1From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 12 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay the American Consul general for France being at present out of the kingdom, I have given orders to Mr. Grand, banker at Paris, to pay your draught for one hundred and eighty six livres advanced by you for the relief of the shipwrecked Americans. I thank you for your attention to these unfortunate people. It will rest with Mr. Barclay to give such future directions as he shall think...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 5 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavored to obtain a final order for the American prisoners at Roscoff. I was promised one for the discharge of their persons … . Having waited two days without receiving it, I am obliged to set out on my journey tomorrow morning. … I therefore leave instructions with Mr. Short, my Secretary here, as soon as the order for the discharge comes here, to forward it to the prisoners under...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
There are in the prison of St. Pol de leon six or seven citizens of the United states of America, charged with having attempted a contraband of tobacco, but, as they say themselves, forced into that port by stress of weather. I beleive that they are innocent. Their situation is described to me as deplorable as should be that of men proved guilty of the worst of crimes. They are in close jail,...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 8 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur, Messieurs, de reçevoir vos deux lettres du 26me. Xbre. et 2me. Janvier. Je ne cesse point de solliciter du ministre la grace de ces malheureux prisonniers. Vous sentirez bien que la sentence des juges qui les trouvent coupables auroit dû faire une impression defavorable sur le ministre. En consequence, j’ai été obligé de borner mes sollicitations à leur liberté personelle....
5From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 17 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 12th. instant, the last night, and immediately wrote to inform Mr. Grand that a bill for 2620₶2 in which you were interested, would be presented and desired him to pay it; which you may rest assured will be done. I am now to return you thanks for your attentions to these unfortunate men. I did not suspect they would have been necessary so long, when I took the...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 22 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being but lately returned from England I could not sooner acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Jan. 13. Mar. 13. 17. and 29., Apr. 24. and May 11. It appears by these that nothing is now necessary for the liberation of Asquith and the other prisoners but to pay the charges of the prosecution and sustenance, which you suppose will be about 900₶. Probably it will be something more on account...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 24 November 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur de recevoir, Messieurs, la lettre du 4me. Novembre que vous avez bien voulu m’adresser, et j’ai tardé de vous faire mes remerciments des soins dont vous avez la bonté de vous charger des prisonniers Americains, en esperant toujours de recevoir une ordre pour leur elargissement et de me profiter de votre adresse pour le faire passer avec certitude à leurs mains. Mais n’en...