2651From John Adams to Thomas Jefferson, 4 September 1785 (Adams Papers)
I have received three Letter of the Tenor and Date of the within— I cannot find in any Gazetteer or geographical Dictionary any Such Place as Roscoff, and I can make nothing of the Story. I hope you have more Skill in Divination. I have no Letters from Congress, nor any Answer from the Ministry. Pray what are the Sentiments in France upon the American Acts of Navigation? and what has been the...
2652To Thomas Jefferson from James Currie, 5 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Novr. the 11th. 84. by Coll. Le Maire came safe to hand, with the 2 Pamphletts on the Animal Magnetism, and the one giving an account of the then last Aerial Voyage of Mssrs. Roberts, for both of which I thank you kindly, as an instance that I had the honor to be remembred by you, at so great a distance. I would have given a great deal to have seen their ascension, with the...
2653To Thomas Jefferson from William Short, 2 October 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have this moment arrived here, and the first thing I do is to announce it to you. I left this morning the Chateau de Laye and came by water diligence to this place. It is my first navigation in France and I am much pleased with it. We were from 10. o’clock to five en route of which one hour was spent in dining, the rest in passing through such a variety of pleasing and rich prospect as...
2654To Thomas Jefferson from John Adams, 3 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You have undoubtedly hit upon, the true Word of the Riddle. Yet there was no riddle, nor any clear meaning. It is impossible for any Country to give to another, more decided Proofs of Preference, than our thoughtless Merchants have since the Peace given to this, in matters of Commerce. He had seen this Preference sufficiently prevail. This alone then could not be his Meaning. If he meant a...
2655From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 20 August 1784 (Madison Papers)
The decision to introduce the Mississippi question in the context of JM’s experience is necessarily an arbitrary one because an open western waterway was among his concerns from the early days in Congress until the matter was settled by the Louisiana Purchase. The main point is that JM never looked upon the problem as a Virginia riddle. As a Virginia legislator he hoped to see citizens in the...
2656To Thomas Jefferson from Jacques Le Maire, 30 April 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Apres mêtre aquitté de vos commissions, Et avoir mis quelques ordres a mes affaires, je n’ai eu rien de plus pressé que de vous En rendre compte, En vous temoignant ma tres juste Reconnoissance pour tous les Services Essentiels que vous m’avez rendus. Je noublirai jamais que c’est a votre puissante recommendation que je dois toutes les graces dont m’a comblé le Gouvernement de Virginie...
2657From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 22 January 1786 (Madison Papers)
My last dated Novr 15 from this place answered yours of May 11th. on the subject of your printed notes. I have since had opportunities of consulting other friends on the plan you propose, who concur in the result of the consultations which I transmitted you. Mr. Wythe’s idea seems to be generally approved, that the copies destined for the University should be dealt out by the discretion of the...
2658From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 9 January 1785 (Madison Papers)
My last was dated in Philada. Octr. 17. I reached this place the 14th. day after that fixed for the meeting of the Assembly and was in time for the commencement of business. Yesterday put an end to the tedious Session. According to my promise I subjoin a brief review of its most material proceedings. An act for the establisht of Courts of Assize. This act was carried through the House of...
2659From James Madison to Thomas Jefferson, 24 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
Shortly before the Philadelphia convention adjourned, JM confided to Jefferson his opinion that the proposed Constitution would “neither effectually answer its national object nor prevent the local mischiefs which every where excite disgusts agst the state governments” (6 Sept. 1787 [partly in code]). The letter printed below, running to seventeen manuscript pages, contains JM’s detailed...
2660To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 24 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My two last, though written for the two last Packets, have unluckily been delayed till this conveyance. The first of them was sent from Philada. to Commodore Jones in consequence of information that he was certainly to go by the packet then about to sail. Being detained here by his business with Congress, and being unwilling to put the letter into the mail without my approbation, which could...
2661To Thomas Jefferson from James Madison, 9 January 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last was dated in Philada. Octr. 17. I reached this place the 14th. day after that fixed for the meeting of the Assembly and was in time for the commencement of business. Yesterday put an end to the tedious Session. According to my promise I subjoin a brief review of its most material proceedings. An act for the establishment of Courts of Assize . This act was carried through the House of...
2662II. Estimate for Printing Notes on Virginia by Polytype, [1786] (Jefferson Papers)
L’Ouvrage de Monsieur Jefferson, pourra revenir en Composition en anglois, in Octavo, Tirage de Quinze Cents Exemplaires, Planches polytypeés rendues en toute proprieté, Cinquante huit livres la feuille, s’il n’y a pas de Nottes et Soixante livres s’il y en a. Le Papier est un objet Separé et le prix sera relatif à sa beauté. MS ( MHi ); endorsed by TJ; “Printing Polytype printing.” The...
2663John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Let me request of you, to turn your Attention as soon as possible to the Subject of a Treaty of Commerce between the United States of America and Great Britain, and transmit to me, a Project that you would advise me to propose in the first Instance. For my own Part I like the Plan agreed on with Prussia so well, that I must request you to send me a Copy of it, and with such Changes as you may...
