Thomas Jefferson Papers
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I. Accounts as Minister Plenipotentiary in France, 8 July 1792

I. Accounts as Minister Plenipotentiary in France

1784. The United States of America to Th:Jefferson Dr.
July 1. To pd. Capt. Grey for my passage from Portsmouth to
Havre. 8. guineas1		  ₶  s  d  
200– 0–0  
31. To salary from Apr. 11. to this day inclusive @ 11,111 1/9; Dollars per ann.2 3439.87 D. = 18,575– 6–0  
Aug. 16. To pd. for copying press for my office, 5. reams paper, ink &c. £17–3–6. sterl.3 412– 4–0  
20. Stationary 3.₶—21. do. 42.₶—23. do. 13s. 45–13–0  
Sep. 22. postage 2₶–16—24. stationary 20.₶—Oct. 22. postage l₶–16—27. do. 20₶–15 45– 7–0  
Oct. 31. a quarter’s salary @ 9000.D. per ann.4 2250 D. = 12,150– 0–0  
Nov. 2. postage 15s.—10. do. 2₶–14—24. do. 5₶–7—Dec. 1. do. 6₶–15—16. do. 2₶–12—20 do. 6₶–19—28 do. 2₶–6 27– 8–0  
Dec. 31. two months salary 1500 D = 8,100– 0–0  
1785.
Jan. 4. postage 2.₶—15. stationary l₶–10—18. postage 5₶–10—26. do. 6.₶ 15– 0–0  
Feb. 1. postage 2₶–17—8. do. 11s.—10. stationary 25.₶—15. postage l₶–11—22. do. 1₶–3.—28. staty. 19–16 50–18–0  
 
Mar. 1. postage l.₶—8. do. 43₶–9.—22. staty. 15.₶—29. postage. 1₶–3 21–12–0  
31. a quarter’s salary 2250.D = 12,150– 0–0  
Apr. 5. postage 17s.—12. do. 1₶–3—15. staty. 8.₶—20. postage l₶–10.—28. do. 1₶–2 12–12–0  
May 2. Outfit as Minister Plenipotentiary resident.5 a year’s salary.6 9000. D = 48,600– 0–0  
3. postage 8₶–9—13. do. 1₶–19—15. staty. 24.₶—25. do. 48.₶—28. postage. 3₶–15. 86– 3–0  
20. portage & charges of Copying press from London.7 [17–12–6]8
23. cash to Alexr. Learmouth a poor American to carry him to Lorient 36– 0–0  
June 1. postage 3₶–12—staty. 1₶–16—9. postage 20₶–6—15. do. 13₶–3—21. do. 2₶–1 40–18–0  
30. a quarter’s salary 2250.D = 12,150– 0–0  
July. 1. staty. 16₶–19s–6d—postage 11₶–3— 12. do. 7₶–3—staty. 2₶–10—17. postage l.₶—22. do. ₶–17 } 98–11–6  
24. staty. 50.₶—29. postage 4₶–19
112,835– 5–0  

[Page 2:]

1785.
Aug. 1. staty. 18.₶—postage 3₶–9s—8. do. 5₶– 8s—15. do. 24₶–15s—22. do. 99₶– 12s—25. do. 12.₶—31. do. 6₶–6s   ₶  s  d   
169–10–0   
Sep. 7. postage 7₶–14s—18. do. 246₶–5s.—21. do. 9₶–19s—28.
46₶–9s		 310–7—0   
30. a quarter’s salary. 2250 D. = 12,150– 0–0   
Oct. 3. pd. Count Langeac, on takg. lease of his house.9 3,750– 0–0   
5. postage 10.₶—7. stationary 8.₶—11. postage 9₶–2s 27– 2–0   
15. pd. rent of Gueraut’s house from May 2. (when I recd. my appointmt.) to Oct. 15. 5½ months.10 2,750– 0–0   
 
22. postage. 41₶–2—25. stationary. 1₶– 4s—28. postage. 118₶–5s. 160–11–0   
Nov. 9. postage 4₶–13s—10. staty. 9.₶—17. postage 7₶–10s.—23. do. 1₶–10s.— 29. do. 9₶–18s 32–11–0   
Dec. 1. staty. 34.₶—7. postge. 4₶–10s—8. staty. 29.₶—14. postge. 13₶—15. staty. 43₶—21. postge. 1₶–6s—29. do. 10₶–1s staty. 1₶–12s—31. do. 23₶– 4s11 } 159–13–0   
31. a quarter’s salary @ 5₶–8s. the doll. for Oct. & 5₶–12s for Nov. & Dec.12 2250.D. = 12,450– 0–0   
gazettes of Leyden & France for this year sent to Mr. Jay 36₶ + 15₶13 51– 0–0   
1786.
Jan. 1. & 10. Court fees at Versailles.14 312– 0–0   
3. paid Ct. Langeac a quarter’s rent15 1,875– 0–0   
5. postage 12₶–19s—17. do. 12₶–10s 25– 9–0   
17. pd. taxes on Gueraut’s house 5½ months @ 50.₶ per month16 275– 0–0   
18. postage 26 l₶–9s—22. staty. 19.₶—24. do. 15₶–19s.17 296– 8–0   
Feb. 2. postge. 9₶–19s—11. do. 20.₶–5s.—16. staty. 14₶–14s.—19. postage. 6₶– 2s.—27. do. 12₶–18s.18 63–18–0   
Mar. 1. postge. 19₶–10s.—4. do. 126₶–18s.— do. 11₶–4s 157–12–0   
31. a quarter’s salary @ 5₶–12s the Dollar. 2250 D. = 12,600– 0–0   
Apr. 30. Expences from Mar. 4. to, at, & from London. viz.19
₶  s
pd. in French money. 922–15 } 3,896–13–0   
pd. in Eng. money      £123–18s–3d = 2973–18
Carriage20 to & from Calais 288– 0–0   
[51,800–14–0]21

