do not know that I can better second the benevolent views of the writer than by committing his papers to the A. Philosophical society. should they deem them proper for publication, their benefit will thereby be extended both in time and place. Accept my friendly salutations and assurances of great esteem & respect Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Doctr. Wistar.” Enclosure: see Lowry to TJ, 4 Oct. 1804.

i have disposed of: see TJ to Mat‑ thew Anderson, 15 Feb.

From Joseph Barnes Florence Feb. 16th. 1805

When I had Last the honor of addressing Mr Jefferson from Leg‑ horn Decemr. 24th 1804—purporting, the unfortunate concatenation of circumstances which had caused my detention, a duplicate of which I take the Liberty of troubling him with enclosed, Lest any casualty may have prevented the arrival of the Original, I expected the cordons would have been withdrawn on the first of jany. & that I Should then have proceeded directly for Sicily—Such however is the unhappy effect of the credulity, imbicility, & Stupidity of the Governments of these States; that contrary to all Expectation, good policy, their own essen‑ tial interest, & expecially contrary to the commercial interest, and even common Sense, they Still continue the cordon in the States of Genoa, Milan, Rome, Naples & Sicily!! (in Tuscany only ’tis withdrawn.) which has necessarily detained me Since; in the most anxious unhappy State of Solicitude to be off—of consequence, having reced. advice by the Last Post that Vessels from Leghorn are at Length admitted to Quarantine in the Ports of Sicily & Naples, I Shall, on the Arrival of the next Post from Rome & Sicily, immediately depart & Submit to the Evil of performing Quarantine, as yet 40 days, & cannot be Less than 20 days either by Sea or Land even by the time I arrive there. After having arranged the Affairs of my Consulate, &, as Sug‑ gested in my Last, tried what can be effected personally, I Shall report particularly, as well relative to the Affairs of the Squadron, as of my Consulate.—  522 

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 As Suggested in my Last was not then Longer doubted, War Soon after was declared by Spain against England, as Mr Jefferson will have been informed, and continues on the Part of the British with vigor; Excepting only they Specially and humanely permit all Neu‑ tral Vessels Laden with Wheat to entre the Ports of Spain.— The Emperor of the French is Shortly expected at Genoa & Milan, whose object no question is to fix the destiny of Italy:—It has been Said, that he meant to cause his Brother Joseph to be Crowned King of Lumbardy, to comprehend Genoa, & Lucca; Louis, Stadholder of Holland, and Lucian Vice‑Roy of Sardinia; thus to add about 18 Mil‑ lians of Subjects to his Yoke; and instantly decree it Rebellion to join any other power, the More effectually to resist & thwart the views of the combination against him—And, ’tis Suggested, that Cardinal Fesh, Uncle of the Emperor of the French, is to Supersede the Present Pope, in order that he may dictate equally to the State of Rome.— Etruria is at Presant under the influence of the French; and to complete the plan, ’tis Said that the Step Son of the Emperor, Buo‑ harnais, is to Marry the Queen, & become in effect King.— The British Govt. have completely fallen into the Snare by their reply to the Late apparently Pacific Overtures Made by the Emperor of the French; who will in consequence make a Matter of Necessity of what he had previously determined, that of carrying into effect his views respecting Italy, and, at the Same time it will Serve as a new incentive to rouse the People of France again to Action—What may be the result time alone must determine—hope however for the best.— As to the Russians Swedes &c nothing has Since transpired relative to their objects, nor when, nor where they will commence operations— O! happy Colombia—thou art free from all the distressing Calami‑ ties of War & chains of despotism, and thy Citizens enjoying the Sweets of true rational Liberty—May they continue So to the Latest posterity is the ardent wish of one of thy Sons.— Tis with the most heartfelt Satisfaction I have Learned the Universal Sentiment which prevailed in the Late Election of President & Vice‑P. of the United States, in favor of Republicanism—& as I anticipated in my Last, I have now the high gratification of Congratulating Mr Jefferson, & felicitating myself & fellow Citizens on his Re‑Election to the Presidency of the United States—wishing his health may permit him Long to continue in that high & important office; and that his Successor may pursue the Same principles with equal zeal for the happiness of the People— I have the honor to be with the highest consideration & respect Mr Jefferson your obedt. Sert. at Command J: Barnes  523 

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 P.S. I hope Mr Jefferson Recd. the two Cases of Wine Safe & perfect—Specified in my Last, & Sent by the Mercury, Cap. McCray, under the Special care of Mr Cathcart.— RC (DLC); above postscript: “Thos. Jefferson President of the United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 May and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: Dupl, not found, of Barnes to TJ, 24 Dec. 1804. uncle of the emperor of the french: Cardinal Joseph Fesch, a half‑ brother of Napoleon’s mother, was the French ambassador in Rome (Tulard, Dictionnaire Napoléon, 731). pacific overtures: in a 2 Jan. letter to George III, Napoleon expressed his desire for peace between France and Brit‑

ain, declaring that the current war be‑ tween the two nations was “without an object, and without any presumable re‑ sult.” Replying for the king on 14 Jan., the new British foreign minister, Lord Mulgrave, stated that any peace must not only secure the “essential interests” of Britain, but also provide for the “future safety and tranquillity of Europe.” A more particular reply to Napoleon’s overture could not be made until Britain consulted with its continental allies, especially Rus‑ sia (New York American Citizen, 8 Apr. 1805; dnb, s.v. “Phipps, Henry, first earl of Mulgrave”).

From Isaac Coffin Dear Sir. Boston February the 16th: 1805. These will inform you that I have received a letter this morning from Nantucket informing me that the Federalists of our Island a large number of them with Captn: Gideon Gardner have Recom‑ mended one Daniel B: Hussey son of Stephen Hussey Esqr: (our late Collector who died last month) to fill the said office of Collector of the Customs at Nantucket which I was very much surprised to hear; the said Daniel B: Hussey is a most violent Federalist and has done all in his Power to oppose the Republican ticket in every instance these several Years; I have seen him with a hand basket of votes going to people and spreading them for the Federal candidates; The man whom the Republicans have recommended Captain Daniel Coffin a very distant relation of mine who I think is a downright honest man and one of the first abilities on our Island and a firm Republican a man nearly fifty years of age and one who has never been wavering since Seventeen Hundred and Seventy five. the people of Nantucket I think are three quarter of them Republicans and are in favour of the present order of things—I make no doubt but the Federalists on our Island will do every thing in their power to prevent the said Daniel Coffin being appointed—I think it is likely Mr: Thomas Jen‑ kins of Hudson in the state of New York who is a firm Republican but is unkle to the said Hussey will Recommend him to you to fill the said office, And I think it is also likely that Captn: Silas Jones our  524 

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post‑master at Nantucket will also Recommend the said Hussey to you for he married his Daughter; the said Captn: Jones is a firm Re‑ publican but in this instance I think it is likely he would deviate so far from what he ought to as to Recommend his Son in law to fill the said office the foregoing being a statement of facts, therefore hoping we shall have no more federalist at Nantucket to fill the Offices of Hon‑ our and profit appointed shall conclude with due esteem and respect Dear Sir your most obedient Servant Isaac Coffin P:S. Every Officer excepting myself who holds a Commission under our State Government are Federalists. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqe: President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. and “Coffin Daniel to be Collector” and so re‑ corded in SJL. Coffin also recommended daniel cof‑ fin in letters to William Eustis and Jacob Crowninshield, both written on 2 Feb. He warned that the Federalists were likely to “propigate falshhods” about Daniel Coffin in order to meet their own goals. Coffin added to Crowninshield’s letter that he and 11 or 12 “respectable men” had writ‑ ten TJ to recommend Daniel Coffin (RCs

in same, Coffin to Eustis endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Daniel to be Collector Nantucket v. Stephen Hussey decd.”; see Micajah Coffin and Others to TJ, 24 Jan.). Isaac Coffin also wrote to Gallatin. In a letter of 31 Jan., he emphasized Daniel Coffin’s Re‑ publicanism and capabilities and warned of the Federalist plan to have “one of their Cast appointed” through the person of Daniel B. Hussey. Coffin assured Gallatin that appointing Daniel Coffin would “con‑ fer an Obligation on all the Republicans of Nantucket” (RC in same; endorsed by TJ: “Coffin Danl. to be Collectr. Nan‑ tucket v. Hussey”).

From John Davis Sir, Philadelphia. February 16, 1805. In consulting the annals of the world for a character, who, while he gives incitement by his renown, may afford instruction by his exam‑ ple, I know none more deserving of celebration than that of Captain John Smith; and if, in tracing the progress of the Colony he settled on James River, there be superadded the adventures he was involved in, History, without losing its dignity, will acquire new attractions. This Work, Sir, I have undertaken, and shall soon put to the press. Whether I have succeeded in the task, I do not know. But my con‑ scious heart tells me that in the prosecution of it my imagination was ever awake, and that I not only felt the scenes, but fancied I saw the objects my pen has described. Of this Story the bare Outline has al‑ ready appeared in my Volume of Travels, but I have now not only engrafted on it the brother of Pocahontas, (Nantaquas) whom Smith  525 

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calls “the manliest, comeliest, boldest Spirit” he ever saw in a Savage; but likewise embraced much of the Natural History of the Country, to which I was induced by the advice of Dr Jenner, and the sugges‑ tions of Mr Aiken. I know not, Sir, whether in publishing your Letter in which you permitted me to inscribe to you my Travels, I violated the sacred tie of confidence; but it was the means of making me a hundred pounds richer, & has been the fruitful source of my return to this land, & es‑ tablishment in this City as a Bookseller. May I now, Sir, request your attention to the enclosed Proposals, & entreat the honour of your patronage. I have already procured in this place a hundred Subscribers; and the suffrage of your name on my List would incite a general spirit of encouragement among the Citi‑ zens of Philadelphia. The object of my return to this Country is to establish myself as a Tradesman, and in the congenial vocation of bookseller, be enabled to cultivate my mind. I am, Sir, With profound respect, Your most obedient, most hum‑ ble Servant, John Davis. RC (DLC); addressed: “Thomas Jeffer‑ son Esqr. President of the United States City of Washington”; above dateline: “Juvenile Book Store 86 Arch Street”; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found, but see below. this work: Davis’s Captain Smith and Princess Pocahontas, An Indian Tale was published in Philadelphia in May 1805. Davis is thought to be the first popular‑ izer of the story of John Smith’s rescue by Pocahontas. He mentioned it briefly in his Farmer of New-Jersey; or, A Picture of  Domestic Life published in 1800 and elaborated on the story in his Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States

of America published in 1803. He also included portions of it in his historical novel, First Settlers of Virginia, published in New York later in 1805 (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 25 May; Jay B. Hubbell, “The Smith‑Pocahontas Story in Litera‑ ture,” vmhb, 65 [1957], 285). publishing your letter: Davis re‑ printed his letter to TJ of 31 Aug. 1801 as well as TJ’s reply to him from Septem‑ ber 1801 in the front matter of his Travels (Vol. 35:179‑81, 258). Davis issued proposals and adver‑ tisements for the sale by subscription of his forthcoming Captain Smith and Princess Pocahontas (see Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 5 and 15 Feb.).

From William Eustis Saturday 16 Feby. 1805.

With his respectful compliments Dr. Eustis has the honor to in‑ form Mr Jefferson that this morning on entering into conversation with a young gentleman whom for several days past he has met and whose countenance was familiar to him he discovers him to be the  526 

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young Mr Avery refer’d to in his note, and whom Dr E recollects to have met at his Uncle’s the Secretary in Boston about three years since. He is a young man of respectable connections and education, and there is no doubt of his being able to adduce satisfactory evi‑ dence of his good character—from motives of delicacy he had not called on Dr E—having no letter and apprehensive that he might not be recollected. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. and “Avery Elisha to be Marshall Michigan” and so recorded in SJL, connected by a brace with Calvin Goddard’s letter of the same day.

secretary in boston: John Avery; see note at Elisha Avery to TJ, 11 Feb.

From Jesse Franklin and David Stone Senate Chamber 16th. Feby 1805

The underwritten present their best respects to the President and inform him they possess no other knowlege concerning the direction of, or points between which, it is desired the contemplated road thro’ the Cherokee Country, should pass, than that furnished by the Act, itself, of the Legislature of North Carolina.—They understand that act was passed upon an application from the State of Tennessee and presume that an intimation of the direction wished will be made by the latter State.—Sensible of the entire want of an ascertained begin‑ ning, direction or end to the road intended to be established by the act of North Carolina they had applied previously to their first com‑ munication to the President upon this subject, to the Gentlemen who represent the State of Tennessee in the Senate of the United States in order if possible to obtain the data for settling these points, but with‑ out success J Franklin David Stone RC (DLC); in Stone’s hand, signed by both; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 16 Feby. 1805 The last paragraph of the enclosed letter confirms the charge against the lessees of the Salt spring on Wabash. If you shall ap‑ prove, the Governor may be authorized to appoint an Agent on the  527 

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principles of my former communication to you or of those of Mr Har‑ rison’s letter— Respectfully Your obedt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. and “Salines” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

former communication: Gallatin to TJ, 24 Dec. 1804.

From Calvin Goddard Sir, Washington Feb. 16. 1805— Being requested by Mr. Elisha Avery formerly of Pomfret in the State of Connecticut to state my knowledge of him, & his connexions I cheerfully say that I was acquainted with Mr. Avery prior to his leaving this Country for Europe, perhaps six years ago—That he then sustained a fair character, & was reputed to be an active, enterprizing young man, well acquainted with business—Mr Avery’s Mother was the daughter of the late Majr. Genl. Israel Putnam, & all his family connexions, with whom I am acquainted, are very reputable— I have not had the pleasure of seeing Mr. Avery or knowing any thing respecting him, since he left this Country, untill this day, but to his merits & respectability at the Time above refered to, I cheerfully bear testimony— With Sentiments of respect I have the honor to be Sir your Obdt & very Hble Servt Calvin Goddard RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 16 Feb. and “Avery Elisha to be Marshall of Michigan” and so re‑ corded in SJL, connected by a brace with William Eustis’s letter of the same day. Calvin Goddard (1768‑1842) was born in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, graduated from Dartmouth College in 1786, and practiced law in Plainfield, Connecticut. After serving in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1795 to 1801, he was elected as a Federalist to the Seventh

Congress. He resigned in 1805. Upon returning to Connecticut he once again served as a state representative, and re‑ sumed his legal practice. Later in life he was a delegate to the Hartford Conven‑ tion, a superior court judge, and mayor of Norwich (Biog. Dir. Cong.). mother: Eunice Putnam Avery was the fifth of Israel Putnam’s eight surviv‑ ing children (Eben Putnam, A History of the Putnam Family in England and America, 2 vols. [Salem, Mass., 1891‑1908], 1:88, 184).

 528 

From Jones & Howell Respected Friend Phila. 16th Feby 1805 Your favor of 12th is at hand Covering Check on the Bank United States for $249.₁−³₀−⁹₀ − which is to Your Credit. the rod Iron ordered, in Decr. last, would have been sent, had the Navigation of the Delaware admitted. They are now ready, and shall Come by first good Vessel for Richmond We are, Very respectfully Your Friends Jones & Howell RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From William Keteltas Dr Sir New York 16h Feby 1805 To fill the Vacancy Occasioned by the Death of Judge Hobart Must shortly Engage the attention of the Executive, In answer to a former Communication on a similar subject the President suggested a desire to Receive every Information on the subject of appointments to Enable him to form the best opinion from the Whole of the fitness of Candidates for office, In Compliance with your Wish, I take the liberty to suggest, that no person in this State is better, if so well Quallified to fill the said Vacancy as Judge Livingston—And no ap‑ pointment in My Opinion would give More general satisfaction, I do not Know that Judge Livingston is a Candidate, but being informed he is about Resigning his seat as one of the Judges of the supreme Court of this State It would be of Importance to this Important Dis‑ trict and to the Present Administration to have so able, and superior Judge suceed Mr. Hobart With the Greatest Respect Wm Keteltas RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and “Livingston Brock‑ holst to be distr. judge” and so recorded in SJL.

On 5 Feb., U.S. attorney Nathan San‑ ford wrote to Madison to inform him that John Sloss hobart had died on 4 Feb. “after a short illness” (RC in same, en‑ dorsed by TJ: “Hobart John Sloss Distr. judge N. Y. dead”; Vol. 38:123).

 529 

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 16 fevr. 1805. Conformement a Vos ordres du 14—recus ce Matin il partira de‑ main a Votre Adresse un paquet renfermant: Cents. 2 Exempl. Dict. de poche de Catineau, reliè a 190 Cents 380— 1 Fables de Lafontaine 2 Vol in 18‑brochè 64— 1 Contes—ditto 64.— 5,08— Aux quels j’ai pris la Libertè d’ajouter: le dernier Exemplaire—du Dict. de prononciation de Tardy—reliè 195— et Un Ouvrage politique d’Arnould, qui me paroit interes‑ sant pour la Biblioth. du Secretariat d’Etat, Cartonnè à 150— Ayant—en decaissant une petite Caisse—trouvè encore un Elzevirien en 32 format, Scotia et Hibernia—qui n’a pas etè portè aux Catalogues imprimès jusqu’ici—je le crois de mon devoir, de Vous anoncer cette petite decouverte, afin, que, si çet Ouvrage manquoit a votre Collection, Vous puissiez me donner Vos ordres. Daignez agreèr mes profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 16 Feb. 1805 In accordance with your order from the 14th, received this morning, a package will leave tomorrow to your address containing: Two bound copies of the Dictionnaire de poche by Catineau at 190 cents 380 One copy of La Fontaine’s Fables, two volumes in 18mo.—softcover 64 One copy of La Fontaine’s Contes, the same 64 5.08 To which I have taken the liberty of adding: The last copy of Tardy’s dictionary of pronunciation, bound 195 A political work by Arnould, in paperboard, which I thought would be of interest for the secretary of state’s library 150 Opening a small box I found another Elzevir publication in 32mo. format, Scotiæ et Hiberniæ, which does not yet appear in the printed catalogues. I felt obliged to announce this small discovery so you might order the work if it is not in your collection. Please accept my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Impr. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

dict. de prononciation: L’Abbé Tardy, An Explanatory Pronouncing Dictionary of the French Language (London, 1799).

 530 

16 FEBRUARY 1805  un ouvrage politique d’arnould: Ambroise Marie Arnould, Résultats des guerres, des négociations et des traités qui

ont précédé et suivi la coalition contre la France (Paris, 1803). elzevirien: see TJ to Philippe Rei‑ belt, 31 Jan.

From Littleton W. Tazewell Dear Sir; Norfolk Feby. 16. 1805— Inclosed you will receive a petition, (subscribed by a number of respectable Inhabitants of this place and its vicinity) which I have been requested to forward to you by the Subscribers—Another peti‑ tion like this subscribed by a considerable number of respectable sign‑ ers was forwarded to you as I am informed by the last mail, but as some accident may possibly prevent its reception it has been consid‑ ered proper to transmit this also, which is supported by other petition‑ ers than those who signed the Memorial already forwarded— I also inclose you a copy of the law which is alluded to in the Me‑ morial, from which you will remark, that altho’ the proposed bridge is to be a draw‑bridge, yet that the width of the draw is not fixed, thereby leaving it discretionary with the managers of this Company to prepare it as they think proper—And their own Interests will most certainly cause them to make it as confined as they can— The several facts set forth in the Memorial I know to be correctly stated, and the consequences which will probably result from the pas‑ sage of this law I believe will be such as the Memorialists apprehend— The law would certainly not have received the sanction of the Legis‑ lature unless it had been believed that it would be agreable to all the parties interested, and not injurious to the United States, to guard which the last clause was inserted—This I am authorised to say not only, from my own knowledge, but from the information of many other perzons— With great Respect I remain your obdt. servt. Littn: W Tazewell RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 14 Feb., but recorded in SJL as received 22 Feb. and connected by a brace with the letter from William Dickson of Virginia of 14 Feb. with notation “for bridge.” En‑ closures: (1) Memorial, signed by Alex‑ ander Guthery and 103 others, concern‑ ing a recent act of the Virginia General Assembly that would authorize the Nor‑ folk Drawbridge Company to build a toll

drawbridge at a particular location across the southern branch of the Elizabeth River; this act alters the location of the bridge as authorized by a previous act of the assembly, and the consequences will be detrimental by impeding passage on the river to Gosport, to wharves in the upper part of the town of Portsmouth, and to the U.S. navy yard; the recent act will not take effect unless it receives the

 531 

16 FEBRUARY 1805 assent of the United States (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27178‑82; in a clerk’s hand, signed by all; at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America”). (2) Virginia Gen‑ eral Assembly, “An Act to amend the Act, entitled, an Act, to amend the Act, to es‑ tablish a Draw‑Bridge across the Eastern Branch of Elizabeth River, within the County of Norfolk, and for other pur‑ poses,” 29 Jan. 1805, authorizing the drawbridge company to erect a bridge on the southern branch of the Elizabeth below the wharf of Samuel Leffingwell; this act will have no effect “if the consent of the congress of the United States be not ob‑ tained thereto on or before the third day of March next” (Acts Passed at a General

Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Richmond, on Monday, the Third Day of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Four [Richmond, 1805], 29). another petition: see William Dick‑ son’s letter of 14 Feb. and TJ to Robert Smith, 23 Feb. Virginia chartered the Norfolk Draw‑ bridge company in January 1803 (Acts Passed at a General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Virginia: Begun and Held at the Capitol, in the City of Richmond, on Monday, the Sixth Day of December, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Two [Rich‑ mond, 1803], 38‑42).

To Elisha Avery [17 Feb. 1805]

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Avery; he has this morning examined the law erecting the territory of Michigan, and finds that the Marshal or sheriff is not appointed by the President, but by the Governor. nevertheless he is so well satisfied of the indis‑ pensable necessity that that office should be filled by a person speak‑ ing French as well as English, & of the convenience of having such a person attached to the government, that, on mr Avery’s producing the satisfactory testimonials of character which he proposed, Th:J. will not hesitate to recommend him to the Governor. the government does not commence till the 1st. of July. RC (MiU‑C); undated; addressed: “Mr. Avery at mr Mc.laughlin’s”; recorded in SJL as written 17 Feb. 1805. PoC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); dated by TJ 17 Feb. 1805.

law: see Thomas Worthington to TJ, 10 Jan.

From William C. C. Claiborne My Dear Sir, New Orleans Feby 17th. 1805 I have lately had but too much occasion to Solicit from your feel‑ ings a tribute of condolence for the private misfortunes which have marked my residence in this Country. Once more I have to resume the unfortunate recital by announcing to you the Death of my Brother  532 

17 FEBRUARY 1805

in Law, and private Secretary, Mr. Micajah G. Lewis, who on Tues‑ day last, was killed in a Duel near this City. You have no doubt dis‑ covered that (like most men who fill exalted stations) it has been my misfortune to have attracted the envy, and excited the malevolence and ill‑will of a portion of Society, and I presume you are apprized of the persecution I am suffering here thro the Vehicle of a licensious Press. Every circumstance, as well of my private life, as of my official conduct, that calumny could torture into an accusation against me, has been brought into public view, distorted, and exhibited in every shape, that malignant Wit could devise. I early discovered that these ungenerous attacks excited greatly the sensibility of Mr. Lewis, and with the most anxious solicitude for his welfare, I used every argument to induce him to view with calmness the tempestuous sea, to which my Political elevation had exposed me.— On one occasion, I had accommodated a Dispute, in which his sym‑ pathies had involved him, and I had persuaded myself that my advice, united to his mild and pacific disposition, wou’d have insured his fu‑ ture safety. But unhappily for me and unfortunately for my poor Brother, even my misfortunes became the sport of party spirit, and the ashes of his beloved Sister were not suffered to repose in the Grave. She was raised from the Tomb to give poignancy and distress to my feelings. He sought and discovered the author of the cruel production. A duel was the consequence, and my amiable young friend received a Bullet through his Heart at the second fire. I hope the assurance is to you unnecessary that this Melancholy affair was kept a secret from me, and that the news of the fatal result was the first intimation I received.—Gladly would I have made bare my bosom to the stroke, before any friend of mine, particularly one so dear to me as Mr. Lewis had fallen a victim in this cause.— Accept the best wishes of Your faithful friend William C. C. Claiborne RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand; closing and signature by Claiborne; at foot of text in Claiborne’s hand: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 25 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. FC (LU‑Ar: Claiborne Letter Book). FC (Lb in DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans). Micajah G. Lewis was the brother of Claiborne’s recently deceased wife, Eliz‑ abeth W. Lewis Claiborne. On 12 Feb., he  was killed in a duel with Robert

Sterry, an attorney and recent arrival from Rhode Island, who had been strongly recommended to TJ before his departure for New Orleans the previous year. Lewis had learned that Sterry was the author of an article entitled “A Dream,” signed “Fidelis,” that appeared in the 8 Feb. edi‑ tion of the Louisiana Gazette. The piece featured an unidentified female spirit, which Lewis took to be his late sister, tormented by the sounds of music and dancing emanating from the government house. Outraged by Sterry’s writing, Lewis

 533 

17 FEBRUARY 1805 quickly issued a challenge that “left no means of concession” (Louisiana Gazette,

15 Feb.; Providence Gazette, 1 June; Vol. 42:165‑6, 556‑7).

To Albert Gallatin Th:J. to mr Gallatin Feb. 17. 05. Will you be so good as to adopt either the former or latter proposi‑ tion at the Salines, as you shall think best? if you think them equally good, perhaps it will be as well to leave to Govr. Harrison the choice, as it might increase his activity and responsibility to execute his own plan. I am quite ignorant of the situation of such a claim as that of Aber‑ nethie’s inclosed. will you be kind enough to inform me? PoC (DLC). Notation in SJL: “sa‑ lines. Abernethie.” Enclosure: John Ab‑ ernethie to TJ, 1 Dec. 1804. the choice: with an appointment dated 30 Apr. 1805, William Henry Har‑

rison named Isaac White the U.S. agent at the salt works on the waters of the Wa‑ bash River (George Fauntleroy White, “Memoir of Colonel Isaac White,” Indiana Magazine of History, 15 [1919], 330‑1).

From Ralph Pomeroy Sir, Hartford 17th. Feby. 1805 I presume to request your favourable Attention to my Application— I have through the course of our revolutionary War, had the honour of Serving my Country in several Stations. Vizt. (after some offices of less note) as a Commissioner of cloathing Accounts of the Army, which continued untill all the Accounts existing in all the Regiments where such Accounts were capable of being exhibited were settled— afterwards as Deputy of the Quarter Master General for the depart‑ ment of Connecticut in which I disharged my duty with fidelity & success, although Arduous and attended with dificulty and smal means, afterwards I was appointed Comptroler of the Accounts of this State, from which I was somewhat unceremoniously dismissed; for passing an unpopular mans Account, deemed by the Gentlemen then in power, not Warranted by Law. The question at the Suit of this State was soon after solemnly tried before our Superior Court, who seriatim and unanimously gave their Opinion that the transaction was warranted and required by law, which gave me ’tho’ displaced some consolation—  534 

17 FEBRUARY 1805

 Here unless this state be revolutionized I shall not again obtain a Place—and ’tho’ my family is smal, my means of Support are few.— Therefore if it be consistant with your will and there is a Vacancy of any office to which my abilities are competent, I wish again to enter into the Service of my Country. At this distance and for want of knowledge I cannot well designate the place which would be conve‑ nient for me as proper—I have requested Mr. Granger who knows my wishes in my behalf to wait on your Excellency and prosecute My request and communicate on the Subject. I have no predilection for Northern or Southern Climate— I have the honor to be your Excellencys humble Servant Ralph Pomeroy. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at head of text: “To the President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Feb. and “Office” and so recorded in SJL. Ralph Pomeroy (1737‑1819) of Hebron, Connecticut, was the son of a Congrega‑ tional minister and the nephew of Eleazar Wheelock, who founded Dartmouth Col‑ lege. After graduating from the College of New Jersey, he explored careers in the ministry and in teaching before settling

in Hartford to practice law and engage in  commercial trade. During the 1780s and 1790s, Pomeroy served as a justice of the peace, city alderman, and state comp‑ troller (James McLachlan, Princetonians, 1748-1768: A Biographical Dictionary [Princeton, 1976], 240‑2; Hartford American Mercury, 2 July 1792; Register and Manual of the State of Connecticut [Hart‑ ford, 1906], 579; Pomeroy to TJ, 10 Aug. 1807; TJ to Gallatin, 20 Aug. 1807).

From George Read, Jr. Washington Feb. 17. 1805

G. Read has been honour’d with the last note of the President of the United States, suggesting for his Consideration the English process of Habeas Corpus cum causâ, and with deference mentions, that altho’ the writ alluded to, was used to remove causes from the County Courts in Delaware to the Supreme Court previous to the adoption of the existing constitution of that State,—the different organization of the Courts of law under that system, has rendered it inapplicable since—G. Read will however particularly advert to this subject in considering the case submitted. RC (DLC); faint; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

last note: TJ to Read, 14 Feb.

 535 

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 17 fevr. 1805. Je ne puis—des Ouvrages, que Vous ordonnez par votre Lettre du 15—recue hier Soir—Savoir: A) Miltons, paradise lost—. Barrois. Gibbons—decline of the Rom. Empir—edit. de Basle. Lucrece ⎬⎫ de Lagrange Seneque ⎭ B) Oeuvres de Moliére— ⎪⎫ ⎬ in 18 format. _______ de Racine ⎪ _______ de Corneille ⎭ Anacharsis de Barthelemy. Vous fournir pour çe Moment, que les 4 derniers Sub Lit. B. Ayant de çeux Sub Lit. A—des deux premiers, vendu tous les Exemplaires, que j’avois—et n’ayant les 2 derniers point encore recus—Mais j’en attend, et je ne perdrais pas un instant, de Vous faire parvenir çes 4 Livres. Le paquet B—partira demain a Votre Adresse—Les prix sont: Moliere—pap. ord. 8 Vol. brochè— 192 Cents Racine—ditto—5—ditto— 139 Corneille—pap. fin—4 Vol. reliè en Veau av. filets— 274 Anacharsis—9 Vol. en 12mo. av. 1 Atlas en 4to.—reliè en basane 928. 15,32 Je suis fachè, que je ne puisse plus Vous presenter Mol. et Racine dans la reliure nette de Corneille. Je Vous prie d’accepter mes profonds respects. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 17 Feb. 1805 Among the works you ordered in your letter of the 15th, which I received yesterday evening, namely: A) Milton, Paradise Lost, from Barrois Gibbon, Decline of the Roman Empire, Basel edition Lucretius ⎬⎫ La Grange’s ⎭ Seneca ⎪⎫ B) Works of Molière Works of Racine ⎬ in 18mo. format. Works of Corneille ⎪⎭ Barthélemy’s Anacharsis I can provide only the four last titles, under heading (B), for the moment. Under (A), I sold all my copies of the first two, and have not yet received

 536 

18 FEBRUARY 1805 copies of the other two, but I await them and will not lose a moment in send‑ ing you all four. The (B) package will go out tomorrow to your address. These are the prices: Molière, ordinary paper, eight volumes, soft cover 192 cents Racine, ditto, five volumes 139 Corneille, premium paper, four volumes bound in calfskin with gilding 274 Anacharsis, nine volumes in duodecimo with one atlas in quarto, bound in sheepskin 928 $15.32 I am disappointed not to be able to provide Molière and Racine in the same handsome binding as Corneille. Please accept my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Imprim. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

To William Thornton Feb. 17. 05

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to Dr. Thornton, and sends for his perusal a book lately procured, and which may furnish some amusement to mrs Thornton & himself. RC (DLC: William Thornton Papers). Not recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

From James Humphreys [before 18 Feb. 1805]

The liberty I have taken of addressing to your Excellency the within proposals for Edwards’s W. Indies and for Johnson’s Dictio‑ nary, I trust will not be considered as too intrusive. On a former occa‑ sion, proposing to publish Edwards’s West Indies, I was honoured with your Excellency’s Signature to my subscription list—The third Volume being then not published I declined pursuing it. Being now in possession of the whole work, I have again issued proposals for it, and shall think myself flattered by your Excellency’s patronage and approbation of it as well as that of the Dictionary. With sincere Respect I am, Your Excellency’s Most obedt. and most Humble Servt James Humphreys RC (DLC); undated; at foot of text: “His Excellency T. Jefferson President

United States, America”; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. 1805 and so recorded

 537 

18 FEBRUARY 1805 in SJL. Enclosures not found, but see below. James Humphreys (1747‑1810) was a Philadelphia printer and bookseller with a bookstore at Second and Walnut Streets. From 1775 to 1778, he was printer of the Pennsylvania Ledger (Brigham, American Newspapers, 2:940; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 20 Feb. 1805, 3 Feb. 1810; New York Commercial Advertiser, 5 Feb. 1810). johnson’s dictionary: Humphreys proposed to publish by subscription an embellished, engraved edition of Samuel Johnson’s Dictionary of the English Language, with a Life of the Author by J. Aiken, M.D. (Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 14 Feb.). former occasion: Humphreys had issued proposals for the publication of an edition of History, Civil and Commercial

of the British Colonies in the West Indies written by Bryan Edwards and originally published in London in 1793. Although first advertised by Humphreys in quarto form, a three‑volume octavo edition be‑ came the proposed format. In May 1800, Humphreys announced that subscrip‑ tions “not being sufficiently full to enable him to commence the publication imme‑ diately,” he would delay publication while he extended his subscription campaign. He published the first volume in Phila‑ delphia in June 1805 and included TJ as the first name in a list of subscribers ap‑ pended to a fourth volume (Philadelphia Gazette of the United States, 22 May 1800; Charleston South-Carolina State Gazette and Timothy’s Daily Advertiser, 16 July 1800; Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 7 June 1805; Sowerby, No. 4153).

From Elisha Avery Lundi, Fev 18. 1805.

E. Avery a l’honneur d’accuser la reception de la note que Mr Jefferson a daigné lui ecrire. Il est faché que la disposition de la place en question, ne soit pas entierement dans les mains de Mr. J.— Cependant, il s’empressera de se procurer les renseignmens deman‑ dés; lesquels (sitôt qu’il les aura reçu,) seront transmis à Mr J.— De peur que le Governeur en même temps, ne fasse l’offre de cette place à quelque autre personne E.A. prieroit Mr J— de vouloir bien lui faire la grace de le nommer au‑dit Govr. au du‑moins de lui communiquer son avis la‑dessus.— E. Avery demande pardon à Mr Jefferson en osant suggerer ici, que la position dans laquelle il croit qu’il se trouvera aupres de ses Amis, pourra possiblement l’empecher de donner à son caractere toute la respectabilité qu’il pourroit désirer, peut être qu’il merite. Les per‑ sonnes auxquelles il devroit s’adresser avec la plus de confiance, sont celles dont son independence de sentiment, et la franchise à se de‑ clarer, l’ont éloigné en quelque sorte et cette bonne intelligence que auroit‑dû subsister entre elles et lui‑même a deja été plus ou moins enterrompue. Differer en opinion n’est nulle part un crime; mais dans certains pays, l’opinion aveuglée par le préjugé, va Jusqu’à proscrire des prin‑ cipes que la Raison et la Justice veullent établir.—  538 

18 FEBRUARY 1805

 Neanmoins E.A. espere que parmi ses connoissances, il en trou‑ vera assez, qui n’ignorent pas sa conduite et qui savent la Juger, pour l’aider à fournir à Mr J— telles preuves, qui ne laisseront point lieu de douter de son charactere ni de ses vues.— Il est extreement sensible à l’attention de Mr J.— et espere qu’en toutes choses il s’en rendra digne. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Monday, 18 Feb. 1805 E. Avery has the honor of acknowledging the note Mr. Jefferson kindly sent him. He regrets that Mr. J. does not have total authority to allocate the area in question, but will hasten to obtain the information requested and forward it to Mr. J. as soon as it comes. Fearing that the governor might offer the space to someone else in the meantime, E.A. asks Mr. J. to please give his name to the governor, or at least convey his views on the matter. E. Avery asks Mr. Jefferson to forgive him for daring to mention that the position in which he finds himself with his friends might prevent him from ap‑ pearing as respectable as he would wish and as he perhaps deserves. The people he should have been able to solicit with the most confidence are those whom his independent judgment and unfettered speech have alienated. The accord that should have prevailed among them has been more or less interrupted. Differences of opinion are by no means a crime, but in some countries judgment, blinded by prejudice, goes so far as to ban the very principles that reason and justice seek to establish. Nevertheless, E.A. hopes that among his acquaintances he will find enough who are aware of his conduct, know how to judge it, and can help furnish sufficient proof so Mr. J. will have no reason to doubt his character or opinions. He is extremely grateful for Mr. J.’s attention and hopes to deserve it in all ways. RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 19 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

la note: see TJ to Avery, 17 Feb.

From Henry Dearborn Sir [18 Feb. 1805] I have the honour of returning the memoir received for copying, with as correct a copy as I have been able to procure; there are two words with a X over them not copied. one in the 8th. and the other in the 13th. page. H. Dearborn RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Department on  18 Feb. 1805 and “Dannemour on Ouachita” and so recorded in SJL. En‑

closure: the account by Charles François d’Anmours on the Ouachita area (see Pierre Derbigny to TJ, 7 Feb.).

 539 

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 18th. Febr. 1805 I inclose you R. & W’s receipt for 24/. being for Mr. Madison’s subscription for the Enquirer. 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 21 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure not found. r. & w’s receipt: Thomas Ritchie and William W. Worsley published the

Richmond Enquirer (Brigham, American Newspapers, 2:1138). On 11 Mch., TJ re‑ corded in his financial memoranda that Madison had reimbursed him the four dollars (mb, 2:1148).

From Thomas McKean Dear Sir, Lancaster Feby. 18th. 1805. Permit me to congratulate you on your second appointment to the most dignified station your fellow Citizens in the United States of America can confer. Your majority has been greater than my most sanguine expectations had predicted, and exceeds (if my knowledge of the condition of the human character in America is correct) what any of your successors will ever obtain. As an incendiary & malicious essay in manuscript, stating that the officers of this State & many others had obtained my consent (tho with difficulty) to be a candidate for the Presidency of the Union, had been circulated early in the last year thro’ the City of Washington; especially among the Principals of the departments under your gov‑ ernment; it appears to me proper, besides what has been heretofore done, that you should be informed, that the twenty electors of Penn‑ sylvania were & are my sincere friends, that fifteen of them recieved & now hold commissions under me and that two of the others were commissioned on my recommendation; Charles Thompson was edu‑ cated in the same Academy with me, the two remaining are known republicans & friends. I have traced this insidious procedure, and at present it rests with Mr. William Duane, the Editor of the Aurora in Philadelphia. I fear, we have Porcupines and Calenders yet remain‑ ing among us; and I know we have some Catalines & Judases: they should be suspected & watched. The Judges of our Supreme court have been constitutionally ac‑ quitted, altho in the Senate there was a majority of two against them, to my great astonishment; for nothing criminal was proved against  540 

18 FEBRUARY 1805

them, nor, as I have heard, suggested: but they were accused of hav‑ ing given a wrong judgment, & the majority of Senate were of that opinion, with whom I differ toto cælo. We are not quite safe, but time & prudence may alter our situation. I commissioned Thomas Cooper Esquire, President of the Courts of  common pleas, in the counties composing the fourth district, in August last; and he has acquitted himself in his first circuit to my satisfaction, and that of the federal Lawyers, as well as the people in general: his salary is sixteen hundred Dollars, a year, and he is con‑ tented. I believe this was promised to you; and I hope it will be pleas‑ ing, to be assured of it’s performance. The federal presses continue their imbecile censures upon you, but more feebly than heretofore; with respect to myself, I am told (for I seldom see any of their News‑papers) they are silent: but in social companies, as I have heard, even the Tories eulogise me. This strata‑ gem, to destroy, has been borrowed from Greece, Rome &c. Tacitus mentions it; the intention is to render me suspected by the Whigs or Republicans, and to cause a diversion at the next election for Governor in October; but be assured, Sir, it will be frustrated. Never confide in a Tory, nor in office‑hunting, disappointed, pretended & violent Whigs. Republicans are predominant (thank God) in the United States; but as you have wisely predicted; they will divide; and it seems to me, the period of division has commenced. In this State it originated in the election of Doctor Leib as a member of the House of Represen‑ tatives in Congress, at the last election; when Mr. Duane, whose former conduct had endeared him to the whigs, took the most active part in his behalf, but in his zeal for the Doctor, endeavoured to injure all his other friends who opposed his election. Few men can bear prosperity—Mr. Duane seems to me to be one of the number. He affects to consider his importance, as an editor of a News‑paper, to be superior to the Governor of a State, or even of the President of the United States. He is in the same situation, that Wm. Cobbitt (the Editor of the British paper, stiled the Porcupine Gazette) was, on a recognizance to be of the good behavior, he has been sued, and the cause will probably be tried at the ensuing March Term; from this circumstance, he has imprudently exerted every influence, he pos‑ sessed (which has been more powerful than could rationally have been supposed) to have the impeached Judges convicted. He has been dis‑ appointed, and because, from principle, I always, when consulted, declared my sentiments, in their favor, and because I did not favor Doc‑ tor Leibs election, in which I was neutral, he has become (insidously,  541 

18 FEBRUARY 1805

not openly) my enemy. None of the impeached Judges ever voted for me as Governor, & probably never will, but the precedent of an im‑ peachment for such a cause alarmed me; never was there less occa‑ sion, in my opinion, for such a prosecution. May the next period of your administration be as propitious & happy for yourself & country, as the last; nothing more can be ex‑ pected by your fellow‑citizens; and may your health of body & strength of mind continue, as you would wish them. God bless you. I am, dear Sir, Your most obedient servant, Thos M:Kean RC (DLC); at head of text: “Private”; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esq; President of the U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Dft (PHi: Thomas McKean Papers).

malicious essay: for the possible background of the essay, see McKean to TJ, 14 Aug. 1804. constitutionally acquitted: see Anonymous to TJ, 28 Jan. toto cælo: by the whole heaven, or diametrically (oed).

From Robert Smith Sir, Monday morng—[18 Feb. 1805] The Enclosed Dispatches I received late last Evening—Lieutenant Izard who brought them I will present to you this morning. Respectfully Rt Smith RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 18 Feb. from the Navy Department and “Preble’s lre from Trip‑ oli” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably Edward Preble to Smith, 18 Sep. 1804 (printed in asp, Naval Affairs, 1:133‑8; see TJ to the Senate and the House of Representatives, 20 Feb.).

Ralph izard was among the officers who served on board the Intrepid during its mission to destroy the frigate Philadelphia. He arrived in Norfolk on 14 Feb., bearing Commodore Edward Preble’s ac‑ count of the navy’s actions against Tripoli (ndbw, Register, 28; Baltimore American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 22 Feb.; Smith to TJ, 13 Nov. 1804).

From Paul Dalrimple Dear Sir Febr. 19th. 1805. Lexington S. Kaintuckek I have to communicate to you, that the hidden misterys are un‑ folded to me, by my Father who is in heaven, and your Father, if you beleieve the bible, you will not dote, that i am the Comforter, and believe all that theirin is Ritten, asto adminnister into my Necessaty if you please, am Destiut of the common necessaryes of life, and have  542 

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not where to lay my head. Neither money for my Support, excepting form above, I have Left no Stone unturnd that wass necessary for the Comfort of Republicanism, I wass, commanded of God, to do what i have don, and think, that man Must and will [excuse me], Levi Lin‑ coln will testafy of me, and what I have told him, is the Truth, I have bin taught, not to dout, by God himself, and tht You will not, dout, who I am and, what I am, is my blief, if you Should, you may make a Rode from Washington, to Lexington, and See the name Rittein on my Vesture and, on my [Thy] as well as on my Forehead—the bible, and the world, Shall testafy of me, and all that I Shall Say, as I am informd of God, I Shall give you a bill‑book as Soon as Soon as I an Wite it, in which I shall write all that is necessary, as Soon as I can, I have bee henderd from comcomunicating, this to yo by the people, who have taken my papers, from me, and inkstan, Repeatedly, but there is nothing that can hender me now, and I must fast till you Relieve me, God Says you will, in him I trust, and cordially enjoin It upon you all to trust in god, and Christ and the Holy Evangelist, and the Comfortor, I shall Send you a Book that will be Suffitient to es‑ tabablish every thing. therefore beblieve and you Shall be comforted. I wass a Jew and did not [walk in] it till a week ago Last Friday morning between twelve and one O Clock, and wish you helth and Fraternity Paul Dalrimple P.S you will now dout Remember, my necessaty, by Recollectin the lettur, that I rote you about one year ago and but I have spared no pain to accomplish this Will of my heavenly Fathers and he has Ac‑ cepted of me and my Works More, I have allso to tell, but they have stoleen yr. Inktand and my Ritings often and—Murered me often— RC (DLC); partially illegible; ad‑ dressed: “Thos. Jefferson President of the United States. City of Washington”; se‑ quence of clauses of postscript conjectural; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Mch. and “insane” and so recorded in SJL.

on my vesture: “And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords” (Rev‑ elation 19:16). the lettur, that i rote: Vol. 42:100‑1.

From Albert Gallatin [19 Feb. 1805]

This claim is an old loan office certificate which might have been funded under the funding act, until it became barred by act of 3 March 1795.  543 

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 The operation of the last mentioned act was suspended for one year by act of 12 June 1798 (Vol. 4th page 123); and the certificate might have been paid off if presented before 12 June 1799: since which day it is barred by the act of limitation above mentioned (of 3 March 1795. Vol. 3d page 215) A. G. RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 19 Feb. 1805 and “Abernethie’s loan office certif.” and so recorded in SJL.

For the claim, see John Abernethie to TJ, 1 Dec. 1804.

From Thomas H. Green Sir Princeton New Jersey Febry 19 1805 on my leaving New Orleans for this place. Mr Briggs Surveyor General of M. Territory Committed to my charge a Small packet di‑ rected to you to be deposited in the mail when I arrived here. I have just put it in the post office and Shall be happy to hear that you have received it Safe I am your most obdt. Servt. Thomas H Green RC (DLC); at head of text: “Mr Jeffer‑ son”; at foot of text: “His Excellency Thos. Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 23 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Thomas H. Green (1787‑1810) was probably the son of Abner Green and Mary Hutchins Green of Mississippi Ter‑ ritory. His father was treasurer general of the territory and a member of the in‑ fluential Green‑West political faction. Thomas attended the College of New Jersey at Princeton in 1805 (Jack Ran‑

dolph Hutchins, Robert Hutchins of Colonial America: The Historical Hutchins Family Records [Baltimore, 1992], 43‑4; Robert V. Haynes, The Mississippi Territory and the Southwest Frontier, 1795-1817 [Lexington, Ky., 2010], 39‑40, 62, 180‑1; Catalogue of the American Whig Society, Instituted in the College of New Jersey, 1769 [Princeton, 1845], 34; Vol. 40: 103‑4n). small packet: see Isaac Briggs to TJ, 31 Dec. 1804.

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 19 fevr. 1805 J’ai l’honneur, de repondre au Contenû de Votre respectable petit billet du 16, que le porteur de Lettre ne m’a remis, que hier Soir: a) que c’est pour Midlet. life of Cicero in 8vo. le meme Cas, que pour Miltons Paradise lost. b) que Vous m’avez bien demandè: Rayeval, Loix de la Nature— pour lequel j’ai deja ecrit a la Maison a Paris par un batiment, qui partoit de Norfolk;—mais point encore: Rayneval’s Law of Nations—  544 

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 Est ce, en francais, ou Anglais, que Vous comandez çet Ouvrage. J’ose joindre a cette Lettre 12 Ex. du Càtalogue des editions Stereo‑ types de Renouard a Paris—et Vous prier, de vouloir bien les dis‑ tribuer dans Votre famille. Daignez—agreer mes respects intimes. Reibelt e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 19 Feb. 1805 I have the honor of responding to the contents of your fine note of the 16th which the letter carrier gave me only yesterday evening. a) The situation for Middleton’s Life of Cicero in octavo is the same as for Milton’s Paradise Lost. b) You did indeed ask me for Rayneval’s Natural Law, which I requested from the Paris office by a boat from Norfolk, but not yet Rayneval’s Law of Nations. Is it the French or English version of the book that you prefer? I take the liberty of enclosing 12 copies of Renouard’s catalogue of stereo‑ type editions from Paris. Would you be kind enough to share them with your family? Please accept my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Impr. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosure: probably An‑ toine Augustin Renouard, Editions stéréotypes et autres, formant une nombreuse collection des meilleurs ouvrages de littérature, dans les formats in-18 et in-12 (Paris, 1803?).

petit billet: not found and not re‑ corded in SJL. le meme cas: see Reibelt to TJ, 17 Feb. TJ requested a copy of Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval’s Institutions du droit de la nature et des gens in a letter of 9 Feb.

From John Brown Sir Senate Chamber 20th. Feby 1805 The Bearer J. F Dufour is one of the Swiss Emigrants who have commenced the culture of the Vine in Kentucky & on the Banks of the Ohio. He requests the honor of presenting to you a testimony of their high respect, a sample of Wines made by them last Autum at their first Vineyard in Kentucky, & will return highly gratified should the first fruits of their infant establishment be found worthy of any portion of your approbation.— I have the honor to be Very respectfully Yo mo ob Sert. J. Brown  545 

20 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 21 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

 commenced the culture: see Vol. 32:529‑33 and Vol. 36:373‑6.

From Mathew Carey Sir Philada. Feb. 20. 1805 By Mr John Jackson, of this city, who this day starts for Washing‑ ton, I send you the Greek Testament & Johnson’s Edition of the Bible, which I hope will arrive safe, & prove satisfactory. I am, sir, respectfully, Your obt. hble. servt. Mathew Carey Bible Testament

Cents 900 c 137 c 1037 c

RC (MHi); at head of text: “Thomas Jefferson, Esq. President U.S.”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

From Jacob Crowninshield Sir Washington 20th. Feby. 1805 Wednesday afternoon. This mornings mail brought me the two letters which I beg leave to enclose for your perusal. I have sent both letters, that you may be the better judge of the feelings and wishes of the writer. Their contents must have great weight with me in making up my decision on the subject, which your extreme goodness has so long permitted me to have under my consideration, and after mature re‑ flection I find myself compelled to acknowledge that I am not able to make up my mind in favour of the acceptance of the appointment, without I could be certain that my family would be with me, at least for a part of the time while I ought to be at my post. I am therefore reduced to the necessity of praying to be excused. The difficulties suggested in these letters can not be overcome without a personal interview with their writer, and as I can expect no further indulgence in point of time, having trespassed so much on you already, I must beg you not to delay a moment, on my account, making any other arrangements which you may have in contempla‑ tion, upon knowing that I am compelled to decline the appointment with which you wished to honor me.  546 

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 With a tender of my most grateful acknowledgements for unmerit‑ ted and undeserved favours, and with sentiments of profound respect and attatchment. I am your devoted and highly obliged servt Jacob Crowninshield  PS. my other letters, which are alluded to in those I enclose, give no decided opinion on the subject, & leave it to be decided between Mrs. C. & myself. I am bound to consider her answers, as not advis‑ ing me to accept. RC (DLC); above postscript: “The Honble: Th Jefferson President of the US.”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Mrs. Charles L. Hoskins, Seneca Falls, New York, 1950). Enclosures not found (see TJ to Crowninshield, 23 Feb.).

the subject: see Crowninshield to TJ, 24 Jan. their writer: likely Sarah Gardner Crowninshield.

From Thomas T. Davis Sir. Jeffersonville Indiana Territory Feby. 20th. 1805 The nominations for the Legislative Counsil has taken place in this Territory—From the County of Clark Saml. Gwathmey & Colo. Clark are nominated Gwathmey is a Senseble Respectable Young man & lives in this place. [. . .] Clark Resides in Kentucky with all his Family. From Knox their is John Rice Jones is in nomination he is a British Subject by no means friendly to the present State of poli‑ ticks & has lately been charged with very Ridiculous Conduct—the other man Kyrkengdol is an Honest good man The Winter has been very hard here and the Number of Wild Pigeons exceed all human Calculations they are building near us & threaten the Farmers with Destruction The Element for Whole Days are dark with them. I am Respectfully Your Obt Sert. Tho. T Davis RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); torn; en‑ dorsed by TJ as a letter of 27 Feb. re‑ ceived 1 Apr. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “members of legis‑ lative council.” nominations for the legislative counsil: Indiana moved to the second grade of territorial government after Gov‑ ernor William Henry Harrison called for

a plebiscite on the issue, which was held on 11 Sep. 1804. A small proportion of the electorate participated, the majority of which voted in favor of the move. Follow‑ ing a structure adopted from that of the Northwest Territory, the territorial House of Representatives then chose ten men as candidates to sit on a legislative council and forwarded their names to TJ, who was to select five (William Wesley Woollen,

 547 

20 FEBRUARY 1805 Daniel Wait Howe, and Jacob Piatt Dunn, eds., Executive Journal of Indiana Territory, 1800-1816 [Indianapolis, 1900], 124‑5; Vincennes Indiana Gazette, 7 Aug. 1804; Aurora, 25 Oct. 1804; U.S. Stat‑

utes at Large, 1:50‑3; 2:58‑9; TJ to Wil‑ liam Henry Harrison, 28 Apr. 1805). kyrkengdol: Jacob Kuykendall (Terr. Papers, 7:262).

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir 20 Feby. 1805 Before I wait on you on the subject of the present scarcity of specie & pressure on the Banks, I enclose the correspondence connected with the application of the Manhattan Company.   The principal question which at present I wish to submit to your consideration is the propriety of paying in England the last instalmt. of 200,000 £ Stg.—This depends not only on the enclosed letters &c., but on the state of our Treasury generally, on the laws on the subject, on the bills for American claims daily expected from France & several other points which I will mention. But the reading of the enclosed will show you the reasons in favor of the measure, and when I wait on you I will state the objections & difficulties. With sincere attachment & respect Your obedt. Servt. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Depart‑ ment on 20 Feb. and “Manhattan” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures: (1)  Gal‑ latin to Thomas Willing, the president of the Bank of the United States, 4 Feb., informing Willing of the risks to New York banks, particularly the Manhattan Company, posed by the scarcity of specie and by the conduct of the directors of the Merchants’ Bank; Gallatin has reached an agreement with the Manhattan Com‑ pany by which the government will put $200,000 in the bank’s hands for six months; he asks Willing to provide any necessary support to the New York banks so long as such efforts do not threaten the safety of his own institution; Gallatin be‑ lieves that an additional $200,000 could probably be spared by the Baltimore branch, and $100,000 from Boston; he asks for Willing’s opinion on a plan to transfer purchase of government bills on Holland from the Philadelphia and Bos‑ ton branches to that of New York; he ad‑

vises Willing to resist the efforts of the directors of the Merchants’ Bank by not “discounting for them or purchasing their bills” and requests that, in order to pro‑ tect the revenue, he instruct his directors to help deserving parties discharge their revenue bonds; Gallatin admits that the present low rate of exchange with Great Britain and that country’s impending war with Spain may make the shortage of spe‑ cie temporary, but he fears that the next installment of the government’s payment to London will worsen the situation; he wonders if it might not be proper to make the payment via remittances in Europe, rather than having Great Britain export a payment in specie from the United States; he asks Willing to communicate his bank’s view on that subject “without delay” (Gallatin, Papers, 10:565‑7). (2) Willing to Gallatin, 12 Feb., from Philadelphia, enclosing a report of that day by the board of directors of the Bank of the United States; Gallatin’s proposal on the “sub‑ ject of the British Instalment” has been considered and a resolution passed by the

 548 

20 FEBRUARY 1805 board of directors; Willing stresses the need to stipulate 15 Sep. as a payment date, rather than 15 July; he agrees that arranging a payment in bills of exchange, rather than specie, will “prevent that great distress” a large exportation of specie might cause; Willing adds that executing the government’s orders for purchase of bills at New York has put the Bank of the United States into debt with the banks there, so a part of the contemplated pur‑ chase of bills will have to be made in Bos‑ ton, Baltimore, and New York, “where‑ fore it is to be hoped that a continuance of other purchases by you may not be for some time found necessary”; in the en‑ closed report, the committee of the board of directors notes that through the ac‑ tions of the Treasury Department and the Bank of the United States, the char‑ tered banks of New York “will soon be restored to perfect safety”; the committee believes that given the scarcity of specie, it is the “indispensible duty of the Direc‑ tors of this Bank to prevent, at this time the exportation of the precious metals”

and therefore approves of Gallatin’s plan; the bank will begin purchasing bills of exchange and will remit £200,000 ster‑ ling to the bank’s agent in London with instructions to pay that sum to the order of the Treasury secretary on or before 15 Sep. (same, 612‑14). For the problems that New York banks were facing, see DeWitt Clinton to TJ, 26 Jan. The United States owed the last of three installments to Great Britain for the payment of prewar debt claims. Under the provisions of the agreement reached between the countries in 1802, each an‑ nual installment of £200,000 sterling was to be made in Washington. At Gallatin’s urging, Congress passed on 3 Mch. a supplemental appropriation act allowing the payment to be made in Great Britain (Gallatin to Willing, 5 Mch., in Gallatin, Papers, 10:676; Miller, Treaties, 2:488‑9; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:336; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:136‑7; Vol. 33:277n; Vol. 43:358).

From Joshua B. Langdon Sir, Boston Feby. 20th. 1805 By the request of my uncle John Langdon Esqe of Portsmouth, I have the honor of shipping to your address three barrels perry, pr the Sloop Cyren John Mathews master bound to Baltimore, bill lading of which is enclosed—Hoping it may come to hand seasonably I am, With sentiments of the highest respect Your Obt Servt, Joshua B. Langdon RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqe President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: bill of lading, Boston, 20 Feb. 1805, for three barrels of perry for TJ shipped by Langdon to Baltimore on the Cyren, John Mathews, master (MS in same; printed form with blanks filled and signed by Mathews).

Joshua Brackett Langdon (d. 1810) was a son of Woodbury Langdon. In 1805, he became a partner in the Boston commission firm of Gilman & Langdon. He died in Havana (Dean Dudley, Supplement to the History and Genealogy of the Dudley Family, Illustrated [Wakefield, Mass., 1898], 81; New-England Palladium, 9 Apr. 1805; Boston Patriot, 29 Aug. 1810).

 549 

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States I communicate for the information of Congress a letter of Sep. 18. from Commodore Preble giving a detailed account of the transactions of the vessels under his command from July the 9th. to the 10th. of Sep. last past.1 The energy & judgment2 displayed by this excellent officer thro’ the whole course of the service lately confided to him, and the zeal and bravery of his officers & men in the several enterprises executed by them, cannot fail to give high satisfaction to Congress and their country, of whom they have deserved well. Th: Jefferson Feb. 20. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. FC (DLC); in TJ’s hand, signed, dated 21 Feb. Notation in SJL: “messsage. Pre‑ ble’s letter.” Enclosure: Edward Preble to Robert Smith, from Malta on 18 Sep. 1804, a lengthy letter detailing the ac‑ tions undertaken by the Mediterranean squadron against Tripoli between July and September 1804; on 14 July the frig‑ ate Constitution rendezvoused at Syracuse with the schooners Nautilus and Enterprize and six gunboats and two bomb ves‑ sels loaned by the king of Naples; the fleet sailed from Syracuse to Malta, and then to Tripoli by 25 July, where the brigs Siren, Argus, and Scourge and the schooner Vixen were added to Preble’s fleet; Preble describes the preparations for an attack on Tripoli harbor, defended by a city wall and fortifications mounting 115 heavy can‑ non, 25,000 “Arabs and Turks,” a brig, two schooners, two galleys, and nineteen gunboats; the navy’s attack on 3 Aug. re‑ sulted in three Tripolitan gunboats cap‑ tured as well as three gunboats sunk in the harbor, along with numerous casual‑ ties, while the U.S. Navy suffered the death of Lieutenant James Decatur and the wounding of 13 seamen and marines; Preble details a second attack of 7 Aug., during which the bomb vessels lobbed 48

shells into the city while the other vessels silenced a battery; the fleet was resup‑ plied from 9 to 22 Aug.; an attack on the night of 24‑25 Aug. by the bomb vessels against the city yielded uncertain results; an attack on the night of 28‑29 Aug. re‑ sulted in the silencing of the “castle and two of the batteries,” the sinking of a “large Tunisian galliot,” and the damag‑ ing of several Tripolitan galleys and gun‑ boats, as well as a Spanish vessel, while the U.S. Navy only suffered four casualties and minor damage to its vessels; Preble passes along information from the cap‑ tain of a Spanish poleacre on 2 Sep. that the recent bombardment “had made great havoc and destruction in the city, and among the shipping, and that a vast num‑ ber of people have been killed”; Preble describes the final attack on 3 Sep., dur‑ ing which the navy again engaged the Tripolitan fleet and fortifications; the fire ship Intrepid was on the night of 4 Sep. lost with all hands and “one hundred bar‑ rels of powder, and one hundred and fifty fixed shells” during an attempt to “de‑ stroy the enemy’s shipping, and shatter the Bashaw’s castle and town”; most of the fleet returned to Syracuse on 5 Sep.; on 10 Sep. the frigates President and Constellation, under the command of Commo‑ dore Samuel Barron, rendezvoused with Preble’s fleet and command of the squad‑ ron transferred to Barron; Preble escorted

 550 

21 FEBRUARY 1805 to Malta two vessels captured on their way to Tripoli with wheat; Preble has given command of the Constitution to Captain Stephen Decatur and intends to return to the United States in the frigate John Adams (Tr in DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; Tr in DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.; also printed in asp, Naval Affairs, 1:133‑8). Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Senate and House of Representa‑ tives on 20 Feb. The Senate ordered Pre‑ ble’s letter to lie for consideration, while the House referred the letter to a select committee (js, 3:458; jhr, 5:145‑6). On 3 Mch., Congress offered its thanks to

Preble and the officers, seamen, and ma‑ rines under his command for their actions against Tripoli (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:346‑7). TJ’s letter and Preble’s account of the transactions were subsequently published as Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting a Letter from Commodore Preble, Giving a Detailed Account of the Transactions of the Vessels under his Command, from the 9th July, to the 10th of September, Last (Wash‑ ington, D.C., 1805). 1 2

Preceding two words omitted from FC. FC: “energy & judicious conduct.”

From Benjamin Waterhouse Cambridge Feby. 20th. 1805.

From an opinion that President Jefferson does not feel indifferent to whatever concerns the welfare of any of the citizens in any of the States, Dr Waterhouse here sends for his acceptance a copy of a Lec‑ ture just printed, on the subject of the health of our literary youth; containing cautions respecting the use of Tobacco, & Ardent & vi‑ nous spirits; and hopes that the principles & design of it will meet the President’s approbation. RC (DLC); in Waterhouse’s hand; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Benjamin Waterhouse, Cautions to Young Persons concerning Health in a Public Lecture De-

livered at the Close of the Medical Course in the Chapel at Cambridge Nov. 20. 1804 (Cambridge, Mass., 1805; Sowerby, No. 994).

From Richard Cutts Thursday Feby. 21—1805

R Cutts presents his compliments to the President of the U.S. and sincerely regrets the misfortune that has attended the two sheets of glass ordered by him—R Cutts has written, this day to his Friends in Boston ordering two sheets more, particularly requesting, that they would attend to the packing, as directed in the extract of a Letter from James Dinsmore—to put the glass on board the first Vessel bound to Richmond—to convey the glass from the Glass House by hand or  551 

21 FEBRUARY 1805

Water (which is convenient) to the Vessel, & to see that the same is safely Stowed on board—R Cutts hopes the President will not con‑ sider the application as troublesome, but rather a pleasure— RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 21 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Cutts had ordered two large circular sheets of glass for TJ in July. The

glass, needed for a skylight at Monticello, had broken en route (Vol. 44:95, 734; TJ to George Jefferson, 21 Apr. 1805).

From Benjamin H. Latrobe Dear Sir Wilmington, Feby. 21st. 1805 For the last three weeks I have been at Lancaster as the Agent of the Ches. & Del. Canal Co. to solicit Legislative aid to our undertak‑ ing, and having been detained from day to day, by the usual tedious‑ ness of such an application. Having succeeded as far as a resolution of each house in our favor, I returned hither last night, and shall in an hour proceed by the Mail to the works and thence to Washington tomorrow. I staid a day in Philadelphia to engage stone Cutters & have agreed with six good hands to go on directly.—My Clerk in‑ forms me that he sent a letter from you after me. I have not received it as yet, but have directed the necessary enquiries. With the true re‑ spect I am Your faithful hble Servt B H Latrobe RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 24 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. resolution of each house: the president and directors of the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company petitioned the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives on 7 Feb., asking for pub‑ lic support for the project. Both houses responded favorably and brought in bills authorizing the governor to purchase shares in the company. On 12 Mch. the House resolved to fold the bill into a larger one appropriating funds for an array of public projects (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, Pa., 1804], 165‑6, 169‑71; Journal of the Fifteenth House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Commenced at Lancaster, on Tuesday, the Fourth Day of December, in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Eight Hundred and Four [Lancaster, Pa., 1804], 290, 314‑5, 333‑4, 356‑7, 480). a letter from you: likely TJ to Latrobe, 26 Jan.

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Notes on Spanish Actions and Indian Affairs Spanish alarm & proposns to Indians. Feb. 21. Spanish movemts. to Adaïs & Lanana1 S. Antonio. Turner to Claiborne Cados, Paunies. send factory immedly. court them. Bayou Pierre, Span. settlemt on Red rivr. 70. mi. above Natchitoches Lanana, 40. mi. from Nactchitoches. Spands. have takn. post there Casa Calvo & his guard to retire Louisiana bank mounted infantry to scour disputed country Claiborne to have interview with Govr. of Texas. Casacalvo? Matta Gordo. 2. Span. regimts. to b’ establd. there. [i.e. Bay of St. Bernard] Cavalry & infantry from Mexico expected at St. Antonio a Governr wth. 3000. men comg. to Nacogdoches. the prest. Comandt. of Nacogdoches to take post at Adaïs 1100. Seminoles invited to Pensacola by Govr. Folck 3. regimts. of 1500. men each expectd from Havana for Pen‑ saca. Mob. & Bat R. & 200,000 cavalry. forts to be at Pascagoula & Pearl rivers. 1000. families under the prest. govr. of St. Antonio, to come to Adaïs an officer & 100. dragoons have been takg survey of Rio Guadalupe 4. regiments ordered for the frontier [Nacogdoches] Chambers’s lre. the Span. duties at Mobille to be submd to till furthr order Choctaws. Nannahubba isld is ours MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27109); entirely in TJ’s hand, including brackets; follows, on same sheet, Notes on Indian Affairs, Tripoli, and Great Britain at 8 Jan. 1805. The portions of TJ’s notes relating to Louisiana were gleaned from a series of letters written by William C. C. Claiborne in December 1804 and January 1805, all

of which were received by the State De‑ partment on 21 Feb. turner to clai‑ borne: in a 31 Dec. letter to Madison, Claiborne enclosed reports received from Edward D. Turner, the U.S. commander at Natchitoches, that provided information on Spanish and Native American move‑ ments and activities west of the Missis‑ sippi River. On 21 Nov., Turner wrote that he had given small presents to visiting

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21 FEBRUARY 1805 Indian chiefs. A Caddo chief asked Turner for an American flag to hoist in his vil‑ lage, while a message from the Pawnees expressed a wish “to be well with the U States” and asked that a trader be sent to  them. Turner also briefly described a small Spanish military force recently es‑ tablished at “Lanana” (Bayou La Nana) to halt contraband trade, and a nearby Spanish settlement at Bayou Pierre, about 70 miles up the Red River from Natchi‑ toches. Writing to Claiborne on 8 Dec., Turner forwarded reports that two regi‑ ments of Spanish troops were to be estab‑ lished at Matagorda Bay, that “a Gover‑ nor with Three Thousand Troops” was on the way from San Antonio to Nacog‑ doches, and that the commandant at Nac‑ ogdoches was to take charge of the post at Los Adaes. Another report claimed that a new governor had been ordered to San Antonio, where “a great number of Troops, Cavalry & Infantry” were expected to arrive from Mexico City. Writing to Madison on 13 Jan., Claiborne enclosed a 27 Dec. letter from Turner that showed “the great increase of the Spanish force” in Texas. Turner learned from “Recent arrivals from the Spanish Country” that a thousand families were relocating from the populous parts of the territory to the frontier, that troops from Havana were to garrison Matagorda, and that four regi‑ ments were to be stationed on the frontier in the vicinity of Nacogdoches. Another report claimed that John Walker, formerly of Natchez and now in the service of Spain, accompanied by a lieutenant and 100 dragoons, had been “surveying and taking a plan” of the Rio Grande and the Guadalupe River (RCs in DNA: RG 59, TP, Orleans; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:434‑5, 472). casa calvo & his guard: letters from Claiborne to Madison dated 31 Dec. and 5 Jan. enclosed papers concerning the Marqués de Casa Calvo’s personal guard. The squad consisting of only one corpo‑ ral and three soldiers, Claiborne had not deemed it a serious concern. Residents had complained, however, about the con‑ duct of some of the men, and a resolution introduced in the territorial legislative council criticized the presence of armed Spanish soldiers in New Orleans. After an exchange of letters with Claiborne on

the subject, Casa Calvo agreed to discon‑ tinue the guard (same, 435‑6, 452‑3). louisiana bank: in letters of 1, 6, and 13 Jan., Claiborne informed Madison of the “exertions of a few individuals” to re‑ vive the charter of the Louisiana Bank, despite the administration’s disapproval of the institution. On 13 Jan., Claiborne reported that the “Incipient Capital” of the bank had been subscribed and a board of directors elected (same, 441‑2, 459, 472). chambers’s lre: Joseph Chambers, agent to the Choctaws, wrote to Dear‑ born on 12 Dec. 1804 regarding the du‑ ties Spanish officials at Mobile placed on American goods. He enclosed a recent exchange of letters with the Spanish col‑ lector at Mobile on the subject. Chambers asked for instructions on how to proceed in the matter. The War Department re‑ ceived the letter and its enclosures on 20 Feb. (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS; asp, Foreign Relations, 2:679‑80). nannahubba isld is ours: located at the confluence of the Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers, Nanna Hubba Island had been occupied under British and Span‑ ish jurisdiction. In 1804, however, the Choctaws claimed the island, arguing that they had never relinquished their right to it. Writing to Gallatin on 3 Aug. 1804, land office commissioners Ephraim Kirby and Joseph Chambers stated their understanding that the British had extin‑ guished Indian title to the land and re‑ ported that General James Wilkinson believed the island belonged to the United States. Kirby and Chambers observed, however, that they could not confirm land titles based “on such loose grounds” and recommended that the U.S. government furnish “such official documents and other evidence” as would allow the commis‑ sioners to make proper determinations of ownership. On 2 Mch. 1805, Congress authorized the commissioners for lands east of Pearl River to grant certificates for locations on Nanna Hubba Island. Per‑ sons claiming land on the island or east of the Tombigbee and Alabama Rivers would have until 1 May 1805 to file their claims with the register of the land office (Terr. Papers, 5:330‑1; U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:323). 1 Word

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interlined.

From John Smith of Ohio My very dear Sir Thursday morn— [21 Feb. 1805] Impress’d, with the solicitude which I know you feel for the well being of every Section of the Union, I take the liberty to enclose for your perusal of a letter from Mr. Brown, of New Orleans. Accept the assurance of the high regard & esteem with which I am my very dear Sir Your most obedt Servt. John Smith of Ohio RC (DLC); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Feb. 1805 and so re‑ corded in SJL. Enclosure not identified.

To Samuel Harrison Smith Feb. 21. 05.

Can mr Smith print 50. copies of the inclosed within a week from this time for Th: Jefferson? he would wish to have it an 8vo. page on a 4to. leaf, so that the leaf may bind up either with the Philosoph. transactions, or Maese’s dictionary. RC (DLC: J. Henley Smith Papers); addressed: “Mr. Samuel H. Smith”; en‑ dorsed by Smith. Smith charged TJ $3.50 for printing 50 copies of the enclosure, including

$1.50 for printing and $2.00 for plates (statement of account with Samuel Har‑ rison Smith, March 1805 to February 1806, MS in MHi).

e n c l o s u r e

Supplementary Note on the Moldboard Plow A Supplementary note on the Mould board described in a letter to Sr. John Sinclair of Mar. 23. 1798. inserted in the American Philosophical trans‑ actions Vol. 4. and in Maese’s Domestic Encyclopaedia voce Plough. The chief object in that description was to establish the true principle on which the mouldboard of a plough should be constructed, and to point out a mechanical method of making it’s curved surfaces. the mould board there described, by way of example, was made with a square toe, to recieve the sod at the hinder edge of the fin of the plough‑share. but neither the principle nor the method is restrained to that single form. if it be desired for instance to give to the mould board a pointed toe, adapted to the fin of the plough‑share, which may begin to raise the sod from the point, a small variation in the pro‑ cess effects it, and the principle of the curved surface is still the same.   Hav‑ ing formed your block of the length, breadth & height, suited to the nature

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21 FEBRUARY 1805 of your soil, to the breadth & depth of your furrow, having scribed it, & taken out the pyramidal block as directed, lay it bottom upwards and draw a line a.b. across it, distant from the fore end about once & a half the breadth of the bottom. then draw the diagonal a.c. & if you wish to make the toe with the cutting edge oblique & straight chip off the corner d. to the diagonal line a.f.c. or if you wish to make the cutting edge curved as that of the fin generally is, lay off the curva‑ ture you desire from f. to e. and either mark the curve by the eye, or with a pair of compasses, & chip off the corner d. to the curved line a.e.c. then saw in on your scribes & finish as directed in the letter. it is hardly necessary to observe that the block being here represented bottom upwards, the cutting edge of the mould board appears on the left, tho’ it will really be on the right when turned up. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25678); in TJ’s hand; undated. TJ sent copies of this note on the moldboard plow to several correspon‑ dents over the ensuing years, including James Mease (TJ to Mease, 11 Mch. 1805), Philippe Reibelt (TJ to Reibelt, 19 Oct. 1805), Harry Innes (TJ to Innes, 20 June 1806), William Hendrick (TJ to

Hendrick, 17 July 1806), and André Thouin (TJ to Thouin, 29 Apr. 1808). Copies of the printed broadside are in MHi and in the Mazzei Papers, Harry Innes Papers, and Broadside Collection at DLC. TJ had models of both the square toe and pointed (or sharp) toe moldboards made, which he likewise sent to friends and ac‑ quaintances; see TJ to Mease, 11 Mch. 1805, and to John Strode, 11 Mch. 1805.

Petition of Ira Allen Philadelphia, 22 Feb. 1805. Allen petitions the president and Congress that in 1795, Governor Thomas Chittenden gave him instructions to purchase arms in Europe for the Vermont militia. In France, Allen obtained 20,000 muskets and 24 brass cannons on credit. Allen states that the purchase was “Consistant with the Laws of Nations,” but in 1796 when the arms were traveling to New York on the ship Olive Branch, a British ship of the line captured the vessel and took it to England. An admiralty court at first con‑ demned the cargo on suspicion that the arms were intended to supply rebels in Ireland, but the property was later released on bail to Allen. He consigned the cargo to a British mercantile firm that later went bankrupt, and he is un‑ able to receive just compensation for his expenditures. Allen argues that the actions of the admiralty court were a violation of the law of nations and he “Solissits the Interfearance of the Government of the United States” by se‑ questering funds intended to be paid to British merchants for claims. MS (DNA: RG 46, LPPMRSL, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); 4 p.; in Allen’s hand; at head of text: “To the President of the United States The Honble. Senate and House of Representatives Conveaned in

Washington”; endorsed by a Senate clerk. MS (same, 9th Cong., 1st sess.); in Allen’s hand; endorsed by a Senate clerk. MS (same); in Allen’s hand; endorsed by a Senate clerk: “April 11th 1806 Referred

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22 FEBRUARY 1805 to the Secretary of the Department of State to report thereon.” Printed in asp, Foreign Relations, 2:800. TJ likely never saw this petition. Ste‑ phen R. Bradley introduced it in the Sen‑ ate on 2 Mch., as the Eighth Congress was drawing to a close. Bradley introduced it

again in April 1806. The Senate referred it to the secretary of state, who responded that he wrote to James Monroe about Allen’s case in March 1805, but Monroe had not yet reported back (js, 3:469; 4:80; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 6:163‑5; 9:135‑6; 11:484‑5; Vol. 33:536n).

From Patrick Byrne The Hon. Thomas Jefferson

pr. of P. Byrne philadelphia

1805 Feb 22 Browns Civil & Admiralty Law 2 V 6:50 Enfields philosophy 2 V 4 Chathams Life 3 Vols Lond Edit 8 Mawes Gardening 1:25 Holmes’s England 1 Belendenus ______ $20:75 Sir by the mail of this morning the above were sent in a small parcell gaurded by pasteboard—I have the misfortune not to have a complete copy of Belendenus, by Dr. parr—that you receive wants from pages 41 to 48 & 81 to 88 both inclusive, it being incomplete, no charge is made for it. if I should meet a complete copy in any time hence I will forward it—my edit. of Chathams Life being sold I have sent the London—I have a great number of pamphlets most of which I printed, on English Irish & French politics &c I am making a list which I shall submit to your eye when ready, I am with great respect Sir your oblidged hum Servt. P: Byrne RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. copy of belendenus: TJ received a gratis copy of Samuel Parr’s A Free Trans-

lation of the Preface to Bellendenus; Containing Animated Strictures on the Great Political Characters of the Time (London, 1788) in this shipment from Byrne (Sow‑ erby, No. 2772).

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From Christopher Ellery Sir Senate Chamber Feby. 22d. 1805— The inclosed, I understand, is from Joseph Sisson, an Inhabitant of Newport. He is an elderly gentleman, one of the friends or quak‑ ers, universally esteemed and respected. I cannot withhold the letter of such a man, (though it is my desire to avoid giving unnecessary trouble) notwithstanding I am informed that it is on the subject of the Collector’s Office in Newport, and in my favor and sent too, sub‑ ject to my disposal— With high respect & esteem Christ. Ellery RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 22 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Joseph Sisson to TJ, Newport, 12 Feb. 1805 (recorded in SJL as received 22 Feb., but not found; see Appendix iv).

From Thomas Elwyn Sir, Portsmouth Feb. 22, 1805. I hope you will pardon the liberty I take in troubling you with the enclosed little pamphlet. Perhaps it may be thought an idle, vain presumption in me to expect that the Letter to a Federalist will at‑ tract the slightest attention from you. A composition, that to the writer was merely the amusement of a few leisure hours must be thought a poor & trifling object by the present President of the United States. Yet, I have so many reasons for believing that truth & sincerity may seem valuable to you, when little talents or learning are displayed, that I cannot resist sending you this work as proceeding from the heart of one that admires, & (if he may be permitted to say so) ap‑ proves of your administration as much as even his Father in law Mr. Langdon & this is not saying a little. We are now commencing our electioneering campaign once more, in which, though an humble, I am an active agent. What may be its event it is impossible as yet to judge. My hopes are too warm for my opinions to be valuable. Mr. Langdon has no family connexion, but Mr. Gilman has a host of friends, some aristocrats, some moderates, & some I fear only pre‑ tended republicans so artfully contrived & so ingeniously arranged, that my fears will not cease till I know that he is at last unsuccessful. The federalists still beat us in spirit, activity & unanimity. They are all alive, but it is painful to me to be compelled to say there is too much apathy among the republicans. We appear to have in this state halted at the very threshold of the Temple of Victory. One might al‑  558 

22 FEBRUARY 1805

most think that the republican cause had as many cold, indifferent friends, as determined enemies. The objections to your administra‑ tion which I have endeavored to remove in my Letter are really those of some of the good federalists I have known. The performance has been approved in Boston where it was published. In the Chronicle it was praised I fear much beyond its merits. Of course I cannot expect that it will create in the minds of the federalists any other sentiments than of contempt or disgust. Such at least will be their expressions. To me it has been truly pleasing to find in the commendations the Letter has received from such a paper as the Chronicle a proof of my own opinions, “that the motives & tendency of the measures of your administration need only be known to be approved, & that such furious jacobins are so ready to speak well of a performance intentionally moderate, calm & delicate. Let me hope you will excuse the freedom with which I write to you. I have the honour to be with the highest consideration, Sir, Your most faithful, humble Servant, Thomas Elwyn RC (DLC); addressed: “To The Presi‑ dent of the United States Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: [Thomas Elwyn], A Letter to a Federalist, In Reply to Some of the Popular Objections to the Motives and Tendency of the Measures of the Present Administration; February 1805 (Portsmouth, N.H., 1805; Sowerby, No. 3324). Thomas Langdon Elwyn (ca. 1776‑ 1816) was born in Canterbury, England, and in 1794 graduated from Oxford Uni‑ versity. Elwyn emigrated to the United States in 1795, and later married Eliza‑ beth Langdon, the only daughter of New Hampshire statesman John Langdon. Both Elwyn and his wife were members

of the New Hampshire Bible Society. In 1814, he successfully petitioned the Gen‑ eral Court to add Langdon to his family name (J. Smith Futhey and Gilbert Cope, History of Chester County, Pennsylvania, with Genealogical and Biographical Sketches [Philadelphia, 1881], 530; Edwin J. Ai‑ ken, The First Hundred Years of the New Hampshire Bible Society, 1812-1912 [Con‑ cord, N.H., 1912], 72; Albert Stillman Batchellor, ed., Laws of New Hampshire: Including Public and Private Acts and Resolves and the Royal Commissions and Instructions, with Historical and Descriptive Notes, and an Appendix, 10 vols. [Man‑ chester, N.H., 1904‑22], 8:294). approved in boston: on 18 Feb., the Independent Chronicle published a lauda‑ tory account of Elwyn’s pamphlet.

To James Holland Dear Sir Washington Feb. 22. 05. As I troubled you on a former occasion with mr Briggs’s case, I take the liberty of committing the inclosed letter from him to your attention. when mr Briggs proposed to undertake exploring the road to N. Orleans, it was in the belief it would not cost him more time trouble or expence to go that way to Natchez, than by the tramontane  559 

22 FEBRUARY 1805

rout. under this belief I accepted his offer, neither of us supposing it was to cost the public a dollar; for nothing was further from my idea than to incur any expence unauthorised by law. it has turned out very differently. mr Briggs & his companion (the latter too not being on salary) have expended in the enterprize between 4. & 500. D. five months of their time, have gone thro’ great labours & sickness; but they have performed well what they undertook, and it prevents the necessity of a survey of the road by chain & compass, which probably would have cost 2000. D I should think therefore the half of that sum at least, given them, would be founded in justice & economy. I pre‑ sume the best place to provide for it would be in the clause which mr Newton reports in the post office bill authorising the establishment of a mail from Washington by Franklin C.H. or Athens, in Georgia to N. Orleans. that doubtless provides for the necessary expences, and may easily be made to embrace those already incurred. as you take an interest in this road, and are familiar with the subject, I make this communication to you with a request that you will be so good as to communicate with mr Newton on the subject, & do in it what you & he shall think right. accept my friendly salutations Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Hol‑ land.” Enclosure: Isaac Briggs to TJ, 31 Dec. 1804. James Holland (1754‑1823), a Republi‑ can congressman from Rutherford County, North Carolina, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1795 to 1797 and again from 1801 to 1811. He had been a

militia officer during the American Revo‑ lution, held a number of local offices, and served several terms in the state legisla‑ ture. After retiring from Congress, he relocated to Tennessee (Biog. Dir. Cong.; William S. Powell, ed., Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 vols. [Chapel Hill, 1979‑96], 3:174‑5). his companion: Thomas Robertson.

From Anne Cary Randolph Edgehill Feb 22 1804 [i.e. 1805]

I wrote to my Dear Grand Papa last post but I suppose he did not receive my letter or he certainly would have answered it. in my last letter I mentioned the changing my name to Anastasia but you did not say whether you approved it I am afraid my letters must be very tiresome to you as I have nothing to say but I intend to write to you every post adieu my Dear Grand Papa your most affectionate Grand daughter ACR RC (ViU: Edgehill‑Randolph Papers); misdated; endorsed by TJ as a letter of

22 Feb. 1805 received 27 Feb. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

 560 

23 FEBRUARY 1805  last post: she wrote to TJ on 14 Feb. No letter written before 22 Feb. and men‑ tioning the name change has been found. It was TJ who gave his first grandchild her name, doing so at the request of her

parents and choosing “Anne” because it honored the infant’s paternal grandmother and “belongs also to Patsy’s family of both sides” (Vol. 14:368n; Vol. 19:582).

From Ellen Wayles Randolph My Dear Grand Papa Feb 22, 1805 I recieved your letter and am very much obliged to you for it, as it is very seldom that I get one you cannot think how glad I was at it. I am very much obliged to you for the Bantams you promised me and will take great care of them. I go on very slowly with my French for I have got through but one book of Telemachus but I hope that I shall now go on better since Mamas health is so much better that she is able to hear us our lessons regularly. give my love to Papa and mrs H Smith. adieu my Dear grand Papa believe me to be your affectionate grand Daughter Ellen Wayles Randolph. RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as received 27 Feb. from Edgehill and so recorded in SJL. TJ’s letter, recorded in SJL as writ‑ ten 11 Feb., has not been found. bantams you promised me: see TJ to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 6 Nov. 1804.

telemachus: the classic French tale Les aventures de Télémaque by François de Salignac de La Mothe‑Fénelon. mrs h smith: probably Margaret Bayard Smith, wife of Samuel Harrison Smith.

To John Brown Dear Sir Washington Feb. 23. 05. Mr. Dufour called on me yesterday, with the wine. his object seems to be to get my own opinion & that of others on it’s merit, in order to decide on the expediency of continuing the pursuit. but it should be observed that no wine on earth was ever drinkable the spring after it was made. country people may indeed drink it, as ours drink new cyder from the press. but I mean that no judgment can be then formed of what it will be when ripe. I have never known any wine ripen under two years, & from that to 5. are necessary according to the character of the wine. I tasted both the kinds yesterday at dinner, nobody being with me but the family. they appear to me to possess a body capable of becoming good; but what will be their character or  561 

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degree of merit no body can say. I had at first thought of offering them to my company to taste from time to time. but I believe it better not to do so. persons who are not apprised of the undrinkeable state of green wines, even of the best kinds, cannot make the just allow‑ ance, & would therefore condemn in the lump. the best service there‑ fore I can render mr Dufour is to have the wine well taken care of. about this time twelvemonth we may taste it again; but this time two years we may begin to form a judgment of it. You excused yourself from dining on Monday because the Senate rises late. but my whole company is of Senators with two or three managers, who have generally accepted, & the dinner will not be till your hour of adjournment. I may therefore still hope to see you. Ac‑ cept my affectionate salutations Th: Jefferson P.S. I would wish to have from mr Dufour candid informn whether any spirit has been put into the wine? of what kind? & in what proportion? PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Brown”; endorsed by TJ. called on me yesterday: see Brown to TJ, 20 Feb. Brown did attend the dinner at the President’s House on monday, 25 Feb. The other guests were eight other mem‑ bers of the Senate and three members of the House of Representatives, Peter Early, John Boyle, and George Washington Campbell, who were all from the group of managers prosecuting the impeachment case against Samuel Chase. TJ’s dinner on Saturday the 23d was similar in com‑ position. At the table on that occasion were six senators and three other House impeachment managers, John Randolph, Caesar A. Rodney, and Joseph H. Nich‑ olson. Also present at that dinner were Hugh Holmes, the speaker of the Virginia

House of Delegates, and Thomas Tudor Tucker, the treasurer of the United States. Holmes, whose brother was a congress‑ man, testified as a prosecution witness in  the impeachment trial session on the 25th (Trial of Samuel Chase, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, Impeached by the House of Representatives, for High Crimes and Misdemeanors, before the Senate of the United States, 2 vols. [Washington, D.C., 1805], 1:9; 2:222, 302‑7; Vol. 36:134n; Appen‑ dix ii). till your hour of adjournment: Samuel L. Mitchill, one of the senators at the Saturday dinner, reported that the trial session on that day ran so long, “We did not get our dinner untill about Sunset” (Samuel L. Mitchill to Catharine Mitchill, 25 Feb., in MiU‑C: Samuel Latham Mitchill Papers).

