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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC08925 |
| From Archive Folder | Documents Relating to 1803 |
| Title | Circular letter from Thomas Jefferson regarding the military |
| Date | February 1803 |
| Author | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) |
| Document Type | Government document |
| Content Description | 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 2002. The recipient is listed as "Sir," but it was probably Maryland Governor, John Francis Mercer. On page two "Maryland" is written in pencil. |
| Subjects | President Government and Civics Military History Militia Standing Army Treaty Diplomacy Global History and Civics Foreign Affairs Merchants and Trade Commerce |
| People | Jefferson, Thomas (1743-1826) Mercer, John Francis (1759-1821) |
| Place written | Washington, D.C. |
| Theme | The Presidency; Government & Politics; Merchants & Commerce |
| Sub-collection | The Gilder Lehrman Collection, 1493-1859 |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |