17571From Thomas Jefferson to Michel Capitaine, 25 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir, Monsieur, de Monsieur Peters une lettre de change sur votre compte pour 4755₶-14s, qu’il me prie de vous remet[tre]. Je partirai pour la Provence dans deux jours, et je laisserai la lettre de change dans les mains de Monsieur Short , mon Secretaire, qui aura l’honneur de la livrer à vos mains si vous aurez la bonté de la lui demander. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec bien de...
17572To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 23 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
The Notables met yesterday. the king opened the assembly with a short speech, wherein he expressed his inclination to consult with them on the affairs of his kingdom, to receive their opinions on the plans he had digested, and to endeavor to imitate the head of his family Henry IV. whose name is so dear to the nation. the speech was affectionate. the Guarde des sceaux spoke about 20 minutes,...
17573From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Notables met yesterday. The king opened the assembly with a short speech, wherein he expressed his inclination to consult with them on the affairs of his kingdom, to receive their opinions on the plans he had digested, and to endeavor to imitate the head of his family Henry IV. whose name is so dear to the nation. The speech was affectionate. The Guarde des sceaux spoke about 20 minutes,...
17574From Thomas Jefferson to Mrs. Champernoune, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Tho’ I have not the honor of being known to you by name even, yet the interest you have been so good as to take in behalf of the persons who will be the subject of this letter, encourage me to take the liberty of addressing it to you. The late Mr. Trist of America was your brother, and I learn from his widow that you had been pleased to take notice of her and of her son by way of letter. Well...
17575From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The assemblée des Notables being an event in the history of this country which excites notice, I have supposed it would not be disagreeable to you to learn it’s immediate objects, tho no ways connected with our interests. The assembly met yesterday; the king in a short but affectionate speech informed them of his wish to consult with them on the plans he had digested, and on the general good...
17576From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must refer you to my letter of Dec. 15. for the reason why I had not asked of you sooner some information of Browse’s relations in England and of their residence. Having received that information from you after my return from England, I wrote to my friend Mr. Trumbul to make such enquiries as he could. I inclose you a copy of his letter containing the result of these enquiries. You will...
17577From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I thank you for the trouble you have been so good as to take in the case of Mrs. Trist. I have sent her a copy of your letter and I now trouble you with a letter to Mrs. Champernoune. If we do some good by these enquiries we shall share the happiness of it. The illness and death of the Count de Vergennes have retarded my departure on my journey till the 27th. I foresee nothing to hinder it...
17578Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Jan. 29. and of the papers you were so good as to send me they were the latest I had seen or have yet seen. They left off too in a critical moment; just at the point where the Malcontents make their submission on condition of pardon, and before the answer of government was known. I hope they pardoned them. The spirit of resistance to government is...
17579From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 22 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the honor of your letter of Jan. 29. and of the papers you were so good as to send me. They were the latest I had seen or have yet seen. They left off too in a critical moment; just at the point where the Malcontents make their submission on condition of pardon, and before the answer of government was known. I hope they pardoned them. The spirit of resistance to government is...
17580From Thomas Jefferson to De Langeac, 22 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur le Comte, par les affaires dont une voiage projettée m’a accablé il y a quelque tems, je n’ai pas pu repondre plutot à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire. C’est vrai que pendant que nous etions en traité pour votre maison, vous m’avez proposé qu’au lieu de 7500.₶ que j’offrois pour le loyer, je donnerois 8000.₶ et que vous payeriez les gages d’un jardinier. Je me...
17581From Thomas Jefferson to Barradelle, 21 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Devant faire incessamment, Monsieur, une longue voiage, mes occupations ne m’ont pas permis de repondre plutot à la lettre que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de m’ecrire. C’est vrai que j’avois trouvé votre Microscope superieure à toutes celles que j’avois vue. Mais avant de la voir, j’en avois acheté une à Londres, moins parfaite vraiment, mais qui suffit aux petites experiences d’une personne...
17582To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 20 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favor of Jan. 25. Col o. Franks sailed in the packet of this month from Havre for New York. this arrangement of the packets opens a direct communication between Paris & America, and if we succeed as I expect we shall in getting Honfleur made a freeport, I hope to see that place become the deposit for our Whale oil, rice, tobacco & furs, & that from...
