351The American Commissioners to the Duke of Dorset, 9 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received the Letter which your grace did us the honour of writing us on the 24 th. day of Last month, and we received with much Satisfaction the assurances on the part of his Britannic Majesty’s Ministers of their readiness to take into consideration any proposals coming from the United States of america that Can tend to the establishing a System of mutual & permanent advantage, to the...
352The American Commissioners to Francesco Favi, 9 December 1784 (Adams Papers)
We have received your letter of the 16 th. of Nov r. wherein you are pleased to inform us that you had communicated to His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Tuscany the overtures we had the honour of making for the establishment of a treaty of Amity & Commerce between the Subjects of His Royal Highness & the Citizens of the United States of America; that these were agreeable to him, and that...
353To George Washington from Thomas Jefferson, 10 December 1784 (Washington Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. the Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; & the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court & that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch, the Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor: & it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will join...
354From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 11th. of Nov. by the last packet. Since that I have received by Mr. Short yours of July 20. inclosing the cypher. I hope that the establishment of a port on each river will end in the final success of one or of two only. Actual circumstances will prevent York and Tappahanoc from being any thing in spite of any encouragement. The accumulation of commodities at Norfolk and...
355From Thomas Jefferson to George Washington, 10 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Every thing on this side the water seems to indicate a certainty of war. The Emperor seems decided in not receding from the right to navigate the Scheld; and the Dutch as determined not to yeild it. I suppose that this court and that of Berlin will take part with the Dutch. The Turks of course become parties in a war against the Emperor; and it seems as probable that the Empress of Russia will...
356From Thomas Jefferson to Horatio Gates, 13 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I duly received the letter you were so good as to write me from New York. We have here under our contemplation the future miseries of human nature, like to be occasioned by the ambition of a young man, who has been taught to view his subjects as his cattle. The pretensions he sets up to the navigation of the Scheld would have been good if natural right had been left uncontrouled. But it is...
In our letter of Nov r 11 th. we had the honour of laying before Congress a state of our proceedings till that date. As from that it would appear that the last communications had in every instance passed from us to the other parties we can now only add the answers of such of them as have yet answered, & our replies; these are the courts of Portugal, Tuscany & Great Britain. N o. 1. is a copy...
358[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 15 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Barclay. Receipt of letter Nov. 19.—paiment of account to Mrs. Barclay—wine and tea still unpaid and unknown. 14 ℔ tea received but not the China—my American letters inclosed to him.” Not found, but see Barclay to TJ, 17 Nov. 1784 , incorrectly noted in SJL as dated 19 Nov.]
359[From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 15 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Carmichael. à Havre to know if it is stopped at Havre.” Not found; “it” refers to a copying press mentioned in TJ’s entry for a letter to John Holker, this date, written just above the entry for the letter to Carmichael.]
360[From Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Garvey, 15 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Garvay. à Rouen. For the China forwarded to him by Mr. Barclay.” Not found.]
361[From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Holker, 15 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL under this date: “Mr. Holker. à Rouen. To know if copying press forwarded to him for me from London by W. T. Franklin is stopped anywhere.” Not found. On 9 Dec. 1784 TJ “paid W. T. Franklin balance for copying press &c. 88f2” (Account Book).]
362From Thomas Jefferson to John Lowell, 18 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The particulars of our Voiage across the Atlantic having been doubtless detailed by Mr. Tracy to his lady, I need not inform you that they were as favourable as could have been asked in every possible circumstance. I was landed at Portsmouth from whence I crossed the channel to Havre and so came up the Seine, a most pleasing road to Paris. My daughter is placed in the convent of Panthemont in...
363[From Thomas Jefferson to John Bondfield, 19 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 19 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Bonfeild. Bourdeaux. Advice as to his land warrants—send me 1. gross such wine as he drank at Dr. F’s. and another gross to Mr. Eppes by some ship going above Bermuda hund. to be delivered him before May.” Not found.]
