3701[From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 13 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[Paris, 13 Aug. 1786. An entry in SJL under this date reads: “Stockdale J. inclosing Dr. Priestly’s pamphlet.” Neither the letter nor the pamphlet has been found; the latter may have been one of Priestley’s annual defenses of unitarianism, and it was possibly a French translation of the pamphlet; TJ received Stockdale’s letter of 8 Aug. on 13 Aug.]
3702From Thomas Jefferson to George Wythe, 13 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of Jan. 10. and Feb. 10. came to hand on the 20th. and 23d of May. I availed myself of the first opportunity which occurred, by a gentleman going to England, of sending to Mr. Joddrel a copy of the Notes on our country, with a line informing him that it was you who had emboldened me to take that liberty. Madison, no doubt, informed you of the reason why I had sent only a single...
3703From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, with a Note to Anne Blair Banister, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of May 12. 1786. came to hands a few days ago, and I am to thank you for the trouble you have taken in the affair respecting Mr. Mark. When he shall have delivered you the state he had promised, you will have the goodness to forward it. The health of your son is not yet established. He had proposed to come and try for some time the climate of Paris, and set out from Bourdeaux with...
3704From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of March 20. and much satisfaction from it. I had been alarmed with the general cry that our commerce was in distress, and feared it might be for want of markets. But the high price of commodities shews that markets are not wanting. Is it not yet possible however that these high prices may proceed from the smallness of the quantity made, and that from the want of...
3705From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favours of Mar. 8. 28. and May 1. have come to hand since the date of my last which was of May 9. That of Mar. 8. begins with these words. ‘I cannot at present lay my hands upon your last but recollect it was of an old date.’This seems to imply a charge of my being behind-hand in the epistolary account. Turning to my epistolary ledger I find our account since my arrival in Europe to stand...
3706From Thomas Jefferson to David Humphreys, 14 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 7th. of May, being immediately on my return from England; and have lately received your favor of June 5. and thank you for the intelligence it contains. Every circumstance we hear induces us to beleive that it is the want of will, rather than of ability, to furnish contributions which keeps the public treasury so poor. The Algerines will probably do us the favour to produce...
3707From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 6th. inst. gave me the agreeable intelligence of your being well enough to proceed on your journey. Your bill for ten guineas has not been presented. It shall be honored whenever it is, as well as those for any other sum you may have occasion for. I now inclose you the only letter I have on hand for you. I have received a letter from your father dated May 12. He was then...
3708To Thomas Jefferson from André Caron, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Le Nommé andré Caron a Eté Embarqué le 10 Juillet. 1780. Sur La frégate L’arielle à L’orient, Commandé par Le Commodor paul Jones. Il est resté Sur cette fregate Jusqu’au 4 avril 1781 ., Epoque a la quelle Monsieur Le Comte de la touche L’a fait debarqué, Etant arrivé à philadelphie, pour Le Transferé sur L’hermione; de là, fait passé sur Le Vaisseau du Roy Le Conquérant, après avoir promis,...
3709From Thomas Jefferson to John Ledyard, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I saw Baron de Grimm yesterday at Versailles, and he told me he had received an answer from the Empress, who declines the proposition made on your account. She thinks it chimærical. I am in hopes your execution of it from our side of the continent will prove the contrary. I thought it necessary to give you this information that you might suffer no suspence from expectations from that quarter....
3710From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of repeating what I had the honor of mentioning to your Excellency yesterday, that, by order of the state of Virginia, a contract has been made in France for 3400. stand of arms, as many cartouch boxes with their accoutrements, and that I am yet to purchase as much gunpower, gunflints and Cartridge paper as will, with the arms and cartouch boxes, employ the sum of 180,000...
3711From Thomas Jefferson to Brissot de Warville, 16 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with very great satisfaction the sheets of your work on the commerce of France and the United states which you were so good as to put into my hands. I think you treat the subject, as far as these sheets go, in an excellent manner. Were I to select any particular passages as giving me particular satisfaction, it would be those wherein you prove to the United states that they will be...
3712From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Adams and John Lowell, 17 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by a Madame de Gregoire a lady of this country who goes to America to sollicit from the state of Massachusets a claim which she has to certain lands in the province of Maine. These lands had been long in the occupation of her family under a grant from the crown of France, while it held the colony of Acadie. Subsequent events threw this territory under the British...