17583From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 20 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknoledge the receipt of your favor of Jan. 25. Colo. Franks sailed in the packet of this month from Havre for New York. This arrangement of the packets opens a direct communication between Paris and America, and if we succeed as I expect we shall in getting Honfleur made a freeport, I hope to see that place become the deposit for our Whale oil, rice, tobacco and furs, and that...
17584From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McCaul, 19 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is duly received. I agree chearfully to the alteration you propose, in our terms, for converting the current into sterling money. It will guard against injustice, should the madness of paper money invade our assembly. I send you the inclosed paper finally settling this business. I am not well acquainted with the situation of your matter in Virginia. I had hoped that...
17585From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 19 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Jan. 29. and Dr. Burney’s which was inclosed in it. If the harpsichord be not sent off, perhaps it may as well await the last of March or beginning of April when it may be less exposed to rains. But it is not material. I shall be absent till the 1st. of May. Franks was unlucky with the instrument made by Jones. It was stolen out of his carriage in the...
17586From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 18 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowlege your separate favors of Dec. 4. and Jan. 6. and the joint one to Mr. Adams and myself of Jan. 6. This last has been communicated to Congress and to Mr. Adams. You have my full and hearty approbation of the treaty you obtained from Marocco, which is better and on better terms than I expected. Mr. Adams and myself have annexed our confirmation to two of the copies, one of...
17587From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 18 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 26. since which I have been honoured with yours of Dec. 17. I now inclose you a duplicate of the vote for the recall of Mr. Lamb. I take the liberty also of putting under cover to you our confirmation of the Marocco treaty together with a joint letter to Fennish. The fear that Mr. Barclay might not be at Madrid has occasioned my giving you this trouble as well as...
17588From Thomas Jefferson to De Corny, 18 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter to the Prevot des Marchands et echevins de Paris is to acknolege the receipt of the report which you were so kind as to put into my hands, and which I immediately forwarded to the Governor of Virginia. As the letter is written in English, and will therefore need your explanation, I take the liberty of passing it thro’ your hands, and even of praying you to put the address...
17589From Thomas Jefferson to the Prévôt des Marchands et Echevins de Paris, 18 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of the letter with which you have been pleased to honour me, together with the report on the inauguration of the bust of the Major General the Marquis de la Fayette. I availed myself of an opportunity which offered, in the moment, of transmitting them to the state of Virginia, with a faithful representation of the favor with which the Prevot des marchands et...
17590From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Bérard, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine in Charlestown sent me a box of plants and a letter to New York to the care of Mr. Otto, Chargé des affaires of France there who delivered them to Capt. Sionville of the packet Courier de l’Europe. The letter came to hand without the box of plants. I wrote to Mr. Champion of L’Orient to ask the favor of him to enquire for the box. He wrote me word the vessel was gone on to...
17591From Thomas Jefferson to Henry Champion, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of the letter you were so kind as to write me, I wrote to M. Limozin to make enquiry for the box of plants which was the subject of the letter with which I troubled you. He called on Capt. Sionville of the packet the Courier de l’Europe, who informed him he did bring such a box of plants, that having forgot from whom he received them and for whom they were intended, and there being,...
17592From Thomas Jefferson to Philip Mazzei, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Anacreon. Antoninus. Sophocles. Xenophon’s Cyropaedia. Aeschylus. ——’s Hellenics. Euripides. ——’s Anabasis. Aristophanes. Herodotus. Seneca’s tragedies. Thucydides. Terence. Quintus Curtius. Plautus. Justin. Lucian. Diodorus Siculus. Horace. Dyonisius Halicarnassus.
17593From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
As I propose to write you on business by Mr. Cairnes who will set out in a few days for London, the object of the present letter is only to inform you that the Count de Vergennes died yesterday morning and that the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor: and further to beg the favor of you to forward the inclosed by the first vessel from London. I set out on my journey on Sunday the...
17594From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter of the 8th. instant which I had the honour of writing you, I informed you that the Count de Vergennes was dangerously ill. He died yesterday morning, and the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor. Your personal knowlege of this gentleman renders it unnecessary for me to say any thing of him. Mr. Morris, during his office, being authorized to have the medals and swords...
17595From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In the letter of the 8th. instant which I had the honour of writing you, I informed you of the illness of the Count de Vergennes. In one of the present date which I send by the way of London, I have notified to you his death which happened yesterday morning, and that the Count de Montmorin is appointed his successor, with whose character you are personally acquainted. As the winds have been...
