1From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 27 August 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
On my return from Versailles, Madam, the other evening I was struck with the appearance of a magnificent pedestal erected in our hall during my absence. I found on it my name indeed, but nothing else which belonged to me. I am never so conscious of my littleness as when praises are bestowed on me which I do not merit. I have then the feelings of a thief, running away with the property of...
2From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 6 September 1795 (Jefferson Papers)
When I parted with you, my dear Madam, in Paris, I little expected we should have been so long without seeing or hearing from each other. My return to that country was prevented by overpersuasions to undertake an office in our new government, which I did, much against my inclination. The disturbances which afterwards prevailed in France have given me reason to be satisfied that I did not...
3From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 30 January 1803 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Short delivered me your favor of the 1st. Praireal an. 10 . and gave me the welcome news of your good health. it has recalled to my mind recollections very dear to it. for the friendship with which you honoured me in Paris was among the circumstances which most contributed to my happiness there. when I left you at the close of 1790. I thought your situation in it’s best possible state. at...
4From Thomas Jefferson to Adrienne-Catherine de Noailles, comtesse de Tessé, 26 October 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
The blockade of Havre still continuing & being likely to be of equal duration with the war, I had despaired almost of being able to send you any seeds this year. but it was lately suggested to me that a package sent to Nantes may go through the canal de Briare to Paris, and thus avoid a land carriage which would cost you more than the object is worth. I have therefore hastily made up a box of...
5From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 17 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The last parcel of seeds which I had the honor of sending you, Madam, overburthened you in quantity, and stinted you in variety. I now enclose you a list which has exactly the contrary faults. The variety is great, the quantities small. In some instances there is not more than one, two, or three grains. Your goodness will pardon this, as you know the difficulties which attend the obtaining...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 19 March 1801 (Jefferson Papers)
After so long a time & such various events, I take the liberty of recalling myself to your recollection. a letter I recieved yesterday from the Marquis de la Fayette informed me you were living in Paris. this is the only certain information I have recieved of the place where you were, except once by mr Gautier to whom I immediately addressed a letter for you, which I hope you recieved. I...
7From Thomas Jefferson to Adrienne-Catherine de Noailles, comtesse de Tessé, 10 March 1805 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favors of April 10. & Aug. 17. were not received till autumn. that of Aug. 17. only the 1st. of November. immediately on reciept of the former I wrote to a friend in Philadelphia to make the enquiries you desired respecting the affairs of M. de Noailles. I inclose you his answer, on which much reliance may be placed. I detained this in expectation of sending it early in winter with...
8From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 25 April 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am sorry, Madam, on the return from my journey, to be obliged to accost you with a letter of condolence on our common misfortunes. But Botany is the school for patience, and it’s amateurs learn resignation from daily disappointments. I had the honour of telling you that after many little efforts to procure you supplies of plants in detail, I had at length got a friend, returning from hence...
9From Thomas Jefferson to Madame de Tessé, 20 March 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Here I am, Madam, gazing whole hours at the Maison quarrée, like a lover at his mistress. The stocking—weavers and silk spinners around it consider me as an hypochondriac Englishman, about to write with a pistol the last chapter of his history. This is the second time I have been in love since I left Paris. The first was with a Diana at the Chateau de Laye Epinaye in the Beaujolois, a...
10From Thomas Jefferson to Adrienne-Catherine de Noailles, comtesse de Tessé, 21 February 1807 (Jefferson Papers)
On the 26th. of October 1805. I had the pleasure of writing to you, and of informing you that I then made up for you a box of seeds acorns and nuts, which were to go by a vessel bound from Baltimore to Nantes. The box & my letter were addressed to mr Patterson our Consul at Nantes. not having heard from him in the course of the ensuing summer I began to apprehend all had miscarried, & in...