2664V. Robert Morris to Jefferson, 1 May 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the twenty sixth Instant for which I pray you to accept my Thanks. Enclosed you have the Copy of my Letter of the fifteenth of January 1782. to Congress and also Mr. Governeur Morris’s Letter to Mr. Helmly of the thirtieth of April 1783. I will add to these such Observations as have occurred on your Notes which agreably to your Desire are herewith returned. I...
2665III. Mémoire pour des Négocians de L’Orient, Intéressés au Commerce des Etats-Unis; Contre La Ferme Générale, 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Introduction: ] “Les Négocians de la ville de l’Orient, occupés du commerce des Etats-Unis, sont forcés de réclamer à la fois la justice et la bienveillance du Gouvernement. C’est sur la foi de la protection annoncée par le ministere et d’une décision du Conseil du Roi, qu’ils ont exposé et leur crédit & leur fortune, par les avances qu’ils ont faites aux Américains. “L’intéret de l’Etat est...
2666Notes on the Rice Trade Supplied by Jean Jacques Bérard & Cie., [15 July 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Nottes pour Son Excellence Monsieur de Jefferson sur le Commerce du Riz D’après les nottes que Monsieur de Jefferson a bien voulu communiquer sur la Consommation en France du Riz de Caroline, et le désir qu’il montre de donner de la consistence à ce commerce, Les Srs. Jean Jaques Berard & Compe. de Lorient sont disposés à faire tout ce qui dépendra d’eux pour concourir à ses vües et étendre...
2667Enclosure I, 15 October 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The Committee appointed to Report on Mr. Jefferson’s Letter Delivered in the following report, which was agreed to, and the President was requested to furnish the Vice president with a Copy to be delivered to Ralph Izard Esqr. The Committee to whom was referred a Letter from the Honorable Thomas Jefferson Esqr. requesting information relative to the products, Exports, Imports and other...
2668From William Whipple, with Answers to Queries concerning the Moose, 15 March 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The only Apology I have to make for not sooner answering Your favor of the 12th Jany. is, that I have been expecting more satisfactory information on the subject of the Moose; but dispairing of speedily obtaining the satisfaction I wish; I now inclose you such answers to Your questions as I have been able to procure, also a small parcel of the hair of the Moose sent me by a Gentleman of whom I...
2669Instructions for Unpacking the Model of the Virginia Capitol, with Invoice, [ca. 13 June 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Observations essensielle pour deballer le modelle II faut observer que le modelle est emballer dans deux quesse [caisses] et que le dessus de la grande quesse Est marqué pour la Conservation du modelle dans son transport. C’est a dire qu il faudra faire attention pour deballer le modelle qu il ne ce trouve sous le sus dessous. Ce la fait étant pozé sur son cens ferez sauter le dessus avec...
2670Enclosure: Extracts from Newspapers, 6 June 1785 (Adams Papers)
The publick Advertiser— Yesterday Lord Gerge Gordon had the Honour of a long conference with his Excellency John Adams, (honest John Adams) the Ambassador of America, at the hotel of Mons. de Lynden Envoye extraodinaire de Leurs Hautes Puissances. This is true, and I suppose inserted by his Lordship who is as wild and as enthusiastic as when he headed the Mob. His Lordship came here but not...
2671Clérisseau’s Account of Expenditures for Architectural Plans, &c., 2 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Deboursé pour Monsieur Jeferson Les plans de prisons, Coupe et elevation 2 Louis Les plans du model, premier et Rez de chaussé 2 Louis L’elevation de la facade 2 Louis Elevation Laterale 2 Louis Les antiquités de nismes 3 Louis Toutes les mesures et profil lexecution du model 1 Louis 12 Louis Il faut observer que tous ces dessins ont eté obligé destre fait deux fois avant de les dessiner...
2672John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 29 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Our Secretary of State for foreign affairs, in a Letter of 13. Ap. informs me, that he wrote Us a Letter by Capt. Lamb dated 11. March, inclosing a Variety of Papers respecting the Treaties we are directed to negotiate and conclude with the Barbary Powers. Inclosed is a Copy of a Resolution of Congress of 14. February 1785, inclosed to me, in the Secretary’s Letter. I know nothing of Capt....
2673II. Additional Queries, with Jefferson’s Answers, [ca. January–February 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Additional questions of M. de Meusnier, and answers 1. What has led Congress to determine that the concurrence of seven votes is requisite in questions which by the Confederation are submitted to the decision of a Majority of the U.S. in Congress Assembled? The IXth. article of Confederation, §. 6. evidently establishes three orders of questions in Congress. 1. The greater ones, which relate...
2674John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 March 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to your desire I went early this morning to Versailles and finding the Ct. de Vergennes unembarassed with company, and only attended by his private Secretaries, I soon obtained the honour of a conference, in which I told him that my colleagues were very sorry that indisposition necessarily prevented their paying their respects to him in person, and obliged them to request me alone to...