[Page 3:]

1786.

May.
1.
cash to James Barclay a shipwreckt American sailor		  ₶  s  d
48– 0–0
2. postage 49₶–5—3. do. 6.₶—10. do. 12₶–16s—24. do. 10₶–2 78– 3–0
18. transportation of my baggage from Calais by the Diligence 104–18–0
June 1. postage 24₶–7s.—7. do. 11₶–6s—13. do. 9₶–2s—23. do. 294₶–1s 338–16–0
30. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
July 1. postage 31₶–12s—5. do. 23₶–18s—10. do. 16₶–5s—19. do. 18₶–18s. 90–13–0
Aug. 1. postage 120₶–7s—2. do. 25₶–5s.—20. do. 64₶–14s 210– 6–0
Sep. 4. postage. 45₶–1.—22. do. 106₶–17s.22 151–18–0
30. a quarter’s salary. 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
Oct. 2. postage 97.₶—5. stationary 43.₶—14. postage 16₶–14s.23 156–14–0
Nov. 4. postage 139₶–10s–6d. 139–10–6
7. cash to Daniel Lemasney a poor American. 24– 0–0
9. postage 18.₶–10s—15. do. 17₶–12s.— 22. do. 23₶–14s. 59–16–0
22. cash to an American sailor. 12– 0–0
Dec. 1. postage 24₶–9s.—9. do. 15.₶–1s.—14. do. 46₶–1s. 85–11–0
14. cash to Alexr. Mc.Intosh a shipwreckt sailor from New York 24– 0–0
24. postage 20₶–17s.—28. do. 26₶–3s 47– 0–0
31. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
pd. Genl. la Vallette for Colo. Fleury (one of the foreign officers) certif. for interest.24 507– 0–0
Gazettes of France & Leyden for this year sent to the office of foreign affairs25 51– 0–0
39,929– 5–6

[Page 4:]

1787.
  ₶  s  d
Jan. 1. & 2. Court-fees at Versailles. 336– 0–0
10. postage 51₶–1s 51– 1–0
Feb. 9. postage 140₶–13s.—17. staty. 116₶– 8s.—18. postge. 32₶–
15s.—26. do. 74₶–12s—27. do. 15.₶26		 379–  8–0
Mar. 26. postage. 38₶–16s.—28. do. 2₶–10s. 41–  6–0
31. a quarter’s salary 2250.D = 12,600–  0–0
Apr. 6. postage 4₶–15s 4–15–0
May. 3. postage 45.₶ 45–  0–0
27. cash to Mr. Barclay at Bordeaux on acct. of his Marocco mission. 1,000– 0–0
31. postage. 7₶–7s.—June 6. do. 3₶–18s. 11–  5–0
June. 12. cash to an American sailor. 6– 0–0
30. a quarter’s salary. 2250.D = 12,600– 0–0
postage 134₶–18s.—July 1. do. 51₶– 3s.—2. do. 66₶–16s.27 252–17–0
July 2. Deaugustini for translating 12– 0–0
7. postage 26₶–8s.—13. do. 30₶–6s.28 56–14–0
13. cash to an American shipwreckt sailor from New London. 24– 0–0
26. postage29 20₶–1s.—28. do. 17₶–19s.— Aug. 6.30 do. 7₶–10s.—6 & 27.31 courier to Havre. 84.₶ 129–10–0
Aug. 8. pd. Mr. Barclay’s bill on acct. of Marocco mission to enable him to return to America.32 1,200– 0–0
13. postage 47₶–9s.—19. do. 9.₶—26. do. 6₶–10s.—31. do. 8.₶33 70–19–0
Sep. 1. postage 91₶–18s.—5. do. 19₶–14s.—8. do. 9₶–10s.—16. do. 5₶–10s.—23. do. 10₶–10s—30. do. 11₶–10s34 148–12–0
30. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
Oct. 1. Deaugustini for translating 48– 0–0
postage 56₶–18s—7. do. 7₶–1s. + 12₶– 10s.35—15. do. 68₶–14s. + 9.₶36 154– 3–0
41,771–10–0

[Page 5:]

