24 November 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Short

Secretary of State Jefferson writes to Short, charge d'affaires to France. Short was in Europe negotiating a commercial treaty with France and handling details of a Dutch loan. Jefferson attempts to answer Short's request for information to quell rumors in France that America and Spain are on the brink of war. Recommends an essay on population by James Madison in the National Gazette be translated and published in France. Spends most of the letter on the slave uprising of Santo Domingo. Santo Domingo representatives went to America to request supplies to continue their revolt, but Jefferson…

GLC03639

14 July 1798

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Maria Eppes

Writes with fatherly concern to his daughter that he has learned of her illness and hopes that she is recovering. Advises that though he is anxious to see her, she should only travel if she is strong enough. Mentions that his eyes have been very sore for a few days but are better now. This delayed the men working on the roof of Monticello and he is anxious to have it done.

GLC03640

8 May 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [An Act for regulating Processes in the Courts of the United States, and providing Compensations for the Officers of the said Courts, and for Jurors and Witnesses]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Also signed in type by Jonathan Trumbull as Speaker of the House of Representatives, Richard Henry Lee as President pro tempore of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Decided at the first session of the second Congress held at Philadelphia, 24 October 1791. Establishes regulations for Court processes.

GLC03561

2 November 1817

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Count De Grouchy

Hopes that Grouchy's son has recovered from his illness. Indicates that he would like to meet Grouchy in person and would be honored if he came for a visit to Monticello. Gives directions, "the route thro' the counties next below the Blue ridge, to wit by the Court houses of Prince William, Fauquier, Culpeper & Orange, would present you what I think the finest part of our country . . ." Also describes a route by Fredericksburg.

GLC03584

November 27, 1793

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Thomas Pinckney

The letter talks about the yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, negotiations with the Northwest Indians, Citizen Genet, Lafayette, and copper and silver metals for coinage. The federal government moved from Philadelphia to Germantown because of a yellow fever epidemic that lasted through the late summer and autumn. Failure of negotiations with Indian tribes led to the battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794. Jefferson, in his capacity as Secretary of State, had previously requested the recall of Edmond Charles Genêt because of his outrageous behavior as Minister to the United States. In 1792,…

GLC03730

12 May 1780

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to [Philip Mazzei] re: Virginia loan in Europe & British blockade of Charleston

Written as Gov. of Virginia. Jefferson alludes at the end to his hopes that Gen. Benjamin Lincoln would hold Charleston, but his hopes were dashed in the event.

GLC03735

12 August 1805

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Daniel Fisher re: acknowledging book on military tactics

Letter written in the third person, thanking Fisher for the book on military tactics, and noting "It would be great presumption in him [i.e., TJ] to hazard an opinion on a work the subject of which he has been less conversant in than any other." Written in Monticello

GLC03739

1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Pamphlet

Title: Report... on... establishing a uniformity in... weights and measures

Full title: "Report of the Secretary of State, on the subject of establishing a uniformity in the weights, measures, and coins of the United States." Printed by Francis Childs and John Swaine. Jefferson's report on standardizing weights, measures and coins. This report is a primary document in the establishment of the federal government and in the implementation of Jefferson's ideas concerning science and government. Politically the report would bind the nation together as a unit with similar measures, and inventions would be encouraged by uniformity in standards. Jefferson also felt…

GLC03756

August 30, 1804

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Appointment of Benjamin Morgan as member of Legislative Council for Louisiana]

Countersigned by Secretary of State James Madison. Says the appointment was made in light of Congressional division of the Louisiana Purchase into two sections in 1804, Orleans Territory and the District of Louisiana. Morgan was appointed to the Legislative Council for the Orleans Territory, which consists of the modern day state of Louisiana. Given a one year term to begin on 30 September 1804. Large Seal of the United States on recto.

GLC03871

14 March 1805

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Isaac Briggs re: reports on formation of government & surveying of Louisiana

With three drafts of letters by Briggs to Jefferson.

GLC03872

16 April 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Jarvis

First page contains Jefferson's letter to Jarvis acknowledging the receipt of Iberian wines for Monticello. Also briefly discusses U.S. foreign relations with European nations. Pages three and four contain Jarvis drafted response to Jefferson, dated July 22, 1806. Jarvis expresses satisfaction that the wines were well received and comments on foreign relations, including the prospect of the United States acquiring Florida. A Bostonian, Jarvis served as the Charge d'affaires at Lisbon from 1802 to 1811. Docketed on the second page.

GLC03873.01

8 June 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Oldham

Discusses construction materials and methods used at Monticello. Suggests that it would be better to use riven pine slabs than linen. Includes a drawing of six parallel lines to show how the boards can be laid out. Mentions that if Oldham needs more help than just Lewis (a slave), contact Mr. Gabriel Lilly, who will do the job for less money than Mr. John Perry, who charges one dollar a day.

