501From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 30 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this day your favor of the 24th. instant. I had before received from Mr. Adams a letter approving of the application of so much of the money in your hands to the paiment of Fizeaux’ debt, if there were so much. He presumed my draught on you would suffice, but offered to join if you required it. However from what you say in your last letter I have concluded to refer it to the board of...
502From Thomas Jefferson to De Pio, 21 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsr. Jefferson a l’honneur de souhaiter le bonjour à Monsr. de Pio. Les denrées que les Etats Unis d’Amerique exportent en quantité sont le riz, l’indigo, le goudron, le tabac, le blé, le chanvre, la potasse, les poissons salés, et les bois de construction. Les marchandises que les habitants des Etats unis prendront en echange seront les vins, les eaux de vie, l’huile, les fruits secs et...
503From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have appointed the bearer hereof, Mr. William Short, my Secretary. His salary as such will be the same which young Mr. Franklin received. I am therefore to ask the favor of you to pay it to him from time to time as it shall become due, and to debit the United States therewith. I have the honor to be with very great respect, Sir your most obedient and most humble servt., PrC ( DNA : PCC , No....
504Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 10 July 1787 (Adams Papers)
This being the day on which, according to my calculation, my daughter would be crossing the channel, I had calculated the course from Dover to Calais and was watching the wind when your favour of the 6 th. was put into my hands. that of June 27. had been received four days ago. I perceived that that had happened which I had apprehended, that your goodness had so attached her to you that her...
505From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 25 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of the 6th. of July. Since that I have received yours of July 23. I do not altogether despair of making something of your method of quilling, tho’ as yet the prospect is not favourable. I applaud much your perseverance in improving this instrument and benefiting mankind almost in spite of their teeth. I mentioned to Piccini the improvement with which I am entrusted. He plays...
506From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 10 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Sep. 21. inclosing your account came safely to hand. I observe one error in it, a History of Philip 3d. charged as a quarto edition 25/. whereas it was the 8vo. edition in 2. volumes which I presume was cheaper. Also the 34. copies of the Notes on Virginia £9–1–4. for which I have no objections to be answerable when the bookseller shall have sold them, but not before. With...
507From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 7 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I received by the last post your favour of the 27th. Ult. and am obliged for the communications therein. The ferment on the subject of your society seems just becoming general. They write us from Virginia that it works high there, and that the division is precisely into civil and military. We will not presume to send foreign news from Annapolis to Philadelphia. Congress expect to adjourn on...
508From Thomas Jefferson to Archibald Cary and Others, Introducing John Paradise, 29 May [1786] (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by Mr. Paradise who married a daughter of the late Colo. Ludwell of Virginia and who now comes to that country to make preparations for establishing himself and family in it. As a stranger and man of character he would have all the benefits of your civilities and attentions; but as a man of letters, of the purest integrity, of perfect goodness, and republican...
509From Thomas Jefferson to William Jones, 10 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Parker, being to return to Paris in a few days, furnishes me a safe conveiance for a couple of thermometers for which I have occasion, and which I beg the favor of you to send me by him: the one about 8. inches long graduated from boiling water down to about 20°. of Farenheit below nought; the other not less than 18. inches long, and graduated from boiling water down to...
510From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 4 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received last night at Aix your favors of April 4. 6. and 24. by which I perceive that M. de Crevecoeur goes by the present packet and leaves Paris the 7th. I must therefore beg the favor of you to dispatch the inclosed letter to Mr. Jay by a courier in the instant of receiving this to M. de Crevecoeur if he shall have left Paris. The courier must go day and night rather than run any risk of...
511To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 1 May 1788 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof, Monsieur de Warville, is already known to you by his writings, some of which I have heretofore sent you, & particularly his work sur la France et les etats unis. I am happy to be able to present him to you in person, assured that you will find him in all his dispositions equally estimable as for his genius. I nee[d] only to ask your acquaintance for him. That will dispo[se]...
512From Thomas Jefferson to Le Veillard, with Enclosures, 9 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson presents his compliments to Monsr. Le Vieillard and will be happy to hear that himself, Madame et Mademoiselle le Vieillard are well. He is but just returned from England, and will avail himself of the first leisure moment to pay his respects to Monsr. le Vieillard in person. In the mean time he returns with many thanks the papers relative to Dr. Franklin which he was so kind as...