To Jacob Crowninshield Feb. 23. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to mr Crownenshield & re‑ turns him the inclosed letters which he has read with much regret. but he must still ask an interview with mr Crownenshield.  562 

23 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (Mrs. Charles L. Hoskins, Seneca Falls, New York, 1950); addressed: “The honble Mr. Crownenshield”; endorsed by Crowninshield. Not recorded in SJL. En‑ closures: see Crowninshield to TJ, 20 Feb.

From Jacob Crowninshield 23d February 1805. Saturday afternoon.

Jacob Crowninshield presents his respects to Mr. Jefferson and will wait upon him at any hour when he could know Mr. Jefferson might be at leisure, he will certainly call at 10 O’Clock monday forenoon, or to morrow at the same hour if it is wished and Mr. Jefferson will be so good as to inform him that this will be more convenient or agreeable. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 23 Feb. and so recorded in SJL. FC (ViU); in Crowninshield’s hand.

From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department Feby. 23. 1805 I have the honor herewith to transmit you a Return of the Militia of the United States, from such returns as have been received since the 20th March 1804 date of the last Return With sentiments of esteem and respect I am, Sir Your Obedient Servant H Dearborn PrC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the U States.” FC (DNA: RG 107, LSP). Recorded in SJL as received from the War Department on 23 Feb. Enclosure: Return of the Militia of the United States, dated War Depart‑ ment, 23 Feb. 1805, signed by Dearborn; consisting of returns made by 14 states (lacking Delaware, Maryland, and Ten‑ nessee), the District of Columbia, Mis‑

sissippi Territory, and Indiana Territory, compiled into tables listing the numbers of general and field staff, field officers and regimental staff, artillery, cavalry, grena‑ diers, light infantry, riflemen, and infan‑ try; including also an inventory of arms, ammunition, and accoutrements (printed in asp, Military Affairs, 1:184‑8); enclosed in TJ to the Senate and the House of Rep‑ resentatives, 28 Feb.

 563 

From Henry Dearborn, with Jefferson’s Approval Sir War Department February 23d. 1805 I have the honor of proposing for your approbation the following appointments in the Militia of the District of Columbia (viz) James Calder to be Lieutenant of light Infantry in the first Legion, vice, Charles McLaughlin promoted— James Stevens to be Ensign of light Infantry in the first Legion, vice, James Harrison resigned Accept, Sir, the assurances of my high respect and consideration. H. Dearborn [Approval by TJ:] Feb. 23. 05. Approved

Th: Jefferson

RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the U States”; endorsed by a clerk. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

From William Dunbar 23d feb: 1804 [i.e. 1805]

I have the pleasure of enclosing you two additional Setts of Sheets of the continuation of the geographical Survey of the river Washita. Upon further investigation I find I was a little precipitate in saying that the Long of the Hot Springs was about 6h. 13′ west of Green‑ wich; an mistake1 had been committed in correcting the error of the watch in the first hasty Calculation; I now find that by a mean of nine distances from the Moon to α arietis the Long: will be only 6h. 10′ 5″ west of Greenwich. With the remainder of the Journal I will transmit results of my Calculations. I have made a list of vegetables growing on or near the river Washita, as complete as circumstances would [admi]t, the greater part as may be supposed commonly [kno]wn—Some few may possi‑ bly be non descripts—I now give you a list of those, with a few seeds of one racine à Chevreuil (Deer’s root) this plant grows upon the banks of the river, subject to occasional inundation FC (Lb in Ms‑Ar: William Dunbar Pa‑ pers); in Dunbar’s hand; misdated; torn;

at head of text: “Thos. Jefferson P.U.S. Washington.” Recorded in SJL as re‑

 564 

23 FEBRUARY 1805 ceived from Natchez on 25 Mch. Enclo‑ sure: pages of the “Journal of a Geo‑ metrical Survey” of the Ouachita River expedition (see Dunbar to TJ, 15 Feb.). Other enclosure printed below.

 Alpha arietis, or Hamal, is a star in the constellation Aries. 1 Word

interlined in place of “error.”

e n c l o s u r e

Plants of the Ouachita River Region List of Vegetables (perhaps non‑descripts) from the River Washita Racine à Chevreuil (Deer’s root) This root is a globular farinaceous body from the size of a hen’s egg to that of a Mellon; it is without stem, leaf or any part above ground, & there are scarsely any perceptible fibres in the form of roots connected with the principal body. It is covered by a fibrous thin husk of a blackish brown Colour. It is found 2 or 3 inches under the surface, growing in mellow ground. The Deer is fond of feed‑ ing upon it, by which it is discovered to the hunters, who make of it a nourishing food: they reduce it to a flour and mix it with indian meal & bake it in form of bread under the ashes, &c Patate à Chevreuil. (Deer’s potatoe) This vegetable is found generally on or near the banks of the river, subject to accasional inundation; the root swells to the Size of the thumb or more from 1 to 4 or 5 inches in length, soft & pulpy, full of an agreeable Saccarine Juice; it shoots above ground into a small trailing plant or short vine bearing in the fall a species of peas in pods, of which a small sample is enclosed. Bois d’Arc (Bow‑wood) or yellow wood said to resemble fustic; it is ex‑ tremely elastic, and used by the Indians for both Bows and arrows, from whence it derives its name. This is a very handsome ornamental tree; its foliage possesses the briliancy of that of the orange tree which it greatly resembles in Summer, but is not an evergreen. It grows to the size of a foot or more in diameter; its flowers are said to be white and are fol‑ lowed by a fruit which grows to the magnitude of an Ostrige’s egg and nearly of the Colour and briliancy of pale gold: the bark of the tree is also yellowish and scaley in the manner of the Dog‑wood bark; its branches are numerous crossing each other and armed with short strong thorns; it would probably make beautiful strong and durable hedges. The fruit contains many seeds resembling, but larger than, those of the orange but without any pulp or juice: I have seen one of the trees six inches in di‑ ameter, from which I procured some Cions and cuttings with the view of propagating the tree. some imperfect attempts have been made to dye with it; it is expected that it may furnish a yellow; upon the whole this tree may be expected to be a great acquisition being highly ornamen‑ tal, and perhaps may serve as a Stock, upon which to graft the orange, lemon &c Dwarf Cabbage—This was found upon a high ridge near the hot‑springs, growing in rich black mold amidst masses of flinty rock; it was not con‑ fined to a particular spot, but extended along the ridge at least half a league, it is not therefore probable that the seed of this plant was dropt

 565 

23 FEBRUARY 1805 there by any of the hunters; I conclude it to be indiginous. The Colour of the leaf inclines to the purple; altho’ the taste of the Cabbage is pre‑ dominant yet there is a mixture of that of the raddish, which proves very agreeable & it might be eaten raw as a sallad; the root resembles the horse‑raddish in form, colour and taste, but much milder—a few of the plants are thriving in my garden. Bois à Cabane—(Cabin wood.) so named from its pliancy in the construction of the indian hut; there is nothing very particular in the appearance of this small tree or shrub, excepting one circumstance, which to me is a singularity. many trees form their buds or blossoms shut up in a Case or Covering in the fall of the year ready to burst open with the reanimating warmth of the Spring Season; but this vegetable actually flowers in the winter after the fall of the leaf; its blossoms consist of four short & four longer petals ⅜ and ¾ of an inch, the longer being narrow & Slender, of the order monogynia and Class Tetrandria; the flower is of a dull yel‑ lowish colour, hardy & not liable to be injured by Cold; it probably exists all winter; the tree is deciduous. a few of the plants have a place in my garden. Osier. a Species of Willow or Osier found growing out of the gravel beaches in the upper parts of the Washita river, not found below, and subject to be entirely covered by freshes. a few plants were brought down. Cantac—This is the indian name of the root of an evergreen beautiful vine: the hunters convert this root as well as that of the China briar into a nourishing & palatable meal or flour by pounding and washing. The root is bulbous or rather very bulky, extending itself much under ground. Wild hemp. I have not seen this. Wild goose berry—Bears a diminutive dark reddish fruit. L’Herbe à Joseph—a very efficacious vulnerary. L’Herbe au Crocodile. Idem. Racine rouge.—Removes female obstructions—Dyes red with the China root. Hickory—perhaps a new variety bearing an excellent oblong and flat nut. Grape Vines—It is supposed some are new & of excellent quality, both black, (or rather purple) and yellow. Several plants have been brought away in order to ascertain their qualities. MS (PPAmP); in Dunbar’s hand. Printed in John Francis McDermott, ed., “The Western Journals of Dr. George Hunter, 1796‑1805,” aps, Transactions, new ser., 53, pt. 4 (1963), 121‑2.

From Albert Gallatin Dear Sir Feby. 23 1805 Humboldt’s map of which, since Dr Kraft’s death, I could not get another copy made, is at my house. I will send it to you to night or to morrow morning— Respectfully Your obt. Sert. Albert Gallatin  566 

23 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury Department on 23 Feb. and “Humboldt’s map” and so re‑ corded in SJL. humboldt’s map: presumably Alex‑ ander von Humboldt’s map of Mexico; see Vol. 43:557n.

 kraft’s death: Charles De Krafft, surveyor and draftsman of the Treasury Department, had died on 24 July 1804 (Washington Federalist, 28 July 1804; TJ to Samuel Lewis, Sr., 29 July 1804).

To the House of Representatives To the House of Representatives of the United States. In further compliance with the desire of the House of Representa‑ tives, expressed in their resolution of Dec. 31. I now transmit the Report and map of Isaac Briggs, referred to in my message of the 1st. instant, and recieved by the last post from New Orleans. Th: Jefferson Feb. 23. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); date altered from 22 Feb.; en‑ dorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DLC); dated 22 Feb. Recorded in SJL under 22 Feb. with notation “Briggs’s map.” En‑ closures: Isaac Briggs to TJ, 22 Dec. 1804, and map referred to there by Briggs.

Isaac A. Coles presented TJ’s message and the enclosed papers to the House of Representatives on 23 Feb. After read‑ ing the message, the House referred the papers to the Committee of the Whole House in considering the establishment of post roads from Tennessee and Georgia to the Tombigbee settlements and New Orleans (jhr, 5:149).

To Robert Smith Th:J. to mr Smith. Feb. 23. 05 The act of the Virginia legislature which is the foundation of the inclosed will become null by it’s own provision that it should be so if not assented to by Congress before Mar. 3. it is too late for Congress to take it up, but as it possibly may be brought forward at the next ses‑ sion it will be well in the mean time to procure necessary information. RC (LNT: George H. and Katherine M. Davis Collection); addressed: “The Secre‑ tary of the Navy”; endorsed by a clerk. Enclosure not found (see William Dickson of Virginia to TJ, 14 Feb., and Littleton W. Tazewell to TJ, 16 Feb.).

 567 

From Thomas Munroe Sir Superintendt. Office, 24 Feby 1805. Indisposition has prevented an earlier attention to the claim of Mr. Ab: Ritchie, as administrator acting under the Will of the late Chas. Beatty, to a portion of land said to take in a part of the Presidents house. The letter of Mr Ritchie being the first direct notification of such a claim which has come to my knowledge, I submit to the Ex‑ ecutive such information as I possess1 on the subject. On the location of the site for the City of Washington as the per‑ manent seat of the Federal Government, most of the proprietors of Lands included within its limits, conveyed their property therein, in Trust to Thomas Beall of George and Mr. M. Gantt, for the pur‑ poses and on the trusts therein specified; among which purposes, it was declared, that the Streets, and such squares or portions of ground as the President of the United States might appropriate for public purposes, should be transferred to the U.S. for ever by the trustees, payment therefor, being made to the proprietor of the land so appro‑ priated, other than streets, at the rate of 25 £. per acre, out of the proceeds of the sales of other Lots and Squares given up by the pro‑ prietors as a donation, and directed to be sold. Some of the propri‑ etors, either from imbecility or other causes, not having made such deeds of trust, it became desireable to place all the lands within the City on the same footing, and prevent dispute as to the title derived to the United States and purchasers, from these causes. Application was therefore made to the Legislature of Maryland; and at the Ses‑ sion of 1791 there was passed, an Act for that and other purposes— entitled, “An act concerning the territory of Columbia and the City of Washington.” On this Act of Assembly, and the Deeds of Trust from the Original proprietors, have the Public and Commissioners heretofore rested their titles to property in the City of Washington. By it, must the claim of Mr Beatty be tested, when made to property selected for, or appropriated to the use of the United States,—or, laid off into lots and sold by the public as a donation agreeably to the deeds of trust. A Reference to the said Act, Chap: 45, & Sectn. 3, will shew that all the lands in said City are subjected to the same terms, and on the same trusts, as those conveyed by the owners thereof to the trustees; as also, is all the lands belonging to the State of Maryland at the time. Under one or other of which descriptions the lands claimed by Colo. Beatty must be included.  568 

24 FEBRUARY 1805

 The 5th. Section of the Act expressly declares “That all the squares, lots, pieces and parcels of land within the said City, which have been or shall be appropriated for the use of the United States, and also, the Streets, shall remain and be for the Use of the United States; and all the lots and parcels, which have been or shall be sold to raise money as a donation as aforesaid, shall remain and be to the purchasers ac‑ cording to the terms and conditions of their respective purchase; and purchases and Leases from private persons, claiming to be proprie‑ tors, and having, or those under whom they claim having, been in possession of the lands purchased or leased in their own right, five whole Years next before the passing of this Act, shall be good and effectual for the estate and on the terms and Conditions of such pur‑ chases and leases respectively, without impeachment and against any contrary title now existing: but if any person hath made a convey‑ ance, or shall make a conveyance or lease of any lands within the limits of the said City, not having a right and title so to do, the person who might be intitled to recover the land under a contrary title now existing, may either by way of ejectment against the tenant, or in an Action for money had and received for his use against the bargainor or Lessor, his Heirs &ca. as the case may require, recover all money received by him for Squares peices or parcels appropriated for the use of the United States, as well as for lots, or parcels sold, and rents re‑ ceived by the person not having title as aforesaid, with interest from the time of the receipt”:— The first of these sections subjecting the lands claimed by Mr Beatty to the terms of the deeds of trust; and the latter section, con‑ firming the title of the U.S. to the appropriations, seems effectually to silence any claim against the United States. And farther, as the pur‑ chase money of 25 £, per acre, has been paid to Mr. Burnes the pro‑ prietor in possession, as it is believed for a great many Years previous to the Act of 1791, the said 5th. section confirms the title of the United States to the Presidents Square, by purchase; directing the mode of recovering the purchase money from the prior claimants to whom it might be paid by the Commissioners: to wit,—the representatives of Mr Burnes. Notwithstanding the length of time this claim of Mr. Beattys is supposed to have had existance, to lands in the City, the location of them has never been made known to the Commissioners, myself, or the surveyors; nor, have there ever been claims of the kind now made, exhibited on the division of the Lots between the Commissioners and David Burnes the supposed legal proprietor.  569 

24 FEBRUARY 1805

 I have the honor to be Sir, Your Obedt. Servt— Thomas Munroe RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); addressed: “The President of the United States.”; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Feb. and so recorded in SJL.

letter of mr ritchie: Abner Ritchie to TJ, 9 Feb. 1 Munroe here canceled “relative to facts and opinions.”

From Thomas Appleton Sir Leghorn 25th. february 1805 I have only a few days since receiv’d the reply from my friend at Rome, occasioned by a long sickness.—It appears that the original bust of General Washington, in terra cotta, was Sold many months since to the french Minister; but the Sculptor (who is held in very high estimation) has two copies, one in marble for which he requires one hundred and twenty five crowns; the other in gesso, and has fixed the unreasonable price of fifty crowns.—my friend who is well skill’d in works of sculpture recommends strongly a preference to the one in marble, for gesso from its nature is of very little durability.— Although I am persuaded a more correct copy cannot be obtained than the one in marble, yet as it is not what you have required, and the other being rated far beyond what you justly imagined such works are usually purchased at; so I have not concluded on either. I shall therefore wait your further commands, as I presume that a copy can at all times be procured.— I have the honor to be with the highest respect Your devoted Servt Th: Appleton RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 May and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in DNA: RG 84, CR, Leghorn).

french minister: Joseph Fesch. what you have required: for TJ’s instructions regarding Giuseppe Cerac‑ chi’s bust of Washington, see Vol. 44: 114‑15 and Vol. 40:657‑9.

From Albert Gallatin Feby. 25 1805

Daniel Coffin Collector of the district of Nantucket, and inspector of the revenue for the port of Nantucket Andrew Porter Surveyor of the Port of New Orleans & Inspector of the revenue for the same  570 

25 FEBRUARY 1805

 It is not absolutely necessary to fill at present the vacancies in the land offices of the Mississippi territory; but if thought advisable to do it, either John Henderson or Henry Beaumont may be made Reg‑ ister, of the land office West of Pearl river, reserving the place of Receiver for Fitzpatrick when he shall arrive—Or, if Robert Williams does not get any thing else, he may be made Register, and either Henderson or Beaumont Commissioner in his place. For the land office East of Pearl river (Tombigbee) a receiver of public monies is a wanted. The only persons I can think of are Gil‑ more of whom the President spoke, or—Dougherty of Bladensburg whose recommendation (for surveyor at N. Orleans) I transmitted to him. Respectfully submitted Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury De‑ partment on 25 Feb. and “Nomns” and so recorded in SJL. On 7 Dec. 1804, Thomas Ewing sent John Smith a testimonial on behalf of john henderson for the position of receiver at the land office at Natchez (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 5:267‑9; endorsed by TJ: “Henderson John to be Reciever Natchez”).

henry beaumont: see William H. Beaumont to TJ, 25 Jan. 1803. gilmore: Rodominick Gilmer. In a letter of 19 Feb., Virginia Repre‑ sentative James Stephenson wrote to an unidentified recipient to recommend Pat‑ rick Daugherty (dougherty) as sur‑ veyor of the port of New Orleans (DNA: RG 59, LAR; endorsed by TJ: “Daugh‑ erty Patrick. Maryld. to be Surveyr. N.O.).

From John Langdon Dear Sr. Portsmouth Feby 25th. 1805 I procured few days since three bbs perry, two of them raw as they came from the press, the other boiled, two barrells reduced to one; I shiped them to Boston (as there was no opportunity here for the Chesepeake) addressed to my Nephew, Joshua, B. Langdon, who informs me he has shiped them by the Sloop Cyren Capt John Mathews, via, Baltimore, hope they will get to hand safe, have sent them as received, was fearful of drawing it off into new bbs. lest it might sour the perry. I am fearful whether it will get to hand in good order, if it should escape the Crews of the Coasters, the voyage by sea this season of the year may Injure the raw perry, the boiled, will not be hurt. I have the honor to be with the highest Consideration Dear Sr. your Obligd. Hbl. Servt John Langdon  571 

25 FEBRUARY 1805

the cost agreably to your desire— 3 bbs. perry one boiled, including bbs. 12 freight to Boston and to Baltimore &c 14 16 RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Mch. and so recorded in SJL with nota‑ tion “16. D.”

From Jean Perreïn Monsieur Le President— Newyork Le 25 Fevrier 1805 J’ai Oui dire que vous aimés Les Sciences et les arts, et que vous devés former un museum d’histoire naturelle. dans le cas ou vous desireriés faire Laquisition de quelques objets etrangers à votre paÿs, je puis vous ceder quelques doubles en oiseaux, insectes de la Cote d’afrique que je viens de recueillir moi meme. j’ai quelques oiseaux de Lisle gouadeloupe, et une Collection de la plus grande partie des oi‑ seaux que L’on trouve à newyork ou aux environs; tous montés avec leurs yeux, Leurs noms specifiques d’aprés Linné, prets à figurer dans Le museum; il ne faut que les placer dans leurs claces. si vous n’avés personne pour préparer et monter Les animeaux en général, je vous, ofre mes Services pour ce qui Conserne les oiseaux, les qua‑ drupeds, Les reptiles et les insectes. je Connois un peu Les differents sistêmes ou methodes de botanique, celui de Linné, Lamark, Lesti‑ boudois. j’ai quelques plantes sechées et graines de la Cote d’afrique, peu de la gouadeloupe. Si vous avés quelque ami dans cette Ville, engagés Le de passer chés moi pour y voir les objets que je vous pro‑ pose. si vous desirés quelque Chose de ma Collection, je vous prie de metre toute la Celerité possible à votre reponse, afin d’avoir Le tems de vous en faire L’envoi. ne trouvant point à moccuper dans ce paÿs faute de Connoitre la langue anglaise, je Suis decidé de partir pour France au mois d’avril prochain. j’ai eu la visite de mr. peal propri‑ etaire du museum de philadelphie et lui meme pourra vous instruire mieux qu’un autre sur la maniere dont je travaille. j’ai L’honneur d’etre avec un trés profond respect Monsieur Votre Trés humble Serviteur Perreïn mon adresse est Perreïn officier de Santé et naturaliste William Street No. 4 à Newyork.

 572 

26 FEBRUARY 1805 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, New York, 25 Feb. 1805 I have heard you value the arts and sciences and are creating a natural his‑ tory museum. If you wish to acquire some objects that are foreign to your country, I can cede some duplicates of birds and insects that I have just col‑ lected from the African coast. I have some birds from the island of Guade‑ loupe and a collection of most of the birds that are found in and around New York. All are mounted with their eyes and precise names, based on Linnaeus, and are ready for a museum. They just need to be placed in their respective categories. If you do not have anyone to prepare and mount animals, I offer you my services for birds, quadrupeds, reptiles, and insects. I have some knowledge of the different systems and methods of botany, namely, those of Linnaeus, Lamarck, and Lestiboudois. I have some dried plants and seeds from the African coast and a few from Guadeloupe. If you have a friend here, ask him to come to my house to see the objects I propose. If you wish something from my collection, please respond as quickly as possible so I may have time to prepare the mailing. Since I do not speak English, I have not found employment in this country and have decided to leave for France in April. Mr. Peale, owner of the Philadelphia museum, came to see me and can tell you, better than anyone, about my work. With very deep respect, Sir, I have the honor of being your very humble servant. Perreïn My address is Perreïn, health officer and naturalist, 4 William Street, New York. RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Jean Perreïn (ca. 1750‑1805) was a French naturalist and member of the Soci‑ ety of Sciences and Belles Lettres of Bor‑ deaux who traveled in northern Africa, the West Indies, and the United States. He donated several bird specimens to the National Museum of Natural History in Paris in 1803‑1804. In the summer of 1804, Perreïn arrived in New York from Africa, where he had collected many birds,

insects, and exotic plants. He invited Charles Willson Peale to see his collec‑ tion in July and arranged an exchange of African birds for American ones. He died in New York a month after writing this letter to TJ (Justin J.F.J. Jansen, “The Bird Collection of the Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, Paris, France: The First Years [1793‑1825],” Journal of the National Museum [Prague], Natural History Series, 184 [Nov. 2015], 88; Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 1:242n, 244, 247‑8n; v. 2, pt. 2:729, 731, 732, 737, 738, 744; New York Daily Advertiser, 1 Apr. 1805).

Notes on Renominations and Nominations [before 26 Feb. 1805]

Renominations still to be made. Orleans. ✓ Wm. C. C. Claiborne late governor of the Misipi territory Governor of the territory of Orleans  573 

26 FEBRUARY 1805

[ James Brown of Kentucky Secretary of the terri‑ tory of O.] [ Ephraim Kirby of Connecticut ⎪⎫ Judges of the Su‑ ✓ John B. Prevost of New York ⎬⎪ perior court for ⎭ original nomn ✓ James Brown of Kentucky1 the terry. of O ✓ Dominic A. Hall of S.C. judge of the District court for the Orleans district. ✓ Francis Joseph Le Breton D’Orgenoy of Orleans Marshal for the district of O. Mahlone Dickerson of Pensva Attorney of the US. for the district of O. ✓ William G. Garland of Orleans Naval officer for the port of N.O. ✓ John Thibaut of Orleans Surveyor & Inspector for Bayou St. John in N.O.          Nominations ✓ William Brown of Orleans, Collector for New Orleans in the terry. of O. ✓ William Lyman of Massachusets Surveyor & Inspector for New Orleans in the terry of O. Reciever of public monies for lands at Saint Stephens in the Missipi territory. ✓ John Graham of Kentucky late Secretary of legn to Madrid Secre‑ tary of the territy. of Orleans

Governor of the Misipi terry. ✓ Thomas Tingey of Columbia to be a Captain in the Navy. ✓ Franklin Wharton of Pensylva, now Major in the Marine corps to  be Colo. Commandant of the same vice Colo. Burrowes resigned. ✓ James Bowdoin of Massachusets Min. Plen. of the US. at the court of Madrid. ✓ George W. Erving of Massachusets Secretary of the legation to the court of Madrid. ✓ Peter Kuhn junr. of Phila to be Consul, for the US. at the port of Genoa. ✓ Tomson J. Skinner of Mass. to be Marshall for the district of Mass.  574 

26 FEBRUARY 1805

✓ Benjamin Austin of Mass. to be Commr. of loans in Mass. ✓ William Lyman of Massachusets to be Consul for the US. at London. ✓ John Tapscot of Virginia2 to be Collector & inspector of the reve‑ nue for Yeocomico river in Virginia ✓ William Bellinger Bullock of Georgia to be Atty for the US. in the district of Georgia. v. D. B. Mitchel resd. ✓ William Creighton of Ohio to be Atty for the US. in the district of Ohio v. Mich. Baldwin resd ✓ Edward Dewhurst of the island of St. Croix to be Consul for the US. at St. Croix. Algernon Sidney Stanford to be of Maryld Collector and Inspector of Vienna in Maryld3 Ormond Tuley of N.C. to be Surveyor & Inspector of the revenue for the port of Slade’s creek in the district of Washington N.C. v. Henry Tuley resigned. q. Porter Andrew junr. N.O. to be Inspector & Survr. of the port of N.O. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 146:25395); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand, including brackets in text. TJ compiled this list of candidates for appointments at different times from No‑ vember 1804 into January 1805, making changes and additions as information came to him. The first list involved re‑ nominations of candidates who had been offered recess appointments to take effect on 1 Oct. with the official organiza‑ tion of Orleans Territory. Their names appeared also on the president’s ongoing list of appointments (see Vol. 43: Appen‑ dix i; Vol. 44: Appendix i). The second portion of the list consists of new nomi‑ nations that TJ submitted to the Senate on 13 Nov., 30 Nov., and 11 Dec. 1804 and 28 Jan. and 26 Feb. 1805. The names do not appear in the chronological order of their nominations. william lyman, nominated on the 13th as surveyor and inspector for the port of New Orleans, informed the adminis‑ tration of his intent to move to London and requested the consulship there. He was nominated to the Senate for the con‑ sulship on 11 Dec. (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 8:355, 427; Lyman to TJ, 1 Dec. 1804 [see Appendix iv]).

John Tapscott (tapscot) was likely a relative of Martin Tapscott, who received the Yeocomico collectorship in December 1803 (Vol. 41:684n; Vol. 42:96). Edward dewhurst, nominated on 11 Dec. 1804, was recommended for the con‑ sulship at St. Croix in a petition signed by 19 Baltimore merchants, which had been enclosed in a letter of 25 Nov. from Wil‑ liam MacCreery to Madison (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 3:235‑8; petition endorsed by TJ: “Dewhurst Edwd. to be Consul St. Croix” and “rejected by Senate”). In a letter of 23 Feb. 1805 to Madison, Rich‑ ard H. Wilcocks, who had previously so‑ licited the consulship, announced that he was no longer able to move to the West Indies and that Dewhurst would make a suitable candidate (same, 3:239‑41, en‑ dorsed by TJ: “Wilcocks Richd H. de‑ clines applicn for Consulship”; Abraham Bishop to TJ, 13 July 1804; TJ to the Senate, 11 Dec. 1804). Recommendations for Algernon Sidney stanford reached the administration in December, although the incumbent col‑ lector did not resign the position until 3 Jan. TJ likely interlined his name on the list sometime after that. Stanford and Or‑ mond tuley, also recommended in De‑ cember, were nominated to the Senate on

 575 

26 FEBRUARY 1805 28 Jan. (see Gallatin to TJ, after 15 Oct. and 22 Dec. 1804). TJ received a recommendation for the last candidate on the list, Andrew por‑ ter, Jr., on 1 Jan., but likely held off on submitting his nomination until he had Gallatin’s approval (see enclosure at Wil‑ liam C. C. Claiborne to TJ, 25 Nov. 1804;

Gallatin to TJ, 25 Feb.; TJ to the Senate, 26 Feb.). 1 Nominee interlined in place of “Rob‑ ert Williams of North Carolina.” 2 Word interlined in place of “Mary‑ land.” 3 Preceding entry interlined.

From Henry Fry Dr Sr. Madison County Virginia Feby. 26th—5. The bearer Lorinzo Dow impress’d with the desire to visit Urope & having heretofore vissitted the same in past, met with Insults & difficulties, for the want of the necessary Certificates of protection, his motives I believe to be the same that have influenced him to tra‑ verse the Continent—for your satisfaction & better information refer you to a personal interrogation, your advice & direction of what may be needful for him, I doubt not will be greatfully recd. since I had the pleasure of seeing or hearing from you my complaint has been fluctuating—for some time greatly reliev’d therefrom—tho’ low & yet weak—All seems to be quiet respecting the ensuing Election wherein we rest that yours is secure; therein may you long preside—and all happiness attend you possible in the envied Station is the sincere wish of Dr Sr. Your unworthy Servt. Henry Fry. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 3 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Lorenzo dow, a popular and eccentric itinerant Methodist preacher, had just

completed an extensive tour of the south‑ ern and western United States (anb; Dearborn to TJ, 3 Mch.).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate William Hull of Massachusets to be Governor of the ter‑ ritory of Michigan. Stanley Griswold of Connecticut to be Secretary of the territory of Michigan Samuel Huntington of Ohio to be a judge of the court in the territory of Michigan  576 

27 FEBRUARY 1805

Frederick Bates of Michigan to be a judge of the court of the same territory Augustus B. Woodward of the territory of Columbia to be a judge of the court of the territory of Michigan. Buckner Thruston of Kentucky to be one of the judges of the Supe‑ rior court for the territory of Orleans. Andrew Porter of the territory of Orleans to be Surveyor of the port and Inspector of revenue for New Orleans Daniel Coffin of Massachusets to be Collector of the district and In‑ spector of revenue for the port of Nantucket in Massachusets Th: Jefferson Feb. 26. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); entirely in TJ’s hand; endorsed and notations by Senate clerks. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL: “nomns. Hull &c.”

Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Senate on 26 Feb. The nomina‑ tions were approved on 1 Mch. (jep, 1:483‑4).

From William Short 1805—Feb. 26.—

Jeffn. Pt.—inclose acot. up to Feb. 12. 05—bal. 8787.69.—to return me acots. inclosed after examining & correcting them—not to incom‑ mode himself—but desirable for me, & only to receive [what] in [Arrer. to] lessen his due to me—get [. . .][Man. Compy]—difficult to judge when here—impossible to direct when absent FC (DLC: Short Papers); entirely in Short’s hand, consisting of an entry in his epistolary record; illegible words. Recorded in SJL as received from Philadelphia on 2 Mch. 1805.

From Henry Dearborn Sir. War Department February 27. 1805 In the late list of promotions which I had the honor to submit to your approbation and which was advised and consented to by the Senate, it will appear, that 2d Lieut. Henry Hopkins was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieut. in the 2d Regt. of Infantry, vice, Lieut. Wil‑ liam Wooldridge resigned, But Lieut. Hopkins having been trans‑ ferred by General Wilkinson from the 2d to the 1st Regiment, and of  577 

27 FEBRUARY 1805

course not being entitled to promotion in the 2d Regt, left the va‑ cancy occasioned by the resignation of Lieut. Wooldridge to be filled by Lieut. William Pratt, and the vacancy occasioned by the promotion of Lieut. Bowmar to be filled by 2d Lieut. William Lawrence. I have therefore to request your approbation of these alterations, and also that the error which has occurred in the name of Mr Hanham, who was appointed 2d Lieut. in the Regiment of Artillerists, may be corrected, his first name being James and not Joseph. With sentiments of respect & esteem I am, Sir, Your Obedient Servant H. Dearborn RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; addressed: “President of the United States”; endorsed by Senate clerks. PrC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers). FC (Lb

in DNA: RG 107, LSP). Enclosed in TJ to the Senate, 1 Mch. (first message). late list: see Dearborn to TJ, 11 Jan.

From Henry Dearborn Sir War Department February 27th. 1805 I have the honor of proposing the following promotions and ap‑ pointment in the Army of the United States. 2d Lieut. William Piatt to be promoted to the Rank of first Lieut. in the 2d Regiment of Infantry, vice, Lieut William Wooldridge re‑ signed June1 16th. 1804 2d Lieut. William Lawrence to be promoted to the rank of first Lieutt. in the 2d Regiment of Infantry, vice, Lieutenant Joseph Bow‑ mar promoted October 12th. 1804 Ensign Jonathan Eastman of the 1st Regt. of Infantry to be pro‑ moted to the rank of 2d Lieutenant in the Regiment of Artillerists, vice, Godfrey Bartles deceased— And James Hanham of Maryland to be appointed Second Lieuten‑ ant in the Regiment of Artillerists.— Accept, Sir, the assurances of my high respect & consideration H. Dearborn RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Dearborn; at foot of text: “President of the United States”; one alteration by TJ (see note below). PrC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers). FC (Lb in DNA: RG 107, LSP).

1 Word interlined by TJ in place of “October.” Change not made on PrC or FC.

 578 

Petition of Andrew MaGee To his exelencey Thomas Jefferson Esqr. York Goal President of the United States Febuary 27—1805 Your humble Petitioner begs leave to State to your exeleney the Sit‑ uation in which he is placed, he was accused of haveing property In his possesion which was not his own, in September 1803, and was taken up for the Same and Confined in prison, where he has Re‑ mained ever Since, in may last he was tryed before the Supream Court of Massachusetts and was Sentenced to Receive eighty lashes and Set one hour on the Gallowes and be confined three Years to hard Labour, the Corporale punishment has been inflicted on Your Petitioner, but there is Still upwards of Two Years Remaining for him to Serve, he therefore humbley prayes that your exelencey would be pleased to Remit the Remaining part of the Sentence or so much of it as you in your Wisdome Shall think proper. your petitioner has Composed a Song which he has enclosed in this petition which he hopes you will not be offended at, all of which is humbly Submited to your exellenceys wise Consideration. as in Duty bound will ever pray Andrew Ma Gee RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collection); endorsed by TJ as received from York, Massachusetts, on 14 Mch. and so re‑ corded in SJL. situation in which he is placed: Andrew MaGee (or McGee), a mariner resident in Wells, Maine, was indicted for burglary and theft at the May 1804 session of the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court at York County. Justices Francis Dana, Simeon Strong, Samuel Sewall, and George Thatcher presided over the trial. MaGee was charged on three counts, all of which occurred the pre‑ vious September: first, a two‑part charge of burglary for breaking into the house of John Bragdon in Arundel on the 28th and of theft for being found in possession of Bragdon’s silver watch valued at $25; second, a breaking and entering and theft charge for stealing coin valued at $16 from Simon Nowell’s store in Arundel on the

23d; and third, a theft charge for steal‑ ing 12 pairs of bridle bits valued at $2.80 from Peter Folsom in Wells on the 26th. On the first charge, MaGee was acquitted of burglary but convicted of stealing the silver watch. The punishment was 30 stripes, to pay the cost of prosecution, and to pay Bragdon $50 and return the stolen watch. MaGee pleaded guilty to the last two charges, for which he was sen‑ tenced to “be set upon the gallows with a rope about his neck, and one end thereof cast over the gallows, for the space of one hour,” to receive an additional 30 stripes for the second charge and 20 for the third, to be confined to hard labor for three years, to pay court costs, and to return stolen property and pay Nowell $48 and Folsom $5.60 in recompense (Supreme Judicial Court records, Maine State Ar‑ chives, Augusta, Maine, Vol. 1 [1798‑ 1805], 344, 386‑8).

 579 

e n c l o s u r e

Song Ther was a Vallient Officer in this Country you all Do know the allmighty he has Called for him and to him he did Go he was a villent Solger I vow and protest and I hope he is in hiven and his Soul is at Rest But Now we have Got another Commander I hope as Good as he he will fight for his Country and kep the eunen free for ther niver was a man yet born but ther was another as Good as he Jefferson he is a bold Commander and will kep the eunen free He is a Galent officer I vow and Do protest thou I Niver Saw his honer yet his Subjects I have asked Now we will Sing prise to Jefferson wher Ever he does Go My God Bliss his honer and destructon to his foes His Subjects the Do Love him as I do understand the Call him ther father and Governer of ther Land for without his advice nothing Can We Dou if the Enmy was before us we Dar Not them purshue We Call him our father and Gerden of our Land we are bold amirecans and are at his Command And ther is Men anuf in our Country our rights for to Manten And if our foes do inved us we Send them back agane We are anutral Nison and wishes to be so if the will Lit our Shipping pass wher Ever the Do Go But the Do Stope them as I do understand the plunder all our Shipping and inprson all our Men But if we Man our Shipping and after them we Do Go We will Retake our proprty but ther Lives we will bestow and if we are forst to follow them hard forten is ther fate We will Make them Drink the powder and the bals the Shall eat for ther is No tow nitsons in this World I Do no Can bet the bold amiricens when aginst them the do Go for the are anutral piple and are brave and Stout and for the rights of ther Country the will Stand out Now Lit us Drink ahelth to our Governers wher Ever the be this Song it was Compost by Andrew Ma Gee Long live Brave Jefferson on Sea or on Shore for Now My Ditty it is Ended and I Shall Saye No Mor    this Song was Compost By Andrew Ma Gee February 20th 1805 york

 580 

28 FEBRUARY 1805  MS (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); in MaGee’s hand.

 i shall saye no mor: MaGee’s peti‑ tion and song were published in wmq, 3d ser., 6 (1949), 506‑7, edited by “L. J. C.” (Lester J. Cappon).

From Edward Tiffin Sir Chillicothe “Ohio” Feby 27th. 1805 at the request of the General Assembly of this State, I herewith transmit to you the inclosed Resolution. with great respect I have the honor to be. Sir your obt servt Edward Tiffin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the U States”; endorsed by TJ, recorded in SJL as received 21 Mch. En‑ closure: resolution of the Ohio General Assembly, 22 Feb., recommending the es‑ tablishment of a port of delivery at the mouth of the Cuyahoga River and re‑ questing that the governor transmit a

copy of the resolution to the president of the United States (Acts of the State of Ohio, Passed and Revised, First Session of the Third General Assembly, Begun and Held at the Town of Chillicothe, December 3, 1804 [Chillicothe, 1805], 460; TJ to Tiffin, 3 Apr. 1805).

From Henry Champion and Others Hartford February 28th: 1805.

The undersigned, directors of the Connecticut Land Company, in behalf of themselves, and Proprietors of said Company, respectfully request of the President, liberty to hold a Treaty with the Indian Tribes, claiming a Native title to that part of the Connecticut reserva‑ tion, lying between the Cayahoga, and the Sufferers Land (so called) containing about One Million of Acres, and that power and authority may be granted them, to extinguish the native claim and title, to said Tract of Land, and that a Commissioner may be, by the President of the United States, appointed to hold a Treaty, with said Indian Tribes, claiming the native title to those Lands, and vested with power, to accomplish the object prayed for: Various are the reasons that may be urged in favour of this application, which the President will perceive without mention; Amongst which, not the smallest is, that when the sufferers quiet the Indian claims, to their Lands on the Sandusky Lake, the chain of settlement from the Pennsylvania line, to the suf‑ ferers Lands, and those of the United States will be interrupted, and Tract of Country, which the Natives have heretofore occupied soleley as hunting ground, will be rendered useless, to them for that purpose, and will be a secure and safe assylum for Rogues and fugatives from  581 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

Justice, and secure from the reach of the arm of Justice, and will become the pests of Society, and the constant disturbers of the peace of the frontier settlers.—The President will be pleased to receive this application, and request transmitted thro’ the proper organ, accompa‑ nied with other necessary documents and information. All which are respectfully submitted to the wise consideration of the President, by his most obedient, and very humble Servants.— Henry Champion Moses Cleaveland Roger Newberry Samuel Mather Jur Directors RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Champion, Cleave‑ land, Newberry, and Mather; endorsed by TJ as received 8 Mch. and so recorded in SJL with notation “W”; also endorsed by TJ: “refd to Secy. at War Th:J.”; en‑ dorsed by Dearborn. Tr (DNA: RG 46, EPIR, 9th Cong., 1st sess.). Henry Champion (1751‑1836) was the namesake son of a prominent Connecti‑ cut farmer, militia officer, and politician who served as a deputy commissary gen‑ eral for the Continental Army. During the Revolution, the younger Champion rose to the rank of captain in the first and third Connecticut regiments and was appointed an acting major of a light infantry battal‑ ion. After the war, he assumed a leading position in the Colchester area. He fre‑ quently represented Colchester in the state assembly and gradually rose in the ranks of the Connecticut state militia, ending up as major general in 1799. A Federalist, he participated in the Hartford Convention in 1814. Champion was a founding direc‑ tor of the Connecticut Land Company, which was incorporated in 1795 to assume control over the Connecticut Western Re‑ serve in the Northwest Territory. Cham‑ pion’s initial stake was valued at $85,675, second only to that of Oliver Phelps, and he took a commensurately active role in the company’s endeavors. He first broached the subject of acquiring title to the lands lying between the reserve and territory claimed by a different Connecticut com‑ pany and was his company’s agent in ne‑ gotiating the treaty with the Indian tribes

who ceded the land. Cleaveland, New‑ berry, and Mather were also major inves‑ tors in the company and had served as directors since its formation. As the com‑ pany’s first agent, Cleaveland led the ex‑ ploring party that surveyed the reserve in 1796 (Francis Bacon Trowbridge, The Champion Genealogy: A History of the Descendants of Henry Champion of Saybrook and Lyme, Connecticut Together with Some Account of Other Families of the Name [New Haven, 1891], 277‑82, 440‑1; Claude L. Shepard, “The Con‑ necticut Land Company: A Study in the Beginnings of Colonization of the West‑ ern Reserve,” The Western Reserve Historical Society Annual Report for 1915-1916 [Cleveland, 1916], 72‑5, 89‑91, 131‑4, 187; Charles J. Hoadly and others, eds., The Public Records of the State of Connecticut, 21 vols. [Hartford, 1894‑ ], 7:2, 64, 76, 105; 8:2, 22, 128, 184, 188, 227, 305, 320, 431; 9:80, 156, 331; 12:3, 283; asp, Indian Affairs, 1:696; Wash‑ ington, Papers, Rev. War Ser., 4:333n). sufferers land: see Philip B. Brad‑ ley to TJ, 1 Oct. 1804. transmitted thro’ the proper organ: in a letter of 2 Apr., Dearborn informed Charles Jouett that the presi‑ dent had appointed him a commissioner to conduct a treaty between several Na‑ tive American tribes, including the Wy‑ andots, Ottawas, and Chippewas, and two Connecticut land companies. Jouett was to arrange the conference and “use your influence to induce the Indians, to make a cession of the lands claimed” by the com‑ panies on terms that they “will or ought

 582 

28 FEBRUARY 1805 to be satisfied with.” Dearborn noted that the United States usually paid one cent per acre for land cessions from Indians and rarely went above the rate of two cents per acre, but that Jouett should not ob‑ ject if the agents of the companies agreed to pay more than this. He also informed Jouett that a deputation of the Six Na‑ tions would likely attend the treaty and assert a claim to part of the land. If the claim was deemed valid and recognized

by the other tribes, Jouett was to deter‑ mine how to allocate the purchase money among the nations. Jouett was also au‑ thorized to negotiate any additional ces‑ sions the Indians might be willing to make from the territory between the com‑ panies’ claims and the boundary estab‑ lished by the Treaty of Greenville (DNA: RG 75, LSIA; printed in asp, Indian Affairs, 1:702‑3).

From Henry Dearborn Sir, [28 Feb. 1805] By the list of promotions in the office, it appears that Ensign Wil‑ liamson is promoted to 2d Lt. in the place of either Hopkins or Piatt, to take rank the 16th. of June, and that Ensn. Russell will take rank as 2d Lt. the 12th. of October, the date of Bowers promotion. and that Ensn. Sebastian is promoted to 2d Lt. vice Lt. Dail, who died the 3d. of Septr.,—and will take rank accordingly. on a reexamination, it appears that the corrections in the list of yes‑ terday will extend to every case. Your,s H. Dearborn RC (DLC); undated; addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the War Depart‑ ment on 1 Mch. 1805 and “Military nomns” and so recorded in SJL.

list of promotions: see Dearborn to TJ, 11 Jan. list of yesterday: see Dearborn to TJ, 27 Feb. (first letter).

From Nicolas Gouin Dufief A Philadelphie ce 28 de Février. 1805

Puisse le petit poëme ci Inclus vous amuser seulement un quart d’heure & j’aurai alors parfaitement atteint mon but en vous l’envoyant! Votre très dévoué serviteur. N. G. Dufief e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Philadelphia, 28 Feb. 1805 If the small poem enclosed here should bring you even a quarter hour of pleasure, it will have perfectly fulfilled my goal in sending it to you! Your very devoted servant N. G. Dufief

 583 

28 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqre Président des Etats‑Unis”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not found.

From David Gelston Sir, New York February 28th. 1805 Your letter of the 8th instant I have had the honor to receive, and this day I received a letter from Mr. Barnes, a copy of which is en‑ closed, the Mercury is not yet entered, the Fabius has arrived, but the wine and fruit by her not yet landed—the wine by the Cato is in store, which I shall ship by the first Vessel to Richmond—the wines by the Fabius and Mercury by the first Vessel to Alexandria— With great respect, I have the honor to be Sir, your obedient servant David Gelston RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President United States”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so  recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Joseph Barnes to the collector of the port of New York, from Livorno, 1 Jan.; Barnes has shipped two cases of wine for the presi‑ dent on board the Mercury that he wishes

to have forwarded “with the greatest care & dispatch”; in case of quarantine or the delay of James L. Cathcart, Barnes asks the collector “to order some person” to place the wine on board the first vessel sailing to Washington or Alexandria (Tr in same).

From John Glendy Sir, Baltimore Feby. 28th. 1805. I should deem myself lost to the best Emotions of the human heart; lost indeed to every grateful and affectionate sentiment, before Heaven and Mankind; did I not seize the present moment, with an enthusiasm of manly pleasure and devout satisfaction, to congratulate You, and felicitate the American Nation, on the peaceful, & dignified, re‑election of their beloved first Magistrate. Let long‑established and upstart tyrants across the Atlantic, in fell silence gnash their teeth, when they read, or hear of, the wise, virtu‑ ous, oeconomick, tranquil, and energetic Administration of the Amer‑ ican Government, during the last four years.— While their bosoms throb with conscious guilt, and are torn with black passions, Yours will be calm and serene, uninjured and unin‑ jurious, smooth as the stream wh. glides along its proper channel, diffusing beauty and fertility on every plant, which happily Vegetates near its margin—We are well aware, that servile adulation and un‑  584 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

merited encomium, are only adapted to the taste and genius of mean temporizing sycophants; fulsome adulation we detest, for unmerited compliment to dead or living, is satire in disguise. Yet, when a virtuous, honorable Man, possessing easy independence, rises superior to the consideration of peaceful retirement and calm tranquillity, and is indefatigable in promoting public good, to with‑ hold well‑earned approbation from such a Character, would be un‑ generous, ungrateful, criminal—Should envious & Jealous Spirits, should faultering tongues be silent in your praise, the National glory and political Independence of your dear Country, will immortalize You. That You may long enjoy the smiles of an approving heart, of an approving Country, and of an approving God, shall be my Morning and evening Oraisons to high Heaven.— From some living‑voice communication which you lately held, with my beloved friend, Mr. J. Hollins of this City, I feel truly grateful, for the lively interest you take, in all that nearly and dearly concerns my  Ministerial respectability, and the happiness of my promising, helpless, heart‑loved family—It is indeed painful for me to relate, but unyielding facts constrain me to it; that altho’ I have sacrificed much, to accomodate the wishes of the first committee of my Church, yet they have egregiously disappointed me; have triffled with the most sacred engagements, and withheld from my Salary one thousand dol‑ lars of what I had every just reason to expect.—Some two Years ago, I received an invitation from the first Presbyterian Church in the City of Philidelphia, but indisposition at that time prevented my Accep‑ tance thereof—Now, that they are destitute of a stated pastor, the in‑ vitation has been indirectly renewed—I have learned, that Governor M’Kane is a member of that Congregation, and has expressed a wish to Dr. Reynolds, that I should be invited to preach there—Truth and candor constrain me Acknowledge, that if an Application was to come shortly, thro an honorable channel, I would not hesitate in yielding compliance for two or four Lord’s days.— The first Saturday in April is appointed by Presbty., for my in‑ duction in this Church—In no period of my life, was I ever more difficulted how to act—Duty, interest, and honor, seem at Variance; In vain have I tried to reconcile them, in my present tone of feeling and Situation.—I trust a benignant Providence will Overrule it for the best. You will have the goodness to pardon this intrusion upon your time and patience. All this in confidence to your faithful ear—Believe me Sir, with the most respectful Esteem, gratefully Yours &c. John Glendy  585 

28 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DLC); addressed: “Thos. Jefferson Esquire President Washington‑City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 28th. Feby. 1805 I received some little time since from Messrs. E O Liveira Fernan‑ dez & Co. of Norfolk, two Hhds of bottled wine, which I have for‑ warded to Monticello, together with a hhd of Molasses, and 16 bottles (being all I could procure) of syrup of punch. I am sorry to inform you that 3 Hhds of your Tobacco were ducked a few days ago in a Mr. Burfords boat—and which evidently pro‑ ceeded from carelessness; the boat having been suffered to run upon a rock & sink, after passing through the locks—and at a place where I am told there is not the smallest danger, when the River is no higher than it then was. I explained in the receipt which I gave for the Tobacco, the man‑ ner in which the accident happened, and expressed my opinion of the liability of Burford for the loss which might be sustained—but I am told it is extremely difficult in any case to make the watermen pay; the frequency of such accidents I suppose creating a general preju‑ dice in their favor. I have endeavoured to sell the Tobo. to some of the Manufacturers—but altho’ it is quite as good for them as dry To‑ bacco, they always take advantage of such circumstances, and will not give near the value. I am advised however to sell, if even at 30/—as the expence of dry‑ ing & reprizing, the loss in weight by plunder & otherwise, & at last a deduction which would probably have to be made in the price, would perhaps reduce it even still lower than that. Tobacco where nothing is known of the quality, generally sells at 33/—parcels however have sold on credit at 36/—& some few at 37/6— Yours I think would command, at 60 or 90 dys, perhaps 40/—24 hhds are now down. I am Dear Sir Yr. Very humble servt. Geo. Jefferson RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jefferson esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 3 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. 24 hhds are now down: TJ’s to‑ bacco crop at Poplar Forest for 1804

amounted to 33 hogsheads, four of which were set aside to pay the overseer and a  sharecropper there (mb, 2:1149; rs, 5:341n).

 586 

From Isaac Jefferson of Boston Your most Worthy Excellency Boston Febry 28 1805 Your goodness I hope will overloock trespassing on your patience nothing gives your most obedient greater pleasure than your being reelected which is the greatest honor conferred on any man this side the Atlantick my Countrymen Unanimously rejoice—whose efforts permit me to assure you were not wanting— I have solicited you Excellency this trice for a contract, from some of your Agents for Seamens apparel—or if encouraged I should be happy to go to some of the Southern States to reside—I hope your Excellency will do what seemeth best to you—As I have been formerly a subject to his Britanick Majesty born in the North of Ireland resided in Lon‑ don for some years when I found your Name elected over the States of America I always had an anxious desire of coming to these parts to reside under the mild Government you hold the reigns off a line from You directed to N 26 Middle Street would forever oblidge Most respected Sir Your most Humble Sevant Isaac Jefferson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “his Excellency Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Mch. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

i have solicited: see Jefferson to TJ, 1 Sep. 1804.

Petition of Bernard Johnson and Isaac Suares May it please your Excellency, The humble petition of Bernard Johnson and Isaac Suares!!! Sheweth, That your Petitioners have been brought before the Honorable Court of Admiralty, held in Charleston South Carolina on the 14th. of January last under a Charge of fitting out a vessel contrary to the Laws of the United States—They have been condemned by the oaths of certain persons brought before the Honorable Tribunal, To im‑ prisonment in the Gaol of this city—Bernard Johnson for the space of one month and to pay the fine of fifty Dollars—Isaac Suares to three Months imprisonment and also to pay a fine of fifty Dollars on their Liberation there from—Your petitioners having completed the time  587 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

of their imprisonment and Suffered the utmost misery for the space of Six months prior to their Sentence being past—They with the ut‑ most Submission pray and appeal to your Excellency for a Remission of that part of their Sentence as it Respects the fine of Fifty Dollars— Which Sentence if exacted from them would be equal to that of per‑ petual Imprisonment—They therefore implore your Excellency to take into consideraton the wretchedness of their Situation, that they are destituted of almost the common necessaries of Life—Abandonn’d Since their confinement to an unfortunate fate, both unforeseen and undeserved, they have not the Smallest prospect before them but that of a cruel Captivity if not released from the fine according to the prayer of your petitioners. Their Sole Relyance being in your Excellency’s clemency—Your pe‑ titioners Remain with the utmost veneration Bernard Johnson Isaac Suares Charleston—South Carolina February 28th. 1805 RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); in John‑ son’s hand, signed by both; addressed: “To His Excellency Thomas Jefferson Esqr. President of the United States Washington State of Columbia Federal City”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Mch. and so re‑ corded in SJL.

Bernard Johnson was captain of the schooner Eliza (alias Divina Pastora). In July 1804, the vessel was seized by cus‑ toms officials in Charleston, South Caro‑ lina, after it was discovered fitting out as a French privateer (see Robert Butler to TJ, 15 Oct. 1804).

From Kentucky Members of the House of Representatives Sir, City of Washington 28th. Feby 1805— We take the liberty of Recommending to you Mr. Felix Grundy of Kentucky as a fit person to fill an Office of Commissioner under the act for Ascertaining the Titles and Claims to land within the territory of orleans & District of Louisiana, Mr. Grundy is of fair Character and unimpeachable integrity He was bred to the law and in the course of seven or eight years practice in his profession has distinguished himself both as an advocate and a Lawyer, he is active industrious and persevering in all his persuits and we have no hesitation to say that if the trust shou’d be reposed in him he will execute it with tal‑  588 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

ents & fidility that will be Honorable to himself and be highly satis‑ factory to the people and Government we are Sir your Most Obt. Sert John Boyle Matthew Walton John Fowler Thomas Sandford M Lyon We also recommend Mr John Thompson of Kentucky as a person well qualifyed to fill an office of Commissioner under the above men‑ tioned law, Tho Mr. Thompson has not practised the law he has made it his Study & we believe has a competent knowledge of it for the dis‑ charge of the duties of said Office, we are informed & believe that Mr. Thompson understands the French language & we know that he sustains a very fair and unexceptionable character John Boyle Matthew Walton John Fowler Thomas Sandford M Lyon RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); each recom‑ mendation in Walton’s hand, signed by all; addressed: “To the President of the United States”; recommendation for Felix Grundy endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Grundy Felix to be Commr. for Orleans” and so recorded in SJL; recom‑ mendation for John Thompson endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Thomp‑ son John. to be Comr. Orleans” and so recorded in SJL. The act for ascertaining and adjusting land titles in Orleans Territory and Loui‑

siana District, enacted on 2 Mch., autho‑ rized the president to divide Orleans into two land districts and appoint a register for each, and also to appoint a recorder of land titles for Louisiana District. In addi‑ tion, the president was to appoint two commissioners for Louisiana District and two commissioners for each Orleans land district. The commissioners, together with the registers and recorders of their dis‑ tricts, would determine the validity of land titles based on French or Spanish grants (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:324‑9).

From Robert Moore Sir Baltimore 28th. February 1805 I feel great pleasure in transmiting to you the inclosed Letter, and a Small Box containing Jerusalem Wheat, which came to my Care from a Relation of Mine in Dublin—it is said to be of a Superior quality, producing double the Quantity of any other kind, and has very little  589 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

Bran; The Climate & Soil of this Country, I hope will agree with it, in which case it will prove a source of wealth to the Farmers with sentiments of regard & esteem I am Sir respectfully Yours Robert Moore RC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); endorsement by TJ torn; recorded in SJL as received 2 Mch. with notation “with Jerusalem wheat,” with a brace connecting it to the enclosure. Enclosure: William Moore to TJ, 19 Nov. 1804. Robert Moore (1752‑1807), a native of Ireland, had been a prominent ironmon‑ ger in Londonderry and a member of the United Irishmen. Following the failed up‑ rising of 1798, he emigrated to America and eventually settled in Baltimore, where

he established a dry goods firm, Robert Moore & Son, and was active in the city’s Benevolent Hibernian Society (Breandán Mac Suibhne, “Afterworld: The Gothic Travels of John Gamble [1770‑1831],” Field Day Review, 4 [2008], 80‑1; Tracy Matthew Melton, “‘We are All United as a Band of Brothers’: The Hibernian Society and Sectarian Relations in Balti‑ more,” Maryland Historical Magazine, 111 [2016], 48‑9; Baltimore American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser, 19 June 1807).

From Thomas Munroe 28. feby 1805

T. Munroe presents his best respects to the President. The de‑ mands against the public buildings requiring a further sum of money T.M. has the honor of inclosing a blank Draft for the Presidents sig‑ nature, in case it should be his pleasure to sign it—T.M will send to the President (if desired) an acct of the Disbursement of the $8,000 Drawn 1t. Feby. RC (DLC); addressed: “President”; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Feb. and “5000. D. ordered.” and so recorded in SJL.

From Martha Jefferson Randolph Feb. 28, 1805

I have been again greatly indisposed My Dearest Father but am now so much better that I should have left My room to day if the weather had been good. I was for one night and a part of the next very ill, and having what I never in my life had before (an hysteric fit) thought my self dying whilst in it. Doctor Everett says it is not un‑ common in the complaint I had, which was brought on by cold in the first instance. My stomach is still extremely weak but I am in hopes as soon as the weather will admit of My taking exercise on horseback which he has strongly recommended I shall speedily recover. I am  590 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

upon the whole much mended in health and appearance since Mr R. left me adieu My Dearest Father I will write you on saturday again but Jerry’s notice was so short that I had but one moment to write in. believe me with tenderest love yours MR. RC (ViU: Edgehill‑Randolph Papers); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States I now lay before Congress a statement of the Militia of the United States, according to the returns last recieved from the several states. it will be percieved that some of these are not of recent dates, and that from the states of Maryland, Delaware & Tennissee no returns are stated. as far as appears from our records none were ever rendered from either of these states. Th: Jefferson Feb. 28. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). PoC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.). Dft (DLC). Re‑ corded in SJL with notation “militia.” Enclosure: Return of the Militia of the United States, 23 Feb. (see Dearborn to TJ, 23 Feb.).

On 28 Feb., Isaac A. Coles delivered this message to the Senate and the House of Representatives, and in both chambers it was read and tabled (js, 3:462; jhr, 5:152).

To the Senate and the House of Representatives To the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States. I now render to Congress the account of the fund established by the act of May 1. 1802. for defraying the contingent charges of gov‑ ernment. No occasion having arisen for making use of any part of the balance of 18,560. Dollars unexpended on the 31st. day of December 1803. when the last account was rendered by message, that balance has been carried to the credit of the Surplus fund. Th: Jefferson Feb. 28. 1805.  591 

28 FEBRUARY 1805  RC (DNA: RG 233, PM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a House clerk. PoC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. FC (DLC); in TJ’s hand. Recorded in SJL with notation “contingent fund.” Enclo‑ sure: statement of account, Register’s Of‑ fice, 25 Feb. 1805, noting that from the grant of $20,000 on 1 May 1802, $18,560 remains unexpended and “subject to the orders of the President,” the same bal‑ ance as of 31 Dec. 1803 (MS in DNA: RG 233, PM, in a clerk’s hand, signed by Joseph Nourse, at head: “Account of the Fund established for defraying the Con‑ tingent Charges of Government for the Year 1804,” endorsed by a House clerk;

MS in DNA: RG 46, LPPM, in a clerk’s hand, signed by Nourse, endorsed by a Senate clerk). For the last account detailing the 1803 report to Congress, see Vol. 42:216. Isaac A. Coles delivered this message to the Senate and the House of Represen‑ tatives. In both chambers it was read and ordered to lie on the table. TJ’s message and the enclosed report were subsequently printed (js, 3:462; jhr, 5:152; Message from the President of the United States, Transmitting the Annual Account of the Fund for Defraying the Contingent Charges of Government, for the Year 1804 [Wash‑ ington, D.C., 1805]).

From John Smith of New York I inclose you Sir the name of Judge Tomkins. I am with the greatest respect yours RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); addressed: “The President of the US”; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and “Tomkins” and “to be distr. judge N.Y.” and so re‑ corded in SJL. judge tomkins: TJ nominated Dan‑ iel Tompkins to replace John Sloss Ho‑ bart as U.S. district judge for New York, but Tompkins declined the office (Madi‑ son to TJ, 1 Apr.). The death of Hobart also prompted Samuel Miller to write to Gallatin with a recommendation on 6 Feb.

Feby. 28th. 1805

John Smith

He suggested William Johnson, arguing that although Johnson was “on the wrong side” politically, he was a man of talent and integrity. Miller questioned those who were promoting Richard Riker for the appointment. Identifying him only as  “Mr. R our district attorney,” Miller rebuked Riker, a Republican, as a duelist who lacked both “moral or intellectual character” (RC in same, endorsed by TJ: “Johnson Wm. to be distr. judge N.Y.” and “R  not to be distr. judge”; Vol. 42:71n).

From John Stewart Sir, Washington February the 28th 1805 as I Shall in a few Days take my leave of you and shall return in to my former hapy State as a private Citizence and all tho I Can with Joy and pleasure Congratulate you and my fellow Citizence on the Gen‑ eral Systom and progress of the present Goverment of ouer Country but at the Same time I Can not refrain from Expressing to you my Sentiments and feelings Concerning the Conduct of the post Master  592 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

General towards the Citizens of the County which I had the honor to represent upwards of 15 years I mean the Change of the westren Mail which had been Established and Caried on that rout Ever Since the year 1788 the Congress in the year 1788 Establish as a post road from philadelphia by way of Lan‑ caster yorktown Carlisle Chambersburg Bedford to fort pitt Congress in the year 1794 Established the Same rout and the westren Mail from philadelphia to fort pitt always was Caried that rout Con‑ gress have never altered this rout and as I am informed that the Let‑ ter which I wrote to the Secretary of State was Laid before you I need not Detail at this time what was Stated in that Letter and altho I Do not regrate (as far as it regards my Self) the Effect this Change had in the Late Election yet it prodused other Effects which I much regrate a Large number of the Inhabitants of york County had petitioned the Legislature at their former Session to Encorporate a Company for Extenting the turnpicke road from Susquahana to york town This Law pased and the Inhabitants were in high Spirits about it but after this Change was made in the Mail the Inhabitants were So much alarmed and Discouraged that when the Books wer opened for Subscription in august Last only one person besides my Self was found that would Subscribe and the Subject is intirely Defeated as I am of opinion that the act of the post Master Genl was unautho‑ rized by Law and that it was Injurious to the Inhabitants of a Large part of york & Lancastor County I Can not think favorable of it, and what Can Justify the act I am yet to Learn, as there was a Mail or post road Established by Law from Lancastor by way of Elizabeth town Midletown to Harisburg pased in the year 1800 from the late report of the postmaster Genl of all the Contracts made by him, it will Clarly apear that there is no Contract from york to Carlisle and the fact is that we have a postroad Established by Law and are De prived of the benefits of a Mail by a Contract of the post Mastergenl without any authority by aney Law that I Know but as I have but Little hopes of aney re dress against a Man in So high authority and Influence who With his Great Ingenuity of reasning Can Change the Law at pleasure, when I Consider that During the Last Session of Con‑ gress (while the petitions from Harisburg praying for the very Same Change which was Since made by this officer) was Depenting before the Comitee I Called on that Gentleman and offered to shew him on the Map how the Change prayed for would oporate he answered me that he had nothing to Do with Changing the rout of the mail that it belonged to Congress that if I wanted a post office Established he  593 

28 FEBRUARY 1805

would attent to it and in less then one Month he made this Contract altho Congress made no Change in the Law which warrented the act the fact is that we have a post road Established by Law from York town to Carlisle but by the act of the post master Gel we are Deprived of a Mail on that rout and we are tould by him that we are not a Com‑ ercial town and that we may Sent ouer Letters to Carlisle by way of Lancastor or some other rout which he thinks ought to Satisfy us if this Conduct is Justified in the post master Genl if his reasning is to be taken as Law we must Submit to it, I for my own part Can never Subscrib to such anthority in no officer of Goverment Ever So Great that his opinion Should not only be Law but that his reasning Should Change the Law I have Determined to Sell all my property in that Degrated County and remove Elswhere here with I bid you an affectioned adue and remain with the Greatest Esteem your very Hul Fellow Citizen & as‑ sured frind &cc John Stewart RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); ad‑ dressed: “Thomas Jefferson president of the united States”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. John Stewart (d. 1820) served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives between 1789 and 1796 before being elected to the Sixth U.S. Congress in 1801 as the representative for York and Adams Counties. He retired from Congress in March 1805. His final letter to his constitu‑ ents, in which he warned them against vot‑ ing for a candidate “merely because he is a man of Abilities and Talents,” spurred

Governor Thomas McKean to denigrate Stewart and his political allies as “clod‑ hoppers,” a term that would come to be embraced by adherents of Simon Snyder. Splits among Republicans allowed Fed‑ eralist James Kelly to take Stewart’s seat (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Kline’s Carlisle Weekly Gazette, 30 Aug.; Sanford W. Higgin‑ botham, The Keystone in the Democratic Arch: Pennsylvania Politics, 1800-1816 [Harrisburg, 1952], 58, 73, 85‑7). letter which i wrote: see Stewart to Madison, 23 Jul. 1804, Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 7:507, and Abra‑ ham Bradley, Jr., to TJ, 13 Sep. 1804.

From Charles Pinckney Dear Sir February 1805 At Aranjuez Near Madrid I wrote you a few weeks since by Captain Gorham & finding an‑ other safe Opportunity by Mr Preble I avail myself of it to send you a duplicate of what I wrote before and to add that subsequent Events have proved and confirmed beyond a doubt what I then told you, which was, that my conduct & the stand I made here was the true reason of precipitating the rupture between England & Spain. At the time I wrote by Captain Dulton to Mr Madison in July England had then determined Spain should remain neutral & Soler her Minister of Finance had but a short time before that written circular letters to all  594 

FEBRUARY 1805

the seaports to that Effect—it was only upon the stand I made here & on the idea that our Government never would give way either on the Question of West Florida or the great pecuniary one of the French Condemnations & Spoliations, & the difficulty of amicably arranging them, that made England decide to alter her plan & strike at Spain— nothing less than the decision of my conduct & the tone I gave to my proceedings at that time could have produced at so early a period an Event so fortunate for us.—When I have the pleasure of seeing you I shall be able to explain much more than I choose to trust to paper even by this as I consider it very safe opportunity—   We are still waiting Mr Cevallos’s answer to our third letter which is to be sent to you by this opportunity & at present I can form no definitive opinion as to the result. I am extremely anxious about the conclusion as I wish so much to return & also that we may be able to arrange every thing amicably & annex Florida to our republic. it is peculiarly valuable to us as a nation & in this light I wish it as a Citizen of the United States. as a Citizen of South Carolina I am if possible still more anxious because it will add great weight & security to that particular interest which Georgia South Carolina Louisiana & Florida must compose & which in the greatest part of its most valuable staples & productions differ from the rest of the Union—these form or will form when we obtain Florida so great a proportion of that Territory of our country & particularly of it’s sea coast. its soil is so fertile & productions so extremely valuable that there can be no doubt in a few Years it will be so populous as to have great weight in the political scale & enlightened as I trust they will be by their neighbours who have the same local interests with themselves it is to be hoped their weight will always be thrown into the republican one.—for these & many reasons I am anxious now to annex Florida & I confess I should not feel a little pleased in being one of the instruments of doing it. I still have my fears we shall not get it at this time as the french seem so anxious to make something out of it themselves. their expressing an opinion that West Florida is no part of the cession of Louisiana clearly proves this & their wishing us to have no retrospect but in case of an agreement, only to date from the present time, is a clear proof that in case they find they are obliged to give way & can get no money from us, they wish all the monstrous Grants of Land that have lately been made to Lauzat & others in which it is presumed Talleyrand is con‑ cerned should be held valid, well knowing how much they would increase in Value when forming a part of the United States & I should not be surprised if even he (Talleyrand) & others should be anxious to have establishments & property there to which they may fly in case  595 

FEBRUARY 1805

of new convulsions in Europe where every thing hangs by a thread, & they should escape with their lives. they are fully aware of this Uncertainty, & it is the conviction in my mind that it exists which makes me, (if France must have a despot) prefer Bonaparte to a Bour‑ bon. while the one holds the reins all is Uncertainty & force & you may be assured that republicanism is gaining ground while the re‑ turn of the other would bring with it the sanction of ages & the sup‑ port of all the Monarchies of Europe thereby making its continuance & transmission much more regular & secure than the other. I have no doubt the republicans are at this moment the majority in France & that they will continue secretly & silently to increase while Bonaparte holds the power & that the moment he is no more Liberty will have again a chance to do something.—I am not one of those who suppose it is impossible for Frenchmen to be free. On the contrary I think the french Character notwithstanding the unfortunate issue of their first attempt is extremely improved even by the tempestuous Experiments they have made. I have therefore reason to believe their next Essay will be made upon more moderate & rational principles & succeed better—Our Example will have astonishing effect in removing the dangerous & false opinion that a People with an extensive territory cannot be free & happy & continue united or protect themselves—it is now in the mouths of every well informed influential frenchman & this is so well known to Bonaparte that be assured he hates our Gov‑ ernment & detests its effects more if possible than he does England & that nothing on Earth would give him so much pleasure as to in‑ jure or if possible destroy it. his conduct in getting Louisiana & the Navigation of the Mississipi into his hands when he did & his mak‑ ing the Spaniards stop the deposit at New Orleans in 1802 are such unanswerable proofs of his Enmity to us as to leave no doubt of what would be his course if he had Peace & the means to attend to it—As you will unquestionably hear it from another source I now inform you confidentially that the deposit at New Orleans was stopped by the express order & at the sole instance & application of the French Government & that I am now able to give you the highest most au‑ thentic & official proof of this fact—but knowing You will recieve it from another & very respectable source I do not think it necessary now to mention my authority. there is perhaps nothing will more astonish yourself & Mr Madison than this fact & to you alone I now communicate it for the present confidentially—there is not a man in my office or about me who knows a word of the affair or it’s circum‑ stances.—   I well know the sensation that such a development would make in the minds of the American People against the french  596 

FEBRUARY 1805

& that in their general detestation & abhorrence of this perfideous & unmanly act (for it was certainly unmanly to do it & deny it in the manner they did) they would be apt to confound the nation with their Government whereas I still hope the french nation will be not only always friendly to us when it is in their power to act from themselves, but that they will be one day much more like us in their situation & pursuits—for this reason I keep it a profound secret & leave it to you, when you hear it from the other source to determine what use is to be made of it—I had proceeded thus far in writing you when Mr Cevallos’s answer to our third note appeared. our official letter to Mr Madison will give a full account of it & inclose a copy by which you see fully that any further mildness & moderation are totally lost upon this Court & that if we are to get what we have a right to our Govern‑ ment must now look to a different course.—in this Mr Cevallos has inserted a part of Mr Talleyrand’s note to the Spanish Ambassadour in July last respecting our claims evidently calculated to threaten us with the resentment of France should we presume to persevere in our claims for french Spoliations within the Spanish Territory—these Ex‑ pressions & particularly where he says “his Imperial Majesty would have expressed great displeasure at the Spanish Government had they entered into any arrangement with us respecting the french Condem‑ nations & spoliations & would have had this displeasure expressed in a much stronger manner to the United States”—thereby treating us as Governments perfectly at his Will & whom he could applaud or cen‑ sure as he thought proper will surprise you—this connected with the whole tone of Mr Cevallos’s letter & the charge by both Governments (French & Spanish) on us of wishing to be twice paid for the same thing) must convince you that all my opinions, respecting the inutil‑ ity of any attempts except those of force or fear, were well founded— that my conduct to them in July last was the only one calculated to obtain our rights & that we must either come to that again or some thing like it or yield them which I am sure you will never do.—this last letter of the Spanish Minister Cevallos & the inclosure of Mr Tal‑ leyrand’s must shew you the difficulties I have had to encounter here in every important Question I had to discuss—such particularly as on the french claims—the attempt to purchase Florida—the stopping the Deposit at New Orleans—the act of the 24h February & the refusal to ratify the Convention in all of which there can be no doubt that France interfered as much as possible against us & that it is entirely owing to her Spain has been so extremely unfriendly to us & still continues so, as they would be afraid to push things as far as they are likely to do unless upheld & backed by France—the present state of  597 

FEBRUARY 1805

things promises nothing but a continued & positive refusal on the part of this Government to comply with our offers & Your directions as to the Claims,—this being confirmed by Mr Cevallos in his confer‑ ence of the last night we have determined to send Mr Preble with our dispatches to You & to recommend him warmly to Your notice & protection as a deserving citizen who has now been here upwards of a Month assisting us in the Spanish & french translations—He is extremely intelligent & will be able to explain much to you.—for my own part I am preparing to return the moment the Special Mission is ended, which being begun in Mr Monroe’s & my name I was of course constrained to continue in it until the End. I expect it will now terminate soon & I fear unsuccesfully & as we have upon all occasions used the utmost mildness & moderation it will be a new proof to you that neither those or Justice can be depended upon as having the least influence here or with France.—I am extremely pleased my worthy & valuable friend Colonel Monroe is here to see & know what he does every moment & from the accounts he will give you you will judge of the difficulties I have had to encounter here from the gross injustice & obstinacy of this Court & the Opposition of France.1—that my con‑ duct has been zealous & most completely disinterested in endeavour‑ ing first to persuade & afterwards to compell them to a different course & this in the face of the most polite & friendly personal attentions in proof of which I inclose You a copy of one of the Prince of Peace’s letters to me dated only six days before Mr Cevallos refused to ratify the Convention & which will shew you the affectionate footing I was upon with him until then—in short there is no doubt they shewed me every kind of civility & particular personal attention in the hope that it might make me recieve the refusal to ratify the Convention & to comply with our just Demands as to other things with less Resent‑ ment than they knew such treatment of our Government deserved, but they found they knew me very little to make such calculations—it was impossible for me who at home had so zealously & invariably op‑ posed every attempt even from our own then Government & its Offi‑ cers to injure the rights & insult the feelings of our citizens to suffer any foreign Government to do so merely from the vain & ridiculous hope of being said to stand well with them—I would rather stand well with my own feelings & that our Citizens should know that under no circumstances I can ever forget what belongs to their honour or rights & I am sure that my firm maintenance of them has given me more Respect here & in Europe than a contrary or more supple one would have done.—  598 

FEBRUARY 1805

 I have written you a long letter but the long & active & I trust steady & consistent part I have always taken in the affairs of our own state & as far as I could in those of the United States make me feel an interest in them which is far more dear & valuable to me than any other consideration—I have been so much concerned in forming the Constitutions of both & in doing all I could lately to bring them back to their original republican principles & to place them in hands that I know will take care to keep them so that I own I am particularly anxious to explain to you my Opinions & the motives of my conduct because I always wish to possess as I have hitherto done Your regard & good opinion & that of Mr Madison & feeling as I do that my con‑ duct here in steadily & in the most disinterested manner maintaining the rights of our Citizens & the honour of our Nation has universally met the approbation of the European Governments I therefore con‑ sider it as giving me an additional claim to2 a friendship I so highly prize & which as it has always been, so will it continue my utmost ambition to merit & preserve—I conclude this as I did my last in re‑ peating the delight I feel in the idea of returning so soon to my own home & that next to the pleasure of seeing that & my little family will be that of Visiting You & Mr Madison & our friends at Washington & personally assuring you of the Esteem & affectionate respect with which I am dear Sir always Yours Truly Charles Pinckney I take the liberty also to inclose to You a Copy of a letter I wrote the Prince of Peace in March 1803 & which I believe (from mistake) was never sent to Mr Madison—it was made before the War with France & we knew of the Cession of all Louisiana being contemplated.— Postscript You have doubtless seen the Whining Letter of Bonaparte & the abject manner in which he writes for Peace to the King of Great Britain—after all his Boastings it is considered in Europe as an inexcusable Weakness being a confession that the War pinches him excessively & that he dreads it’s continuance— RC (DLC); partially dated; at foot of postscript: “To The President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 22 May and so recorded in SJL. Dupl (same); in a clerk’s hand and Pinckney’s hand; with variations, the most significant of which are noted below; with appended additions dated March to May 1805; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Aug. and so recorded in SJL; printed at

22 May 1805. Enclosures: (1) Dupl, not found, of Pinckney to TJ, 28 Jan. (2) Man‑ uel Godoy to Pinckney, dated Madrid, 22 June 1804; last night Godoy received Pinckney’s communication that accom‑ panied a long note of the previous day; without going into the events involving American ships in the Spanish ports of Cuba mentioned at the end of Pinckney’s note, he acknowledges the receipt of the

 599 

FEBRUARY 1805 document and states that he will be going to Aranjuez tomorrow; he assures Pinck‑ ney that he is doing all he can in these delicate and critical negotiations and will continue to demonstrate his commitment to peace, friendship, and harmony be‑ tween the two powers (Tr in DLC; in Spanish). (3) Pinckney to Godoy, dated Madrid, 21 Mch. 1803, a 27‑page letter discussing the importance of deposits for American produce in Spanish territories east of the Mississippi River and the po‑ tential consequences if Spain should in‑ terfere with trade; Pinckney encourages Spain to relinquish the Floridas and part of Louisiana in order to maintain peace and amity with the United States (Tr in DLC). An undated copy in French was enclosed in Pinckney’s letter to Madison of 12 Apr. 1803 (Tr in DNA: RG 59, DD, Spain; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 4:505, 508n). Henry preble, a Federalist merchant in Europe and a younger brother of Ed‑ ward Preble, departed from Madrid on 3 Mch. with dispatches for the State De‑ partment. Important business in Paris, however, induced him to leave the papers with William Lee, the U.S. commercial agent at Bordeaux. Following his arrival in America, Preble wrote to Madison from New York on 19 June, enclosing a letter of introduction from James Monroe and asking Madison to mention him to the president for a consular appointment at either Le Havre or Nantes (RC in DNA: RG 59, LAR, endorsed by TJ: “Preble H. to be Consul Havre, Nantes, &c.”; Madi‑ son, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:77‑8, 119, 481; Vol. 35:494n). Monroe and Pinckney’s third let‑ ter to Pedro Cevallos, dated 12 Feb., fol‑ lowed letters written on 28 Jan. and 5 Feb. in which the American diplomats outlined the issues existing between the United States and Spain and proposed a

“Project of a Convention” to adjust the differences between the two countries. Cevallos replied to these letters on 31 Jan. and 10 Feb., respectively, stating that Spain would not consider a convention until all points in dispute had been exam‑ ined individually and declaring that Spain was not responsible for spoliations com‑ mitted by French privateers in Spanish ports and waters. In their letter of 12 Feb., Monroe and Pinckney focused on U.S. claims arising from the closure of the de‑ posit at New Orleans and on the bound‑ aries of Louisiana. cevallos’s answer, dated 16 Feb., repeated his position that Spain was not responsible for French spoliations, dismissed claims relating to the closing of the deposit as “pretended injuries,” and postponed discussion on the limits of Louisiana. To demonstrate French support for Spain’s contention re‑ garding U.S. spoliation claims, Cevallos quoted from a 27 July 1804 letter from Talleyrand to the Spanish minister to France, Federico Gravina, in which the French foreign minister declared the topic had already been the subject of long nego‑ tiation and a convention between France and the United States. Talleyrand’s let‑ ter, Cevallos declared, demonstrated that France had already settled with the United States for the damages it claimed from Spain, and that American pretensions on  the subject “are directed to obtain a double indemnity for one and the same debt.” Monroe and Pinckney sent copies of the correspondence in their official dispatches to Madison of 2 Feb. and 1 Mch. (asp, Foreign Relations, 2:636‑44; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:6‑7, 79‑82). whining letter of bonaparte: see Joseph Barnes to TJ, 16 Feb. 1 Sentence

not in Dupl. of text varies in Dupl.

2 Remainder

 600 

From Abraham Baldwin, Peter Early, and Joseph Bryan Sir— March 1st. 1805— Understanding that the office of a Judge for the Mississippi Ter‑ ritory is vacant & will probably be filled during the present session of Congress—We take the liberty to recommend Mr. Obadiah Jones of Georgia as a gentleman whom we consider well qualified for that station— We have the honor to be Your Obt. Servts— Abr Baldwin Peter Early Joseph Bryan RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Bald‑ win’s hand, signed by all; endorsed by TJ as received March 1805, but recorded in SJL as received 1 Mch.; also endorsed by TJ “Jones Obadiah of Georgia to be judge Mispi.” and so recorded in SJL. Joseph Bryan (1773‑1812) of Georgia served as a Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1803 until 1806, when he resigned his seat. A wealthy lowcountry planter educated in Europe, Bryan was a protégé of James Jackson and close friend of Virginia representa‑ tive John Randolph (Biog. Dir. Cong.;

George R. Lamplugh, Politics on the Periphery: Factions and Parties in Georgia, 1783-1806 [Newark, Del., 1986], 181‑4; Frank B. Screven, “The Georgia Bryans and Screvens, 1685‑1861,” Georgia Historical Quarterly, 40 [1956], 340‑3). In a brief letter of 14 Feb. to Gallatin, Baldwin enclosed unidentified recommen‑ dations for an individual named James Cooper from “Gentlemen in whom I have great confidence” (DNA: RG 59, LAR, 2:447‑8; endorsed by TJ: “Cooper James Georgia a schoolmaster. bkr. mercht. of‑ fice Civil or military Louisa”).

From Thomas Claxton Honored Sir Capitol 1st March [1805] Inclosed is the report made by me to the committee on the sub‑ ject  of furniture—it was read in the house this morning by Mr Nicholson—the question was taken on a joint resolution, appropriat‑ ing fourteen thousand dollars—no debate took place, nor was there any opposition—This resolution vests the President with the power of spending the money as he may think fit—I have settled all my ac‑ counts, Sir, with the treasury long since, and have now in my hands five dollars remaining of the former appropriation As I presume, Sir, that you will find it necessary to appoint an agent to carry your will on this business into execution, I take the liberty of offering myself as a candidate—Should it please you, Sir, to  601 

1 MARCH 1805

grant my request you may rely, not only on my care and attention, but also on my utmost endeavours to procure the articles on the best terms— I have the honor to be Sir Your most obedient Svt Thos Claxton RC (MHi); partially dated; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Claxton to Joseph H. Nicholson, 14 Feb.; respond‑ ing to Nicholson as chairman of the com‑ mittee, Claxton recommends that old fur‑ nishings in the President’s House from former administrations and a previous ap‑ propriation of $15,000 be sold at auction and that a further sum of $14,000 is “ab‑ solutely requisite” to obtain “furniture of modern style” (same).

According to a resolution passed in Congress on 1 Mch., the president was “authorized to cause to be sold such part of the furniture and equipage belonging to his household, as may be decayed and out of repair.” Additionally, fourteen thousand dollars and the proceeds of such sales were to be appropriated for the accommodation of the president’s house‑ hold and “to be laid out at his discretion, and under his direction” (jhr, 5:158).

From John Davis Sir, Philadelphia, March 1, 1805. I take the liberty to enclose a Satirical Poem which I have just pub‑ lished. To encrease its sale I have written under a feigned name, but I make no scruple vivâ voce to avow myself its author. I know not, Sir, whether you ever before heard of Mr Dennie, but he is looked upon in this City, by some strange agency, a writer of transcendant merit. I purpose to continue the Pamphlet, & drive, if I can, from the usurped seats of Literature the Dennies, the Jacksons &c. &c. I am, Sir, Your most obedient most humble Servant, John Davis. RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclo‑ sure: probably The Philadelphia Pursuits of Literature; A Satirical Poem (Philadel‑ phia, 1805). On 27 Feb., Davis announced the pub‑ lication of a satirical poem by “Juve‑ nal Junius, of New Jersey,” for sale at his bookstore for 18 cents. He offered the second book of The Philadelphia Pursuits

of Literature for sale a month later for 12 cents (Poulson’s American Daily Advertiser, 27 Feb., 27 Mch.). the dennies, the jacksons: Jo‑ seph Dennie was the former editor of the Gazette of the United States and the pub‑ lisher of the Port Folio. William Jackson was the Federalist editor of the Philadel‑ phia Political and Commercial Register (anb).

 602 

From John Hawkins of Kentucky Sir, Richmond 1 March 1805 Being informd you are about arecting a deer park on your farm in Virgina I wish to inform you I can furnish you with a cupple of Elks. the mail and the female They are rising five years old the female is now with young. I have been at a graet trubble and expence in bring‑ ing them from the State of Kentucky to this place—if it Suits you to purchase Them Sir you will pleace to Write me immadiately, as I wish to carry them on provided it dont suit You to purchace. I am Sir with Every Sentiment of Esteem Your Obt. Servt. John Hawkins RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thos. Jef‑ ferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 Mch. and so recorded in SJL, where TJ listed letters received on 9 Mch. under 8 Mch. TJ kept a deer park at Monticello since about 1769, although the bound‑

aries of the park altered with time (mb, 1:149; Vol. 28:179). An enslaved worker, Isaac Jefferson, remembered the park as being a fenced‑in area “two or three miles round” near his family’s living quarters (Isaac Jefferson, Memoirs of a Monticello Slave, ed. Rayford W. Logan [Charlottes‑ ville, 1951], 34).

From James Jackson Friday 1st March 1805

Genl Jackson begs leave to remind the President of the United States of the bill drawn on him for $194—some Cents and given the president by the General last saturday—as the hurry of the session and no doubt increased business of the president may tend to prevent attention to such small matters without improper interruption The General would as soon receive the money as the order on the branch bank of Savannah RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. The bill was for a butt of dry Pax‑ arete wine ordered from Joseph Yznardi, Sr. It ended up in the hands of a Savan‑

nah mercantile firm, which signed it over to Jackson. After drawing on John Barnes for $200, TJ paid Jackson on 2 Mch. (mb, 2:1146; Yznardi, Sr., to TJ, 14 Sep. 1804).

 603 

From Thomas C. James Sir Hall of the Society, Philadelphia, March 1st 1805 Having received from you an interesting Communication on the management of Silk Worms & of their Silk, which was transmitted to you, by the author Mr Robt. H. Lowry, from Siena in Italy, with a view of introducing useful knowledge upon the Subject into the United States. Immediate means will be taken to make it public, and I am directed by the Society to transmit their thanks for your1 assistance, in thus ad‑ vancing the design of their institution. I have the honour to be, Sir Your obedient servant, Ths. C. James Corresponding Secretary of the A. P. S. RC (DLC); printed form with salu‑ tation, date, and words in italics filled in  blanks in a clerk’s hand; signed by Thomas C. James; at head of text: “The American Philosophical Society, Held at Philadelphia, for Promoting Useful Knowl‑ edge”; addressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 May and “Lowry’s communicn on silk” and so recorded in SJL.

received from you: see TJ to Cas‑ par Wistar, 15 Feb. immediate means: Lowry’s essay on silkworms was published in the Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, 2, pt. 2 (1806), 90‑9. 1 Word on printed form underlined by hand.

To John Marshall Mar. 1. 1805.

