1To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, [7 December] 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Water stains have entirely eliminated the last four lines of this letter and largely blotted out what appears to have been the first eight lines. [Questa serv?]irà di supp[lemento alla pr?]ecedente d[el 30 del passato?] unicamente [un’aneddoto che potrebbe causare una revoluzione?] della Regina [d’Ungheria] della guerra [al me questo?] ultimo [L’Imperatore è tutto...
2To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 5 April 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover is only a fragment, reading, “Hble: James Madi … of the Virgi.” Letter unsigned. A norma di quanto vi scrissi nella mia quarta lettera dei 28. del passato, vi mando l’incluse pregandovi di aggiungere a quella di Mr. Lomax il suo nome di battesimo, che non ò mai saputo. Da quella, e dall’altra che v’inclusi p[er] Mr. Man Page, voi vedete quel che penso...
3To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 December 1779–9 January 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
We Know at last, that D’Esteing’s melancholy affair happened in Georgia; that our few regulars there behaved very well; and we hear that it was the militia who did not Keep their ground; and that the pretended treachery did consist in the villany of one of our officers from New-England, who deserted and informed the enemy of Desteing’s plan for the attack. We are convinced that D’Esteing’s...
4To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 April 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Agreable to what I said in letter 23, dated florence January 5th, I have again the mortification to say, that I am still deprived of the honour of Your commands. In letter 8. I had desired to have my letters inclosed to my good friend Mr. Mark Lynch Mt. [Merchant] in Nantes, or Dr. Franklin. In my preceding I desired that you would be pleased to inclose them to the said Mr. Lynch, Mr. John...
5To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is 8 days since we heared another anecdote of british wild barbarity, which I really did not believe. It comes however authenticated to day in the Spanish gazette, the extract of which is inclosed. The english Commander is supposed to have been Commodore, alias Govr., Johnstone, or his Lieutenant. I must repeat what I said in letter 15. “What a happy circumstance for us to have divided in...
6To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 31 May 1781 (Adams Papers)
I have perused with the greatest satisfaction your most sensible and eloquent memorial to the Dutch united States, especially as it contains many things, which I much wanted to have published to the World in an occasion likely to obtain the general observation. I wish that your sound reasoning may awake the Dutch from their ignominious Lethargy, and that I may be mistaken in the opinion I...
7To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 15 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 15 June 1780 . Sends Leyden gazette of 6 June with accounts of “various insolent and ignominious actions of the British subjects at sea.” The whole world now believes that “the sentiments contained in the enclosed Manuscript No. 1. may be considered as the Emperors”—an East India Company now forming at Trieste under his auspices. King of Naples goes on as fast as possible to form his...
8To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 4 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 4 Apr. 1780 . Abstract, with liberal quotations, of Edmund Burke’s speech in Parliament on Economical Reform, delivered 11 Feb. 1780. Sends text of Louis XVI’s message to the widow of Capt. Couedic, which Mazzei hopes will be translated for the “perusal of our people.” Enlarges on the good qualities of the French king. RC ( NN ); in a clerk’s hand, signed by Mazzei; 4 p. At head of...
9To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 12 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, May 12, 1780 . De Ternay’s fleet with 6,300 troops under Lt. Gen. Rochambeau sailed from Brest on 2 May; a second division, with 3,000–4,000 men is expected to sail in about three weeks. The Spanish fleet, with 11,460 men, sailed from Cadiz on 28 Apr. Observations on the comparative naval status of the three powers. France is fast winning the confidence of the other European powers;...
10To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 16 August 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society; AL (draft): Dartmouth College Library I find myself under necessity of troubling your Excellency on account of some papers of importance I have but lately recd. from the Govr. of Virginia. The last of them are dated May 31st. 1780, and were sent by the Fier Rodrigue, just then under sail. All the parcels were sent to the direction of Messrs: Penet, da...
11To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 18 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I send you the inclosed copies, containing my corrispondence with Mr. D’Acosta and Dr. Franklin, being the most satisfactory proof I can give of having done what I prudently and decently could do to find the means for proceeding on the important business so strongly recommended to me. My delay to write to Dr. Franklin, and the distance between the first and second letter have proceeded cheafly...
12To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 19 August 1780 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society The bearer of this will be my noble friend Mr. Celesia, whom you will probably remember, as he was Minister of this Republick in London from the year 55 to 60, & in consequence of his superiour talents must have been well acquainted with several of your worthy friends there. He is esteemed here for what he really is, an ornament to his Country, & his...
13[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 5 December 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Nantes, 5 Dec. 1779 . Mazzei’s “Representation” of his conduct as agent for Virginia in Europe states that in a letter of this date, his second dispatch to TJ, “he foretold, that we ought not to expect any good from the Irish commotions, and signified his reasons for such a conjecture, which he confirmed in letter 11, dated Paris, April 10th 1780,” q.v., below (Marraro, Mazzei , p. 88)....
