1To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 2 August 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Portland , [ Maine ], 2 Aug. 1790 . Arrived yesterday and will embark in two or three weeks on vessel now loading for Bordeaux. The law, when adopted, “respecting the particular duty and purquisates of Consuls, and the general instructions” from the Secretary’s office may be sent by way of “George Town on Potomack” if no opportunity offers from New York.—“When in Boston I was credibly informed...
2To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 6 November 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 26 August containing general instructions and advice for the Consuls of the United States which I promise on my part to obey and comply with. I have only arrived here about three or four weeks and not as yet obtained the Kings Exequator for the exercize of my functions. My Commission is now with Mr. Short at Paris for that purpose....
3To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 8 December 1790 (Jefferson Papers)
Annexed are duplicates of the two last letters I had the honor to write you. Since, we are assured of a peace between the Southern Powers of Europe, tho’ as yet they have not began to disarm their Navies in this Country or in Spain but have ceased to encrease them. The Commerce of France exists now in a very loose situation the National Assembly not having as yet fixed the basis on which it is...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 15 January 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The above is a copy of my last. Since we are assured of Peace between the maritime powers of Europe. The National Assembly has not yet pronounced definitively on any comercial regulations with foreign powers. The Committee who the Fish oil business was refered to have reported in favor of the admission of American oils, but the Chamber of Commerce will not I believe send forward a member on...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 22 March 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 22 Mch. 1791. Encloses list of American vessels entering there between June and January. This, especially with regard to outward cargoes, is not perfectly exact but he will try to provide more precise accounts in future.—The National Assembly since his last have adopted commercial regulations affecting trade with United States, imposing duties of 20₶ per cwt. on all foreign salt...
6To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 26 April 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 26 Apr. 1791 . Encloses list of vessels entered and cleared in last six months, together with copy of his last. Since then, duty on American fish oil reduced from 12 to 6 ₶ per quintal, its present rate, but expects this to be modified as experience and commercial interest require. Encloses list of duties prior to 1 Apr. and in force since the 15th. RC ( DNA : RG 59, CD ); in clerk’s...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 15 July 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 15 July 1791 . Enclosing entry and clearance of American vessels there for period 1 Jan. to 30 June. Return for cargoes laden there as particular as the nature of customhouse clearances and “the general disposition of the Shippers to conceal their expeditions” permit.—The Consular Convention has never been promulgated, hence consuls dependent on captains and consignees for...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 31 August 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The foregoing is a copy of my last respects covering a report of the vessels that entered and cleared from this port the first six months of the present year, copy of which is also inclosed. The political situation of France is at present an obstacle to the commercial intercourse with America. The difficulty of procuring specie, its high price, the very low exchange with the neighbouring...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 25 September 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 25 Sep. 1791 . “The political situation of this country is now likely to take a favorable turn and faith and tranquility will I hope succeed fear and incertitude.” The King unequivocally sanctioned the Constitution on the 14th and the 30th is fixed for the Legislature to replace the National Convention. All persecutions for revolutionary actions have ceased and a general amnesty is...
10To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 2 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter was too late for the Vessel from Bayonne. I have Since Seen the Executors of Mr. Le Roi who have confirmed to me the legacy of 15.000₶ left to your neigbour Mr. De Rieux payable in 6, 12 and 18 months after his Death. The first payment is now Due and will be paid to the Attorney of Mr. de Rieux on demand. You can dispose of me in the remittance of the legacy to Virginia....
11To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 28 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 28 Oct. 1791 . A citizen of New York, Mrs. Ollivier, married a Frenchman in 1786 and subsequently came with him to Bordeaux where she has lived since. Mr. Ollivier died last summer, leaving her without children, a will, or a marriage contract. French law entitles her to the proportion of his estate equal to what the law allows in the country in which they were married. With apologies...
12To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 28 October 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 28 Oct. 1791 . He encloses a copy of his letter by the Wilmington Packet, Capt. Andrews. Peace in Europe seems secure. The national militia mentioned in his last letter have been quartered in neighboring towns instead of marching to the frontiers.—He acknowledges receipt of the laws of the U.S. for the use of his consulate, and he notes that on 3 Mch. Congress repealed the section of...
13To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 24 December 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith is a copy of my last respects mostly on the Subject of the depreciation of the Assignats, since they have continued to fall and all the foreign Exchanges, and coins, also that of the country are at least one third better than the Assignats. Indeed Dollars are now selling for eight Livres, and exchange on London is under 6½ d. Stg. ⅌ Livre. The progress of this uncertain value, and the...
14To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 13 February 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 13 Feb. 1792 . He encloses a report on American ships entering and clearing this port for the last half of 1791. The figures for outward cargoes are somewhat inexact for want of means to obtain more precise information. He has included American produce brought here by French vessels. He also includes a report on arrivals of American ships at Bayonne, “the only place where any...
15To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 30 April 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 30 Apr. 1792 . He encloses a copy of his 13 Feb. letter. The National Assembly on 20 Apr. approved Louis XVI’s proposed declaration of war against the King of Hungary and Bohemia. The impact of this declaration on the maritime powers is uncertain. France apparently has no fear of a war at sea. There are no extraordinary preparations in the dockyards, no embargoes or warnings to...