513From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Cary, 26 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In a letter of May 4. I mentioned to you that I had sent you an edition of the English Linneaus by M. de la Croix. The box got to Havre after his departure, so that the not carrying it was not imputable to him. My correspondent at Havre never informed me of this, and I supposed you had received the book when the inclosed bill of lading came to my hands by which it appears to have been sent off...
514From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 10 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 2d. and 6th. inst. are duly received. You conjectured rightly that by ‘vallons’ I meant festoon curtains. The term is well understood by the upholsterers. The Venetian blind and large backlight to let up and down are essential in a hot climate. I would desire no Imperial, and only one trunk, and that to go behind. Brass harness for four horses. These are for country use, and...
515From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 10 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your letter of May 3. and obliged by your kind notice of what I had written on the subject of my own state. If I have any merit from it, it is in being fully sensible of it’s imperfections.—It is time you should hear something of a much more important work, that written by yourself. The translation and printing go on slowly. I do not think they are half finished. The Marquis...
516From Thomas Jefferson to James Warren, 8 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been honoured with your letter of Oct. 9. by Mr. Barrett. No intimation has yet come to my hands of such an arrangement of the Consular department as is therein mentioned: and I rather suppose that Congress will find their commerce with Portugal so interesting as to be worthy the establishment of a minister or resident at that court. If so, the consulate there would undoubtedly be under...
517From Thomas Jefferson to Cabanis, 28 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Lambert de Frontignan, par une lettre en datte le 22me. Fevrier m’avoit pride vous payer la somme de 129.₶ pour cent bouteilles de vin qu’il avoit envoyà Monsr. le Comte de Moustier en Amerique par mon ordre. Malheureusement sa lettre n’etoit pas encore arrivée la 3me. Mars quand je suis parti de Paris pour les Païs bas et l’Allemagne. Je la trouve ici à mon retour qui n’est que de 4....
518From Thomas Jefferson to John McQueen, 9 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson begs the favor of Mr. Mc.Queen to take charge of the letter and packet herewith sent for Mr. Drayton as president of a society of Agriculture. He will be very happy to see Mr. Mc.Queen tomorrow if he can make it convenient to come and take a family dinner with him. RC (Miss Caroline Huger, Bluffton, S.C., 1946); addressed, in part: “hotel des Ambassadeurs prés la comedie...
519From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Barclay, 11 July 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honour of presenting his respects to Mrs. Barclay and of informing her that by a letter from Mr. Barclay dated the 10th. of June, he learns he was then arrived in good health at Mogadore in Marocco, that he was received with distinguished attention and honour, by orders from the emperor, that the Governor of Marocco with a guard of 30 men had been sent to escort him to...
520From Thomas Jefferson to J. P. P. Derieux, 16 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I availed myself of the letter of June 1 with which you were pleased to honor me to wait on Madame Bellenger, and to begin an acquaintance which I have found perfectly agreeable, and the more so as it has enabled me to be useful to you. I found in her all the good dispositions possible towards you, but not seeing clearly in what way her bounties would relieve you. I made her sensible that by...
521From Thomas Jefferson to De Thulemeier, 16 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am to acknolege the receipt of the letter of the 11th. inst. with which you have honored me, and wherein you are pleased to inform me of the ratification by his Prussian majesty of the treaty of Amity and Commerce between him and the United States of America. On our part the earliest opportunity was embraced of forwarding it to Congress. It goes by a vessel sailing about this time from...
522From Thomas Jefferson to Lambert, 3 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson est veritablement affligé d’avoir manqué hier de se rendre chez son excellence Monsieur le Comtrolleur general. Il reçut hier matin une lettre de Monsieur de la Fayette lui annonçant que Monsieur le Controleur general auroit la bonté de nous recevoir le lendemain à midi. Sans faire assez d’attention à la date, il croyoit que ce devoit etre le jour d’aujourdhui (Samedi) et il...
523From Thomas Jefferson to Lormerie, 6 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The load of business which has accumulated during my absence has put it out of my power to answer sooner the letter and observations with which you were pleased to honour me. I have perused those observations with attention, and think them judicious, and well calculated to remedy the evil of public robbers and unsafe highroads. But it is a happy truth for us, Sir, that these evils do not...
