3101From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
As you have acted, since my arrival in France, in the characters of Consul general for that country, and minister to the court of Marocco, and also as agent in some particular transactions for the state of Virginia, I think it a duty to yourself, to truth, and to justice, on your departure for America, to declare that in all these characters, as far as has come within my notice, you have acted...
3102From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your private favors of July 12. 1786. and Jan. 28. and May 3. 1787.—I am anxious to hear what you have done in your federal convention. I am in hopes at least you will persuade the states to commit their commercial arrangements to Congress, and to enable them to pay their debts,...
3103From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 3 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your Excellency’s letters of Jan. 28. and May 4. which have come to hand since the date of mine of Feb. 7. Immediately on the receipt of the former I caused enquiry to be made relative to the bayonets, and found that they had certainly been packed with the muskets. Your Excellency’s favor of May 4. renders unnecessary the sending the proofs. There have been...
3104From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Carrington, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Since mine of the 16th. January I have been honoured by your favors of Apr. 24. and June 9. I am happy to find that the states have come so generally into the scheme of the Federal Convention, from which I am sure we shall see wise propositions. I confess I do not go as far in the reforms thought necessary as some of my correspondents in America; but if the Convention should adopt such...
3105From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of May 2. and most cordially sympathize in your late immense losses. It is a situation in which a man needs the aid of all his wisdom and philosophy. But as it is better to turn from the contemplation of our misfortunes to the resources we possess for extricating ourselves, you will of course have found solace in your vigour of mind, health of body, talents,...
3106From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Hawkins, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknowlege the receipt of your favors of Mar. 8. and June 9. and to give you many thanks for the trouble you have taken with the Dionaea muscipula. I have not yet heard any thing of them, which makes me fear they have perished by the way. I beleive the most effectual means of conveying them hither will be by the seed. I must add my thanks too for the vocabularies. This is an object I...
3107From Thomas Jefferson to William Hay, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknowledge the receipt of your two favors of Apr. 26. and May 3. I have forwarded, by a vessel lately sailed from Havre to New York, a box marked WH. containing the livraisons of the Encyclopedie subsequent to those Dr. Currie has delivered you, to the 22d. inclusive. They are sent to the care of Mr. Madison at Congress who will forward the box to you. There is in it also the same...
3108From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 4 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have to acknolege the receipt of your favors of Nov. 8. and Apr. 7. and the pleasure to inform you that the translation of your book sells well, and is universally approved. Froull will send you some copies of it, by the first opportunity. I am happy to hear you are occupied on the general history. It is a subject worthy your pen. I observe Stockdale in London has printed your work and...
3109From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 5 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A journey of between three and four months into the Southern parts of France and Northern of Italy has prevented my writing to you. In the mean time you have changed your ground, engaged in different occupations, so that I know not whether the news of this side the water will even amuse you. However it is all I have for you. The storm which seemed to be raised suddenly in Brabant will probably...
3110From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 5 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
In my last of June 17. 1787. I had the honor of communicating to you the information I had received from Mr. Grand that your funds here were out, and he considerably in advance. I took occasion to mention to him the paragraph in your letter of Feb. 17. wherein you were so kind as to say your attention should be immediately turned to the making a remittance. However I understood soon after that...
3111From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Blair Banister, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your commands on the subject of Madame Oster. Immediately on her arrival I waited on her with a tender of my services. She told me she had so far arranged her matters as no longer to fear any injustice; that she meant to go and settle among her friends. I begged if any occasion of being useful to her should arise, that she would command me, that your recommendations were a...
3112From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Sr., 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your favor of May 6. I communicated to M. de Vernon so much of it as concerned him. I now inclose you his answer, and will pray you to do the best you can for him. I hope your son has found the air of his native country agrees with him. I am sure you will have found him to have laid in a store of observation and wisdom in his journey.—War or peace is the question here. Peace...
3113From Thomas Jefferson to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was not a little disappointed to find on my return that you had gone punctually in the packet as you had proposed. Great is the change in the dispositions of this country in the short time since you left it. A continuation of inconsiderate expence seems to have raised the nation to the highest pitch of discontent. The parliament refused to register the new taxes. After much and warm...