Th: Jefferson presents his respects to the Chief justice of the US. and asks the favor of him to administer to him the oath which the constitution prescribes to the President of the US. before he enters on the execution of his office, on Monday the 4th. instant at twelve aclock in the Senate chamber. PoC (DLC).

 604 

Memorandum of Votes in Chase Impeachment Trial [on or after 1 Mch. 1805]

Adams Anderson Baldwin Bayard Bradley Breckenridge Brown Cocke Condit Dayton Ellery Franklin Gaillard Giles Hillhouse Howland Jackson Logan Maclay Mitchell Moore Olcott Pickering Plumer Smith. M. Smith. N.Y. Smith. O. Smith. V. Stone Sumpter Tracy White Worthington Wright + –

I – + + – – + + + + – + + – – – + – + + – + – – – – – – – + + – – + + 16. 18.

II – + – – – + – + + – + – – + – + – – + – + – – – – – – – – + – – – – 10 24

III – + + – – + + + + – + + – + – + + + + – + – – – + – – – – + – – + + 18 16

IV – + – – – + + + + – + + – + – + + + + – + – – – + – – – + + – – + + 18 16

V – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 0 34

VI – – – – – + – + – – – – – – – + – – + – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 4. 30.

 605 

VII VIII – – 0. – + 5. – + 3. – – 0. – – 0. + + 7. – + 4. + + 7. – + 5. – – 0. – + 5. + + 5. – – 0. – + 4. – – 0. + + 7. + + 4. – + 4. + + 7. – – 0. – + 5. – – 0. – – 0. – – 0. + + 4. – – 0. – – 0. – – 0. + + 4. + + 6. – – 0. – – 0. – + 4. + + 5. 10. 19. 24. 15.

1 MARCH 1805

Breckenridge Cocke Howland Maclay Sumpter—— Anderson Condit Ellery Franklin Moore Wright Brown Giles Jackson Logan Smith M. Stone Worthington Baldwin—— Bradley Gaillard Mitchell Smith N.Y. Smith O. Smith V. Adams Bayard Dayton

Hillhouse Olcott Pickering Plumer Tracy White

⎫ ⎪ ⎪

7.

⎬ ⎪ ⎪

⎭

6. ⎫

⎪ ⎪ ⎪

5.

⎬ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

⎭ ⎫ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

4.

⎬ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

⎭

3. ⎫

⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

0.

⎬ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪ ⎪

⎪ ⎭

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27104); un‑ dated; entirely in TJ’s hand; endorsed by TJ: “Chase’s impeachment.” This table appears to be TJ’s tally of the votes given by senators on 1 Mch. at the close of the impeachment trial of Samuel Chase. Each of the articles is in‑

dicated by a roman numeral at the top of TJ’s table. The senators are then listed alphabetically. TJ marked a cross for a vote of guilty and a dash for a vote of not guilty, then took note of the total number of guilty and not guilty votes each article received. He also grouped the senators again according to the total number of

 606 

1 MARCH 1805 guilty votes each gave. The charges against Chase were: 1. That his conduct during the trial of John Fries for treason at Philadelphia in April and May 1800 deprived Fries of a fair trial. 2. That he weighted the jury against James Thomson Callender in May 1800 in Cal‑ lender’s sedition trial at Richmond. 3. That at Callender’s trial he prevented material witnesses from testifying. 4. That his rulings at that trial were unfair to Callender and partial to the prosecution. 5. That he allowed Callender to be ar‑ rested, despite the fact that the laws of Virginia did not permit the arrest of in‑ dicted persons for non‑capital crimes. 6. That he allowed Callender’s trial to proceed in the same session as the one in which the grand jury’s indictment had been presented, contrary to Virginia law. 7. That he attempted to manipulate a grand jury sitting in New Castle, Dela‑

ware, in June 1800 into indicting a local printer for sedition. 8. That he harangued a grand jury in Baltimore in May 1803 in the attempt to disaffect them from both state and federal authority. Chase was acquitted on all charges. As shown by TJ’s figures, a majority of sena‑ tors voted to convict on the third, fourth, and eighth articles. As specified by Arti‑ cle 1, Section 3 of the U.S. Constitution, however, a two‑thirds majority of the vote is required for conviction in an impeach‑ ment. A tabulation of the votes similar to TJ’s appeared in the National Intelligencer of 4 Mch. (js, 3:509‑27; Vol. 40:372‑3; William A. Burwell to TJ, 18 Jan.). According to John Quincy Adams, Senator Benjamin howland of Rhode Island voted not guilty on the sixth article but “took no notice of the error” when the votes were read out for the record (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 144‑5, in MHi: Adams Family Papers).

From Navy Yard Tradesmen To Thomas Jefferson President of the United States of America [1 Mch. 1805] The Subscribers, Tradesmen of the Different Callings Exercised in the United States Navy Yard in this City beg leave to Offer to your Excellency a Small Expression of the Sentiments with which in Com‑ mon with their Fellow Citizens they are Fully Impressed on this Happy Occasion On Addressing you in Consequence of the Event of your being Re, Elected by the Almost Unanimous Voice of your Country to the Important and Arduous Task of Chief Magistrate of a Great and Free People They would be insensible were they not to Appreciate the Value of the Priviledge which as Americans they Enjoy They Cannot but Reflect with Gratitude on that Supreme being who has Placed them in a Land of Equal Rights and Liberty’s, Where the Honest Industry of the Mechanic is Equally Supported with the Splendor of the Wealthy Fully impressed with these Sentiments they Pray you may long be Spared a Blessing to your Country for whose ease and Safety you Continue Nobly to Sacrafice your Own.  607 

1 MARCH 1805  RC (DLC: TJ Papers, 145:23739); undated; with 114 signatures on three sheets; incomplete endorsement by TJ: “Addre.” Recorded in SJL as received 1 Mch. 1805 with notation “Address. trades‑ men of Navy yard.” The first signatures on the list of sub‑ scribers are those of James Owner and Benjamin King. King was head plumber and blacksmith at the Washington Navy Yard. He also worked on projects at both the President’s House and the Capitol Building (George Henry Preble, Navy Register, 1805-6 [Washington, D.C., 1875], 17; Latrobe, Correspondence, 1:532n). Owner was a shipwright promoted to head carpenter by 1809 (Gentleman’s Annual Pocket Remembrancer for 1810 [Phil‑ adelphia, 1809], 143). Among others who signed were plumber John Davis of Abel, cooper Thomas Murray, model maker John Nowland, and gun carriage maker Robert Rose, who would all be working their trade at the navy yard as late as 1822 (Judah Delano, The Washington Directory: Showing the Name, Occupation, and Residence, of Each Head of a Family and

Person in Business [Washington, D.C., 1822], 29, 60, 62, 68). For their honest industry, the skilled workers at the navy yard earned wages of $1.25 to $2.00 a day in 1806. By 1812, supervisors like King and Owner were earning yearly salaries of $1,500 to $2,200 (Henry B. Hibben, Navy-Yard, Washington: History from Organization 1799 to Present Date [Wash‑ ington, D.C., 1890], 32; Letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Transmitting Sundry Statements of the Expenditure of Money at the Several Navy Yards, Pursuant to a Resolution of the Twenty-Seventh of January Last [Washington, D.C., 1812], 23). long be spared a blessing: post‑ inauguration festivities on 4 Mch. in‑ cluded a procession “formed at the Navy Yard, composed of the several mechanics engaged, which marched to military music, displaying, with considerable taste, the various insignia of their professions” (National Intelligencer, 6 Mch.). Another ad‑ dress was evidently conveyed to TJ on that day; an undated “Address. Navy Yard” is recorded in SJL as received 4 Mch. but has not been found.

To the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives Sir Washington Mar. 1. 1805. I beg leave to inform the Senate1 that I shall take the oath which the Constitution prescribes to the President of the United States before he enters on the execution of his office, on Monday the 4th. instant, at twelve aclock in the Senate chamber. Th: Jefferson RC (DNA: RG 46, LPPM, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); at foot of text: “The President of the Senate.” FC (DLC); in TJ’s hand, likely a PoC of the version sent to the speaker of the House (see note 1 below); at foot of text: “The President of the Sen‑ ate” and “The Speaker of the H. of Rep‑

resentatives.” Notation in SJL: “notice that shall qualify Mar. 4.” 1 On FC this word is interlined above “House of Representatives of the United States.”

 608 

From Caesar A. Rodney Honored & Dear Sir, [1 Mch. 1805] The enclosed is from a Republican of Sussex County in our State. He has long been a surveyor there, & is very well acquainted with that business. This has called his attention to the subject of the mag‑ net of which he attempts to give a theory, which he requested me to submit to your consideration. He has been much persecuted in our State & tho in very moderate circumstances has been compelled to pay heavy damages for speaking the truth of an unprincipled Federalist. Yours Very Sincerely C. A. Rodney RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 1 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Joseph Copes to TJ, 15 Feb.

To the Senate To the Senate of the US. In a message of the 14th. of January I transmitted a letter from the Secretary at war proposing certain military promotions & appoint‑ ments, & nominating the persons accordinly1 by reference to the let‑ ter: which nominations the Senate afterwards advised & consented to. among these was the nomination of 2d. Lieutt. Henry Hopkins to be promoted to the rank of 1st. Lieutt. in the 2d. regiment of infantry, vice Lt. William Wooldridge resigned June 16. 1804. and 2d. Lieutt. William Piatt to be 1st. Lieut. in the 2d. regiment of infantry vice Bowmer promoted Oct. 12. 04. but it since appears that Lt. Hopkins had been previously transferred by the commanding officer from the 2d. into the 1st. regiment & consequently was not entitled to promo‑ tion in the 2d. regiment. this fact becoming known before the com‑ missions were delivered I have suppressed them: & now nominate the persons really entitled to promotion, giving to each his corrected date. To wit I nominate William Piatt now a 2d. Lieutt. in the 2d. regiment of infantry to be a 1st. Lieutt. in the same vice Wm. Wooldridge re‑ signd. June. 16. 04. William Lawrence now a 2d. Lieutt. in the 2d. regimt. of infantry to be a 1st. Lieutt. in the same vice Joseph Bowman promoted Oct. 12. 1804. In the same message, by a mistake of the Christian name, Joseph Hanham of Maryland was nominated a 2d. Lieutt. in the regiment of artillerists. but the real name of the person contemplated being James,  609 

1 MARCH 1805

I now correct the error by Nominating James Hanham of Maryland to be appointed 2d. Lieutt. in the regiment of Artillerists. I also now nominate Jonathan Eastman, now an Ensign to be a 2d. Lieutt. in the regiment of Artillerists, vice Godfrey Bartles deceased. The inclosed letter from the Secretary at War states the errors of the former nominations. Th: Jefferson Mar. 1. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); TJ placed a check mark next to each of the new nominations. No‑ tation in SJL: “Nomns military.” Enclo‑ sure: Dearborn to TJ, 27 Feb. (first letter).

the commanding officer: James Wilkinson. bowman: that is, Joseph Bowmar. Isaac A. Coles delivered the message on 1 Mch. and the Senate approved the appointments the following day (jep, 1:485). 1

Thus in MS.

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States. I nominate Robert Williams of North Carolina to be Governor of the Missisipi territory. Daniel T. Tomkins of New York to be judge of the court of the Dis‑ trict of New York. Th: Jefferson Mar. 1. 1805. RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Notation in SJL: “Nomns. Williams. Tompkins.”

On this day, Isaac A. Coles delivered the message to the Senate, which the next day voted to approve the nominations (jep, 1:484‑5).

From Pierre Chouteau Monsieur St Louis le deux mars 1805 Depuis ma derniere lettre partie d’ici le seize de ce mois J’ai eprouvé un bien grand malheur dans la nuit du Jeudy au vendredy quinze ma maison et tout ce qu’elle renfermoit a eté detruite par le feu et J’ai vu en une heure de tems les flammes devorer le produit de vingt cinq années d’un travail assidu a peine ai je pu sauver ma famille et une petite partie de mes papiers, tout le reste n’est plus, cette perte que je ne pourrai jamais reparer m’a affecté vivement plutot pour ma femme et mes enfans que pour moi même; mais plein de confiance dans l’interet  610 

2 MARCH 1805

que vous avez bien voulu me temoigner et que je m’efforcerai toute ma vie de meriter Je me flatte que mes enfans trouveront dans vous un protecteur et qu’ils pourront par votre secours se creer une for‑ tune que je n’ai plus l’espoir de leur laisser. Presque tous Les objets que j’avois aux Etats Unis sont peris dans l’incendie j’en envoye un etat exact à Mr Le general Dearborn, ce malheur, Monsieur, ne m’a pas distrait un instant des devoirs que j’ai a remplir et aujourd’hui J’y mettrai plus de zele et d’exactitude que jamais. Les nouvelles que j’avois reçu indirectement de Mr Le Capne Lewis et que je vous ai annoncé par ma derniere Lettre se sont trouvées véritables, un Negociant de cette ville qui a hiverné au village des Mahas a ecrit par un exprès que Mr Le Capne Lewis etoit arrivé avant Les glaces et sans aucun accident facheux a environ cinquante Lieues au dessus des Mandanes; Je ne doute pas qu’avant peu je ne recoive de ses lettres par les hommes de cette ville qui ont monté avec lui et qui doivent Le quitter en cet endroit. Les Bruits que differentes nations sauvages se preparent à la guerre continuent a Se repandre et donnent beaucoup d’inquietudes aux habitans éloignés il n’y a pour‑ tant aucune information certaine de leurs mauvaises intentions mais pour ne negliger aucuns des moyens en mon pouvoir pour connoitre la Vérité, Je vais envoyer L’interprete des nations sauvages, homme sur et prudent, à la riviere des Moens où je sais par oui dire qu’il existe un rassemblement de Sakias, Renards, Sioux et Ayouas, s’il ne peut savoir d’eux mêmes qu’els sont leurs desseins il m’informera toujours si ce rassemblement existe et quelle route ils prennent, mais je persiste toujours a croire que ces Bruits sont sans fondement de respectables habitans etablis sur le Mississipy près la prairie du chien ne nous en ayant donne aucun avis. Je Vous ai donné avis par ma derniere lettre du meurtre d’un Francois chasseur sur la riviere des arckansas commis par un parti d’osages, Le chef de cette nation Les cheveux Blancs m’a fait ecrire à ce Sujet la lettre ci jointe elle vous temoignera sa bonne volonté mais son autorité sur sa nation se trouve bien diminuée par les dissenssions qui existent entre eux et qui finiront peutêtre par une guerre dont les suites ne peuvent que nous être funestes pour l’eviter et retablir entre eux une harmonie neces‑ saire je partirai vers le quinze de mars et tacherai de reunir la bande sous les ordres du chef les cheveux blancs avec celle sous le chef La grande piste actuellement sur la riviere des arkansas. Je tacherai aussi de retablir la paix entre les petits osages et les Kances, ces deux nations se sont fait depuis peu reciproquement beaucoup de mal et je crains que dans le desordre que la guerre entraine avec elle surtout parmi les nations sauvages notre commerce dans le missoury n’en souffre  611 

2 MARCH 1805

beaucoup: mon but dans ce voyage sera aussi de faire rendre justice aux fils du colel Boon respectable habitant de ce District. Ces Jeunes gens etant en chasse pres la riviere des grands osages ont été entiere‑ ment pillés par un parti de petits osages, ils m’ont fait leur rapport et m’ont remis un etat de ce qu’ils ont perdu, et que je leur ferai rendre; mais dans leurs effets il Se trouve du castor marqué par eux, que je sais avoir été acheté par un traiteur blanc, Je crois que pareillement il doit leur etre rendu, car si des blancs se permettent d’acheter des Indiens les depouilles où les pelleteries reconnues appartenir à d’autres blancs ce seroit encourager les sauvages au pillage en leur offrant la facilité de se defaire des objets volés et un tel abus pourroit avoir les suites les plus dangereuses. J’ai eu le malheur de perdre dans l’incendie tous Les objets que j’avois aux Etats Unis, ainsi que ceux que j’avois été obligé de me procurer je n’ai trouvé dans les Decombres que des restes de Medailles a moitié fondues et incapables de servir: J’ai aussi perdu mon brevet avec les ordres et instructions qui m’avoient eté remises, Je prie par ce même courier Mr Le general Dearborn de m’envoyer un nouveau brevet et une nouvelle expedition de ces ordres et instructions, en ayant besoin journellement, hier même Mr Le capne Amos Stoddart m’ayant fait part d’un projet concerté entre lui et Mr Le capne Lewis avant son depart, de conduire des chefs Sioux a Federal city je m’y suis expres‑ sement opposé, mes ordres etant de ne permettre le depart d’aucuns chefs de nations sauvages pour le siege du gouvernement sans en avoir auparavant obtenu une permission speciale, en M’opposant aux desirs du capne Stoddart il eut eté satisfaisant pour moi de lui com‑ muniquer les ordres qui me dictoient imperieusement ma conduite a cet egard: Je crois devoir en même tems vous communiquer mes ideés a ce sujet; Les differentes nations sauvages qui nous entourent Sont disposées a être jalouses les unes des autres, Dans la Supposi‑ tion que le gouvernement juge à propos de faire venir a Federal city les chefs de quelques Nations, je pense qu’il seroit en même tems economique et prudent de reunir en un seul voyage plusieurs chefs de differentes Nations. Secondement d’entreprendre ce voyage en Automne, la saison des froids étant plus avantageuses et plus saine pour ces Nations du Nord et enfin de prendre les moyens les plus prudens pour contenir dans une route Longue et penible ces Sauvages insubordonnés dont il faut parfaitement connoitre l’esprit pour les maintenir dans l’ordre sans pourtant les indisposer, connoissances qui ne s’acquierent que par une longue habitude avec eux. Ces Reflexions doivent s’appliquer plus encore aux Sioux qu’aux autres nations; ces indiens etant moins ci‑  612 

2 MARCH 1805

vilisés que ceux moins eloignés, demandent des soins eclairés pour les guarantir du decouragement et de tous autres accidents qu’il est essentiel de prevoir et d’eviter, car la nation des Sioux se porteroit peutêtre a des excès funestes si tous leurs chefs ne revenoient pas chez eux satisfaits et contens. Si les Chefs de ces nations arrivent a St Louis avant que j’aye reçu des ordres à ce sujet, je prendrai sur moi de les renvoyer avec quelques presens en les engageant a revenir cet automne, epoque a la quelle je saurai surement les intentions du gouvernement, si elles sont que quelques chefs de plusieurs nations soyent conduit a Federal City je suis pret a executer les ordres que je recevrai et a les y conduire moi même si le gouvernement le juge convenable. Les derniers papiers publics arrivés des Etats Unis expriment le voeu de la plupart des Etats pour le chef du gouvernement dans mon voy‑ age il m’avoit été facile de le connoitre d’avance, heureux sont les Etats Unis heureux je suis moi même dans mon malheur d’avoir eu L’honneur de vous connoitre et de vous inspirer un interet qui dans ce moment est mon unique ressource J’ai L’honneur d’etre avec le plus profond respect Monsieur Votre très humble et très obeissant serviteur. Pre. Chouteau e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Dear Sir, St. Louis, 2 Mch. 1805 Since my last letter, which left here on the 16th of the month, a great mis‑ fortune has befallen me. During the night of Thursday to Friday the 15th, my house and all its contents were destroyed by fire. In an hour I saw the flames devour the work of 25 years of assiduous effort. I could barely save my family and a small fraction of my papers. Everything else is gone. This loss, which I will never be able to replace, affected me deeply, for my wife and children even more than for myself. But trusting in the interest you have shown me, which I shall always seek to deserve, I flatter myself that my children will find a pro‑ tector in you and that, with your help, they will be able to build the fortunes I can no longer hope to bequeath to them. Since all the objects I had for the United States perished in the fire, I sent an exact accounting to General Dear‑ born. This misfortune, Sir, did not distract me for an instant from my re‑ sponsibilities. Henceforth I shall embrace them with even more care and zeal. The news I received indirectly about Captain Lewis and conveyed to you in my last letter has been confirmed. A merchant from here who spent the winter in the Omahas’ village sent a message saying Captain Lewis had ar‑ rived without any untoward incidents, before the ice, and settled approxi‑ mately 50 leagues above the Mandans. I expect to receive letters from him soon via some St. Louis men who accompanied him and were to return after leaving him there. Rumors about various native nations preparing for war continue to circu‑ late and worry people who live in remote regions. These evil intentions have

 613 

2 MARCH 1805 not been confirmed, but not wishing to neglect any means in my power of learning the truth, I am sending the interpreter for the native nations, a pru‑ dent, trustworthy man, to the Des Moines river where I have heard about a gathering of Sacs, Fox, Sioux, and Iowas. Even if he cannot learn their plans, he will at least tell me if there is a gathering and what route they are taking. I continue to believe the rumors are baseless, since respected inhabitants settled on the Mississippi near Prairie du Chien have not mentioned them. In my last letter I told you about the murder of a French trapper on the Arkansas River by a group of Osages. White Hair, the nation’s chief, sent me the enclosed letter about it. It shows his good will, but his authority over his nation is much diminished by internal dissensions which could lead to a war whose outcome could only be disastrous. To avoid this and to reestablish the essential harmony among the factions, I shall leave around 15 Mch. and try to reunite White Hair’s group with Great Track’s, which is currently on the Arkansas River. I will also try to reestablish peace among the Little Osages and the Kansas. These two nations have done much harm to each other lately and I fear our trade in the Missouri region will suffer from the disrup‑ tion that accompanies war, especially among native nations. Another goal of my trip is to render justice to the sons of Colonel Boone, a respected inhabi‑ tant of this region. These young men were hunting near the river of the Great Osages when they were robbed by a group of Little Osages. They reported to me with an accounting of what they lost, which I shall arrange to have returned to them. Among their possessions was a beaver they had marked. I know it to have been bought by a white trader, and believe it should also be returned to them. If the whites are allowed to buy from Indians booty or skins known to belong to other whites, the ease of selling stolen objects will encourage the savages to pillage. Such an abuse could have the most danger‑ ous consequences. In the fire, I had the misfortune of losing all the things I held on behalf of the United States, as well as those I had had to procure. Amidst the ruins, I found only the remains of medals, half melted and unusable. I also lost my commission with the orders and instructions I had received. By this same mail, I am asking General Dearborn to send me a new commission and to resend the orders and instructions, as I need them daily. Just yesterday, Cap‑ tain Amos Stoddard was describing a joint project he had been planning with Captain Lewis before his departure, to take the Sioux chiefs to the fed‑ eral city. I expressed my strong opposition, since I had orders not to allow any chiefs of native nations to leave for the seat of the government without having obtained special permission. In opposing Captain Stoddard’s wishes, it would have been desirable to show him the order that clearly spelled out my position. I feel obligated to tell you my views about this. The different native nations around us tend to be jealous of one another. If the government were to judge it appropriate for the chiefs of some nations to go to the federal city, I think it would be both wise and expedient to assemble chiefs from several different nations on a single trip. Second, the trip should be undertaken in the fall because the cool season is better and healthier for the northern nations. Finally, one must have a perfect understanding of the mentality of these insubordinate savages in order to con‑ trol them without irritating them on a long, arduous trip. Such understanding

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2 MARCH 1805 can be acquired only by lengthy interaction. These reflections apply even more to the Sioux than to other nations. Since these Indians are less civilized than the ones who are less remote, they require enlightened care. It is essential to foresee and avoid discouragement and other accidents, since the Sioux nation could go to disastrous extremes if their chiefs do not all return home satisfied and content. If the chiefs of these nations arrive in St. Louis before I receive orders about their trip, I will take it upon myself to send them back with gifts and encourage them to return in the fall, by which time I will surely know the government’s wishes. If it is decided that chiefs of several nations should be be taken to the federal city, I stand ready to carry out the order and escort them myself if the government deems it appropriate. The last public documents I received from the United States convey the choice of the majority of states for the head of the government. In my travels it was easy for me to know this in advance. The United States is fortunate; and I myself am fortunate even in my misfortune, to have the honor of know‑ ing you and eliciting your interest. That is my one resource right now. With the deepest respect, Sir, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. Pre. Chouteau RC (DLC); at head of text: “Mr Jeffer‑ son president &ca.”; endorsed by TJ as received 27 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: White Hair to Chouteau, 15 Feb., from the village of the Osages, re‑ porting an unfortunate incident in which a métis hunter was killed on the Arkansas River by some Osages who saw him point his rifle at them; White Hair indicates that Great Track is not well disposed to Americans and urges Chouteau to come to his aid as soon as possible to end the bad state of affairs (RC in same; in French; in a clerk’s hand; addressed: “A Monsieur Pre. Chouteau Agent des Sauvages a St. Louis”). ma derniere lettre: Chouteau to TJ, 12 Feb. The rumors (bruits) of war were also reported to James Wilkinson, who relayed the information to Dearborn. In a letter of 12 Mch., Major James Bruff offered intel‑

ligence that “upwards of 600 warriors wou’d decend the Illinois in Canoes to at‑ tack” St. Louis, adding that a “similar re‑ port has been received by a French hunter who winter’d up the Missouri.” Bruff ex‑ pressed doubt in the reports but said he had advised “to send out spies among the Indians” (Terr. Papers, 13:101‑2). l’interprete des nations sau‑ vages: probably Hypolite Bolon, who worked as an interpreter under the Span‑ ish and with Chouteau during recent ne‑ gotiations with the Sacs and Foxes. In April 1806, Chouteau reported employ‑ ing Bolon as interpreter for four different tribes and also someone named Pierre Dorion as the interpreter for the Sioux on the Des Moines River (U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:87; Carl J. Ekberg, Colonial Ste. Genevieve: An Adventure on the Mississippi Frontier, 2d ed. [Tucson, 1996], 117; Nasatir, Before Lewis and Clark, 2:771).

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From Henry Dearborn Sir March 2d. 1805 The celebrated preacher, Dow, who has returned from a long tour southward & westward, and which extended into Lower Louisiana; was requested to deliver the articles accompanying this, to you, he gave them to me this morning and desired me send them to you. Yours, H. Dearborn RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as a letter of 1 Mch. received 2 Mch. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “with ores from Dow”; notation in SJL: “with ores from Louisa.” Enclosure: Samuel Cobun to Lorenzo Dow, 8 Dec. 1804, enclosing ore samples he collected in Louisiana from various springs and creeks near the Ouachita River; Cobun considers the land in Louisiana between the Arkansas and Opelousas Rivers as

“generally speaking very poor”; much of it is pine barren or liable to flooding, while the best parts have already been granted by Spain; Cobun asks Dow to present a map “to the presedent & If any Encouragement for a further persuit of New Discovereys I will undertake again next summer”; Cobun notes that any let‑ ters for him should be sent to the post office in Claiborne County, Mississippi Territory (RC in DLC; endorsed by TJ: “Cobun to Dow. with ores”).

From William Dunbar [2 Mch. 1805]

Having dismissed my amanuensis on account of his extreme incor‑ rectness & slowness, and being disappointed in another I expected I have for this week applied myself this week1 to transcribe with a multitude of interruptions which has consumed ¾ of my time next week I hope to progress more rapidly by means of expected aid—this Circumstance has withdrawn my attention from the revisal of my Calculations, the result of which will be deferred for this time. The concluding sheets of the geographical survey I find have been so incorrectly written that a part of them must be transcribed—for the present I have the pleasure of sending you some sheets of the Journal of occurrences & remarks FC (Lb in Ms‑Ar: William Dunbar Papers); undated, but follows FC of Dun‑ bar to TJ, 23 Feb. [1805]; at head of text: “To the Same.” Recorded in SJL as a let‑

ter of 2 Mch. 1805 received 1 Apr. from Natchez. 1 Preceding

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two words interlined.

From John G. Jackson Dear Sir— Washington March 2d 1805 About ten Millions of acres of land in the district I represent, are claimed by the “Indiana Company” in virtue of a grant from the In‑ dians with which you are acquainted; the importance of the stake has induced us to investigate the grounds of our title, as well as those of the Company; & it has resulted in a discovery that independant of the objection that Individuals cannot purchase the indian title, or pre‑ emptive right, without the approbation of the Government within whose limits the lands lie—the lands in question were ceded by the six nations in the year 1744, & that the treaty of cession was confirmed at Logstown in 1752, whereas the claim of the “Company” is predi‑ cated on a cession to them in the year 1779—The Confirmation at Loggstown can not be found, & I have been informed that you are well acquainted with all the documents upon this subject—I enclose an extract from the Journal of the Virginia Legislature of Novr. 6th 1753—and I will esteem it as a particular favor if you will honor me with such information as you may have Your Most Obt. Servt. J G Jackson RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the U States”; endorsed by TJ as received 2 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: extract of legislative journal, 6 Nov. 1753, noting transmittal by the governor of “a copy of the Confirmation of the treaty at Lancaster, at Logtown, in 1752” (Tr in same). John G. Jackson (1777‑1825) was raised in Clarksburg, Virginia (now West Vir‑ ginia), the son of a politician and attor‑ ney, George Jackson. He was elected to Congress in 1803 and served four terms in the House of Representatives before a dueling injury forced his resignation. Jack‑ son later returned to his congressional seat for two more terms and in 1819 was appointed U.S. district judge for the west‑ ern district of Virginia. Jackson kept a

law practice and was active in a variety of entrepreneurial and agricultural enter‑ prises. His first wife, Mary Payne Jack‑ son, was Dolley Madison’s sister (Biog. Dir. Cong.; anb). with which you are acquainted: TJ was the governor of Virginia when the state voided the Indiana Company’s claim to approximately two million acres of land in western Virginia. In 1802, the company resurrected its claim in a test court case against about 60 of the land‑ holders who had settled in the disputed area. Jackson’s father led the settlers’ ongoing legal fight against the company (Otis K. Rice, The Allegheny Frontier: West Virginia Beginnings, 1730-1830 [Lexing‑ ton, Ky., 1970], 133; Madison, Papers, 2:178n; Vol. 3:147‑8).

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From Anne Cary Randolph Edgehill March 2 1805

This is the fourth letter I have written to my Dear Grand Papa without receiving an answer I suppose you have not received them or else your business prevented your answering them Mama has been very sick & two of the children but they are now quite well we heard that you were to set of from Washington on the 8 of March I wish in your next letter you will let me know whether it is true adieu my Dear Grand Papa your most affectionate Grand daughter ACR RC (ViU); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

fourth letter: in addition to her letters of 14 and 22 Feb. she had written one on 28 Feb. that has not been found (Appendix iv).

To the Senate To the Senate of the United States I nominate Robert Smith, now Secretary of the Navy, to be Attorney General of the United States. Jacob Crownenshield of Massachusets to be Secretary of the Navy. Obadiah Jones of Georgia to be one of the judges of the court of the Missisipi territory. Th: Jefferson Mar. 2. 1805. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark at each entry. Isaac A. Coles delivered TJ’s message to the Senate on 2 Mch. The Senate dis‑

pensed with the rule that nominations should lie for consideration, immediately approved the three appointments, and sent the decisions to the president (jep, 1:486).

From Joseph Anderson and Others Sir Washington 3rd March 1805 The Undersign’d take leave to recommend John Kennedy Esquire of Jonesboro in the State of Tennessee Atty at Law—as a proper Character to be appointed, Secretary of the District of Louisiana— Mr Kennedy is esteemd a man of strict integrety—holds a respect‑ able standing at the Bar—is an influential member of our State Legislature—and in our Judgment is extremely well qualify’d in every  618 

3 MARCH 1805

respect to discharge the duties of a Secretary—His appointment to the Office, wou’d be peculiarly grateful to the Undersignd With Sentiments of Very high Consideration—We are most respectfully Jos: Anderson Wm Cocke John Rhea W. Dickson RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Ander‑ son’s hand, signed by all; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and “Kennedy John. to be a Comr. or judge” and so recorded in SJL.

Anderson and his colleagues had pre‑ viously recommended john kennedy as secretary or attorney for Orleans Ter‑ ritory (Vol. 43:107‑8).

From William Findley Sir [3 Mch. 1805] It has been mentioned to me that Cornelius Vanhorne makes ap‑ plication for the appointment of receiver of the Land office at Zanes‑ ville to which place he is about to remove with his family and that a recommendation from me might be proper this I cannot refuse to Mr Vanhorne who however himself does not ask it. My own opinion is that such a recommendation to the president is not necessary, How‑ ever I will Just Mention that Capt Vanhorne is one of the few men who went young into the Army, served thro, the war with approba‑ tion, returned to society, became a farmer very much respected by his Neighbours, was the first Republican sent to the Assembly of penn‑ sylvania from that formerly torry County, served a number of years in that body and in the seventh and eighth Congress,s. The Amiable‑ ness of his conduct and his having enjoyed the Confidence of the Citi‑ zens in so high a degree it is presumed is all the recommendation to the president that is necessary Wm Findley RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Mch. 1805 and “Van horne to be Reciever at Zanes‑ ville” and so recorded in SJL; also en‑ dorsed by TJ: “qu. Cornel?” Findley very likely meant Isaac Van Horne (vanhorne), a two‑term repre‑ sentative from Pennsylvania who moved with his family to Zanesville, Ohio, in 1805. Van Horne was appointed as re‑

ceiver of the land office at Zanesville on 7 Mch. 1805. Prior to serving in the U.S. House, Van Horne had represented Bucks county in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives (Biog. Dir. Cong.; Claypoole’s American Daily Advertiser, 24 Oct. 1796; Appendix i). On a slip of paper TJ made the notation: “Isaac Van Horne of Penlsva to be Reciever of public monies at Zanesville” (MS in DNA: RG 59, LAR).

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To John Glendy Dear Sir Washington Mar. 3. 05. Your letter of the 28th. was recieved yesterday, and I have only time to thank you for all the kind expressions respecting myself personally, and to inform you I have this day written to Governor Mc.kain, on the subject of it, so as to produce any dispositions & measures on his part which my interposition can produce. the date of this letter will shew you it is written on the last day of the session of Congress, for they have been obliged to consecrate the sabbath to the finishing as much of their business as they can before midnight when they politi‑ cally expire. all is now business, hurry, interruption, so that I have only time to add my friendly salutations and assurances of great es‑ teem & respect. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “The revd. mr Glendy”; endorsed by TJ.

To Thomas McKean Dear Sir Washington Mar. 3. 1805. I have the pleasure to acknolege the reciept of your last favor, and I assure you with truth that the rumors set about by designing per‑ sons, & which are the subject of your letter, were perfectly understood by me, & made not the least impression. a long life spent in the ser‑ vice of the public & going always directly and openly to it’s object, is better evidence to me of your conduct than vague insinuations with‑ out foundation, or built on suspicions The revd mr Glendy of Baltimore informs me he was invited about two years ago by the 1st. Presbyterian church in Philadelphia; that they are still without a stated Pastor; that he has understood you are a member of that congregation, & have expressed a wish that he should be invited to preach there; & he adds that if an application were to come shortly thro’ an honorable channel he would comply for two or four Lord’s days. he made this communication to me, because I have long known him, & he knew of the good understanding be‑ tween you & myself. mr Glendy is without exception the best preacher I ever heard. mr Ducheé was before him & all men in manner; but in matter mr Glendy is quite as much his superior. he is a most amiable man in society, a man of piety & correct conduct. the date of this letter will shew it is written in the pressure of the last day of Congress when all is business & hurry & when it is impossible to indulge any  620 

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amplification on the subject of it. Accept my friendly salutations & assurances of great respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson P.S. mr Glendy will be forced on the first Saturday of April to fix himself unalterably at Baltimore unless earlier assured of provision in another place RC (PHi: Thomas McKean Papers); addressed: “His Excellency Governor Mc.kain Lancaster”; franked and post‑ marked; endorsed by McKean. PoC (DLC). your last favor: McKean to TJ, 18 Feb.

informs me: John Glendy to TJ, 28 Feb. mr ducheé: the Reverend Jacob Duché, chaplain to the Continental Con‑ gress in 1776 (Washington, Papers, Rev. War Ser., 1:246n; Vol. 1:487n).

From Philippe Reibelt Monsieur le President! Baltimore le 3 Mars 1805 Je dois supposer dans Vos mains respectables—le paquet renfer‑ mant les oeuvres de Corneille, Moliére, Racine, Barthelemy &c par‑ ceque, l’expeditionaire du Stage (qui me paroit de quelque Sortes que ce soit, un peu derangè—car c’est le Seul, avec lequel Il faut toujour discuter) n’ayant absolument pas voulû le prendre, j’ai invitè le Di‑ recteur de la poste, qui est tres complaisant, de le faire mettre en Son Nom au Stage, ce qu’il m’a promis—c’etoit le 16 fevr. Je ferais remettre aujourdhui a un paquet de Georgetown un Ou‑ vrage, qui Vous Conviendra probablement pour un jeune homme de Votre famille—Savoir: Abregè des Vies des plus grands hommes de toutes les nations au Nombre de plus de deux Cent et ornèes de leurs portraits—1803—4 Vol. en gr. 12o. de 16 a 1700 pages—a 4 Gourdes.—et le 5me. Volume d’un autre Ouvrage de 25 Vol.—Les Vies des hommes illustres &c avec des belles gravures a 48, Gourdes— que Vous connaissez, mais doubl’ edition (1801) Vous interessera sans doute, et conviendra peutêtre a un Membre de Votre famille. Je prend la Liberte, de Vous observer a çette occasion, qu’il y a differentes bonnes editions au Magazin—bien reliées, a un prix tres moderè—Savoir: Voltaire—in gr. 8vo. 55 Vol. a 81 G. 58 C. in gr. 12o. 92 Vol. 78 G. 8 C. Aussi Rousseau—p. E. l’edition de Didot in gr. 12o. avec figures— seulement brochè—37 Vol. a 30 G. et ainsi d’autres Classiques fran‑ cais—Raynal, Mably, Condillac &c. Daignez agréer mes profonds respects. Reibelt  621 

3 MARCH 1805 e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President! Baltimore, 3 Mch. 1805 I assume you have now received the package containing the works of Cor‑ neille, Molière, Racine, Barthélemy, etc. Because the dispatcher of the coach (who strikes me as slightly disturbed, since he is the only one I always have to negotiate with) was absolutely unwilling to take it, I asked the director of the post office, who is very helpful, to place it in the coach in his name, and he promised to do so. That was on 16 Feb. I will have a package from Georgetown delivered to you today with a work that will undoubtedly suit you for a young man in your family. It is the Abregé des Vies des plus grands hommes de toutes les nations, more than 200 of them, illustrated with their portraits; 1803, 4 volumes in large duodecimo, 1600‑1700 pages, for $4. You will also find the fifth volume of another 25‑ volume work: Les Vies des hommes illustres, with beautiful engravings for $48. You are familiar with it, but this 1801 edition will surely be of interest and may suit a member of your family. I also take the liberty of pointing out that there are various good editions in the store, beautifully bound and moderately priced, notably: Voltaire, in large octavo, 55 volumes for $81.58 in large duodecimo, 92 volumes for $78.08. There is also Rousseau, for example the Didot edition in large duo‑ decimo, soft cover, 37 volumes for $30, as well as other French classics: Raynal, Mably, Condillac, etc. Please accept my deep respect. Reibelt RC (DLC); above signature: “Le Depot Americ. General de Levrault, Schoell et Comp. Impr. Libraires a Paris”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. jeune homme: Reibelt, relying on TJ’s recent purchases of books for younger readers, was sending the illustrated four‑ volume compilation Le Plutarque de la jeunesse, ou Abrégé des vies des plus grands hommes de toutes les nations, depuis les

temps les plus reculés jusqu’a nos jours. He was also sending a volume from a recent edition of the Oeuvres of Plutarch, based on a sixteenth‑century French transla‑ tion (William Fleischer, Annuaire de la librairie [Paris, 1802], 94‑5; Frédéric Schoell, Répertoire de littérature ancienne, ou Choix d’auteurs classiques grecs et latins, d’ouvrages de critique, d’archéologie, d’antiquités, de mythologie, d’histoire et de géographie anciennes, imprimés en France et en Allemagne [Paris, 1808], 345‑6).

From John Rhea Sr, Washington March 3d—1805 Mr James Tremble received his classical and collegiate education in the Country, which is now the State of Tennessee—and is a prac‑ ticing Lawyer in the Courts of Law and Equity in that State—and in the District Court of the United States in east Tennessee. He is a man of probity, honesty and upright moral Character—a decided Repub‑ lican and firmly attached to the Constitution of the United States; possessing a large portion of legal knowledge—he is reputed a Cor‑  622 

3 MARCH 1805

rect Lawyer—and in my opinion is qualifyed to perform with fedilety the duties of a Judge of a District Court in any of the territorial Gov‑ ernments of the United States— He has not requested me to make any recommendation of himself to You for any appointment—nor is it known to me that he would Acept of the appointment of Judge of a Court of the United States in any territorial Government—but I have taken the liberty—of making his name and character known to You; to the end that, if it was known he would accept an appointment—and at any time hereafter he should be deemed worthy of nomination to any, he might not be unknown to the President of the United States. The time for which I have had the honor of being Elected a representative in the Congress of the United States expires with this day—and I cannot reconcile to my self the expiration of that period without having informed the President of the United States of the name and Character of James Tremble which is herein before given according to the best of my knowledge—. He is not related to me by consanguinity or affinity. but I have been acquaint with him from the time he was a little boy at Latin School— prior to which period his father died. Please to excuse me for the trouble this Letter may give—if at any time hereafter it should be of any service to a man for whom I have a true friendship, it will be gratifying to me indeed. With the most Sincere wishes for Your health and happiness—I am Your Obedient Servt. John Rhea of Tennessee RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received 3 Mch. and “James Trem‑ ble a Comr. or judge” and so recorded in SJL. James Trimble (tremble) attended Washington College near Jonesboro, Ten‑ nessee, studied law in Staunton, Virginia, and later practiced law in Knoxville and

Nashville. He served as a clerk of the Ten‑ nessee Senate from 1803 to 1805, a U.S. district attorney and bankruptcy commis‑ sioner for East Tennessee, and a judge in the state’s second circuit court of law and equity (Robert M. McBride, Dan M. Robison, and others, eds., Biographical Directory of the Tennessee General Assembly, 7 vols. [Nashville, 1975‑ ], 1:736‑7; Vol. 41:688, 694, 734).

To the Senate The Senate of the United States I nominate Thomas Hill Williams of the Missisipi territory to be Reg‑ ister of the land office West of Pearl river. Th: Jefferson Mar. 3. 1805.  623 

3 MARCH 1805  RC (DNA: RG 46, EPEN, 8th Cong., 2d sess.); signature clipped, supplied from PoC; endorsed by a Senate clerk. PoC (DLC); TJ added a check mark in mar‑ gin by Williams’s name. Notation in SJL: “Nomns. T. H. Williams.” The Senate confirmed the nomination on this day. On 13 Mch., TJ received a  letter of 7 Feb., not found, in which thomas hill williams, according to TJ’s notation in SJL, “declines office”

(see Appendix iv). On 15 Mch., Madison sent Governor Robert Williams the com‑ mission for T. H. Williams as land office register for Adams County. Noting the uncertainty of Williams’s acceptance, he also enclosed a blank commission. Wil‑ liams acted as register and commissioner prior to being named secretary for Mis‑ sissippi Territory in August (jep, 1:486; Terr. Papers, 5:380, 412, 417; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:138).

To John Stewart Sir Washington Mar. 3. 1805. I recieved yesterday your favor on the subject of the alteration in the route by which the mail was carried. the subject was laid before me by the Secretary of state on your letter, if I recollect rightly the contractors for setting up a mail stage absolutely refused to make any contract without that alteration, & the question was whether we would have a stage with that alteration, or no stage at all. on this ground the public convenience admitted no doubt. I think you are mistaken in supposing the Postmaster has exercised legislative pow‑ ers on this occasion. the laws establish points to & from which there shall be a mail carried: but in the conveyance of any general mail the Postmaster is free to direct by what points it shall go, & along what road between point & point. I see with regret your retirement from the public service, but whether that is the result of your own will or that of your constituents is beyond my rightful concerns. if they have imputed to you any want of exertion in the case of the mail‑route above mentioned, they have been misinformed. you carry with you my full belief of a correct conduct as a representative as far as my observation has enabled me to judge, and I pray you to accept my best wishes for your health & happiness, & with my friendly saluta‑ tions & assurances of esteem. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. John Stewart.”

your favor: Stewart to TJ, 28 Feb.

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From Thomas Worthington Sir 3rd. of March 1805 Enclosed I send some of the Alpines or monthly strawberry seed. It will be proper to sow them next month & replant the young plants in may Very respectfully I am sir Your Obt St T, Worthington RC (DLC); addressed: “The President of the United States”; endorsed by TJ. Worthington sent more seeds of the popular Alpine strawberry to TJ on 3 Sep. upon his wife’s suggestion and con‑

cern that those enclosed with this letter did not arrive. TJ was interested in estab‑ lishing the variety in the United States and in 1803 shared some seeds with Rob‑ ert Bailey (Vol. 28:362; Vol. 34:306‑7n; Vol. 41:486; Worthington to TJ, 3 Sep.).

Second Inaugural Address I. TOPICS FOR INAUGURAL ADDRESS, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] II. PARTIAL DRAFT, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] III. PARTIAL DRAFT, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] IV. PARTIAL DRAFT, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] V. PARTIAL DRAFT, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] VI. PARTIAL DRAFT, [BEFORE 8 FEB. 1805] VII. JAMES MADISON’S REMARKS ON A DRAFT, [8 FEB. 1805] VIII. ALBERT GALLATIN’S REMARKS ON A DRAFT, [12 FEB. 1805] IX. FROM HENRY DEARBORN, [13 FEB. 1805] X. TO ROBERT SMITH, 14 FEB. 1805 XI. JAMES MADISON’S REMARKS ON A DRAFT, [21 FEB. 1805] XII. NOTES ON THE SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, [FEBRUARY 1805?] XIII. SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, [BEFORE 4 MCH. 1805] XIV. READING COPY OF SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS, [BEFORE 4 MCH. 1805] XV. TO SAMUEL HARRISON SMITH, [CA. 4 MCH. 1805]

E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

Before noon on Monday, the 4th of March, Jefferson mounted his horse— probably Wildair, his prized bay saddle horse—and rode the mile and a half up Pennsylvania Avenue from the President’s House to the Capitol. Augus‑ tus John Foster, the 24‑year‑old secretary of the British legation in Wash‑ ington, left a record of the details he observed on that day. The president, who “affects great plainness of dress and manners,” was dressed all in black, including silk stockings, and was “attended by his secretary and groom.” The secretary was Isaac A. Coles, the young Virginian from Albemarle County who, since December, had been filling in for William A. Burwell as Jefferson’s private secretary. Jack Shorter, an enslaved stable hand at the President’s

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS House, may have been the groom. At the Capitol, “a mixed assemblage of Senators, Populace, Representatives, and ladies” gathered in the Senate chamber. Members of the foreign diplomatic corps were also present. Among the observers in the gallery was the outgoing vice president, Aaron Burr, who had been dropped from the ticket for Jefferson’s second term. Absent from the scene were some members of Congress who had left for home after the close of the session the previous day (Augustus Foster to Frederick Foster, 1 July 1805, in Vere Foster, ed., The Two Duchesses: Georgiana Duchess of Devonshire, Elizabeth Duchess of Devonshire [London, 1898], 229‑30; Rich‑ ard B. Davis, ed., Jeffersonian America: Notes on the United States of America Collected in the Years 1805-6-7 and 11-12 by Sir Augustus John Foster, Bart. [San Marino, Calif., 1954], 15; John Quincy Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 149, in MHi: Adams Family Papers; Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 315; Lucia Stanton, “Those Who Labor for My Happiness”: Slavery at Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello [Charlottesville, 2012], 49; mb, 2:1034; Vol. 32:400‑1, 540; Vol. 40:59). To deliver his inaugural address, Jefferson had prepared a special reading copy that is unlike any other document in his papers (see Document xiv below and illustration in this volume). By abbreviating most words, even short ones, he compressed the full text of the address, more than 2,100 words in 15 paragraphs, onto the two sides of a single sheet of paper about 9¾ inches wide by 16¾ inches long. He ended each line at the close of a sentence or clause and used indents to set off topics and subtopics. He employed stan‑ dard techniques of abbreviation, including superscripted letters and macrons or tildes above the text (not reproduced in the transcription of Document xiv). To achieve maximum efficiency of space along the line, he sometimes placed a superscripted letter directly above another letter. In some cases he used two levels of superscription in one abbreviation (as in “Aborig.n.l” in the detail seen below). For the word “of,” rather than superscripting the f above the o, he superimposed the two letters to create what is in effect a compact symbol rather than a simple abbreviation. Drawing on earlier scribal practice that was falling out of use by 1805, he employed the letter y to stand in for the Old English thorn and represent th at the start of a word. The re‑ sult in the reading copy, in combination with his persistent use of abbrevia‑ tions, is not just “ye” for “the,” but “ym” for “them,” “yse” for “these,” “ys” for “this,” “yt” for “that.” In a departure from this edition’s usual practice of transcribing a y‑for‑thorn as “th,” the y has been retained in Document xiv. Jefferson used a dot, slightly heavier than a period and placed slightly below the line, to stand in for the letter o in words such as “to” and “no.” When directly below the letter, the dot represented the vowel sound in a word such as “too” or “who.” A superscripted dot was the letter e for words such as “be” and “we”; a dot very slightly above the line was the letter y in “by”; and a dot directly above a letter stood in for the “ay” or “ey” of “may” and “they.” Re‑ gardless of Jefferson’s placement of the dots, all are rendered as periods on the line in the Document xiv transcription. With these techniques, Jefferson rendered the sentence “The Aboriginal inhabitants of these countries I have regarded with the commiseration their history inspires” as:

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EDITORIAL NOTE The sentence “I have therefore undertaken, on no occasion, to prescribe the religious exercises suited to it” appears as: And “they too have their Anti‑Philosophists, who find an interest” he copied as: Visible in those examples are additional markings that do not represent letters of the alphabet. They are diacritical marks to assist Jefferson in the oral delivery of the address. In each of the segments illustrated above, a sin‑ gle long stroke appears in a high position midway along the line. At the end of a line, as seen in the first two details shown above, he put a double stroke or a third mark in the form of a long cross or dagger. These marks were Jef‑ ferson’s cues for pauses as he read the address. They resemble marks that Jefferson put on a draft of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Julian Boyd linked the markings on that early version of the Declaration to the marks present in this reading script. Boyd interpreted the marks as indica‑ tors for accented syllables and emphasis in reading, similar to linguistic ac‑ cents that Jefferson had pondered in his 1786 essay on English prosody (see Vol. 10:498n). In a later reading of the marks, Jay Fliegelman instead as‑ serted that, based on the placement and appearance of the markings, they represented not accented syllables but “rhythmical pauses of emphatical stress” used to “divide the piece into units comparable to musical bars or poetic lines” (Julian P. Boyd, “The Declaration of Independence: The Mystery of the Lost Original,” pmhb, 100 [1976], 460; Jay Fliegelman, Jefferson, Natural Language, & the Culture of Performance [Stanford, Calif., 1993], 5‑7, 10). The marks are nearly identical to those recommended by Irish actor, speaker, and rhetorician Thomas Sheridan, whom Jefferson occasionally recommended to young scholars seeking reading lists. Sheridan had turned from acting to a career of public lectures and writing in 1756, becoming a key driver of an elocutionary movement that centered performance at the heart of all public speaking. He was well known for his highly disciplined acting preparation, which informed his later works on elocution, speaking, education, and the English language. Jefferson had apparently owned a copy of Sheridan’s 1762 Lectures on Elocution before he loaned it out in the 1760s; he later filled the void in his library with a 1787 reprint. In that work, Sheridan lamented the shortcomings of English grammar, the markings of which “are by no means fitted to the natural rests and pauses of discourse” and have “proved the chief cause of some of our greatest imperfections in reading.” Adequate stops al‑ lowed the speaker to breathe and rest and allowed the audience to fully under‑ stand the message. The speaker could also add weight to the most essential ele‑ ments of an oration by using well‑placed pauses, thus allowing those points to “sink deeper” into the mind “by such reflection” (dnb; William Benzie, The Dublin Orator: Thomas Sheridan’s Influence on Eighteenth-Century Rhetoric and Belles Letters [Menston, Yorkshire, 1972], 114; Thomas Sheridan, A Course of Lectures on Elocution Together with Two Dissertations on Language and Some Other Tracts Relative to Those Subjects [1762; reprint, London, 1787], 13, 94, 97; Sowerby, No. 4655; rs, 1:576; 7:629; Vol. 30:594; Vol. 32:180; TJ to John Page, 17 Apr. 1767 [RC, University Archives, Westport, Conn., 2017]; Samuel R. Demaree to TJ, 28 Dec. 1804).

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS  While Sheridan outlined the necessity of pauses in the earlier work, he de‑ tailed the mark‑up system in his 1775 Lectures on Reading. He implemented four different marks for pauses: a single prime for “the shortest pause mark‑ ing an incomplete sense,” a double prime for “double the time of the former,” three prime marks for a full stop, and two horizontal lines to mark a pause “longer than any belonging to the usual stops.” It is unclear when or where Jefferson read Lectures on Reading prior to drafting the Declaration of Inde‑ pendence, and no copies of the work are included in his library catalogues. He did possess a 1781 edition of Sheridan’s Rhetorical Grammar of the English Language, which also detailed the mark‑up system. Jefferson incorporated Sheridan’s prime and double prime marks, the single marks frequently ap‑ pearing mid‑sentence and the double primes marking longer breaks or sen‑ tence endings. The reading script also separates topics and incorporates lon‑ ger pauses by supplying line breaks and section indents. Instead of using Sheridan’s triple prime or horizontal line markings, Jefferson substituted the dagger, which likely signaled a longer emphatical break (Sheridan, Lectures on the Art of Reading [London, 1775], pt. 1, 181‑2; Sheridan, A Rhetorical Grammar of the English Language [Dublin, 1781]; Sowerby, No. 4847). Jefferson’s painstaking work in preparing the reading copy was worth‑ while in allowing him to put the full text of the speech on the two faces of the single sheet. Yet for all the effort and thought he invested in making the copy a script for oral delivery, as an oration the address failed. He spoke, according to John Quincy Adams, “in so low a voice that not half of it was heard by any part of the crowded auditory.” Augustus Foster also noted that the speech was “too low spoken to be heard well.” The inflections carefully marked accord‑ ing to Sheridan’s principles came to nothing. On finishing the address, Jefferson kissed the Bible, swore the oath of office administered by Chief Justice John Marshall, and bowed. He then returned to the President’s House, where according to Foster he was in “high spirits” as “everyone by common accord went to pay him a visit of congratulation.” The 8 Mch. Aurora described the gathering as “thronged with people, so that the avenues and hall were scarcely passable.” Adams, who only stayed about half an hour before returning home to spend the remainder of the day writing at his desk, missed the latter part of the levee at the President’s House. Foster, an English baronet and career diplomat, took pains to note the pres‑ ence of the “blacks and dirty boys, who drank his wines and lolled upon his couches before us all; the jingling of a few pipes and drums finished the day. There was nothing dignified in the whole affair.” Foster gave scant notice (and Adams none) to another event that marked the day, a procession of skilled artisans and workers from the Washington Navy Yard. “There was a collection of people in procession on the road,” Foster observed, “but they seemed composed of low persons, for the most part Irish labourers, and ap‑ peared very cheerless.” He declared that “Unbounded freedom reigns in this unbounded land” (Foster, Two Duchesses, 229‑30; Davis, Jeffersonian America, 15; Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803 to 4 Aug. 1809], 149, in MHi: Adams Family Papers; National Intelligencer, 6 Mch.). Jefferson had begun writing the address weeks earlier. When he started is not known, as he did not put dates on any of the surviving draft fragments. He apparently had a complete draft by 8 Feb., for on that day he received James Madison’s response, followed on the 12th by remarks from Albert Gal‑

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EDITORIAL NOTE latin and from Henry Dearborn the following day. Jefferson asked for com‑ ments from Robert Smith on 14 Feb., and received a second set of notes from Madison on the 21st. Sometime between that date and 4 Mch. the address took final form. (See Documents vii‑xi for the review of the address by the members of the cabinet.) The versions of the text reviewed by Jefferson’s advisers are not extant in his papers. No full text of the address previous to its finished state as he delivered it on 4 Mch. has been found. Yet several fragments of his drafting process have survived (Documents i‑vi below). Their association with the second inaugural address is based on inference, as none of them is so labeled. Three of them, which are treated as separate texts below (Documents i, iii, and v) are on the two sides of a leaf of paper that for a time was filed in Jefferson’s papers in the Library of Congress with manu‑ scripts from the fall of 1776 concerning the disestablishment of the Church of England in Virginia (see Vol. 1:528). Another piece from his drafting of the second inaugural address is on the same sheet as fragments of text from Jef‑ ferson’s early drafting of his first and third annual messages to Congress in 1801 and 1803 (Document ii). Neither of Jefferson’s predecessors as president had given a second inau‑ gural address. George Washington had chosen to speak only briefly, and John Adams had not had the opportunity to give one. In a document that he wrote after he completed the drafting of the address and headed “Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address” (Document xii), Jefferson com‑ mented on the differing functions of his first and second inaugural speeches. “The former one was an exposition of the principles on which I thought it my duty to administer the government,” he wrote. His second inaugural ad‑ dress “then should naturally be a Compte rendu, or a statement of facts, shewing that I have conformed to those principles. the former was promise: this is performance.” He continued: “yet the nature of the occasion requires that detail should be avoided; that the most prominent heads only should be selected, and these placed in a strong light but in as few words as possible” (Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 12:264‑5; Document xii). At the outset of his drafting process, he identified those “most prominent heads” for the address in a spare outline that listed four “Genl. topics” (gen‑ eral topics): “the advantages of a peaceful system” that made possible a fa‑ vorable state of public finances in which the country had the ability to pay off its debts and eliminate internal taxes; “removals from office”; a third topic that he named only as “Philosophy”; and finally “licentiousness of press” (see Document i). The address in its final form included additional topics, such as religion, Native Americans, and Louisiana. The four original “Genl. topics”—or five, taking “the advantages of a peaceful system” to mean for‑ eign affairs—were the ones that Jefferson initially identified as the core of the address. Using a process that he had come to employ in composing his annual mes‑ sages to Congress, he proceeded to draft each of the topical sections indepen‑ dently. Two of those pieces can be identified and are Documents ii and iii below. Document iv was his first attempt to bring the elements together. Although incomplete and still preliminary, consisting of a compilation of notes rather than finished text, it is the fullest version that remains from the draft‑ ing process. For some topics, such as religion and Louisiana, the document contains only a heading to serve as a placeholder. Document iv illustrates,

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS with Documents ii and iii, the mechanics of Jefferson’s process as he worked out the sequence of parts to assemble the address. Combinations of numbers and letters in the margins of the draft fragments, “h. 11.” on Document ii and “4. e.” on Document iii, correlate with similar markings in the margins of Document iv. Jefferson probably first used numbers to identify the topics, as the numbers in the margins of Document iv are in order, beginning with 2 and running through 8. (The “11” on Document ii suggests that Docu‑ ment iv originally had an additional page that has not been discovered.) The numbers served as keys for those parts that were on separate pieces of paper. Jefferson then decided on the order of the topics for the address and used letters, which he added alongside the numbers, to identify the desired se‑ quence. The paragraph in Document ii, originally labeled as “11,” became “h,” and the paragraph on religion in Document iii changed from “4” to “e.” The part originally numbered as “8” in Document iv he designated as “a,” to be the first in the sequence, and it did become the opening passage of the address: “Proceeding f. c. to that qualificn which the constn requires before my entrance on the charge which has been again conferred on me” (compare the opening of the finished address, Document xiii). Documents v and vi are probably from a later stage, subsequent to the sorting out of topics seen in Documents ii‑iv. The margins of Document v (which is on the same manuscript sheet as Documents i and iii) and Doc‑ ument vi lack the numbers and letters that Jefferson used to key each of the earlier pieces to its place in the sequence. These documents appear to be efforts to work out expressions of ideas and particular phrasings. This is particularly true of Document vi, in which he labored to find the language he wanted for one paragraph of the address. Using both sides of his page, he made a heavily altered draft and then rewrote it. Some phrasing from the revised version of the passage found its way directly into the final state of the inaugural address, such as “think as they think, and desire what they desire.” Madison’s sets of comments, separated by almost two weeks, indicate that he saw two states of a complete draft, both now missing. The first full text that survives is the finished address, Document xiii below. In its develop‑ ment, the subjects that followed the straightest path from Jefferson’s first bare outline of “Genl. topics” to the fully realized address were the ones that he had combined as the first item in Document i: “the advantages of a peace‑ ful system. that if once our debt is paid & taxes liberated, the surplus (after supportg. govmt) will supply annual exp. of war so that no other tax need ever be laid.” The theme of having the benefit of a sufficient revenue even with the elimination of internal taxes he carried through the drafting process to the finished address. By contrast, the next item in the “Genl. topics” out‑ line, which he listed as “removals from office,” almost disappeared. In the outline he likely intended to use the subject of “removals from office” to talk about politics by arguing that he could have removed more officeholders and eliminated more offices than he had. In the end, the topic survived in the ad‑ dress only in the form of a passing reference to a reduction in the number of government offices as a factor in the lessening of expenditures. Topics that he had not included in the original sketch outline but introduced early in the drafting process, including religion and Louisiana, carried through to the fin‑ ished address after scrutiny by the members of the cabinet.

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EDITORIAL NOTE  Jefferson struggled with the two additional “Genl. topics” that appear in Document i, “Philosophy” and “licentiousness of press.” When he wrote in the “Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address” that the speech would center on his fulfillment of the principles on which he had been elected in 1801 (Document xii), he did not have in mind a simple tallying of his administration’s successes. He was, rather, judging from the results and from what we can see of the drafting process, intent on explaining himself in the face of persistent political opposition. By “Philosophy” he meant reasoned thought and rational inquiry—what we might characterize as Enlightenment thinking. Prior to his election as president, he had railed against statements by Federalists, including John Adams, who appeared to scorn innovation and declare, in Jefferson’s paraphrasing, that “it is not probable that any thing better will be discovered than what was known to our fathers” (Vol. 31:128‑9). His political opponents perpetually decried him in print as a “phi‑ losopher” and one who had no respect for the established order of things. Why he would feel such a need in March 1805 to respond to that current is not clear. In the “Notes on a Draught,” he gave the issue acute importance, stating that “every respecter of science, every friend to political reformation must have observed with indignation the hue & cry raised against philosophy, & the rights of man.” He saw a danger that philosophy and natural rights “would be overborne, & barbarism, bigotry & despotism would recover the ground they have lost by the advance of the public understanding.” He felt it was important to say something about the “anti‑social doctrines,” yet “not to commit myself in direct warfare on them” (Document xii). His solution was to discuss the topic only in reference to Native American society. In the address, the “Anti‑Philosophists” who opposed innovative thinking and clung to “a sanctimonious reverence for the customs of their ancestors” were Indi‑ ans opposed to progress and change (Document xiii). His purpose in writing the “Notes on a Draught” was to explain his han‑ dling of this topic. He likely meant the undated “Notes,” written sometime after he had finished writing the address, to be part of his personal record of the politics of his era. If so, the document has kinship to his January 1804 notes of conversations with Aaron Burr and Benjamin Hichborn (Vol. 42:226‑7, 346‑9) and other personal memorandums on political topics, including his notes from the time of George Washington’s cabinet that Thomas Jefferson Randolph named the “Anas” (tjr, 4:443‑523). Recognizing that his treat‑ ment of the topic of “Philosophy” in the address was unorthodox, he appar‑ ently wrote the “Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address” to memorialize the decision for his ongoing record of his own times. He made the decision during the drafting process, as shown by Madison’s and Gallatin’s remarks, for in the draft they saw, resistance to change was associated with Native American society (Documents vii‑viii). When Jef‑ ferson created Document iv, his initial assembly of pieces of the draft, he included brief notes on three published works: in Marco Lastri’s Corso di agricoltura he found remarks on innovation and improvements in agricul‑ ture; from the Comte de Ségur’s History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II he took an extract on resistance of the Catholic Church to new knowledge; and from David Williams’s Claims of Literature he made notations “that science disqualifies men for the direction of the public affairs of the nation is one of the artful dogmas of ignorance & bigotry” and about

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS “the action & counteraction of knolege & ignorance.” Jefferson’s notes from Williams’s book also included references relating to the response to be made by a government to criticism, which connects to his “licentiousness of press” topic, and so it is not certain if Jefferson, as he worked on Document iv, had yet determined to limit his remarks on “Philosophy” to the section on Native Americans. He had at least made a decision to discuss innovation and change in that part of the address. Immediately below the reading notes in Docu‑ ment iv he drafted a piece (“3. f.”) that he did not label as pertaining to In‑ dians but which surely did, for in it he framed innovation in terms of eating acorns instead of embracing the “innovation of bread” and he mentioned re‑ sistance to technology such as mills and plows. He used a phrase taken from his notes on Williams’s book just above: “counteraction of knolege & igno‑ rance.” He also used wording that appeared in modified form in the part of the finished address relating to Native Americans, including “a sanctimonious reverence for antient & steady habits” and “they too have their Antiphiloso‑ phists.” He made at least a beginning, by Document iv, of latching the topic of “Philosophy” to his comments about native peoples. The expression “steady habits” is associated with the state of Connecticut. Jefferson’s use of it signals that in Document iv he was at least experiment‑ ing with the idea of using Native Americans as proxies for comments about Federalists’ opposition to his ways of thinking. He considered Connecticut to be the strongest holdout against Democratic‑Republican principles (see for example his letter to William Heath of 13 Dec. 1804). “Steady habits” or some variant of the phrase was in the draft that he first circulated to the members of the cabinet, as shown by a remark by Gallatin on the section on Indians: “the allusion to old school doctrines & to New England habits ap‑ pears to me inexpedient” (Document viii). Gallatin was baffled by the inclu‑ sion of a discussion of innovation and resistance to change in that section of the address. Jefferson stuck to his intention to make “Philosophy” a topic in the address and to make the section on Indians the platform for it. But he altered the phrase that had pointed to New England, and in the end dis‑ guised his purpose. Jefferson also struggled and held firm to another of the topics first marked for discussion, the “licentiousness” of the press. He did not use that word in Document iv, but it is in the finished address (Document xiii). In Document iv he first applied another term, the “artillery of the press,” and he unleashed his own barrage, a salvo of words: “malice,” “treason,” “calumnies,” “false‑ hood & defamation.” Jefferson regularly received aggressive press attacks from the Federalists, and it is impossible to pinpoint a single trigger for his evident anger in this section. The New-England Palladium had leveled a front page series of attacks on him in January, which had caused quite a stir and likely remained on his mind during the drafting process. He had strug‑ gled with the role of the press throughout his presidency, and his drafting process reveals the competing notions of the press as a tool for government accountability or as a forum for divisive misinformation (New-England Palladium, 18 Jan.; Isaac Story to TJ, 8 Feb.) Jefferson acknowledged that public officials need oversight. In the draft‑ ing process, he struggled with how to best express this, referring first to a “Censor on the public functionaries” that, writing with freedom, could warn “against deviations from the line of duty” (Document ii), later to “watchmen

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EDITORIAL NOTE over every branch of government,” (Document vi), and last to an opposition that would practice “censorial functions” (see the second part of Document vi). In Documents ii and vi, Jefferson implied that the role of censor on government could be played either by the people at large, who monitor pub‑ lic officials by thinking freely and voting accordingly, or by the press, which could print the truth and hold public officials accountable. Carrying through the full drafting process is Jefferson’s belief that the press violated its sacred duty as a watchman by attacking Jefferson’s person and administration. In Document ii, this is “violations of truth and decency.” In Document iv, he detailed the printing of “every thing which malice could inspire, fancy invent, falshood advance, & ridicule and insolence dare,” which could undermine the confidence of the people in their government. Printers, Jefferson argued, needed to be held accountable for disseminat‑ ing dishonest or licentious information. Leonard Levy’s 1963 critical inter‑ pretation of the president, Jefferson and Civil Liberties: The Darker Side, laid out the development of Jefferson’s thought process on printing and freedom. Levy tied Jefferson’s beliefs to an English or common‑law interpretation of press freedom, in which printers were free from advance censorship or licens‑ ing acts but could be prosecuted after the fact for abusing that freedom to express seditious libels, licentious opinions, or malicious falsehoods. That phi‑ losophy held strong in the second inaugural, where Jefferson seemed to admit that the press should be free from prior restriction, but held accountable by state laws (mentioned in Documents ii, iv, and xiii) and public indignation (Documents ii, iv, vi, and xiii). Jefferson had long struggled with opposi‑ tion. According to Levy, Jefferson’s “threshold of tolerance for hateful politi‑ cal ideas was less than generous.” He would rhetorically defend free speech, but “in favor of the liberty of his own political allies or merely in abstract propositions,” while in practice “he found it easy to make exceptions when the freedom of his enemies was at stake.” By 1805 this view already contrasted with that held by a growing number of members of his own party, who em‑ braced a newer libertarian ethos that opposed prosecutions for seditious libel, only supporting libel and slander prosecutions to protect the reputations of private individuals against malicious falsehoods (Leonard W. Levy, Jefferson and Civil Liberties: The Darker Side [Cambridge, Mass., 1963; reprint, Chi‑ cago, 1989], 44, 49, 51‑3). Seemingly in line with that new ethos of free speech, in Document iv Jef‑ ferson indicated that he had intentionally allowed for the press to be com‑ pletely unshackled—even largely from state‑level reprisal—as an experiment to see whether “freedom of discussion” could be “sufficient for the propaga‑ tion & protection of truth,” and whether the government, “conducting itself with fidelity & zeal,” could be defeated by printed “falsehoods & atrocities.” In Document xiii, he admitted that “public duties more urgent press on the time of public servants,” leaving offenders “to find their punishment in the public indignation.” But he kept most of the language about an honest gov‑ ernment and an experiment in free speech. By the time he drafted Document iv, Jefferson had settled on the voting public holding the role of watchman over both the public officials and the press. In Document ii, he first expressed that with an “enlightened & just estimate,” the people can consign the licentious presses “to oblivion.” In Document iv he expanded this, writing that the public, by remaining “cool

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS & collected” and seeing through the “falsehoods & atrocities,” could hold the press accountable by endorsing embattled public officials through the me‑ dium of elections. The credit to the people for resisting the machinations of the press carried into the final version (Document xiii), where he retained the language about his “cool, & collected” fellow citizens holding the press accountable with the “Censorship of Public Opinion.” Of course, he clarified that he still thought that “the laws provided by the states against false & de‑ famatory publications” should be enforced. The concept of a public censor on government was largely downplayed in the final draft, where Jefferson instead lauded his “fellow citizens” who, “by the weight of public opinion, influence and strengthen the public measures.” Carrying through the majority of the drafting process was Jefferson’s unwa‑ vering faith in the people for reelecting him, ultimately granting vindication to his administration. He continued to use the idea of a national “union of senti‑ ment” to depict hardened opposition as an anomaly and the worst Federalist printers as a numerically small holdout of false and backwards thought. His reelection proved that the majority of American citizens supported the ad‑ ministration’s actions and remained immune to licentious printers’ influence. Gallatin took issue with the presentation of the press in the draft he re‑ viewed (see Document viii). He suggested that it would be preferable to “suppress all which may be considered as expressions of personal feelings,” although he did agree that press dishonesty and “licentiousness” lessened journalism’s usefulness to society. The section on the press, he informed the president, was “susceptible of improvement.” Despite Gallatin’s comments, Jefferson kept his attack on the “artillery of the press,” but incorporated Gallatin’s caution to shy away from personal feelings, instead accusing the press of attacking “us,” the administration and the “union of sentiment” as a whole (Document xiii). When he had the address in the form he wanted, Jefferson used his poly‑ graph to help him make multiple copies and submitted the final text to Sam‑ uel Harrison Smith for printing. Several last‑minute changes were made after Jefferson drafted the finished address. Many were incorporated into Smith’s copy, and others were added to both copies via editorial marks. Even with the corrections, Jefferson continued adjusting the address until the eleventh hour, submitting a few changes to Smith after he sent along the full draft (see Document xv). Jefferson had the copy for publication in Smith’s hands early enough for it to be published in the National Intelligencer as a supplement on 4 Mch., the day on which the address was given. It occupied the front page two days later and was published in Smith’s Universal Gazette on 7 Mch. The address rapidly circulated through the states after Smith’s printing, with many newspapers publishing the speech in full. William Plumer de‑ parted Washington for Baltimore on a mail stage late the night before the inauguration, but he noted that the address was handed out on the Baltimore streets “in the course of an hour” after the speech was delivered in Washing‑ ton. “I have no doubt,” he wrote, “that it was printed long before I left Wash‑ ington & was bro’t to Baltimore in the same stage that brought me.” The American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser of Baltimore printed the speech in full on the 5th, with the editor noting that the print had reached the Bal‑ timore office by a late night express, allowing the editors to “experience a peculiar satisfaction, in being enabled, by anticipating the mail, thus early to

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EDITORIAL NOTE present it to their numerous patrons.” The full address was printed in the Alexandria Expositor on 6 Mch., with the printer explaining that they al‑ ready distributed the speech as a handbill but included it in the newspaper “for the benefit of our country subscribers.” The Washington Federalist also printed the address on the 6th. It took slightly more than two weeks for the address to travel up and down the east coast. It had reached Relfs Philadelphia Gazette by the 7th, the Enquirer of Richmond and the Republican Advocate of Fredericktown, Maryland, by the 8th, the Mirror of the Times of Wilming‑ ton and the Richmond Virginia Gazette by the 9th, the Boston Independent Chronicle on the 14th, the Charleston City Gazette and Daily Advertiser on the 15th, and the Eastern Argus of Portland on the 22nd. The Boston Democrat filled the front page of the 16 Mch. paper with the address and also advertised the sale of a broadside printed on white satin. It was printed in German in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, on the 23rd, and had reached the Louisiana Gazette by 12 Apr. (Noble E. Cunningham, Jr., The Inaugural Addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 1801 and 1805 [Columbia, Mo., 2001], 89‑90; Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 315). While some printers were content to reproduce the address with mini‑ mal commentary, a number of local editorials—Republican and Federalist— wrapped the text in either praise or condemnation, usually in line with the paper’s party affiliation. In the 6 Mch. National Intelligencer, Samuel Harri‑ son Smith praised the address for announcing “the continuance of those pure principles of republicanism, which four years ago recommended Thomas Jefferson to the suffrages of a free people.” Extolling Jefferson for abusing “none of the powers which this confidence conferred,” Smith lauded Jeffer‑ son’s sentiments, which were in “the cause of human rights, and for the dig‑ nity of human nature, convictions of the superiority of republican over all other institutions.” The Alexandria Expositor of the same day accompanied the fully printed address with a summary and commentary on the key points, which praised Jefferson for “the application of sound practice” to achieve “the correct principles laid down” in his first inaugural address. The Worces‑ ter National Aegis of 20 Mch. commended Jefferson for directing the address to the “great body of the people.” It also supported Jefferson’s complaints about the press, adding a section on the “base and abominable slanders which have been belched forth against himself and his administration,” say‑ ing that in his remarks, the president “preserved the elevation of his charac‑ ter, while he expressed the honest indignation of his soul.” The Alexandria Expositor picked up on Jefferson’s critique of the anti‑ philosophers in America, commenting on the “present state of the Indians,” among whom, the writer claimed, “are to be found the same sanctimonious attention to long established prejudices and unmeaning forms, the same dread of innovation and of reformation that has been employed so successfully to keep down the rising spirit of freedom in many of the European nations.” The article did not directly mention Federalists but leveled criticism at previ‑ ous president John Adams, contrasting his visions for America with those of newly re‑inaugurated Jefferson. The Fredericktown, Maryland, Republican Advocate likewise praised Jefferson and preceded the printed speech with a point‑by‑point summary, as “a more candid and affectionate Speech never fell from the lips of a public Magistrate” (8 Mch.). The National Aegis picked up on Jefferson’s jab at the Federalist Party in the section that purported to

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS be about Native Americans. “We can scarcely conceive a more just and poi‑ gnant satire on the haughty and unbending disciples of the ‘Old School’ among ourselves,” the editors wrote. They linked Jefferson’s anti‑innovation comments directly to developments in New England, especially Connecticut, noting that “the same cowardly or designing policy, which fears or pretends to fear, danger in every change, prevails on the banks of the Connecticut and on the banks of the Ohio.” Pushing the analogy further, they argued that the Native American tomahawk “will be relinquished with as much reluctance as any relict of superstition, either of manners or religion, in a state of civi‑ lized society. The habits of savage life are as hard to eradicate, as the ‘steady habits’ enjoined by the Blue laws.” They called on the president’s opponents to read the address and take Jefferson’s principles to heart. The Republican Farmer of Danbury echoed that sentiment, saying that his rhetoric “applies so well to our Connecticut federalists, that some of them have suspected the President had them in his eye at the very time.” The editors argued that In‑ dian “chiefs” and “powows” are “leagued together” like Connecticut office‑ holders and clergymen, stating that both “fear a change, not because the common people might suffer by it, but because they might lose their offices and influence.” They asserted that the “narrow and illiberal hatred to im‑ provement and reformation, wherever it is prevalent, whether in the wigwam or the farmhouse, has a direct tendency to perpetuate barbarism, ignorance and tyranny” (3 Apr.). On the other side of the political aisle, the New-York Evening Post attacked Jefferson’s references to his conscience and morality. The critical piece al‑ leged that “in spite of all his bravadoes, he is an Hypocrite twelve hours out of the four‑and‑twenty.” The editors criticized Jefferson for giving a second inaugural address at all “without any precedent for it, and without any ap‑ parent reason but that of ingratiating himself with the people, and exhibiting a sort of defence against those severe but just animadversions which have been made upon his conduct.” The article picked apart Jefferson’s “con‑ science,” claiming that he improperly proclaimed his own justness, and la‑ mented the “numbers of war‑worn veterans who have been driven by him from their bread in the winter of life for their political principles” (20 Mch.). The Washington Federalist expressed similar sentiments, asserting that Jefferson chose not to make any new promises in this address as they “might again subject him to the inconvenience of having them contrasted with his actions.” The article condemned Jefferson’s claims to conscience and, like the Evening Post, attacked him for the dismissals of Federalists from offices. The editors also took issue with Jefferson’s tax section and particularly his claim that farmers, mechanics, and laborers would be free of taxation, “for it mat‑ ters not to them, whether they give the money to the merchant who pays it to the tax‑gatherer or to the tax‑gatherer himself.” And, as frequently leveled at Jefferson, the Washington Federalist lambasted him for complaining about the licentious press in light of his former collaboration with James Callender (13 Mch.). Personal reactions similarly adhered to party divisions. William Plumer accused Jefferson of hypocrisy: “his Conscience tells him he has on every oc‑ casion acted up to the declaration contained in his former inaugural speech. In that address he explicitly condemned political intolerance—declared all were federalists, all were republicans—Yet in a few days after that, he removed

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EDITORIAL NOTE many deserving men from office, because they were federalists.” He also criti‑ cized Jefferson as imprudent for “explicitly censuring & condemning former Administrations & lavishing encomiums on himself for effecting a discon‑ tinuance of the Internal Revenues,” and for his expansive complaints about abuse by the press: “One would have thought that Mr. Jefferson after having hired such infamous wretches as Freneau, Bache, Duane, Callender, Payne & others, to defame villify & calumniate, Washington, Adams, & their associates— he would not have complained of news paper publications!” But even Plumer admitted that Jefferson “has his talents—& those of the popular kind,” since it was an important practice for him to “never pursue a measure if it becomes unpopular” (Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 315‑16). John Tyler expressed the opposite view in a letter to Jefferson, writing that “without flattery,” the address “adds a Lustre to the whole of your Life if any thing cou’d be necessary to highten your public Character.” He anticipated that any who continued to oppose Jefferson’s administration must see the “soundness of the reasoning, and the temper and philanthropy with which it is express’d,” and it would “have the happyest effect on every person not so vicious as to persist in Spite of Light and truth in a perverse Opinion.” Jefferson replied with appreciation, reiterating to Tyler that “performance” was “the proper office of the second” inaugural, in contrast to “profession and promise” in the first. He also humbly held that he was restricted to “only the most prominent heads” and the “strongest justifications.” He again brought up the defense that he used in Document xii, that “the crusade preached against philosophy by the modern disciples of steady habits” led him to dis‑ cuss the subject in regard to Native Americans longer “than the subject oth‑ erwise justified” (John Tyler to TJ, 17 Mch. 1805; TJ to Tyler, 29 Mch.). Soon after Americans had a chance to react to the address, European pub‑ lishers began to circulate the printed speech. By 17 Apr., shortly after the address had reached the frontier of the United States in Louisiana, the Lon‑ don Times printed the full text. Several other newspapers in Britain reprinted the speech. The first paragraph was translated into French and the rest sum‑ marized in the Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel of Paris on 23 Apr. Lafayette commented to Madison that the address had “Speedily Enough Been Received in paris,” and he wrote to Jefferson that it was well suited “to the Wares of this part of the World, and of Course to the feelings of those Who Can not Give Up the Hope of its final Enfranchisement.” He later com‑ plained that while the English‑language Argus printed the address in full, most Parisian papers “impudently Curtailed and Altered” it. He hoped that a translation that was in progress would be distributed. Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours also read Jefferson’s “admirable” speech in Paris. The ad‑ dress reached William Jarvis in Lisbon, who wrote that it must please any American who “has not the interest of his party more at heart than the wel‑ fare of his Country.” He compared Jefferson’s wit to “a new smooth razor, which cuts to the heart before the subject is aware that the wound is inflicted.” But Jarvis cautioned that Jefferson was destroying his enemies “with two & forty pounders” after they had hurled “pellets of mud,” which he feared might “be considered as taking too great an advantage of your superior pow‑ ers.” Jefferson personally sent Philip Mazzei a copy a few days after the in‑ auguration. Mazzei had already seen a print version from an unspecified Boston newspaper and created a translation. He passed a copy along to Adam

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS Czartoryski in Russia and the prelate Antonio Martini, Archbishop of Flor‑ ence. Versions of the address were printed in Altona‑Hamburg and Cologne later in April, and it was described in additional German‑speaking states in the ensuing months (Cunningham, The Inaugural Addresses of President Thomas Jefferson, 97‑101; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:276; Mar‑ gherita Marchione and others, eds., Philip Mazzei: Selected Writings and Correspondence, 3 vols. [Prato, Italy, 1983], 3:384‑7; Lafayette to TJ, 22 Apr. and 1 May 1805; Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours to TJ, 23 Apr.; William Jarvis to TJ, 15 May; TJ to Mazzei, 10 Mch.; Mazzei to TJ, 20 July and 12 Sep.). Jefferson’s meticulous drafting process was not understood previously, and despite the widespread circulation of the text in 1805 the second inau‑ gural address has received significantly less scholarly attention than his first address. Henry Adams’s 1890 history of the Jefferson administration re‑ marked that the address “roused neither the bitterness nor the applause which greeted the first,” and while Dumas Malone’s multivolume work de‑ voted most of seven pages to the inauguration, he admitted that Samuel Chase’s acquittal “was far more dramatic” and Aaron Burr’s exit from the vice presidency was “much more moving than the re‑entry of the President.” Jon Meacham tackled Jefferson’s second inauguration in less than a page. The address has drawn more attention from scholars of Jefferson’s public presentation and expression of executive authority, but it remains secondary to his first address. In spite of his laborious attempt to “discountenance” the opposition to “philosophy” and to make a statement about the opposition press, Jefferson recognized, as he wrote in his “Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address,” that “the nature of the occasion requires that detail should be avoided.” He used the address to make his case for the per‑ formance of his earlier promises and to lay out a foundation for governing performance in a second term (Adams, History of the United States of America during the Second Administration of Thomas Jefferson, 2 vols. [New York, 1890], 1:1; Malone, Jefferson, 5:3; Meacham, Thomas Jefferson: The Art of Power [New York, 2012], 408; Jeremy D. Bailey, Thomas Jefferson and Executive Power [Cambridge, Eng., 2007], 213‑20; Document xii).

I. Topics for Inaugural Address [before 8 Feb. 1805]

Genl. topics the advantages of a peaceful system. that if once our debt is paid & taxes liberated, the surplus (after supportg. govmt) will supply an‑ nual exp. of war so that no other tax need ever be laid. removals from office. Philosophy licentiousness of press. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 234:41878); in TJ’s hand; undated; Documents iii and v are on reverse side of same sheet.

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II. Partial Draft [before 8 Feb. 1805]

h. 11. I am happy in observing the union1 of sentiment which has taken place in the great mass of our country, with some2 local exceptions only. the union of sentiment is now as general as can3 be expected among a people having the right to think speak & write with freedom: & perhaps as is desirable,4 some difference of opinion being useful as it assumes5 the office of Censor on the public functionaries &6 warns them against de‑ viations from the line of duty. if violations7 of truth & decency8 sometimes offend the public eye, the laws of the states are suf‑ ficient for their punmt: but perhaps the9 enlightened & just es‑ timate which the public is able to make of these outrages10 is the most efficacious agent for consigning them to oblivion Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 128:22128); in TJ’s hand; undated, but prior to Madi‑ son’s remarks on full draft received 8 Feb.; on same sheet as unrelated notes for draft of 1801 annual message, [before 12 Nov. 1801], and notes for draft of 1803 annual message, [before 1 Oct. 1803]. 1 Word interlined in place of “consoli‑ dation.” 2 Word interlined. 3 TJ here canceled “perhaps.”

4 Word interlined in place of “useful, a certain degree of.” 5 Word interlined in place of “per‑ forms.” 6 TJ here canceled “keeps them alive to.” 7 Word interlined in place of “outrages.” 8 Word interlined above “decorum,” which TJ did not cancel. 9 TJ here canceled “public indignation.” 10 Word interlined above “indecencies,” which TJ did not cancel.

III. Partial Draft [before 8 Feb. 1805]

4. e.

The free exercise of religion being placed by the constitution independant of the powers of the Genl. govmt, the acts of fast‑ ing praying, thanksgiving, and the times, manner, and matter thereof, are religious exercises, which if free1 from us must nei‑ ther be prescribed nor controuled by us: I have left them there‑ fore as the constn found them,2 under the direction3 of the state or church authorities acknoleged by4 the several sects.

Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 234:41878); in TJ’s hand; undated, but prior to Madi‑ son’s remarks on full draft received 8 Feb.; on reverse side of same sheet as Document i; Document v follows on same sheet.

1 TJ interlined and canceled “from the Genl. govmt as the constn provides.” 2 TJ first wrote “being religious exer‑ cises, which to be left free must neither be prescribed nor restrained by it: but must be left as it was before that instrument

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS was formed” before altering the passage in stages to read as above.

 3 Word interlined above “discipline,” which TJ did not cancel. 4 TJ here canceled “every sect.”

IV. Partial Draft b.

2. c.

