651From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 17 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mine of the 13th. informed you that I had written to the M. de Castries on the subject of Puchelberg’s interference. Yesterday I received his answer dated the 12th. In that he says that he is informed by the Ordonnateur that he has not been able to get an authentic roll of the crew of the Alliance, that, in the probable case of there having been some French subjects among them, it will be just...
652From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Thompson, 17 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am much obliged by your favor of the 12th. The method you are so kind as to propose to me of being furnished with the English papers would be perfectly pleasing to me, if they come clear of French postage also, a circumstance which you do not particularly mention in your letter. I had written about a fortnight ago to Mr. Adams to order me the two best papers which the D. of Dorset was so...
653From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Tracy, 17 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
A conveyance offering by a gentleman going directly to Salem, I cannot omit the opportunity of congratulating you on your safe return to your family and country which I see announced in the public papers. I wish that the sentiments of pleasure excited by this event could have been unmixed with those of a contrary nature which the fate of poor Temple occasioned—but let us turn to the living....
654From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 18 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was of June 22. with a P. S. of July 14. Yours of June 27. came to hand the 23d. of July and that of July 28. came to hand the 10th. inst. The papers enclosed in the last shall be communicated to Mr. Adams. I see with extreme satisfaction and gratitude the friendly interposition of the court of Spain with the emperor of Marocco on the subject of the brig Betsey, and I am...
655From Thomas Jefferson to Samuel House, 18 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of May 28. came to hand the 22d. Ultimo. I have spoken with some merchants of this place and endeavoured to shew them that it would be worth their while to try some commercial adventures to America, the disposal of which I would have endeavoured to procure for you. But this place carries on no distant commerce, but in their modes and other trifles: and the tales of want of faith...
656From Thomas Jefferson to Eliza House Trist, 18 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of Dec. 25. came to hand on the 22d. of July, and on the next day I had the pleasure of receiving that of May. 4. I was happy to find that you had taken the first step for a return to your own country, tho’ I was sensible many difficult ones still remained. I hope however these are surmounted, and that this letter will find you in the bosom of your friends. Your last letter is an...
657From Thomas Jefferson to Peter Carr, 19 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received by Mr. Mazzei your letter of April 20. I am much mortified to hear that you have lost so much time, and that when you arrived in Williamsburgh you were not at all advanced from what you were when you left Monticello. Time now begins to be precious to you. Every day you lose, will retard a day your entrance on that public stage whereon you may begin to be useful to yourself. However...
658From Thomas Jefferson to Walker Maury, with a List of Books, 19 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favor of April 20. by Mr. Mazzei on the 22d. of July. I am much obliged to you for your kind attention to my nephew. His education is one of the things about which I am most anxious. I think he posseses that kind of genius which will be solid and useful to himself and his country. When I came here I was not certain whether I might not find it better to send for him hither. But...
659[From Thomas Jefferson to Martha Jefferson Carr, 20 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 20 Aug. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Mrs. Carr. See copy. By Mr. Fitzhugh.” Not found.]
660From Thomas Jefferson to John Page, 20 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your friendly letter of Apr. 28. by Mr. Mazzei on the 22d. of July. That of the month before by Monsr. Le Croix is not come to hand. This correspondence is grateful to some of my warmest feelings, as the friendships of my youth are those which stick closest to me, and in which I most confide. My principal happiness is now in the retrospect of life. I thank you for your notes of your...
661From Thomas Jefferson to St. John de Crèvecoeur, 22 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of the 15th. instant as I had before done that of May 18. but had not answered it, supposing you would be on your passage. Mr. Mazzei delivered safely the packet you mention. I should have been happy to have seen you here, but we are not to expect that pleasure it seems till the fall. The derangement of the packet boats will need your aid: and there are...
662From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of Virginia, with an Account of Expenses, 22 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured yesterday with your Excellency’s letter of June the 16th. inclosing the resolution of Assembly relative to the busts of the M. de la Fayette. I shall render chearfully any services I can in aid of Mr. Barclay for carrying this resolution into effect. The M. de la Fayette being to pass into Germany and Prussia it was thought proper to take the model of his bust in plaister before...
663From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 23 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I shall sometimes ask your permission to write you letters, not official but private. The present is of this kind, and is occasioned by the question proposed in yours of June 14 ‘Whether it would be useful to us to carry all our own productions, or none?’ Were we perfectly free to decide this question, I should reason as follows. We have now lands enough to employ an infinite number of people...
