2201From Thomas Jefferson to François Soulés, 23 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have had the honor of notifying to you before that the manuscript which I put into your hands contained notes which I had made, in the course of my reading for my own use as the member of a legislature in America. As such it was necessary for me to know not only the law of the moment but what it had been at other times. The qualifications of a knight of a shire have been different at...
2202From Thomas Jefferson to James Swan, 23 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor to present his compliments to Mr. Swan and to express his regret that his absence today prevented him the pleasure of seeing him. He now returns him his letters in which he finds a great deal of good matter, and many useful views. In the course of perusing them, Mr. Jefferson noted on a bit of paper the following doubts, the importance and justice of which are...
2203From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 24 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I informed you in my last that I would write you again on the subject of Admiral Paul Jones’s affairs. He had provided another fund for fulfilling his objects, and only desired me to call on you by way of supplement. I have therefore waited till I could know the extent of that fund; and I now find it is more than sufficient to answer the purposes with which I am charged: so that there will be...
2204From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 24 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Very much to do must always be my apology for acknoleging so late the receipt of your letters, and it will always be a true one in my present situation. I have been the less uneasy about this as I have from time to time mentioned to Doctor Bancroft what was necessary in the way of business. We wait with anxiety to hear whether the refusing creditor has yet come in. Tho’ Mr. Paradise does not...
2205From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you last on the 16th. inst. and since that have received yours of the 2d. inst. from Rome. By this I find you would leave Rome the 4th. and I am much afraid you will have left Florence before a letter will get there which I wrote Feb. 28. inclosing my commission for Genoa. I think I sent this letter to Florence under cover to your bankers: yet I am not sure that I did not send it to...
2206From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Willard, 24 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been lately honoured with your letter of Sep. 24. 1788. accompanied by a diploma for a doctorate of laws which the University of Harvard has been pleased to confer on me. Conscious how little I merit it, I am the more sensible of their goodness and indulgence to a stranger who has had no means of serving or making himself known to them. I beg you to return them my grateful thanks, and...
2207From Thomas Jefferson to D’Aranda, 25 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall always be happy to find occasions of expressing the respect and veneration for you with which I was inspired during your residence at Paris. I wish you may think this a sufficient justification of the desire I feel of being sometimes recalled to your memory, as well as of the liberty I take in recommending to your notice the gentleman who will have the honor of presenting you this. He...
2208From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 25 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Rutledge, the son of Governor Rutledge of South Carolina, will have the honour of delivering you this. I suppose you must have been personally acquainted with his father, but surely so by reputation. It would suffice therefore to announce his son to you, in order to obtain your attentions and friendly offices for him. It is to gratify myself then that I add my sollicitations to the same...
2209From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, Jr., 25 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of March 3. and in consequence send you letters for Mr. Carmichael and Count d’Aranda at Madrid. I will endeavor to procure you some for Lisbon also, and will forward them to Bordeaux for you if you will let me know your latest day at that place, or I will send them after you to Madrid. I am in hopes you will conclude to go on to Bordeaux, as there is nothing in...
2210From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 25 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I find by your favor of the 19th. inst. that we are not likely to agree in opinion as to the intentions of Congress and the board of Treasury; for it is their intention which forms the law for us both. I have asked of you the money for the medals and another purpose because I thought, and still think, it was their intention that these purposes should be executed in their turn: you have refused...
2211From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, [26 March?] 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am plagued to death with the applications of people who knowing the friendship you are so good as to entertain for me, wish to make use of it for their purposes. In general I get rid of them by a positive refusal to add to the thousands of applications and perplexities which you have already. You will see that the inclosed however cannot be parried altogether. I cannot refuse to send it to...
2212From Thomas Jefferson to Thiery fils aîné, 26 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Ne connoissant que trés peu la ville de Boston, je ne suis nullement capable de vous donner des renseignements assez surs pour vous decider d’y faire un etablissement. Je crois qu’on doit etre bien sur de son fait avant de se compromettre a une entreprise qui pourroit bien manquer. Je vous prie Monsieur de vous adresser à Monsieur Parker, qui est logé au Palais royal audessus du caffè de...
2213From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 30 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise writes to you by this post on the subject of the proposition made to him by the Creditors to take the money in the funds and a third of his Virginia income instead of £400 a year. I think with him that he should accept it. My greatest objection is that it will not admit of a plain and unsuspicious execution. For it will be a question, pretty difficult to decide in England, and...