3114From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by Doctor Gibbons a young gentleman, who after studying physic and taking his degrees at Edinburgh has passed some time here. He has desired the honor of being known to you, and I find a pleasure in being the instrument of making him so. It is a tax to which your celebrity submits you. Every man of the present age will wish to have the honor of having known, and been...
3115From Thomas Jefferson to John Hannum Gibbons, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Doctr. Gibbons and sends him another packet , with a renewal of his wishes for his happiness and success. PrC ( DLC ); not recorded in SJL . TJ had sent one packet of letters for America with his to Limozin, 6 Aug. 1787, and the present letter covered another packet.
3116From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter I had the honour of addressing you was dated June 21. I have now that of inclosing you a letter from the Swedish Ambassador praying that enquiry may be made for a vessel of his nation pyratically carried off, and measures taken relative to the vessel, cargo and crew. Also a letter from William Russell and others citizens of America, concerned in trade to the Island of...
3117From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your bill in favor of Sartorius was presented to me and paid to-day. There is no change since my last which occasions a fear of sudden hostilities. You may be assured that the courts of London and Versailles are sincerely striving to prevent a war. The king of Prussia has made a late move which wore a threatening aspect; but it is hoped these two powers will be able to recall him to his...
3118From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter by your son, and shall be happy to render him every assistance in my power of whatever nature. The objects of his stay in this country and of his visit to London are perfectly well judged, so of that to Amsterdam. Perhaps it is questionable whether the time you propose he should spend at some of the German courts might not be better employed at Madrid at Lisbon...
3119From Thomas Jefferson to Langlade, 7 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Le nom de Mr. Jaques Tourny m’est tout à fait inconnu. Je crois pouvoir vous assurer qu’aucune personne de ce nom n’a pas commandé une fregate des etats unis d’Amerique, qu’il n’y a point de ville de Petersburgh dans le comté d’Essex en Virginie, que jamais l’etat de Virginie n’a pas fait des expeditions à Livourne ni eu aucunes affaires avec aucun negotiant de cette ville, que consequement...
3120From Thomas Jefferson to St. Victour, 7 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai la satisfaction de vous faire part, Monsieur, que le Gouverneur de Virginie vient de m’avertir qu’on a trouvé les bayonettes qui faisoient partie de vos envoye d’armes, et qu’au premier moment on avoit craint d’avoir eté omis. II faudra attendre les ordres de l’Etat pour les fournitures ulterieures. On n’en a pas parlé du tout dans les dernieres lettres. J’ai l’honneur d’etre Monsieur...
3121From Thomas Jefferson to Frederick Soffer, 7 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your letter of July 14. I took measures to obtain the information you desired as to the terms on which American vessels are received in the Isle of France. They are precisely the same on which other foreign vessels are admitted, there having been no peculiar favor granted us. American vessels may carry thither the productions of the United states which are...
3122From Thomas Jefferson to Stael de Holstein, 7 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have transmitted to the Secretary for foreign affairs [of] the United states of America, the letter which your excellency [did] me the honour to write me on the 3d. inst. on the subject of the Mary Elizabeth, a Swedish vessel, pyratically carried of by the master and crew, and supposed to be in some of the harbors of the United states. You may be assured that due search will be made for...
3123From Thomas Jefferson to William Frederick Ast, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of the 3d. inst. and am sorry to be obliged to inform you that no late remittances having arrived from the board of treasury of the U.S. and Mr. Grand being unwilling to extend his advances beyond their present amount, Mr. Barclay’s bills in your favor must lie awhile unpaid. I have reason to expect that remittances would be on the way before they receive my...
3124From Thomas Jefferson to John Churchman, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of June 6. and immediately communicated it’s contents to a member of the Academy. He told me they had received the other copy of your memorial which you mention to have sent thro’ another channel, that your ideas were not conveyed so explicitly as to enable them to decide finally on their merit, but that they had made an entry in their journals to preserve to...
3125From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am of opinion that American tenants for Western lands could not be procured, and if they could, they would be very unsure. The best as far as I have been able to judge are foreigners who do not speak the language. Unable to communicate with the people of the country they confine themselves to their farms and their families, compare their present state to what it was in Europe, and find great...
