51From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 17 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing you on the 9th. and 12th. of May by the way of London. This goes through the same channel to the care of Mr. Trumbul. Having received no letter from you of later date than the 25th. of November I am apprehensive there may have been miscarriages, and the more so as I learn, thro another channel , that you have particularly answered mine of Nov. 19. The death of the...
52Enclosure: Caractere de Monsiery Neckar, 17 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
La Nature donna à cet homme une passion violente pour la gloire, sans lui accorder les qualités necessaires pour ne la chercher que par des voies droites. Elle le doua d’une imagination feconde, jointe à un talent borné; ce qui l’empechera toujours d’approfondir les objets, de les combiner, et d’en saisir l’ensemble. Dans Geneve, sa patrie, il avoit probablement connu l’influence des richesses...
53To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 18 June 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. & a letter from mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19. which...
54From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 18 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of May 11. Yours of Mar. 29. came to hand ten days ago: and about two days ago I received a cover of your hand writing, under which was a N. York paper of May 4. and a letter from Mr. Page to Mazzei. There being no letter from you makes me hope there is one on the way which will inform me of my Congé. I have never received Mr. Jay’s answer to my public letter of Nov. 19....
55From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 18 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
At the request of a gentleman of this country I take the liberty of inclosing you a note relative to two persons in whom he is interested, and to ask you to take the trouble of enquiring after them, and of communicating to me such information as you may be able to obtain. Your letter if sent to Mr. Jay’s office will be sure to find me whether in Europe or America; for I am in hourly...
56From 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....
57From Thomas Jefferson to Dugald Stewart, 21 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter which you were pleased to read to me Mrs. Colden has treated so superiorly the education of her son, and shewn herself so capable of deciding what is best for him, that you and I can only suggest facts and leave the judgment on them to her. As far as Science is the object of Mr. Colden, no place in the world can pretend to a competition with Edinburgh. Next to that the...
58From 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 ).
59From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 24 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 17th. and 18th. inst. gave you the progress of the 17th States general to the 17th. when the Tiers had declared the illegality 18th of all the existing taxes, and their discontinuance from the end of their present session. The next day being a jour de fete could furnish no indication of the impression that vote was likely to 19th make on the government. On the 19th. a council...
60From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 27 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Not having had occasion to write to you lately, I have yet to acknolege the receipt of your several favors of Apr. 18. 25. 28. May 2. and 23. There having been no Congress from November to April has been the reason that I have not yet received [the] permission I had asked to go to America, and which I am now in daily expectation of receiving. I shall leave Paris within 4 or 5. days after...
61From Thomas Jefferson to J. G. Streckensen, 27 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The legislature of South Carolina, desirous of doing justice to their foreign creditors, have lately passed an act appropriating certain funds to the paiment of the interest and principal due to them. The benefit of the act extends to all who shall be willing to accede to the conditions of it, and the proof of that accession is to be their exchanging the bonds they possess for the certificate...
62From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 29 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of the 25th. gave you the transactions of the States general to the afternoon of that day. On the next the Archbishop of Paris joined the Tiers, as did some others of the clergy and noblesse. 26th On the 27th. the question of the St. Domingo deputation 27th came on, and it was decided that it should be received. I have before mentioned to you the ferment into which the proceedings at...
63From Thomas Jefferson to Amand Koenig, 29 June 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Aeschynis Epistolae. Gr. Taylori. notis. 8vo. Lipsiae. 1₶-10 Aeschyli tragoediae. Schutz. 2.v. 8vo. maj. Halae. 1782.3.4. 30₶ Apuleii opera omnia. 24s. Amstel. 1624. apud Jansson. 2₶-10 Ciceronis questiones Tusculanae. 24s. maj. Lugd. 1733. 15s. Cicero de senectute et somnio Scipionis Graec. Theodori 8vo. Basil. 1524. 1.₶ Livii historiar. libri 91. mi Fragmentum. 4to. Romae 1773. 3₶...
64From 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...
