The Count de Moustier, minister plenipotentiary from the court of Versailles to the United states, will have the honour of delivering you this. the connection of your offices will necessarily connect you in acquaintance: but I beg leave to present him to you on account of his personal as well as his public character. you will find him open, communicative, candid, simple in his manners, & a...
702To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 8 October 1787 (Madison Papers)
The bearer hereof the count de Moustier, successor to Monsr. de la Luzerne, would from his office need no letter of introduction to you or to any body. Yet I take the liberty of recommending him to you to shorten those formal approaches which the same office would otherwise expose him to in making your acquaintance. He is a great enemy to formality, etiquette, ostentation & luxury. He goes...
703From Thomas Jefferson to Nathaniel Barrett, 8 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your letter is put into my hand in the moment of my departure into the country . Mr. Short will translate the decision and send it with this. What are the conditions of the several dates referred to therein I cannot tell, having never meddled with the contract of Sangrain. I expect the sum of their requisition is that if you claim a total reimbursement under Sangrain’s contract you must comply...
704From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 8 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honor of writing you on the 19th. of Sep. twice on the 22d. and again on the 24th. The two first went by the packet, the 3d. by a vessel bound to Philadelphia. I have not yet learned by what occasion the last went. In these several letters I communicated to you the occurrences of Europe as far as they were then known. Notwithstanding the advantage which the emperor seemed to have...
705From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 8 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Count de Moustier , minister plenipotentiary from the court of Versailles to the United states will have the honour of delivering you this. The connection of your offices will necessarily connect you in acquaintance: but I beg leave to present him to you on account of his personal as well as his public character. You will find him open, communicative, candid, simple in his manners, and a...
706From Thomas Jefferson to James Madison, 8 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof the count de Moustier, successor to Monsr. de la Luzerne, would from his office need no letter of introduction to you or to any body. Yet I take the liberty of recommending him to you to shorten those formal approaches which the same office would otherwise expose him to in making your acquaintance. He is a great enemy to formality, etiquette, ostentation and luxury. He goes...
707From Thomas Jefferson to Pierre Samuel Dupont, 6 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honour of sending to Monsieur Dupont a copy of the Statement of purchases of tobacco made by the Farmers general. According to this it would seem that they have purchased 16573 hogsheads on the conditions prescribed by the order of Berni . That order was for about 12, or 15,000 hogsheads. M. de Vergennes, in his letter, fixes it at 15,000 hogsheads absolutely. But take...
708From Thomas Jefferson to Victor Dupont, 6 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson has the honour of presenting his compliments to Monsieur Dupont le fils, and begs the favor of him to deliver the inclosed letter personally, to it’s address, as he would wish to make Monsieur Dupont acquainted with this gentleman whom he will find an agreeable and useful acquaintance. RC ( NN ); endorsed. Not recorded in SJL . Enclosure: TJ to Robert R. Livingston , same date.
709From Thomas Jefferson to Robert R. Livingston, 6 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof is a Mr. Dupont son to a gentleman of my acquaintance here of great worth and knowlege, and holding a very distinguished office in the department of Commerce. He was the friend of the late M. Turgot and wrote his life, which perhaps you may have seen. He sends his son to America to finish his education under the patronage of the Count de Moustier, believing that he may...
710From Thomas Jefferson to John Sullivan, 5 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have now before me your several favors of Apr. 16. 26. and 30. and of May 9. and 29. and received also a few days ago the box containing the skin, bones and horns of the Moose and other animals which your Excellency has been so kind as to take so much trouble to obtain and forward. They were all in good enough condition except that a good deal of the hair of the Moose had fallen off. However...
711From Thomas Jefferson to the Agents for the United States in France, 5 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The government having at my request called on the farmers general for a state of their purchases of tobacco agreeable to the conditions of the order of Berni, and just now furnished me with a copy of it, I send you an extract of that part which concerns your port in hopes you will do me the favor to examine whether it be just and to certify any errors you may discover in it on unquestionable...
712Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 4 October 1787 (Adams Papers)
By mr̃ Cutting I have an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 10 th. inclosing one for my daughter Polly. when she received it she flushed, she whitened, she flushed again, & in short was in such a flutter of joy that she could scarcely open it. this faithful history of her sensibility towards you must stand in lieu of her thanks which she has promised me she will write...
713From Thomas Jefferson to Abigail Adams, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
By Mr. Cutting I have an opportunity of acknoleging the receipt of your favor of Sep. 10th. inclosing one for my daughter Polly. When she received it she flushed, she whitened, she flushed again, and in short was in such a flutter of joy that she could scarcely open it. This faithful history of her sensibility towards you must stand in lieu of her thanks which she has promised me she will...
