From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 17 January 1784
To Benjamin Harrison
Annapolis Jan 17. 1784.
Sir
No post having arrived here from the Southward during the present month till this day, and being to return in a few minutes I am obliged without an opportunity of asking the concurrence of my collegues to inclose you a copy of the proclamation of the Definitive treaty and of it’s ratification which happily took place on the 14th. instant. Two officers were immediately dispatched to seek passages by different vessels to France with this important instrument. I expect one of them would reach the French packet at New York which is to sail from thence on the 20th. I have the honor to be with very high esteem & regard Your Excellency’s most obedt. & most humble servt,
Th: Jefferson
RC (PHi); addressed and franked by TJ: “His Excellency Governor Harrison Richmond”; endorsed in part “Jany. 17. 84.” Date at head of letter was changed from 16 to 17 Jan. and it is recorded in SJL under latter date: see note to following letter. The enclosure, probably a copy of the broadside of the proclamation printed by John Dunlap, has not been found. Though not mentioned in the text, there was another enclosure—a copy of the recommendation of Congress to the states concerning confiscated estates (see notes to following letter for entry in SJL; to the proclamation of the Definitive Treaty, 14 Jan. 1784; and to the report of the committee on these subjects, 16 Dec. 1783; , 554).