2675No. 8., 22 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
[Text of Calonne to TJ, 22 Oct. 1786, here omitted (see Vol. 10: 474–6). In addition to texts cited there, an English translation is in DLC: TJ Papers, 60: 10441–6 (PrC in Blackwell’s hand except for “No. 8.” inserted by TJ at head of text) and also in DNA: RG 59, Record of Reports of Thomas Jefferson.]
2676VI. From Jean Nicolas DeMeunier, [26 June 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
Je Venois d’ecrire Les traits de Cruauté dont Monsieur Jefferson m’a fait L’honneur de me parler hier. Lorsque j’ai reçu son billet, Je L’ai placé à L’endroit où je Felicite Les americains des devastations, des incendies, et des forfaits que se sont permis Les Anglois, et je dirai en parlant du traité avec Le roi de prusse quel heureux effet ont produit ces abominables violences. J’avois...
2677I. Sources and Amounts of Rice Imports into France, 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Importation de Riz pendant l’année 1788 Quintaux ℔ D’Espagne et les Etats en dependans 61. 44 Du Portugal 36. 5 Du Etats du Roi de Sardaigne 41,363. 90 De Génes 11,176. 60 Du Milanois et Toscane 695. 50 Etat Ecclésiastique 60.
2678John Adams to Franklin and Jefferson, 20 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Westminster, London, 20 June 1785 . Acknowledges their letter of 15 June; agrees “entirely … in sentiment respecting Gratification to be given to Mr. John Baptist Pecquet and the Letter to be written to him.” RC ( DNA : PCC , No. 84, v); 1 p.; at foot of letter: “Their Excellencies Messrs. Franklin & Jefferson.” FC ( MHi : AMT ); in Adams’ hand.
2679Enclosure: Memorandum of Purchases, 11 February 1786 (Adams Papers)
£ s d to 2 peices of Irish linen at 4s. pr. yd. 8 14 0 to making 12 Shirts at 3s. pr Shirt 1 16 0 to buttons thread silk 0 3 0 to Washing 0 3 6 a Trunk
2680Enclosure: From M. de Gasq, 5 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Dans ce moment interessant où toutes les nations de l’europe s’occupent de l’administration de leurs finances, nous avons cru necessaire de repondre à l’extrait d’un ouvrage de Mr. Payne contre l’etablissement du papier monoie dans les états unis, inseré dans le Mercure de france No. 34. du 26. aout 1786. L’argent, dit M. Payne, d’après un bon allemand, est de l’argent, et le papier du papier....
2681Form the Rhode Island Delegates in Congress, 14 October 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
In compliance with the request of the Honourable the Corporation of the College at Providence in the State of Rhode Island, transmitted in their vote of the 7th. of September last. we take the liberty to inform your Excellency that the College under their direction was founded in the year 1764, and received the small endowments of which it is now possessed, solely, from the beneficence and...
2682II. Replies to Queries: New York (1), [ca. 1–5 June 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Answers to Govr. Jefferson’s Quæries Government. Price of Labour. Ship Building Navigation Fisheries. MS ( DLC ); in an unidentified hand; although there is no indication of the state for which these replies were made, they clearly relate to New York. In DLC : TJ Papers 11: 1916 (separated from the present MS ) there is the address leaf for these replies, reading: “The Honble Jefferson [sic]...
2683Samuel Hardy and John F. Mercer to Jefferson and James Monroe, April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, April? 1784 .] Requesting “the favor of their Company to dine with them @ 4 oClock.” RC ( DLC ); without date or place; addressed: “Honble M[ess]rs. Jefferson & Monroe.” The blank verso of this note was subsequently used by TJ in his draft of an additional instruction to the Committee of States and therefore must have been received before 26 Apr. 1784; see Vol. 6: 529, note.
2684III. Replies to Queries: Connecticut, [June–July 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
Memoir containing answers to questions respecting the government, commerce &c. of the State of Connecticut. Government Amount of taxes in Bills of the United States since May 1775: 13,906,649. 3. 2 Deduct amount of abatements £3,428,643.16 Do. for balance due the Treasury 1,365,275. 6. 4,793,919. 2 Total Amount paid in Continental Bills £9,112,730. 1. 2 Amount paid in State Bills since 1780...
2685III. From Jean Nicolas DéMeunier, [February? 1786] (Jefferson Papers)
M. Démeunier est penetré de reconnoissance de tout ce que Monsieur Jefferson a La bonté de faire pour Lui. Il est si agreable et si heureux, d’avoir L’honneur de Causer avec un homme si parfaitement instruit, si Zelé pour Les choses interessantes, et si interessant Lui même à tous égards, que M. Démeunier prendra peutêtre La Liberté de Lui demander encore quelques momens. Il va Corriger et...
2686Swan’s Proposals for Supplying American Beef, &c. to the French Government, 19 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Paris, 19 July 1788 . “ Jam’s. Swan de Boston En faveur d’une association dans les Etats-Unis de l’Amérique ,” submits proposals for furnishing to the government of France a quantity of salt beef and pork, livestock, and butter from America for the troops and vessels of the king, in the colonies in America as well as in Europe as follows: Ten to forty, or fifty, thousand barrels of beef of a...