14To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 24 May 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I understood long time since that Your Excellency had recd. a letter for me from America, & had been so obliging as to tell Mr. Favi at Versailles, that you would take the trouble of sending it to him, in consequence of which he had given you his direction. Having heard nothing more of it as yet, I am apt to think that there must have been some...
15To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 5 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS and copy: American Philosophical Society I received the honour of your answer, by Mr. Jefferson, with the pamphlet, for which I return you my sincere thanks, as by enlightening my mind it greatly contributes to the happiness of my life. The seeds, called Ravizzoni by the Lombards, and cavolo rapa in the Tuscan language, may be very usefull to us in America when we shall have more leasure...
16To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 19 October 1780 (Adams Papers)
I shall make no apology for troubling you, Sir, as you have been so Kind as to grant me that liberty. I hope you received by Mr. Celesia my preceeding letter of 19th. August, inclosed in which there was one for the Govr. of Virginia numbered 21. You will find here the following, numbered 22, which I beg you to peruse, and forward to its destination. You will see by it that after Mr. Celesia...
17To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 13 June 1779 (Madison Papers)
There was in the copy of the Cipher you gave me twice 8 . It may perhaps be so in my original. I have converted one of the 2 in 81. I have likewise added the j besides the v , & so completed the Alphabet consisting of 26 letters, & not of 24. I wish therefore that you will keep the inclosed, & destroy the other, to avoid misunderstanding. I have put my papers with a 4 pounds ball in a bag to...
18To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 March 1782 (Jefferson Papers)
Florence, 8 Mch. 1782 . Five months have elapsed since the capitulation of Cornwallis and several vessels have arrived in France which sailed from America after that event; does not complain of being neglected before that time but is “greatly disappointed and mortified” by the present silence. Recapitulates the substance of his earlier dispatches; has received no financial aid; has lived too...
19[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 October 1781] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Florence, 2 Oct. 1781 . Mazzei’s “Representation” of his conduct as agent for Virginia in Europe states that in a letter of this date, his dispatch “No. 26” to TJ, he wrote: “My Bill drawn by your Excellency’s order, on Messr. Penet, D’Acosta, Freres & Co., has been protested. I am at a loss what to do. It was my intention to tell my circumstances to this Sovereign, and was I to do it, I...
20To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 18 June 1779 (Madison Papers)
With a disturbed mind I am now going to write to you on topics not very agreable. Mr. Penet told me, that although the Capn. was a scotchman, all the crew were Americans. Perhaps it was so at that time, but at present we have no more than 2. Americans on board, one of which is the cabbin-boy. We have an Italian & a Spaniard (who came on board on my account) & a frenchman; all the rest are...
21To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 12 December 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
A very good piece of intelligence, which I received yesterday, has been followed by very mortifaying news arrived in Town today. Yesterday I was informed, that 9. days since it was resolved in the King’s council to lend Congress, in arms and such other things as they want, to the amount of 16. millions of livres. I must give you a clear notion of my authority to enable you to weigh with your...
22To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 30 November 1780 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). The cover sheet is addressed to “Honble: James [Mad]ison Esqre. Member of C[o]ngress from Virginia.” Below the address are several unintelligible words and also “Nantes March 20. 1781 Received & forwarded by Sir Your very obt sr[?]. Jona. Williams Jr.” Along the opposite margin appears “p[er] the Luzerne Capt Bell. for Philadelphia Q [?]. D. C.” Captain Thomas Bell...
23To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 22 June 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Bad news have long legs. I have just seen the Capitulation of Chs. Town in the London extraordinary gazette. I never was so afflicted in Virginia, by our bad events, as I am now. I thought I was singular in that, but our good Americans here tell me that it is the Same with them. We are really dejected, and we would be much more so, if all circumstances did not agree to make us hope that we...
24To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 21 May 1782 (Adams Papers)
Permit me to congratulate your Excellency on your complete success, which I am confident is owing to your prudent, wise, and indefatigable endeavours, at least as much as to certain favourable circumstances. From this place I knew, perhaps better than you could, all the obstacles you had to surmount; which would not be surprising, as it is natural to suppose that you have almost constantly...
25To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 2 November 1782 (Adams Papers)
I rec d. the honour of your Excellency’s last Letter of 12. August in Florence while I was preparing for my journey. Various impediments have retarded me so long, that I have been unfortunate enough as not to find you here. Two have been the principal objects of my coming to pay a visit to your Excell y. Remembering that you often complained in Paris about the difficulty of sending a Letter...
