1From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 5 February 1824 (Jefferson Papers)
I have delayed remitting you the cost of the two prints expecting to hear of your arrival at Washington, as mentioned in your last favor to me. not yet hearing of it however, after some doubt to what place I should direct it, I have concluded to place it in the hands of my old friend mr John Barnes at Georgetown, with instructions to hold it until your arrival at Washington, or until you draw...
2From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 15 July 1823 (Jefferson Papers)
I always hear from you, and of you with great pleasure, and shall recieve the visit you promise with distinguished welcome and gratification. the copies of your engraving of the Declaration of Independance I shall be glad to recieve glazed and framed, not overloaded with gilt, the glare of which is too much of a foil to the print. a narrow slip of gilt on the inner & outer edge of the frame,...
3Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 11 November 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
Your’s of Oct. 23. is recieved, and I trust you have silenced the Critic on your Decln of Indepdce, as I am sure you must have satisfied every sound judge. painters as well as poets have their licence. without this the talent of imagination would be banished from the art, taste and judgment in composition would be of no value, and the mechanical copyist of matter of fact would be on a footing...
4Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 8 January 1818 (Jefferson Papers)
I can have no hesitation in placing my name on the roll of subscribers to the print of your Declaration of Independance, & I desire to do it for two copies. the advance of price from 18.66. to 20.D. cannot be objected to by any one because of the disproportionate decrease in the value of the money. what discorages our citizens in the purchase of prints is the tawdry taste prevailing for...
5Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 10 January 1817 (Jefferson Papers)
Our last mail brought me your favor of Dec. 26. the lapse of 28. years which you count since our first intimacies, has diminished in nothing my affection to for you. we learn, as we grow old, to value early friendships, because the new-made do not fit us so closely. it is an age since I have heard of mrs Church . yet her place, in my bosom, is as warm as ever; and so is Kitty ’s . I think I...
6From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 14 July 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly recieved your favor of Mar. 10. explaining the motives of the Commissioners for disapproving the conjunction of office which had been proposed in the case of mr Erving. but they needed no explanation. when gentlemen, selected for their integrity, are acting under a public trust, their characters and consciences are sufficient securities that what they do, is done on pure motives. I...
7From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 20 February 1791 (Jefferson Papers)
Much hurried while you were here, I was the less exact in sending you the inclosed, because I knew I could send it to Charleston before you would have occasion for it. There I hope it will meet you in good health, and resolved to return by the way of the Natural bridge . Remember you will never be so near it again, and take to yourself and your country the honor of presenting to the world this...
8From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 25 November 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
According to promise I sit down to inform you of our safe arrival, having been 29. days from weighing anchor at Yarmouth to our coming to anchor in Lynhaven bay and 26. days from and to land. The weather remarkeably fine after the first 5. or 6. days during which we were all sick. Our vessel was remarkeably swift, strong, stiff as a church, our captain a bold but judicious seaman, very...
9From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 24 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 18th. instant, and hope to hear from you still the day after tomorrow. If Capt. Colley accepts my proposition it will be joyful news to me, for I almost despair of a passage from this country. There has not been an arrival here for some time past from America. The fear that Capt. Colley may not agree to come to Havre makes me wish now I had determined at...
10From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 16 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 7th. and 11th. are duly received, and your attention to the article of my passage acknoleged with thankfulness. In fact, London seems my only resource, as there is nothing in any port of France which could answer my purpose. The vessel from Virginia to Havre, which you mention was certainly not arrived there on the 12th.—With respect to the Clermont Capt. Colley, the...
11From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 14 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night your favor of the 7th and go this morning to Mr. Grand’s for a bill of exchange of ten pounds sterling to cover your purchases for me. If his business be open I will inclose the bill in the present letter. Otherwise it can not come till the next post.—I have yet no vessel certain. There is a possibility only at Havre. There was a vessel at Lorient on which I counted with...
12From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 9 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I this day write to Mr. Lackington to make up some books for me and deliver them to you to be sent by the Diligence. If he has all of them they will amount to about two guineas and a half. If no other means should occur of remitting to you whatever balance I may owe you, could it not be done thro’ the channel of Mr. Parker? I will pay it to any body he pleases here for his use, if he will be...
