351From Thomas Jefferson to Richard Price, 7 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 2. came duly to hand. The concern you therein express as to the effect of your pamphlet in America, induces me to trouble you with some observations on that subject. From my acquaintance with that country I think I am able to judge with some degree of certainty of the manner in which it will have been received. Southward of the Chesapeak it will find but few readers...
352From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 2 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By the inclosed paper I presume there are arrived for me on board the packet three small boxes of seeds or plants, and a large box, the contents of which I know not. I will beg the favor of you to pay for me the freight and other expences, and to send the three small boxes by the Diligence. As to the large one, I conjecture it may contain bones and other objects of Natural history which should...
353From Thomas Jefferson to Grand & Cie., 23 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your letter wherein you mention that the arrears of interest due from the United states to M. de Fleury have been attached in your hands on my behalf. I beg leave to observe to you that it is only five hundred and seven livres, part thereof, which I paid on his order to M. de la Vallette, and which it is necessary for you to stop. All over that sum, you will be pleased to pay...
354From Thomas Jefferson to Van Damme, 20 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
N’ayant point de vos nouvelles depuis mon retour á Paris, je prends la liberté de vous demander le progrés que vous avez fait dans les recherches dont vous avez bien voulu vous charger pour les livres que je vous ai prié de me procurer, et quand je pourrai en attendre l’expedition ou de la totalité, ou de telle partie que vous auriez pu trouver en attendant la reste. J’ai l’honneur d’etre...
355From Thomas Jefferson to Berenger de Beaufain, 18 December 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je viens de recevoir l’honneur de votre lettre du 7me courant, et j’ai celui de vous informer que pour expulser la personne qui a usurpé vos possessions en Caroline ou dans la Georgie il faudra ou envoyer quelqu’un la bas, muni de pleins pouvoirs de votre part pour intenter les procès necessaires pour cet effet, ou d’en munir quelqu’un sur le lieu. Mais dans le dernier cas il faudra etre sur...
356[From Thomas Jefferson to Nicholas Lewis, 11 November 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 11 Nov. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “N. Lewis. Country along Seine—abjection of people—war in Europe—pears, goose berries, apricots better; cherries and grapes equal: peaches, nectarines, apples, strawberries, raspberries inferior to ours—Anthony to graft Balyal’s peaches, white, red, and yellow plumb and the fine soft and supply vacancies now and future. To take up such peach trees as...
357From Thomas Jefferson to La Vingtrie, 12 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Je ne connois personne ici, Monsieur, qui a des terres à vendre en Amérique, et meme s’il y en avoit, je ne vous conseillerois pas du tout d’en acheter ici. Si vous etes dans l’intention de vous établir en Amérique, il vaudroit mieux d’y passer, d’y voyager, et d’y rester quelque-tems avant de décider le centre de votre etablissement. Le climat, le sol, la société, influent beaucoup sur notre...
358From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Coffyn, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I was informed in the course of the last year that there was in the prison of Dunkirk a person of the name of Alexander Gross confined as hostage for the ransom of the sloop Charlotte taken by the privateer Countess d’Avaux, Capt. Carry, in Feb. 1782. I learn that his owners refused to release him, and that the owners of the privateer have since stopped paiment and become bankrupt. I will be...
359From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Necks, 18 April 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I received the honor of your letter of yesterday, and in consequence thereof send you eight guineas. I mentioned to you that the settlement of Mr. Wayles’s affairs remained entirely with Mr. Eppes and Mr. Skipwith the acting executors. They alone possess the evidences of his debts and paiments, and they also alone know what is due, and to whom. I think it possible, and even probable, that the...
360From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 11 November 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by Colo. Le Maire. You knew him when in our service, and that he was one of the few who merited what was done for him. He returns to Virginia to obtain the land given him for his special services and what is due to him as an officer. He is reduced to extreme poverty and I am afraid will meet with difficulty to subsist till he can obtain his grants unless he can find...
361From Thomas Jefferson to Alexander McCaul, 19 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 2d. inst. is duly received. I agree chearfully to the alteration you propose, in our terms, for converting the current into sterling money. It will guard against injustice, should the madness of paper money invade our assembly. I send you the inclosed paper finally settling this business. I am not well acquainted with the situation of your matter in Virginia. I had hoped that...
362From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 8 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor accompanying that of Mr. Van bram Houckgeete on the subject of a cask of snuff sent by him to Bordeaux. The importation of that article is prohibited by the laws of France on pain of fine and forfeiture of the article to the Farmers general. His snuff was seized and condemned on due process of law. He sais he was ignorant of the law, and I believe it: his...
