From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 2 March 1786
To James Monroe
Paris March 2. 1786.
Dear Sir
The present is merely to inclose to you a letter I have received from a lady who is distressed on account of her son at Elizabeth town, and to pray you to enquire into his situation and either write it to me, or get him to write to his mother and to forward it through you. I wish you happiness at all times being with very sincere esteem Dr. Sir, Your affectionate friend & Servt.,
Th: Jefferson
RC (NN); endorsed; without indication of name of addressee which is established by the following entry under 2 Mch. in SJL: “J. Monroe inclosing her letter and praying him to enquire.” This entry is written immediately below that for TJ’s letter to Madame d’Anterroches of the same date. Enclosure (missing): Madame d’Anterroches to TJ, 19 Feb. 1786.
A lady who is distressed: Madame d’Anterroches, who also appealed to Franklin and Lafayette for assistance; see Gottschalk, Lafayette, 1783–89, p. 261, note 5, citing E. G. Pierson, “Some Records of the French in Elizabethtown,” NJHS, Procs., 2d ser., xiii (1895), 165–8; see also Madame d’Anterroches to TJ, 12 Mch. 1786.