2491[From Thomas Jefferson to Lister Asquith, 5 March 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 5 Mch. 1786. An entry in SJL under this date reads: “Asquith. That order for his discharge is promised and will be forwarded by Mr. Short.” Not found; see TJ to Vergennes, 28 Feb. 1786.]
2492From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 5 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have endeavored to obtain a final order for the American prisoners at Roscoff. I was promised one for the discharge of their persons … . Having waited two days without receiving it, I am obliged to set out on my journey tomorrow morning. … I therefore leave instructions with Mr. Short, my Secretary here, as soon as the order for the discharge comes here, to forward it to the prisoners under...
2493From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The several commissions, to which Congress were pleased to appoint Colo. Humphreys Secretary of legation, being shortly to expire, and a French packet offering him a convenient passage in the month of April, he proposes to avail himself of that occasion of returning to his own country and of there presenting his respects and thanks to Congress. As a member of the several commissions with which...
2494[From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, 5 March 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 5 Mch. 1786 . An entry in SJL under this date reads: “M. de Rayneval. To send order for Asquith and all other communications to Mr. Short in my absence.” Not found.]
2495From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 6 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall be absent so short a time that any letter you would write to me would hardly get to London before I should be coming away; and it is the more discouraging to write as they open all letters in the post office. Should however sickness or any other circumstance render a letter to me necessary, send it here to Mr. Short and he will direct and forward it. I shall defer engaging your drawing...
2496From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 12 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The date of a letter from London will doubtless be as unexpected to you as it was unforeseen by myself a few days ago. On the 27th. of the last month Colo. Smith arrived in Paris with a letter from Mr. Adams informing me that there was at this place a minister from Tripoli, having general powers to enter into treaties on behalf of his state, and with whom it was possible we might do something...
2497From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter in which you mention to me your intention of returning to America in the April packet. It is with sincere concern that I meet this event, as it deprives me not only of your aid in the office in which we have been joined, but also of your society which has been to me a source of the most real satisfaction. I think myself bound to return you my thanks for...
MS not found. Printed from facsimile in WSS ’s hand in Magazine of American History, with Notes and Queries , [1879], 3:44–45; addressed: “His Excellency John Adams, &c., &c., &c., corner Brooks Street, Grosvenor Square.” The signatures were written in a circle and attached on a separate foldout page. The address was provided only in the Magazine article’s text. Published as “A Diplomatic...
2499To John Jay from John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, 28 March 1786 (Jay Papers)
Soon after the arrival of M r . J. in London, we had a conference with the Ambassador of Tripoli, at his House The amount of all the information we can obtain from him was that a perpetual peace was in all respects the most advisable, because a temporary treaty would leave room for increasing demands, upon every renewal of it, and a stipulation for annual payments would be liable to failures...
2500From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 28 March 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor (of no date, but I suppose by the company it was in that it was about the 17th.) and thank you for the intelligence it contains, and particularly that of my daughter’s health. Colo. Humphrey’s letter came to hand at the same time. Ere this I hope he has received mine inclosing one to Mr. Jay which I sent by the first post after my arrival here. We had a cold...
2501Notes of a Tour of English Gardens, [2–14 April] 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Memorandums made on a tour to some of the gardens in England described by Whateley in his book on gardening. While his descriptions in point of style are models of perfect elegance and classical correctness, they are as remarkeable for their exactness. I always walked over the gardens with his book in my hand, examined with attention the particular spots he described, found them so justly...
2502From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 3 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since my last, which gave you reason to expect I should leave this place tomorrow, I find I shall not be able to get away so soon. Nor can I indeed fix a day; tho’ my expectations are that it will not be many before I shall leave it. Your’s on the subject of the prisoners came safely to hand. I shall be obliged to you if you will write, as of your own motion, to enquire what will be the amount...
2503[From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Necks, 18 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 18 Apr. 1786 . An entry in SJL under this date reads: “Lucy Necks. See copy.” Not found; but see TJ to Francis Eppes, 22 Apr. 1786 .]
2504From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Necks, 18 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of yesterday, and in consequence thereof send you eight guineas. I mentioned to you that the settlement of Mr. Wayles’s affairs remained entirely with Mr. Eppes and Mr. Skipwith the acting executors. They alone possess the evidences of his debts and paiments, and they also alone know what is due, and to whom. I think it possible, and even probable, that the...
2505From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McCaul, 19 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 30. came to hand some days ago, and renewed the recollection of a friendship among the earliest I formed in life, and which neither time nor events have weakened at any moment since. I wish it were in my power to inform you that arrangements were at length taken between the two nations for carrying into complete execution the late treaty of peace, and for settling those...
2506[From Thomas Jefferson to George Rogers Clark, 22 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ London, 22 Apr. 1786 . An entry in SJPL under this date reads: “Gen. Clarke. Sentiments here.” Not found and not recorded in SJL .]