2214From Thomas Jefferson to Boyd, Ker & Co., 30 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honour to present his compliments to Messieurs Boyd & Ker and to inclose them a letter for Mr. Rutledge, with two bills of exchange of twelve hundred livres each. PrC ( MHi ). SJL Index records an undated letter from Boyd, Ker & Co. under this date, perhaps an acknowledgment of the above.
2215From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Baptiste LeRoy, 3 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I return you with many thanks the Volume with D. Bernoulli’s paper which I have read with great satisfaction. I observe that the proposition of M. Bernoulli differs from Mr. Rumsey’s in several essential points. 1. His Water was to be raised by man: Rumsey’s by elastic vapour. 2. Bernoulli ’s water was to act on an inclined plane: Rumsey’s on a direct one. 3. Bernoulli ’s was to act by it’s...
2216From Thomas Jefferson to Sarsfield, 3 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I could not name to you the day of my departure from Paris because I do not know it. I have not yet received my congé, tho I hope to receive it soon and to leave this some time in May so that I may be back before the winter. Impost is a duty paid on any imported article in the moment of it’s importation, and of course it is collected in the seaports only. Excise is a duty on any article,...
2217From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Payne, 4 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As the time of my departure approaches and I hear nothing from you as to my commission of Jan. 28. nor what remained of the former, I take the liberty of reminding you of them and of desiring you to send without delay what you can procure and to forward me your account that I may have it paid. With respect to the books which cannot be immediately found I shall hope you will continue to look...
2218From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Oster, 5 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with yours of the 1st. instant, and chearfully undertake that Mrs. Bannister shall certainly receive the one addressed to her, as I can deliver it myself in person. I hope to sail for Virginia about the 1st. of May and shall be ready to execute there any other command you may have. I presume you have heard of the death of Colo. Bannister. I have the honour to be with great respect...
2219From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 6 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with yours of Mar. 31. Mine to yourself and Dr. Bancroft will already have answered so much of it as relates to Mr. Paradise. The idea suggested of his going with me to America, was intended chiefly as a threat against the refusing creditor. It could only have been carried into execution in the case of that creditor’s continuing obstinate. The propositions he has since made were...
2220From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 8 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes this is the last commission I shall have to trouble you with before my departure. It is to have made for me without a moment’s delay a trunk such as is described below which I have written so that you may tear the note off and send it to the trunk maker with a prayer to execute it instantly. As soon as it is done I must get you to take measures to have it brought by the first...
2221From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 9 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 27th. has been duly received, and in answer to the information relative to D. I can only beg the favor of you to avail yourself of any moment which may occur wherein principles either of fidelity or venality might induce him to give up the books, for the U.S. I will answer the price as far as 12. or 15. guineas for that containing his correspondence from Aug. 1777. to Mar....
2222From Thomas Jefferson to Willink, Van Staphorst & Hubbard, 9 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 2d. instant, and a few hours before I had received one from the Treasury board settling for us the order in which the monies of the last loan shall be paid. This takes a middle ground, ordering, according to your wish, the paiment of the interest for the ensuing month of June in the first place, and then ensures to the particular purpose committed to me...
2223From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 12 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having asked permission of Congress to go to America this spring and return again in the ensuing fall, and being in expectation daily of receiving that permission, I have so arranged my business as to be able to depart within a week after the Congé shall come to hand. It is necessary for me in the mean time to know the vessels in the different ports which may be bound to the United states,...
2224From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 12 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last to you which was of Mar. 8. I have had the honor of yours of April 2. I have moreover on the 1st. inst. repaid to Mr. Sartorius the little disbursements you have been so kind as to make for me from time to time. To wit for postages omitted at my last paiment 10₶ – 7 expences attending Mr. Barclay’s papers 6 – 8 – 9 do. Mr. de la Fayette’s bust 17 –13 do. for...
2225From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Durival, 13 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Being about to take a journey to London a little before the death of the Count de Vergennes, I asked from him a passport for several objects which I had thought of bringing from thence. He first satisfied himself from the Marquis de la Luzerne, upon the point of reciprocity, that the Minister of France in America is allowed to import every thing, for his own use, duty-free, without any...
2226From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 13 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Mar. 26. and Apr. 3. are both received: so is Mr. Rutledge’s of the latter date. My Congé is not yet received, and indeed I do not expect it till the last of the month. If you will give me a state of what will be your route I shall be able to give you notice when I receive it in time for you to push to Paris before my departure. This will enable you to go on at your leisure. But be...
2227From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, 17 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
As the moment of my departure approaches, I take the liberty of recalling to your mind the order I have sollicited for the delivery of our arms and stores at Nantes, arrested there by Schweighauser & Dobrée. I am very anxious to be enabled to give final orders on that subject before I go, and therefore am obliged to be troublesome to you about it.—I have the honor to be with sentiments of the...