363From Thomas Jefferson to Fernán-Nuñez, 23 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
M. Jefferson est tres sensible à la perte que l’Espagne vient de faire par la mort de son auguste Souverain. Les vertus de ce prince lui avoient merité à juste titre l’hommage de l’estime universelle, et repandront sur sa mort les regrets de tous. M. Jefferson y mele les siens trés sincerement, et a l’honneur de faire à M. l’Ambassadeur son compliment de condoleance. Dft ( ViU ); written at...
364From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 18 November 1783 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 9th . came to hand yesterday and relieved us from the fear that sickness or some other accident had detained you. I am very particularly obliged to you for the attention you have been so good as to pay to my accomodation; several circumstances had prevented my taking measures for this purpose so early as I wished. I had ultimately relied on Mr. Carrol, who left this place two...
365From Thomas Jefferson to William Macarty, 21 July 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am favored with your letter of the 8th. instant. I had applied to the Marquis de la Fayette to sollicit the Sauf conduit for you. A desire of avoiding every possible occasion myself of asking what may be refused, or of giving ground to make a reciprocal demand on any occasion, induced me to do this; and the Marquis’s zeal in every business respecting us, his weight and his access to every...
366From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Jacques Peuchen, 22 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai retardé, Monsieur, de vous accuser la reception de votre lettre du 25me. Avril, afin que je pourrois en meme tems vous annoncer l’arrivée des poëles que vous avez eu la bonté de m’expedier. Elles viennent d’arriver chez moi il y a trois jours en bon etat. Permettez donc, Monsieur, que je vous fasse mes remerciments pour vos attentions dans cette occasion-ci, aussi bien que pour les...
367From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 26 February 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 21st. inst. on the subject of Mr. Paradise, which I hope you have received. By the death of Mr. Williamos a copy of my Notes on Virginia got into the hands of a bookseller, who was about publishing a very abominable translation of them when the Abbé Morellet heard of it, and diverted him from it by undertaking to translate it for him. They will thus appear in French in spite...
368From Thomas Jefferson to Antoine Terrasson, 7 May 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have read with attention the papers on the subject of the canal of the Santee and Cooper rivers, and shall be glad to do any thing I can to promote it. But I confess I have small expectations for the following reason. Genl. Washington sent me a copy of the Virginia act for opening the Patowmac. As that canal was to unite the commerce of the whole Western country almost, with the Eastern, it...
369From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Dessin, 17 May 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to return you many thanks for your attention to the several cases I left with you to be expedited to this place. They all came safe to hand. The Acquit à caution for the parcel which I brought myself, is herein inclosed. I should sooner have sent this, but that I awaited the arrival of the second parcel, meaning to return to you both acquits à caution together. But on asking for the...
370From Thomas Jefferson to Dugnani, 11 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor of sending your Excellency the second volume of the American Philosophical transactions which came to my hands yesterday. My correspondent writes me that the first volume cannot be bought at this moment, the depot in which they were kept having been destroyed during the war. But he adds that they propose to reprint the first volume and that he will take care to send me a copy...
371From Thomas Jefferson to John Stockdale, 8 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have sent by the Diligence the three first numbers of Sandford et Merton, being all which has yet appeared. A number comes out every month, and it will be nine months before the whole will be out. You shall receive them as they appear, and always by the Diligence unless you would prefer any other channel of conveyance. I am Sir your very humble servt., PrC ( DLC ); endorsed. It will be noted...
372From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 23 August 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. John Brown Cutting, proposing to go to Charleston, I take the liberty of introducing him to your acquaintance and attentions. His merit and talents will justify me in taking this liberty, as they will fully recommend him to your esteem, while I am equally assured he will find in you what will render it reciprocal. He is authorised to ask from your state some arrangements...
373From Thomas Jefferson to Eugène MacCarthy, 3 January 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been later in acknoleging the receipt of your letter of the 16th. December, because Commodore Paul Jones being here it was proper to submit the claim to his information. I have now the honour to inform you that you may draw on me for the sum of seven hundred and thirty one livres three sous one denier expressing in your draught that it is for your share of prize money of the Bonhomme...
374From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 17 June 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of addressing you on the 11th. of the last month by young Mr. Adams who sailed in the packet of that month. That of the present is likely to be retarded to the first of July if not longer. On the 14th. of May I communicated to the Count de Vergennes my appointment as minister plenipotentiary to this court and on the 17th. delivered my letter of credence to the king at a...
375From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 27 June 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Since I had the honour of seeing you the other evening a letter from the board of treasury is come to hand,1 instructing me to receive the monies which you have collected here for the prizes, with an order justifying your paiment of them to me. There is a paragraph in the letter which looks as if they meant I should settle with you your proportion of these monies. It is not quite explicit, and...
