To Thomas Jefferson from Joseph Rapin, 3 April 1801
From Joseph Rapin
washinton Ce 3me avril a 4 heure après Midi
Depuis que votre Exelence est parti Eduard na parut a la Maison qu’une demi heure pour prandre Son diner C’etoit yer. M’onsieur McMan qui est venut voir la Maison Ma dit qu’il avoit veu a sa Maison Se plaignant que vous aviez donnéz la prefference a un Naigre pluto qua lui pour vous Suivre. Je Lait entendu Moimême Murmurer disant qu’il ne porteroit pas un habillement Sanblable a Celui qu’un Naigre porte en parlant de la Livrée. Le Capitaine Louis peut me dire vos intention. a ce Sujet vous vous Souviendrez qu’il est très Matinal et que votre Cabinet Ce trouve arrangé le Mattin a Six heure Lorsque vous dessendez. Le Capitaine Louis a pour domestique un jeune Soldat dont il en est tres Content il me Serat tres util pour Laver les fenetres jai dessendu les Rideaux qui ont Besoint detre Blanchi; Cinq appartement ont Besoint de Letre aussi Les platreurs qui doivent aller travaillier a Monti Celo vont Les Blanchir a 5 do. chaque chambre.
editors’ translation
Washington this 3d of April at 4 in the afternoon
Since Your Excellency left, Edward has appeared at the house for only one half hour to eat his dinner. That was yesterday. Mr. McMunn, who came to see the house, told me that he had seen him at his house, complaining that you had given the preference to a Negro rather than to him to accompany you. I myself heard him murmuring that he would not wear similar clothing to what a Negro wears, while speaking of the livery. Captain Lewis can tell me your intention. On that subject you will remember that he is an early riser and that your office is all in order at six o’clock when you come downstairs. Captain Lewis has a young soldier for a servant, with whom he is very pleased. He will be very useful to me for washing the windows. I took down the curtains that need washing; five suites also need it. The plasterers who are going to work at Monticello will whitewash them at 5 dollars for each room.
RC (MHi); endorsed by TJ as a letter from Rapin received 9 Apr. and so recorded in SJL. Enclosed in Meriwether Lewis to TJ, 3 Apr. 1801.
When Joseph Rapin and his wife began working at the President’s House on 18 Mch., TJ recorded the husband’s function as “steward” and the wife’s as “femme de charge” (housekeeper). They agreed to receive 100 guineas ($350, at the rate of 6 Virginia shillings per dollar) as annual pay for the two of them together. By mid-June, however, the couple decided to give up their positions at the President’s House and return to Philadelphia. Rapin remained as steward until September when his successor, Étienne Lemaire, could assume his responsibilities (, 2:1035, 1045–8, 1053–4; , 68; Philippe de Létombe to TJ, 16 June, 5 Aug. 1801; John Barnes to TJ, 7 Sep. 1801).
Eduard: Edward Maher, a member of the domestic staff of the President’s House since 12 Mch. Lemaire later referred to Maher’s position as that of a porter (, 2:1035; Lemaire to TJ, 10 May 1802).
Un naigre: John Freeman (see TJ to Charles Little, 31 Mch.).