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.]
3751[From Thomas Jefferson to Biron, 14 September 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 14 Sep. 1786 . Entry in SJL under this date reads: “Marechal de Biron. [No cop. < pris > kept].” Not found, but see Biron to TJ, 12 Sep. 1786 .]
3752From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be handed you by a Gentleman of the Family of Lecoutoux who is going with his wife to Settle himself as a farmer in Someone of the middle States of America. As his Establishment will not be great, it is the more important that it be judiciously made. Being acquainted with his family, they have asked of me lettres of recommendations for him. Knowing no person better acquainted than...
3753From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honored a few days ago with the reciept of your letter of Aug. 11th. In my last to you I informed you that I had proposed to Mr. Adams to avail ourselves of your service at Algiers. I acknowlege that I had no expectation that with our small means you could effect a treaty there; but I thought that their ultimatum might be discovered and other intelligence obtained which might repay us...
3754From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s Compliments to Mr. Carmichael and begs the favor of him to convey the inclosed letters. He has recieved his letter of the 4th. of Septr. and is in hopes that one which he had written to Mr. Carmichael on the 22d. of August will have answered some of his enquiries. An indisposition likely to continue some time will necessarily retard his answer to the rest. He begs Mr....
3755From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 22 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 12th. of Septr. and condole with you very sincerely on the domestic loss you have sustained. The affairs of your Republic seem at present under a cloud which threatens great events. If the powers of the Stadtholder should be thereby reduced to such only as are salutary and the happiness of the people placed on a basis more within the command of their own...
3756From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 23 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being desired by a friend to procure him a copying press I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under cover to you and of requesting you to pay for it and have it sent as therein desired. I wish it may be in time to come with the other articles that it may not multiply my applications for passports. Be so good as to let me know whether Mr. Tessier has any hesitations about going beyond the...
3757From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 26 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letter to you was dated the 27th. of August since which I have recieved yours of Sep. 11th. The letter to Mr. Lamb therein inclosed I immediately signed and forwarded. In mine wherein I had the honor of proposing to you the mission of Mr. Barclay to Algiers, I mentioned that my expectations from it were of a subordinate nature only. I very readily therefore recede from it in compliance...
3758From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 26 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The last letters I had the honor of writing you were of the 11th. and 13th. of August. Since that I have been favored with yours of July 14th and Aug. 18th.—I now inclose you such letters on the Barbary negociations as have come to hand since my last. With these is the copy of a joint letter from Mr. Adams and myself to Mr. Lamb. In mine of Augst. 13th. I mentioned that I had proposed it as a...
3759From Thomas Jefferson to the Prévôt des Marchands et Echevins de Paris, with Enclosure, 27 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The Commonwealth of Virginia in gratitude for the services of the Major General the Marquis de la fayette, have determined to erect his bust in their capitol. Desirous to place a like monument of his worth and of their sense of it in the Country to which they are indebted for his birth, they have hoped that the City of Paris will consent to become the depository of this second testimony of...
3760From Thomas Jefferson to Rayneval, with Enclosure, 30 September 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Desirous that the circumstances relative to the bust of the Major General the Marquis de la fayette may not be disfigured or misrepresented by the writers of newspapers I take the liberty of submitting to your inspection the inclosed narrative of them. May I presume to ask either the order or the permission for its publication, either in the present form, if there be nothing improper in that,...
3761From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, [5 October 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
I have passed the night in so much pain that I have not closed my eyes. It is with infinite regret therefore that I must relinquish your charming company for that of the Surgeon whom I have sent for to examine into the cause of this change. I am in hopes it is only the having rattled a little too freely over the pavement yesterday. If you do not go to day I shall still have the pleasure of...
3762From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 7 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I took the liberty of troubling you when you were here with a pattern of my table-china. I now take that of sending you a list of the articles which I should be glad to have bought as nearly like the pattern as they can be found. Should you be able to find none but what is very different, preserving only the same colours I would wish to receive only half the quantity written for; but the whole...
3763From Thomas Jefferson to Lewis Littlepage, 10 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 12 did not come [to hand until the 3]d of Sep., a very few days after which I incurred the accident of a dislocated wrist which for some time interrupted my attention to affairs. I now receive that of Sep. 12 and am still able to write with the left hand only. In my first letter to the Governor of Virginia after your arrival in Paris I informed him of the circumstances which...
3764From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Having performed the last sad office of handing you into your carriage at the Pavillon de St. Denis, and seen the wheels get actually into motion, I turned on my heel and walked, more dead than alive, to the opposite door, where my own was awaiting me. Mr. Danquerville was missing. He was sought for, found, and dragged down stairs. [We] were crammed into the carriage, like recruits for the...
3765From Thomas Jefferson to De Langeac, 12 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
An officer having some time ago left an opposition here against the payment of the rent due and to become due for the house, I asked information of some gentlemen of the diplomatic corps as well as at Versailles, of the manner in which I should conduct myself on such occasions. The result was that when an opposition should be made by an officer I was at liberty either to disregard it or to...
3766From Thomas Jefferson to Maria Cosway, 13 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Just as I had sealed the inclosed I received a letter of a good length, dated Antwerp, with your name at the bottom. I prepared myself for a feast. I read two or three sentences: looked again at the signature to see if I had not mistaken it. It was visibly yours. Read a sentence or two more. Diable! Spelt your name distinctly. There was not a letter of it omitted. Began to read again. In fine...
3767From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 13 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Not knowing Mrs. Cosway’s address , I take the liberty of putting the inclosed under your cover, and of begging you to deliver it personally. Your reward will be the visit it will occasion you. She promised to write to me. Be so good as to take charge of her letters, and to find private conveiances for them, or to put them under cover to Mr. Grand banker rue neuve des Capucins à Paris. Or she...
3768From Thomas Jefferson to Achard Frères, 15 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter of the 9th. inst. informing me of the arrival of two cases of wine from Lisbon addressed to me. I now inclose a passport for it. I will beg the favor of you to send it to this place by water, and shall be ready to answer your draught for any expenses you have incurred, with many thanks for your kindness. I have the honor to be with the most perfect respect...
3769From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, with Enclosure, 15 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor some time ago of asking from your Excellency by letter a permission to export from the Ports of Bourdeaux and Havre certain arms and accoutrements which I had had made for the State of Virginia, which request I now take the liberty to repeat. I beg leave to sollicit at the same time a passeport for the entrance of certain articles for my own private use, some of which are...
3770From Thomas Jefferson to De Corny, 20 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
By the first conveyance which shall offer I propose to report to the Governor of Virginia the manner in which the wish of the state relative to the bust of the Marquis de La Fayette has been carried into execution, and of the friendly and flattering attentions paid by Messieurs le Prevot des Marchands et Echevins de Paris to them and to the character to which they desired to shew their...