376From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Morris, 9 April 1784 (Jefferson Papers)
The Grand Committee, to whom was referred a Motion of the Delegates of Massachusetts respecting the Discharge of Contracts said to have been made in that State, by Order of the Q M G for ox Teams, for the Campaign of 1781, request you to give them by the earliest opportunity the best Information in your Power respecting such Contracts, whether made in that or any other State, what are...
377From Thomas Jefferson to Stephen Cathalan, Jr., 10 February 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am this moment informed that Mr. Hall, an American of my acquaintance now at Marseilles will sail from that port for Baltimore more about the 20th. of this month. If you have no direct conveiance to Charleston it would be best to put the olive plants into the care of Mr. Hall who would be so good as to attend to them during their passage to Baltimore and to find a speedy and safe conveiance...
378From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, 12 May 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have the honor to inform you that at length Messrs. Laval & Wilfelsheim have paid the bill of exchange remitted. It will enable me to furnish Monsr. Houdon for his voiage to Virginia when he shall be sufficiently reestablished in his health to undertake it. Dr Franklin proposing to return either the next month or the month following, I think it probable that Houdon will accompany him. I have...
379[From Thomas Jefferson to the Speaker of the Senate, 4 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 4 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “A. Cary. Proceedings of Congr. on Western cession—execution of deed—refused commit Indiana—Kentucky petition—further cession to meridian mouth Kanhaw.—paiments and arrears of states on requisition of Oct. 30. 1781. for 8. million—ratification sailed Feb. 17—Turks and Russians—Fox and North resigned—Pr. Wales against E. Ind. bill—Pitt-Adams and...
380From Thomas Jefferson to Castries, 9 January 178[6] (Jefferson Papers)
On receiving the honor of your Excellency’s letter of December 30 on the subject of the debts due by Robinson and Francfort to Françoise Rippert, I asked of Captain Jones those informations which his office had put him in possession of. I now trouble you with a copy of his letter on the subject. Your Excellency will find by that that Robinson having belonged to the Alliance, and the portions...
381From Thomas Jefferson to John Rutledge, 6 August 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with your letter by your son, and shall be happy to render him every assistance in my power of whatever nature. The objects of his stay in this country and of his visit to London are perfectly well judged, so of that to Amsterdam. Perhaps it is questionable whether the time you propose he should spend at some of the German courts might not be better employed at Madrid at Lisbon...
382From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 12 November 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I should not so long have delayed answering your favor of the 6th. of Oct. but that I have been extremely engaged, and particularly by the Arret of Sep. 28. which prohibits the importation of foreign whale oil, without any exception in our favor. At length I have a prospect of obtaining an exception for American oil. Should any arrive before the matter is finally decided, the Ministers...
383[From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 5 March 1784] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Annapolis, 5 Mch. 1784 . Entry in SJL reads: “[Mar.] 5. E. Rand. Hancock’s case—journal of 82. I will send but 83. not printed—information by Barney from Dr. F. Dec. 25. that Ad[ams] was gone to Hague, Jay to Bath, Laur. setting out for Amer.—Engld. not reconciled—Marq. Fayette’s letter of Dec. 26. Fox and N. out by maneuvre of king—Pitt and Temple to come in—parliament to be called—Marq....
384From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 12 October 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs the bearers of this letter being on the point of setting out, I have only time to inform you that after trying many booksellers and receiving a variety of propositions the best offer is of 900 livres for your book, paiable 12 months after the printing of it here shall be completed. The M. de Chastellux thinks it best to accept of this, I shall therefore do it this day. I...
385From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Castaing, 1 June 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
It is with real pain that I am informed of the difficulties of your present situation, and the more so as it is utterly out of my power to relieve them. There is neither authority nor money in the hands of any person here to discharge the arrearages of interest, nor do I know any person who is in the habit of purchasing those claims; nor am I able to suggest to Mr. Grand any other arrangement...
386From Thomas Jefferson to John Brown Cutting, 28 July 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honour of writing you on the 24th. inst. the transactions on the Black sea were but vaguely known. I am now able to give them to you on better foundation. The Captain Pacha was proceeding with succours to Oczakoff as is said by some (for this fact does not come on the same authority with the others), the authentic account placing the two fleets in the neighborhood of each other...
387From Thomas Jefferson to J. Louis Brethoux, 21 February 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of the letter you did me the honour to write me on the 21st. of January together with the book on the culture of the olive tree. This is a precious present to me, and I pray you to accept my thanks for it. I am just gratified by letters from South Carolina which inform me that in consequence of the information I had given them on the subject of the olive tree,...
