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LOT #42079 |
Starting Bid: $20,000
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed as President...
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Description
Thomas Jefferson Privately Offers John Page a Federal Post While Weighing American Tensions with Great Britain in 1806
Thomas Jefferson Autograph Letter Signed as President
("Th: Jefferson"). Two pages of a bifolium, 7 7/8 x 9 7/8
inches; Washington; July 3, [18]06. Docketed on the verso.Writing to his lifelong friend, classmate, and political ally John Page, President Jefferson discusses Page's possible return to public service and discreetly offers him a federal appointment, while also commenting on mounting international tensions, particularly with Great Britain. Jefferson writes, in part:
"By a letter from mr Walker to mr Madison I learn that he had visited you lately at Rosewell, and thought that some occupation in the public concerns would not be refused by you...we have reason to consider as very near at hand a vacancy in an office, which indeed could offer you no amusement, little emolument, but also no labour. the death of the present worthy loan officer (mr Jones) is considered as inevitably close at hand. this opinion I have from the best medical judge...the salary is 1500. D. a year, & 150. or 200. D. more as commission on paiment of pensions stationary is allowed, but neither office hire, nor fuel. 1000. D. additional are permitted to be divided between two clerks as the principal pleases...if one of your sons could come in as secondary, in proportion as he advances in his knolege of the business, he might divide in the salary more & more largely, and finally take the principal place & salary...I pray that this letter may be considered as strictly confidential to mrs Page & yourself, and as soon as you have made up your mind be so good as to apprise me of it...
Our information from England gives us confidence that the new pretence of 'accustomed commerce' will be modified to our mind, & impressments abolished. we have but just heard of the arrival of the Hornet in France, without yet knowing her effect. but notwithstanding the endeavors made here to assassinate that negociation, in embryo, I am not without hopes that reason backed by the present state of things in Europe may still turn it in our favor. present me with all respect & esteem to mrs Page, and accept yourself affectionate salutations & assurances of constant & cordial friendship.
Th: Jefferson."
A full transcript of the letter is available in the extended description online.
By the time of this letter, Page had already enjoyed a distinguished public career. A veteran of the Revolutionary War, he served as a delegate to the Fifth Virginia Convention in 1776 and as Lieutenant Governor of Virginia from 1776 to 1779. After the ratification of the Constitution, he was elected to the First United States Congress, where he served until 1797. He later served as Governor of Virginia from 1802 to 1805, the maximum term permitted by the state constitution. At sixty-three, Page was not yet ready to retire from public life. He accepted the federal appointment offered here, serving as U.S. Commissioner of Loans for Virginia until his death.
Jefferson's remarks on impressment, the British Royal Navy's forcible conscription of men into military service, highlight one of the most pressing diplomatic issues of the early republic. His tone is optimistic as he states that "England gives us confidence that...impressments [will be] abolished," but unfortunately, securing peace between the rival nations would not be so simple. The British practice of seizing American sailors would continue to strain relations in the years to come, ultimately contributing to the outbreak of the War of 1812.
A fascinating letter that illuminates both the informal processes of federal appointment in the early United States and the broader diplomatic challenges faced by Jefferson's administration.
Condition: In overall fine condition. The paper lightly and unevenly toned with standard flattened folds. A few minor separations at the fold lines, not affecting legibility of text and very light scattered staining; very minor loss to bottom left corner of first leaf. The integral page window mounted.
References: "From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 3 July 1806," Founders Online, National Archives.
More Information: "My dear friend
By a letter from mr Walker to mr Madison I learn that he had visited you lately at Rosewell, and thought that some occupation in the public concerns would not be refused by you. I wish there was any thing to offer, which might give you amusement, profit & little labor. but our's you know is not a government of any great choice of office. we have reason to consider as very near at hand a vacancy in an office, which indeed could offer you no amusement, little emolument, but also no labour. the death of the present worthy loan officer (mr Jones) is considered as inevitably close at hand. this opinion I have from the best medical judge. and the proposing it to you occurs from the information of mr Walker's letter. the salary is 1500. D. a year, & 150. or 200. D. more as commission on paiment of pensions stationary is allowed, but neither office hire, nor fuel. 1000. D. additional are permitted to be divided between two clerks as the principal pleases. mr Gallatin says that a residence so near to Richmond as that you could ride there once or twice a week, would be sufficient, and that the office books being deposited with the Richmond bank a little before quarter day, they would make all the paiments without charge, considering as a sufficient emolument the deposit of the public money with them which would at the same time save you from trouble and risk. the business can be done by one clerk, but there must still be two. however, nearly all the salary is given to the efficient clerk, & a minimum to the one who is merely nominal, or at least, this may be the arrangement, if it is not so at present. there is probably a clerk in the office well skilled in the business, and whom it might be necessary to keep some time. in the mean while if one of your sons could come in as secondary, in proportion as he advances in his knolege of the business, he might divide in the salary more & more largely, and finally take the principal place & salary. to the Commissioner of loans himself, the office is a perfect sinecure. the introduction of one of your sons into the office, besides adding the benefit of the additional thousand dollars to the family, would by placing him as it were in possession of the office, secure his succeeding to it in that event which you and I ought now to consider as not very remote. I pray that this letter may be considered as strictly confidential to mrs Page & yourself, and as soon as you have made up your mind be so good as to apprise me of it, because, to the sollicitations already recieved, a flood of others will be added on the death of the incumbent. I confess I look to your decision with the more hope, as it would once more place you within reach of Monticello. I understand from mr Gallatin that the circumstance which renders necessary the residence of the officer in the vicinity of Richmond is the occasional transfer of stock, to which his signature is indispensable, and that these transfers being suspended some time before & after quarter day admits an absence of 3. or 4. weeks at each of these periods.
Our information from England gives us confidence that the new pretence of ‘accustomed commerce' will be modified to our mind, & impressments abolished. we have but just heard of the arrival of the Hornet in France, without yet knowing her effect. but notwithstanding the endeavors made here to assassinate that negociation, in embryo, I am not without hopes that reason backed by the present state of things in Europe may still turn it in our favor. present me with all respect & esteem to mrs Page, and accept yourself affectionate salutations & assurances of constant & cordial friendship.
Th: Jefferson."
Auction Info
2026 June 19 The John H. Freund Americana Collection Signature® Auction #6331 (go to Auction Home page)
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