The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and PrivateJefferson, Thomas
History
The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, Vol. 5 (of 9): Being His Autobiography, Correspondence, Reports, Messages, Addresses, and Other Writings, Official and Private
Jefferson, Thomas
United States -- Politics and government -- 1775-1783; United States -- Politics and government -- 1783-1865
Thomas Jefferson presents his compliments to General Wilkinson, and in
answer to his letters of yesterday observes that during the course of the
Burr conspiracy, the voluminous communications he received were generally
read but once and then committed to the Attorney General, and were never
returned to him. It is not in his power, therefore, to say that General
Wilkinson did or did not denounce eminent persons to him, and still less
who they were. It was unavoidable that he should from time to time mention
persons known or supposed to be accomplices of Burr, and it is recollected
that some of these suspicions were corrected afterwards on better
information. Whether the undefined term _denunciation_ goes to cases of
this kind or not Thomas Jefferson does not know, nor could he now name
from recollection the persons suspected at different times. He salutes
General Wilkinson respectfully.
TO COLONEL D. C. BRENT.
June 24, 1808.
DEAR SIR,--The information given to me by Mrs. Paradise of letters to
me from her grandsons, is without foundation. I have not for many years
heard a tittle respecting the family at Venice. Should any information
respecting them come to me I will certainly communicate it to Mrs.
Paradise.
That the embargo is approved by the body of republicans through the Union,
cannot be doubted. It is equally known that a great proportion of the
federalists approve of it; but as they think it an engine which may be
used advantageously against the republican system, they countenance the
clamors against it. I salute you with great friendship and respect.
TO MR. GALLATIN.
July 4, 1808.
General Turreau's application for two vessels to carry French subjects to
France, must, I think, be granted, because under present circumstances we
ought not on slight grounds to dissatisfy either belligerent. The vessels
may be back before winter, and their only danger will be of stoppage
by the English, who, however, have no right but to take out the French
subjects.
At the same time, I think it would be well to say to General Turreau
that we reluctantly let our seamen be exposed to capture, or perhaps
to a voluntary engagement with one of the belligerents: that we rely,
therefore, on his so proportioning the vessels to the number of passengers
as merely to give them a reasonable accommodation. It would be well, too,
that he should inform us after their departure, of the number of persons
sent in them.
Affectionate salutes.
TO HIS EXCELLENCY GOVERNOR CLAIBORNE.
WASHINGTON, July 9, 1808.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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