Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) to unknown
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00594 Author/Creator: Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Letter signed Date: 24 December 1806 Pagination: 2 p.: docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses the plans and legislative process related to the construction of the Cumberland Road, from Maryland to Ohio. Fearing that his correspondent's state legislature may be out of session before approving the project, Jefferson sends a partial report from the commissioners of the National Road and the related act of Congress (neither included). Asks that the matter be put before the state legislature for approval in order to avoid a delay in construction. Probably addressed to a governor, possibly Pennsylvania Governor Thomas McKean (Pennsylvania lobbied for a different route than the one proposed). A note pencilled on the verso indicates that the document was written in the hand of Jefferson's daughter, Martha, but a later assessment identified it as the hand of Thomas M. Randolph, Jefferson's son-in-law and secretary. Possibly a draft. Docketed in an unknown hand.
Note: Not in Bergh or Ford.
Washington Dec. 24. 06.
Sir
The National Legislature, by an Act at their last Session, for laying out & making a road from Cumberland in Maryland to the State of Ohio Authorised the President to appoint commissioners for laying it out in such direction as they should judge proper & he should approve & the President after obtaining the consent of the States through which it should be laid out, was authorised to take prompt & effectual measures to have it made. The Commissioners have so far proceeded, as, after diligent & exact examination of the ground to fix on certain points through the whole distance by which it shall pass. The intermediate bracings between these points cannot be executed untill the spring, when the work of making the road may be begun, should the consent of the Legislatures be in the mean time obtained. Apprehension that that of your state may then be out of session, I have asked and received from the commissioners a partial report, fixing only the general points . This I take the liberty of inclosing to you with a copy of the act of Congress, & ask the favor of you to lay the same before the Legislature of your state with my request [2] on behalf of the Nation that they will give the consent of this State for the establishment of the road along such of these points as are within the same & along which intermediate bracings as the commissioners shall mark and with the consent of the President -should they deem it expedient so far to anticipate the proceedings in this business, it will present the loss of a year in its execution. I pray you to Accept the assurance of my high consideration
Th: Jefferson
[docket]
December 24. 1806
The President of the
United States inclosing
an Act To regulate [struck: and]
The laying out and making
a Road from
Cumberland in the State
of Maryland to the State of Ohio -
[inscribed in pencil in another hand]
As President
The Cumberland Road Body of letter by Jefferson's
daughters, Martha
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