301From 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,...
302From Thomas Jefferson to François Baudin, 20 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of Aug. 31. which you did me the honour to write me. The power of appointing Consuls for the United states of America rests with Congress alone. As yet they have made but one appointment in France, which was that of Mr. Barclay. Perhaps it may yet be some time before any such appointments are made, as the convention for defining the Consular powers is not yet...
303From Thomas Jefferson to Jean & David Baux, 28 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of the 12th. of Dec. some days ago. Immediately on the appearance of the Arret of Sep. 28. I had applied to the ministry for such an explanation of it as should shew it was not intended to extend to the whale o[ils] of the United States, nor to abridge the privileges given us by the Arret of Dec. 29. They promised to take it into consideration and in the mean time to give...
304From Thomas Jefferson to Berenger de Beaufain, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir l’honneur de votre lettre du 7me courant, et j’ai celui de vous informer que pour expulser la personne qui a usurpé vos possessions en Caroline ou dans la Georgie il faudra ou envoyer quelqu’un la bas, muni de pleins pouvoirs de votre part pour intenter les procès necessaires pour cet effet, ou d’en munir quelqu’un sur le lieu. Mais dans le dernier cas il faudra etre sur...
305From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Joseph de Beaulieu, 9 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
My absence in England for two months past has prevented your letter of Mar. 17. from being sooner answered. Your personal appearance either before a Notary or myself, whichever is most convenient, seems necessary for such a certificate of your life as the War office will probably require. By my last accounts from America, I think the lands promised by Congress to their officers must now be...
306From Thomas Jefferson to Louis Joseph de Beaulieu, 24 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I should be glad to do any thing which might facilitate your just claims in the war office of the United States; but you will be sensible that I cannot certify the paper you send me because I know nothing of the facts it states, nor of the persons who authenticate them. I should suppose the War office would wish to be certified that Monsr. Pierre Toussains Favernet is the Juge roial civil Lt....
307From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 6 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have never expressed an objection to the part of your plan relative to the theatre. The utility of this in America is a great question on which I may be allowed to have an opinion, but it is not for me to decide on it, nor to object to the proposal of establishing one at Richmond. The only objection to your plan which I have ever made, is that contained in my letter to you. I feared it was...
308From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 4 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Where an enterprize, to ensure it’s effect, requires a given Capital in money, and in order to raise that capital it is divided into actions, it is not understood that the enterprize is to be commenced till all the actions are disposed of. To begin with a little sum what requires a great one, is to throw that little sum away. Again when the actions are all disposed of and a partial sum is...
309From Thomas Jefferson to Quesnay de Beaurepaire, 22 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The hour of the departure of the post permitting me to continue to write to America till one oclock, and your departure for Versailles rendering it necessary you should receive by three oclock the Plan for an Academy, which you had been pleased to send me, it has been impracticable for me to give it but a cursory and partial reading, and now leaves me but a moment to return you my thanks for...
310From 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...
311From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Plumard de Bellanger, [20 September 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a bien reçu la lettre que Madame Bellanger lui a fait l’honneur de lui ecrire, avec celle pour Monsieur de Rieux. Il l’a envoyé avec ses depeches, et a pris des mesures pour qu’elle soit rendue trés surement. Comme les négociants la-bas n’ont pas l’honneur de connoître Madame Bellanger, M. Jefferson a autorisé M. le Colonel Lewis de mettre sa signature sur les lettres de...
312From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 25 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Though I have written to you seldom, you are often the object of my thoughts, and always of my affection. The truth is that the circumstances with which I am surrounded offer little worth detailing to you. You are too wise to feel an interest in the squabbles in which the pride, the dissipations, and the tyranny of kings keep this hemisphere constantly embroiled. Science indeed finds some...
313From 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...
314[From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Bellini, 8 May 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 8 May 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “C. Bellini. Valedictory.” Not found.]
315From 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...
