To Thomas Jefferson from Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 27 July 1804
From Stephen Cathalan, Jr.
Marseilles the 27th. July 1804—
Sir
I had the honor of acknowledging you receipt of your Kind respected favor of the 20th. Novr. last—This is to inclose you a Copy of a Letter from Mr. Jourdan & fils of Tain, in answer to mine about the wines of hermitage, to which I beg your reference—I am Sending a Copy of the Same to Senator P. Butler for his Government, as I cannot procure him white virgin wine, before next winter & in the interim I may receive your and his further orders.
As soon as I will be favoured with your Commands, I will execute them with punctuality and attention—
I have not received any other Letters from you, Sir, Since the afore mentioned Copy.—
I Join with all my Family in our best wishes, for your good health, and your reelection in the Presidency—I beg the almighty to preserve you happy days and long life, which are wholy Consecrated for the wellfare and the prosperity of the united States, under your Fatherly Government
I have the honor to be with the respect Sir, Your most obedt. Servant
Stephen Cathalan Junr
Dupl (MHi); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Cathalan; at head of text: “Copy”; at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqre. President of the United States at Washington”; endorsed by TJ as received 20 Oct. and so recorded in SJL. RC (same); endorsed by TJ as received 25 Oct. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: Jourdan & fils to Cathalan, Tain, 1 July, regretting that only the three bottles of virgin white wine met TJ’s approval; the firm is led to think that the president does not like older vintages but prefers them “a little Liquor,” that is, sweeter; they can supply Pierce Butler with virgin white wine next winter and could also provide him with “Straw colour hermitage wine much better than that,” their father being the only grower capable of producing such wine in that country; they will pack the wine in earthen bottles that weigh less and are less liable to break than glass, and can also send Butler “Some other precious Wines of our Cellars that could fit very well in america”; they mention an upcoming shipment of very fine red Hermitage wines; they will take “every Caution in our power to fulfill the orders which you will Confide to us in order that you be thanked for it and we thereby honored,” but add that currently there are not more than 80 to 100 casks of first-class white wine, because of its popularity in England and Ireland and the great care their father “takes in the Vintage time” (Tr in same; in English; in a clerk’s hand).