17596From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 14 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter is to announce to Congress the death of the Count de Vergennes and appointment of the Count de Montmorin to succeed him. As the winds seem to have been contrary to the sailing of the packet boat, I send it by post and beg the favor of you to deliver it to Colo. Franks if he is not gone; and if he is, to send it by the first vessel. I have received duly the papers which...
17597From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Burney, 12 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your favor of the 20th. of January, and am now to return you my sincere thanks for your very kind attention to the instrument I had desired. Your goodness has induced you to give yourself a great deal more trouble about it than I would have presumed to propose to you. I only meant to intrude on your time so far as to give a general instruction to the workmen. Besides...
17598From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 12 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay the American Consul general for France being at present out of the kingdom, I have given orders to Mr. Grand, banker at Paris, to pay your draught for one hundred and eighty six livres advanced by you for the relief of the shipwrecked Americans. I thank you for your attention to these unfortunate people. It will rest with Mr. Barclay to give such future directions as he shall think...
17599From Thomas Jefferson to Schweighauser & Dobrée, 12 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received the order of Congress for the settlement of your accounts, of which order you were pleased to send me a copy in your favor of Jan. 27. I have reason to expect still an additional order on the same subject. This will probably arrive by the time I shall have compleated a journey into the South of France which my health obliges me to take. I purpose to return by the way of...
17600[From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Doradour, 11 February 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Feb. 1787 Recorded in SJL under this date. Not found.]
17601From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 11 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend in S. Carolina sent a letter and a box of plants for me to Mr. Otto, chargé des affaires of France at New York. The letter came by the packet the Courier de l’Europe, and was sent to me from l’Orient. I presume Mr. Otto sent the box of plants by the same conveiance but as the packet received orders on her arrival at l’Orient to repair immediately to Havre, she landed only her...
17602From Thomas Jefferson to De Puisaye, 11 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Les talents que vous possedez, Monsieur, doivent bien vous faire reussir en Amerique, comme partout ailleurs. Vous ne pouvez pas manquer d’y trouver à quoi les occuper. Vous avez bien prevu que la manque de la langue du païs vous fera eprouver des difficultés. Je vous assure qu’ils ne seront pas mediocres, et je vous parle de ma propre experience. Il faudra aussi vous preparer d’y rencontrer...
17603From Thomas Jefferson to Tarbé, 11 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai l’honneur, Monsieur, d’accuser la reception de la lettre que vous m’avez fait celui de m’ecrire, et de vous informer que votre billet d’echange a eté presenté et payé, et que le vin est arrivé á sa destination. Je vous prie de vouloir bien agreer mes sinceres remerciments pour toutes vos bontés et les assurances des sentiments d’estime et de respect avec lesquels j’ai l’honneur d’etre...
17604From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 11 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My hand recovering very slowly from the effects of it’s dislocation, I am advised by the Surgeons to try the waters of Aix in Provence. From thence I think it possible I may go as far as Nice. As circumstances might arise under which a passport might be useful, I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency for one. I propose to set out on Thursday next. I would at the same time ask an...
17605From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated Dec. 25. since which I have been honoured with your several favors of Dec. 29. Jan. 5. 9. and 23. I thought that your affairs could not be more interesting than they have been for a considerable time. Yet in the present moment they are become more so by the apparent withdrawing of so considerable a personage in the drama as the K. of P. To increase this interest...
17606From Thomas Jefferson to David S. Franks, 8 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I discover that by mistake you have among the papers some that are not destined for America. I recollect PrC ( MHi ); MS faded, some words being supplied by the editors with reference to the first of the two letters written to Franks on this date. Franks’s acknowledgment of a letter of the 8th indicates that only one was received (Franks to TJ, 11 Feb. 1787), and only one is recorded in SJL ....
17607From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 8 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The packet being to sail the day after tomorrow, I have awaited the last possible moment of writing by her, in hopes I might be able to announce some favorable change in the situation of the Count de Vergennes. But none has occurred, and in the mean time he has become weaker by the continuance of his illness. Tho’ not desperately ill, he is dangerously so. The Comptroller General M. de...
17608From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 8 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 3d. inst. and thank you for the letters it covered. This will be handed you by two American gentlemen Colo. Franks and Mr. Bannister, who propose to go passengers in the packet, and whom I beg leave to recommend to your notice. I shall set out this day sennight for the South of France and probably shall be absent from Paris two or three months. Mr. Short,...