1787.
₶  s  d
Nov. 1. paid a quarter’s rent to Ct. Langeac37 1,875– 0–0
postage 24.₶—3. do. 23₶–10s—4. do. 14₶–13s. + 9₶—14.
do. 10₶–8s38		 81–11–0
Dec. 1. postage 32₶–2 + 38₶–10s.—31. Courier to Havre 96.₶39 166–12–0
31. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
Gazettes of France & Leyden to Office of foreign affairs for this year.40 51– 0–0
1788.
Jan. 2. & 15. Court fees at Versailles 312– 0–0
3. postage 97₶–7s + 38₶–9s41 135–16–0
17. pd. a quarter’s rent to Count Langeac42 1,875– 0–0
22. postage 100₶–19s—26. do. from Dec. 30. to this day 171₶–7s43 272– 6–0
Feb. 29. postage from Jan. 27. to Feb. 23. 149₶– 8s44 149– 8–0
Mar. 3. pd. E. Mc.Carthy’s bill for prize money of Bonhomme Richard45 731– 3–0
4. pd. fitting carriage for journey to Amsterdam, workmen working day & night ₶  s
181–17
10. my expences from Paris to Amsterdam 752– 3
do. in Amsterdam, including a part of Mr. Adams’s 484–13
31. a quarter’s salary 12,600– 0–0
Apr. 23. half my expences46 from Amsterdam to Paris (allowg. half for detour to Strasbg.)47 901– 3
hire of carriage for the journey 480– 0 2,799–16–0
28. postage from Feb. 24. to Apr. 26.48 150–15–0
portage of Schweighauser’s papers from Nantes 6–13–0
portage of papers of the Consular office from Lorient 79–10–0
paid Mr. Short in part of his salary49 169–19–6
34,056– 9–6

[Page 6:]

1788.
May 2. repd. Mr. Grand a quarter’s rent he had paid to Ct. Langeac50  ₶  s  d  
1,875– 0–0  
3. paid Mr. Short in part of his salary51 600– 0–0  
19. cash to Walter Henry, a shipwreckt sailor from New York 24– 0–0  
June 3. postage from Apr. 26. to May 31.52 116–13–0  
25. a ream copying paper from London 22– 4–0  
28. postage from June 1. to June 28.53 67–10–0  
30. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0  
July 10. postage from New York54 98–16–0  
Aug. 1. postage from June 29. to July 26.55 76– 2–0  
2. pd. Cabaret Stationary from 1787. May 24. to 1788. June 29.56 186– 6–0  
31. postage from July 27. to Aug. 30. 141₶–3s + 9₶–6s.57 150– 9–0  
Sep. 5. postage from New York.58 39–10–0  
20. printing 18₶–16s. 18–16–0  
30. a quarter’s salary. 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0  
Oct. 3. postage from Aug. 31. to Sep. 27.59 141– 4–0  
packing & portage of Consular papers to Havre by Diligence60 170– 1–0  
Nov. 1. postage from Sep. 28. to Oct. 25.61 93– 0–0  
3. repd. Mr. Grand two quarter’s rent he had pd. Ct. Langeac.62 3,750– 0–0  
26. paid Clousier for printing Consular conventn. & Observas. on Whale fishery63 183– 0–0  
Dec. 1. postage from Oct. 26. to Nov. 29.64 113– 1–0  
four reams copying paper from London. £3–14 sterl. 52–16–065
31. postage from Nov. 30. to Dec. 27.66 73–13–0  
Gazettes of France & Leyden this year to office of Foreign affairs67 51– 0–0  
a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0  
45,703– 1–068

[Page 7:]

1789
  ₶  s  d
Jan. 1. & 13. Court fees at Versailles 336– 0–0
18. cash to an American sailor 9– 0–0
24. postage 10– 0–0
Feb. 2. postage from Dec. 28. to Jan. 24.69 55–14–0
19. repd. Burrell Carnes’s disbursemts. at Nantes for the U.S.70 75– 9–0
Mar. 1. postage. 10– 2–0
2. repd. Mr. Grand my order in favor of Foulloy for Deane’s letter & acct. books71 600– 0–0
postage from Jan. 25. to Feb. 21.72 134– 7–0
pd. Cabaret for Stationary from 1788. Aug. 9. to 1789. Feb. 23.73 155–14–0
17. postage. 2₶-8s—19. Clousier74 printing 14.₶ 16– 8–0
31. a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
Apr. 1. paid Deaugustini for translating several articles.75 144– 0–0
postage from Feb. 22. to Mar. 28.76 82– 9–0
pd. Mr. Limozin’s postages 10₶–7s—his disbursemts. for Consulr. papers 6₶– 8s–9d 16–15–9
9. pd. Upton in part for Medal boxes 96.₶—12. pd. do. for do. on acct. 102.₶77 198– 0–0
14. pd. Ct. Langeac for the first & last half years rent of his house on the new lease78 6,000– 0–0
May. 1. postage from Mar. 29. to Apr. 25.79 128–19–0
30. postge. from Apr. 26. to May 30. 100₶– 10s.—June 27. do. from May 31. to June 27. 126₶–6s80 226–16–0
June 30. a quarter’s salary. 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0
July. 4. pd. for a silver medal of Genl. Greene 26₶–4s–9d—do. of Genl. Gates 31₶– 16s81 58– 0–9
28. postage from New York 115₶–0.—postage from Jun. 28. to July 25. 123₶– 9s.82 238– 9–0
 
