From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 20 December 1792
To Stephen Cathalan, Jr.
Philadelphia. Dec. 20. 1792.
Sir
In consequence of the invitation expressed in the letter of the Mayor and Municipality of Marseilles to the President of the United States, inclosed in your letter to me of Aug. 24. desiring that1 supplies of wheat and flour might be sent from the U.S. to Marseilles, a load of wheat and flour is now shipped on board the British ship the Grand Duke, Capt. John Pollock of 300. tons, and destined for your port. At the desire of the owners I have thought it proper to certify this fact to you, and to recommend the vessel, crew and cargo to your special patronage before the Mayor and Municipality, or other persons in authority,2 should any circumstances render it necessary for their safety. I have the honor to be with great esteem & respect, Sir your most obedt & most humble servt
Th: Jefferson
PrC (MHi); at foot of text: “M. Cathalan. Consul of the U.S. of America at Marseilles.” Tr (DLC); 19th-century copy. TJ also prepared a similar letter to Cathalan for delivery by the American ship Bowman (PrC in DLC, with variations noted below; Tr in DLC, 19th-century copy misdated 25 Dec. 1792). Both letters enclosed in TJ to James Brown, 20 Dec. 1792.
1. In the PrC in DLC the rest of the sentence reads as follows: “the merchants of the U. S. might be encouraged to send supplies of wheat and flour to Marseilles, the American ship Bowman, Capt. Aaron Jeffery of 330. tons now comes loaded with wheat and flour.”
2. Preceding five words interlined in PrC in DLC.