26To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, [27 November 1779] (Jefferson Papers)
It is 8. days since I arrived at this place from Rochelle, near which City I was set a-shore in an Island by a Portugueese vessel from Cork in Irland. The various circumstances, which have contributed to my liberty, and several other anecdotes since I left the Capes of Virginia; deserve I think that I should trouble you with an account of them; but an illness of 2. months and half, and the...
27To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 23 December 1782 (Adams Papers)
I am obliged to trouble your Excellency about a letter M r. Lynch writes me to have sent me from Nantes the 10 th. of October last, under cover to your Excellency as well as the two preceding, which were delivered to me unsealed by M r. Dumas. I don’t recollect which motive M r. Dumas told me had been the occasion of it; and as the same, or any other motive, may have occasioned the abovesaid...
28[To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 March 1780] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 19 Mch. 1780 . Mazzei’s “Representation … of His Conduct, from the Time of His Appointment to Be Agent of the State in Europe untill his Return to Virginia,” written in 1784 and printed in Marraro, Mazzei , q.v., p. 86, states that in his 9th dispatch, of this date, he sent the Governor of Virginia a “narrative of Mr. Mazzei’s captivity.” No copy of the 9th dispatch has been located,...
29To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 3 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
In letter 7, the first of which I sent by Marquis de la Fayette, I took the liberty to propose to you the sending to Leghorn, if possible, under french colours a cargo of the best tobacco. I have since been informed by the Tuscan Minister (who is American in the heart, and is of some service to me) that good Indigo would be likewise a very profitable article there, and especially at present. I...
30To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, [16?] December 1779 (Franklin Papers)
LS : American Philosophical Society In January last the Governor & council of Virginia appointed me their Agent cheifly to transact in Europe some business as directed by the General Assembly & ordered me in their written Instructions to communicate the whole matter to you desiring the favour of your advice & assistance as in the space of 4 months we could not find Bills to buy, nor Tobacco to...
31To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 28 June 1782 (Adams Papers)
In my preceding of the 21st. ultmo. I acquainted your Excellency, that Mr. Maddison had written me from Philadelphia, that my cipher had been lost in the late confusions in Virginia, for which reason all I had written in cipher since that time, as well to him for the use of Congress, as to the Governor and Council of my State, still remains unlocked, and must be so untill I get there myself,...
32To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 23 November 1781 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society Having never recd. an answer from your Excellency to any of my letters ever since I left Paris, I should not take the liberty of troubling you again, was I not induced to it by what I think a just motive. Mr. Penet wrote me that he had directed to your Excellency the papers mentioned in my last of 16 August, as soon as he recd. them, which was in July 1780,...
33To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8 August 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
I have at last been honored with your Excellency’s commands. The following papers (the first I have received from Virginia, except a short letter from Mr. Bellini last year) came to my hands yesterday; viz, Copy of a letter from the Board of Trade, dated Williamsburg Novr. 13. 1779. Your private letter dated Williamsburg April 4. 1780. Three official ones, dated Richmond, one May 12; and two...
34To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 19 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is obvious that the European adventurers cannot, during the war, fetch from America but a Small proportion of their Capital. My intention has always been to persuade them to leave the Greatest part of it in our funds; which would be the means of interesting them in our welfare, and of taking a great deal of paper money out of circulation. The late resolutions of Congress tending to so...
35To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 2 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
I arrived in this metropolis 8 days since; have been at Dr. Franklin and Marquis Caraccioli frequently and have seen several others who are likely to influence those in power; but have not as yet been introduced to any of them myself. Marquis Caraccioli was for us already, and will do all his endeavours to put me in the way of being useful. Marquis de la Fayette, the bearer of this, truly...
36To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 10–19 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 10–19 Apr. 1780 . Russia has confirmed her strict neutrality, dashing England’s hopes, and has insisted as well that her trading vessels are not to be visited. This declaration has been well received in Europe; and hence “I hope … soon to see the friends and allies of Great Britain limited to the inhabitants of the Coast of Barbary, with whom they can’t help sympathising from a...
37To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 May 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 20 May 1780. Gives a sketch of the plan of operations by the French land and naval forces recommended by Mazzei in influential quarters. Has sent a copy of his plan to Rochambeau by the Comte de Deux-Ponts, “to whom I gave a letter of recommendation for you dated March 27th.” Postscript: John Adams before sailing for America made “the first and strong motion towards sending us effectual...
38To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 19 August 1780 (Adams Papers)
The inclosed, which you will be so Kind as to peruse, seal, and send to its destination, will inform you with my situation, my views, and my wants. Among the last I have thought proper not to mention the money necessary to bear my expences, as they know that I live on what I can raise on my own credit, which cannot honorably continue too long. You see, Sir, in what need I am of information. I...
