1To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Herewith I take the Liberty to cover you a Letter from my Father, Colo. Mason of Virginia, which had promised myself the pleasure of delivering, but a Want of the Language and Engagements in Business have obliged me to defer my Trip to Paris untill some period during the Winter; when I shall do myself the Honour of paying my Respects to you in person. As perhaps you have had no late Accounts...
2From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 2 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of Aug. 23. as well as the one from your father which was therein inclosed. I am always happy to hear of his good health, and shall with great pleasure comply with his wishes that I should render you such services as may come within my line. I think the position you have taken at Bordeaux must be a good one, and a trade judiciously conducted between that port...
3To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 25 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 25 Oct. 1788. Gratefully acknowledges TJ’s letter of 2 Sep. with its “friendly Contents” will pay his respects when he comes to Paris. Forwarded a letter from his father “on the Subject of procuring some french Manufactures to suit the Consumption of the Southern States of America,” about which he would like TJ’s opinion; is willing to show samples to the manufacturers. “We have been...
4From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 24 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It has not been possible for me sooner to do myself the honour of answering your favor of Oct. 25. The ministry have agreed to receive all the cargoes of our oil already on their way, till a further arrangement can be finally settled: and I have great reason to hope we shall obtain a re-establishment of the arret of Dec. 29. as to our whale oils; in which case, the English being excluded, we...
5To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 20 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 20 Dec. 1788 . Acknowledges TJ’s letter of 24 Nov.; would have replied sooner, but he expected a ship from America with “samples of the manufactures” mentioned; they did not come by her; will order them from London. They “have a vessel sailing for Potomack in eight or ten days,” and if TJ has any commands he will be “extremely careful in forwarding them.” RC ( MHi ); 2 p.; endorsed.
6To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 11 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 11 July 1789 . On Cutting’s information, he informs TJ that the Washington , Capt. Bond, is there, destined in 10 days for Potomac river but can touch at Norfolk: “a fine fast sailing ship of 250 to 300 Tons with excellent accomodations and a very clever Man as Captain.” If TJ wishes to take her it will give him pleasure to detain her. “She goes out in ballast and being an american...
7From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 16 July 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your favor of the 11th. and sincerely thank you for the offer of your ship, which I would certainly have embraced, had I been at liberty to go. But I have not yet received permission, and must await that. I beg you to remember me in the most friendly terms to your father. I have put off answering his letter because I expected constantly to make my voyage to America and to see...
8To George Washington from John Mason, 4 August 1789 (Washington Papers)
I had the Honour to address you twelve or fourteen days agoe by way of Potomac covering a collection of Pamph[l]ets relative to the Revolution we have just experienced in this Country which from their extraordinary nature hoped might have been acceptable —now by way of Phila. I take the Liberty (in case of miscarriage) to send you a Acct of them with an addition of some which have since...
9To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 8 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Bordeaux, 8 Sep. 1789 . Regretted extremely to learn from TJ’s letter of July that he was not at liberty to sail then, as “the Ship and Season provided a safe and agreable Passage.” Will be glad to keep him informed about boats sailing from Bordeaux and to make arrangements there.—“I am sorry Sir to be troublesome to you about my little affairs, when you may be occupied about those of much...
10From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 16 September 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
In answer to your favor of the 8th. inst. I am to inform you that no premium is as yet decided on for the importation of wheat or flour after the present month. The ministers however are sensible there will be a want of that article, and seem disposed to give a premium. They will take it into consideration very shortly, and make it public if they decide on a bounty. With respect to tobacco,...
11From George Washington to John Mason, 12 October 1789 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 14th of August together with its enclosures, for which, as well as for the polite offer of your services, I beg you to accept my best thanks. On the 16th and 25th of August I wrote to the House of Fenwick, Mason and Co. requesting them to furnish me with a quantity of the best claret, which letters, I presume have got to hand. I am Sir, your most obedient...
12To George Washington from John Mason, 26 April 1793 (Washington Papers)
Having lately heard from France it was probable that, that Government Would make Application to You, to Supply them with the different products of this Country in payment of the American Debt; Embolden’d by a persuasion that my Situation in Commerce (having a House there & another here, & a good experience in Negotiations with that Country) may in the present Juncture enable me to Serve the...
13To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 26 April 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Having lately Seen it was proposed in france to make Applications to the Executive of the United States to furnish in American Produce part of their Debt, and Supposing it probable if such a measure is adopted Some of the purchases might be made to greater advantage on Potomac, Rappahanok and James River than North of them, I take the Liberty thro’ you Sir to Offer my Services (Say those of my...
14From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 19 May 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been longer without answering your favor of Apr. 26. than I would have been if the answer could be of any consequence. I knew also that the same information was handed you thro another channel, which I have now to give, and give only in respect to your letter. The government of the US. will not meddle with the investment of the monies they will pay to France. They will pay the cash to...
15From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 20 November 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
Being now returned to the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and business resumed in that place, I will pay on sight Mr. Fenwick’s draught: be pleased to accompany it with your own for the little disbursements made for me about the box of books &c. or if you prefer it, write me the amount of the whole, and I will remit you a bank post-note on the collector of George town by the return of the post...
16To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 4 December 1793 (Jefferson Papers)
In due course I was honoured with your Letter of 20th. Ulto. It is from our Connection with that City quite as convenient, to receive in Philadelphia at present as here, and not to trouble you with remitting, we send now to our Friends Messrs. Joseph Anthony & Son who will present it—F. M. & Cos. Draft on you for 205 Ds. 42 Cts. We have written to our Friend in Baltimore for the amount of the...