[before 8 Feb. 1805]

 In the transaction of your forn. affairs we have endeavd to cultivate the frdshp of all nations & especially of those with whom we have the most importt. relations: we have endeavored to evince by our conduct that we do justice1 on all occasions, and frdly offices where our duty to others will permit that peace and happiness are our first objects, and mutual exchanges of superfluities as a great means thereto, promoted by us on fair & equal terms.2 At home you best know f. c. whether we have done well or ill.3 the suppression of unnecessary4 offices & of un‑ necessary expences enabled us to suppress unnecessary taxes, & especially those collected internally which covd. the face of our5 country with tax‑gatherers & exhibited already the appearance of countries6 far advanced in the unfortunate process of feeding the many in idleness on the labours of the few. these f. c. we have now done away, and tho with7 those taxes which all felt, some inconsider‑ able ones which affected the rich alone fell in the common ruin. but these could not have been contind without con‑ tinuing the breed of locusts which would always have been in readiness to spread themselves over your fields. at this day I may confidently ask what farmer or mechanic ever sees the face of a taxgatherer? our contributions8 are now9 collected in the seaport towns only. they are levied on the consumption of foreign articles, consequently on those alone who are sufficiently at their ease to afford themselves foreign luxuries in addition to domestic pro‑ ductions. an economical admn of these has enabled us to support the currt expences of government, to fulfill con‑ tracts with foreign nations, to10 extinguish native rights of soil within our former limits, to enlarge those limits, and to apply still a large surplus to the discharge of our public debt, so as to11 bring within a short period it’s com‑ pleat & final extinction and to12 leave a revenue liberated  640 

4 MARCH 1805

from all burthen, [hypothecation] growing with your growth sufficient to meet13 within the year every possible future exigency, and to render unnecessary any other fu‑ ture tax. a rigorous adherence to economy, and avoiding useless institutions, will enable you for ever to exclude the evils of internal taxn, which like a wedge when once entered will force it’s own way, and take from the la‑ bourer the whole earnings of his industry.   I14 do not f. c. arrogate these things to myself. they are the15 conse‑ quences of wise laws made by your representatives, and executed with the aid of the able auxiliaries16 which these have enabled me to associate in the executive duties. see 1. Lastri. 34. the effects of the horror of innovation in Agri‑ culture. the plants which innovators have added to indigenous.  the improved processes in agriculture.  in mechanics what innovations. ‘Rome hurled her thunders against innovators; princes armed for the defence of ignorance & superstition; scaf‑ folds flowed with the blood of men17 rash enough to think the pope not infallible, that the sun did not move round the earth, and sorcerers were burnt.’ 2. Segur. 67. ⎧ that science disqualifies men for the direction of the pub‑ ⎪ ⎪ lic18 affairs of the nation is one of the artful dogmas of ⎪ ⎪ ignorance & bigotry important to them as affording some Williams’s ⎪ means of competition. ⎪ Claims of ⎨ the action & counteraction of knolege & ignorance literature ⎪⎪ all govmts which forbid their own examinn & criticism ⎪ ⎪ do, ipso facto, acknolege their injustice. ⎪ tho’ reputn be dearer than life, it’s punmt was left by the ⎪ ⎩ antients to public contempt 3. f. great efforts are made to inculcate a sanctimonious rever‑ ence for19 antient & steady habits, to persuade them that it is better to eat acorns in the ways of their fathers than to admit the innovation of bread to parch and bruise their grain than to let in the novelty of a mill to till the earth with a stick rather than admit the plough that ignorance is safety & knolege full of danger.20 in short my friends there are among them also is seen the action and counter‑ action of knolege & ignorance, they too have their Anti‑ philosophists, who find an interest in keeping things in their present state, who tell them it is safer21 to commit  641 

SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

4e 5d 6. g.

their reason & their interests into the hands of these pure & sinless teachers who will take more disinterested care of them than they will themselves. nor are these efforts without effect. they are able to retard for a while the ame‑ lioration of their condn. but light will at length break in from their more enlightened nbors: and the day is not very distant when adventuring to trust their reason they will become candidates for the benefits of art & industry & take their 22 stand in the line with their friends23 & breth‑ ren of the same land. religion Louisa. during this course of admn and in order to disturb it24 the artillery of the press has been levelled agt. myself person‑ ally, agt my executive associates, agt25 the members of the legislature, charged with every thing which malice could inspire,26 fancy invent, falshood advance, & ridicule & in‑ solence dare. treason itself has been in full activity, trying all it’s efforts to draw on us27 wars from abroad & disarm us by division at home & by destroying the confdce of the people in their govmt.  this might in a great degree have been repressed by inflicting the punmts provided by the laws of the several states agt. falsehood & defamation. but tho’ valuing char‑ acter as28 all do who deserve to possess it and particularly sensible to whatever might alienate the affections of my fellow citizens29 I thot it more important for them30 that the experiment should be fairly & fully tried how far whether freedom of discussion, unaided by coercion, is not sufficient for the propagation & protection of truth, and for 31 preserving the attamt.32 to a govmt conducting itself with fidelity & zeal, and doing no act which it would not be willing the whole world should witness. the experi‑ ment has been tried, and we must say a scene has been exhibited such as never before was seen in any nation civilized or savage. but our fellow citizens remained cool & collected. they saw the spirit from which these false‑ hoods & atrocities proceeded. they adhered they gathered to their functionaries, & when the constn33 seated them in the tribunal called by their suffrages34 of election, they pronounced their sentence of approbn, honorable to those who had served them, & consolatory to35 those who be‑  642 

4 MARCH 1805

lieve that man may be trusted with the controul of his own affairs.36 the distinguished37 portion of these calumnies which were concentrated on me, rendered it necessary that I should once more put myself on my country for trial. that country has passed their verdict of acquittal, which has rendd future appeal to them38 unnecessary for me again to appeal to them (and will leave me free to indulge) or again to controul that wish for tranquility which na‑ ture & time render more & more desireable.  I shall proceed then to the duties with which my fellow citizens have again charged me.39 7

‘and to meet within the year every probable future con‑ tingency.’ not40 excepting even that of war. by the time the public debt is discharged, the revenue from import alone will be equal to the averaged annual expences of the revolutionary war. & no war need to us be more expen‑ sive than that. if, after that period, by an amendmt of the constn, Congress cd be authorised to apply the annual surplus of revenue to the construction of canals & other internal improvements, war would only produce a sus‑ pension of improvement, without bringing the necessity of either debt or new burthen.

✓a. 8.

 Proceeding f. c. to that qualificn which the constn re‑ quires before my entrance on the charge which has been again conferred on me, it is my duty to express the deep sense I entertain of this new proof of confidence from my fellow citizens at large,41 and the zeal with which it in‑ spires me42 is to conduct myself as may best satisfy their just expectations. on taking this station on a43 former oc‑ casion, I laid down the principles by which I44 believed it my duty to administer the affairs of our comwealth.45  The public act which placed me here was perfectly un‑ derstood to be a manifestation of the public will that a different course should be pursued in the admn of their affairs. it was of course to be expected that the person destined to the task of making that change would become the object of the concentrated dissatisfn of the leading persons in opposition to the change.46 altho’ the whole body of public officers with scarcely a solitary exception were of that opposition, yet47 removals for48 that cause did not extend to a tenth part of them. it was hoped that this  643 

SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

modern49 would have tended to conciliate the minds of all.50 with our fellow citizens at large that effect seems to have been produced; but not so with51 those who considd themselves as leaders. under their auspices the whole ar‑ tillery of the press &c Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 155:27135); in TJ’s hand, including brackets in text; un‑ dated, but prior to Madison’s remarks on full draft received 8 Feb. The previous March, Thomas Apple‑ ton had sent TJ a copy of Florentine ag‑ riculturist Marco lastri’s Corso di agricoltura (Lastri, Corso di agricoltura di un accademico georgofilo autore della Biblioteca georgica, 5 vols. [Florence, 1801‑03; Sowerby, No. 734]; Vol. 43:21). Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur (segur) had been a French diplomat in Russia and Prussia in the 1780s and 1790s, and TJ had received a copy of his History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II. King of Prussia from Caspar Wistar in June 1804. Here TJ quoted Ségur’s section on the decline of Rome, which in TJ’s English translation of Ségur read “Rome hurled her thunders against innovators; several princes armed for her defence, and scaffolds every where flowed with the blood of men rash enough to think, and to venture to say, that the Church was corrupt, that the Popes were not infallible, that the sun did not move round the earth, that the monkish chron‑ icles were absurd legends, and their exor‑ cisms imposture. Sorcerers, and those who would not believe in them, were alike burnt; the denial of indulgences was a crime; science was sacrilege, and doubt rebellion” (Ségur, History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II. King of Prussia [London, 1801; Sowerby, No. 267]; Vol. 43:75, 538). TJ had received David williams’s Claims of Literature from James Monroe in late 1803. The book, which advocated for the creation of a literary fund, evidently struck a chord with TJ, who drafted a long letter to Williams on 14 Nov. 1803. Here, he similarly reacted to Williams’s discussions of the interaction between sci‑ ence, intelligence, and public affairs, with shortened quotes of Williams’s original

language, which included: “The action and counter‑action of knowledge and ig‑ norance, of literature and warfare, and the fluctuations of principles, morals, and manners, in consequence of them, from the night which followed PLINY, to the morning which arose with BACON; from EPICTETUS to MONTAIGNE, and from PLUTARCH to LOCKE, would be more useful, than any development of cabinet intrigues, or any detail of military occurrences”; “All governments and all laws which forbid their own examination and criticism, do, ipso facto, acknowledge their injustice. Kings, priests, ministers, and magistrates, who prohibit all ques‑ tions on their conduct, do, by the prohibi‑ tion, confess they are tyrants or impos‑ tors”; and “Though a man’s reputation be his second life, often more his own, and dearer than the first; though general cal‑ umny, may be considered as the most detestable species of sacrilege; its punish‑ ment was left by the ancients to public contempt” (Claims of Literature: The Origin, Motives, Objects, and Transactions, of the Society for the Establishment of A Literary Fund [London, 1802; Sowerby, No. 3553], 30, 38; Vol. 41:725‑8). 1 Preceding two words interlined in place of “are just.” 2 TJ canceled this paragraph with a single diagonal stroke. 3 TJ interlined, then canceled, “At home it is unnecessary f. c. for me to repeat what you have seen.” 4 TJ here canceled “taxes.” 5 Word interlined in place of “the.” 6 TJ here canceled “already far ad‑ vanced in accumulated burthens, who placed under less happy circumstances and labouring under burthens accu‑ mulated by their predecessors.” 7 TJ here canceled “them indeed some insignificant.” 8 Passage from “the breed” to this spot interlined in place of partially canceled “the

 644 

4 MARCH 1805 locusts which were spreading over .” 9 Word interlined in place of “all.” 10 TJ here canceled “enlarge our limits.” 11 TJ here canceled “place it’s entire paiment within a.” 12 TJ here canceled “liberate your.” 13 Word interlined in place of “pay.” 14 TJ put an angled mark before this word, perhaps to indicate an intended paragraph break. 15 TJ here canceled “measures.” 16 Word interlined above “cooperators,” which TJ did not cancel. 17 TJ here canceled “who thought.” 18 Word interlined. 19 TJ here canceled “their.” 20 TJ first wrote “innovation of bread, that it is safest never to pass the bounds of their present ignorance:” before alter‑ ing the passage to read as above. 21 TJ first wrote “are among them also Antiphilosophists, who find an interest in keeping things in their present state, who tell them that they are their own worst enemies themselves, that it is safer.” 22 Preceding two words interlined in place of “will unite.” 23 TJ first wrote “in a line with us as friends.” 24 Preceding six words interlined. 25 TJ here canceled “my.” 26 TJ first wrote “ in order to disturb our course. every thing has been essayed which malice could inspire.” 27 Preceding three words interlined in place of “ involve us in war with our neighbors at home or our friends abroad. we have been represented as with‑ out energy.” 28 TJ here canceled “much as.”

 29 TJ interlined the text from “tho’ valu‑ ing” through this word. 30 Word interlined in place of “our country.” 31 TJ here canceled “the vindicn of.” 32 Word interlined above “affections,” which TJ did not cancel. 33 TJ here canceled “called them.” 34 Preceding five words interlined. 35 TJ here canceled “the friends of lib‑ erty inasmuch as” after interlining “for‑ mer” before “liberty.” 36 Angled marks in the margin of the MS may indicate a separation of the re‑ mainder of the paragraph. 37 TJ here canceled “share of.” 38 Preceding four words interlined above “it,” which TJ did not cancel. 39 TJ first wrote “I shall proceed then fellow citizens to the duties with which you have again charged me.” 40 Before this word TJ canceled “I say.” 41 Preceding two words interlined. 42 TJ here canceled “to continue.” 43 Word interlined in place of “the.” 44 TJ here canceled “should endeavor.” 45 Preceding six words interlined in place of “conduct myself.” TJ canceled this paragraph with a single diagonal stroke. 46 TJ here canceled “ altho’ the ex‑ treme moderation exercised towards.” 47 Above this word TJ interlined “few were.” 48 TJ here canceled “difference of po‑ litical.” 49 That is, “moderation.” 50 TJ first wrote “would have concili‑ ated the minds of all.” 51 TJ here canceled “the late leaders of the.”

V. Partial Draft [before 8 Feb. 1805]

When it was vain to deny that our measures were good, they resorted to motives, & alledged they proceeded1 from bad motives.2 the taxes they admitted were unnecessary, but we did not suppress them be‑ cause they were unnecessary, but because it would be popular. to the public however this question is of no importance. whether their agents do good, because they are good, or because it will please their  645 

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constts. is unimportant. whether we are popular because we3 are honest, or act honestly that we may be popular is of no consequence to the public. for if their functionaries shall be honest, they will4 do good for conscience sake, if they have no conscience they will do good to be popular. so good will be done at all events. Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 234:41878); in TJ’s hand; undated, but prior to Madison’s remarks on full draft received 8 Feb.; written on same sheet as Document iii, with Document i on reverse.

1 TJ

here canceled “not.” here canceled “we took off tax.” 3 TJ here canceled “[. . .] do good.” 4 TJ here canceled “act honestly, if wicked they.” 2 TJ

VI. Partial Draft [before 8 Feb. 1805]

In the great mass of our country Middle Southern & Westward1 The progress towards a final consolidn of sentiment2 in matters of government3 has reached that ultimate term beyond which perhaps it is not desirable it should extend.4 that there should be some difference of opn, some opponents5 to the prevailing one is certainly wholsome.6 they are7 as watchmen over every department8 of the government, and serving voluntarily & at their own expence, they are more active and less costly checks9 than any constitution can contrive: experience will convince them10 that false alarms cease to give alarm and that truth alone will have effect, if left free then11 to exercise their office of censor thro the medrs. of the press12 they will become more useful in preserving purity of principle & of conduct in public officers, by dragging into light every departure from it than those who act with less suspicion13 tho’ with better intentions. In the other extremity of the union, the apparent div.ision is nearly equal but it is apparent only, not real. the mass of citizens thus think with us in matters of govmt, but14 are made to believe we do not think with them. facts however will at length pierce thro’ the veil under which they are covered15 by men whose views are very different from theirs. they will at length see that their brethren who constitute the great majority of the nation16 wish to direct all their efforts to the improvemt of our country & not to waste them in unnecessary wars; that they desire a govmt simple & attentive to it’s duties, not attempting to impose on their minds17 by a pomp and splendour which they must pay for, but commanding respect & obedience by their integrity, their justice and the exact performance of their duties,18 that their objects are to pay our debts, to keep the public burthens at their minimum,19 not to feed idlers on the  646 

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labor of others by creating useless offices, to have no order of men with privileges above others,20 to maintain equality of rights and that state of property equal or unequal which results to every man by his care and industry,21 and to enforce rigorous observance of 22 law and order. when these views are seen by them23 it is not in human nature that24 they should not approve & support them.25 in the mean time let us cherish them with affection & patience let us do them justice & more than justice in all competns of interest and we may note that truth, reason & their own interest will, at length prevail will gather them into the fold of their country & will complete that union of opin‑ ion which gives to a nation26 the benefit of all it’s strength. in further‑ ing these objects and such others for the public good as your wisdom shall propose, you may count on my27 zealous coopern. the progress towards a final consoldn of sentiment in matters of govmt in nearly the whole of the states28 has reached that ultimate term be‑ yond which perhaps it is not desireable it should extend.29 some op‑ position to the prevailing opinion by keeping it always at the bar of truth and30 reason may preserve it’s purity: the opponents will learn from experience that false alarms cease to give alarm, & that in per‑ forming their censorial functions truth alone will have effect. with this restraint and the use of a free press their jealousy of the public servts.31 may not be without use.32 in that portion of the union where public opn is still divided the work of reunion is still advancing33 with a slow but steady pace. facts will in time pierce thro the veil drawn over them, and our brethren there will see that the mass of their fellow citizens from whom they keep aloof think as they think, and desire what they desire; that all our efforts shall be directed to the improvemt of our country34 not wasted in war & folly: that our gov‑ ernmt shall be simple, commanding respect by it’s attention to duty, not by a pomp35 which they must pay for; to pay the public debt; to keep the public burthens at their minimum; to maintain equality of rights & that state of property equal or unequal which results to every one by36 his care & industry, and to enforce a rigorous observance of law and order. when &c. and in the remnant of the Union not yet entirely rallied to the same opn Dft (DLC: TJ Papers, 232:42034); in TJ’s hand; undated, but prior to Madi‑ son’s remarks on full draft received 8 Feb.; second part of text written with ori‑ entation of page reversed.

1 Text to this point interlined, being the final iteration of multiple canceled inser‑ tions, with text including “our union” and “extent of our country.” 2 Word interlined in place of “opinion.”

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SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS  3 TJ

here canceled: “in three fourths of the union has continued &.” 4 Word interlined in place of “go.” 5 Word interlined in place of “oppo‑ sition.” 6 Word interlined in place of “advan‑ tageous.” 7 Word interlined in place of “serve.” 8 Word interlined above “branch,” which TJ did not cancel. 9 TJ first wrote “expensive checks” and altered it to “costly censors” before alter‑ ing again to read as above. 10 TJ first wrote “and when experience shall have convinced them” before alter‑ ing the text to read as above. 11 TJ here canceled “to speak & to write.” 12 Text from “if left” to this point in‑ terlined. 13 TJ first wrote “dragging into public view those who depart from it than those acting with less suspicion” before alter‑ ing the passage to read as above. 14 TJ first wrote “and in the other part of the union, the difference of opinn in the citizens at large is apparent only, not real. they think in matters of govmt as we do, but.” 15 Preceding five words interlined in place of “drawn over them.” 16 Word interlined in place of “union.” 17 TJ first wrote “that they wish a govmt simple & attentive, not imposing on their minds.” 18 Preceding six words interlined in place of “their activity in duty.” 19 TJ here canceled: “to leave every one free to act but to the injury of another.” 20 TJ first wrote “not to multiply idlers on the labor of others by keeping up use‑

less offices, to leave every one free to speak, write & act not injuring another.” 21 TJ first wrote “which results from every man’s lawful acquisns.” 22 Preceding two words interlined in place of “obedience to.” 23 Preceding three words interlined in place of “palpable.” 24 TJ here canceled “our brethren.” 25 Preceding three words and ampersand interlined in place of “coalesce with us.” 26 TJ first wrote “in the mean time it is our duty to cherish them with affection & patience, to submit ourselves to priva‑ tions & sacrifices in order to do them on every occasion more than justice to gather them into the same fold, and to effect that union of opinion which renders a country invincible.” 27 TJ here canceled “candid concur‑ rence.” 28 Preceding six words interlined above “the great mass of our union,” which TJ did not cancel. 29 Word interlined. 30 Preceding two words interlined. 31 TJ first wrote “with this restraint their watchfulness over the public servts.” before altering the passage to read as above. 32 TJ here canceled “in those parts of.” 33 TJ first wrote “in that portion of the union where the public opin is more equally divided we may still rely the work of reunion is still also advancing” before altering the passage to read as above. 34 TJ here canceled “and.” 35 Word interlined above “splendour,” which TJ did not cancel. 36 Word interlined above “from,” which TJ did not cancel.

VII. James Madison’s Remarks on a Draft [8 Feb. 1805]

+

insert “thro’ the transactions of a portion of our Citizens whose intelligence & arrangements best shield them agst the abuses, as well as inconveniences incident to the col‑ lection” substitute  648 

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Religion—  “as religious exercises, could therefore be neither con‑ trouled nor prescribed by us. They have accordingly been left as the Constitution found them, under the direction & discipline acknowledged within the several States” Indians “no desire” instead of “nothing to desire” substitute  “who feeling themselves in the present order of things and fearing to become nothing in any other, inculcate a blind1 attachment to the customs of their fathers in op‑ position to every light & example which wd. conduct them into a more improved State of existence. But the day I hope is not2 distant when their prejudices will yield to their true interests & they will take their stand &c press— strike out from “their own affairs” last page— alter to—“views become manifest to them RC (DLC); entirely in Madison’s hand; undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 8 Feb. 1805 and “inaugural” and so recorded in SJL.

1 Madison here canceled “& stedfast.” He first wrote “attachment to the habits & traditions.” 2 Madison here canceled “far.”

VIII. Albert Gallatin’s Remarks on a Draft [12 Feb. 1805]

Louisiana— “that the acquisition may pay for itself before we are called on, & keep down the accruing interest” had, I think, be better omitted, or at least modified—It is rather going too far in saying that such event is probable—it is barely possible—  “the larger our association the less will it be shaken by local passions”—is not this doubtful & too generally expressed? Religion— may not another expression be substituted to that of sects? 1 I had rather not to particularise the acts of fasting pray‑ ing &. as things which ought not to be prescribed or controuled by the general government. The sentiment is certainly true; but it implies censure not only on pre‑ decessors, but on the State Governors, City Mayors &c. who, though they have no more authority under the States, than the President under the general Govern‑ ment, for that object, have nevertheless issued procla‑ mations of that kind.  649 

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Indians

 “the virtues” is too general; they have but a few—I think very few—As it relates to the moral causes which prevent their improvement, I think licentiousness to be the principal, and the consequent want of the social in‑ stitutions which establish & secure property & marriage to be the greatest obstacle to civilization. But supposing even the whole of what is stated on that subject in the speech to be correct, the allusion to old school doctrines & to New England habits appears to me inexpedient, and I would strike at least from “great efforts” to “same land”— Press— Would it not be better to suppress all which may be considered as expressions of personal feelings—say from “valuing characters” to “indignation” Yet, the idea that the licentiouness of the press lessens its usefulness should not be omitted. In the remainder of that article there is perhaps more said on the subject of the re‑election than is necessary— Those two heads Indians & Press appear to me susceptible of im‑ provement, & if the President should think it proper to expurge any considerable part will of course require some new modifications in the arrangement. For the same reasons which made me object to the general plan of the speech, I would suggest the propriety of dilating more on what is due, in the beneficial results of administration, to the legislative acts of Congress and to the people themselves both as electors of Congress & as influencing measures by the weight of public opinion. The more What has been done shall in the speech be ascribed to others than the executive, the less shall any imputation of self applause attach to it— RC (DLC); in Gallatin’s hand, with a notation by TJ (see note 1); undated; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received from the Trea‑ sury Department on 12 Feb. 1805 and “Inaugural” and so recorded in SJL.

1 TJ here wrote in pencil: “religious societies.”

IX. From Henry Dearborn Sir [13 Feb. 1805] Agreably to your request I have perused the enclosed, I am not capable of discovering any imperfection in the manner or matter. Your,s H. Dearborn  650 

4 MARCH 1805  RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Feb. 1805 and “Inaugural” and so recorded in SJL.

X. To Robert Smith Th:J. to mr. Smith Feb. 14. 05. Will you be so good as to give the inclosed a strict revisal, and to sug‑ gest on a separate paper any alterations which occur to you as for the better. the sooner you can return it the more thankfully will the kind‑ ness be acknoleged. RC (CtY, 1944); on verso of an address sheet with canceled “The President of the U. States” in Jacob Wagner’s hand; addressed: “The Secretary of the Navy.” Not re‑ corded in SJL.

XI. James Madison’s Remarks on a Draft [21 Feb. 1805]

Is the fact certain that the amt. of the internal taxes not objectionable in their nature would not have paid the Collectors? What is the amendment alluded to as necessary to a repartition of liberated revenues amg. the States in time of peace? page 3—“in any view” may be better than “in any event” that phrase having but just preceded. Instead of “acts of religious exercise suited to it [religion] “exercises suited to it” or some equivalent variation, is suggested RC (DLC); in Madison’s hand, including brackets in text; undated; endorsed by TJ as received from the State Department on 21 Feb. 1805 and “inaugl.” and so recorded in SJL.

XII. Notes on the Second Inaugural Address [February 1805?]

Notes on a Draught for a second inaugural Address. The former one was an exposition of the principles on which I thought it my duty to administer the government. the second then should naturally be a Compte rendu, or a statement of facts, shewing that I have conformed to those principles. the former was promise: this is performance. yet the nature of the occasion requires that detail  651 

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should be avoided; that the most prominent heads only should be selected, and these placed1 in a strong light but in as few words as possible. These heads are, Foreign affairs; Domestic do. viz. Taxes. Debts. Louisiana. Religion. Indians. the Press. none of these heads2 need any commentary but that of the Indians. this is a proper topic, not only to promote the work of humanising our citizens towards these people, but to conciliate to us the good opinion of Europe on the sub‑ ject of the Indians. this however might3 have been done in half the compass it here occupies. but every respecter of science, every friend to political reformation must have observed with indignation the hue & cry raised against philosophy, & the rights of man: and it really seems as if they would be overborne, & barbarism, bigotry & despo‑ tism would recover the ground they have lost by the advance of the public understanding. I have thought the occasion justified some dis‑ countenance of these anti‑social4 doctrines, some testimony against them. but, not to commit myself in direct warfare on them, I have thought it best to say what is directly applied to the Indians only, but admits by inference a more general extension. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25710); in TJ’s hand; undated. 1

Word interlined in place of “put.”

2

Word interlined. TJ first wrote “but this might” before altering the phrase. 4 Hyphenated word interlined. 3

XIII. Second Inaugural Address [before 4 Mch 1805]

Proceeding, fellow citizens, to that qualification which the consti‑ tution requires before my entrance on the charge again conferred on me, it is my duty to express the deep sense I entertain of this new proof of confidence from my fellow citizens at large, and the zeal with which it inspires me so to conduct myself as may best satisfy their just expectations. On taking this station on a former occasion, I declared the prin‑ ciples on which I believed it my duty to administer the affairs of our commonwealth. my conscience tells me I have, on every occasion acted up to that declaration, according to it’s obvious import, and to the understanding of every candid mind. In the transaction of your foreign affairs, we have endeavored to cultivate the friendship of all nations, & especially of those with which we have the most important relations. we have done them justice on all occasions; favor, where favor was lawful, & cherished mutual in‑  652 

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terests & intercourse on fair & equal terms. we are firmly convinced and we act on that conviction, that with nations, as with individuals, our interests, soundly calculated, will ever be found inseparable from our moral duties. and history bears witness to the fact, that a just na‑ tion is trusted on it’s word, when recourse is had to armaments and wars to bridle others. At home, fellow‑citizens, you best know whether we have done well or ill. the suppression of unnecessary offices, of useless establishments and expences, enabled us to discontinue our internal taxes. these cov‑ ering our land with officers, & opening our doors to their intrusions, had already begun that process of domiciliary vexation, which, once entered, is scarcely to be restrained from reaching successively every article of property & produce. if, among these taxes, some minor ones fell, which had not been inconvenient, it was because their amount would not have paid the officers who collected them: and because if they had any merit, the state‑authorities might adopt them instead of others less approved. The remaining revenue, on the consumption of foreign articles, is paid chiefly by those who can afford to add foreign luxuries to domes‑ tic comforts. being collected on our sea‑board and frontiers only, & incorporated with the transactions of our mercantile citizens, it may be the pleasure and the pride of an American to ask What farmer, what mechanic, what labourer ever sees a tax‑gatherer of the US.? these contributions enable us to support the current expences of the government, to fulfill contracts with foreign nations, to extinguish the native right of soil within our limits, to extend those limits, & to apply such a surplus to our public debts, as places at a short day their final redemption. and, that redemption once effected, the revenue thereby liberated1 may, by a just repartition of it among the states, & a corresponding amendment of the constitution, be applied, in time of peace, to rivers, canals, roads, arts, manufactures, education, & other great objects within each state. in time of war, if injustice by ourselves or others must sometimes produce war, increased as the same reve‑ nue will be by increased population & consumption, & aided by other resources reserved for that crisis, it may meet within the year all the expences of the year, without encroaching on the rights of future generations by burthening them with the debts of the past. War will then be but a suspension of useful works; & a return to a state of peace a return to the progress of improvement. I have said, fellow‑citizens, that the income reserved had enabled us to extend our limits. but that extension may possibly pay for itself, be‑ fore we are called on, & in the mean time may keep down the accruing  653 

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interest: in all events it will replace the advances we shall have made. I know that the acquisition of Louisiana has been disapproved by some, from a candid apprehension2 that the enlargement of our terri‑ tory would endanger it’s union. but who can limit the extent to which the federative principle may operate effectively? the larger our asso‑ ciation, the less will it be3 shaken by local passions. and in any view, is it not better that the opposite bank of the Missisipi should be settled by our own brethren & children than by strangers of another family? with which should we be most likely to live in harmony and friendly intercourse? In matters of Religion, I have considered that it’s free exercise is placed by the constitution independant of the powers of the general government. I have therefore 4 undertaken, on no occasion, to pre‑ scribe the 5 religious exercises suited to it: but have left them, as the constitution found them, under the direction & discipline of the state or church authorities acknoleged by the several religious societies. The Aboriginal inhabitants of these countries I have regarded with the commiseration their history inspires. endowed with the faculties & the rights of men, breathing an ardent love of liberty and inde‑ pendance, & occupying a country which left them no desire but to be undisturbed, the stream of overflowing population from other re‑ gions directed itself on these shores. without power to divert, or hab‑ its to contend against it, they have been overwhelmed by the current, or driven before it. now reduced within limits too narrow for the hunter‑state, humanity enjoins us to teach them agriculture & the domestic arts; to encourage them to that industry which alone can enable them to maintain their place in existence, & to prepare them in time for that state of society, which to bodily comforts adds the improvement of the mind & morals. we have therefore liberally fur‑ nished them with the implements of husbandry & houshold use; we have placed among them instructors in the arts of first necessity; and they are covered with the Aegis of the law against6 aggressors from among ourselves. But the endeavors to enlighten them on the fate which awaits their present course of life, to induce them to exercise their reason, follow it’s dictates, & change their pursuits with the change of circumstances, have powerful obstacles to encounter. they are combated by the hab‑ its of their bodies, prejudices of their minds, ignorance, pride, & the influence of interested & crafty individuals among them, who feel themselves something in the present order of things, and fear to be‑ come nothing in any other. these persons inculcate a sanctimonious reverence for the customs of their ancestors; that whatsoever they did  654 

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must be done through all time; that reason is a false guide, and to advance under it’s counsel in their physical, moral or political condi‑ tion is perilous innovation: that their duty is to remain as their creator made them, ignorance being safety, and knolege full of danger. in short, my friends, among them also is seen the action and counteraction of good sense and of bigotry. they too have their Anti‑Philosophists, who find an interest in keeping things in their present state; who dread reformation, and exert all their faculties to maintain the ascen‑ dancy of habit over the duty of improving our reason, & obeying it’s mandates.7 In giving these outlines, I do not mean, fellow citizens, to arrogate to myself the merit of the measures. that is due in the first place to the reflecting character of our citizens at large, who, by the weight of public opinion, influence and strengthen the public measures. it is due to the sound discretion with which they select from among them‑ selves8 those to whom they confide the legislative duties. it is due to the zeal & wisdom of the characters thus selected, who lay the foun‑ dations of public happiness in wholsome laws, the execution of which alone remains for others. and it is due to the able and faithful auxilia‑ ries, whose patriotism has associated them with me in the executive functions.9 During this course of administration, and in order to disturb it, the artillery of the Press has been levelled against us, charged with what‑ soever it’s licentiousness could devise or dare. these abuses of an in‑ stitution, so important to freedom and science, are deeply to be re‑ gretted, inasmuch as they tend to lessen it’s usefulness, and to sap it’s safety. they might perhaps10 have been corrected by the wholsome punishments reserved to, and provided by, the laws of the several states against falsehood & defamation. but public duties more urgent press on the time11 of public servants and the offenders have therefore been left to find their punishment in the public indignation. Nor was it uninteresting to the world, that an experiment should be fairly and fully made, Whether freedom of discussion, unaided by power, is not sufficient for the propagation and protection of truth? Whether a government, conducting itself in the true spirit of it’s constitution with zeal and purity, and doing no act which it would be unwilling the whole world should witness, can be written down by falsehood & defamation? the experiment has been tried. you have witnessed the scene. our fellow citizens looked on cool, & collected. they saw the latent12 source from which these outrages proceeded. they gathered around their public functionaries. and when the consti‑ tution called them to the decision by suffrage, they pronounced their  655 

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verdict,13

honorable to those who had served them, and consolatory to the friend of man, who believes that he may be trusted with the con‑ troul of his own affairs. No inference is here intended that the laws provided by the states against false & defamatory publications, should not be enforced. he who has time renders a service to public morals, & public tranquility, in reforming these abuses by the salutary coercions of the law. but the experiment is noted to prove that, since truth & reason have maintained their ground against false opinions, in league with false facts, the Press, confined to truth, needs no other legal14 restraint. the public judgment will correct false reasonings & opinions, on a full hearing of all parties; and no other definite line can be drawn between the inestimable liberty of the press, and it’s demoralising licentious‑ ness. if there be still improprieties which this rule would not restrain, it’s Supplement must be sought in the Censorship of Public opinion. Contemplating the union of sentiment now manifested so gener‑ ally, as auguring harmony & happiness to our future course, I offer to our country sincere congratulations. with those too, not yet rallied to the same point, the disposition to do so is gaining strength. facts are piercing through the veil drawn over them: & our doubting brethren will at length see that the mass of their fellow citizens, with whom they cannot yet resolve to act, as to principles & measures, think as they think, & desire what they desire. that our wish, as well as their’s, is, that the public efforts may be directed honestly to the public good: that peace be cultivated, civil & religious liberty unassailed, law & order preserved, equality of rights maintained, & that state of prop‑ erty, equal or unequal, which results to every man from his own in‑ dustry, or that of his fathers. when satisfied of these views, it is not in human nature that they should not approve & support them. in the mean time, let us cherish them with patient affection: let us do them justice and more than justice in all competitions of interest; & we need not doubt that truth, reason, & their own interests will at length prevail, will gather them into the fold of their country, & will com‑ pleat that entire union of opinion which gives to a nation the blessing of harmony & the benefit of all it’s strength. I shall now enter on the duties to which my fellow‑citizens have again called me, & shall proceed in the spirit of those principles which they have approved. I fear not that15 any motives of interest may lead me astray. I am sensible of no passion which could seduce me know‑ ingly from the path of justice. but the weaknesses of human nature, & the limits of my own understanding will produce errors of judg‑ ment sometimes injurious to your interests. I shall need therefore all  656 

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the indulgence which I have heretofore experienced from my con‑ stituents. the want of it will certainly not lessen with increasing years. I shall need too the favour of that being in whose hands we are: who led our fathers, as Israel of old, from their native land; and16 planted them in a country flowing with all the necessaries & comforts of life; who has covered our infancy with his providence, & our riper years with his wisdom & power: & to whose goodness I ask you to join in supplications with me, that he will so enlighten the minds of your servants, guide their councils, & prosper their measures, that whatso‑ ever they do shall result in your good, & shall secure to you the peace, friendship, & approbation of all nations. MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25711‑13); in TJ’s hand; undated, delivered 4 Mch. 1805. PoC (MeHi: Dearborn Papers). MS (DLC); in TJ’s hand; facsimile of TJ’s signature added at foot of text by Samuel Harrison Smith, who also num‑ bered the paragraphs in the margin and made additional markings probably for typesetters; one emendation in Smith’s hand (see note 10 below); printed in National Intelligencer, 6 Mch. Recorded in SJL as “Inaugural address.” 1 Word interlined in 2d MS in place of “limited.” 2 Word interlined in place of “fear.” 3 In 2d MS, TJ wrote the preceding two words over partially erased “be the.” 4 Here on 2d MS TJ canceled “on no occasi,” a copying error at the start of a new page. 5 TJ here canceled “[acts of].” 6 Here in MS and 2d MS, TJ canceled “the licentious violence of.” 7 In a copying error on the 2d MS, TJ started to copy the same paragraph again,

writing and then canceling “But the en‑ deavors to enlighten them on the fate which awaits their present course of life.” 8 Preceding two words interlined in place of “their own body.” TJ made this change before copying the 2d MS. 9 Word written over erased “[duties].” 10 Word interlined in place of “indeed.” Smith made this change on 2d MS (see Document xiv). 11 Preceding eight words written over an erased passage of approximately the same length, the final words of which were “time and attention.” 12 Here on 2d MS TJ canceled “spirit.” 13 Word interlined in place of “sentence.” TJ made this change before copying the 2d MS. 14 Word interlined. TJ made this change before copying the 2d MS. 15 Preceding four words written over an erasure. TJ made this change before copy‑ ing the 2d MS. 16 Word interlined in place of “who.” TJ made this change before copying the 2d MS.

XIV. Reading Copy of Second Inaugural Address [before 4 Mch. 1805]

Proceedg. f. c. to yt qualfcn ′ wch ye Constn1 reqres. befre. my en‑ trnce. on ye charge agn. conferd. on me † it is my duty t. exprss. ye deep sense I entertn. ′ of ys new2 proof of confidce. frm. my f. c. at large †  657 

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& ye zeal wth. whch. it inspires m. ′ s. t. condct. myslf. ′ as m. best satsfy yr just expectns. ″ on takg. ys station on a formr occn, ′ I declrd. ye princples. on wch. I belv.d. it m. duty ′ t. admr. ye affrs. of our comweth. ″ my conscnce. tells me, ′ I hve. on evry. occn, ′ actd. up t. yt decln, † acordg. t. it’s obvs. imprt. & t. ye undstdg. of evry. candid mind. ″ In ye transctn. of yr forn. affrs. ′ w. hve endeavd. t. cultvte ye frdshp. of al natns. † & especly. of yos wth whch. we hve ye mst importt relations. ″ w. hve dne. ym justce. on al ocns; favr whre favr. ws. lawfl. & chersh.d. mutl intersts. & intercrse on fair & equal terms. ″ w. r firmly. convnc.d. & w. act on yt convctn. yt wth natns. as wth. indivd.ls or. intsts. soundly. calcld wll. evr b. fnd. inseprb. frm or morl. duties & histy. bears witnss. t. ye fact yt a just natn. is trustd. on it’s wrd. whn. recrse is hd t. armamts. & wars t. bridle others. ″ At home f. c. you best know ′ whethr. w. hve done well or ill. ″ ye supresn. of unnecs.ry. ofics. ′ of uselss. establmts & expencs. ′ enabld. us t. discontnue. or internl. txes. ″ yse covr.g. our lnd. wth officrs. ′ & openg. or dors t. yr intrusns. ′ hd. alread. begn. yt procss of domicily. vextn. † wch. once entd. is scarcely t. b. restrnd. ′ frm reachg. sucesvly. evry. artcle. of propty. & produce. ″ if amng. yse txes some3 minr. ones fell, ′ wch. hd nt bn inconvt. † it ws. bec. yr amt wd nt hve. pd. ye officrs. wh. colectd. ym † & bec. if y. hd. any mert. ′ ye sta. authorties. mt. adopt ym instd. of othrs. les aprovd. The remaing. revnue. on ye consmptn. of forn. artcles. ′ is pd. chiefly. b. yos ′ wh cn aford t. ad forn. luxurs. ′ t. domestc. comforts. ″ beg. colectd. on or sea‑bord & frontrs. only, ′ & incorported. wth ye transactns. of or. mercantle. citizens † it m. b. ye pleasre & ye pride of an Amerc.n. t. ask ′ Wt. farmr, Wt. mechanc. Wt. laborr. evr. ses a txgathr.r. of ye US.? ″ yse contrbns enable us t. suprt ye curt. expces. of ye govmt. ′ t. fulfll. contrcts. wth forn natns. ′ t. extngsh ye natve. rt. of soil withn or. limits ′ t. extnd. yos limts. ′ & t. aply sch. a surpls. t. or pblc. debts ′ as placs. at a shrt day yr final redemptn. ″ & yt redmptn. once. effectd. ′ ye revnue. yrb. libert.d. ′ may b. a just repartn amg. ye stas. & a corespondg. amdmt. of ye Constn †  658 

4 MARCH 1805

b. apld. in ti. of peace t. rivrs. canls. roads, arts, manfct.res. educn, & othr. great objcts. withn each state. ″ in ti. of War, if injustce b. ourslves or othrs. mst sometmes. prodce War ′ increasd as ye sa. revnue. wll b. by increasd populn & consumptn. † & aidd. by othr. resourcs. reservd fr. yt crisis † it may meet withn. ye year ′ all ye expencs. of ye year † witht. encrchg. on ye rights of future generns ′ by burthn.g. ym wth ye debts of ye past. ″ war wll. yn. b. ′ bt a suspensn of usefl. works; † & a return t. a sta. of peace ′ a return t. ye progrss of improvemt. ″ I hve. said f. c. yt ye income reservd. ′ hd. enabld us t. extend or. limts. ″ bt yt extensn. m. posbly p. fr itslf. befre. w. r cald. on, ′ & in ye mn. ti. m. kep down ye acrug. int. ″ In al evts it wll replce. ye advn.ces. w. shll hve made. ″ I know yt ye acqsn of Louisa. hs bn disaprv.d. by sme. ′ frm a candd. apprehension4 yt ye enlrgmt of or terity. wd endangr. it’s union. ″ bt. wh. cn limt. ye extt. t. wch ye fedrive princple. m. operte. effc‑ tv.ly.? ″ ye largr. or asocn, ′ less wll it b. shakn b. locl. pasns. ″ & in any view, Is it nt betr. yt ye opste. bk of ye Mispi shd b. setld. † b. or own brethrn. & chdrn. ′ yn b. strangrs. of anothr. family? ″ wth. wch shd w. b. mst likely ′ t. lve. in harmony, & frdly inter‑ course? ″ In matrs. of Relign I hve considd. ′ yt it’s fre exrcse. is placd. b. ye Constn ′ indepdt. of ye powrs. of ye Genl. Govmt. ″ I hve. yrfre. undertakn. on no occn ′ t. prescribe ye religs. exercises. suitd. t. it. ″ bt hve left ym, as ye Constn found ym ′ undr. ye directn. & dis‑ ciplne. of ye sta. or chrch. authorties ′ acknl.d. b. ye sevl religs. societies. ″ The Aborign.l. inhabts. of yse countrs. ′ I hve. regardd. wth. ye comisrn yr histy. inspires. ″ endowd. wth. ye facults. & ye rights of men, ′ breathg. an ardt love of libty. & indepdce ′ & ocupyg. a country wch left ym n. desre. bt t. b. undistbd. † ye strm. of ovr‑flowg popln frm. othr. regns. ′ dirct.d. itslf. on yse shores. ″ wth.t. powr. t. divert, or habts. t. contnd. agt. it ′ y. hve. bn over‑ whelmd. b. ye curt or drivn. befre. it. ″  659 

SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

now redc.d. withn limts. t. narw. fr ye hunter sta. ′ humanty. enjns. us t. teach ym agrcltre & ye domestc. arts † t. encorge. ym t. yt industry ′ wch. alne. cn. enable. ym t. maintn. yr plce. in existce. † & t. prepre. ym in time fr. yt sta. of socty. ′ wch t. bodly. comfrts. ads ye imprvmt of ye mind & morals. ″ w. hve. yrf. libly. furnsh.d. ym wth ye implemts. of husbdry. & hhd use. † w. hve placd. amg. ym instrct.rs. in ye arts of 1st. necesty. † & y. r covd. wth. ye Aegis of ye law ′ agt5 agresrs. frm amg. ourslves. ″ Bt. ye endevrs. t. enlightn. ym ′ on ye fate wch. awts. yr prest. cours of life ′ t. induce ym t. exercse. yr reasn. follow it’s dicttes. ′ & chnge. yr pursts. wth ye chnge of circmstces. ′ hve powerfl. obstcles. t. encountr. ″ y. r combt.d. b. ye habts. of yr bods. prejdces. of yr minds, ignorce. pride, & ye influnce. of interst.d. & crafty indivd.ls. amg. ym † wh. fel yms somethg. in ye prest. ordr. of things, ′ & fear t. becme. nothg. in any other. ″ yse persns. inculcte. a sanctmons revce. fr. ye custms. of yr ances‑ trs. ′ yt wt‑soevr. y. did mst. b. dne. yro all time † yt Reasn. is a false guide, ′ & t. advnce. undr. it’s counsl. in yr Physl. Morl or Politl. condn. ′ is perilous inovn. † yt yr duty is t. remn. as yr Creatr mde ym ′ ignorce. beg. safety, & knolege full of danger. ″ in short, my frds. amg. ym als. is seen ′ ye actn. & counteractn. of good sense & of bigotry. ″ y. t. hve yr Anti‑Philosphsts. ′ wh. find an interst. in kepg. yngs in yr prest. sta. † wh. dread reformn ′ & exert al yr facults. t. maintn. ye ascndcy. of habt. ovr ye dut. of improvg. or. reasn. & obeyg it’s man‑ dtes. ′ In givg. yse outlines I d. nt mean f. c. ′ t. arogte. t. myself ye mert. of ye measres. ″ yt is due in ye 1st. pla. t. ye reflectg. charactr. of or. cits at large wh. b. ye wt of pblc. opn inflce. & strgthn ye pblc. measres. ″ it is due t. ye sound discretn. ′ wth. whch. y. selct. frm. amg. them‑ selves6 ′ yos t. whm. y. confide ye legislve duties. ″ it is due t. ye zeal & wisdm. of ye charct.rs. yus selectd. ′ wh. lay ye foundn of pblc hapness. in wholsme. laws, ′ ye exn of wch alne. remns. fr others ″ & it is due t. ye able & faithfl. auxilries. ′ whse patriotsm. hs asoci‑ atd ym wth. me in ye executive functions. ″  660 

4 MARCH 1805

Durg. ys course of admn, ′ & in ordr. t. distrb. it, † ye artilry. of ye Press hs. bn. leveld. agt. us ′ chargd wth wt‑soevr it’s licentness. cd devise or dare. ″ yse abuses of an instn ′ s. importt. t. fredm. & science ′ r deepl. t. b. regrt.d. † inasmch as y. tnd. t. lesn. it’s usefnss. & to sap it’s safety. ″ they mt perhaps7 hve. bn. corct.d. ′ b. ye wholsme. punmts. † re‑ servd. t. & provd.d. b. ye laws of ye sevl. sta. ′ agt falsehd. & defamn. ″ bt. pblc. duts. more urgt. ′ pres on ye ti. of pblc. servts. † & ye ofendrs. hve therefore8 bn left t. find yr punmt in ye public in‑ dignn. ″ Nor ws. it uninterst.g. t. world ′ yt an expermt shd. b. fairly & fully made9 † Whethr. fredm. of discusn. ′ unaidd. b. powr † is nt sft. fr. ye propgn & protectn. of truth ″ ? Whethr. a govmt condct.g. itslf. ′ in ye true spirt. of it’s constn ′ wth zeal & purity † & dog. no act wch. it wd. b. unwilg. ye who. world shd. witnss. cn b. writn. down b. falsehd. & defamn? ″ ye expermt hs. bn. tried. ″—y. hve. witns.d. ye scene. ″—or. f. c. hve. lokd. on cool & colct.d. ′—y. saw ye latnt source frm wch. yse outrags proced † y. gathr.d. around yr pblc. functn.ries. ′ & whn. ye Constn cald. ym t. ye decs.n. b. sufrge. ′ y. pronn.ced. yr † verdict10 honble. t. yos wh. hd. servd ym ′ & consoltry. t. ye frnd. of Man † wh. belves. h. m. b. trustd. ′ wth. ye control of hs. own afairs. ″ No inferce. is here intnd.d. yt ye laws provd.d. b. ye stas. agt. false & defamty. pblcns ′ shd nt b. enforcd. ″ h. wh. hs. time rendrs. a servce. t. pblc morls. & pblc. tranql.ty. ′ in reformg. yse abuss. b. ye salutry. coercns. of ye law. ″ bt. ye experm.t. is notd. t. prove ′ yt snce. trth. & reasn. hve maintn.d. yr grd ′ agt. false opns in legue. wth false facts † ye Press confind. t. truth, ′ needs n. othr. legl. restraint. ″ ye pblc. jdmt wll. corct. false resngs & opns ′ on a ful hearg. of al parts. † & n. othr. defte. line cn b. drn. ′ betwn. ye inestmble. libty. of ye Prss. & it’s demorl.g. licntnss. ″ if yre b. still improprieties ′ wch. ys rule wd. nt. restrn. † it’s Sup‑ lemt mst. b. sought in ye Censorshp. of publ. opn. Contemplt.g. ye unn. of sentmt now manfestd so generally11 ′ as augr.g. harmon. & hapinss. t. or futre course ′ I ofr. t. or. countr. sincre. congrtlns ″  661 

SECOND INAUGURAL ADDRESS

wth. yos t. nt yet ralld t. ye same point, ′ ye dispsn t. d. so is gaing. strength. ″—facts r piercg yro ye veil drawn ovr ym ′ & or. doubtg. brethrn. wll. at length see, ′ yt ye mas of yr f. c. wth. whm. y. cn.t. yet reslve t. act † as to princples. and mea‑ sures12 ynk as y. ynk & desre. wt y. desre. ″ yt or wsh as well as yrs is, ′ yt ye pblc. efrts. m. b. dirct.d. honestly. t. ye pblc. good: † yt peace b. cultvd. ′ civl. & religs. libty. unas‑ sailed ′ law & ordr. preservd. ′ equalty. of rts. maintn.d. ′ & yt sta. of propty. eql. or uneql. wch reslts. t. evry. mn frm. hs own in‑ dustry. or yt of hs. fathers. ″ whn. satsfd. of yse views, ′ it is nt. in humn. natre. yt y. shd nt aprove & suprt ym. ″ in ye mean ti. let us chersh. ym wth. patient afectn. † lt us d. ym justce. & more yn justce. ′ in all competns. of interest: † & w. need nt doubt ′ yt trth. reasn. & yr own interests wll. at length13 prevail, † wll gathr ym int. ye fold of yr country: † & wll. complte. yt entire union of opn ′ wch gives t. a natn. ye blesg. of harmny. & ye beneft. of al it’s strength. ″ I shll. now entr. on ye duts. t. wch. my f. c. hve agn. cald. m. † & shll. proced in ye spirt of yos princples. ′ wch y. hve aprovd. ″ I fear nt. yt an. motves. of intst. ′ m. lead m. astray. ″—I am sensble. of n. pasn. ′ wch. cd. sedce. m. knowg.ly. frm ye path of justce. ″ bt. ye weaknss.s. of humn. natre. & ye limts. of m. own undstd.g. ′ wll. prodce. errs. of jdmt somtis. ′ injurs. t. your interests. ″ I shll need yrf. al ye indulgce. ′ wch I hve heretofre. experd. frm. m. constt.nts. †—ye want of it wll. certnly. nt. lessen ′ wth. in‑ creasg. years. ″ I shll. need too ye favr. of yt beg. ′ in whse. hnds. w. r ″ who led or. fathrs. ′ as Israel of old frm. yr natve. land † wh. plantd. ym in a country ′ flowg wth al ye necesries. of life: † wh. hs. covd or infancy. wth his provd.ce. ′ & or ripr yrs. wth hs wisdm. & powr. † & t. whse. godnss. I ask y. ′ t. join wth. m. in suplcns † yt h. wll. s. enlightn. ye mnds. of yr. servts. ′ guide yr councls. ′ & prospr yr measures † yt wt‑soevr. y. d. shll. result in yr. good, ′ & shll. secre. t. y. ye peace, frdshp, & aprobn of all nations. ″ MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 147:25716); in TJ’s hand; undated; words in block print‑ ing shown in small capitals.

1 Word

interlined in place of “law.” interlined. 3 Preceding two words interlined. 2 Word

 662 

4 MARCH 1805  4 Word

interlined in place of “fear” (see Document xiii). 5 TJ here canceled “ye licents. violnce. of” (see Document xiii). 6 Preceding two words interlined in place of “yr own bod” (see Document xiii). 7 Word interlined in place of “indd.” (see Document xiii).

 8 Word interlined. 9 Word written over “[tried].” 10 TJ first wrote “sentence †”; he can‑ celed the word and substituted “verdict” at the end of the line (see Document xiii). 11 Preceding two words interlined. 12 Preceding five words interlined. 13 Preceding two words interlined.

XV. To Samuel Harrison Smith Th:J. to mr Smith [ca. 4 Mch. 1805] in the paragraph beginning ‘During this course of administration &c & in the expression ‘they might indeed have been corrected &c ‘indeed’ & insert ‘perhaps’ it will then read ‘they might perhaps have been corrected. RC (DLC: J. Henley Smith Papers); undated; addressed: “Mr. Samuel H. Smith.” Not recorded in SJL.

it will then read: see Document xii, note 10.

From Thomas Allen Sir, [before 4 Mch. 1805] I cordially congratulate you and my Country on your Election to the Presidency a second time, by so great and unexampled Union. The footsteps of Divine providence in the accomplishment of that auspicious Event have excited the Admiration and Gratitude of the friends of our happy Constitution. Thanks to the Arbiter of the Uni‑ verse, for prolonging my life to this happy Period, and giving me to see this second salvation of my Country in your Election to Office, from a Despotism that would have shrouded all her Glories in end‑ less Night, and left the world without a rallying point. This Deliver‑ ance is, if possible, more splendid than the other from British Tyr‑ anny, as a Thing three Thousand Miles distant might not prove so great a curse, as one among us. It must be peculiarly grateful to you after the most tremendous Scene of Federal Outrage and Calumny to enjoy such an unequivocal Testimony of the Esteem and Affection of a great and extensive Nation. Your Republican Principles of Civil and religious liberty, and stedfast Adherence to a fundemental Doc‑ trine of Christianity, That no Man shall suffer Persecution for his  663 

4 MARCH 1805

Religious Opinions, have excited the hatred and Obloquy of Monar‑ chists throughout the Union. The struggle between Truth and Error, between Republicanism & Federalism has been long and obstinate, but the Issue is happy and glorious. Thanks to heaven, under your Administration everyones person, property, family and Religion are safe. We sit under our Vines and fig trees, and have none to make us afraid. The Jeffries of the land are under restraint, unable to controle legislative Authority. Unjust Fines, Imprisonments, confiscations, banishments, and the most cruel per‑ secutions are prevented. The Nation looks up with Adoration and praise to the Allwise Disposer of all things in placing a Man at the head of our Government who does not presume to hold our Con‑ sciences in his keeping, who claims no Dominion over our religious sentiments, and assumes no power in the Church of Christ: who grasps no sword for her Support. “The true Church of Christ asks and seeks no support but peace and tollerance.” We all have our Bi‑ bles, our places of public worship, and Ministers of Religion, not imposed on us, but freely chosen and supported by ourselves without the Coercion of the Civil Power, by the power and Energy of Divine truth, for the Weapons of their Warfare are not carnal but mighty through God. The Energy of our Government admits of no Increase but in new occasions of its increase, and of the Ardor of Affection for its support which will correspond with such Occasions. No Eye has wept since you came into Office. No Tongue has had Occasion to complain, and none ever slandered you untill the malevo‑ lent Eye of Federalism saw in you a powerful Antagonist and the prospect of your being elected President. No cruel Oppressions, No heavy Taxes have been imposed. No Lords, no State Bishops have been created. No sound of a trumpet or alarm of war has been heard in our territories. No stamp Act, No sedition Act, no Aliene Act, Army and Navy Acts have disgraced your Presidency. No House or Window Taxes have been imposed. No Churches are desolate and forsaken. No Declension of Education, none of Knowledge and Vir‑ tue among the people, Public worship, and Ministers of Religion are better supported than ever they were before. The Lords day is reli‑ giously sanctified. Marriages are held sacred and increase, and all Domestic blessings abound. Nothing but federalism to distract and Alarm us, and annoy our happiness, and even that ultimately promot‑ ing it, by the overruling providence of God in bringing good out of Evil. Such an Exhibition of human Depravity has never taken place in these northern States, as has been displayed by expiring Royalty. The latent Corruptions of good Men have burst the barriers of Mo‑  664 

4 MARCH 1805

rality and Like a mighty Torrent that sweeps away every thing before it have threatened to lay waste every Vestige of social Order and Tran‑ quility. Such odious passions were never conceived of by us, their fury and outrage subside only by the strength of our Government, the Union and sovereignty of the people. At the same time that federal‑ ism has sanctioned atrocious wickedness under the Mask of Piety, and set at Defiance the sacred Rules of Morality, Candor, Moderation, humility and Piety, truth has shone forth with peculiar Lustre. Error has been detected, and masked designs have been frustrated. Burdens have been taken off. Oppressive Acts repealed. Dexterity in assesing and imposing Taxes on the people have given place to undoing heavy burdens and in letting the oppressed go free. To a prodigal waste of the public treasure, has succeeded a System of Oeconomy. The Opin‑ ion that the people were made to be devoured by their Rulers, has been succeeded by Just Apprehensions of their being ordained of God to become Ministers of good to the people, and designed to promote general happiness. Presidential Patronage has been voluntarily cur‑ tailed, and hundreds of needless offices have been abolished. An in‑ creasing Debt has been arrested, diminished, and is in train of final Extermination in a short time: And the noblest Acquisition of Ter‑ ritory has been annexed to us preventive of troublesome Neighbours and an endless sourse of wealth and strength. Religion has met with liberal Encouragement and support by free Inquiry in the voluntary Contributions of the People. New Meeting houses for the public wor‑ ship of God have been greatly multiplied. Colleges, Academies and Schools of learning have increased and spread over the land. Religion has progressed beyond what it ever did at any former equal period of time. The spirit of the Lord has been poured out in the Conviction and Conversion of sinners, and Edification of the body of Christ. Fed‑ eralists many of whom doubt whether there be an holy Ghost stand amazed, not knowing to what length this work of Grace may be car‑ ried, and their Scoffers at Religion cry out of Herisee, Deism, Infi‑ delity, and tremble before the force of Divine truth, the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. The word of the Lord has free course, rises, and is glorified. Good principles are progressing. Infi‑ del Sentiments are declining. Never did this land see such a body of sound Calvinists as at the present day. Nor was calvinism ever so purified from persecuting principles. I believe the bigger part of us would proceed no further in the works of Extermination, than Ex‑ communication, till we find ourselves possessed of more power than we have! A spirit of Candor has at length taken hold of many of its professors. And so long as the clergy shall be kept divested of all Civil  665 

4 MARCH 1805

power they will be not only harmless, but very useful to the support of the state by promoting peace Unity & Religion. Never were faith‑ ful Ministers of Christ of different Denominations more respected or received a more liberal pecuniary support. And the Deistical Idea among Federalists, That there is no Religion among the people but what springs from the Coercion of Civil Government, and that all Religion is a mere Engine of State, is demonstrably false. There is a State Religion, and there is a Gospel Religion. They are essentially different. Blessed be God a State Religion has no place in our Na‑ tional Compact. That our President is a mere Civil Officer, and Con‑ gress has no Authority to legislate in matters of Religion. That we in these states have but one supreme head of the Church Christ Jesus. Instead of that tremendous, horrid picture of threatning Evils pour‑ trayed by Federalists as the Consequence of your Election to office, the brightest prospects are continually dawning on us. Solitary places are glad, and deserts blossom like the rose. Our greatest danger springs from the Number and greatness of our blessings. As it is written the Prosperity of fools shall destroy them. May God deliver this Country from that Character and curse. Missionary Societies are springing up in different parts of the Union, and other benevolent Institutions. Never were there such charming prospects and hopes before any Country in any Age of the world. In the common people of this Coun‑ try is to be found the chief Virtue and Piety of the Land. If I was to search after incorruptible Integrity with hope of success I would look among that body to find it. In the Barons or Yeomanry of this Coun‑ try under Divine providence I look for the security of its liberties. They are the Sheet Anchor of hope from Corruption and Apostasy. To head them, the good providence of God will in every Age raise up Jeffersons and Madisons, and one or more Apostates will never over‑ throw the liberties of the Country. Nor even the Corruption, profligacy and effeminacy of our Maritime Towns. Our National prosperity is unexampled. Hail happy America. The discontented with our Gov‑ ernment may retire to foreign Countries. There is no Obstruction to their so doing. They may retire to Canada, To England, France or Spain. And bow themselves down under the burdens of Monarchy and become hewers of wood and drawers of water to Monarchists. They would be glad of their services. They may go and learn the Manner of kings, and have their Sons appointed for their Chariots, and to be their Horsemen, and to run before their Chariots, and give their Daughters to them to be Confectionaries and to be Cookes and to be bakers. If they will become quiet and good Members of Society,  666 

4 MARCH 1805

we should be happy in their social Intercourse, and in their Enjoy‑ ment of all the blessings of this happy Country with us. But if they will remain obstinately hostile to our Republican Government, and perpetually seek to disturb it and make Inroads on our Union and hap‑ piness we are willing they should quit our society and seek better. Various religious and political Sects enjoy perfect Tolleration. All equally participate in the blessions of Peace and safety. You have indeed Sr. been made a Spectacle to Angels & to Men. your Name has been cast out and trodden under foot of Federalists. But you have risen superior to their Calumnies and Machenations. Their Reproaches have brightened your Character, and afforded room for the Excercise of the noblest Virtues that adorn human Na‑ tions. You have risen superior to Revenge, and to self Respect, and regarded the good of the people above presidential power and patron‑ age, and all personal Aggrandizement whatever. Republicans within the Circle of my Acquaintance generally enter‑ tain a high Opinion of the station in office. But wish not to restrict themselves in renewing their choice of the same person to office, as often as they shall think the public good requires it. It is further their Opinion that your Removals from office are wise and discreet and not more rapid than the public good demands, and that no Federalist is fit to be the Ruler of a free people under our excellent Constitution. and that all such are from the nature of their principles necessarily excluded from office. General Washington never made any of the prisoners he had taken of the Enemy, Officers in his Army, or en‑ trusted the Command of a Citidel to them. what an Absurdity is it to put a Man into the office of a Government which he is seeking to overthrow. Our past Experience of the fruits of our liberality towards Tories will teach us Wisdom. Would King George commissionate American Republicans to administer his Government? Or would their honor permit their taking part in it. We have no natural Enemy to our Government but Monarchists. Should our Government continue to exist of which there can now be no doubt, the British Government will be renovated, and European Crowns and Sceptres will depart. It is a greater terror to Britain than the hostile preparations of France to invade her coasts and a much greater Object of her hatred than the Exaltation and Domination of a Bonaparte, Her Partizans among us have wrought much evil from William Cobbets Appearance in this Country to this Day. Nothing can be so hostile to the happiness of these States as British Influence, except riches Luxury and the loss of religious principles and virtuous  667 

4 MARCH 1805

habits. We shall always have strictly to guard that Avenue of mischief and Defection from sound principles. God has broken in pieces the powerful Confederacy of Federalists, by dividing their Counsels. I have noticed three Classes of them united in this one point to over‑ throw the Government. One Class wished that a Son of George the 3d might be installed King over us. A second that Mr. Adams and his Posterity might have succeeded to Kingship and retained the sovereignty over us. A third that Mr Pinkney or some other family who would follow the stupendous fabric of the British Constitution in administring our Government. But God has overthrown all their Counsels, and defeated their purposes. It is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our Eyes. Federalism is the same all the world over. The same at Constan‑ tinople, Rome, Paris, London and the United States. It seeks the Destruction of the Object of its Aversion, that Object is truth and goodness, contrary to our Saviours precept bless them that curse you It is a practical Comment on the Doctrine of total Depravity. It is grounded on the Denial of the Existence of any goodness in Man, and supposes all may be bought with money or honors to serve the De‑ signs of Tyrants. Deism is the Corner stone of Federalism. It sets at Defiance every Attribute of Deity, and tramples on the principles and precepts of Christianity. God in his good providence has put a hooke in the nose of this Levathan, curbed his fury and set bounds to his Rage. He cannot do the mischief he wills. God has brought him down wonderfully. There is much of a retributive providence in this world both na‑ tional and personal. God often punishes the Sins of good and bad Men in this life, notwithstanding all things come alike to all, and there is one Event to the righteous and to the wicked, to him that serveth God and to him that serveth him not. Witness the case of David, Eli and others recorded in the sacred Volume. Hence the prayers of the psalmist, Lord, remember not the Sin of my youth, and the language of righteous ones I will bear the Indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against him. Sins pardoned may be pun‑ ished sorely in this world as in the Effects of drunkeness, impurity Injustice, and cruelty. Whatsoever Measure ye mete, it shall be mea‑ sured to you again, full measure pressed down. God’s Judgements here overtake the righteous and the wicked and often have a retro‑ spective Aspect. Joseph’s brethren thought so, when they said, there‑ fore is this Evil come upon us. Others have thought and felt the like. And so it is in regard to Nations, their sins find them out and draw down national Judgments on them. As in the case of the Jews and all  668 

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other nations. The sword of Divine Justice does not forever remain sheath’d. I lament Sr, the prostrate Dignity of my Native state in its Apos‑ tasy from Republican Principles, in the evil passions disseminated and violent party measures pursued, and that wicked spirit that hath obtained in it which hath sought to divide and alienate the states from each other and to sow Jealousies among them which hath emi‑ nently appeared in an Act of Amendment to the Constitution, which undoubtedly had for its object the Dissolution of the Union. But Sr, we are fast returning to our reason, and it cannot be long before you will see Massachusetts what it once was, a truly Republican State and a Republican Governor at the head of it. The vail of Federalism is rent assunder. I must beg of you Sr, to use all your Influence for the utter Abolition of Slavery in these states as soon as shall be consistent with wisdom and safety. Unhappy situation, when it is unwise or unsafe for a peo‑ ple to break off their Sins by righteousness and their Iniquities by turning to the Lord. It is indeed an Evil of monarchical growth, like a deep rooted Cancer, but it must, it will be cured, blessed be God, for a late Act of Virginia Legislature prohibitory of the Introduction of blackes into that State. This national Sin will draw down national Judgments unless the evil be remedied. We must break every yoke and let the oppressed go free. Righteousness exalteth a Nation, but Sin is a Reproach to any people. Light and means of Information are now sufficient, and there is nothing but the prejudices of Education and the lust of Dominion, wealth and Luxury to contend against it. They are indeed very powerful Antagonists, but they must be over‑ come. If efficient Measures should not be taken to cure this mon‑ strous Evil, the Southern States will become a St Domingue in the Course of a few years and in vain will they look for help to the northern parts of the Union in the day of Gods righteous Vengeance on them. Rid your hands, Dear Sr, of this horrible Evil, if you have not al‑ ready done it. Set a noble practical Example on this subject. Your reasonings are lucid and convincing. Your Judgment is on the side of truth. may you act up to it, and make provision for the Education of your slaves, and their becoming freemen as soon as it can be done. An hour’s delay is too long. And now Sr, I have only to pray God to uphold preserve and estab‑ lish you, and enable you to persevere in that course of political Faith and practice which you have pursued for 30 years, with so much honor to yourself and safety to your Country, which is the surest pledge of your future fidelity. You will enjoy the respect and affection of this  669 

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people so long as you shall continue in the path you have trod from the morning of your political Career to the present hour. But should you Sr become an Apostate from Whig principles and turn away after Royalty, Kings, princes, State Clergy and Federalists would lift up a shout of Joy, throw you the world, and you would fetch a sigh, a deep groan from the breast of every benevolent person that ever heared of your Name. But such an Event could not shake our deep rooted Gov‑ ernment. Millions in Europe and some in these states are waiting in hope and ardent desire for your halting and defection from the good old cause. All the current Coin of Great Britain would be thought a cheap purchase of you, could that effect our overthrow. Through the power of Divine Grace, I believe you incorruptible though I thus write. If in Europe no disinterested virtuous Character was ever found within the Circle of Kings and their Courtiers, let there be one at least found in America who regards the public good above personal Ease, honor, wealth and the trappings of Royalty, the Luxury of Epicures, the lust of Domination, and all sensual pleasures, one who shall pre‑ fer making a great Nation Happy to all personal Aggrandizement. May God be with you, and bless you, and make you a rich blessing to the Nation for many years to come. May your Successor be a Man of like principles and tread in the same path of wisdom and Glory. May God bless you in your Official Character and with social and Domes‑ tic happiness. May you long live to see your Country happy, and your most virulent Enemies participating in that happiness they sought to subvert is the fervent prayer of your sincere friend Thomas Allen Pastor of the Church in Pittsfield. RC (DLC); undated; at head of text: “To Thomas Jefferson, President of the United States of America”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. 1805 from Pitts‑ field and so recorded in SJL. Thomas Allen (1743‑1810) was born in Northampton, Massachusetts. After graduating from Harvard College, he be‑ came pastor of the first church in Pitts‑ field, remaining in that post for the rest of his life. A Calvinist in faith and a whig in politics, he supported the Revolution and took up arms with the local militia during one skirmish. In addition to his ministe‑ rial duties, he was a founding trustee of a nearby academy. Allen’s warm political advocacy drew praise from allies and scorn from opponents, some of whom organized

a new congregation in 1808 (Pittsfield Sun, 4 Apr. 1803, 21 Feb. and 2 May 1810; Pittsfield Berkshire Reporter, 21 Mch. 1807). jeffries: probably a reference to George Jeffreys, an English judge who strongly supported the Stuart kings in the years leading up to the Glorious Rev‑ olution (dnb). no support but peace: Allen quoted Thomas Haweis, an English evangelical minister. An American edition of the third and last volume of Haweis’s history of Christianity had recently been published under a revised title (Haweis, An Impartial and Succinct History of the Revival and Progress of the Church of Christ; from the Reformation to the Present Time [Worces‑ ter, Mass., 1803], 277; dnb).

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4 MARCH 1805  the prosperity of fools shall de‑ stroy them: Proverbs 1:32. a specta‑ cle to angels & to men: 1 Corinthians 4:9. bless them that curse you: Luke 6:28. Both david and Eli suffered the death of sons after displeasing God (1 Samuel 2:27‑36; 2 Samuel 11 and 12).

 hence the prayers: Allen compiled references to Psalms 25:7, Micah 7:9, Matthew 7:2, and Genesis 42:21. act of amendment: probably the resolution of the Massachusetts legisla‑ ture asking Congress to initiate the aboli‑ tion of the three‑fifths compromise (TJ to William A. Burwell, 11 Dec. 1804).

From Étienne Barras Monsieur Le Président Nouvelle‑orleans. Le 4. mars. 1805. Jai Lhonneur de Remettre Cy Joint, a votre Exelence, Copie d’une lettre que Jai adressée a Son Exelence, Le Gouverneur Claiborne, Pour lui demander l’office de Sherif mayor; D’apres le Refus qu’il a deja fait de m’accorder D’autres Places. Non Seulement il m’a Encore Refusé celle ci; mais il a oublié ce quil devoit au Nom que Je Porte En ne me faisant Pas même Lhonneur de Repondre a mes lettres. Jai Lhonneur de Rendre Compte, à votre Exelence, de ce qui Se Passe afin que vous Puissiez Juger Vous même Si Les Barras Doivent Etre Oubliés & méprisés Par le Gouvernement. Surtout Lorsqu’il est question D’un des Individus de cette famille qui a Eu le bonheur de servir Lui meme Les Etats unis, & qui les à adoptés En Se faisant Naturaliser qu’els Sont Les Droits, et Les Services, de ceux a qui Monsieur Le Gouverneur, a Donné la Préférence sur moi? . . . il Repond, qu’ils sont Nés dans les Etats unis. . . . Il n’Est Pas moins Vrais que le nom flatteur de Vos Chers Concitoyens, que votre Exelence, a Donné aux habitants de la Louisianne, Leur Laisse LEspoir D’obtenir Justice, & Le Retour aux Sentiments qu’ils vous Portent Je Suis avec Respect, & de Votre Exelence Le tres humble & trés Obeissant Serviteur Etne. Barras. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, New Orleans, 4 Mch. 1805 I have the honor of enclosing for your excellency a copy of a letter that I  sent to his excellency Governor Claiborne requesting the position of sheriff‑mayor, following his refusal to award me another position. Not only has he refused me this one again, but forgetting the obligation he has to my name, he did not even do me the honor of responding to my letters. I have the honor of relating to your excellency what happened so you can judge for yourself whether the Barras family should be forgotten and dis‑ dained by the government, especially when it is a question of one of the

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4 MARCH 1805 members of this family who had the good fortune of serving the United States personally and who adopted this country by becoming a naturalized citizen. To what rights and services did the governor give preference over me? He replies that they are born in the United States. Yet, it is no less true that the flattering name of “your dear fellow citizens” that your excellency gave to the inhabitants of Louisiana gives them hope of obtaining justice and a reciproc‑ ity of the sentiments they hold for you. With respect, I am the very humble and obedient servant of your excellency. Etne. Barras. RC (DLC); ellipses in original; en‑ dorsed by TJ as a letter of 19 Feb. 1805 received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Barras to William C. C. Clai‑ borne, 19 Feb., reminding Claiborne of his promise to provide Barras with a po‑ sition on his arrival in New Orleans as a reward for the crucial role Barras played in the American Revolution; Barras notes also his decision to opt for U.S. citizen‑ ship after a six‑year residence in New York (Tr in same; in French). Étienne Barras served under his uncle, Admiral Jacques Melchior Saint Laurent de Barras, the commander of the French naval squadron at Newport, Rhode Is‑

land, during the American Revolution. The squadron transported troops and materials and blockaded Chesapeake Bay before the battle of Yorktown in 1781. Étienne Barras and his wife, Marie Cath‑ erine Mesnard Barras, were naturalized as U.S. citizens on 1 Nov. 1803 in New York City (Vicomte de Noailles, Marins et soldats français en Amérique pendant la guerre de l’indépendance des États-Unis [Paris, 1903], 235n, 257, 367; Index to Petitions for Naturalization filed in Fed‑ eral, State, and Local Courts located in New York City, bundle 3, record 15, in DNA; Washington, Papers, Rev. War Ser., 3:363).

From Thomas Jefferson Gassaway Dear Sir, Annapolis March 4th. 1805. Having had the honour of being named after You by my Father, and having now arrived at the Age of four Years old, permit me to congratulate You, on your being again elected the President of the United States.—Your Election having been secured to You by the Unanimous Voice of fourteen States, and almost by the Unanimous Voice of Maryland, must be particularly gratifying to Your feelings. long may you live to Retain Your Faculties, and in the hearts of your fellow Citizens, to be the President of the United States. An Admin‑ istration so wisely conducted, since You have been at the head of it, no doubt must, as long as you live, secure to You, the good Wishes of Your Citizens. Could it be possible to give a Youth at my Age, the appointment of a Midshipman in the Navy, It would be very gratifying to me, and when I arrive at a proper Age, Would then come forward and fill the Station in the Service of my Country.—  672 

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 permit me to subscribe myself With the most profound Respect Yr. Obt. servt. Thos. Jefferson Gassaway RC (DLC); in John Gassaway’s hand; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL; also endorsed by TJ: “to be midshipman.” Thomas Jefferson Gassaway (b. 1801) was the first of two children of John Gas‑ saway and his second wife, Elizabeth Gas‑

saway. He graduated from the Baltimore College of Medicine in 1825 (“Gassaway Bible Records,” Genealogy: A Weekly Journal of American Ancestry, 6 [New York, 1916], 101; Easton, Md., Republican Star and General Advertiser, 19 Apr. 1825; TJ to John Gassaway, 12 Mch. 1805).

From Rodominick H. Gilmer Sir, Burbone Hill March 4th 1805 Impressd with a sence of duty to my self and my Fellow Citizens I have taken up my pen in contradiction of a Memorial which has been industriously Circulated through the District of Washington, and as I seriously believe by a few designing Speculartors, It is certainly ungreatfull to me. That my name should appear amoung the unhappy and discontented Citizens of Washington County, But Sir from one who grew up with a Republican Government, and from one who has been accustomed to the freedom and protection held forth to Ameri‑ can Citizens, by the present administration, oppisition and discontent might naturely be Expected, when the law of the land is notoreously Violated. in Order to contradict a Memorial from the Legislature of the Mississippi Territory, a few Interested person drew up a memo‑ rial or petition denying that the Citizens of washington County were desireous that the Two land officers should consollidated, I will say for my self that I had Reather Truvell to Uaope for Justice then not to have it at all, and I believe that in the present Situation of things the Citizens of Washington County would be desireous of having the Two land Officies consollidated—reather then the business should stand as desided in the Present Instance, as I believe the desition of the Commissioners East of Pearl River Repugnant to the Spirit and letter of the laws, and in fact bears very heard on the poor and unfor‑ tunate Emmegrant. I will only add, that with a few Exceptions the people of Washington County are well Satisfied with the conduct of there Representitives in the Legislature of the Mississippi Territory Sir I am Your friend and Humble Survant R: H: Gilmer RC (DLC); at foot of text: “To Thomas Jefferson president of the United States of

america”; endorsed by TJ as received 23 Apr. and so recorded in SJL.

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4 MARCH 1805  The legislature of the mississippi ter‑ ritory issued a memorial on 14 Dec. 1804 requesting adjustments to the gov‑ ernance of the territory, and, in particular, changes that would allow the settlement of outstanding land claims. The petition argued that the commissioners of the land office east of the Pearl River had misinter‑ preted the statute governing the disposal of public lands by only accepting claims made before the end of 1797. Noting that Spanish troops had continued in that area until the spring of 1799, the legislators sought recognition of claims made until

that time, and explained that the land office west of the Pearl River had fol‑ lowed a similar practice. They proposed that the two land offices be consolidated, and that the jurisdiction of the western office’s commissioners be extended to both districts. In addition, the petitioners re‑ quested changes in suffrage requirements, a shift in the allotments of representatives in the legislature, measures to  combat speculation, an increase in the number and salary of district judges, and aid in the establishment of a hospital at Natchez (Terr. Papers, 5:361‑7).

From Joseph Hiester Monday after Noon March 4th. 1805—

Joseph Hiester, about to leave the City of Washington (perhaps forever) having declined a reelection to Congress, And being fully impressed with the Presidents important avocations at this period of the Session, has thought it wrong to intrude a visit on him, at the same time he begs to assure the President, of his highest regard for him, and his administration, and that he in the humble walks of pri‑ vate life will endeavour to magnify & make honorable our present political order of things— He bids the President farewell RC (DLC); endorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

From John P. Ingle Dr Sir, Washington March 4th. 1805 I beg the liberty to informe you of my haveing again commenced the Cabinet Business on the Capitol Hill and will thankfully receive and punctually attend to any of your Commands which you may have confidence to commit to my Charge— Your Verry Humble Servant for Henry Ingle John P Ingle RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. John Pechin Ingle (1791‑1863) was the son of Mary Pechin and Washington cab‑

inetmaker Henry Ingle. Like his father, he became a hardware merchant and a regis‑ ter of Washington Parish vestry (Anne Castrodale Golovin, “Cabinetmakers and Chairmakers of Washington, D.C., 1791‑ 1840,” Antiques, 107 [1975], 916; rchs,

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4 MARCH 1805 26 [1924], 197; 33‑34 [1932], 210; Daily National Intelligencer, 8 Apr. 1814; Wash‑

ington Daily Globe, 4 Oct. 1814; Vol. 33:377; Henry Ingle to TJ, 6 Oct. 1807).

From George Jefferson Dear Sir Richmond 4th. March 1805 I have to day sold your 3 Hhds of ducked Tobacco to a Manufac‑ turer at 33/. on a credit of 90 days. 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 7 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

For the ducked tobacco, see George Jefferson to TJ, 28 Feb.

From John Lithgow Sir Philad March 4th 1805 I have been honoured with your favour of the 4th. Jany. and am sorry to find that your Occupations do not permit you to revise the 19th Chapt. of the Notes—and I am therefore precluded from send‑ ing you my strictures— Buffon has erred when speaking of America & you have great merit in refuting him: but you have also erred in representing the manufacturers of Europe as being comparatively more demoralized than those of the same class employed in Agriculture—The Chapter too is almost altogether matter of Opinion and might very well be left out of Notes on Virginia. I never saw or heard of any animadversions on that chapter but my own which were never made public & therefore have no knowledge of the misconstruction you speak of—your1 Letter convinces me that I had construed every word exactly as it was intended. I see and acknowledge that our manufacturers are as much at their ease, as independent and moral as our agricultural inhabitants; but I know it to be the same in Europe, and believe that it ever will be so, as long as oppressed agriculturists of every colour shall be obliged to take refuge in towns, & there under the character of ostlers draymen Carters, porters wheel‑barrow‑men &c make up the advanced guard in public commotions; for unfortunatly in every Country, in all ages, and under every form of Governing those who labour in the Earth for the farmer or proprietor have always been reduced to the minimum of subsistance before the Artist and handicraft men of the Towns. It  675 

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was this consideration this incontrevertible fact that gave rise to the well meaning Society of Economists in france; nevertheless, neither they nor any of the writers on rural Economy have ever stricken out a good plan of rendering comfortable those who labour in the Earth. Much has been said & written about the care of cattle, both as to their lodging and diet, their health and exercise; but as to the poor two‑leg’d animal who does the drudgery of farming work he still remains either a Slave or a Vagabond. His best masters are the Cattle whom he Nurses tends and feeds. It is certainly not deserable that we should receive at present or at any other time the dissolute & demoralized handicraft men of Europe any more than the Virtuous Cultivators from Africa, yet I should think that ten thousand families from Norwich, Leicester, Nottingham, Manchester, Paisley &ce would be an acquisition to this Country without any further enquiry into their character than whether they had paid their passage hither. It must be granted, however, that they would be fools if they did come, without being assured that the Gov‑ ernment of this Country would at least do as much for them as their own which they intended to leave; and as to such people going to agricultural pursuits that is altogether out of the question especialy where Slavery exists. Not all the energies of the Earth would ever make that occupation more profitable than their trades in a Country where the population is so diffused that the fruits of the energies of Nature are all absorbed by the addititonal toil and labour which a distance from Market necessarily creates. In other situations, where a market is more convenient the expence of fuel is a drawback upon the industry of the people as great as the National debt of England is to that Nation. In Philada and the neighbourhood the fuel for one fire for one week must be purchased with two days labour. In Newyork this winter it has cost four days labour. In the manufacturing towns in England the same may be earned in an hour or two at most. This ought to be a serious consideration for the virtuous Speculators in land in the interior where there are no mineral Coal or regulation to preserve the wood. The third or fourth generation must burn them‑ selves out, and verify the Scripture which saith that the Lord will visit the sins of the fathers upon the Children unto the third and fourth generation—The yazoo men never thought of this— It is from foreign travellers that we generally receive our infor‑ mation of the State of Society in any Country. Natives always speak highly of their own if they speak at all. Even Adam Smith says that Scotland in the year 73 was in a progressive State of improvement!!! The candour with which you speak both of the manners and Morals  676 

4 MARCH 1805

of Virginians is the more to be admired (in the 18th Chap) for idle‑ ness must be immorality— Formerly it was the boast that no beggars were to be seen in Amer‑ ica: now our Commercial Cities in time of peace, and under a govern‑ ment far from rapacious, are obliged to have recourse to Eleemosinary soup shops—This, of itself, shews that the industry of the Nation is not properly deemed & that there is something rotten in the State— But these things I intend to discuss more at large if ever I should have leisure from the toil of gaining a scanty Subsistance—In the mean while I hope you will never think of retiring—I wish you to remain long enough to give a tone and stability to the republican System that all men may be convincd that it is not merely the dream of Philosophy. The longer a good man remains in office the more power he has to do good. as the longer a bad man holds an exalted Station the more power and inclination he has to do evil may the ap‑ probation of your own Conscience always enable you to treat with contempt those who are aiming, through you, a deadly blow at the republic, and please to accept my best wishes— J Lithgow Sir I wrote the enclosed sometime ago and have only hesitated about the propriety of sending it—First—The distance betwixt our respec‑ tive situations in Life forbids a correspondence except on very urgent affairs 2d my object not being attainable, it appeared in vain to con‑ tinue the correspondence—on the other hand politeness seemed to require that I should acknowledge the receipt of your Letter and if in doing so, I have exceeded the proper bounds I trust you will excuse it— one thing, of inferior importance I hope however you will correct— speaking of the distaff—one would believe it was introduced in Order to degrade the art of Spinning the improvements on which since the distaf was used do more honour to the human understanding & to the English Nation than anything in the whole circle of the Arts & Sciences*— I don’t recolect, however, having ever read of, or seen Men handling the distaf, neither is it the distaf that is twirled† I am with sentiments of respect yr. Obedient Servant Jno Lithgow **

* The Stocking frame, in one sense, ought to be excepted viz Ingenuity but not for utility in which sense it must yield to the Spining machinery: but they are all English inventions— † The distaf holds the material to be spun. The spindle twists & holds the yarn—on which there is thing called a Whorle which acts as a fly‑wheel—It is the spindle & Whorle then which is twirled not the distaf—

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4 MARCH 1805  RC (DLC); postscript on separate sheet; postscript addressed: “To his Exelln. Thos Jefferson Presidt. US Washington City”; franked; postmarked Philadelphia, 20 Mch.; endorsed by TJ as received 28 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. speaking of the distaff: discussing “Manufactures” in Query XIX of Notes

on the State of Virginia, TJ wrote that “While we have land to labour then, let us never wish to see our citizens occupied at a work‑bench, or twirling a distaff ” (Notes, ed. Peden, 165). 1 MS:

“you.”

To Edward Preble [4 Mch. 1805]

Th: Jefferson requests the favour of Commodore Preble to dine with him on Tuesday 5th. at half after three, The favour of an answer is asked. RC (DLC: Edward Preble Papers); un‑ dated; printed form, with blanks filled by Isaac A. Coles reproduced in italics; ad‑ dressed by Coles: “Commodore Preble”; endorsed by Preble.

According to Preble’s memorandum book, he arrived in Washington on 4 Mch. 1805 “and waited on the President” (ndbw, 5:389). TJ recorded Preble at dinner tuesday, 5 Mch. (Appendix ii).

To Ellen Wayles Randolph My dearest Ellen Washington Mar. 4. 05. I owe a letter to you & one to your sister Anne. but the pressure of the day on which this is written, and your Papa’s departure permits me to write only to you, to inclose you a poem about another name‑ sake of yours, and some other pieces worth preserving. as I expect Anne’s volume is now large enough, I will begin to furnish you with materials for one—I know you have been collecting some yourself; but as I expect there is some tag, rag, & bobtail verse among it you must begin a new volume for my materials. I am called off by com‑ pany therefore god bless you, my dear child, kiss your Mama and sisters for me, & tell them I shall be with them in about a week from this time. once more Adieu Th: Jefferson PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Ellen Randolph.” Enclosure not identified. papa’s departure: Thomas Mann Randolph, who had returned belatedly to Washington because of weather and con‑ cerns over his wife’s health, had been in Congress by 28 Feb. and sat through its

extended session on Sunday, 3 Mch. He may have planned to depart for Edgehill immediately following Congress’s recess and his father‑in‑law’s inauguration. TJ was not able to leave the capital until 14 Mch. (jhr, 5:156, 164, 168, 174, 176; Thomas Mann Randolph to TJ, 26 Jan.; TJ to William Dunbar, 14 Mch.).

 678 

From John Randolph Monday 4. Mar. 1805.

J. Randolph has the honor, herewith to send mr. Jefferson the pam‑ phlet which he mentioned to him, some time past. It’s only value con‑ sists in the deposition to which he then alluded. The Vindication being in his opinion as weak as the claim of the V. Y. Co. is indefensible. J.R. offers mr Jefferson the cordial assurance of his affectionate respect—& his sincere wishes for many returns of this happy day & occasion RC (R. M. Smythe & Co., New York, Public Sale 157, 13 Nov. 1996, Lot 542); addressed: “Thomas Jefferson esqr.”; en‑ dorsed by TJ as received 4 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure not identi‑ fied, but see below. the vindication: prior to this date, the agents of the New England Missis‑ sippi Land Company had published two pamphlets regarding their Yazoo claims. These pamphlets differed only in that one included the text of Perez Morton and Gideon Granger’s memorial to Congress (A Vindication of the Rights of the New

England Mississippi Land Company, by the Agents of Said Company [Washing‑ ton, D.C., 1804]; Memorial of the Agents of the New England Mississippi Land Company to Congress, with A Vindication of Their Title at Law Annexed [Washing‑ ton, D.C., 1804]; jhr, 5:28; asp, Public Lands, 1:191‑2). v. y. co.: the Virginia Yazoo Company had petitioned Congress for financial re‑ lief in December 1803 (Memorial, &c. of the Virginia Yazoo Company, to the Congress of the United States [Washington, D.C., 1803]; jhr, 4:504; asp, Public Lands, 1:157‑63).

