3351From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 25 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 6th. of July. Since that I have received yours of July 23. I do not altogether despair of making something of your method of quilling, tho’ as yet the prospect is not favourable. I applaud much your perseverance in improving this instrument and benefiting mankind almost in spite of their teeth. I mentioned to Piccini the improvement with which I am entrusted. He plays...
3352From Thomas Jefferson to Lister Asquith, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter of Sep. 19. with your Log-book and other papers. I now wait for the letter from your lawyer, as, till I know the real nature and state of your process it is impossible for me to judge what can be done for you here. As soon as I receive them you shall hear from me. In the mean time I supposed it would be a comfort to you to know that your papers were come safe to...
3353From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks has occasion for money to carry him to London. As we propose that all the money for this business shall be procured by draughts on Mr. Adams, will it not be better for you to draw on him at present for enough to cover the last journey of Colo. Franks, to defray the present one, to pay for the articles to be purchased here, the expences of the future journey Southwardly &c.? All...
3354From Thomas Jefferson to Ralph Izard, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received a few days ago your favor of the 10th. of June and am to thank you for the trouble you have given yourself to procure me information on the subject of the commerce of your state. I pray you also to take the trouble of expressing my acknolegements to the Governor and Chamber of Commerce as well as to Mr. Hall for the very precise details on this subject with which they have been...
3355From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson will be obliged to Mr. Stockdale to send him by the bearer, Colo. Franks, the following plates of Cook’s last voiage. Plate. 1. The general map. 36. Map of the N.W. coast of America and of the coast of Asia. 53. Map of the entry of Norton and the streight of Bhering. He means to put these maps into his American Atlas. Mr. Short is just arrived and brings the Parliamentary...
3356From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Tracy, 26 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 17th. Ult. by Mr. Derby. I then took the liberty of asking you to order me your best newspaper, to the care of Mr. Jamieson New York. Subsequent experience of the enormous expence of French postage on newspapers obliges me to a change of plan. I have desired my newspapers from the different states to be directed to me but sent to the office for foreign affairs under cover to...
3357From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 27 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Aug. 5. came to hand on the 18th. inst. and I mark well what you say, ‘that my letters shall be punctually answered.’ This is encouraging, and the more so, as it proves to you that in sending your letters in time to arrive at New York the middle of the month when the French packet sails they get to hand very speedily. The last was but six weeks from you to me. I thank you again...
3358From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 28 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The house of LaVal & Wilfelsheim have lately protested Mr. Morris’s bills. I should not venture to say they have stopped paiment altogether; but it is something so like that that those who have bills on them may count on their being protested. They stopped their paiments on Saturday last. Their creditors are endeavoring to boulster up LaVal, but I doubt whether American demands will receive...
3359From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 28 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have taken the liberty to send this day to your address 3 trunks and a box, all of them containing books and nothing else. They are all marked L.S. They are directed as follows. The box. Edmund Randolph. Richmond. Virginia. The two largest trunks. James Madison. Orange. To the care of James Buchanan. Richmond. The smallest trunk. James Madison. Williamsburgh. Virginia. By which you will...
3360From Thomas Jefferson to Richard O’Bryen, 29 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter and shall exert myself for you. Be assured of hearing from me soon: but say nothing to any body except what may be necessary to comfort your companions. I add no more, because the fate of this letter is incertain. I am Sir Your very humble servant, PrC ( DLC ). Entry in SJPL reads: “O’Brien Richd. Captives.” Enclosed in the following letter.
3361[From Thomas Jefferson to James Wilkie, 29 September 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Sep. 1785 .Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Wilkie. Inclosing the preceding and praying to send it under cover to Eng. or Fr. Consul as he thinks best.” Not found. Enclosure: TJ to Richard O’Bryen of this date.]
3362From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 30 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your estimable favour covering a letter to Mr. Mazzei came to hand on the 26th. inst. The letter to Mr. Mazzei was put into his hands in the same moment, as he happened to be present. I leave to him to convey to you all his complaints, as it will be more agreeable to me to express to you the satisfaction I received on being informed of your perfect health. Tho’ I could not receive the same...
3363From Thomas Jefferson to Barré, 2 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favour of Sep. 19. I think I informed you that when I proposed to Wright to draw the picture of Genl. Washington for me, he would not agree to do it until I promised him that no copy should be taken till he should have had time to send another, which he had just drawn, to his mother in London and she also time to have an engraving made from it and...
3364From Thomas Jefferson to the Rev. James Madison, 2 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of April 10. by Mr. Mazzei. You therein speak of a new method of raising water by steam which you suppose will come into general use. I know of no new method of that kind and suppose (as you say that the account you have received of it is very imperfect) that some person has represented to you as new a fire engine erected at Paris and which supplies the greater...
3365From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 4 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your favour of Sep. 28. and shall take care that your bill be honoured. I propose to write to the Commissioners of the Treasury to direct in what manner the salaries of the public servants and other money demands shall be paid. Dr. Franklin had of course a general direction of the funds here. Circumstances rendered this necessary. These have now changed, insomuch that it...