13From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 5 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I scribbled you a line by last post merely to cover a letter, and without time to acknolege the receipt of yours of June 26. July 14. and 21. all of which had come to hand since I had written to you. I have to give you many thanks for the American intelligence they contained. My friends supposing me on my way to America have almost ceased to write to me. But I am not yet gone, nor have I...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 3 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing the address of Messieurs Ingram, and the inclosed letter covering a bill of exchange I take the liberty of asking you to have them found out, and the letter delivered.—No time to write news, but that all is quiet here. Your’s affectionately, PrC ( DLC ). Enclosure: TJ to Messrs. Robert & Hugh Ingram , this date.
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 29 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty on the 26th. inst. of troubling you with a packet for Mr. Jay giving him an account of the crisis into which the seance royale of the 23d. had thrown this country. I now trouble you with the inclosed, which will inform him that all is settled by a reunion of the three orders in one chamber in consequence of a letter from the king: so that all danger of civil commotion here...
16From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 21 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 18th. promised that I would inclose you a bill of exchange, which I now do for the sum of £12. sterling to discharge my balance to you and pay a subscription for a copy of your print of Gibraltar. I have not yet received my Congé, but live in daily hopes of it. I am Dear Sir Your friend & servt., PrC ( DLC ).
17From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favors of May 29. (two of that date) and June 11. I shall hope to meet you in America and talk over the subject of the last wherein I think you undervalue too much your art, which is a most noble one when possesed so eminently as it is by you. I fear much that our country is not yet rich enough to encourage you as you deserve. But of this when we meet....
18From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 1 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 26. came to hand yesterday. The balance shall be immediately remitted. Perhaps it may be disagreeable to Mr. Grand to give a bill of exchange for so small a sum, in which case I will send the cash itself by Mr. Paradise adding to it the price of Sterne’s sentimental journey, printed in London by Wenman No. 144. Fleet street in 16s. or in 24s, which I will beg the favor of you...
19From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 21 May 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not yet received my leave of absence, but I expect it hourly, and shall go off within a week after I receive it. Mr. Short will stay till I come back, and then I think he has it in contemplation to return to America; of this however I am not sure, having avoided asking him lest he should mistake mere curiosity for inclination. If he does not go, all which I am going to say may be...
20From 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...
21From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 16 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by yesterday’s post. The present is merely to avail myself of a private conveiance which occurs to London to send you my American dispatches and pray you to forward them by the first safe conveiance to New York preferably to any other port. Vessels going to Philadelphia have to go up the river, a navigation of many days. Those going to Boston expose us to as long an intermediate...
22From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 15 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 10th. is come to hand to-day. I inclose you a bill of exchange of £25. from Grand & co. on Thelusson fils & co. in order to face my affairs with which I give you so much trouble. I expect Lackington will call on you as soon as you receive this for a sum of about £5. Be so good as to tell him to add to my catalogue No. 5894. Baretti 3/. (He will understand this.) Besides this...
23From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 15 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 5th. inst. with respect to the busts and pictures. I will put off till my return from America all of them except Bacon, Locke and Newton, whose pictures I will trouble you to have copied for me: and as I consider them as the three greatest men that have ever lived, without any exception, and as having laid the foundation of those superstructures which...
24From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 5 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favors of Jan. 18. and 29. and the carriage is arrived without the least accident. I find it perfectly well made and to my mind, and have nothing to regret relative to it but the trouble it has given you. I will now answer, in order the several parts of your letter of the 29th. My younger daughter has at length recovered, and is I hope out of all danger of further...
25From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a few days ago by a Mr. Frazer, and after sending you such a bundle you will think it extraordinary to be told I had still forgot something. In fact I forgot two articles. The one was to have some cloths from Cannon, which render it necessary for me to ask you to send him the inclosed note , with Mr. Parker’s address, that he may carry [the clothes to him.] The other is to answer...
26From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 12 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letters to you must always be letters of thanks. I am to thank you first for the harness which is arrived safe and good. I am to thank you a thousand times for the portrait of Mr. Paine, which is a perfect likeness, and to deliver you, for the other , on the part of my daughter, as many more as the sensations of the young are more lively than of the old. You say it is all you can do till...