316From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Bérard, 26 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you by the bearer a bill of exchange for two thousand four hundred livres drawn on you by Mr. Edward Rutledge, one of the persons who has lately sent rice to your consignment. It is now offered for your acceptance. The proceeds of it are for the nephew of the drawer now in London. Will you be so good as to inform me whether it would be equally convenient for you at the end of the thirty...
317From Thomas Jefferson to Simon Bérard, 16 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A friend of mine in Charlestown sent me a box of plants and a letter to New York to the care of Mr. Otto, Chargé des affaires of France there who delivered them to Capt. Sionville of the packet Courier de l’Europe. The letter came to hand without the box of plants. I wrote to Mr. Champion of L’Orient to ask the favor of him to enquire for the box. He wrote me word the vessel was gone on to...
318From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Bernard, 12 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous rends mille graces, Monsieur, pour les observations meteorologiques que vous avez eu la bonté de me faire copier et de m’envoyer, et j’accepte avec empressement l’honneur que vous me proposez de me donner une place dans la liste des souscripteurs pour votre ouvrage sur l’histoire naturelle de votre païs. Il me paroit que vous m’avez fait l’honneur de me dire, quand j’avois celui de...
319From Thomas Jefferson to Bernstorff, 21 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am instructed by the United States of America in Congress assembled to bring again under the consideration of His Majesty the King of Denmark, and of his Ministers, the case of the three prizes, taken from the English during the late war by an American squadron under the command of Commodore Paul Jones, put into Bergen in distress, there rescued from our possession by orders from the Court...
320From Thomas Jefferson to Bernstorff, 19 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing Your Excellency by Admiral Paul Jones on the 21st. of January, on the subject of the prizes taken under his command during the late war, and sent into Bergen. I communicated at the same time a copy of the powers which the Congress of the United states of America had been pleased to confide to me therein, having previously shewn the original to the Baron de Blome...
321From Thomas Jefferson to Claudius de Bert, 2 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of May 29. and thank you for the information relative to the ship Sally. There is here an American family who are on the lookout for a passage to America. It consists of a gentleman (Mr. Montgomery), his mother, his wife, and two servants. I immediately communicated the information to them, and they in the instant began to prepare for their departure. They cannot...
322From Thomas Jefferson to De Bert, 18 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of Dec. 28. I can only inform you that Congress has directed a sum of money to be borrowed in Holland sufficient to pay all their European individual demands; that the bankers entrusted with that negociation give me hopes they may succeed, but they do not fix a time, that I have no doubt we shall succeed in borrowing the sum because we have never yet failed, tho’ it may...
323From Thomas Jefferson to Bertrand, 18 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je vous fais bien des remercimens pour votre bonté en me faisant part de la déclaration du nommé Jean Schmit. J’y trouve pourtant une preuve assez [sûre] que cette personne n’est pas des etats-unis. Il se dit natif de Baltimore en Virginie . C’est comme si on se [nommait] natif de Paris en Espagne. La ville de Baltimore est en Maryland, et je le crois impossible qu’un natif put ignorer le nom...
324From Thomas Jefferson to Béthune-Charost, 17 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Une indisposition de quelques semaines m’a empeché, Monsieur le Comte, d’avoir l’honneur de repondre plutôt a votre lettre du 22me. Xbre. Je ne crois pas qu’il seroit possible de faire escompter en Europe la creance que M. le vicomte de Martel a sur les etats unis de l’Amerique. Au moins je n’ai jamais entendu dire que ces effets entroient dans la commerce à la bourse. Il n’y a aucune doute...
325From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Willing Bingham, 11 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
A gentleman going to Philadelphia furnishes me the occasion of sending you some numbers of the Cabinet des modes and some new theatrical peices. These last have had great success on the stage, where they have excited perpetual applause. We have now need of something to make us laugh, for the topics of the times are sad and eventful. The gay and thoughtless Paris is now become a furnace of...