17609To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 7 February 1787 (Madison Papers)
I leave the inclosed open for your perusal & that of your Collegues & others to whom you may chuse to shew it; only taking care that neither copies nor extracts be taken. Be so good, when you are done with it, as to stick a wafer in it and forward it to the Governor. I am with sincere esteem Dr. Sir Your friend & servt P. S. I do not know whether you are acquainted with young Bannister who...
17610From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A former letter which I wrote to announce the arrival of your son in Paris in good health has failed to go by the occasion which was expected. He will have the happiness therefore of announcing that good news in person. I congratulate you on his character which is substantially good. He has never I think done an imprudent thing since he left you, unless we call by that name, as I believe we...
17611From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., with enclosure, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I inclose you fifteen hundred livres being all the money I have in this moment. I must beg the favor of you to leave me your accounts to pay to the amount of your balance. My reason is this. Being to set out on my journey within a week, I shall then have occasion to draw money from my banker for the paiment of my own accounts, and would wish to make one draught of the whole. Nevertheless if it...
17612From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Willing Bingham, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I know, Madam, that the twelvemonth is not yet expired; but it will be, nearly, before this will have the honour of being put into your hands. You are then engaged to tell me truly and honestly whether you do not find the tranquil pleasures of America preferable to the empty bustle of Paris. For to what does that bustle tend? At eleven o’clock it is day chez Madame. The curtains are drawn....
17613From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency a report of the proceedings on the inauguration of the bust of the Marquis de la Fayette in this city. This has been attended with a considerable, but a necessary delay. The principle that the King is the sole fountain of honour in this country, opposed a barrier to our desires which threatened to be insurmountable. No instance of a similar...
17614From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I leave the inclosed open for your perusal and that of your Collegues and others to whom you may chuse to shew it; only taking care that neither copies nor extracts be taken. Be so good, when you are done with it, as to stick a wafer in it and forward it to the Governor. I am with sincere esteem Dr. Sir your friend & servt., P.S. I do not know whether you are acquainted with young Bannister...
17615To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 6 February 1787 (Adams Papers)
Your favors by Col o. Franks have come safely to hand. he will set out from hence the 8 th. inst. the packet being to sail from Havre the 10 th. I inclose you the copy of a letter lately received from mr̃ Barclay, & of the paper it inclosed. in a letter from mr̃ Carmichael is a postscript dated Dec. 25. in the following words “since writing the preceding, the Portuguese Ambassador has pressed...
17616From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 6 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors by Colo. Franks have come safely to hand. He will set out from hence the 8th. inst. the packet being to sail from Havre the 10th. I inclose you the copy of a letter lately received from Mr. Barclay, and of the paper it inclosed. In a letter from Mr. Carmichael is a postscript dated Dec. 25. in the following words ‘since writing the preceding, the Portuguese Ambassador has pressed...
17617From Thomas Jefferson to William Drayton, 6 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 6th. of May last by Mr. McQuin, and of sending you by the same gentleman some seed of the Sulla, or Spanish St. foin. I hope it has succeeded, as some seeds of the same parcel which I sowed in my garden have vegetated well and gave me an opportunity of seeing that it is a most luxuriant grass. It’s success in the climate of Malta seems to ensure it...
17618To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 30 January 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last to you was of the 16th. of Dec. since which I have received yours of Nov. 25. & Dec. 4. which afforded me, as your letters always do, a treat on matters public, individual & oeconomical. I am impatient to learn your sentiments on the late troubles in the Eastern states. So far as I have yet seen, they do not appear to threaten serious consequences. Those states have suffered by the...
17619From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Frederick Michaelis and Others, 4 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society having heretofore done themselves the honour of naming you one of their members, the President has been pleased to transmit to me the Diploma made out in the forms used by the society, and authenticated by their seal. I do myself the honour of forwarding it to you and at the same time of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the...
17620From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Barclay, 2 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
You could not have obliged me more, my dear Madam, than by the friendly application you have made. The thousand livres shall be delivered into the hands of any person you will be so good as to direct to call for them; or to any person you please in Paris at a moment’s warning. My last letter from Mr. Barclay was dated Alicant Jan. 6. He was well, and was to set out in two days for Madrid, from...