Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 to unknown
Order a pdf of this item here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08925 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas, 1743-1826 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Manuscript document signed Date: February 1803 Pagination: 2 p. : docket ; Height: 25 cm, Width: 20.5 cm Order a Copy
Circular letter in which President Jefferson urges the state governments to "carry into effect the militia system adopted by the national legislature." Explains that "None but an armed nation can dispense with a standing army. to keep ours armed and disciplined, is therefore at all times important," which is particularly important since there had been "an infraction of treaty committed without colour or pretext." Asks for a report on Maryland's military supplies and readiness. The broken treaty Jefferson referred to was the Spanish closing of the port of New Orleans to U.S. shipping in October 1802. The recipient is listed as "Sir," but it was probably Maryland Governor, John Francis Mercer. On page two "Maryland" is written in pencil.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.