3366From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 4 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received yesterday your favour informing me that your Ship Eolus would sail on the 5th. inst. As you had expected she would not sail till the 15th. when you wrote me before, I had so informed the two Mr. Fitzhughs, two gentlemen of Virginia who wished to go in her. When I received your letter yesterday therefore, the warning to them was too short to get ready. Of consequence they have...
3367From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Chevalier Dolomieu of the order of Malta, who served in the army of Count Rochambeau in America being to pass into England, I take the liberty of introducing him to you. An acquaintance with him in America enables me to assure you of his merit; his politeness and good understanding will of themselves recommend him to your esteem. I have the honour to be with the highest respect Sir Your...
3368From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
A Vessel sailing from Havre to Philadelphia furnishes the Mr. Fitzhughs with a passage to that place. To them therefore I confide a number of letters and packets which I have received for you from sundry quarters and which, I doubt not, they will deliver safe. Among these is one from Mr. Du Plessis. On receipt of your letter, in answer to the one I had written you on the subject of his...
3369From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Osgood, 5 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
It was with very sincere pleasure I heard of your appointment to the board of treasury, as well from the hope it might not be disagreeable to yourself, as from the confidence it’s administration would be wise. I heartily wish the states may by their contributions enable you to reestablish a credit which cannot be lower than at present to exist at all. This is partly owing to their real...
3370From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 6 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Aug. 30. acknowleged the receipt of yours of July 13. Since that I have received your letter of Aug. 13. inclosing a correspondence between the M. de la Fayette and Monsr. de Calonne, and another of the same date inclosing the papers in Fortin’s case. I immediately wrote to Mr. Limozin at Havre desiring he would send me a state of the case, and inform me what were the difficulties...
3371From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I think the method you propose for applying to the court of Denmark for the compensation due for the prizes taken by the squadron you commanded in Europe, is a proper one: therefore I will undertake to write to Mr. Adams on the subject, and have no doubt he will support Doctr. Bancroft in his sollicitations to the Danish minister at London for this purpose. I have the honour to be with the...
3372From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to thank you for the receipt of your favor of the 4th. inst. but am obliged to trouble you further, to inform me whether any suit was ever commenced for Mr. Fortin to recover the estate fallen to him? If a suit was commenced, whether it has been decided, and what was the decision? Or if not decided, for what cause it is suspended, and when will it probably come to decision? I am sorry to...
3373From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 8 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letter received from you was of Mar. 6. Since that I have written one to you of June 21. by Mr. Otto, and another of July 14. by Mr. Houdon. In yours of Mar. you express a wish of an opportunity of getting the Cylinder lamp. Colo. Senf going to America furnishes me an opportunity of sending you one, which you must do me the favor to accept. There is but one critical circumstance in...
3374From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 7th. was put into my hands the last night and as I received at the same time dispatches from Mr. Adams which occasion a great deal to be done for Congress to be sent by the Mr. Fitzhughs who set out tomorrow morning for Philadelphia as Mr. Preston the bearer of this does for London, I have only time to thank you for your kind attention to my commission and your offer of new...
3375From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Colo. Franks and Mr. Randolph [Randall] arrived last night. This enables me to send copies of all the Barbary papers to Congress by the Mr. Fitzhughs, together with the Prussian treaty. They wait till tomorrow for this purpose. Considering the treaty with Portugal as among the most important to the U.S. I some time ago took occasion at Versailles to ask the Portuguese Ambassador if he had yet...
3376From Thomas Jefferson to Elbridge Gerry, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night the letter signed by yourself and the other gentlemen delegates of Massachusets and Virginia, recommending Mr. Sayre for the Barbary negotiations. As that was the first moment of it’s suggestion to me, you will perceive by my letter of this day to Mr. Jay that the business was already established in other hands, as your letter came at the same time with the papers...
3377From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In my letter of Aug. 14. I had the honor of expressing to you the uneasiness I felt at the delay of the instructions on the subject of the Barbary treaties of which Mr. Lamb was the bearer, and of informing you that I had proposed to Mr. Adams that if he did not arrive either in the French or English packets then expected, we should send some person to negotiate these treaties. As he did not...
3378I. Commission, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
To all to whom these Presents shall come or, may be made known. Whereas the United States of America in Congress Assembled, reposing special trust and confidence in the integrity, prudence and ability of their trusty and well-beloved the Honble. John Adams late one of their Ministers Plenipotentiary for negotiating a peace, and heretofore a Delegate in Congress from the State of Massachusetts...
3379II. Instructions, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having been pleased to invest us with full powers for entering into treaty of Amity and Alliance with the Emperor of Morocco, and it being impracticable for us to attend his court in person and equally impracticable on account of our seperate stations to receive a Minister from him, we have concluded to effect our object by the intervention of a confidential person. We concur in...
3380III. Supplementary Instructions to John Lamb, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
We have received information that two American vessels, the Dauphin from Philadelphia and the Maria from Boston with their crews and cargoes have lately been taken by the Algerines off the coast of Portugal and that the crews are reduced to slavery. Our full powers to that State being for the general purpose only of concluding a treaty of Amity and Commerce, the redemption of our citizens made...