From Joseph Anderson and John Rhea Dear Sir George Town 5th March 1805 Desireous of affording you any information which may be in my power relative to proper Charecters for the appointments you will recently have to make in the Louisiana Country—I take leave to men‑ tion the name of George Duffield—he has been regularly bread to the Bar—at which he holds a respectable Standing—he is a man much esteemd by his fellow Citizens—on account of his Talents integrety— and amiableness of manners—I understand he has been taught— and Speaks—the french Language—on my arrival at Greenville in Tennessee—where Mr Duffield resides—I will write you more fully— upon the Subject—I am with Sentiments of Very great respect and Esteem—in great haste being Just about to start Your Mo Ob Servt Jos: Anderson John Rhea RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); in Anderson’s hand, signed by both; endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and “George Duffield to be judge Orleans” and so recorded in SJL.

 679 

From Albert Gallatin Sir Treasury Department 5th March 1805 I have the honor to enclose a statement of the conduct of Capn. Howard master of the revenue cutter in the Delaware, at the time when the cargo of the ship “Favorite” was saved. From that & the information previously received & communicated to you, there can be no doubt of the propriety of his removal, and, indeed, he seems to expect it himself. Lieut. Sawyer has also left the cutter & she now remains without officers. Of the enclosed applications for Captain, that of Ths. Moore seems to be the best supported. I have the honor to be with the highest respect Sir Your obedt. Sert. Albert Gallatin RC (DLC); at foot of text: “The Presi‑ dent of the United States”; endorsed by TJ as received from the Treasury De‑ partment on 6 Mch. and “Thos. Moore vice Howell. to revenue cutter” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found. Gallatin exchanged several letters with J. P. G. Muhlenberg and Allen McLane, the collectors at Philadelphia and Wil‑ mington, about Richard howard and his alleged culpability in the contested salvage of the Favorite. Although the Treasury secretary “entertained a very favourable opinion of Capn. Howard,” he received testimony from the revenue cutter’s mate,

Joseph sawyer, that at the time of the Favorite’s incapacitation, Howard had been absent from the cutter for 15 days. When Sawyer sailed to the ship, he dis‑ covered Howard discharging the ship’s goods, not as a revenue officer but under the direction of the leader of the Dela‑ ware‑based salvors. Gallatin and Muhlen‑ berg suspended Howard pending further inquiry into the matter. Sawyer subse‑ quently announced that unless he was pro‑ moted to captain, he would be resigning his commission (Gallatin, Papers, 10:471, 483, 491, 638; TJ to George Read, Jr., 10 Feb.).

From Stephen W. Johnson Highly Respected Sir, New Brunswick 5th Mar 1805 I hope youll excuse the importunity of a sojourner one whose prac‑ tice in his native Country was that of the law and whose language will dictate the country of his nativity who after having been a resi‑ dent of the United States of America for ten years should venture to ask a boon of the president of the most independant councels of the most fortunate people on the face of the Earth. Circumstances necessarilly attachd to a pursuit like mine in Europe could butt ill befit me for practice here with prejudices fixd and im‑ movable entering in the year 1795 and since seated in a place where every donative power was in the hands of such as held in the most despicable light men of my way of thinking. Such being the case what  680 

5 MARCH 1805

was left for an active mind to pursue but some humbler calling & if unhackneyed in the secret acts of trade & trafic I should not have made the progress which a proficient might have done. Still I hopd to walk the cool sequestered vale of life with the satisfaction of con‑ scious integrity but to do this was a task of greater moment than I expected to find—however being naturally retentive & fond of experi‑ ment I have ventured to pen for public instruction a work the ground plan of which is inclosed and wishing to make it as usefull as possible in a Country I love & amongst a people I esteem I wish the priviledge of dedicating it to you. I might have availed myself of the friendship of Govr Bloomfield and of many other gentlemen of his mode of political reasoning but I have not thought it worth while feeling a consciousness of the advan‑ tages the publication will be of to the community and knowing you take a pleasure in furthering the progress of every advancement to‑ wards national prosperity and independance. The Volumn will be small but practical & the dedication I hope freed from those impurities which disgrace a man of your character. The observations I have made & the deductions of experience will be the most prominent features & as such I hope temperd by the Ray of distant philopsophy & warmd by the genial heat of active life. The brillant spark of originality is not claimed nor cod it be ex‑ pected in a character devoted for many years to sedentary occupations but the efficient influence of practice over theory will prevail in every part of it & some portion of originality will appear in consequence. To say more is unnecessary further than if you should think proper to make a reference to Govr B without my ever hinting such a thing to him I am persuaded he will give you satisfaction that there is no probability of the work proving derogatory to that character which the author wishes to possess. And if you are pleased to favour me with the permission to dedicate it to you which is already pend & will not be altered it will very much oblige. Your sincere tho unknown friend And very hble Servt S W Johnson This is sent under cover to York our PO not being in liberal hands & is a restraint on Govr B as well as myself but a letter from the Fed City to me is not uncommon RC (CSmH); periods supplied; below signature: “Mastr in Chancy for the State of N Jersey”; endorsed by TJ as received 13 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

British attorney Stephen William John‑ son emigrated to the United States in 1795 and settled in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The governor appointed him as a

 681 

5 MARCH 1805 master and examiner in chancery in the state court system in 1804. His book, Rural Economy: Containing a Treatise on Pisé Building, dedicated to TJ, was pub‑

lished in 1806 (Sowerby, No. 1178; Trenton Federalist, 10 Dec. 1804; rs, 2:297). Joseph bloomfield served as gover‑ nor of New Jersey from 1800 to 1802 and 1803 to 1812 (anb).

Description of a Plant by Meriwether Lewis Fort Mandan March 5. 1805

This specimen of a plant common to the praries in this quarter was presented to me by Mr. Hugh heney, a gentleman of respectability and information who has resided many years among the natives of this country, from whom he obtained the knowledge of it’s virtues. Mr. Heney informed me that he had used the root of this plant fre‑ quently with the most happy effect in cases of the bite of the mad wolf or dog and also for the bite of the rattle snake he assured me that he had made a great number of experiments on various subjects of men horses and dogs particularly in the case of madness, where the symp‑ toms were in some instances far advanced and had never witnessed it’s failing to produce the desired effect. the method of using it is by external application, to half an ounce of the root finely pulverized, add as much water as is necessary to reduce it to the consistency of a common poltice and apply it to the bitten part, renewing the dressing once in twelve hours. in cases of the bite of the mad dog where the wound has healed before the symptoms of madness appear, the bitten part must be lacerated or scarefyed1 before the application is made— the application had always better be made as early as possible after the injury has been sustained.— I have sent herewith a few pounds of this root, in order that experi‑ ments may be made by some skilfull person under the direction of the pilosophical society of Philadelphia.— I have the honor to be with much rispect Your Obt. Servt. Meriwether Lewis FC (Lb in PPAmP: Donation Book, Lewis and Clark Journals); date and first five words of text in John Vaughan’s hand, with remainder of text in Lewis’s hand; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson President U States.” The above document was recorded in a donation book located with the Lewis and

Clark journals at the American Philo‑ sophical Society. The description follows lists, in John Vaughan’s hand, of plant and mineral specimens gathered by Lewis and Clark between May and October 1804 and donated to the society in No‑ vember 1805. Although the document is written in the form of a letter, it is not recorded in SJL nor has an acknowledg‑

 682 

5 MARCH 1805 ment of its receipt by TJ been found. It may have been among the plant and min‑ eral “labels” mentioned in Lewis’s letter to TJ of 7 Apr. 1805. It is not known when Lewis copied the text into the do‑ nation book, although it may have been sometime in mid‑1807 when Lewis was in Philadelphia and attended several meet‑ ings of the society (Moulton, Journals of  the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 2:563; 3:450, 462‑6, 472‑8; Donald Jackson, ed., The Letters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with Related Documents, 17831854, 2 vols., 2d ed. [Urbana, Ill., 1978], 1:220‑1; aps, Proceedings, 22, pt. 3 [1885], 379‑80, 396‑8).

 specimen of a plant: narrow leaf purple coneflower (Echinacea angustifolia). Hugh Heney, a trader employed by the North West Company, presented specimens and described its applications to Lewis and Clark at their winter en‑ campment at Fort Mandan. It was listed among the contents of box number 4 of the articles sent by Lewis to TJ in April 1805 (Moulton, Journals of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, 3:257‑8, 304, 330; Lewis to TJ, 7 Apr.). 1

MS: “scaefyed.”

From John Thomson Mason Dear Sir George Town March 5th 1805. Sure I am that the interest which I feel in the distresses of Mrs Peacock & her children is the result of weakness. But I cannot help it, the tears and afflictions of an amiable woman, who in the most try‑ ing circumstances that can occur in life, preserves and manifests all the feelings and dispositions, that a virtuous and affectionate wife, a tender and an amiable parent ought to possess, excuse me to myself, and I trust will have weight with you. I believe sincerely that there is nothing malignantly vicious in Pea‑ cock, his crimes and his follies proceed more from the want of manly virtue and stern integrity than from the existance of vicious propensi‑ ties. But tis not for him that I am an advocate, scarcely worthy of being punished he is certainly not worthy of Mercy. But for his wife my feelings are greatly interested. Born of a worthy and respectable parantage, her unfortunate marriage is the only thing that has in‑ duced her connections to estrange themselves from her. The inclosed letter, to which I beg leave to refer you, will shew how her fate is inter‑ woven with that of her husband, and how completely she is involved in the punishment of his guilt. I really believe that a remission of his fine and a release from con‑ finement would be highly pleasing, to a very great proportion, if not to the whole, of that society, who have suffered by those crimes of which he stands convicted. As an individual of that society I hope you will pardon me for thus intruding upon you my solicitations for the extension of mercy to this distressed family  683 

5 MARCH 1805

 With sentiments of the highest esteem and respect I have the Honor to be your Obedt Servt. John T. Mason RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: probably Eliza Peacock to Mason, Washington, 1 Mch., address‑ ing him again on behalf of her unfortu‑ nate husband as well as “the additional heavy Calamity under which we labour”; Peacock thanks Mason for signing her petition; raised “in habits of ease,” Pea‑ cock is incapable of providing for herself

and her family; should the president grant his clemency to her husband, they would retire to start life anew, and Peacock is con‑ vinced the “Experience so dearly bought” would lead her husband to “shun the fatal rock upon which he has heretofore split”; Peacock asks Mason to write to the pres‑ ident on the subject or perhaps even to present their petition (RC in same); Tr enclosed in Eliza Peacock to TJ, 6 Mch.

From James Oldham Sir— 5th. March 1805. Richmond. on the forth of February I rote you Respecting some ornaments for a Frize and Incloasd a Letter to Cpt. Andrews under cover to you which am fearful has bin miscarried: the drawing of one of the modil‑ lions which I incloasd to you was for to now of Cpt. Andrews what would be the cost of composition for each Modillion: The agreement with Mr. Hudson and my self was, that he should furnish his com‑ position at the same price that it would cost at washington: I expect Cpt. Andrews has the same moalds which he cast your frize in for the parlor at Monticello which will save him the trouble of moddling; if I recolect rite your frize is nearly the same depth of mine that am put‑ ing up which is 8 Inches, and it would answer equally as well as the drawing which I incloasd to him. I have got some very nice plank for the perpose of making your Dores and sashes, have fixed up a kill and nearly finished drying all the plank that I shall want for Mr. Galligos use, in a day or Two shall begin to dry yours which will be done in a week. When you return to Monticello please to furnish me with the de‑ mentions of your Doors. Which will Graitly oblidge your Humbel Servent Jms Oldham P.S. if you should se mr. Gantt please Sir, to ask him what he has done for me in respect to the money which Jacsons estate is due me RC (DLC); at foot of text: “Toms. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 9 Mch. and so recorded in SJL, where TJ listed letters received on 9 Mch. under 8 Mch.

i rote you: Oldham’s letter of 4 Feb. has not been found (see Appendix iv).

 684 

From Samuel A. Otis Sir Washington March 5th 1805 Will you be pleased to cause the book in which the Executive pro‑ ceedings of the Senate are copied to be sent by the bearer, that the record may be brot up I have the honor to be Your most humble Servt Sam A. Otis RC (DLC); torn; at foot of text: “[. . .] the United States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 5 Mch.

Petition of Robert Ware Peacock To the President of the United States The Petition of Robert Ware Peacock, respectfully represents, That he is confined in the prison of Washington County, in the District of Columbia, by virtue of the Sentence of the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia and County aforesaid, pronounced at their late Sessions—and without the merciful intervention of your Excel‑ lency must remain in confinement for the space of five years and up‑ wards, and untill your petitioner pays a fine of Two hundred and fifty Dollars, imposed upon him by the said Circuit Court. That in consequence of such Sentence the wife and two innocent and helpless children of your unfortunate petitioner, are involved in ruin, and by the deprivation of that support which they received from the sole exertions of your petitioner, are reduced from a state of hap‑ piness, to that of misery, poverty and distress— To lessen the Evils which assail them, is in the power of your Ex‑ cellency alone; to your Known humanity therefore he appeals, not on his own, but on their account; and though the Effect of such a prec‑ edent might produce hesitation in a mind actuated solely by Justice, yet the peculiar Circumstances of its being the first Transgression of the Law in this Case, may plead in favour of an exercise of that high prerogative of Pardon, which is so justly placed by our Country, in our first and chief Magistrate. Your unhappy Petitioner prays your Excellency to grant him, in Mercy, your pardon for his Offences, (and his future Conduct shall evidence the good Effect of your Clemency) and a remission of the fine so imposed upon him, and he respectfully states he is unable to pay; that he may thereby liberated from imprisonment, and restored  685 

5 MARCH 1805

to his afflicted and unhappy family, who are innocent sufferers for his misconduct— These Circumstances, united with a wish on the part of a great proportion of the Inhabitants of the said County of Washington, as evidenced by a recommendation to your Excellency, in favour of your unfortunate Petitioner, (in which proportion are included a majority of the Grand and Petit Jurors who severally acted on his Cases) your petitioner indulges a hope will operate with your Excellency to take his Cases into Consideration, and that your Excellency will, in Mercy grant your pardon, and remission of the said fine—upon such terms, and Conditions, (if any) as to your Excellency shall seem meet. And your petitioner as in Duty bound will ever pray &c. Robert W Peacock 5th. March 1805 RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and “Petition” and so recorded in SJL with a brace connect‑ ing it to Eliza Peacock’s letter of 6 Mch. sentence of the circuit court: in the December 1804 term of the U.S. Cir‑ cuit Court, Peacock was cleared of one charge of passing a forged foreign bill of exchange because of a flaw in the indict‑

ment but was convicted on another simi‑ lar charge (William Cranch, Reports of Cases Civil and Criminal in the United States Circuit Court of the District of Columbia, from 1801 to 1841, 6 vols. [Bos‑ ton, 1852‑53], 1:215‑18). recommendation to your excel‑ lency: see John P. Van Ness and Others to TJ, 3 Jan., and Eliza Peacock to TJ, 6 Mch.

From John Stewart Sir Washington March the 5d 1805 I have received your favor of the 3d with much pleasure but as I am Convinced that I have been misunderstood or that you have been Misinformed by the postmaster Genl I beg leave to Explain we Do not Complain of the postmaster Genl to Sent the main mail where he pleases but we Do Complain that he hase there by Deprived us of having aney mail from York to Carlise which is Established a post road by Law the postmaster is Specialy Derected by Law to Sent a mail on Every road Established a post road the Law requires that he Shall advertise in a newpaper of this City at least Six weeks before a Contract is made it apears by the files of Mr. Smiths papers that the Contract from Lancastor has not been advertised at all these are the reasons that have I Mentioned that his opinion is Law and his reas‑ ning Changing the Law I referr you to the Law the files of news‑ papers and his own report of Contract on which I have founded my opinion  686 

6 MARCH 1805

 I am Sorry to trouble you on this accation I have no Interst of my own as I am Leaving the County but I Consider it my Duty to repre‑ sent those who have Sent me here no more accept of my best wishes & Highes Esteem for your Health and well fare I am in great Heast yours &c John Stewart RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); ad‑ dressed: “Thomas Jefferson president of the united States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived 5 Mch. and so recorded in SJL.

mr. smiths papers: the National Intelligencer, edited by Samuel Harrison Smith.

From John Woodberry May it please Your Excellency! [on or before 5 Mch. 1805] I humbly beg Your Excellency’s indulgence for the favour I’m going to ask. I am a painter & have sufficient recommendations to produce of my Ability. Should You wish to employ a person in that Line to do Your Work at Monticello; I offer my Services: Mr. Fitzgerald can inform Your Excellency who I am, as he has known me many Years past. Should it so happen that it should meet Your Excellency’s Ap‑ probation; I will obey Your Commands whenever You please I am Your Excellency’s humble Sert. Jno. Woodberry RC (DLC); undated; endorsed by TJ as received 5 Mch. 1805 and so recorded in SJL.

From John Archer Sir, George Town, March 6th 1805 The Laws passed respecting Louisiana have opened new Appoint‑ ments to Office—Permit me to recommend to your Consideration an Acquaintance of mine a Mr. Eligius Fromentin either as Secretary, Register or, Recorder—He is a Gentn of an accurate classical and sci‑ entific Education, he has paid some Attention to the study of Law & is well acquainted with the English Language which would fit him for an Office in that Country—He is a Frenchman by Birth, an Amer‑ ican by Naturalization & (I believe) friendly to the present Admin‑ istration of the american Goverment & sanguine in the Prosperity of Louisiana—he intends to move with his Family into that Country this Spring— I am with the highest Respect & Esteem John Archer  687 

6 MARCH 1805  RC (DNA: RG 59, LAR); endorsed by TJ as received 7 Mch. and “Fromentin Eligius. to be Recorder or Reciever” and so recorded in SJL. laws passed respecting louisiana: in addition to the 2 Mch. act for the reso‑ lution of land titles in Orleans Territory and Louisiana District that provided for the appointment of land office registers and recorders, an act approved on 3 Mch.

to establish territorial government for Lou‑ isiana District included a provision for the appointment of a territorial secre‑ tary. Under another act of 2 Mch., which authorized a new form of govern‑ ment for Orleans Territory with a general assembly, that territory’s officers would need new appointments (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:322‑3, 331‑2; Kentucky Mem‑ bers of the House of Representatives to TJ, 28 Feb.).

Account with John Barnes The President of the United states   To John Barnes, 1805 March 6th. ⎪⎧ for 6 loaves best single 2/. 4. 1. 4½ ⎪ " 50. wt. Coffee—loose 2/9 6.17. 6. ⎪ ⎪ " 10. lb. super Chocolate 3/. 1.10. ⎪ ⎪ " 9¼ pearl Barley 1/9 16. 2. ⎪ ⎪ " 1. g fresh Mace 5. 7½ No. 1: ⎨ ⎪ " 2, g  do Nutmegs 4/3 8. 6. ⎪ ⎫ ⎪ " 4 g Cinnimon 1/6 12. ⎪ ⎬ ⎪ ⎭ " 4 g Cloves ⎪ ⎪ " Double Bag. 1/6. 25 lb Rice 7½ 17. 1½ ⎪ ⎩ seasoned Cannistr 6/9 8: lb best Impl. 18/9. 7.16. 9 Cask for do. 2: 6 No. 2

large Keg etc 1/4. 93. lb Jamaica sugr.  £6.5.

23. 7.6½ 5. 8.6½ 28.16.1.

MS (ViU); in Barnes’s hand; endorsed by TJ.

From Eliza Peacock Sir Wednesday 6 March 1805 The unhappy and distressed Eliza Peacock, respectfully incloses the President of the United States, her Petition in behalf of her un‑ fortunate husband, together with a recommendation of a number of Ladies, whose Character and respectability are not wholly unknown to your Excellency.  688 

6 MARCH 1805

 A Copy of her Letter to the Judges who presided on the Trial of her husband, and their respective answers are also inclosed. A Copy of a Letter written by her to John T Mason Esqr., which produced a call of Friendship, dictated by his humanity and tender‑ ness, and a Letter to your Excellency on the Subject of the applica‑ tion for Pardon, (in addition to his Signature to the recommendation) also inclosed. A Copy of a Letter to Walter Jones Esqr., the Attorney for the district, is inclosed, altho’ no answer has been received— A Letter from the Clerk of the Court which shews to your Excellency, the general wish of the inhabitants—as the very weak and reduced state of health, which this Calamity has brought her to, has prevented a more general application for Signatures to the recommendation. She begs leave to state, that it was the intention of Majr. Hugh Holmes of Winchester, to have spoken with you on behalf of our dis‑ tresses (having Known us during a period of eight years, while we resided in Frederick County Virginia) as the inclosed note will shew— but being prevented, he put his name to the recommendation. She also begs leave to state, that before Majr. Holmes came to the city, she had addressed a joint Letter to him and Mr. Magill, whose acquaintance and intimacy with her husband, she thought would jus‑ tify requesting their aid in procuring a petition from Winchester— the Mail has just brought Mr. Magill’s answer, which she takes the Liberty to inclose also— all which are respectfully submitted by Your Obedient Servant Eliza Peacock RC (DNA: RG 59, GPR); endorsed by TJ as received 6 Mch. and “Petn.” and so recorded in SJL with a brace connecting it to Robert Ware Peacock’s Peition of 5 Mch. Enclosures: (1) Eliza Peacock to William Cranch, 17 Feb., addressing him on behalf of her husband, Robert Ware Peacock, noting distresses of herself and her children resulting from his confine‑ ment; a petition is about to be presented to the president signed by nearly 200 “respectable Characters,” including most of the jury and grand jury that tried her husband’s cases; in addition, with the “Friendship and kind assistance of Mrs. Madison,” she has obtained the signatures of some 100 “Ladies of respectability” to a similar petition; Peacock is informed that these petitions will also require a rec‑

ommendation of mercy from the judges of the court; she was raised in “the Lap of Ease” and she and her children have re‑ lied completely on her husband for their support; their house is about to be sold, leaving Peacock with “no where to lay my head”; she realizes her husband’s guilt, but assures Cranch that he has learned his lesson and that his continued impris‑ onment would punish his “innocent fam‑ ily” more than himself; she has written a similar letter to Judge William Kilty; in a postscript, Peacock adds that the number of signatures to the petition has doubled, her house has been sold, and she remains there only through the kindness of the purchasers (Tr in same). (2) Cranch to Peacock, Washington, 18 Feb., stating that he cannot, in his official capacity as

 689 

6 MARCH 1805 judge, sign Peacock’s petition for mercy, as “A Line must be drawn between the feelings of the man and the duty of the Judge”; he considers the punishment in the case to be “mild and just” (RC in same). (3) Kilty to Peacock, Washing‑ ton, 20 Feb., stating that recommenda‑ tions granted by the judges have involved cases in which the law required them to pronounce sentences that, in their opin‑ ion, were disproportionate to the offense, or in which a “Considerable part” of the sentence had been satisfied; Kilty is will‑ ing to provide a statement of the case ei‑ ther to the president or to Robert Ware Peacock and his friends, but signing the current petition “would be Contrary to my Sentiments and to my duty” (RC in same). (4) Eliza Peacock to John Thomson Mason, Washington, 1 Mch. (Tr in same; in Peacock’s hand; at foot of text: “Copy”; see Mason to TJ, 5 Mch.). (5) Peacock to Walter Jones, Jr., Washington, 27 Feb., asking his “Kind and humane interpo‑ sition with the President”; she assumes Jones is aware of the petition for pardon about to be presented to the president, as  well as a recommendation for mercy signed by nearly 300 persons and an‑ other signed by 200 ladies; “Enveloped in a cloud of misfortunes, struggling with poverty and disgrace,” Peacock, if this attempt for her husband’s release fails, will have “no hopes for peace or comfort this side the Grave” (Tr in DNA: RG 59, GPR). (6) Uriah Forrest to Robert Ware Peacock, 4 Mch.; Eliza Peacock called on Forrest to know why he did not sign the petition to the president to remit her hus‑ band’s punishment; Forrest supports the petition’s object, but believes it unneces‑ sary or improper unless it comes from those with whom the president is ac‑

quainted or in whom he has confidence; in his official situation, Forrest finds it to be “the wish almost Unanimous” that the president should pardon Peacock, for his continued imprisonment would only pun‑ ish his wife and children (RC in same). (7) Archibald Magill to Eliza Peacock, Winchester, Virginia, 2 Mch., stating that her letter arrived late yesterday and that he and Major Hugh Holmes will immedi‑ ately draw up a petition and obtain signa‑ tures, which will be forwarded by the first safe opportunity (RC in same). Other en‑ closures not found. petition from winchester: an un‑ dated address “To the Honourable the President of the United States of Amer‑ ica,” signed by 21 residents of Frederick County, Virginia, who, feeling for the “deplorable state” of the Peacock family, in “the strongest terms” recommend “this fallen & wretched man to the clemency of  his Country” (MS in DNA: RG 59, GPR; endorsed by Jacob Wagner). One of the signers, Archibald Magill, en‑ closed the address in a letter to Eliza Pea‑ cock, dated Winchester, 6 Mch., in which he explained that Hugh Holmes would also have signed had he not already affixed his signature to a similar petition in Washington (RC in same). Another address to the president, dated Bladens‑ burg, Maryland, March 1805, and bearing 11 signatures, asked pardon for Robert Ware Peacock “in consideration of the misery and distress under which his Wife and two Children, the innocent victims of his misconduct, now labour, and which without your interference must greatly accumulate” (MS in same; at head of text: “To the President of the United States”).

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum March 6th. 8 O’clock P.M. 1805. I have just received yours of the 3d instant, and regret that it did not arrive sooner, as it is not in my power to have one finished for tomorrows post, yet I will endeavor to have it sent by fryday’s Mail— The Desk is made and part of the Machinery done, the puting it to‑  690 

7 MARCH 1805

gather, fixing the Ink pots &c &c, especially as it is a novel size, will engage all our attentions tomorrow, I did not expect that you would have wanted this small size so soon, and I had this made for a tryal expecting the next would be made for your use. It is rather larger than your design; the length of Box near 15 Inches & 10¾ wide—By a rough model I found that the Machinery to reach to the bottom of octavo size paper would require 13¼ In: inside measure, to have an easey motion—However, this is a handsome size & may be carried with some change of cloaths in a small Trunk Although you mention your intention of leaving Washington on Saterday, yet I think it proper to try to get this Polygraph there on that day, as something may turn up to keep you one day later,— with much esteem yours C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excel‑ lency Thomas Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 10 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. FC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale‑Sellers Papers). yours of the 3d instant: no letter from TJ to Peale of 3 Mch. has been found or is recorded in SJL.

Peale visited the president on 9 Jan., at which time TJ expressed his preference for a small size polygraph to accommo‑ date octavo‑size paper (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:785; TJ to Benjamin Latrobe, 16 Jan.).

From Samuel Burchard Sir March the 7 I have sent to you to see ef I cannot be alowd a little more pention for what I reseve alrady is not sufisient to suport me and the tims is so very hard that I am not able to mak out Without a favour from thy hand I have lost my rite arm and it is rendered me intierly unable of performing any kind of laber it hapened at governors island I Reseve but 60 dollars a year and I pay 50 for board and what is left is not sufisient to cloth me I am distressed for Debt upon the acount of giting clothing I am the Same Samuel Burchard Corporal in the late 2 R of A & E yoars Samuel Burchard Sir you must derict your anser to Middle town post new Castle county State of delaware RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); ad‑ dressed in a different hand: “Thomas Jefferson President of the United Staes Washington City”; endorsed by TJ as received 21 Mch. and so recorded in SJL

with notation “W”; also endorsed by TJ: “referred to Secy. War Th:J.” Samuel Burchard (b. ca. 1778), a na‑ tive of New Castle County, Delaware,

 691 

7 MARCH 1805 enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1798. He was injured at Fort Jay in New York har‑ bor and was discharged with a pension as a corporal in June 1801 (DNA: RG 94, Regular Army Muster Rolls).

 the late 2 r of a & e: the Second Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers, established by Congress on 27 Apr. 1798, was disbanded under the Military Peace Establishment Act of 1802 (U.S. Statutes at Large, 1:552‑3; 2:132‑7).

To Patrick Byrne Washington Mar. 7. 05.

Th: Jefferson with his thanks to mr Byrne for his attention to the little order for the books, has the pleasure to inform him they arrived safely, and to inclose him a draught on the bank of the US. for 20¾ D. their amount. PoC (MHi); at foot of text: “Mr. Pat‑ rick Byrne”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “20.75.”

little order: see TJ to Byrne, 14 Feb., and Byrne to TJ, 22 Feb.

To Mathew Carey Sir Washington Mar. 7. 1805. The books you were so kind as to send me came safely to hand, & I now inclose you a draught on the Philadelphia bank of the US. for 10 D 37½/100 the amount.   you mentioned to me that there was a tolerably decent edition of the New testament in 12mo. to be had at Philadelphia. you will oblige me by sending me 2. copies any time within a month, as I am about to be absent that long. Accept my respects and best wishes. Th: Jefferson RC (ViU); at foot of text: “Mr. Mat‑ thew Cary”; lacks address sheet; en‑ dorsed by Carey as received 11 Mch. and answered 19 Mch. PoC (MHi); en‑ dorsed by TJ. RC (copy in TJ Editorial Files); address sheet only; addressed:

“Mr. Matthew Cary Bookseller Philadel‑ phia”; franked for the president; post‑ marked. Notation in SJL: “10.375.” books: see Carey to TJ, 20 Feb.

From George Washington Hakes Granby March 7th 1805

Did I think that I was Addressing A heart Void Of Sensibility I would drop my pen and proceed no further but living under the Aus‑ pices Of your Administration I have gained So favorable An Assur‑  692 

7 MARCH 1805

ance of your benevolence Extended toward The unfortunate that I have presumed to Unbosom My mind to you And trust myself En‑ tirely on your goodness— My wretchedness I Shall Date from October 1801 At which Unfor‑ tunate period I was At once bereft Of All that could make life Desir‑ able Or make The Enjoyment thereof A blessing at this Shock I was Driven near the brink of Insanity And found myself Almost Inca‑ pable of business being one Day near the Rendezvous of A company of The first1 Regiment of Artilerists And Ingineers And falling in Company withe Sergeant Corporal And Some others After numerous Encouragements And persuasions on their part And Inadvertency On mine I At length Signed the muster Book And Swore firm Al‑ legience to my president And Country And I Still think that I Vener‑ ate the Oath As much As If I was in the number that Was with me At that time Soon after however as I was Ruminating on my misfor‑ tunes Almost Overwhelmed with grief I procured from my Lieuten‑ ant A pass to go home And Settle my Affairs but my mind Still on the wreck I Could not think to Confine myself to the Discipline of A Camp (altho’ to ther praise be it Said my officers treated me well During my Stay with them) And therefore I Am Ashamed to pronounce it I left father mother brothers & Sisters And in that State of Seclusion have Remain’d Ever Since but fortune Ever Careful to pursue her favorite game has Singled me Out for her Victim and I have felt her Shafts to the Utmost pitch of Severity but After troubling you with this much for which I beg your pardon I Shall barely State that I Receved the Amount of Eight Dollars bounty which was all that I Receevd and should have been glad to have Refunded and would now threefold if that would have procured A Discharge Kind Sir I Dont write think‑ ing that Villiany will find A Shelter under your protection but simply State facts As becomes An honest man And Submit myself with full Confidence in the Generosity that has Uniformly Characterized the man whom I Address Sir be So kind As to take my wretchedness into your Consideration An O Administer Consolation to your Dispond‑ ing friend And Zealous promoter O Dry A mother’s tears for her long lost Son and Restore a Dutiful Son to the Door of A poor Aged father Unite the ties of brothers and Sisters that have for A long time been Assunder And may prevailing Invocations assend to that god that has in his Infinite mercy perpetuated your Auspicious administration ’till this period And Draw Down blessing on your head Such As Kings And nobility Can Know— If the Result of your Reflections should prove favorable to me please to write which would give great Satisfaction in general in my family  693 

7 MARCH 1805

but if unfavorable O let me Remain Still wretched but not Augment the Sufferings of a heart Readey to burst with afflictions With A Due Sence of your Generosity I Subscribe myself not As your Subject but your friend & Humble Servant. George Washington Hakes  Sir please Direct to granby post office (Con). RC (PHi: Daniel Parker Papers); ad‑ dressed: “Thomas Jefferson President of the U. States of America Wton. City”; franked; postmarked 13 Mch.; endorsed by TJ as received 25 Mch. and so re‑ corded in SJL with notation “W”; also endorsed by TJ: “refd to Secy. at War Th:J.”; endorsed again by TJ on address sheet, probably without remembering that the last part of the letter is on the verso of the address sheet, with notation: “by some accident the latter part of this letter has got torn off. but the name above written was signed to it & the place. it appears to be from a deserter. refd. to Secy. at War. Th:J.”; endorsed by Dear‑ born with notation: “who is he & where is he”; endorsed by War Department clerks with notations: “Piteous Story” and

“George W. Hakes enlisted 6. Octr. 1801. by Capt: Staats Morris, and deserted 22d. Oct. 1801.” George Washington Hakes (1780‑1862) was a shoemaker who, in 1804, resided in Hartford County, Connecticut (Harry Hakes, The Hakes Family; By Harry Hakes, M.D., Attorney at Law, of Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Second Edition; with Additions and Corrections [Wilkes‑Barre, 1889], 81). a poor aged father: Hakes’s father, James Hakes, had served in the Conti‑ nental Army (Hakes, The Hakes Family, 26). 1

 694 

MS: “frst.”

" " "

1805 Feby " "

To 5th Vol. Domestic Encyclopaedia boards binding Egypte De Denon Calf Gilt Maps & plates,  difficult  —Histoire Naturelle de Cepede Do @ 225  —Millars Observations Do 225  —Fothergills Tracts Do 100  —Etats Unis—Volney Do 100  —Maladie de Andalousea Do 100  —Voyage de Misson Do 100  —John Thomson Do 50  1 Vol. Washingtons Life in boards  2 Vol. Do Do

The President To J. March.

15 4 vols 8vo binding Annals des Beaux arts plates difficult Calf Gilt @ 125 3 Do Voyage de la Troad Do 100 1 Do Atlas to Voyage de la Troad Maps & plates (Very  difficult) 2 Do Voyage en Portugal   Calf Gilt @ 100 2 Do Richesse Commercical Do @ 100 2 Do Voyage en Angleterre Do @ 100

5 Do 2 Do 1 vol 8vo 1 Do 1 1 vol 12 mo thick 1 Do thin

16 10 2 vols 4to

27 Novemb 13

October " " " " " "

1804 April May

No. of Vols. bound

Statement of Account with Mrs. John March

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5 00 3 00

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Dols Cts

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1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 2 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 vol: 12mo 7th 5 vols: 8vo. 4 Do 2 Do 2 Do 2 Do 2 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 20 vols 18s. 8 Do 5 Do 2 Do 5 Do 2 Do 2 Do

Galeries des Antiquites Annonarj del Fabberoni Dis Infection de L’air Colonial Policy Public Wealth Currans Speaches Woodards Narative Code des Français Domestic Encyclopaedia Minerologie De Haüy Anatomie Comparee Histoire Naturelle Flora Americana Histoire des Mathematiques Legislation Naturelle Soires de Fairney Voyage en Angleterre Resultats des Traites Voyages par Campe Molier Racine Zoographie De Juffet Mineraux par Patrin Fables Fontain Contes Fontain

plates difficult Calf Gilt Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do

125 100 100 100 100 100 100 75 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 62½ 62½ 62½ 62½ 62½ 62½ 62½

1 25 1 00 1 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 0 75 5 00 4 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 2 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 1 00 12 50 5 00 3 12½ 1 25 3 12½ 1 25 1 25

Minerologie D Hauy plates Maisons De Paris plates reduced  difficult

1 Do 1 vol. folio

Whole No. 123 Vols. bound

Droit Maritime 1 Roma del Prianesi

Brot over binding Montagn de St. Pierre

Museum de Prujoulx Morale de Demoustier Correspondnce de J. J. Rouseau Annuarie de Lamarck Histoire Naturelle—Mavor Voyage par Schaeffer Almanac des Ambassades Recuel des Memoires sur Les Salines Voyage de Terracine a Naples Elemens Dephysique Etats Unis Bridel

1 Do 1 Do

No. Vols. Brot over Brot over 1805 118 March 7th 1 vol 4to

2 Do 1 Do 3 Do 1 vol. 12mo 2 Do 2 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do 1 Do Carried over 118

62½ 62½ 62½ 75 75 75 75 75 75 75 75

Calf gilt plates reduced  difficult   Do @ 250 Do plates very  difficult 250   Do  Do 200 Ext. Calf gilt

Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Do Carried over

$ 135 50

$5 00

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1 25 0 62½ 1 87½ 0 75 1 50 1 50 0 75 0 75 0 75 0 75 0.75 120 50

7 MARCH 1805  MS (MHi); in Joseph Milligan’s hand; endorsed by TJ to show an additional $3 in charges for Thomas Mann Randolph, a cash payment of $50 on 12 Mch., and payment of the balance of $88.50 by an order on John Barnes on 10 May. Mrs. John March (ca. 1750‑1807) con‑ ducted the business of her husband’s book‑ bindery, stationery shop, and bookstore in Georgetown after his death in June 1804. Joseph Milligan, who administered John March’s estate and was also in the

bookbinding trade, became the proprietor after her death. According to a receipt of 12 Mch. 1805, TJ made a partial pay‑ ment of $50 by Joseph Dougherty on his account with March (MS in MHi, in Jo‑ seph Milligan’s hand, endorsed by TJ; Washington Federalist, 4 June, 28 July 1804; National Intelligencer, 17 Aug. 1807, 22 Apr. 1808; rs, 1:37n; mb, 2:1148). voyage par schaeffer: Voyage cosmographique, ouvrage dédié à la jeunesse; Par le Professeur Schaefer (Paris, 1802).

To Mingo Mattaha and Tishoo Hooluhta My children, chiefs of the Chickasaw nation, Minghey Matàha and Tishoholatta March 7. 1805. I am happy to recieve you at the seat of the government of the twenty two nations, and to take you by the hand. your friendship to the Americans has long been known to me. our fathers have told us, that your nation never spilled the blood of an American, and we have seen you fighting by our side, & cementing our friendship by mixing our blood in battle against the same enemies. I rejoice therefore that the great Spirit has covered you with his protection through so long a journey, & so inclement a season, and brought you safe to the dwelling of a father who wishes well to all his red children, & to you especially. it would have been also pleasing to have recieved the other chiefs who had proposed to come with you, and to have known, & become known to them, had it been convenient for them to come. I have long wished to see the beloved men of your nation, to renew the friendly confer‑ ences of former times, to assure them that we remain constant in our attachment to them, and to prove it by our good offices. Your country, like all those on this side the Missisipi, has no longer game sufficient to maintain yourselves, your women & children com‑ fortably by hunting. we therefore wish to see you undertake the cul‑ tivation of the earth, to raise cattle, corn, & cotton to feed & clothe your people. a little labour in the earth will produce more food than the best hunts you can now make, and the women will spin & weave more clothing than the men can procure by hunting. we shall very willingly assist you in this course, by furnishing you with the neces‑ sary tools & implements, and with persons to instruct you in the use of them.  698 

7 MARCH 1805

 We have been told that you have contracted a great debt to some British traders, which gives you uneasiness, & which you honestly wish to pay, by the sale of some of your lands. whenever you raise food from the earth, & make your own clothing, you will find that you have a great deal of land more than you can cultivate or make useful, and that it will be better for you to sell some of that, to pay your debts, and to have something ever to be paid to you annually, to aid you in feeding & clothing yourselves. your lands are your own, my children, they shall never be taken from you by our people or any others. you will be free to keep or to sell as yourselves shall think most for your own good. if at this time you think it will be better for you to dispose of some of them to pay your debts, & to help your people to improve the rest, we are willing to buy on reasonable terms. our people multiply so fast that it will suit us to buy as much as you wish to sell: but only according to your good will. We have lately obtained from the French & Spaniards all the country beyond the Missisipi called Louisiana; in which there is a great deal of land un‑ occupied by any red men. but it is very far off, and we would prefer giving you lands there, or money & goods as you like best, for such parts of your lands on this side the Missisipi as you are disposed to part with. should you have any thing to say on this subject now, or at any future time, we shall be always ready to listen to you. I am obliged within a few days to set out on a long journey: but I wish you to stay and rest yourselves, according to your own conve‑ nience. the Secretary at War will take care of you, will have you sup‑ plied with whatsoever you may have occasion for, and will provide for your return at your own pleasure. and I hope you will carry to your country men assurances of the sincere friendship of the United states to them, and that we shall always be disposed to render them every service in our power.   This, my children, is all I proposed to say at this time Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC). “Chickasaws.”

Notation

in

SJL:

Mingo Mattaha and Tishoo Hooluhta were later among the signers of an 1805 treaty between the United States and the Chickasaws. They also signed the 1801 Treaty of Chickasaw Bluffs, where inter‑ preters rendered their names as “Minke‑ mattauhau” and “Teschoolauhtau” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 7:65‑6, 89‑90). On 7 Mch., they, along with Chickasaw agent Samuel Mitchell, an interpreter, and some‑ one whom TJ listed only as a “halfbreed,”

attended a dinner at the President’s House. Additional guests included Dearborn and Aaron Burr (see Appendix ii). happy to recieve you: on 23 Jan., the War Department received a letter from Mitchell, dated 20 Dec. 1804, stat‑ ing that a Chickasaw delegation was on its way to Washington (DNA: RG 107, RLRMS). Writing to Dearborn on 23 Jan., Cherokee agent Return Jonathan Meigs reported that Mitchell and “some Chickasaw Chiefs” had arrived at South‑ west Point, Tennessee. The group was traveling to Washington only to visit the

 699 

7 MARCH 1805 president, not to conduct any public busi‑ ness. Knowing that the United States wished to purchase lands claimed by the Chickasaws north of the Tennessee River, Meigs informed Dearborn that the Chick‑ asaws owed merchants at Mobile and other traders nearly $50,000, and “in their National Council have resolved to pay them by the sale of lands.” The Cher‑ okees and Chickasaws both claimed the land in question, but Meigs was satisfied that “the Chickasaws have the best right, & their unshaken attachment to the United States in every Situation intitles them to every attention consistent with Justice.” Furthermore, a Chickasaw delegation vis‑ iting Philadelphia in 1794 had obtained a  written acknowledgment of their land claim, and Meigs enclosed a copy of a cer‑ tificate signed by George Washington (Tr in DNA: RG 75, Records of the Cherokee Indian Agency in Tennessee, 1801‑1835; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 16:402).

 fighting by our side: in the early 1790s, Chickasaw warriors and scouts assisted American military forces in their campaigns against Indians in the North‑ west Territory. During the Chickasaw delegation’s visit in 1794, George Wash‑ ington thanked them for their nation’s contributions, deeming their conduct to be “the strongest evidence of your friend‑ ship” (James R. Atkinson, Splendid Land, Splendid People: The Chickasaw Indians to Removal [Tuscaloosa, Ala., 2004], 148‑9, 161‑9; Washington, Papers, Pres. Ser., 16:332‑3). secretary at war will take care of you: on 9 Mch., Dearborn ordered Nicholas Byers, the U.S. factor at Tellico, Tennessee, to supply the returning delega‑ tion with $30 in articles “suitable for the wear of Indian women” as gifts for their wives. Byers was to furnish each of the leaders with a saddle, a brass kettle, two pounds of powder, four pounds of lead, and a rifle (Lb in DNA: RG 75, LSIA).

Notes on Speech of Mingo Mattaha Mar. 7. 05.

Minghy Metàha The heads of the nation will be glad to see their but the distance so great that prevents them he expected friendly talks & will carry them home the talk now given very satisfactory concerng keepg their land. it will probably not be agreeable to exchange their country for any strange country the Chickasaws will never agree to move out of their land for any other. they will not answer now but when they get home to the nation will send an answer. they begin to improve with the aids from us, & they will be more encouraged to industry on hearing this talk when this talk is carried home he hopes we shall get answer to our satisfactn this talk will be pleasing when carried home. they are a poor people cannot get tools to work. this will encourage them. as to annuity we at such a distance may think they get the whole but they do not. one year’s annuity never went. year 1800.  700 

7 MARCH 1805

[have we informed him that was before we came to admn, that the war office was burnt & all it’s papers, so we knew nothing of it.] when the Comrs. treated for a road they desired a blacksmith or two & tools & they hope they shall recieve them. tho the nation is small they are scattered over great country so that one would not be convenient enough. would be glad of weavers, men who have wives to instruct them. MS (DLC); entirely in TJ’s hand, including brackets.

To João F. Oliveira Fernandes Sir Washington Mar. 7. 05. Your favor of Jan. 24. was recieved in February. I have information of the arrival of the wines at Richmond, and of their being forwarded to Monticello. I have now the pleasure to inclose you a draught of the branch bank of the US. at this place on that at Norfolk for one hun‑ dred & fifty two dollars twenty five cents, the amount of the bill, and to tender you my thanks for your attention to this little commission & the assurances of my respect & consideration. Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Doctr. Oliveira Fernandez”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “152.25.”

i have information: George Jeffer‑ son to TJ, 28 Feb.

To Philippe Reibelt Th:J. to mr Reibelt Dr. 1805 Jan 23.1 Correspondance de Rousseau. Hist. nat. Mineraux. Patrin Catharine II. Austera Salines. Struve Voiage a Naples Voiage de Pictet Soirées Ferney Droit maritime Boucher Droit commerciale do. Legislation de Perreau Almanac Wedkind Etats Unis Bridel  701 

D 2. 6.64 6.78 .75 .48 1.60 1. 4.85 4.85 1.60 1.35 .72

7 MARCH 1805

Promenades. Pujoulx Piranesi

Feb.

0. 5. 3. 13.

18.

19.

_____ 47.42

Buffon de la jeunesse Manuel de Blumenbach Mineralogie Haüy Anatomie Cuvier Flor. Amer. Michaux _____ 28.96 Desodoart revolns Biblioteque geograph. Zoographie Physique de la jeunesse Histoire des Mathematiques botanique voiages cosmographiques Morale de Desmoutier Nouveau testament. 2 copies Respublicae diversae (10) Respublicae Hungariae Dict. etymolog. Morin Dict. de Poche Catineau Romae Ichnographia Orbis veteris Polyglot. Leipsic Annuaire de la Marck _____ 38. Dict. de poch Catineau 2 cop. Dict. de poch Tardy La Fontaine fables La Fontaine Contes Arnould Moliere Racine Corneille Anacharsis

1. 13.80 1.20 4.20 11.52 3.40 8.64 2.40 10. 1. .40 4. 2.80 1. 80 1.60 4.90 2. 2.80 1.90 .50 .10 .10 1.70 3.80 1.92 .64 .64 1.50 1.92 1.39 2.74 9.28 138.24

Sir Washington Mar. 7. 05. The above, I believe, is an exact statement of my account with you, and I now inclose a draught of the US. bank here on that at Balti‑ more for 138 D. 24 c the amount. your letters of Feb. 2. & Mar. 3.  702 

8 MARCH 1805

have been recieved in due time. the books announced in the last are not yet at hand; but being now on my departure for Monticello, where I shall remain a month, and the books not being to my conve‑ nience, I will direct them to be returned without delay. Accept my respects and best wishes Th: Jefferson PoC (DLC); at foot of text: “Mr. Rei‑ belt”; endorsed by TJ. Notation in SJL: “138.24.”

1 TJ also wrote the date 24 Dec. 1804. He likely made the change by erasure on the RC.

From Robert Smith Sir, Navy. Dept. 7 March 1805. I enclose herewith 15 Commissions and 15 Warrants to which I have the honor to request your signature. They are required for Offi‑ cers hertofore appointed but not yet Commissioned, and for some few Appointments which it may be necessary to make for the Expedition now preparing for the Mediterranean. I am with respect sir, yr. mo ob st. Rt Smith RC (DLC); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Smith; at foot of text: “The President of the U. States”; endorsed by TJ as re‑ ceived from the Navy Department on 7 Mch. and “Commns. &c” and so recorded in SJL. Enclosures not found. expedition now preparing: writing to Commodore Samuel Barron on 7 Mch.,

Smith informed him that orders had been given to prepare reinforcements and sup‑ plies for the Mediterranean squadron, which would include 10 gunboats, 500 men, provisions, and “a supply of Pow‑ der and Shot.” Smith hoped they would arrive before “operations against Tripoli” recommenced in July (ndbw, 5:395).

To Zadok Cramer Washington Mar. 8. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Cramer and sub‑ scribes with pleasure for a copy of Brown’s dictionary of the bible which he proposes to print at Pittsburg. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

he proposes: see Cramer to TJ, 14 Feb.

 703 

To John Davis Washington Mar. 8.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Davis and his thanks for the poem he sent him. he has subscribed with pleasure to his In‑ dian tale. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ. poem: The Philadelphia Pursuits of Literature; see Davis to TJ, 1 Mch.

Davis recorded TJ first in his list of those who subscribed to his book (Captain Smith and Princess Pocahontas, An Indian Tale [Philadelphia, 1805], [159]; Davis to TJ, 16 Feb.).

From Éleuthère Irénée du Pont de Nemours Monsieur le President, Eleutherian Mills, mars 8 1805. Les lettres que je viens de recevoir de mon Pere, m’annoncent son retour, si desiré, etre enfin fixé pour le mois de may prochain. il me charge en même tems de vous faire parvenir une lettre que J’ai l’honneur de joindre à celle‑ci. Permettez moi Monsieur le President, de Saisir cette occasion de vous renouveller les temoignages de ma reconnaissance pour l’avis que vous avez bien voulu me donner des dispositions favorables du gouvernement relativement à notre manufacture. Vous aurez pu voir par le procès verbal qui a du vous etre adressé des epreuves des Pou‑ dres que j’ai fournies l’année derniere au Pourvoyeur des Etats Unis, pour le commerce des Indiens, que ces Poudres ont Constament donné un plus fort resultat que toutes les Poudres anglaises essayées comparativement avec elles. les Soins que je n’ai cessé de donner à la perfection de mon etablissement ne me laissent aucun doute sur la Superiotité1 de la Poudre de Brandywine sur celles d’Europe relative‑ ment à la force et à la durée. Cette derniere qualité est surtout essentielle pour les Poudres des‑ tinées à l’usage de la marine et à des voyages de long cours et ne pouvait jamais etre constatée par une experience plus positive que n’aurait été celle du Service des fregates employées dans la Meditera‑ née; J’aurais en conséquence vivement desiré que dans l’approvisione‑ ment des fregates qui seront expediées ce primtems la Poudre de ma Manufacture fut mise en comparaison avec celles dont le département de la marine est maintenant approvisionné. Peut étre est‑il dans l’in‑ tention du gouvernement de le faire, mais dans ce cas je vous prierai  704 

8 MARCH 1805

de me permettre d’observer que, si les ordres n’étaient donnés qu’au moment du besoin, le tems necessaire pour la fabrication manquerait, et qu’alors je me trouverais dans l’impossibilité de repondre aux de‑ mandes, et à votre bienveillance. toute la fabrication de ma manufac‑ ture etant jusqu’à present dirigée pour le commerce de l’interieur du pays, et ne pouvant fabriquer de la Poudre de guerre sans la certitude de son employ. Ayant lu dernierement dans le Medical repository, publié à New‑york, la reponse du doctr. Mitchell à une lettre du ministre de la Marine sur les causes qui rendent la Poudre de ce departement alterable à la mer au point d’etre hors de Service en une Seule campagne, jai cru pou‑ voir me permettre quelques reflexions sur le même objet, et J’aurais eu l’honneur de vous les Soumettre si je n’eusse crains de vous faire perdre un tems precieux et d’abuser de votre indulgence. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec un profond respect Monsieur le Presi‑ dent, Votre très humble et très obeissant Serviteur E. I. du Pont de Nemours. e d i t o r s’

t r a n s l a t i o n

Mister President, Eleutherian Mills, 8 Mch. 1805 Letters I just received from my father announce that his long‑desired re‑ turn is finally set for next May. He also asked me to send you the letter I have the honor of enclosing here. Allow me, Mister President, to take this opportunity to renew my grati‑ tude for the news you gave me about the government’s favorable decision regarding our factory. The report you undoubtedly saw, which described the test results of the gunpowder I furnished to the U.S. purveyor last year for trade with the Indians, showed that this gunpowder continually outperformed all the British powder against which they were measured. My unceasing efforts to perfect my company leave me no doubt about the superiority of the Brandywine powder over European powders, in strength and durability. This last quality is especially important for powders intended for use at sea or on long expeditions. Mediterranean frigates provide the best possible test cases. For that reason, I fervently hoped the frigates dispatched this spring could be supplied with powder from my factory, so it could be compared with what the navy currently uses. That may indeed be the government’s inten‑ tion, but I take the liberty of noting that if the order is not placed until the powder is needed, it will be too late to manufacture it. I would then be unable to fill the order and to satisfy your good will. So far, the factory’s entire pro‑ duction has been targeted for domestic use. We cannot produce military power without being sure it is needed. Recently I read in the Medical Repository, published in New York, Dr. Mitchill’s reply to a letter from the secretary of the navy about the conditions that cause the navy’s powder to be degraded at sea to the point of becoming unusable in the course of a single campaign. I felt justified in offering some

 705 

8 MARCH 1805 reflections on this subject which I would have had the honor of sending you if I had not feared wasting your valuable time and abusing your good will. With deep respect, Mister President, I have the honor of being your very humble and obedient servant. E. I. du Pont de Nemours. RC (DLC); at head of text: “Son Ex‑ cellence Thomas Jefferson President des Etats Unis”; endorsed by TJ as received 12 Mch. and so recorded in SJL. FC (DeGH). Enclosure: Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours to TJ, 2 Oct. 1804. de vous renouveller: see TJ to E. I. du Pont de Nemours, 23 Nov. 1804. On the same day as du Pont’s letter to TJ, Dearborn wrote to the manufacturer re‑ garding a contract to supply gunpowder (Lb in DNA: RG 107, MLS). pourvoyeur des etats unis: Tench Coxe. la reponse du doctr. mitchell: on 11 Jan. 1803, Robert Smith wrote

to Samuel Mitchill with an inquiry about the saltpeter refinement process and the poorly made powder then in use by the navy. Mitchill replied three days later and both responses were published later that year (The Medical Repository, 6 [1803], 426‑8). quelques reflexions: TJ’s papers include a 10‑page unsigned and undated manuscript in du Pont’s hand on the sub‑ ject of Mitchill’s published letter. It is pos‑ sible that du Pont’s manuscript was deliv‑ ered to TJ by George Logan in January 1806 (MS in DLC: TJ Papers, 236: 42365‑9; Logan to TJ, 14 Jan. 1806). 1

Thus in MS.

To Thomas Elwyn Washington Mar. 8. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his compliments to mr Elwyn & this thanks for the pamphlet he has been so kind as to send him, and which he shall peruse with pleasure in his first spare moment. he had before observed what was said in the Chronicle of it’s conciliatory tendency. some are of opinion that attempts at conciliation are useless. this is true only as to distinguished leaders who had committed themselves so far that their pride will not permit them to correct themselves. but it is not true as to the mass of those who had been led astray by an honest confidence in the government & by misinformation. the great majority of these has already reconciled itself to us, & the rest are doing so as fast as the natural progress of opinion will permit. he presents his friendly salutations to Mr. Elwyn. RC (Seth Kaller, Inc., White Plains, New York, 2015); addressed: “Thomas Elwyn esq. Portsmouth N.H.”; franked and postmarked; endorsed by Elwyn. PoC (DLC).

thanks for the pamphlet: see Elwyn to TJ, 22 Feb.

 706 

Statement of Account with Henry Ingle Washington March 8th. 1805

Thomas Jefferson Esqr.

To Henry Ingle Dr. Cts @ 0.62½ $3.75 @ 0.56¼ 3.37½ @ 0.14 0.42 @ 0.12½ 0.37½ 0.18½ $8.10½ Recd. the Above in full— for Henry Ingle John P. Ingle

To 6 Gross 1 In Screws To 6 Do. ¾ In Do. To 3 plane irons To 3 Do. Do. Octr. 19 To 100 tacks

$8.10½ RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as paid 11 Mar.

From Charles Willson Peale Dear Sir Museum March 8th. 1805 I have only time to inform you that the Polyh. is sent by this Mail Stage—that the Boxes for paper & Pens &c was made, but on tryal found a little too large, and we could not in time make others—my desire to give all possible Room for paper was cause of the mistake of ⅛ of an Inch in length. I did not attemp making lines on the Cloath, for that will be best done on your tryal of the machine & may be made with a little white paint—? suppose you make some cross lines as directory for placing the Paper both ways?—The workmanship would have been neater had I taken more time—however this Ma‑ chine may be changed for another when you please— yours affectionately C W Peale RC (DLC); at foot of text: “His Excel‑ lency Thos. Jefferson Esqr.”; endorsed by TJ as received 11 Mch. PoC (Lb in PPAmP: Peale‑Sellers Papers).

boxes for paper: see TJ to Peale, 28 Nov. 1804.

 707 

From Nathaniel Perkins Dr Sir, Goochland County Va. March 8th. 1805 The Liberty that this Your Unworthy fellow Creature are about takeing with you I hope Your Goodness will excuse as Need only would have emboldened him to take It— From Misfortune I am in Need of One or two Thousand Dollars on Loan for a few Years If therefore Your Goodness and entire Con‑ venience Can Supply my Great wants the favour will be Greatly Ac‑ knowledged by me. If not Convenient to You I hope this you will Commit to the flames and let the Application Sink in forgetfullness— I am Dr Sir. truly Your Most Obt. Hbe Sert &C Nat Perkins PS. I have Been and am still in the Mercantile Line & from Other men’s misconduct I am brought to Need as Above which would fully reestablish me in the Business RC (MHi); at head of text: “Mr Thomas Jefferson”; endorsed by TJ as received 4 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Nathaniel Perkins kept a store at the Goochland County courthouse and was

appointed as postmaster there in January 1799. He resigned in December 1800 after receiving criticism for relocating the office to a site better suited to his personal busi‑ ness concerns (Stets, Postmasters, 258; Vol. 32:286‑7).

To Jean Perreïn Washington Mar. 8. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his acknolegements to mr Perrein for the offer of his collection in Natural history; but his pursuits in life hav‑ ing never permitted him to think for a moment of forming a museum himself, he cannot avail himself of mr Perrein’s proposition. on the contrary, whatever he recieves worth preservation he is in the habit of giving either to the Philosophical society or to mr Peale. PoC (ViW: Tucker‑Coleman Collec‑ tion); endorsed by TJ.

offer of his collection: see Per‑ reïn to TJ, 25 Feb.

To Caesar A. Rodney Washington Mar. 8. 05.

Th: Jefferson presents his salutations to his friend mr Rodney and not knowing by what post office a letter will find mr Copes, he asks the favor of mr Rodney to be the bearer of his thanks to mr Copes for  708 

8 MARCH 1805

his communication on the theory of Magnetism & his apology for not addressing them directly to him.   he is sure also that mr Rod‑ ney can testify to him that unremitting attentions requisite to those matters which duty will not permit him to neglect, render it impossi‑ ble for him to suffer himself to be drawn off by philosophical subjects, altho’ infinitely more pleasing to his mind. he is now hurrying to get through his business in order to make a short visit to his family. RC (Heritage Auctions, Dallas, Texas, 2012); addressed: “Caesar A. Rodney esq Wilmington”; franked and postmarked. PoC (DLC); endorsed by TJ.

his communication: Joseph Copes to TJ, 15 Feb.

 709 

Appendix I E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

Jefferson kept an ongoing list of appointments and removals through his two terms as president, with entries extending from 5 Mch. 1801 to 23 Feb. 1809. For the first installment of this list, ending at 14 May 1802, see Vol. 33, Appendix i, List 4. Beginning with Vol. 37, each volume’s span of the list appears as Appendix i. The segment for the current volume continues at 28 Nov. 1804 with the president’s recording of James Bowdoin’s appointment as the U.S. minister plenipotentiary to Spain. With Congress in session, the president submitted most of the names on the list to the Senate for con‑ firmation on 9, 13, and 30 Nov., 11 Dec., 28 Jan., 26 Feb., and the first three days of March. Some of the candidates, such as Nathaniel Ewing and Joseph Chambers, had previously received recess appointments, while Isaac Van Horne, who was entered at 7 Mch., did not get a permanent appointment until after the Ninth Congress began (jep, 2:8, 10; Notes on Appointments, printed at 5 Oct. 1804; TJ to Jacob Wagner, 5 Oct. 1804). This was a working list, which Jefferson updated as he received informa‑ tion. William Lyman, for example, nominated for a customs position in New Orleans, informed the administration of his intention to move to London and requested the consulship there. He appears on this installment of the list twice. It is not always clear why Jefferson ordered the list as he did. He likely added names when he signed commissions, which were often dated, but not necessarily generated, according to when Senate confirmation occurred. Tompson J. Skinner was confirmed on 12 Dec., the date of his commission, and appears on the list at 13 Dec. By contrast, and with the exception of James Brown, who was confirmed on 11 Dec., the appointees whose names Jefferson entered at 15 Dec. were confirmed on 20 or 22 Nov. and received commis‑ sions with the latter date. The repetition of George W. Erving’s name on the list for the same position may have resulted from Jefferson’s signing a dupli‑ cate commission. John Leonard had been appointed consul at Barcelona in December 1803 and appeared previously on Jefferson’s list. His reappear‑ ance here may have derived from the administration’s learning that he never received his original commission (Commissions in DNA: RG 59, MPTPC; jep, 1:471‑4, 476‑7; Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 9:14; Vol. 42:95, 620; Notes on Renominations and Nominations, printed at 26 Feb.).

List of Appointments [28 Nov. 1804‑7 Mch. 1805]

Nov. 28. James Bowdoin Mass.1 M.P. to Spain George W. Erving Mas.2 Secretary of legn to do. William Brown of NO. Collector3 for the district of Missipi William Lyman of Mas. Survr. & Inspector N.O.  711 

APPENDIX I

Dec. 13. Tomson J. Skinner of Mas.4 Marshl. Massach. Benjamin Austin of Mas. Commr. loans Mas. 15. Nathanl. Ewing of Pensva Recievr. of public monies at Vincennes. Elijah Backus of Ohio. Reciever &c. at Kaskaskias Frederick Bates of Indiana Reciever &c. at Detroit George Hoffman. of Ohio Register of land office at Detroit Joseph Chambers of Misipi Register of land office E. of Pearl river. Thomas Fitzpatrick of S. Carolina Register &c. West5 of Pearl riv. James Brown of Kentucky one of the judges of the Superior court in the territy. of Orleans Thomas Rutter of Maryland Marshal of Maryld. Edward Hall of Maryld. Comr. loans for Maryld. ⎫ Samuel Hamilton ⎪ justices for Washington Samuel N. Smallwood ⎬⎪ Columbia Robert Alexander junr. ⎭ 27. Wm. Bellinger Bullock of Georgia to be Atty for the Georgia District v. D. B. Mitchill resd. 1805. Jan. 4. Peter Kuhn of Pensva. to be Consul at Genoa William Lyman of Mass. to be Consul at London. William Creighton of Ohio to be Atty for the district of Ohio John Graham of Kentucky to be Secretary for the terry. of Orleans. 12 John Tapscot of Virga Collector & Inspector for the port of Yeocomico river Virga. v. Martin Tapscot decd. Feb. 13. George W. Erving Mass. Secy of legn to court of Spain. 15. Algernon Sidney Stanford of Maryland. Collector & Inspector of Vienna Maryld. Ormond Tuley of N. Carolina Surveyor & Inspector of Slade’s creek Charles Tenant Porter of Tennissee continued Marshal of E. Tennissee Edward Scott of Tennissee Distr. Atty of Tennissee v.   removd. for delinquency 26. Leonard John. of New Jersey. Consul at Barcelona Mar. 6. Robert Williams of N. Carolina. Govr. of Misipi territory v.   Claiborne  712 

APPENDIX I

1805. Mar.

Daniel T. Tomkins. of N.Y. judge of the district court of N.Y v.   Hobart decd. Wm. Hull of Mass. Govr. of the territory of Michigan. Stanley Griswold of Connecticut. Secretary of do Samuel Huntington of Ohio judge of the court of do. Augustus B. Woodward of Columbia a judge of do. Frederick Bates of Michigan a judge of do. 7. Buckner Thruston of Kentucky. one of the judges of the superior court of Orleans Obadiah Jones one of the judges of the Misipi territory Thomas H. Williams of Misipi Terry. Register of land office West of Pearl river. 7. Robert Smith Attorney Genl. Crownenshield of Mass. Secretary of the Navy Isaac Vanhorne of Pensylva Reciever of public monies at Zanesville Daniel Coffin of 6 Massach. Collector & Inspector at Nantucket v.   decd. Andrew Porter of Orleans Surveyor & Inspector for the port of New Orleans.

MS (DLC: TJ Papers, 186:33098); entirely in TJ’s hand; being the continu‑ ation of a list that extends from 5 Mch. 1801 to 23 Feb. 1809; for the installment immediately preceding this one, see Vol. 44: Appendix i. district of missipi: under the act in‑ corporating the Louisiana Purchase area into the U.S. customs regime, New Or‑ leans was named the port of entry for the “District of Mississippi” (U.S. Statutes at Large, 2:252). edward scott replaced Thomas Gray as U.S. attorney for the eastern district of

Tennessee (Joseph Anderson to TJ, 16 Oct. 1804, not found; Vol. 33:52). The collectorship at nantucket be‑ came vacant because of the death of Ste‑ phen Hussey (Micajah Coffin and Others to TJ, 24 Jan.). 1 Word

interlined. interlined. 3 TJ first wrote “William Brown col‑ lector of N.O. for the district of Missipi” before altering the entry to read as above. 4 Preceding two words interlined. 5 Word altered from “East.” 6 TJ here canceled “Nantucket.” 2 Word

 713 

Appendix II Dinner Guest Records E D I T O R I A L

N O T E

Between 5 Nov. 1804 and 6 Mch. 1809, Jefferson kept an ongoing record of the guests he invited to dine at the President’s House. The records had three components: a roster of the members of Congress recreated at the start of each congressional session and used as a checklist; a compilation of the congressional members he invited to dinner with the dates of those dinners noted after their names; and his dinner calendar (Dinners by Date). Although the first two lists confined themselves to Congress, the dinner guest calendar attempted to track every person, congressional or otherwise, whom Jefferson invited to his table. It was interrupted only by his absences from Washing‑ ton. The first installment of the Dinner Guest Records is found in Volume 44, Appendix ii. That appendix includes the Dinners by Date for 5‑9 Nov. 1804 along with the two congressional lists, Members of Eighth Congress, Second Session, November 1804, and Dinner Attendance by Members of Congress, 5 Nov. 1804‑27 Feb. 1805. The list of Dinners by Date for the congressional season of 1804‑1805 continues in this volume. Jefferson logged his dinners by date, listing the surnames of those invited. He marked guests who declined the invitation with a single stroke through the name (for example, William Blackledge at 14 Nov. below). When invita‑ tions were extended to include companions or family, Jefferson recorded the surname of the head of the party along with a numeral (for example, “Mad. 2” at 21 Nov., which in that case most likely denoted James Madison and Dolley Payne Todd Madison). Jefferson did not list houseguests and resi‑ dents of the President’s House on his dinner calendar except sometimes as “fam.” Residents during the period of this volume included Jefferson’s secre‑ tary, as well as his sons‑in‑law, John Wayles Eppes and Thomas Mann Ran‑ dolph, both members of the House of Representatives. Most of the guests during this congressional session were members of Congress, but not all. Some of the spelling variations among congressional names in the list printed below are “Salmond” or “Salmon” for Thomas Sammons, “Rykart” for Samuel Riker, “Lattimer” or “Latimer” for William Lattimore, “Dixon” for William Dickson, and “Mc.reery” for William Mac‑ Creery. Jefferson commonly abbreviated “V” for Van, as in “V. Cortlandt,” and condensed longer names, such as “V. Renslaer” for Killian Van Rensse‑ laer. Among guests who were not members of Congress, some of the spelling variations include “Stewart” for artist Gilbert Stuart, “Carson” for John Cas‑ sin of the navy yard, and “Reid” for U.S. district attorney George Read, Jr.

Dinners by Date [11 Nov. 1804‑7 Mch. 1805]

11. Barnes fam. 4. 13. V. Cordlandt  714 

APPENDIX II

14.

15.

17.

21.1

Alston Archer Salmond Anderson P. Richards Rea. P. Mc.Cord Verplank Rose Reed Dr. Mitchil Logan. 2. Bard

Kennedy Holland Larned Homes Richd. Brent Tench Ringold Meriwether Earle. Rykart Sandford Franklin New Morrow Elmer Southard Wright Nicholson Nelson Jones Smith V. Sumpter Bryan Eustis Boyd Helms Sloane Rodney Mad. 2  715 

APPENDIX II

Cutts 2 Jackson 2 Giles 2 Newton 3 J. Mason 2 Murray 1 fam. 4 23.2 R. Smith 2 Adams 1 mrs Johnson 3 Harrison 5 D. C. Brent 1 fam. 4 19. omitted in place Olin Clarke Clopton Moore S.C Motte Latimer Moore V. Stanford Brown Pens. Palmer Cocke Heister. 24. Rodney fam. 2. Tuesd. 27. Turreau 2 Pichon Mad. Wilkerson Burr Macon

Nicholson Randolph Eustis Morton Thursd. 29. Sauvé  716 

APPENDIX II

Detrahan Derbigné Lucas Claiborne Hanna Wynne N.C. Stone Bedinger Smith NY. Gregg. Goodwin Coles Upshaw. Dec. 1. Sat. Betton Mitchell M. Taggart Chittenden Stevenson Lowndes Pickering Cutler Wadsworth

J. C. Smith Stedman. fam. 3. Dec. 2. J. Barnes fam 3. Dec. 3. Griffin Livingston

Lewis Hillhouse Plumer Tenney Davenport Tibbets  717 

APPENDIX II

Clagget Dwight Talmage3 Dec. 5. Wedn. Stewart Vanhorne Clay V. Butler Bishop Whitehill Smith O. Russel Fromentin Lyman Pintard Winn S.C. Root. Sarjeant Spencer Dec. 7. Frid. Mad. 2 Cutts 2 Lowndes 2 Williams. 2 Clay 2 Washn. 1 Soderstrom 1 Latrobe Graham. Dec. 9. Barnes fam. Dec. 11. Tuesd. Jackson G. his son Breckenridge Gray

Trigg Gillespie Blackledge Lyon  718 

APPENDIX II

Howland Anderson T. Wilson

Thursd. D. 13 Hough Baldwin C. Thatcher Hastings White

Hunt Campbell M. Hoge Otis Sat. 15. Baldwin G Crownenshd Mitchell N.Y Jones Seaver Riker Ellery V. Cortlandt Walton Larned

Stanton Mordaunt Emmet Glendy. Sunday 16

fam. Monday 17. Leib. Clay P. Condit Varnum Helms Findlay Smilie  719 

APPENDIX II

Mc.reery Olin

New Wed. 19. Logan Sumpter Smith Verm Thompson Homes Alston Holland Early Winston Bedinger Boyle Dickson Worthington Friday 21 Randolph



Meriwether Mc.Cord Verplank Nelson Hasbrook Stanford Earle Dr. Tucker G. Stewart Madison Sund. 23 Barnes fam. 3. Mond. 24. Gallatin 3 R. Smith 2 Giles 2  720 

APPENDIX II

Wilkerson 2 Wright 1 Huger 3 Burr 1 Wed. 26. Smith N.Y.

Macon Sloane 2 Anderson P

Fowler Alexander Elliot. Lincoln Granger4 Dec. 28. Breckenridge Goodwin Kennedy Cocke Bradly Thomas Mc.lay Archer Campbell T. Palmer Salmon Conrad Rhea T. Davy Dec. 31. Mond. Eustis Macon Brown K. Brown P. Southard Richards Moore V. Boyd  721 

APPENDIX II

Elmer Detrahan Dearborne Sandford Dawson 1805. Jan. 3. Thursd. Jackson G.

Franklin Wynne N.C. Gregg Heister Clarke

Morrow Bard Rea P. Derbigné Jan. 5. Sat. Moore M. Bradly Root Lucas Newton Knight Patterson Palmer Clopton Motte Casey Moore S.C. Sauvé Fitzhugh fam. 3. 7. Mond. Cutts Crownenshd. Bryan Smith M. Anderson T. Smith O.  722 

APPENDIX II

Wright Jackson V. Bishop

Butler Sullivan Fromentin fam. 3. 9. Wed. Baldwin Mitchell Leib.

Smith V. Trigg

Wilson Howland Stewart V. Horne Winn. S.C. Hanna. 11. Friday. R. Smith. 2 Wm. Smith  mrs Hall  mrs Hughes Williams 3 Adams 2 mrs Johnson 45 S. Smith. M. Burr Jan. 15. Keteltas

Breckenridge Jones Logan Condit Varnum

Latimer  723 

APPENDIX II

Goodwin Whitehill Fowler Lyon Sat. Jan. 19 Stone

Brown K Thompson Seaver Helms

Meriwether Anderson P. Nelson

Williams N.C. Jouett. Mond. Jan. 21 Clay Nicholson Randolph Jackson G.

Ellery V. Cortlandt Holland

Walton Smith M. Tuesd. Peale Wed. Jan. 23. Stevenson Dayton Wadsworth Pickering

Stedman Griffin Hillhouse  724 

APPENDIX II

Campbell M. Livingston V. Renslaer6 Talmage Sibley Frid. Jan. 25 Turreau Marin Fourcroy D. C. Brent Wilkinson Dearborne Gallatin Morton Wharton Tingey Sat. Digges. Carrol Mond. Jan. 28. Eustis

Giles Smith N.Y. Sumpter Smith Verm. Riker Findley Smilie Alston Early Anderson T. Thursday Jan. 31

Crownenshield Mitchell N.Y. Leib. Worthington Mc.Cord Sloane Brown P.

Kennedy Claiborne  725 

APPENDIX II

Alexander Standford Feb. 2. Sat. Moore M. Cocke

Root. Thomas Southard Richards Moore V. Smith V. Franklin Wynns N.C. Gregg J. Coles. Monday. 4. Mad. 2 Wheeler 1 Cutts 2 Jackson 1 Mc.reery 2 Wright 2. Lowndes 1. Cushing 2 Fairlie 2 Feb. 7. Thursd. Burr Macon Rodney Nicholson

Bryan

Gaillard Phelps

Trigg Clarke Campbell T.  726 

APPENDIX II

Feb. 9. Sat Marshall Patterson Washington Winchester Bedford Hay Nicholas Minor Heath J. Taylor Smith Pensl. Reid Johnson Dallas Jones Feb. 10. Sund. J. Barnes J. Coles. 11. Mond. Duval. 3. W. Brent. 2 Williams 2 Newton 27 Clay 2 Sumpter 2 13. Wed. Bonaparte Lecamus Turreau Marin



E. Randolph Mc.kean Graham

Pederson  727 

APPENDIX II

15. Friday Wilson Larned Stanton Olin Boyd New

Blackledge Bedinger Dixon Elliott Hasbrook Feb. 19. Tuesd. Clay P.

Jones Varnum Thompson Clinton Knight Casey Moore S.C.

Walton

Izard Feb. 21. Thursd Stewart V. Horne Clopton Butler

Salmon Conrad Hanna Elmer Alexander Rhea T. Lattimer Feb. 23. Sat. Baldwin  728 

APPENDIX II

Mitchell N.Y. Rodney Nicholson Randolph

Smith M. Giles Jackson G. Breckenridge

H. Homes Tucker Feb. 25. Mond. Gaillard Smith N.Y Logan Condit Stone Smith Ver. Brown K Early Smith O. Boyle Worthington Campbell T. Feb 24. Sund. Mad. Gall Dearb. Smith. fam. 4. 26. Earle Feb. 27. Frid. D. Homes Alston Holland Goodwin Lucas

Morrow Bard  729 

APPENDIX II

Rea. P. Earle Fowler Lyon Mar. 1. Clinton Dewitt Johnson Soderstrom

Fromentin Tucker Granger Latrobe

Law 2 Duncanson Hanson [. . .]8 Fitzhugh 3. J. Barnes Mar. 5. Tuesd. Preble R. Smith Crownenshd Dearborne Wilkerson Wilkerson

Tingey Carson fam. 3. Mar. 7. Th. 2 Chickasaws Dearborne

Interpreter Agent halfbreed Burr fam. 3  730 

APPENDIX II  MS (MHi); entirely in TJ’s hand; being part of a list that extends from 5 Nov. 1804 to 6 Mch. 1809; cancellations made by a single stroke, which indicated that a guest declined, are rendered in ital‑ ics within angle brackets. fam.: that is, “family” (see Editorial Note). anderson p.: that is, Isaac Anderson of Pennsylvania. TJ often added a state abbreviation to differentiate men with the same surname. A “V” in front of a name was TJ’s abbreviation for Van, as with Philip Van Cortlandt at the same 13 Nov. dinner. mad.: that is, James Madison. The succession of numerals following the sur‑ names at this 21 Nov. dinner indicates that it was held for mixed company, one of seven such dinners that TJ hosted be‑ fore 7 Mch. See Vol. 44: Appendix ii, List 2 for TJ’s system of recording a plus sign (+) next to the names of legislators who had brought family to Washington. John Quincy adams wrote of the din‑ ner on 23 Nov.: “Dined with the Presi‑ dent; Mrs: Johnson & her daughters Catherine and Eliza went—Mrs: Adams did not—The Company were Mr: R. Smith Secy: of the Navy and his Lady, Mr: & Mrs: Harrison, Miss Jenifer, and Miss Mouchette—Mr: Brent, and the President’s two Sons in Law, with Mr: Burwell his private Secretary” (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803‑4 Aug. 1809], 110, in MHi: Adams Family Papers). coles: probably Isaac A. Coles. Be‑ cause TJ did not include household resi‑ dents in his guest lists, the inclusion of Coles’s name at the dinner of 29 Nov. suggests that he had arrived in the capital but had not yet moved into the President’s House (mb, 2:1132n, 1147n; TJ to Mar‑ tha Jefferson Randolph, 3 Dec. 1804). Federalist congressman Samuel tag‑ gart of Massachusetts described his 1 Dec. dinner in a letter. “On Saturday last I had the honour of dining, in company with about a dozen other members of Congress, at the President’s table.” The guests had, “among a variety of other good things,” wine that Taggart deemed “very good” and some of the mammoth cheese, “which was wretched enough. The President was very sociable and for once

was dressed like a gentleman” (George H. Haynes, ed., “Letters of Samuel Taggart, Representative in Congress, 1803‑1814, Part I, 1803‑1807,” Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, 33 [1923], 140). William plumer wrote on 3 Dec.: “To day I shall dine with the President of the United States. His cards of invitations are unlike those of former President’s— their’s issued in the name of The President of the United States. The following is the form established by Mr. Jefferson.— ‘Th: Jefferson requests the favor of Mr. Plumer to dine with him on monday next at half after three, or at whatever later hour the house may rise. The favor of an answer is asked.’ It is Th: Jefferson not the President of the United States that invites—& yet were he not the Presi‑ dent I presume I should not be invited.” Plumer described the company as “Mr. Hillhouse of the Senate, myself, & eight federal members of the House, his two sons in law, (both members of the House) and his private secretary.” Dinner was “elegant & rich—his wines very good— there were eight different kinds of which there were rich Hungary, & still richer Tokay.” Also “exposed on the table” were “two bottles of water brought from the river Mississippi, & a quantity of the Mammoth cheese,” which Plumer pro‑ nounced as “very far from being good.” The meal finished with “a great variety of  pies, fruits & nuts” (Brown, William Plumer’s Memorandum, 211, 212‑13). baldwin c.: Federalist Simeon Bald‑ win of Connecticut wrote of a dinner with TJ during the previous session of Con‑ gress: “I shall this day dine for the first time with Th. Jefferson—he is in the habit of separating the wheat from the chaff— & invites the federal members by them‑ selves” (Simeon E. Baldwin, Life and Letters of Simeon Baldwin [New Haven, 1918], 344). Augustus Foster, secretary of the British legation, described an incident that most likely took place at TJ’s dinner of 26 Dec. New Jersey’s James Sloan (sloane), “being one day invited with several Mem‑ bers of Congress to dine at the Presi‑ dent’s, he took his son the young butcher with him, who was a great country lout, and on going up to the President, told

 731 

APPENDIX II him he heard one of his guests had been taken ill and could not come and there‑ fore he had brought his son with him who was very anxious to see him and would not be in the way as there was, he knew, a spare plate.” The dinner of 26 Dec. was the one time during the duration of the guest records in which Sloan was marked as having brought a companion (Rich‑ ard  B. Davis, ed., Jeffersonian America: Notes on the United States of America Collected in the Years 1805-6-7 and 11-12 by Sir Augustus John Foster, Bart. [San Ma‑ rino, Calif., 1954], 56‑7). 9. wed.: TJ occasionally failed to re‑ cord a guest at his table. Charles Willson Peale, in his diary of 9 Jan. 1805, wrote that he and his son Rembrandt Peale dined with the president that day, “in company with several members of Congress.” He also mentioned the same dinner in a letter of 11 Jan., but neither he nor his son ap‑ pear on the guest list. TJ did record one of the Peales at his table on 22 Jan. (Peale, Papers, v. 2, pt. 2:785, 790). 11. friday.: after Adams attended the dinner on 11 Jan., he recorded the names of the other guests in his diary and then added, “The President appeared to have his mind absorbed by some other object, for he was less attentive to his company than usual—His itch for telling prodigies, however is unabated” (Adams, diary 27 [1 Jan. 1803‑4 Aug. 1809], 124, in MHi: Adams Family Papers; see also Robert Smith to TJ, 7 Jan. 1805). j. coles was Isaac Coles’s brother John (Isaac A. Coles to John Coles III,

17 Dec. 1804 [Roberts Coles, Albemarle County, 1970]). Susan wheeler, born in 1776, was the daughter of Norfolk merchant and mayor Luke Wheeler and spent the winter of 1804‑1805 in Washington. She married Stephen Decatur, Jr., in 1806 (Judith S. Graham and others, eds., Diary and Autobiographical Writings of Louisa Catherine Adams, 2 vols. [Cambridge, Mass., 2013], 1:219; Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams to Abigail Smith Adams, 11 Feb., in MHi: Adams Papers; Walter Charl‑ ton Hartridge, ed., The Letters of Robert Mackay to His Wife Written from Ports in America and England, 1795-1816 [Ath‑ ens, Ga., 1949], 304n). 2 chickasaws: that is, Mingo Mat‑ taha and Tishoo Hooluhta, accompanied by agent Samuel Mitchell (TJ to Mingo Mattaha and Tishoo Hooluhta, 7 Mch. 1805). 1

Date written over “19.” Second digit written over “1.” 3 Below this name TJ wrote “Dec. 5 Wednesd.” and then repeated the list of names entered at 3 Dec. before heavily canceling the date and names. 4 Below this entry, TJ erased “Archer.” 5 Digit written over “3.” 6 Below this entry, TJ canceled “Lewis” with three strokes, which may mean that Lewis—probably Joseph Lewis, Jr.—had been listed here by mistake. 7 Digit written over “3.” 8 Initial partially erased. 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, the letter is not printed but a detailed summary appears at the document’s date. Other letters have been described in annotation, which, for the period covered by this volume, are listed in this appendix. Arranged in chronological order, this list includes for each letter the correspondent, date, and location in the volumes where it is described. Examples of letters not printed include brief letters of transmittal, multiple testimonials recommending a particular candidate for office, repetitive letters from a candidate seeking a post, and official correspondence that the presi‑ dent saw in only a cursory way. In other instances, documents are described in annotation due to the near illegibility of the surviving text. Using the list in this appendix, the table of contents, and Appendix iv (correspondence not found but recorded in Jefferson’s Summary Journal of Letters), readers will be able to reconstruct Jefferson’s chronological epistolary record from 11 Nov. 1804 to 8 Mch. 1805. To Francis Peyton, [3 Dec.]. Noted at Dearborn to TJ, 7 Dec. 1804. From Edmund Randolph, 23 Dec. Noted at Randolph to TJ, 20 Dec.

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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 chronologically letters written by and to Jefferson dur‑ ing the period covered by this volume for which no text is known to survive. Jefferson’s Summary Journal of Letters provides a record of the missing doc‑ uments. For incoming letters, Jefferson typically recorded in SJL the date that the letter was sent and the date on which he received it. He sometimes included the location from which it was dispatched and an abbreviated nota‑ tion indicating the government department to which it pertained: “N” for Navy, “S” for State, “T” for Treasury, and “W” for War. From Samuel Davidson, 12 Nov.; received 12 Nov. from Georgetown. From Christopher Ellery, 13 Nov.; received 13 Nov.; notation: “to be Col‑ lector.” From Christopher Ellery, 13 Nov.; received 14 Nov.; notation: “Seth Whea‑ ton to be Comr. loans.” From Nathaniel Fanning, 14 Nov.; received 19 Nov. from New York; nota‑ tion: “emploimt.” From Christopher Ellery, 16 Nov.; received 16 Nov. To David Higginbotham, 16 Nov.; notation: “50. D.” To Gabriel Lilly, 16 Nov. From Gabriel Lilly, 16 Nov.; received 21 Nov. from Monticello. From Levi Lincoln, November; received 17 Nov. from Washington. From William Brown & Co., 20 Nov.; received 23 Nov. from Richmond. From William O’Neale, 20 Nov.; received 21 Nov. from Chester County, Pennsylvania. From Burgess Griffin, 21 Nov.; received 1 Dec. from Poplar Forest. From Archibald Roane, 21 Nov.; received 4 Dec. from Knox County, Ten‑ nessee; notation: “Wright factor Tellico v. Hooker. W.” From William Stewart, 21 Nov.; received 27 Nov. from Monticello. From David Higginbotham, 22 Nov.; received 27 Nov. from Milton. To William Brown & Co., 24 Nov. From Michael Hope, 24 Nov.; received 27 Nov. From Mary Hewett, 26 Nov.; received 7 Dec. from Sandford, Massachusetts; notation: “S.” From Samuel Vernon, 26 Nov.; received 7 Dec. from Newport, Rhode Island; notation: “Ellery to be Collector.” From John Perry, 27 Nov.; received 4 Dec. from Shadwell. To Alexander Stewart, 28 Nov.; notation: “Phila.” From Christopher Ellery, 29 Nov.; received 29 Nov. From Daniel Smith, 29 Nov.; received 18 Dec. from Sumner County, Ten‑ nessee. From Robert T. Hooe & Co., 30 Nov.; received 1 Dec. from Alexandria. From Pierre Landais, 30 Nov.; received 4 Dec. from Brooklyn, New York; notation: “N.” From Jonathan Russell et al., 30 Nov.; received 19 Dec.; notation: “Ellery Chr. to be Collector.”

