Thomas Jefferson Papers

To Thomas Jefferson from Jacob Vernes, 19 February 1790

From Jacob Vernes

Bordeaux, 19 Feb. 1790. Sends last number of Gorsas’ journal containing excellent address of Bishop of Autun, also that with the king’s discourse. The latter “a fait le plus grand effet, non seulement à Paris, mais dans les provinces où on s’est livré à toutes les marques publiques de joye, et c’est un puissant coup porté aux espérances de l’aristocratie.” The address also produces a great effect, and Vernes regards the revolution as well founded. Favras appears to have been “un fou intrigant, mais non le centre d’une conjuration réelle”: it existed only in his imagination.—With more direct communication, he will write more at length and will send all copies of Gorsas.—Encloses another price courant. Wheat and flour no longer in demand because a decline is expected. Tobacco rises: “on tient à 30.₶ ce qui s’est vendu 27.₶ 10s. en 8bre.” Rice strong. An American house pressed for money has caused whale oil to fall to 26.₶ “mais il remontera de 30 à 32. au premier besoin.

RC (DNA: RG 59, CD); endorsed as received 11 May 1790 and so recorded in SJL. Enclosure: (1) Prices current at Bordeaux the 19th feby. 1790 Forwarded by Jb. Vernes and Ce., printed form listing “imports from America” and “European Goods,” with prices filled in by hand. Under “General Observations” opposite “York & Jas. River [tobacco], best quality for exportation,” selling at 35₶ to 40₶, Vernes wrote: “good Virginia of all growths and good Carolina sell constantly at advantageous prices for Exportation” opposite the entry for Rappahannock, Potomac, and Maryland tobacco, selling at 27₶ 10s. to 30₶, he wrote: “Middling qualities suit the farmers who are likely to rise their prices of 25₶.” opposite the entry for Carolina rice, he wrote: “Scarce and in demand.” The form gave rates of exchange on London, Amsterdam, and Hamburg and rates of insurance (2¼% to 2½%) on vessels to and from the United States, and advised that “All kinds of Goods Manufactur’d in France or elsewhere such as silk, fine Cloth, Chintzes, Callicoes, Cambricks, Gloves, Ribbons, and many other articles too tedious to enumerate, are, when ask’d for from America, immediately order’d in the several manufacturing places and procur’d at the lowest prices, with the discounts and allowances” (DLC). Gorsas: See Vernes to TJ, 10 Jan. 1790.

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