27From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 26 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The post coming in on Sunday when there is nobody in the bureaux of the bankers, and going out Monday morning before they come to the Bureau, rendered it impossible for me to send you the bill of exchange by the Monday’s post. It comes therefore by that of Thursday. It is drawn by Mr. Grand on Burton, Forbes and Gregory for £121–11–3. the exact balance, merely to close the account you have had...
28From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 9 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 1st. instant. A hope that the present may reach you before Mr. Payne the bookseller sends off his package of books, induces me to pray you to send me at the same time 4. ream of 4to. copying paper of the best and whitest quality from Woodmason stationer Leadenhall. This can come packed in the same box with the books. I have no news from America since early in September. The...
29From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 1 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your two favors of Oct. 10. and 17. and also the books from Lackington’s. I inclose a small additional note for Mr. Payne the bookseller, which I will beg the favor of you to send him immediately, as it may possibly be in time to come with the parcel formerly desired. I inclose you also a letter from Mr. Paradise to his friend and merchant Mr. William Anderson. The first...
30From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 2 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I trouble you with the two letters herein inclosed. I hope you note my postages and pay them out of my funds, as the contrary would deprive me necessarily of the convenience of your cover. The letter to Payne is left open for your perusal. You will see that I have referred him to you for paiment of this bill which will be a little over 20. guineas. My reason for this is that as you will have...
31From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 10 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 2d. and 6th. inst. are duly received. You conjectured rightly that by ‘vallons’ I meant festoon curtains. The term is well understood by the upholsterers. The Venetian blind and large backlight to let up and down are essential in a hot climate. I would desire no Imperial, and only one trunk, and that to go behind. Brass harness for four horses. These are for country use, and...
32From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 24 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 15th. and accede to the proposition of the young workman to make me as good a carriage for £105. as the shops furnish at 130£. I would wish it to be 3 feet 8. inches wide within, a strapontin to unship and ship as may be wanting, the steps to shut within, a box to take in and out, coachman’s seat to ship and unship readily, mortise locks, venetian blinds,...
33From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 28 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter to Mr. Bannister being of importance to me, as covering notice of a protested bill of exchange, I must ask the favor of you to send it by some vessel going into James river, or by the packet under cover to the Delegates of Virginia in Congress if the packet be not sailed. The packets of this country being discontinued I shall be obliged to trouble you sometimes with my...
34From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 24 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letters containing matter which I could not permit to go through the post office of this country, I have waited for a private conveience which now offers. I put them under cover to you begging you will commit to the post office those to McCaul, Jones, and Digges, that you will give to Mr. Cutting the one directed to him, and also those for the two Rutledges, Izard, Drayton, and...
35From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 17 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 11th. came to hand yesterday. With respect to the Vase it is not worth the trouble I have already given you. I will take it therefore as it is. Indeed I have ever found it dangerous to quit the road of experience. New essays generally fail: so I will leave to some body else to find out the manner of giving an elegant spout to that elegant machine.—I take the liberty of...
36From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 2 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In mine of the 29th. June by the last post I inclosed you Mr. Grand’s letter of credit for £80. on Mr. Teissier. By your favor of the 25th. handed me to-day by Mr. Parker I see there is a probability that the carriage you had in view will not have been disposed of before the letter of credit reaches you, so that the opportunity of making the purchase will not be lost. I consulted with Mr....
37From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 29 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A delay of the post office put it out of my power to answer your’s of the 20th. by the first post. I now inclose you a letter of credit on Mr. Teissier for eighty pounds sterling. This will cover the cost of the Tea vase after paying for the carriage if it be not sold before your receipt of this. If it be, you may hereafter at your leisure perhaps find another. You judged rightly in supposing...
38From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 28 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this day received your favour of May 23. and in consequence have copied and inclose mine of Mar. 27. from Amsterdam. The bill it inclosed was drawn by Nicholas and Jacob Van Staphorst on Herreis of London either for £30. sterling or for 348 florins 10 sous; for I do not remember whether it was expressed in English or Dutch money. I indorsed it, and I believe made it expressly paiable to...
