3051[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 11 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 11 May 1784 . Entry in SJL , written immediately below that for the letter to the Speaker of the House of Delegates, reads: “Speaker Senate. Do.” Not found.]
3052From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 14th. came duly to hand. It enabled me to give to Colo. Humphries the first intimation of his appointment and to see that he received real pleasure from it. He was before unknown to me; but our future connection in business has occasioned me to enquire into his character with which I am much pleased. We have taken arrangements for passing the Atlantic together. Short is not...
3053From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 21 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 16th. last night. I was out when it was delivered, so know not how it came; a circumstance no otherwise important than as I am at a loss how or where to enquire for the packet which should have accompanied it containing the commissions, instructions &c. I shall immediately however make the enquiry. I am obliged to you for the order for the journals. I shall make...
3054[From Thomas Jefferson to Ralph Izard, 22 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 22 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “R. Izard. Tender of service to him-ask information as to commerce of S.C. and Georgia. Not found. On the information respecting commerce, see Izard to TJ, 10 June 1785 .]
3055[From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, 22 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 22 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “J. Rutlege. Information as to the commerce of S.C. and Georgia-tender of service to his state and himself.” Not found. ]
3056[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads “S. Hardy. That have enclosed his money to Monroe—protested bill—Short.” Not found.]
3057From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 8th. and 15th. came to hand yesterday. I have this morning revised your former letters to see what commissions it would be best for me to execute here for you. In that of Feb. 17. you desire a recommendation of a fit bookseller in Paris and London. This certainly I can better do from the spot. In the mean time address yourself to me as your bookseller for either place,...
3058[From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “[May] 25. Colo. Monroe. Inclosed the 270. Dollars back again—I pay Boinod 2⅓ for him—inclosed the Gov’s and Jamieson’s letters to him—shall sail from Boston about 20th June—Short to hasten—acknolege receipt of cypher.” Letter and enclosures not found. The letter from Gov. Harrison may have been that to TJ of 14 May 1784 , and that from David...
3059From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Pendleton, 25 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. found me at this place from which I set out the day after tomorrow. I mean to go thro’ the Eastern states in hopes of deriving some knolege of them from actual inspection and enquiry which may enable me to discharge my duty to them somewhat the better. I expect to embark at Boston about the 20th. of June. If you will recur to the Confederation you will find the...
3060[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 25 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 25 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “E. Rand. Send his defence of Western territory to care Dr. Franklin-Norfolk-canal thro Dismal-Patowm. and Ohio.” Not found.]
3061[From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 28 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 28 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Colo Monroe. Commissions to France, Holld. Sweden.” Not found. For these three supplementary commissions, see Thomson to TJ, 18 June 1784 .]
3062[From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 28 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Philadelphia, 28 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs Trist. To draw on me at Paris for money accompanying it with a letter of advice.” Not found, but acknowledged in Mrs. Trist’s letter to TJ, 12 Mch. 1785 , as received 22 Feb. 1785.]
3063[From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ New York, ca. 1 June 1784 . Entry in SJL under “June” reads: “Jas. Madison. Inclosed Deane’s letters.” Neither letter nor enclosure has been found, but TJ must have written about 1 June from New York where he arrived on 30 May and from which he departed on 5 June 1784 (Dumbauld, Jefferson, American Tourist , 58). He had endeavored without success to obtain a copy of “Deane’s letters” in...
3064From Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 10 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
After I had the pleasure of seeing you in New Haven I received information that you were in possession of several facts relative to the huge bones of the Animal incognitum found in America, or of the Mammoth as the Russians call the same animal whose bones they also find in the Northern parts of their empire. Monsr. de Buffon the celebrated Physiologist of the present age, who has advanced a...
3065From 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...
3066From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 19 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Supposing that Congress would communicate to you directly the powers committed to yourself, Mr. Adams and myself, I have delayed from day to day the honour of writing to you, in hopes that every day would open to me a certainty of the time and place at which I might sail. A French packet will leave N. York early in the next month. By her I mean to take my passage, and may therefore expect in...
3067From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 21 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I find on my arrival here that there is no vessel going for France from any Eastern port. There is a new brig of Mr. Tracy’s which sails for London in about ten days; but besides the objection to the place of her destination, another arises to that crowd of passengers to which we should be exposed in merchant ships without corresponding accomodations. I here learn that the French packet sails...
3068From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 27 June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I mentioned in my letter to you that there was one circumstance which might induce me to take my passage from hence in a ship of Mr. Tracy’s. This was the obtaining a tolerable probability of being set ashore on the coast of France. Since my return from Portsmouth (which was the night before last) I have seen Mr. Tracy, and I think the probability of being landed at Brest, tho’ his ship goes...
3069I. Queries concerning Government, Labor, Commerce, &c., [ca. 1 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. This query was originally framed by Hogendorp, but was employed by TJ only in New York and Connecticut; none of the replies for Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire contains an answer to it.
