101From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favors of Aug. 18. and 23. I conferred with Mr. Barclay on the measures necessary to be taken to set our treaty with the pyratical states into motion through his agency. Supposing that we should begin with the emperor of Marocco, a letter to the emperor and instructions to Mr. Barclay seemed necessary. I have therefore sketched such outlines for these as appear to me to be...
102To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 12 December 1787 (Adams Papers)
In the month of July I received from Fiseaux & Co. of Amsterdam a letter notifying me that the principal of their loan to the United states would become due the first day of January. I answered them that I had neither powers nor information on the subject, but would transmit their letter to the Board of treasury. I did so by the packet which sailed from Havre Aug. 10. the earliest answer...
103From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 17 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly honoured with your’s of the 10th. inst. and am happy to hear of the success of your journey to Amsterdam. There can be no doubt of it’s ratification by Congress. Would to heaven they would authorize you to take measures for transferring the debt of this country to Holland before you leave Europe. Most especially is it necessary to get rid of the debt to the officers. Their...
104To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 11 January 1787 (Adams Papers)
M r. Jay, in his last letter to me, observes that they hear nothing further of the treaty with Portugal. I have taken the liberty of telling him that I will write to you on the subject, & that he may expect to hear from you on it by the present conveyance. the Chevalier del Pinto being at London, I presume he has, or can inform you why it is delayed on their part. I will thank you also for the...
105To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your favors of the 13 th. & 20 th. were put into my hands today. this will be delivered you by mr̃ Dalrymple, secretary to the legation of mr̃ Craufurd. I do not know whether you were acquainted with him here. he is a young man of learning & candor, and exhibits a phaenomenon I never before met with, that is, a republican born on the North side of the Tweed. You have been consulted in the case...
106To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 7 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
This will accompany a joint letter inclosing the draught of a treaty, and my private letter of June 22. which has waited so long for a private conveiance. we daily expect from the Baron Thulemeyer the French column for our treaty with his sovereign. in the mean while two copies are preparing with the English column which Doct r. Franklin wishes to sign before his departure, which will be...
107To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 19 November 1785 (Adams Papers)
I wrote to you on the 11 th. of Octob. by mr̃ Preston & again on the 18 th. of the same month by post. since that yours of Sep. 25. by mr̃ Boylston, Oct. 24. Nov. 1. & Nov. 4. have come safe to hand. I will take up their several subjects in order. Boylston’s object was first to dispose of a cargo of sperma ceti oyl which he brought to Havre. a secondary one was to obtain a contract for future...
108From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this morning I have seen Mr. Grand and had a conversation with him on the subject of the interest due here . He is pressed on that subject. By a letter he received not long since from the Commissioners of the treasury it seems their intention that he should pay this interest out of the money in Holland, yet they omitted to give him any authority to ask for any of...
109To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 11 July 1785 (Adams Papers)
Doct r. Franklin sets out this morning for Havre from whence he is to cross over to Cowes there to be taken on board Cap t Truxen’s ship bound from London to Philadelphia. the Doctor’s baggage will be contained in 150. or 200 boxes &c. we doubt that the laws of England will not permit these things to be removed from one vessel into another; and it would be attended with great difficulty, delay...
110To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1788 (Adams Papers)
I am in hopes daily of receiving a letter from you in answer to my last. the delay of the letters which contained the proposition to the board of treasury takes away all probability of their answering in time, and I foresee that I shall be closely pressed by circumstances on that point. I have settled your matter with de la Blancherie, at the sum you fixed. (8 Louis) he demanded 12, but...
111From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. It had not then been suggested to me, and being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
MS not found. Printed from facsimile in WSS ’s hand in Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries , [1879], 3:44–45; addressed: “His Excellency John Adams, &c., &c., &c., corner Brooks Street, Grosvenor Square.” The signatures were written in a circle and attached on a separate foldout page. The address was provided only in the Magazine article’s text. Published as “A Diplomatic...
113Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 July 1784 (Adams Papers)
When I did myself the honor of writing you on the 19 th. Ult. it was my expectation that I should take my passage in the French packet which was to sail the 15 th. of this month, and of course that I should not be in Paris till the middle or last of August. it had not then been suggested to me, & being no seaman it did not occur to myself, that even from a London-bound vessel I might get...
114From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 2 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received with a great deal of pleasure the account of your safe arrival and joyful reception at Boston. Mr. Cutting was so kind as to send me a copy of the address of the assembly to you and your answer, which with the other circumstances I have sent to have published in the gazette of Leyden, and in a gazette here. It will serve to shew the people of Europe that those of America are...
115From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks having occasion for fifty pounds sterling to enable him to pursue his journey to London and New York, Mr. Grand has furnished him with that sum, for the reimbursement whereof I have drawn on you in his favor, and have to pray you to honour that draught and to charge it against the fund appropriated to the negociations with Marocco, as expended in that business. I have the honour...
116To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 27 October 1786 (Adams Papers)
I formerly had the honour of mentioning to you the measures I had taken to have our commerce with this country put on a better footing; & you know the circumstances which had occasioned the articles of whale oil & tobacco to be first brought forward. latterly we got the committee, which had been established for this purpose, to take up the other articles, & on their report the king & council...
117To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 6 August 1785 (Adams Papers)
I now inclose you a draught of a treaty for the Barbary states, together with the notes D r. Franklin left me. I have retained a presscopy of this draught, so that by referring to any article, line & word in it you can propose amendments & send them by the post without any body’s being able to make much of the main subject. I shall be glad to receive any alterations you may think necessary as...