31. paid Upton for a medal case for 11. medals. 24– 0–0
Aug. 21. gave David Barnett a poor American 6– 0–0
Sep. 4. pd. Clousier for printing for U.S. 20– 0–0
5. pd. Blanc for 6. officers fusils, models for war office83 304–10–0
34,050–13–6

[Page 8:]

1789.
  ₶  s  d 
Sep. 15. To pd. Cabaret for stationary 12– 0–084
19. To postage from July 26. to Sep. 19. 178–10–085
22. To pd. for a box &c. packing fusils. 12– 2–0  
23. To cash to Thomas Walter a poor American 6– 0–086
31. To a quarter’s salary 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0  
Oct. 4. To pd. acct. for velvet for lining a medal case 15– 6–0  
To postage 24₶–3s—Oct.5. to do. 4₶–17s
  acct.		 29– 0–0  
5. To postage 4₶-17s—15. do. l₶—10s 6– 7–087
Dec. 31. To a quarter’s salary. 2250.D. = 12,600– 0–0  
25,459– 5–088

[Page 9:]

1784. The United States in account with Th Jefferson Cr.
May 28. By cash from Rob. Morris esq. in Philadelphia. Doll.
400 
June 20. By do. from Mr. Lovell in Boston 170.
July 1. By do. from do. 130.
3. By do. from do. 250.
By do. from Thos. Russell for my draught on Rob. Morris 700. ₶  s  d
1650. 8,910– 0–0
Aug. 20. By do. from Mr. Grand 5,000– 0–0
26. By do. 3,000– 0–0
Sep. 20. By do. 5,000– 0–0
Oct. 15. By do. 4,000– 0–0
 
By do. from Le Coulteux on Mr. Adams’s bill of f6000.  ₶
    on Holld. 6000.
    Nov. 12. 4400.
    Dec. 8. 2000.
    Dec. 16.  300.
    Dec. 20.  240–7–6 12,940– 7–6
Nov. 22. By cash from Mr. Grand 4,000– 0–0
Dec. 20. By do. 4,000– 0–0
1785.
Jan. 11. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Feb. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Mar. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Apr. 1. By do. 5,000– 0–0
63,850– 7–6

[Page 10:]

1785.
₶  s  d
May 13. By cash from Mr. Grand. 4,000– 0–0
June 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
July. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Aug. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Sep. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Oct. 3. By do. 6,000– 0–0
22. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Nov. 8. By do. 4,000– 0–0
Dec. 2. By do. 4,000– 0–0
31. By do. 4,000– 0–0
1786.
Jan. 16. By do. 5,000– 0–0
Feb. 2. By do. 4,000– 0–0
27. By do. 5,000– 0–0
Mar. 5. By do. 2,000– 0–0
18. By my bill on Mr. Grand in favor of Teissier of London. 2,400– 0–0
Apr. 1. By do. 2,606–18–0
17. By do. 2,606–18–0
 
25. By do. 3,910– 7–0
May 1. By cash of Mr. Grand. 4,000– 0–0
June 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0
13. By do. 3,000– 0–0
80,524– 3–0

[Page 11:]

1786.
 ₶  
July 1. By cash from Mr. Grand. 4,000– 0–0  
Aug. 1. By do. 7,000– 0–0  
16. By do. 1,000– 0–0  
Sep. 1. By do. 5,000– 0–0  
7. By Mr. Grand’s letter of credit in favr. Colo. Smith on my acct. 2,986– 7–3  
19. By le Fevre, Roussac & co’s bill on me paid by Mr. Grand. 450– 0–0  
Oct. 2. By cash of Mr. Grand. 5,000– 0–0  
Nov. 2. By do. 5,000– 0–0  
Dec. 1. By do. 5,000– 0–0  
29. By do. 6,000– 0–0  
1787.
Jan. 12. By do. 2,000– 0–0  
Feb. 1. By do. 4,000– 0–0  
8. By do. to Mrs. Barclay on my order. 1,000– 0–0  
16. By cash of Mr. Grand. 9,000– 0–0  
28. By do. to Petit on my order 1,450– 0–0  
Mar. 15. By do. of Finguerlin & Scherer at Lyons 1,500– 0–0  
31. By do. to Petit on my order of Feb. 28. 600– 0–0  
Apr. 16. By do. of Brethous at Marseilles. 600– 0–0  
17. By pd. by Finguerlin & Scherer my bill in favr. of Parent 335– 0–0  
30. By cash of Mr. Grand to Petit on my order of Feb. 28. 600– 0–0  
May 12. By do. of Brethous at Marseilles 1,500– 0–0  
21. By do. of Baron Le Clerc at Nice 1,622– 9–089
65,643–16–3  