3070II. Replies to Queries: New York (2), [ca. 1–5 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
New York. Mr. Lewis . I. 1. Under 100 ton. They have ½ ton privilege. Above that 1 ton. The use of the cabbin. 2. Before the war from 50/ to £3. The masters £6. a month. 4. In sloops 6. Topsail vessels 8. or 10. 5. Smallest vessel 50 ton. up to 400. II. Had one co. for whale fishing before war. Will revive it. No other. The British used to send several vessels to N. F.land. one or two for each...
3071IV. Replies to Queries: Rhode Island, [ca. 18? June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Govr. Bowen Rhodeisland. [ca. 18? June 1784] I. 1. About 4500 Doll. 4. About 130,000£ 5. There is an impost of 2 pr. cent on imports appropriated to this. It begins to be paid. 6. At one half their nominal sum. 7. About £20,000. 8. None but that mentioned no. 5. 9. About one twentieth. All born after a day past are free. The master if at any expence with them is to be paid by the public men....
3072V. Replies to Queries: Massachusetts, July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Massachusets. Mr. Tracy. July. 1784 I. 1. About 30,000£ lawful 4. About 1,500,000£ lawful. 5. The interest is punctually paid. The principal stands on the public faith. There is an impost and excise appropriated to the paimt of the interest, but no tax is yet laid for paiment of the principal, except for a particular 30,000£ of it. 6. About 8/ in the pound. 7. They have been since 1782 about...
3073VI. Replies to Queries: New Hampshire, June 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
New-Hampshire. June 1784. I. Government. The amount of the civil list is not yet fixed under the new constitution. The last year it was between three and four thousand pounds lawful. Their State debt is about 150,000 pounds lawful. The interest, and 10 or 15 per cent of the principal is paid by way of discount in taxes. The evidences of this debt sell at about one half their nominal value. The...
3074VII. Miscellaneous Notes on Commerce, [ca. June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Pennsylva. Virginia. Pennsylvania Freeport in English W. Indies. S. Carolina. Govr. Hopkins tells me that old Mr. Middleton at the first Congress informed him that state owed 800,000£ sterl. private debts to Gr. Brit. MS ( DLC ); entirely in TJ’s hand. These notes may have been set down during May-June 1784 as TJ traveled northward, or they may have been compiled later on the basis of replies...
3075VIII. Summary of Replies to Queries, 31 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
N. Hampshire Massachusets Rhode island Connecticut New York Whole Pennsylvania Shipping 10. M . ton 1. M .ton— 4. M . ton 4. M . ton
3076IX. Abstracts of Gouverneur Morris’ Letters on Commerce, [May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[May 1784] G. Morris to Genl. Chastellux. Oct. 7. 1783. France fought for the American commerce. Has she got it and will she hold it? That contest is only beginning. Her success in it will depend on her prudent management. The marine of a country depends on it’s commerce. Commerce depends on 2. pillars. 1. Navigation, which forms seamen. 2. Wealth, which supplies taxes. To pursue a marine at...
3077[From Thomas Jefferson to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Hector St. John. Thanks &c.” Not found.]
3078[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Eppes. That N. Jamieson will send Cod’s tongues and sounds, smoked salmon, Hollybot […] & anchovies. Cypress, Cedar, Magnolia, Myrtle a bushel or two of each to be sent to J. Buchanan to be forwarded to St: John [de Crèvecoeur] at N: York.” Not found. One word in this entry is illegible; it seems to be “fins.”]
3079[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “S. Hardy. Account of my journey—sail day after tomorrow in Ceres—inclosing Izard’s letter to Mrs Lloyd—commissions for France &c. resolutions in committee.” Neither letter nor enclosure found, but see Izard to TJ, 27 Apr. 1784 .]
3080[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel House, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “S. House inclosing the bill as above” (this entry is immediately below that for TJ’s letter to Madison of this date, q.v.). Not found.]
3081[From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “N. Lewis Sell Raleigh, Odin, chariot—Bob chuse master—P. and D. Carr—improve ground in park for fruit trees—wood zone—grass in steep fields Monticello—sarsaparilla, Seneca rattlesnake root, ginseng to Mr. St. John.” Not found; entry is at bottom of page in SJL and last line almost illegible.]
3082From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state and N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce and other circumstances I am returned to this place and shall sail the day after tomorrow in the Ceres bound for London: but my purpose is to get on shore in some boat on the coast of France and proceed directly to Paris. My servant being...
3083[From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “P. Mazzei. That Bowdoin’s conversion of a sterlg. into currency debt was illegal—that Jefferson’s bond for £146–4–6 and Gillespy’s & Henderson’s for £100 having been so long kept by Bowdoin would be considered as a money paiment—that the former was my brother’s affair—referred to N. Lewis and Key for papers and Garth for information.” Not found.]
3084[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Williamos, 1 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 1 July 1784 . Entry in SJL , following that for the letter to St. John de Crèvecoeur of this date, reads: “do. to Williamos. Am writing for seeds to be forwarded to him.” Not found.]