16To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 20 May 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 20 May 1792 . Since his last of 30 Apr., he has received TJ’s of 13 Mch. covering a certificate useful to Mrs. Oliver and a letter for Mr. Church, now delivered.—TJ’s of 1 Sep. sent by Mr. Short has never arrived, and he does not know its contents. He wishes to learn if the United States will reimburse him for postages and other expenses incurred in helping distressed American...
17To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 16 July 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 16 July 1792 . He encloses a list of American vessels entered and cleared from this port for the last six months. The account of merchandise loaded aboard these vessels is inexact. The political situation in France is now pretty quiet, but the country’s enemies seem to increase daily and it is impossible to foresee when peace will be restored. He has been unable to fix agents at...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 16 August 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 16 Aug. 1792 . In the absence of any letters from TJ, he encloses a copy of his last. The political situation in France is too uncertain to expect new trade regulations. He encloses five of the last newspapers to inform TJ of the subversion of the constitution, the union of the legislative and executive powers in the National Assembly, the suspension of the king, and the proposal for...
19To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 1 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing you the 16 Ulto. by the Theoditia Capn. Lake. I now send you a few news papers which will give you some idea of the actual situation of this Country. Things are now pretty quiet. The Electors to chuse the members for the national convention are all nominated to proceed the 2d Inst. to the choice of Deputies to meet at Paris the 20th. to judge the King and revise the...
20To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 11 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you the 1st. Inst. since I am without any advise from you. I have this day learnt the confirmation of the Decree I mentioned to you in my last relative to Tobacco. It was decreed the 6th. Inst. that after the first day of October all Tobacco’s that were subject to a duty of 18₶—15s. ⅌ Ct. should pay 10₶ ⅌ Ct. and such as paid 25₶ ⅌ Ct. duty should pay 12₶. All...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 28 September 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith is a copy of my last respects. I there advised you that the duty on Tobacco in American vessels coming direct was fixed at 12₶ ⅌ Ct. Since I find it is 12₶-10s/. in lieu of 12, an error in the print of the public gazettes led me into this mistake. The National Convention, the 21 Inst. decreed l’abolition de la Royauté en france. I wish this measure may unite the people, procure and...
22To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 20 December 179[2] (Jefferson Papers)
On the 20th. October past died here Mr. C. P. Raguett, Citizen of Philadelphia, agreeable to the Laws of the United States and with the approbation of the Police of this Country I proceeded to take an Inventory of his effects, a copy of which I have the honor to inclose you for the advice of those whom it may concern. Mr. Raguett has left many debts here unpaid and there are now attachments in...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 28 December 1792 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of your favors of the 8th. and 10 October the first introducing Doctr. Waters who received from me during his short stay that attention your recomendation merets and shal always claim. He left this some days past for Montpellier with some hope and prospect of recovering his health. The second ordering 500 bottles of best vin rouge ordinaire of Bordeaux in strong bottles which...
24To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 20 January 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to own your favors of the 31st. May and the 16 Octor. 1792—the latter covering letters for Mr. Morris and Mr. Short which were forwarded and held as you desired—answers to which go by this opportunity via St. Eustatius by the American Brigg the Mermaid as the best opportunity now offering from hence. The first I only received in November accompanying the Laws of Congress of...
25To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 10 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have none of your favors to reply to. On the first Inst. the National Convention declared war against England and Holland. This declaration was preceded by an embargo in all the ports of France on English, Dutch, Russian, Prussian and Austrian vessels. The commerce with the two last, altho’ in war with France, had not before been interupted. This circumstance has given great favor to the...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 25 February 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing you the 10th. Inst. by the Pensylvania Capt. Harding, inclosing the declaration of war against England and Holland. I now have the pleasure to inform you that the national Convention of France on the 19th. Inst. decreed; that the vessels of the U.S. of America shoud be admitted into all their ports; both in the East and west Indias as well as in France, on the same...
27To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 4 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing you the 25 February past inclosing a Decree of the national Convention relative to American Vessels. I now Send an additional one concerning Vessels carrying provisions in to the french Islands, to which they have Since added the permission of trading to Senegal in American Vessels fitted out of the Ports of France, to return back with their Gum into France. American...
28To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 12 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith is a copy of my last letter. The chanels now left to write you from this country render it imprudent to say anything on the subject of politics. We are perfectly quiet here and in the neighbourhood of this Department. The government of France continues their uniform protection and favor to the American Commerce, and the Trading people have much confidence in and pay higher freights to...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 28 June 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have none of your favours to reply to. This covers a Bond Executed by me for the performance of the Consular Functions. The uncertainty of the Intercourse with America from this Country during the War, will deprive me of writing to you as often as I shou’d otherwise do—and the little respect English Privateers shew to letters, requires Circumspection in all remarks from hence. The Neutrality...
30To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Fenwick, 2 August 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 2 Aug. 1793 . Indisposition obliging him to leave Bordeaux for what he hopes will be no longer than two months, he has left his consular procuration with Jonathan Jones, a Pennsylvania native and gentleman well known here and in America for his worth, integrity, and attachment to the welfare of the United States, and hopes his absence will produce neither reproach nor inconvenience....