65From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Dominique de Cassini, 3 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson, ministre plenipotentiaire des etats unis d’Amerique, demande mille pardons à Monsieur le comte de Cassini, si, sans avoir l’honneur de lui etre connu, il ose lui demander la grâce de faire mettre les montres dont il a chargé le porteur de ce billet à l’heure juste du tems moyen selon la pendule de l’Observatoire. Avec ça, et l’aide de l’equation de temps, il propose de...
66From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Antoine Houdon, 3 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
En fixant l’epoque du second paiment à dix huit mois après la signature du contrat, il etoit entendu que l’ouvrage seroit alors à moitié finie. Monsieur Jefferson ne fait pas cette observation à Monsieur Houdon que pour se justifier de ce qu’il ne lui a pas jusques ici proposé le second paiment. Il sçait trop bien apprecier les principes de Monsieur Houdon pour le laisser en butte à une...
67From Thomas Jefferson to John Paradise, 5 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The sentiments of approbation so kindly expressed in the paper I received from your hand, call for my sincere thanks, and I give them sincerely. I have no claims on my country for any good done. Either occasions have been wanting, or talents to improve them. Zeal indeed I have without measure: but who can want zeal for such a government as ours? Every heart is big with it. I concur with my...
68II. Jefferson to Lafayette, 6 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I never made an offer to any body to have corn or flour brought here, from America: no such idea ever entered my head. Mr. Necker desired me to give information in America that there would be a want of flour. I did so in a letter to Mr. Jay , which he published with my name to it for the encouragement of the merchants. Those here who have named me on this subject, must have mistaken me for Mr....
69IV. Jefferson to Lafayette, 7 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you a letter on the subject of what Mr. Mirabeau said which you were so good as to say you would have read in the assembly. I find that there has been imported from the United States into the Atlantic ports of France from March to May inclusive 44,116 quintals of corn 12,221 quintals of flour making 56,337 quintals. Add to this what has been imported since the month of May, suppose...
70V. Jefferson to Lafayette, 7 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of yesterday gave me the first information that Monsieur de Mirabeau had supposed to the honorable the assembly of the nation that I had made an offer to Mr. Necker to obtain from America a quantity of corn or flour, which had been refused. I know not how Monsieur de Mirabeau has been led into this error. I never in my life made any proposition to Mr. Necker on the subject: I never...
71VI. Jefferson to Montmorin, 8 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of my letter to Monsieur de la Fayette correcting the error into which the States general had been led by Monsieur de Mirabeau. Monsieur de la Fayette had spoke to him yesterday morning, and he acknowleged that he had been mistaken in the fact he had asserted, and promised that he would set it to rights in the assembly when the subject should be brought...
72VII. Jefferson to Necker, 8 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose you a copy of my letter to Monsieur de la Fayette. When I called on him yesterday he had already spoken to Monsieur de Mirabeau, who acknoleged he had been in an error in what he had advanced in the assembly of the nation as to the proposition supposed to have been made by me to your excellency, and undertook to declare his error when the subject should be resumed...
73From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 8 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My hotel having been lately robbed, for the third time, I take the liberty of uniting my wish with that of the inhabitants of this quarter, that it might coincide with the arrangements of the Police to extend to us the protection of a guard. While the Douane remained here, no accident of that kind happened, but since their removal, other houses in the neighborhood have been robbed as well as...
74XI. Jefferson to Lafayette, 9 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been curious to form some estimate of the quantity of corn and flour which have been supplied to France this year, I applied to a person in the farms, to know upon what quantities the premium had been paid. He could not give me information but as to the Atlantic ports into which there has been imported from the united states from March to May inclusive 44,116 quintals of corn 12,221...
75XII. Jefferson to Lafayette, 10 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The acknowledgement by Monsieur de Mirabeau to the national assembly that he had been in an error as to the offer he supposed me to have made, and the reading to them my letter, seems to be all that was requisite for any just purpose. As I was unwilling my name should be used to injure the minister, I am also unwilling it should be used to injure Monsieur de Mirabeau. I learn that his enemies...
76From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, which was of May 19. I have received yours of June 17. and 18. I am struck with the idea of the geometrical wheelbarrow, and will beg of you a further account if it can be obtained. I have no news yet of my Congé. Tho you have doubtless heard most of the proceedings of the States general since my last, I will take up the narration where that left it, that you may be able to...