3085From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 2 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Being to sail from this port tomorrow I cannot deny myself the pleasure of recalling myself to your recollection for a moment. I have impatiently hoped your arrival here before I should depart: but I suspect that the belles of Philadelphia have exercised their power over you, for it is there I understand you make your principal delay. When I arrived here I found Mrs. Adams within 36 hours of...
3086[From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 3 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Boston, 3 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Rob. Morris. Drew on him in favor T. Russel 700.D. letter of advice—that Russel had paid Tracy for my passage—he must apportion the 25 guineas between ship—room and stores—he may take copying machine if wants it, if not and any loss occurs let it be disposed of on my account.” Not found.]
3087From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 4 July [1784] (Jefferson Papers)
A letter which I wrote you by express to bring you on here will have informed you of the circumstances which have occasioned me to sail from hence. A tissu of unfortunate events has deprived me of the pleasure of your company. We have waited till this moment in expectation of your joining us, but the return of the express now informs us you had left New-haven and therefore we sail in the...
3088From 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...
3089[From Thomas Jefferson to George Cabot, 24 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[On board the Ceres, off Scilly Isles, 24 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Do. [24. Ceres. off Scilly] Cabot. Have delivered his Don Quixote to Mr. Tracy.” Not found, and Cabot has not been identified. In Nov. 1804 John Quincy Adams had dinner with TJ and afterward made the following entry in his diary: “As to Spanish, it was so easy that he had learned it, with the help of a Don Quixote lent...
3090[From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Cary, 24 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[On board the Ceres, off Scilly Isles, 24 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Ceres. off Scilly. A. Cary. Recommending St. Barbe. That [Alexander] Moore will get some hares, warren rabbits and partridges and deliver to St. Barbe who will deliver to him—to raise and turn out breeders—if he meets with N. Lewis and he will undertake to do the same at his own house, give him some.” Not found. St....
3091[From Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, 24 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ On board the Ceres, off Scilly Isles, 24 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Ceres. off Scilly. G. K. Van Hogendorp. recommending Mr. N. Tracy.” Not found.]
3092[From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander Moore, 24 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[On board the Ceres, off Scilly Isles, 24 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Do. [Ceres. off Scilly] Alexr Moore. memorandum to get the hares, warren rabbits and partridges and deliver to St. Barbe. Also to send three Stilton cheeses and a gross of porter by him to F. Eppes and the same to H. Skipwith. Both to the care of Jas. Buchanan. To go by St. Barbe.” Not found.]
3093[From Thomas Jefferson to Wakelin Welch, 24 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[On board the Ceres, off Scilly Isles, 24 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Do. [Ceres. off Scilly] Wakelyn Welch of London. Acknoleging receipt of his letter, date not recollected. ‘The balance due on my separate account with his late house shall either be paid to him in London by myself, or remitted from Paris in the course of the present year.’ Will render his son any services in Virga....
3094[From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Hardy, 26 July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[Cowes, 26 July 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Cowes. S. Hardy to inform him of my arrival here, that should proceed to Portsmth. to get boat, and thence to Havre soon as Patsy should be well.” Not found.]
3095[From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Tracy, 14 August 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 14 Aug. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “Nathanl. Tracy. My journey hither—recommending to him route by Havre—Carmichael, Wheatcroft, W. T. Franklin.” Not found.]
3096[From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 16 August 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 16 Aug. 1784 . An entry in SJL under this date has a line drawn through it followed by: “[recalled the letter.]” The canceled entry reads: “[Aug.] 16. Mr. Carmichael at Havre on the subject of Limosin. See copy.” It is possible that this letter dealt with TJ’s having been cheated by a porter at Havre (see TJ to William Temple Franklin, 18 Aug. 1784 , note.]
3097[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 16 August 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 16 Aug. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Eppes. Account of my voiage and journey.” Letter not found.]
3098From Thomas Jefferson to Matthew Clarkson, 17 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been here but few days and as yet seen but little of the place or people I cannot pretend to decide from my own observations on the hopes which may be justly formed here of success in your mission. From the conversations I have had on the subject they appear to me small indeed. Dr. Franklin is decidedly of opinion they are desperate here, and Mr. Adams that they are so both here and in...
3099From Thomas Jefferson to William Temple Franklin, 18 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you for the trouble you have been so kind as to take with the bearer, but am under a necessity of giving you a little more. I understand the French so imperfectly as to be incertain whether those to whom I speak and myself mean the same thing. I am also ignorant what should be given to such a person as the bearer. I have therefore taken the liberty of referring him to you...
3100From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 20 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days after my arrival here Colo. Le Maire writer of the inclosed letter called on me and asked me to forward it to you with such explanations as I could give. As to his commission , having lost the original as he therein mentions, he asks an authenticated copy of it which he thinks will enforce some applications he is making to this government. As to the lands, I remember the gift of...