364From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, 24 December 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
Whenever I have had the pleasure of seeing you, you have so filled up the time with agreeable conversation that I have omitted to speak to you on a subject which interests me as it does in some measure yourself. When I was in Philadelphia in the winter of 1782. 1783. a gentleman of my acquaintance, whose candour and good sense yeilds to that of no one, told me with much concern that you had...
365[From Thomas Jefferson to Anthony Garvey, 29 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Garvey à Rouen. To send the China by water when it arrives. My address.” Not found.]
366[From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Holker, 29 December 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Dec. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mr. Holker. à Rouen. To send the press by land when it arrives. My address.” Not found, but see Holker’s reply, 30 Dec. 1784 .]
367III. Notes on Abbé Rochon’s Method, [1785 or 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
To prepare the plate of copper. If it be new, sprinkle on it some blanc d’Espagne, and water, and rub it, holding it over a chaffing dish. This is to absorb any grease which might have remained on the plate and which would injure the subsequent process. If it be an old plate it must be rubbed. 1. with a crooked file, till the old letters are well effaced. 2. with pounce and water. 3. with […]...
368V. Estimate of American Imports, [1785–1786?] (Jefferson Papers)
From Europe and Africa Woollen cloths of every description. Linens of every description. Hosiery. Hats. £. sterl. Gloves, shoes, boots, sadlery, & other things of leather. 350,000. Massachusets Silks, gold & silver lace, jewellery, millinery, toys. 250,000 { New Hampshire India goods. Rhode island Porcelain, Glass, Earthen ware....
369VI. Estimate of American Exports, [1785–1786?] (Jefferson Papers)
Estimates of the annual exports of the United States. Those of the American traveller are taken as the basis, but corrected. Massachusetts N. Hampshire Rhode Island Connecticut New York New Jersey Pennsylvania New Jersey Delaware Virginia Maryland N. Carolina S. Carolina. Georgia. Total Exported to Europe Exported to the West Indies Fish. £. sterl. 150,000 £. sterl 7,000
370Memorandum Books, 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Jan. 4. Pd. Marc Dec. 27.—Jan. 2. ₶ postage 2 washing 22 – 8
371[From Thomas Jefferson to Wakelin Welch, 5 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 5 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Wakeln. Welch. Acknowledging receipt of his of Dec. 10.—that greater expense in outfit than had expected has prevented remittance. Cannot fix precise time, but will the first moment possible.—expect see him in Lond. This by increasing expense will retard paiment.” Not found.]
372From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Harrison, 12 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The letter of July 20. 1784 with which your Excellency was pleased to honour me and which inclosed the resolution of assembly for the statue of Genl. Washington came to my hands on the 29th. of Nov. by Mr. Short: and a few days afterwards I received a duplicate of it. As it was not practicable to get the business into any train before the sailing of the December packet, I omitted acknol– eging...
373[From Thomas Jefferson to James Buchanan, 13 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 13 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Jas. Buchanan. To send me Hayes’s papers from Nov. 1. by post if frank to care of N. J[amieson] New Y. or by other conveiances if not franked—demand the money of Key or I will remit.—war doubtful—Blanchd. and Jefferies.—pray him to try to save my lot bought of Turpin, to settle price with him and draw on me for the money at 2. months sight.” Not...
374[From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 13 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 13 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “F. Eppes. Doubt of war –a gross of claret ordered to him.—keep the 500£ undisposed of till I write. Patsy well. Inclosed her 8th. lesson for Polly—ill health till lately—better—wishes to have Polly brought were not my return not very distant.” Not found.]
375From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 13 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you the 11th. of November. Since that I have received no proposition on the subject of the quill of the harpsichord. The artisans here will not readily beleive that any thing good can be invented but in London or Paris: and to shew them the invention would be to give it up. However I shall still endeavor to find some one who will do justice to it. War and peace hang in doubtful...
376[From Thomas Jefferson to Neil Jamieson, 13 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 13 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Neill Jamieson. N. York. Acknolege receipt of his of July 14.—doubt war or peace—Blanchard and Jefferies crossed the Channel on the 7th.—desire him to send me newspapers of N. Y. from Nov. 1. monthly by packet—I have directed my letters generally to be sent to his care. Will remit expense to him by packet.—my address.” Not found.]