[Page 12:]

1787.
May 23. By Col. Smith’s bill of £46. on me pd. by Mr. Grand. ₶  s  d
1,122–14–3
24. By my order in favor of Philip Mazzei
pd. by Mr. Grand		 600– 0–0
June 4. By cash of Feger, Gramont & co. at Bordeaux 2,700– 0–0
By pd. to do. by Mr. Grand for me for wine. 747–11–0
By cash to Petit by order of Mr. Short for my use. 400– 0–0
18. By cash of Mr. Grand. 3,000– 0–0
July 2. By do. 4,000– 0–0
By Feger, Gramont & co. 16–17–6
Aug. 21. By cash of Mr. Grand. 4,000– 0–0
Oct. 1. By cash for bill on Willincks & Van Staphorst for flor.  Bo.  
3201– 1		 7,000– 0–0
Nov. 1. By do. on do.90 2291–13 5,000– 0–0
Dec. 1. By do. on do. 2731– 5 6,000– 0–0
31. By do. on do. 2750– 0 6,000– 0–0
1788.
Feb. 1. By do. on do. 3201– 1 7,000– 0–0
Mar. 1. By do. on do. 3201– 1 7,000– 0–0
29. By cash in Amsterdam from Willinks ƒ. Court.
 324–		 = ₶  s
697– 5
By do. at different times from V. Staphorsts 2400₶ + 1314–17 ½ = 5229–15 5,927– 0–0
Apr. 18. By cash at Strasburgh on my draught on V. Staphorsts for  426– 900– 0–0
May 2. By cash for bill on Willinks & V. Staphorsts ƒ.  Bo.  
2270–17		 5,000– 0–0
June 2. By do. on do.91 1816–13 4,000– 0–0
July 2. By do. on do. 2291–13–8 5,000– 0–0
75,414– 2–9

[Page 13:]

1788
July 12. By pd. by Van Staphorsts to Peuchen of Cologne for me.   ƒ  s
 143–14		 ₶  s d  
309– 7–0  
Aug. 1. By cash for bill on Willinks & V. Staphorsts f  Bo.
2296–17–8		 5,000– 0–0  
Sep. 1. By do. on do.92 2312–10–0 5,000– 0–0  
Oct. 1. By do. on do. 1833– 7–0 4,000– 0–0  
Nov. 3. By do. on do. 2312–10–0 5,000– 0–0  
Dec. 1. By do. on do. 2317–14–0 5,000– 0–0  
31. By do. on do. 2775– 0 6,000– 0–0  
1789.
Feb. 2. By do. on do. 2285– 5 5,000– 0–0  
Mar. 1. By do. on do. 2725– 0 6,000– 0–0  
Apr. 1. By do. on do. 3179– 3 7,000– 0–0  
14. By do. on do. 2731– 5 6,000– 0–0  
May. 1. By do. on do. 2731– 5 6,000– 0–0  
17. By do. on do.  237– 6 509–10–7  
June 1. By do. on do. 2700– 0 6,000– 0–0  
July 1. By do. on do. 2693–15 6,000– 0–0  
4. By cash overpd. by Grand & refunded to me by Gateau for medals.93 76– 0–0  
Aug. 1. By cash for bill94 on Willinks & Van Staphorsts 2687–10 6,000– 0–0  
Sep. 1. By do. on do.95 2687–10 6,000– 0–0  
24. By do. on do. 4031– 8 9,000– 0–0  
Oct. 21. By my bill on do. in favor Grand & co 2800– 0  
  (at same exch.)96 6,250–18–0  
By do. on do. in favr. Thos. Auldjo for £210. sterl. @ 25. ₶ the pound sterl.97 5,250– 0–098
105,395–15–799

[Page 14:]

Amount of Dr. Amount of Cr.
₶  s  d    ₶  s  d   
 page 1. 112,835– 5–0100 page 9. 63,850– 7–6   
2. 51,800–14–0    10. 80,524– 3–0   
3. 39,929– 5–6    11. 65,643–16–3   
4. 41,771–10–0    12. 75,414– 2–9   
5. 34,056– 9–6    13. 105,395–15–7101
6. 45,703– 1–0102
7. 34,050–13–6   
8. 25,459– 5–0103
385,606– 3–6104
5,222– 1–7105
390,828– 5–1106 390,828– 5–1107
The U.S. of America in acct. with Th:Jefferson
Dol.
1790. Mar. 22. To salary from Dec. 31. to this day when I enter on office of Secy. of state, 81. days. 1997.26
[resoln. Aug. 6. 1779.]108 To allowance for return settled
by Congress at a quarter’s salary.		 2250.
[his note.] To public articles paid by Wm. Short & charged by him to me.* 2466₶–13  459.87
1792. Jan. 29. To credit109 to U.S. with Will. V. Stap. & Hub. by V. Stap. & Hub. on my order 1004.54110
Balance due from Th:J.    7.7111
5719.37112
Cr.
1789. Dec. 31. Balance due from Th:J. to the U.S. as by precedg.
acct. 5222₶–1s–7d113 @ 5₶–12s  932.51114
 