3126From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Coffyn, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed in the course of the last year that there was in the prison of Dunkirk a person of the name of Alexander Gross confined as hostage for the ransom of the sloop Charlotte taken by the privateer Countess d’Avaux, Capt. Carry, in Feb. 1782. I learn that his owners refused to release him, and that the owners of the privateer have since stopped paiment and become bankrupt. I will be...
3127From Thomas Jefferson to R. & A. Garvey, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Having reason to believe that the harpsichord I expected from England will arrive soon at Rouen addressed to your care, I have obtained a passport for it to prevent it’s being opened at Rouen, as I have directed it to be very well packed. I now inclose the passport and will beg the favor of you to have the harpsichord sent up by water. I am sorry I could not save the necessity of an Acquit a...
3128From Thomas Jefferson to Zachariah Loreilhe, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to acknowlege the receipt of your favour dated Lorient Aug. 1787. together with the packets accompanying, and of returning you my thanks for your care of them. I have now that of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem and regard with which I am Sir Your most obedient & most humble servt., PrC ( MHi ). Your favour : Printed above under 3 Aug. 1787.
3129From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Putnam, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received in Sep. last your favor on the subject of your claim against this government for a sloop taken from you in the island of Guadeloupe. As it contained no documents which could enable me to stir in the business, as you supposed Mr. Ridley had turned it over to Mr. Barclay and I was in the immediate expectation of his return from Marocco, I let the matter rest till I could see him. On...
3130From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor accompanying that of Mr. Van bram Houckgeete on the subject of a cask of snuff sent by him to Bordeaux. The importation of that article is prohibited by the laws of France on pain of fine and forfeiture of the article to the Farmers general. His snuff was seized and condemned on due process of law. He sais he was ignorant of the law, and I believe it: his...
3131From Thomas Jefferson to Burrill Carnes, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favor of July 19. By a letter of this day to Messrs. Schweighauser & Dobree I have asked the favor of them to put into your hands one of the good muskets, bayonets and sabres which came from Holland, and to inform you what they think they would sell for, if they should be sold. This information I will ask you to communicate to the Commissioners of the...
3132From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The departure of a packet boat from Havre for New York occasioning me always a great deal of previous writing, I have not been able sooner to acknowlege the receipt of your Note of June 8. on Warneck’s succession, letter of June 30. Extract of letter of July 9. to Mr. Adams, and letters of July 10. and 12. to myself. Your last dispatches to Mr. Jay go by the Packet-boat which sails tomorrow....
3133From Thomas Jefferson to Jeudy de l’Hommande, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
At the time you honored me with your letter of May 31. I was not returned from a journey I had taken into Italy. This circumstance, with the mass of business which had accumulated during my absence must apologize for the delay of my answer. Every discovery which multiplies the subsistence of men, must be a matter of joy to every friend to humanity. As such I learn with great satisfaction that...
3134From Thomas Jefferson to Schweighauser & Dobrée, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The departure of a packet boat for America, which gives me always a great deal of previous writing, has prevented my sooner acknoleging the receipt of your favor of July 19. inclosing the opinion of a lawyer on the questions existing between the United states and yourselves. Mr. Barclay’s settlement of your account having been made on view of copies of your vouchers only, I mentioned to you...
3135From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, with Enclosure, 9 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreeable to the desire expressed in your letter of Feb. 16. 1787. I now send you a rough state of the articles attached by Messrs. Schweighauser & Dobree, and actually remaining in the warehouse at Nantes. You will perceive that it is only an estimate made by myself on the spot, as an exact account could not be obtained without unpacking the whole. My estimate is followed by some Notes on the...
3136From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, with Enclosure, 10 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your two letters of Decemb. 30. and April 18. and am very happy to find by them, as well as by letters from Mr. Wythe, that you have been so fortunate as to attract his notice and good will: I am sure you will find this to have been one of the most fortunate events of your life, as I have ever been sensible it was of mine. I inclose you a sketch of the sciences to which I would...
