To Thomas Jefferson from La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt, 11 January 1802
From La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
Liancourt 21 Nivose an 10 [i.e. 11 Jan. 1802]
Le Cit Lequinio nommé par le pr consul son Commissaire des relations exterieures a Newport, me prie de vous l’introduire Monsieur. Sans le Connaitre particulierement, Je suis assuré que Le chois de notre gouvernement vous le fera acueillir avec bonté. Je trouve dans cette recommandation, uné occasion de me rappeller a votre souvenir, et je profiteray toujours avec empressement de Celles qui me donnerons Le Moyen de vous parler de ma reconnoissance et de mon attachement sincere
La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
Editors’ translation
Liancourt, 21 Nivose Year 10 [11 Jan. 1802]
Citizen Lequinio, whom the first consul named as his commissioner of foreign relations in Newport, has asked me to introduce him to you. Without knowing him personally, I am confident our government’s choice will prompt you to welcome him kindly. I take this opportunity to send you my greetings, and I will always be eager to take advantage of any opportunities that allow me to express to you my gratitude and sincere fidelity.
La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt
RC (MoSHi: Jefferson Papers); English date supplied; endorsed by TJ as received 2 July 1802 and so recorded in SJL with notation “by Lequinio.” Enclosed in Joseph Marie Lequinio de Kerblay to TJ, 20 June 1802.
Joseph Marie Lequinio de Kerblay took up his duties as French commissary of commercial relations at Newport, Rhode Island, in June 1802 (Madison, Papers, Sec. of State Ser., 2:494n).
This letter from La Rochefoucauld-Liancourt is the last correspondence between him and TJ recorded in SJL. The French aristocrat had fled France in 1792, returning in 1799. In that period he signed his letters to TJ simply “Liancourt,” but after his return to his home country he was restored to privileges as the seventh Duc de La Rochefoucauld (Vol. 29:148–9n; Vol. 31:104).