39To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 13 March 1782 (Madison Papers)
RC ( LC : Madison Papers). Docketed, “March 13. 1782[.] Mazzei,” by JM, probably early in June 1782 when he received the letter ( JM to Edmund Randolph, 4 June 1782 , and n. 41). Eccovi La mia terza in risposta alla sola gratissima vostra pervenutami data di Filadelfia di 25. 8bre 1781, e diretta a me in Firenze. Quelle che dite avermi scritte anteriormente, non mi son pervenute. Vi ringranzio...
40To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 2 February 1783 (Adams Papers)
Being not in my power to go & pay my respects in person to your Excellency, on account of an indisposition occasioned by the short, but very hard journey from Rotterdam to this City, I have thought proper to send you here inclosed a packet M r. Dumas gave me for your Excellency at the Hague. I had rec d. in Amsterdam the letter you did me the honour to write me the 28. of December last;...
41To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 30 July 1782 (Adams Papers)
The honour of your Excellency’s letter of the 3d. instt. has afforded me a great satisfaction on many accounts, but particularly for the information of the flourishing state of our dear Country. I hope you will have received before this my preceding of 28. ulto., to which I refer you in regard to the intentions of the European Courts. What your Excellency says on that subject confirms me in my...
42To James Madison from Philip Mazzei, 19 June 1779 (Madison Papers)
After a Tour of about 400. miles by land & water, since I left you, I am at last safely arrived, at York. And as my next stage will be, in the opinion of every one, at New-York, I beg you will do me the favour to ride here to morrow-morning with Dr. Mc.Clurg to consult, or rather to advise me upon an Idea of mine, which I cannot communicate by letter. Pray, give yourself this trouble; the...
43To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 5 January 1781 (Jefferson Papers)
Being still deprived of the honour of an answer from you, I think it a duty to inform you of it. You may probably have sent me before now, either new Commissions and Instructions, or the duplicates of my first, and expect that I have received them. Untill I do, I shall trouble you every now and then to remind you, that to my great sorrow I am, and must continue to be a useless servant of the...
44To Benjamin Franklin from Philip Mazzei, 8 September 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : American Philosophical Society I sent the original of this by one Mr. Shore, a Virginia Gentleman and merchant, who has letters of recommendation to you and Mr. Deane from Mr. Jefferson; and some from me to my friends in Italy. In delivering the first letter without direction I wish you would take notice of my parcel of papers, which you sent me word by Mr. Jefferson went to Bristol. I...
45To John Adams from Philip Mazzei, 28 March 1781 (Adams Papers)
Your much esteemed letter of the 18. of January, which on account of my late journeys was sent after me from Florence to Pisa, Leghorn, and Genoa, and from Genoa to Florence again, Pisa, and Leghorn, has at last found me here. I had imagined, that in consequence of Mr. Laurens’s misfortune you would of your own accord continue in Holland longer than you at first intended, and am glad to hear...
46To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 21 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
The first time I spoke, according to my Instructions, to Dr. Franklin on the purport of my mission, he observed that so many People had come to Europe from every State on that kind of business, that they had ruined our credit, and made the money-men shy of us. I said that Virginia should not partake of the blame on my account, as I would not let them know my business, unless I was pretty well...
47Philip Mazzei to the American Peace Commissioners, 2 November 1782 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Historical Society of Pennsylvania What I am going to mention to your Excellencies will, I hope, apologize for the liberty I take of addressing myself to you. In January 79. I was appointed by the Government of Virginia to go to Europe to transact there some business of importance for the State. I was taken prisoner in coming, & did not recover my liberty ’till Novr. the same year. I...
48To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 4 March 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
From Rappannack, or york River, I wrote to Col. Maddison, that the season being so far advanced I had a mind not to wait untill I got to Italy to propose the exchange of goods on the terms expressed in my Instructions, and that least I should be taken, and of course be obliged to throw my papers over-board, I had interlined in some of my private old papers the cifer and the substance of the...
49To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 20 April 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
It is about a month Since Mr. Penet came here from Nantes. I got intelligence of it next day, went to See him, had a Short conversation, and Spoke very a little, as I was determined to find out his Sentiments before he could know mine. He appeared to be confused irresolute and discontented both from his discourse and countenance; complained of your drafts to a large amount in favour of a...
50To Thomas Jefferson from Philip Mazzei, 8–12 February 1780 (Jefferson Papers)
Nantes, 8–12 Feb. 1780 . Is still at Nantes but has been obliged to beg personal financial assistance from Tuscany. Action of the Spanish and British fleets off Cadiz; capture of numerous Spanish merchantmen by Admiral Rodney. French success under M. LaMotte Picquet at Martinique. Encloses extracts from French Gazette to show “the monstrous contrast” between the published accounts in Spain and...