Thomas Jefferson Papers
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https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Jefferson/03-13-02-0078

John Barnes to Thomas Jefferson, 4 June 1818

From John Barnes

George Town Coa 4h June 1818

Dear Sir—

lest you should not have noticed the inclosed, curious dispute at Soleure—respecting the late, venerable decd Genl Kosciusko,   of which probably you have—or may soon expect to learn, from his Relative or Confidential friends I judge it proper to inclose it, for your Goverment

most Respectfully & sincerely

I am Sir Your most Obedt servt

John Barnes,

RC (MHi); at foot of text: “Thomas Jefferson Esqr Monticello”; endorsed by TJ as received 9 June 1818 and so recorded in SJL.

Barnes presumably enclosed a clipping from the Washington Daily National Intelligencer of 4 June 1818 that described a curious dispute “respecting the possession of the remains of the venerated patriot General Kosciusko. The Prince Tablonowsky arrived at Soleure on the 16th ult. in order to claim the body, for the purpose of its receiving funeral honors in Poland, when the General’s executor unexpectedly protested against the removal, alleging that Koskiusko had expressly desired to be buried with simplicity, and had chosen Switzerland for the interment of his remains. Thus the affair appears to rest for the present.” The Washington paper claimed to take its report from the London Courier, but it actually appeared in at least two other London newspapers, the Morning Chronicle and Morning Post, both 17 Apr. 1818 and both misspelling the name of Prince Jablonowski. Within a few days the British press reported that any such dispute had been resolved and that Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s remains were on their way to Kraków (London Courier, 23 Apr. 1818).

Index Entries

  • Barnes, John; letters from search
  • Barnes, John; on T. Kosciuszko’s death search
  • Jablonowski, Anton; and T. Kosciuszko search
  • Kosciuszko, Tadeusz (Thaddeus) Andrzej Bonawentura; funeral of search