TO MR. EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES - Thomas Jefferson, The Works, vol. 10 (Correspondence and Papers 1803-1807) [1905]
Edition used:
The Works of Thomas Jefferson, Federal Edition (New York and London, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 1904-5). Vol. 10.
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TO MR. EDMUND PENDLETON GAINES
j. mss.
Washington July 23, 1807.
Thomas Jefferson has re-examined the complaints in the memorial from Tombigbee, and Mr. Gaines’ explanation. The complaints are:
1. That Mr. Gaines stopped a vessel having a legal permit.
1. On the subject of the 1st complaint, Mr. Gaines was giving a verbal explanation, which Tho: Jefferson asks the favor of him now to repeat.
2. That he arrested Colo. Burr militarily.
2. That the arrest of Colo. B. was military has been disproved; but had it been so, every honest man & good citizen is bound, by any means in his power, to arrest the author of projects so daring & dangerous.
3. That Mr. Small gave evidence against Colo. Burr.
3. This complaint, as well as the preceding one, would imply a partiality for Colo. Burr, of which he hopes the petitioners were not guilty.
4. That he, Mr. Small, refused a passport to a Mr. Few.
4. On this subject, also, he asks any information Mr. Gaines can give; for tho it is a matter of discretion, it should be exercised without partiality or passion. He salutes Mr. Gaines with esteem & respect.
5. That he levies duties on Indian goods.
5. The levy of duty on Indian goods is required by the law of Congress.
6. That the people of that settlement have not the free use of the Mobille.
6. There has been a constant hope of reobtaining the navigation by negociation, & no endeavors have been spared. Congress has not thought it expedient as yet to plunge the nation into a war against Spain & France, or to obtain an exemption from the duty levied on the use of that river.
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