664From Thomas Jefferson to James Monroe, 28 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I wrote you on the 5th. of July by Mr. Franklin and on the 12th. of the same month by Monsr. Houdon. Since that date yours of June 16. by Mr. Mazzei is received. Every thing looks like peace here. The settlement between the Emperor and Dutch is not yet published, but it is believed to be agreed. Nothing is done as yet between him and the Porte. He is much wounded by the Confederation of...
665[From Thomas Jefferson to William Robeson, 28 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
[ Paris, 28 Aug. 1785 . Entry in SJL reads: “Wm. Robeson. Informing him power of appointing Consuls was in Congress. That in mean time Mr. Barclay appointed. That he informs me a Mr. Coffin is agent there and serves the U.S. well.” Not found.]
666From Thomas Jefferson to John Paul Jones, 29 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I receive this moment a letter from the Marechal de Castries of which the inclosed is a copy. Having engaged to him to sollicit orders for the paiment of any parts of this money due to French subjects to be made here, and moreover engaged that in the mean time I will order paiment should any such claimants offer themselves, I pray you to furnish me with all the evidence you can as to what...
667From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Eppes, [30 August 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
I must now repeat my wish to have Polly sent to me next summer. This, however, must depend on the circumstance of a good vessel sailing from Virginia in the months of April, May, June, or July. I would not have her set out sooner or later on account of the equinoxes. The vessel should have performed one voyage at least, but not be more than four or five years old. We do not attend to this...
668From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 30 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of writing to you on the 14th. inst. by a Mr. Cannon of Connecticut who was to sail in the packet. Since that date yours of July 13. is come to hand. The times for the sailing of the packets being somewhat deranged, I avail myself of a conveiance of the present by the Mr. Fitzhughs of Virginia who expect to land at Philadelphia. I inclose you a correspondence which has taken...
669From Thomas Jefferson to John Banister, 31 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Fitzhugh being to leave this within two or three days and proposing to attend the next session of Assembly in Richmond, I am thereby furnished with an opportunity of writing you a line, and knowing myself the anxieties of a parent for an absent child I know I cannot better gratify you than by informing you of the welfare of your son. From this place he went to Avignon, and not to Lisle as...
670From Thomas Jefferson to David Ramsay, 31 August 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honoured with your two letters of June 15. and July 13. and am to thank you for the sheets of your history sent therewith. I am much pleased to see a commencement of those special histories of the late revolution which must be written first before a good general one can be expected. I shall be more pleased to see the remaining parts as well executed as this which sets the example. Another...
671From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas and William Short, 1 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have been duly honoured with the receipt of your separate letters of Aug. 23. and should sooner have returned an answer, but that as you had written also to Mr. Adams I thought it possible I might receive his sentiments on the subject in time for the post. Not thinking it proper to lose the occasion of the post, I have concluded to communicate to you my separate sentiments, which you will of...
672From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with a List of Books, 1 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My last to you was dated May 11. by Monsr. de Doradour. Since that I have received yours of Jan. 22. with 6. copies of the revisal, and that of Apr. 27. by Mr. Mazzei. All is quiet here. The Emperor and Dutch are certainly agreed tho’ they have not published their agreement. Most of his schemes in Germany must be postponed, if they are not prevented, by the confederacy of many of the Germanic...
673From Thomas Jefferson to Chastellux, with Enclosure, 2 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
You were so kind as to allow me a fortnight to read your journey through Virginia. But you should have thought of this indulgence while you were writing it, and have rendered it less interesting if you meant that your readers should have been longer engaged with it. In fact I devoured it at a single meal, and a second reading scarce allowed me sang froid enough to mark a few errors in the...
674From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I was honoured with your letter of Aug. 21. by Mr. Smith who arrived here on the 29th. I am sorry you did not repeat the commission you had favoured me with by Mr. Short as the present would have been an excellent opportunity of sending the articles you wished for. As Mr. Short’s return may yet be delayed, will you be so good as to write me by post what articles you desired, lest I should not...
675From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
On receipt of your favors of Aug. 18. and 23. I conferred with Mr. Barclay on the measures necessary to be taken to set our treaty with the pyratical states into motion through his agency. Supposing that we should begin with the emperor of Marocco, a letter to the emperor and instructions to Mr. Barclay seemed necessary. I have therefore sketched such outlines for these as appear to me to be...
