21From Thomas Jefferson to Ephraim Kirby, 1 December 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
The necessity of appointing, for the government of Orleans, officers who understand & speak French as well as English I find to be much greater than I had at first supposed. in fact I see that the awkwardness which the French inhabitants experience in applying to an officer who cannot understand them is at the bottom of what discontent exists among them. I am therefore making every effort I...