From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 5 March 1786
To John Jay
Paris Mar. 5. 1786.
Sir
The several commissions, to which Congress were pleased to appoint Colo. Humphreys Secretary of legation, being shortly to expire, and a French packet offering him a convenient passage in the month of April, he proposes to avail himself of that occasion of returning to his own country and of there presenting his respects and thanks to Congress. As a member of the several commissions with which his office was connected I think it my duty to bear testimony to his ready, able, and faithful discharge of all it’s duties; and I beg leave through you to present this testimony to Congress, and to assure them that his talents and dispositions are such as they may repose themselves on with security, should they think proper to avail our country1 of them on any future occasion.
I have the honour to be with sentiments of the highest respect & esteem Sir, Your most obedient & most humble servt.,
Th: Jefferson
RC (DNA: PCC, No. 87, I). Dft (DLC); with several deletions and corrections which have not been noted here because they are concerned only with form. Tr (DNA: PCC, No. 107). Noted in SJL as sent “by Colo. Humphries.”
Jay transmitted the present letter to Congress on 19 May, and it was read on the 22d (DNA: PCC, No. 80, ii).
1. Dft reads: “the public.”