2507From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I came over to this place on public business about six weeks ago, and expect to leave it within three or four days. Meeting accidentally with a light neat pattern of chessmen , I ask your acceptance of a set which I deliver with this letter to Fulwar Skipwith to be forwarded to you. Mrs. Necks has presented to me an account against Mr. Wayles’s estate for £8-5-5 proved in Charles city court. I...
2508From Thomas Jefferson to Anna Scott Jefferson, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being called here for a short time, and finding that I could get some articles on good terms here, of which I thought you might be in want, I have purchased them for you. These are two peices of linen, three gowns, and some ribbon. They are done up in paper, sealed, and packed in a trunk in which I have put some other things for Colo. Nicholas Lewis. They will of course go to him, and he will...
2509From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In your letter of October the 29th. you desired me to send you one of the new lamps. I tried at every probable place in Paris, and could not get a tolerable one. I have been glad of it, since I came here, as I find them much better made here. I now deliver one with this letter into the hands of Mr. Fulwar Skipwith, a merchant from Virginia settled here, who promises to send it to you, with one...
2510From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was called here about six weeks ago on public business, and am now again within three or four days of my departure for France. All attempts to induce this nation to enter into such arrangements as may place our commerce on equal terms, are absolutely fruitless. This is now decided. They think they can have our trade on their own terms. They rely that the Southern states will never interest...
2511From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 22 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In one of your former letters you expressed a wish to have one of the newly invented lamps. I find them made here much better than at Paris, and take the liberty of asking your acceptance of one which will accompany this letter. It is now found that any tolerable oil may be used in them. The Spermaceti oil is best of the cheap kinds. I could write you volumes on the improvements which I find...
2512From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Mar. 12. I had the honour of explaining to you the motives which had brought me to this place. A joint letter from Mr. Adams and myself, sent by the last packet, informed you of the result of our conferences with the Tripoline minister. The conferences with the minister of Portugal have been drawn to a greater length than I expected. However, every thing is now agreed and the...
2513From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In another letter of this day I stated to you what has passed with public characters since my arrival here. Conversations with private individuals I thought it best not to mingle with the contents of that letter. Yet as some have taken place which relate to matters within our instructions, and with persons whose opinions deserve to have some weight, I will take the liberty of stating them. In...
2514To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 25 April 1786 (Madison Papers)
Some of the objects of the joint commissions with which we were honoured by Congress called me to this place about six weeks ago. Tomorrow I set out on my return to Paris. With this nation nothing is done; and it is now decided that they intend to do nothing with us. The king is against a change of measures; his ministers are against it, some from principle, others from attachment to their...
2515From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 25 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Some of the objects of the joint commission with which we were honoured by Congress called me to this place about six weeks ago. Tomorrow I set out on my return to Paris. With this nation nothing is done; and it is now decided that they intend to do nothing with us. The king is against a change of measures; his ministers are against it, some from principle, others from attachment to their...
2516From Thomas Jefferson to Sir John Sinclair, 25 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Sir John Sinclair, and thanks for the pamphlets he was so kind as to send him. Their author, as well as their subject, interest him in them. He had the honour of calling at Sir John Sinclair’s yesterday, to take leave, and to make a thousand acknowledgments for the many attentions and kindnesses he has been pleased to shew him. He begs leave now to do it in...
2517From Thomas Jefferson to Carmarthen, [ca. 26 April 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honor of presenting his respects to the right honourable the Marquis of Carmarthen: he had that of calling at his house to take leave on his departure for Paris; from which place the arrangements he had taken do not permit his longer absence. He shall be happy if he can be useful to his Lordship in being the bearer of his commands for that Capital. Dft ( DLC ); without...
2518From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 3 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
After begging leave to present my respects to your Excellency on my return to this place, I take the liberty of offering to your attention some papers which I found on my arrival here, written by sundry merchants of l’Orient, and others, some of whom are citizens of the United states, and all of them concerned in the trade between the two countries. This has been carried on by an exchange of...
2519From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Cary, 4 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Knowing your fondness for Botany, and meeting with a new edition of Linnaeus’s systema vegetabilium in English with many additions furnished the editors by young Linnaeus which have never yet been in print, I procured one for you, and now avail myself of the return of Monsr. de la Croix to Williamsburg to convey it to you and ask your acceptance of it. I saw in the hands of Mr. Mazzei a list...
2520From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 4 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your two favours of Mar. 15, and Aug. 23. 1785. by Monsieur de la Croix came to hand on the 15th. of November. His return gives me an opportunity of sending you a copy of the Nautical almanacs for 1786. 7. 8. 9. There is no late and interesting publication here or I would send it by the same conveiance. With these almanacs I pack a copy of some notes I wrote for Monsr. de Marbois in the year...