1790. Aug.  4. By my bill from N. York on Will. V. Staph. & Hub.   ƒ
 4036– 0 Court.
21. By Mr. Short’s two bills of
  this day for me on do.		 {   2200– 0. banco
  2203– 1
Sep. 22. By do.   1328–17
Dec. 30. By do.   2199– 5
11,967– 3 @ 2½ 4786.86116
5719.37117
The U.S. of America in account with Th:Jefferson118
Dol.
Cr. By balance as above   7.7
By error in dating my appointmt. from Apr. 11. instd. of May 9. 1784. never discovered till this 8th. July 1792 880.97

Th: Jefferson

July 8. 1792.119

[On separate sheet:]120

The U.S. of America in acct. with Th:Jefferson
1792. Oct. 12.
To credit to the U.S. with Will. & Staph. & Hub. by V. Staph. & Hub. on my order ƒ2221–14s = Dol.
888.67
Cr.
By balance due from Th:J. as before 888.67

Th: Jefferson
Oct. 12. 1792.

* converted by Mr. Short at 5₶–7s–2d. This accidental price of hard money is surely the temporary effect of it’s scarcity, & of the inundation of assignats.115

PrC (DLC: TJ Papers, 76: 13216–22, 13228, 13223–7, 13229, 77: 13294); entirely in TJ’s hand; brackets in original except where noted; consists of 14 numbered pages and supplemental page, filed with 3d Dft, containing final entry of 12 Oct. 1792 and later notation in ink by TJ at head of page: “press copy from the entry subjoined on the last page of the original account given in to the Auditor”; incorporates all revisions to 3d Dft except annotations on pages 1–7, but wording of some entries varies (see notes below); with amount for second entry of 1 Dec. 1788 on page 6 subsequently altered in ink by TJ (see note 65 below) and three entries interlined and a value for a fourth entered on page 8 (see notes 84–87 below). 3d Dft (same, 77: 13286–93); dated 8 July 1792 but begun ca. 26 Jan. 1792; entirely in TJ’s hand and signed by him; consists of 14 numbered pages in same format as PrC, but lacks entry for 12 Oct. 1792; incorporates revisions and additions to 2d Dft; also includes subsequent additions and revisions not in 2d Dft: three additional debit entries interlined on page 8, revisions to debit and credit entries on pages 6, 8 and 13 and to the account summary on page 14, and additional debit and credit entries from 31 Dec. 1789 to 29 Jan. 1792 and debit entries for “omissions & errors” on page 14; debit entries on pages 1–8 and additional debit and credit entries on page 14 annotated with interlined notations referring to supporting documents probably submitted with original of PrC (see notes below); filed with slip bearing endorsements by TJ: “Account with the U.S. of America as their Minister Plenipotentiary in Europe” and “exact copy as given in to the Auditor July 1792.” 2d Dft (same, 96: 16491–8); undated; entirely in TJ’s hand, but not signed; consists of 12 numbered and 2 unnumbered pages, probably written in stages ca. March, May, and September 1789 and late January 1792, containing the first chronological arrangement of the accounts, in same format as 3d Dft except for last page, which consists of summary at top and penciled calculations at foot; salary entries from 31 Dec. 1785 to 31 Mch. 1789 altered to reflect change in rate of exchange; contains additions and revisions not in following text; filed with a supplementary page headed “Alterations and Additions,” written ca. 26 Jan. 1792, containing notes of revisions to be made to pages 8 and 14 of 2d and 3d Dfts and notes for drawing up “a new account for subsequent articles” from 31 Dec. 1789 to 29 Jan. 1792 later added to 3d Dft. PrC (same, 12: 2051–63); consists of 12 unnumbered pages; lacks page 8 listing debit entries from 15 Sep. to 31 Dec. 1789, summary page, and page of alterations and additions; also lacks subtotals, credit entries from 24 Sep. to 21 Oct. 1789, and other changes made to 2d Dft; salary entries from 31 Dec. 1785 to 31 Mch. 1789 altered in ink and pencil; filed with slip bearing endorsement by TJ: “My account with the U.S. Chronologically stated.” Dft (same, 53: 9007–8, 8994–6, 9000–1, 8999); undated but probably written in stages ca. September 1788 and March and May 1789; entirely in TJ’s hand, but not signed; earliest known comprehensive statement of accounts consisting of 13 unnumbered pages as follows: 8 pages recording debit entries from 1 July 1784 to 1 May 1789 organized topically under the headings “Outfit” (charged as one year’s salary), “House-rent” (with last entry subsequently added), “Stationary,” “Postage & Couriers,” “Salary” (with amounts for quarterly entries for March, June, and September 1785 altered to reflect change in rate of exchange and footnote subjoined), and “Extra articles,” and 5 pages recording credit entries chronologically from 28 May 1784 to 17 May 1789, the first four pages of which, containing entries down to 1 Sep. 1788, are written on a different paper and may, possibly with MS of outfit listed below, have been part of an earlier version. PrC (same, 12: 2042–50); consists of first 8 pages only; with amounts for quarterly salary entries for March, June, and September 1785 altered and footnote subjoined in ink; filed with slip bearing endorsement by TJ: “My Account with the U.S. Stated <according to the> each General head by itself.” MS (DLC, TJ Papers, 53: 8997–8); undated but probably written between February 1786 and May 1787; entirely in TJ’s hand; earliest known document relating to preparation of accounts consisting of 2 pages listing expenditures for the cost of his outfit from 6 Aug. 1784 to 27 Feb. 1786 arranged topically under “Carriage & horses,” “Clothes,” and “House-furniture”; untotaled. Only the significant differences between the PrC printed above and the 3d Dft have been noted below. In the earliest organization of TJ’s papers that can be recovered, the MS on outfit and the Dft of the accounts, as well as the Dfts and one page of the PrC of his Explanatory Notes (see Document ii below) and several related miscellaneous documents (DLC: TJ Papers, 53: 9002–6, 9012–13), are filed in proximity to two docketing slips on which TJ wrote respectively: “papers which may be necessary to recur to in support of my Account with the US.” and “papers respecting my account with the US. Useless” (same, 9014, 9009). Although during TJ’s lifetime these slips must have identified the documents he placed in each category, subsequent reorganizations of the papers have made it impossible to recover his designations.

1. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “by resoln. Congr. May 11. 1784.”

2. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “by resoln. of Congress of Oct. 4. 1779.—see Note on value of Dollar—and credit for error.”

3. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “Woodmason’s receipt.”

4. Here in 3d Dft TJ wrote “and at 5₶8s. the dollar.” Underneath the entry in the same text TJ wrote “resoln. May 7. 1774.” The resolution, in fact, was passed in 1778.

5. Here in 3d Dft TJ wrote “at Versailles.”

6. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “See note explaining this.”

7. Word written over “England,” erased. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “See acct.”

8. PrC illegible; figure supplied from 3d Dft.

9. Here in 3d Dft TJ wrote “the last 6. months rent in advance.” Underneath the entry in the same text TJ wrote “rect.”

10. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

11. Underneath each of the first three expenditures for stationery in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

12. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “See note explaining this.”

13. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

14. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “see note.”

15. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

16. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect. with that of Oct. 15. 85.”

17. Underneath the expenditure for stationery in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

18. Underneath the expenditure for stationery in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

19. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “see Note.”

20. “Hire of Carriage” in 3d Dft.

21. Subotal, illegible in PrC, supplied from account summary on page 14.

22. Underneath the second expenditure in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

23. Underneath the expenditure for stationery in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

24. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “vouchers.”

25. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

26. Underneath the expenditure for stationery in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

27. Underneath the third expenditure in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

28. Underneath each expenditure in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

29. Underneath this word in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

30. Underneath this number in 3d Dft TJ wrote “+.”

31. Underneath these numbers in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

32. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “bill & rect.”

33. Underneath each of the last three expenditures in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “+.”

34. In 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.” underneath the first expenditure in this entry, “acct.” under the second, and “+” under all the rest.

35. Underneath this expenditure in 3d Dft TJ wrote “+.”

36. Underneath the final expenditure in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

37. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

38. TJ wrote “acct.” underneath the first two expenditures and again under the last two expenditures in this entry in 3d Dft.

39. Underneath the expenditures for postage in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

40. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

41. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

42. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

43. In 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.” underneath the first expenditure for postage in this entry and “acct.” underneath the second.

44. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

45. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “bill & rect.”

46. 3d Dft: “Expences of return.”

47. Parenthetical passage not in 3d Dft.

48. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

49. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

50. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

51. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

52. This entry in 3d Dft is dated 2 June 1788. Underneath it in the same text TJ wrote “acct.”

53. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

54. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

55. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

56. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

57. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

58. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

59. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

60. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

61. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

62. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect. taken in.”

63. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

64. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

65. TJ wrote “52” in ink above “88,” which he canceled. In 3d Dft he erased “88” and wrote in “52”; underneath the text of the entry in the same text he wrote “rect. for £2–2.” The change to “52” corrected the discrepancy between the amount of the receipt and the £3-14 given in the text of the entry in PrC and 3d Dft and also applied the reduced rate of exchange for livres after 31 Oct. 1785 that TJ explained in Document ii below. The entry in its original form is in Dft and is interlined in 2d Dft.

66. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

67. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

68. TJ reworked this subtotal in ink to reflect the change described in note 65. He made the same change in 3d Dft.

69. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

70. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

71. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “order & rect. taken in.”

72. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

73. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

74. In 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.” under this name.

75. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

76. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

77. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

78. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “Grand’s note.”

79. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

80. Underneath each of the expenditures in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

81. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “vouchers.”