77From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 12 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Paradise will be arrived in London before this reaches you. He could not determine to await the deed any longer. But he proposed to and at your house in order to know in the first moment whether it was signed. He left in my hands a bill on you for £176. sterling which I have advanced for him and Mrs. Paradise at different times. It was part of a sum of money which I was to have paid in...
78From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 12 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The delay of my Congé permits me still the pleasure of continuing to communicate the principal things which pass here. I have already informed you that the proceedings of the states general were tied up by the difficulty which arose as to the manner of voting, whether it should be by persons or orders. The Tiers at length gave an ultimate invitation to the other two orders to come and join...
79From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Denise Broutin, 13 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Madame Broutin s’occupant d’un jardin Anglois, Monsieur Jefferson a pensé qu’elle pourroit avoir plaisir à voir un livre traduit de l’Anglois où ce sujet est superieurement traité. A des principes très fondés, l’Auteur (M. Whateley) ajoute des descriptions exactes et pittoresques des jardins les plus celebres de l’Angleterre.—Monsieur Jefferson prie donc Madame Broutin de lui accorder la grace...
80From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 13 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the day before yesterday by Mr. Paradise. I write now by post . The case described in that letter page 3. line 4. to 11. has happened. Mr. Necker was dismissed from office the evening of the 11th. and set out for Geneva. This was not generally known in Paris till yesterday afternoon. The mobs immediately shut up all the playhouses. The foreign troops were advanced into the city....
81From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 13 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been long without acknoleging the receipt of your favors of June the 2d. and 30th. I expected every post would bring the deed which was to enable Mr. Paradise to go to London. Before you receive this he will be arrived there: and he will be surprized to be told that the evening before he left Paris, Mr. Necker was dismissed from office and went off to Geneva. Monsieur de Montmorin...
82From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 16 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with yours of the 11th. instant and lament much that I cannot avail myself of so excellent an opportunity of going to America as the Washington offers. But not having yet received my permission I am not at liberty to go. The tumults in Paris which took place on the change of the ministry, the slaughter of the people in the assault of the Bastille the beheading the Governor and...
83From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown Cutting, 16 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for your attention to the cir[cumstance] of my passage, and lament extremely that I cannot avail myself of so favorable a conveiance as the Washington offers, which I would certainly have done had I received my permission. But that is not yet arrived.—The Vanstaphorsts have written to me to receive their bond[s]. This awaits your return.—The Impost act has pass[ed] the house of...
84From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 16 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 11th. and sincerely thank you for the offer of your ship, which I would certainly have embraced, had I been at liberty to go. But I have not yet received permission, and must await that. I beg you to remember me in the most friendly terms to your father. I have put off answering his letter because I expected constantly to make my voyage to America and to see...
85From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 17 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you by post on the 13th. That day all the rest of the ministry was dismissed except Villedeuil and Barentin. The new ministers were Breteuil, Broglio, Vauguyon, de la Porte, de la Galaisiere, and Foulon. The people of Paris forced the prisons of St. Lazare, where they got some arms. On the 14th. they took the Invalids, and Bastille, and beheaded the Governor and Lt. Governor of the...
86From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 17 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
When I wrote my letter of the 12th. I thought Mr. Morgan was returning to England. As I was mistaken in this, it has been obliged to wait another conveiance. This offers by Ld. Daer. I mentioned in that that temporary checks to the proceedings of the States general would probably happen. In fact, a pretty bold one was then beginning to be executed. Mr. Necker was that very evening dismissed....
87From Thomas Jefferson to the Abbé Arnoux, 19 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Dear Sir Paris July 19. 1789. The above is a catalogue of all the books I recollect on the subject of juries. With respect to the value of this institution I must make a general observation. We think in America that it is necessary to introduce the people into every department of government as far as they are capable of exercising it; and that this is the only way to ensure a long-continued...