714From Thomas Jefferson to the Governor of South Carolina, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am informed that the persons having claims against the state of South Carolina on account of the frigate of the same name have appointed Mr. Cutting their attorney for settling those claims with the state. It becomes my duty therefore to inform you that a claim of the state against the court of Spain for services performed by that frigate was transmitted to me the last spring by Mr. Jay,...
715From Thomas Jefferson to John Trumbull, 4 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
So many infidelities in the post offices are complained of since the rumors of war have arisen that I have waited a safer opportunity of inclosing you a bill of exchange to reimburse you what you had paid on account of my harpsichord. Mr. Cutting now furnishes that conveiance, and you have inclosed a bill drawn by Mr. Grand on Mr. Teissier of London for £14–7 sterling. One trouble more will...
716From Thomas Jefferson to C. W. F. Dumas, 3 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had received your favor of the 23d. of September two days ago. That of the 28th. and 29th. was put into my hands this morning. I immediately waited on the Ambassadors , ordinary and extraordinary of the United Netherlands, and also on the Envoy of Prussia, and asked their good offices to have an efficacious protection extended to your person, your family, and your effects, observing that the...
717From Thomas Jefferson to Bouébe, 2 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Je suis très sensible, Monsieur, de l’utilité majeure des procès, des machines &c. que vous avez imaginés et j’en rendrai conte au Secretaire du Congrès. Mais la justice, qui ne permet pas de donner de fausses esperances, me fait un devoir de vous observer que l’encouragement des projets, tellement utiles qu’ils peuvent etre, n’est pas du ressort du Congrès. C’appartient tout-a-fait aux...
718From Thomas Jefferson to Theresa Murphy, 2 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter you did me the honor to inclose for America, but you have omitted to write the address on it, so that I do not know who it is for. If you will be so good as to inform me what address to put on it, I will forward it by an occasion which offers in six or eight days. I have the honour to be with much respect Madam Your most obedt & most humble servt, PrC ( MHi ).
719From Thomas Jefferson to Buffon, 1 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I had the honour of informing you some time ago that I had written to some of my friends in America, desiring they would send me such of the spoils of the Moose, Caribou, Elk and deer as might throw light on that class of animals; but more particularly to send me the complete skeleton, skin, and horns of the Moose, in such condition as that the skin might be sowed up and stuffed on it’s...
720From Thomas Jefferson to L. J. M. Daubenton, 1 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson, being informed that Monsieur le Comte de Buffon is absent, takes the liberty of recommending to the care of Monsieur D’Aubenton the objects of Natural history which accompany this letter. He leaves the letter to Monsieur de Buffon open, that Monsieur D’Aubenton may see under what names these objects have come, and he will beg the favor of him to seal and forward the letter when...
721From Thomas Jefferson to Willink & Van Staphorst, 1 October 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
This serves to advise you that I have drawn on you this day in favor of Mr. Grand, banker of Paris, for three thousand two hundred and one florins one sol de banque paiable at one day’s sight on account of the United states of America, which I depend on your honouring and am with great respect gentlemen Your most obedient & most humble servant, PrC ( MHi ).
722From Thomas Jefferson to Ferdinand Grand, 30 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Desirous of not abusing the good dispositions you were pleased to express as to myself and your willingness to advance monies for my particular use, I wrote to Messrs. Willinck & Van Staphorsts to know whether my draught on them for six or seven thousand livres would be honored on account of the United states. They answer me by letter of Sep. 24. that they will pay it on sight, desiring...
723To John Adams from Thomas Jefferson, 28 September 1787 (Adams Papers)
I received your favors by M r. Cutting, and thank you sincerely for the copy of your book. the departure of a packet-boat, which always gives me full emploiment for some time before, has only permitted me to look into it a little. I judge of it from the first volume which I thought formed to do a great deal of good. the first principle of a good government is certainly a distribution of it’s...
724From Thomas Jefferson to John Adams, 28 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I received your favors by Mr. Cutting, and thank you sincerely for the copy of your book. The departure of a packet-boat, which always gives me full emploiment for some time before, has only permitted me to look into it a little. I judge of it from the first volume which I thought formed to do a great deal of good. The first principle of a good government is certainly a distribution of it’s...
725From Thomas Jefferson to William Stephens Smith, 28 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor by Mr. Cutting. I had before had a transient acquaintance with him, and knew him to be sensible. Your recommendation is always a new merit. I really think, and had taken the liberty some time ago of hinting to Congress that they would do well to have a diplomatic character at Lisbon. There is no country whose commerce is more interesting to us. I wish Congress...