524From Thomas Jefferson to John Paradise, 4 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived at Dover a little before midnight of the day I parted with you at Greenwich, and was detained there a day and a half by bad weather and unfavourable winds. However I had at length an excellent passage of three hours only, and was able to get to Paris on the 5th. day of my departure from London. I find nothing here very remarkeable. The Cardinal de Rouen is still the great topic. He...
525From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 14 January 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
A person called here to-day, while I was out, and left the inclosed note for me, on the subject of Colo. Wuibert’s money. He left word at the same time that he would call at your office tomorrow for an answer. I have written him the inclosed answer, but as he did not leave his name or address, I am unable to write an address on it. I will beg the favor of you to let it lye in your office till...
526From Thomas Jefferson to ——, 22 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of introducing to your acquaintance the Marquis de Valadie, bearer of this letter, a gentleman of distinguished family in this country. A genuine love of liberty, a desire of freeing himself from the shackles which the laws and manners of Europe impose, and a predilection for our country, tempt him to pay it a visit. You will find him well informed, sensible, honest and...
527From Thomas Jefferson to Lafayette, 17 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
It seems that a writ of surseance is what Mr. Ridout desires. In what cases this is granted, by what power, and thro whom the applications go, I am ignorant, as I have always declined asking them for any body; my idea having been that where they could be obtained according to fixed rules, they would be granted of course on any application; and that where it was not agreeable to rule to grant...
528From Thomas Jefferson to Schweighauser & Dobrée, 3 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at length been able to recover your papers, which had been mislaid at the bureau of the Diligence. Being called to Holland at a few hours warning I have only time to assure you that this settlement shall be one of my first occupations on my return, and that I am with great esteem Gentlemen Your most obedt. humble servt., PrC ( DLC ). This is no doubt a reply to a (missing) letter...
529From Thomas Jefferson to Nicolas & Jacob van Staphorst, 22 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 22d. May and will take care of your indemnification for the 100 guineas furnished Admiral Paul Jones, should he not otherwise reimburse you which I would beg you to press on him, as may be convenient and decent. I note the disbursement of f18 on account of the stoves from Cologne. As there are already several small advances for which. I have troubled you,...
530From Thomas Jefferson to John Ramsay, 9 January 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your favor of Nov. 22. and Doctr. Ramsay’s of Mar. 7. by Mr. Fraser. Knowing nothing of Dr. Ramsay’s intentions relative to the money due him here, I had, as soon as it became due which was in May, written to him to make some propositions from his bookseller here which he was free to accept or refuse, and in the latter case I gave him authority to draw on Mr. Madison at New...
531From Thomas Jefferson to Cambray, 7 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 29th. September is duly received. Monsieur Aleaume had sent me, in the month of August, the letters of procuration to be legalised and sent to America. The expression in his letter was ‘que M. le comte de Cambrai espere que vous voulez bien legaliser et faire passer en Amerique. ’ An opportunity occurring just at that time of sending them to Charlestown, I availed myself of...
532From 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...
533From 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...
534From Thomas Jefferson to Lefévre, Roussac & Cie., 8 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of the 1st. and 11th. of July came safely to hand. The wine you sent to the care of Messrs. Achards is arrived at Rouen. Your bill was presented to me three days ago, was accepted and shall be duly paid. When Mr. Pecquet was here I asked him if he would send me some very good Malvoisie de Madeire. He told me that by attending the sales of wine, after decease, he could purchase what...
535From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 11 July 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Doctr. Franklin sets out this morning for Havre from whence he is to cross over to Cowes there to be taken on board Capt. Truxen’s ship bound from London to Philadelphia. The Doctor’s baggage will be contained in 150. or 200 boxes &c. We doubt that the laws of England will not permit these things to be removed from one vessel into another; and it must be attended with great difficulty, delay...
536From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Dupont, 15 February [1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged to you, Sir, for the communication of the draught of the Arret. I am sure there never would have come a single cod-fish to the entrepots: therefore I am curious to know what were the real motives which produced this opposition. I shall so represent the matter in my letters as that nothing shall be thought of it. I have the honour to be with great thankfulness for your favors,...
537From Thomas Jefferson to H. Fizeaux & Cie., 23 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter which you mention, of January 1, came duly to my hands, and I forwarded it by the first conveiance to the Commissioners of the Treasury of the U.S. at New York. I could do nothing else with it, being a matter entirely out of the functions of my office, and on which I was not authorized to give any answer. It is all I can now do with the letter of the 16th. inst. with which you have...