388From Thomas Jefferson to James Buchanan, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By my letter of Jan. 13. I took the liberty of praying you to send me Hayes’s newspapers to the care of N. Jamieson of New York, by post if free, or otherwise by other opportunities. I have not yet received any: but pre[suming] on past experiences of your goodness I suppose some may [be] on the way. In the mean time experience proves to me that the French postage is exorbitant beyond...
389From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 13 August 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
The inclosed letter from Mr. Barclay, and one from Mr. Carmichael, of which I send you extracts, are come to hand this morning, which is in time for them to go by the same gentleman who carries my letter of the 11th. I observe what Mr. Carmichael says on the subject of the Portuguese treaty, and am sorry it meets with difficulties. I doubt however whether he ascribes them to their true cause,...
390From Thomas Jefferson to Robert Pigott, [3 June 1788] (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Montgomery and his mother seem uneasy that such a sum in cash as 8000£ should be tied up in his hands by the marriage settlement. I apprehend this uneasiness may be removed and your daughter provided for more surely by settling lands of the value of 8000£on her for life (if she survives her husband) and after both their deaths, on the children of their joint bed in such proportions as the...
391From Thomas Jefferson to Lucy Ludwell Paradise, 6 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored with yours of Mar. 31. Mine to yourself and Dr. Bancroft will already have answered so much of it as relates to Mr. Paradise. The idea suggested of his going with me to America, was intended chiefly as a threat against the refusing creditor. It could only have been carried into execution in the case of that creditor’s continuing obstinate. The propositions he has since made were...
392From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 9 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor with my account, balance 180.₶ 7s which shall be paid to your order. I observe it supposed with you that the differences between the courts of London and St. James are nearly settled. But be assured on the contrary that no accomodation is expected, and that war is as certain as it can be, without being actually commenced or declared. There remains indeed a...
393From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Bancroft, 9 April 1789 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 27th. has been duly received, and in answer to the information relative to D. I can only beg the favor of you to avail yourself of any moment which may occur wherein principles either of fidelity or venality might induce him to give up the books, for the U.S. I will answer the price as far as 12. or 15. guineas for that containing his correspondence from Aug. 1777. to Mar....
394From Thomas Jefferson to Edward Rutledge, 9 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This will be delivered you by Mr. Cutting, with whom I had a small acquaintance in America, and who brought me letters of good recommendation from Mr. Adams and Colo. Smith in London. On these foundations I am authorized to recommend him to you as a gentleman of merit, worthy of your acquaintance. He comes to sollicit a settlement of the affairs of the Indian frigate and provision for a...
395From Thomas Jefferson to Jean-Baptiste Acher, 8 December 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 29th. of November. The Arret of Sep. 28. had been the subject of discussion with his majesty’s ministers as soon as it appeared. They will within a few days publish an explanatory arrêt exempting American oils from the operation of that of Sep. 28. In the mean time they have sent orders to all the ports to receive our oils. Tho’ these orders might not...
396From Thomas Jefferson to Benjamin Franklin, 23 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of Oct. 8. but the volume of the transactions mentioned to come with it, did not; but I have received one from Mr. Hopkinson. You also mention the diplomas it covered for other persons, and some order of the society relative to myself, which I suppose were omitted by accident and will come by some other conveiance. So far as relates to myself, whatever the order...
397From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 6 September 1788 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of July 3. came to hand some days ago, and that of July 22. in the afternoon of yesterday. Knowing that a Mr. Vannet was to leave Paris this morning to go to Virginia in a vessel bound from Havre to Patowmac, I have engaged him to receive the papers which are the subject of those letters, to take care of them from hence to Havre, and on the voiage, and when he shall be arrived in...
398From Thomas Jefferson to Vergennes, 11 February 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My hand recovering very slowly from the effects of it’s dislocation, I am advised by the Surgeons to try the waters of Aix in Provence. From thence I think it possible I may go as far as Nice. As circumstances might arise under which a passport might be useful, I take the liberty of troubling your Excellency for one. I propose to set out on Thursday next. I would at the same time ask an...
399From Thomas Jefferson to James Maury, 24 December 1786 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of the 17th. of Sep. came to hand a few days after a dislocation of my right wrist had disabled me from writing. I only begin to write a little now, and that with pain. Your second letter of Dec. 10. is now received. I should be happy if any arrangements as to my tobacco could produce advantage to you, but having entirely abandoned the management of my affairs to my friends in...
400From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 4 May 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of putting the inclosed letter under your cover to avoid it’s being opened. It contains one for Mr. Jay which is to go by the packet sailing from Havre on the 10th. You will perceive therefore at the time of receiving this that there is not a moment to lose. I must therefore beg the favor of you to send a Commissioner instantly with it to my hotel: and, if Mr. Short should...