3713From Thomas Jefferson to Dangirard & De Vernon, 17 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
There appears to be due to Mark & co. for Messrs. de Vernon & Danguard Principal Interest to Dec. 31. 1785 Principal in livres Interest to Dec. 31. 85 From the treasury of the United States 4691 7/90 281.46.d. ₶ S ₶ S 24,628. 4 1,477.13 From the treasury
3714[From Thomas Jefferson to R. & A. Garvey, 17 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 17 Aug. 1786 . An entry in SJL , under this date and immediately below the entry for the (missing) letter to André Limozin of this date, reads: “Garvey. do.” Not found.]
3715[From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 17 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 17 Aug. 1786 .An entry in SJL under this date, partly illegible, reads: “Limozin [Introduct]ion of Bassville and Morrises.” Letter not found; but see Bassville to TJ, 18 Aug ., and Limozin to TJ, 2 Sep. 1786.
3716Deposition of Richard Riddy, 17 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Richard Riddy esq. merchant of the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, but now resident at Nantes in the kingdom of France aforesaid made oath before me Thomas Jefferson minister plenipotentiary for the U.S. of America at the court of Versailles, that in the month of January in the year 1783 he was taken prisoner on the high seas by the English, and carried to New York; that while he was there,...
3717From Thomas Jefferson to De Blome, 18 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Dr. Franklin, during his residence at this court, was instructed by Congress to apply to the court of Denmark for a compensation for certain vessels and cargoes taken from the English during the late war by the American squadron under the command of Commodore Paul Jones, carried into a port of Denmark, and, by order of the court of Denmark, redelivered to the English. Dr. Franklin made this...
3718From Thomas Jefferson to Schweighauser & Dobrée, 18 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Aug. 5. Being entirely uninformed and uninstructed on the subjects thereof, I could do no more than forward them to my constituents. This I have accordingly done, and will do myself the pleasure of informing you of their decision so soon as it shall be communicated to me. I have the honour of being with much respect Gentlemen your most obedient and most...
3719From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 19 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 14th. inst. Had Congress made appointment of Consuls regularly in the several ports, the difficulty would not have happened which is the subject of your letter. But their other business has as yet prevented the final completion of arrangements for that department. In the mean while we must conduct the business as well as we can, the Agents in the several...
3720From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 19 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your letter of the 7th. inst. I called on one of the Farmers general who is of my acquaintance , and asked from him explanations of the reasons for the low prices offered for tobacco. He said they considered themselves as bound to purchase the quantities directed by the order of Berny, and at the prices therein ordered, which quantities they apportioned among the ports...
3721From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bridgen, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg your pardon for being so long acknowleging the receipt of your favor of June 17. In the moment of my perusing it, it got misplaced so as to escape my recollection till yesterday. With respect to the book which accompanied it, I doubt whether I could with propriety offer it to the queen, and must therefore beg leave to decline it, however desirous I am of doing homage to the author,...
3722From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Commodore Jones. His memory had deceived him as to the sum offered by the court of Denmark to Doctr. Franklin. He has accordingly corrected it in his letter to Baron Blome. He is of opinion, that according to the instructions of Congress, any sum, however small, must be accepted, which shall be offered by that court. He does not apprehend however they will offer...
3723From Thomas Jefferson to Dorcas Montgomery, 21 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 18th . inst. came to hand yesterday. I am sorry it is not in my power to direct the paiment of the bills therein inclosed, as that would probably be more agreeable to you. Doctr. Franklin was the last of the American commissioners in Europe authorized to pay those bills. This he did as long as he staid which was for six years after the date of the bills. Those not presented...
3724From Thomas Jefferson to Mirabeau, [21 August 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
‘Il n’est pas un pays sur la terre, je n’en excepte pas les nouvelles republiques Americaines, ou il suffise à un homme de pratiquer les vertus sociales pour participer à tous les avantages de la societé.’ Lettre de M. le comte de Mirabeau sur M. de Cagliostro pa. 48. A person who esteems highly the writings and talents of the Count de Mirabeau, and his disposition to exert them for the good...
3725From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 22 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of June 16. July 15. 18. and 31. I have the honour now to acknowlege. I have been for a month past so closely employed that it has been out of my power to do myself the pleasure sooner of writing to you on the several subjects they contain.—I formerly wrote you the reason why Mr. Grand had not paid your bills, that is to say, the want of a letter of advice. As to the notary’s...