39From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 18 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The first moments after my return having been occupied by letters which required immediate answers, it is not till now I can acknolege your favors of Feb. 26. and Mar. 6. which came during my absence, and that of May 7. handed me yesterday by Mr. Duché. I omitted in mine of Mar. 27. from Amsterdam to tell you that I wished to pay Mr. Brown the same for Mr. Adams’s picture as I had paid him for...
40From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 27 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you a line just as I was taking wing from Paris for this place. I expected to have staid here a week, and have been here three already, and know not yet the term of my stay. I hope however to get away in three or four days. I intend to make my return somewhat circuitous, in order to see what I have not yet seen. This renders the moment of my arrival at Paris incertain. In the mean...
41From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 3 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Being obliged to set out for Holland at a very few hours warning I have only time to notify you that I shall be absent hence three or four weeks. I trouble you with a letter on which I know not how to put any address particular enough to find the gentleman who is at Edinburgh. If you can supply it by enquiry and forward it, I will be obliged. My affection to our two friends Mrs. Church and...
42From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 20 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mrs. Church’s trunk was safely delivered here last night by the waggoner. It had been opened of course at the Douane, but I presume the same honesty, which brought it here, guarded it there and every where from pillage. It shall go off for London by tomorrow’s diligence and will arrive I presume on the 25th. We have had great lamentations over your mishap, however hope it was the only one. It...
43Memoranda for John Trumbull, [ca. 15 February 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Polyplasiasmos } to be sent by the Diligence. Mine is paid for Mr. Adams’s picture by Brown mine by do. Tea vase. Enquire if a triangular odometer is to be bought in London, and at what price. It is placed between the spokes of the wheel. Might I not expect from Mr. Walker the machinery of the Celestini? I have wrote to Mr. Stockdale, bookseller Piccadilly 3. letters, viz. Oct. 10. Jan. 1. and...
44From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Both your favors of Oct. 30. and Nov. 2. came safely to hand, and I have the pleasure to know that my harpsichord is safely arrived at Rouen and is now on the road to Paris. I thank you also for your attention to the commission to Mr. Brown, and shall be contented to receive the pictures when you come yourself. If you could do me the favor also to bring me one of the copies taken without the...
45From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 11 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Cutting has for some days been in possession of a letter for you, but finding his departure put off from day to day, I take the liberty of repeating by post a request which is in that letter. It is to enquire whether the ship James (Capt. Dunn) with my harpsichord is actually sailed from London. The appearances of an immediate rupture between the two nations make me anxious that it should...
46From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
So many infidelities in the post offices are complained of since the rumors of war have arisen that I have waited a safer opportunity of inclosing you a bill of exchange to reimburse you what you had paid on account of my harpsichord. Mr. Cutting now furnishes that conveiance, and you have inclosed a bill drawn by Mr. Grand on Mr. Teissier of London for £14–7 sterling. One trouble more will...
47From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 30 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you were of the 16th. and 17th. of July on the subject of my harpsichord. I imagine Colo. Smith is now arrived in London and can aid you in that trouble. The Salon has been open four or five days. I inclose you a list of it’s treasures. The best thing is the Death of Socrates by David, and a superb one it is. A crucifixion by Roland in imitation of Relief is as perfect as it can be....
48From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 17 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of yesterday I threatened you with a commission on the subject of a harpsichord. This has been made for me by Kirkman and paid for by Colo. Smith. It was then carried to the shop of Mr. Walker to have the Celestini stop put to it, which is done and the instrument there now ready to be delivered. I wish it therefore to be well packed and forwarded by water to Rouen to the care of...
49From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 16 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favoured with your letter of the 10th. and happened just then to have received one from Mrs. Trist. She informs me that she has received a very friendly letter from Mrs. Champernoone who seems disposed to give her full information. She would not wish a further application to Mr. Trist of London, nor that the family should know she has been enquiring into their affairs. Notwithstanding...
50From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have been so good as to take in the case of Mrs. Trist. I have sent her a copy of your letter and I now trouble you with a letter to Mrs. Champernoune. If we do some good by these enquiries we shall share the happiness of it. The illness and death of the Count de Vergennes have retarded my departure on my journey till the 27th. I foresee nothing to hinder it...