82. Underneath the second expenditure in this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “acct.”

83. Underneath this entry in 3d Dft TJ wrote “rect.”

84. TJ added this figure in PrC and 3d Dft. It is lacking in 2d Dft.

85. This entry interlined in PrC and 3d Dft and lacking in 2d Dft. TJ wrote “acct.” underneath the entry in 3d Dft.

86. This entry interlined in PrC and 3d Dft and lacking in 2d Dft.

87. This entry interlined in PrC and 3d Dft and lacking in 2d Dft.

88. Total reworked from “25,256–8–0” in PrC and 3d Dft to reflect the addition of sums for the first entry and the three interlined entries on this page (see notes 84–87 above). Beneath this subtotal in 3d Dft TJ heavily canceled four lines: a line with “1790” on it; two lines containing the first two debit entries under 22 Mch. 1790 given on page 14; and a subtotal for these two entries. These lines are also canceled in 2d Dft.

89. PrC: “1622–0–0.” Slip of pen corrected from 3d Dft.

90. “By do. for do.” in 3d Dft for this and the next four entries.

91. “By do. for do.” in 3d Dft for this and the next entry.

92. “By do. for do.” in 3d Dft for this and the next twelve entries.

93. 3d Dft: “By cash overpaid by Grand to Gateau for medals, and refunded to me.”

94. 3d Dft: “my bill.”

95. “By do. for do.” in 3d Dft for this and the next entry.

96. 3d Dft: “(at exch. f40.31.8 for 9000₶).”

97. 2d Dft: “@ 24₶ the pound sl.” See following note.

98. Figure in PrC and 3d Dft reworked from “5040–0,” the figure given in 2d Dft, to reflect the reduction in the rate of exchange for livres TJ described in Document ii below. See preceding note.

99. Subtotal reworked from “105,185- 15—7” to reflect the changes described in the preceding two notes.

100. PrC: “112,835–0–0.” Slip of pen corrected from subtotal at foot of page 1.

101. Subtotal in PrC and 3d Dft reworked to reflect alteration on page 13 (see note 99 above).

102. Subtotal in 3d Dft reworked to reflect alterations on page 6 (see notes 65 and 68 above)

103. Subtotal in 3d Dft reworked to reflect alterations on page 8 (see notes 84–88 above).

104. Figure in 3d Dft substituted for canceled figure.

105. Figure in 3d Dft reworked and preceded by “Balance.”

106. Figure in 3d Dft reworked from “390,618–5–1.”

107. Total reworked from “390,618–5–1.” In 3d Dft TJ canceled the original total and wrote the new one underneath.

108. In 3d Dft this and the next bracketed note are written underneath the entries.

109. Here in 3d Dft TJ canceled “entered.”

110. In 3d Dft TJ inserted a dagger before this figure in order to key it to a footnote located a few lines below. He subsequently erased the mark and canceled the footnote, which appears to read: “1004.54 D = f2511.35 = 5384₶-[6]s [8]d [@ 5₶—7.2] the dollar.” See note 115 below.

111. Entry interlined.

112. Figure in 3d Dft reworked to reflect sum for interlined entry. See preceding note.

113. Figure in 3d Dft reworked from “5178₶-18s-7d.”

114. Figure in 3d Dft reworked from “924.81.”

115. Here in 3d Dft TJ wrote and revised this footnote as follows: “these are converted (by Mr. Short on acct. of <depreciation of Assignats> high price of hard money occasioned by inundation of assignats) at 5₶—7s.—2 the dollar. See statement among vouchers.” Under this in 3d Dft TJ drew a dagger and wrote the footnote described in note 110 above. At the foot of the page in 3d Dft, opposite his signature, TJ wrote a text of the first footnote that is identical to the one in PrC.

116. Below this entry in 3d Dft TJ canceled an interlined entry consisting of “By balance due to Th:J” and “29.[ ].

117. Figure in 3d Dft reworked to reflect cancellation of entry described in preceding note.

118. In 3d Dft TJ entitled this section “The U.S. of America in acct. with Th: Jefferson for omissions & errors in precedg. acct.” He divided the section into two parts: on the left he wrote debit entries corresponding to those printed above for 15, 19, 23 Sep. and 5 Oct. 1789; on the right, to correct an error he had made on page 6 (see note 65 above), he wrote the entry “1788 Dec. 1. by overcharge of paper” followed by an illegible amount. Subsequently he canceled all the entries and wrote in the two credit entries that appear in PrC.

119. Remainder of text not in 3d Dft.

120. On 10 Oct. 1792 TJ recorded a variant of this final entry at the foot of the Dft certification printed in note to Document iii below.

Index Entries

    You Are Looking At

    Source Project
    Jefferson Papers
    Title
    I. Accounts as Minister Plenipotentiary in France, 8 July 1792
    Author
    Jefferson, Thomas
    Date
    8 July 1792 – 12 October 1792

    Reference

    Cite as
    “I. Accounts as Minister Plenipotentiary in France, 8 July 1792,” Founders Online, National Archives, https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/01-24-02-0179-0002. [Original source: The Papers of Thomas Jefferson, vol. 24, 1 June–31 December 1792, ed. John Catanzariti. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1990, pp. 175–193.]