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...
3381IV. Jefferson’s “Heads for a letter”, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
That the U.S. of America heretofore connected in government with Great Britain, had found it necessary for their happiness to separate from her, and to assume an Independant station. That, consisting of a number of separate states, they had confederated together and placed the sovereignty of the whole, in matters relating to foreign nations, in a body consisting of delegates from every state,...
3382VI. Heads of Inquiry, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
1. Commerce. What are the articles of their export and import? What articles of American produce might find a market in Algiers and at what prices? Whether rice, flour, tobacco, furs, ready built ships, fish, oil, tar, turpintine, ship timber &c. and whether any of these articles would hereafter be acceptable as presents? What duties are levied by them on exports and imports? Do all nations...
3383VII. Letter of Credit, 6 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The United States of America in Congress Assembled on the 14th. day of Febry. last resolved, that the Ministers of the United States who are directed to form Treaties with the Emperor of Morocco and the Regencies of Algiers Tunis and Tripoli be empowered to apply any Money in Europe belonging to the United States to that use: As you are appointed to proceed to Morocco as Agent for forming such...
3384VIII. American Commissioners to William Carmichael, 12 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Barclay will deliver you this letter in his way to Morocco. We have appointed him to this negotiation in hopes of obtaining the friendship of that State to our country, and of opening by that means the commerce of the Mediterranean, an object of sufficient importance to induce him to accept of the trust. We recommend him and Colo. Franks who goes with him to your attention and assistance,...
3385IX. Projet of a Treaty with the Barbary States, 11 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
See Jefferson’s Draft of a Treaty, printed above as enclosure to TJ to Adams, 6 Aug. 1785 , to which the texts provided Barclay and Lamb on 11 Oct. are identical, except for Article 17. That article reads: “The subjects or citizens of either party may frequent the coasts and countries of the other, and reside and trade there in all sorts of produce, manufactures and merchandize, the purchase...
3386From Thomas Jefferson to Lister Asquith, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letters of Sep. 28. and Octob. 3. but no information is yet received from your lawyer, so that I am utterly uninformed of the nature of the process instituted against you, and the court in which it is depending. Till I receive this I am unable to obtain advice how to interfere for your relief. That you may not suffer for want of money, I will advance for you what may be...
3387From Thomas Jefferson to Borgnis Desbordes, Frères, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
There are in the prison of St. Pol de leon six or seven citizens of the United states of America, charged with having attempted a contraband of tobacco, but, as they say themselves, forced into that port by stress of weather. I beleive that they are innocent. Their situation is described to me as deplorable as should be that of men proved guilty of the worst of crimes. They are in close jail,...
3388From Thomas Jefferson to Froullé, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
[J’accepte] Monsieur, de votre proposition [de donner] à Monsieur Ramsay pour [son] histoire de la revolution de la Caroline [du Sud] neuf cents livres paiables un [an] après l’impression. Je vous envoye [328] pages de l’ouvrage, et j’enverrai [le] reste aussitot que je la recevrai. J’ai l’honneur d’etre avec beaucoup de respect, Monsr. votre tres obeissant serviteur, PrC ( ViWC ). The...
3389From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs the bearers of this letter being on the point of setting out, I have only time to inform you that after trying many booksellers and receiving a variety of propositions the best offer is of 900 livres for your book, paiable 12 months after the printing of it here shall be completed. The M. de Chastellux thinks it best to accept of this, I shall therefore do it this day. I...
3390From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The receipt of your favor of Sep. 19. should not have been so long unacknoleged but that I have been peculiarly and very closely engaged ever since it came to hand. With respect to the expediency of the arrangement you propose to take with Mr. Parker I must observe to you that it would be altogether out of my province to give an official opinion for your direction. These transactions appurtain...
3391From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
In the enclosed letter Mr. Adams and myself have the honor to inform your Excellency of the measures ultimately taken for procuring arrangements between the United States of America and the States of Barbary, and to ask his Majesty’s interposition. To the information therein contained it is necessary for me to add that Mr. Barclay who is charged with the commission to Morocco will set out in...
3392From Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, 13 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Having been much engaged lately, I have been unable sooner to acknolege the receipt of your favor of Sep. 8. What you are pleased to say on the subject of my Notes is more than they deserve. The condition in which you first saw them would prove to you how hastily they had been originally written; as you may remember the numerous insertions I had made in them from time to time, when I could...
3393From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Henley, 14 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
This is accompanied by the copy of a letter I did myself the pleasure of writing you in March last. I sent it by a gentleman going to London who promised to endeavor to find you out. He brought it back to me with an assurance that he had been unable to learn the place of your residence. I gave it to another who went soon after to London: and as he did not return it to me I flattered myself it...
3394From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., 15 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I should sooner have answered the paragraph in your favor of Sep. 19. respecting the best seminary for the education of youth in Europe, but that it was necessary for me to make enquiries on the subject. The result of these has been to consider the competition as resting between Geneva and Rome. They are equally cheap, and probably are equal in the course of education pursued. The advantage of...
3395From Thomas Jefferson to De Thulemeier, 16 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of the letter of the 11th. inst. with which you have honored me, and wherein you are pleased to inform me of the ratification by his Prussian majesty of the treaty of Amity and Commerce between him and the United States of America. On our part the earliest opportunity was embraced of forwarding it to Congress. It goes by a vessel sailing about this time from...
3396From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 10th. came safely to hand and I delivered the one therein inclosed to Mr. Grand. It was a duplicate of one he had before received. You will have heard of the safe arrival of Doctr. Franklin in America. Strange we do not hear of that of Otto and Doradour. If you know of the safe arrival of the packet in which they went, pray communicate it to me, as Madame de Doradour, who is...
3397From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 18 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 29. Sep. came safely to hand: the constant expectation of the departure of the persons whom I formerly gave you reason to expect has prevented my writing as it has done yours. They will probably leave this in a week, but their route will be circuitous and attended with delays. Between the middle and last of November they may be with you. By them you will receive a cypher by...
3398From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 21 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour of inclosing to your Excellency a report of the voiage of an American ship, the first which has gone to China. The circumstance which induces Congress to direct this communication is the very friendly conduct of the Consul of his Majesty at Macao, and of the Commanders and other officers of the French vessels in those seas. It has been with singular satisfaction that Congress...
3399From Thomas Jefferson to D’Aranda, 22 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The friendly dispositions which the court of Madrid have been pleased to shew towards us in our affairs relative to the Barbary powers induce me to trouble you with an application on that subject. We are about sending persons to Marocco and Algiers to form arrangements with those powers. They will go by the way of Madrid. I ask the favour of your Excellency’s passports for them. It would...
3400From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 22 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You spoke to me some days ago on the subject of the bills which Mr. Barclay might have occasion to draw on Mr. Adams. I informed you they were good and would assuredly be paid. I ought to have added that a Mr. Lambe would have bills to negociate on Mr. Adams which would be drawn in the name of a Mr. Randall. These will be equally good, the whole being for the service of the United states in a...