3726From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Dessin, 24 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the receipt of your letter I sent to the Douane to inquire for your other acquit à caution, and I this moment receive from thence the inclosed paper which they assure me will indemnify you. I should not have failed to have sent you both as soon as I arrived here, but the person who had brought the other articles said he was responsible for the return of the acquit à caution and would not...
3727From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 24 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your other friends here being so much better qualified to give you the transactions of this metropolis during your absence, it would be presumption in me to touch on them. I assume therefore the office of your correspondent for American affairs, in the discharge of which I may stand a chance to communicate to you details which you cannot get in the ordinary course of your correspondence, and...
3728From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Robertson, 24 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Limozin having been so kind as to write to me on your subject, I consulted with an advocate here, and informed Mr. Limozin by letter of the 19th. inst. that an application from him to the Admiralty was thought the most adviseable measure; and that the admiralty would probably put him into possession of your father’s property. It will then be in his power to pay your reasonable expences....
3729From Thomas Jefferson to Hugon de Bassville, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose to you a letter of introduction to Mr. Dumas, who is charged with the affairs of the United states at the Hague. I have therein desired him to present yourself and the two Mr. Morrises to the French ambassador, which, on reflection I thought was a more proper step for me, than that thro’ the channel of M. de Vergennes. I inclined to it too the more readily,...
3730From Thomas Jefferson to Paul Bentalou, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 9th. inst. and am to thank you for your care of the packet from Mr. McHenry, and congratulate yourself and Mrs. Bentalou on your safe arrival in France. I have made enquiries on the subject of the negro boy you have brought, and find that the laws of France give him freedom if he claims it, and that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to interrupt the...
3731From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by the two Mr. Morrises, and Mr. Basseville; the former are sons of our late financier which will be a sufficient voucher to you of their condition and that they are objects of just respect and attention. The latter is their tutor, a gentleman of letters, of reputation and of merit. I take the liberty of introducing them to your notice, and of asking your attentions...
3732From Thomas Jefferson to G. K. van Hogendorp, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of the 2d. instant has been duly received, and I employ the first moment which has been at my disposal to answer it. The author of the part of the new Encyclopedie which relates to Political oeconomy having asked of me materials for the article Etats-unis, and stated a great number of questions relative to them, I answered them as minutely and exactly as was in my power. He has...
3733From Thomas Jefferson to De Vernon, 25 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Par les papiers que M. de Vernon a eu la bonté de me remettre il me semble que le tresor du Congrés lui devoit 4691 7/90 Dollars de principal, et 281. Dollars d’interet au fin de l’année passée; et que le tresor de l’etat de Virginie lui devoit 1823£.5s.4d. principal et 632£.16s. interet au meme jour. Ces sommes valent ensemble 70,315 livres tournois. Pour determiner la valeur du...
3734From Thomas Jefferson to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 26 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the honour of your letter of the 20th . inst. Mr. Barclay has been long gone to Marocco, with which power he was by his last letter about signing a treaty of peace. This must apologize for your not having heard from him. If you will inform me to whom (in Paris) the 55₶ –16s can be paid I will order it to be paid.—I have letters and papers from America to July 16. They...
3735From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of July 31. was lately delivered me. The papers inform me you are at the Hague, and, incertain what stay you may make there, I send this by Mr. Voss who is returning to London by the way of Amsterdam. I inclose you the last letters from Mr. Barclay and Mr. Carmichael, by which we may hope our peace with Marocco is signed, thanks to the good offices of a nation which is honest, if...
3736From Thomas Jefferson to Zachariah Loreilhe, 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 14th. instant on the subject of Mr. Barclay. I have received one from him of the 16th. of July. He expected to sign our treaty with Marocco in a few days. The interest which M. de Thevenard takes in whatever relates to us is a proof of his goodness; and I consider it as fortunate that the port, to which so great a proportion of the American commerce comes,...
3737From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of the 15th. inst. by Mr. Voss. I concur with you in opinion that it is for Mr. Paradise’s interest to go as soon as possible to America, and also to turn all his debts into one which may be to Mr. Gist or any other: upon condition that the person giving him this credit shall be satisfied to receive annually his interest in money and shall not require...
3738From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Mann Randolph, Jr., 27 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favour of the 16th. instant, and desirous, without delay, of manifesting my wishes to be useful to you, I shall venture to you some thoughts on the course of your studies which must be submitted to the better advice with which you are surrounded. A longer race through life may have enabled me to seise some truths which have not yet been presented to your observation. A...