2228From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, Jr., 17 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been informed that the mercantile body at Lisbon are very attentive to strangers, and particularly that Mr. Gueldermestre the Dutch consul there would be worth your acquaintance, I applied to Messieurs Boyd & Ker to obtain letters for you to Mr. Gueldermestre and such other merchants as you might like to know. I enclose you their letters of introduction, as also their letter to me.—I...
2229From Thomas Jefferson to Grand & Cie., 23 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter wherein you mention that the arrears of interest due from the United states to M. de Fleury have been attached in your hands on my behalf. I beg leave to observe to you that it is only five hundred and seven livres, part thereof, which I paid on his order to M. de la Vallette, and which it is necessary for you to stop. All over that sum, you will be pleased to pay...
2230From Thomas Jefferson to Ruellan & Cie., 23 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 20th. instant is just received, with the letter it inclosed; for your care of which be pleased to accept my thanks. The young Mr. Talbots as well as their father, family, and circumstances are equally unknown to me. A letter from the father came to me about the time I was honoured with yours of the 13th. [of] March. In that letter he informed me that he had [two] sons in the...
2231From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 24 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 14th. and communicated it to Mr. Paradise, who desires me to observe that, after retaining a very moderate subsistence for himself and Mrs. Paradise (as that of £200 a year apeice which has been proposed) his first and ruling object is to pay his debts: that therefore instead of desiring a full third of all remittances from Virginia, including debts, he...
2232II. Notes on Cost of Shipping Rice, &c., 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Riz vaut dans ce moment £14. à £14.5s. de Nice Le cantare qui est composé de 150. lb soit de 6 Rubs de 25. ℔ chaque. Le Rapport du poidt de Nice à celui de Marc doit etre calculé sur le pied de 25.℔ de Nice pour 16 ℔. de Marc de manière que le cantare soit quintal de Nice de 150 ℔. est equivalent à 96 ℔. de Marc. Le louis d’or de france de £24. vaut £25 de Nice en marchandise. Estimate of...
2233III. Notes Comparing Carolina Rice with that of Piedmont, [ca. September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Les deux seules qualités de Riz actuellement en usage en france, sont, le Riz de Caroline, et celui de Piemont. Le Riz de Caroline, a une consommation en france d’un tiers plus considerable que le Riz de Piemont. Le Riz de Caroline est généralement plus blanc que celui de Piemont. Il seduit parla le général des acheteurs qui ne s’arretent qu’a la vue. Les Connoisseurs trouvent dans le Riz de...
2234From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 1 September 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I asked the favor of Mr. Franklin who lately went from hence to London to send me a book or two which you had published. As he will not have left London when you receive this I will beg the favour of you to procure for me a copy of the small 12mo. edition of Blackstone’s commentaries, published I beleive in Ireland. I would chuse it unbound, because I can then have it bound into one or more...
2235From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Carr, 20 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of May 6. came to hand by Mr. Mazzei on the 22d. of July. I sincerely condole with Mr. Bolling and my sister on their late losses. None can do it fully but those who have been in their situation. You and I have that unfortunate qualification. It would be difficult to find a fibre of the human heart whose sufferings are unknown to me. My losses have left me little more to lose. I am...
2236From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 30 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received no letter from you of later date than Oct. 14. 1784. Since that date I have written to you Nov. 11. Jan. 13. Feb. 5. and May 11. and to Mrs. Eppes Nov. 11. and Feb. 5. The letters of November were carried by Colo. Lemaire. He has been so kind as to write to me from Richmond Apr. 30. and to inform me of Polly’s welfare and that of your family at that date. He also said in his...
2237From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs having staid here longer than they expected, I have (since writing my letter of Aug. 30. to Mr. Eppes) received one from Dr. Currie of Aug. 5. by which I have the happiness to learn you are all well and my Poll also. Every information of this kind is like gaining another step, and seems to say ‘We have got so far safe.’ Would to god the great step was taken and taken safely;...
2238From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Necks, 18 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of yesterday, and in consequence thereof send you eight guineas. I mentioned to you that the settlement of Mr. Wayles’s affairs remained entirely with Mr. Eppes and Mr. Skipwith the acting executors. They alone possess the evidences of his debts and paiments, and they also alone know what is due, and to whom. I think it possible, and even probable, that the...
2239From Thomas Jefferson to Andrew Ramsay, 2 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have just recieved, in a letter from Mrs. Adams, the pleasing information of the safe arrival of my daughter in London; and by the same letter and others accompanying it, that it is to you I am indebted for the care of her. Her distress at parting with you is a proof how good you have been to her. I pray you to accept my sincere thanks for your attentions to her, and assurances that I should...