726From Thomas Jefferson to D’Aranda, 27 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson profite de la permission de Son excellence Monsieur l’Ambassadeur d’Espagne en lui envoiant un paquet pour Monsr. Carmichael, ou il y a deux volumes in 8vo. Il ose meme de le prier de vouloir bien se charger encore d’une lettre pour Monsieur Carmichael qui contient la ratification du traité entre le Congrès et l’empereur de Maroc, et qui est trop consequent pour etre confié...
727From Thomas Jefferson to Jean Vautelet, 27 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Vous savez, Monsieur, [sans doute] que Monsr. Jean Batiste Vautelet votre fils, a fait un etablissement dans l’etat de la Nouvelle Hampshire en Amerique. Monsieur John Sullivan, l’homme du premier respect et puissance dans cet etat, a bien voulu proteger votre fils, et lui preter des secours pour son etablissement; de sorte qu’il y a due de votre fils à Monsieur Sullivan de deux à trois mille...
728From Thomas Jefferson to William Carmichael, 25 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The copy of your letter of July 9. and that of Aug. 22. came to hand together. The original of the former I never received. My last to you was dated June 14. I heard indirectly that Mr. Grand had refused to pay a bill of yours , but he never said a word to me on the subject, nor mentioned any letter of yours in consequence of it. I have stated the matter to the board of treasury . I also wrote...
729From Thomas Jefferson to La Boullaye, 24 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
J’ai eu l’honneur, Monsieur, de vous communiquer l’information que j’avois reçu de l’Agent des etats unis au port du Havre, de ce que les employés des fermes demandoient les droits anciens sur une cargaison de pot-asse qui venoit d’y arriver. Sur les soupçons que vous avez bien voulu m’exprimer que ce pourroient etre les droits locaux qu’on demandoit, j’ai écrit à l’Agent, et j’ai actuellement...
730From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 24 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The times are now so critical that every day brings something new and important, not known the day before. Observing the wind still unfavorable, I am in hopes that the packet may not sail tomorrow, and that this letter may be at Havre in time for that conveiance. Mr. Eden has waited on Count Montmorin to inform him officially that England must consider it’s convention with France relative to...
731From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 24 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Yet another letter Sir to go by the packet. It conveys information that the British Minister here has formally notified the court that they are arming generally for the present war. I am Sir Your most obedt. servt., PrC ( DLC ). Enclosure: TJ to John Jay, preceding.
732From Thomas Jefferson to Burrill Carnes, 22 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am honored by your favor of the 17th. instant. A war between France and England does not necessarily engage America in it; and I think she will be disposed rather to avail herself of the advantages of a neutral power. By the former usage of nations the goods of a friend were safe tho taken in an enemy bottom, and those of an enemy were lawful prize tho found in a free bottom. But in our...
733From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 22 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The letters of which the inclosed are copies, are this moment received, and as there is a possibility that they may reach Havre before the packet sails, I have the honor of inclosing them to you. They contain a promise of reducing the duties on tar, pitch and turpentine, and that the government will interest itself with the city of Rouen to reduce the local duty on Potash. By this you will...
734From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 22 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
When I had the honor of addressing you this morning, intelligence was handing about which I did not think well enough authenticated to communicate to you. As it is now ascertained, I avail myself of the chance that another post may yet reach Havre before the departure of the packet. This will depend on the wind which has for some days been unfavorable. I must premise that this court about 10....
735From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 22 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Mr. Jefferson begs the favor of Monsieur Limozin to deliver the inclosed to the same Monsr. Bourgoin, passenger on board the packet, to whom he desired his last to be delivered. This contains the copy of a letter from the minister promising the reduction of duties on tar pitch and turpentine, which Mr. Jefferson had sollicited, and to interest himself with the city of Rouen to reduce the local...
736From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 22 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must trouble you with another letter to Mr. Jay, to be delivered to Monsr. Bourgoin on board the packet, which I hope will not be sailed before it gets to your hands, as the latter is of extreme importance. It is to inform Congress that official advice is just received here that the Prussian troops entered the territory of Holland on the 15th. instant, that most of the principal towns had...
737From Thomas Jefferson to André Limozin, 21 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I must beg the favor of you to put the inclosed letter into the hands of Monsr. Bourgoin who is going passenger in the packet to America. He has received my other dispatches, but this was not ready when he left Paris. The boxes of plants are not yet arrived, which I mention lest sickness or some other accident should detain the carter at Havre still.—With respect to war, appearances are still...
738From Thomas Jefferson to François Baudin, 20 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of Aug. 31. which you did me the honour to write me. The power of appointing Consuls for the United states of America rests with Congress alone. As yet they have made but one appointment in France, which was that of Mr. Barclay. Perhaps it may yet be some time before any such appointments are made, as the convention for defining the Consular powers is not yet...