3739From Thomas Jefferson to Zachariah Loreilhe, 28 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 23d. came to hand yesterday. Mr. Barclay had contracted for the delivery of the arms for Virginia at the port of Bourdeaux, and, if I mistake not, had charged Mr. Bondfeild there with the receipt of them. On this presumption, as soon as I was informed of their arrival at Bourdeaux I desired [Mr.] Bondfeild to ship them from thence directly to Virginia. He has accordingly sent...
3740From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 31 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The incertainty of getting a letter to you while on the other side of the Mediterranean prevented my writing to you and the rather as no circumstance occurred which rendered it necessary for Mr. Adams and myself to make any change in our plan. The instructions given you having been jointly agreed on, and being, before this, executed, I have no matter, even now, for an official letter. I have...
3741From Thomas Jefferson to Ezra Stiles, 1 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of May 8. That which you mention to have written in the winter preceding never came to hand. I return you my thanks for the communications relative to the Western country. When we reflect how long we have inhabited those parts of America which lie between the Alleghaney and the ocean, that no monument has ever been found in them which indicated the use of iron...
3742I. Invitation to David Harris, 27 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
RC (Mrs. H. Cavendish Darrell, Riderwood, Baltimore co., Md., 1945); addressed. The parts in polytype printing are in TJ’s hand; the name, dates, and address are in the hand of William Short. Not recorded in SJL . The Editors are indebted to Dr. J. Hall Pleasants, Baltimore, for his kindness in bringing this apparently unique specimen of polytype printing to their attention, as also for the...
3743III. Notes on Abbé Rochon’s Method, [1785 or 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
To prepare the plate of copper. If it be new, sprinkle on it some blanc d’Espagne, and water, and rub it, holding it over a chaffing dish. This is to absorb any grease which might have remained on the plate and which would injure the subsequent process. If it be an old plate it must be rubbed. 1. with a crooked file, till the old letters are well effaced. 2. with pounce and water. 3. with […]...
3744From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, Jr., 7 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Aug. 27 came duly to hand. Since that I have received the inclosed letters for you. I am glad to hear you think yourself so much better as to open a prospect of your visiting Italy. Such a trip will certainly furnish you pleasing reflections through life. About the first of the next month I shall accompany the court to Fontainebleau and after a short stay there, make a tour to...
3745From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 9th. of August and since that have received yours of Aug. 23. I have not yet heard of Mr. Adams’s return to London, nor when that may be expected if it has not already taken place. I have nothing public and proper for the post. A letter from Mr. Barclay dated at Mogadore in July shews he was on his return. I impatiently wait an answer from Mr. Adams as...
3746From Thomas Jefferson to François Soulés, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Before the receipt of your favor of the 11th. inst. I had written the inclosed short notes on such parts of your work as I have yet been able to go over. You will perceive that the corrections are very trifling. Such as they are I will continue them, and forward them to you from time to time as I get along. I will endeavor also to answer such of the queries you propose in your letter as my...
3747I. Comments on Soulés’ Histoire, 3 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Pa. 3 . ‘Si dans son institution chaque individu avoit droit au gouvernement de l’etat, ou seulement ceux qui possédoient une certaine etendue de terre.’ This is a luminous idea, and worthy of being a little more developed. It places the question between Gr. Britain and America in the simplest form possible. No Englishman will pretend that a right to participate in government can be derived...
3748II. Answers to Soulés’ Queries, [13–18 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
I am unable to say what was the number of Americans engaged in the affair of Bunker’s hill. I am able however to set right a gross falsehood of Andrews. He says that the Americans who were engaged were constantly relieved by fresh hands. This is entirely untrue. Bunker’s hill (or rather Brede’s hill whereon the action was) is a peninsula, joined to the main land by a neck of land almost level...
3749From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 13 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of Aug. 8. with the books accompanying it came safely to hand, as did the reviews for August, and Priestly’s pamphlet lately sent. I now trouble you for the books written below. I write by this post to Colo. Smith for a number of books from Lackington’s catalogue for 1787. I wish those, with yours, could come in one parcel, as, coming separately, they occasion double trouble with...
3750[From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Barclay, 14 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 14 Sep. 1786 .Entry in SJL under this date reads: “Mrs. Barclay. No copy kept.” Not found; TJ had received Barclay’s letter of 11 Aug. on 13 Sep. 1786 , and the missing letter must have reported this fact to her and may also have conveyed a letter from her husband.]