118From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Lambe is arrived. He brings new full powers to us from Congress to appoint persons to negotiate with the Barbary states , but we are to sign the treaties. Lambe has not
119From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 20 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am in hopes daily of receiving a letter from you in answer to my last. The delay of the letters which contained the proposition to the board of treasury takes away all probability of their answering in time, and I foresee that I shall be closely pressed by circumstances on that point. I have settled your matter with de la Blancherie, at the sum you fixed (8 Louis). He demanded 12. but...
120From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling you with the inclosed bill of exchange for £46–17–10 sterling, rather than engage Mrs. Smith in so disagreeable a business. It will arrive in time I hope to cover the one drawn by General Sullivan on Colo. Smith, who certainly ought not to have been involved in the business. The parliament are obstinately decided against the stamp tax. Their last remonstrance is...
121From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that you would receive from Congress a direct communication of the powers given to yourself, Doctr. Franklin and myself, I have deferred from day to day writing to you, in hopes that every day would open to me a certainty of the time and place of my departure for the other side of the Atlantic. Paris being my destination I have thought it best to enquire for a passage to France...
122To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 25 May 1785 (Adams Papers)
Your letter of the 22 d from Montreuil sur mer is put into my hands this moment, and having received information of your son and two American gentlemen being to set out for London tomorrow morning I seize a moment to inform you that he had arrived well at l’Orient & was well on the 20 th. when the packet was still detained by contrary winds. mr̃ Barclay, who is arrived, had also seen him. be...
123Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 17 October 1784 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Massachusetts Historical Society ⟨Cul-de-sac Tetebout, October 17, 1784: Mr. Jefferson sends to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin drafts of the two letters to be sent to the Duke of Dorset. One is on the separate articles. The other is on the general subject, and written in the form that they had agreed upon during their last meeting. Having reconsidered the latter, he sends a second version...
124From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. He also sends one on the general subject and in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with Mr. Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
125To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 19 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
{Lambe} is {arrived. he brings new full powers} to {us} from {Congress} to {appoint persons} to {negotiate with} the {Barbary states,} but {we} are to {sign} the {treaties. Lambe has} not {even} a {recommendation} from {them} to {us.} but it seems clear that {he would} be {approved} by {them. I told him} of {mr̃ Barclay’s appointment} to {Marocco} & {proposed Algiers} to {him. he agrees.} a...
126From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 16 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 12th instant, that is to say, by the last post. But as that channel of conveiance is sometimes unfaithful I now inclose you a copy of my letter of that date, and of the one of Fiseaux & co. inclosed in that. I have since received my letters by the packet, but, among them, nothing from the Board of Treasury. Still their orders may be among the dispatches with which Paul Jones...
127To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1785 (Adams Papers)
On the arrival of mr̃ Boylston I carried him to the Marquis de la Fayette, and received from him communications of his object. this was to get a remission of the duties on his cargo of oil, & he was willing to propose a future contract. I proposed however to the Marquis, when we were alone, that instead of wasting our efforts on individual applications, we had better take it up on general...
128To John Adams from Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, 15 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
Among the instructions given to the Ministers of the United states for treating with foreign powers, was one of the 11 th. of May 1784. relative to an individual of the name of John Baptist Pecquet. it contains an acknowlegement on the part of Congress of his merits and sufferings by friendly services rendered to great numbers of American seamen carried prisoners into Lisbon, and refers to us...
129To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 24 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18 th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. the sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, & such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be our...
130Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 17 October 1784 (Adams Papers)
Mr̃ Jefferson’s compliments to M r. Adams & D r. Franklin, and incloses to them the letter to the D. of Dorset on the separate articles. he also sends one on the general subject & in the general form as had been agreed when they parted last: but thinking that it might be better, by reciting what had been done with mr̃ Hartley to keep the ground we have gained, and not to admit that we...
131Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Résumé, 1 March 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society ⟨March 1, 1785: Mr. Jefferson sends Mr. Adams and Dr. Franklin his notes on the treaty with Prussia. When Mr. Adams has perused them, he should send them to Dr. Franklin. Mr. Jefferson proposes a meeting at Passy on Thursday [ March 3 ] at 12 o’clock. He sends “the Prussian propositions, mr. Adams’s & Dr. Franklin’s notes, & the former project & observations...
132To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 13 August 1786 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed came to hand this morning. mr̃ Carmichael you observe, and mr̃ Barclay suppose something may yet be done at Algiers. it remains for us to consider whether the conduct of the Dey of that country leaves any room to hope that any negotiator can succeed without a great addition to the price to which we are confined? and should we think in the negative, yet whether the expences of mr̃...
133From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams and Benjamin Franklin, 1 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin and sends them his notes on the treaty with Prussia. He prays Mr. Adams, when he shall have perused them to send them to Dr. Franklin and proposes to meet them on the subject at Passy on Thursday at 12. o’clock. He sends the Prussian propositions, Mr. Adams’s and Dr. Franklin’s notes, and the former project and observations which...
134Thomas Jefferson to Franklin and John Adams: Two Memoranda, [before 10 November 1784] (Franklin Papers)
(I) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society; (II) AD and AD (draft): Library of Congress; copy: Massachusetts Historical Society When Congress instructed the commissioners to negotiate twenty treaties in two years, it did not send a draft treaty; it specified nine “points [to] be carefully stipulated” in the accords. Faced with so daunting an assignment...