GLC03897

3 December 1807

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Voigt

Commissions Voight to make him a gold watch for his granddaughter.

GLC03941

13 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Act of Congress altering times for holding circuit courts]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Signed in type by Jonathan Trumbull as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice President of the United States and President of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Details an act approved at the first session of the second Congress held at Philadelphia, 27 October 1791, regarding the date that the district circuit courts will hold session. Docket marks the document as duplicate. A penciled note states it is docketed by Samuel Huntington.

GLC03968

6 January 1818

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph Cabell

Concerns difficulties in getting the Virginia legislature to approve the establishment of the University of Virginia and its general educational system. Asks Cabell to sign a report regarding the college's finances (GLC04108.02), then deliver it to Governor of Virginia James Preston. Mentions hope that a published report of their views will spur subscriptions, and provide for more professorships. They hope to hire Thomas Cooper to teach law. Much of the legislative opposition to the University of Virginia came from the House of Delegates and supporters of the College of William and Mary…

GLC04108.01

6 January 1818

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph manuscript

Title: Estimate of the objects of application.

Lists itemized costs and subscriptions relating to the establishment of the University of Virginia. Enclosed with his letter to Cabell (GLC 4108.01).

GLC04108.02

11 April 1806

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Mason

Asks General Mason to serve as one of three disinterested commissioners for the Cumberland Road, two of which should come from "this quarter." A post script indicates he was also asking Thomas Moore, who accepted. Mason apparently declined, since Eli Williams of Maryland became the second eastern commissioner (Joseph Kerr, the other commissioner, was from Ohio).

GLC04076

3 March 1791

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Document signed

Title: [Act of Congress for management of district jails]

Printed document signed by Jefferson as Secretary of State. Signed in type by Frederick Augustus Muhlenberg as Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Adams as Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate, and approved by George Washington as President. Details the results of the third session of Congress held in Philadelphia 6 December 1790. Resolves that each district should have a place and provisions to keep prisoners committed under the authority of the United States. The United States Treasury will pay the reasonable expenses of each district. See also GLC…

GLC04259

12 November 1794

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Signature

Title: Notes on the State of Virginia (George Washington's copy)

Signed by Washington on the title page. The book is the second American edition of Notes on the State of Virginia, published by Mathew Carey in Philadelphia, with original worn sheep binding. Jefferson's book not only covered geography of Virginia, but also government, Indians and slavery. Washington's papers show he purchased this on 5 January 1795. There are no notes inside the book. This edition lacks the Fry-Jefferson map sometimes found in the first American edition (and usually found in the first edition published in London).

GLC04389

February 1803

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to state governors

Circular letter urging state governments to maintain strong militias in accordance with the militia system adopted by Congress through an act in 1792 (GLC01959). He comments that having the nation armed is especially important because rights "most essential to our welfare have been violated, and an infraction of treaty committed," referring to French maritime infractions. The letter is accompanied by a pamphlet concerning the militia system (GLC04626.02).

GLC04626.01

2 January 1794

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to John Ross

Asks Ross for a loan of $450. Written the day after Jefferson resigned as Secretary of State. The loan may have been used to help pay off some of the debts Jefferson incurred while secretary or to help with a major building project he began at Monticello in the spring of 1794. Docketed by Ross, indicating that the money had been loaned in cash.

GLC04615

21 April 1792

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Printed document signed

Title: An Act authorizing the grant and conveyance of certain Lands to the Ohio Company of Associates

Grant of land from the Second Congress of the United States to Rufus Putnam, Manasseh Cutler, Robert Oliver, and Griffin Green of the Ohio Company of Associates. Authorized by Jonathan Trumbull, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Richard Henry Lee, President pro tempore of the Senate. Approved by President George Washington on 25 April 1792.

GLC04939

24 December 1807

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James Dinsmore

Discusses instructions for a table at Monticello. Lists mahogany forwarded to Monticello by Oldham and copies out a note he received from Oldham about the wood planks and the delivery of them to the estate. Jefferson's note to Dinsmore instructs on the size of the table. He uses "I" as the notation for inches. Signed Th: J.

GLC04964

19 July 1790

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Letter signed

Title: to Josiah Bartlett

Sends President of New Hampshire Bartlett copies of "the act for establishing the...permanent seat of the government of the United States" in Washington, D.C. and an act providing for the payment of invalid pensioners (the actual copies are not included). The text of this letter is exactly the same as GLC07668, which is more legible but not addressed explicitly to Bartlett.

GLC04886

[15 November 1817]

Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Edmund Bacon

Discusses his thoughts on compound interest, which he believes is unjust. Encloses an order for interest of $145.18 due on 31 December. Gives instructions on making and delivering cider from apples from the North orchard of Monticello. Letter is undated. Date is from seller's records. Signed at the top with initials, Th: J.

GLC05088