538From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 23 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Notables met yesterday. The king opened the assembly with a short speech, wherein he expressed his inclination to consult with them on the affairs of his kingdom, to receive their opinions on the plans he had digested, and to endeavor to imitate the head of his family Henry IV. whose name is so dear to the nation. The speech was affectionate. The Guarde des sceaux spoke about 20 minutes,...
539From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 20 August 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
A few days after my arrival here Colo. Le Maire writer of the inclosed letter called on me and asked me to forward it to you with such explanations as I could give. As to his commission , having lost the original as he therein mentions, he asks an authenticated copy of it which he thinks will enforce some applications he is making to this government. As to the lands, I remember the gift of...
540From Thomas Jefferson to Christian Frederick Michaelis and Others, 4 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The American Philosophical Society having heretofore done themselves the honour of naming you one of their members, the President has been pleased to transmit to me the Diploma made out in the forms used by the society, and authenticated by their seal. I do myself the honour of forwarding it to you and at the same time of assuring you of the sentiments of esteem & respect with which I have the...
541From Thomas Jefferson to Anna Jefferson Marks, 12 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters from Virginia inform me of your marriage with Mr. Hastings Marks. I sincerely wish you joy and happiness in the new state into which you have entered. Tho Mr. Marks was long my neighbor, eternal occupations in business prevented my having a particular acquaintance with him as it prevented me from knowing more of my other neighbors as I would have wished to have done. I saw...
542From Thomas Jefferson to Joseph Jones, 19 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of inclosing to you a state of the case of one Polson, and of begging your enquiries and information whether the lands therein mentioned have been escheated and sold, and if they have what would be the proper method of application to obtain a compensation for them. The negociations between Holland and the emperor are slow, but will probably end in peace. It is believed the...
543From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 30 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Carmichael informs me that he has drawn on you for 4614₶–3–6 for salary due to him. I have only to observe on this occasion that in the Estimate which Mr. Adams and myself left with you, the article of 4000₶ monthly for the diplomatic establishment was meant to include the demands for salary and incidental expences of Mr. Carmichael, Mr. Dumas and myself, and that these demands, including...
544From 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...
545From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Sr., 13 November 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been daily expecting to communicate to you a regulation on the subject of tobacco, and an arrêt concerning all other articles of our commerce. Still however they are unfinished, tho’ I think they cannot be so many days. In the mean time I am favored with your letter of the 4th. inst. and congratulate you on your happy meeting with the ladies of your family and your safe arrival at...
546From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 1 July 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
After visiting the principal towns through Connecticut, Rhode-island, this state and N. Hampshire in order to acquire what knowlege I could of their commerce and other circumstances I am returned to this place and shall sail the day after tomorrow in the Ceres bound for London: but my purpose is to get on shore in some boat on the coast of France and proceed directly to Paris. My servant being...
547From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, 4 April 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must return you many thanks, my dear friend, for your kind attention in procuring me the acquaintance of Monsr. Bergasse , from whom I have received many civilities, and, what is more precious, abundance of information. To you and to him also I am indebted for an introduction to Monsr. Audibert, in whom I saw enough to make me regret that I could not see more of him. My journey from Paris to...
548From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Claiborne, 1 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Just returned from a journey of 3. or 4. months I have been immersed in such a mass of writing that it has been impossible for me sooner to acknolege your favors of June 9. 13. and 21. With respect to the quality of lands in general in the counties of Monongalia and Harrison, it is impossible for me to give any opinion, because I never was in that part of the country at all, nor nearer it than...
549From Thomas Jefferson to Barré, 13 January 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of receiving your favor of the 13th. of December, and having never been able to obtain an answer from the painter in America on the subject of Genl. Washington’s picture, I have determined to permit it to be copied. I have therefore made the first offer to M. de Thevenard by a letter to him which accompanies this. I have written it in English, because you will be so good as to...
550From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson, 15 January 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter by the post is not yet come to hand, that by Mr. Beresford I received this morning. Your long silence had induced me almost to suspect you had forgotten me and the more so as I had desired you to write to me every week. I am anxious to know what books you read, what tunes you can play, and to receive specimens of your drawing. With respect to your meeting Mr. Simitiere at Mr....