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APPENDIX IV From William Lyman, 1 Dec.; received 1 Dec.; notation: “to be Consul at Lond.” From Wilson Cary Nicholas, 2 Dec.; received 7 Dec. from Norfolk. From John Pittman, Peter Wise, Jr., and Elisha C. Dick; received 3 Dec.; notation: “Mckinney to be Colo. v. Peyton. W.” From John Carr, 4 Dec.; received 14 Dec. from Jamestown, Rhode Island; notation: “Ellery collector.” To William Brown & Co., 5 Dec. From James Miller, 6 Dec.; received 10 Jan. 1805 from Yellow Springs, Ohio; notation: “T.” From William Channing, 7 Dec.; received 14 Dec. from Laurel Grove, West‑ moreland County, Virginia; notation: “to be Collectr. Yeocomico.” From William Brown & Co., 8 Dec.; received 12 Dec. from Richmond. To John Perry, 8 Dec. From the Treasury Department, 8 Dec.; received 8 Dec.; notation: “Smyth Thos.” To Dabney Carr, 10 Dec.; notation: “135. D.” To David Higginbotham, 10 Dec.; notation: “150. D.” To Michael Hope, 10 Dec. To Gabriel Lilly, 10 Dec.; notation: “280. D.” From Alexander Stewart, 13 Dec.; received 15 Dec. from Philadelphia. From David Higginbotham, 14 Dec.; received 18 Dec. from Milton. From Gabriel Lilly, 14 Dec.; received 18 Dec. from Milton. From William Stewart, 14 Dec.; received 18 Dec. from Monticello. From James Dinsmore, 15 Dec.; received 18 Dec. from Monticello. From Jones & Howell, 15 Dec.; received 17 Dec. from Philadelphia. From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 15 Dec.; received 18 Dec. from Edgehill. From John S. Tapscott, 15 Dec.; received 21 Dec. from Westmoreland County, Virginia; notation: “to be Collector Yeocomico.” To William Stewart, 17 Dec. From Harry Toulmin, 17 Dec.; received 10 Jan. 1805 from Frankfort, Ken‑ tucky. To William Brown & Co., 19 Dec. From Paul Mumford et al.; received 19 Dec.; notation: “Constant Tabor to be Collector.” From John Perry, 20 Dec.; received 25 Dec. From Silas Dinsmoor, 21 Dec.; received 20 Feb. 1805 from “Hobuckintoopa”; notation: “W.” From James Dinsmore, 22 Dec.; received 25 Dec. from Monticello. From Gabriel Lilly, 22 Dec.; received 25 Dec. From John Clarke, 24 Dec.; received 25 Dec. from Washington. To James Dinsmore, 24 Dec. To Dabney Carr, 26 Dec.; notation: “v. Johnson.” To James Dinsmore, 26 Dec. From William O’Neale, 29 Dec.; received 1 Jan. 1805 from Washington. From John Armstrong of New York, 30 Dec.; received 28 Mch. 1805 from Paris. From Neill McPhaill, 1 Jan. 1805; received 3 Jan. from Fort Mifflin; nota‑ tion: “W.” From Thomas Mann Randolph, 5 Jan.; received 8 Jan.

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APPENDIX IV From John Speer, 5 Jan.; received 8 Jan. from Charlottesville. To James Dinsmore, 9 Jan. From William Cocke et al., 10 Jan.; received 11 Jan.; notation: “Chas. Ten‑ ant Porter to be contd. Marshl. E. Tenisse.” From William Cocke et al., 10 Jan.; received 11 Jan.; notation: “Edwd Scott to be Atty Distr. E. Tenissee.” To Hawkins & Clagett, 10 Jan.; notation: “201. D.” From Robert Kinnan, 10 Jan.; received 18 Jan. from Petersburg, Virginia. From Thomas Low; received 10 Jan.; notation: “N.” To John Speer, 10 Jan. From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 11 Jan.; received 15 Jan. from Edgehill. From Hawkins & Clagett, 12 Jan.; received 15 Jan. from Baltimore. From Christopher Ellery, 13 Jan.; received 14 Jan. from Washington; nota‑ tion: “to be Collector.” To Gabriel Lilly, 14 Jan.; notation: “560. D. for Henning. Dawson. Higginb. Oldham Clarke. Brown. Hope.” From the Treasury Department, 14 Jan.; received 14 Jan.; notation: “Gray Atty E. Tenisse.” From Jacob Wagner, 14 Jan.; received 14 Jan.; notation: “Porter marshl E. Tenisee.” From Jacob Ray; received 18 Jan. from Georgia; notation: “petn for pardon.” From Christopher Ellery, 19 Jan.; received 19 Jan.; notation: “to be Collectr. inclosg. petn.” From David Higginbotham, 19 Jan.; received 24 Jan. from Milton. From George Jefferson; received 20 Jan.; notation: “acct to Dec. 31.” From William Nichols, 21 Jan.; received 31 Jan. from Newport, Rhode Island. From Christopher Ellery, 22 Jan.; received 22 Jan.; notation: “to be col‑ lector.” From John Gibson, 25 Jan.; received 7 Mch. from Vincennes; notation: “comn. to be contd.” From John Dixon, 26 Jan.; received 17 Apr. from “on board the Amstdm at Surinam”; notation: “S.” From Joseph Stanton, Jr., Nehemiah Knight, and Benjamin Howland, 26 Jan.; received 28 Jan.; notation: “Tabor to be Collector.” From Philip Wilson, 28 Jan.; received 1 Feb. from Philadelphia; notation: “T.” From Christopher Ellery, 30 Jan.; received 30 Jan.; notation: “to be Col‑ lector.” From John S. Jackson, 30 Jan.; received 17 Apr. from “on board the Amstdm at Surinam”; notation: “S.” From Gabriel Lilly, 30 Jan.; received 5 Feb. From Christopher Ellery, 31 Jan.; received 31 Jan.; notation: “to be Col‑ lector.” From Anne Cary Randolph; received 31 Jan. From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 1 Feb.; received 5 Feb. from Edgehill. From Adam Gantz; received 2 Feb.; notation: “petn.” From James Oldham, 4 Feb.; received 15 Feb. from Richmond; entered in SJL as a letter of 9 Feb. but referred to in Oldham to TJ, 5 Mch., as dated 4 Feb. To Anne Cary Randolph, 4 Feb. From John Southack, 6 Feb.; received 6 Mch. from “Boston prison.”

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APPENDIX IV From Dabney Carr, 7 Feb.; received 13 Feb. from Charlottesville. From Samuel Osgood, 7 Feb.; received 11 Feb. from New York; notation: “Geo. Clinton jr. to be distr. judge v. Hobart.” From Thomas Hill Williams, 7 Feb.; received 13 Mch. from Washington, Mississippi Territory; notation: “declines office.” From James Miller; received 8 Feb.; notation by TJ: “postmark Cincinnati. T.” From Pierpont Edwards, Alexander Wolcott, and Abraham Bishop, Feb‑ ruary; received 9 Feb.; notation: “Noah Lester to be judge or atty Michigan.” From Caesar A. Rodney, 10 Feb.; received 11 Feb.; notation: “J Lewden to be Consul Martinique.” To Gabriel Lilly, 11 Feb. To Ellen Wayles Randolph, 11 Feb. From Thomas Tudor Tucker, 11 Feb.; received 11 Feb. From Joseph Sisson, 12 Feb.; received 22 Feb. from Newport, Rhode Island; notation: “Chr. Ellery to be Collectr.” From Thomas Newton, 14 Feb.; received 20 Feb. from Norfolk. To John Speer, 14 Feb. From the American Philosophical Society, 15 Feb.; received 3 May; notation: “Demaree’s communicn. alphabet.” From James Dinsmore, 15 Feb.; received 20 Feb. from Monticello. From Pierpont Edwards and Abraham Bishop, 18 Feb.; received 25 Feb. from New Haven; notation: “Deforest for office.” From Pierpont Edwards and Abraham Bishop, 18 Feb.; received 25 Feb. from New Haven; notation: “Pomeroy for office.” From Joseph Thompson et al., 19 Feb.; received 23 Apr. from Tombigbee. From David Higginbotham, 22 Feb.; received 27 Feb. from Milton. From Morgan Lewis, 22 Feb.; received 3 Mch. from Albany; notation: “Tal‑ madge M.B. distr. judge N.Y.” From Martha Jefferson Randolph, 23 Feb.; received 27 Feb. from Edgehill. From William Wardlaw, 24 Feb.; received 28 Feb. from Richmond. From William Stewart, 26 Feb.; received 4 Mch. From Anne Bailie, 27 Feb.; received 1 Mch. from Washington County. From James Dinsmore, 27 Feb.; received 4 Mch. from Monticello. From Gabriel Lilly, 27 Feb.; received 4 Mch. From John Perry, 27 Feb.; received 4 Mch. from Shadwell. From Anne Cary Randolph, 28 Feb.; received 4 Mch. From Aaron Burr, 1 Mch.; received 7 Mch.; notation: “Doctr. Joseph Browne to be Secy. Louisa.” From Jesse B. Thomas, 1 Mch.; received 28 Mch. from Lawrenceburg, In‑ diana Territory. From Joseph Brown; received 2 Mch.; notation: “Gaines’s tavern.” From “Grew & Harwell” (likely Ranson Harwell and an unidentified Mc‑ Grew), 3 Mch.; received 23 Apr. from Tombigbee. From B. Dewitt, 5 Mch.; received 6 Mch. from Washington; notation: “N.” From Burgess Griffin, 6 Mch.; received 21 Mch. from Poplar Forest. From DeWitt Clinton, Samuel Osgood, “&c.”; received 7 Mch.; notation: “Isaiah Western to be Collectr. N. Bedford.” From Philander Smith, 8 Mch.; received 23 Apr. from Washington, Missis‑ sippi Territory; notation: “legisl. council.”

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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, the orders and invoices pertaining to Jefferson’s finances during the period covered by this volume that are not printed in full or accounted for elsewhere in this volume. The Memorandum Books are cited when they are relevant to a specific docu‑ ment and provide additional information. Order on Jonathan Smith, cashier of the Bank of Pennsylvania, to pay John Barnes the half‑year dividend on Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s 20 shares of the bank’s stock, Washington, 2 Feb. (MS in LNT: George H. and Kather‑ ine M. Davis Collection; in TJ’s hand and signed by him; notation in an unidentified hand: “paid $320”). Invoice by John Woodside to Joseph Dougherty for $40 for 100 bushels of coal “delivered agreeably to instructions from the Secretary of the Trea‑ sury, for the use of the household of the President” (MS in MHi; signed by Woodside acknowledging receipt of payment by the Treasury Department; endorsed by TJ: “Treasury. 40. D. for coal”). On 11 Mch., TJ gave $40 to Dougherty to pay the Treasury for the coal (mb, 2:1148).

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INDEX Abernethie, John: letter from, 108-9; seeks payment of loan office certificate, 108-9, 534, 543-4; identified, 109n Abingdon, Va., 465, 500 Abrégé chronologique de la révolution de France à l’usage des écoles publiques (Antoine Etienne Nicolas FantinDesodoards), 480, 481n, 702 Abrégé de l’histoire des traités de paix entre les puissances de l’Europe depuis la paix de Westphalie (Christoph Wilhelm von Koch), 15 Abrégé du système de la nature de Linné, histoire des mammaires ou de quadrupèdes et cétacées (Jean Emmanuel Gilibert), 368, 390 Acton, Sir John Francis Edward, 231, 232 Adaes (Adais). See Los Adaes (Adais; Spanish presidio) Adair (Aidar; brig), 290n, 442 Adams, Abigail, 450n Adams, Fort, 97, 98 Adams, Henry, 638 Adams, John: and H. Guest, 255n; arming of merchant vessels, 358; poetry dedicated to, 521n; accused of opposing innovation, progress, 631; accused of monarchist desires, 668 Adams, John Quincy: describes TJ’s inauguration, l, 628; describes severe cold in Washington, li; dines with TJ, 316n, 716, 723, 731n, 732n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6, 607n Adams, Louisa Catherine Johnson, 23n, 316n, 731n “Address to the Public, together with a Copy of a Letter to Stephen R. Bradley” (John A. Graham), 280n Africa, 572-3 Africanus, Leo: Ioannis Leonis Africani Africæ Descriptio, 437 Africa Polyglotta Scribendi Modos Gentium Exhibens, 454, 455, 481, 499, 507, 702 agriculture: condition of agricultural laborers, xi, 675-6; impact of slavery on, xi, 676; resistance to innovation in, 641, 654. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Agriculture Aikin, Arthur, 526 Akens, Captain, 440-1n

Alabama River, 77, 219, 220 Alcock, Robert, 79 alcoholism: officeholders accused of, 39, 59, 88, 173, 375; youth warned against, 551 Alcyone (star), 176n Aldini, Giovanni: Précis des expériences galvaniques, 315n, 324, 328, 329, 354 Aldrich, George, 79 Alemoin (Le Chien, the Dog, Piankashaw Indian), 25n Alexander, Nathaniel: dines with TJ, 721, 726, 728 Alexander, Robert, Jr., 712 Alexander I, Emperor of Russia, 5, 183n Alexandria, D.C.: militia in, 138-9. See also District of Columbia Alexandria Expositor, 635 Alfred the Great, 254, 255n Alien Enemies Act (1798), 664 Alien Friends Act (1798), 664 aliens. See immigrants Allegheny Mountains, 465 Allegheny River, 467 Allen, Ethan Augustus, 151 Allen, Hannibal M., 16 Allen, Ira: petition to the president and Congress from, 556-7; and Olive Branch affair, 556-7 Allen, Mr., 60 Allen, Thomas, 495 Allen, Thomas (Mass.): letter from, 663-71; praises TJ’s administration, criticizes slavery, xii-xiii, 663-71; identified, 670n Allen, Thomas, Jr., 472n Allen, William (Philadelphia), 144 Almanac des ambassades (Antoine Christian Wedekind), 368, 369, 697, 701 Almy, William, 360 Alpha Arietis (star), 564, 565n alphabets, 251-3 Alston, Willis: dines with TJ, 715, 720, 725, 729 Altamaha River, 167n Altona, 463n America cum Supplementis Polyglottis, 454, 455, 481, 499, 507, 702 American, and Commercial Daily Advertiser (Baltimore, Md.), 634-5

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INDEX American and British Chronicle of War and Politics: Being an Accurate and Comprehensive Register of the Most Memorable Occurrences in the Last Ten Years of His Majesty’s Reign (E.I.S.), 140, 433 American Annals (Abiel Holmes), 433 American Board of Agriculture, 40 American Citizen and General Advertiser (New York), 280n American Coast Pilot (Lawrence Furlong), 513n American Crisis (Thomas Paine), 383-4 American Distiller (Michael Krafft), 214 American Gardener (John Gardiner and David Hepburn), 314 American Philosophical Society: library of, 28; requests information on Louisiana, 28; elects members, 56; receives communications, specimens, 252, 253n, 522, 604, 682n, 708, 737; TJ as president of, 252, 338; TJ reelected president of, 295-6, 336; eulogy for Priestley, 303n, 442-3; publishes Transactions, 555; and TJ’s moldboard plow, 555; letter from cited, 737 American Remembrancer (J. Hardie), 140 American Revolution: criticism of, 3; veterans of, 38n, 56-8, 67-9, 70, 82, 83n, 93, 100-1, 109n, 120, 149n, 162n, 205n, 207n, 267n, 338n, 383, 388n, 434-5, 448-9, 457-8, 534-5, 560n, 582n, 619, 671-2; bounty and pension claims, 67-9, 100-1, 109n, 125, 141, 269-71, 317-18, 338n, 383, 388n, 457-8, 461, 543-4; loan office certificates, 108-9; Continental Navy, 207; neutral trade during, 292; histories of, 307, 370, 477; Loyalists, 449 Amœnitatis Graphicæ (Louis H. Girardin), 253-4, 295 Amory & Callender (New Orleans), 75n Amsterdam, 437n Amsterdam (British frigate), 736 Ancillon, Frédéric: Tableau des révolutions, 15 Anderson, Isaac: dines with TJ, 715, 721, 724, 731n Anderson, Joseph: letters from, 618-19, 679; as reference, 57; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; recommends aspirants for office, 618-19, 679; dines with TJ, 719, 722, 725

Anderson, Mary Dabney, 510 Anderson, Matthew: letter to, 510; TJ sends silkworm eggs to, 510 Anderson, Richard, 104, 105n, 201n Anderson, Robert, 166, 167n Anderson, Thomas O., 18 Andrews, George, 360-1, 684 Anecdotes of the Life of Right Hon. William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, 503, 557 Anmours, Charles François, Chevalier d’: “Mémoire sur la district du Ouachita,” 468n, 539 Annales du musée et de l’école moderne des beaux-arts (Charles Paul Landon), 15, 239, 246, 247, 256, 268, 299, 324, 328, 329, 359, 368, 695 Annuaire de la librairie (William Fleischer), 369n, 507 Annuaire météorologique (Jean Baptiste Pierre de Monet de Lamarck), 499-500, 507, 697, 702 Annual Message to Congress (1801), 183n Annual Message to Congress (1804), 49, 273 anonymous letters: advise on appointments and removals, 57-8; report on Pa. impeachment trial, 403. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Correspondence Anquetil Duperron, Abraham Hyacinthe: Oupnek’hat (Id Est, Secretum Tegendum), 15, 16n; Theologia et philosophia Indica, 15, 16n Antiquities of Athens (James Stuart and Nicholas Revett), 30-1 Aperçu statistique des états d’Allemagne (Johann Daniel Albrecht Hoeck), 354n, 431, 481 Apology for the True Christian Divinity (Robert Barclay), 369n Appalachian Mountains, 464 apples, 126-7, 229 Appleton, Thomas: letters from, 227-9, 289-90, 441-2, 570; forwards letters, 176, 180, 227; payments to, 227; forwards vines, plants to TJ, 227-8, 229; and wine for TJ, 227-9, 289, 442; sends description of yellow fever at Leghorn, 228-9; sends seeds to TJ, 289-90, 441-2; and Timpanari Viganò, 441; and Ceracchi claim, 570; sends books to TJ, 644n Appomattox River, 240 Aquia Creek, 116

 740 

INDEX Arabia, seu Arabum Vicinarumque Gentium Orientalium Leges, Ritus, Sacri et Profani Mores, Instituta et Historia, 437 Archer, John: letter from, 687-8; as reference, 57, 82; recommends aspirant for office, 687-8; dines with TJ, 715, 721 architecture: Monument of Lysicrates, 30-1; Tower of the Winds, 31n; Corinthian order, 334, 360-1; architectural ornaments, 360-1, 684. See also Capitol, U.S.; Jefferson, Thomas: Architecture; Monticello; President’s House Argentina, 378n Argus (Paris), 637 Argus (U.S. brig), 264n, 550n Aries (constellation), 565n Aristotle’s Ethicks and Politics (John Gillies), 192n Arkansas Post, 98 Arkansas River: frozen, xi, 490, 492; exploration of, 185, 490, 492; Native American settlements along, 490, 492, 611, 614; description of, 616n Armistead, Theodorick, 64-5 Armstrong, Gen. John: carries letters for TJ and others, 111, 143; correspondence with Talleyrand, 412, 414n; letter from cited, 735 Army, U.S. See War, U.S. Department of Arnould, Ambroise Marie: Résultats des guerres, 15, 530, 531n, 696, 702 art: reverse painting on glass, xlix; physiognotrace, l-li, liii, 96-7; busts, 5; artist’s fees, 96; poor remuneration of artists, 197 Arundel, Me., 579n Asia Polyglotta, Linguarum Genealogiam cum Literis, 454, 455, 481, 499, 507, 702 Astronomie (Joseph Jérôme Le Français de Lalande), 225 astronomy. See latitude; longitude Athens, 437n Athens, Ga., 218, 220, 560 Atlas d’histoire naturelle, ou Collection de tableaux relatifs aux trois règnes de la nature (Charles Chaisneau), 15 Atwater, Jesse, 478n Audibert de Ramatuelle, Joseph d’: Cours élémentaire de tactique navale, 369, 370n

Audouin, François Xavier: Du commerce maritime, 16, 239n Audubon, John James, 47n Aurora (Philadelphia): describes inaugural festivities, 628. See also Duane, William Austin, Benjamin, Jr.: letter from, 51; congratulates TJ on election results, 51; appointed commissioner of loans, 106, 122-3, 126, 575, 712 Austin, Benjamin, Sr., 122, 126 Austria, 353, 354, 431 Aventures de Télémaque (François de Salignac de La Mothe-Fénelon), 561 Avery, Elisha: letter to, 532; letters from, 484-7, 538-9; seeks appointment, 484-7, 526-7, 528, 532, 538-9; identified, 487n Avery, Eunice Putnam, 528 Avery, John, 487n, 527 Babié de Bercenay, François: Correspondance politique et confidentielle, 15, 239n Bache, Benjamin Franklin, 637 Bache, William: letter from, 52; recommends aspirant for office, 52; advises M. Dickerson on health, 170 Backus (Bacchus), Elijah, 712 Bacon, Matthew: New Abridgment of the Law, 483 Bailey, Robert, 625n Bailie, Anne: letter from cited, 737 Bainbridge, Joseph, 18 Baker, George Ellis, 272n Baldwin, Abraham: letter from, 601; as reference, 7; applications to, for appointment, 147-8n; as committee member, 290n; recommends aspirant for office, 601; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 719, 723, 728; declines dinner invitation, 725 Baldwin, Daniel, 434-5 Baldwin, Phebe: letter from, 434-5; seeks financial assistance, appointment for husband, 434-5 Baldwin, Simeon: dines with TJ, 719, 731n Baltimore, Md.: newspapers, 192n; Fells Point, 443-4, 445, 446n; yellow fever at, 443-6; Irish in, 590n; publication of TJ’s inaugural address in, 634-5 Baltimore College, 253n

 741 

INDEX Baltimore College of Medicine, 673n Bank of the United States: TJ’s account with, 5-6, 19, 101n, 135-6; Second, 103n; merchants prefer notes of, 223-4; Baltimore branch, 365, 389, 548n; repository of public funds, 386, 387, 388n, 394n; and Manhattan Company, 394n; New York branch, 394n, 548n; and specie shortages, 394n, 548-9; Boston branch, 548n; Savannah branch, 603 Bankruptcy Act (1800), 426, 427n banks: criticism of, 386; specie shortages, 387, 389n, 394, 548-9; Federalist, 394n; Republican, 394n bantams. See poultry Baptists, 383 Barbary states. See Tripoli Barbour, James, 155n Barcelona, Spain, 711, 712 Barclay, Robert: Apology for the True Christian Divinity, 369n Bard, David: dines with TJ, 715, 722, 729 Barker, Jacob, 138n Barnes, David L.: letter to, 173-4; letter from, 88-9; sends news of Republican divisions in R.I., 88-9, 173-4 Barnes, John: handles financial transactions, 603n; TJ’s account with, 688; dines with TJ, 714, 717, 718, 720, 727, 730; declines dinner invitation, 719; and Kosciuszko, 738 Barnes, Joseph: letters from, 229-34, 522-4; sends news of European, Mediterranean affairs, 229-34, 522-4; defends conduct as consul, 232, 233-4; sends wine to TJ, 233, 524, 584 Barnet, Isaac Cox: letter from, 259-60; seeks appointment as commercial agent at Bordeaux, 259-60 Barnewall, George, 440-1 Barras, Étienne: letter from, 671-2; seeks appointment, 671-2; identified, 672n Barras, Jacques Melchior Saint Laurent, 672n Barras, Marie Catherine Mesnard, 672n Barrois, Pierre Théophile, 536 Barron, Samuel, 230, 232, 264n, 550n, 703n Barruel, Etienne: Physique réduite en tableaux raisonnés, 15 Barry, Richard, 123-4n

Barthélemy, Jean Jacques, Abbé: Voyage du jeune Anacharsis en Grèce, 515, 516n, 536-7, 621, 622, 702 Bartles, Godfrey, 331, 578, 610 Bartlett, Levi, 79 Bartolozzi, Francesco, xlix Barton, Benjamin Smith: letter to, 502-3; letters from, 234-5, 442-3; Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, 95n; seeks appointment, 234-5; member of APS, 253n; eulogy on Priestley, 301, 303n, 442-3, 502-3 Bates, Frederick, 576, 712, 713 Baton Rouge: Spanish forces sent to, 60-1, 553; Spain permitted river access to, 175 Batture case, 468n Baudry des Lozières, Louis Narcisse: Second voyage à la Louisiane, 15, 239, 268 Bayard, Ferdinand: Voyage de Terracine à Naples, 368, 697, 701 Bayard, James A.: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 Bayley, Richard (1745-1801), 63 Bayley, Richard (1781-1815), 63 Baylies, Hodijah, 199, 200n Bayou La Nana, Tex., 553-4 Bayou Manchac. See Iberville River Bayou Pierre, 553 Bayou St. John, 105, 222, 574 Bay St. Louis, W. Fla., 77 Beall, Thomas, 568 Beall, William D., 340 Beatty, Charles: claim by estate of, 481-2, 507-8, 517, 568-70 Beauharnais, Eugène de, 523 Beaumont, William Henry, 571 Beaver River, 467 beavers, 612, 614 Beckley, John, 456-7 Bedford, Gunning, Jr., 489n, 727 Bedford, Pa., 593 Bedford Co., Va. See Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate) Bedinger, Daniel, 65 Bedinger, George M.: dines with TJ, 717, 720, 728 Bell, William (Ky.), 243 Bellechasse, Joseph Deville de Goutin, 36, 122 Bellevue plantation (Guadeloupe), 84n Benevolent Hibernian Society (Baltimore), 590n Bennet, Mahlon, 440n

 742 

INDEX Bennett, Polly, 257n Bennett, Samuel: letter from, 256-8; seeks assistance from TJ, 256-8; identified, 257-8n Berlin, Pa., 466 Bernard de Montbrison, Louis: Lettres à Madme. de C**. sur la botanique, 480, 481n, 702 Berquin-Duvallon, Pierre Louis: Vue de la colonie Espagnole du Mississippi, 239, 268 Berthe, Jean Nicholas: Précis Historique, 695 Bertrand, Louis: Renouvellemens périodiques des continens terrestres, 16 Betton, Silas: dines with TJ, 717 Beurnonville, Pierre Riel, Marquis de, 408, 409, 414n Bible: New Testament, 90, 91n, 437-8, 454-6, 480, 546, 692, 702; Luke, 164, 165n, 668, 671n; prodigal son, 164, 165n; purchased by TJ, 309n, 437-8, 454-6, 480, 546, 692, 702; Ecclesiasticus, 435; Revelation, 458; dictionaries of, 504, 703; loaves and fishes, 521; Judas, 540; in Greek, 546; Proverbs, 666, 671n; Corinthians, 667, 671n; David, 668, 671n; Eli, 668, 671n; Genesis, 668, 671n; Joseph, 668; Matthew, 668, 671n; Micah, 668, 671n; Psalms, 668, 671n Bibliothecæ Americanæ Primordia (W. Kennett), 140, 141n Bibliothèque géographique et instructive des jeunes gens, ou Recueil de voyages intéressantes dans toutes les parties du monde (Joachim Heinrich Campe), 480, 696, 702 Bidwell, Barnabus, 275 Biloxi, W. Fla., 77 Bird, John, 58 birds: passenger pigeons, 547; specimens for museums, 572-3 Bishop, Abraham: letters from cited, 377n, 478n, 737; recommends aspirants for office, 478n Bishop, Phanuel: as reference, 137n; recommendations sent to, 200n, 371n; dines with TJ, 718, 723 Blachly, Cornelius C., 52 Black Hawk, 263n Blackledge, William: declines dinner invitations, 714, 715, 723; dines with TJ, 728

Blacks: possible removal of, to Louisiana or Haiti, 249-50; in Va., 249-50; as tenant farmers, 387, 389n. See also slaves Blackstone, William: Reports, 32n; Commentaries on the Laws of England, 483 Bladensburg, Md., 690n Blake, John, Jr., 338n Blennerhassett, Harman, 212n Blodget, Samuel, Jr., 399 Bloomfield, Joseph, 681, 682n Blount, Joseph, 203, 204n Blow, Richard, 65 Blumenbach, Johann Friedrich: Manuel d’histoire naturelle, 368, 389, 390, 696, 702 Blunt, Edmund M., 511, 513n bois d’arc. See Osage orange (Maclura pomifera, bois d’arc) Bollmann, Justus Erich: letters to, 5, 131; letters from, 76-7, 488; and wine for TJ, 5, 76-7, 131, 488 Bolon, Hypolite, 611, 614, 615n Bonaparte, Elizabeth Patterson, 343-4n Bonaparte, Jerome: style of address, 343-4; dines with TJ, 343-4n, 727 Bonaparte, Joseph, 344n, 523 Bonaparte, Louis, 344n, 523 Bonaparte, Lucien, 344n, 523 Bonaparte, Napoleon. See Napoleon, Emperor of the French Bond, John (Va.): letter from, 457-8; seeks assistance with bounty claim, 457-8 books: prices, 90, 239, 268, 299, 328, 329, 389-90, 454, 460, 461, 480, 530, 536, 537, 546, 557, 602n, 621, 622, 701-2; for children, 91n, 430-2, 621, 622; booksellers, 278n, 503n, 504n, 526, 538n; Editiones Bipontinae, 430, 431, 432n; Elzevir editions, 437, 454, 460, 461, 468, 469, 480, 530; bookbinding, 695-8. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Library; Library of Congress; Reibelt, Philippe Boone, Daniel, 612, 614 Bordeaux, France: commercial agent at, 260; paving tile from, 397; Society of Sciences and Belles Lettres, 573n Bordes, Isabella Osborn de, 101n Bordes, Jean Marie de: letters from, 100-1, 204-5; seeks appointment, 100-1, 204-5; identified, 101n; letter from cited, 101n

 743 

INDEX Boré, Jean Étienne: declines appointment, 36, 118, 122; opposes Claiborne’s administration, 121 Bossler, Frederick, 254n Bosson, William: letter from, 148-9; congratulates TJ on reelection, 148-9; identified, 149n Bossut, Charles: Essai sur l’histoire generale des mathématiques, 480, 696, 702 Boston: severe cold at, 314n; glass manufacturing at, 398 Boston (British frigate), 10 botany, 94-5, 196 Boucher, Pierre B.: Institution au droit maritime, 368, 697, 701; Institutions commerciales, 368, 701 Boudinot, Elias: letter from, 391-3; resignation as director of Mint, 234; presents annual report, 391-3 Bougaud, C., 75n Bourbon family, 596 Bourgoing, Jean François, baron of: Tableau de l’Espagne moderne, 15, 239n, 374, 375, 389, 415 Bourne, Sylvanus: letter to, 189-90; and Winckelblech, 189-90 Bowditch, Nathaniel: New American Practical Navigator, 513n Bowdoin, James: letter from, 62-3; appointed minister to Spain, 16, 62-3, 574, 711; health of, 62, 159; and Hollins’s claim, 151-2 Bowmar, Joseph, 331, 578, 583, 609, 610n Boyd, Adam: letter to, 52; thanked by TJ, 52; identified, 52n; dines with TJ, 715, 721, 728 Boyd, Julian P., 627 Boyle, John: letter from, 588-9; recommends aspirants for office, 162n, 588-9; dines with TJ, 562n, 720, 729; manager of Chase impeachment trial, 562n Bradford, Samuel, 106n Bradley, Abraham, Jr., 176n Bradley, Stephen R.: recommends aspirants for office, 7, 8n; and John A. Graham, 280n; dines with TJ, 323, 721, 722; and Bankruptcy Act of 1800, 426, 427n; presents Ira Allen’s petition, 557n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; declines dinner invitation, 726

Bradley, William C., 426, 427n Brady, James, 403 Bragdon, John, 579n Brattleboro, Vt., 425-6 Brazil, 377 Breazeale, Drury W., 479 Breckinridge, John: considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, ix, 275, 282, 285; recommends aspirant for office, 162n; as committee member, 290n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 718, 721, 723, 729 Brent, Daniel Carroll: as reference, 198; and case of R. W. Peacock, 289n; resigns from militia, 313; supplies stone for public buildings, 459; dines with TJ, 716, 725, 731n Brent, Richard: dines with TJ, 715 Brent, William (1775-1848): dines with TJ, 727 Brewster, Caleb, 92n bricks: floating, fire resistant, 180, 183, 184n Bridel, Jean Louis: Pour et le contre on avis, 368, 697, 701 bridges, 505, 531-2 Briggs, Caleb, 199n Briggs, Hannah Brooke: letters to, 128, 278; letter from, 190; informed of husband’s situation, 128, 190, 278; identified, 128n Briggs, Isaac: letter to, 190; letters from, 77-8, 217-21, 260-2, 420-1, 478-80; delivers likeness of TJ, 87, 88n; asks TJ to send wife information on, 128, 190, 277; surveys post road between Washington and New Orleans, 128, 150, 187, 217-21, 260-1, 312, 420, 446-7, 567; health of, 150, 187, 217, 223, 260-1, 447; TJ recommends J. H. Smith to, 190, 195; map of post road, 217, 221; claim for reimbursement of expenses, 221, 260-2, 559-60; advises on Lafayette’s land grant, 223; sends observations on politics in western territories, 420-1, 478-80; recommends R. Williams, 421 Briggs, Joseph, 77 Bringhurst, James: letter to, 321; letter from, 283-4; sends book to TJ, 283-4; thanked by TJ, 321 Bringhurst, John, 284n Bringhurst, Joseph, 283

 744 

INDEX Bristol County, Mass.: petition from, 199-200; seek removal of collectors, 199-200 Brobson, James, 37, 38n Brooke, Francis Taliaferro, 470 Brooks, Samuel, 60 Brough, Robert, 65 Brougham, Henry Peter: Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers, 269, 696 Brown, Benjamin (Albemarle Co.), 736 Brown, Henry, 86 Brown, James (Ky.): letter to, 109; letters from, 316-17, 339-40; offered, declines appointment as judge, 106, 109, 118, 311-12, 316-17, 325, 339-40, 574, 711, 712; offered, declines appointment as secretary of Orleans Terr., 325, 574 Brown, John (Ky.): letter to, 561-2; letter from, 545-6; advises on appointments, 311; sends wine samples from J. F. Dufour, 545-6, 561-2; dines with TJ, 562, 721, 724, 729; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 Brown, John (of Haddington): Dictionary of the Holy Bible, 504 Brown, Joseph: letter to, 354-5; asked for information on road conditions, 354-5; identified, 355n; letter from cited, 355n, 737 Brown, Mr. (New Orleans), 555 Brown, Robert (Pa.): dines with TJ, 716, 721, 725; declines dinner invitation, 721 Brown, William (collector of New Orleans): appointed collector, 16, 67, 187, 574, 711; relationship with Trist family, 86-7, 187; Spanish navigation on the Mississippi River, 175 Brown, William, & Co.: payments to, 130-1, 200-1, 223, 296, 483; letters to cited, 201n, 734, 735; letters from cited, 734, 735 Browne, Arthur: Compendious View of the Civil Law, 503, 557 Browne, Joseph, 737 Browning, Jeremiah, Jr.: letter from, 160-1; seeks appointment, 160-1 Brownson, John, 17 Brown’s Tavern (Prince William Co., Va.), 355n Bruff, James, 188, 189n, 318n, 615n

Bryan, Joseph: letter from, 601; recommends aspirant for office, 601; identified, 601n; dines with TJ, 715, 722, 726; declines dinner invitation, 720 Buckongahelas (Delaware Indian), 25n Buenos Aires, 377-8 Buffon, Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de: Nouveau Buffon de la jeunesse, 368, 389, 390, 430, 431, 702; Histoire Naturelle, 675 Bulloch, William B., 157, 575, 712 Bull Run, 354 Bunker, Hezekiah, 371n Burchard, Samuel: letter from, 691-2; seeks pension increase, xii, 691-2; identified, 691-2n Burdett, Sir Charles, 518-19 Burford, Mr. (boatman), 586 Burk, John Daly: History of Virginia, 253n Burkhard, Johann Gottlieb: Elementary or Fundamental Principles of the Philosophy of Natural History, 142, 269 Burnes, David, 481, 507, 569 Burr, Aaron: letters to, 53, 511; letter from, 510-11; TJ forwards letter to, 53; western conspiracy of, 110n, 212n; dines with TJ, 316n, 699n, 716, 721, 723, 726, 730; and Chase impeachment trial, 399; forwards Senate resolution, congratulates TJ on reelection, 510-11; thanked by TJ, 511; attends TJ’s inauguration, 626; TJ’s notes on conversation with, 631; departure as vice president, 638; declines dinner invitation, 730; letter from cited, 737; recommends aspirant for office, 737 Burrall, Jonathan, 394n Burrow, Sir James: Reports, 32n Burrows, William Ward, 16 Burwell, William A.: letters to, 154-5, 403-4; letters from, 101-2, 355-7; TJ sends draft reply regarding threefifths clause to, ix, 154-5; delivers messages to Congress, 17n, 22n, 106n; elected to Va. legislature, 101-2, 127; temporary absence as TJ’s private secretary, 101-2, 127, 355, 403, 625; reports on bills regarding slavery in Va., 355-7, 403-4; and T. M. Randolph, 415; dines with TJ, 731n Butler, Pierce, 144n

 745 

INDEX Butler, Thomas, 266-8 Butler, William: dines with TJ, 718, 723, 728 Butler, William (mariner), 143, 144 Byers, Nicholas, 700n Byrne, Patrick: letters to, 503, 692; letters from, 278, 557; forwards copy of Priestley’s Doctrines, 207, 278, 503; identified, 278n; TJ orders books from, 503, 557; payment to, 692 Cabanis, Pierre Jean Georges, 476 cabbage: dwarf, 451, 565-6 Cabell, Samuel J., 80 Cacapon River, 466 Cadiz, Spain, 8 Cadwalader, Gen. John, 270n Cahokia, 493 Calcutta, 192n Caldcleugh & Thomas (Philadelphia): letter to, 5-6; letter from, 19-20; and lamps for TJ, 5-6, 19-20 Calder, James, 564 Callender, James Thomson: criticism of, 280n, 540; receives financial assistance from TJ, 472-3n, 636-7; Prospect Before Us, 473n; sedition trial of, 607n Callier, James, 89n Callier, John: letters from, 89-90, 191; forwards recommendations, petitions from Tombigbee, 89-90, 191; identified, 89-90n Calmet, Augustin: Calmet’s Dictionary of the Holy Bible, 504 Calmet’s Dictionary of the Holy Bible: Historical, Critical, Geographical, and Etymological (Augustin Calmet), 504 Calvinism, 665, 670n Cambrian (British frigate), 10 Cambridge, University of, 304 Campbell, George W.: dines with TJ, 562n, 721, 726, 729 Campbell, Hugh G., 206, 264 Campbell, John (Md.): declines dinner invitation, 717; dines with TJ, 719, 725 Campe, Joachim Heinrich: writings recommended to TJ, 430, 431, 432n; Bibliothèque géographique et instructive des jeunes gens, 480, 696, 702 Canada: hemp production in, 258-9; climate, 473

canals: on Ohio River, 163; canal company stocks, 240-1, 304; in Va., 240-1. See also Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company Canterbury, England, 559n Canton, xlix Cantrelle, Michel, 36, 122 Cape Girardeau, 109n, 350 Cape Girardeau District: description of, 45-6n, 352, 366 Capitol, U.S.: library, 30; schedule of work for, 30; south wing, 30-1, 114-17, 135n, 300, 302n, 346, 397-8; appropriations for, 112, 116-17, 135n, 346, 397-8; House chamber, 115, 346, 457; work on, delayed by weather, sickness, 115; walls, 115-16; north wing, 135n, 302n, 346; cost estimates, 300, 302-3n; and meridian line at Washington, D.C., 338; committee rooms, 346; flooring, 346, 397-8; Senate chamber, 346, 399, 626; windows, 346, 398; materials for, 397-8; glass for, 398; claims for compensation by contractors and laborers, 456-7, 459-60; site of TJ’s inauguration, 626 Captain Smith and Princess Pocahontas. An Indian Tale (John Davis), 526n, 704n Carey, John: TJ seeks address of, 307, 321 Carey, Mathew: letters to, 307, 455, 692; letters from, 321, 546; TJ asks for brother’s address, 307, 321; TJ orders Bibles from, 455, 546, 692; payment to, 692 Carlisle, Pa., 593, 686 Carlon, Mr., 23 Carlota Joaquina, Princess of Brazil, 298n Carnot, Lazare Nicolas Marguerite, 215 Caroline (schooner), 172, 462, 494 Carondelet, Francisco Luis Hector, Baron de, 222 Carpenter, Thomas: account with TJ, 370; and case of R. W. Peacock, 289n; payments to, 370n Carr, Dabney (TJ’s nephew): letter to, 6; payment for C. Peyton, 6; letters to cited, 735; letter from cited, 737 Carr, John (R.I.): letter from cited, 735 Carr, Peter (TJ’s nephew), 347n Carroll, Bishop John, 345 Carroll, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 725

 746 

INDEX Carroll (Carrol), Lewis (Luis), 194-5 Carson, Jonathan (innkeeper), 313n Carter, William, Jr., 203, 204n Cartersville, Va., 218, 219, 220, 221, 447 Carver, Jonathan: Carver’s Grant, 163-4, 174 Casa Calvo, Sebastián Calvo de la Puerta y O’Farill, Marqués de: protests arrest of Spanish officer, 36, 37n; continued presence in Orleans Terr., 213; and post road through W. Fla., 312; disbands personal guard, 553, 554n Casey, Levi: dines with TJ, 722, 728; declines dinner invitation, 724 Cassin, John: and ropeworks, 243; dines with TJ, 714, 730 Castéra, Jean Henri: Histoire de Catherine II, 368, 701 Catalano, Salvador, 18 Cathalan, Stephen, Jr.: letters from, 143-5, 145; TJ orders groceries, wine from, 26n, 143-5; TJ’s account with, 144; shipment from, captured by British, 144-5n; payments to, 145 Cathcart, James Leander, 234n, 524, 584n Catholic Church, 298n, 631 Catiline, 540 Catineau-Laroche, Pierre Marie Sébastian: Nouveau dictionnaire de poche de la langue française, 480, 507, 530, 702 Cato (ship), 20, 75, 126, 462, 584 cauliflower, 289, 442 Cautions to Young Persons concerning Health (Benjamin Waterhouse), 551 Cavender, Thomas S.: letters from, 29-30, 131; praises TJ’s administration, 29-30; writings signed “the Old Soldier,” 29-30, 131 Cawse, John, lii Cayes, Haiti, 440n Cellarius (Keller), Christoph: Geographia antiqua, 499-500, 507 Cenas, Blaise, 75n Centreville, Va., 465 Ceracchi, Giuseppe, 228, 229n, 570n Cevallos (Ceballos) Guerra, Pedro: and Spanish acquiescence to Louisiana Purchase, 213; correspondence with Pinckney, 408; and restoration of deposit at New Orleans, 409; delays ratification of claims convention, 410, 414n, 598; negotiations with Monroe

and Pinckney, 411-12, 595, 597-8, 600n Chaddock, Calvin, 199-200n Chaisneau, Charles: Atlas d’histoire naturelle, 15 Chambers, Joseph: as Choctaw factor, 279, 284, 320, 554n; and Spanish duties charged on U.S. goods at Mobile, 553, 554n; and Nanna Hubba Island, 554n; appointed register of land office, 711, 712 Chambersburg, Pa., 593 Champion, Henry: letter from, 581-3; seeks cession of Native American lands in Ohio, 581-3; identified, 582n Champion, Henry, Sr., 582n Channing, William (Va.): letter from cited, 735 Chapman, Nathaniel, 269n Charles, William, li-lii Charles’s Repository of Arts, lii Charleston, S.C.: marine hospital at, 130; gunboats at, 175; fortifications in, 284n; yellow fever in, 474-5; French privateers outfitted at, 587-8 Charles Town, Va., 466 Charlottesville, Va., 241, 464, 465 Charls Son (Chickasaw leader): letter from, 375-6; seeks removal of Chickasaw agent, 375-6 Chase, Samuel: impeachment trial of, 355, 357n, 399, 471, 484n, 508, 562, 638; TJ’s tabulation of trial votes, 605-7; acquittal of, 607n, 638; list of charges against, 607n Chattahoochee River, 464 Chaudron, Simon, 367 Chesapeake (U.S. frigate), 206-7 Chesapeake and Delaware Canal Company, 30, 38n, 79, 398, 399, 552 Chew & Relf (New Orleans), 75n Chicago, 97, 319 Chickasaw Bluffs, 98 Chickasaw Bluffs, Treaty of (1801), 699n childbirth. See women children: orphans, 86; children’s books, literature, 91n, 430-2, 621, 622; teething, 127; education of, 168-9, 251-3, 506, 561; toys, 381; TJ’s correspondence with, 506, 560-1, 618, 672-3, 678; cautioned against using alcohol and tobacco, 551; named in honor of TJ, 672; apply for navy appointments, 672-3

 747 

INDEX Chillicothe, Ohio, 465, 466 China: reverse painting on glass, xlix Chinubbee (Chenabie, Chickasaw leader): letter from, 375-6; seeks removal of Chickasaw agent, 375-6; identified, 376n Chittenden, Martin: dines with TJ, 717 Chittenden, Thomas, 556 Chouteau, Auguste: letter from, 43-6; deputy to carry Louisiana District petition, 34, 43-5; identified, 46n Chouteau, Pierre: letters from, 33-5, 490-3, 610-15; sends news, information on Native Americans, 33-6, 490-3, 610-15; partnership with brother, 46n; house destroyed by fire, 610-11, 612, 613, 614; replacement of commission, instructions, 612, 614 Christianity: decline of, in United States, 3-4. See also Bible; Jefferson, Thomas: Religion Christina River, 398 Christmas, Nathaniel, 77 Christopher (ship), 32n Chronologist of the Present War, 140 cider, 126-7 Cincinnati, Ohio, 464n, 466 ciphers: used by TJ, 509 Cipriani, Giovanni Battista, xlix City Gazette and Daily Advertiser (Charleston, S.C.), 635 Clagett, Clifton: dines with TJ, 718 Claiborne, Cornelia Tennessee, 77, 78, 86 Claiborne, Elizabeth W. Lewis: death of, 77, 78, 86, 532-3 Claiborne, Ferdinand L., 216 Claiborne, Thomas: dines with TJ, 717, 725 Claiborne, William C. C.: letters to, 118-19, 311-12; letters from, 36-7, 72-5, 120-1, 145-6, 149-50, 150-1, 187, 212-14, 222-3, 226, 325-6, 422-3, 532-4; arrest of Spanish officer at New Orleans, 36, 37n; arrangements for Orleans Terr. government, 36-7, 78, 118-19, 120-2, 311-12, 325-6; health of, 36-7, 422-3; sends news, observations on Orleans Terr., 36-7, 187, 212-14; wishes to take leave of absence, 36-7; criticism of, 72, 75n, 478-9, 533; defends administration as governor, 72-5, 326, 422-3; organization of militia by, 74, 75n; supports ban on slave trade, 74; death of wife

and child, 77, 78, 86, 532-3; appointed governor of Orleans Terr., 105, 573; temporarily extends terms of judicial authority, 120; appointments by, 120-1, 145-6, 150, 213, 326, 422; convenes legislative council, 120-2, 325; address to legislative council, 145, 146n; criticizes E. Livingston, 149-50; and TJ’s letter to J. M. Gelston, 150-1, 187; advises on location of Lafayette’s land grant, 187, 222-3, 226; forwards plan of New Orleans, 226, 495; TJ sends instructions on appointments, Spanish relations to, 311-12; and postal service to New Orleans, 312; establishment of bilingual government, 325; and Sibley, 326, 422; supporters of, 478-9; brother-in-law killed in duel, 532-4; and Louisiana Bank, 553, 554n; correspondence with secretary of state, 553-4; tensions, threat of war with Spain, 553-4; and Barras, 671-2 Claims of Literature (David Williams), 631-2, 641, 644n Clark, Christopher: dines with TJ, 716, 722, 726 Clark, Daniel: declines appointment, 36, 122; opposes Claiborne’s administration, 326, 422, 478 Clark, Marston G., 547 Clark, William. See Lewis and Clark expedition Clarke, John (ropemaker): letter to, 243; proposal to establish a ropeworks, 243; letter from cited, 243n, 735 Clarke, Mr. (painter), 459 Clarke, Mrs., 736 Clarksburg, Va., 465 Clarkson, David Matthew, 463n Claxton, Thomas: letter from, 601-2; furniture for President’s House, 601-2 Clay, John, 75n, 162 Clay, Joseph (Pa.): as reference, 8; considered for appointment, 285; returns pamphlets, 359; dines with TJ, 719, 724, 728; declines dinner invitation, 723 Clay, Matthew: dines with TJ, 718, 727 Cleaveland, Moses: letter from, 581-3; seeks cession of Native American lands in Ohio, 581-3 Cleveland, Ohio, 467 Clifford, John D., 196n

 748 

INDEX Clifford, Thomas: letter from, 196; informs TJ of Rafinesque’s departure, 196; identified, 196n Clifton, Gervas, 203, 204n climate: European compared with American, 473-4 Clinton, DeWitt: letter to, 423-4; letters from, 63, 357, 394; introduces R. Bayley, 63; letter from cited, 138n, 737; recommends aspirants for office, 138n; as reference, 147; affidavit sworn before, 281n; sends plan for fortifying New York harbor, 357, 423-4, 432; and Manhattan Company, 394 Clinton, George: as reference, 449; elected vice president, 511n; dines with TJ, 730 Clinton, George, Jr.: dines with TJ, 728; recommended for appointment, 737 Clopton, John: dines with TJ, 716, 722, 728; declines dinner invitation, 720 cloth: TJ’s fur cloak, xlvii; cassimere, 370; corduroy, 370; fustian, 370; cotton, 441-2; nankeen, 442; silk, 510 clothing: breeches, 370; coats, 370; price of, 370; servants, 370; sherryvallies, 370; suspenders, 370 coal. See household and personal articles Cobb, Mr. (mariner), 373 Cobbett, William, 280n, 498n, 540-1, 667 Cobun, Samuel, 616n Cocke, William: letter from, 618-19; letters from cited, 345n, 736; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; recommends aspirants for office, 618-19; dines with TJ, 716, 721, 726 Code civil des Français, 269 Code des douanes de la République Française (Jean Charles MagnierGrandprez), 369, 696 Coffin, Daniel: recommended, appointed collector for Nantucket, 371, 524-5, 570, 577, 713 Coffin, Isaac: letter from, 524-5; advises on Nantucket collectorship, 371n, 524-5 Coffin, Jared, 371n Coffin, Micajah: letter from, 370-1; advises on Nantucket collectorship, 370-1 Coimbra, University of, 298n Coit, Joshua, 68, 69n

Colbert, Jean Baptiste, 358n Colchester, Conn., 582n Coleman, William, 280n Coles, Isaac A.: serves as TJ’s private secretary, 127, 355, 403, 625; delivers messages to Congress, 135n, 168n, 263n, 264n, 338n, 393n, 417n, 436n, 439n, 447n, 463n, 502n, 551n, 567n, 577n, 591n, 592n, 610n, 618n; corresponds with T. M. Randolph, 314; attends TJ’s inauguration, 625; dines with TJ, 717, 731n Coles, John (Boston): Emblem of the United States of America, xlix, 330 (illus.) Coles, John, III: dines with TJ, 726, 727, 732n Collected Wisdom of the Ages (John Lithgow), 237 Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, Esq., Secretary, First to the Council of State, and afterwards to the Two Protectors, Oliver and Richard Cromwell, 140 Columbia, Va., 220, 465 Columbian Centinel (Boston): prints Hulbert’s criticism of TJ in Mass. legislature, 472-3 Comeiras, Victor Delpuech de: Tableau générale de la Russie moderne, 15, 239n Commentaries on the Laws of England (William Blackstone), 483 Commercial and Political Atlas (William Playfair), 90, 91n Common Sense (Thomas Paine), 383 Compendious View of the Civil Law (Arthur Browne), 503, 557 Comyns, Sir John: Digest of the Laws of England, 483 Condillac, Étienne Bonnot de, 621, 622 Condit, John: advice on bottling cider, 127n; dines with TJ, 127n, 719, 723, 729; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 coneflower, narrow leaf purple, 682-3 Confessional Tears of a Louis d’or (Oliver Whipple), 521n Congregationalists, 7n, 137n Congress, U.S. House of Representatives messages to, 22, 106-7, 135, 264, 391, 436, 446-7, 463, 501-2, 550-1, 567, 591-2; and burning of the

 749 

INDEX Congress, U.S. (cont.) Philadelphia, 17, 22; gunboats, 41, 49, 407; preservation of peace in U.S. ports and harbors, 41-2, 49; petition from Louisiana District, 46n; and Native American treaties, 106-7, 501-2; and public buildings in Washington, 112-18, 135, 300, 302-3n, 346; memorial from Orleans Terr., 119; adjudication of Tripolitan prizes, 124-5n; bounty and pension claims, 141; sermon by Glendy in House chamber, 152n, 158-60; chaplain of, 159, 160n; Yazoo land claims, 200n, 407n; patent extensions, 235; war with Tripoli, 264, 550-1; Schuylkill Arsenal, 265; arming merchant vessels, 290n; and slavery in Louisiana, 344; Chase impeachment trial, 355, 357n, 562; and Bank of the United States, 386, 388n; retrocession of District of Columbia, 386-7, 388n; and the Mint, 391-3; resolution on S. Hammond, 436; post road to New Orleans, 446-7, 567; case of Danish brig Hendrick, 463; militia returns, 591; contingent expenses, 591-2; furniture for President’s House, 601-2; receives notification of TJ’s inauguration, 608 Legislation appropriations for lighthouses, beacons, and buoys, vii; land titles in Orleans Terr. and Louisiana Dist., vii, 589n; and sale of public lands, vii, 226-7, 554n; protection of American seamen, xlviii; appropriations for public buildings in Washington, 135n, 397-8; bounty and pension claims, 317-18; division, government of Louisiana, 348-9, 352n; registration of ships and vessels, 395; compensation for jurors and witnesses, 396-7, 401; defense of ports and harbors, 423, 424n; appropriations for Native American relations, 502n; payment of British debt claims, 549n; resolution of thanks to Preble, 551n Senate messages to, 16-17, 24-5, 105-6, 106-7, 135, 157, 166-8, 262-3, 264, 338, 391, 417, 439, 463, 501-2, 550-1,

576-7, 591-2, 609-10, 610, 618, 623-4; and TJ’s nominations, x, 16-17, 105-6, 157, 338, 417, 576-7, 609-10, 618, 623-4, 711; considers Native American treaties, 24-5, 106-7, 166-8, 262-3, 501-2; and potential repeal of three-fifths clause, 79n; and public buildings in Washington, 112-18, 135, 346; memorial from Orleans Terr., 119; chaplain of, 159; war with Tripoli, 264, 550-1; arming merchant vessels, 290, 439; Chase impeachment trial, 355, 357n, 399, 471, 484n, 562, 605-7; and the Mint, 391-3; case of Danish brig Hendrick, 463; election of 1804, 510-11; militia returns, 591; contingent expenses, 591-2; receives notification of TJ’s inauguration, 608; executive journal, 685 Connaissance des temps, 369, 390 Connecticut: Congregationalists in, 7n; Hartford Co., 50n; and election of 1804, 155, 323, 361, 476; “Sufferers’ Land,” 581; Western Reserve, 581, 582n; militia, 582n; and “steady habits,” 632, 636. See also Federalists; Republicans Connecticut Land Company, 581-2 Conrad, Frederick: dines with TJ, 721, 728 Constellation (U.S. frigate), 206-7, 264n, 550n Constitution (U.S. frigate), 204n, 264n, 550-1n Constitution of the United States: opposition to three-fifths clause, ix, 79, 154-5, 669, 671n; apportionment of Congressional representatives, 79; proposed amendments to, 79; length of presidential terms, 310-11; acquisition of new territories, 379; courts, 497; presidential oath of office, 604, 652; and impeachment, 607n; freedom of religion, 639, 649, 654; and internal improvements, 643, 653 Constitutions des principaux états de l’Europe et des États-Unis (Jacques Vincent Delacroix), 15 Contes et nouvelles (Jean de La Fontaine), 507, 530, 696, 702 Conway, Françoise Antoinette Jeanne Florimonde Langlois du Bochet,

 750 

INDEX Comtesse de: letter from, 269-71; seeks husband’s land bounty, 269-71, 317-18, 322; identified, 270-1n Conway, Gen. Thomas, 269-71, 317-18, 322 Conway, Pierrette Charlotte Gilberte Françoise, 270, 271n Cooch, Thomas, 38n Cooch, William: letter from, 37-8; seeks appointment, 37-8; identified, 38n; letter from cited, 38n Cooke, John (Va.), 459 Cool Spring, Del., 512n Cooper, James (Ga.), 601n Cooper, Thomas, 207, 208n, 541 Copes, Joseph: letter from, 511-13; sends theory of magnetism to TJ, 511-13, 609; identified, 512n; thanked by TJ, 708-9 copper: coinage, 392 corn, 104, 201n Corneille, Pierre, 536-7, 621, 622, 702 Corneille, Thomas, 515, 536-7, 621, 622, 702 Correspondance originale et inédite de J. J. Rousseau avec Mme Latour de Franqueville et M. Du Peyrou, 368, 369n, 697, 701 Correspondance politique et confidentielle, inédite de Louis XVI, avec ses frères et plusieurs personnes célèbres, pendant les dernières années de son règne, et jusqu’à sa mort (François Babié de Bercenay and Helen Maria Williams), 15, 239n Corso di agricoltura di un accademico georgofilo autore della Biblioteca georgica (Marco Lastri), 631, 641, 644n Cosa, Bartolomeo, 327 cotton: yellow, 441-2 Cours de morale (Charles Albert Demoustier), 480, 697, 702 Cours élémentaire de tactique navale (Joseph d’Audibert de Ramatuelle), 369, 370n Course of Lectures on Elocution (Thomas Sheridan), 627-8 Cours historique et élémentaire de peinture ou Galerie complette du museum central de France (Antoine Michel Filhol), 186, 256, 328, 329 Courts, U.S. District appointments to, 592, 610, 713, 737

Public Opinion compensation for jurors and witnesses, 396-7, 401 Supreme Court appointments to, 450n; appellate authority of, over state courts, 496-9 courts-martial, 267n Cousin, Bartholomew, 45n, 366 Cowper, John, 192n Coxe, Tench, 706n Cramer, Zadok: letter to, 703; letter from, 504; subscription for dictionary of the Bible, 504, 703; identified, 504n Cranch, William: and pardons, 71, 153, 203, 333, 689-90 Craven, John H., 80, 102, 194 Creighton, William, Jr., 157, 712 crime: stealing, theft, 24n, 81, 134, 194-5, 263n, 320, 332-3, 490, 491, 579, 612, 614; counterfeiting, 60, 155-6; riot, 70-1, 152, 202, 203n; assault, 203n; fraud, 280n; forgery, 285-6, 288-9, 686n; kidnapping, 298n; bigamy, 326n; bribery, 407n; burglary, 579. See also law; murder; pardons; smuggling Cromwell, Oliver, 520 Crowninshield, Jacob: letters to, 394-5, 562-3; letters from, 128, 371-3, 546-7, 563; nominated, declines appointment as Secretary of the Navy, ix-x, 371-3, 394-5, 546-7, 618; sends fish to TJ, 128; payment to, 128n; and Nantucket collectorship, 525n; TJ requests interview with, 562-3; dines with TJ, 719, 722, 725, 730 Crowninshield, Sarah Gardner, x, 371-2, 373n, 546-7 Cuivre River, 350 Cumming, John N., 127n Curran, John Philpot: Forensic Eloquence, 269, 696 Cushing, Hannah Phillips: letter to, 450; invited to dine with TJ, 450; identified, 450n Cushing, William: letter to, 450; invited to dine with TJ, 450; identified, 450n; family of, 489; dines with TJ, 726 Cutler, Manasseh: dines with TJ, 717 Cutts, Richard: letter from, 551-2; and glass for TJ, 551-2; dines with TJ, 716, 718, 722, 726

 751 

INDEX Cuvier, Georges: Leçons d’anatomie comparée, 369, 390, 696, 702 Cuyahoga River, 467, 581 Cybele (French frigate), 12, 13n Cyren (sloop), 549, 571 Czartoryski, Adam Jerzy, 176-7, 180, 183n, 637-8

Dearborn, Henry: letters to, 122-3, 188-9, 284; letters from, 97, 125, 138-9, 151, 258, 272, 278, 313, 317-18, 318, 322, 330-2, 334-6, 340-1, 359-60, 424-5, 432, 435-6, 461, 539, 563, 564, 577-8, 578, 583, 616, 650-1

Da Costa, Francis: letter from, 47-8; sends lead sample to TJ, 47-8; identified, 47-8n Daggett, John, 144 Daily Advertiser (New York), li Dallas, Alexander J.: letter to, 505; letter from, 496-9; as reference, 9; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; sends opinion on prohibition, 496-9, 505; Reports of Cases, 497; dines with TJ, 727 Dalrimple, Paul: letter from, 542-3; sends religious ramblings to TJ, 542-3 Dana, Francis, 579n Danville, Va., 218, 219 Darrington’s Tavern (Va.), 355n Dartmouth College, 528n, 535n Dashields, Sally: boardinghouse of, xlvii Daugherty, Patrick, 571 Davenport, John: dines with TJ, 717 Davidson, Samuel: letter from cited, 734 Davis, John (author): letter to, 704; letters from, 525-6, 602; seeks TJ’s patronage for book on John Smith, 525-6, 704; works by, 526n; Philadelphia Pursuits of Literature, 602, 704; sends poem to TJ, 602 Davis, John (midshipman), 18 Davis, John (of Abel), 608n Davis, Thomas T.: letter from, 547-8; characterizes legislative council nominees, 547-8 Davy, William: dines with TJ, 721 Dawson, John, 345; declines dinner invitations, 720, 724, 728; dines with TJ, 722 Dawson, Martin, 736 Dayton, Jonathan: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; declines dinner invitation, 717; dines with TJ, 724 Deakins, Capt., 20 Dean, Josiah: letter from, 158; recommends aspirants for office, 137, 138n, 158, 200n; identified, 158n

Military Affairs redistribution of troops in the west, 97-8; and Lafayette’s land grant, 111, 112n; bounty and pension claims, 125, 317-18, 457, 458n, 461; and D.C. militia, 138-9, 340-1; recommends commissions, promotions, 151, 258, 313, 322, 330-2, 338, 340-1, 359-60, 564, 578; memorandum on sale of public lands, 272; defense of ports and harbors, 284; criticizes W. H. Harrison as acting governor of Louisiana District, 318; obtains books for the War Dept., 370, 477; requests for army discharges, 416-17n; fortifications for New York harbor, 424-5, 432; commission for S. Hammond, 435-6; copies Anmours’s account of the Ouachita, 539; sends militia returns, 563; corrects errors in promotion list, 577-8, 583, 609-10; remarks on TJ’s inaugural address, 629, 650-1; desertions, 694n; gunpowder contracts, 706n. See also War, U.S. Department of Native American Affairs prepares summary of land purchases, vii, 334-6; and negotiations with Creeks, 167-8n; land cessions, 262-3n, 582-3n; relocation of Native Americans to Louisiana, 284; instructions for treaty negotiations, 582-3n; and Chickasaw delegation, 699-700 Personal Affairs forwards ore samples from Louisiana, 616; dines with TJ, 699n, 722, 725, 729, 730 Politics applications to, for appointment, 79n; advises on appointments, 278-9 Dearborn, Henry A. S., 102 Debuys, Gaspard, 36 Decatur, James, 264n, 550n

 752 

INDEX Decatur, Stephen, Jr.: and burning of the Philadelphia, 18-19, 22; promoted to captain, 22, 25; sword awarded to, 22n; command of the Constitution transferred to, 551n; marriage of, 732n Declaration of Independence: drafting of, 626, 628; markings on draft of, 626 Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (Edward Gibbon), 516, 536 Decout, Jean: letter from, 443-6; sends observations on yellow fever at Baltimore, 443-6 deer root, 564-5 Defence of Young and Minns, Printers to the State, Before the Committee of the House of Representatives, 473n DeForest, David C.: letter from, 377-8; seeks appointment, 377-8, 737; identified, 377-8n Dei provvedimenti annonarj (Giovanni Fabbroni), 269, 696 Déjan & Brother (New Orleans), 75n De Krafft, Charles, 566-7 Delacroix, Jacques Vincent: Constitutions des principaux états de l’Europe et des États-Unis, 15 De la nature des choses (Titus Lucretius Carus, trans. N. de La Grange), 515, 536 De la richesse commerciale; ou Principes d’économie politique, appliqués à la législation du commerce (J. C. L. Sismondi), 16, 239, 268, 695 Delassus, Charles Dehault, 351, 353n Delaware: flour mills in, 38n; elections in, 58; New Castle Co., 58; and election of 1804, 323, 361, 476; severe cold in, 398; Sussex Co., 483-4, 512n, 609; U.S. attorney, 484n, 488-9; laws, 505, 507; Presbyterians in, 512n; courts, 535; militia, 591. See also Federalists; Republicans; Wilmington, Del. Delaware River: frozen, xi, 197, 301, 494, 529 De Leodiensi Republica, 437 Demaree, Samuel R.: letter from, 251-3; proposes alterations to English alphabet, 251-3, 737 Democrat (Boston), 635 Demoustier, Charles Albert: Cours de morale, 480, 697, 702 Deneale, George, 71, 152-3

Dennie, Joseph, 602 Denon, Vivant: Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte, 695 Derbigny, Pierre (Peter) Augustin Bourguignon: letter from, 467-8; characterized, 28; deputy to carry Louisiana memorial, 119, 468n; forwards account of Ouachita, 467-8; identified, 468n; presumed author of anonymous letter, 468n; dines with TJ, 717, 722; declines dinner invitation, 730 Descartes, René, 91n Des colonies modernes sous la zone torride, et particulièrement de celle de Saint-Domingue (Jean Barré de Saint Venant), 15, 239, 268 Descriptive Sketch of the Present State of Vermont (John A. Graham), 280n Des Moines River, 35n, 271, 611, 614 Dessalines, Jean Jacques, 387-8 Destréhan, Jean Noël: characterized, 28; deputy to carry Louisiana memorial, 119; dines with TJ, 717, 722; declines dinner invitation, 730 Detroit: land office at, vii, 712; collector at, 7n; troops at, 97; settlers’ land claims at, 163; named seat of Michigan Terr., 330n; establishment of post road from Washington to, 466-7 Développemens des principes de la langue arabe moderne (Auguste François Julien Herbin), 15 Dewhurst, Edward, 157, 575 Dewitt, B.: letter from cited, 737 De Witt, Simeon: dines with TJ, 730 Dick, Elisha Cullen: recommends clemency, 71, 203; letter from cited, 138n, 735 Dickerson, Mahlon: letter from, 169-71; health of, 169-70; offered, declines appointment as U.S. attorney for Orleans Terr., 169-71, 574; identified, 170-1n; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 285 Dickey, Adam, 172 Dickinson, John, 61 Dickson, William: letter from, 618-19; recommends aspirants for office, 618-19; dines with TJ, 720, 728 Dickson, William (Virginia): letter from, 505; sends memorial on Norfolk bridge, 505, 531n Dictionary of the English Language (Samuel Johnson), 537-8

 753 

INDEX Dictionary of the Holy Bible (John Brown), 504 Dictionnaire étymologique des mots françois dérivés du grec, et usités principalement dans les sciences, les lettres et les arts (J. B. Morin), 480, 702 Didon (French frigate), 12, 13n Didot, Pierre, 621, 622 Digest of the Laws of England (Sir John Comyns), 483 Digges, Ann, 161, 162n Digges, Thomas: letter from, 161-2; introduces Mordaunt, 161-2; dines with TJ, 725 Dighton, Mass.: collector at, 199-200 Dijon, France, 96-7n Dinsmoor, Silas: letter from cited, 735 Dinsmore, James: mahogany for TJ, 19; and glass for Monticello, 551; letters from cited, 735, 737; letters to cited, 735, 736 Discourses concerning Government (Algernon Sidney), 61-2 disease. See illness and disease Dismal Swamp: canal, 240 distaffs, 677-8 distilling, 214 District of Columbia: Md. loans to, 53, 59-60, 275, 279; militia in, 138-9, 313, 340-1, 359-60, 564; calls for retrocession of, 386-7, 388n. See also Georgetown, D.C.; Washington, D.C. D’Ivernois, François, 306n Divers, George, 33 Dixon, John (impressed seaman): letter from cited, 736 Dobson, Thomas, 91n Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, Compared with Those of Revelation (Joseph Priestley), 207, 250, 278, 502-3 Dodsley, Robert: Economy of Human Life, 101n Domenichino, 299n Domestic Encyclopædia (James Mease), 40n, 555, 695, 696 Don (Donne), Alexander, 261 Doolittle, Amos B., 88n Dorion, Pierre, Jr., 493 Dorion, Pierre, Sr., 493, 615n Dorsière, Eugene: appointed to legislative council, 120-1, 122, 146, 150, 213; characterized, 120-1 Dougherty, Joseph: statement of stable expenses, 300; makes payments for TJ, 698n, 738

Douglass, Edward: letter from, 266-8; protests arrest of T. Butler, 266-8; identified, 267n Dow, Lorenzo, 227n, 576, 616 Dow, Robert, 36, 118, 120, 122 Doyle, Joseph, 331, 583 Driver (British sloop of war), 10 dry docks, 472n Duane, William: TJ’s account with, 90-1; Mississippi Question, 90-1; letter forwarded to, 131; sedition trial of, 170n, 473n; rumored new edition of TJ’s Notes, 236, 297; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 540-2; TJ’s support for, 637. See also Aurora (Philadelphia) Dublin, 40, 278n Dubourg, Peter F., 86, 88n Duché, Rev. Jacob, 620, 621n Ducomb, Vincent, 455, 456 Du commerce maritime, de son influence sur la richesse et la force des états, démontrée par l’histoire des nations anciennes et modernes (François Xavier Audouin), 16, 239n duels, 270n, 532-4, 592n Duffield, George (Tenn.), 679 Dufief, Nicolas Gouin: letters from, 307-10, 455-6, 583-4; and Girardin, 253n; Nature Displayed, 253n, 269, 309n, 456; sends invoice for books, 253n, 307, 309, 455-6; reports success of teaching methods, 307-10; sends poem to TJ, 583-4 Du Forest, John Joseph, 331 Dufour, John Francis: presents wine samples to TJ, 545-6, 561-2 Duhamel du Monceau, Henri Louis: Traité des arbres et arbustes, 186 Dulton, Thomas, 594 Dunbar, William: letters from, 451-2, 513-14, 564-5, 616; prepares map of the Ouachita River, lii; sends installments of journals, surveys, lii, 513-14, 564, 616; characterizes deputation carrying Louisiana memorial, 28; reports return of expedition, 451-2; sends seeds to TJ, 564; sends list of plants, 564-6. See also Dunbar and Hunter expedition Dunbar and Hunter expedition: journals of, lii-liii, 451, 513-14, 616; map of the Ouachita River, lii-liii, 330 (illus.); compensation for members of, 185; G. Hunter joins, 185; botanist for,

 754 

INDEX 196; animal observations, discoveries, 451, 452n, 514; botanical observations, discoveries, 451, 514, 564-6; weather conditions, 451; description of hot springs, 451-2, 513-14, 564; return of, 451-2; boat for, 513; geometrical survey, 513-14, 564, 616; astronomical observations, 564 Duncanson, William Mayne: dines with TJ, 730 Duplessis, Peter L. B., Jr., 75n Du Ponceau, Peter Stephen, 253n du Pont, Victor Marie, 273 du Pont de Nemours, Éleuthère Irénée: letter to, 63; letters from, 92, 704-6; receives gunpowder contracts, 63, 92, 704, 705; TJ forwards letter to, 273; discusses quality of his gunpowder, 704-6 Du Pont de Nemours, Pierre Samuel: letter from, 273; considers emigrating to Louisiana, 273, 704, 705; praises TJ’s annual message, 273; promotes family gunpowder business, 273; “Sur l’éducation nationale,” 305, 306n; praises TJ’s inaugural address, 637 Duvall, Gabriel: letters from, 48, 345; suit against E. Randolph, 48; as reference, 82; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275, 285; and C. T. Porter’s accounts, 345; compensation for jurors and witnesses, 396-7; dines with TJ, 727 Dwight, Thomas: dines with TJ, 718 Dyson, Samuel T., 330 Earle, John Baylis: dines with TJ, 715, 720, 729, 730 Earle, Jones & Co. (New Orleans), 75n Early, Peter: letter from, 601; dines with TJ, 562n, 720, 725, 729; recommends aspirant for office, 601 Eastern Argus (Portland, Me.), 635 Eastman, Jonathan, 578, 610 Easton, Rufus: letter from, 347-8; sends confidential communication on Louisiana Dist., 347-53 Eaton, William, 231-2 Economy of Human Life (Robert Dodsley), 101n Edinburgh, University of, 305 education: alphabets, orthography, 251-3; academies, schools, 253n; buildings for, 305; writings on, 305,

306n; languages, 308-9; Latin schools, 506; moral lectures, 551. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Education Edwards, Abraham, 17 Edwards, Bryan: History, Civil and Commercial of the British Colonies in the West Indies, 537-8 Edwards, Pierpont: letters from cited, 377n, 478n, 737 election of 1800: in Mass., 93 election of 1804: in N.H., 6, 50, 51, 78-9, 323, 361; in Mass., 6-7, 50, 51, 93-4, 137, 148-9, 361, 520; in Vt., 7; TJ’s reelection expected, 20, 233; in S.C., 48-9; methods of choosing electors, 93-4; in Conn., 155, 323, 361, 476; Federalist ticket, 155; congratulations to TJ on his reelection, 277, 361, 438, 510-11, 523, 540, 576, 584-6, 587, 607-8, 613, 615, 663, 672; in Del., 323, 361, 476; in Pa., 540; vindication of TJ’s administration, 634, 643, 652; in Md., 672 election of 1808: TJ urged to seek a third term, 247-9 Élémens de législation naturelle (Jean André Perreau), 368, 696, 701 Elementary or Fundamental Principles of the Philosophy of Natural History (Johann Gottlieb Burkhard), 142, 269 Eléments de physique de la jeunesse, par un ancien instituteur, 480, 697, 702 Éléments de zoographie, ou Histoire des animaux considérés relativement au degré d’étendue des régions que chaque espèce occupe sur la surface du globe (Louis François Jauffret), 480, 696, 702 Elements of Navigation (John Robertson), 511, 512n Eliza (schooner; alias Divina Pastora), 587-8 Elizabeth River, 531-2n elks, 603 Ellery, Christopher: letter to, 58-9; letters from, 38-9, 158, 360, 558; denies allegations of misconduct, 38-9, 58-9, 158, 173; criticism of, 88; characterized, 88-9; recommends aspirants for office, 360, 734; forwards letter to TJ, 558; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 719, 724; letters from cited, 734, 736; seeks appointment, 734, 735, 736, 737

 755 

INDEX Ellery, William, 38-9, 59, 88 Ellicott, Andrew: Journal, 90, 91n; calculation of longitude of New Orleans, 467n Elliot, James: and repeal of Bankruptcy Act, 426, 427n; dines with TJ, 721, 728 Elliot, Samuel: letter from, 425-7; seeks to retain office, 425-7 Elmer, Ebenezer: dines with TJ, 715, 722, 728 Elwyn, Thomas: letter to, 706; letter from, 558-9; Letter to a Federalist, 558-9; sends pamphlet, political news to TJ, 558-9; identified, 559n; thanked by TJ, 706 Ely, William: Ely amendment, ix, 79, 154-5, 669, 671n Elzevier, Abraham, 437n Elzevier, Bonaventura, 437n Emblem of the United States of America (John Coles), xlix, 330 (illus.) Emery, Samuel, 228 Emmet, Thomas A.: dines with TJ, 719 Emmet, Thomas Addis, 171 Emmius, Ubbo: Græcorum Respublicæ, 437, 702 Enfield, William: History of Philosophy, 503, 557 English language: establishment of, in Orleans Terr., 325 Enquirer (Richmond), 483, 540, 635 Enquirer. Reflections on Education, Manners, and Literature. In a Series of Essays (William Godwin), 237 Enquiry, Concerning the Liberty, and Licentiousness of the Press, and the Uncontroulable Nature of the Human Mind (John Thomson), 695 Enterprize (U.S. schooner), 204n, 264n, 550n Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes: (Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle), 90, 91n Epicurus, 508 Episcopalians, 159n Eppes, Francis Wayles (TJ’s grandson): stays at President’s House, xlvii; health of, 127, 362; companions for, 362-3; affection for TJ, 506 Eppes, John Wayles (TJ’s son-in-law): stays with TJ at President’s House, xlvii, 714; and petition from Louisiana District, 44, 45, 46n; friendship with E. Trist, 87; recommendations sent

to, 347n; forwards letter to TJ, 428; dines with TJ, 731n Eppes, Maria Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): health of, 127, 362 Eppes, Mary Jefferson (Maria, Polly, Mrs. John Wayles Eppes, TJ’s daughter): asks TJ to sit for SaintMémin, l-li; death of, 67 Eppington (Eppes estate, Chesterfield Co., Va.), 127, 362 Épreuves de la fonderie de Levrault, frères, a Strasbourg, 469n, 500 Equality-A Political Romance (John Lithgow), 237 Erie, Lake, 466 Erving, George W.: appointed secretary of legation, 16, 62, 63n, 159, 469, 574, 711, 712 Esopus, N.Y., 449 Esquisse de la situation politique et civile de la Louisiane, depuis le 30 Novembre 1803, jusqu’au 1er. Octobre 1804. par un Louisianais, 72, 75n Essai de géologie, ou Mémoires pour servir a l’histoire naturelle du globe (Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond), 16, 166n, 299 Essai sur l’histoire generale des mathématiques (Charles Bossut), 480, 696, 702 Essay on the Manufacturing Interest (John Lithgow), 237 Essex (U.S. frigate), 204n Etruria, 523 Europa Polyglotta, Linguarum Genealogiam Exhibens, 454, 455, 481, 499, 507, 702 Europe: climate of, compared with America, 473-4 Eustis, William: letter from, 526-7; and Nantucket collectorship, 525n; recommends aspirants for office, 526-7; dines with TJ, 715, 716, 721, 725 Evans, Oliver: letter from, 235; seeks extension of flour mill patent, 235 Evans, William: letter from, 236; sends lettuce and endive to TJ, 236 Everette, Charles, 590 Every Man His Own Gardener (Thomas Mawe), 503, 557 Ewing, Nathaniel, 711, 712 Ewing, Thomas, 571n Explanatory Pronouncing Dictionary of the French Language (L’Abbé Tardy), 530, 702

 756 

INDEX Fabbroni, Giovanni: and experiments with bricks, 180, 183; Dei provvedimenti annonarj, 269, 696 Fabius (ship), 373, 584 Fables (Jean de La Fontaine), 507, 530, 696, 702 Fairlie, James: and specie shortage in New York, 394; dines with TJ, 726 Falda, Giovanni Battista: Recentis Romae Ichnographia et Hypsographia, 499-500, 507, 702 Fanning, Nathaniel: letter from cited, 734 Fantin-Desodoards, Antoine Etienne Nicolas: Abrégé chronologique de la révolution de France, 480, 481n, 702 Farell & Jones, 26, 27n Farmer of New-Jersey; or, A Picture of Domestic Life (John Davis), 526n Farrar, Timothy, 155n Father’s Instructions to his Children: Consisting of Tales, Fables, and Reflections (Thomas Percival), 90, 91n Faujas de Saint-Fond, Barthélemy: Voyage en Angleterre, 15, 239, 268, 695; Essai de géologie, 16, 166n, 299; Histoire naturelle de la montagne, 165-6, 697 Favorite (ship), 484n, 680 Faw, Abraham, 70, 202 Febvrier, Nicholas, 319 Febvrier, Susannah: letter from, 319; asks TJ for money, xii, 319; identified, 319n Federalists: and election of 1804, 48, 148, 155, 361; in S.C., 48; in Conn., 49-50, 164, 323, 461, 476, 534-5, 632, 636; removal of, expected, urged, 49-50, 56-8, 199-200, 360n, 525, 667; remove Republicans from office, 50n; decline, demise of, 55-6, 164-5, 476; in Va., 64-5, 133-4, 356; oppose threefifths clause, 79, 154-5, 669; in R.I., 88, 360n; in Mass., 148, 164, 199-200, 371, 520, 524-5, 669; in Orleans Terr., 213; printers, newspapers, 213, 280n, 472-3n, 476, 541; and possible third term for TJ, 247-9; threaten disunion, 272; in N.Y., 280n, 394n; associated with monarchy, 310, 668; benefit from Republican divisions, 310; in Del., 323, 476; seek to divide Republicans, 356, 541; and banks, 394n; in Miss. Terr., 421, 479; leaders irreconcilable, 476, 643-4,

645-6, 706; in N.H., 519, 558-9; in Pa., 541, 594n; accused of resisting innovation, progress, 631-2, 641-2, 643-4, 652; react to TJ’s inaugural address, 636-7; accuse TJ of deism, heresy, 665; support union of church and state, 666; accused of deism, 668; divisions among, 668; invited to dine at President’s House, 731n Fénelon, François de Salignac de La Mothe: Aventures de Télémaque, 561 Fenner, Arthur: accused of drunkenness, 39, 59, 88, 173, 247; and O. Whipple, 520-1 Fenner, James, 88 Fergus, John, Jr., 331 Ferrand, Louis, 417n Ferri de Saint-Constant, J. L.: Londres et les Anglais, 16 Fesch, Joseph, 523, 524n, 570 Filhol, Antoine Michel: Cours historique et élémentaire, 156-7, 186, 256, 328, 329 Fincastle, Va., 97 Findley, William: letter from, 619; recommends aspirant for office, 619; dines with TJ, 719, 725 fires, 610-11, 612, 613, 614 First Presbyterian Church (Philadelphia), 585, 620 First Settlers of Virginia, An Historical Novel (John Davis), 526n fish. See food and drink Fitzgerald, John, 687 Fitzhugh, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 722, 730 Fitzhugh, Nicholas: and pardons, 71, 153, 203, 333; as reference, 198 Fitzpatrick, Thomas, 216-17, 571, 712 Flad Oyen (ship), 32n Fleischer, William: TJ asks for titles and prices from, 27; Annuaire de la librairie, 369n, 507 Fliegelman, Jay, 627 Flint River, 219 Flood, William, 75n, 422 Flora Boreali-Americana (André Michaux), 186, 369, 390, 696, 702 Florence, 233 Florida: Spanish forces in, 60-1; land sales in W. Fla. by Spain, 213, 595-6; post road through W. Fla., 312; calculation of area of E. Fla., 335; and France, 408-10, 412, 414n, 595-6; U.S. seeks to acquire, 408-10, 413,

 757 

INDEX Florida (cont.) 509; proposal to mortgage, 413, 414n; W. Fla. claimed as part of Louisiana, 414n, 595; East Florida, 518-19; U.S. urged to acquire, 595-6, 600n. See also Mobile, W. Fla.; Pensacola, W. Fla. flour, 235 Floyd, Charles, 46n Fœdera, Conventiones, Literae, et Cujuscunque Generis Acta Publica (Thomas Rymer), 140 Folch y Juan, Vicente: protests arrest of Spanish officer, 36, 37n; invites Seminoles to Pensacola, 553 Foley, Mr., 156 Folsom, Peter, 579n Fontenelle, Bernard Le Bovier de: Entretiens sur la pluralité des mondes, 90, 91n; Week’s Conversation on the Plurality of Worlds, 90, 91n food and drink: fish, 128; almonds, 144; macaroni, 144; oil, 144; olives, 144; prunes, 144; endive, 236; lettuce, 236; preserved fruits, 259; perry, 323, 361-2, 549, 571-2; sweetmeats, 373n; molasses, 488, 586; syrup of punch, 488, 586; cod tongues and sounds, 489; barley, 688; chocolate, 688; cinnamon, 688; cloves, 688; coffee, 688; mace, 688; nutmeg, 688; rice, 688; sugar, 688; tea, imperial, 688; fruit, 731n; nuts, 731n; pies, 731n. See also cider; hams; wine Forensic Eloquence (John Philpot Curran), 269, 696 Forrest, Uriah, 289n, 689, 690n Fortier, Michel (1750-1819), 75n Fort Wayne, 97 Fort Wayne, treaty of, 24n Fosdick, Nicoll: letter from, 461-2; recommends aspirant for office, 461-2, 478n Foster, Augustus John, 625, 628, 731-2n Fothergill, Anthony: member of APS, 253n; New Enquiry, 695 Fourcroy, Antoine François de: Table alphabétique et analytique, 15 Fourcroy, Charles Louis de, 725 Fowler, John: letters from, 162, 588-9; recommends aspirants for office, 162, 588-9; identified, 162n; dines with TJ, 721, 724, 730 Fox River, 263n

France Colonies failure to develop, improve, 380 Foreign Relations and Haiti, 275-7, 387-8; with Spain, 408-13 Law regulation of armed merchant vessels, 358 National Institute of Arts and Sciences arrangement of faculty, 305 Politics and Government civil code, 269; persistence of republicanism, 596. See also Napoleon, Emperor of the French (Napoleon Bonaparte) Science and Learning École Polytechnique, 357; Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, 573n U.S. Relations with emigrants to U.S., 47n, 96-7n, 253n, 468n, 671-2; passports for U.S. vessels, 395-6; and Florida, 408-10, 412, 414n, 595-6; French interference in negotiations with Spain, 408-13, 594-600; American debt claims, 412, 548, 595; and Louisiana boundary, 414n; French privateers in W. Indies, 440-1n, 588n. See also Haiti (SaintDomingue); New Orleans War with Britain resumption of hostilities expected, 231; peace overtures made to Britain, 523, 524n, 599 Frankfort, Ky, 465 Franklin, Benjamin, 270n Franklin, Jesse: letter to, 515; letters from, 506, 527; and road through Cherokee lands, 506, 515, 527; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 715, 722, 726 Frederick, Md., 466, 482n Frederick II, King of Prussia (Frederick the Great), 287-8, 324, 328, 329, 354 Fredericksburg, Va., 218, 219, 220, 221, 447, 464, 465 Free Translation of the Preface to Bellendenue (Samuel Parr), 557 French, George (Georgetown), 332

 758 

INDEX French Broad River, 464 French language: academies, schools, 101n, 367; knowledge of, desired in Louisiana appointees, 109-10, 118-19, 147-8, 311-12, 316-17, 325, 679; interpreters, 147-8; methods of teaching, 308, 309; knowledge of, desired in Michigan Terr. appointees, 330, 347, 441, 532; instruction books, manuals, 430, 431; pronunciation dictionaries, 530; taught to children, 561; TJ’s inaugural address published in, 637 French Revolution, 269, 270, 385 Freneau, Philip, 637 Frere, Bartholomew, 312, 471 Fresnoy, Nicolas Lenglet du: Tablettes chronologiques, 140 Frethy, Edward, 289n Friends, Society of: in Md., 128n; in Mass., 138n; in Pa., 344; and slavery, 344, 389n; in Va., 389n; in R.I., 558 Friendship (brig), 261 “Friend to the Constitution” (pseudonym): letter from, 132; warns TJ of assassination plot, 132 Fries, John, 607n Fromentin, Eligius: and Louisiana District petition, 44, 45, 349, 353n; recommended for appointment, 687-8; dines with TJ, 718, 723, 730 Fry, Henry: letter from, 576; introduces Dow, 576 Furlong, Lawrence: American Coast Pilot, 513n Gadsden, Christopher, 284 Gaillard, John: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 726, 729 Gaines’s Tavern (Va.), 355n, 737 Gaither, Catharine K. Williams, 315 Galeries des antiques, ou Esquisses des statues, bustes et bas-reliefs, fruit des conquêtes de l’Armée d’Italie (Augustin Legrand), 15, 239, 268, 324, 696 Gallatin, Albert: letters to, 139, 174, 243, 395-6, 401, 458-9, 534; letters from, 25, 53, 59, 92, 129, 130, 163-4, 175, 223, 236, 279, 285, 290, 327, 345, 378, 395, 396-7, 397, 427-8, 452, 527-8, 543-4, 548-9, 566-7, 570-1, 649-50, 680

