1From 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...
2From 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...
3From 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...
4From 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...
5From 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...
6From 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...
7From 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...
8From 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...
9From 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...
10From 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...
11From 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...
12From 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...
13From 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,...
14From 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...
15From 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...
16From 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...
17From 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....
18From 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...
19From 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...
20From 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...
21From 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...
22From 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...
23From 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...
24Memoranda 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...
25From 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...
26From 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...
27From 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...
28From 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....
29From 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...
30From 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...