676From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Mazzei, during the war was employed by the state of Virginia to procure them loans of money in Europe. He thinks that in allowing him for his expences they have allowed less than they actually were. You knew him in Paris, and knew of the journies which he made. I would thank you for the best guess you can make of what his expences may have been, according to the stile in which you observed...
677From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 4 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Since writing my letter of this morning I have seen Mr. Grand and had a conversation with him on the subject of the interest due here . He is pressed on that subject. By a letter he received not long since from the Commissioners of the treasury it seems their intention that he should pay this interest out of the money in Holland, yet they omitted to give him any authority to ask for any of...
678From Thomas Jefferson to Froullé, 5 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai vu le Marquis de Chastellux, Monsieur, et nous avons consulté sur l’affaire de l’histoire de Monsr. Reed . Il a eu la bonté de noter toutes les pièces justificatives qu’il croit qu’il seroit mieux de supprimer comme peu interessans aux etrangers. Mais comme on peut bien se tromper sur la nombre des feuilles, et que ce feroit tort ou à l’auteur ou à l’Imprimeur, nous croyons qu’il seroit...
679From Thomas Jefferson to David Hartley, 5 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favour of Apr. 15, happened to be put into my hands at the same time with a large parcel of letters from America, which contained a variety of intelligence. It was then put where I usually place my unanswered letters, and I from time to time put off acknoleging the receipt of it till I should be able to furnish you American intelligence worth communicating. A favorable opportunity, by a...
680Lease for the Hôtel de Langeac, [5 September 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Par devant Les Conseillers du Roy, Notaires au Chatelet de Paris, Soussignés Fut Present Haut et Puissant Seigneur Auguste Louis Joseph fidele Amand de Lespinasse Langeac, Chevalier Comte de Langeac, Colonel d’Infanterie, Chevalier de l’ordre Royal et militaire de St. Louis, le Gouverneur pour le Roy des villes de Guerande, Le Croisic et St. Nazaire En Bretagne, de Celle de Rüe en Picardie, et...
681Private Agreement for Lease of the Hôtel de Langeac, [5 September 1785] (Jefferson Papers)
Entre les soussignés Haut et Puissant Seigneur Auguste-Louis-Joseph-Fidel-Amand De Lespinasse Langeac, Chevalier Comte de Langeac, Colonel d’Infanterie, Chevalier de l’Ordre royal et Militaire de St. Louis, Gouverneur pour le Roi des Villes de Guerande, Le Croisic et St. Nazaire en Bretagne, de celle de Ruë en Picardie, et en Survivance de celle du Puy en Vélay, et ancien Capitaine des Gardes...
682From Thomas Jefferson to Geismar, 6 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of March 28. which I received about a month after it’s date, gave me a very real pleasure, as it assured me of an existence of which I valued, and of which I had been led to doubt. You are now too distant from America to be much interested in what passes there. From the London gazettes, and the papers copying them, you are led to suppose that all there is anarchy, discontent and...
683From Thomas Jefferson to Gilles de Lavallée, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received duly your favour of Aug. 14. It is not in my power to take on the account of Congress any part of the expences of your passage, having received no authority of that kind from them: nor indeed is the encouragement of emigrations among the objects with which they are charged. I fear that when you get to Portsmouth you will find difficulties in the winter season to go by water to any...
684From Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your Capt. Yeaton being here furnishes me an opportunity of paying the tribute of my congratulations on your appointment to the government of your state, which I do very sincerely. He gives me the grateful intelligence of your health and that of Mrs. Langdon. Anxious to promote your service, and beleiving he could do it by getting himself naturalized here and authorised to command your vessel,...
685From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
According to the desire expressed in your letter by Capt. Yeaton I have enquired into the practicability of getting him naturalised here, and authorised to command his vessels, but the information given us, rendering it probable that more time would be consumed, in attending here till the objects could be obtained, than he chuses to spare, he declines pursuing it. I will beg permission to...
686From Thomas Jefferson to De Ponçins, 11 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I received three days ago the letter you did me the honour to write to me on the 2d of August . Congress have purchased a very considerable extent of country from the Indians, and have passed an Ordinance laying down rules for disposing of it. These admit only two considerations for granting lands: first, military service rendered during the late war: and secondly, money to be paid at the time...