3137From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Sr., 11 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Ammonit sent me your favor of May 7 . which you expected he would have brought. He furnished me with the name of the family to whose property he supposes himself entitled, and the name of the town where it lies. I have endeavored to have them searched out, but as yet neither family nor town is discovered: if they can be found, the estate will then be to be searched for; the laws for...
3138[From Thomas Jefferson to Bourdon des Planches, 12 August 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 12 Aug. 1786 . Recorded in SJL as written on this date. Not found.]
3139From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Miles Cary, 12 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Mar. 28. has been duly received and I thank you for the kind enquiries after my health and that of my daughter, still more for the information that the several members of your family are well. The distance to which I am removed renders that kind of intelligence more interesting, more welcome, as it seems to have given a keener edge to all the friendly affections of the mind....
3140From Thomas Jefferson to George Gilmer, 12 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Jan. 9. 1787. came safely to hand in the month of June last. Unluckily you forgot to sign it, and your hand writing is so Protean that one cannot be sure it is yours. To increase the causes of incertitude it was dated Pen-park , a name which I only knew as the seat of John Harmer . The hand writing too being somewhat in his style made me ascribe it hastily to him, indorse it...
3141From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Littlepage, 12 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour to inform you in a former letter that until we should know whether your uncle should have replaced to the Governor of Virginia the money you had desired him to replace, we would decline availing ourselves here of the bill of exchange you have been pleased to forward to the M. de la Fayette on Messrs. Tourton & Ravel. Having lately received a letter from the Governor informing...
3142From Thomas Jefferson to John Blair, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me by Mrs. Oster, and immediately waited on her with a tender of my services. She had however so far got her matters arranged as to be no longer in fear of any disagreeable measure, and is since gone to establish herself with her friends in Lorraine. I wish she may not there have alarms of a different nature. We have hitherto been in...
3143From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Cary, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Mar. 21. and to correct a most unfortunate error in mine of Dec. 26. 1786. wherein I have written the word Lorient instead of Havre, praying you to send plants and seeds to Lorient only, to the care of M. Limozin, instead of Havre only to the care of M. Limozin, for it is at Havre he lives, and that is much the surest port for me. Plants...
3144From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been long, very long, without answering your favor of Mar. 27. 1786. and since that I have received those of Dec. 28. and by Mrs. Oster. The reason of this has been that the genius of invention and improvement in Europe seems to be absolutely taking a nap. We have nothing to communicate to you but of the small kind, such as the making the axle tree turn with the wheel, which has been...
3145From Thomas Jefferson to Marbois, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Derby , a citizen of Massachusets, thinking he has just grounds to complain of the condemnation of a vessel in your island, proposes to institute a suit against the persons by whose fraud he supposes the cause for that condemnation was contrived. Knowing the embarrassments of a stranger when entering the lists of law in any country against a native, I take the liberty of recommending him...
3146To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 14–15 August 1787 (Washington Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1 1786 which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul & Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius with a...
3147From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I remember when you left us, it was with a promise to supply all the defects of correspondence in our friends, of which we complained, and which you had felt in common with us. Yet I have received but one letter from you which was dated June 5. 1786. and I answered it Aug. 14. 1786. Dropping that however and beginning a new account, I will observe to you that wonderful improvements are making...
3148From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never yet thanked you, but with the heart, for the act of assembly confirming the agreement with Maryland, the pamphlet and papers I received from you a twelvemonth ago. Very soon after their receipt I got my right wrist dislocated which prevented me long from writing and as soon as that was able to bear it I took a long journey from which I am but lately returned. I am anxious to hear...
3149From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The books you have last sent me are this moment come to hand, and all right except that the ‘Historical remarks on the taxation of free states’ printed by Richardson 1781. is not among them. I will still trouble you therefore to send it by some opportunity. I thank you for the dozen copies of the Notes on Virginia. The remaining 34. shall be sold so as to pay the 8d. sterl. a vol. their...
3150From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 14 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was happy to find by the letter of Aug. 1. 1786. which you did me the honour to write me, that the modern dress for your statue would meet your approbation. I found it strongly the sentiment of West, Copeley, Trumbul and Brown in London, after which it would be ridiculous to add that it was my own. I think a modern in an antique dress as just an object of ridicule as an Hercules or Marius...