326From Thomas Jefferson to Anne Willing Bingham, 7 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I know, Madam, that the twelvemonth is not yet expired; but it will be, nearly, before this will have the honour of being put into your hands. You are then engaged to tell me truly and honestly whether you do not find the tranquil pleasures of America preferable to the empty bustle of Paris. For to what does that bustle tend? At eleven o’clock it is day chez Madame. The curtains are drawn....
327[From Thomas Jefferson to William Bingham, 8 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 8 Aug. 1785. Entry in SJL reads: “W. Bingham. Inclosing letter to Ct. d’Andlau. By post.” Neither letter nor enclosure has been found.]
328[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 .]
329From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel Blackden, 12 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 2d. instant: but am not able to inform you what kind of voucher is necessary in the dominions of France to prove a vessel to be an American bottom. If you will send me a copy of a bill of sale of any vessel I will annex to it a certificate that you are a citizen of the United states, on the principle of ‘valeat quantum valere potest.’ When you shall have...
330From Thomas Jefferson to John Blair, 13 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the letter with which you were pleased to honor me by Mrs. Oster, and immediately waited on her with a tender of my services. She had however so far got her matters arranged as to be no longer in fear of any disagreeable measure, and is since gone to establish herself with her friends in Lorraine. I wish she may not there have alarms of a different nature. We have hitherto been in...
331From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Blake, Jr., 9 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress do not grant their sea letters for the East-Indies but to ships belonging to citizens of the united states, and navigated by officers and seamen of the United states. Even the cargo must also belong to their own citizens. Nor can these letters be obtained but on an application to Congress themselves, whereupon they appoint a committee of their own body to enquire into the...
332From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Blanchard, 9 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of Aug. 13. and shall always be glad to render you any service I can in your commerce and to hear of your success. Supposing that it may be interesting to you to be well informed on the question of war and peace, I take the liberty of informing you that tho’ the affairs of the Dutch had left hopes of accomodation, yet that the commencement of a war between the...
333From Thomas Jefferson to De Blome, 19 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsr. Jefferson a l’honneur de vous faire part qu’il a eu le 17me. de ce mois ses premieres audiences du Roi, de la reine, et de la famille royale en qualité de Ministre plenipotentiaire des etats unis d’Amerique près sa Majesté. FC ( DLC ); addressed: “A Monsr. Monsr. le Baron de Blome.” Not recorded in SJL . Similar formal notices were doubtless addressed to all members of the diplomatic...
334From 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...
335From Thomas Jefferson to Blome, 27 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor now to inclose you the letter for his Excellency the count de Bernstorff which you were so kind as to undertake to forward. I sincerely wish the effect of it may be that you may be charged with the settlement of the affair which is the subject of it. It would assure to us a candid and speedy arrangement. Permit me to add to these wishes the assurances of respect & attachment...
336[From Thomas Jefferson to Boinod & Gaillard, 26 April 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 26 Apr. 1784. Entry in SJL reads: “Boinod & Gaillard. Machiavelli—Veneroni gram—Baretti dict. Boyer gram—Vocabol. port. dal Conti.” Not found.]
337[From Thomas Jefferson to Boinod & Gaillard, 18 February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 18 Feb. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Boinod & Gaillard, to send to Europe for Grot. Paisbas—Wicquefort—De Callieres—Mem. de l’Am.—de la Lande—Barrington’s Misc.—Scheele’s cheml. observations on air and fire—Le Maitre Cuisinier—Trios of Campioni.” Not found; see note to record entry under 1 Feb. 1784.]
338[From Thomas Jefferson to Boinod & Gaillard, 19 February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 19 Feb. 1784 . Entry in SJL under this date and immediately below the entry for the letter to Boinod & Gaillard for 18 Feb. reads: “do. Connoissce. des tems pour 1785.” TJ’s letter of this date, supplementing his order for books of the previous date, has not been found. The volume of Connaissance des Temps for 1785 is listed in Library Catalogue, 1815, p. 115.]