2240From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 6 July [1787] (Jefferson Papers)
I shall with the greatest pleasure, my dear Patsy, participate with you of the honour of Miss Annesley’s company in our ride this afternoon. Assure her of my thankfulness for it as well as your own. The day being warm, I shall not be with you till between five and six o’clock. Adieu my Dear Your’s affectionately, RC (John R. Burke, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania, 1956); addressed: “A Mademoiselle...
2241II. Memoranda Concerning Distribution, Cost, and Makers of Medals, [ca. February 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
S. C. S. C. S C 1 1. Denmark. 1 Spire 1. Norway 1 Hungary. 1. 1. Sweden. 1 1
2242III. Jefferson’s Description of the Medals, [ca. February 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
Type. His head. Legend. Georgio Washington, supremo duci exercituum, adsertori libertatis, Comitia Americana . Reverse. The evacuation of Boston. The American army advancing in order towards the city seen at a distance. The enemy retires with precipitation to their vessels. On the foreground General Washington appears on horseback, in a groupe of officers, to whom he remarks the retreat of the...
2243II. Jefferson’s Notes on Coxe’s Commercial System for the United States, [ca. 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Federal farmer MS ( DLC : TJ Papers, 36: 6230); in TJ’s hand; at head of text: “Tench Cox’s enquiry into the principles of American commerce” undated, but presumably drawn up about the time TJ received a copy of Coxe’s pamphlet in July 1787. The federal farmer was Richard Henry Lee, whose letters in opposition to the Constitution, Observations leading to a fair examination of the system of...
2244V. Estimate of American Imports, [1785–1786?] (Jefferson Papers)
From Europe and Africa Woollen cloths of every description. Linens of every description. Hosiery. Hats. £. sterl. Gloves, shoes, boots, sadlery, & other things of leather. 350,000. Massachusets Silks, gold & silver lace, jewellery, millinery, toys. 250,000 { New Hampshire India goods. Rhode island Porcelain, Glass, Earthen ware....
2245VI. Estimate of American Exports, [1785–1786?] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates of the annual exports of the United States. Those of the American traveller are taken as the basis, but corrected. Massachusetts N. Hampshire Rhode Island Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Virginia Maryland N. Carolina S. Carolina. Georgia. Total Exported to Europe Exported to the West Indies Fish. £. sterl. 150,000 £. sterl 7,000
2246VII. Exports from Eight Northern States before 1776, [ca. 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Before the late revolution, the eight states, from Delaware to New-Hampshire inclusive, exported to the West Indies, Great Britain and Ireland £ sterl. Flaxseed 60,000 } These articles are still received in Gr. Britain and Ireland, as formerly. Bounty taken off, but not subject to Aliens duty. Pot-ash 50,000 210,000 Furs 100,000 Naval stores 75,000 75,000 Shipping 200,000 200,000 ...
2247Notes on Resolutions of Congress, [after 4 November 1783] (Jefferson Papers)
17[83 Jan]. 29. Chairman of Com. of whole by balot [Feb]. 5. Com. of whole to vote by states. 10. Comr. for Virga. to receive proofs instead of vouchers lost 14. Motion to postpone a proposition to take up another cannot be divided Mar. 7. Min. 4/6 sterl. = doll. doll. = £5–5s without regard to variation of exchange Apr. 15. Commandr. in chief to make arrangements with Brit. Commr. for...
2248From Thomas Jefferson to William Whipple, 12 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Being anxious to procure information on the subject of the black moose or Caribou which cannot be procured in any of the United states but New Hampshire I take the liberty of addressing myself to you on the foundation of the acquaintance I have had the pleasure of contracting with you, and my beleif that you will be so obliging as to lend me your assistance. Mr. Forster, your delegate here,...
2249From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Hutchins, 24 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been recurring to your pamphlet (which I borrowed for that purpose) for the times at which the inundations begin and end in the Missouri, Missisipi, Illinois, Ohio, Wabache, but I do not find it mentioned there. Will you be so kind as to give me as accurate an account of these times as you can? Does the Tanissee overflow periodically? I suppose not. Will you give me leave to correct an...
2250From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 16 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by the last post that some objections had been started in debate on the justice of that part of the national debt which consists in loan office certificates . The doubt was new to me. I had always considered this to be as honest a debt as any we owed: perhaps a more tender one in most cases, as being due to daughters, to younger children, to widows &c. It proved in event to be the...