739From Thomas Jefferson to Madame Plumard de Bellanger, [20 September 1787] (Jefferson Papers)
Monsieur Jefferson a bien reçu la lettre que Madame Bellanger lui a fait l’honneur de lui ecrire, avec celle pour Monsieur de Rieux. Il l’a envoyé avec ses depeches, et a pris des mesures pour qu’elle soit rendue trés surement. Comme les négociants la-bas n’ont pas l’honneur de connoître Madame Bellanger, M. Jefferson a autorisé M. le Colonel Lewis de mettre sa signature sur les lettres de...
740From Thomas Jefferson to Le Mesurier & Cie., 20 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received the letter of the 14th. instant with which you have been pleased to honor me, and should cheerfully do any thing in my power to aid you in the disposal of your tobaccoes. I have asked of the Minister an order to the Farmers general to make out a report of all their purchases since the date of the order of Bernis, that we may see whether they have complied with that order....
741From Thomas Jefferson to Charles Thomson, 20 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Your favor of April 28. did not come to my hands till the 1st. inst. Unfortunately the boxes of plants, which were a day too late to come by the April packet, missed the packet of June 10. also, and only came by that of July 25. They are not yet arrived at Paris, but I expect them daily. I am sensible of your kind attention to them, and that as you were leaving New York you took the course...
742From Thomas Jefferson to John Jay, 19 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
My last letters to you were of the 6th. and 15th. of August: since which I have been honoured with yours of July 24. acknoleging the receipt of mine of the 14th. and 23d. of February. I am anxious to hear you have received that also of May 4. written from Marseilles. According to the desires of Congress expressed in their vote confirming the appointments of Francis, Giuseppe and Girolamo...
743From Thomas Jefferson to Mantel Duchoqueltz, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Immediately on the receipt of your favor of July 25. informing me that you had forwarded to me by the packet some boxes of plants &c. and that you had disbursed for me 23₶-12–6, I wrote to M. Limozin at Havre to repay this sum with the other charges which might have been incurred. I thank you for your attention, Sir, to those articles, and beg you to be assured that any disbursements you may...
744From Thomas Jefferson to Francis Hopkinson, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The bearer hereof, Mr. Burgoin, is recommended to me as a worthy and ingenious artist, skilled in drawing and engraving. Being desirous of establishing himself in America, and preferably in Philadelphia, I know I cannot do better for him than by recommending him to your patronage and counsels. One who loves the arts, must be well disposed to those who practice them. I am with great and sincere...
745From Thomas Jefferson to John Langdon, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
The Marquis de Vaudreuil, who I believe had the honour of being known to you in America, sent me the inclosed papers, whereby it appears that a certain Anthony Monset, a native of Languedoc, and merchant of Portsmouth in New Hampshire, died at Portsmouth in September or October 1786. and that William Monset and Mary Monset his brother and sister, inhabitants of Revel in Languedoc are entitled...
746From Thomas Jefferson to David Rittenhouse, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I am now to acknolege the receipt of your favors of April 14. and June 26. as also of the 2d. vol. of the transactions you were so kind as to send me. It would have been a grateful present indeed could you have accompanied them with a copy of your observations on our Western country. Besides the interest I feel in that country in common with others, I have a particular one as having ventured...
747From Thomas Jefferson to the South Carolina Delegates in Congress, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I take the liberty of sending to your care the third and last parcel of Piedmont rice, addressed to Mr. Drayton, and will beg the favor of you to have it forwarded. I divided it into separate parcels that the chances of some one of them getting safely to hand might be multiplied. You will find by my letter to Mr. Jay that the claim by your state against Spain for the use of the Indian frigate...
748From Thomas Jefferson to the Commissioners of the Treasury, 18 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
Congress having thought proper by their vote of July 18. to instruct me to take measures for the redemption of our captives at Algiers, and to desire you to furnish the money necessary, it is proper to state to you some data whereby you may judge what sum is necessary. The French prisoners, last redeemed by the order of Mathurins, cost somewhat less than 400 dollars; but the General of the...
749To James Madison from Thomas Jefferson, 17 September 1787 (Madison Papers)
My last to you were of Aug. 2. & 15. Since that I have sent to Havre to be forwarded to you by the present packet 3. boxes marked I.M. G.W. and A.D. The two last are for mr. Wythe in Williamsburgh, and mr. Alexr. Donald merchant in Richmond. The first contains the books for yourself which shall be noted at the close of my letter, together with the following for mr. Rittenhouse; viz. la Chymie...
750From Thomas Jefferson to Thomas Barclay, 17 September 1787 (Jefferson Papers)
I have duly received your favor of July 30. covering Mr. Huntington’s papers on the subject of the claim for depreciation on money advanced by him for some French prisoners. That the claim is substantially just is certain, but at the same time it is one which I cannot urge. You know it is established in practice with us not to give an account once settled and discharged, merely on a claim of...