339[From Thomas Jefferson to Boinod & Gaillard, 1 February 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 1 Feb. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Boinod & Gaillard. Pfeffel. Hainault. Lignac.” Not found. TJ may have ordered these works from a catalogue recently published by Boinod & Gaillard: “This Day is Published (Price One Quarter of a Dollar) A Catalogue of a large and choice Collection of Books, comprehending most branches of literature in the French, Latin, English, German and Dutch...
340From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson Bolling, 23 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received with great pleasure your letter of May 3. informing me of your health and of that of your family. Be assured that it is and ever has been among the most interesting things to me. Letters of business claiming their rights before those of affection, we often write seldomest to those whom we love most. The distance to which I am removed has given a new value to all I valued before in...
341From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 17 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Being charged jointly with the M. de la Fayette and Mr. Barclay, with the purchase of arms for the state of Virginia, we have purchased several thousand stand from Messrs. Bettinger & St. Victour, to be made at Tulle, and delivered at Bourdeaux. A part of these are now ready. I have therefore taken the liberty of desiring them to be delivered to you, and must beg your undertaking to receive...
342From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of May 27. June 10. 24. and July 15. I know of no appointment of agents in the ports of Rochfort, Rochelle or Bayonne, made by Mr. Barclay, nor, till the receipt of your letter did I know that you had been so kind as to extend your cares to those ports. In consequence of this, I had inclosed a copy of the order of Council of Berny to a Mr. Louis...
343[From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 20 May 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 20 May 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jno. Bonfield. Receipt of his of Apr. 19. and 25. and of wine in good order. Will answer his bill. Wine good.” TJ must have erred either in the present entry or in that of 5 May in which he recorded the receipt of “Bondfeild’s Bordeaux Apr. 28. 1785,” for if there had been two letters he doubtless would have acknowledged them in the present; at any...
344From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 12 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Having asked permission of Congress to go to America this spring and return again in the ensuing fall, and being in expectation daily of receiving that permission, I have so arranged my business as to be able to depart within a week after the Congé shall come to hand. It is necessary for me in the mean time to know the vessels in the different ports which may be bound to the United states,...
345From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 2 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Revising the letters and notes in my possession on the subject of our commerce, I observe you say in your letter of Dec. 12. that we pay Alien duties in the ports of France, supposed the double of what we ought to pay. If by this you mean that we are not on as favourable a footing as Spain, it would be vain to remonstrate on that subject. The family compact expressly excluded all other nations...
346From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 2 November 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now the honor to inclose you the passeport for two thousand five hundred stand of arms, powder and other articles purchased and to be purchased for the State of Virginia. This passeport is to serve as well for what you have received as for what you will receive hereafter till its amount is satisfied. You will observe they are to pass free of all duty, but whether this will entitle us to...
347From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 3 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It is long since I have done myself the honor of acknoleging the receipt of any of your favors. In the mean time those of June 28. July 25. Aug. 9. and 20. have been received. The reason of my delay was a constant expectation of hearing that the wine of Haut brion was on it’s way, and that you would draw on me for it’s cost; which shall be paid whenever you please to draw. If the wine has been...
348From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 24 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
On the departure of Mr. Barclay I was so hurried that in a letter I was writing to him, I could only ask him to be the bearer to you of a wish that you would be so good as to send me 6. dozen bottles of red Bourdeaux and 6 dozen of white, of fine quality. I now repeat this prayer to yourself, only desiring a gross of each instead of half a gross, mentioned to Mr. Barclay. You are the best...
349From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have deferred acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Nov. 30. in daily hope of accompaying it with the ultimate decision on our commerce. But it seems to walk before us like our shadows, always appearing in reach, yet never overtaken. I am disappointed in the proportion of returns of country produce from your port to America. I had received a statement from l’Orient by which I found they...
350From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 8 March 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your several favors of Jan. 14. Feb. 14. and 21. Immediately on the receipt of the first I lodged an order with Mr. Grand to pay the 340₶. 16 to Mr. Vernon, because I did not know where he was to be found, and I supposed Mr. Grand to know it. Vernon called on me however for the first time in his life, and then went and received his money at Mr. Grand’s....