1From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 29 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honour of mentioning to your Excellency the proposals of an American merchant for establishing packets between Havre and Boston, you were pleased to express a wish to see his proposals. I have it now in my power to inclose you a copy of them for your consideration, if nothing better should have been proposed, and if this should merit your attention. I have the honour to be with...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 19 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to submit to your Excellency’s perusal the inclosed Observations on the whale fishery. Tho’ printed for the purpose of facilitating the reading, they are intended for the perusal of his majesty’s ministers only, the matter they contain being improper to be communicated further. I have more dependance on my information as to the English and American, than the French fishery....
3From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 13 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honour to inform your Excellency that there will be an opportunity of writing to America by Monsr. Terrasson who leaves Paris on Sunday the 16th. instant. As you were pleased to inform me that the Consular convention was ready for signature, I will do myself the honour of waiting on you at Versailles tomorrow (Friday) at ten oclock in the morning to finish that matter, that I may...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 23 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency on the subject of the Arrêt which has lately appeared for prohibiting the importation of Whale oils and Spermaceti, the produce of foreign fisheries. This prohibition being expressed in general terms, seems to exclude the Whaleoils of the United states of America, as well as of the nations of Europe. The uniform disposition however which his...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 11 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In the course of the last war the house of Schweighauser & Dobrée of Nantes, and Puchelberg of L’Orient presented to Dr. Franklin a demand against the United States of America. He being acquainted with the circumstances of the demand, and knowing it to be unfounded, refused to pay it. They thereupon procured a seizure by judiciary authority of certain arms and other military stores which we...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, [ca. July 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inclose for your Excellency’s information a letter I have received from a person in London on the subject of the act lately passed by the British parliament for the encouragement of their whale fishery, as also the act itself. The writer of the letter is in a situation to know tolerably well what passes. He is attentive and worthy of credit. This act has two distinct...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 30 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the pleasure to inform your Excellency that the new Constitution proposed for the United states is finally established by the vote of nine states. New Hampshire acceded to it certainly on the 24th. of June, and I have great reason to conclude that Virginia had done it some days before, in which case the vote of New-Hampshire would be the tenth. I have the honour to be with sentiments of...
8V. Jefferson to Montmorin, 20 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Having had the honor of mentioning to Your Excellency the wish of Congress that certain changes should be made in the articles for a consular convention which had been sent to them, I have now that, conformably to the desire you expressed, of giving a general idea of the alterations to be proposed. The IVth. article gives to consuls the immunities of the law of nations. It has been understood...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 3 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Having received information yesterday that Mr. Adams was gone to the Hague for a few days, and there being a great necessity that I should have an interview with him before his departure, I have concluded to set out for that place immediately. This will occasion me an absence of three or four weeks, during which, should any thing material occur Mr. Short, my secretary, will be here. He is the...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 2 March 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The account of the loss of the Count de Moustier, which circulated for some time, tho’ destitute of foundation, left in all minds a painful anxiety to hear of him. I have the happiness to inform your Excellency that news of his safe arrival in America has been received at London by a ship which left New York on the 16th. of January. Incertain whether you may have received this information...
11From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 26 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
In the course of the last war His Majesty thought proper to equip a small squadron for an occasional cruize and to give the command of it to the Chevalier Paul Jones. The American frigate the Alliance was joined to it at the King’s desire. Of the prizes which they took three put into Bergen in distress, and being reclaimed by the British Minister at the Court of Copenhagen, were taken out of...
12From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, with Enclosure, 6 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of asking your Excellency’s perusal of the inclosed case of an American hostage confined in the prisons of Dunkirk. His continuance there seems to be useless, and yet endless. Not knowing how far the government can interfere for his relief, as it is a case wherein private property is concerned, I do not presume to ask his liberation absolutely: but I will sollicit from your...
13From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 8 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of addressing to your Excellency on the 3d. of July some observations on the letter of Monsieur de Calonnes of Octob. 22. 1786. relative to the commerce of France with the United States of America; of proposing to it some small amendments; and of expressing a wish that it might be put into such form as would secure it’s execution. Monsieur de Villedeuil, then Comptroller...
14From Thomas Jefferson to Montmorin, 23 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor a few days ago of putting into the hands of Your Excellency some observations on the other articles of American produce brought into the ports of this country. That of our tobaccoes, from the particular form of their administration here and their importance to the king’s revenues, has been placed on a separate line, and considered separately. I will now ask permission to bring...