Personal Affairs asked to sit for Peale, 197; offers payment advice to TJ, 296; lends map by Humboldt, 566-7; dines with TJ, 720, 725, 729 Politics on New England Federalists, 632, 650; licentiousness of the press, 634, 650; government role in religion, 649 Secretary of the Treasury Treasury estimates for 1805, 25, 427-8; Native American trade merchandise, 35-6n; and Md. loans to D.C., 53, 59, 279; policy toward Haiti, 59, 290-5; advises on appointments, 92, 129, 137-8n, 139, 223, 285, 570-1; land office east of Pearl River, 129; marine hospital at Charleston, 130; applications to, for appointments, 138n, 162n; recognition of land titles granted by Native Americans, 163-4, 174; Spanish navigation of Mississippi River, 175; slave trade, 175n; sale of public lands, 189; compensation for I. Briggs, 221; and Wabash saline, 236, 243, 527-8, 534; Native American affairs, 279; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 290-5; cancellation of Toulmin’s commission, 327; disposal of public lands, 345; and case of A. Wood, 378; and exportation of specie, 394n, 548-9; and Manhattan Company, 394n, 548; passports for non-resident citizens, 395-6; compensation for jurors and witnesses, 396-7, 401; navy estimates, 427-8; case of A. Gantz, 452, 458-9; appointment as secretary criticized, 473n; case of the Favorite, 484n, 680; Abernethie’s claim, 543-4; remarks on TJ’s inaugural address, 628-9, 631, 632, 634, 649-50; appointment of revenue cutter officers, 680. See also Treasury, U.S. Department of the Gallego, Joseph, 194, 334, 360, 684 Gallia, Sive de Francorum Regis Dominiis et Opibus Commentarius (Johannes de Laet), 437 Gallipolis, 449 Gamble, James, 403

 759 

INDEX gambling, 40, 41n, 66 Gantt, Edward: TJ’s account with, 139 Gantt, John Mackall, 568, 684 Gantz, Adam: petition for pardon, 452, 458-9, 736; letter from cited, 452n, 736 García y Muñiz, Manuel, 36, 37n Gardiner, John (author): American Gardener, 314 Gardiner, Sylvester, 521n Gardner, Gideon, 524 Garland, William G., 105, 574 Gasconade River, 263n Gassaway, Elizabeth Lane Price, 673n Gassaway, John, 671-2 Gassaway, Thomas Jefferson: letter from, 672-3; seeks appointment, 672-3; identified, 673n Gavino, John, 264n Gazette Nationale ou le Moniteur Universel (Paris), 637 Gazette of the United States (Philadelphia), 602n Gelston, David: letters to, 259, 471; letters from, 373, 462, 584; recommends aspirants for office, 92; forwards items for TJ, 259, 373, 442, 462, 471, 584 Gelston, John M.: death of, 86; disposition of TJ’s letter to, 86-7, 150-1, 187 General Dictionary of the English Language (Thomas Sheridan), 252-3 General Wayne (ship), 380, 382 Genoa, Italy: consul at, 8-9, 52, 157, 574, 712; quarantine at, 522 Geographia antiqua (Christoph Cellarius), 499-500, 507 geology: TJ lacks interest in, 473 George, Fort (Me.), 69n Georgetown, D.C.: packet service to, from, 14; grocers, 482n; bookbinderies in, 698n Georgetown College, 253n Georgia: U.S. attorney for, 157, 575, 712; and Creeks, 166-8, 335; Yazoo land grants, 200, 405, 407n; Clarksborough, 219; Franklin Co., 219, 447, 464, 465, 560; hurricanes in, 231, 234n; Tallassee Co., 335; would benefit from acquisition of Florida, 595. See also Savannah, Ga. Georgia, University of, 220 Gérard de Rayneval, Joseph Mathias: Institutions du droit de la nature et des gens, 481, 544, 545

German language: translated for TJ, 242, 353, 354, 388n; TJ’s inaugural address published in, 635, 638 Germanton, N.C., 465 Germantown and Perkiomen Turnpike Company, 103n Germany: immigrants from, 45n, 379-85, 388n; works on, 353, 354, 431; iron manufacturing in, 382. See also Hamburg, Germany; Prussia Gerusalemme Liberata (Torquato Tasso), 15, 186 Gessner, Salomon, 433, 434 Gibbon, Edward: Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 516, 536 Gibbon, James, 296, 482, 488 Gibbs, Abraham, 233-4 Gibraltar, 9 Gibson, John, 736 Gibson & Jefferson: handles TJ’s business affairs in Richmond, 13, 80; handles shipments for TJ, 19, 33, 98, 134, 148, 172-3, 185, 298, 471. See also Jefferson, George Giles, William Branch: letter to, 358; and Logwood’s case, 60n; presents Orleans Terr. memorial, 119n; as committee member, 290n, 358; and regulation of armed merchant vessels, 358; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 716, 720, 725, 729 Gilibert, Jean Emmanuel: Abrégé du système de la nature de Linné, 368, 390 Gillespie, James: dines with TJ, 718; declines dinner invitation, 723 Gillies, John: Aristotle’s Ethicks and Politicks, 192n Gilman, John Taylor, 519 Gilman, Nicholas, 155 Gilman & Langdon (Boston), 549n Gilmer, George, 227 Gilmer, Rodominick H.: letters from, 226-7, 673-4; recommended for appointment, 89-90, 191, 571; describes concerns of Tombigbee settlers, 226-7; supports consolidation of land offices, 673-4 Gilpin, Francis, 92 Gilpin, George, 71, 202 Girardin, Louis H.: letter to, 295; letter from, 253-4; Amœnitatis Graphicæ, 253, 254n; sends prospectus to TJ, 253-4; identified, 253-4n

 760 

INDEX glass: used for scientific instruments, 327; sheets of, 346, 551-2; manufacture of, 398 Glendy, John: letter to, 620; letter from, 584-6; seeks permission to deliver sermon in House chamber, 151, 152n, 158-60, 171; TJ recommends, 159-60, 620-1; congratulates TJ on reelection, seeks pastorate, 584-6, 620; thanked by TJ, 620; dines with TJ, 719 Goddard, Calvin: letter from, 528; recommends aspirant for office, 528; identified, 528n Goddard, John, 79 Godoy y Álavarez de Faria, Manuel de, 598, 599-600 Godwin, William: Enquirer, 237 Goetschius, John M., 8-9, 52 gold: coinage, 391, 392n; mining, 391 Goodwyn, Peterson: dines with TJ, 717, 721, 724, 729 Gore, Christopher, 55, 56n Gorham, Benjamin, 594 Goss v. Withers, 32n Goulon, Charles Le: Mémoires pour l’attaque et la defense d’une place, 369 Gouvion Saint-Cyr, Laurent, 408, 414n Græcorum Respublicæ (Ubbo Emmius), 437, 702 Graham, John: letter to, 110; offered, appointed secretary of Orleans Terr., 110, 119, 157, 311, 574, 712; and Burr conspiracy, 110n; identified, 110n; dines with TJ, 718, 727 Graham, John A.: letter from, 280; sends copy of “McGillda” letter, 280-1; “Address to the Public,” 280n; Descriptive Sketch, 280n; identified, 280n Granger, Gideon: letters from, 155, 200, 404-7, 464; as reference, 7, 330, 477, 535; and J. W. Gurley, 155; sends election news to TJ, 155; involvement with Yazoo land claims, 200, 405, 407n, 679; recommends aspirants for office, 203; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; financial difficulties of, 404-5; seeks appointment as governor of Michigan Terr., 404-7; report on post roads to New Orleans, St. Louis, and Detroit, 464-7; and changes to mail routes in Pa., 592-4, 624, 686-7; dines with TJ, 721, 730

Grant, Forbes & Co. (New York City), 380-2 Gratiot, Charles, 45n, 366 Gravina, Frederico Carlos, 597, 600n Gray, Edwin: dines with TJ, 718; declines dinner invitations, 723, 725 Gray, George Lewis: letter from, 192; sends proposal, publication to TJ, 192; identified, 192n Gray, Joseph F., 75n Gray, Thomas (Tenn.), 713n, 736 Great Britain Agriculture cider production, 126-7; encouragement of hemp production, 258-9 Economy encouragement of colonization, 380; slave trade, 385; condition of laborers, 675-6; improvements to manufacturing, 677-8 Foreign Relations Spain declares war on, 230-1, 234n, 312, 377, 410-11, 413, 471, 523, 594-5 Law capture and condemnation of prizes, 32; High Court of Admiralty, 32; regulation of armed merchant vessels, 358; common law, 497, 505, 507 Politics and Government and Sierra Leone Company, 249-50 Science and Learning meridian at Greenwich, 225, 244, 467n, 564 U.S. Relations with violations of U.S. sovereignty, xlviii, 9-13; interference with U.S. shipping, 9-13, 32, 144-5n, 556-7; emigrants to U.S., 109n, 266n, 379, 559n, 676, 680-1; and Native American affairs, 188, 271, 319, 336n; trade with U.S., 320; resolution of debt claims, 548-9; British monarchy fears, threatens republican government, 667-8. See also impressment War with France blockade of French ports, 259; peace overtures by Napoleon, 523, 524n, 599

 761 

INDEX Great Track (Grand Piste, Cashesegra, Osage leader), 319, 320n, 490, 492, 611, 614, 615n Greek language, 546 Green, Abner, 544n Green, Elizabeth Jones, 286n Green, Hugh, 9 Green, James, 286n Green, Mary Hutchins, 544n Green, Thomas H.: letter from, 544; forwards packet from I. Briggs, 261, 544; identified, 544n Green, Thomas Marston, 479 Green family (Culpeper County, Va.), 286 Greenlaw, David, 155-6 Greenville, Miss. Terr., 419-20n Greenville, Treaty of, 336n, 583n Greenwich, England, 225, 244, 467n, 564 Gregg, Aaron, 331 Gregg, Andrew: dines with TJ, 717, 722, 726 Grellet, Joseph, 322n Grellet, Peter, 322n Grellet, Stephen, 322n Griffin, Burgess: letter to cited, 27n; receives share of TJ’s tobacco crop, 586n; letters from cited, 734, 737 Griffin, Thomas: dines with TJ, 717, 724 Grillet, Mr. (TJ dinner invitee), 727 Grillette, Mr.: letter from, 322-3; and Madame Conway’s claim, 322-3 Griswold, Mr., 122 Griswold, Stanley: letters from, 6-8, 78-9; sends election news, seeks appointment, 6-8, 78-9; identified, 7n; appointed secretary of Mich. Terr., 576, 713 Grundy, Felix, 588-9 Guadalupe River, 553, 554n Guadeloupe, 84n, 440-1n, 572-3 Guest, Henry: letter from, 254-5; wishes to relate matters to TJ, 254-5; identified, 254-5n Guillelmi Postelli de Republica, seu Magistratibus Atheniensium Liber (Guillaume Postel), 437, 702 gunboats: and defense of U.S. harbors, 41, 49, 284; estimate of number required, 41, 49, 407, 428-9; cost of building, maintaining, 61, 142-3, 165, 427-8, 429-30, 432; construction of, 142-3, 424; distribution of, 175;

Gunboat No. 2, 175, 427; Gunboat No. 3, 204n; Gunboat No. 9, 204n; and Preble’s attack on Tripoli, 264n, 550n; Tripolitan, 264n, 550n; appropriations for, 407, 427-8; Gunboat No. 1, 427; TJ’s advocacy of, 472n; hire of, in the Mediterranean, 550n; ordered to Mediterranean, 703n gunpowder, 63, 92, 273, 704-6 Gurley, Grace Stackpole, 86, 88n Gurley, John Ward, 88n Guthery, Alexander, 531n Guyton de Morveau, Louis Bernard: Traité des moyens de désinfecter l’air, 16, 239, 268, 299, 696 Gwathmey, Samuel, 547 Hackett, John, Jr., 331 Hadfield, George, 289n Hahshequaxhiqua (Sac Indian), 263n Hainaut, 437n Haiti (Saint-Domingue): U.S. policy toward, 59, 290-5, 341; slaves imported from, 74; immigrants, refugees from, 97n, 100-1, 147-8n, 366, 367-8; as possible asylum for free Blacks, condemned slaves, 249; French relations with, 275-7, 387-8; U.S. relations with, 275-7; arming of U.S. merchant vessels trading with, 276, 290-5, 341, 439-41; French expeditionary force to (1801), 276-7; SaintDomingue insurrection, 366, 367, 368n, 669 Hakes, George Washington: letter from, 692-4; seeks clemency for desertion, 692-4; identified, 694n Hakes, James, 694n Halifax, 144n Hall, David, 38n, 58 Hall, Dominick A., 105, 149, 574 Hall, Edward, 712 Hall, Janet Smith, 315, 723 Hall, William: letter from, 266-8; protests arrest of T. Butler, 266-8; identified, 267n Halley, Edmond, 511, 512n Hamal. See Alpha Arietis (star) Hamburg, Germany: immigration from, discouraged, 381-3, 388n Hamilton, Alexander: funeral orations for, 383, 388n Hamilton, Samuel, 712 Hammond, Samuel, 435-6

 762 

INDEX hams, 483, 494 Hand, John, 39, 173 Handbuch Einer Statistik der Deutschen Bundesstaaten (Johann Daniel Albrecht Hoeck), 354n, 431, 481 Hanham, James R., 331, 578, 609-10 Hanks, Porter, 331 Hanna, John A.: recommends aspirant for navy appointment, 203; dines with TJ, 717, 723, 728 Hanson, Samuel: dines with TJ, 730 Hardie, James: American Remembrancer, 140 Harris, James (Pa.), 403 Harris, Levett, 5 Harris, Samuel: engraver, xlix Harrisburg, Pa., 593 Harrison, Ann Craik, 731n Harrison, James, 564 Harrison, Richard: dines with TJ, 716, 731n Harrison, William Henry: and Native American affairs, vii, 24, 188-9, 262-3, 320, 490, 492; and Louisiana District, 44, 45, 46n, 189n, 318, 352n; and Wabash saline, 236, 243, 527-8, 534 Harrowby, Dudley Ryder, Baron, 411 Hart, Joseph (Pa.), 403 Hartford, Conn., 314n, 535n Hartford Convention, 582n Hartzell, Jonas, 403 Harvard College, 450n, 521n, 670n Harvie, Lewis, 208 Harwell, Ranson: letter from, 89-90; forwards Gilmer recommendation, 89-90; identified, 89-90n; letter from cited, 737 Harwood, Benjamin, 53, 59, 279n Hasbrouck, Josiah: dines with TJ, 720, 728 Haskell, Eli, 199n Hastings, Seth: dines with TJ, 719 Hathaway, Capt., 75 Haüy, René Just: Traité de minéralogie, 15, 368, 390, 696, 697, 702 Havana, Cuba, 553-4 Haweis, Thomas, 670n Hawkins, Benjamin: assists I. Briggs, 128, 219; and Native American treaty negotiations, 166-8; reports on Creek affairs, 320-1 Hawkins, John (Ky.): letter from, 603; offers elks for TJ’s deer park, 603 Hawkins, John Isaac: polygraph, 21, 31, 476

Hawkins & Clagett (Baltimore): letter from cited, 736; letter to cited, 736 Hay, George: considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; dines with TJ, 727; declines dinner invitation, 729 Hay, John (Cahokia): letter from, 493; sends news of Lewis and Clark, 493; identified, 493n Haydock, John, 459 Hazard, Ebenezer: Historical Collections; Consisting of State Papers, 140 Hazard, Enoch, 158 Hazard, Thomas, Jr., 138n Hazard, William, 144, 145 Heard, Jesse F., 322 Heath, John: dines with TJ, 727 Heath, William: letter to, 164-5; letter from, 93-4; news of Republican triumph in Mass., 93-4, 164-5 Heerman, Lewis, 18 Helms, William: dines with TJ, 715, 719, 724 Hemings, Critta (1769-1850), 82n Hemings, James (b. 1787, Jamey), 81, 82n Hemings, Sally: relationship with TJ, 472n hemp, 258-9 Henault, Charles Jean François: Nouvel abrégé chronologique de l’histoire de France, 140 Henderson, Bennett Hillsborough, 287n Henderson, John, 287n Henderson, John (Natchez), 571 Henderson, Joseph R., 331 Henderson, McCaul & Co., 26 Henderson lands: warehouse shares, 286-7, 460 Hendrick (Danish brig), 463 Hendrick, William, 556n Heney, Hugh, 682, 683n Hening, William Waller, 736 Henrick and Maria (ship), 32n Henry, James (Detroit), 330n Henry; or, The Foundling (Mary Hopkins Pilkington), 90, 91n Hepburn, David: American Gardener, 314 Herbin, Auguste François Julien: Développemens des principes de la langue arabe moderne, 15 Herbin de Halle, P. E.: Statistique générale et particulière, 15, 239n

 763 

INDEX Hermit of the Forest, and the Wandering Infants (Richard Johnson), 90, 91n Herring, William: letter from, 48-9; urges TJ not to seek reelection, 48-9 Heston, Edward Warner, 403 Heth, Henry, 22 Hewett, Mary: letter from cited, 734 Hichborn, Benjamin, 631 Hiester, Gabriel, 403 Hiester, John, 403 Hiester, Joseph: letter from, 674; sends farewell letter to TJ, 674; dines with TJ, 716, 722; declines dinner invitation, 726 Higdon, John: letter from, 70-1; petition for pardon, 70-1; pardoned by TJ, 71, 153n Higginbotham, David: letters from cited, 734, 735, 736, 737; letters to cited, 734, 735; payments to, 736 Hiland (sloop), 39, 40 Hill, Henry, Jr.: declines dinner invitation, 723 Hill, William (Indian agent), 376n Hillhouse, James: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 717, 724, 731n Hindostan (ship), 103 “Hints concerning Public Education” (Joseph Priestley), 305, 306n Hispaniola. See Haiti (Saint-Domingue) Histoire de Catherine II, impératrice de Russie (Jean Henri Castéra), 368, 701 Histoire de la décadence de la monarchie française et de progrés de l’autorité royale à Copenhague, Madrid, Vienne, Stockholm, Berlin, Petersbourg, Londres, depuis l’époque où Louis XIV fut surnommé le Grand, jusqu’à la mort de Louis XVI (Jean Louis Soulavie), 15 Histoire de la destruction des républiques démocratiques de Schwitz, Uri et Unterwalden (Heinrich Zschokke), 16 Histoire de la révolution de France, 16 Histoire de la révolution de France (Christophe Félix Montjoie), 15 Histoire Naturelle, générale et particulière (Comte de Buffon), 675 Histoire naturelle à l’usage des écoles (William Fordyce Mavor), 697 Histoire naturelle de la montagne de SaintPierre de Maestricht (Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond), 165-6, 697 Histoire naturelle des minéraux (Eugène Melchior Louis Patrin), 368, 696, 701

Histoire naturelle des perroquets (François Levaillant), 186 Histoire naturelle des poissons (Comte de Lacépède), 695 Histoire naturelle des volcans, comprenant les volcans soumarins, ceux de boue, et autres phénomènes analogues (Claude Nicolas Ordinaire), 239, 268 Historical Collections; consisting of State Papers, and Other Authentic Documents (Ebenezer Hazard), 140 Historical Collections of Private Passages of State (John Rushworth), 140 Historic Progress of Civil and Rational Liberty (Oliver Whipple), 521n history: writing of, 140-1 History, Civil and Commercial of the British Colonies in the West Indies (Bryan Edwards), 537-8 History of Little Dick, Written by Little John, 90, 91n History of Philosophy (William Enfield), 503, 557 History of Rome (Livy), 32n History of the British Expedition to Egypt (Robert Thomas Wilson), 90, 91n History of the Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero (Conyers Middleton), 544, 545 History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II (Louis Philippe, Comte de Ségur), 631, 641, 644n History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution (Mercy Otis Warren), 307n, 370, 477 History of the Wars Which Arose out of the French Revolution: to Which is Prefixed, A Review of the Causes of that Event (Alexander Stephens), 90, 91n History of Virginia (John Daly Burk), 253n Hobart, John Sloss, 529, 592n, 737 Hockingpomsga (Delaware Indian), 25n Hoeck, Johann Daniel Albrecht: Aperçu statistique des états d’Allemagne, 354n, 431, 481; Handbuch Einer Statistik, 354n, 431, 481 Hoffman, George, 163, 164n, 712 Hoffman (Houghman), Jacob (Va.), 70, 202 Hoge, John: dines with TJ, 719 holidays: New Year’s Day, 275, 279n Holland. See Netherlands

 764 

INDEX Holland, James: letter to, 559-60; reimbursement for I. Briggs, 559-60; identified, 560n; dines with TJ, 715, 720, 724, 729 Hollins, John: letter to, 158-9; letters from, 151-2, 171; and Glendy’s visit to Washington, claim on Spain, 151-2, 158-9, 171, 585; introduces Emmet, 171 Holmes, Abiel: letter to, 140-1; letter from, 433; TJ recommends works on history to, 140-1, 433 Holmes, David: dines with TJ, 715, 720, 729; declines dinner invitations, 724, 726 Holmes, Hugh: dines with TJ, 562n, 729; and case of R. W. Peacock, 689, 690n Holy Roman Empire, 353, 354, 431 Home, Charles: New Chronological Abridgment of the History of England, 503, 557 Honig, Jan, and Zoonen, xlix Hooe, Robert T., & Co. (Alexandria): letter from cited, 734 Hooker, John W., 734 Hope, Michael: letter from cited, 734; letter to cited, 735; payments to, 736 Hopewell (ship), 440-1n Hopkins, Henry, 331, 577-8, 583, 609 Hopoie Micco (Creek Indian), 167-8n Hornet (U.S. sloop), 204n horses: theft of, 24n, 263n, 490, 491; farriers, 300; hay, fodder, 300; saddles, 300; grooming tools, 300n hospitals: marine, 130 Hot Springs, Arkansas, 451-2, 513-14, 564 Hough, David: dines with TJ, 719 household and personal articles: coal, xi, 22, 676, 738; firewood, xi, li, 306, 676; lamps, 5-6, 19-20; ink, 90; parallel rule, 90; quills, 90; stationery, 90; wafers, 90, 91n; paint supplies, 123; stoves, 301, 346, 398; sandglasses, 327n; candles, 364; toys, 381; tools and hardware, 707. See also food and drink; polygraphs Hovey, Benjamin, 163 Howard, Jesse: letter from, 332-3; petition for pardon, 332-3 Howard, Richard, 680 Howell, John, 495n Howland, Benjamin: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6, 607n; dines

with TJ, 719, 723; letter from cited, 736; recommends aspirant for office, 736 Hudson, Charles, 684 Huger, Benjamin: dines with TJ, 721 Hughes, James H., 144 Hughes, Mrs., 315, 723 Hulbert, John W.: criticizes TJ in Mass. legislature, 472-3 Hull, William, 7n, 406, 576, 713 Humboldt, Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander, Baron von, 225, 566-7 Humphreys, David, 408 Humphreys, James: letter from, 537-8; sends book subscription to TJ, 537-8; identified, 538n Hungary: wine from, 131, 488, 731n Hunt, Samuel: declines dinner invitation, 717; dines with TJ, 719 Hunter, George, 95, 451, 452n, 513. See also Dunbar and Hunter expedition Huntington, Hezekiah, 478n Huntington, Samuel (Ohio), 329-30, 347, 576, 713 Hurlbut, George, 67-9, 125, 141 Hussey, Daniel B., 371, 524-5 Hussey, Stephen, 370-1, 524, 713n Iberville River, 87, 414n Illinois and Wabash Company, 163 Illinois River, 262-3n, 271 Illinois Territory, 7n illness and disease: fractures, xi, 82-3, 306; amputees, xii, 691; boils, xlvii; insanity, mental illness, 51n, 280n, 313n, 542-3; bilious fever, 161, 169-70; abscesses, 179, 182; unspecified, 400, 414-15, 576, 590-1; stomach ailments, 415; colds, 506; effects of tobacco and alcohol use, 551; hysteric fits, 590; rabies, 682. See also medicine; quarantine; yellow fever immigrants: impact of slavery on, xi, 676; German, 45n, 379-85, 388n; French, 47n, 96-7n, 253n, 468n, 671-2; Saint-Domingue, 97n, 100-1, 147-8n, 366, 368n; English, 109n, 266n, 379, 559n, 680-1; Swiss, 120, 189-90, 367, 545; granted equal protection and justice in U.S., 189; Irish, 379, 587, 590n; Scots, 379; to Louisiana, 379-85; redemptioners, 379-85; considered preferable to enslaved workers, 380; restrictions

 765 

INDEX immigrants (cont.) on immigration, 381-3, 388n; immigrant aid societies, 388n; Welsh, 402; naturalization, 672n impeachment: of Pa. judges, 403, 540-1. See also Chase, Samuel impressment: protection certificates, xlviii, 330 (illus.); by Britain, 11-12 Inaugural Address (1801): translations of, 183n; as statement of governing principles, 629, 651, 652 Inaugural Address (1805): drafting of, xiii-xiv, 628-34, 638-48, 651-2; publication of, xiv, 634-5, 637-8, 657n, 663; reading copy of, xiv, l, 330 (illus.), 626-8, 657-63; remarks by cabinet secretaries on, 628-9, 630, 631, 632, 634, 648-51; as statement of administration’s performance, 629, 638, 651-2; praise for, 635-6, 637; criticism of, 636-7; European opinions on, 637-8; historians’ assessment of, 638; final text of, 652-7. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Inauguration Independence (brig), 442 Independent Chronicle (Boston), 559, 635 India, 270n Indiana Company, 617 Indiana Territory: land offices, vii, 195, 712; sale of public lands in, vii, 160-1, 345; Native American affairs in, 24-5, 188-9, 334-5; Clark’s Grant, 24n; White River, 24n; Illinois country, 46n; division of, 79n, 329-30; immigrants to, 160-1; Louisiana District placed under jurisdiction of, 189n, 348, 349; Wabash saline, 236, 243, 527-8, 534; Vincennes Tract, 334-6; Wayne Co., 345n; St. Clair Co., 493n; Clark Co., 547; descriptions of, 547; Knox Co., 547; severe cold in, 547; legislative council, 547-8; advancement to second grade of territorial government, 547-8n; Prairie du Chien, 611, 614; secretary of, 736. See also Detroit; Harrison, William Henry; Kaskaskia; Vincennes Indian River, Del., 512n Ingersoll, George, 330 Ingersoll, Jared: declines dinner invitation, 727 Ingle, Henry: family of, 674n; account with TJ, 707 Ingle, John P.: letter from, 674-5; offers services as cabinetmaker, 674-5; iden-

tified, 674-5n; receives payment for father, 707 Ingle, Mary Pechin, 674n Innes, Harry, 556n Inquiry into the Colonial Policy of the European Powers (Henry Peter Brougham), 269, 696 Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Public Wealth (James Maitland, earl of Lauderdale), 269, 696 Institution au droit maritime (Pierre B. Boucher), 368, 697, 701 Institutions commerciales (Pierre B. Boucher), 368, 701 Institutions du droit de la nature et des gens (Joseph Mathias Gérard de Rayneval), 481, 544, 545 internal improvements: application of revenue surpluses to, vii, 643, 653 Intrepid (U.S. ketch), 18, 22n, 264n, 542n, 550n Introduction to Natural Philosophy (William Nicholson), 511, 512n Ioannis Leonis Africani Africæ Descriptio (Leo Africanus), 437 Ireland: failure of wheat crop in, 40; immigrants from, 379, 587, 590n iron: for TJ’s mill, 98-9; sheet, 107, 114, 302; nailrod, 130, 147, 148, 494, 529; manufacturing, 171n; bending of, 302; ironmongers, 590n Irujo, Carlos Martínez de, 213, 412 Irujo, Sarah (Sally) McKean, 127 Irvine, Callender, 43 Irvine, William (Va.), 104, 105n Israel, Israel, 313 Israel, Nathaniel (innkeeper), 313 Italy: yellow fever in, 180, 183-4, 228-30, 232; quarantine in, 183-4n, 228-30, 522, 584n; wine from, 228, 233; marble from, 398; Napoleon increases control over, 523. See also Genoa, Italy; Leghorn (Livorno), Italy; Naples; Sicily Izard, Ralph (midshipman): participates in burning of the Philadelphia, 18, 542n; presents dispatches, 542; dines with TJ, 728 Jackson, Andrew: letter from, 266-8; protests arrest of T. Butler, 266-8; unsent letter to TJ, 267-8n

 766 

INDEX Jackson, George, 617 Jackson, James: letter from, 603; recommendations sent to, 495n; and J. Bryan, 601n; makes payment for TJ, 603; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 718, 722, 724, 729 Jackson, John (Philadelphia), 546 Jackson, John G.: letter from, 617; seeks information on Indiana Company claim, 617; identified, 617n; dines with TJ, 716, 723, 726 Jackson, John S.: letter from cited, 736 Jackson, Jonathan (carpenter), 684 Jackson, Mary (Polly) Payne, 617 Jackson, William, 602 “Jacky Frost and the Old man,” li-lii, 330 (illus.) James, Thomas C.: letter to, 336; letters from, 295-6, 604; informs TJ of his reelection as president of APS, 295-6, 336; thanks TJ for forwarding communication, 604 James River: ice in, xi, 462; navigation improvements, 240 Jamestown, Va., 253, 254n Jarvis, William: letters from, 20, 75-6, 126; and wine for TJ, 20, 75-6, 126, 462, 471; praises TJ’s inaugural address, 637 Jauffret, Louis François: Éléments de zoographie, 480, 696, 702 Jay, Fort, 692n Jay, John, 423 Jefferson, George: letters to, 130-1, 200-1, 296, 482-3, 488; letters from, 22, 147, 223-4, 462, 494, 515, 540, 586, 675; handles TJ’s business affairs in Richmond, 22, 130, 193, 200-1, 223-4, 296, 482-3, 488, 540; payments to, 22, 482-3, 515; handles shipments for TJ, 130-1, 147, 462, 494, 586; recommends payments in Bank of U.S. notes, 223-4; double payment to Moran, 224; and sale of TJ’s tobacco, 586, 675; letter from cited, 736; and TJ’s account with Gibson & Jefferson, 736. See also Gibson & Jefferson Jefferson, Isaac (1775-ca.1849, TJ’s slave), 603n Jefferson, Isaac (Boston): letter from, 587; seeks contract for seamen’s clothing, 587

Jefferson, Thomas Agriculture moldboard plow, 39-40, 555-6; exchanges seeds, plants with friends, 40-1, 94, 177, 180, 181, 183, 227-8, 229, 289-90, 441-2, 564, 589-90, 625; interest in cider production, 126-7; recommends books on gardening, 314. See also Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate); tobacco Architecture and design of U.S. Capitol, 31n; buildings for education, 305; preference for Corinthian order, 360; superiority of “chaste” architecture, 360. See also Monticello Business and Financial Affairs orders coal, 22, 738; payment of medical services, 139; shipment for, captured by British, 144-5n; orders stoves, 301; orders perry, 323, 361-2, 549, 571-2; newspaper subscriptions, 483, 540; orders hams, 483, 494; orders molasses, 488; purchases tools, hardware, 707. See also Bank of the United States; Barnes, John; Gibson & Jefferson; Henderson lands; Jefferson, George; Monticello; Reibelt, Philippe; Short, William Character and Image will accept no gifts while in public office, 5; friend to arts and science, 274, 504, 516-17; publications dedicated to, 426, 682n; songs composed in honor of, 579-81; children named after TJ, 672 Correspondence uses caution, disguise in writing, sending letters, ix, 154-5; characterizes correspondents as insane, 51n, 242, 313, 542-3; receives anonymous letters, 57-8, 100, 132, 258-9, 403; receives death threats, 132; writes letters of introduction, 327. See also polygraphs Education recommends works on history, 140-1; necessary for liberty, 303; proposals to establish a state college in Va., 303-6 Governor of Virginia British attempt to capture, 472n; and Indiana Company, 617n

 767 

INDEX Jefferson, Thomas (cont.) Inauguration oath of office, 604, 608, 628; inaugural celebrations, 608n, 628; descriptions of, 625-6, 628. See also Inaugural Address (1805) Law capture and condemnation of prizes, 32; adjudication of Tripolitan prizes, 124-5; on western land claims, 174; executive claim of nolle prosequi, 324; regulation of armed merchant vessels, 358; compensation for jurors and witnesses, 401; prohibition, 483-4, 505, 507. See also Johnson, Richard; Peyton, Craven Library books obtained for, 23-4, 27, 28, 43, 90-1, 101n, 141-2, 148, 153-4, 165-6, 168-9, 192, 238-40, 246-7, 268-9, 278, 299, 314n, 328-9, 359, 363, 364, 368-9, 389-91, 436-8, 477, 480-1, 503, 507, 530-1, 536-7, 551, 557, 644n, 692, 701-2, 706; sends books from Monticello to Washington, 130-1, 147; books borrowed from, 140, 238, 299, 333, 359; collects works on America, 306; will be left to future university in Va., 306; TJ pays for bookbinding, 695-8; book subscriptions, 703, 704 Nailery enslaved boys work in, 82n; nailrod and iron stock for, 130, 147, 148, 494, 529 Opinions never takes sides in the quarrels of others, viii-ix, 102-3; on manufacturing, x-xi, 236-7, 297, 675, 677-8; strength of old friendships, 26-7; society poor substitute for family, 127; “equal protection & justice” only inducement necessary for immigrants, 189; prefers climate of America over Europe, 473-4; Americans too busy to write or invent, 475; necessity of aging wine, 561-2; on resistance to innovation, change, 631-2, 641-2, 649, 650, 652 Patronage and Appointments appointment of U.S. attorney general, ix-x, 275, 278-9, 282-3, 285, 288,

618, 713; sends nominations to the Senate, 16-17, 105-6, 157, 338, 417, 576-7, 609-10, 623-4; difficulties making appointments and removals, 85, 118-19, 147, 311-12; maintains silence on all applications, 85, 210; corrects errors in nominations and appointments, 122-3, 126, 609-10; TJ recommends aspirants for office, 190, 192-3, 195, 532; avoids appointing Virginians, 282; judges not to receive revocable commissions, 327; nominations rejected by Senate, 417n; lists of appointments and removals, 573-6, 711-13; reduction of useless offices, 630, 640, 653; Republicans entitled to share of offices, 643-4; moderation in removals, 667 Personal Affairs strangers ask for money, xi-xii, 22-3, 256-8, 306, 319, 500-1, 708; gives money in charity, xii, 23n, 266n, 319n; fur cloak belonging to, xlvii; orders wine, 20, 75-6, 103, 126, 130, 131, 134, 135, 172-3, 228, 259, 298, 342, 373-4, 442, 483, 488, 494; dullness of Washington society, 314; sends dinner invitations, 315-16n, 339, 450, 678, 731n. See also President’s House Political Theories praises writings of A. Sidney, 168-9; considers dissolution of the Union “insanity,” 272; limits on presidential terms, 310-11; people a public censor on government and the press, 632-4, 639, 642-3, 646-7, 655-6; seeks peace and amity with all nations, 640, 652-3. See also Inaugural Address (1805) Politics fears divisions among Republicans, viii, 58-9, 173-4, 247, 310; promotes unity and harmony, viii; remains neutral in disputes among Republicans, viii-ix, 173, 247; and potential repeal of three-fifths clause, ix, 154-5; criticizes licentiousness of the press, xiii-xiv, 632-4, 638, 642-3, 650, 655-6; urged to seek a third term, xiv, 247-9; will not seek a third term, xiv, 310-11; editors “cooks” consulting “palates” of their

 768 

INDEX Jefferson, Thomas (cont.) readers, 55; Federalists should support strengthening ports and harbors, 133-4; compares Mass. to the prodigal son, 164; decline, demise of Federalists, 164-5, 476, 706; Delaware suffers from “Anglomany,” 323, 476; impeachment of S. Chase, 471; criticized by Hulbert in Mass. legislature, 472-3; relationship with Sally Hemings, 472n; and Walker affair, 472n; Federalists resist innovation, change, 631-2, 641-2, 643-4, 645-6, 652; Federalist leaders irreconcilable, 706 Portraits by Rembrandt Peale, xlvii-xlviii, 330 (illus.); by Saint-Mémin, l-li, liii, 96-7, 330 (illus.); by Doolittle, 88n President Native American policy, vii, 24-5, 122-3, 166-8, 174, 188-9, 262-3, 271, 284, 319-20, 334-6, 501-2, 515, 553-4, 654-5, 698-9; promotion of internal improvements, vii, 643, 653; and self-government in Orleans Terr., viii, 119; western exploration, lii, 185; relations with Britain, 32, 49, 164, 320; defense of U.S. coasts and harbors, 42, 49, 133-4, 284, 423-4, 428-30; and District of Columbia, 59-60, 208-9, 507-8; issues pardons, 71, 153, 203, 319, 320n, 333; war with Tripoli, 124-5, 320, 472n, 550-1; public buildings in Washington, 135, 346, 397-8; relations with France, 164; relations with Spain, 164, 312, 471, 553-4; immigration policy, 189-90; and Wabash saline, 243, 534; policy for populating Orleans Terr. and Louisiana Dist., 271, 311; policy toward Haiti, 290-5, 341; post road through W. Fla., 312; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 358, 439-41; and the Mint, 391-3; passports for non-resident citizens, 395-6; compensation for jurors and witnesses, 401; establishment of post road between Washington and New Orleans, 446-7, 559-60; navy reductions, 472n; militia returns, 563n, 591; contingent expense fund, 591-2; administration of oath of

office, 604, 628; postal service, 624; discharge of public debt, 630, 638, 640-1, 643, 653; repeal of internal taxes, 640, 653; benefits of Louisiana Purchase, 649, 653-4. See also election of 1804 Religion recommends Glendy, 159-60, 620-1; views on the doctrines of Jesus, 207, 208n, 502-3; criticized for being deist, 383, 665; Jefferson Bible, 437-8n, 454-6; accused of atheism, 472n, 665; separation of church and state, 639-40, 642, 649, 654; freedom of religion, 663-4 Scientific Interests weather, xi-xii, li, 314, 327, 362, 363n, 415, 473-4; western exploration, lii, 185; botany, 94; flower named after TJ, 94; calculation of longitude, 224-5; receives specimens, curiosities, 235, 731n; disinfection, 299; offers medical advice, 415; floating batteries, 424, 428; dry docks, 472n; lacks interest in geology, 473; climate, 473-4; yellow fever, 474-5; urban planning, 475; too busy for scientific, literary studies, 709. See also American Philosophical Society; Lewis and Clark expedition; polygraphs Slaveholder describes eventual demise of slavery, xiii, 403-4; receives reports on enslaved workers at Monticello, 81, 104-5; hires slave labor, 104, 105n; and removal of free Blacks, condemned slaves from Va., 249-50, 453-4; suggests employing free Blacks as tenant farmers, 387, 389n Travel between Monticello and Washington, 354-5; never traveled west of Staunton, Va., 473 Writings Legal Commonplace Book, 32; Bill for Preservation of Peace in Harbors and Waters, 41-2, 49; Notes on Painting at Monticello, 123-4; Bill for the Adjudication of Prizes, 124-5; Syllabus of an Estimate of the merit of the doctrines of Jesus, 207, 208n, 250; Proclamation

 769 

INDEX Jefferson, Thomas (cont.) Extending Building Regulations in the City of Washington, 208-9; List of Books Acquired, 268-9; Notes on Policy in the West, 271; Paragraph on Disaffected Citizens, 272; Notes on Indian Affairs, Tripoli, and Great Britain, 319-21; Notes on Spanish Actions and Indian Affairs, 553-4; Supplementary Note on the Moldboard Plow, 555-6; notes on appointments, 573-6; Tabulation of Votes in Chase Impeachment Trial, 605-7; Thoughts on English Prosody, 627; Anas, 631; Notes on Speech by Mingo Mattaha, 700-1; lists of appointments and removals, 711-13; dinner guest records, 714-32. See also Inaugural Address (1805); Notes on the State of Virginia Jeffersonia diphylla (twinleaf), 94 Jeffreon River. See North River (Missouri) Jeffreys, George, 664, 670n Jenifer, Miss, 731n Jenkins, Captain, 442 Jenkins, Thomas, 524 Jenner, Edward, 526 Jérémie, Saint-Domingue, 205n Jerry (b. 1777, TJ’s slave), 591 Jerusalem, 40, 41n Jérusalem delivrée. See Gerusalemme Liberata Jesus: TJ’s study of the doctrines of, 207, 208n, 502-3 João, Prince Regent of Portugal, 298n John (b. 1753, TJ’s slave), 104-5 John (b. 1785, Bedford John, TJ’s slave), 105n John Adams (schooner), 441 John Adams (U.S. frigate), 204n, 230, 264n, 551n Johnson, Benjamin, 455n, 546 Johnson, Bernard: letter from, 587-8; petition for pardon, 587-8; identified, 588n Johnson, Catherine Maria Frances, 731n Johnson, Catherine Nuth: and Mrs. Noland, 23n; dines with TJ, 716, 723, 731n Johnson, Eliza Jennet Dorcas, 731n Johnson, Fort (S.C.), 284n Johnson, Joshua, 23

Johnson, Richard: TJ’s legal action against, 210, 735 Johnson, Richard (English author): Hermit of the Forest, 90, 91n; Juvenile Trials, 90, 91n Johnson, Samuel: Dictionary of the English Language, 537-8 Johnson, Stephen W.: letter from, 680-2; sends plan of publication to TJ, 680-2; identified, 681-2n; Rural Economy, 682n Johnson, William: dines with TJ, 727, 730 Johnson, William (N.Y.), 592n Johnston, Alexander R., 495 Johnston, Catherine Nuth, 316n Jones, Evan, 36, 118, 121, 122 Jones, John Rice, 547 Jones, Meriwether: letter from, 359; asks TJ for copy of Summary View, 359 Jones, Obadiah, 601, 618, 713 Jones, Silas, 524-5 Jones, Skelton, 253n Jones, Walter: dines with TJ, 715, 719, 723, 728 Jones, Walter, Jr.: considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 285; and case of R. W. Peacock, 689, 690n; dines with TJ, 727 Jones & Howell: letters to, 98-9, 148, 494; letter from, 529; TJ orders iron for his mill from, 98-9; TJ orders nailrod from, 130, 148, 494, 529; and stoves for TJ, 301; payments to, 494, 529; letter from cited, 494n, 735 Jouett, Charles: recommended for appointment, 347n; commissioner to treat with Native Americans, 582-3n; dines with TJ, 724 Journal of Andrew Ellicott, Late Commissioner on Behalf of the United States (Andrew Ellicott), 90, 91n Judiciary Act (1789), 496, 498 Justification of General Moreau (trans. George Lewis Gray), 192 “Juvenal Junius” (pseudonym). See Davis, John (author) Juvenile Trials for Robbing Orchards, Telling Fibs, and Other Offences (Richard Johnson), 90, 91n Kalteisen, Michael, 284n Kaskaskia: land claims at, vii, 163; military post at, 98; land office at, 195,

 770 

INDEX 712; settlement of, encouraged, 271, 311; postal route through, 465 Kean, John, 403 Kekelangquagot (Lightning, Piankashaw Indian), 25n Kelly, James, 594n Kennedy, John, 618-19 Kennedy, William: recommends aspirant for office, 223; dines with TJ, 715, 721, 725 Kenner, William, 36, 120, 122, 146 Kenner & Henderson (New Orleans), 75n Kennett, White: Bibliothecæ Americanæ Primordia, 140, 141n Kentucky: shipbuilding in, 61; viticulture in, 545, 561-2 Kentucky River, 24n Ker, David, 419-20, 479 Kerr, John (midshipman), 203, 204n Kerr, Lewis, 37n, 478-9 Keteltas, William: letter to, 339; letter from, 529; letter of introduction for, 282; invited to dine with TJ, 339; recommends aspirant for office, 529; dines with TJ, 723 Key, Philip Barton, 289n Killingworth, Conn., 478n Kilty, William: and pardons, 71, 153, 203, 689-90 Kimball, Joseph, 16, 17n King, Benjamin, 608n King, Nicholas: produces map of Ouachita River, lii-liii King, Rufus, 55, 155 Kinnan, Robert: letter to cited, 27n; letter from cited, 736 Kirby, Ephraim: letter to, 110-11; death of, 77, 129, 149, 191, 311, 325, 420n; appointed judge of Orleans Terr., 110-11, 574; offered appointment as governor of Miss. Terr., 110-11, 118; and Nanna Hubba Island, 554n Kirk, Josiah, 331 Kneass, William, lii-liii Knight, Nehemiah: declines dinner invitation, 719; dines with TJ, 722, 728; letter from cited, 736; recommends aspirant for office, 736 Knight, Thomas Andrew: Treatise on the Culture of the Apple & Pear, 126-7 Knox, Fort, 97 Knoxville, Tenn., 464, 465 Koch, Christoph Wilhelm von: Abrégé de l’histoire des traités, 15; Table des traités, 15, 239n

Kosciuszko, Tadeusz, xlvii, 738 Kowich, Anitra: letter from cited, 242 Krafft, Johann Karl: Plans, coupes et élévations, 154, 165-6, 186, 239, 268, 697 Krafft, Michael: letter to, 214; thanked by TJ, 214 Kuhn, Ann Storm, 9n Kuhn, Peter, Jr.: recommended, appointed consul at Genoa, 8-9, 52, 157, 574, 712 Kuhn, Peter, Sr.: letter from, 9; recommends son for appointment, 9 Kuykendall, Jacob, 547, 548n Labatut, Jean Baptiste, 75n Lacarrière Latour, Géraud Calixte Jean Baptiste Arsène, 357, 424-5 Lacépède, Bernard Germain Étienne de La Ville-sur-Illon, Comte de: Histoire naturelle, 695 Laclède, Pierre, 46n Laet, Johannes de: Gallia, 437; Persia, 437; Respublica, sive statvs regni Scotiæ et Hiberniæ, 530 Lafayette, Marie Adrienne Françoise de Noailles, Marquise de, 112 Lafayette, Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de: letter from, 111-12; land granted to, 111-12, 179, 182, 187, 222-3, 226; urged to settle in Louisiana, 273; comments on TJ’s inaugural address, 637 Laffitte, Peter Samuel, 495n La Fontaine, Jean de: Contes et nouvelles, 507, 530, 696, 702; Fables, 507, 530, 696, 702 La Grange, N. de, 515, 536 Lalande, Joseph Jérôme Le Français de: Astronomie, 225 Lamarck, Jean Baptiste Pierre Antoine de Monet de: Annuaire météorologique, 499-500, 507, 697, 702; classification system, 572, 573 Lambert, William: letters to, 224-5, 353; letters from, 175-6, 244, 338; calculations of latitude and longitude in Washington, 175-6, 224-5, 244, 338, 353 Lamson, John, 234n Lancaster, Pa., 593, 686 Landais, Pierre: claim on Congress, 387, 389n; letter from cited, 734

 771 

INDEX Landon, Charles Paul: Annales du musée et de l’école moderne des beaux-arts, 15, 239, 246, 247, 256, 268, 299, 324, 328, 329, 359, 368, 695 land speculation: in Tenn., 95-6; land claimed under Native American grants, 163-4, 174. See also Yazoo Companies Lane, Presley Carr, 403 Langdon, Elizabeth, 559n Langdon, John: letter to, 323; letters from, 361-2, 571-2; recommends aspirant for office, 7-8n; TJ orders perry from, 323, 361-2, 549, 571-2; congratulates TJ on reelection, 361; as Republican leader, 520; candidate for governor, 558; family of, 559n Langdon, Joshua B.: letter from, 549; sends perry to TJ, 549, 571; identified, 549n Langdon, Woodbury, 362, 549n Lanusse, Paul, 75n Larned, Simon: dines with TJ, 715, 719, 728 La Roche, Martin Lefebvre de, 476 Lastri, Marco: Corso di agricoltura, 631, 641, 644n latitude: calculation of, 175-6, 218-19, 244, 338, 353 Latrobe, Benjamin Henry: letters to, 8, 397-8; letters from, 30-1, 79, 112-18, 300-3, 346, 398-9, 552; report on public buildings, 8, 30-1, 112-18, 132, 135; and Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, 30, 79, 398, 399, 552; design, alteration of U.S. Capitol, 30-1, 300-1, 302-3n, 346, 397-8; and polygraphs, 300-1, 346, 398-9; and stoves for TJ, 301, 346, 398; TJ buys sheet iron from, 302; and President’s House, 346, 398; TJ sends appropriation bill to, 346; and arrangements for Chase trial, 399; delayed return to Washington, 552; dines with TJ, 718, 730 Lattimore, William: dines with TJ, 714, 716, 723, 728; declines dinner invitation, 722 Latude, Jean Henri Masers de, 342-3 Lauderdale, James Maitland, earl of: Inquiry into the Nature and Origin of Public Wealth, 269, 696 Launy, David F.: letter from, 274; experiments with perpetual motion, 274; identified, 274n Laurie, James, 159-60

Laussat, Pierre Clément, 72-3, 213, 467, 468n, 595 law: foreign armed vessels in U.S. waters, 9-13; limits of maritime jurisdiction, 10, 13n; capture and condemnation of prizes, 32; insolvent debtors, 257, 258n; nolle prosequi, 286, 324; corporal punishment, 332, 579; prohibition, 483-4, 488-9, 496-9, 505, 507; forfeiture, 484n; replevin, 484n; salvage, 484n; error, 496; mandamus, 497; habeas corpus, 498, 505, 507, 535; scire facias, 498; debt, 498n; libel, 498n. See also crime; Henderson lands; pardons Law, Elizabeth Parke Custis, 127 Law, Thomas: dines with TJ, 730 Lawrence, James, 18 Lawrence, William, 578, 609 Laws, Alexander, 18 Laws of the United States of America (Zephaniah Swift), 496, 498n Layouvois (Fox Indian), 263n Lazarillo (fictional character), 399 lead: in Pa., 47-8; gutters, 113; white, 123; black, 136, 195; markets for, 136, 195; in Va., 136 Leander (British warship), 10 leather: for roofing and sheathing, 255n Le Breton d’Orgenoy, François Joseph, 105, 574 Lecamus, Alexander: dines with TJ, 727 Lechevalier, Jean Baptiste: Voyage de la Troade, 15, 239, 268, 695 Leclerc, Victoire Emmanuel, 357 Leçons d’anatomie comparée (Georges Cuvier), 369, 390, 696, 702 Lectures on the Art of Reading (Thomas Sheridan), 628 Lee, Arthur (Norfolk), 64, 441 Lee, Charles, 289n Lee, Richard Evers, 64-5 Lee, William (1772-1840): letter from, 196; informs TJ of death of W. G. Munford, 196; sends wine, preserved fruit to TJ, 259, 373, 471, 509; appointment of, 260n; paving tile for U.S. Capitol, 397; forwards dispatches, 600n Leesburg, Va., 466 Leffingwell, Samuel, 532n Leghorn (Livorno), Italy: yellow fever at, 183-4n, 228-30; quarantine at, 522 Legrand, Augustin: Galeries des antiques, 15, 239, 268, 324, 696

 772 

INDEX Le Havre, France, 259, 397, 476, 600n Leib, Michael: letter from, 3; forwards letter to TJ, 3; as committee member, 265n; motion on customs revenue deposits, 386, 387, 388n; and T. Paine, 386; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 541; dines with TJ, 719, 723, 725 Leiper, Thomas: letter from, 43; and appointment of C. Irvine, 43 Leipzig: map of, 499, 702 Lenox, Peter, 346, 398 Lenthall, John: report on President’s House roof, 107, 398 Leodiensi Republica, 702 Leonard, John, 711, 712 Leonard, Nathaniel, 331 Lester, Noah: letter from, 477-8; recommended for appointment, 461-2, 478n, 489-90, 737; seeks appointment, 477-8; identified, 478n Lestiboudois, Jean Baptiste, 572, 573 Letter to a Federalist, In Reply to Some of the Popular Objections to the Motives and Tendency of the Measures of the Present Administration (Thomas Elwyn), 558-9, 706 Lettres à Madme. de C**. sur la botanique, et sur quelques sujets physique et d’histoire naturelle (Louis Bernard de Montbrison), 480, 481n, 702 Levaillant, François: Histoire naturelle des perroquets, 187 Levrault, Schoell & Comp., 14n, 27n, 154n, 157n, 166n, 187n, 216n, 256n, 364n, 375n, 391n, 415n, 431, 432n, 455n, 461n, 469n, 481n, 500, 530n, 537n, 545n, 622n Levrault frères (Strasbourg and Paris), 315n, 469n, 500, 544, 545 Levy, Leonard, 633 Levy, Samson, 275 Lewden, Josiah, 737 Lewes, Del., 512n Lewis (ca. 1760-1822, TJ’s slave), 81, 82n Lewis, Joseph, Jr.: dines with TJ, 717 Lewis, Lucy Meriwether, 365 Lewis, Meriwether: sends Native American delegations to St. Louis, 33, 34, 35n; collects Native American vocabularies, 35n; collects information on Louisiana District, 43-5; and R. Lewis, 296, 365-6; description of a plant by, 682-3. See also Lewis and Clark expedition

Lewis, Micajah G., 532-4 Lewis, Michael, 33 Lewis, Morgan: recommends aspirants for office, 393, 737; letter from cited, 737 Lewis, Nicholas Meriwether: letter to, 192-3; seeks appointment, 192-3 Lewis, Reuben: letter to, 296; letter from, 365-6; TJ sends news of Lewis and Clark to, 296, 365-6 Lewis and Clark expedition: and contact with indigenous people, 35n, 296; winter encampment at Fort Mandan, 44, 45, 298, 491, 492, 493, 611, 613, 683n; progress up the Missouri River, 45, 46n, 296, 365-6, 491, 492, 493; assisted by Chouteaus, 46n; botanist not included in, 94-5; astronomical observations, 225; interpreters, 493; specimens collected by, 682-3 Lexington, Ky., 162, 314n Lexington and Concord, battle of, 149n Leyden, 437n Library of Congress: books for, 473 Liège, 382 Liège, Bishopric of, 437n Life of George Washington (John Marshall), 269, 695 Lilly, Gabriel: dispute with Oldham, viii-ix, 80-2, 102-3, 194-5; accused of theft, drunkenness, 81; and double payment to Moran, 104, 224; management of slaves at Monticello, 104-5; makes payments for TJ, 130, 200-1, 296; dispute with Craven, 194; letters from cited, 734, 735, 736, 737; letters to cited, 734, 735, 736, 737 Lincoln, Benjamin: letter to, 26; TJ sends payment to, 26; letter from cited, 26n Lincoln, Levi: letter to, 255; letters from, 9-13, 244-6; resigns as U.S. attorney general, ix, 244-6, 255, 275, 278-9, 282-3, 285, 288; British violations of neutral rights, xlviii; and British frigates at New York, 9-13; and Chaddock, 199n; and T. Paine, 378; as reference, 543; dines with TJ, 721; letter from cited, 734 Lincolnton, N.C., 465 Lindsley, Abraham B., 203, 204n Link, Heinrich Friedrich: Voyage en Portugal, 15, 239, 268, 695 Linnaeus, Carolus, 390, 572, 573 Lisbon, 374

 773 

INDEX Lithgow, John: letter to, 297; letters from, 236-8, 675-8; suggests revisions to TJ’s Notes, x-xi, 236-8, 297, 675-8; writings of, 237 Little Prairie, 335 Little Rock, Arkansas Terr., 478n Little Turtle (Miami Indian): opposes Delaware-Piankashaw land cession, 188-9, 320 Liverpool: and slave trade, xiii, 385 Livingston, Brockholst: letter from, 282; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275, 285; introduces Keteltas, 282; recommended for appointment, 529 Livingston, Edward: criticism of, 149-50; opposes Claiborne’s administration, 422, 423n, 478 Livingston, Henry W.: dines with TJ, 717, 725 Livingston, John (cadet), 416 Livingston, John W., 331 Livingston, Robert R.: and Lafayette, 111; and Priestley, 208, 250; and F. Skipwith, 342-3; proposal to mortgage Florida, 414n Livy: History of Rome, 32n Locke, John, 4 Logan, George: recommendations sent to, 137; as committee member, 290n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 715, 720, 723, 729 Logan, James S., 331 Logstown, Treaty of (1752), 617 Logwood, Thomas (counterfeiter), 60, 156 Lombardy, 523 London: consul at, 157, 469, 575, 711, 712, 735; U.S. merchants at, 470 Londonderry, Ireland, 590n Londres et les Anglais (J. L. Ferri de Saint-Constant), 16 longitude: calculation of, 175-6, 218-19, 224-5, 244, 338, 353, 467n, 564; meridian at Washington, D.C., 176n, 219, 224, 338, 353; meridian at Greenwich, Eng., 225, 244, 467n, 564 L’Orient, Lewis, 156 Lorimier, Louis, 352, 353n Los Adaes (Adais; Spanish presidio), 553-4 Louisiana: information on, requested by APS, 28; French administration of, 72-3, 378-9; Spanish administration

of, 72-3, 380; as possible asylum for free Blacks, condemned slaves, 249, 453-4; banishment of name, 379; division of, 379; immigration to, 379-85, 387, 654; slavery in, 380; free Blacks in, 387; boundaries of, 412, 414n, 600n; W. Fla. claimed as part of, 414n, 595; better populated by Americans than foreigners, 654. See also Louisiana District; New Orleans; Orleans Territory Louisiana (revenue cutter), 175 Louisiana Bank, 553, 554n Louisiana District: sale of public lands in, vii, 311; calls for representative government, statehood, viii, 44, 45, 46n, 347-9, 352-3n; French inhabitants of, viii, 348-50; Native Americans in, 35-6, 163, 320, 490-3; descriptions of, 43-6, 350, 616n; immigration to, 45n, 198, 271, 350; slavery in, 45n, 344; petition to Congress from, 46n, 347-9; troops redeployed to, 97-8; relocation of Native Americans to, 122, 198, 271, 284, 699; land titles in, 163, 491, 492, 588-9; military government for, 189n, 318, 349; placed under jurisdiction of Indiana Terr., 189n, 348, 349; exploration of, 198; squatters in, 271, 311; authority of acting governor, 318; commandants for, 349, 435-6; courts, 349; agricultural potential, 350; distribution of settlements in, 350; population of, 350; salt deposits in, 350; land fraud in, 350-2; land records, 351-2; establishment of land office in, 589n, 688n; ore samples from, 616; secretary, 618-19. See also Cape Girardeau District; New Madrid; St. Louis Louisiana Gazette, 213, 533n, 635 Louisiana Purchase: criticism of, 3, 473n, 654; praise for, 50n, 520; anniversary celebration of, 212-13, 214n; Spain acquiesces to, 213; calculation of area, 335; not provided for by U.S. Constitution, 379; will eventually pay for itself, 649, 653-4 Louisiana Territory: establishment of, vii, 688n Louisville, Ky., 163n Lovell, William, 386 Low, Thomas: letter from cited, 736 Lowndes, Thomas: dines with TJ, 717, 718, 726

 774 

INDEX Lowry, Robert K., 510, 522, 604 Lucas, John B. C.: dines with TJ, 717, 722, 729 Lucas, Robert (cadet), 258 Lucca, 523 Lucretius Carus, Titus: De la nature des choses, 515, 536 Lufkin, Captain, 290n, 442 lumber. See timber Luxembourg, 437n Lyle, James: letter to, 26-7; and TJ’s debt to Henderson, McCaul & Co., 26-7; TJ’s friendship with, 26-7 Lyman, William: offered, declines appointment as surveyor and inspector at New Orleans, 16, 574, 575n, 711; appointed consul at London, 157, 470n, 575, 711, 712; dines with TJ, 718; letter from cited, 735 Lynchburg, Va., 464 Lynd, John, 75n Lyon, Matthew: letters from, 162, 588-9; recommends aspirants for office, 162, 347n, 588-9; as reference, 393; dines with TJ, 718, 724, 730 Lysicrates, Monument of, 30-1 Mably, Gabriel Bonnot de, 621, 622 MacCreery, William, 575n; dines with TJ, 714, 720, 726 Macdonough, Thomas, 18 Maclay, Samuel: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; declines dinner invitations, 718, 724; dines with TJ, 721 Macon, Col. William, 483 Macon, Nathaniel: dines with TJ, 716, 721, 726; declines dinner invitations, 725, 729 Madan, P., & Co. (New Orleans), 75n Madeira, 233, 298n, 374 Madison, Dolley Payne Todd, 617n, 714 Madison, James: letter to, 32; letters from, 275, 648-9, 651 Personal Affairs: provides TJ with bills of exchange, 20; TJ visits, at Montpelier, 26; and Lafayette’s power of attorney, 111-12; orders wine, 173; newspaper subscriptions, 483, 540; dines with TJ, 714, 715, 716, 718, 720, 726, 729, 731n; declines dinner invitation, 727

Politics and potential repeal of three-fifths clause, ix, 154-5n; predicted to be TJ’s successor as president, 233 Secretary of State adjudication of Tripolitan prizes, 124n; books for State Department, 148, 153-4, 238-40, 246-7, 370, 374-5, 389, 415, 477, 481, 530, 531n; applications to, for appointments, 162n, 347n, 417n, 575n; correspondence with Mazzei, 177, 180-1, 183-4n; advises on appointments, 275; arming of U.S. merchant vessels, 294, 439-41; orders map for State Department, 324; and the Mint, 392-3n; reports on Hendrick case, 463; correspondence with W. C. C. Claiborne, 553-4; and Ira Allen’s petition, 557n; and T. H. Williams’s appointment, 624n; remarks on TJ’s inaugural address, 628-9, 630, 631, 648-9, 651. See also State, U.S. Department of MaGee, Andrew: letter from, 579; petition for pardon, sends song, 579-81 Magill, Archibald, 689, 690n Magnan, Charles, 331 Magnan, Claudius, 147-8n magnetism, 511-13, 609, 708-9 Magnier-Grandprez, Jean Charles: Code des douanes de la République Française, 369, 696 Magowen (Magown, Magowers), Johnson, 17 Maine: Plymouth Patent, 520, 521n; Kennebec proprietors, 521n; crime and punishment in, 579; York Co., 579 Makatewelama (Chien Noir, Black Dog, Piankashaw Indian), 25n Malaga, Spain, 228 Malone, Dumas, 638 Malta, 229, 289, 441-2 “Mammoth Cheese,” 731n Manhattan Company: impact of specie shortage on, 387, 389n, 394, 548-9 Mansa, Jean Louis: Plans de jardins, 239, 240n, 246, 247, 256 Mansfield, James, 441n Mansfield, Jared: letter to, 193; TJ recommends N. M. Lewis to, 192-3 Mansfield, William Murray, Lord, 32n

 775 

INDEX Manuel d’histoire naturelle (Johann Friedrich Blumenbach), 368, 389, 390, 696, 702 Manuel du Muséum Français (François Emmanuel de Toulongeon), 299, 324, 328, 329, 354 manufacturing: encouragement of, x-xi, 236-7, 398, 504; TJ’s opinions on, x-xi, 236-7, 297, 675, 677-8; glass, 398; silk, 510; textiles, 677-8 Many, James B., 330 Map of the Washita River in Louisiana from the Hot Springs to the Confluence of the Red River with the Mississippi (Nicholas King), lii-liii, 330 (illus.) maps: of Ouachita River, lii-liii, 330 (illus.); of U.S., 90, 287-8, 324; of proposed post road between Washington and New Orleans, 217, 221, 567; of Rome, 454, 455, 481, 499-500; of linguistic areas, 455n, 499; of Leipzig, 499, 702; prices, 499; atlases, 499-500, 695; of Mexico, 567n marble, 398 Marblehead, Mass., 128 March, John, 456, 698n March, Mrs. John: account with TJ, 169n, 695-8; identified, 698n María Luisa, Infanta of Spain, Queen of Etruria, 523 Marietta, Ohio, 465, 466 Marin, Capt.: dines with TJ, 725, 727 Marines, U.S.: commandant of, 16 Marrast, John: letter from, 364; sends candles to TJ, 364 Marsala, 233 Marseilles, France, 228 Marshall, Benjamin, 17 Marshall, John: letter to, 604; Life of George Washington, 269, 695; administration of TJ’s oath of office, 604, 628; dines with TJ, 727 Marshall, William (author): Rural Economy of Glocestershire, 126-7 Martens, Georg Friedrich von: Recueil des principaux traités, 15, 239-40n Martialis, Marcus Valerius, 255n Martin, James (blacksmith), 459 Martini, Antonio, 638 Martinique, W.I., 319, 737 Mary (schooner), 373 Maryland: loans to D.C. commissioners, 53, 59-60, 275, 279; Montgomery Co., 128n; Society of Friends in, 128n;

Vienna collectorship, 575, 712; militia, 591; commissioner of loans, 712; marshal for, 712. See also Baltimore, Md. Maskelyne, Nevil: Tables Requisite, 467n Mason, John (Georgetown merchant): and D.C. militia, 277; dines with TJ, 716; declines dinner invitation, 727 Mason, John Thomson: letter from, 683-4; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, ix, 275, 282, 285; as reference, 198; and case of R. W. Peacock, 289n, 683-4, 689, 690n Massac, Fort, 97-8 Massachusetts: and potential repeal of three-fifths clause, ix, 79, 154-5, 669, 671n; and election of 1804, 6-7, 50, 51, 93, 137, 148-9, 361, 520; and election of 1800, 93; Norfolk Co., 93; choice of presidential electors in, 94n; commissioner of loans, 106, 575, 712; marshal, 106, 574, 711, 712; Berkshire Co., 137n; Congregationalists in, 137n; Society of Friends in, 138n; Nantucket collectorship, 370-1, 524-5, 570, 713; courts, 450n. See also Boston; Bristol County, Mass.; Federalists; Maine; New Bedford, Mass.; Republicans Matagorda Bay, 553, 554n Mather, James, 145-6, 150, 213 Mather, Samuel, Jr.: letter from, 581-3; seeks cession of Native American lands in Ohio, 581-3 Mathews, John (mariner), 549, 571 Maumee River, 466, 467 Maurepas, Lake, 414n Maury, James, 20 Mavor, William Fordyce: Histoire naturelle à l’usage des écoles, 697 Mawe, Thomas: Every Man His Own Gardener, 503, 557 Mayer, Christopher Bartholomew, 403 Mazzei, Antonia Antoni, 179, 182 Mazzei, Elisabetta, 178-9, 182, 229 Mazzei, Philip: letter from, 176-84; sends opinions on European affairs, family news, 176-84; correspondence with Madison, 177, 180-1; exchanges seeds, plants with TJ, 177, 180, 181, 183, 229; introduces Timpanari Viganò, 177, 181; correspondence with TJ, 227, 232, 289; family of, 229; health of, 229; and TJ’s second inaugural address, 637-8

 776 

INDEX McAllister, Archibald: letter from, 313; sends recommendation, seeks appointment, 313 McArthur, William, 403 McCord, Andrew: dines with TJ, 715, 720, 725 McCormick, Andrew: letter to, 159-60; letter from, 160; asked to permit Glendy sermon in House chamber, 159-60; identified, 159-60n McCray, Capt., 229n, 234n, 289, 524 McCredie, John, 224 McDonogh, John, Jr., & Co. (New Orleans), 75n McFarlane, John (ship’s captain), 103 McFarlane (McFarlin), George, 71, 152, 203n McFarlane (McFarlin), John: letter from, 152-3; pardoned by TJ, 71n, 153; petition for pardon, 152-3 McGlauhon, James, 203, 204n McGlauhon, Turner, 203, 204n McGrew, Mr. (Miss. Terr.): letter from cited, 737 McKean, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 727 McKean, Thomas: letter to, 620-1; letter from, 540-2; as chief justice of Pa., 498n; urged to run for president, 540; sends news of Pa. politics to TJ, 540-2; appointments by, 541; and divisions among Pa. Republicans, 541, 594n, 620; and Glendy, 585; TJ recommends Glendy to, 620-1 McKellar, James, 331 McKinney, John, 138n, 735 McKinney, Mr., 139 McLane, Allen: removal of expected, urged by Republicans, 38n, 56-8; case of the Favorite, 484n, 680n McLaughlin, Charles, 313, 564 McNeal & Montgomery (New Orleans), 75n McNeil, Joseph, 75n McPhaill, Neill: letter from cited, 735 Meacham, Jon, 638 Mead, Simeon, 459 Mead, William C., 331 Mease, James: letter from, 39-40; and TJ’s moldboard plow, 39-40, 555, 556n; Domestic Encyclopædia, 40n, 555, 695, 696 medals: peace medals, 612, 614 Medical Repository (New York), 95n, 705-6

medicine: payment of medical services, 139; medical devices, 274n; medical schools, societies, 298n, 673n; physicians, 298n; disinfection, 299; stranger’s fever, 474-5, 476n; botanical remedies, 682. See also illness and disease; women Mediterranean Sea. See Navy, U.S.; Tripoli Meeker, Williamson & Patton (New Orleans), 75n Meigs, Return Jonathan, 699-700n Meigs, Return Jonathan, Jr., 330n melons, 289, 442 Mémoires de l’Institut national des sciences et arts, 15, 390 Mémoires des commissaires du roi et de ceux de sa Majesté Britannique, sur les possessions & les droits respectifs des deux couronnes en Amérique (Etienne de Silhouette), 140, 141n, 433 Memoires historique et critiques sur les plus célèbres personnages vivans de l’Angleterre, 15 Mémoires pour l’attaque et la defense d’une place (Charles Le Goulon), 369 “Mémoire sur la district du Ouachita dans la province de la Louisiane” (Charles François d’Anmours), 468n, 539 Memoirs of Dr. Joseph Priestley, to the Year 1795 (Joseph Priestley), 208n Memphis, Tenn., 267n Meneses, Eugenia de, 298n Mentelle, Edme, 239n Merchants’ Bank (New York City), 387, 394, 548n Mercury (ship), 229n, 234n, 524, 584 meridians. See longitude Merieult, Jean François (John Francis), 146n Meriwether, David: assists with Creek negotiations, 168n; assists I. Briggs, 220; dines with TJ, 715, 720, 724 Merry, Anthony, 440 Merry, Elizabeth Death Leathes, 127 Mewhorter, Thomas, 403 Mexico, 567n Miami of the Lake. See Maumee River Michaux, André: Flora Boreali-Americana, 186, 369, 390, 696, 702 Michigan Territory: creation of, vii, 329-30, 532; secretary, 7-8n, 330n, 441, 576, 713; governor, 329-30, 347,

 777 

INDEX Michigan Territory (cont.) 406, 532, 576, 713; judges, 347n, 441, 461, 576-7, 713, 737; U.S. attorney, 461; marshal, 527n, 532. See also Detroit Michilimackinac: military post at, 97 Middleton, Conyers: History of the Life of Marcus Tullius Cicero, 544, 545 Middletown, Pa., 593 Mifflin, Samuel, 302 Milan, Italy, 522 militia: militia returns, 563, 591 Millar, Dr. John: Observations on the Change of Public Opinion in Religion, Politics, and Medicine, 695 Milledge, John, 495n Miller, James (Ohio): letter from cited, 735, 737 Miller, Samuel, 592n Milligan, Joseph, 698n mills: flour, 38n, 235; Shadwell, 98-9; patents relating to, 512n Mills, Isaac, 377n Milne, Alexander, 75n Milton, John: Paradise Lost, 515, 536, 544, 545 Milton, Va., 464 Minerva (ship), 234n, 289 Mingo Mattaha (Chickasaw leader): letter to, 698-700; discusses acculturation, land cessions with TJ, 698-701; dines with TJ, 699n, 730, 732n; TJ’s notes on speech by, 700-1; gifts for, 700n; identified, 700n Minns, Thomas, 472-3n Minor, John, 66 Minor, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 727 Mint, U.S.: applications for employment in, 234, 516-17; engravers, 237-8, 516-17; report of director, 391-3; buildings for, 392-3n Mirror of the Times, & General Advertiser (Wilmington, Del.), 635 Mississippi Herald (Natchez), 420n Mississippi Messenger (Natchez), 420n Mississippi Question: Fairly Stated (William Duane), 90-1 Mississippi River: St. Anthony’s Falls, 163, 174; Spanish navigation on, 175; Sacs’, Foxes’ lands along, 262-3; commercial importance of, 465; water samples sent to TJ, 731n Mississippi Territory: land claims in, vii, 226-7, 673-4; sale of public lands in, vii, 554n; squatters in, 87; troops

redeployed to, 97-8; governor, 110-11, 421, 610, 712; land office east of Pearl River, 129, 227, 279n, 554n, 571, 574, 673-4, 712; surveyors in, 136n, 190, 195; judges, 191, 418-20, 601, 618, 713; Washington Co., 191, 221, 279n, 673; land office west of Pearl River, 216-17, 227, 571, 623-4, 674n, 712, 713; Native Americans in, 279n, 284; political factions in, 420-1, 479, 544n; newspapers, 420n; delegate to Congress, 421; Jefferson Co., 479; Claiborne Co., 616n; legislative council, 737. See also Federalists; Mobile, W. Fla.; Natchez; Republicans; Tombigbee River Misson, François Maximilien: Voyage d’Italie, 695 Missouri, Bank of, 46n Missouri River: encouragement of trade on, 271; frozen, 491, 492, 493, 611, 613. See also Lewis and Clark expedition Mitchell, John (Le Havre), 342, 343n Mitchell, Nahum: dines with TJ, 717 Mitchell, Samuel: accused of selling alcohol to Chickasaws, 375-6; dines with TJ, 699n, 730, 732n Mitchill, Samuel Latham: and Rafinesque, 94; Medical Repository, 95n; as reference, 147, 387, 389n; committee on bill regulating clearance of armed vessels, 290; policy toward Haiti, 290-5; comments on Chase impeachment trial, 562n; dines with TJ, 562n, 715, 719, 723, 725, 729; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; paper on degradation of gunpowder, 705-6 Mobile, W. Fla.: postal route through, 77, 464, 465; Spanish duties charged on U.S. goods at, 226-7, 553, 554n; establishment of collection district at, 411, 412, 414n; reinforcements expected at, 553 Mobile River, 219, 220, 284 Molière (Jean Baptiste Poquelin), 515, 536-7, 621, 622, 696, 702 “Monarchy of Federalism,” 472-3n, 632 Monroe, James: letter from, 214-15; rumored appointment as governor of Orleans Terr., 87; and W. G. Munford, 196; correspondence with Madison, 214; special envoy to Spain, 214, 260, 312, 411-12, 414n, 598;

 778 

INDEX recommends employment of French engineers, 214-15; and removal of condemned slaves, 250n; note to Talleyrand, 412, 414n; arrives at Madrid, 414n; recommends aspirants for office, 470; negotiations with Spain, 598, 600n; introduces H. Preble, 600n; sends book to TJ, 644n Montesquieu, Charles Louis de Secondat, Baron de, 367 Montfort. See Munford, William G. (d. 1804) Montgomery, Daniel, 403 Monthly Magazine; or, British Register (London), 258-9 Monticello: doors, 80, 102, 684; sashes, 80, 684; disputes among workmen at, 80-2, 102-3, 194-5; enslaved workers at, 81, 104-5; theft of wine, provisions at, 81; wine cellar, 81; painting, 123-4, 687; glass for, 130, 147, 551-2; groceries and supplies for, 130, 134, 173, 201, 298, 471, 482, 488, 586, 701; stoves for, 301, 346, 398; sheet iron for, 302; biannual visits to, by TJ, 346, 354-5, 473, 506, 618, 691, 699, 703; skylights, 552n; fowl, poultry at, 561; deer park at, 603; ornaments for, 684; parlors, 684. See also Jefferson, Thomas: Nailery Montjoie, Christophe Félix: Histoire de la révolution de France, 15 Montpelier: TJ visits, 26 moon, 225 Moore, Andrew: and Logwood case, 60n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 716, 721, 726 Moore, John Hamilton: New Practical Navigator, 513n Moore, Joshua J., 261 Moore, Nicholas R.: declines dinner invitation, 721; dines with TJ, 722, 726 Moore, Robert: letter from, 589-90; forwards letter, wheat sample to TJ, 41, 589-90; identified, 590n Moore, Thomas: dines with TJ, 716, 722, 728 Moore, Thomas (revenue cutter officer), 680 Moore, William (Dublin): letter from, 40-1; sends Jerusalem wheat to TJ, 40-1, 589-90; identified, 41n Morales, Juan Ventura, 351 Moran, Joseph, 104, 105n, 224

Mordaunt, William: introduced by Digges, 161-2; dines with TJ, 719 Moreau, Jean Victor, 192 Morel, D. L.: letter from, 366-8; proposes new edition of Rousseau, 366-8; identified, 367-8n Morel (Morril), Mr., 156 Morgan, Benjamin: accepts legislative council appointment, 36, 120, 122, 146; recommends aspirants for office, 75n; and C. Price, 103n Morgan, David B., 37n Morganton, N.C., 464 Morgantown, Va., 465 Morin, J. B.: Dictionnaire étymologique, 480, 702 Morris, Charles, Jr., 18 Morris, Gouvernor, 383, 388n Morris, Richard Valentine, 206-7 Morris, Thomas, 344n Morrow, Jeremiah: letter from, 347; recommends aspirants for office, 330, 347; identified, 347n; dines with TJ, 715, 722, 729 Morse, Samuel: letters from, 401-2, 494-5; recommends D. D. Williams, 401-2; advises on appointments, 494-5 Morton, Nathaniel, Jr., 200n Morton, Perez: and Yazoo claims, 679n; dines with TJ, 716, 725 Morton, Thomas, 403 Mott, James: dines with TJ, 716, 722 Mouchette, Miss, 731n Muhlenberg, Henry, 330 Muhlenberg, John Peter Gabriel, 680n mulberry, 510 Mulgrave, Henry Phipps, Baron, 524n Mulhalon, Hugh, 383, 388n, 461 Mumford, Paul: letter from cited, 735 Munford, William G. (d. 1804), 196 Munroe, Thomas: letter to, 59-60; letters from, 132, 201, 275, 456-7, 459, 568-70, 590; presents claims of Washington laborers, xii, 456-7, 459-60; and Md. loans to D.C. commissioners, 53, 59-60, 275, 279n; expenditures on highways in Washington, 132; forwards proclamation on building regulations, 201; and Beatty estate claim, 507-8, 517, 568-70; as superintendent of public buildings, 590 murder: counterfeiters charged with, 155-6; involving Native Americans, 189n, 263n, 319, 320-1n, 490, 491, 611, 614, 615n; plots, schemes, 194

 779 

INDEX Murray (TJ dinner guest): dines with TJ, 716 Murray, Alexander: letter from, 206-7; defends conduct in Mediterranean, 206-7; identified, 207n Murray, John (New York merchant), 292, 295n Murray, Thomas, 331, 608n Nacogdoches, 553, 554n nails. See Jefferson, Thomas: Nailery Namur (Namen), 437n Nanna Hubba Island, 553, 554n Nantaquas, 525-6 Nantes, France, 600n Naples: U.S. relations with, 178, 181, 231; quarantine at, 230, 522 Napoleon, Emperor of the French (Napoleon Bonaparte): coronation of, 231, 234n; declared emperor, 344n, 385; and Haiti, 387-8; rejects U.S. claim to W. Fla., 414n; TJ’s alleged admiration for, 473n; and Italy, 523; makes peace overtures to Britain, 523, 524n, 599; enmity toward U.S., 596; preferable to Bourbons, 596 Narrative of Captain David Woodard and Four Seamen (David Woodard), 28, 269, 696 Nashville, Tenn., 464 Natchez, 420n, 464. See also Mississippi Territory Natchitoches, 98, 553-4 National Aegis (Worcester), 635-6 National Intelligencer (Washington): and TJ’s inaugural address, 634, 635, 657n; advertisement of postal contracts, 686. See also Smith, Samuel Harrison Native Americans Apaches population of, in Louisiana District, 35, 36n Arikaras population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Caddos delegation visits Natchitoches, 553-4; establishment of trade, friendship with, 553-4 Cherokees relocation, removal of, 271, 284; road through lands of, 506, 515, 527; land claimed in Tenn., 700n

Cheyennes population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Chickasaws delegation to Washington, vii, 698, 699-700n; relocation, removal of, 271, 284; agent to, 375-6; treaties with U.S., 376n, 699n; claim Nanna Hubba Island, 553, 554n; acculturation of, 698, 700-1; friendship with U.S., 698, 700n; land cessions sought from, 698-701; debts of, 699, 700n; annuity for, 700-1; delegation to Philadelphia (1794), 700n; land claimed in Tenn., 700n. See also Chinubbee (Chenabie, Chickasaw leader); Mingo Mattaha (Chickasaw leader); Tishoo Hooluhta (Chickasaw leader); Tishumustubbee (Okoye, Tishomingo, Chickasaw leader) Choctaws rent land to settlers, 226; trading house, factory, 279n, 284; land cessions sought from, 284, 320; relocation, removal of, 284; treaty with U.S., 334-6; summary of land cessions from, 335 Comanches population of, in Louisiana District, 35, 36n Creeks (Muskogees, Muscogees) land cessions sought from, 166-8; treaty with, rejected by Senate, 166-8; relocation, removal of, 284; road through land of, 320, 464; wish to send delegation to Washington, 321n; land cessions from, 335; treaty with U.S., 335; executed for crime in Spanish Louisiana, 352; west of the Mississippi, 352, 492-3n Culture acculturation, 24n, 654, 698, 700-1; accused of resisting innovation, change, 631-2, 635, 641-2, 649, 650, 652, 654-5 Delawares land cessions by, 24-5, 188-9, 193, 335; treaty with U.S., 24-5, 106-7, 320, 335, 501-2; acculturation of, 24n; population of, in Louisiana District, 35

 780 

INDEX Native Americans (cont.) Economy fur and peltry trade, 612, 614; gunpowder for trade, 704, 705 Foxes (Renards) land cessions by, vii, 188, 262-3, 334-5; population of, in Louisiana District, 35; treaty with U.S., 262-3, 334-5, 490, 492, 501-2; rumored gathering of, 611, 614 Gros Ventres population of, in Louisiana District, 35; conflated with Hidatsas by French, 36n Haudenosaunee (Six Nations, Iroquois) claim land in Ohio, 583n; and Indiana Company, 617 Hidatsas population of, in Louisiana District, 35; conflated with Gros Ventres by French, 36n Iowas wish to send delegation to Washington, 33, 34, 319, 320n; population of, in Louisiana District, 35; addressed by Lewis and Clark, 35n; rumored gathering of, 611, 614 Kansas population of, in Louisiana District, 35; conflict with Little Osages, 611, 614 Kaskaskias land cessions by, 262-3n, 335; treaty with U.S., 335 Mandans population of, in Louisiana District, 35; and Lewis and Clark expedition, 44, 45, 296, 491, 492, 493, 611, 613 Miamis oppose land cessions by other tribes, 188-9 Missouris population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Ojibwas (Chippewas) and cessions sought from, 582-3n Omahas population of, in Louisiana District, 35; and Lewis and Clark expedition, 46n, 611, 613

Osages mill on lands of, 34, 319, 320n; send delegation to Washington, 34; population of, in Louisiana District, 35; relations with Chouteaus, 46n; conflict with Sacs and Foxes, 263n; trade with, 271; Arkansas band, 319, 320n; divisions among, 490, 491-2, 611-12, 614, 615n; murders committed by, 490, 491, 611, 614; Little Osage band, 611, 614; theft committed by, 612, 614. See also White Hair (Cheveux Blancs, Pawhuska, Osage leader) Otoes population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Ottawas land cessions sought from, 582-3n Pawnees Chawi (Grand) band, 35; Kitkahahki (Republican) band, 35; population of, 35; Skiri band (Loups), 35; establishment of trade, friendship with, 553-4 Peorias population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Piankashaws treaty with U.S., 24-5, 106-7, 320, 501-2; relinquish land claims, 24n, 188-9; land cessions by, 335 Poncas population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Quapaws population of, in Louisiana District, 35, 36n Relations with Non-Indians theft, robbery, 24n, 263n, 320, 490, 491, 612, 614; land titles, 163-4, 617; murders, 189n, 263n, 319, 320-1n, 352, 490, 491, 611, 614, 615n; encroachment on lands, 226, 553, 554n; rental of land to settlers, 226; legends of Welsh Indians, 401-2; land companies seek cessions, 581-2 Sacs (Sauks) land cessions by, vii, 188, 262-3, 334-5; wish to send delegation to Washington, 33, 34, 319, 320n;

 781 

INDEX Native Americans (cont.) population of, in Louisiana District, 35; murder of settlers by, 189n, 319, 320n; treaty with U.S., 262-3, 334-5, 490, 492, 501-2; rumored gathering of, 611, 614 Seminoles invited to Pensacola by Folch, 553 Shawnees population of, in Louisiana District, 35, 36n Sioux wish to send delegation to Washington, 33, 34, 319, 320n, 612-13, 614-15; population of, in Louisiana District, 35; addressed by Lewis and Clark, 35n; and Carver’s Grant, 164n; trade with, 271; rumored gathering of, 611, 614 U.S. Policy sale of land cessions, vii; summary of land cessions, vii, 334-6; treaties, 24-5, 334-6, 501-2; annuities, presents, 24n, 262-3, 502n, 700-1; relocation of Native Americans to upper Louisiana, 122, 198, 271, 284, 699; recognition of land titles, 163-4, 174, 617; U.S. seeks land cessions, 166-8, 188-9, 262-3, 334-6, 582-3n, 698-701; opposition by Native Americans to land cessions, 188-9, 583n; relations governed by commerce rather than arms, 262; trading houses, factories, 263n, 284, 502n, 553-4; encouragement of trade, 271, 319-20; exclusion of British from fur, peltry trade, 271, 319; and western exploration, 271; regulation of trade, 319-20; restrictions on alcohol, 320, 375-6; roads through Native Americans’ lands, 320, 506, 515, 527; agents, 375-6; rumored alliances against U.S., 491, 492-3, 611-12, 613-15; peace medals, 612, 614 Wichitas population of, in Louisiana District, 35 Wyandots land cessions sought from, 582-3n Nature Displayed, in Her Mode of Teaching Language to Man (Nicolas Gouin Dufief), 253n, 269, 309n, 456

Nautical Almanac and Astronomical Ephemeris, 224-5 Nautilus (U.S. schooner), 264n, 550n Navy, U.S.: letter from, 165; appropriations and expenditures, 61n, 142-3, 165, 429-30; gunpowder for, 63, 92, 704-6; navy agents, 231-2; books for, 369-70, 477; floating batteries, 424, 428; provisions, 432; reduction of, 472n; clothing contracts, 587; navy yards, 607-8, 628; children apply for appointment in, 672-3; reinforcement of Mediterranean squadron, 703. See also gunboats; Smith, Robert; Tripoli Navy Yard Tradesmen: letter from, 607-8; congratulate TJ on his reelection, 607-8; inaugural parade by, 608n, 628; letter from cited, 608n Nelson, Horatio, 231 Nelson, Roger: as reference, 56, 82; dines with TJ, 715, 720, 724 Netherlands: encouragement of colonization, 380; immigration from, 381; passports for U.S. vessels, 395-6; Napoleon increases control over, 523; U.S. debt to, 548n neutral rights: British violations of, xlviii, 9-13 Nevitt, William, 459 New, Anthony: dines with TJ, 715, 720, 728; declines dinner invitation, 724 New Abridgment of the Law (Matthew Bacon), 483 New American Practical Navigator (Nathaniel Bowditch), 513n New Bedford, Mass.: collector at, 137-8, 158, 199-200, 360, 737 Newberry, Roger: letter from, 581-3; seeks cession of Native American lands in Ohio, 581-3 New Bourbon, 349 New Brunswick, N.J., 254n New Chronological Abridgment of the History of England (Charles Home), 503, 557 New England Mississippi Land Company, 200n, 679n New-England Palladium (Boston): prints “Monarchy of Federalism” criticizing TJ, 472-3n, 632 New Enquiry into the Suspension of Vital Action, in Cases of Drowning and Suffocation (Anthony Fothergill), 695 New Hampshire: and election of 1804, 6, 50, 51, 78-9, 323, 361; printers,