377[From Thomas Jefferson to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 14 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 14 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “H. St. John. Gl. W.’s statue—my ill health has prevented visits—I have ordered seeds to him—if come in one parcel he must divide them, or instruct me how to distribute. Should he have forwarded them I will keep half for his orders—Blanch. and Jefferies—his book takes—apology for corrections.” Not found.]
378From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, [14 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Various conversations with Mr. Short on the situation of things in Richmd. seem to render it very evident that the improvement of ground in that place is of certain and great profit. I have been induced to reflect on the subject as it furnishes a resource for subsistence independent of the usual one which spreads our couch with thorns. A particular building lately erected here which has...
379From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 14 January 178[5] (Jefferson Papers)
My letters of Nov. 11. and Dec. 10. will have reached you before your receipt of this. They acknowleged the receipt of your former letters, as this does of the one of Nov. 1. but what was my mortification when I came to apply the cypher to it to find that I could not make out one syllable of it: and the more so as it is the only letter I have received from America by this packet. Whether you...
380[From Thomas Jefferson to Commissioners of the Treasury, 15 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Commrs. of Treasury of U.S. informing of Mr. Adams’s draught in my favor viz. 6000 flor. Currt. = 5769.5 bo. exch. 53½ = 12940 livres—7 sous—6 den.” Not found. On 7 May 1785 John Adams wrote to John Jay as follows: “My friend and colleague, Mr. Jefferson, brought with him an order to receive of M. Grand a sum of money in advance to furnish his...
381[From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Crew, 15 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Robt. Crew. Answer to his ante Jan. 12.” Not found. Crew’s letter of 5 Oct. 1784 was received on 12 Jan. 1785.]
382[From Thomas Jefferson to David S. Franks, 15 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 15 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Dav. S. Franks. Answer to his received 7th. ante.—advising to settle at Havre.” Not found.]
383The American Commissioners to the Baron von Thulemeier, 21 January 1785 (Adams Papers)
We have received the letter you did us the honour to write us on the 10 th day of December last. We supposed that the principles contained in the project of a Treaty, which we had the honour to transmit you, were a virtual answer to the requisition in the last lines of your letter of the eighteenth of October. By the second & third Articles, the citizens & subjects of each power may frequent...
384To Benjamin Franklin from Thomas Jefferson, 28 January 1785 (Franklin Papers)
AL : American Philosophical Society Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Doctr. Franklin & sends him some newspapers received from America, which when he shall have perused he will beg the favor of him to send to mr. Adams. Addressed: A Monsr. / Monsr. Franklin / Ministre plenip. / des etats unis d’Amerique / á Passy
385From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 28 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Doctr. Franklin and sends him some newspapers received from America, which when he shall have perused he will beg the favor of him to send to Mr. Adams. RC ( PPAP ); addressed: “A Monsr. Monsr. Franklin Ministre plenip. des etats unis d’Amerique à Passy.” Not recorded in SJL . The papers sent have not been identified.
386[From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, 29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “David Hartley esq. State of American affairs.” Not found.]
387[From Thomas Jefferson to Ralph Izard, 29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Ralph Izard. At the Elms near Charlestown. Acknolege receipt of his of Apr. 27. Send him Biblioth. phys. oecon. by Dr. Bancroft who goes for Lond.—mention method preventing oversetting carriages when axle breaks: improvement in handles of machines as 223:146. Fleury’s windmill: potatoes from seed: Gohier’s screw: machine polychreste:—forte piano...
388[From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Shore, 29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 29 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Thos. Shore. Information that powers are given to treat with pyratical states but not ultimate orders.” Not found.]
389From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, [29 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson’s compliments to Mr. Hartley and sends him a copy of the act of assembly of Massachusets giving Congress the powers asked by their resolutions of Apr. 30. 1784. which act is complete. The printed leaf from the journals of the Virginia assembly contains only the beginning of the resolutions. It was inclosed him by a friend just before he left America, with information that the...