88From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am become very uneasy lest you should have adopted some channel for the conveiance of your letters to me which is unfaithful. I have none from you of later date than Nov. 25. 1788. and of consequence no acknowledgement of the receipt of any of mine since that of Aug. 11. 1788. Since that period I have written to you of the following dates. 1788. Aug. 20. Sep. 3. 5. 24. Nov. 14. 19. 29. 1789....
89To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 22 July 1789 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after, yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the...
90From Thomas Jefferson to the Archbishop of Bordeaux, 22 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Je sens toute ma malheur, Monseigneur, de recevoir les ordres du Comité nommé pour la redaction de la Constitution au moment que des depeches pour l’Amerique m’occupent tout entier, et que le bâtiment qui doit les porter est pret à mettre à la voile. Je vous supplie de leur en être l’organe de mes regrets. A moi la perte est des plus affligeantes de manquer à des discussions les plus...
91From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 22 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 18th. of June. Within a day or two after yours of May 9. came to hand. In the rest of Europe nothing remarkeable has happened; but in France such events as will be for ever memorable in history. To begin where my last left them, the king took on himself to decide the great question of voting by persons or by orders, by a declaration made at a Seance royale on the 23d....
92From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer of my letters (a servant of Mr. Morris) not going off till to-day I am enabled to add to their contents. The spirit of tumult seemed to have subsided, when yesterday it was excited again by a particular incident. Monsieur Foullon, one of the obnoxious ministry, who, as well as his brethren, had absconded, was taken in the country, and as is said by his own tenants, and brought to...
93From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Paine, 23 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 11th. 13th. and 17th. instant. Last night yours of the 13th. came to hand. It has been long on the way. I am sorry that I am not able myself to accomodate you with the exchange of money in Europe for money in America: because on the contrary I need remittances from America. I will speak to Mr. Morris and if he can answer your purpose, I will write you by post, or he will...
94From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 25 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of May 21. my dear Madam, was the last I expected to have written you on this side the Atlantic for the present year. Reasons, which I cannot devine, have prevented my yet receiving my Congé. In the mean time we have been here in the midst of tumult and violence. The cutting off heads is become so much á la mode, that one is apt to feel of a morning whether their own is on their...
95From Thomas Jefferson to Sir John Sinclair, 25 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The civilities you were so kind as to shew me while in England are a proof that you will extend them to one who deserves them more, and encourages me to introduce to your notice the bearer hereof Mr. Morris, an American gentleman of great distinction. He has had an important part in our councils from the beginning, is very intimately informed of them, and is therefore well qualified to satisfy...
96From Thomas Jefferson to Lord Wycombe, 25 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The acquaintance with which Your Lordship honored me when in Paris , and your friendly dispositions, encourage me to introduce to you the bearer hereof Mr. Morris, an American gentleman of great talents and information, and who has been peculiarly distinguished in our councils, and intimate with the transactions of our republic. The desire you have shewn of adding a knoledge of our affairs to...
97From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 26 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof Mr. Benjamin Huger, a young gentleman of South Carolina, proposing to see Madrid in the course of a tour he is about to make, I take the liberty of recommending him to you. He is of one of the most distinguished families of South Carolina, and has been some years in Europe to compleat an education which he had begun in Virginia in my neighborhood. This gave me occasion to...
98From Thomas Jefferson to Giovanni Fabbroni, 26 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of presenting to your notice the Bearer hereof Mr. Benjamin Huger, a young gentleman of South Carolina, and of one of the most distinguished families there. Travelling for his improvement, he will take your city in the course of his tour, and will certainly find that it merits to occupy him some days. I will ask for him those attentions and informations so useful to a...
99From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Huger, 26 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
The troubles of this city will be a sufficient apology for the length of time which intervened between my receipt of your favor of June 16. and the date of this letter. I am much obliged by your putting it in my power to render you the little service of introductory letters for your journey. Your connection with the families of Mr. Walker and Mr. Kinloch who hold the first places in my...
100[From Thomas Jefferson to Souche, 27 July 1789] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 27 July 1789 . A letter to “Blondin” is recorded in SJL under this date, but has not been found. It was evidently in response to the letters from “Souche, dit Blondin” of 11 May and 16 June 1789.]