17From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 11 March 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
So long ago as June 29. of the last year I inclosed you a draught on Caleb Lownes of Philadelphia for 92 D-80 c the amount of my balance to Mason & Fenwick, and desired Mr. Lownes to answer it out of monies placed in his hands. I was surprised yesterday, on receiving an account from him to find that the money still lies in his hands uncalled for. Apprehending my letter must have miscarried,...
18From George Washington to John Mason, 2 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
I am just informed by the President of the Potomac Company, that the application to the Maryland Assembly on behalf of that Company, for aid to complete their works, has met with much delay, and even at this time, is uncertain in its event—a circumstance which I learn with no small regret. Understanding also, from the same source, that some persons have expressed a doubt whether I still...
19To George Washington from John Mason, 24 January 1798 (Washington Papers)
The Letter you did me the honor to write me on the 2d Inst. reached me at Annapolis, in due time, on the Day after its date. It had the fullest Effect to do away an opinion with some that you were not so sanguine as formerly as to the Importance of the Potomak Navigation & disposed many to be more friendly to the Petition of the Company, but unfortunately for some time before, the Members in...
20To George Washington from John Mason, 4 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
Knowing the great Interest you have always taken in the promotion of the Navigation of the Potomak—I lose not a moment to inform you that I have at length suceeded to get this great Object aided by a grant of the Legislature of this State to the full amount contemplated by the Company—and it is with extreme Pleasure I have it in my Power to enclose a Resolution to that Effect which has this...
21From George Washington to John Mason, 8 December 1799 (Washington Papers)
I have received your letter of the 4th instant, enclosing a Resolution of the Legislature of Maryland to take, on account of the State, one hundred & thirty shares in the augmented Capital of the Potomak Company, and thank you for your politeness in forwarding of it to me. Altho’ this mode of obtaining money to complete the Navigation of the River, differs from the plan adopted at the last...
22To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 10 June 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
Some time agoe in conversation I took the Liberty of suggesting to you, the propriety of placing one or two more Magistrates, than there are now, in the Country part of the Counties of Alexandria & Washington, & now make use of your permission to give in this way the Information I have acquired on that Subject. In the country part of that Section of Washington County which was formerly...
23To James Madison from John Mason, 2 November 1801 (Madison Papers)
When Mr Orr was going to Kentuckey he left with me the enclosed Engagement, for the amount of which, I accommodated him with the money. As it is now due, I take the Liberty to send it to you, and if entirely convenient should thank you for its amount. Very respectfully I am Sir your mo: obt: Hbe Sert I send this my [ sic ] Mr Suttle one of the young Gentlemen of my counting house. RC ( DLC )....
24To James Madison from John Mason, 4 June 1802 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
4 June 1802, Georgetown. “Mr Nicholas King of the City of Washington, who will do himself the honor to hand this Letter, has requested me to make him known to you, being desirous, as he is at present out of Business, to obtain a Clerks place in your Department, should there be a Vacancy.… I have known Mr King for many years & can most safely recommend him as a Man of Abilities Integrity and...
25From Thomas Jefferson to John Mason, 22 November 1802 (Jefferson Papers)
Th: Jefferson asks Genl. Mason’s acceptance of three Paccan trees. the bearer brings two; the 3d. will be sent. RC ( CtHi ); addressed: “Genl. John Mason.” Not recorded in SJL .
26To James Madison from John Mason, 28 March 1804 (Abstract) (Madison Papers)
28 March 1804, Georgetown. “I find your note for 1200$ falls due on Wednesday next, and therefore, to be renewed, must be offered for, tomorrow—agreably to your request, I sent you by one of my asisstants [ sic ] a note ready drawn for your Signature—the rest I will take care to have done.” RC ( DLC ). 1 p.; docketed by JM.
27To James Madison from John Mason, 18 July 1804 (Madison Papers)
I find your note for $1200 endorsed by me & discounted at the Bank of Columbia, becomes due next week. Presuming from what you observed to me the other Day it may be your wish to renew it I enclose you a note drawn in proper Form for like Sum—as in case of renewal it is necessary to offer it tommorrow, if you will return it with your Signature I will take care to give it the proper course &...
28To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 8 August 1804 (Jefferson Papers)
My Neighbour Mr. W. O. Sprigg having intimated to me his Wish to fill the office of Attorney for the District of Columbia, lately, as I understand, resigned by Mr. Mason I beg your Permission to state to you my Knowledge of his general character and habits. Of his legal capacity, I am not qualified to give an opinion, this, I can only say, I have heard very respectably spoken of, by...
29To James Madison from John Mason, 24 April 1805 (Madison Papers)
Mr Suttle caled on you as you requested with a note in due Form to offer tomorrow at the Bank of Columbia to relieve one for similar Sum drawn by you becoming due there this week. You will oblige me Sir by informing me at your leisure to whom I am to charge the discounts on this negociation to Mr Monroe, or yourself. I have now paid 40$ or 50 at different times for this purpose—a particular...
30To Thomas Jefferson from John Mason, 13 May 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Enclosed I take the Liberty to hand you for your consideration my Friend Hodgson’s Invoice of the two Glasses which I mentioned to you some time agoe; you will be pleased remark, that in estimating these plates, by the square inch, the Frames are included, which are said to be remarkably elegant large, and richly ornamented— I do my self the Pleasure also to send you herein a Sketch of the...