390[From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 30 January 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 30 Jan. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “W. Carmichael. State of American affairs viz. impost—Conn. established it when 12. shall have done the same—cession of territory by Virga. and N. Cara. probability of further cessions—act of Congr. in nature of Magna charta—purchase of 6. nations—this enables to open land office which will pay domestic debt. Impost will pay forign debt—principles...
391Jefferson’s Advertisement of Hopkinson’s Invention, [ca. February? 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
An improvement in the manner of preparing musical instruments which are keyed and quilled. The present mode of quilling a harpsichord is subject to this great inconvenience that some of the quills will after a little use, crack and lose their elastic spring, whilst others retain their full vigour, thereby rendering the touch unequal and some tones full and loud whilst others are so faint and...
392From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 1 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The copy of your Observations on the American Revolution which you were so kind as to direct to me came duly to hand, and I should sooner have acknowledged the receipt of it but that I awaited a private coveiance for my letter, having experienced much delay and uncertainty in the posts between this place and London. I have read it with very great pleasure, as have done many others to whom I...
393From Thomas Jefferson to De Walterstorff, 3 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of receiving yesterday the letter you were pleased to address to me, wherein you mention (as you had before done to Mr. Adams and Doctr. Franklin) that the Count de Bernstorff in communicating to you the permission of your Sovereign to pay a visit to Copenhagen, had desired you to ask of the American Ministers their propositions for forwarding the objects respecting the two...
394[From Thomas Jefferson to James Currie, 5 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 5 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Dr. Currie. Acknolege receipt his of Nov. 20.—drop the scheme as to ground in Richmd. for a while—war and peace doubtful—animal magnetism dead, ridiculed—if he should come here, invitation to bed and board—write by Fr. packet ut supra” [entry follows that for TJ to Eppes , this date]. Not found. TJ’s decision to drop the Richmond scheme was evidently...
395From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, 5 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Marquis Fayette, who arrived here the 26th of Jan., I received yours of Sept. 16th, informing me of the illness of our children, and at the same time one from Dr. Currie, of Nov. 20th, mentioning its fatal termination. It is in vain to endeavor to describe the situation of my mind; it would pour balm neither into your wounds nor mine; I will therefore pass on from the subject. I wrote...
396[From Thomas Jefferson to Wilson Miles Cary, 6 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 6 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “W. M. Cary. Acknolege receipt his of June 4. Congratulations birth of grand son and acknolegements for my share in his name—went to see Mrs. Thompson—war and peace doubtful. Exchange of Bavaria for Austr. Neth. spoken of—Engld. Ireld. and Scotld. may dance the hays—minister promises plan parliamentary reformation. Patsy well. Not I.” Not found. TJ’s...
397From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, [6 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
You were informed by my letters of Nov. 11 and Jan. 14. that the cypher established between us would not explain a syllable of your letters. Those of Nov. 1. and Dec. 14. having rendered me extremely desirous of decyphering them, I sat to work with a resolution to effect it if possible. I soon found that they were written by your first cypher . To this therefore I applied myself and after...
398From Thomas Jefferson to Hugh Williamson, 6 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 11. has been duly received. It was the first notification of your being returned. I had been informed you were gone to Carolina, and I thence conjectured you might not return so soon, or I should have written to you. The scales of war and peace have hitherto appeared to hang nearly in equal poise. The movements of the parties have indicated war: yet there has been a general...
399From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Henry Lee, 7 February 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By the Marquis Fayette we received information of your appointment to the chair of Congress, on which testimony of their esteem permit me to offer you my congratulations. We are on the point here of the great decision of war or peace, yet very few indeed are those who can say which it is to be. The most impenetrable secresy is observed. Were we to judge from the movements of the parties (and...
400[From Thomas Jefferson to Marbois, 7 February 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 7 Feb. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Marbois. Received his Dec. 11. Thanks for pamphlet. War and peace doubtful. Exchange of Bava. and Austr. Neth. Difficulties of Brit. parliament. Send him Du Buc.” Not found.]