 782 

INDEX newspapers, 7n; and potential repeal of three-fifths clause, 79; elections in, 323, 361, 558-9; postal service in, 425. See also Federalists; Republicans New Hampshire Bible Society, 559n New Jersey: iron manufacturing in, 171n; Suckasunny, 171n New Jersey, College of (Princeton), 170n, 495-6n, 535n, 544n New Madrid, 98, 198, 350, 352 New Market, Va., 501 New Orleans: collector at, 16, 574, 711; surveyor at, 16, 74-5, 129, 162, 570, 571n, 574, 575, 577, 711, 713; arrest of Spanish officer in, 36, 37n; French, Spanish administration of, 72-3; French, Spanish influence in, 72-3; demand for slaves at, 74; militia, 74, 75n; memorial from merchants of, 74-5; yellow fever in, 77, 86, 120, 474-5; establishment of post road from Washington to, 77-8, 150, 217-21, 312, 446-7, 464-5, 559-60, 567; U.S. troops at, 97-8; Bayou St. John surveyorship, 105, 574; naval officer at, 105, 574; unhealthy climate of, 170; revenue cutter for, 175; and slave trade, 175, 385; Carondelet Canal, 222, 226; city commons, 222; fortifications in, 222; improvements to, 223; plan of, 226, 495; cost of living at, 316; newspapers, 326; French inhabitants of, 385; restoration of deposit at, 409; commercial potential of, 465; longitude of, 467n; enlargement of, 475; TJ’s checkerboard town plan suggested for, 475; courts, 496n; dueling at, 532-4; continued Spanish presence at, 553, 554n; alleged French involvement in termination of deposit at, 596-7; claims arising from closure of deposit at, 600n; as port of entry, 713n. See also Orleans Territory New Orleans (ship), 143, 144 Newport, R.I.: collector at, 38-9, 59, 88, 558, 734, 735, 736 New Practical Navigator (John Hamilton Moore), 513n newspapers: Republican, 7n, 280n, 541-2; Federalist, 213, 280n, 472-3n, 476, 541; TJ’s subscriptions to, 483, 540; and TJ’s inaugural address, 634-6. See also press, freedom of Newsum, William, 65 Newton, Sir Isaac, 4

Newton, Thomas: letter to, 132-3; and T. Armistead, 64; described as a moderate Republican, 65; TJ resends letter to, 133n; and Greenlaw’s testimony, 156n; offered appointment as collector at Norfolk, 172, 201-2; letter from cited, 737 Newton, Thomas, Jr.: letter from, 441; characterized, 65, 66; forwards wine samples to TJ, 298; recommends aspirant for office, 441; reports amendment to post office bill, 560; dines with TJ, 716, 722, 727 New York: insolvent debtors, 257, 258n; collection of direct taxes in, 337-8; elections in, 338n; Onondaga Co., 350; salt deposits in, 350; severe cold in, 378; Council of Appointment, 448; judges, 592. See also Federalists; Republicans New York Chamber of Commerce, 292, 294, 295n New York City: severe cold at, li, 314n, 462, 676; British frigates at, 9-13; health officer at, 63; grocers, 256-7; yellow fever in, 257n; attorneys, 280n; newspapers, 280n; chamber of commerce, 292, 294, 295n; plans for defense of, 357, 423-5, 432; banks, 387, 394, 548n; specie shortage in, 387, 394, 548-9; German Society, 388n; immigrants in, 388n; cost of fuel at, 676 New-York Evening Post, 280n, 636 Niagara, Fort, 97 Nicholas, Margaret Smith, 54 Nicholas, Philip Norborne: dines with TJ, 727; declines dinner invitation, 729 Nicholas, Robert Carter, 129, 139 Nicholas, Wilson Cary: letters to, 133-4, 201-2; letters from, 54, 64-6, 171-2; resigns as collector at Norfolk, 54, 65-6, 171-2, 201-2; advises on successor as collector, 64-6, 133; observations on Va. politics, 64-6, 133-4; letter from cited, 735 Nichols, William (R.I.): letter from cited, 736 Nicholson, Joseph H.: letters to, 49, 428-30; letters from, 41, 141, 407; and committee for defense of harbors, 41, 49, 61n, 407, 428-30; as reference, 57, 82; and A. Welsh’s claim, 68, 141; presents Orleans Terr. memorial,

 783 

INDEX Nicholson, Joseph H. (cont.) 119n; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; TJ sends views on harbor defense to, 428-30; Chase impeachment trial manager, 562n; dines with TJ, 562n, 715, 716, 724, 726, 729; furniture for President’s House, 601-2 Nicholson, William: Introduction to Natural Philosophy, 511, 512n Nicoll, Abimael Y., 330 Nicolson, Andrew, 22 Nightingale (schooner), 489 Nile River, 281 Nivison, John, 65-6 Noland, Mrs.: letter from, 22-3; asks TJ for money, xii, 22-3; identified, 23n Norden, Frederik Ludvig: Voyage d’Égypte et de Nubie, 15 Norfolk, Va.: collector at, 54, 65-6, 132-3, 171-2, 201-2; navy yard at, 133-4, 531n; construction of gunboats at, 134; murders in, 156n; newspapers, 192n; Catholic church in, 298n; merchants, 298n; physicians, 298n; yellow fever in, 474-5; bridges, 505, 531-2 Norfolk Drawbridge Company, 505, 531-2, 567 Norfolk Gazette and Public Advertiser, 192n North Carolina: counterfeiting in, 60, 155-6; slave trade in, 156n; Slade’s Creek surveyorship, 223, 417, 575, 712; Cabarrus Co., 391; gold mining in, 391; Lower Saura Town, 447; Scull Camp, 464; Wilkes Co., 464; road through Cherokee lands, 506, 515, 527; Buncombe Co., 506n; Scott Creek, 506n; Rutherford Co., 560n North River (Missouri), 263n North West Company, 683n Norwood, Charles, 75n Notes on the State of Virginia: on manufacturing, x, xii, 236-7, 297, 675, 677-8; revision of suggested, x-xi, 236-7, 297; requests for copies of, 28; new edition, 236; criticism of, 236-7; praise for, 418; lists tribal names, 493n; on manners and morals, 676-7 Nourse, Joseph, 592n Nouveau Buffon de la jeunesse, ou, Précis élémentaire de l’histoire naturelle à l’usage des jeunes gens des deux sexes (Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon), 368, 389, 390, 430, 431, 702

Nouveau commentaire sur l’ordonnance de la marine (René Josué Valin), 358, 359, 363, 364 Nouveau dictionnaire de poche de la langue française, avec la prononciation (Pierre Marie Sébastian CatineauLaroche), 480, 507, 530, 702 Nouvel abrégé chronologique de l’histoire de France (Charles Jean François Henault), 140 Nouvelle théorie de la formation des filons (Abraham Gottlob Werner), 16 Nowell, Simon, 579n Nowland, John, 608n Nye, John, 199n O’Brien, Richard, 264 Observations on the Change of Public Opinion in Religion, Politics, and Medicine (John Millar), 695 Ocmulgee River, 166-8 Oconee River, 166-8, 335 Octavia (ship), 144n Oeuvres de Séneque le philosophe (Lucius Annaeus Seneca), 515, 536 Ogilvie, James (ca. 1775-1820): declines dinner invitation, 727 Ogilvie, Peter, Jr., 151 O’Hara, Henry, 75n Ohio: U.S. attorney, 157, 575, 712; sale of public lands in, 160-1; roads in, 466; establishment of port of delivery in, 581; “Sufferers’ Land,” 581; Western Reserve, 581, 582n; Native American affairs in, 581-3; land offices in, 619, 713. See also Cincinnati, Ohio; Marietta, Ohio Ohio River: Native American lands on, 24, 160, 188, 193; canals on, 163; falls of, 163; postal road along, 467 Okoye. See Tishumustubbee (Okoye, Tishomingo, Chickasaw leader) Ólaffson, Eggert: Voyage en Islande, fait par ordre de S. M. danoise, 15 Olcott, Simeon: not reelected to Senate, 155; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 Oldham, James: letters to, 13-14, 102-3, 238, 360-1; letters from, 80-2, 193-5, 333-4, 684; dispute with Lilly and Perry, viii-ix, 80-2, 102-3, 194-5; payments to, 13-14, 102, 103n, 193, 736; engaged to make doors and sashes for Monticello, 80, 102, 684; employment

 784 

INDEX in Richmond, 193-4, 334, 360-1; seeks copy of Palladio’s Architecture, 194, 238, 324, 333, 359, 363, 364; seeks advice on architectural ornaments, 360-1, 684; letter from cited, 684n, 736 Olin, Gideon: recommends aspirant for office, 347n; as reference, 393; dines with TJ, 716, 720, 728 Olive Branch (ship), 556 Oliveira Fernandes, João F.: letters to, 298, 701; TJ orders wine from, 298; identified, 298n; payment to, 701 Oliveira Fernandes & Co. (Norfolk): letter from, 373-4; TJ orders wine from, 298n, 373-4, 586 olives, 284 O’Neale, William: letters from cited, 734, 735 Opelousas River, 616n Orange Court House, Va., 464 Ordinaire, Claude Nicolas: Histoire naturelle des volcans, 239, 268 Orleans Gazette (New Orleans), 326 Orleans Territory: establishment of representative government for, vii, 688n; land claims in, vii; salaries of public officials, vii; sale of public lands in, vii; memorial calls for selfgovernment, statehood, viii, 28, 118-19, 326, 349, 378-9, 383, 385, 386, 388n; judges, 21, 105-6, 109, 118, 120, 149, 311-12, 316-17, 325, 339-40, 574, 577, 712, 713; deputation to carry memorial to Washington, 28, 119; legislative council, 36, 78, 118, 120-2, 145-6, 150, 213, 325-6, 422; courts, 50, 73, 213; Spanish interference in, 72-3, 213; division of appointments among Creoles and Americans, 73-4; demand for slaves in, 74, 385; militia, 74, 75n, 120; troops redeployed to, 97-8; Attakapas, 98, 223; Opelousas, 98; governor of, 105, 573; marshal, 105, 574; need for bilingual government, 109-10, 118-19, 311-12, 316-17, 325, 378-9, 679; secretary, 110, 157, 311, 325, 574, 619n, 712; establishment of judiciary system in, 120, 325; interpreters for, 147-8; U.S. attorney, 169-70, 574; land grant for Lafayette in, 187, 222-3; opposition to TJ’s administration in, 187, 213; growing support for American government in, 212-14; newspapers, 213, 326;

encouragement of immigration to, 271, 379-85, 387; introduction of English language into courts, 325; slavery in, 344, 380; French influence in, 378-9; division of, 379; and slave trade, 385, 388n; free Blacks in, 387; political factions in, 478-9; dueling in, 532-4; continued Spanish presence in, 553-4; disputed boundary with Texas, 553-4; Native American affairs in, 553-4; establishment of land districts in, 589n; would benefit from acquisition of Florida, 595; ore samples from, 616; descriptions of, 616n. See also Federalists; Louisiana; New Orleans Orleans Volunteers, 120 Orpwood (Hopwood), John: letter from, 202-3; petition for pardon, 202-3; pardoned by TJ, 203 orthography, 251-3 Osage orange (Maclura pomifera, bois d’arc), 565 Osage River, 271 Osborn, Jane Renaudet, 101n Osgood, Samuel: letters from cited, 138n, 737; recommends aspirants for office, 138n, 737; as supervisor of the revenue, 337, 338n Osmun, Benajah, 216 Otis, Samuel A.: letter to, 126; letter from, 685; correction of names of TJ’s nominees, 122, 126; asks for return of Senate executive journal, 685; dines with TJ, 719 Ouachita River: map of, lii-liii, 330 (illus.); Ouachita Post, 98, 513-14; hot springs, 451-2, 513-14, 564; descriptions of, 467, 468n, 539; ore samples from, 616n. See also Dunbar and Hunter expedition Oupnek’hat (Id Est, Secretum Tegendum): Opus Ipsa in India Rarissimum (Abraham Hyacinthe Anquetil Duperron), 15, 16n Outchequaha (Sac Indian), 263n Overton, Samuel: letter from, 184; sends drunken letter to TJ, 184; identified, 184n Overton John (Tenn.), 184n Owner, James, 608n Oxford University, 304, 559n Page, John: letters to, 249-50; letters from, 60, 155-6, 453-4; and

 785 

INDEX Page, John (cont.) Logwood’s case, 60, 155-6; removal of free Blacks, condemned slaves from Va., 249-50, 453-4 Paine, Capt., 489 Paine, Thomas: letter to, 341; letters from, 275-7, 378-89; considers visit to Washington, xi, 275, 277, 378; condemns Liverpool slave trade, xiii, 385; criticism of, 4; and Cavender, 29; TJ’s loyalty to, 30n, 472n; and U.S. policy toward Haiti, 275-7, 341, 386, 387-8; sends opinions on Louisiana, German redemptioners, 378-89; criticizes Hamilton funeral oration, 383, 388n; plans publication of collected works, 383-4; memorandum on Louisiana, 386, 388n; TJ’s letter forwarded to, 480; TJ’s support for, 637 painting: patents pertaining to, xi, 265-6; at Monticello, 123-4 Palfrey, John, 75n Palladio, Andrea: first book of architecture, 194, 238, 324, 328, 329, 333, 359, 363, 364 Palmer, Beriah: dines with TJ, 716, 721, 722; declines dinner invitation, 720 Paradise, Lucy Ludwell, 470n Paradise Lost (John Milton), 515, 536, 544, 545 pardons: petitions for, 70-1, 152-3, 202-3, 332-3, 452, 458-9, 579, 587-8, 685-6, 688-90, 736; granted by TJ, 71, 153, 203, 319, 320n, 333; denied by TJ, 458-9 Paris: severe cold at, 362, 363; Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle, 573n Parker, Richard, 470 Parkersburg, Va., 212n Parkyns, George Isham: Six Designs, 239, 240n, 246, 247 Parma, 408 Parr, Samuel: Free Translation of the Preface to Bellendenue, 557 Pascagoula River, 77, 553 Pashepaho (Sac Indian), 263n passports: for non-resident citizens, 395-6 patents: accusations of patent infringements, xi, 265-6; painting, xi, 265-6; extension of, 235; flour mills, 235; steam engines, 235; electrophorus, 274n; fireplaces, 274n; timepiece improvements, 274n; grist mill improvements, 512n

Paterson, John: declines dinner invitation, 721; dines with TJ, 722 Paterson, William (N.J.): dines with TJ, 727 Patrin, Eugène Melchior Louis: Histoire naturelle des minéraux, 368, 696, 701 Patterson, Robert: letter to, 327; TJ introduces Cosa to, 327 Patton, Robert (Pa.): letter from, 480; forwards letter for TJ, 480 Peacock, Eliza: letters from, 285-6, 688-90; seeks discontinuance of prosecution against husband, 285-6, 288-9, 324; identified, 286n; seeks pardon for her husband, 683-4, 688-90 Peacock, Robert Ware: letter from, 685-6; indictment, conviction for forgery, 285-6, 324-5, 686n; recommendations on behalf of, 288-9, 683-4, 688-90; petition for pardon, 685-6 Peale, Charles Willson: letters to, 31-2, 99-100; letters from, 21, 76, 197, 407, 690-1, 707; commissions son’s portrait of TJ, xlvii; dines with TJ, xlvii, 732n; museum, xlvii, 708; plans visit to Washington, xlvii, 197; health of, 21; and polygraph, 21, 31-2, 76, 99-100, 197, 301, 346, 398, 407, 690-1, 707; payments to, 407n; and Perreïn, 572, 573 Peale, Rembrandt: dines with TJ, xlvii, 724, 732n; second portrait of TJ, xlvii-xlviii, 330 (illus.); recommended by father, 197 Pearl River, 77-8, 226, 312, 447, 553 pears, 126-7 Pease, Seth, 176n Pedersen, Peder: and case of brig Hendrick, 463; dines with TJ, 727 Pennell, William, 403 Pennsylvania: Montgomery Co., 47; lead mining in, 47-8; Mill Grove, 47-8; Whiskey Insurrection, 170n; immigrants to, 367, 379-80, 384; impeachment of state judges, 403, 540-1; Somerset Co., 466; Supreme Court, 498n; and election of 1804, 540; postal service in, 592-4, 624, 686-7; turnpikes in, 593; York Co., 593, 594n; Adams Co., 594n; clodhoppers, 594n; Bucks Co., 619n. See also Federalists; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; Republicans

 786 

INDEX Pennsylvania, Bank of, 103n, 738 Pennsylvania Ledger (Philadelphia), 538n Penobscot Expedition (1779), 67-8, 69n Pensacola, W. Fla.: Spanish garrison at, 60-1; reinforcements expected at, 553; Seminoles invited to, 553 Percival, Thomas: Father’s Instructions to his Children, 90, 91n Perkins, Nathaniel: letter from, 708; asks TJ for a loan, 708; identified, 708n Perkiomen Creek, 47 perpetual motion, 274 Perreau, Jean André: Élémens de législation naturelle, 368, 696, 701 Perreïn, Jean: letter to, 708; letter from, 572-3; offers bird specimens, 572-3, 708; identified, 573n Perry, John: dispute with Oldham, viii-ix, 80-2, 102-3, 194-5; accused of theft, drunkenness, 81; letters from cited, 734, 735, 737; letter to cited, 735 Persia, seu Regni Persici Status, Variaque Itinera in Atque per Persiam (Johannes de Laet), 437 Peters, Richard (judge), 397 Petit, Pierre, 75n Petit magasin économique, ou l’Utile à tout le monde, 368, 390 Peyton, Craven: letter to, 460; letter from, 286-7; payments to, 6; and Henderson warehouse, 286-7, 460 Peyton, Francis: calls for removal of, as militia commander, 138-9, 735; letter to cited, 138-9n, 733 Peyton, John, 80 Phelps, Oliver: and Carver’s Grant, 163; and Connecticut Land Company, 582n; dines with TJ, 726 Philadelphia: Society of Artists and Manufacturers, x; severe cold weather at, xi, 301, 529; merchants, 3; academies, schools, 101n; ironmongers, 124n; booksellers in, 278n, 503n, 526, 538n; First Presbyterian Church, 303n; inns, 313n; Society of Friends in, 344; longitude of, 467n; Presbyterians in, 585; cost of fuel at, 676 Philadelphia (ship), 196n Philadelphia (U.S. frigate): burned by U.S., 17-19, 22, 542n; negotiations for release of crew, 320 Philadelphia Medical and Physical Journal, 95n, 604

Philadelphia Pursuits of Literature. A Satirical Poem (John Davis), 602, 704 Philosophie de Kant (Charles François Dominique de Villers), 186 physiognotrace, l-li, liii, 97n Physique réduite en tableaux raisonnés, ou, Programme du cours de physique fait a l’École polytechnique (Etienne Barruel), 15 Piatt, William, 331, 578, 583, 609 Piattoli, Scipione, 177, 181 Pichon, Alexandrine Émilie Brongniart, 127 Pichon, Louis André: and Haiti, 387, 440; dines with TJ, 716 Pickens, Andrew, 166, 167n Pickering, Timothy: letter from, 126-7; presents Ely amendment in Senate, 79n; loans pamphlet to TJ, 126-7; dines with TJ, 126n, 717, 724; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 Picot, Louis François. See Girardin, Louis H. Pictet, Marc Auguste: advice sought on arrangement of professorships, 305; Voyage de trois mois en Angleterre, en Ecosse, et en Irlande, 368, 696, 701 pigeons: passenger, 547 Pilkington, Mary Hopkins: Henry; or, The Foundling, 90, 91n Pinckney, Charles: letters from, 408-14, 594-600; correspondence with Madison, 312, 408, 413; correspondence with Cevallos, 408, 595, 597-8, 600n; French interference with Spanish negotiations, 408-13, 594-600; summarizes, defends actions as minister to Spain, 408-14, 599; declaration of war by Spain on Britain, 410-11, 413, 594-5; joint mission with Monroe, 411-12, 598; rumored departure from Madrid, 412-13; urges annexation of Florida, 595-6; correspondence with Godoy, 598, 599-600; wishes to return to U.S., 599 Pinckney, Charles Cotesworth, 155, 668 Pinkney, William: declines appointment as judge in Orleans Terr., 21; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; declines dinner invitation, 719 Pintard, John, 147 Pintard, John M.: letter from, 147-8; dines with TJ, 147, 718; recommends kinsman for appointment, 147-8

 787 

INDEX Piper, John, 403 Piranesi, Giovanni Battista: Varie vedute di Roma, 328, 329, 359, 363, 364, 365, 368, 697, 702 Pitot, James, 222 Pitt (British merchantman), 12 Pitt, William, 304 Pittman, John: letter from cited, 138n, 735 Pittsburgh: growth of, 466, 504; postal service to, 466, 467, 593 Pittsburgh Mechanical Society, 504n Pittsfield, Mass., 472n, 670n Plans, coupes et élévations des plus belles maisons et hôtels construits à Paris et dans les environs (Johann Karl Krafft and Pierre Nicolas Ransonnette), 154, 165-6, 186, 239, 268, 697 Plans de jardins dans le goût anglais & instructions dans l’art de distribuer & planter de petits terrains (Jean Louis Mansa), 239, 240n, 246, 247, 256 Plaquemine, Fort, 98 Playfair, William: Commercial and Political Atlas, 90, 91n Pleasing Preceptor; or Familiar Instructions in Natural History and Physics, Adapted to the Capacities of Youth (Gerhard Ulrich Anton Veith), 90, 91n Pleiades, 176n plows: TJ’s moldboard, 39-40, 555-6 Plumer, William: comments on Louisiana memorial delegation, 119n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; comments on TJ’s inaugural address, 634, 636-7; dines with TJ, 717, 731n Plummer, Mr., 139 Plutarch, 621, 622 Plutarque de la jeunesse, ou Abrégé des vies des plus grands hommes de toutes les nations, 621, 622 Pocahontas, 525-6 Poe, James, 403 Pointe-à-Pitre, Guadeloupe, 441n Political and Commercial Register (Philadelphia), 602n Political Observatory (Walpole, N.H.), 7n Pollock, George: recommends aspirants for office, 75n; appointed to legislative council, 120, 122, 146, 150, 213 Polly & Sally (schooner), 14 polygraphs: Hawkins’s, 21, 31, 476; modifications to, 21, 31-2, 76, 99-100, 197, 300-1, 346, 398-9; pens for, 21,

76, 197; hinges, 31; lids, tops, 31-2, 76; drawers, 76, 99, 707; portable, 346, 398-9, 690-1, 707; prices, 407; praised by TJ, 476; used to copy inaugural address, 634 Pomeroy, Ralph: letter from, 534-5; seeks appointment, 534-5, 737; identified, 535n Pondicherry, India, 269, 270 Pontchartrain, Lake: postal route across, 77, 464, 465; as eastern boundary of Louisiana, 414n; Post Oak landing, 464, 465 Pope, Alexander, 518 Pope, Edward, xlviii, 137-8, 158, 199, 360 Popham, William, 441n Poplar Forest (TJ’s estate), 27n, 586n Porcupine’s Gazette (Philadelphia), 280n, 540-1 Porter, Andrew, Jr.: recommended for appointment, 74-5, 570, 575, 576n; appointed surveyor and inspector at New Orleans, 577, 713 Porter, Charles T., 345, 417, 712, 736 Porter, James, 331 Porter, John, 403 Port Folio (Philadelphia), 602n Portsmouth, Va., 505n Portugal: wine from, 20, 75-6, 374 postal service: establishment of post road between Washington and New Orleans, 77-8, 150, 217-21, 312, 446-7, 464-5, 559-60, 567; postal service through W. Fla., 312; appointments and removals in, 425-6, 708n; establishment, relocation of distributing offices, 425-6; establishment, alterations to post roads, 464-7, 592-4, 624, 686-7; distrusted, 681. See also Granger, Gideon Postel, Guillaume: Guillelmi Postelli de Republica, 437, 702 Potomac Creek, 198n Potomac River: navigation improvements, 240, 388n; frozen, 324; crossed by postal routes, 466 Potter, Samuel J., 88 Poughkeepsie, N.Y., 314n Poultney, John, Jr., & Co. (New Orleans), 75n poultry: bantams, 561 Pouncey’s tract (TJ’s land), 210n Pour et le contre on avis à ceux qui se proposent de passer dans les États-Unis

 788 

INDEX d’Amérique (Jean Louis Bridel), 368, 697, 701 Poussin, Nicolas, 299n Powell, Cuthbert, 71, 152, 203 Powers, Aaron, 163, 174 Poydras, Julien: accepts legislative council appointment, 36, 120-1, 122, 146; characterized, 121; president of legislative council, 146 Preble, Edward: letter to, 678; and burning of the Philadelphia, 18-19; attack on Tripoli, 230, 264, 542n, 550-1; returns to U.S., 230; thanked by Congress, 551n; invited to dine with TJ, 678; dines with TJ, 730 Preble, Henry, 594, 598, 600n Précis des expériences galvaniques faites récemment a Londres et a Calais (Giovanni Aldini), 315n, 324, 328, 329, 354 Précis Historique de la Maladie qui a Régné dans l’Andalousie en 1800 (Jean Nicholas Berthe), 695 pregnancy. See women Presbyterians, 159, 383, 512n, 585 President (U.S. frigate), 264n, 550n President’s House: lamps, 5-6, 19-20; coal for, 22, 738; schedule of work on, 30; roof, 107, 113-14, 346, 398, 459; appropriations for, 112, 346, 397, 601-2; gutters, 113, 346; repairs to, 113-14, 346; dinners hosted by TJ at, 119n, 126-7n, 147, 315-16, 339, 343-4n, 450, 484n, 562, 678, 699n, 714-32; statement of expenditures on, 132; latitude and longitude of, 175-6; and meridian line at Washington, D.C., 219; stable and household accounts, 300; water closets, 346; claims for compensation by laborers, 459; painting, 459; claim for portion of grounds, 481-2, 507-8; furniture, 601-2; servants, slaves at, 625-6; inaugural festivities at, 628-9. See also Dougherty, Joseph press, freedom of: threatened by licentiousness of editors, printers, xiii-xiv, 632-4, 638, 642-3, 650, 655-6; accusations of libel, 472-3 Prevost, John B.: urges organization of government in Orleans Terr., 36, 120, 150, 213; appointed judge of Orleans Terr., 105, 574; and E. Livingston, 149, 478; praise for, 340

Price, Chandler: letter to, 134; letters from, 103, 172-3, 185; receives, forwards wine to TJ, 103, 134, 172-3, 185; identified, 103n Priestley, Joseph: Doctrines of Heathen Philosophy, 207, 250, 278, 502-3; investment in French funds, 208, 250; Memoirs, 208n; eulogy for, 301, 303n, 442-3, 502; “Hints concerning Public Education,” 305, 306n; commonplace book, 502; TJ sends his views on the doctrines of Jesus to, 502-3 Priestley, Joseph, Jr.: letter to, 250; letter from, 207-8; sends news and queries on father’s writings, TJ’s “Syllabus,” and French funds, 207-8, 250, 278, 503; identified, 208n Priestley, Mary Wilkinson, 208n privateers: arming of merchant vessels to protect against, 440-1n; French, 440-1n, 587-8; illegally outfitted in U.S., 587-8 Promenades au jardin des plantes, à la ménagerie et dans les galeries du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle (Jean Baptiste Pujoulx), 359, 368, 697, 702 Prospect Before Us (James Thomson Callender), 473n Providence, R.I.: severe cold at, 314n Prussia, 353, 354, 395-6, 431, 516 Pujoulx, Jean Baptiste: Promenades au jardin des plantes, 359, 368, 697, 702 pumpkins, 289, 442 Purcell, Dominick, 441n Putnam, Gen. Israel, 487n, 528 Quakers. See Friends, Society of quarantine: in Italy, 183-4n, 228-320, 522, 584n Quashquame (Sac Indian), 263n “R. G.” (pseudonym): letter from, 100; sends comb to TJ, 100 Racine, Jean, 515, 536-7, 621, 622, 696, 702 Rafinesque, Constantine S.: letter to, 185; letter from, 94-5; sends seeds to TJ, 94; study of flora of Washington, D.C., 94, 95n; offers services as botanist for western exploration, 94-5, 185, 196; departs for Leghorn, 196

 789 

INDEX Ragoneau, A. M.: Recherches sur l’état actuel des sociétés politiques, 16 Raleigh Register (Raleigh, N.C.), 30n Randall, Thomas (New Orleans), 75n Randolph, Anne Cary (TJ’s granddaughter): letters from, 506, 560-1, 618; TJ sends poetry to, 127, 506, 678; letters from cited, 127n, 618n, 736, 737; health of, 400; encouraged to write to TJ, 506; sends family news to TJ, 506, 618; letter to cited, 506n, 736; wishes to change her name, 560-1; TJ suggests name for, 561n Randolph, Anne (Nancy) Cary (Mrs. Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr.), 561n Randolph, Cornelia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): health of, 400 Randolph, David Meade, 194, 238 Randolph, Edmund: letter from, 210; sued by government, 48; and TJ’s legal action against Richard Johnson, 210; letter from cited, 210n, 733; library of, 333; dines with TJ, 727 Randolph, Ellen Wayles, II (TJ’s granddaughter): letter to, 678; letter from, 561; health of, 400; education of, 561; tends fowl, poultry at Monticello, 561; letter to cited, 561n, 737; TJ sends poetry to, 678 Randolph, John (of Roanoke): letter to, 42; letter from, 679; and bill for defense of harbors, 42; and Yazoo land claims, 407n, 679; Chase impeachment trial manager, 562n; dines with TJ, 562n, 716, 720, 724, 729; friendship with J. Bryan, 601n; declines dinner invitation, 726 Randolph, John Mann, 333, 334n Randolph, Martha Jefferson (Patsy, Mrs. Thomas Mann Randolph, TJ’s daughter): letters to, 127, 314, 362-3, 414-15; letters from, 104-5, 590-1; health of, xi, li, 362, 400, 414-15, 506, 561, 590-1, 618; asks TJ to sit for Saint-Mémin, l-li; friendship with Madame Salimbeni, 84; friendship with E. Trist, 87; sends news of Lilly, slaves at Monticello, 104-5; TJ sends news of family, Washington society to, 127, 314, 362-3; considers visit to Washington, 314; TJ sends book to, 314; letters from cited, 363n, 735, 736, 737; TJ suggests name for daughter Anne, 561n

Randolph, Mary Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): health of, 400 Randolph, Mr. (courier), 343 Randolph, Ryland, 238, 333 Randolph, Thomas Jefferson (TJ’s grandson): education of, 253n, 506; health of, 400; and Anas, 631 Randolph, Thomas Mann (TJ’s sonin-law): letter from, 400; and dispute between Oldham and Lilly, 81; friendship with E. Trist, 87; correspondence with Martha Jefferson Randolph, 127; asks to borrow book from TJ, 299; correspondence with I. A. Coles, 314, 362; returns to Washington, 314, 362, 460, 591; family of, 334n; leave of absence from Congress, 400, 414-15; sends news of wife’s health, 400; advises on Henderson warehouse shares, 460; departure from Washington, 678; stays with TJ at President’s House, 714; dines with TJ, 731n; letter from cited, 735 Randolph, Virginia Jefferson (TJ’s granddaughter): health of, 400 Randolph, Virginia Randolph (sister of Thomas Mann Randolph), 506 Ransonnette, Pierre Nicolas: Plans, coupes et élévations, 154, 165-6, 186, 239, 268, 697 Raphael, 299n rattlesnakes, 682 Ray, Jacob: letter from cited, 736 Raynal, Guillaume Thomas François, Abbé de, 621, 622 Raynham, Mass., 158n Rea, John: recommends aspirant for office, 203; dines with TJ, 715, 722, 730 Read, George, Jr.: letters to, 483-4, 507; letters from, 488-9, 535; TJ exchanges legal opinions with, 483-4, 488-9, 507, 535; dines with TJ, 714, 727 Read, James, 331 Reath, James, 14 Recentis Romae Ichnographia et Hypsographia (Giovanni Battista Falda), 499-500, 507, 702 Recherches sur l’état actuel des sociétés politiques, ou Jusques à quel point l’économie intérieure des états modernes leur permet-elle de se rapprocher de la liberté et de l’égalité (A. M. Ragoneau), 16

 790 

INDEX Recueil de mémoires sur les salines et leur exploitation (Henri Struve), 368, 697, 701 Recueil des principaux traités (Georg Friedrich von Martens), 15, 239-40n Red River: exploration of, 185, 196; and Lafayette’s land grant, 223; Spanish posts, settlements on, 553 Reed, Emil William, 403 Reed, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 715 Reed, Philip: letter from, 82-3; seeks appointment, 82-3; identified, 83n Reibelt, Philippe: letters to, 23-4, 43, 148, 238-40, 324, 359, 368-9, 389, 436-8, 480-1, 507, 515-16, 701-3; letters from, 14, 27, 141-2, 153-4, 156-7, 165-6, 186-7, 215-16, 246-7, 256, 287-8, 299, 315, 328-9, 353-4, 363-4, 365, 374-5, 389-91, 415, 430-2, 433-4, 438-9, 454-5, 460-1, 468-9, 469, 499-500, 530-1, 536-7, 544-5, 621-2; list of books sent to TJ, 14-16, 23-4, 27, 186-7; TJ orders books from, 23-4, 43, 141-2, 148, 153-4, 165-6, 238-40, 246-7, 256, 268-9, 299, 328-9, 359, 363-4, 368-9, 389-91, 436-8, 454-5, 460-1, 468-9, 480-1, 507, 515-16, 530-1, 536-7, 544-5, 701-3; books for executive departments, 148, 238-40, 324, 353, 354, 369, 374-5, 389, 415, 431, 481, 530-1; asks for return of book, 156-7; sends catalogs to TJ, 215-16, 544, 545; payments to, 239, 246, 365, 389, 702-3; offers prints, engravings, maps to TJ, 287-8, 324, 353, 354, 433-4, 454-5, 481, 499-500, 507; sends, recommends publications to TJ, 315, 324, 430-2, 530-1, 621-2; congratulates TJ on his reelection, 438; sends testimonials of his republican sentiments, 438-9; sends printing proofs to TJ, 469; TJ sends supplementary note on moldboard plow to, 556n Reich, John: letter from, 516-17; recommended for appointment, x, 237-8; seeks employment in Mint, 516-17 Relfs Philadelphia Gazette, 635 religion: deism, 383; freedom of, 663-6; separation of church and state, 666. See also Christianity; Jefferson, Thomas: Religion Rennolds, John: letter from, 469-70; seeks appointment, 469-70; identified, 470n

Renouard, Antoine Augustin, 545 Renouvellemens périodiques des continens terrestres (Louis Bertrand), 16 Reports of Cases (Alexander J. Dallas), 497 Reports of Cases Adjudged in the Court of King’s Bench (Sir James Burrow), 32n Reports of Cases Argued and Determined in the High Court of Admiralty (Christopher Robinson), 32n Reports of Cases Determined in the Several Courts of Westminster-Hall (William Blackstone), 32n Republican; or, Anti-Democrat (Baltimore), 192n Republican Advocate (Frederick, Md.), 635 Republican Farmer (Danbury, Conn.), 636 republicanism: rotation in office, 247-9; persistence of, in France, 596 Republicans: divisions among, viii, 37-9, 58-9, 64-6, 88-9, 173-4, 247-8, 310, 356, 420-1, 425-7, 479, 540-2, 594n; in R.I., viii, 38-9, 58-9, 88-9, 173-4, 247, 360n; in Mass., 6-7, 50, 93-4, 137-8n, 164-5, 199-200, 361, 371, 520, 524-5; in N.H., 6-7, 50, 78-9, 155, 323, 361, 519-20, 558-9; in Vt., 7, 426-7; in Conn., 7n, 461, 477; printers, newspapers, 7n, 280n, 635-6; in Del., 37-8, 57-8, 512n, 609; in S.C., 48; seek removal of Federalists, 49-50, 56-8, 199-200, 360n, 525, 667; praise Louisiana Purchase, 50n; in Va., 64-6, 133, 356; in Pa., 170n, 540-2, 594n, 619; and possible third term for TJ, 247-9; in N.Y., 280n, 394, 449; and banks, 394n; in Miss. Terr., 420-1, 479; clodhoppers, 594n; and TJ’s inaugural address, 635-6. See also election of 1804 Respublica, sive statvs regni Scotiæ et Hiberniæ (Johannes de Laet), 530 Respublica Bohemiæ (Pavel Stránský), 437, 702 Respublica et Status Imperii RomanoGermanici, 437, 702 Respublica et Status Regni Hungariæ, 437, 460, 461, 468, 469, 480, 702 Respublica Namurcensis, Hannoniæ, et Lutsenbergensis, 437, 702 Respublica v. Cobbet, 497, 498n

 791 

INDEX Résultats des guerres, des négotiations et des traités qui ont précédé et suivi la coalition contre la France (Ambroise Marie Arnould), 15, 530, 531n, 696, 702 revenue cutters: fired on by British warships, 12; appointments to, 92, 494-5, 680; at New Orleans, 175 Revett, Nicholas: Antiquities of Athens, 30-1 Reynolds, James, 585 Rhea, John: letters from, 618-19, 622-3, 679; recommends aspirants for office, 618-19, 622-3, 679; dines with TJ, 721, 728 Rhetorical Grammar of the English Language (Thomas Sheridan), 628 Rhine River, 381 Rhode Island: commissioner of loans, 39, 59, 734; militia, 158; Society of Friends at, 558. See also Federalists; Newport, R.I.; Providence, R.I.; Republicans Richards, Jacob: dines with TJ, 715, 721, 726 Richards, John (Pa. legislator), 403 Richards, Mark, 426 Richmond (schooner), 33 Richmond (ship), 75 Richmond, Va.: lumber prices in, 193-4; merchants in, 223-4; academies, schools, 253n; collector at, 296n Riflessioni su i mali provenienti dalla questua e su i mezzi di evitargli (Philip Mazzei), 177, 181, 183n Riflessioni sulla natura della moneta e del cambio (Philip Mazzei), 177, 181, 183n Rigolets, 77 Riker, Richard, 592n Riker, Samuel: dines with TJ, 714, 715, 719, 725 Ringgold, Tench: dines with TJ, 715 Rio de Janeiro, 298n Río de la Plata, 377 Rio Grande (Rio Bravo), 554n Ritchie, Abner: letter to, 507-8; letters from, 481-2, 517; and Beatty estate claim, 481-2, 507-8, 517, 568-70; identified, 482n Ritchie, Thomas, 540 Rittenhouse, Benjamin, 234, 235n Rivalité de la France et de l’Angleterre, depuis la conquête de l’Angleterre par Guillaume, duc de Normandie, jusqu’à

la rupture du Traité d’Amiens par l’Angleterre (Vincent Marie Viénot de Vaublanc), 16, 239n roads: through Native Americans’ territory, 320, 506, 515, 527; poor condition of, 354, 400; turnpikes, 593. See also postal service Roane, Archibald: letter from cited, 734 Roane, Spencer, 470 Roberts, Michael, 123, 124n Roberts, Robert, 331 Robertson, James M., 459 Robertson, John (mathematician): Elements of Navigation, 511, 512n Robertson, Thomas, 128, 221, 261, 560 Robespierre, Maximilien François Marie Isidore de, 385 Robinson, Christopher: Reports, 32n Roche de Fermoy, Alexis Matthias, 205n Rockhill, Nathan: letter from, 500-1; asks TJ for money, xi, 500-1 Rockland (brig), 440-1n Rodgers, John, 206, 429 Rodman, Samuel, 137 Rodney, Caesar A.: letter to, 708-9; letter from, 609; introduces Cooch, 38n; as reference, 56-7; considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275, 285; Chase impeachment trial manager, 562n; dines with TJ, 562n, 715, 716, 726, 729; and Copes, 609, 708-9; declines dinner invitation, 720; letter from cited, 737; recommends aspirants for office, 737 Rodney, Thomas, 216, 420n Rogers, James R.: letter from, 95-6; complains of land speculation in Tenn., 95-6; identified, 96n Roman, Jacques Étienne, 36, 122 Roman Empire: resistance to innovation in, 641, 644n Rome: map of, 454, 455, 481, 499-500; quarantine at, 522 Root, Erastus: dines with TJ, 718, 722, 726 ropeworks, 243 Roques, Pierre, 75n Rose, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 715 Rose, Robert (gun carriage maker), 608n Ross, George Thompson, 75n, 331 Ross, James, Jr., 440n Rotch, William, 137 Rousseau, Jean Jacques, 366-7, 368, 369n, 621, 622, 697, 701

 792 

INDEX Rowe, John (midshipman), 18 Rubens, Peter Paul, 299n Rumford, Count. See Thompson, Benjamin (Count Rumford) Rural Economy: Containing a Treatise on Pisé Building (Stephen W. Johnson), 682n Rural Economy of Glocestershire (William Marshall), 126-7 Rush, Benjamin: praises Sidney’s Discourses, 61; patients of, 280n; praises Dufief’s teaching methods, 308, 309; treasurer of the Mint, 392n Rushworth, John: Historical Collections, 140 Russel, Caleb, 170n Russell, Gilbert C., 331, 583 Russell, Jonathan: considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 285; letter from cited, 734 Russell, Joseph: dines with TJ, 718 Russia: writings on, 177, 180-1; relations with France, 523; relations with Great Britain, 524n. See also Alexander I, Emperor of Russia Rutherfordton, N.C., 464 Rutland, Vt., 280n Rutter, Thomas, 712 Rymer, Thomas: Fœdera, 140 Saint-Domingue, W.I. See Haiti (SaintDomingue) Saint Marys River, 167n Saint-Mémin, Charles Balthazar Julien Févret de: letter from, 96-7; portraits of TJ, l-li, liii, 96-7, 330 (illus.); identified, 96-7n Saint Venant, Jean Barré de: Des colonies modernes sous la zone torride, 239, 268 Salimbeni (Salimberi), Madame de (Bruni): letter from, 83-5; seeks TJ’s assistance, 83-5; friendship with Martha Jefferson Randolph, 84; identified, 84-5n Salisbury, N.C., 218, 219-20, 221, 447 Sally (sloop), 173 salt: manufacture of, 236, 243, 527-8, 534; in Louisiana Dist., 350; price of, 350 Salusbury, John: letter from, 416-17; seeks promotion or discharge from the army, 416-17; identified, 416n Salusbury, John S., 416-17

Sammons, Thomas: dines with TJ, 714, 715, 721, 728 San Antonio, 553-4 Sandford, Thomas: letter from, 588-9; recommends aspirants for office, 162n, 588-9; dines with TJ, 715, 722; declines dinner invitations, 728, 729 Sandusky Bay, 581 Sandy Hook, N.J., 10 Sanford, Nathan, 529n Sangrain, Anthony, 331 San Ildefonso, Treaty of (1800), 352n Santo Domingo (city): commercial agent at, 417 Sardinia, 523 Saunders, John, 416, 417n Sauvé, Pierre: characterized, 28; deputy to carry Louisiana memorial, 119; dines with TJ, 716, 722; declines dinner invitation, 730 Savannah, Ga.: revenue cutter at, 494-5; banks at, 603 Sawyer, Joseph, 680 Say, Jean Baptiste: Traité d’économie politique, 15, 239n Scales, William: letter from, 3-4; criticizes Congress, American people, 3-4 Scheelt, Peter, 463 Schuylkill Arsenal, 265 Schuylkill River: frozen, 197n science: perpetual motion, 274; education, 303-4, 305; resistance, opposition to, 641. See also botany; geology; Jefferson, Thomas: Scientific Interests; latitude; longitude Scituate, Mass., 450n Scot, Robert, 237-8, 516 Scotland: immigrants from, 379; descriptions of, 676 Scott, Edward, 417, 712, 713n, 736 Scott, William, Lord Stowell, 32 Scourge (U.S. brig), 550n Seabrook, Richard, 287n seamen: descriptions of, xlviii; protection certificates, xlviii, 330 (illus.); certificates of citizenship for, 13; relief of distressed, 28. See impressment Seaver, Ebenezer: and Nantucket collectorship, 371n; dines with TJ, 719, 724 Sebastian, Alfred, 331, 583 Second voyage a la Louisiane, faisant suite au premier de l’auteur de 1794 a 1798 (Louis Narcisse Baudry des Lozières), 15, 239, 268

 793 

INDEX Sedition Act (1798), 664 Ségur, Louis Philippe, Comte de: History of the Principal Events of the Reign of Frederic William II, 631, 641, 644n Selby, John (Baltimore), 265-6 Seneca, Lucius Annaeus: Oeuvres, 515, 536 Sentimental Journey through France and Italy (Laurence Sterne), 24, 27, 43, 141-2, 148, 239, 268 Serjeant (Sarjeant), William: dines with TJ, 718 servants: clothing for, 370. See also President’s House Sewall, Samuel, 579n Seward, William H., 272n sextants, 261 Seymour, Thomas: letter from, 49-50; seeks appointment, 49-50 Shadwell (TJ’s estate), 98-9 Shakespeare, William: Julius Caesar, 508, 510n Shaw, John (Miss. Terr.): letter from, 418-20; urges appointment of successor to D. Ker, 418-20; identified, 419-20n; and Green-West faction, 479 Sheaff, Henry: letter to, 135; payment to, 135 Sheffield, Mass., 472 Sheldon, Elisha, 67, 69n Shenandoah River, 466 Shepherd Brown & Co. (New Orleans), 75n Sheridan, Thomas: Course of Lectures on Elocution, l, 627-8; Lectures on the Art of Reading, l, 628; General Dictionary of the English Language, 252-3; Rhetorical Grammar of the English Language, 628 Shippen, Edward, 403n shoemakers, 254-5n Short, William: letter to, 471-2; letters from, 55-6, 508-10, 577; and U.S. suit against E. Randolph, 48; TJ’s debt to, 55, 471-2, 508, 509, 577; sends observations on politics, decline of Federalists, 55-6; elected to APS, 56; TJ sends news, observations on European affairs to, 471-2; sends observations on travel, relations with Spain, 508-10; correspondence with TJ in cipher, 509, 510n; and wine for TJ, 510

Shorter, John (Jack), 625-6 Sibley, John: recommended for appointment, 118; criticism of, 326, 422 Sibley, Solomon: recommended for appointment, 330n; carries memorial to Congress, 345; dines with TJ, 725 Sicily, 229-31, 233, 522 Sidney, Algernon: Discourses concerning Government, 61-2, 168-9; writings of, praised by TJ, 168-9 Siena, Italy, 522, 604 Sierra Leone, 249-50, 453 Silhouette, Etienne de: Mémoires des commissaires du roi et de ceux de sa Majesté Britannique, 140, 141n silkworms, 510, 522, 604 silver: coinage, 391, 392n Simien Despréaux, Claude Philbert: Soirées de Ferney, 368, 696, 701 Simons, James, 130, 395-6 “A Sincere Friend to the Prosperity of the United States”: letter from, 258-9; recommends encouragement of hemp production, 258-9 Sinclair, Sir John, 555 Singleton, Samuel: letter from, 50-1; seeks appointment, 50-1; letter from cited, 51n Siren (U.S. brig), 18, 264n, 550n sirocco, 229 Sismondi, J. C. L.: De la richesse commerciale, 16, 239, 268, 695 Sisson, Joseph: recommended by C. Ellery, 558; letter from cited, 558n, 737 Sisson, Preserved, 440-1n Six Designs for Improving and Embellishing Grounds (George Isham Parkyns), 239, 240n, 246, 247 Skinner, Tompson J.: appointed marshal, 106, 574, 711, 712 Skipwith, Fulwar: letter from, 341-3; TJ introduces Armstrong to, 341-2; and wine for TJ, 342; dispute with Robert R. Livingston, 342-3 slavery: opposition to three-fifths clause, ix, 79, 154-5, 669, 671n; effect on immigration, xi, 676; abolition of, xii-xiii, 669; in Louisiana District, 45n; in Orleans Terr., 74, 175n, 380, 385; and the U.S. Constitution, 79n; in West Indies, 249; in Va., 249-50, 355-6, 453-4, 472n, 669; and Society of Friends, 344; expansion of, 355-6; calls to ban manumission, emancipation, 356; hinders immigration,

 794 

INDEX population growth, 380, 382; decline, demise of, 403-4 slaves: punishment, abuse of, 81; hiring of, 104, 105n; runaway, 104; insubordinate, rebellious, 104-5; ongoing threat of insurrection by, 249, 356, 404, 669; removal of condemned, from Va., 249-50, 453-4; immigrants preferable to, 380; sexual exploitation of, 472n. See also Blacks; Jefferson, Thomas: Slaveholder slave trade: and Liverpool, xiii, 385; prohibition, suppression of, 74, 175n, 355-6, 669; support for continuation of, 74; criticism of, 385, 388n Sloan, James: dines with TJ, 715, 721, 725, 731-2n Slocum, Holder, 200n Smallwood, Samuel N., 712 Smilie, John: dines with TJ, 719, 725 Smith, Adam, 676 Smith, Alexander, 202-3 Smith, Charles (New York): letter to, 142; thanked by TJ, 142; sends book to TJ, 269 Smith, Charles (Va.), 104, 105n Smith, Christopher, 105n Smith, Daniel: letter from cited, 734 Smith, Israel: recommends aspirant for office, 347n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 720, 725, 729 Smith, James S., 16, 17n Smith, John (N.Y.): letter from, 592; recommends aspirant for office, 592; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 717, 721, 725, 729; declines dinner invitation, 724 Smith, John (Ohio): letters from, 347, 555; recommends aspirants for office, 347; encloses letter from New Orleans, 555; recommendations sent to, 571n; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 718, 722, 729; declines dinner invitation, 726 Smith, John (Pa.), 208n Smith, John (Va. congressman): dines with TJ, 715, 723, 726; declines dinner invitation, 722 Smith, Capt. John (1579-1632), 525-6 Smith, John Cotton: dines with TJ, 717; declines dinner invitation, 724 Smith, John H., 136, 190, 195 Smith, John Witherspoon: letter from, 495-6; forwards letter and plan from

W.C.C. Claiborne, 495-6; identified, 495-6n Smith, Jonathan, 738 Smith, Larkin: letter to, 85; letter from, 210; recommended for appointment, 66; TJ explains patronage policies to, 85, 210 Smith, Margaret Bayard, xlvii, 561 Smith, Margaret Smith, 315, 731n Smith, Mr. (Pa.), 727 Smith, Philander: letter from cited, 737 Smith, Robert: letters to, 288, 369-70, 567, 651; letters from, 17, 21, 25, 60-1, 61, 142-3, 198, 203-4, 282-3, 315-16, 432, 542, 703; seeks appointment, nominated as U.S. attorney general, ix-x, 282-3, 288, 372, 618, 713; statement on burning of the Philadelphia, 17-19; appointment offer for W. Pinkney, 21; promotion of Decatur, 25; reports movements of Spanish troops, 60-1; gunboat construction, maintenance, 61, 142-3, 432; as reference, 82; forwards commissions, warrants, 198, 203-4, 703; sends list of naval appointments, 203-4; identifies dinner guests, 315-16; dines with TJ, 315-16n, 716, 720, 723, 729, 730, 731n; hosts dinner party, 344n; books for Navy Dept., 369-70, 477; forwards letters to TJ, 372n; forwards Preble’s dispatches from the Mediterranean, 542; Norfolk Drawbridge Company, 567; asked to remark on TJ’s inaugural address, 629, 651; degradation of gunpowder at sea, 705, 706n; declines dinner invitation, 727. See also Navy, U.S. Smith, S., & Buchanan: letter to, 5; forwards bust of Alexander I, 5 Smith, Samuel (Md.): as reference, 82; dines with TJ, 316n, 722, 723, 724, 729; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; declines dinner invitations, 716, 720 Smith, Samuel Harrison: letters to, 555, 663; and TJ’s inaugural address, xiv, 634, 635, 657n, 663; publishes presidential proclamation, 209n; publishes book on gardening, 314n; printing business of, 338; prints supplementary note on moldboard plow, 555-6; TJ’s account with, 555n. See also National Intelligencer (Washington) Smith, Samuel Stanhope, 495-6n

 795 

INDEX Smith, Thomas (Pa.), 403n Smith, William (Md.): dines with TJ, 315, 723 smuggling, 378n, 452, 458-9 Smyth, Thomas, Jr., 735 Snake in the Grass (schooner), 441n Snow, James (mariner), 20, 75, 126, 462 Snow, Timothy, xlviii Snyder, Simon, 594n Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce (London), 258-9 Söderström, Richard: dines with TJ, 718, 730 Soirées de Ferney, ou Confidences de Voltaire (Claude Philbert Simien Despréaux), 368, 696, 701 Soler, Miguel Cayetano, 594-5 Sonnini de Manoncourt, Charles Nicholas Sigisbert: Voyage en Grèce et en Turquie, 15 Sorbonne, College of, 304 Soulard, Antoine, 351-2, 353n Soulavie, Jean Louis: Histoire de la décadence de la monarchie française, 15 Southack, John: letter from cited, 736 Southard, Henry: dines with TJ, 715, 721, 726 South Carolina: and election of 1804, 48-9; hurricanes in, 231, 234n; Greenville Co., 464, 465; would benefit from acquisition of Florida, 595. See also Charleston, S.C.; Federalists; Republicans Southwest Point, Tenn., 97, 98, 464, 699n Spada, Leonello, 299n Spain Colonies failure to develop, improve, 380. See also Florida; Texas Foreign Relations declares war on Britain, 230-1, 234n, 312, 377, 410-11, 413, 471, 523, 594-5; with France, 408-13, 594-600 U.S. Relations with secretary of U.S. legation, 16, 62, 574, 711, 712; U.S. minister to, 16, 62, 574, 711; movement of Spanish forces to Baton Rouge, 60-1; convention on claims, 79n, 393, 411-14,

447-8, 518, 597-8, 600n; and navigation of Mississippi River, 175, 509; slave trade, 175n; continued Spanish presence in Orleans Terr., 213, 553, 554n; and land sales in W. Fla., 213, 595-6; Spain acquiesces to Louisiana Purchase, 213; fraudulent grants in Louisiana Dist., 350-2; passports for U.S. vessels, 395-6; French interference in negotiations with Spain, 408-13; threat of war with U.S., 410-11, 471, 509; and establishment of Mobile collection district, 411, 412, 597; reinforcement of Spanish posts, 553-4; claims arising from termination of deposit at New Orleans, 600n; and Louisiana boundary, 600n. See also Florida; Mobile, W. Fla.; New Orleans; Pinckney, Charles Spangler, Bernard Rudolph, 403 specie: shortage of, 387, 391, 394 Speer, John: letter from cited, 736; letters to cited, 736, 737 Spencer, Ambrose: letter from, 447-8; recommends aspirant for office, 393, 447-8; dines with TJ, 718 Spencer, Oliver H., 17 Spitfire (U.S. bomb ketch), 204n Spitzer, B. S., 75n Sprigg, William O., 313 St. Bernard, Bay of. See Matagorda Bay St. Charles, Fort, 222 St. Clare (St. Claire), George, 459 St. Croix, W.I.: U.S. consul at, 157, 575 St. Francis River, 271, 350 St. Helena, 192n St. Louis: meeting of delegates at, viii, 348-9, 352-3n; founding of, 46n; troops at, 98; encouragement of immigration to, 271; establishment of post road from Washington to, 464n, 465-6; rumors of planned attack on, 615n. See also Louisiana District St. Louis, Fort, 222 Stagg, Henry, 75n Stanford, Algernon S., 417, 575, 712 Stanford, Richard: dines with TJ, 716, 720, 726 Stansbury, Abraham Ogier, 455n Stanton, Joseph, Jr.: letter to, 247; TJ gives his opinion of A. Fenner to, 247; dines with TJ, 719, 728; letter from

 796 

INDEX cited, 736; recommends aspirant for office, 736 State, U.S. Department of: clerks, 110n, 159n; books for, 148, 153-4, 238-40, 246-7, 353, 354, 369, 374-5, 389, 415, 431, 477, 481, 530, 531n; consular appointments, 157, 574-5, 711-12; maps for, 324. See also Madison, James; Wagner, Jacob Staten Island, li Statistique générale et particulière de la France et de ses colonies (P. E. Herbin de Halle), 15, 239n Staunton, Va., 464, 473 Ste. Genevieve, 353n Ste. Genevieve District, 349 steam engines, 235 Stedman, William: dines with TJ, 717, 724 Steele, John (Pa.), 403 Steele, Jonathan, 79 Stephens, Alexander: History of the Wars, 90, 91n Stephenson, James: recommends aspirant for office, 571n; dines with TJ, 717, 724 Sterne, Laurence: Sentimental Journey, 24, 27, 43, 141-2, 148, 239, 268 Sterry, Robert, 533-4n Steuart (Stewart), Robert, 459 Steuart (Stewart), William, 459 Stevens, James (District of Columbia), 564 Stewart, Alexander (blacksmith’s son): selects iron for his father, 98; letter to cited, 99n, 734; letter from cited, 735 Stewart, Charles, 18-19 Stewart, John (Pa.): letter to, 624; letters from, 592-4, 686-7; recommends aspirant for appointment, 203; opposes changes to mail route, 592-4, 624, 686-7; identified, 594n; dines with TJ, 718, 723, 728 Stewart, William (blacksmith): and Oldham, 81; orders iron for mill, 98; letters from cited, 734, 735, 737; letters to cited, 735 stocks: depreciation of, 304 Stoddard, Amos, 45n, 349, 353n, 612, 614 Stoddert, Fort: troops at, 97-8; land office at, 139; postal route through, 312, 447 Stokely, John: letter from, 211-12; seeks appointment, 211-12; identified, 212n

Stone, David: letter to, 515; letters from, 506, 527; recommends aspirants for office, 203; and road through Cherokee lands, 506, 515, 527; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 717, 724, 729; declines dinner invitation, 721 Storch, Heinrich Friedrich von: Tableau historique et statistique, 177, 181 Storm, Thomas: letter from, 8-9; recommends aspirant for office, 8-9 Storm, Thomas H., 8 Story, Isaac: letter from, 472-3; sends Hulbert’s criticism of TJ in Mass. legislature, 472-3 Stránský, Pavel: Respublica Bohemiæ, 437, 702 Strasbourg, France, 432n, 469, 500 strawberries: Alpine, 179-80, 183, 625 Strong, Simeon, 579n Struve, Henri: Recueil de mémoires, 368, 697, 701 Stuart, Alexander (Md.): letter from, 56-7; seeks appointment, 56-7; identified, 57n Stuart, Gilbert: dines with TJ, 714, 720; declines dinner invitation, 730 Stuart, James: Antiquities of Athens, 30-1 Stuart, Mary Perkins Wilson, 57n Stull, Prudence H. Williams, 315 Suares, Isaac: letter from, 587-8; petition for pardon, 587-8 Sullivan, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 723 Summary View of the Rights of British America, 359 Summers, Lewis, 71, 152-3 Sumter, Thomas, Sr.: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 715, 720, 725, 727; declines dinner invitation, 724 “Sur l’éducation nationale dans les EtatsUnis d’Amérique” (Pierre Samuel Du Pont de Nemours), 305, 306n Susquehanna River, 593 Sweden, 523 Swekania (Trois Fesses, Three Thighs, Piankashaw Indian), 25n Swift, Zephaniah: Laws of the United States of America, 496, 498n Switzerland: immigrants from, 120, 189-90, 367, 545; Helvetic Republic, 438-9n Symmes, John Cleves, Jr., 331 Symon, Mr., 504

 797 

INDEX Taber, Constant, 39, 59, 88, 735, 736 Table alphabétique et analytique des matières contenues dans les cinq tomes du système des connaissances chimique (Antoine François de Fourcroy), 15 Tableau de l’Espagne moderne (Jean François Bourgoing), 15, 239n, 374, 375, 389, 415 Tableau des révolutions du système politique de l’Europe, depuis la fin du quinzième siècle (Frédéric Ancillon), 15 Tableau du climat et du sol des ÉtatsUnis d’Amérique (Constantin François Chasseboeuf Volney), 473-5, 476-7n, 695 Tableau générale de la Russie moderne, et situation politique de cet empire au commencement du XIXe. siècle (Victor Delpuech de Comeiras), 15, 239n Tableau historique et statistique de l’Empire de Russie à la fin du dixhuitième siècle (Heinrich Friedrich von Storch), 177, 181 Table des traités entre la France et les puissances étrangères, depuis la paix de Westphalie jusqu’à nos jours; suivie d’un recueil de traités et actes diplomatiques qui n’ont pas encore vu le jour (Christoph Wilhelm von Koch), 15, 239n Tables Requisite to be used with the Nautical Ephemeris for finding the Latitude and Longitude at Sea (Nevil Maskelyne), 467n Tablettes chronologiques de l’histoire universelle (Nicolas Lenglet du Fresnoy), 140 Tacitus, Cornelius, 541 Taggart, Samuel: dines with TJ, 717, 731n Tallapoosa River: Point Comfort, 77, 219, 220; Creek agency on, 464 Talleyrand-Périgord, Charles Maurice de, 412, 414n, 595-6, 597, 600n Tallmadge, Benjamin: dines with TJ, 718, 725 Tallmadge, Matthias B., 737 Tallman, Peter, 330 Tapscott, John S.: recommended, appointed collector, 129n, 139, 157, 575, 712; letter from cited, 139n, 735 Tapscott, Martin, 575n, 712 Tardy, L’Abbé: Explanatory Pronouncing Dictionary of the French Language, 530, 702

Tarif des droits de douane et de navigation, 369 Tarlton, William, 79 Taski Etoka (Chickasaw leader), 376n Tasso, Torquato: Gerusalemme Liberata, 15, 186 taxes: repeal of, 640, 653, 664-5 taxidermy, 572-3 Taylor, Benjamin, 321 Taylor, Creed, 61 Taylor, George (Alexandria), 71, 202 Taylor, John: letter to, 310-11; letter from, 247-9; urges TJ to seek reelection in 1808, xiv, 247-9, 310-11 Taylor, John (of Caroline): dines with TJ, 727 Taylor, Thomas (laborer), 459 Tazewell, Littleton W.: letter to, 303-6; letter from, 240-2, 531-2; recommended for appointment, 65-6; proposal to support a state college, 240-2, 303-6; and Rennolds, 470n; and Norfolk Drawbridge Company, 531-2, 567n Teeling & Moore (Dublin), 41n Tellamanzie, Pietro, 442n Tellico, Tenn., 98, 465, 700n, 734 Tennessee: land speculation in, 95-6; Post Oak Springs, 96n; militia, 267n, 591; Sumner Co., 267n; marshals for, 345, 417, 736; U.S. attorneys, 417, 712, 713n, 736; road through Cherokee lands, 527; Native American affairs in, 700n. See also Knoxville, Tenn.; Nashville, Tenn.; Southwest Point, Tenn.; Tellico, Tenn. Tennessee River, 98 Tenney, Samuel: dines with TJ, 717 Tetepachsit (Delaware Indian), 24-5n Texas: Spain reinforces posts, settlements in, 553-4 Thatcher, George, 579n Thatcher, Samuel: dines with TJ, 719 theaters, 127 theodolites, 225 Theologia et philosophia Indica (Abraham Hyacinthe Anquetil Duperron), 15, 16n Thibaut, John, 105, 574 Thiebault, Dieudonné: Traité sur l’esprit public, 15 Thomas, David: as reference, 393; dines with TJ, 721, 726 Thomas, Jesse B.: letter from cited, 737 Thomas Jefferson (revenue cutter), 494-5

 798 

INDEX Thompson, Benjamin (Count Rumford), 301, 346 Thompson, John (Orleans Terr.), 589 Thompson, Joseph (Miss. Terr.), 737 Thompson, Philip R.: and committee on public buildings, 117n, 135n, 300, 302n; dines with TJ, 720, 724, 728 Thomson, Charles, 540 Thomson, John (N.Y.): Enquiry, Concerning the Liberty, and Licentiousness of the Press, and the Uncontroulable Nature of the Human Mind, 695 Thomson, Mr. (Md.), 728 Thomson, William (Georgetown): letter from, 306; asks TJ for charity, xi, 306 Thorn, Jonathan, 18 Thorn, Stephen: letter from, 393; seeks appointment, 393; recommended for appointment, 447-8 Thornton, Anna Maria, 537 Thornton, William: letter to, 537; as superintendent of patent office, 265, 266n; TJ sends book to, 537 Thouin, André, 556n Thruston, Buckner, 577, 713 Thurloe, John: Collection of the State Papers, 140 Tibbits, George: dines with TJ, 717 Tiffin, Edward: letter from, 581; forwards resolution, 581 Tilton, James, 57 Tilton, Nehemiah, 37, 38n timber: mahogany, 19, 33, 130, 136, 147, 224, 265; prices, 33, 193-4; plank houses, drying kilns, 102, 193; flooring plank, 194 Times (London), 637 Timpanari Viganò, Giuseppe, 177, 181, 441 tin, 98 Tingey, Thomas: promotion to captain, 16, 574; and ropeworks, 243; receives books for TJ, 324; dines with TJ, 725, 730 Tishoo Hooluhta (Chickasaw leader): letter to, 698-700; discusses acculturation, land cessions with TJ, 698-700; dines with TJ, 699n, 730, 732n; gifts for, 700n; identified, 700n Tishumustubbee (Okoye, Tishomingo; Chickasaw leader): letter from, 375-6; seeks removal of Chickasaw agent, 375-6; identified, 376n tobacco: shipment, sale of TJ’s, 26, 27n, 586, 675; cautions against use of, 551;

damaged in transit, 586, 675; price of, 586, 675 Tomaquee (the Beaver, Delaware Indian), 25n Tombigbee River: settlements on, 77, 191, 219, 226-7; descriptions of, 226; post road to, 567n Tompkins, Daniel, 592, 610, 713 Tönning, Germany, 380 Toulmin, Harry: returns commission as receiver, 327; publicizes story of Welsh Indians, 401-2; letter from cited, 735 Toulongeon, François Emmanuel de: Manuel du Muséum Français, 299, 324, 328, 329, 354 Touro, Judah, 75n Tracy, Uriah: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6 tradesmen: at Washington Navy Yard, 607-8 Traité d’économie politique (Jean Baptiste Say), 15, 239n Traité de minéralogie (René Just Haüy), 15, 368, 390, 696, 697, 702 Traité des arbres et arbustes que l’on cultive en France en pleine terre (Henri Louis Duhamel du Monceau), 186 Traité des moyens de désinfecter l’air, de prevenir la contagion et d’en arrêter les progrès (Louis Bernard Guyton de Morveau), 16, 239, 268, 299, 696 Traité sur l’esprit public (Dieudonné Thiebault), 15 Travels of Four Years and a Half in the United States of America (John Davis), 525-6 Treasury, U.S. Department of the: loan office certificates, 108-9; land office registers, receivers, 129, 571, 574, 619, 623-4, 712-13; annual reports on receipts and expenditures, 132; appointment of customs collectors, 132-3, 137-8, 157, 158, 199-200, 370-1, 524-5, 570, 574, 711-13; navy estimates, 427-8; violations of revenue laws, 452; appointment of customs surveyors, 570, 574-5, 577, 711-13; commissioners of loans, 575, 712; ports of delivery, 581; contingent fund, 591-2; letters from cited, 735, 736; sells coal for President’s House use, 738. See also Gallatin, Albert; revenue cutters Treatise on the Culture of the Apple & Pear, and on the Manufacture of Cider & Perry (T. A. Knight), 126-7

 799 

INDEX Tredwell, Thomas, 393 trees: Osage Orange (bois d’arc), 565; cabin wood, 566; willows, 566 Trigg, Abram: dines with TJ, 718, 723, 726 Trimble, James, 622-3 Tripoli: adjudication of prizes, 124-5; attacked by Preble’s squadron, 230, 264, 542n, 550-1; negotiations for release of U.S. prisoners, 320; criticism of TJ’s policy toward, 472n; reinforcement of Mediterranean squadron, 703. See also Philadelphia (U.S. frigate) Trist, Elizabeth House: letter to, 67; letter from, 86-8; and death of H. B. Trist, 67; sends news of New Orleans, family matters, 86-8; land in Miss. Terr., 87; and TJ’s letter to J. H. Gelston, 187 Trist, Hore Browse: death of, 67, 77, 86, 187 Trist, Mary Brown, 87 Trotter, David, 352 Trudeau, Zenon, 351 True American (Philadelphia), 476-7n True Patriot (Mason Locke Weems), 61-2, 168-9 Trump, Daniel: letters to, 19, 136; letters from, 33, 265; mahogany for TJ, 19, 33, 130, 136, 265; payments to, 136, 265 Tuckabatchee, 220, 312, 447 Tucker, Thomas Tudor: dines with TJ, 562n, 720, 729, 730; letter from cited, 737 Tuley, Henry, 223 Tuley, Ormond, 223, 417, 575, 712 Turner, Edward, 216, 479 Turner, Edward D., 553-4 turnpikes, 593 Turpin, Horatio: seeks information on markets for lead, 136, 195; letter to cited, 136n Turpin, Philip (TJ’s cousin): letter to, 195; letter from, 136; seeks appointment for nephew, 136, 190, 195 Turreau de Garambouville, Louis Marie: style of address for Jerome Bonaparte, 343; arrival in Washington, 343n; dines with TJ, 344n, 716, 725, 727 Tuscany, 522 Tyler, John (1747-1813), 637

Ugulayacabe (Chickasaw leader), 376n Underwood, Thomas, Jr., 60 Unitarians, 29, 30n United Irishmen, Society of, 278n, 590n United States Foreign Relations See France: U.S. Relations with; Great Britain: U.S. Relations with; Spain: U.S. Relations with; Tripoli Public Finance discharge of funded debt, 630, 638, 643, 653, 665. See also Gallatin, Albert; Treasury, U.S. Department of the Society climate compared with Europe, 473-4; too busy to write or invent, 475; local passions diluted in larger nation, 649, 654; threatened by monarchies, 667-8; poverty in, 677 Unity (sloop), 20 Universal Gazette (Washington, D.C.), 634 Upshaw, William: dines with TJ, 717 urban planning: and TJ’s checkerboard town plan, 475 Vaccà, Andrea, 179, 182 Vaccà, Franco, 179, 182 Valin, René Josué: Nouveau commentaire, 358, 359, 363, 364 Vallé, Louis, 322 Vance, Joseph, 403 Van Cortlandt, Philip: dines with TJ, 714, 719, 724, 731n Van Horne, Isaac: recommended, appointed receiver, 619, 711, 713; dines with TJ, 718, 723, 728 Van Ness, John P.: letter to, 324-5; letter from, 288-9; and case of R. W. Peacock, 286n, 288-9, 324-5; receives militia promotion, 313; and Nantucket collectorship, 371n; family of, 481 Van Rensselaer, Killian K.: dines with TJ, 714, 725; declines dinner invitation, 717 Varie vedute di Roma antica e moderna (Giovanni Battista Piranesi), 328, 329, 359, 363, 364, 365, 368, 697, 702

 800 

INDEX Varnum, Joseph Bradley: recommendations sent to, 371n; dines with TJ, 719, 723, 728 Vaublanc, Vincent Marie Viénot de: Rivalité de la France et de l’Angleterre, 16, 239n Vaughan, John (Philadelphia): letter from, 28; forwards letter, book to TJ, 28, 269n; requests copy of TJ’s Notes for APS library, 28 Vaughan, William, 28 Veith, Gerhard Ulrich Anton: Pleasing Preceptor, 90, 91n Vengeance (U.S. bomb ketch), 204n Venice, 349 Vermont: and election of 1804, 7; postal service in, 425-6; militia, 556. See also Republicans Vernon, Samuel: letter from cited, 734 Verplanck, Daniel C.: dines with TJ, 715, 720 Vida de Lazarillo de Tormes, y de sus fortunas y adversidades, 399n Vienna, Md.: collector at, 417 Vies des hommes illustres de Plutarque, 621, 622 Viganò, Giuseppa, 177, 181 Villers, Charles François Dominique de: Philosophie de Kant, 186 Vincennes: land office at, vii, 195, 712; treaties signed at, 24n, 334, 336n; postal route through, 464n, 465 Vincent, Charles, 214-15 Vindication of the Rights of the New England Mississippi Land Company, by the Agents of the Said Company, 200 Virginia: and potential repeal of threefifths clause, ix, 154-5; severe cold in, xi, 462, 500-1; counterfeiting in, 60, 155-6; Franklin Co., 101-2; Yeocomico collectorship, 129n, 139, 157, 575, 712, 735; Amelia Co., 136; lead mining in, 136; murders in, 156; western land grants, 174; Louisa Co., 184n; King George Co., 198n; Wood Co., 212n; Cumberland Co., 220; Occoquan, 221; canals in, 240-1; proposals to establish a state college, 240-2, 303-6; House of Delegates, 242n, 355-7; removal of free Blacks, condemned slaves from, 249-50, 453-4; histories of, 253n; TJ avoids appointing Virginians to office, 282; roads, 354;

taverns, inns, 354-5; slavery in, 355-6, 389n, 403-4, 472n, 669; Greenbrier Co., 450n; Kanawha Co., 450n; Patrick Co., 464; Big Lick, 465; Prince Edward Co., 465; Keyes Ferry, 466; laws, 505, 507; and Indiana Company, 617; Frederick Co., 689, 690n; Goochland Co., 708n. See also Federalists; Milton, Va.; Norfolk, Va.; Republicans; Richmond, Va. Virginia, Bank of, 64-5, 133n, 241 Virginia, University of: funding of, 240-2; proposals to establish, 240-2, 303-6 Virginia Gazette and Weekly Advertiser (Richmond), 635 Virginia Yazoo Company, 679 Vixen (U.S. schooner), 264n, 550n Voigt, Henry, 237 Volney, Constantin François Chasseboeuf: letter to, 473-7; polygraph for, 21, 76, 197, 398, 407, 475-6; and A. B. Woodward, 449; Tableau du climat, 473-5, 476-7n, 695; TJ sends opinions on climate, yellow fever, and politics to, 474-7; health of, 476 Voltaire, François Marie Arouet, 308, 309-10, 621, 622 Vorontsov, Aleksandr Romanovich, 176-7, 180 Voyage cosmographique, ouvrage dédié a la jeunesse, 480, 697, 698n Voyage dans la Basse et la Haute Égypte (Vivant Denon), 695 Voyage d’Égypte et de Nubie (Frederik Ludvig Norden), 15 Voyage de la Troade, fait dans les années 1785 et 1786 (Jean Baptiste Lechevalier), 15, 239, 268, 695 Voyage de Terracine à Naples (Ferdinand Bayard), 368, 697, 701 Voyage de trois mois en Angleterre, en Ecosse, et en Irlande pendant l’Eté de l’an XI (Marc Auguste Pictet), 368, 696, 701 Voyage d’Italie (François Maximilien Misson), 695 Voyage du jeune Anacharsis en Grèce (Abbé Jean Jacques Barthélemy), 515, 516n, 536-7, 621, 622, 702 Voyage en Angleterre, en Écosse et aux îles Hebrides (Barthélemy Faujas de Saint-Fond), 15, 239, 268, 695

 801 

INDEX Voyage en Grèce et en Turquie (Charles Nicholas Sigisbert Sonnini de Manoncourt), 15 Voyage en Islande, fait par ordre de S. M. danoise (Eggert Ólaffson), 15 Voyage en Portugal, depuis 1797 jusqu’en 1798 (Heinrich Friedrich Link), 15, 239, 268, 695 Vue de la colonie Espagnole du Mississippi, ou des provinces de Louisiane et Floride occidentale, en l’année 1802, par un observateur résident sur les lieux (Pierre Louis Berquin-Duvallon), 239, 268 Wabash River: cession of lands on, 24, 160, 188; Wabash saline, 236, 243, 527-8, 534 Wabochquinkala (Gros Blé, Big Corn, Piankashaw Indian), 25n Wadsworth, Peleg: dines with TJ, 717, 724 Wagner, Jacob: letters from, 242, 343-4; knowledge of German language, 242, 353, 354, 388n; style of addressing J. Bonaparte, 343-4; letter from cited, 345n, 736; books for State Dept., 415 Wales, 402 Walker, John: and Walker affair, 472n Walker, John Peter, 554n Walker, Timothy, 79 Wall, Richard, 495n Walpole, N.H., 7n, 426 Walsh, Michael, 331 Walton, Matthew: letter from, 588-9; recommends aspirants for office, 162n, 588-9; dines with TJ, 719, 724, 728 Walton, William, Jr., 417 War, U.S. Department of: pensions for disabled soldiers, xii, 691-2; regiments of artillery, 16; medical department, 17; regiments of infantry, 17; gunpowder for, 63, 92; disposition of troops in the west, 97-8; fire in offices of, 215, 701; books for, 370, 477; discharge of soldiers, 416-17; militia returns, 563; regiments of artillerists and engineers, 691-2, 693; deserters, 692-4; enlistment bounties, 693. See also Dearborn, Henry; Native Americans: U.S. Policy Wardlaw, William: letter from cited, 737 Wardwell, Josiah, 200n

War of 1812, 212n Warren, Henry: letter from, 489; sends cod tongues and sounds to TJ, 489 Warren, James, 477 Warren, Mercy Otis: letter to, 477; letter from, 307; prospectus for history of the American Revolution, 307, 370, 477 Washington, Bushrod: dines with TJ, 727 Washington, D.C.: severe cold at, xi, xlvii, li, 324, 362, 363n, 364, 415; hotels, boardinghouses, xlvii; public buildings, 8, 30-1, 112-18, 132, 397-8; Seven Buildings, 23; Six Buildings, 23; establishment of post road to New Orleans from, 77-8, 150, 217-21, 312, 446-7, 464-5, 559-60, 567; flora of, 94, 95n; society in, 127, 314; theaters, 127; streets and roads in, 132; Washington Navy Yard, 133, 607-8, 628-9; Christ Church, 159n; Eastern Free School, 159n; building regulations in, 201, 208-9; meridian line at, 219, 224, 338, 353; militia, 277, 340-1; establishment of post road to St. Louis from, 465-6; establishment of post road to Detroit from, 466-7; longitude of, 467n; Burns Neglect, 481-2; disputed land titles in, 568-70; cabinetmakers in, 674-5; justices of the peace, 712. See also Capitol, U.S.; District of Columbia; President’s House Washington, George: thwarts hereditary government, xiv, 310; protection of American seamen, xlviii; and Ann Welsh’s claim, 67-8, 69n; Ceracchi’s bust of, 228, 229n, 570; second inauguration of, 629; military wisdom of, 667; and Chickasaws, 700n Washington, George Steptoe, 718 Washington, Lucy Payne, 718 Washington College (Tennessee), 623n Washington Federalist: and TJ’s inaugural address, 635, 636 Washita. See Ouachita River watches, 579n watchmakers, 274n Waterhouse, Benjamin: letter from, 551; sends Cautions to Young Persons to TJ, 551 Watkins, John (Orleans Terr.): accepts legislative council appointment, 36, 120, 122, 146; recommends aspirants for office, 75n

 802 

INDEX Waugh, Lewis: letter to, 311; letter from, 198; seeks information on Louisiana District, 198, 311; identified, 198n Wayles, John (TJ’s father-in-law), 26 Wayne, Caleb P., 169n weather: severe cold, xi-xii, xlvii, li-lii, 197, 301, 314, 324, 362, 363n, 364, 378, 398, 400, 415, 451, 462, 491, 492, 493, 494, 500-1, 529, 547, 611, 613, 676, 698; wind, 229; hurricanes, 231, 234n; weather instruments, 327n; rain, 354; snow, 415, 451; gales, 462; Europe compared with America, 473-4 Weaver, John, 459 Webley, Benjamin, 494-5 Wedekind, Antoine Christian: Almanac des ambassades, 368, 369, 697, 701 Week’s Conversation on the Plurality of Worlds (Bernard Le Bovier de Fontenelle), 90, 91n Weems, Mason Locke: letter to, 168-9; letter from, 61-2; sends publication to TJ, 61-2; thanked by TJ, 168-9 Weirick, Mr. (painter), 459 Wells, Me., 579n Wells, William, 188-9n, 320n Welsh, Ann: letter from, 67-9; claim for brother’s half pay, 67-9, 125, 141; identified, 69n Welsh, John, 67, 69n Welsh language, 402 Werner, Abraham Gottlob: Nouvelle théorie de la formation des filons, 16 West, Cato, 420n, 421, 479 Westernport, Md., 465, 466 West Indies: hurricanes in, 231; French privateers in, 440-1n, 588n. See also Guadeloupe; Haiti (Saint-Domingue); St. Croix, W.I. Westminster, Vt., 426 Weston, Isaiah: letter from, 137-8; seeks appointment, 137-8, 737; identified, 137n Westphal, Cornelius Christian, 382-3, 384, 388n West Point, N.Y.: military academy at, 322n Whaley, Thomas, 40, 41n Wharton, Franklin: appointed commandant of U.S. Marines, 16, 574; dines with TJ, 725 wheat: Jerusalem, 40-1, 589-90 Wheaton, Seth, 734

Wheeler, Luke, 732n Wheeler, Susan: dines with TJ, 726, 732n Wheelock, Eleazar, 535n Whipple, Hannah, 521n Whipple, Jeremiah, 518, 521n Whipple, Oliver: letter from, 517-21; seeks appointment, 517-21; works by, 520, 521n; identified, 521n White, Isaac, 534n White, Samuel: votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 719 White Eyes, George, 25n White Hair (Cheveux Blancs, Pawhuska, Osage leader): and divisions among the Osages, 490, 491-2, 611, 614, 615n Whitehill, John: dines with TJ, 718, 724 Whitehill, Robert, 403 Whittle, Fortescue, 64 Wickershaw, Abner, 203, 204n Wilcocks, Richard H., 575n Wildair (horse), 625 Wiley, David, 176n Wilkinson, Fort, 97, 98, 167n Wilkinson, James: as reference, 147; and Native American treaty negotiations, 166, 167n; forwards letter from Little Turtle, 188-9; and Butler courtmartial, 267; and E. Williams, 315-16; forwards writings on gunboats, 407, 429; and Nanna Hubba Island, 554n; transfers officers, 577-8, 609, 610n; reports rumors of war among Native Americans, 615n; dines with TJ, 716, 721, 725, 730; declines dinner invitation, 730 Wilkinson, Mr. (TJ dinner guest), 730 Willcox, Joseph: letter from, 489-90; recommends aspirant for office, 489-90 William and Mary, College of, 162n, 253n, 303 Williams, David: Claims of Literature, 631-2, 641, 644n Williams, David Davies, 402 Williams, Elie: dines with TJ, 315, 723 Williams, Helen Maria: Correspondance politique et confidentielle, 15, 239n Williams, Lemuel: declines dinner invitation, 719 Williams, Marmaduke: dines with TJ, 718, 724, 727 Williams, Nathaniel, 200n

 803 

INDEX Williams, Otho H., 315-16n Williams, Robert: letter from, 216-17; advises on appointments, 216; reports on proceedings of land commissioners, 216-17; criticizes J. Shaw, 420n; recommended for appointment, 421, 479; candidate for appointment, 571; appointed governor of Miss. Terr., 610, 712; sent blank commission, 624n Williams, Thomas Hill: recommended for appointment, 217n; nominated, declines appointment, 623-4, 713, 737; letter from cited, 624n, 737 Williamson, Charles, 331 Williamson, Samuel, 331, 583 Willing, Thomas, 394n, 548-9n Willis, Nathan, 199n Wilmington, Del.: collector at, 37-8, 56-8; postmaster, 283; severe cold at, 398 Wilson, Alexander (Va. congressman): dines with TJ, 719, 723, 728 Wilson, Philip: letter from cited, 736 Wilson, Robert Thomas: History of the British Expedition to Egypt, 90, 91n Winchester, James: and Gantz’s petition for pardon, 452, 458; dines with TJ, 727 Winchester, James (Tenn.): letter from, 266-8; protests arrest of T. Butler, 266-8; identified, 267n Winchester, Va., 465, 466 Winckelblech, Christophe: seeks land in Louisiana for Swiss immigrants, 189-90 wine: Arruda, 20, 75-6, 126, 462, 471; ordered by TJ, 20, 75-6, 103, 126, 130, 131, 134, 135, 172-3, 185, 228, 259, 298, 342, 373-4, 442, 471, 483, 488, 494, 586; Portuguese, 20, 75-6; adulteration of, 75, 562n; packing of, 75, 134, 173, 233, 298; theft of, 81, 134, 483; pajarete, 103, 134, 172-3, 603n; sherry, 103, 134, 172-3, 185, 374; Hungarian, 131, 488, 731n; Tokay, 131, 731n; transportation of, 134, 228; Aleatico, 228; Carmignano, 228, 229n, 289, 442; Montepulciano, 228, 442; bottling of, 233, 298, 374; Florence, 233; Marsala, 233; Terzini, 233; Bordeaux, 259, 471; Château Margaux, 259; Rausan-Margaux (Rozan-Margau), 259; sauterne, 259,

471; Bucelas, 298, 373-4, 701; port, 298, 373-4, 701; breakage, 342; burgundy, 342, 343n; champagne, 342; London Particular, 373-4; Madeira, 374; packing, shipping costs, 374, 442n; prices, 374, 442n; Cahuzac, 509; Dufour’s vineyards, 545-6, 561-2; aging, ripening of, 561-2 Wingate, Joshua, Jr.: letter from, 277; resigns from D.C. militia, 277, 340 Wingate, William, 378 Winn, Richard: dines with TJ, 718, 723; declines dinner invitation, 728 Winston, Joseph: dines with TJ, 720; declines dinner invitation, 728 Winter & Harman (New Orleans), 75n Wirt, William, 65 Wisconsin River, 262-3, 271, 319 Wise, Peter, Jr.: recommends clemency, 71, 202; letter from cited, 138n, 735 Wistar, Caspar: letters to, 299, 522; letter from, 344; TJ asks for return of book, 299; introduces brother to TJ, 344; TJ forwards papers for APS to, 522; sends book to TJ, 644n Wistar, Thomas, 344 Witherill, James, 347n Witherspoon, John, 495-6n Wolcott, Alexander: considered for appointment as U.S. attorney general, 275; letter from cited, 478n, 737 women: widows, widowhood, xii, 22-3, 37, 43, 67-9, 101n, 319n; housekeepers, 23; pregnancy, childbirth, 54, 179, 182 Wood, Alexander: letter to, 400; letter from, 337-8; seeks instructions for collecting direct tax, 337-8, 378, 400; identified, 337-8n Woodard, David: Narrative, 28, 269, 696 Woodberry, John: letters from, 265-6, 687; accused of patent infringement, xi, 265-6; identified, 266n; seeks employment at Monticello, 687 Woodside, John, 738 Woodstock, Va., 464n Woodward, Augustus Brevoort: letter from, 448-50; and case of R. W. Peacock, 289n; recommends father for appointment, 448-50; appointed judge of Mich. Terr., 577, 713 Woodward, George Moulard, lii

 804 

INDEX Woodward, John, 448-50 Woodward, John (Va.), 449, 450n Woodward, Silvester, 449 Wooldrige, William H., 331, 577-8, 609 Workman, James, 479 Worsley, William W., 540 Worthington, Thomas: letters from, 329-30, 347, 625; recommends aspirants for office, 329-30, 347; and Bond’s bounty claim, 457; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; sends strawberry seeds to TJ, 625; dines with TJ, 720, 725, 729 Wright, John (midshipman), 203, 204n Wright, Mr. (Tenn.), 734 Wright, Robert: as reference, 57, 82; elected governor of Md., 83n; recommends aspirant for office, 203; votes in Chase impeachment trial, 605-6; dines with TJ, 715, 721, 723, 726 Wright, Samuel, 203, 204n Wykoff, William, Sr.: accepts legislative council appointment, 36, 120-1, 122, 146; characterized, 121 Wynns, Thomas: recommends aspirants for office, 203; dines with TJ, 717, 722, 726

Yazoo Companies, 200, 405, 407n, 676, 679 Yeates, Jasper, 403n yellow fever: in Cadiz, 8; in New Orleans, 77, 86, 120, 474-5; in Italy, 180, 183-4, 228-30, 232; publications on, 180, 183-4, 474; prevention of, 183-4n, 228, 230, 444, 445-6, 474-5; transmission of, 228, 474-5; treatment of, 228-9; in New York City, 257n; in Baltimore, 443-6; causes of, 444, 445, 474; in Charleston, 474-5; compared with stranger’s fever, 474-5; in Norfolk, 474-5 York, Pa., 593, 686 Young, Alexander, 472-3n Yznardi, Joseph, Sr.: and wine for TJ, 103, 134, 173, 483, 603n; and C. Price, 103n Zane, William, 123, 124n Zanesville, Ohio: land office, 619, 713 Zerban, Philip, 75n Zschokke, Heinrich: Histoire de la destruction, 16 Zweibrücken (Deux-Ponts), 430, 431, 432n

 805 

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. ✧