687From Thomas Jefferson to Lister Asquith, 14 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Several of your letters have been received, and we have been occupied in endeavours to have you discharged: but these have been ineffectual. If our information be right, you are mistaken in supposing you are already condemned. The Farmers general tell us you are to be tried at Brest, and this trial may perhaps be a month hence. From that court you may appeal to the parliament of Rennes, and...
688From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 14 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter of the 9th. came to hand yesterday. I wrote to you on the first instant, by the post which was to leave Paris the next day and should have arrived at the Hague on Tuesday the 6th. That you did not receive it then can have proceeded from no other cause than the infidelity of the post office in opening letters and detaining or suppressing them altogether. I receive very few which do...
689From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 19 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Lambe is arrived. He brings new full powers to us from Congress to appoint persons to negotiate with the Barbary states , but we are to sign the treaties. Lambe has not
690From Thomas Jefferson to Mary Jefferson, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have not received a letter from you since I came to France. If you knew how much I love you and what pleasure the receipt of your letters gave me at Philadelphia, you would have written to me, or at least have told your aunt what to write, and her goodness would have induced her to take the trouble of writing it. I wish so much to see you that I have desired your uncle and aunt to send you...
691From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have lately received a letter from the Secretary for Foreign affairs in America, on the case of a Mr. Fortin, an American to whom an inheritance in the town of Havre has fallen some time ago. The party complains of delays in the recovery of his inheritance, and the Minister desires my enquiries into the cause of them, and that I will endeavor to obtain that dispatch which is an essential...
692From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, with Account Enclosed, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Fitzhugh you will receive my letter of the 1’st inst. He is still here, and gives me an opportunity of again addressing you much sooner than I should have done but for the discovery of a great peice of inattention. In that letter I send you a detail of the cost of your books, and desire you to keep the amount in your hands, as if I had forgot that a part of it was in fact your own, as...
693From Thomas Jefferson to Edmund Randolph, 20 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Being in your debt for ten volumes of Buffon, I have endeavored to find something that would be agreeable to you to receive in return. I therefore send you by way of Havre a dictionary of law Natural and municipal in 13. vols. 4to. called le Code de l’humanite. It is published by Felice, but written by him and several other authors of established reputation. It is an excellent work. I do not...
694From 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...
695From Thomas Jefferson to Elizabeth Wayles Eppes, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
The Mr. Fitzhughs having staid here longer than they expected, I have (since writing my letter of Aug. 30, to Mr. Eppes) received one from Dr. Currie, of August 5, by which I have the happiness to learn you are all well, and my Poll also. Every information of this kind is like gaining another step, and seems to say we “have got so far safe.” Would to God the great step was taken and taken...
696From Thomas Jefferson to Neil Jamieson, 22 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
By a letter of Jan. 13. I took the liberty of requesting you to send me such of the New York newspapers as you thought best, by the French packet always. Since Mr. Jay’s coming into office he is so kind as to do this regularly, so that I am able to save you that trouble as soon as the subscription expires which you entered into for me. A more important article is to pray you, whenever packets...
697From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
My letter of Sep. 19. written the morning after Mr. Lamb’s arrival here, would inform you of that circumstance. I transmit you herewith copies of the papers he brought to us on the subject of the Barbary treaties. You will see by them that Congress has adopted the very plan which we were proposing to pursue. It will now go on under less danger of objection from the other parties. The receipt...
698From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have received your favor of the 18th. inclosing your compliments on your presentation. The sentiments you therein expressed were such as were entertained in America till the Commercial proclamation, and such as would again return were a rational conduct to be adopted by Gr. Britain. I think therefore you by no means compromitted yourself or our country, nor expressed more than it would be...
699From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
I have appointed the bearer hereof, Mr. William Short, my Secretary. His salary as such will be the same which young Mr. Franklin received. I am therefore to ask the favor of you to pay it to him from time to time as it shall become due, and to debit the United States therewith. I have the honor to be with very great respect, Sir your most obedient and most humble servt., PrC ( DNA : PCC , No....
700From Thomas Jefferson to William Short, 24 September 1785 (Jefferson Papers)
Finding the assistance of a private Secretary necessary in my office I would wish you to accept of the appointment. In this case it will be necessary for you to abandon your plan of continuing at St. Germain’s. I need not detail to you the ordinary business in which you will be engaged. That will open itself on you of course. But it is necessary for me particularly to authorize and instruct...